courthousenews--2020-12-29--FAA Outlines New Rules for Drones and Their Operators

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Federal officials say they will allow operators to fly small drones over people and at night , potentially giving a boost to commercial use of the machines .
Most drones will need to be equipped so they can be identified remotely by law enforcement officials .
The final rules announced Monday by the Federal Aviation Administration “ get us closer to the day when we will more routinely see drone operations such as the delivery of packages , ” said FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson .
Drones are the fastest-growing segment in all of transportation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Transportation Department .
However , the widespread commercial use of the machines has developed far more slowly than many advocates expected .
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos once predicted that his company would use drones to deliver goods to customers ’ doorsteps within five years , but that prediction is already off by two years .
There have been several tests and limited uses .
United Parcel Service said last year that it received approval to operate a nationwide fleet of drones and has already made hundreds of deliveries on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also last year , Google sister company Wing Aviation won FAA approval for commercial drone flights in a corner of Virginia .
And this past August , Amazon got similar FAA approval to deliver packages by drones .
The company is still testing the service and hasn ’ t said when shoppers will see deliveries .
For drone supporters impatient with the pace of adoption , regulatory hurdles are a leading complaint .
Currently , operators who want to fly a drone over people or at night need a waiver from the FAA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drones used at night include flashing lights that can be seen up to three miles away .
Operators will need special training .
Small drones flying over people can not have rotating parts capable of cutting skin .
The rules covering flights over people and at night will take effect in about two months .
They finalize proposed rules issued last year .
All drones that must be registered with the FAA will be required to have equipment that broadcasts their identification , location and control station or be operated at FAA-recognized areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose by Congress at the urging of national security and law enforcement agencies .
Drone manufacturers will have 18 months to begin making drones with remote ID , and operators will have one year after that to start using drones with remote ID .

Federal officials say they will allow operators to fly small drones over people and at night, potentially giving a boost to commercial use of the machines.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials say they will allow operators to fly small drones over people and at night, potentially giving a boost to commercial use of the machines.
Most drones will need to be equipped so they can be identified remotely by law enforcement officials.
The final rules announced Monday by the Federal Aviation Administration “get us closer to the day when we will more routinely see drone operations such as the delivery of packages,” said FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson.
Drones are the fastest-growing segment in all of transportation, with more than 1.7 million under registration, according to the Transportation Department.
However, the widespread commercial use of the machines has developed far more slowly than many advocates expected. Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos once predicted that his company would use drones to deliver goods to customers’ doorsteps within five years, but that prediction is already off by two years.
There have been several tests and limited uses. United Parcel Service said last year that it received approval to operate a nationwide fleet of drones and has already made hundreds of deliveries on a hospital campus in North Carolina.
Also last year, Google sister company Wing Aviation won FAA approval for commercial drone flights in a corner of Virginia.
And this past August, Amazon got similar FAA approval to deliver packages by drones. The company is still testing the service and hasn’t said when shoppers will see deliveries.
For drone supporters impatient with the pace of adoption, regulatory hurdles are a leading complaint. Currently, operators who want to fly a drone over people or at night need a waiver from the FAA.
The new rules will require that drones used at night include flashing lights that can be seen up to three miles away. Operators will need special training. Small drones flying over people cannot have rotating parts capable of cutting skin.
The rules covering flights over people and at night will take effect in about two months. They finalize proposed rules issued last year.
All drones that must be registered with the FAA will be required to have equipment that broadcasts their identification, location and control station or be operated at FAA-recognized areas. So-called remote ID was a requirement impose by Congress at the urging of national security and law enforcement agencies.
Drone manufacturers will have 18 months to begin making drones with remote ID, and operators will have one year after that to start using drones with remote ID.


Las Vegas Sands

LAS VEGAS — A shareholder derivative complaint filed in federal court in Nevada Monday alleges Sheldon Adelson , and other @ @ @ @ @ shareholders of Las Vegas Sands Corp. , filed misleading proxy statements and caused the company @ @ @ @ @ 2 billion worth of its own stock at artificially inflated prices .

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.


White’s Ferry

POOLESVLLE , Md .
— White ’ s Ferry , which has shuttled passengers and goods between Maryland and Virginia @ @ @ @ @ , announced its closure Monday , citing a trial court ruling last month that found @ @ @ @ @ owned by Rockland Farm , LLC , after the termination of a license agreement .
@ @ @ @ @ no final court order that would prevent the ferry from operating , and the decision @ @ @ @ @ solely made by White ’ s Ferry .
”


Virtual Witness

LOS ANGELES — Parents of a disabled boy who was abused by his in-home caregiver can pursue their negligent infliction @ @ @ @ @ they were virtually present to witness the abuse through a livestream on a smartphone from @ @ @ @ @ ” a California appeals court ruled .


Water Quality

SAN JOSE , Calif. — A federal court in California denied the city of Sunnyvale ’ s request to dismiss @ @ @ @ @ Clean Water Act suit alleging the city ’ s sewer system unlawfully releases polluted stormwater @ @ @ @ @ .


Music Copyright

NEW YORK — The Second Circuit upheld the dismissal of a song copyright owner ’ s claims against Prince , @ @ @ @ @ The plaintiff , who owns the copyright of the song “ Phone Sex , ” @ @ @ @ @ Girl 6 ” — performed by Prince for Lee ’ s film of the same @ @ @ @ @ copyright .


Census Count

WASHINGTON , D.C. — In line with its recent ruling in Trump v. New York , the U.S. Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ and Maryland to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction challenges to President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ to exclude undocumented immigrants .


courthousenews--2020-12-29--Amid Pandemic, Pacific Islands Work to Offset Food Shortages

JAKARTA , Indonesia ( AP ) — Coronavirus infections have barely touched many of the remote islands of the Pacific , but the pandemic ’ s fallout has been enormous , disrupting the supply chain that brings crucial food imports and sending prices soaring as tourism wanes .
With a food crisis looming , many governments have begun community initiatives to help alleviate shortages : extending fishing seasons , expanding indigenous food gathering lessons and bolstering seed distribution programs that allow residents greater self-reliance .
“ We initially started with 5,000 seeds and thought we would finish them in nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very big response , and we finished distributing the seeds in one week , ” said Vinesh Kumar , head of operation for Fiji ’ s Agriculture Ministry .
The project provides residents with vegetable seeds , saplings and basic farming equipment to help them grow their own home gardens .
Fiji resident Elisabeta Waqa said she had contemplated starting a garden before the pandemic , but with no job , extra time at home and seeds from the ministry and friends , she finally took action .
Looking to have “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buckets , crates and other potential planters discarded on the side of the road and in the trash .
Soon her yard transformed into containers of green beans , cucumber , cabbage and other produce .
“ When I started harvesting about two , three weeks later , that ’ s when I realized : My gosh , this is a hobby people have had for so long .
I thought about just how much money I could save my doing this , ” Waqa said .
Geographically isolated with limited arable land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific island countries and territories have seen their populations shift from traditional agriculture-based work to tourism .
The trend has created an increased reliance on imported food such as corned beef , noodles and other highly processed foods instead of the traditional diet of locally grown items like nutrient-rich yams and taro .
Eriko Hibi , director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Liaison Office in Japan , called the shift a “ triple burden ” of health issues : undernutrition , micronutrient deficiencies and obesity .
When the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region closed their borders .
Shipping supply chains — including fertilizer for farms and food — were disrupted , causing prices to rise .
In Suva , Fiji , the cost of some fresh fruits and vegetables rose by up to 75 % during the first weeks .
At same time , tourism — which Hibi said accounts for up to 70 % of some countries ’ gross domestic product — came to a halt , leaving thousands unemployed with decreased access to food .
“ It ’ s not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market but also the purchasing power of the consumers , which has gone down , ” Hibi said .
In Tuvalu , the government held workshops teaching youth indigenous food production methods such as taro planting and sap collection from coconut trees .
In Fiji , the government extended fishing season of coral trout and grouper that could be sold for income or used as food .
Numerous governments encouraged residents to move back to rural areas that had stronger independent food resources .
Tevita Ratucadre and his wife moved back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on rent and food costs after being laid off from the hotel where they worked because of COVID-19 .
In the city , “ you have to buy everything with money , even if you have to put food on the table , ” Ratucadre said .
“ In the village you can grow your own things.
” Having watched his parents farm when he was a child , Ratucadre said he was able to remember how to plant and grow cassava stems from a neighbor .
He now grows enough food for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I used to work , I used to buy whatever I wanted to eat when I ’ d go to the supermarket , ” he said .
“ Now I have to plant and eat whatever I ’ ve planted.
” Mervyn Piesse , a research manager at Australian-based research institute Future Directions International , said it was too early to know what the potential health benefits could be but regional diets might shift away from imports to more fresh food , even after the pandemic .
“ There is , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pacific for people to actually start thinking about , ‘ If we can grow food ourselves during a global pandemic , why can ’ t we do the same thing at normal times ?
’ ” Piesse said .
Waqa said she has already made up her mind — though she ’ s begun working again , she ’ s taught her older children how to take care of the garden and harvest produce while she ’ s gone .
“ Now I save money on food , know where my food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure about having food , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t want to go back to the way things were before .
”

Coronavirus infections have barely touched many of the remote islands of the Pacific, but the pandemic’s fallout has been enormous, disrupting the supply chain that brings crucial food imports and sending prices soaring as tourism wanes.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Coronavirus infections have barely touched many of the remote islands of the Pacific, but the pandemic’s fallout has been enormous, disrupting the supply chain that brings crucial food imports and sending prices soaring as tourism wanes.
With a food crisis looming, many governments have begun community initiatives to help alleviate shortages: extending fishing seasons, expanding indigenous food gathering lessons and bolstering seed distribution programs that allow residents greater self-reliance.
“We initially started with 5,000 seeds and thought we would finish them in nine months’ time. But there was a very big response, and we finished distributing the seeds in one week,” said Vinesh Kumar, head of operation for Fiji's Agriculture Ministry.
The project provides residents with vegetable seeds, saplings and basic farming equipment to help them grow their own home gardens.
Fiji resident Elisabeta Waqa said she had contemplated starting a garden before the pandemic, but with no job, extra time at home and seeds from the ministry and friends, she finally took action.
Looking to have “zero financial investment,” Waqa collected buckets, crates and other potential planters discarded on the side of the road and in the trash. Soon her yard transformed into containers of green beans, cucumber, cabbage and other produce.
“When I started harvesting about two, three weeks later, that’s when I realized: My gosh, this is a hobby people have had for so long. I thought about just how much money I could save my doing this,” Waqa said.
Geographically isolated with limited arable land and increased urbanization, many of the Pacific island countries and territories have seen their populations shift from traditional agriculture-based work to tourism. The trend has created an increased reliance on imported food such as corned beef, noodles and other highly processed foods instead of the traditional diet of locally grown items like nutrient-rich yams and taro.
Eriko Hibi, director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Liaison Office in Japan, called the shift a “triple burden” of health issues: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity.
When the pandemic hit, nearly all the countries in the region closed their borders. Shipping supply chains — including fertilizer for farms and food — were disrupted, causing prices to rise. In Suva, Fiji, the cost of some fresh fruits and vegetables rose by up to 75% during the first weeks.
At same time, tourism — which Hibi said accounts for up to 70% of some countries’ gross domestic product — came to a halt, leaving thousands unemployed with decreased access to food.
“It’s not just about the availability of the prices in the market but also the purchasing power of the consumers, which has gone down,” Hibi said.
In Tuvalu, the government held workshops teaching youth indigenous food production methods such as taro planting and sap collection from coconut trees. In Fiji, the government extended fishing season of coral trout and grouper that could be sold for income or used as food. Numerous governments encouraged residents to move back to rural areas that had stronger independent food resources.
Tevita Ratucadre and his wife moved back to a rural village in Fiji to save on rent and food costs after being laid off from the hotel where they worked because of COVID-19.
In the city, “you have to buy everything with money, even if you have to put food on the table,” Ratucadre said. “In the village you can grow your own things.”
Having watched his parents farm when he was a child, Ratucadre said he was able to remember how to plant and grow cassava stems from a neighbor. He now grows enough food for his family, he said.
“When I used to work, I used to buy whatever I wanted to eat when I’d go to the supermarket,” he said. “Now I have to plant and eat whatever I’ve planted.”
Mervyn Piesse, a research manager at Australian-based research institute Future Directions International, said it was too early to know what the potential health benefits could be but regional diets might shift away from imports to more fresh food, even after the pandemic.
“There is, I think, a movement in parts of the Pacific for people to actually start thinking about, ‘If we can grow food ourselves during a global pandemic, why can’t we do the same thing at normal times?’” Piesse said.
Waqa said she has already made up her mind — though she’s begun working again, she’s taught her older children how to take care of the garden and harvest produce while she’s gone.
“Now I save money on food, know where my food is coming from and just feel more secure about having food,” she said. “I don’t want to go back to the way things were before.”
By VICTORIA MILKO Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-29--As South Africa’s Virus Spikes, President Bans Liquor Sales

JOHANNESBURG ( AP ) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reimposed a ban on alcohol sales and ordered the closure of all bars Monday as part of new restrictions to help the country battle a resurgence of the coronavirus , including a new variant .
Ramaphosa also announced the closure of all beaches and public swimming pools in the country ’ s infection hotspots , which include Cape Town , Johannesburg , Durban and several coastal areas .
In addition , South Africa is extending its nighttime curfew by four hours , requiring all residents must be at home from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president said .
“ Reckless behavior due to alcohol intoxication has contributed to increased transmission .
Alcohol-related accidents and violence are putting pressure on our hospital emergency units , ” Ramaphosa said in a nationwide address .
“ As we had to in the early days of the lockdown , we now have to flatten the curve to protect the capacity of our healthcare system to enable it to respond effectively to this new wave of infections , ” he said .
Ramaphosa said the ban on selling alcohol and other new restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include the mandatory wearing of masks in public , and anyone found not wearing a mask in a public place will be subject to a fine or a criminal charge punishable by a possible jail sentence , the president said .
Ramaphosa said the increased restrictions are necessary because of a surge in COVID-19 infections which has pushed South Africa ’ s total confirmed virus cases past 1 million .
“ Nearly 27,000 South Africans are known to have died from COVID-19 .
The number of new coronavirus infections is climbing at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ More than 50,000 new cases have been reported since Christmas Eve.
” Ramaphosa announced the new measures after a Cabinet meeting and an emergency meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council .
He said the new restrictions would be reviewed in a few weeks and a relaxation would only be considered when the numbers of new cases and hospitalizations decrease .
The country surpassed the 1 million mark in confirmed virus cases on Sunday night , when authorities reported that the country ’ s total cases during the pandemic had reached 1,004,413 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Africa is battling a variant of COVID-19 that medical experts think is more infectious than the original .
The variant has become dominant in many parts of the country , according to experts .
The South African Medical Association , which represents nurses and other health workers as well as doctors , warned Monday that the health system was on the verge of being overwhelmed by the combination of higher numbers of COVID-19 patients and people needing urgent care from alcohol-related incidents .
Many holiday gatherings involve high levels of alcohol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increased trauma cases .
“ To alleviate the pressure on the system during this time of the year , where we only have skeleton staff working , especially in the public sector , as well as in the private sector , we are asking for stricter restrictions regarding social gatherings , ” Angelique Coetzee , chairwoman of the medical association told The Associated Press .
“ South Africa has got a history of very high alcohol abuse and binge drinking , especially over the weekends .
In certain areas that leads to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , motor vehicle accidents and domestic violence , ” she said .
The medical association has called on the government to impose stricter restrictions on the sale of alcohol , especially where large gatherings are concerned .
When South Africa previously had a total ban on liquor sales , trauma cases in hospitals dropped by as much as 60 % , according to government statistics .
When the ban on alcohol sales was lifted , trauma cases went back up to previous levels .
Amid a resurgence of COVID-19 in early December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday through Thursday between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m .
The country also has a nightly 11 p.m.-4 a.m. curfew .
Various alcohol traders had pleaded with the government to avoid a total ban on alcohol sales , citing the economic damage it would cause .
South Africa ’ s alcohol industry was among those hardest hit when the country imposed a hard lockdown during April and May that also banned all liquor sales .
South Africa ’ s 7-day rolling average of confirmed daily cases has risen over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per 100,000 people on Dec. 13 to 19.87 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 27 .
The 7-day rolling average of daily deaths in the country has risen over the past two weeks from 0.26 deaths per 100,000 people on Dec. 13 to 0.49 deaths per 100,000 people on Dec. 27 .
Ramaphosa urged people to avoid gatherings for New Year ’ s Eve .
Instead , he asked all South Africans to light candles .
“ I will light a candle in Cape Town at exactly midnight on New Year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost their lives and in tribute to those who are on the frontline working to save our lives and protect us from harm , ” he said .
“ I ask that you join me wherever you are in this very important symbolic gesture.
” By ANDREW MELDRUM and MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reimposed a ban on alcohol sales and ordered the closure of all bars Monday as part of new restrictions to help the country battle a resurgence of the coronavirus, including a new variant.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reimposed a ban on alcohol sales and ordered the closure of all bars Monday as part of new restrictions to help the country battle a resurgence of the coronavirus, including a new variant.
Ramaphosa also announced the closure of all beaches and public swimming pools in the country’s infection hotspots, which include Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and several coastal areas. In addition, South Africa is extending its nighttime curfew by four hours, requiring all residents must be at home from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m., the president said.
“Reckless behavior due to alcohol intoxication has contributed to increased transmission. Alcohol-related accidents and violence are putting pressure on our hospital emergency units,” Ramaphosa said in a nationwide address.
“As we had to in the early days of the lockdown, we now have to flatten the curve to protect the capacity of our healthcare system to enable it to respond effectively to this new wave of infections," he said.
Ramaphosa said the ban on selling alcohol and other new restrictions would take effect at midnight. They include the mandatory wearing of masks in public, and anyone found not wearing a mask in a public place will be subject to a fine or a criminal charge punishable by a possible jail sentence, the president said.
Ramaphosa said the increased restrictions are necessary because of a surge in COVID-19 infections which has pushed South Africa’s total confirmed virus cases past 1 million.
“Nearly 27,000 South Africans are known to have died from COVID-19. The number of new coronavirus infections is climbing at an unprecedented rate,” he said. “More than 50,000 new cases have been reported since Christmas Eve.”
Ramaphosa announced the new measures after a Cabinet meeting and an emergency meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council. He said the new restrictions would be reviewed in a few weeks and a relaxation would only be considered when the numbers of new cases and hospitalizations decrease.
The country surpassed the 1 million mark in confirmed virus cases on Sunday night, when authorities reported that the country's total cases during the pandemic had reached 1,004,413, including 26,735 deaths.
Like Britain, South Africa is battling a variant of COVID-19 that medical experts think is more infectious than the original. The variant has become dominant in many parts of the country, according to experts.
The South African Medical Association, which represents nurses and other health workers as well as doctors, warned Monday that the health system was on the verge of being overwhelmed by the combination of higher numbers of COVID-19 patients and people needing urgent care from alcohol-related incidents. Many holiday gatherings involve high levels of alcohol consumption, which in turn often lead to increased trauma cases.
“To alleviate the pressure on the system during this time of the year, where we only have skeleton staff working, especially in the public sector, as well as in the private sector, we are asking for stricter restrictions regarding social gatherings,” Angelique Coetzee, chairwoman of the medical association told The Associated Press.
“South Africa has got a history of very high alcohol abuse and binge drinking, especially over the weekends. In certain areas that leads to a lot of trauma cases, assaults, motor vehicle accidents and domestic violence,” she said.
The medical association has called on the government to impose stricter restrictions on the sale of alcohol, especially where large gatherings are concerned.
When South Africa previously had a total ban on liquor sales, trauma cases in hospitals dropped by as much as 60%, according to government statistics. When the ban on alcohol sales was lifted, trauma cases went back up to previous levels.
Amid a resurgence of COVID-19 in early December, South Africa limited sales of alcohol to Monday through Thursday between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The country also has a nightly 11 p.m.-4 a.m. curfew.
Various alcohol traders had pleaded with the government to avoid a total ban on alcohol sales, citing the economic damage it would cause. South Africa's alcohol industry was among those hardest hit when the country imposed a hard lockdown during April and May that also banned all liquor sales.
South Africa's 7-day rolling average of confirmed daily cases has risen over the past two weeks from 11.18 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 13 to 19.87 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 27.
The 7-day rolling average of daily deaths in the country has risen over the past two weeks from 0.26 deaths per 100,000 people on Dec. 13 to 0.49 deaths per 100,000 people on Dec. 27.
Ramaphosa urged people to avoid gatherings for New Year's Eve. Instead, he asked all South Africans to light candles.
“I will light a candle in Cape Town at exactly midnight on New Year’s Eve in memory of those who have lost their lives and in tribute to those who are on the frontline working to save our lives and protect us from harm,” he said. “I ask that you join me wherever you are in this very important symbolic gesture.”
By ANDREW MELDRUM and MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-29--New York State Legislature Passes Bill to Halt Evictions

( CN ) — New Yorkers will be protected from evictions and foreclosures during the winter months ahead , thanks to a measure the state Legislature passed on Monday to curb homelessness while the Covid-19 pandemic persists .
During a five-hour New York State Assembly hearing Monday , called into session during the ordinarily quiet week between Christmas and New Year ’ s Eve , legislators touched on structural racism , homelessness and the divide between upstate and downstate trends during the pandemic .
Ultimately , the Assembly voted 99-47 to pass the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , homeowners , and landlords who own fewer than 10 buildings .
The moratorium will pause pending eviction proceedings , including those filed on or before March 7 , 2020 , through May 1 , 2021 .
Legislation mirroring the measure also passed the state Senate .
Though several legislators said they feared the eviction stay would just “ kick the can down the road , ” allowing rent or mortgage debt to accumulate in the meantime , others noted that keeping people in their homes is paramount as a measure to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also a basic humanitarian protection , some argued .
Assemblymember Demond Meeks , a Democrat representing the 137th District , described watching a mother and her children get evicted during 19-degree weather in Rochester , New York .
To benefit from the protection , tenants need to sign a hardship declaration form identifying one of five pandemic-related reasons for not being able to pay rent : loss of income ; increased out-of-pocket expenses related to performing essential work or health impacts ; care for children or an elderly , disabled or sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other circumstances .
The form does not require proof for either tenants or landlords facing financial hardships , but is self-certifying , explained the bill ’ s sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz , a Democratic assemblymember from the 81st District in the Bronx .
“ It ’ s on the penalty of perjury , essentially , ” Dinowitz said Monday .
“ If you file this form but it ’ s not truthful , then you are subject to prosecution .
I can ’ t imagine there will be a whole lot of people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , unless you think the worst of everybody.
” Some speakers , including Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes , a Democrat representing the 141st District , said that while they support the measures , landlords must also be made whole .
“ When we insist that there be a public service to protect people ’ s health , we have to pay for it , ” Peoples-Stokes said .
“ There ’ s not another public service we have that taxpayer dollars don ’ t pay for , ” she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection .
Still , she said “ there is no more important thing that we can do on this day than protect people from having to be homeless in three days.
” The assembly voted largely across party lines , with multiple Republican members holding that the measure did not do enough to protect landlords , especially those who own more than 10 properties .
Others who voted against the bill suggested that without the threat of eviction , tenants will try to game the system .
Assemblymember Brian Manktelow , a Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventing evictions in practice lets people stop paying rent and that he already sees people taking advantage of protections .
“ The tenants are getting their money , ” Manktelow said .
“ They ’ re eating out more often , they ’ re going places to buy large televisions , new cars , socializing .
That ’ s part of the reason why there ’ s this spread.
” “ If you think people have money because they ’ re not paying rent , and they ’ re living high on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other stuff that you mention , I seriously think you ’ re incorrect , ” he said .
Saying he didn ’ t believe that was a widespread issue , Dinowitz asked Manktelow whether he believed his constituents have “ very low character.
” “ Some of them , I believe , is the case , yes , ” Manktelow replied .
Later , Democrat Charles Barron , who represents the 60th District in Brooklyn , addressed racism and called speeches such as Manktelow ’ s euphemistic .
“ This is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small minority of people that might try to get over on the system , ” Barron said .
“ Racism comes in very different packages , ” he added .
“ Some is very blatant , and some gets disguised and is difficult for some people to detect .
But they are in denial.
” Interrupting Barron , Assembly Minority Leader Pro Tempore Andrew Goodell , a Republican from the 150th district , asked that Barron refrain from calling other assemblymembers racist .
Dinowitz also said that in his experience , between landlords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically people on the brink of eviction that are the ones taking advantage of policies .
“ Tenants are not gaming the system , ” Dinowitz said .
“ They ’ re desperate.
” Dinowitz and others who co-sponsored or supported the eviction moratorium said that now that President Donald Trump has signed the federal Covid-19 relief bill , New York will receive more than $ 1 billion in relief , which can be used to further help small landlords and provide general revenue relief .
“ We must prevent the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets in the cold weather during the pandemic , being made homeless , or being forced into shelters ” Dinowitz said .
“ We don ’ t want to make the spread of this virus even easier than it ’ s already been.
” Dinowitz said he was disappointed that the bill lacked bipartisan support , because “ every single one of us ” represents both tenants and small landlords .
“ We all want to help small landlords , ” he said .
“ But we should all want to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are our constituents.
” “ What I have heard is a rallying cry for eviction , ” Rosenthal said .
“ Who wins when tenants are vilified ?
” Housing in New York is a crisis , Rosenthal said , and blame should not fall to those struggling to pay rent .
“ This scenario has been lopsided for years , ” she said .
“ And it ’ s not the tenants who should be blamed here.
” Rosenthal rebuked bipartisanship and said the state should be working to ensure the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can not afford it .
“ That is our job : To protect the public health , to make sure that people in our state can live , can eat , can prosper , ” Rosenthal said .
“ And hopefully , that no one else dies during this Covid pandemic .
”

New Yorkers will be protected from evictions and foreclosures during the winter months ahead, as a measure to curb homelessness while the Covid-19 pandemic persists.
(CN) — New Yorkers will be protected from evictions and foreclosures during the winter months ahead, thanks to a measure the state Legislature passed on Monday to curb homelessness while the Covid-19 pandemic persists.
During a five-hour New York State Assembly hearing Monday, called into session during the ordinarily quiet week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, legislators touched on structural racism, homelessness and the divide between upstate and downstate trends during the pandemic.
Ultimately, the Assembly voted 99-47 to pass the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 on Monday, protecting tenants, homeowners, and landlords who own fewer than 10 buildings.
The moratorium will pause pending eviction proceedings, including those filed on or before March 7, 2020, through May 1, 2021. Legislation mirroring the measure also passed the state Senate.
Though several legislators said they feared the eviction stay would just “kick the can down the road,” allowing rent or mortgage debt to accumulate in the meantime, others noted that keeping people in their homes is paramount as a measure to protect public health.
Preventing evictions right now is also a basic humanitarian protection, some argued. Assemblymember Demond Meeks, a Democrat representing the 137th District, described watching a mother and her children get evicted during 19-degree weather in Rochester, New York.
To benefit from the protection, tenants need to sign a hardship declaration form identifying one of five pandemic-related reasons for not being able to pay rent: loss of income; increased out-of-pocket expenses related to performing essential work or health impacts; care for children or an elderly, disabled or sick family member; moving expenses; or other circumstances.
The form does not require proof for either tenants or landlords facing financial hardships, but is self-certifying, explained the bill’s sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz, a Democratic assemblymember from the 81st District in the Bronx.
“It’s on the penalty of perjury, essentially,” Dinowitz said Monday. “If you file this form but it’s not truthful, then you are subject to prosecution. I can’t imagine there will be a whole lot of people who are going to do that under those circumstances, unless you think the worst of everybody.”
Some speakers, including Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, a Democrat representing the 141st District, said that while they support the measures, landlords must also be made whole.
“When we insist that there be a public service to protect people’s health, we have to pay for it,” Peoples-Stokes said.
“There’s not another public service we have that taxpayer dollars don’t pay for,” she added, citing examples like education and environmental protection.
Still, she said “there is no more important thing that we can do on this day than protect people from having to be homeless in three days.”
The assembly voted largely across party lines, with multiple Republican members holding that the measure did not do enough to protect landlords, especially those who own more than 10 properties.
Others who voted against the bill suggested that without the threat of eviction, tenants will try to game the system.
Assemblymember Brian Manktelow, a Republican who represents the 130th District, said preventing evictions in practice lets people stop paying rent and that he already sees people taking advantage of protections.
“The tenants are getting their money,” Manktelow said. “They’re eating out more often, they’re going places to buy large televisions, new cars, socializing. That’s part of the reason why there’s this spread.”
Dinowitz disagreed with such claims.
“If you think people have money because they’re not paying rent, and they’re living high on the hog, buying TVs and all kinds of other stuff that you mention, I seriously think you’re incorrect,” he said.
Saying he didn’t believe that was a widespread issue, Dinowitz asked Manktelow whether he believed his constituents have “very low character.”
“Some of them, I believe, is the case, yes,” Manktelow replied.
Later, Democrat Charles Barron, who represents the 60th District in Brooklyn, addressed racism and called speeches such as Manktelow’s euphemistic.
“This is also about not saying coded things about a small minority of people that might try to get over on the system,” Barron said.
“Racism comes in very different packages,” he added. “Some is very blatant, and some gets disguised and is difficult for some people to detect. But they are in denial.”
Interrupting Barron, Assembly Minority Leader Pro Tempore Andrew Goodell, a Republican from the 150th district, asked that Barron refrain from calling other assemblymembers racist.
“If the shoe fits, wear it,” Barron replied.
Dinowitz also said that in his experience, between landlords and tenants, it isn’t typically people on the brink of eviction that are the ones taking advantage of policies.
“Tenants are not gaming the system,” Dinowitz said. “They’re desperate.”
Dinowitz and others who co-sponsored or supported the eviction moratorium said that now that President Donald Trump has signed the federal Covid-19 relief bill, New York will receive more than $1 billion in relief, which can be used to further help small landlords and provide general revenue relief.
“We must prevent the people of New York from being thrown out on the streets in the cold weather during the pandemic, being made homeless, or being forced into shelters” Dinowitz said. “We don’t want to make the spread of this virus even easier than it’s already been.”
Dinowitz said he was disappointed that the bill lacked bipartisan support, because “every single one of us” represents both tenants and small landlords.
“We all want to help small landlords,” he said. “But we should all want to help the tenants — these are people who are our constituents.”
Linda B. Rosenthal, a Democrat from the 67th, expressed a similar sentiment.
“What I have heard is a rallying cry for eviction,” Rosenthal said. “Who wins when tenants are vilified?”
Housing in New York is a crisis, Rosenthal said, and blame should not fall to those struggling to pay rent.
“This scenario has been lopsided for years,” she said. “And it’s not the tenants who should be blamed here.”
Rosenthal rebuked bipartisanship and said the state should be working to ensure the federal government helps to furnish rent for those who cannot afford it.
“That is our job: To protect the public health, to make sure that people in our state can live, can eat, can prosper,” Rosenthal said. “And hopefully, that no one else dies during this Covid pandemic.”


courthousenews--2020-12-30--Trump Campaign Asks High Court to Toss Wisconsin Absentee Votes

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — The Trump campaign on Tuesday again asked the nation ’ s highest court to invalidate hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots , this time in Wisconsin .
On Dec. 14 , the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to take up Trump ’ s challenge to overturn absentee votes the campaign claims were unlawfully cast and counted .
The campaign had also ordered a recount a few weeks after the presidential election in the state ’ s more liberal counties , Milwaukee and Dane .
On Tuesday , Conway , Olejniczak & Jerry Attorney George Burnett argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the U.S. Supreme Court that voters were “ encouraged to lie , to avoid the photo ID requirement , using Covid-19 as an excuse.
” While more than 330,000 Americans have died from Covid-related complications , Burnett argues Milwaukee and Dane County clerks improperly encouraged voters to “ falsify information ” that they were indefinitely confined to their homes — a required condition to receive an absentee ballot in Wisconsin .
Burnett offers as proof a March 25 order by the clerks which references Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers ’ stay-at-home order and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confined at home as a result .
“ Unsurprisingly , along with the clerks ’ failure to police the ‘ indefinitely confined ’ status came an explosion of voters claiming such status to obtain ballots without providing photo ID , ” Burnett argues for the Trump campaign .
“ In Milwaukee , for example , there were only 6,000 voters claiming that status at the start of 2020 ; by November the number had mushroomed to over 51,060.
” Burnett said “ the rank unlawfulness of the clerks ’ actions ” and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abusing the status had “ failed to prove a negative.
” “ During the election crisis of 1876-77 , President Grant observed that ‘ either party can afford to be disappointed in the result , but the country can not afford to have the result tainted by suspicion of illegal or false returns , ’ ” Burnett says in the brief .
“ That remains true .
Twenty years ago , this court emphasized that state courts have a duty to act in a manner ‘ well calculated to sustain the confidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of elections.
’ The majority below shirked that duty , refusing to rule on the merits.
” So far , the U.S Supreme Court has been loath to act on any of Trump ’ s election-related suits and has not yet ruled on the president ’ s election-related challenge to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision filed Dec. 21 .
The court refused to hear a challenge from Texas and a myriad of other states on Dec. 11 .
Justices only grant about 1 % of the 10,000-plus cases they receive annually .
Campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration of the Wisconsin case since it will be “ impossible to repair election results that were tainted by illegally cast and counted absentee ballots ” once candidates take their oath of office .
Justices should order President-elect Joe Biden ’ s campaign to respond by Dec. 30 , the brief states .
In a statement , constitutional professor John Eastman with the conservative think tank Claremont Institute said the petition was extremely persuasive .
The issue “ could not be more clear , ” he said in a statement .
“ Article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush v. Gore assigns to the ‘ Legislature ’ the plenary power to determine the manner of choosing presidential electors , not executive officials , unelected bureaucrats or even the state ’ s judiciary , ” Eastman said .
Neither Burnett nor co-counsel James R. Troupis responded to a request for comment Tuesday evening .

The Trump campaign on Tuesday again asked the nation’s highest court to invalidate hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots, this time in Wisconsin.
WASHINGTON (CN) — The Trump campaign on Tuesday again asked the nation’s highest court to invalidate hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots, this time in Wisconsin.
On Dec. 14, the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to take up Trump’s challenge to overturn absentee votes the campaign claims were unlawfully cast and counted. The campaign had also ordered a recount a few weeks after the presidential election in the state’s more liberal counties, Milwaukee and Dane.
On Tuesday, Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry Attorney George Burnett argued in a brief yet to be docketed with the U.S. Supreme Court that voters were “encouraged to lie, to avoid the photo ID requirement, using Covid-19 as an excuse.”
While more than 330,000 Americans have died from Covid-related complications, Burnett argues Milwaukee and Dane County clerks improperly encouraged voters to “falsify information” that they were indefinitely confined to their homes — a required condition to receive an absentee ballot in Wisconsin. Burnett offers as proof a March 25 order by the clerks which references Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ stay-at-home order and tells residents they could declare themselves indefinitely confined at home as a result.
“Unsurprisingly, along with the clerks’ failure to police the ‘indefinitely confined’ status came an explosion of voters claiming such status to obtain ballots without providing photo ID,” Burnett argues for the Trump campaign. “In Milwaukee, for example, there were only 6,000 voters claiming that status at the start of 2020; by November the number had mushroomed to over 51,060.”
Burnett said “the rank unlawfulness of the clerks’ actions” and their obligations to police the rolls for voters abusing the status had “failed to prove a negative.”
“During the election crisis of 1876-77, President Grant observed that ‘either party can afford to be disappointed in the result, but the country cannot afford to have the result tainted by suspicion of illegal or false returns,’” Burnett says in the brief. “That remains true. Twenty years ago, this court emphasized that state courts have a duty to act in a manner ‘well calculated to sustain the confidence that all citizens must have in the outcome of elections.’ The majority below shirked that duty, refusing to rule on the merits.”
So far, the U.S Supreme Court has been loath to act on any of Trump’s election-related suits and has not yet ruled on the president’s election-related challenge to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision filed Dec. 21. The court refused to hear a challenge from Texas and a myriad of other states on Dec. 11.
Justices only grant about 1% of the 10,000-plus cases they receive annually.
Campaign attorneys also asked the court to expedite consideration of the Wisconsin case since it will be “impossible to repair election results that were tainted by illegally cast and counted absentee ballots” once candidates take their oath of office. Justices should order President-elect Joe Biden’s campaign to respond by Dec. 30, the brief states.
In a statement, constitutional professor John Eastman with the conservative think tank Claremont Institute said the petition was extremely persuasive. The issue “could not be more clear,” he said in a statement.
“Article II of the Constitution as interpreted in Bush v. Gore assigns to the ‘Legislature’ the plenary power to determine the manner of choosing presidential electors, not executive officials, unelected bureaucrats or even the state’s judiciary,” Eastman said.
Neither Burnett nor co-counsel James R. Troupis responded to a request for comment Tuesday evening.


courthousenews--2020-12-30--First Known US Case of Covid  Variant Confirmed in Colorado

( CN ) — The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the first known case of Covid-19 variant B.1.1.7 in the United States on Tuesday , a strain first identified in the United Kingdom and considered to be more contagious than earlier known strains .
The unnamed male resides in Elbert County , where he is currently isolating , and is reportedly in his 20s .
According to the state , he has no known travel history .
How he contracted the strain — and whether he passed it on to others — remains under investigation .
“ There is a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Covid-19 variant , but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious , ” Governor Jared Polis said in a statement .
“ The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will closely monitor this case , as well as all Covid-19 indicators , very closely .
We are working to prevent spread and contain the virus at all levels.
” The governor urged Coloradans to continue to follow state and local guideline to prevent the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of physical distance and only interacting with household members .
Elbert County is a rural community inhabited by 27,000 people southeast of Denver .
To date , Elbert has reported 959 cases and nine deaths and is classified by the state as code red , indicating severe risk of disease transmission .
With Colorado confirming an average of 2,219 new daily cases over the last week , most of the state is under code red restrictions .
Nearly 20 million Americans have been infected with the virus that causes Covid-19 and 336,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February .
Winter weather , social gatherings and holiday travel has contributed to a national surge in the spread of the virus , which is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease and cancer .
According to the state , Colorado identified the B.1.1.7 variant during a routine nasal swab test , which identified two key markers for Covid-19 — the N gene and OFR1ab — but failed to identify the S gene .
The “ S drop out profile ” is one of variant B.1.1.7 ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to identify it .
Further analysis of the sample ’ s RNA sequence revealed “ eight mutations specific to the spike protein gene associated with this variant , ” a state press release said .
“ The fact that Colorado has detected this variant first in the nation is a testament to the sophistication of Colorado ’ s response and the talent of CDPHE ’ s scientist and lab operations , ” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan , executive director of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to protect public health and mitigate the spread of this variant.
” The World Health Organization reports the variant to be 40 to 70 % more transmissible between people compared to other strains of SARS-Cov-2 , although it does not appear to cause a more severe illness .
Vaccines being distributed under emergency approval are thought to be effective against this and other variants of SARS-Cov-2 .
Among other concerns , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions new variants can allow viruses to spread more quickly , cause milder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnostic tests .
Cases of the virus , also called SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 , have been identified in Australia , Denmark , Italy , Iceland and the Netherlands , according to the World Health Organization .
The Elbert County Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment before Wednesday morning ’ s press conference with state officials .

The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the first known case of Covid-19 variant B.1.1.7 in the United States on Tuesday, a strain first identified in the United Kingdom and considered to be more contagious than earlier known strains.
(CN) — The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the first known case of Covid-19 variant B.1.1.7 in the United States on Tuesday, a strain first identified in the United Kingdom and considered to be more contagious than earlier known strains.
The unnamed male resides in Elbert County, where he is currently isolating, and is reportedly in his 20s. According to the state, he has no known travel history. How he contracted the strain — and whether he passed it on to others — remains under investigation.
“There is a lot we don’t know about this new Covid-19 variant, but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious,” Governor Jared Polis said in a statement. “The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will closely monitor this case, as well as all Covid-19 indicators, very closely. We are working to prevent spread and contain the virus at all levels.”
The governor urged Coloradans to continue to follow state and local guideline to prevent the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus: wearing masks, maintaining six feet of physical distance and only interacting with household members.
Elbert County is a rural community inhabited by 27,000 people southeast of Denver. To date, Elbert has reported 959 cases and nine deaths and is classified by the state as code red, indicating severe risk of disease transmission. With Colorado confirming an average of 2,219 new daily cases over the last week, most of the state is under code red restrictions.
Nearly 20 million Americans have been infected with the virus that causes Covid-19 and 336,000 people have died since the pandemic began in February. Winter weather, social gatherings and holiday travel has contributed to a national surge in the spread of the virus, which is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease and cancer.
According to the state, Colorado identified the B.1.1.7 variant during a routine nasal swab test, which identified two key markers for Covid-19 — the N gene and OFR1ab — but failed to identify the S gene.
The “S drop out profile” is one of variant B.1.1.7’s signature traits which allow public health researchers to identify it.
Further analysis of the sample’s RNA sequence revealed “eight mutations specific to the spike protein gene associated with this variant,” a state press release said.
“The fact that Colorado has detected this variant first in the nation is a testament to the sophistication of Colorado's response and the talent of CDPHE's scientist and lab operations,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in a statement. “We are currently using all the tools available to protect public health and mitigate the spread of this variant.”
The World Health Organization reports the variant to be 40 to 70% more transmissible between people compared to other strains of SARS-Cov-2, although it does not appear to cause a more severe illness. Vaccines being distributed under emergency approval are thought to be effective against this and other variants of SARS-Cov-2.
Among other concerns, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions new variants can allow viruses to spread more quickly, cause milder or more severe symptoms, and evade diagnostic tests.
Cases of the virus, also called SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01, have been identified in Australia, Denmark, Italy, Iceland and the Netherlands, according to the World Health Organization.
The Elbert County Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment before Wednesday morning’s press conference with state officials.


courthousenews--2020-12-29--Covid Stay-At-Home Orders Extended Across Most of California

( CN ) — A swath of California stretching from San Diego to the Sacramento County line will remain under strict health orders as Covid-19 cases continue to rise and hospitals brace for another surge heading into the last days of 2020 .
The new stay-at-home order announced Tuesday impacts millions of Californians in the central and southern parts of the state , where hospitals are operating on surge protocols with their intensive care units overwhelmed with sick patients .
Regional stay-at-home orders for the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions had been set to expire Dec. 28 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ button as demand continues to exceed ICU capacity and the transmission and case rates continue to spike .
Hospitals in the Southern California region remain in crisis , with oxygen in high demand and in low supply in many hospitals and exhausted medical workers working longer shifts according to state health officials .
So far , no hospitals in the state have resorted to crisis care , which involves treating patients in cots or rationing ventilators .
But there have been reports of patients treated in hospital conference rooms or in ambulances outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely true , let me be crystal clear , some hospitals in Southern California have put in place some practices that would be part of crisis care , ” said state Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly .
“ Whether those are decisions about how ambulances are received into the facility or how stretched staff become to care for patients , looking at the effectiveness of certain treatments for certain patients who are unlikely to survive or do well .
That is happening in facilities in Southern California.
” Given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds , state health officials extended the two region ’ s health orders .
Businesses can only serve a fraction of their customers at a time under the regional health order and gatherings , like parties , can not be held .
Church services and protests can not be held indoors and people must wear masks and practice social distancing The San Joaquin Valley region includes Fresno , Kern and 10 other counties , while the Southern California region includes Los Angeles , San Bernardino and nine other counties .
Both will remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until their available ICU beds exceeds 15 % .
Currently , both regions stand at 0 % ICU capacity , which doesn ’ t mean that there are no available ICU beds .
Instead , it means hospitals are now at surge capacity and unequipped to provide the best care for patients who do not have Covid-19 .
The situation remains dire in LA County , where Covid claimed the life of someone every 10 to 15 minutes during the week of Christmas .
On Tuesday , the county reported 277 deaths — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in LA hospitals have Covid-19 , while the county of 10 million has averaged a daily case count of between 13,000 to 15,000 for the last several days .
Other parts of the state have been weathering the winter spike better .
The Northern California region has not seen the same onslaught of sick patients and is the only part of the state not under a regional health order .
Coincidentally , the state saw a slight dip in the state ’ s positivity rate , though it has stalled around 12 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
The 7-day positivity rate in LA County stands at nearly 17 % .
Already beleaguered from the post-Thanksgiving Covid surge , hospital staff across the state are bracing for a post-Christmas surge and New Year ’ s spike .
“ We know that a number of people are going to be newly exposed over the weekend , ” said Ghaly .
“ The urge of many Californians to gather and do so in ways that really are not Covid-safe is going to lead to some transmission.
” Ghaly said he hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than go to a gathering with people from outside their home .
But that message has so far been ignored given the current data , with over 20,300 Californians in the hospital and over 4,300 in ICUs across the state .
In the last two weeks , hospitalizations jumped by 36 % and admissions to the ICU spiked by 35 % .
“ This is a tremendous amount of work for these hospital systems , ” said Ghaly .
“ Hospitals are running out of staff , having to use rooms they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer than normal wait times in emergency departments .
”

A swath of California stretching from San Diego to the Sacramento County line will remain under strict health orders as Covid-19 cases continue to rise and hospitals brace for another surge heading into the last days of 2020.
(CN) — A swath of California stretching from San Diego to the Sacramento County line will remain under strict health orders as Covid-19 cases continue to rise and hospitals brace for another surge heading into the last days of 2020.
The new stay-at-home order announced Tuesday impacts millions of Californians in the central and southern parts of the state, where hospitals are operating on surge protocols with their intensive care units overwhelmed with sick patients.
Regional stay-at-home orders for the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions had been set to expire Dec. 28, but state health officials hit the reset button as demand continues to exceed ICU capacity and the transmission and case rates continue to spike.
Hospitals in the Southern California region remain in crisis, with oxygen in high demand and in low supply in many hospitals and exhausted medical workers working longer shifts according to state health officials.
So far, no hospitals in the state have resorted to crisis care, which involves treating patients in cots or rationing ventilators. But there have been reports of patients treated in hospital conference rooms or in ambulances outside emergency rooms.
“It’s absolutely true, let me be crystal clear, some hospitals in Southern California have put in place some practices that would be part of crisis care,” said state Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “Whether those are decisions about how ambulances are received into the facility or how stretched staff become to care for patients, looking at the effectiveness of certain treatments for certain patients who are unlikely to survive or do well. That is happening in facilities in Southern California.”
Given that, plus current data on available hospital beds, state health officials extended the two region’s health orders.
Businesses can only serve a fraction of their customers at a time under the regional health order and gatherings, like parties, cannot be held. Church services and protests cannot be held indoors and people must wear masks and practice social distancing.
The San Joaquin Valley region includes Fresno, Kern and 10 other counties, while the Southern California region includes Los Angeles, San Bernardino and nine other counties.
Both will remain under stay-at-home orders for three weeks or until their available ICU beds exceeds 15%.
Currently, both regions stand at 0% ICU capacity, which doesn’t mean that there are no available ICU beds. Instead, it means hospitals are now at surge capacity and unequipped to provide the best care for patients who do not have Covid-19.
The situation remains dire in LA County, where Covid claimed the life of someone every 10 to 15 minutes during the week of Christmas. On Tuesday, the county reported 277 deaths — a daily record.
Roughly 7,000 people in LA hospitals have Covid-19, while the county of 10 million has averaged a daily case count of between 13,000 to 15,000 for the last several days.
Other parts of the state have been weathering the winter spike better.
The Northern California region has not seen the same onslaught of sick patients and is the only part of the state not under a regional health order.
Coincidentally, the state saw a slight dip in the state’s positivity rate, though it has stalled around 12% and remains considerably high according to health officials. The 7-day positivity rate in LA County stands at nearly 17%.
Already beleaguered from the post-Thanksgiving Covid surge, hospital staff across the state are bracing for a post-Christmas surge and New Year’s spike.
“We know that a number of people are going to be newly exposed over the weekend,” said Ghaly. “The urge of many Californians to gather and do so in ways that really are not Covid-safe is going to lead to some transmission.”
Ghaly said he hopes more people will cancel their plans rather than go to a gathering with people from outside their home. But that message has so far been ignored given the current data, with over 20,300 Californians in the hospital and over 4,300 in ICUs across the state.
In the last two weeks, hospitalizations jumped by 36% and admissions to the ICU spiked by 35%.
“This is a tremendous amount of work for these hospital systems,” said Ghaly. “Hospitals are running out of staff, having to use rooms they don’t traditionally use, with much longer than normal wait times in emergency departments.”


Top Eight

Your Tuesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight stories for today including the EU and China are poised to reach a major deal that opens China ’ s lucrative domestic markets to European companies ; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to schedule a vote on the House-passed bill that would increase stimulus checks from $ 600 to $ 2,000 ; Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received her first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine , and more .
Sign up for the CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top stories delivered directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 . )
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused Tuesday to schedule a vote on the House-passed bill that would increase the Covid-19 stimulus checks for Americans from $ 600 to $ 2,000 .
2 . )
A federal appeals court has sided with more than a dozen members of Congress in their attempt to get their hands on details about the Trump Organization ’ s lease on the luxury hotel located in the capital ’ s historic Old Post Office building .
3 . )
President-elect Joe Biden hit the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribute coronavirus vaccines to the American people is insufficient as the pandemic continues to spread out of control in all corners of the nation .
4 . )
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received her first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine on Tuesday , 22 days out from Inauguration Day .
5 . )
The Trump administration failed to satisfy the requirements of a landmark settlement when it sought to impose new rules governing the detention and release of immigrant children in federal custody and therefore can not terminate the agreement , a Ninth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) A Sixth Circuit panel ruled Tuesday that Cincinnati school officials are not entitled to governmental immunity from civil rights claims brought by the estate of an 8-year-old who committed suicide after repeated bullying .
7 . )
In a blow to President-elect Joe Biden , the European Union and China are poised to reach a major deal that opens China ’ s lucrative domestic markets to European companies and includes commitments from the repressive Chinese regime to beef up its environmental goals and ban forced labor .
8 . )
Even with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field , there were only three fewer members of the media killed in 2020 as compared with last year , according to an annual tally out Tuesday from Reporters Without Borders .

Top eight stories for today including the EU and China are poised to reach a major deal that opens China’s lucrative domestic markets to European companies; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to schedule a vote on the House-passed bill that would increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000; Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received her first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and more.
Your Tuesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight stories for today including the EU and China are poised to reach a major deal that opens China’s lucrative domestic markets to European companies; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to schedule a vote on the House-passed bill that would increase stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000; Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received her first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and more.
Sign up for the CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday.
National
1.) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused Tuesday to schedule a vote on the House-passed bill that would increase the Covid-19 stimulus checks for Americans from $600 to $2,000.
The Capitol is seen through tree branches, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
2.) A federal appeals court has sided with more than a dozen members of Congress in their attempt to get their hands on details about the Trump Organization’s lease on the luxury hotel located in the capital’s historic Old Post Office building.
The Trump International Hotel is seen, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
3.) President-elect Joe Biden hit the Trump administration again Tuesday, saying its plan to distribute coronavirus vaccines to the American people is insufficient as the pandemic continues to spread out of control in all corners of the nation.
President-elect Joe Biden speaks at The Queen theater, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
4.) Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received her first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine on Tuesday, 22 days out from Inauguration Day.
Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris campaigns for Democratic U.S. Senate challengers the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ga. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
5.) The Trump administration failed to satisfy the requirements of a landmark settlement when it sought to impose new rules governing the detention and release of immigrant children in federal custody and therefore cannot terminate the agreement, a Ninth Circuit panel ruled Tuesday.
FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2018 file photo, an asylum-seeking boy from Central America runs down a hallway after arriving from an immigration detention center to a shelter in San Diego. The Trump administration will make a case in court to end a longstanding settlement governing detention conditions for immigrant children, including how long they can be held by the government. A hearing is scheduled before a federal judge Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in Los Angeles over the so-called Flores settlement. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Regional
6.) A Sixth Circuit panel ruled Tuesday that Cincinnati school officials are not entitled to governmental immunity from civil rights claims brought by the estate of an 8-year-old who committed suicide after repeated bullying.
Gabriel Taye, who died by suicide in January 2017 after being bullied at Carson Elementary School in Cincinnati. (Photo via Gabriel B. Taye Foundation/Facebook)
International
7.) In a blow to President-elect Joe Biden, the European Union and China are poised to reach a major deal that opens China’s lucrative domestic markets to European companies and includes commitments from the repressive Chinese regime to beef up its environmental goals and ban forced labor.
A man wearing a face mask walks past statues of bulls in Beijing, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. Asian stock markets fell further Friday on spreading virus fears, deepening an global rout after Wall Street endured its biggest one-day drop in nine years. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
8.) Even with the pandemic keeping many journalists out of the field, there were only three fewer members of the media killed in 2020 as compared with last year, according to an annual tally out Tuesday from Reporters Without Borders.


courthousenews--2020-12-29--Judge Rejects Apple Copyright Claims Against Cybersecurity Firm

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. ( CN ) — A lawsuit filed by Apple against the producer of a virtual iPhone security tool hung on by a thread Tuesday , as a federal judge ruled against the smartphone giant on all but one count .
U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith in southern Florida granted summary judgment in favor of cybersecurity software company Corellium on a slew of copyright infringement claims brought against it by Apple .
But he allowed Apple ’ s lawsuit to proceed on a count for alleged violations of the anti-piracy provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corellium in West Palm Beach federal court in August 2019 over the virtual iPhone product .
Corellium markets the product as a tool that helps researchers find security vulnerabilities and bugs in iOS , the operating system on which iPhones and other Apple devices run .
As explained in the court documents , the Corellium product does not function as a consumer device : it does not make phone calls , send text messages or take pictures .
Smith found that Corellium ’ s utilization of Apple software code to create the virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fair-use doctrine , copyrighted work can be reproduced for the purposes of criticism , news reporting , teaching and research .
According to the judge , Corellium created a distinct “ transformative ” product , not just a copied version of the iPhone operating system .
“ The product creates a new , virtual platform for iOS and adds capabilities not available on Apple ’ s iOS devices , ” wrote Smith , a Donald Trump appointee .
The judge added , “ As for Apple ’ s contention that Corellium sells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belied by the evidence in the record that the company has a vetting process in place ( even if not perfect ) and , in the past , has exercised its discretion to withhold the Corellium product from those it suspects may use the product for nefarious purposes.
” ( Parentheses in original . )
Weighing the factors for fair use of copyrighted materials , Smith noted that Corellium ’ s product does not compete with Apple products and does not eat into the tech giant ’ s revenue .
The judge said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to move forward , as there is not enough evidence in the record to rule on the matter .
The DMCA section at issue prohibits circumventing security locks meant to protect copyrighted material .
The section was designed in part to prevent pirating of DVDs and CDs in the 1990s .
Smith found that even though the Corellium product made fair use of Apple ’ s software code , the startup still could be in violation of the DMCA anti-piracy provisions .
“ Corellium may make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not absolved of potential liability for allegedly employing circumvention tools to unlawfully access iOS or elements of iOS , ” Smith wrote .
In the still-pending claim , Apple argues that Corellium ’ s product circumvents Apple ’ s authentication server and secure boot chain , in violation of the DMCA .
Corellium has countered that Apple itself leaves elements of its iOS code open to the public through what ’ s known as IPSW files .
The files are “ left unencrypted , unprotected , unlocked , and out in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ copy , edit , distribute , perform , and display , ” Corellium argues .
Roughly a year before filing the lawsuit , Apple was in talks to acquire Corellium ’ s assets .
The deal never came to fruition .
The tech giant recently kicked off its Security Research Device Program , which , like Corellium ’ s product , will allow researchers to inspect the iPhone operating system for potential exploits .
Apple tried to argue that Corellium ’ s product competes directly with the Security Research Device Program .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ [ Apple ’ s ] argument misses the mark .
The relevant question … is whether the Corellium product has impacted the market for the copyrighted work itself––that is , for iOS , ” the judge wrote .
He added , “ The court does not find any significant market impact on iOS .
”

A lawsuit filed by Apple against the producer of a virtual iPhone product hung on by a thread Tuesday, as a federal judge ruled against the smartphone giant on all but one count.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CN) — A lawsuit filed by Apple against the producer of a virtual iPhone security tool hung on by a thread Tuesday, as a federal judge ruled against the smartphone giant on all but one count.
U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith in southern Florida granted summary judgment in favor of cybersecurity software company Corellium on a slew of copyright infringement claims brought against it by Apple. But he allowed Apple's lawsuit to proceed on a count for alleged violations of the anti-piracy provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Apple filed the case against Corellium in federal court in August 2019 over the virtual iPhone product.
Corellium markets the product as a tool that helps researchers find security vulnerabilities and bugs in iOS, the operating system on which iPhones and other Apple devices run. As explained in the court documents, the Corellium product does not function as a consumer device: it does not make phone calls, send text messages or take pictures.
Smith found that Corellium's utilization of Apple software code to create the virtual iPhone amounted to fair use. Under the fair-use doctrine, copyrighted work can be reproduced for the purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching and research.
According to the judge, Corellium created a distinct "transformative" product, not just a copied version of the iPhone operating system.
"The product creates a new, virtual platform for iOS and adds capabilities not available on Apple’s iOS devices," wrote Smith, a Donald Trump appointee.
The judge added, "As for Apple’s contention that Corellium sells its product indiscriminately, that statement is belied by the evidence in the record that the company has a vetting process in place (even if not perfect) and, in the past, has exercised its discretion to withhold the Corellium product from those it suspects may use the product for nefarious purposes.” (Parentheses in original.)
Weighing the factors for fair use of copyrighted materials, Smith noted that Corellium's product does not compete with Apple products and does not eat into the tech giant’s revenue.
The judge said he will allow Apple’s anti-piracy claim under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to move forward, as factual disputes tied to the claim require further evaluation by the court.
The DMCA section at issue prohibits circumventing security locks meant to protect copyrighted material. The section was designed in part to prevent pirating of DVDs and CDs in the 1990s.
Smith found that even though the Corellium product made fair use of Apple's software code, the startup could be in violation of the DMCA anti-piracy provisions.
"Corellium may make fair use of iOS, but it is not absolved of potential liability for allegedly employing circumvention tools to unlawfully access iOS or elements of iOS," Smith wrote.
In the still-pending claim, Apple argues that Corellium's product circumvents Apple's authentication server and secure boot chain, in violation of the DMCA.
Corellium has countered that Apple itself leaves elements of its iOS code open to the public through what's known as IPSW files. The files are “left unencrypted, unprotected, unlocked, and out in the open for the public to access, copy, edit, distribute, perform, and display,” Corellium argues.
Roughly a year before filing the lawsuit, Apple was in talks to acquire Corellium's assets. The deal never came to fruition.
The tech giant recently kicked off its Security Research Device Program, which, like Corellium's product, will allow researchers to inspect the iPhone operating system for potential exploits. Apple tried to argue that Corellium's product competes directly with the Security Research Device Program.
But Smith rejected that line of logic.
"[Apple's] argument misses the mark. The relevant question ... is whether the Corellium product has impacted the market for the copyrighted work itself––that is, for iOS," the judge wrote.
He added, "The court does not find any significant market impact on iOS.”


courthousenews--2020-12-29--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

Dec. 28 , 2020 : How to prepare for family law Zoom court appearance , infographic Dec. 23 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ appearances via remote technology , and domestic violence calendar changes Dec. 22 , 2020 : @ @ @ @ @ all locations are closed Dec. 28 through Dec. 31 , with regular business hours resuming @ @


NJ Killer Cop

NEWARK — Awaiting a trial where he has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity , John Formisano , the @ @ @ @ @ wife , shot her boyfriend and left him for dead , was hit Tuesday with @ @ @ @ @ , Timothy Simonson , also seeks damages from the city of Newark , New Jersey @

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courthousenews--2020-12-29--Biden Blasts White House Over Rollout of Covid Vaccine

( CN ) — President-elect Joe Biden hit the Trump administration again Tuesday , saying its plan to distribute coronavirus vaccines to the American people is insufficient as the pandemic continues to spread out of control in all corners of the nation .
“ The Trump administration plan to distribute vaccines is falling behind — far behind , ” Biden said from his transition team headquarters at The Queen theater in Wilmington , Delaware .
“ We are grateful to the companies , doctors , scientists , researchers , and clinical trial participants , and Operation Warp Speed for developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But as I long feared and warned , the effort to distribute and administer the vaccine is not progressing as it should.
” Biden recommitted to provide 100 million shots to Americans during his first 100 days of office , pledging to use the Defense Production Act to marshal the power of the private sector to ramp up the vaccination effort .
Biden said the effort should focus on developing a federal plan to get the shots in people ’ s arms , and he criticized the current approach of distributing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following through on how they are dispersed and ultimately delivered to the people .
The latest numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows there have been approximately 11.4 million vaccinations distributed throughout the United States to date , but only 2 million of those — about 17 % — have been administered .
“ If vaccinations continue at this pace , it will take years , not months , to vaccinate the American people , ” Biden said , though he acknowledged the logistics of the vaccination as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced as a nation.
” Trump , who is in Florida for the winter holiday season , is laser focused on his intraparty flap with Senate Republicans , insisting they pass $ 2,000 stimulus checks rather than the $ 600 Congress approved the week before Christmas .
In the meantime , the coronavirus has reached or is close to some of the grimmest benchmarks since it first emerged approximately one year ago .
The number of cases in the United States is approaching 20 million and about 336,000 Americans have perished from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that cases and deaths are likely to rise in the weeks ahead .
“ Things will get worse before they get better , ” Biden said .
He recalled predicting a death toll of 400,000 by the time he assumed the presidency and being labeled an alarmist .
“ The reality is , it looks like we ’ ll hit that grim milestone , ” Biden said .
A record number of patients are hospitalized with the virus that causes Covid-19 , according to the CDC .
Public health officials fret that family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread worse , meaning January could become the deadliest month of the pandemic in the United States — breaking records set this December .
“ We ’ re averaging a daily death rate of nearly 2,200 people — which means we will lose tens of thousands of more lives in the months to come , ” Biden said .
Biden said his administration will use the entirety of government to make sure Americans get vaccinations over the winter into the spring .
“ We will work to set up vaccination sites and send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president-elect said .
He also talked about scaling up testing and encouraging mask wearing in the short term to make up for the lack of vaccinations .
Meanwhile , the federal government must fund the comprehensive effort to quell the pandemic .
“ That is why I will propose a Covid action package early next year and challenge Congress to act on it quickly , ” he said .
“ My ability to change the direction of the pandemic starts in three weeks.
” Biden also announced the addition of three senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Kaiser Permanente executive Bechara Choucair as the nation ’ s Covid-19 vaccine coordinator .
Choucair will serve as the point person for the administration ’ s effort to accelerate the pace of vaccination .
Regarding testing , Biden announced the appointment of Carole Johnson , currently the commissioner of New Jersey ’ s human services department and a former senior health adviser in Barack Obama ’ s White House .
Johnson worked on efforts to curtail the spread of the Ebola and Zika viruses during her time on the White House Domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up testing efforts at hospitals and schools and in high-risk communities where the coronavirus has exacted a particularly steep toll .
Biden also tapped Tim Manning , who served as deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency throughout Obama ’ s tenure , to address supply issues related to the pandemic .
Manning currently advises the Pacific Disaster Center and serves as faculty at Georgetown University .
Biden has consistently railed against the Trump administration ’ s lackluster approach to securing protective equipment for health care workers .
“ This accomplished and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic under control so that the American people can get back to their lives and to their loved ones , ” Biden said .

President-elect Joe Biden hit the Trump administration again Tuesday, saying its plan to distribute coronavirus vaccines to the American people is insufficient as the pandemic continues to spread out of control in all corners of the nation.
(CN) — President-elect Joe Biden hit the Trump administration again Tuesday, saying its plan to distribute coronavirus vaccines to the American people is insufficient as the pandemic continues to spread out of control in all corners of the nation.
“The Trump administration plan to distribute vaccines is falling behind — far behind,” Biden said from his transition team headquarters at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware.
“We are grateful to the companies, doctors, scientists, researchers, and clinical trial participants, and Operation Warp Speed for developing the vaccines quickly,” Biden continued. “But as I long feared and warned, the effort to distribute and administer the vaccine is not progressing as it should.”
Biden recommitted to provide 100 million shots to Americans during his first 100 days of office, pledging to use the Defense Production Act to marshal the power of the private sector to ramp up the vaccination effort.
Biden said the effort should focus on developing a federal plan to get the shots in people’s arms, and he criticized the current approach of distributing the shots to the states but not following through on how they are dispersed and ultimately delivered to the people.
The latest numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows there have been approximately 11.4 million vaccinations distributed throughout the United States to date, but only 2 million of those — about 17% — have been administered.
“If vaccinations continue at this pace, it will take years, not months, to vaccinate the American people,” Biden said, though he acknowledged the logistics of the vaccination as “the greatest operational challenge we have ever faced as a nation.”
Trump, who is in Florida for the winter holiday season, is laser focused on his intraparty flap with Senate Republicans, insisting they pass $2,000 stimulus checks rather than the $600 Congress approved the week before Christmas.
In the meantime, the coronavirus has reached or is close to some of the grimmest benchmarks since it first emerged approximately one year ago.
The number of cases in the United States is approaching 20 million and about 336,000 Americans have perished from the disease thus far. Biden said Tuesday that cases and deaths are likely to rise in the weeks ahead.
“Things will get worse before they get better,” Biden said.
He recalled predicting a death toll of 400,000 by the time he assumed the presidency and being labeled an alarmist.
“The reality is, it looks like we’ll hit that grim milestone,” Biden said.
A record number of patients are hospitalized with the virus that causes Covid-19, according to the CDC.
Public health officials fret that family get-togethers over the holidays will make the spread worse, meaning January could become the deadliest month of the pandemic in the United States — breaking records set this December.
“We’re averaging a daily death rate of nearly 2,200 people — which means we will lose tens of thousands of more lives in the months to come,” Biden said.
Biden said his administration will use the entirety of government to make sure Americans get vaccinations over the winter into the spring.
“We will work to set up vaccination sites and send mobile units to hard-to-reach communities,” the president-elect said.
He also talked about scaling up testing and encouraging mask wearing in the short term to make up for the lack of vaccinations. Meanwhile, the federal government must fund the comprehensive effort to quell the pandemic.
“That is why I will propose a Covid action package early next year and challenge Congress to act on it quickly,” he said. “My ability to change the direction of the pandemic starts in three weeks.”
Biden also announced the addition of three senior officials to his Covid response team, including Kaiser Permanente executive Bechara Choucair as the nation's Covid-19 vaccine coordinator. Choucair will serve as the point person for the administration’s effort to accelerate the pace of vaccination.
Regarding testing, Biden announced the appointment of Carole Johnson, currently the commissioner of New Jersey's human services department and a former senior health adviser in Barack Obama’s White House. Johnson worked on efforts to curtail the spread of the Ebola and Zika viruses during her time on the White House Domestic Policy Council and will focus on ramping up testing efforts at hospitals and schools and in high-risk communities where the coronavirus has exacted a particularly steep toll.
Biden also tapped Tim Manning, who served as deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency throughout Obama’s tenure, to address supply issues related to the pandemic. Manning currently advises the Pacific Disaster Center and serves as faculty at Georgetown University.
Biden has consistently railed against the Trump administration’s lackluster approach to securing protective equipment for health care workers.
“This accomplished and experienced team will work to get the pandemic under control so that the American people can get back to their lives and to their loved ones,” Biden said.