huffpost--2020-05-15--‘Obamagate’ May Just Be Trump’s Return To His Racist ‘Birtherism’ Comfort Zone

A political world trying to make sense of President Donald Trump ’ s weeklong push of a nonsensical accusation against his predecessor is again overthinking the issue , according to two top Republicans close to Trump .
It is more akin to Trump indulging in one of his favorite comfort foods ― in this case , a return to the race-based attacks on the country ’ s first Black president that won Trump his stature within the Republican Party nine years ago .
“ There ’ s no strategy .
This White House could never be accused of having any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans , an informal White House adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity .
He added that he doubted Trump ’ s fixation on the faux scandal would last long .
“ There ’ s going to be something else that pisses him off.
” Trump began sprinkling the term “ Obamagate ” into his public statements last week after his attorney general decided to drop charges against Trump ’ s first national security adviser , retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn , who had already twice pleaded guilty to lying to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ambassador after Trump was elected but before he took office .
Trump ’ s current acting director of national intelligence followed up by releasing a list of officials under then-President Barack Obama who had sought to learn details of those calls , and Trump has now turned that list into an accusation that Obama illegally spied on him .
“ It was the greatest political crime in the history of our country .
... People should be going to jail for this stuff , ” Trump told Fox Business this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama and his vice president , Joe Biden , who is now the presumed 2020 Democratic presidential nominee .
“ This was all Obama .
This was all Biden.
” Trump ’ s baseless assertion is illogical on its face .
It requires Americans to believe that Obama is devious enough to have ordered an unfounded prosecution of Flynn to hamstring Trump ’ s presidency , but not devious enough to have publicized the ongoing FBI probe into the Trump campaign ’ s links with Russia prior to Election Day 2016 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon after the U.S. intelligence community revealed in January 2017 that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had wanted Trump to win the presidency and had ordered Russian intelligence services to help him do so .
Trump at that time falsely accused Obama of “ spying ” on him and supposedly wiretapping his home at Trump Tower in Manhattan .
“ How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process .
This is Nixon/Watergate .
Bad ( or sick ) guy !
” Trump posted on Twitter on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump claimed that he had sent investigators to Hawaii to look into Obama ’ s birth certificate and that “ they can not believe what they ’ re finding.
” None of that was true , but his enthusiastic support for the “ birther ” conspiracy theory helped make him an early favorite in the 2016 Republican primaries .
Attacking Obama was a common theme among candidates in that race .
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz frequently rallied his audiences by promising to “ repeal every word of Obamacare ” and rip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his first day in office .
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio suggested that Obama ’ s policies were not merely misguided but intentionally designed to hurt America .
Over his first three years in office , Trump has consistently taken credit for Obama ’ s accomplishments while blaming his predecessor for his own failures .
For example , Trump repeatedly and falsely claimed that the economy under Obama had been terrible and that Trump had turned it around into a great success .
In fact , steady growth began under Obama following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the pandemic .
And when the pandemic struck , Trump ― who downplayed it for two months and called concerns about it “ a hoax ” ― blamed Obama again .
He has complained that Obama did not leave him enough medical supplies , and even that Obama did not somehow leave him tests for a virus that did not come into being until nearly three years after Obama had left office .
Top Democratic strategists said Trump ’ s new fixation on “ Obamagate ” is clearly an attempt to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States climbs toward 90,000 less than three months after Trump promised that it would be zero .
“ Trump knows this virus-economic story is not going well for him and is following his pattern of starting a dumpster fire elsewhere to divert attention , ” said David Axelrod , the architect of Obama ’ s first-term victory in 2008 .
And Josh Schwerin , who worked for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 campaign , said the new accusation gives Trump ’ s supporters fresh material to work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in right-wing media something other than deaths and job losses to talk about all day , ” Schwerin said .
“ It ’ s a relatively low-risk , high-reward move for Trump , and so far it has worked pretty much every time he ’ s ever tried it.
” But the Republican White House adviser said the Democrats are giving Trump too much credit .
He said that “ Obamagate ” has more to do with acting DNI Richard Grenell ’ s willingness to wreak some havoc before his permanent replacement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Trump ’ s willingness to say anything , regardless of whether it ’ s true or not .

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WASHINGTON ― “Obamagate” as campaign strategy or “Obamagate” as distraction from the coronavirus may be missing a much simpler explanation: “Obamagate” as Big Macs.
A political world trying to make sense of President Donald Trump’s weeklong push of a nonsensical accusation against his predecessor is again overthinking the issue, according to two top Republicans close to Trump. It is more akin to Trump indulging in one of his favorite comfort foods ― in this case, a return to the race-based attacks on the country’s first Black president that won Trump his stature within the Republican Party nine years ago.
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“There’s no strategy. This White House could never be accused of having any strategy,” laughed one of the Republicans, an informal White House adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity. He added that he doubted Trump’s fixation on the faux scandal would last long. “There’s going to be something else that pisses him off.”
Trump began sprinkling the term “Obamagate” into his public statements last week after his attorney general decided to drop charges against Trump’s first national security adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who had already twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI regarding his phone conversations with Russia’s ambassador after Trump was elected but before he took office. Trump’s current acting director of national intelligence followed up by releasing a list of officials under then-President Barack Obama who had sought to learn details of those calls, and Trump has now turned that list into an accusation that Obama illegally spied on him.
“It was the greatest political crime in the history of our country. ... People should be going to jail for this stuff,” Trump told Fox Business this week. He went on to accuse both Obama and his vice president, Joe Biden, who is now the presumed 2020 Democratic presidential nominee. “This was all Obama. This was all Biden.”
Trump’s baseless assertion is illogical on its face. It requires Americans to believe that Obama is devious enough to have ordered an unfounded prosecution of Flynn to hamstring Trump’s presidency, but not devious enough to have publicized the ongoing FBI probe into the Trump campaign’s links with Russia prior to Election Day 2016.
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It also renews attacks Trump began against Obama soon after the U.S. intelligence community revealed in January 2017 that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had wanted Trump to win the presidency and had ordered Russian intelligence services to help him do so.
Trump at that time falsely accused Obama of “spying” on him and supposedly wiretapping his home at Trump Tower in Manhattan. “How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!” Trump posted on Twitter on March 4, 2017.
His own Justice Department admitted months later in a court filing that there was no basis for Trump’s claim.
And that 2017 accusation was itself a continuation of Trump’s yearslong pattern of vilifying the country’s first African American president and questioning his very legitimacy.
In 2011, Trump claimed that he had sent investigators to Hawaii to look into Obama’s birth certificate and that “they cannot believe what they’re finding.” None of that was true, but his enthusiastic support for the “birther” conspiracy theory helped make him an early favorite in the 2016 Republican primaries.
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Attacking Obama was a common theme among candidates in that race. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz frequently rallied his audiences by promising to “repeal every word of Obamacare” and rip the Iran nuclear deal “to shreds” on his first day in office. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio suggested that Obama’s policies were not merely misguided but intentionally designed to hurt America.
Trump went far beyond anyone else, calling Obama and his policies “stupid” and claiming that Obama was incompetent.
Over his first three years in office, Trump has consistently taken credit for Obama’s accomplishments while blaming his predecessor for his own failures. For example, Trump repeatedly and falsely claimed that the economy under Obama had been terrible and that Trump had turned it around into a great success. In fact, steady growth began under Obama following the 2008-09 economic crisis and continued largely uninterrupted until the pandemic.
And when the pandemic struck, Trump ― who downplayed it for two months and called concerns about it “a hoax” ― blamed Obama again. He has complained that Obama did not leave him enough medical supplies, and even that Obama did not somehow leave him tests for a virus that did not come into being until nearly three years after Obama had left office.
Top Democratic strategists said Trump’s new fixation on “Obamagate” is clearly an attempt to change the subject as the coronavirus death toll in the United States climbs toward 90,000 less than three months after Trump promised that it would be zero.
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“Trump knows this virus-economic story is not going well for him and is following his pattern of starting a dumpster fire elsewhere to divert attention,” said David Axelrod, the architect of Obama’s first-term victory in 2008.
And Josh Schwerin, who worked for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, said the new accusation gives Trump’s supporters fresh material to work with. “It immediately gives his allies in right-wing media something other than deaths and job losses to talk about all day,” Schwerin said. “It’s a relatively low-risk, high-reward move for Trump, and so far it has worked pretty much every time he’s ever tried it.”
But the Republican White House adviser said the Democrats are giving Trump too much credit. He said that “Obamagate” has more to do with acting DNI Richard Grenell’s willingness to wreak some havoc before his permanent replacement is confirmed by the Senate, as well as Trump’s willingness to say anything, regardless of whether it’s true or not.
“It’s just an opportunity to stick his finger in Obama’s eye,” the adviser said. “This is something that just landed in his lap and they’re going to have fun with it.”


huffpost--2020-05-15--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 . )
China Pledges $ 2 Billion In Virus Help At WHO Assembly — 5/18/2020 , 8 a.m .
ET Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a speech to the World Health Assembly that China will provide $ 2 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
China ’ s pledge comes as the Trump administration has cut off funding to the WHO and the U.S. president is reportedly changing his mind on whether to reinstate limited funding .
At the assembly , EU member states and other countries supported the idea of an independent evaluation of the WHO ’ s initial response to the pandemic , the Associated Press reported .
Italy ’ s Next Phase Leaves Retailers In Limbo — 5/18/20 , 6:05 a.m .
Almost 2,000 shops will remain closed in Rome today despite Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands by regional leaders to allow restaurants , bars and beaches to reopen weeks ahead of schedule .
“ We are confronting this risk , and we need to accept it , otherwise we would never be able to relaunch , ” Conte said .
HuffPost Italy reports ( in Italian ) , however , that many business owners in the Italian capital will keep their doors shut amid uncertainty over the hurriedly published rules , and fears they will carry liability if employees become infected .
Italy is finally emerging after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longest and strictest lockdowns , with hairdressers , places of worship and museums also allowed to open their doors again to the public .
Tight sanitary protocols and social distancing rules will require people to stay one meter apart .
Security guards will count how many people are in a store at any one time and clothes tried on in changing rooms will be quarantined for 24 hours .
Almost 32,000 Italians have died of COVID-19 since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 , the third-highest death toll in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Workers Create ‘ Guard of Dishonor ’ For Belgian P.M. — 5/18/20 , 5:50 a.m. Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès received a cold reception at the Saint-Pierre hospital in Brussels on Saturday after hospital staff turned their backs on her in a “ guard of dishonor.
” HuffPost France reports ( in French ) that for months local nursing staff have been demanding greater recognition , and demonstrating against the recruitment of what they call “ unqualified personnel ” to carry out traditional nursing tasks .
Belgium , which has a population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8th highest number of infections in Europe at 55,280 and reported just over 9,000 deaths .
Schools in Belgium will partially reopen Monday after a two-month lockdown , along with markets , museums and zoos .

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.)
China Pledges $2 Billion In Virus Help At WHO Assembly — 5/18/2020, 8 a.m. ET
Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a speech to the World Health Assembly that China will provide $2 billion over two years to fight the coronavirus pandemic. China’s pledge comes as the Trump administration has cut off funding to the WHO and the U.S. president is reportedly changing his mind on whether to reinstate limited funding.
At the assembly, EU member states and other countries supported the idea of an independent evaluation of the WHO’s initial response to the pandemic, the Associated Press reported.
— Liza Hearon
Italy’s Next Phase Leaves Retailers In Limbo — 5/18/20, 6:05 a.m.
Almost 2,000 shops will remain closed in Rome today despite Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte giving in to demands by regional leaders to allow restaurants, bars and beaches to reopen weeks ahead of schedule.
“We are confronting this risk, and we need to accept it, otherwise we would never be able to relaunch,” Conte said.
HuffPost Italy reports (in Italian), however, that many business owners in the Italian capital will keep their doors shut amid uncertainty over the hurriedly published rules, and fears they will carry liability if employees become infected.
Italy is finally emerging after being under one of the world’s longest and strictest lockdowns, with hairdressers, places of worship and museums also allowed to open their doors again to the public.
Tight sanitary protocols and social distancing rules will require people to stay one meter apart. Security guards will count how many people are in a store at any one time and clothes tried on in changing rooms will be quarantined for 24 hours.
Almost 32,000 Italians have died of COVID-19 since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21, the third-highest death toll in the world after the United States and Britain.
— James Martin
Health Workers Create ‘Guard of Dishonor’ For Belgian P.M. — 5/18/20, 5:50 a.m.
Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès received a cold reception at the Saint-Pierre hospital in Brussels on Saturday after hospital staff turned their backs on her in a “guard of dishonor.”
HuffPost France reports (in French) that for months local nursing staff have been demanding greater recognition, and demonstrating against the recruitment of what they call “unqualified personnel” to carry out traditional nursing tasks.
Belgium, which has a population of 11 million, has recorded the 8th highest number of infections in Europe at 55,280 and reported just over 9,000 deaths.
Schools in Belgium will partially reopen Monday after a two-month lockdown, along with markets, museums and zoos.


huffpost--2020-05-15--Detroit Democratic Activist’s Death From COVID-19 Leaves A ‘Big Void’

Still , the disease worked its way through his body with brutal efficiency .
Eileen , his wife of 55 years , summoned an ambulance when he began to have trouble breathing .
Wilson died on April 22 , eight days after being admitted to the hospital .
As with the more than 1,200 other Detroiters who have fallen to COVID-19 , Wilson spent his last days on Earth all alone .
Eileen hadn ’ t been able to speak to him since he left their home in northwest Detroit .
Previously , Wilson was also a vice president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city hall manager under then-Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer .
When he wasn ’ t raising his grandchildren in his home with his wife , Eileen , or visiting his aging mother , he was busy working the grill to hand out hamburgers and hotdogs to city cops during police appreciation week and planting marigolds , geraniums and impatiens as part of a neighborhood beautification program .
The only day that did not involve a community or political meeting of any kind , his wife recalled , was Sunday , when he could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scholastica Catholic Church .
He understood that there were people who were doing things that were not great for us , but his idea was that those were misunderstandings and that we could overcome them and find ways to work together .
More religious residents would lambaste him on the radio for trying to transform Detroit into a “ sin city , ” but he would stand his ground , according to Eileen .
He stuck to his belief in the economic benefits , noting that gamblers were just going across the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of critical revenue .

Thomas A. Wilson Jr. dedicated his life to electing Democrats, championing Detroit and advancing education. Thomas A. Wilson Jr./Facebook
Soon after the state of Michigan created the Education Achievement Authority in 2012, it prompted criticism from Detroiters for stripping city parents of control over their kids’ schools and subjecting low-income Black residents to experimental education methods.
Thomas A. Wilson Jr., a retired physical education teacher, led the charge, writing letters to the editor, phoning in to his favorite radio talk shows and persistently lobbying state lawmakers about it. Through it all, he stayed positive, flashing a pearly white smile underneath his signature mustache, recalled former Michigan state Sen. Bertram Johnson, who was often on the receiving end of Wilson’s articulate charm offensives.
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“Tom didn’t beat you up,” Johnson said. “He just did it with such poise and grace.”
“I had this phrase, ‘You can improve me with information,’” he added. “And that’s what Tom would do.”
Johnson credits the activism of Wilson and others like him for pushing the Michigan Legislature to shutter the EAA a few years later.
Wilson, a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, planned to bring that same rigor and passion to the effort to help former Vice President Joe Biden defeat Donald Trump in Michigan, a key battleground state in the presidential election.
Asked in March whether Biden could turn out the voters who stayed home when Hillary Clinton was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, Wilson told HuffPost, “Yeah, and I’m going to help him.”
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He would never get the chance. In mid-April, Wilson got sick from the novel coronavirus. Wilson did not drink or smoke, and he swam 50 laps at a local pool three times a week. He did not take any medication aside from his daily vitamins.
Still, the disease worked its way through his body with brutal efficiency. Eileen, his wife of 55 years, summoned an ambulance when he began to have trouble breathing. Wilson died on April 22, eight days after being admitted to the hospital. As with the more than 1,200 other Detroiters who have fallen to COVID-19, Wilson spent his last days on Earth all alone. Eileen hadn’t been able to speak to him since he left their home in northwest Detroit.
“It was devastating,” Eileen said. “I feel very disgusted by it because I just feel he shouldn’t have had to go out like that.”
In addition to Eileen, Wilson leaves behind his mother Ruth; his two kids, Thomas and Shaughn; his three grandchildren, Thomas, Tariq and Taiquon; and a vast community of neighbors and fellow activists who knew him on a first-name basis.
Local Democratic officials admit that it will be a challenge to replace his organizing power ahead of the general election in November.
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“It’s a big void,” said Rick Blocker, chairman of the Democratic Party in Michigan’s 14th Congressional District, in which Wilson served as sergeant-at-arms. “He never asked for the spotlight. He just always wanted to be a soldier.”
Johnson said there is “no deeper, no smarter, no more conscientious individual in the city of Detroit. Losing him, you might as well tell me the sun is not going to come out for a while.”
I met Wilson on March 9, while he was waiting in line to enter an election eve rally for Joe Biden at Detroit’s Renaissance High School. Biden’s massive primary victory over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) the following day all but clinched the Democratic presidential nomination for him.
At the time, I was completing a freelance assignment for Al Jazeera English’s documentary series, “Faultlines.” Our episode on the conflict within the Democratic Party came out Wednesday.
Watch the full, 25-minute documentary here.
Wilson, who introduced himself wryly as the “one, the only, the inimitable Thomas A. Wilson Jr.,” ended up giving us one of the more colorful embodiments of skepticism toward Sanders’ progressive agenda.
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“I admire the man for what he’s trying to do, but Bernie, he talks a lot of ‘eargasm,’” Wilson said. “It sounds good to the ear, but when the bottom line comes down, when the rubber hits the road, there’s no free lunch.”
We interviewed Tom Wilson for "America's Divided Democrats." A politically active Detroiter, Wilson has sadly since passed away from COVID-19.@danielmarans joins @SHDetroit on @wdet tomorrow at 9:40am ET to talk about our brief brush with Tom. Watch our interview, then tune in. pic.twitter.com/a4xg4ByJ6f — Fault Lines (@AJFaultLines) May 14, 2020
A true pillar of his community, Wilson’s list of responsibilities, political leadership roles and hobbies would put even the most well-rounded renaissance man to shame.
“He did it all ― literally,” said state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D). “He was larger than life as an activist. He gave of his time and his life in advocating what was best for our city.”
In addition to his duties as the 14th District party’s sergeant-at-arms, Wilson was a board member of the Black caucus of the Wayne County Democratic Party, a precinct delegate for the state Democratic Party, an active member of Detroit’s teachers union, a leading education advocate, a frequent letter writer to the Detroit Free Press and a longstanding participant in the city’s elite political listserve known simply as the email group, or EMG.
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Previously, Wilson was also a vice president of his neighborhood block association and a neighborhood city hall manager under then-Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. When he wasn’t raising his grandchildren in his home with his wife, Eileen, or visiting his aging mother, he was busy working the grill to hand out hamburgers and hotdogs to city cops during police appreciation week and planting marigolds, geraniums and impatiens as part of a neighborhood beautification program. The only day that did not involve a community or political meeting of any kind, his wife recalled, was Sunday, when he could be found serving as an usher at St. Scholastica Catholic Church.
After his death, condolences poured in from the highest echelons of Michigan’s Democratic power structure. Eileen, an occupational therapist, received sympathy phone calls from Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).
In the absence of the kind of celebratory funeral he would have received under ordinary circumstances, neighbors conducted a 20-car “drive-by” funeral procession outside his home.
“I’m not saying he broke the mold, but they’ll have to go some to beat him,” Eileen said. “They don’t make people like that anymore.”
Stephen Henderson, host of Detroit Public Radio’s “Detroit Today,” delivered a tearful on-air homage to Wilson, who he identified as the show’s most frequent caller. He would call every day, often lighting up the phones before the show had even begun.
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Henderson told HuffPost that Wilson’s commentary over the years was characterized by relentless optimism and a welcoming attitude toward outsiders that was rare in a city scarred by economic, racial and social trauma.
“He understood that there were people who were doing things that were not great for us, but his idea was that those were misunderstandings and that we could overcome them and find ways to work together.” - Stephen Henderson, host, "Detroit Today," Detroit Public Radio
“He understood that there were people who were doing things that were not great for us, but his idea was that those were misunderstandings and that we could overcome them and find ways to work together,” Henderson said.
The beneficiaries of Wilson’s compassionate approach to politics ranged from new Detroit residents gentrifying the city to Michiganders who had opted to elect President Donald Trump in 2016.
“I remember him saying, ‘These are people who are hurting,’” Henderson said. “They were attracted to somebody who he didn’t like, but he understood where they were coming from.”
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Wilson was also not afraid to champion controversial causes, such as the legalization of casino gambling in Detroit in the late 1990s.
More religious residents would lambaste him on the radio for trying to transform Detroit into a “sin city,” but he would stand his ground, according to Eileen. He stuck to his belief in the economic benefits, noting that gamblers were just going across the border to Windsor, Ontario, depriving the city of critical revenue.
“He would just say, ’I hear that big sucking sound from Windsor that’s taking all the money away from Detroit,” Eileen said, laughing as she remembered it. “He had some real cojones.”
Wilson was born in Landgraff, West Virginia, the oldest of four children. His family moved to Detroit when he was a boy so his father could take a job at a Chrysler plant.
Thanks to scholarship funding, Wilson became the first person in his family to obtain a college degree, graduating from Wayne State University in 1971. He was a fullback on his college football team. In our interview with him in March, Wilson called himself a “BMOC ― big man on campus.”
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Wilson had varied tastes ― relishing country music as well as jazz, blues and some rock ‘n’ roll.
Likewise, he mixed his solemn political pronouncements with a generous helping of humor.
At the end of my interview with Wilson, he shook my hand, saying, without batting an eye, “I’ll send you a bill.”
Wilson’s allegiance to the Democratic Party was rooted in his appreciation of the party’s support for Black civil rights and opportunities for social mobility of the kind he enjoyed, according to Eileen.
Eileen recalled their work registering hundreds of voters during Barack Obama’s first presidential run in 2008. She credits her husband “indoctrinating” her about the value of political organizing. She plans to work hard ― in whatever way public health conditions permit ― to throw Trump out of office.
“That would be part of his legacy,” she said. “We talked about it nightly and daily.”
Eileen blames Trump for Wilson’s death, pointing, in particular, to the president’s closure of a White House National Security Council office dedicated to fighting pandemics and similar threats. (The department, known as the Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense, was, in fact, merely restructured and placed under different supervision, though critics maintain that the lack of an office dedicated to those matters exclusively hampered the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.)
“He’s got a lot of blood on his hands for that,” Eileen said.
Wilson’s younger sister, Sheryl West, a retired transportation worker in Tampa, Florida, also hopes to do her part to help Biden win Florida in Wilson’s memory.
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huffpost--2020-05-15--12 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

12 Amazing Photos You Missed This Week

We ’ re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week of May 9 to 15 .
Check @ @ @ @ @ : Italian violinist Fiamma Flavia Paolucci performs at Tor Vergata Hospital in Rome on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Nurses Day .
Health care professionals have been working around the clock during the coronavirus @ @

We’re highlighting exceptional photos from around the world for the week of May 9 to 15. Check them out below.
Above: Italian violinist Fiamma Flavia Paolucci performs at Tor Vergata Hospital in Rome on Tuesday as the world marked International Nurses Day. Health care professionals have been working around the clock during the coronavirus pandemic.


huffpost--2020-05-15--Typhoon Leaves 1 Dead, Extensive Damage In Philippine Towns

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) — Typhoon Vongfong ’ s ferocious wind and rain left at least one dead and damaged hundreds of coronavirus isolation facilities and homes , along with rice and corn fields in five hard-hit eastern towns alone , a governor said Friday .
Gov .
Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar province , where the typhoon slammed ashore , said some residents were weeping in desperation after their houses were destroyed or blown away in the towns he inspected .
One distraught villager who lost his home slashed his wrist but was treated in time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death after he was hit by glass shards in a school building he was trying to open to take shelter in , Evardone said .
“ The damage I saw was very extensive .
The roof of one church was ripped off completely , its iron bars twisted badly by the typhoon , ” Evardone told The Associated Press by telephone .
He said that he and his group of military , police and local authorities failed to travel to two towns hit by the typhoon , Jipapad and Maslog , due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two-way radio communications to the far-flung areas were down and Evardone appealed to the military to deploy a helicopter to inspect and carry out food drops if army troops were not be able to reach the area by Saturday .
In the outlying region of Bicol , northwest of Eastern Samar , more than 145,000 people were riding out the weakening typhoon in emergency shelters on Friday after a mass evacuation that was complicated and slowed by the coronavirus .
The typhoon ’ s maximum sustained wind speed dropped to 110 kilometers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gusts of 150 kph ( 93 mph ) but it remains dangerous especially in coastal and low-lying villages , forecasters said .
Vongfong was expected to blow out of the country ’ s north on Sunday .
Office of Civil Defense Director Claudio Yucot said the evacuations took time because workers needed to wear masks and protective suits and could not transport villagers to shelters in large numbers as a safeguard against COVID-19 .
“ Our ease of movement has been limited by COVID , ” Yucot told AP by telephone from Albay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had dozens of coronavirus infections , including four deaths , and remains under quarantine .
“ In the evacuation centers , there are more challenges.
” Residents try to salvage belongings amongst their houses destroyed at the height of Typhoon Vongfong in San Policarpo town , Eastern Samar province on May 15 , 2020 , a day after the typhoon hit the town .
In an evacuation room , which could shelter up to 40 families before , only four families could be accommodated now .
The occupants should know each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , Yucot said .
The coast guard said more than 600 cargo truck drivers and workers were stranded due to the travel suspension .
All were required to wear masks and prohibited from mingling .
The typhoon hit as the Philippines struggles to deal with coronavirus outbreaks , largely with a lockdown in Luzon that is to be eased this weekend , except in metropolitan Manila and two other high-risk areas .
The rest of the country will be placed in less restrictive quarantine , and crucial businesses will partially reopen starting @ @ @

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MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Typhoon Vongfong’s ferocious wind and rain left at least one dead and damaged hundreds of coronavirus isolation facilities and homes, along with rice and corn fields in five hard-hit eastern towns alone, a governor said Friday.
Gov. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar province, where the typhoon slammed ashore, said some residents were weeping in desperation after their houses were destroyed or blown away in the towns he inspected. One distraught villager who lost his home slashed his wrist but was treated in time, he said.
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A man bled to death after he was hit by glass shards in a school building he was trying to open to take shelter in, Evardone said.
“The damage I saw was very extensive. The roof of one church was ripped off completely, its iron bars twisted badly by the typhoon,” Evardone told The Associated Press by telephone.
He said that he and his group of military, police and local authorities failed to travel to two towns hit by the typhoon, Jipapad and Maslog, due to fallen trees on the road. Cellphone and two-way radio communications to the far-flung areas were down and Evardone appealed to the military to deploy a helicopter to inspect and carry out food drops if army troops were not be able to reach the area by Saturday.
Residents ride a boat along a flooded village as Typhoon Vongfong passes by Sorsogon province, northeastern Philippines, on May 15, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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In the outlying region of Bicol, northwest of Eastern Samar, more than 145,000 people were riding out the weakening typhoon in emergency shelters on Friday after a mass evacuation that was complicated and slowed by the coronavirus.
Vongfong weakened into a severe tropical storm after hitting land Thursday and was blowing northwest toward the populous main northern island of Luzon, government forecasters said.
The typhoon’s maximum sustained wind speed dropped to 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour with gusts of 150 kph (93 mph) but it remains dangerous especially in coastal and low-lying villages, forecasters said. Vongfong was expected to blow out of the country’s north on Sunday.
Office of Civil Defense Director Claudio Yucot said the evacuations took time because workers needed to wear masks and protective suits and could not transport villagers to shelters in large numbers as a safeguard against COVID-19.
“Our ease of movement has been limited by COVID,” Yucot told AP by telephone from Albay province in the Bicol region, which has had dozens of coronavirus infections, including four deaths, and remains under quarantine. “In the evacuation centers, there are more challenges.”
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Residents try to salvage belongings amongst their houses destroyed at the height of Typhoon Vongfong in San Policarpo town, Eastern Samar province on May 15, 2020, a day after the typhoon hit the town. ALREN BERONIO via Getty Images
In an evacuation room, which could shelter up to 40 families before, only four families could be accommodated now. The occupants should know each other and are required to report any infected person, Yucot said.
The coast guard said more than 600 cargo truck drivers and workers were stranded due to the travel suspension. All were required to wear masks and prohibited from mingling.
The typhoon hit as the Philippines struggles to deal with coronavirus outbreaks, largely with a lockdown in Luzon that is to be eased this weekend, except in metropolitan Manila and two other high-risk areas. The rest of the country will be placed in less restrictive quarantine, and crucial businesses will partially reopen starting next week.
The Philippines has reported nearly 12,000 infections, including 790 deaths, among the highest in Southeast Asia.


huffpost--2020-05-15--What To Do About Travel You'd Booked For Later In 2020

“ Right now , the [ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ] tells us that all nonessential travel ― foreign and domestic ― is on hold , ” Erika Richter , senior director of communications at the American Society of Travel Advisors , told HuffPost .
“ This is a rapidly evolving situation .
However , we know one thing for certain : The virus is not under control .
Therefore , travelers need to continue to consult with expert resources to understand the impact on their 2020 travel plans.
” “ We always tell travelers to reference objective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the State Department before making decisions to travel , ” Richter explained .
“ Every traveler has their own level of risk tolerance , so it ’ s important that they are making informed decisions in consultation with expert advice .
This also means that travelers need to talk to their health care provider before their next trip ― whenever that trip happens to take place .
Every traveler is going to have a different health profile and vulnerability , which will certainly need to be considered before their next trip.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people from the U.S. because of our inability to handle this like an adult.
” - Brian Kelly , founder and CEO of The Points Guy Domestic Travel Will Likely Come With Restrictions If you had planned to fly somewhere else in the U.S. , turning it into a road trip may feel like a safer plan .
The farther away the destination , the greater the risk to you and others , so consider a shorter trip to somewhere closer to home .
Even just an afternoon drive for a hike or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break .
“ The busier the location , the more travel restrictions you are likely to face , ” said Axel Hefer , CEO of hotel price comparison site Trivago .
“ Ask , ‘ Will I feel comfortable making the trip ?
’ Similar to shorter trips , any travel to remote locations might be more manageable in the short term .
Also keep in mind that experiences at your destination may be impacted , so you should check whether restaurants and other activities will be open.
” If There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wait And See “ It pays to wait until the last minute to cancel your flight , ” said Myers .
“ Travel has been brought to a standstill , and there is so much uncertainty about when it will come back .
Do not cancel your flight because this turns the cancellation into a voluntary cancellation of your reservation .
When this happens , the airline does not have to refund you or help you in any way.
” Voluntary changes and cancellations are often subject to fees .
Many airlines have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , but if you ’ re looking for a full refund , it may be worth waiting to see what happens .
Myers noted that many airlines are still canceling flights as they approach their scheduled departure dates , which qualifies more travelers for a refund attributed to an involuntary change .
For other travel reservations , such as hotel rooms , you should similarly take the time to figure out your options .
Travelers can contact the hotels where they reserved rooms or the booking platforms they used to learn about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have in place for the remainder of the year .
If There ’ s No Fee , Canceling Now Could Help You Save Later There are reasons you may want to cancel sooner rather than later .
For one , travel companies ’ cancellation policies are changing rapidly , and the flexibility we ’ re seeing now not is guaranteed in the long term .
Plus , if you ’ re able to cancel now without incurring a fee , you could even get a better deal later .
Ultimately , travelers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take stock of their current booking options , consult the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations from public health and safety experts , follow the conditions in their destination of choice and consider personal health factors .
These considerations will shape the best course of action .

fabio camandona via Getty Images There are many questions surrounding flight refunds, vacation cancellations and other booking matters as COVID-19 continues to spread.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the travel industry in unprecedented ways. With spring vacations canceled long ago and summer options looking grim, many travelers are wondering what they should do about trips they had booked for later in 2020.
Should they go ahead and cancel or postpone? Is it better to just wait and see what happens? Will international travel even be possible? Are refunds an option?
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“Right now, the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] tells us that all nonessential travel ― foreign and domestic ― is on hold,” Erika Richter, senior director of communications at the American Society of Travel Advisors, told HuffPost. “This is a rapidly evolving situation. However, we know one thing for certain: The virus is not under control. Therefore, travelers need to continue to consult with expert resources to understand the impact on their 2020 travel plans.”
Essentially, travel will return in phases, but there will be restrictions and considerations that affect individual travelers differently.
“Barring a miracle, there will be no vaccine this year,” said Brian Kelly, founder and CEO of The Points Guy. “Even if you can physically go somewhere, no one can make the decision for you about whether or not to make the trip. That’s a matter of personal risk analysis based on the information you have.”
So what major factors should people consider when assessing what to do about travel they had booked for later this year? HuffPost spoke to Kelly, Richter and other travel experts to find out. Read on for their guidance.
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Don’t Hold Out Hope For International Travel
There are many factors to consider when assessing what to do about travel you had planned for later in 2020. A big one is whether the trip is domestic or international.
“Local and regional travel will come back first, potentially in 2020, depending on the experts’ advice,” said Richter. “International travel likely won’t see a return until 2021.”
Kelly told HuffPost he believes that many borders will open up later this year, allowing for the possibility of international travel. Still, he noted, “some countries may not let in people from the U.S. because of our inability to handle this like an adult.”
Even if international travel is technically possible, the decision to risk that option will be a personal calculation. It’s safe to assume informed travelers will take a more cautious approach amid the pandemic.
“We always tell travelers to reference objective third-party sources of information like the CDC and the State Department before making decisions to travel,” Richter explained. “Every traveler has their own level of risk tolerance, so it’s important that they are making informed decisions in consultation with expert advice. This also means that travelers need to talk to their health care provider before their next trip ― whenever that trip happens to take place. Every traveler is going to have a different health profile and vulnerability, which will certainly need to be considered before their next trip.”
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In addition to concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in various countries, mandatory self-quarantine orders for foreign travelers may also make international trips less appealing.
“Some countries may not let in people from the U.S. because of our inability to handle this like an adult.” - Brian Kelly, founder and CEO of The Points Guy
“Before you can cancel your plans down the road, it’s important to consider the purpose of your trip and where you’re headed,” said Rob Karp, founder and CEO of the travel planning service MilesAhead. “Consumers need to weigh out their region’s current travel restrictions along with understanding the restrictions being held in the destinations they plan to travel to.”
He added that travelers should think about how they could pose a risk to the destination they hope to visit.
Domestic Travel Will Likely Come With Restrictions
Domestic travel will be a safer, easier option, but there are still many factors to consider.
Even if nonessential travel is back on the table later in the year, some states may have mandatory self-quarantine orders in place. Budget travel expert Lindsay Myers advised paying attention to any travel restrictions at the destination you plan to visit and consulting expert sources.
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“Listen and read about what is happening in the area that you want to visit,” she said. “This will help you have a more informed decision on what to do with your reservations.”
If you had planned to fly somewhere else in the U.S., turning it into a road trip may feel like a safer plan. The farther away the destination, the greater the risk to you and others, so consider a shorter trip to somewhere closer to home. Even just an afternoon drive for a hike or other outdoor activity can offer a nice break.
Still, the popularity of the destination is another factor to consider. U.S. beaches and state parks are already having issues with overcrowding.
“The busier the location, the more travel restrictions you are likely to face,” said Axel Hefer, CEO of hotel price comparison site Trivago. “Ask, ‘Will I feel comfortable making the trip?’ Similar to shorter trips, any travel to remote locations might be more manageable in the short term. Also keep in mind that experiences at your destination may be impacted, so you should check whether restaurants and other activities will be open.”
Westend61 via Getty Images Even domestic travel may entail restrictions and other factors to consider.
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Although you may feel comfortable driving somewhere, there may be concerns about hotels or Airbnbs.
“If you do not feel safe about the cleanliness of your accommodation, try switching your house with a friend or family in another city for the weekend,” Myers suggested. “It gives you a chance to get away and break out of your everyday.”
If There’s A Penalty For Canceling Now, Just Wait And See
After conducting your personal risk analysis, you may feel inclined to cancel your trip. But it could be prudent to hold off, especially if it means incurring a penalty.
“It pays to wait until the last minute to cancel your flight,” said Myers. “Travel has been brought to a standstill, and there is so much uncertainty about when it will come back. Do not cancel your flight because this turns the cancellation into a voluntary cancellation of your reservation. When this happens, the airline does not have to refund you or help you in any way.”
Voluntary changes and cancellations are often subject to fees. Many airlines have implemented more flexible cancellation policies amid the pandemic, but if you’re looking for a full refund, it may be worth waiting to see what happens. Myers noted that many airlines are still canceling flights as they approach their scheduled departure dates, which qualifies more travelers for a refund attributed to an involuntary change.
“It pays to wait until the last minute to cancel your flight.” - Lindsay Myers, budget travel expert
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“It doesn’t cost you anything to keep the option open, even if the end result is the same,” said Konrad Waliszewski, co-founder and CEO of the travel app TripScout. “Consumer protection regulations for COVID-19-related cancellations are only likely to get more consumer-friendly and transparent over the coming months as well.”
For other travel reservations, such as hotel rooms, you should similarly take the time to figure out your options. Travelers can contact the hotels where they reserved rooms or the booking platforms they used to learn about the cancellation policy and what plans they have in place for the remainder of the year.
“The hotel and Airbnb industry have been hit very hard during this pandemic,” said Myers. “If you booked directly with the hotel, contact the hotel directly to discuss your options on moving your date or completely canceling your booking. Airbnb already has cancellation processes with their hosts in place. Hotels and third-party platforms have been constantly updating their reservation policies because of the pandemic.”
If There’s No Fee, Canceling Now Could Help You Save Later
There are reasons you may want to cancel sooner rather than later. For one, travel companies’ cancellation policies are changing rapidly, and the flexibility we’re seeing now not is guaranteed in the long term. Plus, if you’re able to cancel now without incurring a fee, you could even get a better deal later.
“If you’re able to cancel your bookings with no penalty, then you should cancel now,” advised Waliszewski. “If your trip actually becomes possible and safe, then prices will certainly be much cheaper than your original booking, and it’s the one time you don’t have to worry about everything being booked.”
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Airlines, hotel chains and other travel suppliers are offering different refund and voucher options for cancellations. If you’re loyal to a major airline or hotel chain, you may feel comfortable accepting a credit instead of a refund.
“Consumers need to ask themselves if that credit is something you’ll actually utilize at another time,” Karp said. “You should also factor in your confidence in the supplier. Is this a brand or company you normally book with and trust? Consumers are less likely to keep a credit with companies they don’t necessarily trust.”
Karp also noted that canceling a flight sooner rather than later may help airlines get a better sense of flight capacity and if that particular route is in demand. He and Richter both emphasized that postponing is an option as well.
“Although this may feel like a strange time to coordinate travel plans, suppliers are being flexible with bookings, vouchers and refunds now more than ever,” Karp said.
Even if you don’t know when it will be safe for you to take the trip you’d planned, you’ll likely be able to postpone again if need be.
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huffpost--2020-05-15--Will There Be Another Stock Market Crash? Here's What Experts Expect

The Stock Market Crash Of 2020 : How Did We Get Here ?
Recently , we experienced the longest bull market run in history , which lasted from 2009 to 2020 .
That , however , came to a screeching halt after the coronavirus emerged early this year .
As countries around the world ( including the U.S. ) imposed lockdowns to slow the transmission of the virus , we experienced major economic slowdown .
Fears over how the pandemic would ultimately impact business and employment erased more than 30 % from the S & P 500 Index between Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mindy Yu , director of investments at Stash .
Because the virus is brand new , there has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding what its effects could be ― and uncertainty rarely reflects positively in the stock market .
Even so , the market seemed to be pricing in a much larger overall decline to earnings than what we are currently seeing , said Joe Favorito , a certified financial planner and managing partner at Landmark Wealth Management .
“ It ’ s not unusual for markets to overreact and price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the unknown.
” Many have compared the present crisis to the Great Depression in an attempt to understand how it might play out economically .
However , Yu said there are a few key differences .
For one , the unemployment rate during the Great Depression was greater than 20 % for several consecutive years .
Presently , unemployment sits at 14.7 % ― a staggering figure for sure , and one that could potentially increase in the upcoming months .
However , it ’ s unclear whether that high level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time .
The Great Depression also resulted in several consecutive years of falling GDP ― a widely accepted measure of economic health ― the worst of which occurred in 1932 with a decrease of 12.9 % .
“ Meanwhile , the International Money Fund is expecting a decrease of 5.9 % in annual GDP for 2020 , and a projected 4.7 % growth in GDP for 2021 , ” Yu said .
It appears possible the economy could be on the mend , and as a result , the stock market reversed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the S & P 500 was up more than 30 % since the low point on March 23 , though it ’ s still down about 12 % for the year .
Yu said that growth is partially driven by the handful of larger corporations included in the index , which have thrived during the pandemic and are seen as being sustainable for the “ new normal.
” Is Another Crash On The Horizon ?
Historically , market declines of the magnitude we just experienced usually do see a “ retest ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not always the case , according to Favorito .
“ Considering the amount of liquidity the Federal Reserve has added to the economy rather quickly , it makes it less likely we ’ ll see those lows again , ” he said .
But that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s all up from here .
Market volatility is not unusual , and we should expect to see more ups and downs .
Bert Brenner , director of investment and economic research at People ’ s United Advisors , doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retested , though the market might give up some of its recent gains before moving higher .
Even so , he said there are circumstances that could drive the market below the March 23 lows .
“ Whether that would play out in a sharp decline ― a ‘ crash ’ ― or through a slower erosion of values would depend on how the circumstances unfold , ” he noted .
The most obvious of these circumstances are those connected with managing the coronavirus pandemic .
The failure to come up with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 would turn investor sentiment against equities .
“ I think it ’ s fair to say that current valuations are betting that an effective vaccine will be developed and/or an effective treatment for the disease will be developed within the next 12 months , ” Brenner said .
“ If we are disappointed on both scores , I would expect global equities to sell off to below March 23 levels.
” Another consideration is the health of the banking industry , which was in good shape before the crisis .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive loan losses than anticipated and at a magnitude that threatens some portion of the banking industry , we could see a reversal in the stock market .
“ The nature of the reversal would depend on the speed with which a bank solvency crisis happens , its anticipated severity and the extent to which the federal government could offer assistance , ” he explained .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
In March, the U.S. experienced one of the worst stock market crashes in modern history due to the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Even though parts of the economy are starting to reopen and we’re learning more about treating the virus, we’re a long way off from gaining control over the situation. That has some investors worried that a second crash is imminent.
According to Craig Kirsner, a retirement planner, speaker and author, there was already what he refers to as the “central bankers’ bubble” before the coronavirus. Since 2008, government central banks have employed a number of easy-money strategies to boost their economies, including setting low or even negative interest rates and buying their own government bonds.
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“The low interest rates we’ve experienced have allowed companies to borrow a lot of money, and a great deal of that money went into buying back their own company’s stock,” he said. As a result, stock prices surged higher, making consumers feel good about the economy and more willing to spend money and take on debt.
That bubble would seemingly have burst following the stock market crash. However, governments around the world pumped an additional $9 trillion (and counting) back into their economies in order to stimulate growth, which helped reinflate it.
“We’ve seen this movie before: sky-high real estate prices, sky-high stock market prices and a giant debt bubble,” Kirsner said. “We know how this movie is going to end, we just don’t know when.”
Others aren’t quite as pessimistic, though it’s generally agreed that what happens in the stock market is dependent on a largely unknown future. So what might we expect from the market as we work toward making it through the coronavirus crisis?
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The Stock Market Crash Of 2020: How Did We Get Here?
Recently, we experienced the longest bull market run in history, which lasted from 2009 to 2020. That, however, came to a screeching halt after the coronavirus emerged early this year. As countries around the world (including the U.S.) imposed lockdowns to slow the transmission of the virus, we experienced major economic slowdown. Fears over how the pandemic would ultimately impact business and employment erased more than 30% from the S&P 500 Index between Feb. 20 and March 23 alone, according to Mindy Yu, director of investments at Stash.
Because the virus is brand new, there has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding what its effects could be ― and uncertainty rarely reflects positively in the stock market. Even so, the market seemed to be pricing in a much larger overall decline to earnings than what we are currently seeing, said Joe Favorito, a certified financial planner and managing partner at Landmark Wealth Management. “It’s not unusual for markets to overreact and price in the worst-case scenario in the face of the unknown.”
Many have compared the present crisis to the Great Depression in an attempt to understand how it might play out economically. However, Yu said there are a few key differences. For one, the unemployment rate during the Great Depression was greater than 20% for several consecutive years. Presently, unemployment sits at 14.7% ― a staggering figure for sure, and one that could potentially increase in the upcoming months. However, it’s unclear whether that high level of unemployment will persist for a long period of time. The Great Depression also resulted in several consecutive years of falling GDP ― a widely accepted measure of economic health ― the worst of which occurred in 1932 with a decrease of 12.9%. “Meanwhile, the International Money Fund is expecting a decrease of 5.9% in annual GDP for 2020, and a projected 4.7% growth in GDP for 2021,” Yu said.
“Uncertainty rarely reflects positively in the stock market.”
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It appears possible the economy could be on the mend, and as a result, the stock market reversed its course. As of May 14, the S&P 500 was up more than 30% since the low point on March 23, though it’s still down about 12% for the year. Yu said that growth is partially driven by the handful of larger corporations included in the index, which have thrived during the pandemic and are seen as being sustainable for the “new normal.”
Recovery is also driven by the fact that the Federal Reserve has stated it’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep the economy stabilized, including further lowering interest rates and employing its quantitative easing program. Plus, the U.S. government enacted a $2 trillion stimulus plan, which provided direct support to the economy in various ways, including stimulus payments to individuals and low-cost loans to small businesses.
There have also been signs that the curve is beginning to flatten. “Other countries in the world have been slowly jump-starting their economies, with China showing a ‘V-shaped’ recovery,” Yu said. “This has restored confidence in states slowly reopening. All news seems to point towards a recovery.”
Is Another Crash On The Horizon?
Despite all this optimism, the truth is that the future is largely unknown when it comes to containing and treating COVID-19. And as Kirsner argued, all this stimulus funding is likely contributing to overinflated stock values and a false sense of security.
Just because investors are hopeful now doesn’t mean things will stay that way. “Equity valuations have remained high without strong fundamentals, such as earnings, to support this recent rally,” Yu said. “Much has been sentiment, based on the prospects of reopening the economy. There is still a lot of uncertainty in the market, which may remain for some time.”
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Historically, market declines of the magnitude we just experienced usually do see a “retest” of the lows, though that’s not always the case, according to Favorito. “Considering the amount of liquidity the Federal Reserve has added to the economy rather quickly, it makes it less likely we’ll see those lows again,” he said. But that doesn’t mean it’s all up from here. Market volatility is not unusual, and we should expect to see more ups and downs.
Bert Brenner, director of investment and economic research at People’s United Advisors, doesn’t believe the March lows will be retested, though the market might give up some of its recent gains before moving higher. Even so, he said there are circumstances that could drive the market below the March 23 lows. “Whether that would play out in a sharp decline ― a ‘crash’ ― or through a slower erosion of values would depend on how the circumstances unfold,” he noted.
The most obvious of these circumstances are those connected with managing the coronavirus pandemic. The failure to come up with a vaccine or some sort of treatment for COVID-19 would turn investor sentiment against equities. “I think it’s fair to say that current valuations are betting that an effective vaccine will be developed and/or an effective treatment for the disease will be developed within the next 12 months,” Brenner said. “If we are disappointed on both scores, I would expect global equities to sell off to below March 23 levels.”
Another consideration is the health of the banking industry, which was in good shape before the crisis. However, Brenner said that if lockdowns cause more extensive loan losses than anticipated and at a magnitude that threatens some portion of the banking industry, we could see a reversal in the stock market. “The nature of the reversal would depend on the speed with which a bank solvency crisis happens, its anticipated severity and the extent to which the federal government could offer assistance,” he explained.
Domestic politics will also play a role, he added. Any disruptions to the fall 2020 elections, such as candidates falling ill or steps taken to control the spread of the virus compromising the fairness of the election, would be a cause of concern to investors.
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On the international front, concern over a foreign state taking advantage of what may be perceived as weakness or distraction in the U.S. due to an extended battle with the coronavirus could cause a market sell-off. “Aggressive steps by China or Russia to extend their sphere of influence or actions by rogue states like North Korea or Iran could destabilize the international order and erode investor sentiment and confidence,” Brenner said.
Of course, these are just a few of many possibilities, and it’s impossible to predict what might ultimately happen. Though we’ve never experienced a global shutdown of this magnitude before, volatility is nothing new when it comes to investing. That means that you should avoid attempting to time the market and stick with the tried-and-true strategy of riding out the turmoil.


huffpost--2020-05-15--5 Vegetable Seeds You Can Plant Now To Enjoy In Summer

If you ’ re dreaming of planting a garden to keep you company in lockdown , you are not alone .
Demand is high .
Seed companies are backlogged and experiencing shipping delays thanks to people panic-buying seeds because of the coronavirus pandemic .
But you still have time to buy seeds for a summer harvest .
“ I think gardening is more than just what I get back from the garden in terms of food , ” he said .
“ To me , it ’ s just a way for everybody to find their happy place , relax.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small seed and watching it grow can be a much-needed relaxing activity .
People who garden have lower stress levels than others , according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Health Psychology .
The main thing to understand is that your climate and sun exposure dictates what to plant now and how long it will take for you to harvest by summer .
“ The sun is like our boss in gardening , because the sun provides heat and light , ” said George Ball , chairman and owner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re in the northern half of the country , you ’ re great .
If you were in the southern half of the country , you were great two months ago ...
But in the southern half , you also have a much longer summer .
I ’ m not saying you ’ re late , you ’ re just late for your first crop of whatever you wanted.
” “ I ’ m not able to plant any leafy greens right now , ” said Hammond , who lives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the fall.
” If you live in a similarly warm climate , Hammond recommends planting okra .
If you plant now , “ you would start harvesting okra at the end of June , early July , and then you would be harvesting every day , ” he said .
Lettuces can be sensitive to high temperatures , and some are more heat-tolerant than others .
Little Gem , which is also known as Sucrine or Sugar Cos , is one of the more heat-tolerant varieties .
If you ’ re growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun yours will be getting .
As the University of California ’ s Master Gardener school notes , “ If grown in the summer , it ’ s recommended to plant where it will get shade from other crops or trees and to select temperature tolerant , slow-bolting varieties .
It ’ s a shallow-rooted plant which requires frequent watering when there ’ s no rain.
” From planting the seeds to harvest , it will take 40-45 days .
“ They ’ re real fast , ” he said .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long enough that they have the chance to match the sort of piquant , some would say , bitterness or sharpness ― that ’ s matched with some sugar as well .
The effect of the homegrown radish is like , ‘ Wow , this is tasty.
’ ” Hammond noted that if you want a vegetable you can harvest quickly , there are green bean varieties that take as little as 45 to 60 days .
But since green beans prefer warm weather , you need to plant the seeds when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Minnesota Extension ’ s guide to growing notes , “ Bean seed planted in cold soil may rot rather than germinate , and plant growth will be very slow in cooler weather , ” they advise .
“ Some gardeners plant bush beans in succession , every two weeks until early August , for production throughout the summer and into fall .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
If you’re dreaming of planting a garden to keep you company in lockdown, you are not alone. Demand is high. Seed companies are backlogged and experiencing shipping delays thanks to people panic-buying seeds because of the coronavirus pandemic. But you still have time to buy seeds for a summer harvest.
If you’re new to gardening, don’t be intimidated by the process. Texas-based gardener Timothy Hammond of Big City Gardener said his mantra is to “just grow it.”
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“I think gardening is more than just what I get back from the garden in terms of food,” he said. “To me, it’s just a way for everybody to find their happy place, relax.”
He’s right: Planting a small seed and watching it grow can be a much-needed relaxing activity. People who garden have lower stress levels than others, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Health Psychology.
The main thing to understand is that your climate and sun exposure dictates what to plant now and how long it will take for you to harvest by summer.
“The sun is like our boss in gardening, because the sun provides heat and light,” said George Ball, chairman and owner of the Burpee Seed Company. “If you’re in the northern half of the country, you’re great. If you were in the southern half of the country, you were great two months ago... But in the southern half, you also have a much longer summer. I’m not saying you’re late, you’re just late for your first crop of whatever you wanted.”
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Here are some summer vegetable options to get you started quickly:
1. Okra
Altinosmanaj via Getty Images If you in a sunny, hot climate like Houston, try planting okra.
“I’m not able to plant any leafy greens right now,” said Hammond, who lives in Houston. “I have to wait until the fall.” If you live in a similarly warm climate, Hammond recommends planting okra.
If you plant now, “you would start harvesting okra at the end of June, early July, and then you would be harvesting every day,” he said.
Because okra thrives in warm weather, the Farmer’s Almanac recommends planting okra in the garden “when the soil has warmed to about 65 or 70 F —the warmer, the better.”
2. Little Gem Lettuce
Geo-grafika via Getty Images Little Gem is a fast-growing romaine lettuce.
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Lettuces can be sensitive to high temperatures, and some are more heat-tolerant than others. Little Gem, which is also known as Sucrine or Sugar Cos, is one of the more heat-tolerant varieties.
“Lettuces vary a great deal,” Ball said. “You have lettuces that pop up in 45 days. There are a lot of them. Little Gem is a real nice snappy one.”
If you’re growing lettuce, be thoughtful about how much sun yours will be getting. As the University of California’s Master Gardener school notes, “If grown in the summer, it’s recommended to plant where it will get shade from other crops or trees and to select temperature tolerant, slow-bolting varieties. It’s a shallow-rooted plant which requires frequent watering when there’s no rain.”
3. Peas
Tianika via Getty Images Plant your pea seeds now to enjoy in July.
Ball said peas can take 60-70 days from planting to harvest depending on the type you buy.
“If you planted a pea now, you’re going to be harvesting your peas in early July, easily,” he said. “Your edible podded [pea], they’re super early. They’re about 55 days.”
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4. Radishes
Ralf Geithe via Getty Images Radishes are one quick-growing option for gardeners to plant now.
Ball recommends radishes for novice gardeners because they grow quickly and taste better than store-bought radishes.
From planting the seeds to harvest, it will take 40-45 days. “They’re real fast,” he said. “You’ve left them in the ground long enough that they have the chance to match the sort of piquant, some would say, bitterness or sharpness ― that’s matched with some sugar as well. The effect of the homegrown radish is like, ‘Wow, this is tasty.’”
5. Green Beans
frederique wacquier via Getty Images Snap beans, also called green beans or string beans, are fast growers in the summer.
Hammond noted that if you want a vegetable you can harvest quickly, there are green bean varieties that take as little as 45 to 60 days. But since green beans prefer warm weather, you need to plant the seeds when the soil is warm.
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As the University of Minnesota Extension’s guide to growing notes, “Bean seed planted in cold soil may rot rather than germinate, and plant growth will be very slow in cooler weather,” they advise. “Some gardeners plant bush beans in succession, every two weeks until early August, for production throughout the summer and into fall.”


huffpost--2020-05-15--Here's How People Feel About The Coronavirus Restrictions Where They Live

Most Americans still support stay-at-home orders and are making an effort to stay at home themselves , a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds , even as views have been less unanimous than they were at the start of last month .
Dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and the U.S. government ’ s response to the crisis is continuing to mount , with the latter seeing negative numbers for the first time .
About one-fifth of Americans say there are too many restrictions in the place where they live , with 47 % saying there ’ s about the right level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t enough .
And given a binary choice , two-thirds of Americans say that states with stay-at-home orders are currently making the right decision , with 21 % saying they ’ re making the wrong decision and the rest unsure .
As some states begin reopening to various extents , the poll finds many Americans holding views that fall somewhere between a willingness to maintain a full lockdown and a desire to do away with requirements entirely .
Just shy of half , 46 % , say that they ’ d like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonessential businesses and activities , but allow others to reopen .
Another 30 % say all nonessential businesses and activities should be shut down .
Just 12 % want to see all restrictions lifted .
The variation between those sets of results suggest that how poll questions are framed can have a significant effect .
But it also shows that desire to completely reopen the country remains a minority position ― and that if pushed to choose , the public remains inclined to err on the side of caution .
Most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior .
Seventy-nine percent of Americans say they ’ re still trying to stay home as much as possible , down 10 points from the peak in early April , but still representing a vast majority of the nation , across demographic and partisan lines .
Of those who are currently trying to stay home , 54 % say they ’ d continue to do so even if all restrictions were lifted where they live , 33 % that they ’ d leave the house more but continue to take major precautions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go back to living as normally as possible .
Americans ’ opinions about the right local policies on the coronavirus divide along both political and geographical lines .
Support for maintaining a complete shutdown is highest among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents living in cities and towns , 55 % of whom want to see all nonessential businesses and activities shut down in their area .
Support for total reopening is highest among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents in towns and rural areas , 35 % of whom say restrictions should be lifted entirely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of the coronavirus have reached a low ebb , as have ratings for Trump ’ s performance .
Americans say , 47 % to 44 % that they disapprove of the government ’ s response , the first time that number has been negative in HuffPost/YouGov polling since February .
They say 48 % to 42 % that they disapprove of Trump ’ s response .
About two-thirds of Americans say they expect the outbreak to have a lasting effect on the U.S. , with only about a quarter believing things will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups .
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls .
You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov ’ s nationally representative opinion polling .
More details on the polls ’ methodology are available here .
Most surveys report a margin of error that represents some but not all potential survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a model-based margin of error , which rests on a specific set of statistical assumptions about the selected sample rather than the standard methodology for random probability sampling .
If these assumptions are wrong , the model-based margin of error may also be inaccurate .

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Most Americans still support stay-at-home orders and are making an effort to stay at home themselves, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds, even as views have been less unanimous than they were at the start of last month. Dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and the U.S. government’s response to the crisis is continuing to mount, with the latter seeing negative numbers for the first time.
About one-fifth of Americans say there are too many restrictions in the place where they live, with 47% saying there’s about the right level of restrictions and 24% saying there aren’t enough. And given a binary choice, two-thirds of Americans say that states with stay-at-home orders are currently making the right decision, with 21% saying they’re making the wrong decision and the rest unsure.
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As some states begin reopening to various extents, the poll finds many Americans holding views that fall somewhere between a willingness to maintain a full lockdown and a desire to do away with requirements entirely. Just shy of half, 46%, say that they’d like their area to maintain restrictions on some nonessential businesses and activities, but allow others to reopen. Another 30% say all nonessential businesses and activities should be shut down. Just 12% want to see all restrictions lifted.
The variation between those sets of results suggest that how poll questions are framed can have a significant effect. But it also shows that desire to completely reopen the country remains a minority position ― and that if pushed to choose, the public remains inclined to err on the side of caution.
Most of the public also remains cautious in their own behavior. Seventy-nine percent of Americans say they’re still trying to stay home as much as possible, down 10 points from the peak in early April, but still representing a vast majority of the nation, across demographic and partisan lines.
Of those who are currently trying to stay home, 54% say they’d continue to do so even if all restrictions were lifted where they live, 33% that they’d leave the house more but continue to take major precautions, and 10% that they’d go back to living as normally as possible.
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Results of a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
A 57% majority say they’re more concerned about states lifting restrictions too quickly, with 29% more concerned about states acting too slowly, and the rest unsure.
Americans’ opinions about the right local policies on the coronavirus divide along both political and geographical lines. Support for maintaining a complete shutdown is highest among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents living in cities and towns, 55% of whom want to see all nonessential businesses and activities shut down in their area. Support for total reopening is highest among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents in towns and rural areas, 35% of whom say restrictions should be lifted entirely.
Results of a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Ratings for the U.S. government’s handling of the coronavirus have reached a low ebb, as have ratings for Trump’s performance. Americans say, 47% to 44% that they disapprove of the government’s response, the first time that number has been negative in HuffPost/YouGov polling since February. They say 48% to 42% that they disapprove of Trump’s response.
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About two-thirds of Americans say they expect the outbreak to have a lasting effect on the U.S., with only about a quarter believing things will soon go back to normal.
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups.
The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted May 8-10 among U.S. adults, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.
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huffpost--2020-05-15--House To Allow Remote Voting During Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Neither Civil War nor Great Depression nor any other national crisis has pushed the House to allow lawmakers to vote by proxy — without being “ present , ” as the Constitution requires .
That ’ s about to change during the coronavirus pandemic .
The House approved Friday a package of historic rules changes so Congress can keep functioning even while it ’ s partly closed .
The shift will dramatically change the look , if not the operation , of the legislative branch — launching a 21st century WFH House , like others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This House must continue legislating , ” Rep. Jim McGovern , the chairman of the House Rules Committee , said during a lengthy session ahead of the vote .
“ And we have to do so in a way that is safe for all those around us.
” Debate over the changes has been fierce .
As President Donald Trump encourages Americans back to work , the 435-member House has stayed away due to health risks while the smaller Senate has resumed operations .
Democrats argue the House can rely on technology for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Republicans objected to what they see as a power grab during the crisis .
The vote was 217-189 .
Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma , the top Republican on the rules panel , warned the changes will fundamentally alter the nature of the institution , “ and not for the better.
” Under the new rules , House lawmakers will no longer be required to travel to Washington to participate in floor votes .
They will be allowed to vote by proxy — assigning their vote to another lawmaker who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them .
Eventually , a provision allows for direct remote voting , once the technology is approved .
Just as important , the House committees — the bread and butter of legislative work — will be able to fully function remotely .
Committee hearings are prime-time for lawmakers — the chance to grill officials , spar with colleagues and have much of it captured on C-SPAN .
House lawmakers will be able to draft bills , conduct oversight and even issue subpoenas from the comfort of their homes .
An earlier proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted she wanted any change of this significance to be bipartisan .
She tapped a task force to try to reach a bipartisan compromise .
A key Trump ally , McCarthy argues if other Americans are at work , Congress should be , too .
“ It ’ s a very sad day inside this House , ” the California Republican said .
He mocked Pelosi for having claimed the House would serve as the “ captain ” of the ship , last to leave during the crisis , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be temporary , only through the remainder of this session of Congress , at the end of the year .
Democrats insist the changes should be used only under times of crisis .
But Republicans warn there will be legal challenges to legislation passed during this period , questioning the constitutional legitimacy of proxy votes .
The House has never allowed proxy floor votes , even during some of the most challenging eras in the nation ’ s history .
Lawmakers convened during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and only stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terror attacks .
Proxy votes had been allowed in committees , but that ended decades ago .
Under the new rules , one lawmaker can carry up to 10 votes by proxy to the Capitol .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Neither Civil War nor Great Depression nor any other national crisis has pushed the House to allow lawmakers to vote by proxy — without being “present,” as the Constitution requires. That’s about to change during the coronavirus pandemic.
The House approved Friday a package of historic rules changes so Congress can keep functioning even while it’s partly closed. The shift will dramatically change the look, if not the operation, of the legislative branch — launching a 21st century WFH House, like others, “working from home.”
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“This House must continue legislating,” Rep. Jim McGovern, the chairman of the House Rules Committee, said during a lengthy session ahead of the vote. “And we have to do so in a way that is safe for all those around us.”
Debate over the changes has been fierce. As President Donald Trump encourages Americans back to work, the 435-member House has stayed away due to health risks while the smaller Senate has resumed operations.
Democrats argue the House can rely on technology for remote work as the pandemic drags on. But Republicans objected to what they see as a power grab during the crisis. The vote was 217-189.
Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the rules panel, warned the changes will fundamentally alter the nature of the institution, “and not for the better.”
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One by one Republicans lined up Friday to speak against it.
“We should all get to Washington, do our jobs,” said Rep. Bradley Byre, R-Ala.
Under the new rules, House lawmakers will no longer be required to travel to Washington to participate in floor votes. They will be allowed to vote by proxy — assigning their vote to another lawmaker who will be at the Capitol to cast it for them. Eventually, a provision allows for direct remote voting, once the technology is approved.
Just as important, the House committees — the bread and butter of legislative work — will be able to fully function remotely. Committee hearings are prime-time for lawmakers — the chance to grill officials, spar with colleagues and have much of it captured on C-SPAN. House lawmakers will be able to draft bills, conduct oversight and even issue subpoenas from the comfort of their homes.
“This is about allowing the people’s House — and the people’s representatives in committees — to work,” Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who has helped lead the effort, testified before the Rules Committee.
With the Capitol physician warning it could be years before Congress resumes full operations, lawmakers are anxious to chart a new normal and not be sidelined.
An earlier proposal was shelved two weeks ago as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted she wanted any change of this significance to be bipartisan. She tapped a task force to try to reach a bipartisan compromise.
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House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy proposed a “hybrid” plan that would allow the committees to conduct work remotely but stopped short of allowing the proxy voting on the floor.
A key Trump ally, McCarthy argues if other Americans are at work, Congress should be, too. “It’s a very sad day inside this House,” the California Republican said. He mocked Pelosi for having claimed the House would serve as the “captain” of the ship, last to leave during the crisis, only to go home.
The changes are expected to be temporary, only through the remainder of this session of Congress, at the end of the year. Democrats insist the changes should be used only under times of crisis.
But Republicans warn there will be legal challenges to legislation passed during this period, questioning the constitutional legitimacy of proxy votes. The House has never allowed proxy floor votes, even during some of the most challenging eras in the nation’s history. Lawmakers convened during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and only stayed away a short time after the 2001 terror attacks. Proxy votes had been allowed in committees, but that ended decades ago. Under the new rules, one lawmaker can carry up to 10 votes by proxy to the Capitol.
“You got to be here,” said another Trump ally, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. “You can’t phone it in.”


huffpost--2020-02-27--What To Do If You're Anxious About Coronavirus

With the rise in reported cases of the new coronavirus around the world , many people are feeling anxious and afraid about a looming pandemic .
For those in China , the disease ’ s epicenter , its toll on mental health is well-documented .
But even in areas not yet heavily affected by COVID-19 , people are expressing their worries .
“ When the news covers the outbreak of a virus , it is common for people who consume a lot of news media to feel a rise in anxiety , ” Nicole Bentley , a licensed therapist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told HuffPost .
“ Symptoms could include rumination about the virus , fear of catching the virus even if it isn ’ t in their area , difficulty sleeping and increased efforts to stay healthy.
” For some , anxiety about coronavirus may affect their ability to function at work or otherwise go about their lives .
If you ’ re feeling this way , know that there are things you can do to deal with it .
Take a break from the news .
“ I would recommend filtering their media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have to avoid the news altogether if they don ’ t want to , but they also don ’ t need to obsessively stay up to date , either.
” Bentley said .
“ Staying overly connected to news coverage can negatively impact mental health , so it is important to monitor their intake if they notice a rise in anxiety.
” It can be very beneficial just to take an hour or so away from the constant updates and information on TV and online .
Needing a reprieve is natural and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many times you are hearing about the virus and how much energy you are devoting to thinking about it every day .
This is not something to obsess over , but rather to be conscious and aware of ― vigilant , but realistic in your thoughts and approach , ” said Esther Saggurthi , primary clinician at Maryland House Detox , a Delphi Behavioral Health Group facility .
“ The mind works off of the power of suggestion , ” she added .
“ When we keep hearing about the coronavirus , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sick or to have a loved one sick , and then often we get scared , as the outbreak is something we can not control.
” “ How many times do we all try to look good on the outside when inside we are really panicked or depressed ?
” Saggurthi noted .
“ The only way for someone to understand how we are feeling or what we are thinking is for us to talk about it and tell them.
” Try to be present in the moment .
If your mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , try focusing on your immediate environment and mentally take stock of the things and people around you .
That can help you stay grounded and keep things in perspective .
The unknowns surrounding coronavirus can be scary , but it ’ s helpful to focus on the here and now .
At the moment , the threat to you personally is likely not immediate .
Remind yourself what you can control .
“ It is easy to feel like one ’ s life is out of control and focus on the futility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saggurthi said .
“ The increased anxiety over a situation which is mostly beyond our control may cause us to rationalize and make poor decisions and may result in returning to behaviors we were working hard to quit in the first place.
” You can use your anxiety as a signal to take reasonable steps to prepare for a pandemic , Jonathan Sutton , director of the cognitive behavioral therapies program at The Family Institute at Northwestern University , told HuffPost .
Find a trusted source of information and stick to that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ What reputable information do you need to know at this point ?
The CDC and WHO fit the bill for me , ” he noted .
“ Based on the best available medical information , are there steps that are relevant for you to take at this time and will you take them ?
” Reach out for help .

Chung Sung-Jun via Getty Images Epidemics can take a toll on mental health as well.
With the rise in reported cases of the new coronavirus around the world, many people are feeling anxious and afraid about a looming pandemic. For those in China, the disease’s epicenter, its toll on mental health is well-documented. But even in areas not yet heavily affected by COVID-19, people are expressing their worries.
“When the news covers the outbreak of a virus, it is common for people who consume a lot of news media to feel a rise in anxiety,” Nicole Bentley, a licensed therapist and intake coordinator at Cityscape Counseling in Chicago, told HuffPost. “Symptoms could include rumination about the virus, fear of catching the virus even if it isn’t in their area, difficulty sleeping and increased efforts to stay healthy.”
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For some, anxiety about coronavirus may affect their ability to function at work or otherwise go about their lives. If you’re feeling this way, know that there are things you can do to deal with it.
HuffPost spoke to Bentley and other mental health experts to identify some fo the best ways to cope with this kind of anxiety.
Take a break from the news.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by concerns about coronavirus, consider monitoring and potentially limiting the amount of media you consume.
“I would recommend filtering their media coverage about coronavirus. People don’t have to avoid the news altogether if they don’t want to, but they also don’t need to obsessively stay up to date, either.” Bentley said. “Staying overly connected to news coverage can negatively impact mental health, so it is important to monitor their intake if they notice a rise in anxiety.”
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It can be very beneficial just to take an hour or so away from the constant updates and information on TV and online. Needing a reprieve is natural and human.
“Keep in perspective how many times you are hearing about the virus and how much energy you are devoting to thinking about it every day. This is not something to obsess over, but rather to be conscious and aware of ― vigilant, but realistic in your thoughts and approach,” said Esther Saggurthi, primary clinician at Maryland House Detox, a Delphi Behavioral Health Group facility.
“The mind works off of the power of suggestion,” she added. “When we keep hearing about the coronavirus, we visualize what it would be like to be sick or to have a loved one sick, and then often we get scared, as the outbreak is something we cannot control.”
Talk to someone.
It may feel tempting to cut off communication with others when you’re feeling anxious, but talking to someone about these emotions can be very helpful.
“How many times do we all try to look good on the outside when inside we are really panicked or depressed?” Saggurthi noted. “The only way for someone to understand how we are feeling or what we are thinking is for us to talk about it and tell them.”
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Talking to someone, even if just via text, can help you process your emotions and feel supported, rather than spiraling further.
Try to be present in the moment.
“It is critical to remain connected to the present moment, rather than allowing their fear to take over,” Bentley noted.
If your mind is starting to wander into scary territory, try focusing on your immediate environment and mentally take stock of the things and people around you. That can help you stay grounded and keep things in perspective.
The unknowns surrounding coronavirus can be scary, but it’s helpful to focus on the here and now. At the moment, the threat to you personally is likely not immediate.
“Positive affirmations are especially helpful,” Saggurthi said. “I am healthy today. I live a healthful life. I have control over my life. I am at peace. I feel calm.”
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Remind yourself what you can control.
“It is easy to feel like one’s life is out of control and focus on the futility of life in these situations,” Saggurthi said. “The increased anxiety over a situation which is mostly beyond our control may cause us to rationalize and make poor decisions and may result in returning to behaviors we were working hard to quit in the first place.”
But while the actions of world governments and fellow citizens are out of your control, you do have power over yourself.
“It is important to remind yourself of what is in your control,” advised. “Make sure to wash your hands. Be on the lookout for flu-like symptoms.”
You can use your anxiety as a signal to take reasonable steps to prepare for a pandemic, Jonathan Sutton, director of the cognitive behavioral therapies program at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, told HuffPost. Find a trusted source of information and stick to that one to insulate yourself from rumors and falsehoods.
“What reputable information do you need to know at this point? The CDC and WHO fit the bill for me,” he noted. “Based on the best available medical information, are there steps that are relevant for you to take at this time and will you take them?”
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Practice gratitude.
If you’re ever feeling dark, identifying and giving thanks for the points of brightness in your life can help you get out of this headspace. Consider making a mental list of the things you’re grateful for or keeping a gratitude journal.
As Bentley noted, “it is helpful to practice gratitude in moments of panic, because it can keep someone grounded in the present moment and appreciative for what they have in their lives.”
Reach out for help.
It’s natural to experience anxiety and other emotional struggles amid a global health crisis. If the feelings worsen or continue to interfere with your ability to concentrate, sleep or care for yourself or your family, it’s important to seek professional help.