foxnews--2020-05-21--Rand Paul says Fauci's policies ‘emasculated’ medical care system, ‘ruined’ economy

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Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , along with Rep. Andy Biggs , R-Ariz. , said in an op-ed Thursday that the coronavirus lockdown recommendations of Dr. Anthony Fauci have “ emasculated ” the health care system and “ ruined ” the economy .
“ Fauci and company have relied on models that were later found to be deficient .
He even has suggested that he can ’ t rely on any of the models , especially if the underlying assumptions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an op-ed for USA Today .
“ Yet , Fauci persists in advocating policies that have emasculated the medical care system and ruined the economy.
” They pointed to Fauci 's testimony last week before a Senate committee that opening too soon would “ result in needless suffering and death.
” “ What about the countless stories of needless suffering and death produced by Fauci ’ s one-size-fits-all approach to public health ?
” Paul and Biggs shot back .
They called for policies based on trusting the risk assessment of the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Freedom allows us to judge the risk and reward and determine a course we think best , ” the lawmakers wrote .
“ If we feel going to a certain retailer , barbershop , restaurant , or some other business is risky , we have the judgment to decide to not go there .
If we want to stay home , we can.
” 'DR .
FAUCI , WE 'D LIKE A SECOND OPINION ' : JOB CREATORS NETWORK CRIES FOUL ON LOCKDOWNS Fauci , the director of the National Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early prominent face in the White House Coronavirus Task Force , testified before the Senate on May 12 that reopening the economy before certain `` checkpoints '' set up in the Trump administration 's coronavirus recovery plan are met could bring `` suffering and death '' and “ turn the clock backwards.
” He called out the effects of reopening schools too early , in particular .
`` Depending on the dynamics of an outbreak in a particular region , state , city or area , that would really determine the speed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or reopen , '' Fauci said .
`` If some areas – cities states or what have you – jump over those barriers , checkpoints and prematurely open up without having the capability of being able to respond effectively , and efficiently , my concern is that we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks . ''
Fauci resisted pressure to rip on the Trump administration 's response to the pandemic in his planned remarks , instead emphasizing efforts by the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight the coronavirus .
Paul got into a dustup with Fauci during the testimony over his call for caution with reopening schools .
RAND PAUL DINGS FAUCI TESTIMONY , TELLS HIM 'YOU ARE NOT THE END ALL' '' The history of this will be wrong prediction after wrong prediction after wrong prediction , '' Paul said , mentioning , among several other examples , Sweden , which left its schools open .
`` I do n't think you 're an end-all , I do n't think you 're the one person that gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have never made myself out to be the end-all and only voice in this , '' Fauci responded .
`` I 'm a scientist , a physician and a public health official .
I give advice , according to the best scientific evidence . ''
He emphasized that he only gives advice about public health , not `` economic things . ''
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP Fauci , during that hearing , continued emphasizing that it is not clear children are generally immune from the harmful effects of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what we do n't know .
And I think that falls under the fact that we do n't know everything about this virus , and we really got to be very careful , particularly when it comes to children .
Because the more and more we learn , we 're seeing things about what this virus can do that we did n't see from the studies in China or in Europe . ''

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., along with Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said in an op-ed Thursday that the coronavirus lockdown recommendations of Dr. Anthony Fauci have “emasculated” the health care system and “ruined” the economy.
“Fauci and company have relied on models that were later found to be deficient. He even has suggested that he can’t rely on any of the models, especially if the underlying assumptions are wrong,” the pair wrote in an op-ed for USA Today. “Yet, Fauci persists in advocating policies that have emasculated the medical care system and ruined the economy.”
They pointed to Fauci's testimony last week before a Senate committee that opening too soon would “result in needless suffering and death.” “What about the countless stories of needless suffering and death produced by Fauci’s one-size-fits-all approach to public health?” Paul and Biggs shot back.
They called for policies based on trusting the risk assessment of the American people rather than a federal government mandate.
“Freedom allows us to judge the risk and reward and determine a course we think best,” the lawmakers wrote. “If we feel going to a certain retailer, barbershop, restaurant, or some other business is risky, we have the judgment to decide to not go there. If we want to stay home, we can.”
'DR. FAUCI, WE'D LIKE A SECOND OPINION': JOB CREATORS NETWORK CRIES FOUL ON LOCKDOWNS
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and an early prominent face in the White House Coronavirus Task Force, testified before the Senate on May 12 that reopening the economy before certain "checkpoints" set up in the Trump administration's coronavirus recovery plan are met could bring "suffering and death" and “turn the clock backwards.” He called out the effects of reopening schools too early, in particular.
"Depending on the dynamics of an outbreak in a particular region, state, city or area, that would really determine the speed and the pace with which one does reenter or reopen," Fauci said. "If some areas – cities states or what have you – jump over those barriers, checkpoints and prematurely open up without having the capability of being able to respond effectively, and efficiently, my concern is that we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks."
Fauci resisted pressure to rip on the Trump administration's response to the pandemic in his planned remarks, instead emphasizing efforts by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop vaccines and other medical means to fight the coronavirus.
Paul got into a dustup with Fauci during the testimony over his call for caution with reopening schools.
RAND PAUL DINGS FAUCI TESTIMONY, TELLS HIM 'YOU ARE NOT THE END ALL'
"The history of this will be wrong prediction after wrong prediction after wrong prediction," Paul said, mentioning, among several other examples, Sweden, which left its schools open. "I don't think you're an end-all, I don't think you're the one person that gets to make a decision."
"I have never made myself out to be the end-all and only voice in this," Fauci responded. "I'm a scientist, a physician and a public health official. I give advice, according to the best scientific evidence."
He emphasized that he only gives advice about public health, not "economic things."
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
Fauci, during that hearing, continued emphasizing that it is not clear children are generally immune from the harmful effects of the coronavirus: "We should be humble about what we don't know. And I think that falls under the fact that we don't know everything about this virus, and we really got to be very careful, particularly when it comes to children. Because the more and more we learn, we're seeing things about what this virus can do that we didn't see from the studies in China or in Europe."


foxnews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus survivor had to have pandemic explained to him after coma, daughter says

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A coronavirus patient in the U.K. who was in an induced coma for four weeks and placed on a ventilator had to have the pandemic explained to him when he woke up , his family said .
Brian Harvey , 69 , first came down with an illness and was admitted to Bristol Royal Infirmary in March , according to SWNS .
The following day , he was placed in an induced coma , and wasn ’ t diagnosed with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outlet .
“ Dad was in a coma for four weeks , and he didn ’ t respond for another week , ” Faye Stapleton , Harvey ’ s daughter , told SWNS .
“ We had a horrific phone call from the doctor , where they were going to send him for brain scans .
He was on a ventilator when they tried to wake him up .
It ’ s been heart-wrenching.
” GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS CASES SURPASS 5 MILLION AS EXPERTS NOTICE NEW TREND IN TRANSMISSION Harvey didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of the crisis that had unfolded while he was in a coma .
The U.K. has seen over 248,000 cases of coronavirus , and more than 35,700 deaths .
In Bristol , where there have been nearly 700 cases , schools were closed , waste services were suspended , and life as he had known it had shut down while he was sick .
“ He didn ’ t even know about coronavirus when he woke up , ” Stapleton told SWNS .
“ We had to explain to him that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that everything was shut.
” Harvey , who was dubbed “ Teflon Man ” by staffers who were helping to care for him , started battling to get his health back and is now undergoing physical therapy to help him regain his strength .
His daughter said when he FaceTimed family members , he was confused as to why they were so upset .
Patients who are 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions are considered to be most at risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 .
The Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests these populations stay home if possible , wash hands often and keep 6-feet between themselves and others .
“ I don ’ t think any of the [ nurses ] thought he was going to make it , ” she told SWNS .
“ The ICU nurse who saw him at the start said to him : ‘ You ’ re made of strong stuff — you ’ re like Teflon.
’ ” Stapleton said her father contracted another infection in his heart that will take several more weeks to recover from @

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A coronavirus patient in the U.K. who was in an induced coma for four weeks and placed on a ventilator had to have the pandemic explained to him when he woke up, his family said. Brian Harvey, 69, first came down with an illness and was admitted to Bristol Royal Infirmary in March, according to SWNS.
The following day, he was placed in an induced coma, and wasn’t diagnosed with COVID-19 until several days later, according to the outlet.
“Dad was in a coma for four weeks, and he didn’t respond for another week,” Faye Stapleton, Harvey’s daughter, told SWNS. “We had a horrific phone call from the doctor, where they were going to send him for brain scans. He was on a ventilator when they tried to wake him up. It’s been heart-wrenching.”
GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS CASES SURPASS 5 MILLION AS EXPERTS NOTICE NEW TREND IN TRANSMISSION
Harvey didn’t realize he had COVID-19 nor the full extent of the crisis that had unfolded while he was in a coma. The U.K. has seen over 248,000 cases of coronavirus, and more than 35,700 deaths. In Bristol, where there have been nearly 700 cases, schools were closed, waste services were suspended, and life as he had known it had shut down while he was sick.
“He didn’t even know about coronavirus when he woke up,” Stapleton told SWNS. “We had to explain to him that there was a virus out there, explain that everything was shut.”
CORONAVIRUS STATS UNDERSCORE HOW DISEASE TAKES DISPROPORTIONATE TOLL ON ELDERLY, LARGELY SPARES YOUNGER AMERICANS
Harvey, who was dubbed “Teflon Man” by staffers who were helping to care for him, started battling to get his health back and is now undergoing physical therapy to help him regain his strength. His daughter said when he FaceTimed family members, he was confused as to why they were so upset.
Patients who are 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions are considered to be most at risk for severe illness due to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests these populations stay home if possible, wash hands often and keep 6-feet between themselves and others.
“I don’t think any of the [nurses] thought he was going to make it,” she told SWNS. “The ICU nurse who saw him at the start said to him: ‘You’re made of strong stuff — you’re like Teflon.’”
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Stapleton said her father contracted another infection in his heart that will take several more weeks to recover from.


foxnews--2020-05-21--Swollen Michigan river crests as Whitmer, officials warn flood danger isn't over yet

Following a state of emergency declaration from Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday due to flash flooding , state officials are warning residents to remain vigilant as more danger might still lie ahead .
Whitmer issued a state of emergency for Midland County after two dams were breached in the area , forcing the evacuation of about 10,000 people in mid-Michigan .
“ If you have not evacuated the area , do so now and get somewhere safe , ” she said late Tuesday night .
“ This is unlike anything we ’ ve seen in Midland County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ following widespread rainfall of four to seven inches since Sunday , according to the National Weather Service .
Heavy runoff began to push rivers higher , Fox 2 reported .
The Tittabawassee River topped a 1986 record of 33.9 feet and is expected to crest at about 38 feet .
Floodwaters surged through Central Michigan on Wednesday and were beginning to mix with containment ponds at a Dow Chemical plant , which could end up displacing sediment from an Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) Superfund site , according to The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no risk to people or the environment .
They claimed the ponds only hold water and that there were no chemical releases from the plant .
WHITMER ISSUED A STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER 2 DAMS WERE BREACHED IN MIDLAND COUNTY After flooding recedes , Dow will be legally required to assess the Superfund site to see if , in fact , any contaminants were released , The AP reported .
Whitmer warned that the flooding could reach unprecedented levels as the crisis continues .
`` We are anticipating a historic high of water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Residents in Edenville and Sanford counties were told by local law enforcement to evacuate .
Both south and west sides of the city of Midland were evacuated , as well as the village of Sanford and the Dow Chemical plant .
Officials are in the process of evacuating Tittabawassee Township , Thomas Township and Saginaw Township .
No injuries or fatalities related to the flooding have been reported , according to Midland spokeswoman Selina Tisdale .
In Edenville , Bob Yahrmarkt , 79 , told The AP he evacuated his home Tuesday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he returned on Wednesday .
`` I 'm looking at a sand pile and concrete where the garage was , '' he said .
President Trump tweeted about the flooding earlier on Wednesday and tied it into the hotly contested COVID-19 stay-at-home orders that were issued by Whitmer .
He said she must release residents to allow them to help with the weather emergency .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP '' We have sent our best Military & @ FEMA .
Teams , already there .
Governor must now 'set you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you soon , '' the commander in chief tweeted .
Whitmer also said the state would be launching an investigation into the operators of that dams that failed to discover what went wrong .
She called the event a once-in-500-year occurrence .
`` I think like everyone it was hard to believe we 're in the midst of a 100-year crisis , a global pandemic and we 're also dealing with a flooding event that looks to be the worse in 500 years , '' she added .
Fox News ' David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , as well as The Associated Press .

Following a state of emergency declaration from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday due to flash flooding, state officials are warning residents to remain vigilant as more danger might still lie ahead.
Whitmer issued a state of emergency for Midland County after two dams were breached in the area, forcing the evacuation of about 10,000 people in mid-Michigan.
“If you have not evacuated the area, do so now and get somewhere safe,” she said late Tuesday night. “This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County."
Flood warnings in Michigan were issued following widespread rainfall of four to seven inches since Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy runoff began to push rivers higher, Fox 2 reported. The Tittabawassee River topped a 1986 record of 33.9 feet and is expected to crest at about 38 feet.
Floodwaters surged through Central Michigan on Wednesday and were beginning to mix with containment ponds at a Dow Chemical plant, which could end up displacing sediment from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund site, according to The Associated Press.
Dow Chemical reportedly said there is no risk to people or the environment. They claimed the ponds only hold water and that there were no chemical releases from the plant.
WHITMER ISSUED A STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER 2 DAMS WERE BREACHED IN MIDLAND COUNTY
After flooding recedes, Dow will be legally required to assess the Superfund site to see if, in fact, any contaminants were released, The AP reported.
Whitmer warned that the flooding could reach unprecedented levels as the crisis continues. "We are anticipating a historic high of water level," she said Tuesday.
Residents in Edenville and Sanford counties were told by local law enforcement to evacuate. Both south and west sides of the city of Midland were evacuated, as well as the village of Sanford and the Dow Chemical plant. Officials are in the process of evacuating Tittabawassee Township, Thomas Township and Saginaw Township.
No injuries or fatalities related to the flooding have been reported, according to Midland spokeswoman Selina Tisdale.
In Edenville, Bob Yahrmarkt, 79, told The AP he evacuated his home Tuesday and couldn't comprehend what he saw when he returned on Wednesday.
"I'm looking at a sand pile and concrete where the garage was," he said.
President Trump tweeted about the flooding earlier on Wednesday and tied it into the hotly contested COVID-19 stay-at-home orders that were issued by Whitmer. He said she must release residents to allow them to help with the weather emergency.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
"We have sent our best Military & @FEMA. Teams, already there. Governor must now 'set you free' to help. Will be with you soon," the commander in chief tweeted.
Whitmer also said the state would be launching an investigation into the operators of that dams that failed to discover what went wrong. She called the event a once-in-500-year occurrence.
"I think like everyone it was hard to believe we're in the midst of a 100-year crisis, a global pandemic and we're also dealing with a flooding event that looks to be the worse in 500 years," she added.
Fox News' David Aaro and Travis Fedschun contributed to this report, as well as The Associated Press.


foxnews--2020-05-21--Biden keeps pace with Trump in April fundraising, but still faces campaign cash chasm

Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) came close to matching the April fundraising haul by President Trump ’ s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee , but Trump and the RNC still have a more than two-to-one advantage in cash on hand , according to new Federal Election Commission filings .
The former vice president ’ s campaign and the DNC combined brought in just over $ 60 million last month , keeping pace with Trump ’ s re-election team , the RNC , and allied joint fundraising committees , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 61.7 million .
BIDEN WIDENS LEAD OVER TRUMP IN NEW NATIONAL POLL But Trump and the RNC – which have been building a fundraising juggernaut for more than three years – have roughly $ 255 million cash on hand , compared with the approximately $ 100 million the Biden campaign and DNC have in their coffers .
Biden didn ’ t launch his presidential campaign until April of last year , and faced a competitive primary battle .
He became the Democrat ’ s presumptive presidential nominee last month , after his last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vermont – dropped out of the race and backed the former vice president .
The Biden campaign ’ s cash haul was down slightly from its record-setting figures in March , as social distancing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic scrubbed all in-person top-dollar fundraisers and forced the campaign to move to virtual fundraising events .
The Trump team is spending some of its money to run a $ 10 million ad-blitz that takes aim at Biden .
The former vice president ’ s campaign has yet to make a major TV ad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election campaign .
TRUMP CAMPAIGN SHELLING OUT $ 10 MILLION TO RUN ADS SLAMMING BIDEN In the battle for campaign cash , the main super PAC supporting Trump ’ s re-election hauled in nearly $ 17 million in April , far more than the leading super PAC backing presumptive Biden ’ s White House bid .
America First PAC hauled in $ 11.6 million last month , with its allied group America First Policies bringing in $ 5.2 , for a combined total of roughly $ 16.8 million In comparison , the pro-Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it raised $ 7.6 million in April across all three of its entities .
America First has been using the money raised to run a $ 10 million ad blitz which charges that the former vice president is soft on China , where the coronavirus pandemic originated .
THE LATEST FROM FOX NEWS ON THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN Priorities USA is currently running TV commercials in the key general election battleground states that argue that the president initially downplayed the severity of the outbreak and has botched the federal response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend $ 65 million to run the spots through the November election .
Super PACs – which are prevented by law from coordinating with the presidential campaigns and the national party committees – have become major players in campaign politics the past decade , following the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court ruling that opened the floodgates for such outside groups to spend freely .

Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) came close to matching the April fundraising haul by President Trump’s re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee, but Trump and the RNC still have a more than two-to-one advantage in cash on hand, according to new Federal Election Commission filings.
The former vice president’s campaign and the DNC combined brought in just over $60 million last month, keeping pace with Trump’s re-election team, the RNC, and allied joint fundraising committees, which say they hauled in a combined $61.7 million.
BIDEN WIDENS LEAD OVER TRUMP IN NEW NATIONAL POLL
But Trump and the RNC – which have been building a fundraising juggernaut for more than three years – have roughly $255 million cash on hand, compared with the approximately $100 million the Biden campaign and DNC have in their coffers. Biden didn’t launch his presidential campaign until April of last year, and faced a competitive primary battle. He became the Democrat’s presumptive presidential nominee last month, after his last remaining rival – Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont – dropped out of the race and backed the former vice president.
The Biden campaign’s cash haul was down slightly from its record-setting figures in March, as social distancing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic scrubbed all in-person top-dollar fundraisers and forced the campaign to move to virtual fundraising events.
The Trump team is spending some of its money to run a $10 million ad-blitz that takes aim at Biden. The former vice president’s campaign has yet to make a major TV ad buy since the start of the general election campaign.
TRUMP CAMPAIGN SHELLING OUT $10 MILLION TO RUN ADS SLAMMING BIDEN
In the battle for campaign cash, the main super PAC supporting Trump’s re-election hauled in nearly $17 million in April, far more than the leading super PAC backing presumptive Biden’s White House bid.
America First PAC hauled in $11.6 million last month, with its allied group America First Policies bringing in $5.2, for a combined total of roughly $16.8 million
In comparison, the pro-Biden Priorities USA outside group Priorities USA announced that it raised $7.6 million in April across all three of its entities.
America First has been using the money raised to run a $10 million ad blitz which charges that the former vice president is soft on China, where the coronavirus pandemic originated.
THE LATEST FROM FOX NEWS ON THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Priorities USA is currently running TV commercials in the key general election battleground states that argue that the president initially downplayed the severity of the outbreak and has botched the federal response to the crisis. The group says it will spend $65 million to run the spots through the November election.
Super PACs – which are prevented by law from coordinating with the presidential campaigns and the national party committees – have become major players in campaign politics the past decade, following the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court ruling that opened the floodgates for such outside groups to spend freely.


foxnews--2020-05-21--Babies born to moms with coronavirus should be tested for COVID-19, CDC guidelines say

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Heads up , expectant women : If you have tested positive for COVID-19 , you baby should also be tested for the novel virus shortly after birth , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said in new guidelines issued this week .
“ Testing is recommended for all neonates born to women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 , regardless of whether there are signs of infection in the neonate , ” the federal health agency said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is limited at this time , the CDC warned that infants less than a year old “ may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with older children.
” Some infants infected with SARS-CoV-2 , the novel virus that causes COVID-19 , have shown signs of the virus that include fever , lethargy , cough , vomiting , and diarrhea , as well as “ increased work of breathing ” and “ feeding intolerance or decreased intake , ” as per the federal health agency .
“ The extent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs of infection and complications is unclear , as many of these findings can also be seen commonly in term and preterm infants for other reasons ( e.g.
, transient tachypnea of the newborn or neonatal respiratory distress syndrome ) , ” the CDC said , noting that reports show some infants infected with COVID-19 “ had asymptomatic or mild disease and recovered without complication.
” CORONAVIRUS SPARKS INCREASED INTEREST IN HOME BIRTHS BUT EXPERT ADVISES AGAINST IT However , “ severe disease requiring mechanical ventilation has been reported in COVID-19 positive neonates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency advised all newborns — regardless if they are symptomatic or not — who are born to moms with a “ confirmed or suspected ” case of COVID-19 should be tested at 24 hours of age .
Testing is recommended even if the mother is not showing symptoms of an infection .
“ If initial test results are negative , or not available , testing should be repeated at 48 hours of age , ” the agency advised .
Meanwhile , for asymptomatic newborns who are expected to be discharged from the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test can be performed prior to discharge , between 24-48 hours of age.
” DR. MANNY ALVAREZ : HOW TO PREPARE FOR LABOR DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC If feasible , CDC officials also advised that a newborn should be temporarily separated from its mother if she has a confirmed or suspected case of the virus in an effort to lower the risk of transmission to the child .
“ Efforts are underway to address the knowledge gap of transmission between mother and neonate during pregnancy , delivery and in the postpartum period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information informing the risk-benefit of maternal-infant separation is available , ” the CDC said , though it noted babies who contract the virus are likely exposed to infectious respiratory droplets from their mothers , caregivers , visitors , or health care personnel with COVID-19 after birth .

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Heads up, expectant women: If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you baby should also be tested for the novel virus shortly after birth, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in new guidelines issued this week.
“Testing is recommended for all neonates born to women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, regardless of whether there are signs of infection in the neonate,” the federal health agency said in the guidelines released Wednesday.
BRINGING HOME A NEWBORN AMID CORONAVIRUS? NATIONAL SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS TOP CONCERNS
Though information is limited at this time, the CDC warned that infants less than a year old “may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with older children.”
Some infants infected with SARS-CoV-2, the novel virus that causes COVID-19, have shown signs of the virus that include fever, lethargy, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as “increased work of breathing” and “feeding intolerance or decreased intake,” as per the federal health agency.
“The extent to which SARS-CoV-2 infection contributed to the reported signs of infection and complications is unclear, as many of these findings can also be seen commonly in term and preterm infants for other reasons (e.g., transient tachypnea of the newborn or neonatal respiratory distress syndrome),” the CDC said, noting that reports show some infants infected with COVID-19 “had asymptomatic or mild disease and recovered without complication.”
CORONAVIRUS SPARKS INCREASED INTEREST IN HOME BIRTHS BUT EXPERT ADVISES AGAINST IT
However, “severe disease requiring mechanical ventilation has been reported in COVID-19 positive neonates,” the CDC warned.
The agency advised all newborns — regardless if they are symptomatic or not — who are born to moms with a “confirmed or suspected” case of COVID-19 should be tested at 24 hours of age. Testing is recommended even if the mother is not showing symptoms of an infection.
“If initial test results are negative, or not available, testing should be repeated at 48 hours of age,” the agency advised. Meanwhile, for asymptomatic newborns who are expected to be discharged from the hospital within 48 hours, “a single test can be performed prior to discharge, between 24-48 hours of age.”
DR. MANNY ALVAREZ: HOW TO PREPARE FOR LABOR DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
If feasible, CDC officials also advised that a newborn should be temporarily separated from its mother if she has a confirmed or suspected case of the virus in an effort to lower the risk of transmission to the child.
“Efforts are underway to address the knowledge gap of transmission between mother and neonate during pregnancy, delivery and in the postpartum period, and recommendations will be updated as new information informing the risk-benefit of maternal-infant separation is available,” the CDC said, though it noted babies who contract the virus are likely exposed to infectious respiratory droplets from their mothers, caregivers, visitors, or health care personnel with COVID-19 after birth.


foxnews--2020-05-21--Bison injures woman at Yellowstone National Park just two days after partial reopening

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Just two days after Yellowstone National Park partially reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic , a woman was injured by a bison after getting too close to the animal , officials said .
The woman was visiting the park Wednesday when she approached a bison in the Old Faithful Upper Geyser Basin and was knocked to the ground , park officials said in a news release .
Park medics responded and evaluated the woman , who chose not to go to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not name the woman and no details on her injuries were given .
The park instructs visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals , the release said .
It is investigating the incident , which marked the first time a bison injured a park visitor this year .
Earlier this month , when the park was still closed , a woman who illegally entered the grounds suffered burns after accidentally falling into a thermal feature near Old Faithful Geyser .
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TESTS REOPENING , PREPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'S WHAT TO EXPECT On Monday , Yellowstone National Park entered its first phase of reopening , weeks after its March 24 closure due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The limited Phase 1 reopening , of a three-phase plan , encourages guests to “ follow all CDC and local health guidance by practicing good hygiene and social distancing , ” officials said in a news release announcing the plan .
The park recommends wearing a face covering when social distancing is not possible .
Wyoming , where most of Yellowstone is located , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park entrances in the state reopen .
However , the park ’ s West , North and Northeast entrances in Montana and Idaho remain closed due to 14-day quarantine mandates for out-of-state visitors .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP The park is working closely with states and counties to reopen the remaining three entrances as soon as possible .

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Just two days after Yellowstone National Park partially reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic, a woman was injured by a bison after getting too close to the animal, officials said.
The woman was visiting the park Wednesday when she approached a bison in the Old Faithful Upper Geyser Basin and was knocked to the ground, park officials said in a news release.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK VISITORS NOT WEARING FACEMASKS, PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AT REOPENING: REPORT
Park medics responded and evaluated the woman, who chose not to go to a hospital, the release said. Officials did not name the woman and no details on her injuries were given.
The park instructs visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals, the release said. It is investigating the incident, which marked the first time a bison injured a park visitor this year.
Earlier this month, when the park was still closed, a woman who illegally entered the grounds suffered burns after accidentally falling into a thermal feature near Old Faithful Geyser.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TESTS REOPENING, PREPS VISITORS FOR 'NEW NORMAL': HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT
On Monday, Yellowstone National Park entered its first phase of reopening, weeks after its March 24 closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The limited Phase 1 reopening, of a three-phase plan, encourages guests to “follow all CDC and local health guidance by practicing good hygiene and social distancing,” officials said in a news release announcing the plan. The park recommends wearing a face covering when social distancing is not possible.
Wyoming, where most of Yellowstone is located, lifted out-of-state quarantine orders before requesting that park entrances in the state reopen. However, the park’s West, North and Northeast entrances in Montana and Idaho remain closed due to 14-day quarantine mandates for out-of-state visitors.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
The park is working closely with states and counties to reopen the remaining three entrances as soon as possible.
Fox News' Alexandra Deabler contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-05-20--Financial fallout of COVID-19 hits Montana ranch that helps female veterans fight PTSD

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Lisa Ledoux and her mother have been operating Serenity Ranch in Montana since May 2016 , providing free equine therapy to female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) and other traumas .
The economic fallout of COVID-19 , however , has taken a toll on Serenity Ranch and is forcing the horse rescue facility to roll back its critical equine therapy programs and sell nearly 40 acres of land .
“ This year , unfortunately , due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do a female veteran program , ” said Ledoux .
“ We ’ ll be taking care of the horses , and that 's kind of what we 've been focusing on more lately since the pandemic started , just because the donations that we were receiving have gone down significantly.
” Ledoux explained to Fox News that it ’ s just her and her mom taking care of the ranch and the horses .
She broke down the high operating costs and noted that a bale of hay , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horses go through one bale in about a day-and-a-half .
`` The hay cost alone is very pricey , not to mention maintenance of our land , making sure fencing is up to par so horses do n't get out , ” said Ledoux .
“ We have to trim our horses ’ feet , which is not an easy task either ... and just to do that is about $ 2,000 to $ 3,000 , so the cost of running the place adds up.
” Ledoux and her mother depend on donations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equine therapy to at-risk women .
Their dedication comes from their firsthand account of equine therapy when they both experienced loss .
When Ledoux ’ s stepfather died suddenly of a heart attack , they learned how effective working with horses could be when coping with trauma .
“ The horses are truly healing and they helped us through some really rough times , ” said Ledoux .
“ We wanted to share that , so we established the Serenity Ranch.
” A six- to seven-day stay at the ranch includes resilience training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local veterinarian so the women can learn how to tackle first aid issues with the horses , and writing sessions .
The women get paired with a horse and they ride that particular horse for the duration of the week .
Air Force veteran Cari Simmons explained to Fox News how Serenity Ranch 's program impacted her .
`` Not only was I able to bond with other veterans in magical place of true serenity , the owners and staff at the ranch offered me unconditional acceptance so I could find my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simmons .
`` On top of that , the herd of magical horses who live on the ranch touched my heart in ways that allowed me to love again — not only them but myself as well .
I am so very grateful . ''
Ledoux and her mother have been rescuing diverse breeds of horses for about 15 years and currently have 41 horses at Serenity Ranch .
The mother-daughter duo takes on horses that people may no longer want and also facilitate rescue operations .
For example , two years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue from a hoarding situation of 40 horses .
“ That situation was awful , the horses had n't been cared for or they had n't been fed , and they had n't been watered , ” said Ledoux .
“ So we took the 40 horses onto our property , and I am happy to say that most of them have either been homed or adopted.
” Ledoux noted that the horses with traumatic pasts truly connect with the women who have suffered trauma themselves , and noted the healing properties of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're leading a horse , you have to be in the present , and if you 're thinking about what you ate for breakfast or thinking about what you were gon na have for lunch or anything , the horses know and will act out , ” explained Ledoux .
“ They might rear up , they might kick , so in order to handle a horse , your brain has to be in a state of complete presence , and you have to be in the moment.
” For more on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full interview with Serenity Ranch founder Lisa Ledoux above .
Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals .
Tweet her @ EmilyDeCiccio .

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Lisa Ledoux and her mother have been operating Serenity Ranch in Montana since May 2016, providing free equine therapy to female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other traumas.
The economic fallout of COVID-19, however, has taken a toll on Serenity Ranch and is forcing the horse rescue facility to roll back its critical equine therapy programs and sell nearly 40 acres of land.
“This year, unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be unable to do a female veteran program,” said Ledoux. “We’ll be taking care of the horses, and that's kind of what we've been focusing on more lately since the pandemic started, just because the donations that we were receiving have gone down significantly.”
Ledoux explained to Fox News that it’s just her and her mom taking care of the ranch and the horses. She broke down the high operating costs and noted that a bale of hay, for example, is $120, and the horses go through one bale in about a day-and-a-half.
"The hay cost alone is very pricey, not to mention maintenance of our land, making sure fencing is up to par so horses don't get out,” said Ledoux. “We have to trim our horses’ feet, which is not an easy task either ... and just to do that is about $2,000 to $3,000, so the cost of running the place adds up.”
Ledoux and her mother depend on donations to run Serenity Ranch and offer free-of-charge equine therapy to at-risk women. Their dedication comes from their firsthand account of equine therapy when they both experienced loss. When Ledoux’s stepfather died suddenly of a heart attack, they learned how effective working with horses could be when coping with trauma.
“The horses are truly healing and they helped us through some really rough times,” said Ledoux. “We wanted to share that, so we established the Serenity Ranch.”
A six- to seven-day stay at the ranch includes resilience training with a licensed coach, lessons from a local veterinarian so the women can learn how to tackle first aid issues with the horses, and writing sessions. The women get paired with a horse and they ride that particular horse for the duration of the week.
Air Force veteran Cari Simmons explained to Fox News how Serenity Ranch's program impacted her.
"Not only was I able to bond with other veterans in magical place of true serenity, the owners and staff at the ranch offered me unconditional acceptance so I could find my voice and confidence again," said Simmons. "On top of that, the herd of magical horses who live on the ranch touched my heart in ways that allowed me to love again — not only them but myself as well. I am so very grateful."
Ledoux and her mother have been rescuing diverse breeds of horses for about 15 years and currently have 41 horses at Serenity Ranch. The mother-daughter duo takes on horses that people may no longer want and also facilitate rescue operations. For example, two years ago, Ledoux and her mother assisted a rescue from a hoarding situation of 40 horses.
“That situation was awful, the horses hadn't been cared for or they hadn't been fed, and they hadn't been watered,” said Ledoux. “So we took the 40 horses onto our property, and I am happy to say that most of them have either been homed or adopted.”
Ledoux noted that the horses with traumatic pasts truly connect with the women who have suffered trauma themselves, and noted the healing properties of the human-horse connection.
“When you're leading a horse, you have to be in the present, and if you're thinking about what you ate for breakfast or thinking about what you were gonna have for lunch or anything, the horses know and will act out,” explained Ledoux. “They might rear up, they might kick, so in order to handle a horse, your brain has to be in a state of complete presence, and you have to be in the moment.”
For more on how Serenity Ranch is helping veterans watch the full interview with Serenity Ranch founder Lisa Ledoux above.
Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio.


foxnews--2020-05-21--Tower of London lies empty amid coronavirus with famous beefeaters cut off in isolation

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For 1,000 years , the great Tower of London is where kings and queens have retreated in the face of grave threats , and over the last decade more than 3 million people a year have visited .
But now because of coronavirus it lies practically empty , it ’ s fallen quiet and the drawbridge has quite literally been pulled up .
Fox News was given a rare look inside .
The only people living there now , cut off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beefeaters , historically the British monarch 's personal bodyguards who live inside the walled fortress , with their families , and who are there to protect the crown jewels .
These crowns , robes , and other items of ceremonial regalia have been protected on site by the beefeaters for 600 years – and are all kept in the famous white tower .
During lockdown the beefeaters have had to forge a life in there , almost totally cut off from London , which surrounds them .
There is a total of 120 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the rest of us , they have had to homeschool , and figure out how to exercise from home , though in their case it ’ s running around the moat , or the ramparts .
They have of course been allowed to receive food , and most of all say they are missing the cleaners .
PRINCE CHARLES CATCHES BACKLASH FOR ASKING FURLOUGHED BRITS , STUDENTS TO HELP PICK FRUITS , VEGETABLES All beefeaters – formally known as yeoman warders - are retired from the armed services and must be former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of service .
They must also hold the long service and good conduct medal .
They are believed to be known as beefeaters as they once received a portion of their salary in beef .
Chief beefeater Peter McGowren says it 's the quietest the tower ever has been .
And after 1,000 years of history – having faced down wars , famines , fires and uprisings – for the first time , this new invisible enemy has hit it hard .
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY SAYS ALL LECTURES WILL BE ONLINE UNTIL SUMMER 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emptyth , the key ceremony -- which has taken place every night for 700 years -- still happens and the famous ravens , whose departure legend says would signal impending doom and disaster , are also still there .
But even here , coronavirus reached inside and the Chief beefeater 's wife spent two weeks in ICU He told Fox News that the fortress had kept harmful things out for a thousand years .
But that the silent killer got in , leaving his wife fighting for her life – but , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now she is better CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP Now they say they can ’ t wait to get out of the tower , to allow tourists back in , and see their exclusive onsite pub , The Yeoman Warders Club , reopen .

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
For 1,000 years, the great Tower of London is where kings and queens have retreated in the face of grave threats, and over the last decade more than 3 million people a year have visited.
But now because of coronavirus it lies practically empty, it’s fallen quiet and the drawbridge has quite literally been pulled up. Fox News was given a rare look inside.
The only people living there now, cut off in isolation, are the 37 famous beefeaters, historically the British monarch's personal bodyguards who live inside the walled fortress, with their families, and who are there to protect the crown jewels.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
These crowns, robes, and other items of ceremonial regalia have been protected on site by the beefeaters for 600 years – and are all kept in the famous white tower.
During lockdown the beefeaters have had to forge a life in there, almost totally cut off from London, which surrounds them. There is a total of 120 people, including children – and just like the rest of us, they have had to homeschool, and figure out how to exercise from home, though in their case it’s running around the moat, or the ramparts.
They have of course been allowed to receive food, and most of all say they are missing the cleaners.
PRINCE CHARLES CATCHES BACKLASH FOR ASKING FURLOUGHED BRITS, STUDENTS TO HELP PICK FRUITS, VEGETABLES
All beefeaters – formally known as yeoman warders - are retired from the armed services and must be former warrant officers with at least 22 years of service. They must also hold the long service and good conduct medal. They are believed to be known as beefeaters as they once received a portion of their salary in beef.
Chief beefeater Peter McGowren says it's the quietest the tower ever has been.
And after 1,000 years of history – having faced down wars, famines, fires and uprisings – for the first time, this new invisible enemy has hit it hard.
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY SAYS ALL LECTURES WILL BE ONLINE UNTIL SUMMER 2021 BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS
Even though it lies emptyth, the key ceremony--which has taken place every night for 700 years--still happens and the famous ravens, whose departure legend says would signal impending doom and disaster, are also still there.
But even here, coronavirus reached inside and the Chief beefeater's wife spent two weeks in ICU
He told Fox News that the fortress had kept harmful things out for a thousand years. But that the silent killer got in, leaving his wife fighting for her life – but, he added, they fought back, and now she is better
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
Now they say they can’t wait to get out of the tower, to allow tourists back in, and see their exclusive onsite pub, The Yeoman Warders Club, reopen.


foxnews--2020-05-05--'Top Chef' approved: Tom Colicchio's recipe for salmon and asparagus with yogurt chutney

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Eating great while quarantining at home doesn ’ t have to be difficult , celebrity chef Tom Colicchio says .
Home chefs hungry to switch up their typical dinner routine should look no further than this recipe for yogurt chutney with salmon and asparagus , straight from the “ Top Chef ” judge and host himself .
“ What ’ s interesting is , years ago , I stopped cooking with cream , for no reason , ” Colicchio told Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was actually a little bit more of a trend , chefs stopped using creams so much , less butter and things like that , but you still crave that richness .
WHICH FOODS SHOULD YOU STOCK UP ON IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY ?
“ I find that yogurt really does that , it gives the feel of cream without having to use as much fat , but yogurt also provides another sort of dimension , that sort of tang , that bit of acid you ’ re looking for in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Intrigued ?
Without further ado , we present Tom Colicchio 's 30-minute salmon recipe for two : FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS • To prepare marinade , whisk yogurt , lime juice and spices in shallow bowl .
Add salmon and coat entire fish .
Allow to marinate for 1 or 2 hours in the refrigerator .
• Heat medium sauté pan and melt 1 teaspoon of coconut oil .
Add mustard seeds , cumin and coriander seeds , heating until the mix starts to pop .
Lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chili into the pan , adding more coconut oil as needed .
Cook until vegetables are soft .
• Pour one cup of water into sauté pan and bring to simmer , allowing pan to simmer for five minutes .
• Remove pan from heat , adding ¾ cup of plain Greek yogurt .
Mix in with vegetables , then season with salt and pepper , removing pan from heat .
• In a second medium-sized sauté pan , heat two tablespoons of olive oil , adding asparagus and sautéing until heated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
Move cooked asparagus from hot pan into a bowl .
• Heat another two tablespoons of olive oil in sauté pan over medium heat .
Remove salmon from marinade , then sear salmon filet , cooking about three minutes per side or until done .
• To serve , pour chutney into a bowl or shallow plate , topping with seared salmon filet and asparagus .
Season with salt and pepper to taste .

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Eating great while quarantining at home doesn’t have to be difficult, celebrity chef Tom Colicchio says.
Home chefs hungry to switch up their typical dinner routine should look no further than this recipe for yogurt chutney with salmon and asparagus, straight from the “Top Chef” judge and host himself.
“What’s interesting is, years ago, I stopped cooking with cream, for no reason,” Colicchio told Fox News in a recent interview. “There was actually a little bit more of a trend, chefs stopped using creams so much, less butter and things like that, but you still crave that richness.
WHICH FOODS SHOULD YOU STOCK UP ON IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
“I find that yogurt really does that, it gives the feel of cream without having to use as much fat, but yogurt also provides another sort of dimension, that sort of tang, that bit of acid you’re looking for in a dish, too,” he explained.
Intrigued? Without further ado, we present Tom Colicchio's 30-minute salmon recipe for two:
Salmon and Asparagus with Yogurt Chutney
Ingredients:
Salmon and marinade:
2 salmon filets (4 to 6 ounces)
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt (Colicchio uses Two Good Greek yogurt)
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
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Yogurt chutney:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 bunch of asparagus, chopped
1 bunch scallion, white and light greens only, chopped
2 leeks, trimmed and whites chopped
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
¾ cup plain low-fat yogurt
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 chili pepper, chopped (optional)
CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS' CONTINUING CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Instructions:


foxnews--2020-04-08--New Zealand is winning the war on coronavirus: here’s why

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. keeps getting worse .
China is just starting to reopen its society .
South Korea , Taiwan and Singapore are managing their outbreaks with the help of massive contact tracing detective work .
But New Zealand , which saw its first confirmed case on Feb. 28 , is on track to stop its outbreak before it ever had a chance to begin .
That 's likely thanks to early and decisive nationwide action by its government .
The small country of nearly 4.8 million people was able to quickly contain the virus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wiping it out entirely , The Washington Post reported .
As of April 7 , according to the New Zealand Ministry of Health , the country has logged 1,160 confirmed and suspected cases in the country and just one death .
More people recovered in the last 24 hours ( 65 ) than were found to have been infected ( 54 ) , suggesting that the local outbreak is declining .
Moreover , as of April 7 , just one person is known to have died of the disease , according to Worldometer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe .
The key to success has been a straightforward , two-pronged strategy led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern .
Early in March , according to The Washington Post , the country began to instruct all international visitors — in normal times , the country gets as many as 4 million tourists a year — to self-isolate for 14 days .
Then on March 19 , the tourism-dependent nation fully closed its borders to international visitors , a move that was likely effective because it came before community spread took off locally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Post , the Ardern government pushed a strong `` stay home '' message beginning early in the crisis , and implemented a strong social distancing order as of March 23 .
The order shut schools and nonessential services and banned many outdoor activities .
New Zealanders ( including immigrants ) have also received recurring payments from the government designed to make it easier to people to avoid working .
A member of Ardern 's government caught mountain biking and beach going with his family even faced public condemnation from the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ardern 's political rivals have not taken any steps to minimize the crisis .
New Zealand plans to keep strict social distancing measures in place for at least a full month , according to Ardern .
If current trends continue , that could put the country on pace to begin reopening its society sooner than the U.S. or Europe , even as it enters the Southern Hemisphere 's winter months .
• Going viral : 6 new findings about viruses

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. keeps getting worse. China is just starting to reopen its society. South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore are managing their outbreaks with the help of massive contact tracing detective work. But New Zealand, which saw its first confirmed case on Feb. 28, is on track to stop its outbreak before it ever had a chance to begin. That's likely thanks to early and decisive nationwide action by its government.
The small country of nearly 4.8 million people was able to quickly contain the virus and appears to have a real chance of wiping it out entirely, The Washington Post reported. As of April 7, according to the New Zealand Ministry of Health, the country has logged 1,160 confirmed and suspected cases in the country and just one death. More people recovered in the last 24 hours (65) than were found to have been infected (54), suggesting that the local outbreak is declining.
Moreover, as of April 7, just one person is known to have died of the disease, according to Worldometer, which tracks COVID-19 cases around the globe.
The key to success has been a straightforward, two-pronged strategy led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Related: 13 coronavirus myths busted by science
Early in March, according to The Washington Post, the country began to instruct all international visitors — in normal times, the country gets as many as 4 million tourists a year — to self-isolate for 14 days. Then on March 19, the tourism-dependent nation fully closed its borders to international visitors, a move that was likely effective because it came before community spread took off locally.
Just as importantly, according to The Washington Post, the Ardern government pushed a strong "stay home" message beginning early in the crisis, and implemented a strong social distancing order as of March 23. The order shut schools and nonessential services and banned many outdoor activities. New Zealanders (including immigrants) have also received recurring payments from the government designed to make it easier to people to avoid working. A member of Ardern's government caught mountain biking and beach going with his family even faced public condemnation from the prime minister. And, according to the post, Ardern's political rivals have not taken any steps to minimize the crisis.
New Zealand plans to keep strict social distancing measures in place for at least a full month, according to Ardern. If current trends continue, that could put the country on pace to begin reopening its society sooner than the U.S. or Europe, even as it enters the Southern Hemisphere's winter months.
Originally published on Live Science.


foxnews--2020-04-08--Army police officer in quarantine creates 'lumber jacked gym' out of wood in backyard

With no gym to turn to , most fitness buffs would just settle for a set of dumbbells .
But where ’ s the fun in that ?
When Ohio man Zachary Skidmore found himself in that very predicament thanks to social-distancing measures to curb the coronavirus , he decided to bring the gym to his backyard -- constructing a full-service workout rig made entirely of timber .
In a video shot on his family ’ s bucolic property in Jackson , just 35 miles west of the West Virginia border , Skidmore can be seen demonstrating his fitness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rihanna ’ s remixed rendition of “ Run This Town.
” “ My gym closed , so I grabbed a chainsaw and went to work .
I built what I ’ m calling Lumber Jacked Gym in around 60 hours over the span of two weeks .
I managed to satisfy my hunger to work out , ” he wrote in the video caption for an April 4 Facebook post .
“ When I heard my gym was going to close .
I knew I had to come up with a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army military police officer told Storyful .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER On his never-ending quest for “ gains , ” Skidmore said he originally considered a bodyweight exercise routine , but the idea for Lumber Jacked Gym dawned on him when he noticed a fallen tree on his family ’ s land .
“ After I made the bench I made some dumbells for a more real-gym feel , ” he said .
“ And at that point I realized , I had nothing but time due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why not continue ?
” According to Skidmore , he spent 60 hours over a two-week span to design and build the gym , which includes a rowing machine , chest press and a pulley cable station .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS “ Some pieces of equipment I drew out before the sun came up to get an idea , but for the most part I was just making it up as I went along , ” he said .
“ Between the engineering and planning of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fast as I could because I wanted to get back to my normal workout routine.
” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP His followers on social media praised his resourcefulness , referring to him as “ Superman ” and “ the Flintstone bodybuilder.
” One joked that Skidmore might be giving another popular gym brand a run for their money : “ CrossFit Apocalypse needs to happen like yesterday.
” This article originally appeared on the New York Post .

With no gym to turn to, most fitness buffs would just settle for a set of dumbbells. But where’s the fun in that?
When Ohio man Zachary Skidmore found himself in that very predicament thanks to social-distancing measures to curb the coronavirus, he decided to bring the gym to his backyard — constructing a full-service workout rig made entirely of timber.
In a video shot on his family’s bucolic property in Jackson, just 35 miles west of the West Virginia border, Skidmore can be seen demonstrating his fitness and carpentry skills, to the tune of Rihanna’s remixed rendition of “Run This Town.”
“My gym closed, so I grabbed a chainsaw and went to work. I built what I’m calling Lumber Jacked Gym in around 60 hours over the span of two weeks. I managed to satisfy my hunger to work out,” he wrote in the video caption for an April 4 Facebook post.
“When I heard my gym was going to close. I knew I had to come up with a way to continue working out,” the US Army military police officer told Storyful.
On his never-ending quest for “gains,” Skidmore said he originally considered a bodyweight exercise routine, but the idea for Lumber Jacked Gym dawned on him when he noticed a fallen tree on his family’s land.
“After I made the bench I made some dumbells for a more real-gym feel,” he said. “And at that point I realized, I had nothing but time due to work being postponed from COVID-19. So why not continue?”
According to Skidmore, he spent 60 hours over a two-week span to design and build the gym, which includes a rowing machine, chest press and a pulley cable station.
“Some pieces of equipment I drew out before the sun came up to get an idea, but for the most part I was just making it up as I went along,” he said. “Between the engineering and planning of how to execute parts, I was going as fast as I could because I wanted to get back to my normal workout routine.”
His followers on social media praised his resourcefulness, referring to him as “Superman” and “the Flintstone bodybuilder.”
One joked that Skidmore might be giving another popular gym brand a run for their money: “CrossFit Apocalypse needs to happen like yesterday.”


foxnews--2020-04-09--Quarantined New Yorkers adopting rabbits as Easter hits

Along with cats and dogs , New Yorkers are also bringing home rabbits as a fuzzy balm for the soul in trying times .
“ A lot of people who hadn ’ t even considered rabbits before are fostering and having a good time , ” says Colleen AF Venable , who has volunteered with rescue organizations Animal Care Centers of NYC and Bunnies and Beyond for three years .
“ All the rabbits in the shelter are currently in foster care -- it ’ s very uncommon.
” Usually , the shelter she works in has 20 to 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER When she realized the pandemic would be keeping her in her apartment much more than usual , she offered to bring home two infant bunnies in need of round-the-clock care .
“ This is the first time I ’ ve ever taken care of baby bunnies , ” says the associate director at Epic !
Kids , who is quarantining alone in Crown Heights with 3-week-old Nugget and Chonkers , and the rest of her bunny brood : 6-year-old Tuck , 5-year-old Cher and 2-year-old Maxi .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
It ’ s the thing getting me through every day : taking care of them and , in turn , they ’ re taking care of me , ” she says .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The ACC doesn ’ t normally send out bunnies for fostering , but when it became clear that New York City was shutting down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic , the organization made an exception .
“ Basically , since March 13 , that ’ s when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Katy Hansen , ACC ’ s director of marketing and communications .
They were quickly cleaned out .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS “ I don ’ t think we have any bunnies available right now , ” she tells The Post , noting they usually do .
“ There ’ s an uptick in all adoptions , and people needing the companionship of an animal -- plus they ’ re so cute , ” she says , noting that bunnies have the added benefit of not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full article on the New York Post here .
This article originally appeared on the New York Post .

Here’s a fluff piece to brighten your spirits.
Along with cats and dogs, New Yorkers are also bringing home rabbits as a fuzzy balm for the soul in trying times.
“A lot of people who hadn’t even considered rabbits before are fostering and having a good time,” says Colleen AF Venable, who has volunteered with rescue organizations Animal Care Centers of NYC and Bunnies and Beyond for three years. “All the rabbits in the shelter are currently in foster care —it’s very uncommon.” Usually, the shelter she works in has 20 to 40 rabbits.
When she realized the pandemic would be keeping her in her apartment much more than usual, she offered to bring home two infant bunnies in need of round-the-clock care. “This is the first time I’ve ever taken care of baby bunnies,” says the associate director at Epic! Kids, who is quarantining alone in Crown Heights with 3-week-old Nugget and Chonkers, and the rest of her bunny brood: 6-year-old Tuck, 5-year-old Cher and 2-year-old Maxi. “It’s kind of like my zen right now. It’s the thing getting me through every day: taking care of them and, in turn, they’re taking care of me,” she says.
The ACC doesn’t normally send out bunnies for fostering, but when it became clear that New York City was shutting down in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the organization made an exception.
“Basically, since March 13, that’s when we did our big push for fostering,” says Katy Hansen, ACC’s director of marketing and communications. They were quickly cleaned out.
“I don’t think we have any bunnies available right now,” she tells The Post, noting they usually do. “There’s an uptick in all adoptions, and people needing the companionship of an animal — plus they’re so cute,” she says, noting that bunnies have the added benefit of not needing to be walked.
Previous 1 of 7 Next Advertisement Nugget and Chonkers sleeping when they were just one week old. Colleen AF Venable Thea Harting and her bunny, Latrice Royale. Thea Harting Advertisement Latrice Royale has a snack pre-quarantine. Thea Harting Maxi and Nugget take in a meal. Colleen AF Venable Nugget at 2 weeks old. Colleen AF Venable Advertisement
For Thea Harting, the pandemic was the final straw in her adopting a bunny she’d long been enamored with. “I fell in love with her as a volunteer,” Harting tells The Post.
The larger-than-normal French Lop found a forever home in 2018 — only to be returned this December. “So I started fostering her again,” says the dog-walker. As much as Harting doted on the bunny, it had a number of health problems that dissuaded her from permanently taking responsibility for the rabbit — but when it became clear humanity was in for an shattering pandemic which would involve sheltering in place, the Williamsburg resident finally felt certain.
“Right before the quarantine, I was like, ‘This is ridiculous, I don’t even care. I want her to be with me always,’ ” Harting says of Latrice Royale, who she named after the drag queen. “It really removed any sort of doubt that I had.”
The 5½-year-old, 13-pound bunny has brought vital routine to Harting at a time when she can’t work, and the world feels like it’s falling apart.
“Not having work, I lost structure,” she says, but a silver lining to Royale’s bunny arthritis and other health issues is that Harting has developed a schedule around caring for her. “I truly understand now how animals can provide emotional support and how taking care of pets can help people through this sort of bizarre, long, collective experience.”
That Royale is entirely unaware that an epidemic is unfolding also brings relief.
“It’s all so stressful,” says Harting, “but she’s just being a bunny.”
And having Royale at home with her will make Easter tolerable — usually Harting would spend it at the shelter.
Nugget and Chonkers will be getting a special treat in quarantine with Venable. “I’m giving them their first banana,” she says, which “is basically catnip for rabbits.”
Thinking of adopting a rabbit?
For those considering getting a cottontail for quarantine, it’s still possible. “They absolutely could” still adopt one, says Hansen, but there are a few things to consider first.
Bunnies require special veterinarians, and NYC does not have many. “It’s a really specialized field,” she says, adding that rabbits are not low maintenance. “They’re in between a cat and a dog.”
“You can litter train them really easy, and their litter is hay, so your apartment smells autumnal,” says Venable, noting that they generally have a 10- to 12-year lifespan.
To make sure you have what it takes to be the parent of a bun, Venable’s organization is checking in on people’s house setups — digitally, now that visiting in-person is out of the question. “We’re doing virtual visits with the rabbits,” she says.
And while it’s not a small responsibility to take one on, it may well be worth it.
“I think the people who are going to be reaching out in the next few months for a rabbit are looking for something to help their well-being,” says Venable. “You can just sit there and pet a rabbit forever, and they’ll be happy.”


foxnews--2020-05-22--Mysterious inflammatory syndrome tied to COVID-19 is showing up in adults in their early 20s

A mysterious inflammatory syndrome tied to COVID-19 that has been reported in children is now also turning up in young adults in their early 20s , according to news reports .
Doctors have now diagnosed the syndrome in a 20-year-old in San Diego and a 25-year-old in Long Island , New York , according to The Washington Post .
Several additional cases have been reported in patients in their early 20s who are hospitalized at New York University 's Langone Medical Center in New York City , the Post reported .
Symptoms of the syndrome — dubbed multisystem inflammatory syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vary .
But patients tend to have symptoms similar to those found in Kawasaki disease , a rare childhood illness that causes inflammation in blood vessel walls , and in serious cases can cause heart damage , Live Science previously reported .
Symptoms can include fever , abdominal pain , vomiting , diarrhea , neck pain , rash , bloodshot eyes and fatigue , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
In young children , symptoms of the syndrome seem to more classically resemble Kawasaki disease , but teens and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overwhelming inflammatory response involving their heart and other organs , the Post reported .
`` The older ones have had a more severe course , '' Dr. Jennifer Lighter , a pediatric infectious diseases doctor at NYU Langone , told the Post .
There is concern that the syndrome may be underdiagnosed in adults , in part because many doctors outside of the pediatric setting have never seen cases of Kawasaki disease .
Doctors at Rady Children 's Hospital in San Diego , where the 20-year-old patient was diagnosed , are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screen adults for the illness , and they are talking with health officials to try to expand warnings about the syndrome to encompass young adults , the Post reported .
Adult internal medicine doctors need to be aware `` that maybe this is coming their way , '' said Dr. Jane Burns , director of the Kawasaki Disease Clinic at Rady Children 's Hospital , as reported by the Post .
Many patients with MIS-C have antibodies against the new coronavirus , rather than an active infection , which suggests that the syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune response to the virus .
So far , more than 20 states have reported cases of MIS-C , with total U.S. cases estimated to be several hundred , the Post reported .
New York City alone has reported 89 confirmed cases , with 157 cases under investigation , NBC News 4 reported .
• 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history

A mysterious inflammatory syndrome tied to COVID-19 that has been reported in children is now also turning up in young adults in their early 20s, according to news reports.
Doctors have now diagnosed the syndrome in a 20-year-old in San Diego and a 25-year-old in Long Island, New York, according to The Washington Post . Several additional cases have been reported in patients in their early 20s who are hospitalized at New York University's Langone Medical Center in New York City, the Post reported.
Symptoms of the syndrome — dubbed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) — can vary. But patients tend to have symptoms similar to those found in Kawasaki disease, a rare childhood illness that causes inflammation in blood vessel walls, and in serious cases can cause heart damage, Live Science previously reported . Symptoms can include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, bloodshot eyes and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
In young children, symptoms of the syndrome seem to more classically resemble Kawasaki disease, but teens and young adults appear to have more of an overwhelming inflammatory response involving their heart and other organs, the Post reported.
"The older ones have had a more severe course," Dr. Jennifer Lighter, a pediatric infectious diseases doctor at NYU Langone, told the Post.
There is concern that the syndrome may be underdiagnosed in adults, in part because many doctors outside of the pediatric setting have never seen cases of Kawasaki disease.
Doctors at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, where the 20-year-old patient was diagnosed, are now setting up a system for staff to screen adults for the illness, and they are talking with health officials to try to expand warnings about the syndrome to encompass young adults, the Post reported.
Adult internal medicine doctors need to be aware "that maybe this is coming their way," said Dr. Jane Burns, director of the Kawasaki Disease Clinic at Rady Children's Hospital, as reported by the Post.
Many patients with MIS-C have antibodies against the new coronavirus , rather than an active infection, which suggests that the syndrome may be the result of a delayed immune response to the virus.
So far, more than 20 states have reported cases of MIS-C, with total U.S. cases estimated to be several hundred, the Post reported. New York City alone has reported 89 confirmed cases, with 157 cases under investigation, NBC News 4 reported .


foxnews--2020-05-26--Meghan McCain rips Memorial Day weekend partiers, says they're 'rubbing their nose' at first respond

Meghan McCain rips Memorial Day weekend partiers, says they're 'rubbing their nose' at first responders

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`` The View '' co-host Meghan McCain had strong words Tuesday for people who gathered on beaches and at pool parties over Memorial Day weekend despite the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I was very upset over the weekend over this because , again , I 've been completely isolated and quarantined , and all I want to do by August is be able to buy a crib for my baby in a store and visit my father 's grave .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That 's all I want to do before the fall , and to see people sort of , like , rubbing their nose at all the sacrifices of our first responders , and there 's still so much unknown about this virus .
Look , I 've been very , very disheartened and it 's happening everywhere .
It 's a red state [ and ] blue state problem . ''
MEMORIAL DAY TRAVELERS HIT TOURIST SPOTS ACROSS US , BUT NOT ALWAYS SOCIAL-DISTANCING Sheriff ’ s deputies and beach patrols tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from others as they soaked up the rays on the sand and at parks and other recreation sites around the country .
White House coronavirus task force response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said Sunday that she was “ very concerned ” about scenes of people crowding together over the weekend .
“ We really want to be clear all the time that social distancing is absolutely critical , '' she said on ABC ’ s “ This Week '' .
`` And if you can ’ t social distance and you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In Missouri , people packed bars and restaurants at the Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend .
One video showed a crammed pool in which vacationers lounged close together without masks , St. Louis station KMOV-TV reported .
CLICK HERE TO GET COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE '' Look , I have been advocating on this show for over a month to re-open the economy , '' McCain said .
`` I have been advocating given all the reasons , suicide rates are spiking , opioid overdoses .
Obviously , the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm just confused as to why I 've been advocating for a slow roll open of the economy if we are n't going to have some kind of in-between between completely isolating , quarantining forever and 'Girls Gone Wild . '
`` I 'm very confused , because for me when you see that gripping New York Times cover with all the names of the people who have died -- which , by the way , people who are close to me have lost family members from the COVID crisis , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just confused at the insensitivity . ''
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
"The View" co-host Meghan McCain had strong words Tuesday for people who gathered on beaches and at pool parties over Memorial Day weekend despite the coronavirus pandemic.
"I was very upset over the weekend over this because, again, I've been completely isolated and quarantined, and all I want to do by August is be able to buy a crib for my baby in a store and visit my father's grave. That's it," McCain said.
"That's all I want to do before the fall, and to see people sort of, like, rubbing their nose at all the sacrifices of our first responders, and there's still so much unknown about this virus. Look, I've been very, very disheartened and it's happening everywhere. It's a red state [and] blue state problem."
MEMORIAL DAY TRAVELERS HIT TOURIST SPOTS ACROSS US, BUT NOT ALWAYS SOCIAL-DISTANCING
Sheriff’s deputies and beach patrols tried to make sure people kept their distance from others as they soaked up the rays on the sand and at parks and other recreation sites around the country.
White House coronavirus task force response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said Sunday that she was “very concerned” about scenes of people crowding together over the weekend.
“We really want to be clear all the time that social distancing is absolutely critical," she said on ABC’s “This Week". "And if you can’t social distance and you’re outside, you must wear a mask."
In Missouri, people packed bars and restaurants at the Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend. One video showed a crammed pool in which vacationers lounged close together without masks, St. Louis station KMOV-TV reported.
CLICK HERE TO GET COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
"Look, I have been advocating on this show for over a month to re-open the economy," McCain said. "I have been advocating given all the reasons, suicide rates are spiking, opioid overdoses. Obviously, the economy is completely collapsing. I think I'm just confused as to why I've been advocating for a slow roll open of the economy if we aren't going to have some kind of in-between between completely isolating, quarantining forever and 'Girls Gone Wild.'
"I'm very confused, because for me when you see that gripping New York Times cover with all the names of the people who have died -- which, by the way, people who are close to me have lost family members from the COVID crisis," she added.
"I think I'm just confused at the insensitivity."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-03-17--Dollar General stores, others set specific hours for older shoppers for their protection

Stores around the U.S. and the globe are taking extra steps to help protect the elderly population , which is considered the most vulnerable to the novel coronavirus .
Their efforts come as President Donald Trump urged all older Americans to stay home during a set of sweeping guidelines on Monday .
Dollar General stores throughout the states announced plans to dedicate the first hour of each shopping day to senior shoppers , starting on Tuesday .
MAR-A-LAGO INFORMS GUESTS OF 'DEEP CLEANING ' AFTER SOME AT RESORT TEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS '' Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers , who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus , '' a company statement said .
`` General wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods . ''
Other customers will have to plan around this window .
Store hours are also closing one hour earlier to protect their employees and allow them to clean and re-stock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. have not implemented a specific timeframe to assist the older population , a North Carolina woman has started going on grocery runs for her elderly neighbors .
“ The idea actually came about when I called my grandfather the other day , ” Becky Hoeffler told WNCN-TV .
“ He told me , ‘ I ’ m on my way to the grocery store ’ and I was just kind of concerned because he ’ s 91 and I thought , ‘ is there a reason you have to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was worried about her elderly neighbors possibly catching the virus that has infected over 4,100 people in 49 states across the U.S. She works at home -- like many Americans now -- and is able to go on runs during her lunch break .
“ Am I excited that I ’ m probably going to get a sweet loaf of banana bread from my neighbor , Patti , because of this , yes , ” Hoeffler told the station .
“ Either way though , I think being able to help people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the most American things that you can do . ''
LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS : NEW YORK COUPLE DETERMINED TO TIE THE KNOT AMID PANDEMIC The Australian grocery chain Woolworths announced temporary measures in their stores to help the elderly obtain essential items in a less crowded environment on Monday .
“ We ’ re launching a dedicated shopping hour in our stores to help support the needs of the elderly and people with disability in the community , '' the company said on Facebook .
`` From tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , we ’ ll be opening exclusively for them to shop from 7-8 am , where permitted . ''
In Ireland , one branch of a popular British supermarket chain , Iceland will also have a senior shopping hour .
“ The store is fully cleaned every morning , anyway , so the store is always at its cleanest and tidiest ( in the morning ) , ” manager Danny Burke , 37 , told TODAY Food .
“ The elderly will be able to come in and they won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people rushing around trying to grab anything.
” Publix , Kroger , and Walmart all announced measures to change their store hours in the U.S. Publix announced over the weekend it will close two hours early , to give employees time to restock produce and sanitize shelves .
`` Publix will continue to focus on keeping our associates healthy — and our stores open and stocked — to serve and support all our communities , '' said Todd Jones , Publix CEO , said in a statement .
Kroger was also changing hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances . ''
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE Walmart stores that are normally open 24 hours are now be limited from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. , the company said late on Saturday and implemented on Sunday .
Other stores , which are typically open until midnight , will have reduced hours .

Stores around the U.S. and the globe are taking extra steps to help protect the elderly population, which is considered the most vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.
Their efforts come as President Donald Trump urged all older Americans to stay home during a set of sweeping guidelines on Monday.
Dollar General stores throughout the states announced plans to dedicate the first hour of each shopping day to senior shoppers, starting on Tuesday.
MAR-A-LAGO INFORMS GUESTS OF 'DEEP CLEANING' AFTER SOME AT RESORT TEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS
"Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus," a company statement said. "General wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods."
Other customers will have to plan around this window. Store hours are also closing one hour earlier to protect their employees and allow them to clean and re-stock store shelves.
While most stores in the U.S. have not implemented a specific timeframe to assist the older population, a North Carolina woman has started going on grocery runs for her elderly neighbors.
“The idea actually came about when I called my grandfather the other day,” Becky Hoeffler told WNCN-TV. “He told me, ‘I’m on my way to the grocery store’ and I was just kind of concerned because he’s 91 and I thought, ‘is there a reason you have to go to the grocery store?'”
Hoeffler was worried about her elderly neighbors possibly catching the virus that has infected over 4,100 people in 49 states across the U.S. She works at home -- like many Americans now -- and is able to go on runs during her lunch break.
“Am I excited that I’m probably going to get a sweet loaf of banana bread from my neighbor, Patti, because of this, yes,” Hoeffler told the station. “Either way though, I think being able to help people and being able to help your neighbor is one of the most American things that you can do."
LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS: NEW YORK COUPLE DETERMINED TO TIE THE KNOT AMID PANDEMIC
The Australian grocery chain Woolworths announced temporary measures in their stores to help the elderly obtain essential items in a less crowded environment on Monday.
“We’re launching a dedicated shopping hour in our stores to help support the needs of the elderly and people with disability in the community," the company said on Facebook. "From tomorrow [March 17] until at least Friday, we’ll be opening exclusively for them to shop from 7-8 am, where permitted."
In Ireland, one branch of a popular British supermarket chain, Iceland will also have a senior shopping hour.
“The store is fully cleaned every morning, anyway, so the store is always at its cleanest and tidiest (in the morning),” manager Danny Burke, 37, told TODAY Food. “The elderly will be able to come in and they won’t be intimidated by the big crowds and people rushing around trying to grab anything.”
Publix, Kroger, and Walmart all announced measures to change their store hours in the U.S. Publix announced over the weekend it will close two hours early, to give employees time to restock produce and sanitize shelves.
"Publix will continue to focus on keeping our associates healthy — and our stores open and stocked — to serve and support all our communities," said Todd Jones, Publix CEO, said in a statement.
Kroger was also changing hours in some areas "based on local circumstances."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Walmart stores that are normally open 24 hours are now be limited from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the company said late on Saturday and implemented on Sunday. Other stores, which are typically open until midnight, will have reduced hours.


foxnews--2020-03-16--Sen. Kevin Cramer: Infrastructure investment is what America needs to fight coronavirus

Under President Trump , the United States economy is roaring .
Just look at the February jobs report , with 273,000 new jobs added , job numbers in December and January revised up by 85,000 , and average hourly earnings up 3 percent from this time last year .
Our rocket-ship economy is strong , but the coronavirus outbreak threatens to derail some of this momentum .
Stocks have fallen significantly over the last month , and the profits of industries which rely on tourism and travel – roughly 7 percent of our gross domestic product – are falling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm is not merely a blank check stimulus , but policies that invest in long-term growth .
While we work toward that goal , temporary measures to stimulate our economy and assist those most impacted are sure to be necessary .
LINDSEY GRAHAM SAYS TRUMP IS 'BEST BET ' TO FIX ECONOMY A SECOND TIME AFTER CORONAVIRUS HIT Instead of cutting federal interest rates or momentary relief , I believe any sort of effort designed to stimulate the economy should be aimed at areas the federal government already oversees and needs to prioritize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Dakota .
We are an energy state that has become accustomed to the boom and bust cycles of the industry .
During the bust , North Dakota took that opportunity to invest in our infrastructure so we would be better prepared for the next boom .
Our state continues to benefit from that foresight today and Congress could do the same .
Ironically , the nation ’ s largest highway bill in history is awaiting congressional action .
Last July , the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works ( EPW ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Transportation Infrastructure Act .
In an era of deeply divided government , our committee was able to come together and advance a package that will produce real results for all Americans .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER Our bill authorizes $ 287 billion over five years , including $ 259 billion for programs to maintain and repair America ’ s roads and bridges .
It grows the economy , eliminates burdensome regulation , invests in tribal lands , and maintains the current funding formula that ensures states like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prioritize its transportation needs .
During his State of the Union , President Trump called on Congress to pass this legislation expeditiously .
As EPW Ranking Member Sen. Tom Carper , D-Del.
, said , “ For far too long , our country has leaped from one highway funding crisis to the next and failed to implement forward-looking solutions to the challenges facing our transportation sector .
America ’ s Transportation Infrastructure Act will ensure that every community reaps the benefits of strong federal investment , with safer roads , cleaner air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I agree .
We have a highway bill waiting and we are developing water infrastructure legislation .
During this temporary coronavirus bust , Congress must work overtime to send an infrastructure package to President Trump .
Every American would reap the benefit of passing this bill and it would set us up for long-term success .
Let ’ s get these done !
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Beyond infrastructure , Congress has worked with President Trump to rebuild our military .
I sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 738 billion defense bill .
This package makes critical investments in equipment and infrastructure .
These dollars are a boon to everyone from manufacturers within our defense industrial base to local contractors who are hired to refurbish and build our bases .
The administration ought to look for opportunities to expedite projects to stimulate action that ’ s already been given the green light by Congress .
If we are looking for ways to inject economic benefit into the economy , let ’ s start here .
We should avoid the pitfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will solve the problem .
Follow the North Dakota model by investing in our nation ’ s infrastructure and national defense .
All Americans will see and feel the results and be even more competitive after the virus passes .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY SEN. KEVIN CRAMER

Under President Trump, the United States economy is roaring. Just look at the February jobs report, with 273,000 new jobs added, job numbers in December and January revised up by 85,000, and average hourly earnings up 3 percent from this time last year.
Our rocket-ship economy is strong, but the coronavirus outbreak threatens to derail some of this momentum. Stocks have fallen significantly over the last month, and the profits of industries which rely on tourism and travel – roughly 7 percent of our gross domestic product – are falling.
What our economy needs to weather this storm is not merely a blank check stimulus, but policies that invest in long-term growth. While we work toward that goal, temporary measures to stimulate our economy and assist those most impacted are sure to be necessary.
LINDSEY GRAHAM SAYS TRUMP IS 'BEST BET' TO FIX ECONOMY A SECOND TIME AFTER CORONAVIRUS HIT
Instead of cutting federal interest rates or momentary relief, I believe any sort of effort designed to stimulate the economy should be aimed at areas the federal government already oversees and needs to prioritize. Washington could learn a lesson from North Dakota. We are an energy state that has become accustomed to the boom and bust cycles of the industry. During the bust, North Dakota took that opportunity to invest in our infrastructure so we would be better prepared for the next boom. Our state continues to benefit from that foresight today and Congress could do the same.
Ironically, the nation’s largest highway bill in history is awaiting congressional action. Last July, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) unanimously passed S. 2302, America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act. In an era of deeply divided government, our committee was able to come together and advance a package that will produce real results for all Americans.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER
Our bill authorizes $287 billion over five years, including $259 billion for programs to maintain and repair America’s roads and bridges. It grows the economy, eliminates burdensome regulation, invests in tribal lands, and maintains the current funding formula that ensures states like North Dakota receive steady funding and flexibility to prioritize its transportation needs. During his State of the Union, President Trump called on Congress to pass this legislation expeditiously.
As EPW Ranking Member Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., said, “For far too long, our country has leaped from one highway funding crisis to the next and failed to implement forward-looking solutions to the challenges facing our transportation sector. America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act will ensure that every community reaps the benefits of strong federal investment, with safer roads, cleaner air, greater mobility and more connectivity.”
I agree. We have a highway bill waiting and we are developing water infrastructure legislation. During this temporary coronavirus bust, Congress must work overtime to send an infrastructure package to President Trump. Every American would reap the benefit of passing this bill and it would set us up for long-term success. Let’s get these done!
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Beyond infrastructure, Congress has worked with President Trump to rebuild our military. I sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee and last year we passed a bipartisan $738 billion defense bill. This package makes critical investments in equipment and infrastructure. These dollars are a boon to everyone from manufacturers within our defense industrial base to local contractors who are hired to refurbish and build our bases. The administration ought to look for opportunities to expedite projects to stimulate action that’s already been given the green light by Congress.
If we are looking for ways to inject economic benefit into the economy, let’s start here. We should avoid the pitfall of believing throwing cash at the problem will solve the problem. Follow the North Dakota model by investing in our nation’s infrastructure and national defense. All Americans will see and feel the results and be even more competitive after the virus passes.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY SEN. KEVIN CRAMER