foxnews--2020-05-18--EU calls for independent probe of WHO's pandemic response

The European Union and other countries on Monday called for an independent evaluation of the World Health Organization ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic “ to review experience gained and lessons learned.
” The resolution has the support of more than half of the WHO 's member countries and will be discussed this week at the decision-making body of the U.N. health agency , being held virtually this year .
The proposal is intended to initiate “ a stepwise process of impartial , independent and comprehensive evaluation ” of the WHO ’ s efforts to coordinate the international response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international health law and its actions within the greater U.N. health system .
WHO 'S EXCLUSION OF TAIWAN FROM CORONAVIRUS ASSEMBLY LEADS MORE NATIONS TO SOUND THE ALARM The move comes amid Australia ’ s call for an independent inquiry into the origins of the pandemic and the WHO ’ s response to it — and after U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s repeated accusations that the WHO helped China cover up the extent of the initial COVID-19 outbreak .
Trump has also called for an immediate halt to all U.S. funding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution proposes that the independent evaluation should be initiated “ at the earliest appropriate moment ” and should , among other issues , examine “ the actions of WHO and their timelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” TRUMP SET TO RESTORE PARTIAL FUNDING TO WHO AFTER PAUSE TO INVESTIGATE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE The WHO announced the coronavirus outbreak to be a global health emergency on Jan. 30 , its highest level of alert .
In the following weeks , the WHO warned countries there was a narrowing “ window of opportunity ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO officials , however , repeatedly described the transmission of the virus as “ limited ” and said it was n't as transmissible as flu ; experts have since said COVID-19 spreads even faster .
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE It declared the outbreak to be a pandemic on March 11 , after the virus had killed thousands globally and sparked large epidemics in South Korea , Italy , Iran and elsewhere .

The European Union and other countries on Monday called for an independent evaluation of the World Health Organization’s response to the coronavirus pandemic “to review experience gained and lessons learned.”
The resolution has the support of more than half of the WHO's member countries and will be discussed this week at the decision-making body of the U.N. health agency, being held virtually this year.
The proposal is intended to initiate “a stepwise process of impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation” of the WHO’s efforts to coordinate the international response to COVID-19, including the functioning of international health law and its actions within the greater U.N. health system.
WHO'S EXCLUSION OF TAIWAN FROM CORONAVIRUS ASSEMBLY LEADS MORE NATIONS TO SOUND THE ALARM
The move comes amid Australia’s call for an independent inquiry into the origins of the pandemic and the WHO’s response to it — and after U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated accusations that the WHO helped China cover up the extent of the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
Trump has also called for an immediate halt to all U.S. funding to the U.N. health agency.
The EU resolution proposes that the independent evaluation should be initiated “at the earliest appropriate moment” and should, among other issues, examine “the actions of WHO and their timelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
TRUMP SET TO RESTORE PARTIAL FUNDING TO WHO AFTER PAUSE TO INVESTIGATE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
The WHO announced the coronavirus outbreak to be a global health emergency on Jan. 30, its highest level of alert. In the following weeks, the WHO warned countries there was a narrowing “window of opportunity” to prevent the virus from spreading globally.
WHO officials, however, repeatedly described the transmission of the virus as “limited” and said it wasn't as transmissible as flu; experts have since said COVID-19 spreads even faster.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
It declared the outbreak to be a pandemic on March 11, after the virus had killed thousands globally and sparked large epidemics in South Korea, Italy, Iran and elsewhere.


foxnews--2020-05-18--Storytime with Dana: 'Once Upon a Goat'

Storytime with Dana: 'Once Upon a Goat'

In the midst of all of these abrupt changes , with offices and schools closed during the coronavirus outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ with how to manage taking care of their children while also taking care of business @ @ @ @ @ friends who were staring into the future thinking , `` How are we going to @ @ @ @ @ had an idea of how to help : provide a few minutes each afternoon of @ @ @ @ @ '' I loved being read to as a child , and I remember Mrs. Laura @ @ @ @ @ a storytime routine with children as much as possible , especially during times of stress @ @ @ @ @ that parents will be able to take a breather while I try to keep their @ @ @ @ @ a few minutes every day .
Monday , we meet again !
Here is a @ @ @ @ @ misunderstanding that ends well , `` Once Upon a Goat , '' by Dan Richards @

In the midst of all of these abrupt changes, with offices and schools closed during the coronavirus outbreak, so many people are grappling with how to manage taking care of their children while also taking care of business.
I have lots of friends who were staring into the future thinking, "How are we going to do this?" I had an idea of how to help: provide a few minutes each afternoon of "Storytime with Dana."
I loved being read to as a child, and I remember Mrs. Laura Bush encouraging families to keep a storytime routine with children as much as possible, especially during times of stress and uncertainty.
I hope that parents will be able to take a breather while I try to keep their kids occupied and entertained for a few minutes every day.
Monday, we meet again! Here is a cute book about a small misunderstanding that ends well, "Once Upon a Goat," by Dan Richards.


foxnews--2020-05-18--Border Patrol agents stop 3 human smuggling attempts, more than 60 people arrested in 1 day

Border Patrol agents in Texas stopped three human smuggling attempts last week , including one in which 48 people were found hidden in a tractor-trailer , officials said Monday .
The group , comprised of 46 adults and two juveniles , all Mexican citizens , and the driver , an American citizen , were discovered at an Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint near the border city of Laredo , Texas , said a U.S. Customs and Border Protection statement .
They were all arrested pending an investigation .
The driver of the truck approached the checkpoint on May 14 and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant X-ray detected people hiding in the back .
The agency did not say if anyone was injured during the attempted smuggling or how the undocumented immigrants entered the country .
Another smuggling incident was revealed an hour later when agents working a U.S. Highway 83 checkpoint found 10 people inside a tractor-trailer .
The individuals were from Mexico and Ecuador and were arrested , along with the driver , a U.S. citizen .
The final incident occurred near U.S. HIghway 59 when agents on patrol stopped a pickup truck with four undocumented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The passengers were from Mexico and Honduras .
All five people were placed under arrest .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Border Patrol apprehensions have significantly decreased amid the coronavirus pandemic to fewer than 17,000 people in April , compared to more than 34,000 in March .

Border Patrol agents in Texas stopped three human smuggling attempts last week, including one in which 48 people were found hidden in a tractor-trailer, officials said Monday.
The group, comprised of 46 adults and two juveniles, all Mexican citizens, and the driver, an American citizen, were discovered at an Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint near the border city of Laredo, Texas, said a U.S. Customs and Border Protection statement.
They were all arrested pending an investigation.
The driver of the truck approached the checkpoint on May 14 and was referred to a second inspection where a giant X-ray detected people hiding in the back. The agency did not say if anyone was injured during the attempted smuggling or how the undocumented immigrants entered the country.
Another smuggling incident was revealed an hour later when agents working a U.S. Highway 83 checkpoint found 10 people inside a tractor-trailer. The individuals were from Mexico and Ecuador and were arrested, along with the driver, a U.S. citizen.
The final incident occurred near U.S. HIghway 59 when agents on patrol stopped a pickup truck with four undocumented immigrants and a U.S. citizen driver. The passengers were from Mexico and Honduras.
All five people were placed under arrest.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Border Patrol apprehensions have significantly decreased amid the coronavirus pandemic to fewer than 17,000 people in April, compared to more than 34,000 in March.


foxnews--2020-05-18--Florida police break up massive block party, officers pelted with glass bottles, bar stool

A massive block party over the weekend in Florida turned violent after police officers were pelted with glass bottles , a bar stool , and other objects while arresting two men seen exchanging a firearm .
The incidents – some of which were captured on video released by police -- unfolded early Sunday as the Volusia County Sheriff ’ s Office was trying to disperse a crowd of around 1,500 who were blocking streets in DeLand .
“ The behavior that occurred here overnight was dangerous , senseless , unacceptable and an embarrassment to our community , ” the sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ None of it will deter law enforcement from coming back when we ’ re needed.
” Police say shortly after midnight , deputies that had arrived at the large gathering observed two men exchanging a firearm .
Then , when one of the individuals was told to drop the weapon , he threw it away and tried to flee , they add .
Officers eventually recovered the loaded Ruger 9mm and arrested 37-year-old Charles Turner , whom they described as having a lengthy criminal history with 18 prior convictions .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a weapon/ammunition by a convicted felon and inciting a riot , among other charges .
The other man allegedly involved in the exchange – Alphonso Parker , 27 – was arrested on similar charges .
“ After securing Turner and Parker , two deputies were hit with a cup of alcohol .
While the person who threw it was being taken into custody , one of the deputies was sucker-punched by another male subject who immediately fled the area , ” the Volusia County Sheriff ’ s Office said .
“ Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a barstool and mason jar by other members of the crowd who immediately fled .
Glass bottles were also being thrown at patrol vehicles in the street while arrests were being made.
” The chaos left a Volusia officer with a minor knee injury , while a DeLand officer suffered a minor head injury , authorities say .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “ Overall , deputies conducted 12 traffic stops , issued five citations , towed five vehicles , made seven arrests , recovered two firearms , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Volusia Sheriff spokesman Andrew Gant told the West Volusia Beacon .
Florida ’ s health department currently is advising against holding gatherings of more than 250 people during the coronavirus pandemic , as they “ offer more opportunities for person-to-person contact and therefore pose greater risk of COVID-19 transmission .
”

A massive block party over the weekend in Florida turned violent after police officers were pelted with glass bottles, a bar stool, and other objects while arresting two men seen exchanging a firearm.
The incidents – some of which were captured on video released by police -- unfolded early Sunday as the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office was trying to disperse a crowd of around 1,500 who were blocking streets in DeLand.
“The behavior that occurred here overnight was dangerous, senseless, unacceptable and an embarrassment to our community,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “None of it will deter law enforcement from coming back when we’re needed.”
Police say shortly after midnight, deputies that had arrived at the large gathering observed two men exchanging a firearm. Then, when one of the individuals was told to drop the weapon, he threw it away and tried to flee, they add.
MIAMI BEACH WOMAN HOLDING ‘WE ARE FREE’ SIGN ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING CORONAVIRUS ORDER
Officers eventually recovered the loaded Ruger 9mm and arrested 37-year-old Charles Turner, whom they described as having a lengthy criminal history with 18 prior convictions. He now is facing two counts of possession of a weapon/ammunition by a convicted felon and inciting a riot, among other charges.
The other man allegedly involved in the exchange – Alphonso Parker, 27 – was arrested on similar charges.
“After securing Turner and Parker, two deputies were hit with a cup of alcohol. While the person who threw it was being taken into custody, one of the deputies was sucker-punched by another male subject who immediately fled the area,” the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said. “Another deputy and DeLand PD officer were hit with a barstool and mason jar by other members of the crowd who immediately fled. Glass bottles were also being thrown at patrol vehicles in the street while arrests were being made.”
The chaos left a Volusia officer with a minor knee injury, while a DeLand officer suffered a minor head injury, authorities say.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Overall, deputies conducted 12 traffic stops, issued five citations, towed five vehicles, made seven arrests, recovered two firearms, some narcotics and $3,840 in cash,” Volusia Sheriff spokesman Andrew Gant told the West Volusia Beacon.
Florida’s health department currently is advising against holding gatherings of more than 250 people during the coronavirus pandemic, as they “offer more opportunities for person-to-person contact and therefore pose greater risk of COVID-19 transmission.”


foxnews--2020-05-18--Trump defends Pompeo after firing State Department watchdog: 'They're bothered he was having somebod

Trump defends Pompeo after firing State Department watchdog: 'They're bothered he was having somebody walk his dog?'

President Trump defended Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday following the removal of the agency 's independent watchdog who was looking into allegations he had staffers perform his personal errands that included walking his dog , making dinner reservations and picking up his dry cleaning .
Trump discussed Pompeo , his response to the coronavirus pandemic and a range of issues during a roundtable event at the White House , alongside Vice President Mike Pence and restaurant executives .
`` They 're bothered he was having somebody walk his dog ? ''
he reportedly said .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' On Friday , Trump removed State Department Inspector General Steve Linick , saying in a letter to Congress that he no longer had full confidence in the Obama appointee .
Democrats have raised concerns that Linick was ousted in retaliation for opening an investigation into the secretary of state .
Pompeo said Monday that he recommended Linick be fired because he was undermining the department .
He told the Washington Post that he was not aware of Linick 's probe when he asked for his removal .
Linick has overseen reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's management policies since Trump took office .
`` I was happy to do it , '' Trump said .
`` I have the absolute right as president to terminate . ''
Linick will be replaced with Stephen Akard , a former career Foreign Service officer with close ties to Vice President Mike Pence .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP His removal is the latest in a series of shakeups among government 's inspectors general .
In April , Trump fired Inspector General for the Intelligence Community Michael Atkinson for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led the Ukraine probe -- and Trump 's subsequent impeachment .

President Trump defended Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday following the removal of the agency's independent watchdog who was looking into allegations he had staffers perform his personal errands that included walking his dog, making dinner reservations and picking up his dry cleaning.
Trump discussed Pompeo, his response to the coronavirus pandemic and a range of issues during a roundtable event at the White House, alongside Vice President Mike Pence and restaurant executives.
"They're bothered he was having somebody walk his dog?" he reportedly said. "This is what you get with the Democrats."
On Friday, Trump removed State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, saying in a letter to Congress that he no longer had full confidence in the Obama appointee.
Democrats have raised concerns that Linick was ousted in retaliation for opening an investigation into the secretary of state. Pompeo said Monday that he recommended Linick be fired because he was undermining the department.
He told the Washington Post that he was not aware of Linick's probe when he asked for his removal. Linick has overseen reports that were highly critical of the State Department's management policies since Trump took office.
"I was happy to do it," Trump said. "I have the absolute right as president to terminate."
Linick will be replaced with Stephen Akard, a former career Foreign Service officer with close ties to Vice President Mike Pence.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
His removal is the latest in a series of shakeups among government's inspectors general. In April, Trump fired Inspector General for the Intelligence Community Michael Atkinson for his role in the whistleblower complaint that led the Ukraine probe -- and Trump's subsequent impeachment.
Fox News' Rich Edson contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-05-14--Air Force veteran is using his business acumen to teach others

Air Force veteran Matt Butler is using his business acumen to help veterans and military service members who are thinking about transitioning out of the military .
“ I felt that I learned quite a bit with building the business , ” said Butler .
`` And I wanted to turn that around and start helping my brothers and sisters in the military because I know the transition can be daunting at times.
” Butler served in the Air Force for more than two decades and was deployed 10 times to various contingency operations around the world .
That travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoor game company .
Rollors combines traditional outdoor games like bocce , bowling and horseshoes , and rolls them all into one game .
“ Over my 20 years in the Air Force , I saw a lot of other outdoor games on the market , ” explained Butler .
“ I took a little bit from each one of those games and combined them into one.
” Butler then developed a Rollors prototype in his garage through woodworking skills that he learned on base while in the military .
His product began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted more information on how to build a solid foundation for his company .
“ That 's when I started to look for business education , because I wanted to make sure I was putting the right money , sweat [ and ] equity into the business , ” said Butler .
“ I really wanted to make sure that I was doing things properly for it to be a success , and that ’ s when I learned about Boots to Business.
” The Institute for Veterans and Military Families ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Business in 2013 to introduce service members and veterans , like Butler , to entrepreneurship and business .
Boots to Business is a two-day course that is typically offered as in-person training on military installations around the country .
Now , due to COVID-19 , Boots to Business is delivering its services virtually .
After going through Boots to Business in 2016 , Butler was able to create a personal action plan that helped him achieve his business goals .
“ During COVID-19 , people are purchasing Rollors to get their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Butler .
“ And so we 're actually at about a 240-percent increase in revenue compared to last year.
” To utilize everything he learned from Rollors while still maintaining his connection to the military , Butler decided to teach part-time with Boots to Business .
He told Fox News that he has since traveled all over the world to teach entrepreneurship to transitioning military members and their spouses .
“ I feel that them looking at me as a successful business owner and then transitioning out , that I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it 's like being deployed , missing out on Christmas and birthdays , and other important events throughout life , ” said Butler .
“ I get it , so I believe that they relate to me well when I 'm teaching them and they can become motivated from what I have to say.
” To learn more about Rollors founder Matthew Butler and Boots for Business watch the full interview above .
Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals .
Tweet her @ EmilyDeCiccio .

Air Force veteran Matt Butler is using his business acumen to help veterans and military service members who are thinking about transitioning out of the military.
“I felt that I learned quite a bit with building the business,” said Butler. "And I wanted to turn that around and start helping my brothers and sisters in the military because I know the transition can be daunting at times.”
Butler served in the Air Force for more than two decades and was deployed 10 times to various contingency operations around the world. That travel inspired him to start Rollors, an outdoor game company. Rollors combines traditional outdoor games like bocce, bowling and horseshoes, and rolls them all into one game.
“Over my 20 years in the Air Force, I saw a lot of other outdoor games on the market,” explained Butler. “I took a little bit from each one of those games and combined them into one.”
Butler then developed a Rollors prototype in his garage through woodworking skills that he learned on base while in the military. His product began to sell at local markets, but he wanted more information on how to build a solid foundation for his company.
“That's when I started to look for business education, because I wanted to make sure I was putting the right money, sweat [and] equity into the business,” said Butler. “I really wanted to make sure that I was doing things properly for it to be a success, and that’s when I learned about Boots to Business.”
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University established Boots to Business in 2013 to introduce service members and veterans, like Butler, to entrepreneurship and business. Boots to Business is a two-day course that is typically offered as in-person training on military installations around the country. Now, due to COVID-19, Boots to Business is delivering its services virtually.
After going through Boots to Business in 2016, Butler was able to create a personal action plan that helped him achieve his business goals.
“During COVID-19, people are purchasing Rollors to get their families outdoors together and to entertain themselves,” said Butler. “And so we're actually at about a 240-percent increase in revenue compared to last year.”
To utilize everything he learned from Rollors while still maintaining his connection to the military, Butler decided to teach part-time with Boots to Business. He told Fox News that he has since traveled all over the world to teach entrepreneurship to transitioning military members and their spouses.
“I feel that them looking at me as a successful business owner and then transitioning out, that I can relate to them more because I understand what it's like being deployed, missing out on Christmas and birthdays, and other important events throughout life,” said Butler. “I get it, so I believe that they relate to me well when I'm teaching them and they can become motivated from what I have to say.”
To learn more about Rollors founder Matthew Butler and Boots for Business watch the full interview above.
Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio.


foxnews--2020-05-18--Kurt Busch praises NASCAR for 'tremendous job' putting on Darlington race after two months away

Kurt Busch , who finished third in Sunday 's NASCAR Cup series race at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina -- the first race after the sport shut down for 10 weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic -- told `` Bill Hemmer Reports '' Monday that he felt great to be back racing , even with no fans in the stands .
`` What a day it was yesterday for NASCAR , '' Busch said .
`` NASCAR has done a tremendous job working with everybody from the states to the local counties .
And for the race to happen yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the fans were not at the track .
It was silent in many ways that I had never felt before -- pre-race , post-race , even during the race .
`` But you could feel everybody with their spirit through the television cameras , and for us at NASCAR , we are trying to create that normalcy , and that feel of people tuning into a live sport on Sunday , and I think we pulled it off really well . ''
NASCAR 'S DARLINGTON RACE CRUSHED IT WITH MORE THAN 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner Kevin Harvick and second-place Alex Bowman , told Hemmer that he was driving back to North Carolina after the race when he thought about the importance of the race to fans around the country .
`` I had a moment where it 's like people , our race fans , are stuck at home with bigger problems and tougher decisions to make right now , '' he said .
`` So I feel privileged to have been able to go back out on the track and to get to do what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopeful that all of us will begin to be able to do that and to have jobs and to have the excitement ; the family trips ; and to do things again , '' he added .
In recent years , racing at Darlington has been reserved for Labor Day weekend , with thousands of fans descending on `` The Lady in Black '' for the Bojangles Southern 500 -- a special Sunday night race `` under the lights . ''
But due to state-based shelter-in-place restrictions and federal social distancing guidelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and -- in keeping with their stated hope to run a full 36-race schedule this season -- worked with officials in North and South Carolina to schedule two fan-less Cup races this week at Darlington .
The second race at the `` Lady in Black '' will be run Wednesday night before the circuit decamps to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 which will be run as scheduled -- but without fans -- on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP As part of the unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jeff Gordon called the race from a studio in Charlotte .
NASCAR officials say they still hope to return to Darlington as planned for the Southern 500 and are working through resetting the rest of the season schedule .

Kurt Busch, who finished third in Sunday's NASCAR Cup series race at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina -- the first race after the sport shut down for 10 weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic -- told "Bill Hemmer Reports" Monday that he felt great to be back racing, even with no fans in the stands.
"What a day it was yesterday for NASCAR," Busch said. "NASCAR has done a tremendous job working with everybody from the states to the local counties. And for the race to happen yesterday, the biggest disappointment was, yes, the fans were not at the track. It was silent in many ways that I had never felt before -- pre-race, post-race, even during the race.
"But you could feel everybody with their spirit through the television cameras, and for us at NASCAR, we are trying to create that normalcy, and that feel of people tuning into a live sport on Sunday, and I think we pulled it off really well."
NASCAR'S DARLINGTON RACE CRUSHED IT WITH MORE THAN 6 MILLION VIEWERS
Busch, who finished behind winner Kevin Harvick and second-place Alex Bowman, told Hemmer that he was driving back to North Carolina after the race when he thought about the importance of the race to fans around the country.
"I had a moment where it's like people, our race fans, are stuck at home with bigger problems and tougher decisions to make right now," he said. "So I feel privileged to have been able to go back out on the track and to get to do what I love to do.
"I am hopeful that all of us will begin to be able to do that and to have jobs and to have the excitement; the family trips; and to do things again," he added.
In recent years, racing at Darlington has been reserved for Labor Day weekend, with thousands of fans descending on "The Lady in Black" for the Bojangles Southern 500 -- a special Sunday night race "under the lights."
But due to state-based shelter-in-place restrictions and federal social distancing guidelines, the team at NASCAR had to improvise and -- in keeping with their stated hope to run a full 36-race schedule this season -- worked with officials in North and South Carolina to schedule two fan-less Cup races this week at Darlington.
The second race at the "Lady in Black" will be run Wednesday night before the circuit decamps to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 which will be run as scheduled -- but without fans -- on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
As part of the unusual setup, Fox Sports commentators Mike Joy and Jeff Gordon called the race from a studio in Charlotte.
NASCAR officials say they still hope to return to Darlington as planned for the Southern 500 and are working through resetting the rest of the season schedule.


foxnews--2020-05-18--Girl, 5, stabilizing after battling coronavirus, Kawasaki-like disease: family

A 5-year-old girl from the U.K. may be on the road to recovery after a `` Kawasaki inflammatory condition '' sent her into critical care , her family says .
Scarlett Roberts reportedly caught COVID-19 at her school before it closed , but had `` appeared to recover '' from a `` mild '' bout of the illness about five weeks ago , '' her great aunt , June , and her father , Piers Roberts , wrote in a series of Twitter posts .
The child then underwent a visit to the intensive care unit with a `` Kawasaki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surfaced of children afflicted by the rare Kawasaki disease-like illness , which is believed to be associated with the coronavirus .
Piers Roberts said Scarlett had a 20 percent chance of survival until she was discharged by the hospital .
Scarlett was taken off the ventilator and developed heart problems , the family wrote .
However , Scarlett ’ s mother , Naomi Roberts , gave an update to her child ’ s condition in a Facebook post on Monday morning .
“ Amazing news , ” she wrote .
“ Moos heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflammation gone .
Her [ blood has ] gone from a CRP of nearly 300 to 25 .
The rest of [ her blood is ] normalizing.
” She also posted a picture of Scarlett finally nibbling into her first bites of food at the hospital .
Roberts added that Scarlett “ may be home in a few days to return for scans later.
” She also thanked the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS ( National Health Service ) Trust as well as the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust .
Throughout the course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been appalled at the U.K. 's early plans for reopening schools in June , though school officials have since said no decision has been made .
Piers Roberts , a teacher himself , documented his thoughts on Twitter as well .
“ I want to get back to face-to-face teaching , ” Pier Roberts wrote in a tweet .
“ However , I don ’ t want my daughter as an experiment .
The torture is real.
” On April 19 , Education Secretary Gavin Williamson wrote in a tweet that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will reopen schools . ''
He reassured schools would only reopen when `` scientific advice indicates it is the right time to do so . ''

A 5-year-old girl from the U.K. may be on the road to recovery after a "Kawasaki inflammatory condition" sent her into critical care, her family says.
Scarlett Roberts reportedly caught COVID-19 at her school before it closed, but had "appeared to recover" from a "mild" bout of the illness about five weeks ago," her great aunt, June, and her father, Piers Roberts, wrote in a series of Twitter posts. The child then underwent a visit to the intensive care unit with a "Kawasaki inflammatory response."
Recent reports have surfaced of children afflicted by the rare Kawasaki disease-like illness, which is believed to be associated with the coronavirus.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Piers Roberts said Scarlett had a 20 percent chance of survival until she was discharged by the hospital.
Scarlett was taken off the ventilator and developed heart problems, the family wrote. However, Scarlett’s mother, Naomi Roberts, gave an update to her child’s condition in a Facebook post on Monday morning.
WASHINGTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPS RURAL CORONAVIRUS TESTING MODEL
“Amazing news,” she wrote. “Moos heart scan may have completely normalized with the inflammation gone. Her [blood has] gone from a CRP of nearly 300 to 25. The rest of [her blood is] normalizing.” She also posted a picture of Scarlett finally nibbling into her first bites of food at the hospital.
Roberts added that Scarlett “may be home in a few days to return for scans later.” She also thanked the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS (National Health Service) Trust as well as the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
FLORIDA MAN WHO QUESTIONED CORONAVIRUS CRISIS ISSUES WARNING AFTER CONTRACTING VIRUS
Throughout the course of ongoing events, Scarlett’s family has been appalled at the U.K.'s early plans for reopening schools in June, though school officials have since said no decision has been made. Piers Roberts, a teacher himself, documented his thoughts on Twitter as well.
“I want to get back to face-to-face teaching,” Pier Roberts wrote in a tweet. “However, I don’t want my daughter as an experiment. The torture is real.”
On April 19, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson wrote in a tweet that "no decision has been made on when we will reopen schools." He reassured schools would only reopen when "scientific advice indicates it is the right time to do so."


foxnews--2020-05-17--wants to see YOUR convertibles for our Virtual Car Show

Races , auctions , shows and many social gatherings for auto enthusiasts have been postponed indefinitely across the U.S. due @ @ @ @ @ but Fox News Autos has you covered .
We ’ re holding a series of @ @ @ @ @ can share and chat about the cool cars and trucks you own with the rest @ @ @ @ @ audience .
Since Memorial Day means summer is on the way , this week 's @ @ @ @ @ respond to the Twitter post below to take part .
Classics , customs , amazing @ @ @ @ @ be looking for a few standouts to feature on FoxNews.com for everyone to see and @ @ @ @ @ CHECK OUT MORE FOX NEWS AUTOS VIRTUAL CAR SHOWS

Races, auctions, shows and many social gatherings for auto enthusiasts have been postponed indefinitely across the U.S. due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Fox News Autos has you covered.
We’re holding a series of Virtual Car Shows where you can share and chat about the cool cars and trucks you own with the rest of the Fox News Autos audience. Since Memorial Day means summer is on the way, this week's theme is CONVERTIBLES. Just respond to the Twitter post below to take part.
Classics, customs, amazing finds … we’ll be looking for a few standouts to feature on FoxNews.com for everyone to see and discuss.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MORE FOX NEWS AUTOS VIRTUAL CAR SHOWS


foxnews--2020-05-18--NASCAR's Darlington race crushed it with over 6 million viewers

NASCAR ’ s return to racing at Darlington Raceway was a huge ratings hit .
The Fox network broadcast of The Real Heroes 400 had an average of 6,323,000 viewers on Sunday afternoon .
That ’ s up 38 percent from the last NASCAR race in Phoenix on March 8 , before the series took a 10-week hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and makes it the most-watched sports event in the U.S. since the Daytona 500 in February .
The race , which was held without spectators at the track , also received the highest ratings of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2017 , and beat last year ’ s All-Star race , which was held the same weekend , by about 2 million viewers .
Michael Mulvihill , the Fox Sports EVP in charge of analytics , said the biggest growth was among men age 18-24 , which was up 47 percent compared to the March 8 race .
Along with Professional Bull Riders and UFC , NASCAR is one of the first major American sports series to return to competition , beating the NBA , NHL and MLB back to action under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventing the spread of the coronavirus .
Kevin Harvick won the bellwether event and earned his 50th career win .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

NASCAR’s return to racing at Darlington Raceway was a huge ratings hit.
The Fox network broadcast of The Real Heroes 400 had an average of 6,323,000 viewers on Sunday afternoon.
That’s up 38 percent from the last NASCAR race in Phoenix on March 8, before the series took a 10-week hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and makes it the most-watched sports event in the U.S. since the Daytona 500 in February.
The race, which was held without spectators at the track, also received the highest ratings of any NASCAR race other than the Daytona 500 since 2017, and beat last year’s All-Star race, which was held the same weekend, by about 2 million viewers. Michael Mulvihill, the Fox Sports EVP in charge of analytics, said the biggest growth was among men age 18-24, which was up 47 percent compared to the March 8 race.
Along with Professional Bull Riders and UFC, NASCAR is one of the first major American sports series to return to competition, beating the NBA, NHL and MLB back to action under a health and safety protocol aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Kevin Harvick won the bellwether event and earned his 50th career win.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP


foxnews--2020-04-02--ABC's Jonathan Karl knocks CNN's Jim Acosta in new book: He explicitly plays into Trump's strategy w

ABC's Jonathan Karl knocks CNN's Jim Acosta in new book: He explicitly plays into Trump's strategy with the media

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl knocked his CNN counterpart Jim Acosta in his new book about covering the Trump presidency .
In his memoir `` Front Row at the Trump Show , '' Karl claimed that Acosta was `` playing into the explicit Trump strategy of portraying the press as the opposition party . ''
`` The surest way to undermine the credibility of the White House press corps is to behave like the political opposition , '' Karl wrote .
`` Do n't give speeches from the White House briefing room . ''
At a gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karl told The Daily Beast : “ Regarding Jim Acosta , to paraphrase Voltaire , I will defend to the death his right to report from the White House , but I have some issues with the style in which he has done so ... We can be tough , we can call out things that are not true , we can be aggressive in our questioning , but I don ’ t think we should act like we are part of the resistance.
” TRUMP SPARS WITH JIM ACOSTA AT CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WANT TO LISTEN TO CNN ANYMORE' '' A sub-sub theme is those of us reporters make a mistake if they appear to be too much like an opposition to the president or the resistance , '' Karl similarly told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` That 's not our job .
We 're not the opposition party .
We 're supposed to report and report aggressively on the president , on any president , but not to go over the top . ''
Karl also serves the president of the White House Correspondents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with President Trump at Monday 's coronavirus press briefing .
`` What do you say to Americans who are upset with you over the way you downplayed this crisis ? ''
Acosta asked .
He referenced earlier quotes from the president , including when Trump said roughly a month ago : `` It 's going to disappear .
One day , it 's like a miracle , it will disappear . ''
Acosta added , `` What do you say to Americans who believe that you got this wrong ? ''
`` Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do want them to stay calm , and we are doing a great job , '' Trump responded .
`` If you look at those individual statements , they 're all true .
Stay calm , it will go away -- you know that it is going away , and ... we 're going to have a great victory .
And , it 's people like you and CNN that say things like that -- it 's why people just do n't want to listen to CNN anymore .
You could ask a @ @ @ @

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl knocked his CNN counterpart Jim Acosta in his new book about covering the Trump presidency.
In his memoir "Front Row at the Trump Show," Karl claimed that Acosta was "playing into the explicit Trump strategy of portraying the press as the opposition party."
"The surest way to undermine the credibility of the White House press corps is to behave like the political opposition," Karl wrote. "Don't give speeches from the White House briefing room."
At a gathering commemorating the release of the book, Karl told The Daily Beast: “Regarding Jim Acosta, to paraphrase Voltaire, I will defend to the death his right to report from the White House, but I have some issues with the style in which he has done so... We can be tough, we can call out things that are not true, we can be aggressive in our questioning, but I don’t think we should act like we are part of the resistance.”
TRUMP SPARS WITH JIM ACOSTA AT CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING: 'THIS IS WHY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO CNN ANYMORE'
"A sub-sub theme is those of us reporters make a mistake if they appear to be too much like an opposition to the president or the resistance," Karl similarly told the Washington Free Beacon. "That's not our job. We're not the opposition party. We're supposed to report and report aggressively on the president, on any president, but not to go over the top."
Karl also serves the president of the White House Correspondents' Association.
Acosta had another clash with President Trump at Monday's coronavirus press briefing.
"What do you say to Americans who are upset with you over the way you downplayed this crisis?" Acosta asked. He referenced earlier quotes from the president, including when Trump said roughly a month ago: "It's going to disappear. One day, it's like a miracle, it will disappear."
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Acosta added, "What do you say to Americans who believe that you got this wrong?"
The president fired back.
"Well, it will go away and I do want them to stay calm, and we are doing a great job," Trump responded. "If you look at those individual statements, they're all true. Stay calm, it will go away -- you know that it is going away, and... we're going to have a great victory. And, it's people like you and CNN that say things like that -- it's why people just don't want to listen to CNN anymore. You could ask a normal question."


foxnews--2020-04-08--Storytime with Dana: 'Goldilicious'

Storytime with Dana: 'Goldilicious'

In the midst of all of these abrupt changes , with offices and schools closed during the coronavirus outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ with how to manage taking care of their children while also taking care of business @ @ @ @ @ friends who were staring into the future thinking , `` How are we going to @ @ @ @ @ had an idea of how to help : Provide a few minutes each afternoon of @ @ @ @ @ loved being read to as a child , and I remember Mrs. Laura Bush encouraging @ @ @ @ @ time routine with children as much as possible , especially during times of stress and @ @ @ @ @ parents will be able to take a breather while I try to keep their kids @ @ @ @ @ few minutes every day .
Today , I 'll be reading a very fun fantasy-themed @ @ @ @ @ by Victoria Kann , the same person who brought you `` Pinkalicious '' and `` @ @ @

In the midst of all of these abrupt changes, with offices and schools closed during the coronavirus outbreak, so many people are grappling with how to manage taking care of their children while also taking care of business.
I have lots of friends who were staring into the future thinking, "How are we going to do this?" I had an idea of how to help: Provide a few minutes each afternoon of Storytime with Dana.
I loved being read to as a child, and I remember Mrs. Laura Bush encouraging families to keep a story time routine with children as much as possible, especially during times of stress and uncertainty.
I hope that parents will be able to take a breather while I try to keep their kids occupied and entertained for a few minutes every day.
Today, I'll be reading a very fun fantasy-themed story: "Goldilicious" by Victoria Kann, the same person who brought you "Pinkalicious" and "Purplicious."


foxnews--2020-04-08--Thomas L. Miller, 'Full House,' 'Happy Days' and Broadway producer, dead at 79

Thomas L. Miller , prolific Hollywood and Broadway producer , has died at the age of 79 .
Miller died in Salisbury , Conn. , on Sunday from complications of heart disease , a spokeswoman for Miller ’ s family said on Wednesday , according to The Associated Press and other outlets .
Miller is best known for working as a producer on the hit sitcoms `` Family Matters , '' `` Laverne & Shirley , '' `` Happy Days , '' `` Full House '' and more , according to IMDb .
CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-founded several TV production companies including one with Robert L. Boyett .
In 2008 , Miller turned to Broadway , producing the musical comedy `` 13 '' and later several other productions , including `` Company '' and `` Mrs. Doubtfire , '' which were both set to open shortly after Broadway closed its doors due to the rapid spread of coronavirus .
Miller won a Tony in 2011 for his work producing `` War Horse , '' and was nominated for an Emmy in 2018 for outstanding children 's program for `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his hit `` Full House . ''
Throughout his career , Miller worked with Hollywood heavyweights such as Billy Wilder and Garry Marshall , brother of `` Laverne & Shirley '' star Penny Marshall .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Miller also dabbled in film production , as well , contributing to projects such as 1978 's `` Foul Play '' and 1982 's `` The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas . ''
The Associated Press contributed to this report

Thomas L. Miller, prolific Hollywood and Broadway producer, has died at the age of 79.
Miller died in Salisbury, Conn., on Sunday from complications of heart disease, a spokeswoman for Miller’s family said on Wednesday, according to The Associated Press and other outlets.
Miller is best known for working as a producer on the hit sitcoms "Family Matters," "Laverne & Shirley," "Happy Days," "Full House" and more, according to IMDb.
CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE DIED FROM CORONAVIRUS
According to The Hollywood Reporter, he also co-founded several TV production companies including one with Robert L. Boyett.
In 2008, Miller turned to Broadway, producing the musical comedy "13" and later several other productions, including "Company" and "Mrs. Doubtfire," which were both set to open shortly after Broadway closed its doors due to the rapid spread of coronavirus.
COMEDIAN VIC HENLEY DEAD AT 57, CELEBS PAY TRIBUTE: 'WARM SPECIAL FUNNY MAN'
Miller won a Tony in 2011 for his work producing "War Horse," and was nominated for an Emmy in 2018 for outstanding children's program for "Fuller House," the follow up to his hit "Full House."
Throughout his career, Miller worked with Hollywood heavyweights such as Billy Wilder and Garry Marshall, brother of "Laverne & Shirley" star Penny Marshall.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Miller also dabbled in film production, as well, contributing to projects such as 1978's "Foul Play" and 1982's "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."
The Associated Press contributed to this report


foxnews--2020-04-08--Biden says coronavirus could ‘eclipse’ Great Depression in economic toll

Joe Biden , the former vice president and 2020 Democrat frontrunner , said in an interview Tuesday that the coronavirus outbreak may very well `` eclipse '' what the U.S. faced during the Great Depression .
Biden was interviewed on CNN about two weeks after President Trump signed a $ 2 trillion recovery package to aid businesses affected by the outbreak and while Congress is currently considering another $ 250 billion in stimulus for small businesses .
Biden said the current economic downturn will likely be the U.S. 's `` biggest challenge in modern history '' and said he believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franklin D. Roosevelt faced during the Great Depression .
“ We have an opportunity , Chris [ Cuomo ] , to do so many things now to change some of the structural things that are wrong , ” Biden said .
“ Some of the structural things we couldn ’ t get anybody ’ s attention on .
In a sense , no pun intended , the band-aid has been ripped off here.
” CLICK FOR THE LATEST ON THE CORONAVIRUS Biden also discussed his phone call with President Trump and called it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid out what I thought he should be doing , ” Biden said .
“ I laid out four or five specific points that I thought were necessary .
I indicated that it is about taking responsibility , and being the commander in chief , taking on the responsibility .
He asked whether or not we would not discuss the detail of what we talked about , just saying that we had a good conversation .
”

Joe Biden, the former vice president and 2020 Democrat frontrunner, said in an interview Tuesday that the coronavirus outbreak may very well "eclipse" what the U.S. faced during the Great Depression.
Biden was interviewed on CNN about two weeks after President Trump signed a $2 trillion recovery package to aid businesses affected by the outbreak and while Congress is currently considering another $250 billion in stimulus for small businesses.
Biden said the current economic downturn will likely be the U.S.'s "biggest challenge in modern history" and said he believes it will “eclipse” what President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced during the Great Depression.
“We have an opportunity, Chris [Cuomo], to do so many things now to change some of the structural things that are wrong,” Biden said. “Some of the structural things we couldn’t get anybody’s attention on. In a sense, no pun intended, the band-aid has been ripped off here.”
CLICK FOR THE LATEST ON THE CORONAVIRUS
Biden also discussed his phone call with President Trump and called it a “good conversation.”
GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"I laid out what I thought he should be doing,” Biden said. “I laid out four or five specific points that I thought were necessary. I indicated that it is about taking responsibility, and being the commander in chief, taking on the responsibility. He asked whether or not we would not discuss the detail of what we talked about, just saying that we had a good conversation.”
Biden said Trump was “very gracious.”


foxnews--2020-04-08--Trump camp runs ad saying Sanders and Biden are 'more alike than you think'

President Trump ’ s 2020 reelection campaign quickly released a new ad comparing former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders shortly after Sanders announced Wednesday that he was suspending his bid for the Democratic nomination .
The six-figure ad , which campaign sources will run online as of now , claims that despite the ideological differences between Biden and Sanders , the two politicians have very similar views when it comes to taxes , immigration and health care .
“ Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden : A big government socialist and a big government liberal , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re more alike than you think.
” The ad then takes a jab at Biden for his past gaffes while on the stump , saying : “ But at least Bernie remembers his positions.
” BIDEN WANTS SANDERS TO BE PART OF 'JOURNEY' Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale quickly chimed in on Twitter , asserting that the Democratic Party worked against Sanders ' bid for the nomination .
The claim is similar to those made by President Trump -- and many Sanders supporters -- that the Democratic establishment in 2016 worked to undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee Hillary Clinton .
“ With Bernie suspending his campaign , it ’ s clear that the Dem establishment got the candidate they wanted in Sleepy Joe , ” Parscale tweeted , using Trump ’ s derogatory nickname for the former vice president .
While Biden and Sanders do share some ideological similarities , the two differ dramatically when it comes to the details on a variety of issues .
Sanders advocated for `` Medicare-for-all '' and wiping out the trillions of dollars in student loan debt , while Biden has argued for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reworking payments for graduates .
With Sanders dropping out of the race , Biden is now assured to take on Trump in November ’ s presidential election that will cast two very different worldviews against each other .
The specter of the coronavirus pandemic -- and the mixed reviews on the federal government ’ s response to it -- looks to play a crucial role in who wins the White House come November .

President Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign quickly released a new ad comparing former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders shortly after Sanders announced Wednesday that he was suspending his bid for the Democratic nomination.
The six-figure ad, which campaign sources will run online as of now, claims that despite the ideological differences between Biden and Sanders, the two politicians have very similar views when it comes to taxes, immigration and health care.
“Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden: A big government socialist and a big government liberal,” the ad says. “They’re more alike than you think.”
The ad then takes a jab at Biden for his past gaffes while on the stump, saying: “But at least Bernie remembers his positions.”
BIDEN WANTS SANDERS TO BE PART OF 'JOURNEY'
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale quickly chimed in on Twitter, asserting that the Democratic Party worked against Sanders' bid for the nomination. The claim is similar to those made by President Trump -- and many Sanders supporters -- that the Democratic establishment in 2016 worked to undermine Sanders’ campaign in favor of eventual nominee Hillary Clinton.
“With Bernie suspending his campaign, it’s clear that the Dem establishment got the candidate they wanted in Sleepy Joe,” Parscale tweeted, using Trump’s derogatory nickname for the former vice president.
LIBERAL DEM SENATOR BACKS BIDEN
While Biden and Sanders do share some ideological similarities, the two differ dramatically when it comes to the details on a variety of issues. Sanders advocated for "Medicare-for-all" and wiping out the trillions of dollars in student loan debt, while Biden has argued for an expansion of the Affordable Care Act and reworking payments for graduates.
With Sanders dropping out of the race, Biden is now assured to take on Trump in November’s presidential election that will cast two very different worldviews against each other. The specter of the coronavirus pandemic -- and the mixed reviews on the federal government’s response to it -- looks to play a crucial role in who wins the White House come November.
Fox News' Sally Persons contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-04-08--Alters, Moore & Vuong: Coronavirus fallout – hold China accountable for virus failures

Programming alert : Watch the authors discuss this topic and more on `` The Story with Martha MacCallum '' on April 8 at 7 pm EDT on Fox News Channel .
When America rang in 2020 , it was with the hopes of a new decade and new beginnings .
Few would have imagined that the new year would bring an abrupt end to much of what we take for granted in this country ; those who could have imagined what was about to unfold would have been roundly ridiculed as paranoid and in need of professional help .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in how unremarkable it seemed , banal in its mechanized festivities , gift-giving , and the family gatherings we always took for granted .
Coronavirus would change all of that .
Later in January , China rang in the year of the rat , a symbol of luck to the Chinese people , but an apt symbol of its leaders as we suffer through the consequences of their decisions .
This was a damnation that came with forewarning .
It all started when a director at Wuhan Central Hospital in China first received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the world even knew what COVID-19 was .
DANIEL HOFFMAN : CHINA AFTER CORONAVIRUS – SHOULD WE EVER TRUST BEIJING AGAIN ?
As perhaps the first person to come into contact with what came to be known as coronavirus , Dr. Ai Fen was in a unique position to kill the pandemic in its infancy .
She was also among the first to notice strong evidence of human-to-human transmission and infections , which first appeared in family groups even after the Wuhan “ wet markets ” ( the suspected origin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While these markets were allegedly shut down years ago , Wuhan authorities turned a blind eye to the ongoing operations .
Dr. Fen did what any medical professional in her position would do : raise the alarm and convince superiors to mobilize assets to strike quickly against the mysterious illness .
When dealing with infectious diseases , time is of critical importance : being “ first to the fight ” can mean the difference between containment and a global catastrophe .
Rather than empowering her to save lives , hospital leaders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; instead of being commended for doing her job , she was reprimanded for “ spreading rumors.
” Chinese authorities forced front-line health workers to stay silent about the virus , forbidding them not only from consulting with their colleagues but from mentioning that there was a problem at all .
Chinese law enforcement officials forced doctors to consult with “ experts ” at city and provincial levels when filling out infectious disease forms , preventing the collection of samples and the treatment of patients .
Rather than ordering people to stay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their way to force a picturesque lie of business as usual : social activities were encouraged , medical experts were silenced and the virus spread unchecked .
Dr. Li Wenliang , an ophthalmologist who was perhaps the pandemic ’ s most famous whistleblower , was detained , questioned and reprimanded .
He was forced to sign a form of reprimand , admitting to “ severely disrupt [ ing ] [ the ] social order , ” while police threatened him and his family with incarceration .
Li Wenliang contracted coronavirus and died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his courageous services as a medical doctor , the Chinese government tried to paint him as a communist sympathizer who sacrificed himself for the good of the nation .
The Chinese government still refuses to accept any responsibility whatsoever for its role in the greatest global health crisis of the past 50 years .
The first confirmation of coronavirus spreading from human to human was made on Jan. 3 .
This was concealed by the Chinese government until Jan. 20 , by which point coronavirus had long since made its way past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
Chinese researchers withheld the 19-genome sequence of the coronavirus for 17 days , leaving medical colleagues and health researchers around the world helpless to begin developing defenses of their own .
Even in times of global crisis , China staunchly refuses to cooperate with the rest of the world .
They continue to withhold key data and important documents needed by world health leaders .
Innocents die by the thousands , but Beijing can only be bothered to tend to its own ends and strategize how it might best spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law Group , a leading Florida-based class action law firm , has committed to fight for those citizens who have been made to suffer at the hands of China ’ s failure through a federal class-action lawsuit filed on March 12 , 2020 .
The suit rightfully claims that Beijing intentionally withheld , misrepresented and hid information about coronavirus from the world at large , and from the medical community in particular .
Those who were best equipped to deal with the outbreak were intimidated into silence .
China ’ s abhorrent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world as we know it .
Millions who once barely scraped by find themselves in the maw of very real poverty .
And let us not forget that China condones and supports exotic animal breeding and trade for the wet markets .
Animals like fruit bats harbor thousands of coronaviruses and are routinely bred for the wet market trade in conditions that allow the viruses to become more heat-resistant .
It was only a matter of time before one of the coronavirus strains became capable of infecting humans , which would then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 mortality rate being the logical outcome .
These infected animals often find their way into the very same wet markets that authorities claim were outlawed .
These same animals are then sold , exchanged and consumed .
China has allowed the exotic animal trade to flourish , again providing the perfect environment for a deadly pandemic , as the animals naturally carry the viruses and are bred under conditions that make the viruses more resilient .
The miracle of the fight against COVID-19 isn ’ t solely found in the bravery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop the virus ; the true miracle of the coronavirus is that it took this long to have a global pandemic in the first place .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER China has created a global pandemic through its own negligence , a parade of lies and a healthy dose of self-serving tyranny .
Any claim of sovereign immunity must be rendered null and void in light of the plainest of criminal intent : China has intentionally and knowingly made itself a terrorist state and must be brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to answer for the corpses they have created , the lives they have destroyed , and the world they have ruined .
Anything less would be a miscarriage of justice , an insult to the medical professionals who continue to risk their lives on a daily basis to contain Beijing ’ s microscopic bastards , and a knife in the broken heart of every innocent bereft of the loved ones they had torn away far too soon .
The initial conference in the case is set for May 1 before Judge Ursula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FOX NEWS APP Matthew Moore , lead attorney for this case and a class action litigator at Berman Law Group , has been the legal mind at the forefront of some of country ’ s largest class actions and $ 1 billion+ settlements .
Vinh Vuong is partner at Lucas Compton , a leading lobbying and public affairs firm and is chief spokesperson for this case .

Programming alert: Watch the authors discuss this topic and more on "The Story with Martha MacCallum" on April 8 at 7 pm EDT on Fox News Channel.
When America rang in 2020, it was with the hopes of a new decade and new beginnings. Few would have imagined that the new year would bring an abrupt end to much of what we take for granted in this country; those who could have imagined what was about to unfold would have been roundly ridiculed as paranoid and in need of professional help. The preceding holiday season had been remarkable only in how unremarkable it seemed, banal in its mechanized festivities, gift-giving, and the family gatherings we always took for granted.
Coronavirus would change all of that. Later in January, China rang in the year of the rat, a symbol of luck to the Chinese people, but an apt symbol of its leaders as we suffer through the consequences of their decisions. This was a damnation that came with forewarning.
It all started when a director at Wuhan Central Hospital in China first received reports of a SARS-like disease weeks before the rest of the world even knew what COVID-19 was.
DANIEL HOFFMAN: CHINA AFTER CORONAVIRUS – SHOULD WE EVER TRUST BEIJING AGAIN?
As perhaps the first person to come into contact with what came to be known as coronavirus, Dr. Ai Fen was in a unique position to kill the pandemic in its infancy. She was also among the first to notice strong evidence of human-to-human transmission and infections, which first appeared in family groups even after the Wuhan “wet markets” (the suspected origin of the disease) were shut down. While these markets were allegedly shut down years ago, Wuhan authorities turned a blind eye to the ongoing operations.
Dr. Fen did what any medical professional in her position would do: raise the alarm and convince superiors to mobilize assets to strike quickly against the mysterious illness. When dealing with infectious diseases, time is of critical importance: being “first to the fight” can mean the difference between containment and a global catastrophe.
Rather than empowering her to save lives, hospital leaders and health commission officials ordered Dr. Fen censured; instead of being commended for doing her job, she was reprimanded for “spreading rumors.” Chinese authorities forced front-line health workers to stay silent about the virus, forbidding them not only from consulting with their colleagues but from mentioning that there was a problem at all.
Chinese law enforcement officials forced doctors to consult with “experts” at city and provincial levels when filling out infectious disease forms, preventing the collection of samples and the treatment of patients. Rather than ordering people to stay in their homes, local governments went out of their way to force a picturesque lie of business as usual: social activities were encouraged, medical experts were silenced and the virus spread unchecked.
Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist who was perhaps the pandemic’s most famous whistleblower, was detained, questioned and reprimanded. He was forced to sign a form of reprimand, admitting to “severely disrupt[ing] [the] social order,” while police threatened him and his family with incarceration.
Li Wenliang contracted coronavirus and died shortly thereafter. To show their gratitude for his courageous services as a medical doctor, the Chinese government tried to paint him as a communist sympathizer who sacrificed himself for the good of the nation. The Chinese government still refuses to accept any responsibility whatsoever for its role in the greatest global health crisis of the past 50 years.
Berman Law Group, a leading Florida-based class action law firm, has committed to fight for those citizens who have been made to suffer at the hands of China’s failure through a federal class-action lawsuit filed on March 12, 2020.
The first confirmation of coronavirus spreading from human to human was made on Jan. 3. This was concealed by the Chinese government until Jan. 20, by which point coronavirus had long since made its way past Chinese borders and into the rest of the world. Chinese researchers withheld the 19-genome sequence of the coronavirus for 17 days, leaving medical colleagues and health researchers around the world helpless to begin developing defenses of their own.
Even in times of global crisis, China staunchly refuses to cooperate with the rest of the world. They continue to withhold key data and important documents needed by world health leaders. Innocents die by the thousands, but Beijing can only be bothered to tend to its own ends and strategize how it might best spread its poison throughout the world.
That ends now.
Berman Law Group, a leading Florida-based class action law firm, has committed to fight for those citizens who have been made to suffer at the hands of China’s failure through a federal class-action lawsuit filed on March 12, 2020. The suit rightfully claims that Beijing intentionally withheld, misrepresented and hid information about coronavirus from the world at large, and from the medical community in particular. Those who were best equipped to deal with the outbreak were intimidated into silence. China’s abhorrent, intentional acts and omissions have virtually destroyed the world as we know it. Millions who once barely scraped by find themselves in the maw of very real poverty.
And let us not forget that China condones and supports exotic animal breeding and trade for the wet markets. Animals like fruit bats harbor thousands of coronaviruses and are routinely bred for the wet market trade in conditions that allow the viruses to become more heat-resistant. It was only a matter of time before one of the coronavirus strains became capable of infecting humans, which would then be rapidly transmitted between people, with the COVID-19 mortality rate being the logical outcome.
These infected animals often find their way into the very same wet markets that authorities claim were outlawed. These same animals are then sold, exchanged and consumed. China has allowed the exotic animal trade to flourish, again providing the perfect environment for a deadly pandemic, as the animals naturally carry the viruses and are bred under conditions that make the viruses more resilient. The miracle of the fight against COVID-19 isn’t solely found in the bravery and tireless efforts of medical researchers desperate to stop the virus; the true miracle of the coronavirus is that it took this long to have a global pandemic in the first place.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER
China has created a global pandemic through its own negligence, a parade of lies and a healthy dose of self-serving tyranny. Any claim of sovereign immunity must be rendered null and void in light of the plainest of criminal intent: China has intentionally and knowingly made itself a terrorist state and must be brought to justice accordingly. Beijing must be forced to answer for the corpses they have created, the lives they have destroyed, and the world they have ruined. Anything less would be a miscarriage of justice, an insult to the medical professionals who continue to risk their lives on a daily basis to contain Beijing’s microscopic bastards, and a knife in the broken heart of every innocent bereft of the loved ones they had torn away far too soon.
The initial conference in the case is set for May 1 before Judge Ursula Ungaro.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Matthew Moore, lead attorney for this case and a class action litigator at Berman Law Group, has been the legal mind at the forefront of some of country’s largest class actions and $1 billion+ settlements.
Vinh Vuong is partner at Lucas Compton, a leading lobbying and public affairs firm and is chief spokesperson for this case.


foxnews--2020-04-08--NYT’s Tom Friedman suggests Biden ‘unity cabinet,’ part Dem, part GOP; liberals freak out

It ’ s probably no surprise that New York Times columnist Tom Friedman has been imagining a Joe Biden victory for the White House in November .
But what had some liberals freaking out Tuesday was Friedman ’ s suggestion that Biden , if elected , form a “ unity cabinet , ” composed of both Democrats and Republicans .
The coronavirus outbreak provides the perfect opportunity to renew a bipartisan spirit in the U.S. after years of partisan acrimony , Friedman argued .
In his essay , Friedman suggested Biden hire Democrats such as Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( homeland security secretary ) ; and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass .
( overseer of trillions in coronavirus relief funding ) .
He also proposed that Biden select several Republicans : Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah ( secretary of state ) ; Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ( budget director ) ; and former Bush administration member Andy Karsner ( energy secretary ) .
For treasury secretary , Friedman suggested former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who ’ s been a Republican and a Democrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Considering all the people who have come together in this crisis to tend to neighbors , contribute to hospitals , share scarce resources and learn from one another how to combat Covid-19 , ” Friedman wrote , “ would it be asking too much for our political system to mirror the best in us rather than to continue to exacerbate the worst ?
” But many liberals reacting on Twitter apparently thought it would be asking too much .
“ I ’ m normally a fan of Tom Friedman , ” U.S. Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter , “ but this list of an ideal Democratic cabinet seems to be mainly a list of speakers at Davos and Aspen .
“ Maybe the elites who benefit most from the status quo shouldn ’ t be put on charge of changing the status quo.
” “ No , @ tomfriedman .
If @ JoeBiden wins the election , we don ’ t want him to form a ‘ national unity cabinet ’ w/ Republicans , ” wrote Fernand R. Armani , host of the Miami-based “ Strange Days ” podcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP is fit to serve in American life again after the party ’ s treasonous complicity in support of Trump.
” Bernie Sanders aide David Sirota mocked Friedman by supplying his own version of Friedman 's proposed Biden cabinet , one that included both real-life and fictional characters .
“ Coronavirus means we need a unity cabinet of Jamie Dimon at Treasury , Martin Shkreli at HHS , Jeff Bezos at Homeland Security , Lex Luthir at NSA , Darth Vader at CIA , Bif Tannan at Commerce & literally Jason from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sirota wrote , adding , “ I ’ m Tom Friedman pay me for this column.
” Liberal intelligence expert and author Malcolm Nance noted that Friedman ’ s choices were predominantly white , adding “ @ JoeBiden better choose @ KamalaHarris for VP or there won ’ t be a Dem cabinet.
” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In February , Friedman called on Democrats to convene a “ gathering ” of party “ elders , ” such as former President Barack Obama , to combat a “ surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
( Sanders has since suffered a series of primary losses to Biden , then both candidates have been largely sidelined by the coronavirus shutdown of most campaign activity .

It’s probably no surprise that New York Times columnist Tom Friedman has been imagining a Joe Biden victory for the White House in November.
But what had some liberals freaking out Tuesday was Friedman’s suggestion that Biden, if elected, form a “unity cabinet,” composed of both Democrats and Republicans.
The coronavirus outbreak provides the perfect opportunity to renew a bipartisan spirit in the U.S. after years of partisan acrimony, Friedman argued.
NEW YORK TIMES DEFENDS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT TRUMP CALLED 'A THIRD-RATE REPORTER'
In his essay, Friedman suggested Biden hire Democrats such as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (vice president); New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (homeland security secretary); and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. (overseer of trillions in coronavirus relief funding).
He also proposed that Biden select several Republicans: Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah (secretary of state); Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (budget director); and former Bush administration member Andy Karsner (energy secretary).
For treasury secretary, Friedman suggested former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who’s been a Republican and a Democrat, as well as an independent.
“Considering all the people who have come together in this crisis to tend to neighbors, contribute to hospitals, share scarce resources and learn from one another how to combat Covid-19,” Friedman wrote, “would it be asking too much for our political system to mirror the best in us rather than to continue to exacerbate the worst?”
“Would it be asking too much for our political system to mirror the best in us rather than to continue to exacerbate the worst?” — Tom Friedman, New York Times
But many liberals reacting on Twitter apparently thought it would be asking too much.
“I’m normally a fan of Tom Friedman,” U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote on Twitter, “but this list of an ideal Democratic cabinet seems to be mainly a list of speakers at Davos and Aspen.
“Maybe the elites who benefit most from the status quo shouldn’t be put on charge of changing the status quo.”
“No, @tomfriedman. If @JoeBiden wins the election, we don’t want him to form a ‘national unity cabinet’ w/ Republicans,” wrote Fernand R. Armani, host of the Miami-based “Strange Days” podcast. “No member of this disgraced @GOP is fit to serve in American life again after the party’s treasonous complicity in support of Trump.”
Bernie Sanders aide David Sirota mocked Friedman by supplying his own version of Friedman's proposed Biden cabinet, one that included both real-life and fictional characters.
“Coronavirus means we need a unity cabinet of Jamie Dimon at Treasury, Martin Shkreli at HHS, Jeff Bezos at Homeland Security, Lex Luthir at NSA, Darth Vader at CIA, Bif Tannan at Commerce & literally Jason from Friday the 13th at Defense,” Sirota wrote, adding, “I’m Tom Friedman pay me for this column.”
Liberal intelligence expert and author Malcolm Nance noted that Friedman’s choices were predominantly white, adding “@JoeBiden better choose @KamalaHarris for VP or there won’t be a Dem cabinet.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In February, Friedman called on Democrats to convene a “gathering” of party “elders,” such as former President Barack Obama, to combat a “surge” in support for Bernie Sanders at the time. (Sanders has since suffered a series of primary losses to Biden, then both candidates have been largely sidelined by the coronavirus shutdown of most campaign activity.


foxnews--2020-04-08--Polls suggest public approval of Trump’s job combating coronavirus fading

President Trump has repeatedly praised the federal government ’ s response to the coronavirus crisis .
“ Everybody is amazed at the job we ’ re doing , ” Trump touted at Monday ’ s White House briefing .
“ And the public is starting to find out.
” THE LATEST FROM FOX NEWS ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC But the president ’ s comments don ’ t seem to square with new national polling .
Fifty-four percent of Americans questioned in a new national survey from Monmouth University said the federal government ’ s measures have not gone far enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
That ’ s up 9 percentage points from a month ago .
Just 35 percent said the federal government ’ s measures have been appropriate , down from 47 percent in March .
The survey , released Wednesday , also indicates that 55 percent said the federal government ’ s not doing enough to help states hard hit by the pandemic , with 37 percent saying Washington is doing enough .
“ Most Americans disagree with the Trump administration ’ s position that the federal government is a backup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to view this as a national crisis that requires a national response on par with the aggressive approach taken by the states , ” Monmouth University Polling Institute director Patrick Murray highlighted .
A CNN national poll also released Wednesday showed that 41 percent think the federal government ’ s doing a good job of preventing the spread of the virus .
That ’ s down 7 points from late last month .
Fifty-five percent rated Washington ’ s response as poor , up 8 points .
A third national poll released on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump hasn ’ t acted with enough force in combating the coronavirus .
Fifty-five percent of registered voters questioned in a Quinnipiac University survey said that the president had not acted aggressively enough in responding to the crisis , with 41 percent saying he response has been about right and 2 percent saying Trump ’ s been too aggressive .
CORONAVIRUS : WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWN Forty-six percent of those questioned in the Monmouth poll said the president ’ s done a good job dealing with the pandemic , with 49 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad job .
In a Monmouth survey from two weeks earlier , half of those questioned said Trump was doing a good job and 45 percent gave him a thumbs down .
The president ’ s approval rating on handling the coronavirus is also slightly underwater in the Quinnipiac poll , at 46 percent approval and 51 percent disapproval .
By comparison , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , earned a 78 percent approval rating , with just 7 percent disapproving of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York – the state hardest hit by the pandemic – stood at 59-17 percent approval-disapproval in the Quinnipiac poll .

President Trump has repeatedly praised the federal government’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
“Everybody is amazed at the job we’re doing,” Trump touted at Monday’s White House briefing. “And the public is starting to find out.”
THE LATEST FROM FOX NEWS ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
But the president’s comments don’t seem to square with new national polling.
Fifty-four percent of Americans questioned in a new national survey from Monmouth University said the federal government’s measures have not gone far enough to slow the spread of the virus across the country. That’s up 9 percentage points from a month ago. Just 35 percent said the federal government’s measures have been appropriate, down from 47 percent in March.
The survey, released Wednesday, also indicates that 55 percent said the federal government’s not doing enough to help states hard hit by the pandemic, with 37 percent saying Washington is doing enough.
“Most Americans disagree with the Trump administration’s position that the federal government is a backup to the states. The public seems to view this as a national crisis that requires a national response on par with the aggressive approach taken by the states,” Monmouth University Polling Institute director Patrick Murray highlighted.
A CNN national poll also released Wednesday showed that 41 percent think the federal government’s doing a good job of preventing the spread of the virus. That’s down 7 points from late last month. Fifty-five percent rated Washington’s response as poor, up 8 points.
A third national poll released on Wednesday suggests that a majority feel that President Trump hasn’t acted with enough force in combating the coronavirus. Fifty-five percent of registered voters questioned in a Quinnipiac University survey said that the president had not acted aggressively enough in responding to the crisis, with 41 percent saying he response has been about right and 2 percent saying Trump’s been too aggressive.
CORONAVIRUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWN
Forty-six percent of those questioned in the Monmouth poll said the president’s done a good job dealing with the pandemic, with 49 percent saying he’s done a bad job. In a Monmouth survey from two weeks earlier, half of those questioned said Trump was doing a good job and 45 percent gave him a thumbs down.
The president’s approval rating on handling the coronavirus is also slightly underwater in the Quinnipiac poll, at 46 percent approval and 51 percent disapproval.
By comparison, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, earned a 78 percent approval rating, with just 7 percent disapproving of his performance.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York – the state hardest hit by the pandemic – stood at 59-17 percent approval-disapproval in the Quinnipiac poll.


foxnews--2020-04-08--Gigantic hole opens in ozone layer over the Arctic

A rare and very large hole has opened up in the ozone layer over the Arctic .
Scientists blame low temperatures in the atmosphere above the north pole for the occurence , which they 've been tracking over the past several days .
However , experts expect the hole to disappear in the coming weeks and probably wo n't pose any problems for humans .
`` It 's the unusual temperatures this year that led to unusual levels of polar stratospheric clouds , which led to unusual ozone depletion , '' Paul Newman , chief scientist for earth sciences at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greenbelt , Md.
, told NBC News .
INSECT EXTINCTIONS THREATEN OUR WAY OF LIFE , SCIENTISTS WARN The hole is not related to the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns that have caused air pollution to plummet dramatically and lowered greenhouse gas emissions .
“ The hole is principally a geophysical curiosity , ” Vincent-Henri Peuch , director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service , explained to The Guardian .
“ We monitored unusual dynamic conditions , which drive the process of chemical depletion of ozone .
[ Those dynamics ] allowed for lower temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Arctic , which then triggered the formation of polar stratospheric clouds and the catalytic destruction of ozone.
” According to The Guardian 's report , it 's too soon to determine if the stable Arctic polar vortex conditions are related to global warming or part of normal stratospheric weather variability .

A rare and very large hole has opened up in the ozone layer over the Arctic.
Scientists blame low temperatures in the atmosphere above the north pole for the occurence, which they've been tracking over the past several days.
However, experts expect the hole to disappear in the coming weeks and probably won't pose any problems for humans.
"It's the unusual temperatures this year that led to unusual levels of polar stratospheric clouds, which led to unusual ozone depletion," Paul Newman, chief scientist for earth sciences at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., told NBC News.
HOW BIG DATA HELPS RESEARCHERS PROTECT THE HIGH SEAS' BIODIVERSITY
INSECT EXTINCTIONS THREATEN OUR WAY OF LIFE, SCIENTISTS WARN
The hole is not related to the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns that have caused air pollution to plummet dramatically and lowered greenhouse gas emissions.
“The hole is principally a geophysical curiosity,” Vincent-Henri Peuch, director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, explained to The Guardian. “We monitored unusual dynamic conditions, which drive the process of chemical depletion of ozone. [Those dynamics] allowed for lower temperatures and a more stable vortex than usual over the Arctic, which then triggered the formation of polar stratospheric clouds and the catalytic destruction of ozone.”
According to The Guardian's report, it's too soon to determine if the stable Arctic polar vortex conditions are related to global warming or part of normal stratospheric weather variability.
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foxnews--2020-05-07--San Francisco COVID-19 testing reveals stark burden on the poor and marginalized

A COVID-19 mass testing effort within San Francisco 's Mission District — which aimed to broadly test individuals regardless of symptoms — found stark inequalities in how the virus is affecting different groups .
About 95 % of the people who tested positive were Latino , and the vast majority could not work from home .
Not a single white person tested positive , despite making up about a third of the people who were tested .
The findings highlight just how hard it is to avoid the virus if you can not shelter in place or work from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents and workers who participated in the study in late April tested positive for the disease .
Only about half of those who tested positive reported having symptoms of COVID-19 .
The findings suggest that `` active infections are not evenly distributed across the community , '' study researcher Dr. Diane Havlir , a professor of medicine and chief of the HIV/AIDS Division at the University of California , San Francisco , said in a news briefing on Monday ( May 4 ) .
Low-wage essential workers in the Latino community were most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those people worked in construction or in the food and beverage industry , according to the study .
`` Hopefully , with this data we can respond and start putting resources to work towards more equity in supporting this highly impacted community , '' Havlir said in a statement .
The study focused on a particularly densely populated census tract in the Mission District , which has 5,700 residents , about 58 % percent of whom are Latino .
Over a 4-day testing period beginning on April 25 , the researchers tested 2,959 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who worked in the area , as well as 800 people who lived in the next census tract over , and 401 school teachers and other volunteers who worked in the neighborhood .
Among the 2,959 residents and workers , 2.1 % tested positive for COVID-19 .
Those who worked in the census tract , but did n't live there , were even more likely to test positive , with 6.1 % of workers testing positive versus 1.4 % of residents .
Among those living in the blocks nearby ( but not officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % tested positive .
The overwhelming majority of those who tested positive were Latino , and 75 % were men .
Nine out of 10 of these people said they could not work from home .
That compares with 57 % of the overall sample of workers and residents who reported not being able to work from home .
Not being able to `` shelter in place '' at home may put people at greater risk of exposure to the infection .
In addition , about 89 % of those who tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though this group made up just 39 % of the overall sample .
`` The virus exploits preexisting vulnerabilities in our society , '' Havlir said .
`` Our community-based screening study emphasizes how high infection risk continues to be for this population . ''
Related : Can antibody tests tell if you 're immune to COVID-19 ?
Among those who tested positive , only 47 % reported symptoms , including cough , muscle aches and fever , while the rest reported no symptoms .
Few of those who tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the screening project worked to connect those who tested positive with appropriate medical care .
The findings have limitations .
The researchers tested only an estimated 55 % of residents of the census tract .
Some residents may have avoided testing due to fear of needing to isolate or quarantine , fear of being tracked by government agencies , or fear of negative impact on local businesses if the neighborhood were to be labeled as a COVID-19 hotspot , Havlir said .
It 's unclear how well the findings translate to the San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the researchers suspect that infection rates are higher in this area due to socioeconomic factors that contribute to the spread of the virus ( such as those with lower incomes needing to work outside the home and sharing households with more members . )
However , `` the findings here do n't mean that the Mission is a less safe place to be than anywhere else , '' said Dr. Susan Philip , director of Disease Prevention and Control for San Francisco Department of Public Health .
Everyone needs to take precautions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
The researchers plan to conduct repeat COVID-19 testing in this same census tract in three month and again in six months , which will help researchers assess whether interventions to reduce the spread are working .
The researchers also hope to expand this mass testing to other San Francisco neighborhoods .
The team also conducted antibody testing , which show a past infection with COVID-19 , but those results wo n't be available for a few more weeks .
The Mission screening project , known as Unidos En @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community organizers in the Latino Task Force for COVID-19 , UCSF researchers , the City and County of San Francisco , and the San Francisco Department of Public Health ( DPH ) .
• 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history

Researchers conduct COVID-19 testing in Garfield Park, San Francisco as part of a mass testing effort in part of the city's Mission District neighborhood.
A COVID-19 mass testing effort within San Francisco's Mission District — which aimed to broadly test individuals regardless of symptoms — found stark inequalities in how the virus is affecting different groups. About 95% of the people who tested positive were Latino, and the vast majority could not work from home. Not a single white person tested positive, despite making up about a third of the people who were tested.
The findings highlight just how hard it is to avoid the virus if you cannot shelter in place or work from home.
Overall, about 2% of residents and workers who participated in the study in late April tested positive for the disease. Only about half of those who tested positive reported having symptoms of COVID-19 .
The findings suggest that "active infections are not evenly distributed across the community," study researcher Dr. Diane Havlir, a professor of medicine and chief of the HIV/AIDS Division at the University of California, San Francisco, said in a news briefing on Monday (May 4). Low-wage essential workers in the Latino community were most affected, she said. Many of those people worked in construction or in the food and beverage industry, according to the study.
"Hopefully, with this data we can respond and start putting resources to work towards more equity in supporting this highly impacted community," Havlir said in a statement .
Collection of nasal swab samples for COVID-19 testing in Garfield Park, San Francisco. (Image credit: Mike Kai Chen, courtesy of the University of California, San Francisco.)
The study focused on a particularly densely populated census tract in the Mission District, which has 5,700 residents, about 58% percent of whom are Latino.
Over a 4-day testing period beginning on April 25, the researchers tested 2,959 residents of the census tract and people who worked in the area, as well as 800 people who lived in the next census tract over, and 401 school teachers and other volunteers who worked in the neighborhood.
Among the 2,959 residents and workers, 2.1% tested positive for COVID-19. Those who worked in the census tract, but didn't live there, were even more likely to test positive, with 6.1% of workers testing positive versus 1.4% of residents.
Among those living in the blocks nearby (but not officially in the census tract), 1.4% tested positive.
The overwhelming majority of those who tested positive were Latino, and 75% were men.
Nine out of 10 of these people said they could not work from home. That compares with 57% of the overall sample of workers and residents who reported not being able to work from home. Not being able to "shelter in place" at home may put people at greater risk of exposure to the infection.
In addition, about 89% of those who tested positive made less than $50,000 a year, even though this group made up just 39% of the overall sample.
"The virus exploits preexisting vulnerabilities in our society," Havlir said. "Our community-based screening study emphasizes how high infection risk continues to be for this population."
Related: Can antibody tests tell if you're immune to COVID-19?
Among those who tested positive, only 47% reported symptoms, including cough, muscle aches and fever, while the rest reported no symptoms.
Few of those who tested positive had a primary care doctor, and the screening project worked to connect those who tested positive with appropriate medical care.
The findings have limitations. The researchers tested only an estimated 55% of residents of the census tract. Some residents may have avoided testing due to fear of needing to isolate or quarantine, fear of being tracked by government agencies, or fear of negative impact on local businesses if the neighborhood were to be labeled as a COVID-19 hotspot, Havlir said.
It's unclear how well the findings translate to the San Francisco population as a whole, although the researchers suspect that infection rates are higher in this area due to socioeconomic factors that contribute to the spread of the virus (such as those with lower incomes needing to work outside the home and sharing households with more members.)
However, "the findings here don't mean that the Mission is a less safe place to be than anywhere else," said Dr. Susan Philip, director of Disease Prevention and Control for San Francisco Department of Public Health. Everyone needs to take precautions, including social distancing , to reduce the spread of the virus.
The researchers plan to conduct repeat COVID-19 testing in this same census tract in three month and again in six months, which will help researchers assess whether interventions to reduce the spread are working. The researchers also hope to expand this mass testing to other San Francisco neighborhoods.
The team also conducted antibody testing, which show a past infection with COVID-19, but those results won't be available for a few more weeks.
The Mission screening project, known as Unidos En Salud, is a partnership between Mission community organizers in the Latino Task Force for COVID-19, UCSF researchers, the City and County of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH).