huffpost--2020-05-09--Should You Get A Coronavirus Antibody Test?

In the case of many infections , your immune system develops antibodies to resist infections , which can stick around and make you immune to catching that sickness again .
If that proves to be true for the coronavirus , knowing that you ’ ve already been exposed to and recovered from the illness could mean it ’ s safe to resume normal activities without risking another infection or passing along the virus .
First , incorrect test results indicating the presence of coronavirus antibodies in a person who wasn ’ t actually infected ― called a false positive ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were safe .
Second , incorrect test results showing no antibodies in a patient who actually was infected ― called a false negative ― could cause a patient to continue quarantining without a reason .
Even a test that ’ s correct 98 % of the time would generate too many false results to be considered truly reliable from both a patient health and a public health perspective .
Part of the problem is that tests designed to be very sensitive to any coronavirus antibodies are more likely to detect them , meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By contrast , tests that are designed to look for very specific antibodies can miss others that are present , leading to false negatives , explained Henry Chambers , an infectious diseases expert at the University of California San Francisco ’ s School of Medicine .
It ’ s a test on [ blood ] serum for reactivity of one of these antibody proteins that your human immune response makes in response to , say , a prior infection .
So , you know , there ’ s any number of antibody tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an immune response to some infectious agent .
For some diseases , though , the presence of antibodies does not protect against ongoing infection or reinfection .
So how might it be useful for you as an individual ?
Let ’ s say that you were in New York City and maybe you had an illness that was consistent with COVID-19 but your doctor told you to stay at home , monitor yourself , and if you got worse to come in and see him , because he didn ’ t want you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then , some time later , if you want to see if that illness that you had was COVID , the test would be useful .
If you ’ re in a very low-prevalence setting , the test is probably going to be negative because if only one in 1,000 people is infected ― 99.9 % are going to be negative .
So it doesn ’ t really provide a lot of assurance unless there is a significant amount of prevalence in the community , in a place like New York , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting , a positive test is more likely to be a false positive .
If you want some peace of mind and you ’ re looking for a negative test , it ’ s probably going to be negative anyway .
Let ’ s say you were on a cruise ship , and you didn ’ t get tested but 70 % of the cruise ship population was infected and you had an illness .
In that setting , it could be useful because you already know that you were in an exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and a positive test would have a good predictive value because it was likely the test would be positive .
As the likelihood of exposure goes down , then you have to worry about false positives .
No .
It makes it unlikely , but there are false negatives .
Let ’ s say that you had a very mild infection , for example .
We don ’ t know how robust the antibody response is .
Or let ’ s say that you were asymptomatically infected .
That ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell if the test performs differently in people who had an asymptomatic infection .
Because it might be that if you didn ’ t have a very robust immune response to the infection , your antibody didn ’ t develop .
We just don ’ t know at this time for sure .
That is not yet known , for two reasons .
One is that the antibody test is qualitative , not quantitative .
It tells you that antibodies have been produced , but not the amount present and not whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that it prevents it from establishing an infection , which is known as “ neutralizing.
” So all of that also has to be worked out .
I think most experts think that people who have been infected will be immune , and that is the whole basis for this “ herd immunity ” idea : that individuals are not subject to reinfection once they have cleared the infection .
It is a guesstimate about this virus , because one thing we know about this is we don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you confirmed cases and then that allows you to characterize the death number among known cases , but not the death rate overall .
You can get a case death rate ― you know , I had 100 cases and five people died .
But if that hundred cases is really 1,000 , that ’ s 900 cases you don ’ t even know about .
Antibody testing allows you to put a better number on the mortality rate to make projections about demands on the health care system , and tells you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re using to mitigate transmission have performed .
Antibody tests will also be used to monitor the efficacy of a vaccine , at least in early phases , to make sure that you get an antibody response to the vaccine .
It will allow you to deploy your vaccine in a strategic manner .
Let ’ s say 20 % of the population ’ s infected ; you will be able to decide whether to vaccinate everybody or focus on those who are serologically negative .
The way around that is confirmatory testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it says you ’ re positive , and then you say , OK , I ’ m going to confirm that with an independent test B .
If that test is also positive , then it increases the likelihood that you really have been infected .
If it ’ s negative , you ’ ve called into question the first test and increased the likelihood that you have not been infected .
There are testing strategies that can allow you to determine the accuracy of a test , and the only way we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to start testing .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A slew of tests coming onto the market are designed to help determine whether people have previously been infected with COVID-19. But while many may be eager to know if they have already had the disease and since recovered, there’s a lot of uncertainty about the accuracy of the tests.
These tests are different from the ones used to diagnose a person with a coronavirus infection. Instead, these antibody tests, also called serological tests, are supposed to detect signs from your immune system that indicate your body has already fought off the virus.
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In the case of many infections, your immune system develops antibodies to resist infections, which can stick around and make you immune to catching that sickness again. If that proves to be true for the coronavirus, knowing that you’ve already been exposed to and recovered from the illness could mean it’s safe to resume normal activities without risking another infection or passing along the virus.
That’s why officials including National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci have floated the idea of so-called immunity passports or cards indicating a person has had a positive antibody test. But the World Health Organization has decreed that this would be premature, because like so many things with this virus, more is unknown than known at this point.
For one, scientists have not yet determined whether prior exposure to the coronavirus makes people immune. And the antibody tests are rushing to the market without full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA initially took a lenient approach to test manufacturers due to the public health emergency, which led to more than one hundred options coming to market, many of dubious quality. The agency has since tightened its approval process in an effort to ensure more reliable, accurate tests.
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The major risks of an inaccurate test are twofold.
First, incorrect test results indicating the presence of coronavirus antibodies in a person who wasn’t actually infected ― called a false positive ― could make a patient wrongly believe they were safe. Second, incorrect test results showing no antibodies in a patient who actually was infected ― called a false negative ― could cause a patient to continue quarantining without a reason. Even a test that’s correct 98% of the time would generate too many false results to be considered truly reliable from both a patient health and a public health perspective.
Part of the problem is that tests designed to be very sensitive to any coronavirus antibodies are more likely to detect them, meaning there would be more false positives. By contrast, tests that are designed to look for very specific antibodies can miss others that are present, leading to false negatives, explained Henry Chambers, an infectious diseases expert at the University of California San Francisco’s School of Medicine.
HuffPost spoke to Chambers about what people should know about coronavirus antibody tests and what they should consider if they want to get one.
What does a coronavirus antibody test measure?
It’s a test on [blood] serum for reactivity of one of these antibody proteins that your human immune response makes in response to, say, a prior infection. So, you know, there’s any number of antibody tests to see if you’ve developed an immune response to some infectious agent. For some diseases, though, the presence of antibodies does not protect against ongoing infection or reinfection.
Who should and who shouldn’t get an antibody test? I don’t think we know the answer of who should and who shouldn’t get an antibody test in terms of individuals or big populations. But how it’s being deployed is to get a sense of another way of determining how far the virus has spread in the population by seeing the number of people that are tested who react to the virus who have a specific antibody.
So how might it be useful for you as an individual? Let’s say that you were in New York City and maybe you had an illness that was consistent with COVID-19 but your doctor told you to stay at home, monitor yourself, and if you got worse to come in and see him, because he didn’t want you to show up and overburden the system. Then, some time later, if you want to see if that illness that you had was COVID, the test would be useful.
If you had COVID and you wanted to donate plasma for use treating another individual, then you could get an antibody test and that would determine the amount of antibody that you had.
If you’re in a very low-prevalence setting, the test is probably going to be negative because if only one in 1,000 people is infected ― 99.9% are going to be negative. So it doesn’t really provide a lot of assurance unless there is a significant amount of prevalence in the community, in a place like New York, for example. But in the low-prevalence setting, a positive test is more likely to be a false positive. If you want some peace of mind and you’re looking for a negative test, it’s probably going to be negative anyway.
Getting one on your own, unless you’re pretty sophisticated, it’s going to be hard to know what [the result] means, and that’s why I would have a health professional order the test and interpret it for you.
Does a positive antibody test mean you definitely had the coronavirus?
Let’s say you were on a cruise ship, and you didn’t get tested but 70% of the cruise ship population was infected and you had an illness. In that setting, it could be useful because you already know that you were in an exposure situation; you know you had symptoms; and a positive test would have a good predictive value because it was likely the test would be positive. As the likelihood of exposure goes down, then you have to worry about false positives.
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Does a negative antibody test mean you definitely have not had the coronavirus?
No. It makes it unlikely, but there are false negatives. Let’s say that you had a very mild infection, for example. We don’t know how robust the antibody response is. Or let’s say that you were asymptomatically infected. That’s going to require further research in populations to tell if the test performs differently in people who had an asymptomatic infection. Because it might be that if you didn’t have a very robust immune response to the infection, your antibody didn’t develop. We just don’t know at this time for sure.
Does a positive antibody test mean you’re immune to contracting the coronavirus again?
That is not yet known, for two reasons. One is that the antibody test is qualitative, not quantitative. It tells you that antibodies have been produced, but not the amount present and not whether the antibodies interact with the virus in such a way that it prevents it from establishing an infection, which is known as “neutralizing.” So all of that also has to be worked out.
I think most experts think that people who have been infected will be immune, and that is the whole basis for this “herd immunity” idea: that individuals are not subject to reinfection once they have cleared the infection. It is a guesstimate about this virus, because one thing we know about this is we don’t know a lot.
What value do these test results have to researchers working on disease surveillance and drug and vaccine development?
The virus test tells you confirmed cases and then that allows you to characterize the death number among known cases, but not the death rate overall. You can get a case death rate ― you know, I had 100 cases and five people died. But if that hundred cases is really 1,000, that’s 900 cases you don’t even know about. Antibody testing allows you to put a better number on the mortality rate to make projections about demands on the health care system, and tells you how well the measures that you’re using to mitigate transmission have performed.
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Antibody tests will also be used to monitor the efficacy of a vaccine, at least in early phases, to make sure that you get an antibody response to the vaccine. It will allow you to deploy your vaccine in a strategic manner. Let’s say 20% of the population’s infected; you will be able to decide whether to vaccinate everybody or focus on those who are serologically negative.
Are the tests available today reliable?
Even if a test sounds pretty good ― 98% of the time, it was right ― two out of 100 will give you a false positive.
There’s always a trade-off between sensitivity and specificity. When you start dialing up one, the other gets worse. If you want to not miss somebody who’s been infected, you’re going to have a very sensitive test, but you’re going to misclassify a large number of people who weren’t infected.
The way around that is confirmatory testing. So you do test A and it says you’re positive, and then you say, OK, I’m going to confirm that with an independent test B. If that test is also positive, then it increases the likelihood that you really have been infected. If it’s negative, you’ve called into question the first test and increased the likelihood that you have not been infected. There are testing strategies that can allow you to determine the accuracy of a test, and the only way we’re going to get these answers is to start testing.
This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
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Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus. The information in this story is what was known or available as of press time, but it’s possible guidance around COVID-19 could change as scientists discover more about the virus. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most updated recommendations.


huffpost--2020-05-10--'Let Kids Drink,' Urges SNL As Parents Lose Their Minds At Home

“ Let kids drink , ” sang “ Saturday Night Live ” cast members in a funny , startling — and sometimes disturbing — parody “ public service announcement ” with beleaguered parents having a “ hard-ass time ” stuck at home .
“ If they got a little buzz on , would it really be that bad ?
” sang Cecily Strong .
“ It ’ s not like they can drive , ” piped up a tipsy Chloe Fineman .
The sketch — with a waving American flag and a toddler eyeing martinis — included a cameo by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voice of Olaf .
“ Here ’ s a bedtime story : it ’ s vodka , soda , lime , ” he crooned .
But why leave dogs out of the fun ?
They ’ re like “ smarter , nicer kids , ” sang Strong .
“ Let dogs drink !
” The challenges of parenting kids home from school because of the coronavirus — and Mother ’ s Day on Sunday — were recurring themes on the SNL season finale , its third remote episode .
Former SNL star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Weekend Update ” to talk about her own challenges at home with her kids .
Fey fake-confessed she makes up nonsense syllables because she doesn ’ t have a clue about the Latin she ’ s supposed to be teaching .
Boyz II Men knocked the Mother ’ s Day theme out of the park with a touching “ Song for Mama ” over a photo collage of moms of the SNL cast and crew .
Check out the drinking kids in the sketch up top — and Tina Fey , Mikey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos below :

“Let kids drink,” sang “Saturday Night Live” cast members in a funny, startling — and sometimes disturbing — parody “public service announcement” with beleaguered parents having a “hard-ass time” stuck at home.
“If they got a little buzz on, would it really be that bad?” sang Cecily Strong.
“It’s not like they can drive,” piped up a tipsy Chloe Fineman.
The sketch — with a waving American flag and a toddler eyeing martinis — included a cameo by “Frozen” star Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf. “Here’s a bedtime story: it’s vodka, soda, lime,” he crooned.
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But why leave dogs out of the fun? They’re like “smarter, nicer kids,” sang Strong. “Let dogs drink!”
The challenges of parenting kids home from school because of the coronavirus — and Mother’s Day on Sunday — were recurring themes on the SNL season finale, its third remote episode.
Former SNL star and parent Tina Fey turned up on “Weekend Update” to talk about her own challenges at home with her kids. Fey fake-confessed she makes up nonsense syllables because she doesn’t have a clue about the Latin she’s supposed to be teaching.
Another featured Mikey Day’s son amusing himself stuck at home playing irritating dad pranks.
Boyz II Men knocked the Mother’s Day theme out of the park with a touching “Song for Mama” over a photo collage of moms of the SNL cast and crew.
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huffpost--2020-05-10--I Feel Like I’m Failing At Motherhood In Quarantine

She cries every nap and night , hollow pleas for her “ pacis.
” It takes hours to get her down each night like it did when she was a baby , when we would go into her room over and over to lay her back in her crib .
Similarly , when she sleeps , it ’ s in fits and spurts , and she wakes up at odd hours of the night , screaming .
Two days later , her day care closes .
On top of the fractured sleep , we are now home together , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day .
As the days tick forward , a strange sense of deja vu comes over me , the nagging suspicion I ’ ve done this before .
My body feels a twinge , like a reinjured muscle , a strain that never fully healed and is now painful again .
Then , I realize what we ’ re living through all over again : the newborn stage .
Maybe , I cautiously hope , my fears are unfounded , my constant guilty worry that I lacked what was so natural for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the want to be with their child at all times .
Maybe I can give her what she should have had from the start — a mother who is not too overwhelmed , too sad , too scared , but who instead is there , always , smiling like a 1950s advertisement .
But week two dawns , and the cracks in our facade are showing .
The novelty of being home together has worn off .
Her toys are declared boring .
The activities I plan take too long to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to justify the scant few minutes she ’ s occupied .
She is increasingly cranky from the lack of structure , becoming more annoyed at my husband and me , who are continuously descending upon our laptops to check emails or hop on Zoom meetings .
Her unhappiness burrows under my skin , filling me with memories , almost flashbacks .
I can not fix it now as I couldn ’ t fix it then .
A familiar frustration roils my stomach .
I feel the same sharp unkindness toward her demands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still sets my teeth on edge .
She is so needy , yet also needs nothing , and I feel the tightness in my chest like in her early days , the unbearable irritation that I can not seem to give her what she wants , her wailing uncontrollably in my arms despite a full belly and a clean diaper .
She throws herself on the floor , dangerously flopping her whole body down like a soccer player .
She hurls her toys down the hallway .
She sits on the wet ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move .
She stopped using her high chair last month , but now she crawls into my lap at each meal , presses hard against me , her thin , colt-like legs dangling over the side of the chair as I eat around her , food sliding off my fork and onto the floor with comically audible plops .
I am transported back to the time when I would balance her across my middle while eating every meal cold , terrified I would accidentally drop hot food on her fresh , bald head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You set the tone , ” my sister scolds me when I call her on the cusp of week three .
When she says it , I know it ’ s true and unfair in the way all things about motherhood are true and unfair , that moms get penalized at work for their children while dads get promoted , that moms handle the majority of domestic tasks , that moms get judged for each effort while dads get lauded for just showing up .
But I can ’ t .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any previous generation , shrinks even further as we are told to stay away from friends , family , neighbors , grandparents , until our entire universe is just the three of us .
Outside , terrible things are happening , makeshift morgues and rising numbers .
Friends are diagnosed .
Anecdotal evidence from Italy about what to expect fills social media .
Soon , they warn us , everyone will know someone .
Fear that I can ’ t do it , at least not in the way mothers are supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the world crumbling , I can ’ t be the mother I so want to be , the one who can sacrifice herself for her child with the ease everyone assumes all mothers have .
Articles multiply online about the impact this will have on a generation of children , the ones that were already living through the climate crisis and school shootings now saddled with the consequences of a pandemic , an economic depression .
None of us know how our actions in this time will manifest as our children grow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself thinking , in the rare quiet moments of the day , how this time will imprint on my daughter , this time when the ones in charge are failing her , from leaders at the top ignoring the crisis until it ’ s too late all the way down to me , her own mother at the bottom who can not stand to pick up the dried rice from the spilled sensory bin one ... more ... time .
It ’ s a rose-colored rendition of the day that ignores the crying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , but for some reason it works .
As I talk , I can feel her body settle into mine .
She lies against me in the same position she lay as a newborn , her warm milky breath against my neck , her legs now spread over my hip bones but with her arms still tucked up in between our bodies like a baby bird .
She drifts to sleep that night listening to the top highlights , the moments we were both our best selves .

Florin Cristian Ailenei via Getty Images
The day after the World Health Organization declares COVID-19 a pandemic, my husband and I quit using pacifiers with our 2-year-old. The timing is purely coincidental. We’ve spent the last few days talking up the “pacifier fairy” and she is slated to come that night, taking our daughter’s binkies away to give to babies who aren’t big girls yet.
The first day without it, she refuses to nap. She cries for an hour, begging for the comfort of her pacifier, before we quit trying to get her down.
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She cries every nap and night, hollow pleas for her “pacis.” It takes hours to get her down each night like it did when she was a baby, when we would go into her room over and over to lay her back in her crib. Similarly, when she sleeps, it’s in fits and spurts, and she wakes up at odd hours of the night, screaming.
Two days later, her day care closes. On top of the fractured sleep, we are now home together, the three of us, all day, every day. As the days tick forward, a strange sense of deja vu comes over me, the nagging suspicion I’ve done this before. My body feels a twinge, like a reinjured muscle, a strain that never fully healed and is now painful again. Then, I realize what we’re living through all over again: the newborn stage.
I was not built for the newborn stage. Far removed, in the safety of toddlerhood, I look upon those first three months — known as the fourth trimester — affectionately and with a kind of fearful reverence, like the final girl in a horror movie realizing she’s somehow survived.
My maternity leave felt like a yellow wallpaper trap, cooped inside at all hours, being told to relax — and enjoy it! — when all I could feel was the unbearably heavy weight of responsibility, the knowledge that I was somehow singularly responsible for keeping another soul alive and healthy and happy.
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At three months, I welcomed day care into my life with open arms. But now suddenly, I am back in that trap, marooned in my home with my child, feeling responsible once again for each decision, each choice.
The first week is OK. We bust out the finger paints. We put on our bathing suits, fill the tub too high and have an improvised pool party. We read books and go on walks. We bake bread. I start to feel good about myself as a mother in a way I never have before.
Maybe, I cautiously hope, my fears are unfounded, my constant guilty worry that I lacked what was so natural for others: the need, the desire, the want to be with their child at all times. Maybe I can give her what she should have had from the start — a mother who is not too overwhelmed, too sad, too scared, but who instead is there, always, smiling like a 1950s advertisement.
But week two dawns, and the cracks in our facade are showing. The novelty of being home together has worn off. Her toys are declared boring. The activities I plan take too long to set up and too long to clean up to justify the scant few minutes she’s occupied. She is increasingly cranky from the lack of structure, becoming more annoyed at my husband and me, who are continuously descending upon our laptops to check emails or hop on Zoom meetings.
Her unhappiness burrows under my skin, filling me with memories, almost flashbacks. I cannot fix it now as I couldn’t fix it then. A familiar frustration roils my stomach. I feel the same sharp unkindness toward her demands, one that I know is unfair but still sets my teeth on edge. She is so needy, yet also needs nothing, and I feel the tightness in my chest like in her early days, the unbearable irritation that I cannot seem to give her what she wants, her wailing uncontrollably in my arms despite a full belly and a clean diaper.
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Now, like before, I run down the checklist of what is supposed to make her happy. I give her toys and games, puzzles and playtime. Crumbs of Play-Doh embed in the carpet. Every sweatshirt I own is covered in paint. But, as it did then, her unhappiness persists.
She throws herself on the floor, dangerously flopping her whole body down like a soccer player. She hurls her toys down the hallway. She sits on the wet ground on our daily walk, refusing to move. She stopped using her high chair last month, but now she crawls into my lap at each meal, presses hard against me, her thin, colt-like legs dangling over the side of the chair as I eat around her, food sliding off my fork and onto the floor with comically audible plops. I am transported back to the time when I would balance her across my middle while eating every meal cold, terrified I would accidentally drop hot food on her fresh, bald head.
“You’re the mother. You set the tone,” my sister scolds me when I call her on the cusp of week three. When she says it, I know it’s true and unfair in the way all things about motherhood are true and unfair, that moms get penalized at work for their children while dads get promoted, that moms handle the majority of domestic tasks, that moms get judged for each effort while dads get lauded for just showing up.
“It’s survival mode,” she says, that phrase everyone said after she was born, echoed now by anyone trying to parent through this crisis. “Just do what you need to get through.”
But I can’t. My village, already so much smaller than any previous generation, shrinks even further as we are told to stay away from friends, family, neighbors, grandparents, until our entire universe is just the three of us. Outside, terrible things are happening, makeshift morgues and rising numbers. Friends are diagnosed. Anecdotal evidence from Italy about what to expect fills social media. Soon, they warn us, everyone will know someone.
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But stranded on our island, I can only give them fleeting acknowledgement as the feeling aches and throbs from a small, sad part of my soul, one that I haven’t felt since her infancy: fear of failure.
Fear that I can’t do it, at least not in the way mothers are supposed to. That even with the sky falling and the world crumbling, I can’t be the mother I so want to be, the one who can sacrifice herself for her child with the ease everyone assumes all mothers have.
I am desperate for words of comfort — that I am doing this right, that when we return to whatever we return to, she will be OK. That I have not ruined her in this time with my short temper or my uncreative projects or my incredibly relaxed screen time.
Articles multiply online about the impact this will have on a generation of children, the ones that were already living through the climate crisis and school shootings now saddled with the consequences of a pandemic, an economic depression. None of us know how our actions in this time will manifest as our children grow, the articles say.
I find myself thinking, in the rare quiet moments of the day, how this time will imprint on my daughter, this time when the ones in charge are failing her, from leaders at the top ignoring the crisis until it’s too late all the way down to me, her own mother at the bottom who cannot stand to pick up the dried rice from the spilled sensory bin one ... more ... time.
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Three weeks into quarantine, three weeks without the pacifier, staring down another sleepless night, I try something different. Desperate to try and relax her for sleep, I begin to talk, narrating what we did that day: We woke up. We got dressed. We went outside. We looked at the yellow flowers.
I lower myself into the rocking chair, something I haven’t been able to do since the pacifier fairy came. She only sighs a small protest. I continue: We had lunch. We watched ”Daniel Tiger.” We had dinner. We took a bath. We had milk. We brushed our teeth.
It’s a rose-colored rendition of the day that ignores the crying and whining that came from both of us, but for some reason it works. As I talk, I can feel her body settle into mine. She lies against me in the same position she lay as a newborn, her warm milky breath against my neck, her legs now spread over my hip bones but with her arms still tucked up in between our bodies like a baby bird. She drifts to sleep that night listening to the top highlights, the moments we were both our best selves.
The comfort she’d once known and depended on is gone. But maybe there’s a new solace — one for both of us — in these moments of reflection, acknowledging the buoys that kept us afloat for one more day, the things we should remember to give thanks for.
The small magic of just getting through.
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huffpost--2020-05-12--Dems Unveil Giant New Coronavirus Relief Bill

Of importance to most Americans : The bill , called the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions , or HEROES , Act , includes a second wave of $ 1,200 payments to the vast majority of U.S. households — this time with even more inclusive eligibility rules than the previous payments .
Benefits would go to immigrants and would be protected from garnishment by banks and other debt collectors .
The bill also extends the extra $ 600 per week for unemployment through the end of the year .
The extra $ 600 from the federal government — designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 million unemployed — is currently scheduled to expire at the end of July , and Republicans have said they ’ ll oppose any effort to keep the full amount past then out of concern that it disincentives work .
Democrats are also offering to undo one of the few tax increases Republicans implemented in their 2017 tax bill with a provision allowing homeowners to write off state and local taxes ( SALT ) above $ 10,000 .
That tax cut would be highly regressive ; the Tax Policy Center estimates that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 56 % of the benefit of that change , and the top 5 % would get 80 % .
The so-called SALT deduction tax increase angered even some Republican and independent voters in richer parts of the country , and it was a key reason Democrats were able to win many long-held GOP seats in areas like New York and Orange County , California .
But it ’ s less than the most important priority in a coronavirus response bill , though it could set up another partisan blame game if it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provision .
Access to affordable health insurance has largely been left out of negotiations between the White House and Congress , leaving millions of recently unemployed Americans — and previously uninsured Americans — in the lurch during a public health crisis .
This bill would make treatment for the novel coronavirus free for individuals , as well as open a special enrollment period for previously uninsured individuals to buy into the Affordable Care Act ’ s exchanges .
It also would increase how much the federal government pitches in for state Medicaid programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that lets recently laid-off Americans continue their former employer ’ s health insurance plan at personal cost .
COBRA is rarely an affordable option for recently unemployed Americans because of the high costs of private insurance , which are typically subsidized by employers .
This proposal would cover the entire cost of an individual ’ s private insurance premium with federal dollars .
It ’ s unclear whether these proposals will have much bipartisan support .
Republicans have shown little appetite to negotiate on another relief package .
The Trump administration decided against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of the pandemic in March , and despite promising to cover health care costs for uninsured Americans through a hospital fund , the administration has yet to set up a system to do so .
The legislation also includes a subtle change in language that would make some Washington lobbying firms eligible for forgivable loans from the Paycheck Protection Program , which is designed to help small businesses retain their employees despite the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic .
Specifically , the bill allows a host of previously excluded nonprofits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) s and trade associations that lobby for groups of corporations , to access those PPP small business loans .
Anti-corruption advocates lament the inclusion of trade associations in the new bill because the corporations and other institutions that bankroll them are often already eligible for federal bailout money .
The organizations , which enjoy significant clout in Washington , had been pushing for the change with the support of some Democratic lawmakers .
The bill is also a disappointment for many progressives on another key piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again : child care .
Advocates and some lawmakers were looking for an additional $ 50 billion to stabilize child care providers , many of whom are struggling to survive amid closures .
The bill released Tuesday would provide just $ 7 billion .
Trying Again On Leave Workers at companies with more than 500 employees were blocked from getting paid sick or family leave through the law , and very small companies were allowed to voluntarily opt out of providing leave .
That meant that up to 83 % of the workforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off through that bill , according to one recent analysis from the National Partnership for Women and Families .
This new bill would cover everyone , offering two weeks of paid time off for workers battling coronavirus and 12 weeks time off — capped at two-thirds of pay — for a variety of reasons .
And these provisions would be extended through the end of 2021 , a year past the expiration date set in the previous bill .

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Democrats released yet another proposal for a coronavirus economic relief package on Tuesday — a $3 trillion bill with more money for enhanced unemployment benefits, money for state and local governments, and funding for a host of other Democratic priorities.
Of importance to most Americans: The bill, called the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions, or HEROES, Act, includes a second wave of $1,200 payments to the vast majority of U.S. households — this time with even more inclusive eligibility rules than the previous payments. Benefits would go to immigrants and would be protected from garnishment by banks and other debt collectors.
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Previous income thresholds would remain the same, but instead of $500 per dependent like the last round, the new proposal offers $1,200 ― with the amount families are receiving capped at $6,000.
And the proposal would give an extra $13 per hour in hazard pay to essential workers in health care, food retail, public safety and transportation.
The bill also extends the extra $600 per week for unemployment through the end of the year. The extra $600 from the federal government — designed as a lifeline to many of the 33 million unemployed — is currently scheduled to expire at the end of July, and Republicans have said they’ll oppose any effort to keep the full amount past then out of concern that it disincentives work.
This bill, almost certain not to be the final legislation that will become law, is an opening offer from Democrats. On past coronavirus relief bills, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) negotiated in private with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
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This time, with McConnell saying he doesn’t see the “urgency” for another measure, Democrats are moving forward with their own bill — one that more closely hews to their priorities.
For instance, Democrats are again trying to pass real paid sick leave provisions, after seeing their proposals gutted by Senate Republicans and the White House back in March. They aim to provide state and local governments with $1 trillion, and set aside $200 billion for essential workers.
But the bill isn’t entirely focused on helping the most needy or deserving.
Democrats are also offering to undo one of the few tax increases Republicans implemented in their 2017 tax bill with a provision allowing homeowners to write off state and local taxes (SALT) above $10,000. That tax cut would be highly regressive; the Tax Policy Center estimates that the richest 1% of households would receive 56% of the benefit of that change, and the top 5% would get 80%.
The so-called SALT deduction tax increase angered even some Republican and independent voters in richer parts of the country, and it was a key reason Democrats were able to win many long-held GOP seats in areas like New York and Orange County, California. But it’s less than the most important priority in a coronavirus response bill, though it could set up another partisan blame game if it’s Republicans who insist on stripping that provision.
Of course, the bill is not all politics.
Proposals To Combat COVID
House Democrats are proposing a number of common-sense ideas to help combat the actual coronavirus pandemic. They aim to pour money into hospitals, and they want to expand health care benefits past the free coronavirus testing Congress passed in March.
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Access to affordable health insurance has largely been left out of negotiations between the White House and Congress, leaving millions of recently unemployed Americans — and previously uninsured Americans — in the lurch during a public health crisis. This bill would make treatment for the novel coronavirus free for individuals, as well as open a special enrollment period for previously uninsured individuals to buy into the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges.
It also would increase how much the federal government pitches in for state Medicaid programs and subsidizes COBRA, the federal program that lets recently laid-off Americans continue their former employer’s health insurance plan at personal cost. COBRA is rarely an affordable option for recently unemployed Americans because of the high costs of private insurance, which are typically subsidized by employers. This proposal would cover the entire cost of an individual’s private insurance premium with federal dollars.
It’s unclear whether these proposals will have much bipartisan support. Republicans have shown little appetite to negotiate on another relief package. The Trump administration decided against reopening the Obamacare exchanges during the early days of the pandemic in March, and despite promising to cover health care costs for uninsured Americans through a hospital fund, the administration has yet to set up a system to do so.
Criticism From The Left
But already, Democrats are facing criticism from progressives for focusing their health care subsidies through COBRA, which would direct federal funds toward more expensive private insurance plans, rather than expanding public programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which pay health care providers much lower rates.
The absence of a more robust expansion of health care is one of several provisions in the bill that is already disappointing progressive lawmakers and activists.
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The legislation also includes a subtle change in language that would make some Washington lobbying firms eligible for forgivable loans from the Paycheck Protection Program, which is designed to help small businesses retain their employees despite the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the bill allows a host of previously excluded nonprofits, including the political advocacy groups known as 501(c)(4)s and trade associations that lobby for groups of corporations, to access those PPP small business loans.
Anti-corruption advocates lament the inclusion of trade associations in the new bill because the corporations and other institutions that bankroll them are often already eligible for federal bailout money. The organizations, which enjoy significant clout in Washington, had been pushing for the change with the support of some Democratic lawmakers.
“Including trade associations as eligible for PPP loans is in many cases allowing double-dipping in the federal assistance program,” said Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, which monitors corporate influence in Washington.
The bill is also a disappointment for many progressives on another key piece of getting the economy up and running again: child care. Advocates and some lawmakers were looking for an additional $50 billion to stabilize child care providers, many of whom are struggling to survive amid closures. The bill released Tuesday would provide just $7 billion.
More Stimulus Checks
But overall, there is plenty for liberals to like in a bill that would cost an estimated $3 trillion.
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There is $175 billion for housing assistance to help eligible people pay rents and mortgages, $25 billion for the struggling postal service, and a 15% increase in food benefits provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The additional round of stimulus checks will likely make the legislation popular with many Americans, and items like expanded unemployment and paid sick leave could be an important salvation for many.
Specifically, the new bill would close the immense loopholes on paid sick leave and family leave that the White House and Senate Republicans put into the second stimulus bill, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Trying Again On Leave
Workers at companies with more than 500 employees were blocked from getting paid sick or family leave through the law, and very small companies were allowed to voluntarily opt out of providing leave. That meant that up to 83% of the workforce was unable to actually get paid time off through that bill, according to one recent analysis from the National Partnership for Women and Families.
The lackluster provisions led to many workers simply leaving their jobs to deal with COVID-related issues.
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This new bill would cover everyone, offering two weeks of paid time off for workers battling coronavirus and 12 weeks time off — capped at two-thirds of pay — for a variety of reasons. And these provisions would be extended through the end of 2021, a year past the expiration date set in the previous bill.
Paid leave advocates told HuffPost they were thrilled to see House Democrats try again to pass these measures.
“Big picture, it restores all the things we wanted,” said Shilpa Phadke, the vice president of the Women’s Initiative at the Center for American Progress, who’s been pushing to close the loopholes in the previous stimulus packages.
A strong paid sick leave provision is going to be critical in reopening the economy, Phadke pointed out.
No one is going to want to work at a place where employees are forced to work through illness ― and people aren’t going to want to shop at stores, or eat in restaurants, where workers are coming in sick, either. “There’s a basic confidence issue here,” she said.
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When McConnell was asked about the legislation Tuesday, during a time of massive unemployment and more than 1,000 deaths a day due to the coronavirus, he had a simple message.


huffpost--2020-05-17--Elle Fanning, Grown Up And ‘Great’

Elle Fanning, Grown Up And ‘Great’

Sure , she ’ s been famous for about a decade , but always with the wide-eyed wonder that accompanies youthful renown .
When cannibals were eating her in “ The Neon Demon , ” her mother was stationed nearby on the set , supervising her 17-year-old daughter ’ s employment .
She was there when Fanning dined opposite Brad Pitt in “ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , ” ice-skated to Gwen Stefani in “ Somewhere , ” got alien-abducted in “ Super 8 , ” experienced her first kiss in “ Ginger & Rosa , ” charmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and took a pregnancy test in “ 20th Century Women.
” Her parents no longer convoy her during shoots , which is probably for the best : “ The Great ” finds Fanning at her most adult , playing an anachronistic Catherine the Great discovering her own sexual and ideological moxie .
Good thing Mom stayed home when it came time for Fanning ’ s big seduction scene in the second episode of the limited series , which premieres on Hulu this weekend .
She was 21 at the time , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks on every career move .
“ I was just so excited because I knew that I was pushing myself in another direction that I ’ d really never gone , ” Fanning said during a Zoom interview last month .
“ I feel like I ’ m someone that loves being under pressure .
I love feeling terrified and I thrive in those situations .
And this certainly put me in those positions.
” Part of that had to do with the material .
“ The Great ” is a dark comedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
Tony McNamara wrote eight of the 10 episodes , channelling the same satirical spirit he brought to “ The Favourite , ” another farce about an 18th-century monarch .
Fanning needed to capture the nuances of someone who has come of age without understanding the harshness of the real world .
At once naive and headstrong , Catherine arrives in Russia for an arranged marriage to the buffoonish emperor Peter III ( Nicholas Hoult ) .
As a woman , she ’ s entitled to very little power .
She can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She ’ ll have to force her way to the top by manipulating her husband ’ s intellectual shortcomings .
“ Doing the pilot , I was definitely trying to find myself and trying to let my guard down , ” Fanning said .
“ I think there ’ s something with comedy that is so , I don ’ t know , I get embarrassed .
Do I go for it ?
Do I do the big fall , do I do the crazy face , can I make the weird noise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s what ’ s funny .
Melissa McCarthy , she ’ s amazing .
There ’ s something about a real physical comedy that I really wanted to add to Catherine , too .
It goes back to Charlie Chaplin .
But also I ’ m not from that world .
Slowly , over the course of different takes , it ’ d be like , you know what , I can slowly creep my toe in and do a little bit more.
” Creeping her toe in is an apt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ascent .
At first , she was best known for being Dakota Fanning ’ s little sister .
When Dakota burst onto the scene in the 2000s with a string of hits that included “ I Am Sam , ” “ Man on Fire ” and “ War of the Worlds , ” the praise she received was breathless .
Critics characterized her talents as a once-in-a-generation phenomenon .
“ One of the most actively employed child actors in the movie business and one of the most gifted , Miss Fanning has both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” The New York Times ’ Manhola Dargis wrote in her review of the 2005 horror flick “ Hide and Seek.
” That ’ s a lofty bar for any younger sibling , but as Dakota aged into adulthood ( she is 26 now ; Elle is 22 ) , the Fannings ’ positions reversed .
Suddenly it was Elle who was getting the good parts and the proportionate plaudits .
She made a David Fincher movie ( “ Benjamin Button ” ) before she was old enough to watch David Fincher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essay about what it was like to work with such an obsessive director .
( “ He did so many takes , ” she recalled during our conversation , still sounding exhausted 13 years later . )
She was called “ the next golden child ” — another lofty rank for a fledgling who isn ’ t yet in the driver ’ s seat of her lifework .
Her résumé is filled with luminaries like Alejandro González Iñárritu ( “ Babel ” ) , Sofia Coppola ( “ Somewhere ” and “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( “ Twixt ” ) , J.J. Abrams ( “ Super 8 ” ) , Cameron Crowe ( “ We Bought a Zoo ” ) , Sally Potter ( “ Ginger & Rosa ” and “ The Roads Not Taken ” ) and Mélanie Laurent ( “ Galveston ” ) .
Having parents so devoted to aiding her craft paid off , which can ’ t be said for every young star .
As she tells it , Elle and Dakota fell into a groove — they don ’ t talk about work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitive .
( They ’ re self-isolating together amid the COVID-19 pandemic , bingeing “ Vanderpump Rules , ” “ 90 Day Fiancé ” and “ MasterChef Junior.
” ) “ That was definitely a turning point in my career , ” she said .
“ It ’ s a polarizing movie .
It ’ s not necessarily like , ‘ Oh yeah , this is a winner , everyone ’ s going to love this one.
’ But I also think that I really pushed everyone around me .
I mean , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and agents .
It ’ s an art film .
It ’ s different , and I get eaten at the end .
They said , ‘ OK , is this what we want ?
Let ’ s think about this .
Take it slow .
Let ’ s look at the options here.
’ Whereas I kind of didn ’ t need to think about it .
Maybe that surprises people , but I always like to surprise people .
I like the shock factor of it.
” Everyone has a love-and-hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s were documented for public consumption , but she doesn ’ t seem to mind , likening her movies to “ baby albums.
” Her healthy relationship with herself and her family has given Fanning a sense of how to age in a business that sometimes discards child stars .
In the four years between “ The Neon Demon ” and “ The Great , ” newfound maturity became Fanning ’ s brand , reflected in her screen roles and her red-carpet style .
“ I don ’ t want to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fanning said , employing a shortsighted phrase that ’ s trendy within Hollywood .
“ That actually seems boring .
It ’ s so much more complicated than that .
There ’ s this stigma of every woman has to look a certain way in films .
Oh , you have to smile , or that ’ s too silly , or that ’ s not likable enough .
As I ’ ve gotten older , I ’ ve realized I can fight against that a little bit .
Because starting out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to get what you ’ re going to get because you ’ re auditioning .
I didn ’ t really have the choice to choose what I got to play until now .
Scripts come and I get to say , ‘ No , that ’ s just her in a bikini , no thanks.
’ Or a script will say , ‘ She ’ s beautiful and doesn ’ t know it.
’ That ’ s just automatically , ‘ I don ’ t really want to play that @ @ @ @

“The Great” is, in many ways, Elle Fanning’s star-making turn.
Sure, she’s been famous for about a decade, but always with the wide-eyed wonder that accompanies youthful renown. When cannibals were eating her in “The Neon Demon,” her mother was stationed nearby on the set, supervising her 17-year-old daughter’s employment. She was there when Fanning dined opposite Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” ice-skated to Gwen Stefani in “Somewhere,” got alien-abducted in “Super 8,” experienced her first kiss in “Ginger & Rosa,” charmed a devilish Angelina Jolie in “Maleficent” and took a pregnancy test in “20th Century Women.”
Her parents no longer convoy her during shoots, which is probably for the best: “The Great” finds Fanning at her most adult, playing an anachronistic Catherine the Great discovering her own sexual and ideological moxie. Good thing Mom stayed home when it came time for Fanning’s big seduction scene in the second episode of the limited series, which premieres on Hulu this weekend. She was 21 at the time, having gained autonomy after years of consulting her folks on every career move.
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“I was just so excited because I knew that I was pushing myself in another direction that I’d really never gone,” Fanning said during a Zoom interview last month. “I feel like I’m someone that loves being under pressure. I love feeling terrified and I thrive in those situations. And this certainly put me in those positions.”
Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning in "The Great." Hulu
Part of that had to do with the material. “The Great” is a dark comedy, and Fanning had never done comedy before. Tony McNamara wrote eight of the 10 episodes, channelling the same satirical spirit he brought to “The Favourite,” another farce about an 18th-century monarch. Fanning needed to capture the nuances of someone who has come of age without understanding the harshness of the real world. At once naive and headstrong, Catherine arrives in Russia for an arranged marriage to the buffoonish emperor Peter III (Nicholas Hoult). As a woman, she’s entitled to very little power. She can’t even open a library. She’ll have to force her way to the top by manipulating her husband’s intellectual shortcomings.
Fanning’s performance is a delight. She wears on her face a sunny disposition that becomes Catherine’s armor, deployed ever so carefully when encountering snobs and chauvinists, who seem to follow everywhere she goes. Here, Fanning’s toothy grin acts as a disarming mechanism, or perhaps a weapon.
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“Doing the pilot, I was definitely trying to find myself and trying to let my guard down,” Fanning said. “I think there’s something with comedy that is so, I don’t know, I get embarrassed. Do I go for it? Do I do the big fall, do I do the crazy face, can I make the weird noise? Do I go there? Because that’s what’s funny. Melissa McCarthy, she’s amazing. There’s something about a real physical comedy that I really wanted to add to Catherine, too. It goes back to Charlie Chaplin. But also I’m not from that world. Slowly, over the course of different takes, it’d be like, you know what, I can slowly creep my toe in and do a little bit more.”
Creeping her toe in is an apt way to describe Fanning’s career ascent. At first, she was best known for being Dakota Fanning’s little sister. When Dakota burst onto the scene in the 2000s with a string of hits that included “I Am Sam,” “Man on Fire” and “War of the Worlds,” the praise she received was breathless. Critics characterized her talents as a once-in-a-generation phenomenon. “One of the most actively employed child actors in the movie business and one of the most gifted, Miss Fanning has both chops and a preternaturally intense screen presence,” The New York Times’ Manhola Dargis wrote in her review of the 2005 horror flick “Hide and Seek.”
Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning at Paris Fashion Week in 2017. Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho via Getty Images
That’s a lofty bar for any younger sibling, but as Dakota aged into adulthood (she is 26 now; Elle is 22), the Fannings’ positions reversed. Suddenly it was Elle who was getting the good parts and the proportionate plaudits. She made a David Fincher movie (“Benjamin Button”) before she was old enough to watch David Fincher movies, eventually writing a high-school English essay about what it was like to work with such an obsessive director. (“He did so many takes,” she recalled during our conversation, still sounding exhausted 13 years later.) She was called “the next golden child” — another lofty rank for a fledgling who isn’t yet in the driver’s seat of her lifework. Her résumé is filled with luminaries like Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Babel”), Sofia Coppola (“Somewhere” and “The Beguiled”), Francis Ford Coppola (“Twixt”), J.J. Abrams (“Super 8”), Cameron Crowe (“We Bought a Zoo”), Sally Potter (“Ginger & Rosa” and “The Roads Not Taken”) and Mélanie Laurent (“Galveston”).
Having parents so devoted to aiding her craft paid off, which can’t be said for every young star. As she tells it, Elle and Dakota fell into a groove — they don’t talk about work much, so it never became too competitive. (They’re self-isolating together amid the COVID-19 pandemic, bingeing “Vanderpump Rules,” “90 Day Fiancé” and “MasterChef Junior.”)
Around age 16, she started to advocate for roles that were edgy and ambitious, like 2016’s trippy “Neon Demon,” in which Fanning plays an aspiring model adrift in the Los Angeles beauty industry’s superficiality. That’s the one with the cannibalism. Directed by Danish provocateur Nicolas Winding Refn, “Demon” is the type of project that gave people in Fanning’s inner circle pause.
“That was definitely a turning point in my career,” she said. “It’s a polarizing movie. It’s not necessarily like, ‘Oh yeah, this is a winner, everyone’s going to love this one.’ But I also think that I really pushed everyone around me. I mean, maybe my mom, but also managers and agents. It’s an art film. It’s different, and I get eaten at the end. They said, ‘OK, is this what we want? Let’s think about this. Take it slow. Let’s look at the options here.’ Whereas I kind of didn’t need to think about it. Maybe that surprises people, but I always like to surprise people. I like the shock factor of it.”
Elle Fanning in "The Neon Demon." Amazon Studios
Everyone has a love-and-hate relationship with their teenage years. Fanning’s were documented for public consumption, but she doesn’t seem to mind, likening her movies to “baby albums.” Her healthy relationship with herself and her family has given Fanning a sense of how to age in a business that sometimes discards child stars. In the four years between “The Neon Demon” and “The Great,” newfound maturity became Fanning’s brand, reflected in her screen roles and her red-carpet style.
Advertisement
“I don’t want to play just a strong female character,” Fanning said, employing a shortsighted phrase that’s trendy within Hollywood. “That actually seems boring. It’s so much more complicated than that. There’s this stigma of every woman has to look a certain way in films. Oh, you have to smile, or that’s too silly, or that’s not likable enough. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I can fight against that a little bit. Because starting out, when you’re young, you’re going to get what you’re going to get because you’re auditioning. I didn’t really have the choice to choose what I got to play until now. Scripts come and I get to say, ‘No, that’s just her in a bikini, no thanks.’ Or a script will say, ‘She’s beautiful and doesn’t know it.’ That’s just automatically, ‘I don’t really want to play that part.’”
Soon, the Fanning sisters’ professional paths will intersect, and they may be forced to discuss their showbiz experiences. Having never shared scenes together, they’re set to headline “The Nightingale,” a war drama based on Kristin Hannah’s bestselling novel from 2015.


huffpost--2020-05-08--Meet Magnolia, The New Gerber Baby Contest Winner

There ’ s officially a new Gerber baby on the scene .
On Friday , the baby food brand announced the winner of its 10th annual Gerber Baby Photo Search contest : 1-year-old Magnolia Earl from Ross , California .
A panel of judges selected Magnolia out of a pool of more than 327,000 entrants to be the 2020 Gerber “ spokesbaby.
” She will appear on Gerber ’ s social media channels and marketing campaigns throughout the year , and her family will receive a $ 25,000 cash prize , $ 1,000 in Gerber Childrenswear , $ 1,000 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free unlimited service from Verizon .
( Note : Verizon is the owner of Verizon Media Group , HuffPost ’ s parent company . )
Magnolia , who celebrates her first birthday on Saturday , makes history as the first adopted baby to win the Gerber contest .
“ Magnolia has brought so much joy to everyone she meets .
Her personality is beyond happy and joyful , ” her mom , Courtney Earl , said in a press release .
“ On May 9th , 2019 we received a call from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom that was in labor and wanted to talk to us !
” she added .
“ We pulled off the highway , got a chance to connect with her amazing birth parents , and a few hours later , this sweet baby girl was born .
Adoption is incredibly special to our family ’ s story .
Winning Photo Search is an opportunity to tell Magnolia ’ s story and shed light on all the beautiful and different ways families are made.
” The new spokesbaby has two older sisters , 12-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also adopted .
As a trio , the girls love splashing in the kiddie pool and dancing to “ Baby Shark.
” This year ’ s contest winner announcement comes a few months later than usual , but the brand hopes Magnolia brings joy to others in these difficult times .
“ Photo Search is a moment of celebration that so many families look forward to each year .
And this year – perhaps more than ever – the Gerber family is thrilled to celebrate with Magnolia and her family , and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly Schneider noted in the press release .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has made all of us feel more isolated than ever before , so finding new ways to feel connected has never mattered more.
” Added Gerber President and CEO Bill Partyka , “ At a time when we are yearning for connection and unity , Magnolia and her family remind us of the many things that bring us together : our desire to love and be loved , our need to find belonging , and our recognition that family goes way @ @ @ @

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There’s officially a new Gerber baby on the scene. On Friday, the baby food brand announced the winner of its 10th annual Gerber Baby Photo Search contest: 1-year-old Magnolia Earl from Ross, California.
A panel of judges selected Magnolia out of a pool of more than 327,000 entrants to be the 2020 Gerber “spokesbaby.” She will appear on Gerber’s social media channels and marketing campaigns throughout the year, and her family will receive a $25,000 cash prize, $1,000 in Gerber Childrenswear, $1,000 from Walmart and phones with a year of free unlimited service from Verizon. (Note: Verizon is the owner of Verizon Media Group, HuffPost’s parent company.)
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Courtesy of Gerber Magnolia Earl from Ross, California, is the 2020 Gerber "spokesbaby."
Magnolia, who celebrates her first birthday on Saturday, makes history as the first adopted baby to win the Gerber contest.
“Magnolia has brought so much joy to everyone she meets. Her personality is beyond happy and joyful,” her mom, Courtney Earl, said in a press release.
“On May 9th, 2019 we received a call from the Adoption Agency that there was an expectant mom that was in labor and wanted to talk to us!” she added. “We pulled off the highway, got a chance to connect with her amazing birth parents, and a few hours later, this sweet baby girl was born. Adoption is incredibly special to our family’s story. Winning Photo Search is an opportunity to tell Magnolia’s story and shed light on all the beautiful and different ways families are made.”
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Courtesy of Gerber/Earl Family A panel of judges selected Magnolia out of a pool of more than 327,000 entrants.
Courtesy of Gerber/Earl Family Magnolia has brought so much joy to everyone she meets. Her personality is beyond happy and joyful,” said her mom.
Courtesy of Gerber/Earl Family Magnolia is the first adopted contest winner.
The new spokesbaby has two older sisters, 12-year-old Whitney and 8-year-old Charlotte, who is also adopted. As a trio, the girls love splashing in the kiddie pool and dancing to “Baby Shark.”
This year’s contest winner announcement comes a few months later than usual, but the brand hopes Magnolia brings joy to others in these difficult times.
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“Photo Search is a moment of celebration that so many families look forward to each year. And this year – perhaps more than ever – the Gerber family is thrilled to celebrate with Magnolia and her family, and with families across America,” Gerber spokeswoman Kelly Schneider noted in the press release. “The COVID-19 pandemic has made all of us feel more isolated than ever before, so finding new ways to feel connected has never mattered more.”
Courtesy of Gerber/Earl Family Magnolia and her sisters love splashing in the kiddie pool and dancing to “Baby Shark.”
Courtesy of Gerber/Earl Family "Winning Photo Search is an opportunity to tell Magnolia’s story and shed light on all the beautiful and different ways families are made,” said Magnolia's mom.
Added Gerber President and CEO Bill Partyka, “At a time when we are yearning for connection and unity, Magnolia and her family remind us of the many things that bring us together: our desire to love and be loved, our need to find belonging, and our recognition that family goes way beyond biology.”


huffpost--2020-05-18--Judge Tosses Oregon Governor's Emergency Coronavirus Restrictions

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) — A county judge has declared Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown ’ s coronavirus restrictions “ null and void ” because she didn ’ t have her emergency orders approved by the Legislature .
Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff made the ruling Monday in a lawsuit brought by churches that had sued saying the social-distancing directives were unconstitutional .
The suit had also argued that emergency powers only last for a month and after that Brown would have needed legislative approval .
The judge agreed .
Brown said she would immediately appeal the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to keep the emergency orders in effect .
“ This will ensure we can continue to safeguard the health of all Oregonians — including frontline health care workers , those living in nursing homes , workers in agriculture and food processing plants , and Oregonians with underlying health conditions –– while the legal process moves forward , ” Brown said .
Ray Hacke , the attorney who represented the plaintiffs in the case , said in a phone interview Monday the ruling invalidates Brown ’ s ban on churches gathering for worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hacke said .
Common Sense intervened after the Sacramento-based Pacific Justice Institute filed the case earlier this month on behalf of Oregon businesses , expanding the scope , he said .
“ The stay-at-home order is no longer in effect .
It is invalidated .
If people want to get their haircut , they can .
They can leave their home for any reason whether it ’ s deemed essential in the eye of the state or not , ” he said .
He added that the ruling was a vindication not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Oregonians ’ freedoms .
“ Praise God .
I ’ m excited , and I ’ m glad that the judge saw that there are limitations on the governor ’ s power , even in the midst of emergencies , ” he said .
Shirtcliff , the judge , was the district attorney of Baker County from 2001 until Brown appointed him judge last September , with the appointment having taken effect on Nov. 1 .

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SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A county judge has declared Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s coronavirus restrictions “null and void” because she didn’t have her emergency orders approved by the Legislature.
Baker County Circuit Judge Matthew Shirtcliff made the ruling Monday in a lawsuit brought by churches that had sued saying the social-distancing directives were unconstitutional.
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The suit had also argued that emergency powers only last for a month and after that Brown would have needed legislative approval. The judge agreed.
Brown said she would immediately appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court to try to keep the emergency orders in effect.
“This will ensure we can continue to safeguard the health of all Oregonians — including frontline health care workers, those living in nursing homes, workers in agriculture and food processing plants, and Oregonians with underlying health conditions –– while the legal process moves forward,” Brown said.
Ray Hacke, the attorney who represented the plaintiffs in the case, said in a phone interview Monday the ruling invalidates Brown’s ban on churches gathering for worship but also the entire stay-at-home order, Hacke said.
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Common Sense intervened after the Sacramento-based Pacific Justice Institute filed the case earlier this month on behalf of Oregon businesses, expanding the scope, he said.
“The stay-at-home order is no longer in effect. It is invalidated. If people want to get their haircut, they can. They can leave their home for any reason whether it’s deemed essential in the eye of the state or not,” he said.
He added that the ruling was a vindication not just for freedom of religion, but for all Oregonians’ freedoms.
“Praise God. I’m excited, and I’m glad that the judge saw that there are limitations on the governor’s power, even in the midst of emergencies,” he said.
Shirtcliff, the judge, was the district attorney of Baker County from 2001 until Brown appointed him judge last September, with the appointment having taken effect on Nov. 1.


huffpost--2020-05-18--Gov. Andrew Cuomo Gets Tested For Coronavirus During Live Briefing

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) wants more New Yorkers to get tested for COVID-19 ― and in an effort to encourage them , he got tested during a nationally televised press briefing on Sunday .
A doctor dressed in full personal protective equipment administered a nasal swab diagnostic test for coronavirus on the governor , a process that took less than 15 seconds .
“ That is the whole test , ” Cuomo said before resuming the news conference .
“ I ’ m not in pain ; I ’ m not in discomfort .
Closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is no reason why you should not get the test.
” The state has dramatically ramped up testing capacity to reach 40,000 tests per day , with more than 700 testing sites across New York , the governor ’ s office said in a statement .
However , Cuomo noted that some of this expanded testing capacity is going unused .
While he said he understood that some might harbor reluctance to seek testing , Cuomo tried to demonstrate that “ there is nothing about this test that should intimidate people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is so fast and so easy that even a governor can take this test , ” he said .
The governor also announced broader criteria that would allow more people to qualify for testing , a cornerstone of the state ’ s effort to contain the spread of the virus as businesses resume .
As regions in upstate New York move to Phase 1 of the state ’ s reopening plan , anyone who works in an industry that will return to work can now be tested , as well as anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also expanded to include anyone exposed to someone infected with the virus , essential and healthcare workers , and those subject to precautionary or mandatory quarantines .

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) wants more New Yorkers to get tested for COVID-19 ― and in an effort to encourage them, he got tested during a nationally televised press briefing on Sunday.
A doctor dressed in full personal protective equipment administered a nasal swab diagnostic test for coronavirus on the governor, a process that took less than 15 seconds.
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“That is the whole test,” Cuomo said before resuming the news conference. “I’m not in pain; I’m not in discomfort. Closing my eyes was a moment of relaxation. There is no reason why you should not get the test.”
The state has dramatically ramped up testing capacity to reach 40,000 tests per day, with more than 700 testing sites across New York, the governor’s office said in a statement. However, Cuomo noted that some of this expanded testing capacity is going unused.
It’s quick, easy and painless. If I have time, you do too. pic.twitter.com/0ANntppYVK — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 17, 2020
While he said he understood that some might harbor reluctance to seek testing, Cuomo tried to demonstrate that “there is nothing about this test that should intimidate people from not taking this test.”
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“It is so fast and so easy that even a governor can take this test,” he said.


huffpost--2020-05-18--Megan Fox Spotted Getting Close To Not Brian Austin Green Amid Divorce Speculation

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green first met over a decade ago on the set of “ Hope and Faith , ” and it sounds like they could use a helping of both amid a fresh crop of divorce rumors .
The longtime couple , who ’ ve been on and off and back on again , may have split for a second time , with both stars photographed without their wedding rings in recent weeks .
Now there are even more signs they ’ re pressing pause on married life , including the sighting of Fox in the passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sports car on Friday .
Fox and Kelly , who are starring in the upcoming film “ Midnight In The Switchgrass ” together , apparently grabbed coffee and a bite before driving back to her house in Calabasas , California , where they are presumably isolating together during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Eventually butterflies get bored sitting on a flower for too long , ” he wrote alongside a photograph of a butterfly on a flower .
“ They start feeling smothered .
It ’ s a great big world and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some fans thought the caption might be in reference to Fox ’ s shoulder tattoo , which reads , “ We will all laugh at the gilded butterflies , ” others believed it was Green ’ s way of commenting on the state of his marriage .
Last month , the “ Transformers ” star and the “ Beverly Hills : 90210 ” alum were seen trading off their three kids ― Noah , 7 , Bodhi , 6 , and Journey , 3 ― in what appeared to be a custody exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Green is reportedly riding out the lockdown separately in Malibu , according to The Daily Mail .
The couple first wed back in 2010 , four years after getting engaged .
However , Fox filed papers to divorce in 2015 , citing irreconcilable differences .
But months later , they were seemingly back together and expecting their third child .
In 2019 , nearly three years after reconciling , Fox officially filed to dismiss their divorce case .
Through it all , the pair have been committed to co-parenting , and both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to wear dresses to school last year .

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Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green first met over a decade ago on the set of “Hope and Faith,” and it sounds like they could use a helping of both amid a fresh crop of divorce rumors.
The longtime couple, who’ve been on and off and back on again, may have split for a second time, with both stars photographed without their wedding rings in recent weeks.
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Now there are even more signs they’re pressing pause on married life, including the sighting of Fox in the passenger seat of rapper Machine Gun Kelly’s sports car on Friday.
Fox and Kelly, who are starring in the upcoming film “Midnight In The Switchgrass” together, apparently grabbed coffee and a bite before driving back to her house in Calabasas, California, where they are presumably isolating together during the coronavirus pandemic.
Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green make a rare public appearance together in December 2019. Rodin Eckenroth via Getty Images
The day after Fox’s joyride, Green seemingly addressed the speculation in a cryptic post on Instagram.
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“Eventually butterflies get bored sitting on a flower for too long,” he wrote alongside a photograph of a butterfly on a flower. “They start feeling smothered. It’s a great big world and they want to experience it.”
While some fans thought the caption might be in reference to Fox’s shoulder tattoo, which reads, “We will all laugh at the gilded butterflies,” others believed it was Green’s way of commenting on the state of his marriage.
Last month, the “Transformers” star and the “Beverly Hills: 90210” alum were seen trading off their three kids ― Noah, 7, Bodhi, 6, and Journey, 3 ― in what appeared to be a custody exchange.
While Fox shacks up in Calabasas, Green is reportedly riding out the lockdown separately in Malibu, according to The Daily Mail.
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The couple first wed back in 2010, four years after getting engaged. However, Fox filed papers to divorce in 2015, citing irreconcilable differences. But months later, they were seemingly back together and expecting their third child. In 2019, nearly three years after reconciling, Fox officially filed to dismiss their divorce case.
Green also shares son Kassius, 17, from a previous relationship with ex Vanessa Marcil.


huffpost--2020-05-18--Coronavirus Live Updates: Read The Latest About The COVID-19 Outbreak

HuffPost reporters around the world are tracking the pandemic and the measures being taken to flatten the curve of transmission .
Read the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic below .
( To see the latest updates , you may need to refresh the page .
All times are Eastern .
For earlier updates on the pandemic , go here . )
All 50 States Have Now Begun To Reopen In Some Form — 5/20/20 , 9:00 a.m .
ET Connecticut began to modestly ease some coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday , becoming the final state — out of the 42 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start reopening in some form during the pandemic .
The Nutmeg state will now allow people to eat in outdoor sections of restaurants and visit retail shops .
Offices , outdoor museums and zoos are also allowed to reopen .
Connecticut is taking “ baby steps , ” Gov .
Ned Lamont ( D ) told CNN .
“ We have followed the metrics , hospitalization is down , fatalities are down .
We have a lot of [ personal protective equipment ] right now .
We have the gowns and masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracing in place.
” Some governors who never issued statewide stay-at-home orders , like Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds ( R ) , loosened restrictions earlier this month on salons , tattoo parlors and other businesses .
Brazil Records Grim New Milestone As Daily Death Toll Rockets — 5/20/20 , 6:25 a.m .
ET The daily COVID-19 death toll in Brazil hit 1,179 on Tuesday , setting a new record for fatalities recorded in a single day by any country .
The figure is more than 250 more than the 919 deaths recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the epicenter of the global coronavirus outbreak .
More than 18,000 people have now died in Brazil , according to official data , while 271,628 cases have been recorded , placing the country third behind the U.S. and Russia in total number of infections .
However , HuffPost Brazil reported that the true death toll is likely to be even higher due to the slow processing of laboratory tests .
On Tuesday , President Jair Bolsonaro doubled down on chloroquine as a possible remedy as Donald Trump said he is considering a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stars Are Mainstreaming COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories — 5/20/20 , 6:00 a.m .
ET HuffPost ’ s Jesselyn Cook reviewed Instagram accounts of more than a dozen seemingly radicalized influencers who have been using their platforms to push coronavirus misinformation .
They try to discredit Dr. Anthony Fauci , claim that face masks are harmful , and push 5G conspiracy theories .
With their large , dedicated followings , these women are in a unique position to open people ’ s minds to false and dangerous information .
Indian Government Data Questioned As COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ET

HuffPost reporters around the world are tracking the pandemic and the measures being taken to flatten the curve of transmission.
Read the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic below. (To see the latest updates, you may need to refresh the page. All times are Eastern. For earlier updates on the pandemic, go here.)
All 50 States Have Now Begun To Reopen In Some Form — 5/20/20, 9:00 a.m. ET
Connecticut began to modestly ease some coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday, becoming the final state — out of the 42 that had issued stay-at-home orders — to start reopening in some form during the pandemic.
The Nutmeg state will now allow people to eat in outdoor sections of restaurants and visit retail shops. Offices, outdoor museums and zoos are also allowed to reopen.
Connecticut is taking “baby steps,” Gov. Ned Lamont (D) told CNN. “We have followed the metrics, hospitalization is down, fatalities are down. We have a lot of [personal protective equipment] right now. We have the gowns and masks. And finally, we have the contact tracing in place.”
Some governors who never issued statewide stay-at-home orders, like Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), loosened restrictions earlier this month on salons, tattoo parlors and other businesses.
— Hayley Miller
Brazil Records Grim New Milestone As Daily Death Toll Rockets — 5/20/20, 6:25 a.m. ET
The daily COVID-19 death toll in Brazil hit 1,179 on Tuesday, setting a new record for fatalities recorded in a single day by any country.
The figure is more than 250 more than the 919 deaths recorded by Italy in late March when it was the epicenter of the global coronavirus outbreak.
More than 18,000 people have now died in Brazil, according to official data, while 271,628 cases have been recorded, placing the country third behind the U.S. and Russia in total number of infections.
However, HuffPost Brazil reported that the true death toll is likely to be even higher due to the slow processing of laboratory tests.
On Tuesday, President Jair Bolsonaro doubled down on chloroquine as a possible remedy as Donald Trump said he is considering a travel ban from Brazil.
— Marcella Fernandes
Radicalized Instagram Stars Are Mainstreaming COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories — 5/20/20, 6:00 a.m. ET
HuffPost’s Jesselyn Cook reviewed Instagram accounts of more than a dozen seemingly radicalized influencers who have been using their platforms to push coronavirus misinformation. They try to discredit Dr. Anthony Fauci, claim that face masks are harmful, and push 5G conspiracy theories. With their large, dedicated followings, these women are in a unique position to open people’s minds to false and dangerous information.
Read more.
— Liza Hearon
Indian Government Data Questioned As COVID-19 Cases Rocket — 5/20/20, 5:45 a.m. ET


huffpost--2020-04-24--99-Year-Old British Captain Just Had His First No. 1 Single

Britain ’ s coronavirus fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore got two Guinness World Record titles to add to his accolades on Friday , just days shy of his 100th birthday .
The World War Two veteran took the record for the most money raised by an individual through a charity walk - as of Friday afternoon he had collected more than £28.6 million ( $ 35.2 million ) for the National Health Service ( NHS ) by completing laps of his garden .
Moore , who has used a walking frame with wheels since breaking his hip , had originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he shot past that as media attention from around the globe zoomed in on his home in Bedfordshire , central England .
He was also recognized as the oldest person to reach number one in Britain ’ s main music charts through his appearance with singer Michael Ball on a cover of “ You ’ ll Never Walk Alone ” ― another fundraiser for the health service .
Guinness World Records said that title had been held by Welsh star Tom Jones , who was 68 when he sang on the charity single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2009 .
Moore , who turns 100 on April 30 , said he felt honored to receive the awards .
“ My charity walk has raised more money than I could have possibly imagined and I am so thankful to those who have donated money and bought the single so we could achieve these records together and raise money for our incredible NHS during these difficult times.
” “ These really are Guinness World Records titles for all of us , ” he added .
Moore ’ s fundraising walk broke a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title for the most money raised through a charity walk was held by Canadian athlete Terry Fox .

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Britain’s coronavirus fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore got two Guinness World Record titles to add to his accolades on Friday, just days shy of his 100th birthday.
The World War Two veteran took the record for the most money raised by an individual through a charity walk - as of Friday afternoon he had collected more than £28.6 million ($35.2 million) for the National Health Service (NHS) by completing laps of his garden.
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Moore, who has used a walking frame with wheels since breaking his hip, had originally hoped to raise just £1,000. But he shot past that as media attention from around the globe zoomed in on his home in Bedfordshire, central England.
He was also recognized as the oldest person to reach number one in Britain’s main music charts through his appearance with singer Michael Ball on a cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” ― another fundraiser for the health service.
Guinness World Records said that title had been held by Welsh star Tom Jones, who was 68 when he sang on the charity single “Barry Islands in the Stream” in 2009.
Moore, who turns 100 on April 30, said he felt honored to receive the awards.
“My charity walk has raised more money than I could have possibly imagined and I am so thankful to those who have donated money and bought the single so we could achieve these records together and raise money for our incredible NHS during these difficult times.”
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“These really are Guinness World Records titles for all of us,” he added.
Moore’s fundraising walk broke a 40-year-old record.Guinness World Records said the previous title for the most money raised through a charity walk was held by Canadian athlete Terry Fox.


huffpost--2020-04-24--Trump Holds Short Briefing After Disinfectant Claim, Takes No Questions

President Donald Trump abruptly ended his daily coronavirus briefing on Friday , walking out without answering any questions from the press , just a day after he suggested injecting disinfectant as a possible treatment for COVID-19 .
At Thursday ’ s White House briefing , Trump had commented : “ I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in one minute.. .. Is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside , or almost a cleaning ?
” Early Friday , after widespread media coverage of his dangerous treatment idea , Trump walked back his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking a question sarcastically to reporters ... just to see what would happen.
” At Friday afternoon ’ s briefing — which lasted a total of about 20 minutes — Trump spoke briefly before passing the podium to a Food and Drug Administration official and then Vice President Mike Pence .
After Pence spoke , all the officials walked out as some reporters yelled out questions to the president , which went unanswered .
Previous daily White House briefings have gone on for up to two hours , with long periods of questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president allegedly plans to cut back these coronavirus briefings as soon as next week , reported Axios on Friday — possibly not appearing every day or staying for shorter periods of time .
The briefings are an essential way for reporters to ask questions of the Trump administration , which has been criticized for its response to the pandemic .
Trump steps away from the podium at the coronavirus briefing on Friday .
Reporters only got to ask one question at Friday ’ s briefing , one directed at FDA commissioner Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier Friday , RB , the company that makes Lysol products , issued a statement urging people not to inject disinfectants to treat coronavirus , after Trump ’ s said at previous day ’ s briefing , it “ would be interesting to check that.
” The Maryland Emergency Management Agency also had to remind residents not to use disinfectant to treat COVID-19 on Friday .
The state ’ s emergency hotline received more than 100 calls asking about fake disinfectant cures , tweeted Mike Ricci , communications director of the Maryland @ @ @ @ @

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President Donald Trump abruptly ended his daily coronavirus briefing on Friday, walking out without answering any questions from the press, just a day after he suggested injecting disinfectant as a possible treatment for COVID-19.
At Thursday’s White House briefing, Trump had commented: “I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in one minute.. .. Is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside, or almost a cleaning?”
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Early Friday, after widespread media coverage of his dangerous treatment idea, Trump walked back his statement by claiming he had been “asking a question sarcastically to reporters ... just to see what would happen.”
At Friday afternoon’s briefing — which lasted a total of about 20 minutes — Trump spoke briefly before passing the podium to a Food and Drug Administration official and then Vice President Mike Pence. After Pence spoke, all the officials walked out as some reporters yelled out questions to the president, which went unanswered.
Previous daily White House briefings have gone on for up to two hours, with long periods of questions and answers between reporters and Trump.
The president allegedly plans to cut back these coronavirus briefings as soon as next week, reported Axios on Friday — possibly not appearing every day or staying for shorter periods of time.
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The briefings are an essential way for reporters to ask questions of the Trump administration, which has been criticized for its response to the pandemic.
Trump steps away from the podium at the coronavirus briefing on Friday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Reporters only got to ask one question at Friday’s briefing, one directed at FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn, who spoke about antibody tests.
Earlier Friday, RB, the company that makes Lysol products, issued a statement urging people not to inject disinfectants to treat coronavirus, after Trump’s said at previous day’s briefing, it “would be interesting to check that.”


huffpost--2020-04-25--5 Etiquette Rules If You Don't Want To Be A Jerk While Social Distancing

What do you do if you ’ re a runner who sees a pedestrian coming up on the sidewalk ?
Though it ’ s a highly debated topic , a recent research model suggested that respiratory droplets from bikers and runners may spread 33 to 65 feet depending on their speed .
Out of courtesy and an abundance of caution ― always good rules of thumb during a global pandemic !
― runners and bikers in metropolitan areas where there is a decent amount of foot traffic should stick to the streets and stay off the sidewalks , Farley said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself and I leave the sidewalks to the pedestrians , ” he said .
“ Run against the flow of car traffic so you can always see any oncoming vehicles , of which there are far fewer these days.
” If you ’ re in a suburban area where there is little to no pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk ( and no safe place to run on the road ) , runners should yield to an approaching pedestrian .
“ Arc out into the street ― looking both ways before doing so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a safe buffer radius , ” Farley said .
What do you do if someone is an aisle-crowder ?
Aisle crowding at markets may be one of the most high-stress experiences right now .
That ’ s especially true for grocery store employees .
One grocer HuffPost recently interviewed described how tense and unsafe situations can get on the job because of rude customers : “ When I ’ m stocking the meat counter and people are crowding around me … that ’ s not social distancing , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you ’ re a customer , you should be going above and beyond to respect the boundaries of all essential workers in this current climate .
“ It ’ s so important that customers aren ’ t just giving staff the space they need but also showing gratitude for the essential service these folks are providing , ” Farley said .
“ These people are allowing us all to bring essential foods and medicines home to our families.
” How can you politely ask for your space if you ’ re the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First , employees and managers in places still open to the public should be having constant and open conversations about maintaining safe boundaries , Smith said .
“ In the situation described in that story , the management of the store should be making frequent announcements reminding shoppers to make way for the employees , ” she said .
“ Something like , ‘ Attention shoppers , we are doing all we can here at X to serve you and your families during this time .
To best protect you , please stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill our shelves with minimal contact.
’ ” Managers should also be walking the aisles to politely remind customers not to crowd employees or each other ― and obviously , there ’ s nothing wrong with customers or employees bringing up social distancing rules with aisle-crowders .
If crowding continues to be an issue in markets , Smith says management should consider creating a buddy-system in the stores , so there are a stocker and a blocker during busy times .
“ Think of how the Disney characters at the parks have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowds , ” she said .
Another option ?
“ Management might want to consider printing up new uniforms such as florescent orange shirts , with block letters on the back ‘ Please stand back .
Thank you .
’ ”

What do you do if you’re a runner who sees a pedestrian coming up on the sidewalk?
Though it’s a highly debated topic, a recent research model suggested that respiratory droplets from bikers and runners may spread 33 to 65 feet depending on their speed.
Out of courtesy and an abundance of caution ― always good rules of thumb during a global pandemic! ― runners and bikers in metropolitan areas where there is a decent amount of foot traffic should stick to the streets and stay off the sidewalks, Farley said.
“I’m a runner myself and I leave the sidewalks to the pedestrians,” he said. “Run against the flow of car traffic so you can always see any oncoming vehicles, of which there are far fewer these days.”
If you’re in a suburban area where there is little to no pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk (and no safe place to run on the road), runners should yield to an approaching pedestrian.
“Arc out into the street ― looking both ways before doing so, of course ― to allow the pedestrian to have a safe buffer radius,” Farley said.