foxnews--2020-05-14--National Park Service shares safety tips as Yellowstone reopens

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Ah , there ’ s nothing like the great outdoors .
Yellowstone National Park will reopen its Wyoming entrances on Monday in the first phase of its careful reopening , but visitors will have to heed some new guidance in the fight against COVID-19 , the National Park Service ( NPS ) said .
The iconic park has been closed to the public since March 24 amid the coronavirus crisis , and will once again welcome the public in select areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Ahead of the reopening , an NPS spokesperson told Fox News that protecting the health and safety of visitors , volunteers , partners and employees remains `` paramount . ''
The park service will follow public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) to monitor changing conditions in the reopened areas .
Moving forward , the NPS may expand , adjust , or contract operations if necessary , they added .
The spokesperson also shared the following safety tips for visitors to keep in mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis continues : • Know before you go .
Before heading out , check out the NPS ’ Find a Park website to review current park conditions , restroom availability and more .
Prepare a plan , and follow the 10 essentials .
And if you ’ re feeling sick ?
Stay home .
• Keep it close .
Respect state and local ordinances regarding the open status of the site you ’ re visiting .
The NPS is working closely with both government and health authorities to gradually expand access and services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keep your distance .
When venturing into the great outdoors , keep recreation to members of your household .
Provide others with plenty of room in accordance with CDC social distancing guidelines of six feet , and cover your nose and mouth if safe social distancing is not possible .
• Know your limits .
Save that difficult hike or new outdoor activity for a future date , in the event of injury or accident .
This will help first responders , parks and communities continue to focus on pandemic response .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ?
It ’ s your responsibility to take it out .
Trash pickup and restrooms will continue to be limited through many NPS sites ; as always , follow the “ leave no trace ” rule .
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TESTS REOPENING , PREPS VISITORS FOR 'NEW NORMAL ' : HERE 'S WHAT TO EXPECT Starting at noon on Monday , the park service will reopen South and East entrances in Wyoming , allowing public access to the lower portion of the Grand Loop Road .
From there , tourists can access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norris , Old Faithful , West Thumb and Grant Village .
Visitors must enter and exit through the South and East entrances , and can use the restrooms , self-service gas stations , trails and boardwalks that are preparing to reopen , the NPS said .
Most of Yellowstone is in Wyoming , as small portions overlap in Montana and Idaho .
The reopening , however , is complicated by the fact that about 70 percent of the park ’ s traffic passes through three gates in Montana , the Associated Press reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-quarantine orders for out-of-state visitors on nonessential business , restrictions remain in Montana and Idaho .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS With that being said , Yellowstone is in talks with these neighboring states and counties “ to open the remaining three entrances as soon as possible , ” the news release said .
The limited Phase 1 reopening of the popular national park bans overnight accommodations ( until later in the season ) while campgrounds , backcountry permits , visitor cabins , expanded tours , takeout food service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and visitor centers will remain closed for the time being , the NPS said .
“ I ’ m asking the public to partner with us to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , ” Superintendent Sholly said of the reopening .
“ Visitors can protect their family and friends by skipping areas that are too crowded and always maintaining social distance from other people , including rangers . ''
“ The NPS can ’ t do this alone and will continue to work with all stakeholders to best protect the public and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .

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Ah, there’s nothing like the great outdoors.
Yellowstone National Park will reopen its Wyoming entrances on Monday in the first phase of its careful reopening, but visitors will have to heed some new guidance in the fight against COVID-19, the National Park Service (NPS) said.
The iconic park has been closed to the public since March 24 amid the coronavirus crisis, and will once again welcome the public in select areas of its 2.2 million acreage starting next week.
Ahead of the reopening, an NPS spokesperson told Fox News that protecting the health and safety of visitors, volunteers, partners and employees remains "paramount." The park service will follow public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor changing conditions in the reopened areas. Moving forward, the NPS may expand, adjust, or contract operations if necessary, they added.
The spokesperson also shared the following safety tips for visitors to keep in mind while visiting national parks as the coronavirus crisis continues:
Know before you go. Before heading out, check out the NPS’ Find a Park website to review current park conditions, restroom availability and more. Prepare a plan, and follow the 10 essentials. And if you’re feeling sick? Stay home.
Keep it close. Respect state and local ordinances regarding the open status of the site you’re visiting. The NPS is working closely with both government and health authorities to gradually expand access and services through the National Park System.
Keep your distance. When venturing into the great outdoors, keep recreation to members of your household. Provide others with plenty of room in accordance with CDC social distancing guidelines of six feet, and cover your nose and mouth if safe social distancing is not possible.
Know your limits. Save that difficult hike or new outdoor activity for a future date, in the event of injury or accident. This will help first responders, parks and communities continue to focus on pandemic response.
Keep it with you. Brought something in? It’s your responsibility to take it out. Trash pickup and restrooms will continue to be limited through many NPS sites; as always, follow the “leave no trace” rule.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TESTS REOPENING, PREPS VISITORS FOR 'NEW NORMAL': HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT
Starting at noon on Monday, the park service will reopen South and East entrances in Wyoming, allowing public access to the lower portion of the Grand Loop Road. From there, tourists can access and enjoy Yellowstone Lake, Canyon, Norris, Old Faithful, West Thumb and Grant Village.
Visitors must enter and exit through the South and East entrances, and can use the restrooms, self-service gas stations, trails and boardwalks that are preparing to reopen, the NPS said.
Most of Yellowstone is in Wyoming, as small portions overlap in Montana and Idaho. The reopening, however, is complicated by the fact that about 70 percent of the park’s traffic passes through three gates in Montana, the Associated Press reports. Though Wyoming has lifted its 14-day self-quarantine orders for out-of-state visitors on nonessential business, restrictions remain in Montana and Idaho.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
With that being said, Yellowstone is in talks with these neighboring states and counties “to open the remaining three entrances as soon as possible,” the news release said.
The limited Phase 1 reopening of the popular national park bans overnight accommodations (until later in the season) while campgrounds, backcountry permits, visitor cabins, expanded tours, takeout food service, additional stores, boating, fishing, and visitor centers will remain closed for the time being, the NPS said.
“I’m asking the public to partner with us to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Superintendent Sholly said of the reopening. “Visitors can protect their family and friends by skipping areas that are too crowded and always maintaining social distance from other people, including rangers."
“The NPS can’t do this alone and will continue to work with all stakeholders to best protect the public and our employees.”
CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS’ CONTINUING CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Yellowstone attracts about 4 million visitors each year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-05-15--Texas preschool teacher surprises students with a backyard class

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In San Antonio , Texas , 15 preschoolers got an exciting surprise when their teacher showed up ready for class outside each of their homes .
A few weeks into quarantine , Myra Garza , a preschool teacher at Holy Spirit Catholic School was missing her class and wanted to find a way to connect with them that wasn ’ t through a computer .
After getting approval from her school and an overwhelmingly positive response from parents , Garza packed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do in-person lessons in her students ’ backyards .
GIRL , 10 , SENDS OVER 1,500 ART KITS TO KIDS IN HOMELESS SHELTERS , FOSTER CARE , DURING CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWN “ Most families were telling me all morning or all afternoon [ the kids ] were like , ‘ When she coming ?
’ ‘ Is she coming ?
’ And they were constantly just looking outside , waiting for me to get there .
So they were excited just to have their teacher there , ” Garza told Fox News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ student ’ s house and while she was fully prepared to do a lesson that included phonics , alphabet , and math , most of the kids were just eager to show her around their homes and riddle her with questions .
GEORGIA TEACHER RUNNING MORE THAN 50 MILES TO VISIT EACH STUDENT OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES “ We kind of just visited with each other .
You know some kids did n't even want to do the lesson .
They just wanted to talk and they just wanted to show me things .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead , '' she said .
“ I think they were just fascinated with the fact that I was there.
” Garza said the parents also seemed excited to interact with another adult and were grateful for the small sense of normalcy her visit brought .
The 13-year teaching veteran is hoping to do another round of visits to her kids at the end of May as a way to finish off the school year .
“ It was a great joy for me .
I 've loved it .
I had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I left , you know , crying some of the times because I love my job .
And , you know , this little class is so special .
”

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In San Antonio, Texas, 15 preschoolers got an exciting surprise when their teacher showed up ready for class outside each of their homes.
A few weeks into quarantine, Myra Garza, a preschool teacher at Holy Spirit Catholic School was missing her class and wanted to find a way to connect with them that wasn’t through a computer. After getting approval from her school and an overwhelmingly positive response from parents, Garza packed up her car with activities and went to do in-person lessons in her students’ backyards.
GIRL, 10, SENDS OVER 1,500 ART KITS TO KIDS IN HOMELESS SHELTERS, FOSTER CARE, DURING CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWN
“Most families were telling me all morning or all afternoon [the kids] were like, ‘When she coming?’ ‘Is she coming?’ And they were constantly just looking outside, waiting for me to get there. So they were excited just to have their teacher there,” Garza told Fox News.
Garza spent about 30 minutes outside each student’s house and while she was fully prepared to do a lesson that included phonics, alphabet, and math, most of the kids were just eager to show her around their homes and riddle her with questions.
GEORGIA TEACHER RUNNING MORE THAN 50 MILES TO VISIT EACH STUDENT OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES
“We kind of just visited with each other. You know some kids didn't even want to do the lesson. They just wanted to talk and they just wanted to show me things. So I kind of just took their lead," she said. “I think they were just fascinated with the fact that I was there.”
Garza said the parents also seemed excited to interact with another adult and were grateful for the small sense of normalcy her visit brought. The 13-year teaching veteran is hoping to do another round of visits to her kids at the end of May as a way to finish off the school year.
“It was a great joy for me. I've loved it. I had a good time," she said. "I left, you know, crying some of the times because I love my job. And, you know, this little class is so special.”


foxnews--2020-05-15--Keith Urban performs private, drive-in concert for medical workers

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Country star Keith Urban had a special treat for frontline workers in Nashville .
The 52-year-old along with two other musicians played a private concert of their hit songs on a flatbed truck in front of about 125 cars on Thursday night .
Urban played the Stardust Drive-In movie theater , about 40 miles east of Nashville , Tennessee , for a crowd of more than 200 medical workers from Vanderbilt Health .
KEITH URBAN SAYS HE , NICOLE KIDMAN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE “ It 's like glorified karaoke , ” Urban told The Associated Press of the set up that included ine band member playing pre-recorded tracks and another guitar/keyboard player .
In the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak , Urban had n't played a live show since February .
Urban said it took him and his promoter Live Nation about a month to plan the surprise drive-in concert , although more drive-in concerts are currently being planned throughout the country .
“ All the cars are tilted forward so they 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got this freakin ' killer video wall behind the stage , ” said Urban .
During the 75-minute show , Urban played some of his hits , including “ Blue Ai n't Your Color ” and “ The Fighter , ” but also played new songs off his upcoming record “ The Speed of Now , Part 1.
” NICOLE KIDMAN REVEALS MOMENT SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH KEITH URBAN : ' I WAS A GONER' Urban said the thrill of playing live again was amazing , even as the crowd looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He asked the health care workers to send him selfies of themselves , which he put on the screen behind him .
`` There would just be a random lights flashing out there , then a horn and a cheer over there , and then I realized it was all these people popping up on screen behind me , ” he said .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Urban said that he wanted to thank all the health care workers who have been on the front line of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was just huge gratitude , particularly for that audience last night , '' said Urban .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

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Country star Keith Urban had a special treat for frontline workers in Nashville.
The 52-year-old along with two other musicians played a private concert of their hit songs on a flatbed truck in front of about 125 cars on Thursday night.
Urban played the Stardust Drive-In movie theater, about 40 miles east of Nashville, Tennessee, for a crowd of more than 200 medical workers from Vanderbilt Health.
KEITH URBAN SAYS HE, NICOLE KIDMAN, THEIR KIDS ARE STAYING 'CREATIVE' IN CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE
“It's like glorified karaoke,” Urban told The Associated Press of the set up that included ine band member playing pre-recorded tracks and another guitar/keyboard player.
In the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Urban hadn't played a live show since February. Urban said it took him and his promoter Live Nation about a month to plan the surprise drive-in concert, although more drive-in concerts are currently being planned throughout the country.
“All the cars are tilted forward so they've all got a great view and you've got this freakin' killer video wall behind the stage,” said Urban.
During the 75-minute show, Urban played some of his hits, including “Blue Ain't Your Color” and “The Fighter,” but also played new songs off his upcoming record “The Speed of Now, Part 1.”
NICOLE KIDMAN REVEALS MOMENT SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH KEITH URBAN: 'I WAS A GONER'
Urban said the thrill of playing live again was amazing, even as the crowd looked — and sounded — a little different. He asked the health care workers to send him selfies of themselves, which he put on the screen behind him.
"There would just be a random lights flashing out there, then a horn and a cheer over there, and then I realized it was all these people popping up on screen behind me,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Urban said that he wanted to thank all the health care workers who have been on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Walking on stage, it was just huge gratitude, particularly for that audience last night," said Urban.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-05-15--New York barber who 'illicitly' cut hair for weeks has coronavirus

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A New York barber who cut hair over the past few weeks amid the state 's coronavirus restrictions has tested positive for the virus , according to health officials on Wednesday .
Dr. Carol Smith , the Ulster County health commissioner , urged anyone who got their hair cut at a Kingston barbershop within the last three weeks to immediately contact their primary care physician and get tested for the virus .
“ We are taking extraordinary measures to try and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and learning that a barbershop has been operating illicitly for weeks with a COVID-19-positive employee is extraordinarily disheartening , ” Smith said in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday .
Barbershops , beauty salons , and nail salons have been prohibited from opening after Gov .
Andrew Cuomo issued the `` New York on PAUSE '' directive on March 22 , which closed all nonessential businesses to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
`` As much as we would all like to go out and get a professional haircut , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dramatically spread this virus throughout our community and beyond , '' Smith added .
DE BLASIO EXPANDS NYC CORONAVIRUS TESTING CRITERIA TO INCLUDE NURSING HOME AND SHELTER WORKERS , CALLS ON FEDS FOR HELP The barber or barbershop was n't identified , although Smith said they were operating a shop on Broadway in the city of Kingston -- located about 90 miles north of New York City .
There are reportedly four barbershops on Broadway in the area , according to the Daily Freeman .
`` I urge anyone who has received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last several weeks to immediately contact their physician or call our hotline to arrange for a diagnostic test , '' she said .
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE New York -- seen as the U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak -- has more than 27,641 deaths from the virus as of Friday morning , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .

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A New York barber who cut hair over the past few weeks amid the state's coronavirus restrictions has tested positive for the virus, according to health officials on Wednesday.
Dr. Carol Smith, the Ulster County health commissioner, urged anyone who got their hair cut at a Kingston barbershop within the last three weeks to immediately contact their primary care physician and get tested for the virus.
“We are taking extraordinary measures to try and minimize the spread of this dangerous disease, and learning that a barbershop has been operating illicitly for weeks with a COVID-19-positive employee is extraordinarily disheartening,” Smith said in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday.
CDC ISSUES HEALTH ADVISORY ABOUT MYSTERIOUS CORONAVIRUS-RELATED CONDITION FOUND IN CHILDREN
Barbershops, beauty salons, and nail salons have been prohibited from opening after Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued the "New York on PAUSE" directive on March 22, which closed all nonessential businesses to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
"As much as we would all like to go out and get a professional haircut, this kind of direct contact has the potential to dramatically spread this virus throughout our community and beyond," Smith added.
DE BLASIO EXPANDS NYC CORONAVIRUS TESTING CRITERIA TO INCLUDE NURSING HOME AND SHELTER WORKERS, CALLS ON FEDS FOR HELP
The barber or barbershop wasn't identified, although Smith said they were operating a shop on Broadway in the city of Kingston -- located about 90 miles north of New York City.
There are reportedly four barbershops on Broadway in the area, according to the Daily Freeman.
"I urge anyone who has received a haircut at a Kingston barber in the last several weeks to immediately contact their physician or call our hotline to arrange for a diagnostic test," she said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
New York -- seen as the U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak -- has more than 27,641 deaths from the virus as of Friday morning, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.


foxnews--2020-04-18--Andrew Bogan: New data suggest the coronavirus isn’t as deadly as we thought

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The Covid-19 shutdowns have been based on the premise that the disease would kill more than two million Americans absent drastic actions to slow its spread .
That model assumed case fatality rates—the share of infected people who die from the disease—of 1 % to 3 % .
The World Health Organization ’ s estimated case-fatality rate was 3.4 % .
Some experts—including in these pages—have questioned this assumption .
They argue that known cases are likely only a small portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thus high case-fatality rates could be off by orders of magnitude .
We don ’ t know what portion of infections have gone undetected for a lack of tests , restrictive qualifications to get tested , and a potentially large incidence of mild illness or asymptomatic infection .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP New data support the skeptics ’ view—a preliminary study by a Stanford team , released Friday .
They conducted a seroprevalence study of Santa Clara County , Calif. , on April 3 and 4 .
They studied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test for the presence of antibodies in their blood that would show if they had previously been infected with the novel coronavirus .
CORONAVIRUS ANTIBODY TESTING FINDS BAY AREA INFECTIONS MAY BE 85 TIMES HIGHER THAN REPORTED : RESEARCHERS The county , where I live , is home to about two million people in the heart of Silicon Valley , including San Jose , the state ’ s third-largest city .
It has the largest known number of cases in Northern California and saw some of the earliest cases of community spread in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ REST OF THIS OP-ED IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-data-suggest-the-coronavirus-isnt-as-deadly-as-we-thought-11587155298


foxnews--2020-04-06--Thousands of coronavirus-infected New Yorkers treated with anti-malarial drug

As many as 4,000 seriously ill coronavirus patients in New York are being treated with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine , state health officials say .
President Trump has touted hydroxychloroquine as a potential life-saver , although there is no widespread scientific evidence to date showing it helps battle COVID-19 .
But Gov .
Andrew Cuomo last month said health care providers in the state would be using the drug in combination with the antibiotic Zithromax , or azithromycin , for some last-ditch cases , based on potentially promising research .
NY DOCTOR SAYS HE DOES N'T AGREE WITH CUOMO 'S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time is of the essence , ’ ’ Albany University Public Health Dean David Holtgrave , who is on the state ’ s research team , said in a statement .
A state Health Department official said the DOH has shipped doses of hydroxychloroquine to 56 hospitals across New York , distributing enough “ to treat 4,000 patients to date.
” Patients have received doses as part of four- or 10-day regimens , officials said .
The University of Albany ’ s School of Public Health is observing the drug ’ s impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study could come back in weeks instead of the usual months , officials said .
There are also clinical trials being conducted to see whether the drug can help block transmission .
NYU Langone Medical School is conducting a random trial with a $ 9.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .
“ Currently , there is no proven way to prevent COVID-19 after being exposed , ” said Anna Bershteyn , an assistant professor with the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone and the study ’ s co-principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then it could be an essential tool for fighting this pandemic .
If it doesn ’ t , then people should avoid unnecessary risks from taking the drug.
” The drug has long been used to treat malaria , rheumatoid arthritis and lupus .
Its potential side effects include everything from fatal heart arrhythmia to vision loss , ear-ringing , vomiting , mood changes , skin rashes and hair loss .
CORONAVIRUS : WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Health officials are treading cautiously , saying they don ’ t anticipate hydroxychloroquine will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus — but the studies are worth the gamble .
In terms of the NYU clinical trial regarding prevention , researchers are enrolling 2,000 adult volunteers at six sites .
They are recruiting people who lack any COVID-19 symptoms but have been in close contact with others who have a confirmed or pending diagnosis .
On a random basis , the trial participants will receive either hydroxychloroquine or a placebo pill — vitamin C — every day for two weeks .
Each day during the 14-day period and then again on Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nasal passages and send the samples to researchers to detect potential COVID-19 infection .
“ If everything goes as planned , the eight-week trial could provide answers by summer on whether a preventive dose of the drug is safe and effective , ’ ’ NYU Langone said in a release .
“ If so , the strategy could give health officials a much-needed boost in slowing person-to-person transmission.
” The federal Food and Drug Administration granted emergency-use authorization to use hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients amid the pandemic .
There has been anecdotal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drug helps patients clear the virus sooner .
But Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health , asked recently whether the drug was considered a treatment for the novel coronavirus , said , “ The answer is no … The evidence that you ’ re talking about … is anecdotal evidence.
” Meanwhile , Northwell Health facilities — including Lenox Hill , Long Island Jewish and Staten Island University hospitals — and Maimonides Medical Center are giving moderately to seriously ill coronavirus patients certain antiviral drugs such as Sarilumab , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drug that incorporates itself into the genome .
TRUMP SAYS THERE IS 'LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL ' AFTER GRIM WARNINGS OF CORONAVIRUS DEATH TOLL RISING Mount Sinai ’ s-Icahn School of Medicine also is one of 34 institutions nationwide participating in the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project .
The program seeks blood-plasma donations from recovered coronavirus patients that contain antibodies that can be used to fight the virus in seriously ill patients .
This article originally appeared in the New York Post .

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As many as 4,000 seriously ill coronavirus patients in New York are being treated with the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, state health officials say.
President Trump has touted hydroxychloroquine as a potential life-saver, although there is no widespread scientific evidence to date showing it helps battle COVID-19.
But Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month said health care providers in the state would be using the drug in combination with the antibiotic Zithromax, or azithromycin, for some last-ditch cases, based on potentially promising research.
“Time is of the essence,’’ Albany University Public Health Dean David Holtgrave, who is on the state’s research team, said in a statement.
A state Health Department official said the DOH has shipped doses of hydroxychloroquine to 56 hospitals across New York, distributing enough “to treat 4,000 patients to date.”
Patients have received doses as part of four- or 10-day regimens, officials said.
The University of Albany’s School of Public Health is observing the drug’s impact on the patients, and its preliminary study could come back in weeks instead of the usual months, officials said.
There are also clinical trials being conducted to see whether the drug can help block transmission.
NYU Langone Medical School is conducting a random trial with a $9.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“Currently, there is no proven way to prevent COVID-19 after being exposed,” said Anna Bershteyn, an assistant professor with the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone and the study’s co-principal investigator.
“If hydroxychloroquine provides protection, then it could be an essential tool for fighting this pandemic. If it doesn’t, then people should avoid unnecessary risks from taking the drug.”
The drug has long been used to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Its potential side effects include everything from fatal heart arrhythmia to vision loss, ear-ringing, vomiting, mood changes, skin rashes and hair loss.
Health officials are treading cautiously, saying they don’t anticipate hydroxychloroquine will be a “miracle drug” against the coronavirus — but the studies are worth the gamble.
In terms of the NYU clinical trial regarding prevention, researchers are enrolling 2,000 adult volunteers at six sites.
They are recruiting people who lack any COVID-19 symptoms but have been in close contact with others who have a confirmed or pending diagnosis.
On a random basis, the trial participants will receive either hydroxychloroquine or a placebo pill — vitamin C — every day for two weeks.
Each day during the 14-day period and then again on Day 28, the participants will swab their nasal passages and send the samples to researchers to detect potential COVID-19 infection.
“If everything goes as planned, the eight-week trial could provide answers by summer on whether a preventive dose of the drug is safe and effective,’’ NYU Langone said in a release.
“If so, the strategy could give health officials a much needed boost in slowing person-to-person transmission.”
The federal Food and Drug Administration granted emergency-use authorization to use hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients amid the pandemic.
There has been anecdotal evidence — including from China — that the drug helps patients clear the virus sooner.
But Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, asked recently whether the drug was considered a treatment for the novel coronavirus, said, “The answer is no … The evidence that you’re talking about … is anecdotal evidence.”
Meanwhile, Northwell Health facilities — including Lenox Hill, Long Island Jewish and Staten Island University hospitals — and Maimonides Medical Center are giving moderately to seriously ill coronavirus patients certain antiviral drugs such as Sarilumab, an IL-6 inhibitor, and Remdesivir, a drug that incorporates itself into the genome.
Northwell has recruited 143 patients for a Sarilumab trial.
Mount Sinai’s-Icahn School of Medicine also is one of 34 institutions nationwide participating in the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project. The program seeks blood-plasma donations from recovered coronavirus patients that contain antibodies that can be used to fight the virus in seriously ill patients.


foxnews--2020-04-07--R Kelly's request for early release due to coronavirus concerns denied by judge

A Brooklyn judge on Tuesday denied R. Kelly ’ s request for release due to the coronavirus pandemic , finding that he is not among the inmates most endangered by the disease .
Kelly is being held at the Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center , where he is awaiting trial on racketeering , sexual misconduct and other charges in three jurisdictions .
On March 26 , his attorneys asked that he be released , citing his age , 53 , and a recent surgery as risk factors that made him susceptible to a severe bout of the illness .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the motion , finding that he remains a flight risk .
“ The defendant is currently in custody because of the risks that he will flee or attempt to obstruct , threaten or intimidate prospective witnesses , ” Donnelly wrote .
“ The defendant has not explained how those risks have changed.
” Kelly ’ s attorneys had asked that he be placed on home confinement at the Roosevelt Collections Loft apartment complex in Chicago .
The attorneys had also complained that the prison ’ s new restrictions to mitigate the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet with Kelly and prepare for trial .
Kelly ’ s attorneys , Steve Greenberg and Tom Farinella , also cited a long list of other defendants who have been granted release due to the pandemic .
“ This is not a request to open the doors and allow all inmates out , this is a specific request concerning a specific inmate , ” they argued .
In its opposition , the government noted that MCC Chicago inmates are afforded free soap , and have the option to buy more soap from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MCC Chicago can not be a basis for being released , ” prosecutors wrote .

A Brooklyn judge on Tuesday denied R. Kelly’s request for release due to the coronavirus pandemic, finding that he is not among the inmates most endangered by the disease.
Kelly is being held at the Chicago Metropolitan Correctional Center, where he is awaiting trial on racketeering, sexual misconduct and other charges in three jurisdictions. On March 26, his attorneys asked that he be released, citing his age, 53, and a recent surgery as risk factors that made him susceptible to a severe bout of the illness.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly denied the motion, finding that he remains a flight risk.
“The defendant is currently in custody because of the risks that he will flee or attempt to obstruct, threaten or intimidate prospective witnesses,” Donnelly wrote. “The defendant has not explained how those risks have changed.”
Kelly’s attorneys had asked that he be placed on home confinement at the Roosevelt Collections Loft apartment complex in Chicago. The attorneys had also complained that the prison’s new restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have made it impossible for them to meet with Kelly and prepare for trial.
Kelly’s attorneys, Steve Greenberg and Tom Farinella, also cited a long list of other defendants who have been granted release due to the pandemic.
“This is not a request to open the doors and allow all inmates out, this is a specific request concerning a specific inmate,” they argued.
In its opposition, the government noted that MCC Chicago inmates are afforded free soap, and have the option to buy more soap from the commissary.
“Simply residing in MCC Chicago cannot be a basis for being released,” prosecutors wrote.


foxnews--2020-04-03--Nurses at top New York City hospital say they deserve ‘hazard pay’ in battle against COVID-19

One nurse rides the subway each day wondering if she ’ ll have the proper protective equipment for her 12-hour shift , while another worries about a shortage of hydrogen peroxide wipes .
Emergency room nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital on Manhattan ’ s Upper East Side – one of the best hospitals in the country – say they are facing a multitude of challenges as they battle COVID-19 on the front lines that are putting their own health at great risk .
The regular exposure to danger should earn them `` hazard pay , '' but none are receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrast , out-of-state nurses called in to assist Mount Sinai staff are making an extra $ 2,000 to $ 5,000 a week – with many of them receiving additional accommodations , like lodging and transportation – according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation .
`` I absolutely signed up to take care of the sick and dying – there ’ s nothing else I ’ d rather do – but it ’ s frustrating to be treated this way in a time of crisis and when we have inadequate protection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is unfair to all of us , '' said another , adding that a petition may be underway demanding additional pay until the risk of infection from supply shortages is greatly reduced .
`` Having to pay for an Uber every day , to and from work , is not feasible , '' the nurse said .
`` I love our doctors and the directors of our department but everyone on the front lines deserves better . ''
All of the nurses interviewed spoke on condition of anonymity because they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter .
It ’ s unclear if an outside staffing agency or another entity is paying the out-of-state nurses .
A spokeswoman for Mount Sinai did not immediately return a phone call and email from Fox News on Friday seeking comment .
Hazard pay is defined by the U.S. Department of Labor as additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship .
`` Work duty that causes extreme physical discomfort and distress which is not adequately alleviated by protective devices is deemed to impose a physical hardship , '' according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday , President Trump said his administration is considering ways to compensate health care workers with additional hazard pay during the pandemic , though no plan has been unveiled yet .
`` It ’ s something we ’ re discussing in terms of bonus or bonus pay , '' Trump said during a press briefing .
`` They ’ re like warriors , they ’ re like soldiers , '' he said of the doctors , nurses and healthcare workers on the front lines of the outbreak .
Like all emergency rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Mount Sinai 's main campus is in dire straits , with a high volume of patients needing intubation and a medical staff that is physically and emotionally fatigued .
`` The volume of patients is rising as is the acuity level , '' said one nurse .
`` We ’ re intubating anywhere between 10 and 15 patients a night and we are understaffed . ''
`` I have a lot of anxiety , and it ’ s very hard emotionally because when this first started we were told this is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information that was coming out of other countries like Italy , '' the nurse added .
`` But that is not the case here .
We are seeing people in their 30s , 40s and 50s with no other illnesses gasping for air . ''
All the nurses interviewed said they only get one N95 respirator mask for their entire 12-hour shift .
Face shields must be wiped down and reused , they said .
`` PPE [ personal protective equipment ] is not supposed to be reusable , '' said one nurse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick are so high .
We ’ re probably all going to have it at some point . ''
Two nurses spoke of a colleague who is currently sick and in quarantine after treating patients with the novel virus .
Another nurse reported that `` multiple nurses and doctors '' have fallen sick from COVID-19 .
`` You can send anything to the Mount Sinai ER – we have seen it all – but this has shaken everyone , '' the nurse said .

One nurse rides the subway each day wondering if she’ll have the proper protective equipment for her 12-hour shift, while another worries about a shortage of hydrogen peroxide wipes.
Emergency room nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital on Manhattan’s Upper East Side – one of the best hospitals in the country – say they are facing a multitude of challenges as they battle COVID-19 on the front lines that are putting their own health at great risk.
The regular exposure to danger should earn them "hazard pay," but none are receiving it, they said.
In stark contrast, out-of-state nurses called in to assist Mount Sinai staff are making an extra $2,000 to $5,000 a week – with many of them receiving additional accommodations, like lodging and transportation – according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.
"I absolutely signed up to take care of the sick and dying – there’s nothing else I’d rather do – but it’s frustrating to be treated this way in a time of crisis and when we have inadequate protection," said one Mount Sinai nurse.
"It is unfair to all of us," said another, adding that a petition may be underway demanding additional pay until the risk of infection from supply shortages is greatly reduced.
"Having to pay for an Uber every day, to and from work, is not feasible," the nurse said. "I love our doctors and the directors of our department but everyone on the front lines deserves better."
All of the nurses interviewed spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
It’s unclear if an outside staffing agency or another entity is paying the out-of-state nurses. A spokeswoman for Mount Sinai did not immediately return a phone call and email from Fox News on Friday seeking comment.
Hazard pay is defined by the U.S. Department of Labor as additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship. "Work duty that causes extreme physical discomfort and distress which is not adequately alleviated by protective devices is deemed to impose a physical hardship," according to the department’s website.
"You can send anything to the Mount Sinai ER – we have seen it all – but this has shaken everyone" — Unnamed nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital
On Wednesday, President Trump said his administration is considering ways to compensate health care workers with additional hazard pay during the pandemic, though no plan has been unveiled yet.
"It’s something we’re discussing in terms of bonus or bonus pay," Trump said during a press briefing. "They’re like warriors, they’re like soldiers," he said of the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers on the front lines of the outbreak.
Like all emergency rooms in COVID-19 hotspots, the emergency room at Mount Sinai's main campus is in dire straits, with a high volume of patients needing intubation and a medical staff that is physically and emotionally fatigued.
"The volume of patients is rising as is the acuity level," said one nurse. "We’re intubating anywhere between 10 and 15 patients a night and we are understaffed."
"I have a lot of anxiety, and it’s very hard emotionally because when this first started we were told this is just affecting older people – that was the information that was coming out of other countries like Italy," the nurse added. "But that is not the case here. We are seeing people in their 30s, 40s and 50s with no other illnesses gasping for air."
All the nurses interviewed said they only get one N95 respirator mask for their entire 12-hour shift. Face shields must be wiped down and reused, they said.
"PPE [personal protective equipment] is not supposed to be reusable," said one nurse. "The odds of us getting sick are so high. We’re probably all going to have it at some point."
Two nurses spoke of a colleague who is currently sick and in quarantine after treating patients with the novel virus. Another nurse reported that "multiple nurses and doctors" have fallen sick from COVID-19.
"You can send anything to the Mount Sinai ER – we have seen it all – but this has shaken everyone," the nurse said.
Fox News’ Chris Ciaccia contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-03-25--Potatoes and the pandemic: Farmers rush to supply spuds during coronavirus outbreak

Air fryers and toaster ovens around the country may go cold this week as the potato industry takes a major hit due to soaring demand for spuds amid the coronavirus lockdown .
Now , potato farmers and distributors are working around the clock to keep tater-loving Americans full on the hearty vegetable , UPI reports , as millions take to their kitchens — some for the first time — to cook for themselves .
“ Stores are selling out of potatoes as soon as they get them in , ” says Blair Richardson , CEO of Denver-based food marketing agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assures that there is , in fact , plenty to go around — but it ’ s going to take a supply-chain shake-up to get more in supermarkets .
WHICH FOODS SHOULD YOU STOCK UP ON IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY ?
As many restaurants , caterers and other eateries have put their operations on hold indefinitely , potatoes will need to be rerouted to store shelves to serve individual consumers .
“ It ’ s not that we ’ re out of potatoes , ” says Frank Muir , president and CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission .
“ We have enough potatoes to get people through this crisis .
It ’ s just that we don ’ t have them in the right place.
” Muir points out that grocery stores typically receive shipments of potatoes pre-packaged in 5- , 10- and 15-pound bags , while restaurants take orders of 50-pound crates .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS So dreams of a healthier French fry haven ’ t been dashed entirely .
Indeed , carb lovers may find themselves inundated with the root veggie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to repack into smaller portions — are accepting outsized orders , and selling them to customers by the box-load .
“ Supermarkets are putting these boxes of potatoes out on the floor , or stacking them on pallets and selling them in bulk , ” says Randy Hardy , an Idaho potato grower .
Meanwhile , potato packers are working overtime , says Hardy , and farmers in spud-growing states , including Idaho , North Dakota , Minnesota , Florida , California and Texas , are planning to plant and harvest even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think we ’ ll run out , ” Richardson says .
“ Farmers are planting as many acres as they can with potatoes right now because of the new demand.
” This story was originally published by the New York Post .

Air fryers and toaster ovens around the country may go cold this week as the potato industry takes a major hit due to soaring demand for spuds amid the coronavirus lockdown.
Now, potato farmers and distributors are working around the clock to keep tater-loving Americans full on the hearty vegetable, UPI reports, as millions take to their kitchens — some for the first time — to cook for themselves.
“Stores are selling out of potatoes as soon as they get them in,” says Blair Richardson, CEO of Denver-based food marketing agency Potatoes USA. However, Richardson also assures that there is, in fact, plenty to go around — but it’s going to take a supply-chain shake-up to get more in supermarkets.
As many restaurants, caterers and other eateries have put their operations on hold indefinitely, potatoes will need to be rerouted to store shelves to serve individual consumers.
“It’s not that we’re out of potatoes,” says Frank Muir, president and CEO of the Boise, Idaho-based Idaho Potato Commission. “We have enough potatoes to get people through this crisis. It’s just that we don’t have them in the right place.”
Muir points out that grocery stores typically receive shipments of potatoes pre-packaged in 5-, 10- and 15-pound bags, while restaurants take orders of 50-pound crates.
So dreams of a healthier french fry haven’t been dashed entirely. Indeed, carb lovers may find themselves inundated with the root veggie as grocery stores — with no time to repack into smaller portions — are accepting outsized orders, and selling them to customers by the box-load.
“Supermarkets are putting these boxes of potatoes out on the floor, or stacking them on pallets and selling them in bulk,” says Randy Hardy, an Idaho potato grower.
Meanwhile, potato packers are working overtime, says Hardy, and farmers in spud-growing states, including Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota, Florida, California and Texas, are planning to plant and harvest even more this spring.
“I don’t think we’ll run out,” Richardson says. “Farmers are planting as many acres as they can with potatoes right now because of the new demand.”


foxnews--2020-03-25--Coronavirus-linked face mask shortage prompts doctors to seek best practices on reuse

Very little is known about how to properly reuse medical masks to fight infectious diseases .
No method is confirmed to work .
Still , in a report to doctors , which has yet to be peer-reviewed , some researchers are beginning to point to the best options for decontaminating used masks .
Medical professionals are reusing single-use medical masks across the country right now , according to the news organization The Intercept and numerous other reports , as the COVID-19 pandemic is stressing the usual supply chains for the masks .
Medical masks , including N95 masks , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worn properly to be effective .
According to a new article released by researchers at Stanford University 's School of Medicine 's COVID-19 Evidence Service today ( March 24 ) , however , there are some methods that doctors can use that do seem to be better than others .
( Their communications particularly targeted anesthesiologists . )
`` We do not advocate or advise specific treatments or approaches , '' the researchers began .
`` The COVID-19 Evidence Service aims to share the best available evidence to address questions for clinical anesthesiologists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that hospital policy and procedures be respected and adhered to . ''
Referring to a paper published in the journal Annals of Occupational Hygiene in 2009 , among others , the researchers compared and contrasted these different methods for sterilizing N95 masks , many of which were ineffective : • Heat in an oven for 30 minutes at 58 degrees Fahrenheit ( 70 degrees Celsius ) • Soak the mask in 75 % ethyl alcohol , then let it dry • Clean the mask with liquid or vapor hydrogen peroxide • Steam the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Use extreme heat in an oven or autoclave '' To be useful , a decontamination method must eliminate the viral threat , be harmless to end-users and retain respirator integrity , '' they wrote .
All of the methods used were believed effective for destroying coronaviruses , they wrote , but not all of them were good ideas .
`` DO NOT use alcohol and chlorine [ bleach ] -based disinfection methods , '' they wrote .
`` These will remove the static charge in the microfibers in N95 facial masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chlorine also retains gas after de-contamination , and these fumes may be harmful . ''
Microwaves tended to melt the masks and render them useless .
Hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation appeared to be at least somewhat more effective , they wrote , `` but it is not known if they would retain filtration , material strength and airflow integrity with repeated use . ''
Autoclaves , 320 F [ 160 C ] ovens , and soap and water soaking , all appeared ineffective , they wrote .
However , they wrote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a kitchen-type of oven for 30 min , or hot water vapor from boiling water for 10 min , are additional effective decontamination methods . ''
The CDC still does not recommend reusing masks , and the researchers encouraged doctors to follow guidelines in their clinics .
If you are not a medical professional , the best way to avoid getting sick is n't using a mask ( new or reused ) , but staying at home .
If you must go out , homemade cloth masks are an imperfect but better-than-nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , a mask is much more likely to help you avoid spreading the illness if you are sick than it is to protect you from the illness , as Live Science has also reported .
Again , if you can , stay at home .
Coronavirus in the US : Map & cases What are the symptoms ?
How deadly is the new coronavirus ?
How long does virus last on surfaces ?
Is there a cure for COVID-19 ?
How does it compare with seasonal flu ?
How does the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus after they recover ?

A man is shown wearing an N95 respirator mask, which is not intended to be reused.
Very little is known about how to properly reuse medical masks to fight infectious diseases. No method is confirmed to work. Still, in a report to doctors, which has yet to be peer reviewed, some researchers are beginning to point to the best options for decontaminating used masks.
Medical professionals are reusing single-use medical masks across the country right now, according to the news organization The Intercept and numerous other reports, as the COVID-19 pandemic is stressing the usual supply chains for the masks. Medical masks, including N95 masks, are intended to be single use and must be worn properly to be effective. According to a new article released by researchers at Stanford University's School of Medicine's COVID-19 Evidence Service today (March 24), however, there are some methods that doctors can use that do seem to be better than others. (Their communications particularly targeted anesthesiologists.)
"We do not advocate or advise specific treatments or approaches," the researchers began. "The COVID-19 Evidence Service aims to share the best available evidence to address questions for clinical anesthesiologists and the anesthesiology community. We recommend that hospital policy and procedures be respected and adhered to."
Related: 13 coronavirus myths busted by science
Referring to a paper published in the journal Annals of Occupational Hygiene in 2009, among others, the researchers compared and contrasted these different methods for sterilizing N95 masks, many of which were ineffective:
Heat in an oven for 30 minutes at 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius)
Use ultraviolet light for 30 minutes
Soak the mask in 75% ethyl alcohol, then let it dry
Clean the mask with liquid or vapor hydrogen peroxide
Clean the mask with bleach
Steam the mask with hot vapor from boiling water
Microwave the mask
Use extreme heat in an oven or autoclave
Soak in soap and water
"To be useful, a decontamination method must eliminate the viral threat, be harmless to end-users and retain respirator integrity," they wrote.
All of the methods used were believed effective for destroying coronaviruses, they wrote, but not all of them were good ideas.
"DO NOT use alcohol and chlorine [bleach]-based disinfection methods," they wrote. "These will remove the static charge in the microfibers in N95 facial masks, reducing filtration efficiency. In addition, chlorine also retains gas after de-contamination, and these fumes may be harmful."
Microwaves tended to melt the masks and render them useless.
Hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation appeared to be at least somewhat more effective, they wrote, "but it is not known if they would retain filtration, material strength and airflow integrity with repeated use."
Autoclaves, 320 F [160 C] ovens, and soap and water soaking, all appeared ineffective, they wrote.
However, they wrote, "70 C / 158 F heating in a kitchen-type of oven for 30 min, or hot water vapor from boiling water for 10 min, are additional effective decontamination methods."
The CDC still does not recommend reusing masks, and the researchers encouraged doctors to follow guidelines in their clinics. If you are not a medical professional, the best way to avoid getting sick isn't using a mask (new or reused), but staying at home. If you must go out, homemade cloth masks are an imperfect but better-than-nothing option, as Live Science has reported. However, a mask is much more likely to help you avoid spreading the illness if you are sick than it is to protect you from the illness, as Live Science has also reported.
Again, if you can, stay at home.
Coronavirus science and news
Originally published on Live Science .


foxnews--2020-03-24--Dog, excited because owner is 'home for quarantine,' sprains tail from too much wagging

This is one doggone happy pooch .
Rolo , a 7-year-old dachshund in the United Kingdom , is so happy his owner is staying home during the coronavirus pandemic that he sprained his tail from wagging it so much .
WORKING FROM HOME ?
HOW TO OCCUPY YOUR PET On Friday , Emma Smith of Essex posted on Twitter that her happy-go-lucky wiener dog — who loves a good belly rub and has a predisposition for tail-wagging — couldn ’ t contain his excitement about the sudden constant companionship .
Unfortunately , Rolo ’ s rudder quickly went from wagging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER “ So my dog has been so happy that everyone is home for quarantine , that his tail has stopped working , ” she writes of her perky pup , adding , “ so we went to the vet and the vet said ‘ he had sprained his tail from excessively wagging it.
’ ” She included a string of laughing and broken heart emojis in the post , which was shared more than 140,000 times and liked by more than 1 million people , including “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star Jennifer Aniston .
“ For those asking , he is currently on pain relief and the vet said he should be healed within a week , ” she noted in a second-day post , which included a video showing Rolo ’ s appendage in the downward dog-tail position .
“ He is super happy and there is now movement from side to side but he is struggling to lift it up in the air.
” FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS On Saturday , Smith followed up with thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , “ I ’ m sure he will be back wagging like this in no time ” and included a prior , undated clip of Rolo ’ s tail-wagging self as he ran and frolicked outside in the grass .
Smith also set up Rolo with his own Instagram account — rolo.thehotdog — so that interested pup lovers can “ follow my journey getting my wag back.
” Rolo isn ’ t the only pet getting extra TLC .
The COVID-19 lockdown has forced many people across the world to work from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even host digital parties and happy hours to beat feelings of isolation .
Many are dealing with cameos by their pets during virtual meetings , while some are featuring their furry friends : Under a precautionary , self-imposed quarantine , Sir Anthony Hopkins serenaded his cat , Niblo , with a piano lullaby .
The apparently contented kitty remained perched on the 82-year-old-actor ’ s lap throughout , with purring delight .
This article originally appeared in The New York Post .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
This is one doggone happy pooch.
Rolo, a 7-year-old dachshund in the United Kingdom, is so happy his owner is staying home during the coronavirus pandemic that he sprained his tail from wagging it so much.
On Friday, Emma Smith of Essex posted on Twitter that her happy-go-lucky wiener dog — who loves a good belly rub and has a predisposition for tail-wagging — couldn’t contain his excitement about the sudden constant companionship.
Unfortunately, Rolo’s rudder quickly went from wagging to sagging.
“So my dog has been so happy that everyone is home for quarantine, that his tail has stopped working,” she writes of her perky pup, adding, “so we went to the vet and the vet said ‘he had sprained his tail from excessively wagging it.’ ” She included a string of laughing and broken heart emojis in the post, which was shared more than 139,000 times and liked by more than 1 million people, including “The Morning Show” and “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston.
“For those asking, he is currently on pain relief and the vet said he should be healed within a week,” she noted in a second-day post, which included a video showing Rolo’s appendage in the downward dog-tail position. “He is super happy and there is now movement from side to side but he is struggling to lift it up in the air.”
On Saturday, Smith followed up with thanks to Twitter well-wishers for their concern, saying, “I’m sure he will be back wagging like this in no time” and included a prior, undated clip of Rolo’s tail-wagging self as he ran and frolicked outside in the grass.
Smith also set up Rolo with his own Instagram account — rolo.thehotdog — so that interested pup lovers can “follow my journey getting my wag back.”
Rolo isn’t the only pet getting extra TLC. The COVID-19 lockdown has forced many people across the world to work from home, temporarily home-school their children and even host digital parties and happy hours to beat feelings of isolation. Many are dealing with cameos by their pets during virtual meetings, while some are featuring their furry friends: Under a precautionary, self-imposed quarantine, Sir Anthony Hopkins serenaded his cat, Niblo, with a piano lullaby. The apparently contented kitty remained perched on the 82-year-old-actor’s lap throughout, with purring delight.


foxnews--2020-03-25--Biden calls for ending debates, after Sanders campaign says he'd participate in final showdown

Joe Biden says he ’ s “ had enough ” of the Democratic presidential primary debates and that it ’ s time to “ get on with this.
” The former vice president and all-but-certain Democratic nominee – asked on a conference call Wednesday with reporters if there should be another primary debate in April – said , “ My focus is just dealing with this crisis right now .
I haven ’ t thought about any more debates .
I think we ’ ve had enough debates .
I think we should get on with this.
” Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign of the only other remaining Democratic presidential candidate , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , told The New York Times that if there ’ s a Democratic presidential primary debate in April , their candidate expects to participate .
UNIONS GO ALL IN FOR BIDEN AS SANDERS DEFIES PRESSURE TO DROP OUT “ If there is a debate in April , he plans to be there , ” the Sanders campaign confirmed to Fox News .
Biden swept Sanders last week in major primaries in Florida , Illinois and Arizona .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the party ’ s likely nominee and all but destroyed Sanders ’ slight chances of any comeback to win the nomination .
Biden is now trying to unite the party and transition to mounting a general election challenge against President Trump .
But Sanders doesn ’ t seem in any rush to suspend his campaign .
The senator ’ s campaign said last week that Sanders is “ reassessing ” his presidential bid .
Sanders has stopped criticizing Biden and is no longer fundraising for his White House bid .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual campaign events to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and raise funds to benefit the response to the outbreak .
And earlier this week , the campaign spotlighted how it 's ramping up organizing efforts in New York ahead of that state ’ s primary – which for now is still scheduled to take place on April 28 .
Biden stressed on Tuesday that he ’ s not going to personally tell the progressive senator from Vermont who ’ s making his second straight White House bid to call it quits .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to drop out.
, ” Biden said in an interview on `` The View . ''
“ It ’ s up to Bernie to do what he wants to do.
” THE LATEST FROM FOX NEWS ON THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN Last year , the Democratic National Committee announced that 12 primary debates would be held .
Eleven rounds have taken place to date , with the final potential debate tentatively scheduled for April .
But with the nomination race all but over – and with most of the upcoming primaries being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic – the likelihood of a final debate seems remote at best .
The DNC has yet to weigh in on whether the debate will take place .

Joe Biden says he’s “had enough” of the Democratic presidential primary debates and that it’s time to “get on with this.”
The former vice president and all-but-certain Democratic nominee – asked on a conference call Wednesday with reporters if there should be another primary debate in April – said, “My focus is just dealing with this crisis right now. I haven’t thought about any more debates. I think we’ve had enough debates. I think we should get on with this.”
Biden’s comments came one day after the campaign of the only other remaining Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, told The New York Times that if there’s a Democratic presidential primary debate in April, their candidate expects to participate.
UNIONS GO ALL IN FOR BIDEN AS SANDERS DEFIES PRESSURE TO DROP OUT
“If there is a debate in April, he plans to be there,” the Sanders campaign confirmed to Fox News.
Biden swept Sanders last week in major primaries in Florida, Illinois and Arizona. Those overwhelming victories cemented Biden’s status as the party’s likely nominee and all but destroyed Sanders’ slight chances of any comeback to win the nomination. Biden is now trying to unite the party and transition to mounting a general election challenge against President Trump.
But Sanders doesn’t seem in any rush to suspend his campaign.
The senator’s campaign said last week that Sanders is “reassessing” his presidential bid. Sanders has stopped criticizing Biden and is no longer fundraising for his White House bid. But he’s remained very active – holding virtual campaign events to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and raise funds to benefit the response to the outbreak.
And earlier this week, the campaign spotlighted how it's ramping up organizing efforts in New York ahead of that state’s primary – which for now is still scheduled to take place on April 28.
Biden stressed on Tuesday that he’s not going to personally tell the progressive senator from Vermont who’s making his second straight White House bid to call it quits.
“It’s not for me to tell him to drop out.,” Biden said in an interview on "The View." “It’s up to Bernie to do what he wants to do.”
THE LATEST FROM FOX NEWS ON THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Last year, the Democratic National Committee announced that 12 primary debates would be held. Eleven rounds have taken place to date, with the final potential debate tentatively scheduled for April.
But with the nomination race all but over – and with most of the upcoming primaries being postponed as many Americans shelter in place in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic – the likelihood of a final debate seems remote at best. The DNC has yet to weigh in on whether the debate will take place.


foxnews--2020-03-25--Trump congratulates Japan, Olympic committee on 'very wise decision' to postpone games amid coronavi

Trump congratulates Japan, Olympic committee on 'very wise decision' to postpone games amid coronavirus

President Trump congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the International Olympic Committee for their “ very wise decision ” to reschedule the summer olympics to 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Congratulations to Prime Minister Abe of Japan , and the IOC , and their very wise decision to present the Olympics in 2021 , ” Trump tweeted Wednesday .
“ It will be a great success and I look forward to being there !
” OLYMPICS THAT HAVE BEEN CANCELED OR INTERRUPTED OVER THE YEARS The president ’ s tweet comes after Abe announced the change Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Thomas Bach came to an agreement to postpone the Summer 2020 games , which were slated to begin on July 24 , and that they will instead take place next summer in Japan .
`` In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today , the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021 , to safeguard the health of the athletes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the international community , '' the IOC and Abe said in a joint statement .
`` The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present , ” they continued .
“ Therefore , it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan .
It was also agreed that the Games will keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The decision comes as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic .
As of midday Wednesday , there were more than 448,000 positive cases around the world .
More than 19,675 people have died from the coronavirus .
The Olympics have been canceled before — once in 1916 , due to World War I , and again in 1940 and 1944 .
Fox News ' Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report .

President Trump congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the International Olympic Committee for their “very wise decision” to reschedule the summer olympics to 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Congratulations to Prime Minister Abe of Japan, and the IOC, and their very wise decision to present the Olympics in 2021,” Trump tweeted Wednesday. “It will be a great success and I look forward to being there!”
OLYMPICS THAT HAVE BEEN CANCELED OR INTERRUPTED OVER THE YEARS
The president’s tweet comes after Abe announced the change Tuesday.
Abe said that he and IOC President Thomas Bach came to an agreement to postpone the Summer 2020 games, which were slated to begin on July 24, and that they will instead take place next summer in Japan.
"In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community," the IOC and Abe said in a joint statement.
"The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present,” they continued. “Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.”
TOKYO OLYMPICS TO BE POSTPONED
The decision comes as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of midday Wednesday, there were more than 448,000 positive cases around the world. More than 19,675 people have died from the coronavirus.
The Olympics have been canceled before — once in 1916, due to World War I, and again in 1940 and 1944.
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-03-25--Dr. Nicole Saphier: Coronavirus relief package may harm the very care providers who are fighting pan

Dr. Nicole Saphier: Coronavirus relief package may harm the very care providers who are fighting pandemic

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As tens of thousands of doctors , nurses , hospital workers , EMT ’ s and paramedics join forces to conduct a rescue mission on a truly historic scale , lawmakers in Washington are failing our front-line responders .
Rather than fighting with these medical professionals , politicians are fighting for what benefits them politically and helping special interest groups .
As part of the coronavirus aid package , there is a bipartisan push to let the government set provider rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services in a particular region .
As a reminder , those discounted in-network rates are accepted because the insurance company funnels patients to them , so more volume for a discounted price .
The split screen is jarring .
On one side , you have doctors risking their lives , working 18-hour shifts , only to have to sleep on a couch in their office because it ’ s too dangerous to go home and possibly expose their families to the novel coronavirus .
On the other side , you have politicians on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation that would essentially cut the reimbursement rates for those very same doctors and other care providers .
True to form , politicians are not letting a crisis , when Americans are most in need , go to waste .
This time it ’ s a scheme to benefit the health insurance lobby , which spent an astonishing $ 9.5 million in Washington for lobbying last year .
I can guarantee that the financial wellbeing of doctors and nurses was not a topic often discussed during those meetings .
And now , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of lives at stake , when doctors can not afford to pay attention to the games Washington is playing , there is a push to cut doctors ’ pay .
Imagine a firefighter racing to a burning building and city council members saying , “ Now is the perfect time to cut their hazard pay.
” This is essentially what is silently occurring with the supposed stimulus bill .
The impact of government rate-setting stretches beyond just doctors .
Hospitals will be forced to cost-shift during a time of unprecedented stress on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affords a large sum of money to hospital systems , the non-hospital employed physicians , nurses and first responders are left to fend for themselves while being forced to cancel elective procedures — the very thing that affords them the ability to maintain their small businesses .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER Our smaller , rural hospitals can not afford a scenario that makes resources further scarce .
Air ambulances and private medical practices that provide emergency transport and care in the hardest to reach communities would be forced to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to get in the way .
We have already seen a large amount of hospital consolidation and closings and small medical practices are being shut down because of changes under the Affordable Care Act .
In addition , this part of the stimulus package would make it even harder for vulnerable Americans to access higher quality medical care and even more dangerous in situations involving stroke patients where every second truly counts .
For years , health insurers have had almost unchecked power in the health care system , either squeezing providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving patients with bills they can not afford .
If we want to treat health care personnel and patients fairly , the first step is to allow patients more out-of-network options without subjecting them to draconian government-set rates .
The second step is to establish fair arbitration rules so that health care providers and insurers can negotiate fair rates .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP If insurers refuse to negotiate directly with the very people tasked with providing care for their own paying clients , then they should be required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to solely benefit the Goliath insurance industry .
This would allow millions of Americans to retain access to quality , lifesaving medical care , ensure insurers are acting in good faith , and eliminate the possibility of a surprise denial of patients ' medical bills and the resulting financial hardship .
There is a time and place to have a debate about reimbursement rates and how to bring health care costs down .
The worst possible time ?
Right now — when the very people it impacts the most are too busy saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheming to cut their pay .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM NICOLE SAPHIER

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
As tens of thousands of doctors, nurses, hospital workers, EMT’s and paramedics join forces to conduct a rescue mission on a truly historic scale, lawmakers in Washington are failing our front-line responders. Rather than fighting with these medical professionals, politicians are fighting for what benefits them politically and helping special interest groups.
As part of the coronavirus aid package, there is a bipartisan push to let the government set provider rates based on the average price for in-network services in a particular region. As a reminder, those discounted in-network rates are accepted because the insurance company funnels patients to them, so more volume for a discounted price.
The split screen is jarring. On one side, you have doctors risking their lives, working 18-hour shifts, only to have to sleep on a couch in their office because it’s too dangerous to go home and possibly expose their families to the novel coronavirus.
FORMER CDC CHIEF DR. TOM FRIEDEN: CORONAVIRUS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE – STOPPING A DEADLY DUO
On the other side, you have politicians on both sides of the aisle jamming through legislation that would essentially cut the reimbursement rates for those very same doctors and other care providers.
True to form, politicians are not letting a crisis, when Americans are most in need, go to waste. This time it’s a scheme to benefit the health insurance lobby, which spent an astonishing $9.5 million in Washington for lobbying last year. I can guarantee that the financial wellbeing of doctors and nurses was not a topic often discussed during those meetings.
And now, in the middle of a jarring pandemic with millions of lives at stake, when doctors cannot afford to pay attention to the games Washington is playing, there is a push to cut doctors’ pay.
Imagine a firefighter racing to a burning building and city council members saying, “Now is the perfect time to cut their hazard pay.” This is essentially what is silently occurring with the supposed stimulus bill.
The impact of government rate-setting stretches beyond just doctors. Hospitals will be forced to cost-shift during a time of unprecedented stress on emergency rooms. Although the stimulus package affords a large sum of money to hospital systems, the non-hospital employed physicians, nurses and first responders are left to fend for themselves while being forced to cancel elective procedures — the very thing that affords them the ability to maintain their small businesses.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER
Our smaller, rural hospitals cannot afford a scenario that makes resources further scarce. Air ambulances and private medical practices that provide emergency transport and care in the hardest to reach communities would be forced to reduce costs and close locations if big insurance continues to get in the way. We have already seen a large amount of hospital consolidation and closings and small medical practices are being shut down because of changes under the Affordable Care Act.
In addition, this part of the stimulus package would make it even harder for vulnerable Americans to access higher quality medical care and even more dangerous in situations involving stroke patients where every second truly counts.
For years, health insurers have had almost unchecked power in the health care system, either squeezing providers like doctors, nurses and hospitals or leaving patients with bills they cannot afford. If we want to treat health care personnel and patients fairly, the first step is to allow patients more out-of-network options without subjecting them to draconian government-set rates. The second step is to establish fair arbitration rules so that health care providers and insurers can negotiate fair rates.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
If insurers refuse to negotiate directly with the very people tasked with providing care for their own paying clients, then they should be required to arbitrate without a totalitarian threshold set to solely benefit the Goliath insurance industry. This would allow millions of Americans to retain access to quality, lifesaving medical care, ensure insurers are acting in good faith, and eliminate the possibility of a surprise denial of patients' medical bills and the resulting financial hardship.
There is a time and place to have a debate about reimbursement rates and how to bring health care costs down. The worst possible time? Right now — when the very people it impacts the most are too busy saving lives to realize their elected leaders are scheming to cut their pay.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM NICOLE SAPHIER


foxnews--2020-03-25--Rikers Island to release 300 nonviolent inmates convicted of misdemeanors amid coronavirus outbreak,

Rikers Island to release 300 nonviolent inmates convicted of misdemeanors amid coronavirus outbreak, de Blasio says

New York City will immediately release 300 inmates from Rikers Island , the city ’ s main jail complex , Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday .
All of the inmates who will be released have been convicted of misdemeanors or some nonviolent crimes and have less than one year remaining in their sentence , the mayor said .
In total , that number accounts for about 500 inmates , but he city screened out anyone who had been convicted for domestic violence or sexual assault , leaving 300 inmates that de Blasio assured he had the power to release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state officials and the city ’ s district attorneys to release about 100 people who are awaiting trial in city jails and around 700 people who were in jail on parole violations , the mayor said .
DE BLASIO SAYS NYC WILL START CLOSING OFF SOME STREETS FOR EXERCISE DURING CORONAVIRUS New York City jails have a daily inmate population of about 8,900 , according to figures from the New York City Department of Corrections .
Rikers Island , situated in the East River between Queens and the Bronx , houses around 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to release inmates who are over age 70 or who have any of the five preexisting health conditions that make them among the most vulnerable to coronavirus , but he does not have the authority to release everyone in that category .
He said the city will be working with prosecutors to sort out legal issues on a case-by-case basis to release those inmates .
CLICK FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK De Blasio said the city so far has suffered 131 deaths from COVID-19 .
New York City has faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deborah Birx , the White House 's coronavirus response coordinator , told reporters Monday that coronavirus has an attack rate of about one in 1,000 in the New York City metro area .
As of Tuesday afternoon , New York state accounted for nearly 7 percent of global coronavirus cases , with at least 25,665 confirmed and 210 deaths .
The city has been under a stay-at-home order since Sunday , banning all non-essential businesses from opening and ordering against all non-essential gatherings of any size .

New York City will immediately release 300 inmates from Rikers Island, the city’s main jail complex, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday.
All of the inmates who will be released have been convicted of misdemeanors or some nonviolent crimes and have less than one year remaining in their sentence, the mayor said. In total, that number accounts for about 500 inmates, but he city screened out anyone who had been convicted for domestic violence or sexual assault, leaving 300 inmates that de Blasio assured he had the power to release.
De Blasio is also working with state officials and the city’s district attorneys to release about 100 people who are awaiting trial in city jails and around 700 people who were in jail on parole violations, the mayor said.
DE BLASIO SAYS NYC WILL START CLOSING OFF SOME STREETS FOR EXERCISE DURING CORONAVIRUS
New York City jails have a daily inmate population of about 8,900, according to figures from the New York City Department of Corrections. Rikers Island, situated in the East River between Queens and the Bronx, houses around 5,000 inmates.
De Blasio also said he wants to release inmates who are over age 70 or who have any of the five preexisting health conditions that make them among the most vulnerable to coronavirus, but he does not have the authority to release everyone in that category. He said the city will be working with prosecutors to sort out legal issues on a case-by-case basis to release those inmates.
CLICK FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
De Blasio said the city so far has suffered 131 deaths from COVID-19. New York City has faced at least 14,904 confirmed cases.
Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House's coronavirus response coordinator, told reporters Monday that coronavirus has an attack rate of about one in 1,000 in the New York City metro area.
As of Tuesday afternoon, New York state accounted for nearly 7 percent of global coronavirus cases, with at least 25,665 confirmed and 210 deaths.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
The city has been under a stay-at-home order since Sunday, banning all non-essential businesses from opening and ordering against all non-essential gatherings of any size.
Fox News' Tamara Gitt contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-03-31--Coronavirus kills New York neurosurgeon who separated conjoined twins

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The coronavirus has killed a world-renowned New York City neurosurgeon who successfully separated conjoined 13-month-old twins in a rare operation .
After serving as a Marine during the Vietnam War , Dr. James Goodrich dedicated his life to saving children with complex neurological conditions , Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx said in news release announcing the death .
ONCE-CONJOINED TWINS GOING TO REHAB 9 WEEKS AFTER SEPARATION Goodrich led a 40-person surgical team that separated conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE It was the seventh set of twins joined at the head Goodrich helped successfully separate .
At the time , he called it one of his `` most difficult cases . ''
CORONAVIRUS : WHO IS MOST AT-RISK ?
“ Jim was in many ways the heart and soul of our department — a master surgeon , a world-class educator , and a beloved colleague for all , ” said Dr. Emad Eskandar , chair of the neurosurgery department at Albert Einstein College and Montefiore Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his memory will always remain foremost in our thoughts.
” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Goodrich was 73 when he died Monday of COVID-19 , Montefiore said .

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
The coronavirus has killed a world-renowned New York City neurosurgeon who successfully separated conjoined 13-month-old twins in a rare operation.
After serving as a Marine during the Vietnam War, Dr. James Goodrich dedicated his life to saving children with complex neurological conditions, Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx said in news release announcing the death.
ONCE-CONJOINED TWINS GOING TO REHAB 9 WEEKS AFTER SEPARATION
Goodrich led a 40-person surgical team that separated conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald during a 20-hour procedure in 2016.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
It was the seventh set of twins joined at the head Goodrich helped successfully separate. At the time, he called it one of his "most difficult cases."
CORONAVIRUS: WHO IS MOST AT-RISK?
“Jim was in many ways the heart and soul of our department — a master surgeon, a world-class educator, and a beloved colleague for all,” said Dr. Emad Eskandar, chair of the neurosurgery department at Albert Einstein College and Montefiore Medical Center. “His sudden loss is heartbreaking and his memory will always remain foremost in our thoughts.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Goodrich was 73 when he died Monday of COVID-19, Montefiore said.


foxnews--2020-03-30--Trump’s reversals, under media pressure, lead to tougher stance on virus

President Trump is now grappling with a grim reality .
Under fierce media pressure on three different fronts , Trump in recent days has changed course on the coronavirus .
This is highly unusual , because the press usually has little ability to influence this president .
Whether it was the border wall or the climate change agreement or the Ukraine mess or a collective insistence that he apologize for one controversial comment or another , Trump usually delights in doing the opposite of what the pundits want .
But you can ’ t spin your way out of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is involved in these presidential decisions , of course .
Political pressure , the gyrating stock market and public opinion all play a role .
But it ’ s rare for Trump , who thrives on doubling and tripling down , to reverse himself .
TRUMP ACCUSES MEDIA OF WANTING ECONOMY SHUTTERED TO DAMAGE HIM It began with the ventilators .
For many days , Trump said that while he had leverage under the Defense Production Act , there was no need to actually use it to force private industry to make more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo said New York desperately needed 30,000 ventilators , the president challenged that figure on Sean Hannity ’ s show and said of the governors , “ A lot of equipment is being asked for that I don ’ t think they will need.
” But a day later , Trump changed his mind , invoked the act and ordered General Motors to start making ventilators .
( GM , with a company called Ventec , had already been working on such an effort , but Trump had become dissatisfied with the pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is under a constant negative barrage , is more angry at the press than at any time in the more than three decades I ’ ve known him .
He ripped into PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor , not for the first time , at Sunday ’ s briefing for asking about the evolution of his stance on ventilators .
He is treating her as the new Jim Acosta , picking her and then picking a fight with her .
The president asked why she wasn ’ t being “ more positive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , get you .
And you know what , that ’ s why nobody trusts the media anymore ... Look , let me tell you something , be nice .
Don ’ t be threatening.
” There was nothing threatening about Alcindor ’ s question , and it was asked in a respectful manner .
She accurately quoted what he said to Hannity .
Trump allowed that she is a “ fine journalist ” and said “ we ’ re all on the same team.
” I don ’ t see how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping him , except perhaps with his anti-media base .
( Interestingly , when she tried to ask a second question , CNN ’ s Jeremy Diamond passed the mike back to Alcindor , who got her followup answered . )
The next pivot took place within a single day .
The president told reporters on Saturday that he was considering slapping a quarantine on New York , New Jersey and Connecticut -- and that he might do it that very day .
This caused something of a freakout in the tri-state area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to jump in their cars and escape if they wanted to relocate or be with family .
Trump ’ s words were immediately branded reckless across the media .
They also prompted a sharp attack from Andrew Cuomo , who branded it a declaration of war and said the president hadn ’ t mentioned the idea when they spoke earlier in the day .
By evening , Trump had dropped the idea but had the CDC issue a travel advisory .
SUBSCRIBE TO HOWIE 'S MEDIA BUZZMETER PODCAST , A RIFF OF THE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governing style is thinking out loud , which is fine if he ’ s musing about nominating someone to a post and never follows through , but causes instant reverberations with something as sensitive as a travel ban .
The third shift is one where the president should be given a bit more slack .
When he said he hoped the country could get back to work by Easter , the media savaged him for putting the economy over public health .
But Trump never set it as a firm goal .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through April 30 , the media acted as though he had finally come to his senses .
Trump told reporters the Easter idea had merely been “ aspirational.
” But something far more consequential happened at Sunday ’ s presser than a new target date .
The president aggressively warned how serious the coronavirus situation had become .
He had been told by his top experts , Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx , that if all restrictions remain in place , the death toll could still be 100,000 or as high as 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relaxed , they warned , models said that fatalities could reach 1 million or even 2 million .
Trump repeated the higher figure 16 times at the briefing .
He also seemed more emotional , and for good reason .
The president is from Queens , and he spoke of the anguish of seeing freezer trucks pull up to the borough ’ s Elmhurst Hospital to take away more body bags .
He also spoke of an unnamed older friend who contracted the virus and is now hospitalized with a coma .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said .
That sort of thing hits home , no matter who you are .
Perhaps the president is finally coming to grips with the magnitude of this crisis .
Perhaps the round-the-clock media coverage is a factor .
What really matters in this perilous situation is not how he got to these decisions but whether he is now on the right path .

President Trump is now grappling with a grim reality.
Under fierce media pressure on three different fronts, Trump in recent days has changed course on the coronavirus.
This is highly unusual, because the press usually has little ability to influence this president. Whether it was the border wall or the climate change agreement or the Ukraine mess or a collective insistence that he apologize for one controversial comment or another, Trump usually delights in doing the opposite of what the pundits want.
But you can’t spin your way out of a pandemic. Far more than media criticism is involved in these presidential decisions, of course. Political pressure, the gyrating stock market and public opinion all play a role. But it’s rare for Trump, who thrives on doubling and tripling down, to reverse himself.
TRUMP ACCUSES MEDIA OF WANTING ECONOMY SHUTTERED TO DAMAGE HIM
It began with the ventilators. For many days, Trump said that while he had leverage under the Defense Production Act, there was no need to actually use it to force private industry to make more of the life-saving devices. When Andrew Cuomo said New York desperately needed 30,000 ventilators, the president challenged that figure on Sean Hannity’s show and said of the governors, “A lot of equipment is being asked for that I don’t think they will need.”
But a day later, Trump changed his mind, invoked the act and ordered General Motors to start making ventilators. (GM, with a company called Ventec, had already been working on such an effort, but Trump had become dissatisfied with the pace and the cost.)
Trump, who is under a constant negative barrage, is more angry at the press than at any time in the more than three decades I’ve known him. He ripped into PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor, not for the first time, at Sunday’s briefing for asking about the evolution of his stance on ventilators. He is treating her as the new Jim Acosta, picking her and then picking a fight with her.
The president asked why she wasn’t being “more positive. It’s always trying to get you, get you. And you know what, that’s why nobody trusts the media anymore... Look, let me tell you something, be nice. Don’t be threatening.”
There was nothing threatening about Alcindor’s question, and it was asked in a respectful manner. She accurately quoted what he said to Hannity. Trump allowed that she is a “fine journalist” and said “we’re all on the same team.” I don’t see how these rough exchanges with individual reporters are helping him, except perhaps with his anti-media base. (Interestingly, when she tried to ask a second question, CNN’s Jeremy Diamond passed the mike back to Alcindor, who got her followup answered.)
The next pivot took place within a single day. The president told reporters on Saturday that he was considering slapping a quarantine on New York, New Jersey and Connecticut -- and that he might do it that very day. This caused something of a freakout in the tri-state area, as residents wondered if they needed to jump in their cars and escape if they wanted to relocate or be with family.
Trump’s words were immediately branded reckless across the media. They also prompted a sharp attack from Andrew Cuomo, who branded it a declaration of war and said the president hadn’t mentioned the idea when they spoke earlier in the day. By evening, Trump had dropped the idea but had the CDC issue a travel advisory.
SUBSCRIBE TO HOWIE'S MEDIA BUZZMETER PODCAST, A RIFF OF THE DAY'S HOTTEST STORIES
Trump’s governing style is thinking out loud, which is fine if he’s musing about nominating someone to a post and never follows through, but causes instant reverberations with something as sensitive as a travel ban.
The third shift is one where the president should be given a bit more slack. When he said he hoped the country could get back to work by Easter, the media savaged him for putting the economy over public health. But Trump never set it as a firm goal.
When he extended social distancing and other restrictions through April 30, the media acted as though he had finally come to his senses. Trump told reporters the Easter idea had merely been “aspirational.”
But something far more consequential happened at Sunday’s presser than a new target date. The president aggressively warned how serious the coronavirus situation had become. He had been told by his top experts, Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, that if all restrictions remain in place, the death toll could still be 100,000 or as high as 200,000. But if restrictions were to be relaxed, they warned, models said that fatalities could reach 1 million or even 2 million. Trump repeated the higher figure 16 times at the briefing.
He also seemed more emotional, and for good reason. The president is from Queens, and he spoke of the anguish of seeing freezer trucks pull up to the borough’s Elmhurst Hospital to take away more body bags. He also spoke of an unnamed older friend who contracted the virus and is now hospitalized with a coma. “It’s really horrible,” Trump said. That sort of thing hits home, no matter who you are.
Perhaps the president is finally coming to grips with the magnitude of this crisis. Perhaps the round-the-clock media coverage is a factor. What really matters in this perilous situation is not how he got to these decisions but whether he is now on the right path.