foxnews--2020-06-04--Rob Smith: George Floyd protests and America's lost black boys and young men

George Floyd ’ s murder is a wakeup call to America .
And now young black men are screaming the loudest that police misconduct must come to an end .
The decision Wednesday to upgrade charges against fired Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin to second-degree murder and to charge three other officers in the murder of Floyd was a positive step forward , but much more needs to be done .
Chauvin is now charged with second-degree murder , while the three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder .
All four officers could face a maximum sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DEROY MURDOCK : TRUMP SHOULD DELIVER OVAL OFFICE ADDRESS ON RIOTING TEARING AMERICA APART My heart breaks for the family of George Floyd .
And the family of Tamir Rice .
And the family of Eric Garner .
And the families for all of the other unarmed black men and women whose lives have been taken by police officers .
My heart also breaks for the families of the dozens of people shot and killed in Chicago and other cities every weekend in America .
It also breaks for the millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands of Planned Parenthood .
And it breaks for black police officers whose lives were lost in the riots , like retired St. Louis Police Capt .
David Dorn .
His black life mattered , too .
My heart also breaks for the lost angry , and aimless young black men who commit violent crimes .
And for the lives they ’ ve claimed , the bones they ’ ve broken , and the businesses and livelihoods they ’ ve destroyed .
Black people killed or injured by other black people are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers .
A black business owner whose store is destroyed by a black mob is no better off than a black business owner whose store is destroyed by the Ku Klux Klan .
The images of the looting , rioting , and awful violence that have permeated our airwaves and filled our social media feeds since Floyd was killed have sickened me as well .
This is simply not sustainable as a country .
Contrary to popular belief , there was no talk of “ both sides ” when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s murder .
There was no “ on the one hand ” and “ on the other hand.
” Both sides seem to agree that Floyd ’ s senseless killing was a gross miscarriage of justice and that the officers involved should be punished .
For a brief moment after the shocking video of Floyd ’ s murder came to light , law-and-order conservatives and Black Lives Matter leftists agreed on something , and it looked as if some sort of reconciliation was on the horizon .
The rioting , looting and violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past few days are the culmination of years of failures on all sides of the political aisle to address the issues that have now broken America in ways that seemed impossible just months ago .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER Conservatives declare themselves the law-and-order party while turning a blind eye to the ways in which the American criminal justice system is set up to disproportionately imprison young black men .
Liberals wave the specter of “ white racism ” as a catch-all response for the ills of the African-American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only explanation that has caused so many lost young black men to lash out in society in the ways we ’ ve seen on our screens .
The explanation of liberals is never fatherlessness .
It is never the toxicity of black-oriented pop culture .
It is never the near-complete destruction of the African-American family .
It is only racism .
Always , racism .
As I put it in my forthcoming book – “ Always a Soldier : Service , Sacrifice , and Coming Out as America ’ s Favorite Black , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern social media and entertainment culture has managed to enslave the minds of young black people all over again .
Liberal gatekeepers in our entertainment and journalism fields stoke the omnipresence of white racism to keep them from achieving their fullest potential .
Ultra-wealthy and successful rappers and actors feed blacks a near-constant buffet of oppression to stay relevant and line their own pockets .
The constant onslaught of the message of black victimhood in the social media era keeps young blacks locked in constant struggle with their ever-present white oppressors.
” Young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid .
They ’ re kept that way by a chattering class who was just weeks ago advocating for extended COVID-19 lockdowns and is now crowdfunding to bail out rioters .
We have seen this country descend into record levels of unemployment due to the coronavirus lockdown .
Mental health issues are skyrocketing .
A therapist I spoke with says his practice is at capacity with people trying to deal with post-lockdown depression .
To dismiss the effects of the months of lockdown on what is happening right now would be foolish .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorizing American cities ( with more than a little help from Antifa and members of other races ) are lashing out because of fear and anger , but also because every societal safeguard against the kind of sustained violence we ’ re now seeing was taken away during the lockdown .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER Face masks are now normalized .
Parks and outdoor recreational activities were closed .
Almost 40 million people in our country have lost their jobs , throwing many into dire financial straits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of school .
To me , the defining image of this moment in history is not any of the violence , the looting , or the overall insanity .
It is a short video of a black teenager so overwhelmed with emotion at a protest that he sobs as a white police officer comforts him .
As I said on Twitter , multiply the pain that young man is feeling right now times one million , and that is why America is burning .
We will only be able to douse the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young black men , speak to them and convince them that the only change that will truly save them will start from within .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP It will start when they take control of their lives .
It will start when they realize how much success they can have in America .
It will start when they make genuine moves to break the cycle of poverty that causes so much of their anger , pain and frustration .
America will continue to burn in ways visible and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach them , America ’ s lost black boys and young men are the embers that will spark the flames .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY ROB SMITH

George Floyd’s murder is a wakeup call to America. And now young black men are screaming the loudest that police misconduct must come to an end.
The decision Wednesday to upgrade charges against fired Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin to second-degree murder and to charge three other officers in the murder of Floyd was a positive step forward, but much more needs to be done.
Chauvin is now charged with second-degree murder, while the three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. All four officers could face a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison if convicted.
DEROY MURDOCK: TRUMP SHOULD DELIVER OVAL OFFICE ADDRESS ON RIOTING TEARING AMERICA APART
My heart breaks for the family of George Floyd. And the family of Tamir Rice. And the family of Eric Garner. And the families for all of the other unarmed black men and women whose lives have been taken by police officers.
My heart also breaks for the families of the dozens of people shot and killed in Chicago and other cities every weekend in America. It also breaks for the millions of African-American babies killed every year at the hands of Planned Parenthood. And it breaks for black police officers whose lives were lost in the riots, like retired St. Louis Police Capt. David Dorn. His black life mattered, too.
My heart also breaks for the lost angry, and aimless young black men who commit violent crimes. And for the lives they’ve claimed, the bones they’ve broken, and the businesses and livelihoods they’ve destroyed.
The rioting, looting and violence that have convulsed cities across America over the past few days are the culmination of years of failures on all sides of the political aisle to address the issues that have now broken America in ways that seemed impossible just months ago.
Black people killed or injured by other black people are no better off than black people victimized by police officers. A black business owner whose store is destroyed by a black mob is no better off than a black business owner whose store is destroyed by the Ku Klux Klan.
The images of the looting, rioting, and awful violence that have permeated our airwaves and filled our social media feeds since Floyd was killed have sickened me as well. This is simply not sustainable as a country.
Contrary to popular belief, there was no talk of “both sides” when it comes to conservative and liberal perspectives on Floyd’s murder. There was no “on the one hand” and “on the other hand.” Both sides seem to agree that Floyd’s senseless killing was a gross miscarriage of justice and that the officers involved should be punished.
For a brief moment after the shocking video of Floyd’s murder came to light, law-and-order conservatives and Black Lives Matter leftists agreed on something, and it looked as if some sort of reconciliation was on the horizon.
Then all hell broke loose.
The rioting, looting and violence that have convulsed cities across America over the past few days are the culmination of years of failures on all sides of the political aisle to address the issues that have now broken America in ways that seemed impossible just months ago.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER
Conservatives declare themselves the law-and-order party while turning a blind eye to the ways in which the American criminal justice system is set up to disproportionately imprison young black men.
Liberals wave the specter of “white racism” as a catch-all response for the ills of the African-American community. To them racism is the only explanation that has caused so many lost young black men to lash out in society in the ways we’ve seen on our screens.
The explanation of liberals is never fatherlessness. It is never the toxicity of black-oriented pop culture. It is never the near-complete destruction of the African-American family. It is only racism. Always, racism.
As I put it in my forthcoming book – “Always a Soldier: Service, Sacrifice, and Coming Out as America’s Favorite Black, Gay Republican” – “our very modern social media and entertainment culture has managed to enslave the minds of young black people all over again. Liberal gatekeepers in our entertainment and journalism fields stoke the omnipresence of white racism to keep them from achieving their fullest potential. Ultra-wealthy and successful rappers and actors feed blacks a near-constant buffet of oppression to stay relevant and line their own pockets. The constant onslaught of the message of black victimhood in the social media era keeps young blacks locked in constant struggle with their ever-present white oppressors.”
Young black people are angry, hurt and afraid. They’re kept that way by a chattering class who was just weeks ago advocating for extended COVID-19 lockdowns and is now crowdfunding to bail out rioters.
We have seen this country descend into record levels of unemployment due to the coronavirus lockdown.
We will only be able to douse the fire when we show up for these young black men, speak to them and convince them that the only change that will truly save them will start from within.
Mental health issues are skyrocketing. A therapist I spoke with says his practice is at capacity with people trying to deal with post-lockdown depression.
To dismiss the effects of the months of lockdown on what is happening right now would be foolish.
The young black people who are now terrorizing American cities (with more than a little help from Antifa and members of other races) are lashing out because of fear and anger, but also because every societal safeguard against the kind of sustained violence we’re now seeing was taken away during the lockdown.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER
Face masks are now normalized. Parks and outdoor recreational activities were closed. Almost 40 million people in our country have lost their jobs, throwing many into dire financial straits. Millions of children and young people are out of school. To me, the defining image of this moment in history is not any of the violence, the looting, or the overall insanity. It is a short video of a black teenager so overwhelmed with emotion at a protest that he sobs as a white police officer comforts him.
As I said on Twitter, multiply the pain that young man is feeling right now times one million, and that is why America is burning.
We will only be able to douse the fire when we show up for these young black men, speak to them and convince them that the only change that will truly save them will start from within.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It will start when they take control of their lives. It will start when they realize how much success they can have in America. It will start when they make genuine moves to break the cycle of poverty that causes so much of their anger, pain and frustration.
America will continue to burn in ways visible and invisible because until we find a way to reach them, America’s lost black boys and young men are the embers that will spark the flames.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY ROB SMITH


foxnews--2020-06-03--Doug Schoen: George Floyd unrest — only this can save Dems from defeat in 2020

As violent protests sweep the nation and fury fills city streets in the wake of the murder of George Floyd , the 2020 presidential election is shaping up to be eerily similar to the 1968 campaign .
In 1968 , the country was grieving from the assassinations of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy , who was on the path to claiming the Democratic Party ’ s presidential nomination .
The period preceding the 1968 election was a time of great civil unrest .
There were riots across the country following Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago became a venue for protests against the Vietnam War — led by left-wing activist groups like Students for a Democratic Society — and culminated in a televised riot where police clashed with protesters .
LIZ PEEK : GEORGE FLOYD RIOTING – BIDEN DOES N'T GET IT .
IT 'S THE SAFETY , STUPID As a result of that year ’ s civil unrest , which was also accompanied by inner Democratic Party division between the moderates and far left , Democrats embraced a more liberal foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial justice issues , largely at the expense of economic issues .
Taken together , the party ’ s leftward movement and the accompanying civil unrest , which was associated with the far left , helped Richard Nixon ’ s “ Southern Strategy ” prevail in the 1968 election and in 1972 , when he won by a 49-state landslide .
Nixon ’ s approach appealed to the silent majority with a promise to restore “ law and order , ” while the Democratic Party was viewed as too far left .
CLICK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEWSLETTER Fast forward to 2020 .
The year began with a presidential impeachment , followed by a pandemic that has taken over 100,000 American lives and cratered the economy , and now is undergoing widespread civil unrest and violence that many are attributing to radical left-wing groups .
In the midst of these tragic riots and uncertain times , a similar hidden political opportunity exists for Trump as Nixon .
On Monday , Trump described himself as the president of “ law and order , ” and said he was mobilizing the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” while calling the violent protests “ acts of domestic terror.
” Further , it is clear that Trump is taking a page out of Nixon 's book to deflect attention from our economic woes and the tragedy of the pandemic , while shifting blame to Democratic states , governors and mayors for not controlling the riots and unrest .
On Monday , Trump told governors on a call that they were “ weak ” if they did not use force against the protesters .
“ If you don ’ t dominate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump said .
While the latest ABC News poll shows Biden with a 10-point lead over Trump nationally , the current unrest poses a hidden risk for Democrats of undermining their chances at the White House , especially if they fall into the trap that they did in 1968 and 1972 of not speaking out harshly enough against the disobedience , moving too far left and failing to deliver a unified economic message .
Further , any attempt by Democrats to attack Trump for the human toll of his failed response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as our cities are burning .
Make no mistake , there is no clear-minded American who was not horrified and heartbroken by the murders of George Floyd in Minnesota and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia .
However , the political risk to Democrats is becoming associated with the riots that have erupted in the wake of these tragedies and moving too far left in response , which would result in the party losing the White House and risking their House majority .
In order to mitigate this risk , I propose the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats must emphasize unity , which involves both parties working together , not polarization and division .
Second , Democrats must put forth legislation that is focused on underserved communities of color , which should be accomplished through a bold fourth stimulus bill that will get the economy moving by emphasizing business assistance and job creation .
Yet , Senate Republicans have deemed the Heroes Act — a $ 3 trillion stimulus package that passed the House — as “ dead on arrival , ” given the cost and the fact that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal wish list.
” Thus , Democrats should work to revise their fourth stimulus bill to be more moderate in cost and specifically focused on helping underserved communities and businesses .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Third , while Democrats can and should stand up for peaceful protests , they must draw a clear line at violence and civil disobedience , as well as looting , which we are seeing night after night .
Further , Democrats must emphasize that violent protesters should and will be punished , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say otherwise .
With this three-point plan , Democrats can avoid a defeat similar to 1968 and 1972 .
However , if Democrats move too far left while allowing riots and violence to define their party , Trump and the Republicans will , like Nixon , emerge victorious .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY DOUG SCHOEN

As violent protests sweep the nation and fury fills city streets in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, the 2020 presidential election is shaping up to be eerily similar to the 1968 campaign.
In 1968, the country was grieving from the assassinations of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who was on the path to claiming the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
The period preceding the 1968 election was a time of great civil unrest. There were riots across the country following Dr. King’s assassination, and the August 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago became a venue for protests against the Vietnam War — led by left-wing activist groups like Students for a Democratic Society — and culminated in a televised riot where police clashed with protesters.
LIZ PEEK: GEORGE FLOYD RIOTING – BIDEN DOESN'T GET IT. IT'S THE SAFETY, STUPID
As a result of that year’s civil unrest, which was also accompanied by inner Democratic Party division between the moderates and far left, Democrats embraced a more liberal foreign policy perspective while focusing mainly on social and racial justice issues, largely at the expense of economic issues.
Taken together, the party’s leftward movement and the accompanying civil unrest, which was associated with the far left, helped Richard Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” prevail in the 1968 election and in 1972, when he won by a 49-state landslide. Nixon’s approach appealed to the silent majority with a promise to restore “law and order,” while the Democratic Party was viewed as too far left.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER
Fast forward to 2020. The year began with a presidential impeachment, followed by a pandemic that has taken over 100,000 American lives and cratered the economy, and now is undergoing widespread civil unrest and violence that many are attributing to radical left-wing groups.
In the midst of these tragic riots and uncertain times, a similar hidden political opportunity exists for Trump as Nixon. On Monday, Trump described himself as the president of “law and order,” and said he was mobilizing the U.S. military to end “riots and lawlessness,” while calling the violent protests “acts of domestic terror.”
Further, it is clear that Trump is taking a page out of Nixon's book to deflect attention from our economic woes and the tragedy of the pandemic, while shifting blame to Democratic states, governors and mayors for not controlling the riots and unrest.
On Monday, Trump told governors on a call that they were “weak” if they did not use force against the protesters.
“If you don’t dominate, you’re wasting your time,” Trump said.
While the latest ABC News poll shows Biden with a 10-point lead over Trump nationally, the current unrest poses a hidden risk for Democrats of undermining their chances at the White House, especially if they fall into the trap that they did in 1968 and 1972 of not speaking out harshly enough against the disobedience, moving too far left and failing to deliver a unified economic message.
Further, any attempt by Democrats to attack Trump for the human toll of his failed response to COVID-19 will ring hollow, so long as our cities are burning.
The political risk to Democrats is becoming associated with the riots that have erupted in the wake of these tragedies and moving too far left in response, which would result in the party losing the White House and risking their House majority.
Make no mistake, there is no clear-minded American who was not horrified and heartbroken by the murders of George Floyd in Minnesota and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.
However, the political risk to Democrats is becoming associated with the riots that have erupted in the wake of these tragedies and moving too far left in response, which would result in the party losing the White House and risking their House majority.
In order to mitigate this risk, I propose the party follow a three-point plan.
First, Democrats must emphasize unity, which involves both parties working together, not polarization and division.
Second, Democrats must put forth legislation that is focused on underserved communities of color, which should be accomplished through a bold fourth stimulus bill that will get the economy moving by emphasizing business assistance and job creation.
Yet, Senate Republicans have deemed the Heroes Act — a $3 trillion stimulus package that passed the House — as “dead on arrival,” given the cost and the fact that it contains what Republicans are calling a “liberal wish list.”
Thus, Democrats should work to revise their fourth stimulus bill to be more moderate in cost and specifically focused on helping underserved communities and businesses.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Third, while Democrats can and should stand up for peaceful protests, they must draw a clear line at violence and civil disobedience, as well as looting, which we are seeing night after night. Further, Democrats must emphasize that violent protesters should and will be punished, and the party needs to mediate far-left voices that say otherwise.
With this three-point plan, Democrats can avoid a defeat similar to 1968 and 1972. However, if Democrats move too far left while allowing riots and violence to define their party, Trump and the Republicans will, like Nixon, emerge victorious.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY DOUG SCHOEN


foxnews--2020-06-04--Norway, citing coronavirus restrictions, rejects George Floyd rally applications

Authorities in Norway have turned down applications to hold rallies in the country 's three largest cities in support of @ @ @ @ @ the death of George Floyd , citing the coronavirus restrictions on gatherings .
Rallies were @ @ @ @ @ and Trondheim but local authorities said that without a dispensation from the Norwegian Institute of @ @ @ @ @ than 50 people can gather in one place , Mohamed Awil , president of the @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The association is @ @ @ @ @ where more than 15,000 people had said they planned to take part in Thursday ’ @ @ @ @ @ Embassy .
Awil said they were considering an alternative demonstration but details were not immediately @ @ @ @ @ place in the in the capitals of Sweden and Finland Wednesday .
They attracted thousands @ @ @ @ @ limit in Sweden is currently 50 and in Finland is 500 .

Authorities in Norway have turned down applications to hold rallies in the country's three largest cities in support of protesters in the U.S. over the death of George Floyd, citing the coronavirus restrictions on gatherings.
Rallies were planned in Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim but local authorities said that without a dispensation from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, no more than 50 people can gather in one place, Mohamed Awil, president of the African Student Association UiO told The Associated Press.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The association is co-organizing the rally in Oslo where more than 15,000 people had said they planned to take part in Thursday’s demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy. Awil said they were considering an alternative demonstration but details were not immediately available.
Similar events took place in the in the capitals of Sweden and Finland Wednesday. They attracted thousands of people even though the limit in Sweden is currently 50 and in Finland is 500.


foxnews--2020-05-18--Alex Berenson: Coronavirus truth and why the media establishment hates me so much

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Editor ’ s note : Author Alex Berenson first posted this essay on Twitter , but given its length , he decided to run it as a single piece of commentary on his website , AlexBerenson .
In a note to readers , he writes : `` 'Blue-checks ’ is Twitter slang for people with verified accounts , who are often prominent reporters .
As is sometimes pointed out , I also have a blue check , though I am no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' I ’ ve thought a bit about why the media blue-checks hate me so ( and , let ’ s be honest , they do hate me so ) .
I ’ m nobody , really ; I don ’ t have a prime time news show or a syndicated column ; I have all of 103,000 followers on Twitter .
But I am a particular burr for three reasons : I ’ m a class traitor .
Not just because I worked for The New York Times for 10 years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( not to mention our failures in Iraq ) that make me tough to dismiss as a right-wing nutter , much as they ’ d like to try .
No , I ’ m a class traitor in another , arguably more important way , too ; the media/academic left tries to cudgel its opponents with an attitude of mocking scorn and intellectual superiority .
The president has been a useful foil for them in this ( as they have been for him ) .
But that game doesn ’ t work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the people shouting at me , only I follow the facts where they go .
( This is why these people hated my book , “ Tell Your Children , ” so much ; one can know cannabis has serious mental health risks and still want it legalized , but the blue-checks had been telling each other the same nonsense for so long they genuinely didn ’ t understand that cannabis was dangerous .
They ’ re still trying to figure out what to do with that news .
And they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So yelling at me to shut up doesn ’ t work , and trying to bait me into arguments doesn ’ t work , and telling me my tone is wrong doesn ’ t work ( even when it is ) ; I keep on merrily presenting studies and facts , and even if the media won ’ t pay attention , other people will .
And the email I get – which is overwhelming , and overwhelmingly in favor of this effort – suggests many , many people – some fancy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mocked and told they ’ re stupid for their sincere beliefs about the dangers of the lockdowns .
The second reason is I think it ’ s clear by now that my wife and I practice what we preach ; we don ’ t fear # COVID , not for ourselves or our kids .
So accusing us of being hypocrites won ’ t fly .
As for those folks calling me a grifter ?
I ’ ve done this for free the last two months , with one minor exception , Hillsdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the failure of the models .
Maybe I ’ ll write a book one day , maybe not , but financially this has been nothing but a distraction .
( No matter ; I never imagined John Wells would have the career he did , and I was always careful with the novel money , which was… surprising .
And we are a two-income family . )
CLICK HERE TO GET OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER The third reason is the most obvious : the hysterics have been wrong .
They know it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Except for the most at-risk populations – who should be the focus of our protective efforts – # COVID looks to be a minor risk .
And with every day that goes by , every state and country that reopen without catastrophe , the lockdowns appear more insane .
We should all be THRILLED about this fact , but too many of us aren ’ t .
So the media ( and the lockdown governors ) are stretching further and further to try to scare people – the recent pediatric stuff being only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to keep calling them out .
Plenty of other people will too , but not necessarily as aggressively .
And now we come back to tone .
Well , I ’ ll be honest… CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP As far as I ’ m concerned , I bite my tongue a lot of the time .
If these blue-checks knew what I REALLY thought of them or the damage they have done AND ARE STILL DOING by refusing to accept the data and facts and science… They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essay first appeared on AlexBerenson.com .

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Editor’s note: Author Alex Berenson first posted this essay on Twitter, but given its length, he decided to run it as a single piece of commentary on his website, AlexBerenson. In a note to readers, he writes: "'Blue-checks’ is Twitter slang for people with verified accounts, who are often prominent reporters. As is sometimes pointed out, I also have a blue check, though I am no longer part of the media establishment."
I’ve thought a bit about why the media blue-checks hate me so (and, let’s be honest, they do hate me so). I’m nobody, really; I don’t have a prime time news show or a syndicated column; I have all of 103,000 followers on Twitter. But I am a particular burr for three reasons:
I’m a class traitor. Not just because I worked for The New York Times for 10 years and wrote lots of hardball pieces about companies (not to mention our failures in Iraq) that make me tough to dismiss as a right-wing nutter, much as they’d like to try.
No, I’m a class traitor in another, arguably more important way, too; the media/academic left tries to cudgel its opponents with an attitude of mocking scorn and intellectual superiority. The president has been a useful foil for them in this (as they have been for him).
DOZENS OF CHURCHGOERS DEFY ILLINOIS' CORONAVIRUS STAY-AT-HOME ORDER, CHICAGO MAYOR TO ISSUE CITATIONS
But that game doesn’t work with me; I’m as credentialed as the people shouting at me, only I follow the facts where they go. (This is why these people hated my book, “Tell Your Children,” so much; one can know cannabis has serious mental health risks and still want it legalized, but the blue-checks had been telling each other the same nonsense for so long they genuinely didn’t understand that cannabis was dangerous. They’re still trying to figure out what to do with that news. And they can’t stand knowing it.)
So yelling at me to shut up doesn’t work, and trying to bait me into arguments doesn’t work, and telling me my tone is wrong doesn’t work (even when it is); I keep on merrily presenting studies and facts, and even if the media won’t pay attention, other people will.
And the email I get – which is overwhelming, and overwhelmingly in favor of this effort – suggests many, many people – some fancy, some not – are sick of feeling mocked and told they’re stupid for their sincere beliefs about the dangers of the lockdowns.
The second reason is I think it’s clear by now that my wife and I practice what we preach; we don’t fear #COVID, not for ourselves or our kids.
So accusing us of being hypocrites won’t fly.
As for those folks calling me a grifter?
I’ve done this for free the last two months, with one minor exception, Hillsdale College paid me to make the video about the failure of the models. Maybe I’ll write a book one day, maybe not, but financially this has been nothing but a distraction. (No matter; I never imagined John Wells would have the career he did, and I was always careful with the novel money, which was… surprising. And we are a two-income family.)
CLICK HERE TO GET OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER
The third reason is the most obvious: the hysterics have been wrong. They know it, whether they admit it or not. Except for the most at-risk populations – who should be the focus of our protective efforts – #COVID looks to be a minor risk. And with every day that goes by, every state and country that reopen without catastrophe, the lockdowns appear more insane.
We should all be THRILLED about this fact, but too many of us aren’t.
So the media (and the lockdown governors) are stretching further and further to try to scare people – the recent pediatric stuff being only the grossest example.
I’m going to keep calling them out. Plenty of other people will too, but not necessarily as aggressively.
And now we come back to tone. Well, I’ll be honest…
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
As far as I’m concerned, I bite my tongue a lot of the time. If these blue-checks knew what I REALLY thought of them or the damage they have done AND ARE STILL DOING by refusing to accept the data and facts and science…
They’d hate me even more.
This essay first appeared on AlexBerenson.com.


foxnews--2020-05-05--More than 'covid toes': Numerous reports of skin rashes tied to COVID-19

Numerous reports of skin rashes in patients with COVID-19 are cropping up around the world .
The rashes can take many forms — some appear as tiny red spots , while others appear as larger flat or raised lesions .
Some have a hive-like appearance , while others look like frostbitten toes .
However , it 's too early to say whether these rashes are indeed caused by the new coronavirus , or whether they are related to other factors .
`` That 's really the million dollar question , '' said Dr. Kanade Shinkai , a professor of dermatology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco , and editor-in-chief of the journal JAMA Dermatology .
`` It 's unclear whether the skin lesions we see in COVID are actually a direct manifestation of the virus '' in the skin , or whether they are a `` reaction pattern '' due to a generally ramped-up immune system , Shinkai told Live Science .
Related : What are symptoms of the coronavirus ?
It 's also possible some rashes are due to complications from the disease , reactions to medications or even due to other viruses in patients with `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an editorial published April 30 in the journal JAMA Dermatology .
Social media posts and online forum discussions have called attention to these rashes , but `` it is now time for rigorous science , '' the authors wrote .
Work is needed to address many unanswered questions , such as how common the rashes are , and what they mean with regard to the patients ' ultimate outcomes .
How common are these rashes ?
It 's well known that some viral illnesses , such as chickenpox , measles and hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause rashes .
But virus-related rashes are more typically seen in children , Shinkai said .
`` That 's why it 's much more striking '' to see numerous reports of rashes in adult patients with COVID-19 , she said .
Exactly how common the rashes are remains unclear .
In one early study of more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients in China , published Feb. 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine , rashes were noted in only 0.2 % of patients .
However , in a more recent study of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rashes were found in 20 % of patients .
The latter study , published March 26 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology , was conducted by dermatologists , who `` are going to be able to detect more subtle skin changes '' than doctors in other specialities , Shinkai said .
More studies are needed that follow patients over a period of time to get a better idea of the true prevalence of rashes tied to COVID-19 , Shinkai said .
Still , one challenge to this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no other symptoms of disease , and may never be diagnosed with COVID-19 , she said .
What do the rashes look like ?
Distinct rashes can sometimes be a `` telltale sign '' of a particular infection .
Whether this will be the case for COVID-19 patients remains to be seen , the JAMA editorial said .
So far , a variety of rashes have been noted in COVID-19 patients .
A Spanish study published April 29 in the British Journal of Dermatology grouped coronavirus-related rashes into five categories : a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's characteristic of viral infections such as measles , with red bumps on reddish skin ; a `` urticaria '' rash characteristic of hives ; a 'livedo '' rash with a lace-like or fishnet pattern ; a `` vesicular eruption '' or blistering rash ; and a frostbite-like rash on the toes , unofficially dubbed `` covid toes . ''
In addition , one recent case report published April 30 in JAMA Dermatology described the case of a man in Spain who developed `` petechiae , '' or tiny red dots on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also published in JAMA Dermatology , described a patient in France who developed larger lesions known as a `` digitate papulosquamous eruption . ''
The timing of rash symptoms with COVID-19 also seems to vary widely — in some cases , rashes precede symptoms such as fever ; in other cases , rashes may appear a few days into the illness or not show up until late in the course of the infection .
Research is needed to comprehensively evaluate these rashes and when they occur , Shinkai said .
Doctors will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine if the virus that causes COVID-19 , known as SARS-CoV-2 , can be detected in the skin itself , which is the case for some viral illnesses that cause rashes , Shinkai said .
In addition , the significance of these rashes — such as whether they are tied to better or worse outcomes for patients — should also be studied , she said .
For example , some patients with covid toes have been reported to have mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 , Live Science previously reported .
To help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a task force with the American Academy of Dermatology has created an online COVID-19 dermatology registry , where health care providers can report skin findings linked to the disease , Live Science previously reported .
• 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history • 11 ( sometimes ) deadly diseases that hopped across species

Numerous reports of skin rashes in patients with COVID-19 are cropping up around the world.
The rashes can take many forms — some appear as tiny red spots, while others appear as larger flat or raised lesions. Some have a hive-like appearance, while others look like frostbitten toes .
However, it's too early to say whether these rashes are indeed caused by the new coronavirus, or whether they are related to other factors. "That's really the million dollar question," said Dr. Kanade Shinkai, a professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, and editor-in-chief of the journal JAMA Dermatology.
"It's unclear whether the skin lesions we see in COVID are actually a direct manifestation of the virus" in the skin, or whether they are a "reaction pattern" due to a generally ramped-up immune system , Shinkai told Live Science.
Related: What are symptoms of the coronavirus?
It's also possible some rashes are due to complications from the disease, reactions to medications or even due to other viruses in patients with "co-infections," Shinkai and colleagues wrote in an editorial published April 30 in the journal JAMA Dermatology .
Social media posts and online forum discussions have called attention to these rashes, but "it is now time for rigorous science," the authors wrote. Work is needed to address many unanswered questions, such as how common the rashes are, and what they mean with regard to the patients' ultimate outcomes.
How common are these rashes?
It's well known that some viral illnesses, such as chickenpox , measles and hand, foot and mouth disease , can cause rashes. But virus-related rashes are more typically seen in children, Shinkai said. "That's why it's much more striking" to see numerous reports of rashes in adult patients with COVID-19, she said.
Exactly how common the rashes are remains unclear. In one early study of more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients in China, published Feb. 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine , rashes were noted in only 0.2% of patients. However, in a more recent study of about 150 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Italy, rashes were found in 20% of patients. The latter study, published March 26 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology , was conducted by dermatologists, who "are going to be able to detect more subtle skin changes" than doctors in other specialities, Shinkai said.
More studies are needed that follow patients over a period of time to get a better idea of the true prevalence of rashes tied to COVID-19, Shinkai said. Still, one challenge to this is that some patients may have mild or no other symptoms of disease, and may never be diagnosed with COVID-19, she said.
What do the rashes look like?
Distinct rashes can sometimes be a "telltale sign" of a particular infection. Whether this will be the case for COVID-19 patients remains to be seen, the JAMA editorial said.
So far, a variety of rashes have been noted in COVID-19 patients. A Spanish study published April 29 in the British Journal of Dermatology grouped coronavirus-related rashes into five categories: a "maculopapular" rash, or one that's characteristic of viral infections such as measles , with red bumps on reddish skin; a "urticaria" rash characteristic of hives; a 'livedo" rash with a lace-like or fishnet pattern; a "vesicular eruption" or blistering rash; and a frostbite-like rash on the toes, unofficially dubbed " covid toes ."
Certain skin rashes are emerging as possible symptoms of COVID-19, prompting additional research by some doctors and guidance by the American Academy of Dermatology. https://t.co/ipWbhKooZ1April 18, 2020 See more
In addition, one recent case report published April 30 in JAMA Dermatology described the case of a man in Spain who developed "petechiae," or tiny red dots on the skin; and a separate case report, also published in JAMA Dermatology , described a patient in France who developed larger lesions known as a "digitate papulosquamous eruption."
The timing of rash symptoms with COVID-19 also seems to vary widely — in some cases, rashes precede symptoms such as fever; in other cases, rashes may appear a few days into the illness or not show up until late in the course of the infection.
Related: 13 coronavirus myths busted by science
Unanswered questions
Research is needed to comprehensively evaluate these rashes and when they occur, Shinkai said. Doctors will also need to examine tissue samples to determine if the virus that causes COVID-19, known as SARS-CoV-2, can be detected in the skin itself, which is the case for some viral illnesses that cause rashes, Shinkai said.
In addition, the significance of these rashes — such as whether they are tied to better or worse outcomes for patients — should also be studied, she said. For example, some patients with covid toes have been reported to have mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, Live Science previously reported .
To help doctors learn more about COVID-19 and rashes, a task force with the American Academy of Dermatology has created an online COVID-19 dermatology registry, where health care providers can report skin findings linked to the disease, Live Science previously reported.


foxnews--2020-05-11--Rosie O'Donnell working with Michael Cohen on tell-all about Donald Trump

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Rosie O ’ Donnell has confirmed she is helping former nemesis Michael Cohen write a “ spicy ” tell-all about his years working for President Trump , as previously revealed by Page Six .
O ’ Donnell told the Daily Beast that she visited the then-jailed lawyer in prison for six hours and agreed to help with his memoir , an unlikely partnership Page Six first revealed at the beginning of March .
“ It ’ s pretty spicy , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAST OUTBREAKS SHAPED CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE IN US “ He ’ s in the midst of writing it , and is nearly done writing it , and hopes that it ’ ll be out before the election , ” she told the site .
O ’ Donnell said she struck up her unlikely friendship with Cohen as he was in the upstate Otisville federal prison serving a three-year sentence for lying to Congress and making illegal hush-money payments .
“ I wrote him a letter the day that Trump got impeached , ” O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Beast , saying she “ found his inmate number online.
” She forgave him for his attacks on her in a letter she says left him “ so moved ” he “ started crying.
” In that letter , she told Cohen that she found it “ mind-boggling ” that he was “ sitting in jail for doing exactly what the boss told you to do.
” “ No matter how long it took you , you ’ ll be known and respected for that as much as any horror you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
The letter sparked an unlikely friendship between the pair , with the former “ View ” host eventually visiting him in prison for six hours , she said in the interview published in part on Saturday .
TIPS ON TALKING CORONAVIRUS WITH YOUR KIDS “ Michael and I talked a lot about how he got involved in Trump , how it ’ s a cult , and what role he played not only in Trump Inc. , ” she told the site in an interview published Saturday .
The 53-year-old disbarred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his years with Trump , with O ’ Donnell offering advice following her own success penning memoirs .
“ He told me what chapters he was doing in his book , and on my way home , I was writing about what had happened between us , and I gave him my breakdown of things that should be in chapters .
“ I said , ‘ You should tell this story as a chapter , you should tell this story as a chapter , ' ” she said of the advice she gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past , O ’ Donnell said she always felt she could relate to Cohen because “ he always looked to me like someone from my neighborhood.
” “ He grew up on Long Island like I did , he ’ s a few years younger , and he reminds me of my brothers .
I look at this guy and go , ‘ How did he fall under the spell of that charlatan ?
’ ” she said .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Cohen last month appeared set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a move later rescinded by a judge who says he needs to “ accept the consequences of his criminal convictions for serious crimes that had far reaching institutional harms.
” This article originally appeared in Page Six .

Rosie O’Donnell has confirmed she is helping former nemesis Michael Cohen write a “spicy” tell-all about his years working for President Trump, as previously revealed by Page Six.
O’Donnell told the Daily Beast that she visited the then-jailed lawyer in prison for six hours and agreed to help with his memoir, an unlikely partnership Page Six first revealed at the beginning of March.
“It’s pretty spicy,” she promised of the book.
“He’s in the midst of writing it, and is nearly done writing it, and hopes that it’ll be out before the election,” she told the site.
O’Donnell said she struck up her unlikely friendship with Cohen as he was in the upstate Otisville federal prison serving a three-year sentence for lying to Congress and making illegal hush-money payments.
“I wrote him a letter the day that Trump got impeached,” O’Donnell, 58, told the Daily Beast, saying she “found his inmate number online.”
She forgave him for his attacks on her in a letter she says left him “so moved” he “started crying.”
In that letter, she told Cohen that she found it “mind-boggling” that he was “sitting in jail for doing exactly what the boss told you to do.”
“No matter how long it took you, you’ll be known and respected for that as much as any horror you’ve committed through him,” she wrote.
The letter sparked an unlikely friendship between the pair, with the former “View” host eventually visiting him in prison for six hours, she said in the interview published in part on Saturday.
“Michael and I talked a lot about how he got involved in Trump, how it’s a cult, and what role he played not only in Trump Inc.,” she told the site in an interview published Saturday.
The 53-year-old disbarred lawyer then discussed his impending tell-all about his years with Trump, with O’Donnell offering advice following her own success penning memoirs.
“He told me what chapters he was doing in his book, and on my way home, I was writing about what had happened between us, and I gave him my breakdown of things that should be in chapters.
“I said, ‘You should tell this story as a chapter, you should tell this story as a chapter,'” she said of the advice she gave.
Despite their troubled relationship in the past, O’Donnell said she always felt she could relate to Cohen because “he always looked to me like someone from my neighborhood.”
“He grew up on Long Island like I did, he’s a few years younger, and he reminds me of my brothers. I look at this guy and go, ‘How did he fall under the spell of that charlatan?’” she said.
Cohen last month appeared set to leave prison amid the coronavirus pandemic — a move later rescinded by a judge who says he needs to “accept the consequences of his criminal convictions for serious crimes that had far reaching institutional harms.”


foxnews--2020-06-08--Pet owners say their furry friends are gaining weight during quarantine, too

It ’ s not just humans who are packing on the pounds during the coronavirus quarantine — so is man ’ s best friend .
About 33 percent of pets have beefed up since the lockdown started in March , according to a new survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Banfield Pet Hospital .
Of the 1,000 animal owners surveyed in May , 25 percent of participants say their pet only gained “ a little weight , ” while 8 percent answered that their furry friends “ gained a lot of weight , ” the data shows .
ADOPTING A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ON WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW And the proof is in the pudding : 40 percent of respondents said they are feeding their pets more snacks and treats since the COVID-19 outbreak started .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER “ With owners spending increased time with their cats and dogs during quarantine , they may be showing affection with food more often , ” Banfield veterinarian Dr. Heidi Cooley tells The New York Post .
“ Overfeeding , not providing enough exercise , and giving too many treats are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain in pets.
” Similar to humans who are struggling to stick to a workout routine while confined to their homes , park closures and staying indoors are also affecting the waistlines of pets .
People “ might be finding it difficult to help their pets reach their daily activity goals due to stay-at-home directives , with many pet owners likely avoiding dog parks , going on long walks or utilizing services like dog walkers , ” says Cooley .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS So before falling victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooley advises owners to “ make small changes like measuring their pet ’ s food , limiting treats to no more than 10 percent of their pet ’ s daily calories and upping their pet ’ s daily activity.
” If not kept in check , weight gain in animals can lead to serious diseases , such as arthritis and diabetes .
On the bright side , pet owners believe they ’ re connecting with their furry friends more than ever before .
About 84 percent said they are more attuned to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , 38 percent reported that their pets are “ more happy ” and 65 percent said they are showing more affection to their pets .
When things do start to go back to normal , 47 percent of owners have vowed to spend more time with their pets while home , fearing animals could suffer from “ separation anxiety.
” This article originally appeared in the New York Post .

It’s not just humans who are packing on the pounds during the coronavirus quarantine — so is man’s best friend.
About 33% of pets have beefed up since the lockdown started in March, according to a new survey conducted by Wakefield Research for Banfield Pet Hospital. Of the 1,000 animal owners surveyed in May, 25% of participants say their pet only gained “a little weight,” while 8% answered that their furry friends “gained a lot of weight,” the data shows.
And the proof is in the pudding: 40% of respondents said they are feeding their pets more snacks and treats since the COVID-19 outbreak started.
“With owners spending increased time with their cats and dogs during quarantine, they may be showing affection with food more often,” Banfield veterinarian Dr. Heidi Cooley tells The Post. “Overfeeding, not providing enough exercise, and giving too many treats are all things that can lead to weight gain in pets.”
Similar to humans who are struggling to stick to a workout routine while confined to their homes, park closures and staying indoors are also affecting the waistlines of pets.
People “might be finding it difficult to help their pets reach their daily activity goals due to stay-at-home directives, with many pet owners likely avoiding dog parks, going on long walks or utilizing services like dog walkers,” says Cooley.
So before falling victim to those puppy dog eyes again, Cooley advises owners to “make small changes like measuring their pet’s food, limiting treats to no more than 10% of their pet’s daily calories and upping their pet’s daily activity.”
If not kept in check, weight gain in animals can lead to serious diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes.
On the bright side, pet owners believe they’re connecting with their furry friends more than ever before.
About 84% said they are more attuned to their pet’s health due to staying home, 38% reported that their pets are “more happy” and 65% said they are showing more affection to their pets.
When things do start to go back to normal, 47% of owners have vowed to spend more time with their pets while home, fearing animals could suffer from “separation anxiety.”


foxnews--2020-03-13--Partygoers bedazzling face masks amid coronavirus outbreak

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the globe , so does the concept of boogie-fever face masks .
At Wednesday night ’ s opening party for the Brooklyn Museum ’ s “ Studio 54 : Night Magic ” exhibit , a number of partygoers sported flashy COVID-19-themed face coverings .
Attendees Allison Eden and Gary Goldenstein , who wore matching disco-ball masks to the gala , told paparazzi their coordinated glitterati garb was inspired by the potentially deadly virus .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER “ It took me a day and a half to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tells The Post of her and her husband ’ s masks .
“ I feel if you have to wear a face mask now , why not make it fabulous ?
Why not make disco balls ?
” Eden , who runs a Bushwick-based handcrafted glass mosaic business , is among the growing ranks of pizzazz-minded health warriors making and sporting bedazzled face coverings : Celebrities from Billie Eilish , 18 , to Steve Harvey , 63 , have donned tricked-out face masks as the trend spreads from the streets of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on runways around the world .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Jordanian designer Samia Alzakleh is taking the growing glitter trend a step further — by encouraging global citizens to stay safe and stop the spread of corona by donning masks covered in Swarovski crystals .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS “ My goal in creating these masks was to encourage people to wear [ protective ] face masks , ” Alzakleh tells Reuters of her corona-chic safety gear .
Only one Jordanian has so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of March 10 the nation has closed its border crossings with Israel and the West Bank , its seaports with Egypt and has barred overland passenger traffic from Iraq , the kingdom ’ s health minister says , according to a Reuters report .
Each custom mask takes Alzakleh more than three hours to make and features hundreds of colorful jewels .
To read the complete article on the New York Post , click here .

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the globe, so does the concept of boogie-fever face masks.
At Wednesday night’s opening party for the Brooklyn Museum’s “Studio 54: Night Magic” exhibit, a number of partygoers sported flashy COVID-19-themed face coverings. Attendees Allison Eden and Gary Goldenstein, who wore matching disco-ball masks to the gala, told paparazzi their coordinated glitterati garb was inspired by the potentially deadly virus.
“It took me a day and a half to make each one,” Eden, 50, tells The Post of her and her husband’s masks. “I feel if you have to wear a face mask now, why not make it fabulous? Why not make disco balls?”
Eden, who runs a Bushwick-based handcrafted glass mosaic business, is among the growing ranks of pizzazz-minded health warriors making and sporting bedazzled face coverings: Celebrities from Billie Eilish, 18, to Steve Harvey, 63, have donned tricked-out face masks as the trend spreads from the streets of New York to partiers, influencers and models on runways around the world.
Previous 1 of 5 Next Advertisement Allison Eden and Gary Goldenstein share a glittery kiss at the "Studio 54" event. Getty Images Billie Eilish in Gucci on the 2020 Grammys red carpet. Getty Images Advertisement Allison Eden wears a decorated mask inspired by the coronavirus during the opening night of "Studio 54: Night Magic" at the Brooklyn Museum on March 11, 2020. Getty Images Advertisement
Jordanian designer Samia Alzakleh is taking the growing glitter trend a step further — by encouraging global citizens to stay safe and stop the spread of corona by donning masks covered in Swarovski crystals.
By turning the current crisis into a fashion statement, Alzakleh hopes she’ll help her fellow Jordanians party the plague away and catch boogie fever instead.
“My goal in creating these masks was to encourage people to wear [protective] face masks,” Alzakleh tells Reuters of her corona-chic safety gear.
Only one Jordanian has so far tested positive for the virus, but as of March 10 the nation has closed its border crossings with Israel and the West Bank, its seaports with Egypt and has barred overland passenger traffic from Iraq, the kingdom’s health minister says, according to a Reuters report.
Each custom mask takes Alzakleh more than three hours to make and features hundreds of colorful jewels.
She has gifted her lifesaving accessories to influencers and celebrities, including Lebanese makeup artist Joelle Mardinian, Jordanian cook Ghada El Tally, Lebanese actress May Hariri and Dubai-based photographer Wadih Elnajjar. “Be safe in style,” Elnajjar captions a post of himself in the to-die-for mouth covering.
When she’s not bedazzling items that are cute enough for quarantine, Alzakleh adds sparkle to hookahs, Starbucks cups and Red Bull cans, selling them through her online store Sandraz Shop. However, the designer did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment about when the masks would be available to the general public.
Beware: Although they look contagiously good, these fun face masks won’t actually help disco lovers stay alive during the pandemic.
“We don’t have great evidence in their effectiveness,” Dr. Vanessa Raabe, assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases at NYU Langone, tells The Post. She points out that most store-bought masks don’t have a “firm seal” around the nose and mouth, so “you can still potentially breathe in infectious particles around the sides of the mask.”
Map of coronavirus in the US
As of Friday there were more than 1000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States and more than 30 deaths.
While face masks offer little protective impact against the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol, ensuring the correct amount of gel is applied. However, 20 seconds of washing with “soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers at removing certain kinds of germs,” the agency reports.


foxnews--2020-04-15--Angie Harmon shares sexy throwback pic: 'Somewhat dressed'

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The 47-year-old actress delighted her followers this week with a sexy throwback photo from years ago .
`` Ah the good ol ’ days ... outside ... somewhat dressed , '' Harmon wrote on Twitter .
The photo shows the star wearing little to no clothes , as a white shirt is draped over her bare chest and her hair is soaking wet .
Harmon 's account was immediately flooded with gracious compliments from several fans , many of whom questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever snap a bad photo .
`` I bet ur drivers license pic is stunning 2 .
But I still LUV u anyway .
Lol , '' one person tweeted at the star .
ANGIE HARMON GUSHES OVER NEW BOYFRIEND GREG VAUGHAN : 'HE CONTINUES TO ASTOUND ME WITH HIS CARE & LOVE' '' You 're exquisite , you have always been exquisite , '' wrote another .
`` Absolutely gorgeous photo of a gorgeous you .
Thanks for sharing , '' another said .
The `` Rizzoli & Isles '' actress also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hinted that she was actually less than `` somewhat '' dressed in the picture .
`` REALLY lol somewhat , '' one fan quipped in reaction to her tweet .
`` Somewhat is good , '' another positively responded .
Harmon joins a number of stars who have spent their downtime in quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic reminiscing on the past with throwback photos .
The actress has also taken to her social media accounts to share the other ways in which she 's passing the time .
In March , Harmon provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which looked as bare as it did organized .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Harmon is currently engaged to Greg Vaughan , who proposed to her last Christmas Day .
She shares three daughters with her ex-husband , former NFL player Jason Sehorn .

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Angie Harmon is taking a walk down memory lane.
The 47-year-old actress delighted her followers this week with a sexy throwback photo from years ago.
"Ah the good ol’ days... outside... somewhat dressed," Harmon wrote on Twitter.
ANGIE HARMON GETS ENGAGED ON CHRISTMAS: 'MARRY, MARRY CHRISTMAS'
The photo shows the star wearing little to no clothes, as a white shirt is draped over her bare chest and her hair is soaking wet.
Harmon's account was immediately flooded with gracious compliments from several fans, many of whom questioned if it's possible for her to ever snap a bad photo.
"I bet ur drivers license pic is stunning 2. But I still LUV u anyway. Lol," one person tweeted at the star.
ANGIE HARMON GUSHES OVER NEW BOYFRIEND GREG VAUGHAN: 'HE CONTINUES TO ASTOUND ME WITH HIS CARE & LOVE'
"You're exquisite, you have always been exquisite," wrote another.
"Absolutely gorgeous photo of a gorgeous you. Thanks for sharing," another said.
The "Rizzoli & Isles" actress also evoked some laughter from followers, who hinted that she was actually less than "somewhat" dressed in the picture.
"REALLY lol somewhat," one fan quipped in reaction to her tweet.
"Somewhat is good," another positively responded.
ANGIE HARMON SHARES THROWBACK MODELING PICTURE
Harmon joins a number of stars who have spent their downtime in quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic reminiscing on the past with throwback photos. The actress has also taken to her social media accounts to share the other ways in which she's passing the time.
In March, Harmon provided fans a peek at her pantry, which looked as bare as it did organized.
"COR-RECT," the star captioned the post.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Harmon is currently engaged to Greg Vaughan, who proposed to her last Christmas Day. She shares three daughters with her ex-husband, former NFL player Jason Sehorn.


foxnews--2020-04-15--Armie Hammer shocks fans with new look while in quarantine

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Armie Hammer might have given into the cabin fever while self-isolating amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Amid the shelter-at-home orders in effect in many states hampering people ’ s abilities to keep up with their weekly or monthly grooming sessions , the “ Lone Ranger ” star took matters into his own hands and , in the process , delivered big laughs to his followers who maybe could use it given the trying times .
The 33-year-old actor took to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newlypainted pink toes -- because kids make parents do funny things -- and evidence that he had given himself a buzz cut , though the extent of the damage wasn ’ t known .
`` I 'm fine , '' wrote the `` Social Network '' star , who shares daughters Harper Grace , 5 , and Ford Armand Douglas , 3 , with wife and actress Elizabeth Chambers , 37 .
ARMIE HAMMER CALLS OUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT EXEC FOR TRUMP FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS However , on Wednesday , Hammer shared the final result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donning a cut-off black shirt , made into a crop-top , yellow and blue swim trunks in a camouflage pattern .
“ Killing the game , ” the Golden Globe nominee captioned the post which also showed Hammer with Mohawk hairstyle and a handlebar mustache .
While it might seem as though the “ Call Me by Your Name ” actor is was channeling his inner Joe Exotic of “ Tiger King ” fame , Hammer is among a long list of celebrities who have altered their looks while under order to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Tallulah Willis ’ head last week and Hilary Duff also dyed her recognizable blonde hair , a bright shade of blue .
For his effort , Hammer received praise from many of his Hollywood buddies .
Bear Grylls commented , “ Oh wow !
!
Strong Armie !
!
😂💪👍 , ” while Hammer ’ s wife responded “ Quarantine chic .
With the 24/7 accent to match 😂.
” Meanwhile , Hammer left many of his fans shocked .
`` YOU DID NOT , '' wrote one person .
`` OMG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh my wow , '' wrote another individual .

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Armie Hammer might have given into the cabin fever while self-isolating amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Amid the shelter-at-home orders in effect in many states hampering people’s abilities to keep up with their weekly or monthly grooming sessions, the “Lone Ranger” star took matters into his own hands and, in the process, delivered big laughs to his followers who maybe could use it given the trying times.
CINEMACON CANCELED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS
The 33-year-old actor took to his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, revealing his newlypainted pink toes -- because kids make parents do funny things -- and evidence that he had given himself a buzz cut, though the extent of the damage wasn’t known.
"I'm fine," wrote the "Social Network" star, who shares daughters Harper Grace, 5, and Ford Armand Douglas, 3, with wife and actress Elizabeth Chambers, 37.
ARMIE HAMMER CALLS OUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT EXEC FOR TRUMP FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
However, on Wednesday, Hammer shared the final result when he posted an image of himself donning a cut-off black shirt, made into a crop-top, yellow and blue swim trunks in a camouflage pattern.
“Killing the game,” the Golden Globe nominee captioned the post which also showed Hammer with Mohawk hairstyle and a handlebar mustache.
While it might seem as though the “Call Me by Your Name” actor is was channeling his inner Joe Exotic of “Tiger King” fame, Hammer is among a long list of celebrities who have altered their looks while under order to stay at home.
ARMIE HAMMER ADDRESSES HIS WHITE PRIVILEGE, DISCUSSES STAN LEE BACKLASH
Bruce Willis shaved his daughter Tallulah Willis’ head last week and Hilary Duff also dyed her recognizable blonde hair, a bright shade of blue.
For his effort, Hammer received praise from many of his Hollywood buddies.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Bear Grylls commented, “Oh wow!! Strong Armie!! 😂💪👍,” while Hammer’s wife responded “Quarantine chic. With the 24/7 accent to match 😂.”
Meanwhile, Hammer left many of his fans shocked. "YOU DID NOT," wrote one person. "OMG ARMIE," commented another.
"Oh my wow," wrote another individual.


foxnews--2020-04-11--Dr. Marc Siegel comments on the coronavirus vaccine status

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel appeared on `` Tucker Carlson Tonight '' and spoke briefly on a possible coronavirus vaccine , saying White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci said he is optimistic about the process .
`` Tony talked to me about the vaccine development .
And he said that the Moderna vaccine that the NIH is looking at is very encouraging , '' Siegel told Carlson .
`` And it 's about to go out of Phase 1 trials and soon into Phase 2 , that 's where they really see how effective it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the manufacturing process by the time it gets to market several months from now . ''
`` As you know , ton of regulations , but a lot of money has to be put into it , up to about a billion dollars , '' Siegel added .
`` The manufacturing process , all of that is ahead . ''
Siegel said Fauci warned that the vaccine process should not be rushed for fear that the virus could turn into a `` super virus . ''
`` But he warned that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn the virus into a super virus where you actually see more effects from the vaccine that make you worse , '' Siege said .
`` That has happened .
And they 're looking very carefully in animal models to make sure that that does not happen here .
It 's one of the reasons that it takes a while , Tucker , to actually get an effective vaccine . ''
The doctor thinks the potential vaccines are all safe , saying Fauci is `` optimistic . ''
`` And he does think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says the virus has n't mutated , Tucker , and he thinks this is going to work .
He 's very , very optimistic , Dr. Fauci , about the group of vaccines that 's being tested now , '' Siegel said .
`` He feels one of them will emerge and will be the one that will prevent this coronavirus in the future . ''

Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel appeared on "Tucker Carlson Tonight" and spoke briefly on a possible coronavirus vaccine, saying White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci said he is optimistic about the process.
"Tony talked to me about the vaccine development. And he said that the Moderna vaccine that the NIH is looking at is very encouraging," Siegel told Carlson. "And it's about to go out of Phase 1 trials and soon into Phase 2, that's where they really see how effective it is. That's where they look for the manufacturing process by the time it gets to market several months from now."
THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK STATE BY STATE
"As you know, ton of regulations, but a lot of money has to be put into it, up to about a billion dollars," Siegel added. "The manufacturing process, all of that is ahead."
Siegel said Fauci warned that the vaccine process should not be rushed for fear that the virus could turn into a "super virus."
"But he warned that in developing a vaccine, you could actually turn the virus into a super virus where you actually see more effects from the vaccine that make you worse," Siege said. "That has happened. And they're looking very carefully in animal models to make sure that that does not happen here. It's one of the reasons that it takes a while, Tucker, to actually get an effective vaccine."
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The doctor thinks the potential vaccines are all safe, saying Fauci is "optimistic."
"And he does think this one is safe. And he she says the virus hasn't mutated, Tucker, and he thinks this is going to work. He's very, very optimistic, Dr. Fauci, about the group of vaccines that's being tested now," Siegel said. "He feels one of them will emerge and will be the one that will prevent this coronavirus in the future."


foxnews--2020-04-15--Doctors optimistic in coronavirus plasma transfusion therapy

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Physicians seeking relief for their COVID-19 patients are turning to convalescent plasma transfusions using antibodies from recovered coronavirus cases .
AdventHealth in Orlando , Fla. , has partnered with OneBlood for a plasma donation program spearheaded by Dr. Juliana Gaitan .
Plasma from recovered COVID-19 cases is transfused to critically ill COVID-19 patients , with the hope that the antibodies will help the patient fight or neutralize the disease .
COVID-19 PATIENTS MAY BE CONTAGIOUS 2 TO 3 DAYS BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drug Administration ( FDA ) is facilitating access to the COVID-19 convalescent plasma for use in patients with serious or immediately life-threatening infections , according to an AdventHealth press release .
Gaitan said the hospital is among the first in the nation to begin offering this therapy .
Dr. Eduardo Oliveira , critical care specialist and pulmonologist at AdventHealth , said the approach has had “ some degree of success ” in COVID-19 patients in China .
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE DOES NOT CLEAR CORONAVIRUS , BUT CAN ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS , STUDY SHOWS Oliveira said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the approach early last week .
So far , five AdventHealth patients have received plasma donations , most of which came from family members .
“ We are optimistic about it , a couple of our patients are doing slightly better , ” Oliveira told Fox News .
“ We can ’ t tell for sure if it ’ s the plasma that ’ s working but it ’ s encouraging that none of them are doing worse or are behaving in a different way with other complications that could have come from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plasma donations are coming in through a slow-trickle , likely due to unawareness surrounding the program , Oliveira said .
ANTIBODY POINTS TO POTENTIAL WEAK SPOT ON NOVEL CORONAVIRUS Blood plasma donations require a longer but similar process to giving blood .
Oliveira said prospective plasma donors will need to have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past , and bloodwork will be checked .
To donate plasma , recovered patients must be at least 15 days free from experiencing symptoms .
“ If [ recovered COVID-19 patients ] find it in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only potentially very good for our patients if this panned out to be true and effective , but also would be good for science and advancing our understanding on how we treat better COVID-19 patients and how we help folks not only now but in the future , '' Oliveira said .
Those interested in donating can find more information here .
“ We are really depending on the community for support , ” Gaitan said .
“ As the number of COVID-19 cases increases , we expect high demand for this @ @ @ @ @

Physicians seeking relief for their COVID-19 patients are turning to convalescent plasma transfusions using antibodies from recovered coronavirus cases.
AdventHealth in Orlando, Fla., has partnered with OneBlood for a plasma donation program spearheaded by Dr. Juliana Gaitan. Plasma from recovered COVID-19 cases is transfused to critically ill COVID-19 patients, with the hope that the antibodies will help the patient fight or neutralize the disease.
COVID-19 PATIENTS MAY BE CONTAGIOUS 2 TO 3 DAYS BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW, RESEARCH WARNS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is facilitating access to the COVID-19 convalescent plasma for use in patients with serious or immediately life-threatening infections, according to an AdventHealth press release.
Gaitan said the hospital is among the first in the nation to begin offering this therapy.
Dr. Eduardo Oliveira, critical care specialist and pulmonologist at AdventHealth, said the approach has had "some degree of success" in COVID-19 patients in China.
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE DOES NOT CLEAR CORONAVIRUS, BUT CAN ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS, STUDY SHOWS
Oliveira said the team received authorization to move forward with the approach early last week. So far, five AdventHealth patients have received plasma donations, most of which came from family members.
"We are optimistic about it, a couple of our patients are doing slightly better," Oliveira told Fox News. "We can’t tell for sure if it’s the plasma that’s working but it’s encouraging that none of them are doing worse or are behaving in a different way with other complications that could have come from the plasma used like allergic reactions."
Plasma donations are coming in through a slow-trickle, likely due to unawareness surrounding the program, Oliveira said.
ANTIBODY POINTS TO POTENTIAL WEAK SPOT ON NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Blood plasma donations require a longer but similar process to giving blood. Oliveira said prospective plasma donors will need to have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past, and bloodwork will be checked. To donate plasma, recovered patients must be at least 15 days free from experiencing symptoms.
"If [recovered COVID-19 patients] find it in their hearts to donate it would be, not only potentially very good for our patients if this panned out to be true and effective, but also would be good for science and advancing our understanding on how we treat better COVID-19 patients and how we help folks not only now but in the future," Oliveira said.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Those interested in donating can find more information here.
"We are really depending on the community for support," Gaitan said. "As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, we expect high demand for this potentially life-saving treatment."


foxnews--2020-04-15--Would you give up health or location data to return to work?

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Sign up here .
Cameron Karosis usually strives to protect his personal information .
But a scary bout of COVID-19 that began last month with headaches and fevers , progressed to breathing problems and led to a hospital visit has now left him eager to disclose as much as possible to help halt the virus ’ spread .
Karosis has already shared personal details with Massachusetts health investigators .
And if he was asked to comply with a disease-tracking phone app that monitored his whereabouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name and Cambridge street address , he said he ’ d do that , too .
“ I ’ m sick and I ’ m under a quarantine -- hold me accountable for it , ” the 27-year-old software salesman said .
“ You have the potential to kill other people.
” As countries around the world edge toward ending lockdowns and restarting their economies and societies , citizens are being more closely monitored , in nations rich and poor , authoritarian and free .
New systems to track who is infected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve been , have been created or extended in China , South Korea and Singapore .
And a range of other surveillance systems – some utilizing GPS location data , some gathering medical data – have been debated or piloted in Israel , Germany , the U.K. , Italy and elsewhere .
The challenge : achieving the tricky balance between limiting the spread of disease and allowing people freedom to move outside their homes .
Whether the prospect on the table is “ immunity passports ” or cellphone-based tracking apps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But experts say it ’ s also important to avoid a slippery-slope scenario where data collected to minimize the spread of disease is stored indefinitely , available without limits to law enforcement or susceptible to hackers .
“ We need to build necessary guardrails for civil liberties , ” said Jake Laperruque , a lawyer at the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight in Washington .
“ If new data is being collected for public health purposes , it should only be used for public health purposes.
” Right now , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , where the constitutional system gives states responsibility for maintaining public safety and where deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise steeply .
Scientists believe that the hundreds of thousands of people who already have recovered from the virus worldwide are likely to have some immunity to future infection , but they aren ’ t sure for how long .
To ensure new cases don ’ t overwhelm hospital capacity , any plans to relax lockdowns will include provisions to track infections .
“ The virus is not going away – if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain date , it will spread widely again , ” said Dr. Tom Frieden , an infectious disease expert and former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
“ That means we need to think carefully about how and when we come out.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci , the White House ’ s top disease expert , said the administration has looked at the idea of issuing certificates of immunity to people whose blood tests reveal they have developed antibodies to fight the virus , among other possible plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that approach would be effective , he told The Associated Press on Tuesday .
“ I know people are anxious to say , ‘ Well , we ’ ll give you a passport that says you ’ re antibody-positive , you can go to work and you ’ re protected.
’ The worst possibility that would happen is if we ’ re actually wrong about that ” and those people get infected .
CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS MAY BE CONTAGIOUS 2 TO 3 DAYS BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW , RESEARCH WARNS Meanwhile , public health agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco have hired a surge of people to run “ contact tracing ” teams .
Their mission is to identify anyone who has recently been in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 , then encourage those people to get tested and perhaps isolate themselves .
These meetings can be sensitive and require training , and support , to pull off effectively .
Aiming to take the tracing approach to a new scale are tech giants Apple and Google , which are jointly working to build smartphone technology that alerts users if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store aisle with a stranger later found to be infected with the virus .
Unlike the more invasive location-tracking methods attempted by some governments , the Apple-Google approach uses Bluetooth beacons to detect physical proximity and encrypted keys to maintain people ’ s anonymity .
The companies say they ’ re building the software for public health departments only , on the condition that they won ’ t make use of them mandatory .
In addition to developing the technology , experts warn that the implications of deploying such devices need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verify the data ?
How long will it be held ?
Will enough people use a voluntary app for it to be helpful ?
“ We know from history that ‘ emergency measures ’ too often last long beyond their initial expiry date , ” said Deborah Brown , a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch .
CHILE COUNTS PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS AS 'RECOVERED ' BECAUSE THEY CA N'T INFECT ANYONE ELSE She also noted that systems that monitor cellphone location or GPS data reveal more than just where someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and associations can be gleaned , potentially your religious or political beliefs , ” she said -- for instance , if you ’ ve visited a church or mosque .
Susan Landau , a cybersecurity professor at Tufts University , said she has doubts about the effectiveness of relying on smartphone-based approaches , even if the apps are carefully designed to protect individual privacy .
“ My real concern about the whole thing is I think it ’ s being oversold , ” she said .
“ Does it reduce spread ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it enable us to eliminate social distancing ?
No , not as long as there ’ s a high portion of people who are asymptomatic.
” Collecting data should complement , but not substitute for , well-managed public health interventions , said Deborah Seligsohn , a political scientist at Villanova University .
It ’ s one thing to merely send a phone alert that someone exposed to a COVID-19 case should self-isolate for 14 days .
It ’ s another to have government workers bring them groceries or other essentials to make that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have trouble complying , she said .
After the various lockdowns lift , it ’ s not clear how readily Americans will submit to tracking efforts .
Cameron Karosis had his mind changed by contracting the virus , but many others are still wrestling with the prospect of how far they ’ d be willing to go .
“ Personally , I would not be thrilled to be forced into downloading an app , mostly because I don ’ t love the idea of Silicon Valley knowing even more about me than they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a writer in Ann Arbor , Michigan .
“ But I ’ d probably give in on that pretty quickly if it were made a widespread prerequisite for getting back to normal activity at some point in the future .
I ’ d definitely resist a blood test — that just feels too intrusive .
”

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Cameron Karosis usually strives to protect his personal information. But a scary bout of COVID-19 that began last month with headaches and fevers, progressed to breathing problems and led to a hospital visit has now left him eager to disclose as much as possible to help halt the virus’ spread.
Karosis has already shared personal details with Massachusetts health investigators. And if he was asked to comply with a disease-tracking phone app that monitored his whereabouts but didn’t publicly reveal his name and Cambridge street address, he said he’d do that, too.
PEYTON, ASHLEY MANNING DONATE HUNDREDS OF MEALS TO TENNESSEE HOSPITAL
“I’m sick and I’m under a quarantine -- hold me accountable for it,” the 27-year-old software salesman said. “You have the potential to kill other people.”
As countries around the world edge toward ending lockdowns and restarting their economies and societies, citizens are being more closely monitored, in nations rich and poor, authoritarian and free.
New systems to track who is infected and who isn’t, and where they’ve been, have been created or extended in China, South Korea and Singapore. And a range of other surveillance systems – some utilizing GPS location data, some gathering medical data – have been debated or piloted in Israel, Germany, the U.K., Italy and elsewhere.
The challenge: achieving the tricky balance between limiting the spread of disease and allowing people freedom to move outside their homes.
Whether the prospect on the table is “immunity passports” or cellphone-based tracking apps, the aim is to protect public health. But experts say it’s also important to avoid a slippery-slope scenario where data collected to minimize the spread of disease is stored indefinitely, available without limits to law enforcement or susceptible to hackers.
GLOBAL COORNAVIRUS CASES SURPASS 2 MILLION MARK
“We need to build necessary guardrails for civil liberties,” said Jake Laperruque, a lawyer at the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight in Washington. “If new data is being collected for public health purposes, it should only be used for public health purposes.”
Right now, there is no single official plan for reopening the United States, where the constitutional system gives states responsibility for maintaining public safety and where deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise steeply.
Scientists believe that the hundreds of thousands of people who already have recovered from the virus worldwide are likely to have some immunity to future infection, but they aren’t sure for how long. To ensure new cases don’t overwhelm hospital capacity, any plans to relax lockdowns will include provisions to track infections.
“The virus is not going away – if we all just come out on a certain date, it will spread widely again,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, an infectious disease expert and former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “That means we need to think carefully about how and when we come out.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s top disease expert, said the administration has looked at the idea of issuing certificates of immunity to people whose blood tests reveal they have developed antibodies to fight the virus, among other possible plans. Yet they haven’t concluded that approach would be effective, he told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
“I know people are anxious to say, ‘Well, we’ll give you a passport that says you’re antibody-positive, you can go to work and you’re protected.’ The worst possibility that would happen is if we’re actually wrong about that” and those people get infected.
CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS MAY BE CONTAGIOUS 2 TO 3 DAYS BEFORE SYMPTOMS SHOW, RESEARCH WARNS
Meanwhile, public health agencies from Massachusetts to the city of San Francisco have hired a surge of people to run “contact tracing” teams. Their mission is to identify anyone who has recently been in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, then encourage those people to get tested and perhaps isolate themselves. These meetings can be sensitive and require training, and support, to pull off effectively.
Aiming to take the tracing approach to a new scale are tech giants Apple and Google, which are jointly working to build smartphone technology that alerts users if they shared a park bench or grocery store aisle with a stranger later found to be infected with the virus.
Unlike the more invasive location-tracking methods attempted by some governments, the Apple-Google approach uses Bluetooth beacons to detect physical proximity and encrypted keys to maintain people’s anonymity. The companies say they’re building the software for public health departments only, on the condition that they won’t make use of them mandatory.
In addition to developing the technology, experts warn that the implications of deploying such devices need to be carefully considered. Who will collect and verify the data? How long will it be held? Will enough people use a voluntary app for it to be helpful?
“We know from history that ‘emergency measures’ too often last long beyond their initial expiry date,” said Deborah Brown, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch.
CHILE COUNTS PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS AS 'RECOVERED' BECAUSE THEY CAN'T INFECT ANYONE ELSE
She also noted that systems that monitor cellphone location or GPS data reveal more than just where someone has recently been. “Your contacts and associations can be gleaned, potentially your religious or political beliefs,” she said -- for instance, if you’ve visited a church or mosque.
Susan Landau, a cybersecurity professor at Tufts University, said she has doubts about the effectiveness of relying on smartphone-based approaches, even if the apps are carefully designed to protect individual privacy.
“My real concern about the whole thing is I think it’s being oversold,” she said. “Does it reduce spread? I don’t doubt that. Does it enable us to eliminate social distancing? No, not as long as there’s a high portion of people who are asymptomatic.”
Collecting data should complement, but not substitute for, well-managed public health interventions, said Deborah Seligsohn, a political scientist at Villanova University.
It’s one thing to merely send a phone alert that someone exposed to a COVID-19 case should self-isolate for 14 days. It’s another to have government workers bring them groceries or other essentials to make that quarantine period possible if someone would otherwise have trouble complying, she said.
After the various lockdowns lift, it’s not clear how readily Americans will submit to tracking efforts.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Cameron Karosis had his mind changed by contracting the virus, but many others are still wrestling with the prospect of how far they’d be willing to go.
“Personally, I would not be thrilled to be forced into downloading an app, mostly because I don’t love the idea of Silicon Valley knowing even more about me than they already do,” said Maura Cunningham, a writer in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “But I’d probably give in on that pretty quickly if it were made a widespread prerequisite for getting back to normal activity at some point in the future. I’d definitely resist a blood test — that just feels too intrusive.”


foxnews--2020-04-15--Las Vegas doctor praised for cleaning room of COVID-19 patient

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Sign up here .
An intensive care unit doctor at a Las Vegas hospital is earning accolades for going out of his way to clean the room of a coronavirus patient .
Irene Ibarra , Spring Valley Hospital ’ s housekeeper normally tasked with sterilizing patients ’ rooms , told ABC News she was grateful for Dr. Kevin Tsui ’ s help .
`` I feel like 'Aye doctor ! '
...
I said , 'Thank you so much . '
And he goes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we love you , ' '' Ibarra said of her interaction with Tsui .
Tsui said there wasn ’ t much of a thought process behind his actions , which was captured last week on video by Sharon Radcliffe , the hospital ’ s chief nursing officer .
“ I was already fully dressed .
I just saw her going in the room and I just grabbed the broom and the mop and just went to town on those floors and just did it , ” Tsui said .
“ Did n't really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do around here . ''
SEN. MARTHA MCSALLY : CORONAVIRUS WILL BE DEFEATED BY HEALTH CARE HEROES – WE MUST GET THEM WHAT THEY NEED Ibarra said Tsui ’ s actions boosted morale and made the hospital staff feel like family .
`` We take care of the patients , which is our first and foremost goal , and take care of each other , '' Tsui said .
`` That 's the biggest thing .
... Help each other out , you know ?
Never above somebody , never below somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step . ''
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP As of Wednesday , the Las Vegas area has more than 2,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 106 deaths , according to the latest numbers from Johns Hopkins University .

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
An intensive care unit doctor at a Las Vegas hospital is earning accolades for going out of his way to clean the room of a coronavirus patient.
Irene Ibarra, Spring Valley Hospital’s housekeeper normally tasked with sterilizing patients’ rooms, told ABC News she was grateful for Dr. Kevin Tsui’s help.
"I feel like 'Aye doctor!' ... I said, 'Thank you so much.' And he goes, 'Of course, Irene. You know we love you,'" Ibarra said of her interaction with Tsui.
Tsui said there wasn’t much of a thought process behind his actions, which was captured last week on video by Sharon Radcliffe, the hospital’s chief nursing officer.
“I was already fully dressed. I just saw her going in the room and I just grabbed the broom and the mop and just went to town on those floors and just did it,” Tsui said. “Didn't really think about it. Kind of what we do around here."
SEN. MARTHA MCSALLY: CORONAVIRUS WILL BE DEFEATED BY HEALTH CARE HEROES – WE MUST GET THEM WHAT THEY NEED
Ibarra said Tsui’s actions boosted morale and made the hospital staff feel like family.
"We take care of the patients, which is our first and foremost goal, and take care of each other," Tsui said. "That's the biggest thing. ... Help each other out, you know? Never above somebody, never below somebody. Just right beside them every single step."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
As of Wednesday, the Las Vegas area has more than 2,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 106 deaths, according to the latest numbers from Johns Hopkins University.