foxnews--2020-03-26--Over 60 percent of US hospitals not prepared for coronavirus influx of patients, new survey reveals

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More than 60 percent of American hospitals report they are not prepared to handle an influx of COVID-19 patients as product shortages for critical items grow more severe during the pandemic .
According to the Premier survey released on Wednesday , hospitals are critically short of viral swabs that are needed to perform COVID-19 testing , with more than 60 percent reporting fewer than 250 such swabs on hand .
In addition , 20 percent of hospitals say they are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals ranked the supply of N95 respirators as their main concern .
Although 39 percent said that had 1,000 of the crucial masks on hand , 23 percent said they were burning through more than 100 masks a day , meaning that many systems have less than 10 days ’ inventory .
A startling 27 percent of respondents said they could only take on one to five more patients before they would need more ventilators .
Another 30 percent said they could take on 11 more patients before needing more of the vital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet the demands of the virus , Premier is recommending a range of measures to conserve and stretch the limited supplies that are on hand .
Those measures include limiting patient care areas to essential personnel only , screening and triaging patients prior to them entering the hospital , limiting visitors and using expired N95 masks .
`` Premier has long advocated for industry-wide collaboration to increase transparency into the supply chain and prevent disruptions , and a public-private partnership is critical to provide insights into the supplies available nationally and align multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and state and federal governments – to allocate the limited stock by greatest need , '' said Mike Alkire , president of Premier , Inc. , in a statement to Fox News via email .
The survey was conducted from March 16-20 , 2020 , and about 260 health systems responded , representing roughly 990 acute care facilities or 20 percent of the nation ’ s total hospitals

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More than 60 percent of American hospitals report they are not prepared to handle an influx of COVID-19 patients as product shortages for critical items grow more severe during the pandemic.
According to the Premier survey released on Wednesday, hospitals are critically short of viral swabs that are needed to perform COVID-19 testing, with more than 60 percent reporting fewer than 250 such swabs on hand.
In addition, 20 percent of hospitals say they are in need of additional ventilators.
However, hospitals ranked the supply of N95 respirators as their main concern. Although 39 percent said that had 1,000 of the crucial masks on hand, 23 percent said they were burning through more than 100 masks a day, meaning that many systems have less than 10 days’ inventory.
GOOGLE SEES 350 PERCENT INCREASE IN PHISHING WEBSITES AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
A startling 27 percent of respondents said they could only take on one to five more patients before they would need more ventilators. Another 30 percent said they could take on 11 more patients before needing more of the vital breathing machines.
As hospitals strain to meet the demands of the virus, Premier is recommending a range of measures to conserve and stretch the limited supplies that are on hand. Those measures include limiting patient care areas to essential personnel only, screening and triaging patients prior to them entering the hospital, limiting visitors and using expired N95 masks.
"Premier has long advocated for industry-wide collaboration to increase transparency into the supply chain and prevent disruptions, and a public-private partnership is critical to provide insights into the supplies available nationally and align multiple entities – providers, supply chain organizations, and state and federal governments – to allocate the limited stock by greatest need," said Mike Alkire, president of Premier, Inc., in a statement to Fox News via email.
The survey was conducted from March 16-20, 2020, and about 260 health systems responded, representing roughly 990 acute care facilities or 20 percent of the nation’s total hospitals
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foxnews--2020-03-26--3D-printing technology battles coronavirus outbreak

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As the world struggles to contain the coronavirus outbreak , experts are harnessing 3D-printing technology in an effort to make in-demand items , such as components for masks and face shields .
Budmen Industries , a small 3D-printing company in Onondaga County , N.Y. , has been sharing a template for printing face shields and also providing the shields themselves to local health care workers and first responders .
“ We looked at a number of shortages and we saw that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isaac Budmen told Dana Perino on “ The Daily Briefing.
” The company looked at what the face shields are made of , how they are designed and their connections , he explained .
“ We put together something and the health care workers started to use them , ” he added .
In addition to making the template for the face shields available to anybody who wants to 3D-print them , the company is also providing them to local workers who need them .
“ Health care workers and first responders can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Budmen Industries told Perino .
“ We ’ re making these shields in Onondaga County and then bringing them to the hospitals and first responders in Onondaga County.
” MORE THAN 100 YEARS BEFORE CORONAVIRUS , THE SPANISH FLU PANDEMIC RAVAGED THE GLOBE Budmen Industries is also helping people living further afield connect with resources in their local area to print the face shields .
“ Anybody who registers on the website , we ’ re connecting them with the people who will make them right in their community , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Budmen added .
“ We ’ re doing that all over the globe.
” Tech giant HP is also deploying its 3D printing expertise to support the battle against coronavirus .
Earlier this week , the Palo Alto , Calif.-based firm said that it had delivered more than 1,000 3D-printed parts to local hospitals .
“ Initial applications being validated and finalized for industrial production include face masks , face shields , mask adjusters , nasal swabs , hands-free door openers , and respirator parts , ” it said .
HP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government agencies all over the world `` to ensure a synchronized and effective approach.
” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The first items being validated and produced include a hands-free door opener , a clasp that can be used to adjust masks and brackets to hold face shields .
Other applications in the testing and validation phase that are expected to be in production soon include 3D-printed parts for a mechanical bag valve mask designed to provide emergency ventilation to COVID-19 patients and hospital-grade face masks .

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As the world struggles to contain the coronavirus outbreak, experts are harnessing 3D-printing technology in an effort to make in-demand items, such as components for masks and face shields.
Budmen Industries, a small 3D-printing company in Onondaga County, N.Y., has been sharing a template for printing face shields and also providing the shields themselves to local health care workers and first responders.
DYSON BUILDS VENTILATORS FOR CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS
“We looked at a number of shortages and we saw that these face shields were out,” Isaac Budmen told Dana Perino on “The Daily Briefing.”
The company looked at what the face shields are made of, how they are designed and their connections, he explained. “We put together something and the health care workers started to use them,” he added.
In addition to making the template for the face shields available to anybody who wants to 3D-print them, the company is also providing them to local workers who need them.
“Health care workers and first responders can request these shields,” Stephanie Keefe of Budmen Industries told Perino. “We’re making these shields in Onondaga County and then bringing them to the hospitals and first responders in Onondaga County.”
MORE THAN 100 YEARS BEFORE CORONAVIRUS, THE SPANISH FLU PANDEMIC RAVAGED THE GLOBE
Budmen Industries is also helping people living further afield connect with resources in their local area to print the face shields. “Anybody who registers on the website, we’re connecting them with the people who will make them right in their community, with the hospitals that need them in their community,” Budmen added. “We’re doing that all over the globe.”
Tech giant HP is also deploying its 3D printing expertise to support the battle against coronavirus. Earlier this week, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based firm said that it had delivered more than 1,000 3D-printed parts to local hospitals. “Initial applications being validated and finalized for industrial production include face masks, face shields, mask adjusters, nasal swabs, hands-free door openers, and respirator parts,” it said.
HP added it was working with a number of government agencies all over the world "to ensure a synchronized and effective approach.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The first items being validated and produced include a hands-free door opener, a clasp that can be used to adjust masks and brackets to hold face shields.
Other applications in the testing and validation phase that are expected to be in production soon include 3D-printed parts for a mechanical bag valve mask designed to provide emergency ventilation to COVID-19 patients and hospital-grade face masks.
Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers.


foxnews--2020-04-10--ICU nurse at NYC's Central Park field hospital: 'We're here to bring hope'

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While New York ’ s coronavirus cases top every other place in the world , an intensive care nurse said on Friday that nurses are handling the fight with “ hope.
” “ At the end of the day , we feel like we ’ re here to bring hope to a hopeless situation , ” Brittany Akinsola , a Samaritan ’ s Purse response team member , told “ Fox & Friends First.
” The Samaritan 's Purse built a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park and has been treating patients there for 10 days at this point .
“ A part of our job is also to help bring joy and hope into the ICU whenever we walk in every single day .
It ’ s also exhausting -- it ’ s also an honor to be able to serve and to help the people in New York City , ” Akinsola said .
NEW YORK CORONAVIRUS CURVE 'FLATTENING , ' CUOMO SAYS AS STATE SEES HIGHEST SINGLE DAY DEATH TOLL Meanwhile , the nation 's coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , but New York 's governor said that dramatic action and social distancing is `` making the difference '' in the fight against the pandemic .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said that the state had its highest single-day death toll due to COVID-19 , with 779 reported Tuesday , but the average number of hospitalizations has decreased over the past couple of days .
Akinsola said that while nurses feel as though the influx of patients is not slowing down , the numbers are very `` encouraging . ''
Akinsola said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not there longer than expected , adding that they are dedicated to serving patients regardless of the time frame to finish the job .
“ That is the hope , ” Akinsola said .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP '' We are here for as long as we need to be here .
So , with that , it is encouraging to hear the numbers .
Again , we still are very busy , we aren ’ t necessarily slowing down yet . ''

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While New York’s coronavirus cases top every other place in the world, an intensive care nurse said on Friday that nurses are handling the fight with “hope.”
“At the end of the day, we feel like we’re here to bring hope to a hopeless situation,” Brittany Akinsola, a Samaritan’s Purse response team member, told “Fox & Friends First.”
The Samaritan's Purse built a field hospital in New York's Central Park and has been treating patients there for 10 days at this point.
“A part of our job is also to help bring joy and hope into the ICU whenever we walk in every single day. It’s also exhausting -- it’s also an honor to be able to serve and to help the people in New York City,” Akinsola said.
NEW YORK CORONAVIRUS CURVE 'FLATTENING,' CUOMO SAYS AS STATE SEES HIGHEST SINGLE DAY DEATH TOLL
Meanwhile, the nation's coronavirus outbreak epicenter logged its single deadliest day yet, but New York's governor said that dramatic action and social distancing is "making the difference" in the fight against the pandemic.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that the state had its highest single-day death toll due to COVID-19, with 779 reported Tuesday, but the average number of hospitalizations has decreased over the past couple of days.
Akinsola said that while nurses feel as though the influx of patients is not slowing down, the numbers are very "encouraging."
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS MAP
Akinsola said that ICU nurses are hopeful that they are not there longer than expected, adding that they are dedicated to serving patients regardless of the time frame to finish the job.
“That is the hope,” Akinsola said.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
"We are here for as long as we need to be here. So, with that, it is encouraging to hear the numbers. Again, we still are very busy, we aren’t necessarily slowing down yet."
Fox News' Travis Fedschun contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-04-10--British police apologize after patrolling 'non-essential aisles' of supermarket during coronavirus

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A British police department is apologizing Friday after it posted a tweet claiming it was patrolling the “ non-essential aisles ” of a supermarket during the coronavirus outbreak .
The message , which has since been taken down from the Cambridge Police account , sparked a debate over what a `` non-essential aisle '' would even be .
“ Officials visited Tesco Barhill this morning as part of their patrols around supermarkets and green spaces this weekend , ” the tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Good to see everyone was abiding by social distancing measures and the non-essential aisles were empty.
” “ If I 'm in the supermarket for essentials , why ca n't I pick up , I do n't know , some nice moisturizer or some chocolate ?
Not essential but they will help me through stay at home life , ” one is reported to have said .
Cambridge Police later tweeted that although it has issued some fines to residents flouting the United Kingdom ’ s coronavirus prevention measures , “ we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from supermarkets .
“ This message was sent with good intentions by an over-exuberant officer who has been spoken to since this tweet was published , ” it added .
But Cambridge is not the only British police department to admit error when it comes to dealing with the coronavirus .
South Yorkshire Police are now backpedaling as well , after a bizarre video surfaced purportedly showing one of its officers repeatedly telling a homeowner that `` you can not come on your front garden.
” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go indoors – are you going indoors or are you refusing ?
” the officer is heard telling a man , who was protesting the order .
The department tweeted Thursday that “ this encounter was well-intentioned but ill-informed and we 'd like to apologize for the way it was handled .
”

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A British police department is apologizing Friday after it posted a tweet claiming it was patrolling the “non-essential aisles” of a supermarket during the coronavirus outbreak.
The message, which has since been taken down from the Cambridge Police account, sparked a debate over what a "non-essential aisle" would even be.
“Officials visited Tesco Barhill this morning as part of their patrols around supermarkets and green spaces this weekend,” the tweet read, according to Sky News. “Good to see everyone was abiding by social distancing measures and the non-essential aisles were empty.”
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Twitter users then questioned the police department’s confusing language.
“If I'm in the supermarket for essentials, why can't I pick up, I don't know, some nice moisturizer or some chocolate? Not essential but they will help me through stay at home life,” one is reported to have said.
Cambridge Police later tweeted that although it has issued some fines to residents flouting the United Kingdom’s coronavirus prevention measures, “we are not monitoring what people are buying from supermarkets.
“This message was sent with good intentions by an over-exuberant officer who has been spoken to since this tweet was published,” it added.
BORIS JOHNSON OUT OF ICU AMID CORONAVIRUS BATTLE
But Cambridge is not the only British police department to admit error when it comes to dealing with the coronavirus.
South Yorkshire Police are now backpedaling as well, after a bizarre video surfaced purportedly showing one of its officers repeatedly telling a homeowner that "you cannot come on your front garden.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I’m asking you to go indoors – are you going indoors or are you refusing?” the officer is heard telling a man, who was protesting the order.
The department tweeted Thursday that “this encounter was well-intentioned but ill-informed and we'd like to apologize for the way it was handled.”


foxnews--2020-03-26--Will coronavirus-infected people develop immunity?

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If you contract the novel coronavirus , will you develop immunity against it ?
As scientists scramble to create a vaccine , those who have already contracted COVID-19 and recovered may be wondering : Do I have immunity ?
Possibly , according to experts , but it ’ s likely too soon to know for sure .
But applying what we do know about other similar viruses could be of some help when attempting to understand immunity and how it applies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some immunity when you get a virus — but the question is , how long does it last ?
Right now , we are learning the answers to that question , ” former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Amler told Fox News .
There are four main sub-groupings of coronaviruses that account for about 10 to 30 percent of common colds .
Most people have been exposed to these coronaviruses before and may have developed some immunity against one or more following infection .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lifelong , Ann Falsey , a professor of medicine at the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine , told NPR .
`` Almost everybody walking around , if you were to test their blood right now , they would have some levels of antibody to the four different coronaviruses that are known , '' she said , but added that `` most respiratory viruses only give you a period of relative protection .
I 'm talking about a year or two , that 's what we know about the seasonal coronaviruses.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study in macaque monkeys found that the animals developed immunity to SARS-CoV-2 , or the virus responsible for COVID-19 , following exposure .
But as Live Science notes , “ longer and larger follow-up studies must be done in primates to learn how immunity to the virus persists through time , and these findings must still be compared to clinical findings in humans.
” HOW DOES THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AFFECT CHILDREN 'S MENTAL HEALTH ?
What 's more , the virus could mutate — a recent study conducted by Chinese scientists suggests that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same people infected once before could be infected again with a new strain , ultimately causing a second wave of illness .
Experts also say that some people previously infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS ) and severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS ) , two other human coronaviruses similar to COVID-19 , developed some antibodies against them .
`` We 've gone back and gotten samples from patients who had SARS in 2003 and 2004 , and as of this year , we can detect antibodies , '' Stanley Perlman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Iowa , also told NPR .
`` We think antibodies may be longer-lasting than we first thought , but not in everybody . ''
However , it would be hard to say how those previously exposed to SARS would react if reinfected , as “ the epidemic was basically brought to an end within six months or eight months of the first case , so we do n't have anyone who was reinfected that we know of , '' he noted , adding some 8,000 people were infected overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study on the antibody response in survivors of the 2012 MERS outbreak found that those sickened had antibodies against the virus for about 18 months after they were initially infected .
Aside from ramping up testing capabilities to look for active COVID-19 infections in those experiencing symptoms — said to include fever , dry cough and shortness of breath — some academic laboratories and medical companies are beginning to produce blood tests to identify coronavirus-fighting antibodies in those who have already been infected .
And in New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blood therapy trial to test the blood plasma of recovered patients .
The trial is aimed at coronavirus patients who are in the most serious condition .
“ What it does , it takes the plasma from a person who has been infected with the virus , processes the plasma and injects the antibodies into a person who is sick , ” Cuomo said during a press conference .
“ There have been trials that show when a person is injected with the antibodies , that then stimulates them for most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s also possible that COVID-19 may never fully disappear , becoming endemic like the common cold .
In this scenario , the virus is likely to make less of an impact as it is currently because more people will have immunity to it , an infectious disease expert previously told Fox News when discussing ways the pandemic could come to an end .

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If you contract the novel coronavirus, will you develop immunity against it?
As scientists scramble to create a vaccine, those who have already contracted COVID-19 and recovered may be wondering: Do I have immunity? Possibly, according to experts, but it’s likely too soon to know for sure. But applying what we do know about other similar viruses could be of some help when attempting to understand immunity and how it applies to COVID-19.
CORONAVIRUS UNKNOWNS ALTERING PREGNANCY FOR MANY EXPECTANT MOMS
“There is always some immunity when you get a virus — but the question is, how long does it last? Right now, we are learning the answers to that question,” former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Amler told Fox News.
There are four main sub-groupings of coronaviruses that account for about 10 to 30 percent of common colds. Most people have been exposed to these coronaviruses before and may have developed some immunity against one or more following infection. But immunity doesn’t appear to be lifelong, Ann Falsey, a professor of medicine at the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine, told NPR.
"Almost everybody walking around, if you were to test their blood right now, they would have some levels of antibody to the four different coronaviruses that are known," she said, but added that "most respiratory viruses only give you a period of relative protection. I'm talking about a year or two, that's what we know about the seasonal coronaviruses.”
Researchers who were part of a small study in macaque monkeys found that the animals developed immunity to SARS-CoV-2, or the virus responsible for COVID-19, following exposure. But as Live Science notes, “longer and larger follow-up studies must be done in primates to learn how immunity to the virus persists through time, and these findings must still be compared to clinical findings in humans.”
HOW DOES THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AFFECT CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH?
What's more, the virus could mutate — a recent study conducted by Chinese scientists suggests that it has once already — meaning the same people infected once before could be infected again with a new strain, ultimately causing a second wave of illness.
Experts also say that some people previously infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), two other human coronaviruses similar to COVID-19, developed some antibodies against them.
"We've gone back and gotten samples from patients who had SARS in 2003 and 2004, and as of this year, we can detect antibodies," Stanley Perlman, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa, also told NPR. "We think antibodies may be longer-lasting than we first thought, but not in everybody."
However, it would be hard to say how those previously exposed to SARS would react if reinfected, as “the epidemic was basically brought to an end within six months or eight months of the first case, so we don't have anyone who was reinfected that we know of," he noted, adding some 8,000 people were infected overall at the time.
Additionally, a study on the antibody response in survivors of the 2012 MERS outbreak found that those sickened had antibodies against the virus for about 18 months after they were initially infected.
Aside from ramping up testing capabilities to look for active COVID-19 infections in those experiencing symptoms — said to include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath — some academic laboratories and medical companies are beginning to produce blood tests to identify coronavirus-fighting antibodies in those who have already been infected. And in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday said the state is beginning a blood therapy trial to test the blood plasma of recovered patients. The trial is aimed at coronavirus patients who are in the most serious condition.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
“What it does, it takes the plasma from a person who has been infected with the virus, processes the plasma and injects the antibodies into a person who is sick,” Cuomo said during a press conference. “There have been trials that show when a person is injected with the antibodies, that then stimulates them for most of their immune system against the disease.”
It’s also possible that COVID-19 may never fully disappear, becoming endemic like the common cold. In this scenario, the virus is likely to make less of an impact as it is currently because more people will have immunity to it, an infectious disease expert previously told Fox News when discussing ways the pandemic could come to an end.
Fox News' James Rogers contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-04-06--New York has been crushed by COVID-19. Will other US cities be spared?

As the number of coronavirus cases in New York City continues to skyrocket , the city 's health care system is overwhelmed and seems on the verge of collapse .
Other U.S. cities may soon follow , especially if residents do n't stay committed to firm mitigation measures .
Since mid-March , New York has had the most U.S. coronavirus cases of any state .
As of Friday ( April 3 ) , more than 50 % of the state 's 102,863 COVID-19 cases and about 90 % of the state 's 2,965 coronavirus-related deaths are in New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system is already overwhelmed , and the state has scrambled to prepare makeshift hospitals in Central Park , at the Javits convention center and onboard a U.S. Navy medical ship .
On Thursday ( April 2 ) , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced that the state is projected to run out of lifesaving ventilators in the next six days , The New York Times reported .
Related : Photos : Coronavirus field hospitals across the US Other metropolitan areas in the U.S. could also experience similar , overwhelming demands on their health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemiologist at Temple University in Pennsylvania .
Cities like New Orleans , Miami and Los Angeles are popular vacation and event destinations , and as such , experience large numbers of visitors from around the world , she said .
`` All areas with this type of [ global ] appeal have likely had coronavirus cases for longer than we have been aware and have more cases than we know , '' Johnson told Live Science in an email .
Areas that were slow to issue stay-at-home orders or to disperse personal protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end up suffering the worst .
`` I think states like Florida , Georgia and Mississippi , unfortunately are very likely to have high cases and death rates per capita , '' Johnson said .
The high state-wide numbers are driven by the major cities in the state , where the majority of the population lives .
For instance , as of Friday ( April 3 ) , Georgia was reporting 5,831 cases of COVID-19 , Florida was reporting 9,585 cases , and Mississippi was reporting 1,358 cases , a 22 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectively , over the numbers just two days prior , according to Worldometer , which is tracking cases worldwide .
Florida may wind up being one of the hardest-hit states in the U.S. , she said , because of the high proportion of elderly and people with pre-existing conditions .
`` Researchers have also noted that areas with a higher proportion of minorities , like New Orleans , are among those hardest hit by coronavirus due to a lack of resources and potential discrimination in health care , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in rural communities , where there is a lack of accessible , quality health care . ''
We ca n't tell the future , but we can change the present Models published by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) on March 26 show the expected numbers of available health care resources in each state as locations reach their predicted peak case numbers .
The model has n't been peer-reviewed , but it is available as a preprint on medRxiv database .
The models suggest that some states might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health care capacity to care for COVID-19 patients .
Louisiana , for example , may experience a shortage of hospital beds in three days , while Florida might have until the end of May before the state 's health care resources are unable to keep up .
But there are so many variables to consider in these projections .
The margins of error in the IHME state models are really large , Johnson said .
For instance , the peak number of projected deaths per day in Florida during the peak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 to 537 .
`` That is because these projections are affected in a meaningful way by all disease mitigation measures , '' she said .
Factors such as when stay-at-home orders were issued , how broad the orders are , how many businesses and schools are closed , among many others , will ultimately play into how fast the virus spreads and how likely the health care system is to be overwhelmed .
`` In the worst-case scenario ( orders not in place , people not adhering to orders ) , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upper part of that peak , '' she said .
`` In the best-case scenario ( proactive orders , enforced social distancing , people adhering to guidelines ) , we could see hospitalizations and deaths closer to the lower portion of the projected peak . ''
Keep in mind that `` all models are wrong , but some are useful , '' Johnson said , referring to a common saying in epidemiology .
It may not be too late for mitigation measures to help cities avoid a health-care system collapse , if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to , she said .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy has been firm about the state 's stay-at-home order that went into effect on March 21 .
On March 27 the governor reminded residents in a tweet that his order `` is NOT a polite suggestion , '' and it will be strictly enforced .
`` If every other state and metropolitan area takes the same dire stance , many cities may be spared the situation that NYC is in , '' Johnson said .
`` Our actions every day matter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thus reducing the burden on the health care system . ''
• 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history

As the number of coronavirus cases in New York City continues to skyrocket, the city's health care system is overwhelmed and seems on the verge of collapse. Other U.S. cities may soon follow, especially if residents don't stay committed to firm mitigation measures.
Since mid-March, New York has had the most U.S. coronavirus cases of any state. As of Friday (April 3), more than 50% of the state's 102,863 COVID-19 cases and about 90% of the state's 2,965 coronavirus-related deaths are in New York City.
New York City's health care system is already overwhelmed, and the state has scrambled to prepare makeshift hospitals in Central Park, at the Javits convention center and onboard a U.S. Navy medical ship. On Thursday (April 2), Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the state is projected to run out of lifesaving ventilators in the next six days, The New York Times reported .
Related: Photos: Coronavirus field hospitals across the US
Other metropolitan areas in the U.S. could also experience similar, overwhelming demands on their health care systems, said Krys Johnson, an epidemiologist at Temple University in Pennsylvania.
Cities like New Orleans, Miami and Los Angeles are popular vacation and event destinations, and as such, experience large numbers of visitors from around the world, she said. "All areas with this type of [global] appeal have likely had coronavirus cases for longer than we have been aware and have more cases than we know," Johnson told Live Science in an email.
Areas that were slow to issue stay-at-home orders or to disperse personal protective equipment and health care resources, may end up suffering the worst. "I think states like Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, unfortunately are very likely to have high cases and death rates per capita," Johnson said. The high state-wide numbers are driven by the major cities in the state, where the majority of the population lives.
For instance, as of Friday (April 3), Georgia was reporting 5,831 cases of COVID-19, Florida was reporting 9,585 cases, and Mississippi was reporting 1,358 cases, a 22%, 23%, 16% increase, respectively, over the numbers just two days prior, according to Worldometer, which is tracking cases worldwide.
Florida may wind up being one of the hardest-hit states in the U.S., she said, because of the high proportion of elderly and people with pre-existing conditions. "Researchers have also noted that areas with a higher proportion of minorities, like New Orleans, are among those hardest hit by coronavirus due to a lack of resources and potential discrimination in health care," she said. "This disproportionate burden is likely also occurring in rural communities, where there is a lack of accessible, quality health care."
We can't tell the future, but we can change the present
Models published by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) on March 26 show the expected numbers of available health care resources in each state as locations reach their predicted peak case numbers. The model hasn't been peer-reviewed, but it is available as a preprint on medRxiv database.
Related: 13 Coronavirus myths busted by science
The models suggest that some states might be far better off than others in terms of health care capacity to care for COVID-19 patients. Louisiana, for example, may experience a shortage of hospital beds in three days, while Florida might have until the end of May before the state's health care resources are unable to keep up. But there are so many variables to consider in these projections.
The margins of error in the IHME state models are really large, Johnson said. For instance, the peak number of projected deaths per day in Florida during the peak of the state's coronavirus pandemic ranges from 29 to 537.
"That is because these projections are affected in a meaningful way by all disease mitigation measures," she said. Factors such as when stay-at-home orders were issued, how broad the orders are, how many businesses and schools are closed, among many others, will ultimately play into how fast the virus spreads and how likely the health care system is to be overwhelmed.
"In the worst-case scenario (orders not in place, people not adhering to orders), we would see hospitalizations and deaths on the upper part of that peak," she said. "In the best-case scenario (proactive orders, enforced social distancing, people adhering to guidelines), we could see hospitalizations and deaths closer to the lower portion of the projected peak."
Keep in mind that "all models are wrong, but some are useful," Johnson said, referring to a common saying in epidemiology.
It may not be too late for mitigation measures to help cities avoid a health-care system collapse, if the measures are taken seriously and strictly adhered to, she said. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has been firm about the state's stay-at-home order that went into effect on March 21. On March 27 the governor reminded residents in a tweet that his order "is NOT a polite suggestion," and it will be strictly enforced.
"If every other state and metropolitan area takes the same dire stance, many cities may be spared the situation that NYC is in," Johnson said. "Our actions every day matter in preventing people from getting the virus and thus reducing the burden on the health care system."


foxnews--2020-04-13--Coronavirus has 'reactivated' in more than 100 South Koreans who recovered

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More than 100 South Koreans who fully recovered from coronavirus have tested positive for a second time , as the country eyes an easing of social-distancing rules , officials said .
The killer virus has “ reactivated ” in a total 116 patients , with 48 of them in the nation ’ s coronavirus epicenter of Daegu , according to Yonhap News Agency .
SOUTH KOREA TO SEND US 600,000 CORONAVIRUS TESTING KITS AFTER TRUMP APPEAL : REPORT Jeong Eun-kyeong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention , said the virus may have been reactivated after remaining dormant in the patients , as opposed to them being reinfected .
The country reported last week there were 51 cases of patients testing positive after being cleared of the virus .
Jeong noted , however , there have been no cases of the relapsed patients spreading the virus to anyone else , Yonhap News reported .
TRUMP SAYS DECISION COMING 'SHORTLY ' ON REOPENING ECONOMY , AS TASK FORCE FORMED Meanwhile , Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the stay-at-home guidelines , which are in effect until at least April 19 .
“ We need a very cautious approach because any premature easing of social distancing could bring irreversible consequences , and have to ponder deeply about when and how we switch to the new system , ” he said .
South Korea has confirmed more than 10,500 COVID-19 cases , with more than 7,447 patients being cleared of the virus , officials said .
Click here for more from the New York Post .

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More than 100 South Koreans who fully recovered from coronavirus have tested positive for a second time, as the country eyes an easing of social-distancing rules, officials said.
The killer virus has “reactivated” in a total 116 patients, with 48 of them in the nation’s coronavirus epicenter of Daegu, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Jeong Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the virus may have been reactivated after remaining dormant in the patients, as opposed to them being reinfected.
The country reported last week there were 51 cases of patients testing positive after being cleared of the virus.
Jeong noted, however, there have been no cases of the relapsed patients spreading the virus to anyone else, Yonhap News reported.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the government would soon be looking to lift some of the stay-at-home guidelines, which are in effect until at least April 19.
“We need a very cautious approach because any premature easing of social distancing could bring irreversible consequences, and have to ponder deeply about when and how we switch to the new system,” he said.
South Korea has confirmed more than 10,500 COVID-19 cases, with more than 7,447 patients being cleared of the virus, officials said.
With Post wires


foxnews--2020-04-12--Miami police launch investigation after doctor who tests homeless for coronavirus handcuffed outside

Miami police launch investigation after doctor who tests homeless for coronavirus handcuffed outside home

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The Miami Police Department on Saturday launched an investigation into the detainment of a doctor who was leading an effort to test the city ’ s homeless population for the coronavirus .
Dr. Armen Henderson was put in handcuffs outside his home in Miami 's Flagami neighborhood Friday by a City of Miami Police sergeant .
The incident was captured on a security camera at Henderson 's residence .
The doctor later provided the video to the Miami Herald .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina said Henderson was temporarily detained after it appeared he was illegally offloading trash from a cargo van outside his home .
Henderson told the Herald he was released after he yelled for his wife , who brought out his identification .
The video showed Henderson was wearing a mask ; the police sergeant was not .
“ The City of Miami Police Department does not condone or accept profiling of any kind , ” Colina said .
“ I ’ m making that statement because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video that has been circulating of an encounter that occurred on Friday , April 10 , in the Flagami neighborhood.
” “ We have had a litany of complaints involving illegal dumping .
The commissioner from that area has received many complaints as well from constituents .
There is a cargo van that appears in front of that home where there appears to be trash being offloaded .
That is the genesis of the stop .
“ Now , what happens after that – what ’ s being discussed , the actions taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be investigated and it will be investigated , ” Colina said .
Henderson works in Internal Medicine at the University of Miami Health System .
Two weeks ago , the doctor was featured in a separate story by the Miami Herald for his work administering COVID-19 tests to the homeless population in Miami ’ s Overtown neighborhood .
Henderson , who teamed up with The Smile Trust , Dream Defenders and a nonprofit called Showering Love to bring services to people experiencing homelessness , was photographed wearing a mask , face shield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a homeless man ’ s nasal cavity before depositing the sample into a tube to be tested for COVID-19 .
Calling his work in the community “ an act of civil disobedience , ” Henderson organized volunteers , also clad in personal protective equipment , to help distribute tents and offer other services to the homeless despite the county ’ s orders to stay at home , The Herald reported .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP South Florida is the worst stricken by the virus in the state .
Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Miami Mayor Francis Suarez began to self-isolate on March 12 as a precaution after showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 .
He tested positive the next day and later recovered after spending more than two weeks in self-quarantine .
Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a Republican , initially issued a “ safer at home ” order for four counties – Broward , Miami-Dade , Palm Beach , and Monroe – before extending the lockdown statewide on April 1 .
Florida has recorded at least 18,986 confirmed cases , with at least 438 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University .

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The Miami Police Department on Saturday launched an investigation into the detainment of a doctor who was leading an effort to test the city’s homeless population for the coronavirus.
Dr. Armen Henderson was put in handcuffs outside his home in Miami's Flagami neighborhood Friday by a City of Miami Police sergeant. The incident was captured on a security camera at Henderson's residence. The doctor later provided the video to the Miami Herald.
In his own video message shared on Twitter Saturday, Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina said Henderson was temporarily detained after it appeared he was illegally offloading trash from a cargo van outside his home.
Henderson told the Herald he was released after he yelled for his wife, who brought out his identification. The video showed Henderson was wearing a mask; the police sergeant was not.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
“The City of Miami Police Department does not condone or accept profiling of any kind,” Colina said. “I’m making that statement because I’ve been made aware of a video that has been circulating of an encounter that occurred on Friday, April 10, in the Flagami neighborhood.”
“We have had a litany of complaints involving illegal dumping. The commissioner from that area has received many complaints as well from constituents. There is a cargo van that appears in front of that home where there appears to be trash being offloaded. That is the genesis of the stop.
“Now, what happens after that – what’s being discussed, the actions taken, etc. All that needs to be investigated and it will be investigated,” Colina said.
Henderson works in Internal Medicine at the University of Miami Health System. Two weeks ago, the doctor was featured in a separate story by the Miami Herald for his work administering COVID-19 tests to the homeless population in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood.
Henderson, who teamed up with The Smile Trust, Dream Defenders and a nonprofit called Showering Love to bring services to people experiencing homelessness, was photographed wearing a mask, face shield, and gloves while sliding a swab into a homeless man’s nasal cavity before depositing the sample into a tube to be tested for COVID-19.
Calling his work in the community “an act of civil disobedience,” Henderson organized volunteers, also clad in personal protective equipment, to help distribute tents and offer other services to the homeless despite the county’s orders to stay at home, The Herald reported.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
South Florida is the worst stricken by the virus in the state. Miami Dade County officials issued a stay-at-home order after Miami Mayor Francis Suarez began to self-isolate on March 12 as a precaution after showing mild symptoms of COVID-19. He tested positive the next day and later recovered after spending more than two weeks in self-quarantine.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, initially issued a “safer at home” order for four counties – Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Monroe – before extending the lockdown statewide on April 1.
Florida has recorded at least 18,986 confirmed cases, with at least 438 deaths by Sunday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University.


foxnews--2020-04-13--TSA hits new record low in passenger screenings as coronavirus pandemic, shelter-in-place orders con

TSA hits new record low in passenger screenings as coronavirus pandemic, shelter-in-place orders continue

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The Transportation Security Administration ( TSA ) has hit a new record low for travelers screened in a day .
On April 12 , only 90,510 passengers passed through TSA checkpoints , compared to 2,446,801 people who had been screened on the same day a year ago .
The new low comes four days after the previous record low , when TSA officers screened less than 100,000 for two consecutive days — a 96 percent decrease .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the record lows , the TSA saw an increase for two days in a row : 104,090 on April 9 and 108,977 on April 10 .
However , the numbers dipped even lower on April 11 , to 93,645 , and then 90,510 the following day .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS These new figures are a stark reminder of the state of the travel industry , as travel continues to be affected amid the widespread shelter-in-place orders issued by most states .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 387 employees have tested positive for novel coronavirus in the past 14 days ; three have died from the virus .

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has hit a new record low for travelers screened in a day. On April 12, only 90,510 passengers passed through TSA checkpoints, compared to 2,446,801 people who had been screened on the same day a year ago.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
The new low comes four days after the previous record low, when TSA officers screened less than 100,000 for two consecutive days — a 96 percent decrease.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Two days after the record lows, the TSA saw an increase for two days in a row: 104,090 on April 9 and 108,977 on April 10. However, the numbers dipped even lower on April 11, to 93,645, and then 90,510 the following day.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
These new figures are a stark reminder of the state of the travel industry, as travel continues to be affected amid the widespread shelter-in-place orders issued by most states.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Among TSA members, 387 employees have tested positive for novel coronavirus in the past 14 days; three have died from the virus.


foxnews--2020-03-30--Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to donate 100,000 smoothies to health care workers amid coronavirus out

Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to donate 100,000 smoothies to health care workers amid coronavirus outbreak

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This company found a smooth way to help out with the coronavirus pandemic .
Last month , Tropical Smoothie Cafe announced its goal to donate 100,000 smoothies across the nation to health care workers fighting against the COVID-19 outbreak , and the CEO recently told Fox News that the chain is well on its way toward that goal .
`` To date , we 've given over 65,000 smoothies to local health care workers , first responders and testing centers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's been an absolute joy and a privilege to be able to service these local heroes . ''
Watson added that the promotion , called the `` In It Together Campaign , '' started out very organically .
`` A couple of franchisees went and delivered some smoothies and when I spoke with those franchisees , I said , 'Hey , just between you and I , I want to support you in this , so let me help you in defraying the cost of it . '
'' Watson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbound and they 'll reach out to local hospitals and fire stations and police stations , etc , and they 'll say , 'Hey , are you guys interested in a smoothie break ?
Can we drop off 100 smoothies for you ? '
And , usually , we get a yes on that . ''
CORONAVIRUS SELF ISOLATION : HOW TO HAVE A DINNER PARTY DURING QUARANTINE Since starting , the company has been giving away 3,000 smoothies a day in various communities .
Tropical Smoothies also runs a website where fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to local workers .
In a press release from March , the company confirmed that it has already donated about 20,000 smoothies across 20 states .
According to the statement , the brand 's focus is on supporting the local communities where its franchise owners and workers `` live and work . ''
`` In cafes across the country , the Tropical Smoothie Cafe family is working tirelessly to support our local communities , which are currently facing unprecedented hardship , '' Watson said in March .
`` Our safety is dependent upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local healthcare workers and first responders and we want to help them in any way we can .
The 100K smoothie giveaway is a simple , but impactful example of one way we can show our gratitude and bring a smile to their face , one sip at a time . ''
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In order to reach its goal , the company has tasked each of its cafes to donate at least 100 smoothies to local health care workers and first responders .
FOLLOW US ON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crouch , a multi-unit franchisee and CEO of DYNE Hospitality Group , said , `` As a small business owner , I was grateful for the opportunity to show our local first responders and health care workers who go above and beyond for us every day .
Even if it is just in a small way , we want them to know we appreciate their hard work that we 're all in this together ! ''

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This company found a smooth way to help out with the coronavirus pandemic.
Last month, Tropical Smoothie Cafe announced its goal to donate 100,000 smoothies across the nation to health care workers fighting against the COVID-19 outbreak, and the CEO recently told Fox News that the chain is well on its way toward that goal.
"To date, we've given over 65,000 smoothies to local health care workers, first responders and testing centers," said Tropical Smoothie CEO Charles Watson. "It's been an absolute joy and a privilege to be able to service these local heroes."
Watson added that the promotion, called the "In It Together Campaign," started out very organically.
"A couple of franchisees went and delivered some smoothies and when I spoke with those franchisees, I said, 'Hey, just between you and I, I want to support you in this, so let me help you in defraying the cost of it.'"
Watson explained that local franchisees will "go outbound and they'll reach out to local hospitals and fire stations and police stations, etc, and they'll say, 'Hey, are you guys interested in a smoothie break? Can we drop off 100 smoothies for you?' And, usually, we get a yes on that."
CORONAVIRUS SELF ISOLATION: HOW TO HAVE A DINNER PARTY DURING QUARANTINE
Since starting, the company has been giving away 3,000 smoothies a day in various communities. Tropical Smoothies also runs a website where fans can sign up to have smoothies delivered to local workers.
In a press release from March, the company confirmed that it has already donated about 20,000 smoothies across 20 states. According to the statement, the brand's focus is on supporting the local communities where its franchise owners and workers "live and work."
"In cafes across the country, the Tropical Smoothie Cafe family is working tirelessly to support our local communities, which are currently facing unprecedented hardship," Watson said in March. "Our safety is dependent upon the selfless, hard work of our local healthcare workers and first responders and we want to help them in any way we can. The 100K smoothie giveaway is a simple, but impactful example of one way we can show our gratitude and bring a smile to their face, one sip at a time."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In order to reach its goal, the company has tasked each of its cafes to donate at least 100 smoothies to local health care workers and first responders.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
Nick Crouch, a multi-unit franchisee and CEO of DYNE Hospitality Group, said, "As a small business owner, I was grateful for the opportunity to show our local first responders and health care workers who go above and beyond for us every day. Even if it is just in a small way, we want them to know we appreciate their hard work that we're all in this together!"


foxnews--2020-04-13--De Blasio considers NYC rent freeze, calls coronavirus greatest economic crisis since the Great Depr

De Blasio considers NYC rent freeze, calls coronavirus greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression

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New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio said on Monday he ’ s considering implementing a rent freeze for some of the city 's tenants , deeming the coronavirus the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression .
Given the severity of the crisis , the mayor said he called on the Rent Guidelines Board to enact a freeze on rent payments for the more than two million New Yorkers who live in rent-stabilized housing .
“ People are hurting like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freeze .
I want to see that happen quickly , ” he said .
“ It ’ s also the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression .
That ’ s what we ’ re seeing unfold right now and for a lot of us , we used to hear those stories from our parents and grandparents and never thought we ’ d live through anything slightly like it . ''
“ The number of people who have become unemployed just in the last few weeks is staggering , unbelievable .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it , ” de Blasio continued during his virtual press conference Monday .
“ The only parallel is the Great Depression with the suddenness in which this happened in some ways is even worse than what happened 80 years ago.
” The mayor said he wanted the state of New York to allow tenants who can prove they lost their jobs amid the coronavirus public health crisis to defer their rent , paying it back to landlords over a 12-month period .
Given the number of people displaced by the outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of New York to allow renters to use their security deposits for payments , adding that such a measure would also allow landlords to cover necessary expenses .
`` There 's no reason at this point given how much dislocation has occurred that a security deposit that 's sitting in a bank account not helping anyone when it could be used to help pay the rent , '' he said .
CUOMO SAYS NO DECISION YET ON CLOSING NYC SCHOOLS FOR REST OF SCHOOL YEAR DESPITE DE BLASIO ANNOUNCEMENT New York state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but de Blasio said the state must extend the measure for at least 60 days after the crisis ends to ensure New York City doesn ’ t face a sudden wave in evictions once the coronavirus subsides .
The mayor said he is launching a citywide tenant hotline through 311 that will help provide renters information about their rights , including how they can apply for unemployment insurance and food stamps .
De Blasio has repeatedly clashed with New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo in his response to the crisis .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that a decision had not been made to close all public schools in the state for the rest of the school year , despite de Blasio announcing hours earlier that he closed all schools in the city for summer break .
New York has recorded at least 190,288 confirmed COVID-19 cases , with at least 9,835 deaths as of Monday morning .
At least 104,410 of those cases and 6,898 of those deaths were recorded in New York City , according to Johns Hopkins University .
In his press conference Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded a slight decline in those who tested positive , those who were checked into hospitals with COVID-19 symptoms and those who were transferred to intensive care units over the past few days .
He urged residents to uphold social distancing to continue to flatten the curve .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “ I want everyone to take it personally , ” de Blasio said .
“ Numbers are abstractions but they represent human beings and they represent the future of this city and what our lives are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this disease surges , we ’ re going to have to potentially tighten restrictions , ” he continued .
“ Best way to do that is to keep our discipline and New Yorkers have been absolutely outstanding .
”

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New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio said on Monday he’s considering implementing a rent freeze for some of the city's tenants, deeming the coronavirus the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
Given the severity of the crisis, the mayor said he called on the Rent Guidelines Board to enact a freeze on rent payments for the more than two million New Yorkers who live in rent-stabilized housing.
“People are hurting like never before. They deserve a rent freeze. I want to see that happen quickly,” he said. “It’s also the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. That’s what we’re seeing unfold right now and for a lot of us, we used to hear those stories from our parents and grandparents and never thought we’d live through anything slightly like it."
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
“The number of people who have become unemployed just in the last few weeks is staggering, unbelievable. We’re just beginning to understand the magnitude of it,” de Blasio continued during his virtual press conference Monday. “The only parallel is the Great Depression with the suddenness in which this happened in some ways is even worse than what happened 80 years ago.”
The mayor said he wanted the state of New York to allow tenants who can prove they lost their jobs amid the coronavirus public health crisis to defer their rent, paying it back to landlords over a 12-month period.
Given the number of people displaced by the outbreak, de Blasio added that he wants the state of New York to allow renters to use their security deposits for payments, adding that such a measure would also allow landlords to cover necessary expenses.
"There's no reason at this point given how much dislocation has occurred that a security deposit that's sitting in a bank account not helping anyone when it could be used to help pay the rent," he said.
CUOMO SAYS NO DECISION YET ON CLOSING NYC SCHOOLS FOR REST OF SCHOOL YEAR DESPITE DE BLASIO ANNOUNCEMENT
New York state had already enacted a moratorium on evictions, but de Blasio said the state must extend the measure for at least 60 days after the crisis ends to ensure New York City doesn’t face a sudden wave in evictions once the coronavirus subsides.
The mayor said he is launching a citywide tenant hotline through 311 that will help provide renters information about their rights, including how they can apply for unemployment insurance and food stamps.
De Blasio has repeatedly clashed with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in his response to the crisis.
Most recently, Cuomo said in Albany on Sunday that a decision had not been made to close all public schools in the state for the rest of the school year, despite de Blasio announcing hours earlier that he closed all schools in the city for summer break.
New York has recorded at least 190,288 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with at least 9,835 deaths as of Monday morning. At least 104,410 of those cases and 6,898 of those deaths were recorded in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In his press conference Monday, de Blasio highlighted that New York City recorded a slight decline in those who tested positive, those who were checked into hospitals with COVID-19 symptoms and those who were transferred to intensive care units over the past few days. He urged residents to uphold social distancing to continue to flatten the curve.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I want everyone to take it personally,” de Blasio said. “Numbers are abstractions but they represent human beings and they represent the future of this city and what our lives are going to be like.”
“God forbid this disease surges, we’re going to have to potentially tighten restrictions,” he continued. “Best way to do that is to keep our discipline and New Yorkers have been absolutely outstanding.”


foxnews--2020-04-13--Germany slams harassment of French nationals over coronavirus as ‘unacceptable’: ‘We are in the same

Germany slams harassment of French nationals over coronavirus as ‘unacceptable’: ‘We are in the same boat’

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German officials have condemned the alleged harassment of French nationals following a local mayor ’ s claim that the visitors are sometimes publicly insulted or spat on over fears they are infected with the coronavirus .
Michael Clivot , the mayor of the German border town of Gersheim , said that incidents of harassment were occurring in his town during a video address to residents earlier this month , German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported .
Clivot later told German website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitors being spat on while walking or insulted in grocery stores , with some being told to “ go back to your corona-country , ” according to the outlet .
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas denounced the alleged incidents as “ unacceptable ” in a tweet Saturday .
`` Corona knows no nationality , '' Maas said , adding that it is painful to see “ our French friends ” be “ insulted or confronted ” over fears of spreading the virus .
“ This kind of behavior is totally unacceptable , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the same boat !
” Germany and France have a similar number of total coronavirus infections , with the disease sickening 127,854 people in Germany compared to the 133,672 who have been diagnosed in France as of Monday .
The death toll in Germany has been far lower than other hard-hit European countries , with reports of 3,022 fatalities compared to 14,393 deaths in France .
Many countries in Europe closed their borders last month to help curb the spread of the virus .
Anke Rehlinger , economy minister of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she heard that French nationals were being insulted and , in some cases , had “ eggs thrown at them ” in border towns .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP '' Our Saarland heart is bleeding at the closed borders , ” Rehlinger posted on Twitter last week .
“ I apologize to our French friends for such isolated cases .
”

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German officials have condemned the alleged harassment of French nationals following a local mayor’s claim that the visitors are sometimes publicly insulted or spat on over fears they are infected with the coronavirus.
Michael Clivot, the mayor of the German border town of Gersheim, said that incidents of harassment were occurring in his town during a video address to residents earlier this month, German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Clivot later told German website T-online that he heard accounts of French visitors being spat on while walking or insulted in grocery stores, with some being told to “go back to your corona-country,” according to the outlet.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas denounced the alleged incidents as “unacceptable” in a tweet Saturday.
"Corona knows no nationality," Maas said, adding that it is painful to see “our French friends” be “insulted or confronted” over fears of spreading the virus.
“This kind of behavior is totally unacceptable,” Maas said. “Besides, we are in the same boat!”
GERMAN POLICE ATTACKED WITH STONES, IRON BARS WHILE ENFORCING CORONAVIRUS SOCIAL DISTANCE MEASURES
Germany and France have a similar number of total coronavirus infections, with the disease sickening 127,854 people in Germany compared to the 133,672 who have been diagnosed in France as of Monday. The death toll in Germany has been far lower than other hard-hit European countries, with reports of 3,022 fatalities compared to 14,393 deaths in France.
Many countries in Europe closed their borders last month to help curb the spread of the virus.
Anke Rehlinger, economy minister of the western German state of Saarland, also said she heard that French nationals were being insulted and, in some cases, had “eggs thrown at them” in border towns.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
"Our Saarland heart is bleeding at the closed borders,” Rehlinger posted on Twitter last week. “I apologize to our French friends for such isolated cases.”


foxnews--2020-04-13--Matthew McConaughey, wife Camila donate 80K face masks to coronavirus first-responders in Texas, Lou

Matthew McConaughey, wife Camila donate 80K face masks to coronavirus first-responders in Texas, Louisiana

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Texas native Matthew McConaughey and his wife , Camila , donated 80,000 face masks to coronavirus first responders in Texas and Louisiana , officials said .
The couple dropped off some of the masks Friday at the Austin Fire Department , KEYE reported .
CORONAVIRUS : WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The Austin Fire Department tweeted its gratitude the next day : “ The C-shift at Station 32 got a surprise yesterday , when @ McConaughey and @ iamcamilaalves stopped by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several 1,000 N-95 masks soon , part of their donation of 80K to healthcare workers , FFs , and police officers in # ATX and # NOLA !
📸 DC T. Smith , AFD ” The death toll from COVID-19 passed 270 in Texas on Sunday as the state reported nearly 1,000 more positive tests for the disease , with roughly 13,500 cases overall .
Camila Alves McConaughey , a model and designer , wrote on Instagram about the donations : “ Our mission is to protect those who protect us , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers , and others with approximately 80,000 masks needed to battle the # COVID19 virus.
” She added that she hoped the move would “ inspire you to pick a lane to help others whatever that lane is even if your lane is helping your neighbor , calling people , emotional support , donations , volunteer ... pick a lane and do it well !
Stay strong this too shall pass ... ” CORONAVIRUS : WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Last month , the Oscar winner urged students at the University of Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive following an ill-fated spring-break trip to Mexico .

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Texas native Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila, donated 80,000 face masks to coronavirus first responders in Texas and Louisiana, officials said.
The couple dropped off some of the masks Friday at the Austin Fire Department, KEYE reported.
CORONAVIRUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Austin Fire Department tweeted its gratitude the next day: “The C-shift at Station 32 got a surprise yesterday, when @McConaughey and @iamcamilaalves stopped by to let us know we're getting several 1,000 N-95 masks soon, part of their donation of 80K to healthcare workers, FFs, and police officers in #ATX and #NOLA! 📸 DC T. Smith, AFD”
The death toll from COVID-19 passed 270 in Texas on Sunday as the state reported nearly 1,000 more positive tests for the disease, with roughly 13,500 cases overall.
Camila Alves McConaughey, a model and designer, wrote on Instagram about the donations: “Our mission is to protect those who protect us, by providing healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, and others with approximately 80,000 masks needed to battle the #COVID19 virus.”
She added that she hoped the move would “inspire you to pick a lane to help others whatever that lane is even if your lane is helping your neighbor, calling people, emotional support, donations, volunteer... pick a lane and do it well! Stay strong this too shall pass...”
CORONAVIRUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Last month, the Oscar winner urged students at the University of Texas at Austin to stay home after dozens tested positive following an ill-fated spring-break trip to Mexico.


foxnews--2020-04-13--Mississippi gov describes tornadoes 'the like of which we haven't seen in this state in a long, long

Mississippi gov describes tornadoes 'the like of which we haven't seen in this state in a long, long time'

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Republican Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves joined `` Bill Hemmer Reports '' Monday to discuss how his state is dealing with a string of deadly tornadoes that ripped through the state while people were staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Reeves , who noted he 's only been in office for 90 days , said the tornadoes were the fifth federally declared disaster he has dealt with .
`` We have seven [ federal disasters ] that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we took some of our team and focused them on disaster response from the tornadoes , '' he said .
`` We still have our state EOC [ Emergency Operations Center ] open 24/7 , [ and it ] has been for months on end .
They 've got very dedicated people , they 're tired right now , as you can imagine , but were committed to working with our local governments and working with our local first responders , '' he said .
According to the Clarion-Ledger newspaper , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single county alone in southern Mississippi 's Jefferson Davis County , located just west of Hattiesburg .
At least 80 residents were displaced in Jefferson Davis County , while several dozen homes were damaged and more than 100 roadways closed in two counties in the northwestern part of the state saw , according to the paper .
Reeves told host Bill Hemmer that at least a dozen tornadoes had touched down statewide .
`` But in addition to the tornadoes , we actually had fatalities that were caused by some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the like of which we have n't seen in this state in a long , long time with winds as high as 200 miles per hour , '' he said .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP He noted that most Mississippians were home on Easter Sunday worshipping , as churches have been shuttered because of the virus pandemic .
`` The challenge was , the storms are very , very violent , particularly in that southern part of our state where we had two tornadoes take almost exactly the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We currently have 11 fatalities , but we have search and rescue missions that are ongoing . ''
`` One thing about Mississippi , Bill , when it 's time to step up and held our friends and our neighbors , Mississippians step up and do exactly that , '' Reeves remarked .

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Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves joined "Bill Hemmer Reports" Monday to discuss how his state is dealing with a string of deadly tornadoes that ripped through the state while people were staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Reeves, who noted he's only been in office for 90 days, said the tornadoes were the fifth federally declared disaster he has dealt with.
"We have seven [federal disasters] that have occurred in the last year, so we took some of our team and focused them on disaster response from the tornadoes," he said. "We still have our state EOC [Emergency Operations Center] open 24/7, [and it] has been for months on end. They've got very dedicated people, they're tired right now, as you can imagine, but were committed to working with our local governments and working with our local first responders," he said.
According to the Clarion-Ledger newspaper, at least 100 homes were damaged or destroyed in a single county alone in southern Mississippi's Jefferson Davis County, located just west of Hattiesburg.
WH HITS BACK AT MEDIA, DEFENDS ANTHONY FAUCI
At least 80 residents were displaced in Jefferson Davis County, while several dozen homes were damaged and more than 100 roadways closed in two counties in the northwestern part of the state saw , according to the paper.
Reeves told host Bill Hemmer that at least a dozen tornadoes had touched down statewide.
"But in addition to the tornadoes, we actually had fatalities that were caused by some of the straight-line winds. We saw tornadoes, the like of which we haven't seen in this state in a long, long time with winds as high as 200 miles per hour," he said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He noted that most Mississippians were home on Easter Sunday worshipping, as churches have been shuttered because of the virus pandemic.
"The challenge was, the storms are very, very violent, particularly in that southern part of our state where we had two tornadoes take almost exactly the same path," he said. "We currently have 11 fatalities, but we have search and rescue missions that are ongoing."
"One thing about Mississippi, Bill, when it's time to step up and held our friends and our neighbors, Mississippians step up and do exactly that," Reeves remarked.


foxnews--2020-04-25--New York expands coronavirus testing to pharmacies, Cuomo announces

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Testing for the coronavirus will dramatically expand across New York under an executive order Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that will allow independent pharmacies to collect samples to test for the bug .
The state aims to double its current capacity of 20,000 tests a day and expand testing eligibility beyond first responders and health care workers by allowing some 5,000 independent pharmacies to screen for the virus , the governor said at his daily Albany press briefing .
CLICK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ POST “ We had a tight screen on the eligibility , because we had limited capacity , ” Cuomo said noting the state is testing healthcare workers in-house at NYC Health + Hosptials ’ Elmhurst and Bellevue campuses , SUNY Downstate and Montefiore hospitals .
“ We have boosted lab capacity to the extent we need more collection sites.
” Testing for first responders and other essential workers will also ramp up .
NEW YORK REP. PETER KING BLASTS MCCONNELL OVER BANKRUPTCY SUGGESTION : 'WE SUBSIDIZE KENTUCKY' Law enforcement and transit workers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new state program , Cuomo said .
First priority will go to healthcare workers , he added .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP The developments came as another 1,100 new cases were detected in the state , and 437 people — 19 in nursing homes — died of COVID-19 , for a total of 16,599 lives lost .
Friday ’ s tally was up from 422 the previous day .

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Testing for the coronavirus will dramatically expand across New York under an executive order Gov. Cuomo announced Saturday — a critical element in the move toward eventually reopening the state.
The order allows independent pharmacies to offer walk-in diagnostic tests, and will initially be made available to first responders, medical workers and “essential employees” such as bus drivers, grocery store clerks and laundromat workers, who are “carrying the load” of the crisis, the governor said at his daily press briefing in Albany.
Pharmacy employees will administer the test swabs, and then send the samples out to any of the 300 state-approved labs for processing.
The tests — which will determine if someone is actively infected and typically take up to three days to yield results — will eventually be offered to the public at large.
“Hopefully, one day we get to the point where anybody who wants a test can walk in and get a test,” the governor said.
Allowing some 5,000 independent pharmacies to voluntarily offer screening for the virus will double the number of people tested daily, currently at 20,000, the governor said.
News of the drugstore testing program came as the Navy’s USNS Comfort, which has been docked off Manhattan’s West Side since March 30, prepared to leave for its homeport in Norfolk, Va., officials announced.
The final 12 patients were being discharged or transferred this weekend.
The 1,000-bed ship only ever accepted 182 patients for treatment, to the outrage of healthcare workers at overburdened hospitals elsewhere in the city.
Meanwhile, two other testing initiatives were also announced by Cuomo.
Starting Saturday, four Big Apple hospitals — Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx, SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, and the city-run Bellevue and Elmhurst hospitals in Manhattan and Queens — began offering antibody testing for front line healthcare workers.
Elmhurst Hospital made national news when its emergency rooms became jammed with COVID-19 patients.
And SUNY Downstate is now dedicated solely to COVID-19 patients, Cuomo noted.
“You want to talk about God’s work, that’s where it’s happening,” he said.
Also, the state this week will phase in comprehensive antibody testing for all MTA workers and for State Police and the NYPD.
Learning how many people have been and currently are infected will add to researchers’ understanding of the spread of COVID-19 — but won’t necessarily shed light on who is immune, scientists warn.
The presence of antibodies doesn’t mean that people who have recovered from the novel coronavirus are safe from reinfection, the World Health Organization said Saturday.
“There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection,” the WHO said in a statement.
The information runs counter to what many COVID-19 survivors hoped could be their ticket to freedom from lockdowns.
At his briefing Friday, Cuomo had sounded shocked as he described the tenacity of the coronavirus, despite weeks of well-publicized research revealing that it survives on plastic and metal surfaces — and in aerosolized, airborne particles — for as long as three days.
“I thought it was a droplet and then it falls, right?” he said. “It’s a droplet that can hang in the air for three hours.”
On Saturday, spokeswoman Dani Lever insisted the governor had been well aware of prior research when he spoke.
“As we look toward opening up the economy, we are reminding New Yorkers about the 101 of this virus, and that people need to remain vigilant,” she said.
News of the state’s testing efforts came as the number of current hospitalizations and new positive cases ticked downward — further indication that the coronavirus is on the decline in New York state.
Another 1,100 new cases were detected in the state on Friday, and hospitalizations across the state stood at just over 13,000 — the lowest number in three weeks and the latest sign of progress in containing the virus.
The hospitalization total was its highest at 18,825 on April 12. It has fallen every day since then, officials said.
“All of the numbers are basically saying the same, that we are in fact on the downside of the mountain,” Cuomo said.
Still, 437 people — 19 in nursing homes — died of COVID-19, for a total of 16,599 lives lost statewide so far during the three-month outbreak.
Friday’s death tally was up from 422 the previous day.
“This is just terrible, terrible, horrific news,” the governor said of the spike.
Citywide, 150,576 people have tested positive for the virus as of Saturday afternoon. There have been a total of 16,270 deaths of patients who either tested positive for the virus or who died from COVID-19 symptoms.