huffpost--2020-05-15--Some Workers Would Rather Say No To Work And Lose Benefits Than Risk Getting Sick

He likes his job and wants to return to work , Birkhoff said ― but only if it ’ s safe .
“ It ’ s not worth me getting sick , ” he said .
He doesn ’ t know if the restaurant will hold his job for him .
Congress granted extra-generous unemployment insurance in March to help people stay home during the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 85,000 Americans since February .
Republicans immediately complained that the benefits , in place through July , would actually make it too easy to stay home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary weapon against the virus .
The U.S. Department of Labor has since said that when an employer asks its workers to come back on the job , they can ’ t refuse and keep receiving unemployment benefits .
There are exceptions , such as for people who are sick with COVID-19 , have a compromised immune system or are primary caregivers for children whose schools are closed .
The National Employment Law Project ( NELP ) , in a letter to the Labor Department this week co-signed by the AFL-CIO , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , highlighted the regulatory language on suitable work .
The department ’ s advisories to states so far “ fail to put the states , employers and workers on notice of the critical federal protections , ” the letter says .
A Labor Department spokesperson acknowledged that the letter accurately cited the language on “ suitable work ” amid a disaster , but said eligibility for benefits is based on its more recent guidance .
The department ’ s website says that fear of catching the coronavirus is a legitimate basis for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine as a result of such concerns.
” The Louisiana agency declined to comment on the scenario of a worker concerned about a person known to have had COVID-19 at their place of employment , saying a claimant “ should read the eligibility requirements and make a decision that is best for his or her situation.
” Even as states struggle with the basic task of distributing benefits , the Trump administration has encouraged them to ask employers for notification of individual workers refusing to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job refusals as part of the unemployment insurance system , but several Republican-led states have emphasized the importance of doing so lately , as President Donald Trump urges states to reopen and calls on workers to be “ warriors ” for the economy .
Some states may also be less strict in interpreting the federal policy than others .
California ’ s Employment Development Department , for example , has said that a worker would have good cause to refuse to return to work if they felt unsafe and their job was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance agent at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , got fired from her job this week for refusing to come to work because she has diabetes ― one of the health conditions that puts someone at higher risk for a severe case of COVID-19 , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Arceneaux , 49 , started receiving unemployment benefits last month after her shifts were reduced .
She subsequently took unpaid leave .
Last week , her employer , a contractor that provides airport services , asked her to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the airport .
Arceneaux told her boss that she didn ’ t know whether that was a good idea given her health concerns .
She said her employer told her she would be fired and no longer eligible for unemployment benefits , but she still opted to stay home , reasoning that not receiving benefits is safer than risking exposure to a deadly virus .
She received an email formally notifying her of the termination this week .
“ We offered you an opportunity to return to work as a commissary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to return to work in that role , ” the email said , according to a screenshot Arceneaux shared with HuffPost .
Arceneaux ’ s fate is not entirely in the hands of her former employer .
If a claimant can provide documentation of their health problems , the Georgia Labor Department has said it will take that into consideration in assessing an unemployment claim .
While declining to discuss the specifics of an individual case , spokeswoman Kersha Cartwright said the agency would want to look at a claimant ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reason .

OLIVIER DOULIERY via Getty Images
David Birkhoff, a cook at a small restaurant in La Place, Louisiana, stopped working in March when the state told restaurants to shut down. The 43-year-old has received unemployment benefits since then.
At the beginning of this month, Birkhoff got a message from the owner that he and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, but that “we have no symptoms and feel great.”
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The owner said they’d be retested on May 6, according to a screenshot of the message. Once he tested negative, the restaurant would reopen and everyone would come back to work.
Birkhoff balked. The father of five asked to see the test results showing that his boss had cleared the virus. He said he didn’t receive them and so he skipped his scheduled shift on Friday morning.
He likes his job and wants to return to work, Birkhoff said ― but only if it’s safe. “It’s not worth me getting sick,” he said. He doesn’t know if the restaurant will hold his job for him.
It’s a decision confronting a lot of workers as states loosen restrictions on commerce and more businesses reopen: Give up your income or go back to work ― and never mind that pandemic outside.
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Congress granted extra-generous unemployment insurance in March to help people stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 85,000 Americans since February. Republicans immediately complained that the benefits, in place through July, would actually make it too easy to stay home, even though social distancing has been our primary weapon against the virus.
The U.S. Department of Labor has since said that when an employer asks its workers to come back on the job, they can’t refuse and keep receiving unemployment benefits. There are exceptions, such as for people who are sick with COVID-19, have a compromised immune system or are primary caregivers for children whose schools are closed.
The Labor Department has specifically said, however, that if you’re just afraid of contracting the coronavirus, you can’t refuse an offer of “suitable work” and remain on benefits.
This federal guidance contradicts regulations for unemployment insurance in a disaster, which state that work is not suitable “if the circumstances present any unusual risk to the health, safety, or morals of the individual.”
The National Employment Law Project (NELP), in a letter to the Labor Department this week co-signed by the AFL-CIO, the NAACP and more than 200 other pro-worker organizations, highlighted the regulatory language on suitable work. The department’s advisories to states so far “fail to put the states, employers and workers on notice of the critical federal protections,” the letter says.
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A Labor Department spokesperson acknowledged that the letter accurately cited the language on “suitable work” amid a disaster, but said eligibility for benefits is based on its more recent guidance. The department’s website says that fear of catching the coronavirus is a legitimate basis for declining work “only if you have been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine as a result of such concerns.”
Michele Evermore, an unemployment policy expert with NELP, has hoped the Labor Department would update its guidance. “I don’t understand by what logic we are shoving people back into unsafe environments,” she said in an email.
“As a general matter, you are likely to be eligible for [pandemic unemployment assistance] due to concerns about exposure to the coronavirus only if you have been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine as a result of such concerns.” - U.S. Department of Labor
Even with more favorable guidance, workers could still lose out. The unprecedented surge in unemployment claims has swamped state workforce agencies, and it can be difficult for people to get answers about whether they qualify based on their particular situation.
“I couldn’t get through to anybody,” Birkhoff said, when he tried calling the Louisiana Workforce Commission this week about the possible change in his job status.
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The Louisiana agency declined to comment on the scenario of a worker concerned about a person known to have had COVID-19 at their place of employment, saying a claimant “should read the eligibility requirements and make a decision that is best for his or her situation.”
Even as states struggle with the basic task of distributing benefits, the Trump administration has encouraged them to ask employers for notification of individual workers refusing to return to their jobs. Employers regularly report job refusals as part of the unemployment insurance system, but several Republican-led states have emphasized the importance of doing so lately, as President Donald Trump urges states to reopen and calls on workers to be “warriors” for the economy.
If someone refuses to return to work and then loses their unemployment compensation, they can continue to certify that they’re unemployed while filing an appeal and, if it’s successful, could win back benefits for the weeks they missed.
Some states may also be less strict in interpreting the federal policy than others. California’s Employment Development Department, for example, has said that a worker would have good cause to refuse to return to work if they felt unsafe and their job was not essential.
JoAnn Arceneaux, a wheelchair assistance agent at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, got fired from her job this week for refusing to come to work because she has diabetes ― one of the health conditions that puts someone at higher risk for a severe case of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Arceneaux, 49, started receiving unemployment benefits last month after her shifts were reduced. She subsequently took unpaid leave. Last week, her employer, a contractor that provides airport services, asked her to return to work in a different role away from the airport. Arceneaux told her boss that she didn’t know whether that was a good idea given her health concerns.
“The government is saying people with these health conditions are advised to shelter in place,” she said.
She said her employer told her she would be fired and no longer eligible for unemployment benefits, but she still opted to stay home, reasoning that not receiving benefits is safer than risking exposure to a deadly virus. She received an email formally notifying her of the termination this week. “We offered you an opportunity to return to work as a commissary agent and you decided you did not want to return to work in that role,” the email said, according to a screenshot Arceneaux shared with HuffPost.
Arceneaux’s fate is not entirely in the hands of her former employer. If a claimant can provide documentation of their health problems, the Georgia Labor Department has said it will take that into consideration in assessing an unemployment claim. While declining to discuss the specifics of an individual case, spokeswoman Kersha Cartwright said the agency would want to look at a claimant’s medical history if they refused work for that reason.
“If that is the reason for your separation, then we need to know those kinds of facts and would love to see some documentation with your claim,” Cartwright said.
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Arceneaux followed the advice of public health experts when she quit her job, and she hopes she isn’t punished for it.


huffpost--2020-05-17--HHS Chief Alex Azar: Defying Social Distancing Guidelines Part Of American ‘Freedom’

Alex Azar , the U.S. secretary of health and human services , on Sunday stopped short of condemning Americans who flout the federal government ’ s social distancing guidelines , claiming such actions are “ part of the freedom ” in the United States .
During CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” host Jake Tapper asked Azar if he ’ s concerned by photos of people without masks crowding together in large groups in some states that have begun to ease coronavirus restrictions .
″I think , in any individual instance , you ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irresponsible , ” Azar said .
“ That ’ s part of the freedom that we have here in America.
” He said the federal government can give guidance , but that it ’ s the responsibility of local leaders and people who live in areas where there ’ s an “ ongoing spread ” of the virus to know what “ steps ” they should take .
“ But we have got to get this economy and our people out and about , working , going to school again , because there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been going through , ” Azar added .
`` In any individual instance you 're going to see people doing things that are irresponsible , that 's part of the freedom we have here in America . ''
HHS Secretary Alex Azar reacts to some Americans not following federal guidance to wear a mask and social distance # CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/JtHU1SkPg9 — State of the Union ( @ CNNSotu ) May 17 , 2020 At least 48 states will have eased coronavirus restrictions in some form by Monday .
While some governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , are allowing a sweeping return to work and other activities for many .
Photos taken in some states that have eased restrictions show crowded bars , beaches and restaurants , leading some medical experts to worry about a potential surge in coronavirus cases .
Azar said Sunday that “ the president has left it up to states to know their local situation the best.
” “ It ’ s very hard to judge in any community whether a bar being open , a restaurant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Azar said .
“ There should not be one-size-fits-all approaches to reopening .
But reopen we must , because it ’ s not health vs. the economy .
It ’ s actually health vs. health.
” Trump last month announced a three-phase set of guidelines for reopening parts of the country , which requires local officials to confirm a two-week downward trend of new coronavirus cases and adequate hospital and testing capacity .
But the president has since contradicted his own recommendations , urging some Democratic-led states to reopen despite not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as outlined in his own guidelines .
Trump has also encouraged protests of governors ’ stay-at-home orders , including those in Michigan , where demonstrators crammed into the state capital building without masks .
Some were armed and held up racist signs .
“ These are very good people , but they are angry , ” the president tweeted .
“ They want their lives back again , safely !
” “ If they go home and infect their grandmother or their grandfather who has a comorbid condition , and they have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will feel guilty for the rest of our lives , ” she told Fox News .

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Alex Azar, the U.S. secretary of health and human services, on Sunday stopped short of condemning Americans who flout the federal government’s social distancing guidelines, claiming such actions are “part of the freedom” in the United States.
During CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Jake Tapper asked Azar if he’s concerned by photos of people without masks crowding together in large groups in some states that have begun to ease coronavirus restrictions.
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″I think, in any individual instance, you’re going to see people doing things that are irresponsible,” Azar said. “That’s part of the freedom that we have here in America.”
He said the federal government can give guidance, but that it’s the responsibility of local leaders and people who live in areas where there’s an “ongoing spread” of the virus to know what “steps” they should take.
“But we have got to get this economy and our people out and about, working, going to school again, because there are serious health consequences to what we’ve been going through,” Azar added.
"In any individual instance you're going to see people doing things that are irresponsible, that's part of the freedom we have here in America." HHS Secretary Alex Azar reacts to some Americans not following federal guidance to wear a mask and social distance #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/JtHU1SkPg9 — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 17, 2020
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At least 48 states will have eased coronavirus restrictions in some form by Monday. While some governors are making slow changes, others, such as Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, are allowing a sweeping return to work and other activities for many.
Photos taken in some states that have eased restrictions show crowded bars, beaches and restaurants, leading some medical experts to worry about a potential surge in coronavirus cases.
Azar said Sunday that “the president has left it up to states to know their local situation the best.”
“It’s very hard to judge in any community whether a bar being open, a restaurant, a school, is the right thing,” Azar said. “There should not be one-size-fits-all approaches to reopening. But reopen we must, because it’s not health vs. the economy. It’s actually health vs. health.”
Trump last month announced a three-phase set of guidelines for reopening parts of the country, which requires local officials to confirm a two-week downward trend of new coronavirus cases and adequate hospital and testing capacity.
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But the president has since contradicted his own recommendations, urging some Democratic-led states to reopen despite not having met the criteria for doing so as outlined in his own guidelines.
Trump has also encouraged protests of governors’ stay-at-home orders, including those in Michigan, where demonstrators crammed into the state capital building without masks. Some were armed and held up racist signs.
“These are very good people, but they are angry,” the president tweeted. “They want their lives back again, safely!”
Dr. Deborah Birx, an infectious disease expert on the White House’s coronavirus task force, called the Michigan protest “devastatingly worrisome,” citing the lack of masks and social distancing.


huffpost--2020-05-17--Hundreds Demand Justice For Ahmaud Arbery At Georgia Rally

BRUNSWICK , Ga. ( AP ) — Justice for Ahmaud Arbery , a black man killed during a pursuit by a white man and his son in Georgia , isn ’ t just prison time for his killers — it ’ s changes in a local justice system that never charged them with a crime , rallygoers said Saturday .
Arbery , 25 , was killed Feb. 23 just outside the port city of Brunswick .
Gregory McMichael , 64 , told police he and his son , Travis McMichael , 34 , pursued Arbery because they believed he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The McMichaels weren ’ t arrested and charged with murder until May 7 , after a video of the shooting was publicly released to a local radio station and less than 48 hours after state agents took over the case .
“ Justice for Ahmaud is more than just the arrests of his killers , ” said John Perry , president of the Brunswick NAACP chapter at the Saturday rally .
“ Justice is saying that we ’ ve got to clean up the house of Glynn County.
” Speakers at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the district attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit who recused herself from the investigation , and George Barnhill , the Waycross circuit district attorney who took over the case and declined to press charges .
Gregory McMichael was an investigator in Johnson ’ s office before retiring last May .
Both Johnson and Barnhill have denied wrongdoing .
Organizers of the rally said around 250 vehicles drove more than four hours from Atlanta for the rally , bringing historically black fraternities and sororities , civil rights organizations and black-led gun rights groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself , he might be alive today .
Attorney Mawuli Davis came from his suburban Atlanta home because he wanted to make it clear how many people are not satisfied with how the Arbery case has been handled .
“ Georgians are just not safe when you allow an injustice like this to take place , ” said Davis , who is an organizer with the Black Man Lab in Decatur , Georgia .
The case has brought reminders of several other black people killed in confrontations with white police officers or others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandra Bland and others were mentioned during the rally .
“ We ’ re going to keep on marching .
We ’ re going to stand in solidarity .
We ’ re going to keep on protesting .
We ’ re going to keep on raising our voices because Ahmaud Arbery will get justice , ” said Triana Arnold James , president of the Georgia chapter of the National Organization for Women .
Organizers asked the crowd to wear masks and stay a safe distance apart because of COVID-19 .
There were plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s picture — but many in the crowd were shoulder to shoulder for the rally and marched with arms locked after it was over .
Arbery ’ s attorneys have said he ’ s the person recorded inside a house under construction right before he was killed .
Gregory McMichael told police he suspected Arbery was responsible for recent break-ins and he also said Arbery attacked his son before he was shot .
Arbery ’ s mother has said she believes her son was merely out jogging .
The video of the confrontation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Arbery as he runs toward it .
The attorney of the owner of the house under construction said she thinks Arbery was getting water .
A man in similar clothes appeared in videos from the home at least twice , lawyer J. Elizabeth Graddy said .
English called the Glynn County Police after one notification Dec. 17 .
No one was arrested , but a detective sent English a text message three days later giving him Gregory McMichael ’ s phone number and identifying him as a retired law enforcement officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day or night when you get action on your camera , ” according to the Dec. 20 text shared by Graddy .

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BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Justice for Ahmaud Arbery, a black man killed during a pursuit by a white man and his son in Georgia, isn’t just prison time for his killers — it’s changes in a local justice system that never charged them with a crime, rallygoers said Saturday.
Hundreds of people came to the Glynn County courthouse demanding accountability for a case in which charges weren’t filed until state officials stepped in after a leaked video sparked national outrage.
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Arbery, 25, was killed Feb. 23 just outside the port city of Brunswick. Gregory McMichael, 64, told police he and his son, Travis McMichael, 34, pursued Arbery because they believed he was responsible for recent break-ins in the neighborhood.
The McMichaels weren’t arrested and charged with murder until May 7, after a video of the shooting was publicly released to a local radio station and less than 48 hours after state agents took over the case.
“Justice for Ahmaud is more than just the arrests of his killers,” said John Perry, president of the Brunswick NAACP chapter at the Saturday rally. “Justice is saying that we’ve got to clean up the house of Glynn County.”
Speakers at the rally demanded the resignation of Jackie Johnson, the district attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit who recused herself from the investigation, and George Barnhill, the Waycross circuit district attorney who took over the case and declined to press charges. Gregory McMichael was an investigator in Johnson’s office before retiring last May. Both Johnson and Barnhill have denied wrongdoing.
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Organizers of the rally said around 250 vehicles drove more than four hours from Atlanta for the rally, bringing historically black fraternities and sororities, civil rights organizations and black-led gun rights groups, who said if Arbery had armed himself, he might be alive today.
Attorney Mawuli Davis came from his suburban Atlanta home because he wanted to make it clear how many people are not satisfied with how the Arbery case has been handled.
“Georgians are just not safe when you allow an injustice like this to take place,” said Davis, who is an organizer with the Black Man Lab in Decatur, Georgia.
The case has brought reminders of several other black people killed in confrontations with white police officers or others and the names of Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland and others were mentioned during the rally.
“We’re going to keep on marching. We’re going to stand in solidarity. We’re going to keep on protesting. We’re going to keep on raising our voices because Ahmaud Arbery will get justice,” said Triana Arnold James, president of the Georgia chapter of the National Organization for Women.
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Organizers asked the crowd to wear masks and stay a safe distance apart because of COVID-19. There were plenty of masks — some with Arbery’s picture — but many in the crowd were shoulder to shoulder for the rally and marched with arms locked after it was over.
Arbery’s attorneys have said he’s the person recorded inside a house under construction right before he was killed. Gregory McMichael told police he suspected Arbery was responsible for recent break-ins and he also said Arbery attacked his son before he was shot.
Arbery’s mother has said she believes her son was merely out jogging. The video of the confrontation shows the McMichaels’ truck in front of Arbery as he runs toward it.
The attorney of the owner of the house under construction said she thinks Arbery was getting water. A man in similar clothes appeared in videos from the home at least twice, lawyer J. Elizabeth Graddy said.
The homeowner, Larry English, lives hours away and set up motion-activated security cameras that send him a text when they start filming.
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English called the Glynn County Police after one notification Dec. 17. No one was arrested, but a detective sent English a text message three days later giving him Gregory McMichael’s phone number and identifying him as a retired law enforcement officer, adding “he said please call him day or night when you get action on your camera,” according to the Dec. 20 text shared by Graddy.
English never read the text until Graddy’s firm started reviewing his phone days ago.
“He never called Gregory McMichael. He never took him up on that offer,” Graddy said.
The text message was first reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Arbery’s family ended Saturday’s rally thanking the crowd for their support and saying “we are all running for Ahmaud.”
The crowd then marched away from the courthouse, taking a knee in silence and blocking traffic for more than 60 seconds to symbolize the days it took for arrests in the case.
Then they chanted: “When black lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.”
___


huffpost--2020-05-17--Nancy Pelosi: Trump's Firing Of State Department Inspector General 'Could Be Unlawful'

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) - President Donald Trump ’ s firing of the State Department ’ s top internal watchdog “ could be unlawful ” if it was intended to retaliate against one of his investigations , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday .
Trump late Friday ousted Inspector General Steve Linick , the fourth inspector general he has fired since early April , following his February acquittal by the Republican-controlled Senate in his impeachment trial .
“ The president has the right to fire any federal employee , but the fact is if it looks like it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IG , the inspector general , is doing , that could be unlawful , ” Pelosi said on CBS ’ s “ Face The Nation.
” The top Democrats on the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Saturday began a probe into the firing , saying it was their understanding that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo personally recommended Linick ’ s sacking because the inspector general “ had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself.
” White House adviser Peter Navarro , meanwhile , downplayed the firing , saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” has caused problems and those who are not loyal must go .
“ We ’ ve had tremendous problems with , you know , some people call it the ‘ Deep State.
’ I think that ’ s apt .
So I don ’ t mourn the loss , ” Navarro , the director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy , said in an interview on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ There ’ s a bureaucracy out there .
And there ’ s a lot of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got elected president and not Donald J. Trump.
” Trump and his allies have long pushed conspiracy theories that target what they denounce as the “ deep state , ” career civil servants meant to be nonpolitical who , they say , are working to undermine Trump .
Navarro ’ s comments are likely to further inflame tensions with Democrats who have sounded alarms over what they call an escalating pattern by Trump of firing watchdogs whom he views as a threat to his presidency .
He also notified Congress that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence community , Michael Atkinson , who was involved in triggering the impeachment investigation .
Then earlier this month , Trump ousted Christi Grimm , who led the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General , after accusing her of having produced a “ fake dossier ” on American hospitals suffering shortages on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak .
Experts say the pattern threatens the independent oversight function that inspectors general provide , particularly if watchdogs feel pressure to do the president ’ s political bidding or risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself is now “ weakening to the point of ineffectiveness , ” said Dan Meyer , the executive director of Intelligence Community Whistleblowing and Source Protection .
In an interview on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson said he felt “ not all inspector generals are created equal ” and noted they “ serve at the pleasure of the president .
”

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s firing of the State Department’s top internal watchdog “could be unlawful” if it was intended to retaliate against one of his investigations, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday.
Trump late Friday ousted Inspector General Steve Linick, the fourth inspector general he has fired since early April, following his February acquittal by the Republican-controlled Senate in his impeachment trial.
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President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of White House in Washington, Sunday, May 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ASSOCIATED PRESS
“The president has the right to fire any federal employee, but the fact is if it looks like it’s in retaliation for something that the IG, the inspector general, is doing, that could be unlawful,” Pelosi said on CBS’s “Face The Nation.”
IG FIRING: @SpeakerPelosi tells @margbrennan the Trump administration's firing of Steve Linick, a @StateDept Inspector General was "typical of the White House, announcing something that is very unsavory" late Friday night. https://t.co/JSj6u540vV pic.twitter.com/0scPsGBoTq — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 17, 2020
The top Democrats on the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Saturday began a probe into the firing, saying it was their understanding that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo personally recommended Linick’s sacking because the inspector general “had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself.”
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A State Department spokesperson confirmed Linick had been fired but did not comment on Pompeo’s role in the dismissal.
White House adviser Peter Navarro, meanwhile, downplayed the firing, saying that what Trump terms the “deep state” has caused problems and those who are not loyal must go.
“We’ve had tremendous problems with, you know, some people call it the ‘Deep State.’ I think that’s apt. So I don’t mourn the loss,” Navarro, the director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, said in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”
“There’s a bureaucracy out there. And there’s a lot of people in that bureaucracy who think that they got elected president and not Donald J. Trump.”
Navarro did not offer any evidence to back up his claim.
“I support whatever this president does in terms of his hiring and firing decisions,” Navarro tells @GStephanopoulos when asked about firing of State Dept. Inspector General Steve Linick — the latest senior U.S. official involved in the impeachment probe. https://t.co/tar96zWubI pic.twitter.com/iTrUjmMJrV — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) May 17, 2020
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Trump and his allies have long pushed conspiracy theories that target what they denounce as the “deep state,” career civil servants meant to be nonpolitical who, they say, are working to undermine Trump.
Navarro’s comments are likely to further inflame tensions with Democrats who have sounded alarms over what they call an escalating pattern by Trump of firing watchdogs whom he views as a threat to his presidency.
In April, Trump removed a top coronavirus watchdog, Glenn Fine, who was to oversee the government’s financial relief response to the pandemic.
He also notified Congress that he was firing the inspector general of the U.S. intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, who was involved in triggering the impeachment investigation.
After Atkinson’s firing, a bipartisan group of senators, including Republicans Charles Grassley, Susan Collins and Mitt Romney, called on Trump to provide a detailed written explanation for his decision.
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Then earlier this month, Trump ousted Christi Grimm, who led the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, after accusing her of having produced a “fake dossier” on American hospitals suffering shortages on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak.
Experts say the pattern threatens the independent oversight function that inspectors general provide, particularly if watchdogs feel pressure to do the president’s political bidding or risk being fired for refusing.
The system itself is now “weakening to the point of ineffectiveness,” said Dan Meyer, the executive director of Intelligence Community Whistleblowing and Source Protection.
Some Republicans in Congress have rushed to defend Trump’s decision to oust Linick.
In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson said he felt “not all inspector generals are created equal” and noted they “serve at the pleasure of the president.”
"We rely on an awful lot of their work," Republican Sen. Ron Johnson says of inspectors general. "I think their Independence needs to remain within their agencies ... In the end they serve at the pleasure of the President and he's got the authority to hire and terminate" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/hnYJzxWvIX — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 17, 2020
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huffpost--2020-02-11--Prince Andrew Returns To Royal Life After Stepping Back In November

The prince has been accused of raping a minor who was allegedly trafficked by Epstein , though Andrew has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ Andrew ’ s statement announcing his step back , he said he was “ willing @ @ @ @ @ enforcement agency with their investigations , if required.
” But in January , U.S. Attorney @ @ @ @ @ press conference outside of Epstein ’ s New York residence that the FBI and U.S. @ @ @ @ @ an interview with the Duke of York .
“ To date , Prince Andrew has @ @ @ @ @ Berman said at the time .
According to The Associated Press , this is the @ @ @ @ @ that they sought and failed to obtain information from the Duke of York .

The prince has been accused of raping a minor who was allegedly trafficked by Epstein, though Andrew has repeatedly denied all allegations.
In Andrew’s statement announcing his step back, he said he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
But in January, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a press conference outside of Epstein’s New York residence that the FBI and U.S. prosecutors were unsuccessful in getting an interview with the Duke of York.
“To date, Prince Andrew has provided zero cooperation,” Berman said at the time. According to The Associated Press, this is the first time investigators have acknowledged that they sought and failed to obtain information from the Duke of York.


huffpost--2020-01-29--Cases Of New Virus In China Top Its Total For SARS

A Japanese flight carrying evacuees home included four people with coughs and fevers , two of whom were diagnosed with pneumonia .
The three men and one woman were taken to a Tokyo hospital in separate ambulances for treatment and further medical checks .
Another woman developed nausea at the airport and was also hospitalized .
It wasn ’ t immediately known whether they were infected with the new type of coronavirus that appeared in the central city of Wuhan in December .
Its symptoms , including cough and fever and in severe cases pneumonia , are similar to many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures cover the previous 24 hours and add 26 to the number of deaths , 25 of which were in the central province of Hubei and its capital , Wuhan .
The 5,974 cases on the mainland marked a rise of 1,459 from the previous day , although that rise is a smaller increase than the 1,771 new cases reported on Monday .
Dozens of infections have been confirmed abroad as well .
British Airways announced it was immediately suspending all flights to and from mainland China after the U.K. government warned against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement Wednesday that “ we apologize to customers for the inconvenience , but the safety of our customers and crew is always our priority.
” The airline operates daily flights from London ’ s Heathrow Airport to Shanghai and Beijing .
The outbreak has also affected international sporting events , with the International Hockey Federation postponing Pro League games in China and qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled in February in soccer , basketball and boxing being moved outside of the country .
With just 177 days before the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the outbreak ’ s possible knock-on effects .
Chartered planes carrying evacuees home to Japan and the United States left Wuhan early Wednesday as other countries planned similar evacuations from areas China has shut down to try to contain the virus .
The lockdown of 17 cities has trapped more than 50 million people in the most far-reaching disease control measures ever imposed .
A plane carrying Americans who had been in Wuhan left for Anchorage , Alaska , where they will be re-screened for the virus .
U.S. hospitals are prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be infected .
After departing Alaska , the plane is to fly to Ontario , California .
All of the passengers had their temperatures checked before boarding and on the plane , and plans had been made for all of the evacuees to be treated and quarantined depending on their test results .
Platto said there were 25 Italians stuck in Wuhan , some students , some very young , who stay in touch online for material and emotional support .
She has used her scientific background to offer advice and debunk sensational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hands and faces often .
Several countries have confirmed cases of the virus , with most of them being Chinese visitors , people who visited Wuhan or family members in close contact to the sick .
Japan ’ s six confirmed cases include a tour bus driver who drove visiting groups from Wuhan .
Germany says four workers at an auto parts company possibly were infected when a colleague from Shanghai visited .
Australia and New Zealand were the latest countries planning evacuations .
Both countries also stepped up their travel advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Experts have feared travel during the Lunar New Year holiday would enable the further spread of the virus , and China expanded the holiday to keep people home , closing schools and offices to try to contain it .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
BEIJING (AP) — China, with 5,974 cases of a new virus, has more infections than it did in with SARS, though the death toll is still lower. China had 5,327 cases of SARS in the 2002-2003 outbreak.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story is below:
Countries began evacuating their citizens Wednesday from the Chinese city hardest-hit by an outbreak of a new virus that has killed 132 people and infected more than 6,000 on the mainland and abroad.
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A Japanese flight carrying evacuees home included four people with coughs and fevers, two of whom were diagnosed with pneumonia. The three men and one woman were taken to a Tokyo hospital in separate ambulances for treatment and further medical checks. Another woman developed nausea at the airport and was also hospitalized.
It wasn’t immediately known whether they were infected with the new type of coronavirus that appeared in the central city of Wuhan in December. Its symptoms, including cough and fever and in severe cases pneumonia, are similar to many other illnesses.
China’s latest figures cover the previous 24 hours and add 26 to the number of deaths, 25 of which were in the central province of Hubei and its capital, Wuhan. The 5,974 cases on the mainland marked a rise of 1,459 from the previous day, although that rise is a smaller increase than the 1,771 new cases reported on Monday. Dozens of infections have been confirmed abroad as well.
The United Arab Emirates, home to long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, confirmed its first cases on Wednesday in members of a family who had come from Wuhan, the state-run news agency reported. It wasn’t immediately clear how many family members were involved.
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British Airways announced it was immediately suspending all flights to and from mainland China after the U.K. government warned against unnecessary travel to the country. BA said in a statement Wednesday that “we apologize to customers for the inconvenience, but the safety of our customers and crew is always our priority.” The airline operates daily flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to Shanghai and Beijing.
The outbreak has also affected international sporting events, with the International Hockey Federation postponing Pro League games in China and qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled in February in soccer, basketball and boxing being moved outside of the country. With just 177 days before the summer Games, Tokyo organizers are on edge over the outbreak’s possible knock-on effects.
Passengers arriving from a China Southern Airlines flight from Changsha in China are screened for the new type of coronavirus upon their arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport in Nairobi, Kenya on Jan. 29, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
In Australia, health officials said the Chinese women’s national soccer team was quarantined in the city of Brisbane over concerns it had passed through Wuhan a week ago.
The team will be kept in isolation in a hotel until Wednesday next week. None of the group of 32 players and staff have shown symptoms.
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Chartered planes carrying evacuees home to Japan and the United States left Wuhan early Wednesday as other countries planned similar evacuations from areas China has shut down to try to contain the virus. The lockdown of 17 cities has trapped more than 50 million people in the most far-reaching disease control measures ever imposed.
A plane carrying Americans who had been in Wuhan left for Anchorage, Alaska, where they will be re-screened for the virus. U.S. hospitals are prepared to treat or quarantine people who may be infected. After departing Alaska, the plane is to fly to Ontario, California.
At the Tokyo airport, Takeo Aoyama, an employee at Nippon Steel Corp.’s subsidiary in Wuhan, told reporters he was relieved to be able to return home.
“We were feeling increasingly uneasy as the situation developed so rapidly and we were still in the city,” Aoyama said, his voice muffled by a white surgical mask.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed the condition of the four ill passengers after the flight of 206 Japanese evacuees arrived. They were taken in separate ambulances to a Tokyo hospital for treatment and further health checks.
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All of the passengers had their temperatures checked before boarding and on the plane, and plans had been made for all of the evacuees to be treated and quarantined depending on their test results.
Among those remaining in Wuhan was Sara Platto, an Italian animal behavior researcher and veterinarian, and her son, Matteo.
“My son turned 12 on January 23, the first day of the lockdown in Wuhan. So he couldn’t invite his friends over. We had a remote birthday celebration, with people ‘visiting’ him over Wechat,” Platto said, referring to China’s Twitter-like messaging app. “We called it the epidemic birthday.”
Platto said there were 25 Italians stuck in Wuhan, some students, some very young, who stay in touch online for material and emotional support. She has used her scientific background to offer advice and debunk sensational false news, reminding friends to wash their hands and faces often.
People wearing face masks walk down a deserted street in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province, on Jan. 28, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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As much as panic, people spending most of their times indoors have to deal with boredom.
Matteo usually has a very busy agenda between his school, sports, and volunteer work, but now “it’s like suddenly everything has slowed down,” Platto said. As with other international schools, classes are moving online until the all-clear is sounded.
“We have most of what we need for now. I think it’s a serious situation, but we are not in zombie land,” she said.
Several countries have confirmed cases of the virus, with most of them being Chinese visitors, people who visited Wuhan or family members in close contact to the sick. Japan’s six confirmed cases include a tour bus driver who drove visiting groups from Wuhan. Germany says four workers at an auto parts company possibly were infected when a colleague from Shanghai visited.
Australia and New Zealand were the latest countries planning evacuations. Both countries also stepped up their travel advice to China, as did Britain. Experts have feared travel during the Lunar New Year holiday would enable the further spread of the virus, and China expanded the holiday to keep people home, closing schools and offices to try to contain it.
Hong Kong’s leader said the territory will cut all rail links to the mainland and halve the number of flights. Mongolia and North Korea were closing their borders with China, and many places have curtailed flights or are screening travelers arriving from China.
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Wuhan is building two hospitals in a matter of days to add 2,500 beds for treatment of patients with the virus.
The new virus is from the coronavirus family, which includes those that can cause the common cold as well as more serious illnesses such as SARS and MERS.
The source of the virus and the full extent of its spread are still unknown. However, the World Health Organization said most cases reported to date “have been milder, with around 20% of those infected experiencing severe illness.”
On Tuesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss the latest information on the outbreak and reiterate their commitment to bringing it under control.
“The National Health Commission presented China’s strong public health capacities and resources to respond and manage respiratory disease outbreaks,” WHO’s statement said.
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It said discussions focused on ways to cooperate to contain the virus in Wuhan and other cities and provinces and studies that could contribute to the development of medical countermeasures such as vaccines and treatments. Other WHO experts will visit China as soon as possible, it said.
“Stopping the spread of this virus both in China and globally is WHO’s highest priority,” Tedros said.
___


huffpost--2020-01-28--Do Face Masks Really Protect You From Getting Sick?

Coronavirus , which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19 , has morphed into a global pandemic .
Because the virus can be spread easily , many have resorted wearing face masks to protect themselves , as the virus is transmissible through human contact and exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected person .
But even though people are rushing to get their hands on a medical face mask , experts are somewhat skeptical about how effective they are in protecting people against dangerous viruses and bacteria .
Below is their take on whether or not you should wear a mask and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Face masks can help , to a degree .
There are a couple different ways viruses such as this one can go around .
When an infected person coughs or sneezes , they expel respiratory droplets into the air that carry the virus .
They can also spread those droplets around if they touch their eyes and nose then touch another person or surface .
If someone were to come into contact with these contagious droplets — either in the air or by touching a surface that contained the droplets — they , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is some evidence that , when used correctly , face masks can slow the spread of airborne viruses .
For example , one study from 2008 found that those who used a mask were 80 % less likely to get the flu .
Another 2009 report found that , in tandem with frequent hand-washing , face masks lowered people ’ s risk of getting the flu by about 70 % .
“ Masks of any kind would be helpful because then they are covering up your nose and mouth so they aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they still leave your eyes open so you can touch and transmit the virus that way , ” Michael Ison , an infectious disease specialist with Northwestern Medicine , told HuffPost .
When we look back at the severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS ) epidemic that struck in 2003 , researchers concluded that face masks played some role in slowing down the spread — especially in a hospital setting — but mostly because they prevented sick people from passing SARS around .
In fact , most people in Asia wear the masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect other people from harmful germs and viruses .
In 2012 , when another deadly coronavirus — Middle East respiratory syndrome ( MERS ) — struck , health officials recommended wearing a face mask only if you were in the same room as a person with MERS .
There just wasn ’ t enough evidence on if masks had any role in halting the spread of MERS .
There are different types of face masks .
“ [ Surgical ] masks do provide a degree of protection against fluids , including spray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they provide some filtration of the air .
However , since the masks do not provide a tight seal around the wearer ’ s nose and mouth , much of the air inhaled and exhaled is unfiltered , ” said Richard Martinello , a Yale Medicine infectious disease specialist .
Then , there are respirators , commonly used by construction workers .
They ’ re heavy-duty , and are form fitted to your face .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , these masks filter out about 95 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , they aren ’ t so comfortable and many people report trouble breathing while wearing them , making them difficult to wear for hours on end .
Respirators can get clogged and cause people ’ s breathing and heart rate to soar , so pregnant people or individuals with breathing problems should consult a doctor before using one .
That said , most people may not need to get a face mask .
It isn ’ t an essential need for everyone to wear face masks , according to the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point of them is to keep someone who is already sick from infecting others .
“ We generally do not recommend the use of either masks or respirators for the general public .
Of course , persons who desire to be extra cautious about their exposure to germs when in public may choose to wear a mask , ” Martinello said .
There are some exceptions : The World Health Organization urges that if you ’ re healthy , you should wear a mask if you ’ re taking care of a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the chief medical officer of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania , also told the New York Times that “ for individuals working in certain essential industries , where they still have to go out every day , I think wearing a mask makes sense.
” How well the masks work largely depends on if you ’ re is wearing it correctly .
Make sure the correct side is facing outward , keep the mask snug over your nose , secure the loops behind your ears , and close off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest mistake people make is when the mask covers their mouth but not their nose .

the_burtons via Getty Images More people are buying medical face masks as a way to prevent getting the coronavirus.
Coronavirus, which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19, has morphed into a global pandemic. Because the virus can be spread easily, many have resorted wearing face masks to protect themselves, as the virus is transmissible through human contact and exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected person.
But even though people are rushing to get their hands on a medical face mask, experts are somewhat skeptical about how effective they are in protecting people against dangerous viruses and bacteria. Below is their take on whether or not you should wear a mask and how else you can protect yourself.
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Face masks can help, to a degree.
d3sign via Getty Images
There are a couple different ways viruses such as this one can go around. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they expel respiratory droplets into the air that carry the virus. They can also spread those droplets around if they touch their eyes and nose then touch another person or surface. If someone were to come into contact with these contagious droplets — either in the air or by touching a surface that contained the droplets — they, too, could get sick.
There is some evidence that, when used correctly, face masks can slow the spread of airborne viruses. For example, one study from 2008 found that those who used a mask were 80% less likely to get the flu. Another 2009 report found that, in tandem with frequent hand-washing, face masks lowered people’s risk of getting the flu by about 70%.
But the masks aren’t foolproof, and just because you’re wearing one does not mean you’re in the clear.
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“Masks of any kind would be helpful because then they are covering up your nose and mouth so they aren’t going to touch those, but they still leave your eyes open so you can touch and transmit the virus that way,” Michael Ison, an infectious disease specialist with Northwestern Medicine, told HuffPost.
When we look back at the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic that struck in 2003, researchers concluded that face masks played some role in slowing down the spread — especially in a hospital setting — but mostly because they prevented sick people from passing SARS around. In fact, most people in Asia wear the masks not to avoid getting sick themselves but to protect other people from harmful germs and viruses.
In 2012, when another deadly coronavirus — Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) — struck, health officials recommended wearing a face mask only if you were in the same room as a person with MERS. There just wasn’t enough evidence on if masks had any role in halting the spread of MERS.
The main takeaway here: Masks alone won’t eliminate your risk of contracting the coronavirus. But, they may help.
“It can reduce the risk of some transmissions, but doesn’t take the risk to zero,” Ison said.
There are different types of face masks.
There are two types of face masks that can help cut your odds of getting coronavirus: Surgical face masks and respirators, also known as N-95 masks.
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The ones we’re seeing all over the news? Those are surgical face masks, and what doctors, dentists and nurses use while treating patients.
While they do protect people from splashes and sprays to a degree, they aren’t foolproof. They’re loose-fitting and relatively thin, so tinier droplets can still seep in through the parts of the mask.
“[Surgical] masks do provide a degree of protection against fluids, including spray from a cough or sneeze, and they provide some filtration of the air. However, since the masks do not provide a tight seal around the wearer’s nose and mouth, much of the air inhaled and exhaled is unfiltered,” said Richard Martinello, a Yale Medicine infectious disease specialist.
Then, there are respirators, commonly used by construction workers. They’re heavy-duty, and are form fitted to your face. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these masks filter out about 95% of airborne particles, including viruses and bacteria.
But, they aren’t so comfortable and many people report trouble breathing while wearing them, making them difficult to wear for hours on end. Respirators can get clogged and cause people’s breathing and heart rate to soar, so pregnant people or individuals with breathing problems should consult a doctor before using one.
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That said, most people may not need to get a face mask.
hxdbzxy via Getty Images Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent viruses.
It isn’t an essential need for everyone to wear face masks, according to the CDC. Many experts stress that the main point of them is to keep someone who is already sick from infecting others.
“We generally do not recommend the use of either masks or respirators for the general public. Of course, persons who desire to be extra cautious about their exposure to germs when in public may choose to wear a mask,” Martinello said.
There are some exceptions: The World Health Organization urges that if you’re healthy, you should wear a mask if you’re taking care of a person suspected of having COVID-19. Neil Fishman, the chief medical officer of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, also told the New York Times that “for individuals working in certain essential industries, where they still have to go out every day, I think wearing a mask makes sense.”
How well the masks work largely depends on if you’re is wearing it correctly. Make sure the correct side is facing outward, keep the mask snug over your nose, secure the loops behind your ears, and close off the gaps around your jawline. Martinello said the biggest mistake people make is when the mask covers their mouth but not their nose.
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There are other steps you can take to keep yourself healthy. For one, keep a distance from sick people, especially those coughing or sneezing. Also, not touching your face with your hands minimizes your exposure to harmful germs.
Lastly, hand-washing is your best line of defense against any virus, so wash frequently and thoroughly. That means spending at least 20 seconds scrubbing your hands with soap and rinsing water.


huffpost--2020-02-02--Philippines Reports First Coronavirus Death Outside China

A 44-year-old Chinese man from the central city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the epidemic , traveled to the Philippines and died on Saturday in a hospital in Manila , the Philippines Department of Health said .
Some 304 people have died in China , the country ’ s National Health Commission said on Sunday .
Infections in China jumped to 14,380 as of Saturday , after their biggest daily rise , the commission added .
At least another 171 cases have been reported in more than two dozen other countries and regions , including the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain .
Beijing is facing mounting isolation as the countries introduce travel restrictions , airlines suspend flights and governments evacuate their citizens , risking worsening a slowdown in the world ’ s second-largest economy .
China ’ s central bank said it would inject a hefty 1.2 trillion yuan ( $ 173.8 billion ) worth of liquidity into the markets via reverse repo operations on Monday as the country prepares to reopen its stock markets after an extended Lunar New Year holiday .
Authorities have pledged to use various monetary policy tools to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support struggling firms .
China Evergrande Group , the nation ’ s third-largest property developer , said in an internal note on Sunday it would extend its Lunar New Year holiday to Feb. 16 , and suspend construction work at all of its 1,246 sites until Feb. 20 .
In Beijing , some malls stayed open , but staff stood outside offering to take customers ’ temperatures .
Many other shops and cafes in the capital chose to close .
“ We can ’ t work and have no income .
I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do nothing , ” said 32-year-old restaurant worker Wu Caixia in the capital .

A 44-year-old Chinese man from the central city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, traveled to the Philippines and died on Saturday in a hospital in Manila, the Philippines Department of Health said.
Some 304 people have died in China, the country’s National Health Commission said on Sunday. Infections in China jumped to 14,380 as of Saturday, after their biggest daily rise, the commission added.
At least another 171 cases have been reported in more than two dozen other countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Britain.
Beijing is facing mounting isolation as the countries introduce travel restrictions, airlines suspend flights and governments evacuate their citizens, risking worsening a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy.
China’s central bank said it would inject a hefty 1.2 trillion yuan ($173.8 billion) worth of liquidity into the markets via reverse repo operations on Monday as the country prepares to reopen its stock markets after an extended Lunar New Year holiday.
Authorities have pledged to use various monetary policy tools to ensure liquidity remains reasonably ample and to support struggling firms.
China Evergrande Group, the nation’s third-largest property developer, said in an internal note on Sunday it would extend its Lunar New Year holiday to Feb. 16, and suspend construction work at all of its 1,246 sites until Feb. 20.
In Beijing, some malls stayed open, but staff stood outside offering to take customers’ temperatures. Many other shops and cafes in the capital chose to close.
“We can’t work and have no income. I would rather work than stay at home and do nothing,” said 32-year-old restaurant worker Wu Caixia in the capital.


huffpost--2020-01-27--China Extends Holiday To Contain Virus As Death Toll Rises

Increasingly drastic anti-disease efforts began with the Jan. 22 suspension of plane , train and bus links to Wuhan , a city of 11 million people in central China where the virus was first detected last month .
That lockdown has expanded to a total of 17 cities with more than 50 million people in the most far-reaching disease-control measures ever imposed .
Tens of millions of people had been due to crowd into planes , trains and buses to return to work after visiting their hometowns or tourist sites for the holiday .
Schools will postpone reopening until further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To get the epidemic under control in Wuhan and the good health of people in Wuhan will be good news for the whole country , ” Li told the crowd .
“ We wish the people of Wuhan a safe , healthy and long life .
Let ’ s go , Wuhan !
” The U.S. Consulate in Wuhan , said it was arranging to evacuate its diplomats and some American citizens on Tuesday .
The French government said it would fly its citizens in Wuhan to France and quarantine them there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Wuhan .
The disruption to industry and consumer spending threaten to depress Chinese economic growth that Beijing is struggling to shore up after it sank to a multi-decade low of 6.1 % last year .
That could spread shockwaves to Asian economies that rely on China as a source of tourists and export markets .
They pointed to the example of the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak , when economic activity plunged but recovered relatively quickly .
The impact should be “ less severe ” than SARS because of faster official reaction and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The virus is from the coronavirus family that includes the common cold but also more severe illnesses like SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome .
The new virus causes cold- and flu-like symptoms , including cough and fever , and in more severe cases , shortness of breath and pneumonia .
The virus is thought to have spread to people from wild animals sold at a market in Wuhan .
On Sunday , authorities banned trade in wild animals and called on the public to refrain from eating meat from them .

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BEIJING (AP) — China on Monday expanded sweeping efforts to contain a viral disease by extending the Lunar New Year holiday to keep the public at home and avoid spreading infection as the death toll rose to 80.
Hong Kong announced it would bar entry to visitors from the province at the center of the outbreak following a warning the virus’s ability to spread was growing. Travel agencies were ordered to cancel group tours nationwide, adding to the rising economic cost.
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Increasingly drastic anti-disease efforts began with the Jan. 22 suspension of plane, train and bus links to Wuhan, a city of 11 million people in central China where the virus was first detected last month. That lockdown has expanded to a total of 17 cities with more than 50 million people in the most far-reaching disease-control measures ever imposed.
The end of the Lunar New Year holiday, China’s busiest travel season, was pushed back to Sunday from Thursday to “reduce mass gatherings” and “block the spread of the epidemic,” a Cabinet statement said.
The government of Shanghai, a metropolis of 25 million people and a global business center, extended the holiday by an additional week within the city to Feb. 9. It ordered sports stadiums and religious events closed.
Tens of millions of people had been due to crowd into planes, trains and buses to return to work after visiting their hometowns or tourist sites for the holiday. Schools will postpone reopening until further notice, the Cabinet said.
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The spread of the illness is being watched around the globe, with a small number of cases appearing in several other countries.
A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing on Jan. 26, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
South Korea confirmed its fourth case Monday. Scattered cases also have been confirmed in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Canada and Australia.
The U.S. has confirmed cases in Washington state, Chicago, southern California and Arizona.
China also reported five cases in Hong Kong and two in Macao.
Also Monday, China’s No. 2 leader, Premier Li Keqiang, visited Wuhan to “guide epidemic prevention work,” the Cabinet website said. Photos on the site showed Li, in a blue smock and green face mask, meeting hospital employees.
Later, the premier, wearing a face mask and a dark windbreaker, visited a supermarket. Shoppers, also wearing masks, cheered to him, “Happy New Year!”
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“To get the epidemic under control in Wuhan and the good health of people in Wuhan will be good news for the whole country,” Li told the crowd. “We wish the people of Wuhan a safe, healthy and long life. Let’s go, Wuhan!”
Elsewhere, the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, closed indefinitely to tourists on Monday, the government announced. The former imperial palace in Beijing closed Friday until further notice and other major tourist sites also have shut down.
The U.S. Consulate in Wuhan, said it was arranging to evacuate its diplomats and some American citizens on Tuesday. The French government said it would fly its citizens in Wuhan to France and quarantine them there. Japan was preparing to fly its nationals out of Wuhan.
French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen, which has a factory in Wuhan, said it was moving foreign employees and their families by bus to be quarantined in another city.
The disruption to industry and consumer spending threaten to depress Chinese economic growth that Beijing is struggling to shore up after it sank to a multi-decade low of 6.1% last year. That could spread shockwaves to Asian economies that rely on China as a source of tourists and export markets.
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Employees stand at the gates of the Shanghai Disney Resort, which announced that it will be closed indefinitely from Saturday, in Shanghai, on Jan. 25, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chinese regulators called on banks and insurers in a statement Monday to support to people and companies affected by the outbreak.
The biggest impact will be on travel, hotels and restaurants but Chinese retail spending, factory output and investment also might suffer if the outbreak and quarantines last, forecasters say.
The outbreak is a “notable downside risk” to growth, though it “could potentially be a high impact but short-lived event,” said Tommy Wu and Priyanka Kishore of Oxford Economics in a report.
They pointed to the example of the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak, when economic activity plunged but recovered relatively quickly. The impact should be “less severe” than SARS because of faster official reaction and “increased transparency,” they said.
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Abroad, economies including Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Philippines with big tourism industries that rely on Chinese travelers “seem most at risk,” said Wu and Kishore.
The National Health Commission said 2,744 cases were confirmed by midnight Sunday. There were 24 new deaths on Sunday, all in Hubei province, where Wuhan is located.
The youngest patient is a 9-month-old girl in Beijing.
China’s health minister, Ma Xiaowei, said the country was entering a “crucial stage” as “it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger.”
President Xi Jinping has called the outbreak a grave situation and said the government was stepping restrictions on travel and public gatherings while rushing medical staff and supplies to Wuhan.
The epidemic has revived memories of the SARS outbreak that originated in China and killed nearly 800 people.
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Then, Chinese authorities were criticized for reacting slowly and failing to disclose information. The government has responded more aggressively to the latest outbreak.
The National Health Commission said anyone traveling from Wuhan is required to register with community health stations and quarantine themselves at home for 14 days — the virus’ maximum incubation period.
Authorities tightened controls on travelers who had earlier contact with Wuhan.
In the eastern city of Nanjing, 48 airline passengers arriving from Bangkok who were found to have left Wuhan during the outbreak were put into a 14-day quarantine, state TV reported on its website.
Hong Kong announced it would bar entry to travelers from Hubei, starting Monday. Hong Kong residents returning from the area will be allowed into the territory but were told to quarantine themselves at home.
Two of Hong Kong’s most popular tourist attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, closed.
Also Sunday, Wuhan banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas. The city will assign 6,000 taxis to neighborhoods to help people get around if they need to.
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Wuhan is building two hospitals, one with 1,500 beds and another with 1,000, for the growing number of patients. The first is scheduled to be finished next week.
The National Health Commission said it is sending extra medical teams to Wuhan. The Chinese military dispatched 450 medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks including SARS and Ebola.
The virus is from the coronavirus family that includes the common cold but also more severe illnesses like SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. The new virus causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath and pneumonia.


huffpost--2020-02-04--What To Watch For During Trump's State Of The Union Speech

On the brink of his Senate acquittal , President Donald Trump will be unleashing “ relentless optimism ” during his third State of the Union address , a speech designed to pivot from his impeachment to his drive for reelection .
Trump is speaking from a position of strength , with nearly complete control of the Republican Party .
The theme of his speech : “ The Great American Comeback.
” It ’ ll be a different experience for Democrats , nearly all of whom voted for Trump ’ s impeachment in the House .
Where Trump will point to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrats and their difficult nomination will be on display after a long night of uncertainty in Iowa ’ s kickoff caucuses .
The contrast with Trump ’ s State of the Union address last year will be stark .
Then , Democrats were triumphant just a few days after taking control of the House .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi had forced Trump to reopen the government .
Her smirking clap , eye-to-eye with him , mocked the president of the United States in front of the world .
But officials would not guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president will be in the same room as his accusers at a moment of impending victory .
He has a strong and often-stated sense of grievance and is known for going off-script .
Look for Trump , like Clinton , to promote a strong economy .
Trump is expected to lead with talk about what the White House calls a “ blue-collar boom.
” There have been gains in blue-collar wages under Trump , though some of those gains have faded as Trump ’ s trade war hurt manufacturing .
Watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high road rhetorically , in his own style .
Clinton ended his by asking the nation to envision a State of the Union speech 100 years from that night , from the “ mountaintop of the American Century.
” “ Let it be said of us then that we were thinking not only of our time , but of their time ; that we reached as high as our ideals .
That we put aside our divisions and found a new hour of healing and hopefulness ; that we joined together to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Will Trump even mention Ukraine ?
Republicans have started to come out and agree that the president had “ inappropriately ” tried to get political help from that country while he held up military aid .
“ We ’ ve offered China help , but we can ’ t have thousands of people coming in who may have this problem , the coronavirus , ” Trump said Sunday .
At the same time , the president has tried to avoid angering China by being too outspoken , according to confidants .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good test .
Trump said that his efforts to solve the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians would gain support because it ’ s a “ win-win ” for both sides .
In fact , Trump ’ s plan favors Israel on key contentious issues and attaches nearly impossible conditions for granting the Palestinians their hoped-for state .
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the plan as “ nonsense.
” Listen for how harsh Trump is on Tehran in the wake of Iran ’ s bombing that injured U.S. soldiers in Iraq .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
In the month since , an uneasy quiet has settled over the region .
The Taliban want U.S. and other coalition forces to leave .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says a deal is close , but it won ’ t happen without a reduction in violence and a pathway for talks between the Taliban and other Afghans about a peaceful way forward for the nation .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Who’s clapping now?
On the brink of his Senate acquittal, President Donald Trump will be unleashing “relentless optimism” during his third State of the Union address, a speech designed to pivot from his impeachment to his drive for reelection. Trump is speaking from a position of strength, with nearly complete control of the Republican Party. The theme of his speech: “The Great American Comeback.”
It’ll be a different experience for Democrats, nearly all of whom voted for Trump’s impeachment in the House. Where Trump will point to GOP unity ahead of the 2020 elections, Democrats and their difficult nomination will be on display after a long night of uncertainty in Iowa’s kickoff caucuses.
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The contrast with Trump’s State of the Union address last year will be stark. Then, Democrats were triumphant just a few days after taking control of the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi had forced Trump to reopen the government. Her smirking clap, eye-to-eye with him, mocked the president of the United States in front of the world.
What to watch during Trump’s speech at 9 p.m. EST Tuesday:
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TRUMP AND PELOSI
They haven’t spoken since Pelosi stood up, pointed at Trump across a table at the White House and bluntly suggested he is controlled by the president of Russia. “All roads lead to Putin,” she said, before stalking out.
The extraordinary moment last October was captured in a now-famous photograph that Trump released and Pelosi slapped across the top of her Twitter page. At other times, she’s questioned his “manhood” and he’s called her “crazy.”
Impeachment has only inflamed things. Pelosi last week said Trump will never have a true acquittal because the Senate did not hold a real trial with witnesses. But, she’s said with relish, “He’ll be impeached forever.”
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Trump, meanwhile, is poised to claim vindication in yet another “witch hunt” by Democrats who, he says, just wanted to overturn the 2016 election.
Watch them for any spark of civility. Pelosi and many Democratic women are expected to wear suffragette white to the speech.
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TONE
The White House said last week to look for “can-do optimism in the face of unjustified pessimism we are hearing from some in Congress.”
But officials would not guarantee that Trump will stick to his speech. The president will be in the same room as his accusers at a moment of impending victory. He has a strong and often-stated sense of grievance and is known for going off-script.
Look for roaring applause and cheers from Republicans, who have almost completely stuck with the retribution-loving president.
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THE BIG PICTURE
Trump is sure to use the speech to try to remind the country of what he’s accomplished.
The White House would not say whether it is modeling Trump’s speech on President Bill Clinton’s in 1999, amid his own impeachment trial. Clinton never mentioned the I-word.
Look for Trump, like Clinton, to promote a strong economy. Trump is expected to lead with talk about what the White House calls a “blue-collar boom.” There have been gains in blue-collar wages under Trump, though some of those gains have faded as Trump’s trade war hurt manufacturing.
Watch to see if Trump can stick to the high road rhetorically, in his own style. Clinton ended his by asking the nation to envision a State of the Union speech 100 years from that night, from the “mountaintop of the American Century.”
“Let it be said of us then that we were thinking not only of our time, but of their time; that we reached as high as our ideals. That we put aside our divisions and found a new hour of healing and hopefulness; that we joined together to serve and strengthen the land we love.”
At the time, some said his rhetoric was over the top.
____
UKRAINE?
Will Trump even mention Ukraine? Republicans have started to come out and agree that the president had “inappropriately” tried to get political help from that country while he held up military aid.
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The House impeached him for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for his actions in response to the House investigation.
The issue clearly puts Republicans in a bind. Several have said that House prosecutors proved their case, but even so, the wrongdoing didn’t rise to the level of impeachment or removal from office.
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CORONAVIRUS
Will he make any mention of the new coronavirus?
“We’ve offered China help, but we can’t have thousands of people coming in who may have this problem, the coronavirus,” Trump said Sunday. At the same time, the president has tried to avoid angering China by being too outspoken, according to confidants.
Under new rules, U.S. citizens who have traveled in China within the last 14 days will be re-routed to one of 11 designated airports, where they will undergo enhanced health screening procedures.
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MIDEAST PEACE
Trump is focused on re-introducing himself to Americans as a president who has made the country — and voters’ lives specifically — better. So listen for any mention of foreign policy and national security issues.
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Trump’s Mideast peace plan is a good test. Trump said that his efforts to solve the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians would gain support because it’s a “win-win” for both sides. In fact, Trump’s plan favors Israel on key contentious issues and attaches nearly impossible conditions for granting the Palestinians their hoped-for state. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the plan as “nonsense.”
If Trump says nothing about the plan during the speech, that could signal that Trump knows it’s in trouble.
___
IRAN
Listen for how harsh Trump is on Tehran in the wake of Iran’s bombing that injured U.S. soldiers in Iraq. The attack was retribution for the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. In the month since, an uneasy quiet has settled over the region.
Will Trump suggest he’ll eventually want to sit down and talk with the Iranians, signal the door is closed for talks, or poke Tehran?
The White House said to expect Trump’s tone to be “determined” and “forceful.”
___
AFGHANISTAN
Will Trump announce a troop withdrawal?
The Taliban want U.S. and other coalition forces to leave. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says a deal is close, but it won’t happen without a reduction in violence and a pathway for talks between the Taliban and other Afghans about a peaceful way forward for the nation.
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___
IN THE ROOM
There’s always some suspense over who shows up and who stays away.
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren’s campaign said late Monday it was unlikely that the Massachusetts senator will attend Trump’s speech, coming the day after the Iowa caucuses. Another Democratic contender, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, has an event in New Hampshire scheduled earlier Tuesday evening.
Other legislators have their own reasons for attending — or not.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said she’ll attend “to bear witness.”
“That means that I do not clap. I do not acknowledge. I’m just there as a witness,” she said.
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Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.
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huffpost--2020-01-23--China Locks Down Cities At Epicenter Of Coronavirus Outbreak

BEIJING ( Reuters ) - China put millions of people on lock down on Thursday in two cities at the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 17 people and infected more than 630 , as authorities around the world worked to prevent a global pandemic .
Health officials fear the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad during week-long holidays for the Lunar New Year , which begins on Saturday .
The previously unknown virus strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan .
Most transport in Wuhan , a city of 11 million people , was suspended on Thursday and people were told not to leave .
Hours later , neighboring Huanggang , a city of about 7 million people , announced a similar lockdown .
Airports worldwide were screening passengers arriving from China .
Hong Kong , which has two confirmed cases , is turning two holiday camps into quarantine stations as a precaution .
Taiwan has banned anyone from Wuhan from going to the island .
“ I go straight to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then I go home , ” said 79-year-old Li Meihua , from behind a mask , on the streets of Shanghai .
“ My nose is a bit runny already .
I ’ m also maintaining a cleaner diet , I ’ ve turned vegetarian now.
” There is no vaccine for the virus , which can spread through respiratory transmission .
Symptoms include fever , difficulty in breathing and cough , similar to many other respiratory illnesses .
Preliminary research suggested it was passed on to humans from snakes , but government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badgers and rats as possible sources .
The WHO will decide on Thursday whether to declare the outbreak a global health emergency , which would step up the international response .
If it does so , it will be the sixth international public health emergency to be declared in the last decade .
Its Emergency Committee meeting was under way in Geneva and a news conference is expected after 1800 GMT .
Some experts believe the virus is not as dangerous as previous coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the known cases worldwide , Thailand has confirmed four , while Singapore , Japan , South Korea , Taiwan and the United States have reported one each .
Imperial College London said on Wednesday it estimated a total of 4,000 cases in Wuhan alone as of Jan. 18 , based on the number of cases reported in China and elsewhere .
To try to stem the outbreak , Wuhan shut down all urban transport networks and suspended outgoing flights from 10 a.m. ( 0200 GMT ) .
Domestic media said some airlines were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the city slipped into isolation , residents thronged into hospitals for checks and scrambled for supplies , clearing out supermarket shelves and queuing for petrol .
In contrast with its secrecy over the 2002-03 SARS that killed nearly 800 people , China ’ s Communist Party government has provided regular updates to avoid panic ahead of the holidays .
During a visit to Wuhan , Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said authorities needed to be open about the virus and efforts to contain it , the official Xinhua news agency said .

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BEIJING (Reuters) - China put millions of people on lock down on Thursday in two cities at the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that has killed 17 people and infected more than 630, as authorities around the world worked to prevent a global pandemic.
Health officials fear the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad during week-long holidays for the Lunar New Year, which begins on Saturday.
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The previously unknown virus strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
Most transport in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, was suspended on Thursday and people were told not to leave. Hours later, neighboring Huanggang, a city of about 7 million people, announced a similar lockdown.
“The lockdown of 11 million people is unprecedented in public health history,” Gauden Galea, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) representative in Beijing, said.
Other cities were also taking steps to restrict movement and contact.
Nearby Ezhou shut train stations. China’s Education Ministry said schools should not hold large events or exams. The capital canceled major public events, including two Lunar New Year temple fairs, the state-run Beijing News said.
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Airports worldwide were screening passengers arriving from China. Hong Kong, which has two confirmed cases, is turning two holiday camps into quarantine stations as a precaution. Taiwan has banned anyone from Wuhan from going to the island.
Chinese people had their own ways of protecting themselves.
“I go straight to where I need to go, and then I go home,” said 79-year-old Li Meihua, from behind a mask, on the streets of Shanghai. “My nose is a bit runny already. I’m also maintaining a cleaner diet, I’ve turned vegetarian now.”
There is no vaccine for the virus, which can spread through respiratory transmission. Symptoms include fever, difficulty in breathing and cough, similar to many other respiratory illnesses.
Preliminary research suggested it was passed on to humans from snakes, but government medical adviser Zhong Nanshan has also identified badgers and rats as possible sources.
WHO MEETING
The WHO will decide on Thursday whether to declare the outbreak a global health emergency, which would step up the international response.
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If it does so, it will be the sixth international public health emergency to be declared in the last decade. Its Emergency Committee meeting was under way in Geneva and a news conference is expected after 1800 GMT.
Some experts believe the virus is not as dangerous as previous coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
“The early evidence at this stage would suggest it’s not as severe,” Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said.
Giving the latest details on infections in China, state television said 634 cases had been confirmed. By the end of Wednesday, China’s National Health Commission confirmed 17 dead.
Of the known cases worldwide, Thailand has confirmed four, while Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States have reported one each.
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Imperial College London said on Wednesday it estimated a total of 4,000 cases in Wuhan alone as of Jan. 18, based on the number of cases reported in China and elsewhere.
To try to stem the outbreak, Wuhan shut down all urban transport networks and suspended outgoing flights from 10 a.m. (0200 GMT). Domestic media said some airlines were operating after the deadline, however.
Its Hankou rail station was nearly deserted, state broadcasts showed. State media reported highway toll booths around Wuhan were closing, effectively cutting off road exits. Guards were patrolling highways, one resident told Reuters.
As the city slipped into isolation, residents thronged into hospitals for checks and scrambled for supplies, clearing out supermarket shelves and queuing for petrol.
Authorities in Huanggang ordered indoor entertainment venues including cinemas and internet cafes to close.
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ECONOMIC IMPACT
In contrast with its secrecy over the 2002-03 SARS that killed nearly 800 people, China’s Communist Party government has provided regular updates to avoid panic ahead of the holidays.
During a visit to Wuhan, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said authorities needed to be open about the virus and efforts to contain it, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Despite China’s response, world shares fell on Thursday, led by the biggest tumble in Chinese stocks in more than eight months, as concern mounted about the outbreak.
“Ultimately, the coronavirus is a slow-burning but important story for markets that is likely to last for months rather than just a few days,” said TD Securities’ European head of currency strategy, Ned Rumpeltin.
The economic impact of such outbreaks are hard to quantify but a 2006 estimate by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) calculated that SARS shaved just over 1 percentage point off the GDP of China in 2003.
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