huffpost--2020-03-20--Most Renters Not Safe From Eviction Under Trump Proposal

“ That ’ s the problem with ( HUD ’ s proposal ) .
It only impacts a very small amount of people .
We need big-scale solutions , ” said Andrea Shapiro of the Metropolitan Council on Housing , a New York-based housing advocacy organization .
Furthermore , HUD has no power to protect renters in public housing authorities located across the country .
HUD Secretary Ben Carson said this week on Twitter that the agency is working with Congress to get that authority to protect renters in public housing authorities .
“ HUD has been in contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure the millions of low-income Americans we serve continue to have a roof over their head , ” Carson said .
The rules are in contrast to comments made by Trump this week , who said renters would get “ immediate relief ” as part of his administration ’ s plan .
Housing advocates called the White House ’ s proposal an “ important first step ” but said there are limitations to the policy that need to be addressed .
“ America ’ s lowest-income renters were already struggling to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest disaster , and people were experiencing homelessness .
Congress must implement a national moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures , ” said Diane Yentel , president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition .
Renters tend to be more economically vulnerable than their homeowner counterparts .
They have generally lower incomes and can not tap into the equity in their homes as a line of credit in case of an emergency .
A disproportionate number of renters are black , Hispanic and other minorities .
Some cities and states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York state and Kentucky , have imposed their own eviction and foreclosure moratoriums in response to the coronavirus .
But the majority of states and localities have yet to step in to stop people from losing their homes .

“That’s the problem with (HUD’s proposal). It only impacts a very small amount of people. We need big-scale solutions,” said Andrea Shapiro of the Metropolitan Council on Housing, a New York-based housing advocacy organization.
Furthermore, HUD has no power to protect renters in public housing authorities located across the country. HUD Secretary Ben Carson said this week on Twitter that the agency is working with Congress to get that authority to protect renters in public housing authorities.
“HUD has been in contact with every Public Housing Agency in the country to ensure the millions of low-income Americans we serve continue to have a roof over their head,” Carson said.
The rules are in contrast to comments made by Trump this week, who said renters would get “immediate relief” as part of his administration’s plan.
Housing advocates called the White House’s proposal an “important first step” but said there are limitations to the policy that need to be addressed.
“America’s lowest-income renters were already struggling to pay rent and make ends meet before this latest disaster, and people were experiencing homelessness. Congress must implement a national moratorium on all evictions and foreclosures,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Renters tend to be more economically vulnerable than their homeowner counterparts. They have generally lower incomes and cannot tap into the equity in their homes as a line of credit in case of an emergency. A disproportionate number of renters are black, Hispanic and other minorities.
Some cities and states, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, New York state and Kentucky, have imposed their own eviction and foreclosure moratoriums in response to the coronavirus. But the majority of states and localities have yet to step in to stop people from losing their homes.


huffpost--2020-03-20--Vietnam Vet Reveals How To Do Your Business With Just 1 Square Of Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is disappearing from store shelves as panicked shoppers stock up due to the coronavirus outbreak .
But actor @ @ @ @ @ Detective Barrel Johnson on “ Bosch ” and has appeared on “ Veep ” and @ @ @ @ @ he can wipe out the problem .
Evans , who served in Vietnam , posted @ @ @ @ @ a trick he learned while in the service , one that can help people clean @ @ @ @ @ with just a single square of precious TP .
Fair warning : This is an @ @ @ @ @ ’ s one way of handling it ― but try not to let it reach @ @ @ @ @ will thank you .

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Toilet paper is disappearing from store shelves as panicked shoppers stock up due to the coronavirus outbreak. But actor Troy Evans, who plays Detective Barrel Johnson on “Bosch” and has appeared on “Veep” and “ER,” says he can wipe out the problem.
Evans, who served in Vietnam, posted a Facebook video that shared a trick he learned while in the service, one that can help people clean up after doing their business with just a single square of precious TP.
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Fair warning: This is an absolute last resort:
That’s one way of handling it ― but try not to let it reach that point.


huffpost--2020-03-20--Weinstein Moved To Upstate Prison Day Before 68th Birthday

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Harvey Weinstein was transferred to a state prison in New York on Wednesday as he begins to serve a 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault in his landmark # MeToo case .
The disgraced film mogul , who will turn 68 on Thursday , is locked up at the maximum security Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo , according to state prison officials .
He is known behind bars as inmate No .
20B0584 .
The prison , six hours by car from Manhattan , is likely just a temporary stop for Weinstein .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be evaluated to determine which state prison facility meets his security , medical , mental health and other needs .
Weinstein , convicted Feb. 24 and sentenced last week , had been splitting time between New York City ’ s notorious Rikers Island jail complex and a Manhattan hospital .
Weinstein left court in an ambulance after the guilty verdict and detoured to Bellevue Hospital , complaining of chest pains and high blood pressure .
He later had a stent inserted to unblock an artery .
After his sentencing , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Oscar-winning producer of “ Shakespeare in Love , ” was convicted of raping an aspiring actress in 2013 and forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006 .
His lawyers have said they ’ ll appeal .
Within hours of Weinstein ’ s sentencing , prosecutors in Los Angeles announced they were beginning the extradition process to send him there for an arraignment on charges he raped a woman and sexually assaulted another in 2013 .
That ’ s now on hold because of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel .
For Weinstein , being sent to the Buffalo-area prison is an inauspicious homecoming .
He attended college nearby and got his start in the entertainment business in the area as a concert promoter bringing the likes of Frank Sinatra and the Rolling Stones to town .

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NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein was transferred to a state prison in New York on Wednesday as he begins to serve a 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault in his landmark #MeToo case.
The disgraced film mogul, who will turn 68 on Thursday, is locked up at the maximum security Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo, according to state prison officials. He is known behind bars as inmate No. 20B0584.
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The prison, six hours by car from Manhattan, is likely just a temporary stop for Weinstein. While he’s there, he’ll be evaluated to determine which state prison facility meets his security, medical, mental health and other needs.
Weinstein’s spokesman called the move “harsh.”
Weinstein, convicted Feb. 24 and sentenced last week, had been splitting time between New York City’s notorious Rikers Island jail complex and a Manhattan hospital.
Weinstein left court in an ambulance after the guilty verdict and detoured to Bellevue Hospital, complaining of chest pains and high blood pressure. He later had a stent inserted to unblock an artery. After his sentencing, he returned with more chest pains.
Weinstein, the Oscar-winning producer of “Shakespeare in Love,” was convicted of raping an aspiring actress in 2013 and forcibly performing oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006. His lawyers have said they’ll appeal.
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Within hours of Weinstein’s sentencing, prosecutors in Los Angeles announced they were beginning the extradition process to send him there for an arraignment on charges he raped a woman and sexually assaulted another in 2013. That’s now on hold because of the coronavirus crisis that has shuttered courthouses and limited travel.


huffpost--2020-03-20--'Shaun Of The Dead' Stars Update Zombie Survival Advice For Coronavirus

Actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have revised their plan from the 2004 cult classic film “ Shaun of the Dead.
” But instead of dealing with zombies , the new plan is for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus .
In the horror-comedy flick , Pegg ( who plays Shaun ) and Frost ( Ed ) defy government warnings to stay inside when the zombies take over .
The pair decide to embark on a journey to rescue their loved ones from the undead and reach their favorite pub , the Winchester , where they can “ have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all this to blow over.
” The new version suggests a much more cautious approach .
In other words , listen to the warnings and definitely don ’ t go to the Winchester .
“ If you can , stay at home , have a cup of tea and wait for all this to blow over , ” Pegg said in the clip .
“ Above all , don ’ t be a twat about things .
We ’ re all in this together .
Don ’ t be selfish , look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call if you think they might be lonely .
”

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Actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have revised their plan from the 2004 cult classic film “Shaun of the Dead.” But instead of dealing with zombies, the new plan is for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
In the horror-comedy flick, Pegg (who plays Shaun) and Frost (Ed) defy government warnings to stay inside when the zombies take over. The pair decide to embark on a journey to rescue their loved ones from the undead and reach their favorite pub, the Winchester, where they can “have a nice, cold pint and wait for all this to blow over.”
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Here’s the original:
The new version suggests a much more cautious approach. In other words, listen to the warnings and definitely don’t go to the Winchester.
“If you can, stay at home, have a cup of tea and wait for all this to blow over,” Pegg said in the clip. “Above all, don’t be a twat about things. We’re all in this together. Don’t be selfish, look after each other, give someone a call if you think they might be lonely.”
Check it out below:


huffpost--2020-03-20--Our Hands Can Transmit Coronavirus, But What About Hair, Skin And Nails?

If you weren ’ t practicing perfect hand washing before , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us now that COVID-19 is spreading that it ’ s one of the best ways to prevent getting sick .
But as often as we ’ re washing our hands , how often should we be washing , well , everything else ?
As you sit cross-legged on the couch while working from home , or twirl your hair without even realizing it , could you be carrying the virus on these other parts of your body ?
Mobeen H. Rathore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunology at Wolfson Children ’ s Hospital of Jacksonville , Florida , told HuffPost researchers are only beginning to understand how long the coronavirus can live outside the human body , let alone on it .
“ This virus is only a few months old and we don ’ t know as much about it as people sometimes make it sound , ” Rathore said .
“ What we do know is it stays on hard surfaces , likes countertops , for two to three days .
That ’ s an important element @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surfaces .
There are some studies that say it may remain suspended in the air for up to three hours .
This is new , preliminary data that may change any moment , so that ’ s something we need to be cognizant of.
” If the virus that causes COVID-19 can live on a hard , smooth surface for days , how long can it survive on our skin ?
The exact time is unknown , but as Rathore said , “ It ’ s fair to say it stays long enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” hence all the reminders to wash your dirty mitts .
However , really cleaning around and underneath your fingernails is just as important .
In fact , if your nail polish is chipping after social distancing from your salon , you should pay extra attention to scrubbing those areas .
“ It ’ s not anything specific about gel or dip or acrylic or polish itself , but just the fact that it creates more little crevices for the virus to reside in , and then it ’ s harder to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands , ” said Elizabeth Ransom , chief physician executive at Baptist Health in Jacksonville .
“ Same thing with under the nails .
You have to be pretty diligent cleaning these areas.
” The CDC actually recommends that hospitals don ’ t allow their employees to have long nails or artificial nails , because germs can live underneath them even after hand washing or applying sanitizer .
So , while you may normally love longer nails , it ’ s more important than ever to make sure you ’ re cleaning them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be particularly concerned about hair or skin elsewhere on the body carrying the virus , since they would rarely come into contact with infected surfaces .
As long as you ’ re washing your hands frequently , continue twirling your tresses as you please .
“ It could be in your hair , but it would be hard to imagine unless someone actively coughed and got droplets in your hair , ” Ransom said .
“ The most common mechanism for transmission is related to hands , because we ’ re using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things , and we aren ’ t even aware of it .
Then we touch our faces all the time without even thinking about it.
” So , if hand washing ( and a good nail scrubbing ) are the only major hygiene changes to make right now , which products are the best for rinsing away the virus ?
These doctors agree that it ’ s less about what you use and more about how you use it .
That said , don ’ t rely on hand sanitizer , they advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibacterial soap better than regular soap ?
What about sanitizer gels ?
’ Really , just plain old soap and water is best , ” Ransom said .
“ There have been a lot of studies that really don ’ t show any significant benefit to using antibacterial soaps .
Hand sanitizer is good if you can ’ t wash your hands and you ’ re out and about , and you just touched that stair railing .
But it doesn ’ t completely clean the skin and crevices , so if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skin oils on your hands , it may be easier for the virus to remain there.
” By the way , that means soap and water “ for at least 20 seconds , which is singing the happy birthday song twice , and the mechanical effect of that washes the viruses off your hands , ” Rathore said .
“ For surfaces , there ’ s a whole EPA list of products available .
”

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But as often as we’re washing our hands, how often should we be washing, well, everything else? As you sit cross-legged on the couch while working from home, or twirl your hair without even realizing it, could you be carrying the virus on these other parts of your body?
Advertisement
Mobeen H. Rathore, chief of pediatric infectious diseases and immunology at Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville, Florida, told HuffPost researchers are only beginning to understand how long the coronavirus can live outside the human body, let alone on it.
“This virus is only a few months old and we don’t know as much about it as people sometimes make it sound,” Rathore said. “What we do know is it stays on hard surfaces, likes countertops, for two to three days. That’s an important element for understanding why we need to clean surfaces. There are some studies that say it may remain suspended in the air for up to three hours. This is new, preliminary data that may change any moment, so that’s something we need to be cognizant of.”
If the virus that causes COVID-19 can live on a hard, smooth surface for days, how long can it survive on our skin? The exact time is unknown, but as Rathore said, “It’s fair to say it stays long enough to spread from person to person,” hence all the reminders to wash your dirty mitts.
However, really cleaning around and underneath your fingernails is just as important. In fact, if your nail polish is chipping after social distancing from your salon, you should pay extra attention to scrubbing those areas.
Advertisement
marigo20 via Getty Images Acrylic nails give germs another place to lurk.
“It’s not anything specific about gel or dip or acrylic or polish itself, but just the fact that it creates more little crevices for the virus to reside in, and then it’s harder to get that area truly clean when washing your hands,” said Elizabeth Ransom, chief physician executive at Baptist Health in Jacksonville. “Same thing with under the nails. You have to be pretty diligent cleaning these areas.”
The CDC actually recommends that hospitals don’t allow their employees to have long nails or artificial nails, because germs can live underneath them even after hand washing or applying sanitizer. So, while you may normally love longer nails, it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re cleaning them well.
“We know artificial nails are not good for infection prevention, and it’s better not to have them,” Rathore said.
Ransom said she wouldn’t be particularly concerned about hair or skin elsewhere on the body carrying the virus, since they would rarely come into contact with infected surfaces. As long as you’re washing your hands frequently, continue twirling your tresses as you please.
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“It could be in your hair, but it would be hard to imagine unless someone actively coughed and got droplets in your hair,” Ransom said. “The most common mechanism for transmission is related to hands, because we’re using them all the time, constantly touching things, and we aren’t even aware of it. Then we touch our faces all the time without even thinking about it.”
So, if hand washing (and a good nail scrubbing) are the only major hygiene changes to make right now, which products are the best for rinsing away the virus? These doctors agree that it’s less about what you use and more about how you use it. That said, don’t rely on hand sanitizer, they advised.
“People wonder, ‘Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? What about sanitizer gels?’ Really, just plain old soap and water is best,” Ransom said. “There have been a lot of studies that really don’t show any significant benefit to using antibacterial soaps. Hand sanitizer is good if you can’t wash your hands and you’re out and about, and you just touched that stair railing. But it doesn’t completely clean the skin and crevices, so if you have a bit of dirt or natural skin oils on your hands, it may be easier for the virus to remain there.”


huffpost--2020-03-20--What It's Like To Be A Flight Attendant Right Now

Airlines are taking even further precautions than their already stringent sanitizing practices The airlines are also sharing clear , helpful information about the steps they are taking to keep planes clean and safe .
Delta , for example , has created a resource site specifically about dealing with the virus .
There , it lays out its sanitizing practices , which have been updated to include a disinfecting fogging procedure , following “ a rigorous 19-point checklist for cabin cleanliness , including disinfecting cabin surfaces and customer contact areas such as seats , seat back pockets , tray tables and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial-grade air filters work to prevent illness .
Coronavirus has led to a lot of disruptions in flight attendants ’ and travel agents ’ schedules ― and paychecks Flight attendants are doing everything to stay healthy so you stay healthy , too “ Catering gives us [ sanitizer ] wipes , but we just got an email that they might be running out , ” he said .
“ I carry them on me and am using them on my hand every 10 minutes .
Because I ’ m dealing with customers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get something from someone I ’ m not passing it to the next person.
” Flight crews are keeping an eye out for sick passengers “ Flight attendants are trained in how to mitigate the spread of a communicable disease , ” Nelson , the union leader , told HuffPost over the phone last week .
“ It ’ s part of our initial training and annual training .
We have access to that information , we have updates , we have reminders on our website .
We are already more aware than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a baseline of training around it.
” Remember , flight attendants are people ― worried people ― just like you “ Walking onto the plane and treating the flight attendant and pilot with the same decency and respect that we would give them would be major , ” our anonymous flight attendant said .
“ My last flight I had passengers who were rude on the verge of being mean ― snapping at us , very tense .
The difference is they ’ re tense and get to go home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go sit in a hotel away from family and loved ones and not being able to prepare .
I had concerns of coming home and not being able to get groceries , and there are people on planes stealing toilet paper .
”

ViktorCap via Getty Images
As guidelines continue to change and the public faces big questions about the safety of air travel during the coronavirus crisis, flight attendants are on the front lines. And they’re taking a double hit, working directly with passengers who may or may not be infected and worrying about job security.
Jay Robert is a flight attendant for “one of the world’s largest international airlines overseas” and the creator of A Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge, a social networking group for airline staff around the world. His job has changed drastically over the past month.
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“My flying schedule has been cleared for the next month because all the destinations I was rostered flights to have closed their borders,” he told HuffPost by email. “So the most uncertainty I’m facing is if and when I will work next.”
Airlines have taken drastic measures in response to their staggering losses. On Thursday, American Airlines announced it would ground half of its fleet in April and offer voluntary leave programs to alleviate costs, but did not make any comment about layoffs.
HuffPost also spoke to a flight attendant with a regional carrier of American Airlines Group who requested anonymity to avoid repercussions from their employer. He said that as a newer staff member, he is worried about the status of his job. As it is, he told HuffPost he “doesn’t get paid very much at all.”
The AA flight attendant said his airline is offering 14 days paid sick leave for those who contract the virus, but that right now one of his biggest concerns is getting stuck somewhere and not being able to get home.
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“If they shut the airport when we’re out on the road, we’re stuck,” he said. “A lot of us commute because unfortunately, with what airlines pay us, we can’t afford to live in these hubs.”
Here are more things those most familiar with the friendly skies want you to know about being in the air right now.
Airlines are taking even further precautions than their already stringent sanitizing practices
Robert told HuffPost that for his airline, at least to destinations where people are still able to fly, the flights have been full.
“It seems the flights have switched from holiday to rescue flights,” he said. “People seem to be very thankful they have a way home before their border closes. A lot of European passengers are cutting their trips short to try to beat deadlines for getting back.”
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What has changed for him and his colleagues, though, are the guidelines and precautions taken by staff, which includes regular testing of the crew and passengers. He has noticed an uptick in protective gear and a decline in physical interaction.
“The guidelines are changing daily,” Robert said. One day this month, he noted, crews were only allowed to wear masks on flights headed to at-risk destinations, but the next they were supplied with gloves and masks for all flights.
“We are also being told to avoid leaving our hotels when on a layover in another country and we have to self-quarantine upon arrival into our base country for two weeks,” Robert said. “A lot of alone time these days. So looking after mental health is also important and checking on colleagues who suffer from anxiety.”
The airlines are also sharing clear, helpful information about the steps they are taking to keep planes clean and safe. Delta, for example, has created a resource site specifically about dealing with the virus. There, it lays out its sanitizing practices, which have been updated to include a disinfecting fogging procedure, following “a rigorous 19-point checklist for cabin cleanliness, including disinfecting cabin surfaces and customer contact areas such as seats, seat back pockets, tray tables and floors.” It also details how its industrial-grade air filters work to prevent illness.
Coronavirus has led to a lot of disruptions in flight attendants’ and travel agents’ schedules ― and paychecks
As mentioned above, the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, has deeply affected those who work in the airline industry.
“Compared to a growing majority of airline staff, I consider myself fortunate in the fact that I haven’t been forced into a temporary layoff,” Robert said. “But in this current uncertain climate, this could change tomorrow. So the stress level is very high.”
The newer fight attendant HuffPost spoke to has similar concerns. “I only have seven hours of accrued sick time,” he said. “I work for a pretty solid airline but since I’m fairly new there are a lot of questions, if I’ll be furloughed. We just don’t know how it’s going to affect us.”
Flight attendants are doing everything to stay healthy so you stay healthy, too
Robert says he practices healthy habits in order to lower his risk of getting sick.
“I personally have been trying to maintain a regular sleep pattern and supplement routine to keep my immune defense healthy,” he said.
The other flight attendant we spoke to has largely relied on antibacterial wipes to get him through a flight.
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“Catering gives us [sanitizer] wipes, but we just got an email that they might be running out,” he said. “I carry them on me and am using them on my hand every 10 minutes. Because I’m dealing with customers, I have to make sure if I get something from someone I’m not passing it to the next person.”
In line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert has also increased hand-washing.
“At the end of the flights, my hands are so dry because of the amount of hand sanitizer and washes I’m doing,” he said, so he uses hand lotion regularly. Having moisturized hands is a crucial step in the hand-washing process to keep germs at bay and stop their spread. Cracked, dry hands are a break in the safety barrier, making soap and hand sanitizer less effective.
Flight crews are keeping an eye out for sick passengers
Robert mostly stressed the importance of being an informed traveler.
“If you show signs [of illness], don’t travel,” he said. “The crew are hypersensitive right now and are reporting any signs of communicable disease to health authorities to be extra careful and avoid having our aircraft be quarantined.”
He added that their jobs ― and your travels ― can be impacted if you fly sick. “Our duties are extended for many hours if we’re waiting for everyone to be screened.”
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This is hardly the first time flight attendants and flight crews have faced something like this ― in fact, they are trained for this from the get-go.
“Flight attendants are trained in how to mitigate the spread of a communicable disease,” Nelson, the union leader, told HuffPost over the phone last week. “It’s part of our initial training and annual training. We have access to that information, we have updates, we have reminders on our website. We are already more aware than the general public and more attuned because we have a baseline of training around it.”
Remember, flight attendants are people ― worried people ― just like you
“Like most people who are required to work with the public during this time, we are stressed and worried about many factors that expand beyond our work responsibilities,” Robert said.
“We want to be at home with our family, following the safety guidelines and help stop the spread, but it’s impossible to practice social distancing in an aluminum tube confined with 500 people,” he continued. “So the best way people can help us is not fly if they are unwell and protect themselves by following strict hygiene standards if they are required to take necessary travel.”
Both flight attendants agreed that it also helps to travel with kindness.
“Walking onto the plane and treating the flight attendant and pilot with the same decency and respect that we would give them would be major,” our anonymous flight attendant said. “My last flight I had passengers who were rude on the verge of being mean ― snapping at us, very tense. The difference is they’re tense and get to go home, we’re tense and we have to go sit in a hotel away from family and loved ones and not being able to prepare. I had concerns of coming home and not being able to get groceries, and there are people on planes stealing toilet paper.”
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Ultimately, though, there is a sense that we’re all in this ― and will get through this together.
“A lot of people are asking us what’s going on, and we have the same questions, honestly,” he said. “But it is the job of a flight attendant to calm nerves, and we do our best.”


huffpost--2020-03-20--During A Global Pandemic, Idaho Lawmakers Prioritize Attacking Trans Kids’ Rights

Keith Ridler/ASSOCIATED PRESS The Idaho House passed two anti-transgender bills before ending its session early because of the coronavirus .
The Idaho state legislature has not yet passed any measures designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus or to help residents with the economic fallout .
It has , however , found time to pass two unprecedented anti-transgender bills , one of which specifically targets trans children .
The two measures , informally known as the birth certificate bill and the sports bill , would have a deep and lasting impact on the LGBTQ community in Idaho if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HuffPost .
The sports bill bans all transgender and intersex girls from competing in girls sports in public schools throughout the state .
The birth certificate bill prevents all transgender and gender non-conforming people from changing the gender marked on their birth certificate to match their true gender identity .
The bills passed both chambers in the state legislature this week and now head to Gov .
Brad Little ’ s desk .
Little , a Republican , has not signaled whether he will sign either into law .
He has until Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re also coming at a disturbing time , when most people are focused on their health and finances as COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , spreads around the nation and the economy wavers .
LGBTQ rights activists are appalled that this kind of legislation remains a priority .
“ In the midst of a global crisis , the message that ’ s coming from Idaho right now is that it is a priority to attack trans youth , ” Chris Mosier , a Team USA duo athlete and a transgender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters on Thursday .
But the legislature has taken no action to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state , which had 23 confirmed cases as of Friday , other than decide to end its legislative session early .
In the neighboring state of Washington , with 1,376 confirmed coronavirus cases and 74 deaths , the state legislature has passed several bills to help fight the pandemic including more funding for health departments , affordable housing and transportation .
LGBTQ rights advocates worry that the Republican-controlled legislature in Idaho may be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the nation is preoccupied fighting a pandemic .
“ The corresponding outrage that should be coming with these bills has not been as loud as it might otherwise because everyone is occupied with a true emergency , ” Oakley said .
If signed by the governor , the sports bill would be the first of its kind at the state level .
Both bills have been deemed unconstitutional and discriminatory by the attorney general of Idaho , who discouraged the legislature from passing either .
He said the bills would tie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could become a drain on public funds .
This year , Republican lawmakers across the country have introduced a record-breaking number of anti-transgender measures , filing 60 specifically anti-trans bills in just the first three months of 2020 .
During all of last year , there were only 19 anti-trans bills introduced in the U.S .
This year , 16 states have filed 25 bills to ban trans and intersex girls from competing in women ’ s sports .
The states include Alabama , Louisiana , Missouri and South Carolina .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ furthest , other than Idaho , are Tennessee and Arizona , but both have also slowed momentum on the legislation and shifted focus to fighting the coronavirus .
These sports bills , like other anti-LGBTQ legislation , prey on fear and miseducation .
It ’ s a “ nefarious and dishonest ” way for the right to push their anti-trans agenda , Oakley said , pointing to the myth that trans women are simply cisgender men posing as women in order to assault cis women .
“ Trans folks in Idaho and across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not transgender people should have the same experiences as their peers , ” Mosier said .
“ And it doesn ’ t really matter at this point if the bill gets [ enacted ] or not , some of the damage has already been done to the trans community .
”

The Idaho House passed two anti-transgender bills before ending its session early because of the coronavirus. Keith Ridler/ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Idaho state legislature has not yet passed any measures designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus or to help residents with the economic fallout. It has, however, found time to pass two unprecedented anti-transgender bills, one of which specifically targets trans children.
The two measures, informally known as the birth certificate bill and the sports bill, would have a deep and lasting impact on the LGBTQ community in Idaho if they became law, LGBTQ rights advocates told HuffPost. The sports bill bans all transgender and intersex girls from competing in girls sports in public schools throughout the state. The birth certificate bill prevents all transgender and gender non-conforming people from changing the gender marked on their birth certificate to match their true gender identity.
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The bills passed both chambers in the state legislature this week and now head to Gov. Brad Little’s desk. Little, a Republican, has not signaled whether he will sign either into law. He has until Tuesday to make his decision.
Both measures are “flagrantly unconstitutional,” Cathryn Oakley, state legislative director and senior counsel for the Human Rights Campaign, told HuffPost.
They’re also coming at a disturbing time, when most people are focused on their health and finances as COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, spreads around the nation and the economy wavers. LGBTQ rights activists are appalled that this kind of legislation remains a priority.
“In the midst of a global crisis, the message that’s coming from Idaho right now is that it is a priority to attack trans youth,” Chris Mosier, a Team USA duo athlete and a transgender man, said during a call with reporters on Thursday.
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Last week, Little declared a state of emergency in Idaho over the coronavirus, which led to some school districts and workplaces closing.
The Idaho state legislature has not found the time to pass any bills to slow the spread of COVID-19. Keith Ridler/ASSOCIATED PRESS
But the legislature has taken no action to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state, which had 23 confirmed cases as of Friday, other than decide to end its legislative session early. In the neighboring state of Washington, with 1,376 confirmed coronavirus cases and 74 deaths, the state legislature has passed several bills to help fight the pandemic including more funding for health departments, affordable housing and transportation.
LGBTQ rights advocates worry that the Republican-controlled legislature in Idaho may be able to sneak these bills through since the rest of the nation is preoccupied fighting a pandemic. “The corresponding outrage that should be coming with these bills has not been as loud as it might otherwise because everyone is occupied with a true emergency,” Oakley said.
If signed by the governor, the sports bill would be the first of its kind at the state level. Both bills have been deemed unconstitutional and discriminatory by the attorney general of Idaho, who discouraged the legislature from passing either. He said the bills would tie the state up in major litigation and could become a drain on public funds.
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This year, Republican lawmakers across the country have introduced a record-breaking number of anti-transgender measures, filing 60 specifically anti-trans bills in just the first three months of 2020. During all of last year, there were only 19 anti-trans bills introduced in the U.S.
This year, 16 states have filed 25 bills to ban trans and intersex girls from competing in women’s sports. The states include Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri and South Carolina. The two states that have moved their bills the furthest, other than Idaho, are Tennessee and Arizona, but both have also slowed momentum on the legislation and shifted focus to fighting the coronavirus.
These sports bills, like other anti-LGBTQ legislation, prey on fear and miseducation. It’s a “nefarious and dishonest” way for the right to push their anti-trans agenda, Oakley said, pointing to the myth that trans women are simply cisgender men posing as women in order to assault cis women.


huffpost--2020-03-19--The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Hammering Local Journalism

Iannelli , like countless reporters nationwide , has spent the last two weeks working day and night to cover the spread of the pandemic and its effects on his community , providing vital coverage to readers desperate to keep up with news about the virus , official responses to it , and the lives and businesses it has put at risk .
Now , he is among the growing number of workers whose jobs have been put at risk .
The journalism business was already shedding jobs at its fastest rate since the Great Recession before the novel coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the economy grinds to a halt , newspapers across the country are once again laying off or furloughing staff writers , cutting salaries and even temporarily ceasing publication at a rapid rate .
It has hit the industry from top to bottom : The New York Times Co. , citing “ ‘ uncertainty and anxiety ’ caused by the coronavirus , ” said it expected online ad revenue to fall by 10 % in the first quarter .
But the losses are particularly devastating for alt-weeklies , which heavily rely on advertising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now temporarily closed .
Local Alt-Weeklies Are The First Victims Lesser-known than their giant major daily counterparts , alternative publications play an important role in local journalism ― especially when it comes to coverage of art and food scenes and local politics , areas of coverage larger print operations have scaled back amid budget crunches and layoffs .
Often revered for their use of bluer language and a less stuffy approach to reporting , the alts also tend to provide more coverage of and voice to marginalized and minority communities than their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ is ] keeping up with the breaking news and looking for the gaps ― looking how this impacts underserved communities that might not have a voice in mainstream media , ” said John Heaston , publisher of the Omaha Reader and president of the board of directors for the Association of Alternative Newsmedia .
Iannelli , the Miami New Times reporter , and his co-workers have been working around the clock to cover the virus ’ s spread in Miami , the Florida primary , which took place Tuesday , and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team clocked 12 hours on both Saturday and Sunday , he said .
Last week , Iannelli ’ s reporting on activism around the possible spread of the coronavirus in prisons led the Miami-Dade state attorney to announce she ’ d begin working to release inmates during the outbreak .
And that ’ s on top of existing business pressures for small publications , and some ownership groups that have not offered extensive worker protections .
Voice Media Group ’ s salary cuts came not long after it refused to voluntarily recognize efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times and Phoenix New Times ; instead , it took its employees to the National Labor Relations Board to fight over the size of the proposed organizing unit .
But No Publication Is Safe “ One of the bigger things that is scaring me is the sharp drop ” of the stock market , said Andrew Pantazi , a reporter with The Florida Times-Union , a Gannett paper .
“ If our market cap keeps dropping so rapidly , what will that mean for our cash flow ?
That is being driven by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by coronavirus.
” The latest crunch to hit the journalism business seems certain to hammer local news the hardest , further limiting vital coverage at a time when Americans are likelier than ever to live in “ news deserts.
” That decline in access to local news has made Americans less informed , less likely to engage in public and civic affairs , and is creating a crisis for the nation ’ s democracy , studies have suggested .
And the loss of so many jobs at major dailies and alternative outlets alike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reporters of color and writers from marginalized backgrounds out of an industry that is already lily-white and hard to access for aspiring reporters from poorer and minority backgrounds .
Many newspaper companies have eliminated paywalls on news about the coronavirus pandemic , a move that some hope could bring in more subscribers , but could also potentially deliver another blow to the bottom line .
The McClatchy Co. , which owns 30 newspapers in 14 states and is currently in bankruptcy proceedings , dropped its paywall on coronavirus coverage in early March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ― not business ― in mind , said Jeanne Segal , a company spokeswoman .

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Jerry Iannelli, a staff reporter with the Miami New Times, an alternative weekly publication, was at Target on Tuesday stocking up on supplies for life under coronavirus social-distancing guidelines when he got an email from his paper’s corporate management.
Iannelli, like countless reporters nationwide, has spent the last two weeks working day and night to cover the spread of the pandemic and its effects on his community, providing vital coverage to readers desperate to keep up with news about the virus, official responses to it, and the lives and businesses it has put at risk. Now, he is among the growing number of workers whose jobs have been put at risk.
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The memo said that because of the economic impact of the pandemic, “layoffs will very likely be necessary” at Voice Media Group, which owns alt-weeklies across the country.
In the interim, effective Wednesday, every employee of Voice Media Group, which includes Denver Westword, Phoenix New Times, Houston Press, Dallas Observer, Miami New Times and Broward New Times, had their pay cut: 25% for employees making less than $80,000, 30% for those making more than that, and 35% for executives.
“Losing a quarter of your salary is devastating,” Iannelli said. “I wouldn’t say it was a large salary to begin with. ... I’m sitting here wondering if I have to move apartments. I immediately will have to rebudget my entire life.”
The journalism industry was shedding jobs in economic good times. The coronavirus pandemic has only brought more trouble to the struggling sector. Carol Yepes via Getty Images
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The journalism business was already shedding jobs at its fastest rate since the Great Recession before the novel coronavirus pandemic began. But as the spread worsens and the economy grinds to a halt, newspapers across the country are once again laying off or furloughing staff writers, cutting salaries and even temporarily ceasing publication at a rapid rate.
It has hit the industry from top to bottom: The New York Times Co., citing “‘uncertainty and anxiety’ caused by the coronavirus,” said it expected online ad revenue to fall by 10% in the first quarter. But the losses are particularly devastating for alt-weeklies, which heavily rely on advertising from local businesses, many of which are now temporarily closed.
Many of the papers said the changes were temporary. But there were also dire warnings about the future.
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“It could be the end,” Jeff vonKaenel, the publisher of the News & Review papers in Sacramento, Reno and Chico, California, said in a statement posted on Twitter.
Local Alt-Weeklies Are The First Victims
Lesser-known than their giant major daily counterparts, alternative publications play an important role in local journalism ― especially when it comes to coverage of art and food scenes and local politics, areas of coverage larger print operations have scaled back amid budget crunches and layoffs. Often revered for their use of bluer language and a less stuffy approach to reporting, the alts also tend to provide more coverage of and voice to marginalized and minority communities than their bigger counterparts.
“Our core coverage [is] keeping up with the breaking news and looking for the gaps ― looking how this impacts underserved communities that might not have a voice in mainstream media,” said John Heaston, publisher of the Omaha Reader and president of the board of directors for the Association of Alternative Newsmedia.
“An industry that lost 7,800 jobs nationwide as the market boomed last year is poorly positioned for an economywide downturn.”
Iannelli, the Miami New Times reporter, and his co-workers have been working around the clock to cover the virus’s spread in Miami, the Florida primary, which took place Tuesday, and so on. Everyone on his four-person news team clocked 12 hours on both Saturday and Sunday, he said. Last week, Iannelli’s reporting on activism around the possible spread of the coronavirus in prisons led the Miami-Dade state attorney to announce she’d begin working to release inmates during the outbreak.
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Still, even as they act as vital on-the-ground resources to get news to the public, alt-weeklies have long been “ground zero” for layoffs in national emergencies. In 2017, the Houston Press, then a 28-year-old weekly, abruptly ended its entire print operation after sustaining substantial losses amid Hurricane Harvey.
And that’s on top of existing business pressures for small publications, and some ownership groups that have not offered extensive worker protections. Voice Media Group’s salary cuts came not long after it refused to voluntarily recognize efforts to form unions at the Miami New Times and Phoenix New Times; instead, it took its employees to the National Labor Relations Board to fight over the size of the proposed organizing unit.
But No Publication Is Safe
Corporate-owned papers are vulnerable, too. Gannett-Gatehouse, the newly merged corporate giant that owns the Times Union, USA Today and more than 250 other newspapers, is primarily shareholder owned; as the stock market nosedives, so could these papers.
The company was already “targeting inefficiencies” ― corporate speak for “layoffs are imminent” ― after the November merger. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, Gannett’s stock dropped nearly 50% on Wednesday alone.
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“One of the bigger things that is scaring me is the sharp drop” of the stock market, said Andrew Pantazi, a reporter with The Florida Times-Union, a Gannett paper. “If our market cap keeps dropping so rapidly, what will that mean for our cash flow? That is being driven by shareholder expectations, which has been affected by coronavirus.”
Playboy Magazine announced Thursday its spring edition would be its last print magazine, saying the “disruption of the coronavirus pandemic to content production and the supply chain” accelerated growing concerns about sustaining a print product. Some publications, including the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Tampa Bay Times, laid off employees this month in moves they said were unrelated to coronavirus-related advertising drops.
More cuts seem sure to follow at other similarly sized papers if the economy continues to worsen and ad revenues plummet. An industry that lost 7,800 jobs nationwide as the market boomed last year, according to Business Insider, is poorly positioned for an economywide downturn.
Gaps In Information
The latest crunch to hit the journalism business seems certain to hammer local news the hardest, further limiting vital coverage at a time when Americans are likelier than ever to live in “news deserts.” That decline in access to local news has made Americans less informed, less likely to engage in public and civic affairs, and is creating a crisis for the nation’s democracy, studies have suggested. And the loss of so many jobs at major dailies and alternative outlets alike will likely push even more young journalists, reporters of color and writers from marginalized backgrounds out of an industry that is already lily-white and hard to access for aspiring reporters from poorer and minority backgrounds.
“We’ve got a group of very savvy and nimble operators who I believe are taking the steps necessary to weather this.” - John Heaston, president of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia.
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Many newspaper companies have eliminated paywalls on news about the coronavirus pandemic, a move that some hope could bring in more subscribers, but could also potentially deliver another blow to the bottom line. The McClatchy Co., which owns 30 newspapers in 14 states and is currently in bankruptcy proceedings, dropped its paywall on coronavirus coverage in early March. The decision was made with journalism ― not business ― in mind, said Jeanne Segal, a company spokeswoman.
“Dropping the paywall in the case of emergencies is never a business decision, it is a mission driven one,” Segal said in an email to HuffPost. “This public service mission is at the heart of why we are in business — to provide essential local news and information that is essential to the communities we serve.”
Hope For The Future
Still, some are hopeful there’s a brighter future on the other side of the crisis. Pantazi said he hopes the low interest rates will encourage more local investment in papers, or even more employer-owned papers. That’s something Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) backed on the presidential campaign trail, saying employees should be given the opportunity to purchase media outlets through employee stock-ownership plans before any mergers take place.
Since the Great Recession, alternative papers have focused on diversifying revenue streams, through event hosting and membership drives, in order to avoid relying solely on local advertising and increase their ability to survive sudden downturns like this one.
“This isn’t the first crisis we’ve been through,” Heaston said. “A lot of lessons were learned in 2008, and we’ve got a group of very savvy and nimble operators who I believe are taking the steps necessary to weather this. … I can only hope that that nimbleness, that creativity helps us and puts us in a good position when things rebound.”
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huffpost--2020-03-20--In 2008, Richard Burr Also Told The Public Not To Panic While He Cashed Out

Sen. Richard Burr ( R-N.C. ) is facing fierce criticism for selling off a significant portion of his stocks , even as he was reassuring the public that the government was ready to handle the battle against the coronavirus .
On Feb. 13 , he unloaded between $ 628,000 and $ 1.72 million of his holdings .
But just three days earlier , he had co-authored an op-ed with a more optimistic message , saying “ the United States today is better prepared than ever before to face emerging public health threats , like the coronavirus.
” As a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was receiving daily updates on the coronavirus .
His sell-off came before the markets began tanking ― meaning , before much of the public began to realize what was going on .
Burr ’ s message behind closed doors was less optimistic than what he had written in that Feb. 3 op-ed .
On Feb. 27 , he gave a speech to business leaders in North Carolina ― a group whose membership costs up to $ 100,000 ― where he warned attendees about what was coming .
He said they might have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start closing schools and mobilizing the military .
“ Today ’ s news of Citigroup ’ s acquisition of Wachovia might be unsettling to many in North Carolina .
While these are difficult times in our economy , it is important to remember that this move provides for the protection of accounts and the soundness of savings for Wachovia ’ s customers .
FDIC has said that all services for customers should continue uninterrupted , ” he said .
Around the same time , Burr told his wife to go to the bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money as possible .
He revealed his actions in another speech to business leaders in 2009 .
“ On Friday night , I called my wife and I said , ‘ Brooke , I am not coming home this weekend .
I will call you on Monday .
Tonight , I want you to go to the ATM machine , and I want you to draw out everything it will let you take .
And I want you to go tomorrow , and I want you to go Sunday , ’ ” Burr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time , referring to the 2008 incident .
That statement doesn ’ t really help the senator much .
If he made the transactions while the financial markets were showing volatility ― in other words , while they were dropping dramatically ― there wouldn ’ t be an issue .
But Burr conveniently dumped his stocks right before there were historic losses .
On Friday , Burr said he relied on public information ― “ CNBC ’ s daily health and science reporting out of its Asia bureaus ” in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 13 but was asking the Senate Ethics Committee to review the transactions .
“ Understanding the assumption many could make in hindsight however , I spoke this morning with the Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee and asked him to open a complete review of the matter with full transparency , ” he said in a statement .

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Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) is facing fierce criticism for selling off a significant portion of his stocks, even as he was reassuring the public that the government was ready to handle the battle against the coronavirus.
But in 2008, during the financial crisis, he did something similar.
On Feb. 13, he unloaded between $628,000 and $1.72 million of his holdings. But just three days earlier, he had co-authored an op-ed with a more optimistic message, saying “the United States today is better prepared than ever before to face emerging public health threats, like the coronavirus.”
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As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Burr was receiving daily updates on the coronavirus. His sell-off came before the markets began tanking ― meaning, before much of the public began to realize what was going on.
Burr’s message behind closed doors was less optimistic than what he had written in that Feb. 3 op-ed. On Feb. 27, he gave a speech to business leaders in North Carolina ― a group whose membership costs up to $100,000 ― where he warned attendees about what was coming. He said they might have to curtail travel and that the government may start closing schools and mobilizing the military.
His remarks came almost two weeks before President Donald Trump’s administration began warning people about traveling to Europe.
In 2008, Burr put out a press release warning the public not to panic that Citigroup was taking over Wachovia, a bank based in North Carolina.
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“Today’s news of Citigroup’s acquisition of Wachovia might be unsettling to many in North Carolina. While these are difficult times in our economy, it is important to remember that this move provides for the protection of accounts and the soundness of savings for Wachovia’s customers. FDIC has said that all services for customers should continue uninterrupted,” he said.
In other words, don’t freak out, and don’t make a run on the banks.
But that’s exactly what Burr did.
Around the same time, Burr told his wife to go to the bank and take out as much of their money as possible. He revealed his actions in another speech to business leaders in 2009.
“On Friday night, I called my wife and I said, ‘Brooke, I am not coming home this weekend. I will call you on Monday. Tonight, I want you to go to the ATM machine, and I want you to draw out everything it will let you take. And I want you to go tomorrow, and I want you to go Sunday,’” Burr told the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce at the time, referring to the 2008 incident.
He said he didn’t use any information obtained through private briefings as a senator to help his family weather the financial crisis.
Burr’s spokeswoman Caitlin Carroll initially defended the senator’s Feb. 13 stock transactions, saying he made them “several weeks before the U.S. and financial markets showed signs of volatility due to the growing coronavirus outbreak.”
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That statement doesn’t really help the senator much. If he made the transactions while the financial markets were showing volatility ― in other words, while they were dropping dramatically ― there wouldn’t be an issue. But Burr conveniently dumped his stocks right before there were historic losses.
On Friday, Burr said he relied on public information ― “CNBC’s daily health and science reporting out of its Asia bureaus” in particular ― for the sale of his stocks on Feb. 13 but was asking the Senate Ethics Committee to review the transactions.
“Understanding the assumption many could make in hindsight however, I spoke this morning with the Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee and asked him to open a complete review of the matter with full transparency,” he said in a statement.
In 2012, Burr was one of three senators who opposed the STOCK Act, legislation that bars members of Congress and their staff from using nonpublic information to make financial trades.
Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog.


huffpost--2020-03-20--New Coronavirus Package Could Unravel Protections For Students With Disabilities

Advocates of disabled children are sounding the alarm on Senate Republicans ’ proposed “ Phase 3 ” coronavirus stimulus package , saying that it may eventually give the government power to absolve schools of at least some of their legal obligation to educate students with disabilities .
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA ) , the federal education law that governs special education , schools are required to provide an equal education for students with disabilities .
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 , federally funded programs are prohibited from discriminating based on disability .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to be passed by Congress , says Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos can soon tell Congress whether or not she thinks schools should be temporarily exempt from some of these requirements .
The proposal says that within 30 days of its enactment , DeVos should prepare a report for Senate committees “ with recommendations on any additional waivers the Secretary believes are necessary to be enacted into law … to provide limited flexibility to States and local educational agencies to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.
” Civil rights advocates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans are using the complicated crisis as an opportunity to potentially scale back some protections for vulnerable groups .
As of the 2017-2018 school year , 7 million students ― or 14 % of all children ages 3 to 21 ― received special education services under IDEA , according to the National Center for Education Statistics .
“ It ’ s people using the coronavirus crisis basically to get what they want anyway in terms of weakening civil rights protections for vulnerable children .
It ’ s just sad , ” said Miriam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights Alliance at the National Center for Youth Law .
Earlier discussions about the legislation went even further , said Liz King , director of Education Policy for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights .
According to reports she heard of those efforts , states would be given the freedom “ to request permission from the secretary to waive their requirements of IDEA , ” King said .
However , once disability rights advocates and parents got wind of it , they flooded congressional Republicans with complaints .
It was soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests that children ’ s rights are a hindrance to their own education , and that is nonsensical , ” said King .
“ This still continues to be a distraction from their fundamental responsibility to ensure the health , nutritional and educational needs of all children are met during this national crisis.
” “ We are working to provide schools with the flexibilities they will need to serve students throughout this national emergency , ” said Education Department spokesperson Morabito in a statement .
At least 95,000 public and private schools have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , affecting about 44 million students , according to EdWeek .
Most schools have continued providing virtual academics , but some have struggled to provide education for disabled students .
Previous guidance from the U.S. Department of Education said that schools are not required to provide IDEA services if they close to stop the spread of COVID-19 and do not provide any services to other students .
“ The first things [ schools ] are thinking of is ‘ Are we going to get ourselves in trouble ?
’ ” Phyllis Wolfram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Administrators of Special Education , previously told EdWeek .
“ No one is going to hold schools to the standard of what was happening before [ in classrooms ] .
This is a crisis .
People recognize that .
But schools can ’ t just do nothing .
They need to do what they can do , ” Rollin said .

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Advocates of disabled children are sounding the alarm on Senate Republicans’ proposed “Phase 3” coronavirus stimulus package, saying that it may eventually give the government power to absolve schools of at least some of their legal obligation to educate students with disabilities.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal education law that governs special education, schools are required to provide an equal education for students with disabilities. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federally funded programs are prohibited from discriminating based on disability.
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However, the new Senate package, which still has to be passed by Congress, says Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos can soon tell Congress whether or not she thinks schools should be temporarily exempt from some of these requirements.
The proposal says that within 30 days of its enactment, DeVos should prepare a report for Senate committees “with recommendations on any additional waivers the Secretary believes are necessary to be enacted into law … to provide limited flexibility to States and local educational agencies to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.”
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks at a Senate subcommittee hearing. Michael Brochstein / Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Civil rights advocates are calling the provision shameful, saying Republicans are using the complicated crisis as an opportunity to potentially scale back some protections for vulnerable groups. As of the 2017-2018 school year, 7 million students ― or 14% of all children ages 3 to 21 ― received special education services under IDEA, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
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“It’s people using the coronavirus crisis basically to get what they want anyway in terms of weakening civil rights protections for vulnerable children. It’s just sad,” said Miriam Rollin, director of the Education Civil Rights Alliance at the National Center for Youth Law.
Earlier discussions about the legislation went even further, said Liz King, director of Education Policy for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. According to reports she heard of those efforts, states would be given the freedom “to request permission from the secretary to waive their requirements of IDEA,” King said. However, once disability rights advocates and parents got wind of it, they flooded congressional Republicans with complaints. It was soon scaled back.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the earlier discussions.
The current version “suggests that children’s rights are a hindrance to their own education, and that is nonsensical,” said King. “This still continues to be a distraction from their fundamental responsibility to ensure the health, nutritional and educational needs of all children are met during this national crisis.”
A spokeswoman for Betsy DeVos pushed back, saying, “The Department takes seriously its responsibility to protect the rights of all students.”
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“We are working to provide schools with the flexibilities they will need to serve students throughout this national emergency,” said Education Department spokesperson Morabito in a statement.
At least 95,000 public and private schools have shut down in an effort to combat coronavirus, affecting about 44 million students, according to EdWeek. Most schools have continued providing virtual academics, but some have struggled to provide education for disabled students. Previous guidance from the U.S. Department of Education said that schools are not required to provide IDEA services if they close to stop the spread of COVID-19 and do not provide any services to other students.
Indeed, some districts have admitted to struggling amid equity concerns. If they don’t serve children with disabilities equitably, they run the risk of violating federal law.
“The first things [schools] are thinking of is ‘Are we going to get ourselves in trouble?’” Phyllis Wolfram, the executive director of the Council of Administrators of Special Education, previously told EdWeek.
But Rollin says potentially exempting schools from civil rights law would send the wrong signal, giving schools cover to do nothing.
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huffpost--2020-03-20--Tucker Carlson: If Allegations Against Sen. Richard Burr Are True, 'He Must Resign'

He didn ’ t give a prime time address .
He didn ’ t go on television to sound the @ @ @ @ @ t even disavow an op-ed he ’ d written just 10 days before claiming America @ @ @ @ @ better prepared than ever for coronavirus.′ He didn ’ t do any of those things @ @ @ @ @ he do ?
He dumped his shares in hotel stocks so he wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ he stayed silent .

He didn’t give a prime time address. He didn’t go on television to sound the alarm. He didn’t even disavow an op-ed he’d written just 10 days before claiming America was, quote, ’better prepared than ever for coronavirus.′ He didn’t do any of those things. Instead, what did he do? He dumped his shares in hotel stocks so he wouldn’t lose money. And then he stayed silent.


huffpost--2020-04-07--Trump Has Already Ousted The Top Coronavirus Response Watchdog

Drew Angerer via Getty Images Glenn Fine , a former Justice Department inspector general who was serving as acting inspector general at the Pentagon , was set to lead oversight of the government ’ s coronavirus response .
Trump made that impossible on Tuesday morning .
President Donald Trump removed the inspector general set to probe corruption and provide oversight of the government ’ s massive response to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday , the latest sign of his disdain for any oversight of his administration .
The $ 2 trillion coronavirus response law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel of 10 inspectors general to serve as watchdogs as the government tries to limit fraud , wrongdoing and mismanagement .
That panel , dubbed the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee , selected Glenn Fine — who was the acting Pentagon inspector general and is a former Justice Department inspector general — to lead them .
But on Tuesday , Trump removed Fine from his job as acting Pentagon inspector general , making him no longer eligible to lead the panel under the law .
Trump named Sean O ’ Donnell , the inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill the acting role at the Pentagon as well .
The move , which was sharply condemned by congressional Democrats , illustrates how Trump is bucking against any government oversight of his administration ’ s response to the pandemic , which has come under fire for its delays and disorganization .
Nearly 11,000 Americans have died as a result of the pandemic , and economists believe the unemployment rate is likely to hit double digits .
Trump has spent the past week raging against inspectors general throughout government .
He fired the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Atkinson , on Friday night , still angry over Atkinson ’ s handling on the whistleblower complaint that led to Trump ’ s impeachment .
Earlier this week , he questioned the independence of the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services after the watchdog released a report revealing supply shortages and testing delays at hospitals responding to the pandemic .
Trump complained , without any basis , that the report was wrong and the top watchdog at HHS , Principal Deputy Inspector General Christi Grimm , was biased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero ethical credibility ; this is clearly a move to help his cronies get richer at taxpayer expense , ” said New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney , who chairs the House Oversight Committee , on Twitter .
“ So let me be clear : Congress is a co-equal branch of government .
The laws we pass must be obeyed .
This is far from over.
” Donald Trump has zero ethical credibility ; this is clearly a move to help his cronies get richer at taxpayer expense .
So let me be clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
The laws we pass must be obeyed .
This is far from over .
https : //t.co/n8wHefcoR8 — Carolyn B. Maloney ( @ CarolynBMaloney ) April 7 , 2020 Fine , a career civil servant , spent 11 years as the Justice Department ’ s inspector general , covering the Clinton , Bush and Obama administrations .
He ’ s been the acting inspector general for the Pentagon for the past four years , and will stay in the job as top deputy inspector general at the Defense Department .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three portions of the coronavirus law designed to provide oversight of the biggest spending law in American history , along with a congressional oversight committee and a special inspector general to oversee a $ 500 billion Treasury Department fund designed to rescue flailing industries .
Trump nominated Brian Miller , a White House aide and former Bush administration inspector general , to fill the latter role .
Only one member of the Congressional Oversight Commission has been named so far : Schumer named Bharat Ramamurti , a former aide to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will all get their own picks , and Pelosi and McConnell will jointly select the fifth member of the commission .
On Tuesday , Ramamurti said it was crucial for the oversight commission to start its work as soon as possible .
“ The congressional oversight commission is the one oversight body in the CARES Act that Trump can ’ t undermine directly , ” he wrote on Twitter about Fine ’ s dismissal .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it up and running quickly and for it to demand full cooperation from the administration .
”

Glenn Fine, a former Justice Department inspector general who was serving as acting inspector general at the Pentagon, was set to lead oversight of the government’s coronavirus response. Trump made that impossible on Tuesday morning. Drew Angerer via Getty Images
President Donald Trump removed the inspector general set to probe corruption and provide oversight of the government’s massive response to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, the latest sign of his disdain for any oversight of his administration.
The $2 trillion coronavirus response law, passed last month, set up a panel of 10 inspectors general to serve as watchdogs as the government tries to limit fraud, wrongdoing and mismanagement. That panel, dubbed the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, selected Glenn Fine — who was the acting Pentagon inspector general and is a former Justice Department inspector general — to lead them.
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But on Tuesday, Trump removed Fine from his job as acting Pentagon inspector general, making him no longer eligible to lead the panel under the law. Trump named Sean O’Donnell, the inspector general of the Environmental Protection Agency, to fill the acting role at the Pentagon as well.
The move, which was sharply condemned by congressional Democrats, illustrates how Trump is bucking against any government oversight of his administration’s response to the pandemic, which has come under fire for its delays and disorganization. Nearly 11,000 Americans have died as a result of the pandemic, and economists believe the unemployment rate is likely to hit double digits.
Trump has spent the past week raging against inspectors general throughout government. He fired the intelligence community’s inspector general, Michael Atkinson, on Friday night, still angry over Atkinson’s handling on the whistleblower complaint that led to Trump’s impeachment.
Earlier this week, he questioned the independence of the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services after the watchdog released a report revealing supply shortages and testing delays at hospitals responding to the pandemic. Trump complained, without any basis, that the report was wrong and the top watchdog at HHS, Principal Deputy Inspector General Christi Grimm, was biased against him.
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Democrats attacked Trump’s decision as politically motivated.
“Donald Trump has zero ethical credibility; this is clearly a move to help his cronies get richer at taxpayer expense,” said New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, on Twitter. “So let me be clear: Congress is a co-equal branch of government. The laws we pass must be obeyed. This is far from over.”
Donald Trump has zero ethical credibility; this is clearly a move to help his cronies get richer at taxpayer expense.
So let me be clear: Congress is a co-equal branch of government. The laws we pass must be obeyed.
This is far from over. https://t.co/n8wHefcoR8 — Carolyn B. Maloney (@CarolynBMaloney) April 7, 2020
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, another New York Democrat, called the move “corrupt” and said Trump is “so clearly afraid of strong oversight.”
Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley, a longtime supporter of government oversight and whistleblowers, gently suggested Trump cease his attacks on inspectors general.
“I encourage Pres Trump 2view IGs as helpers 2hold bureaucracy accountable+draining swamp,” Grassley wrote in his trademark Twitter patter.
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I encourage Pres Trump 2view IGs as helpers 2hold bureaucracy accountable+draining swamp. We all work to solve problems Esp in unprecedented pandemic, IG reports shld be viewed as a TO DO list & not criticism. Admin is quickly fixing problems that existed going back to Obama/Bush — ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 7, 2020
Fine, a career civil servant, spent 11 years as the Justice Department’s inspector general, covering the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations. He’s been the acting inspector general for the Pentagon for the past four years, and will stay in the job as top deputy inspector general at the Defense Department.
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee is one of three portions of the coronavirus law designed to provide oversight of the biggest spending law in American history, along with a congressional oversight committee and a special inspector general to oversee a $500 billion Treasury Department fund designed to rescue flailing industries. Trump nominated Brian Miller, a White House aide and former Bush administration inspector general, to fill the latter role.
Only one member of the Congressional Oversight Commission has been named so far: Schumer named Bharat Ramamurti, a former aide to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, to the panel on Monday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will all get their own picks, and Pelosi and McConnell will jointly select the fifth member of the commission.
On Tuesday, Ramamurti said it was crucial for the oversight commission to start its work as soon as possible.
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huffpost--2020-04-07--Everyone's Making Sourdough Bread Now. Here's How To Do It.

For those leading busy lives , making sourdough bread likely had been seen as requiring more trouble than it was worth .
You have to either make or acquire a sourdough starter , feed it like you would a baby and care for it with close attention .
But now that most of us are locked inside our homes due to the coronavirus pandemic , it seems everyone is making it .
Sourdough is more appealing than ever , providing the perfect use of ample time and a delicious result to feast on .
Here ’ s what you need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient .
And understand what you ’ re about to make .
Day 1 : Make the initial starter by combining equal parts flour and water .
Note : Discarding a portion of the starter does three things : it maintains a nice flavor by reducing acidity , provides a small colony of yeast with lots of fresh food and keeps your starter from getting too big .
If you feel like it ’ s a waste of flour , “ you can go ahead and toss it right into something else , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sourdough cookie , pizza , cake and loaf recipes on her highlighted stories on Instagram , all of which use the day ’ s discard .
Days 3-7 : Continue feeding your starter every 24 hours while looking out for signs of activity .
Most of the things you might worry about are probably normal , she said .
Weird smells will probably start to normalize in Week 2 , when the pH rises in the starter and kills off bad microbes .
If you see alcohol or water forming on the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast and should be fed more frequently .
Try every 12 hours and see if you start to see more activity .
The “ float test ” can tell you if the starter is ready for baking .
If you ’ re seeing a lot of activity in your starter , you can use the float test to determine if it ’ s ready to go .
Wet your fingers and grab a small amount of starter and drop it into a bowl of cool water .
If it floats , it means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starter and producing enough gas to act as a leaven in your bread .
If it doesn ’ t float , it ’ s either too early or too late , Jensen said .
Keep feeding it every 24 hours and observe it as closely as you can .
If you see big bubbles ― and a dimple forming on top ― that probably means it ’ s at its peak , so make sure to test it right away .
Once the starter is established , it will pretty much last forever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day if you plan to regularly bake bread , but otherwise just keep it in the fridge with a loose-fitting lid .
Even if the starter goes dormant , you can bring it back with regular feedings a few days before you plan to bake bread .

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For those leading busy lives, making sourdough bread likely had been seen as requiring more trouble than it was worth. You have to either make or acquire a sourdough starter, feed it like you would a baby and care for it with close attention. But now that most of us are locked inside our homes due to the coronavirus pandemic, it seems everyone is making it. Sourdough is more appealing than ever, providing the perfect use of ample time and a delicious result to feast on.
Ilana Freddye Two finished loaves of beautiful sourdough bread.
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As popular and revered as it has become, sourdough has humble beginnings. Most food historians believe it was probably discovered when bread dough was left out too long and wild yeasts wandered into the mix, raising their bread into a lighter, crustier loaf that’s similar to what we know now.
Even these days, the process for making it remains relatively the same. It begins with a sourdough “starter”— a bubbly batter of cultivated microbes and wild yeasts that both flavors and leavens the bread. And while some bakers have starters that are years, if not generations, old, it’s fairly easy to make one at home. And it only requires two ingredients: flour and water.
“Bread was always made at home at some point before it got professionalized,” said Tara Jensen of Smoke Signals Baking. “And I think right now is a good time to honor some of those traditions.” She’s been posting daily tutorials on her Instagram account over the last few weeks on building a sourdough starter from scratch.
We spoke to Jensen for all the details on making a sourdough starter at home — and how to bake bread with it, too.
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Here’s what you need to get started.
Digital food scale
Any glass, ceramic, or food-grade plastic container that’s at least 1 quart in size (avoid metal ― the acids in the starter can react with it) with a loose-fitting lid
Spoon
Marker or a rubber band to mark the side of the container
1 5-pound bag of strong white bread flour
Water
First, be patient. And understand what you’re about to make.
It can take anywhere from five to 14 days to build a starter from scratch.
Once your starter is active, it will last you a lifetime. But it takes a little patience and attention in the beginning.
“What we’re trying to cultivate in those first two weeks is a good combination of wild yeast and lactobacilli,” Jensen said. Lactobacilli creates a range of acids that bring that tangy sourdough taste and wild yeasts provide the rise. Daily “feedings” or “refreshments” provide fresh food and water for the microbes and help them develop.
The goal is to “train” the microbes to predictably digest what you’re feeding them. That’s why you want to be as consistent as possible with your ingredients, timing and temperature. “If you’re changing what you feed them or you’re forgetting to feed them regularly, there’s going to be lag time as they readjust,” Jensen said.
Ilana Freddye This is what a bubbling sourdough starter looks like.
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Do you have to use bread flour? Not necessarily, but it will give you the most predictable results with this particular recipe. If you can’t find bread flour, you can substitute with all-purpose flour, said Jensen, though you might want to adjust the ratio.
Her advice is to stay away from whole wheat or rye flour if you can, as these can ferment too quickly and change your results. And definitely avoid using any kind of gluten-free flour or other flour that’s not milled from wheat. Gluten is critical to building structure in the starter, trapping gas bubbles and ultimately leavening the dough.
Whatever you do, be as consistent as possible. Try to stick with one kind of flour if you can. And always weigh your ingredients. “This is a very forgiving process but it’s all about ratios,” Jensen said. “You may think you’re adding equal portions but you’re not.”
Day 1: Make the initial starter by combining equal parts flour and water.
Weigh out 100g white bread flour and 100g lukewarm water into a quart-size container. Stir with a spoon until no dry bits remain and let sit, loosely covered with the lid, at room temperature for 24 hours.
If you don’t have a lid, you can cover your container loosely with a tea towel or plastic wrap. Mark your container with either a marker or a rubber band — this will help you see if it’s risen or moved at all when you check on it the following day.
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Ilana Freddye An active starter in the beginning stages (left), and a very healthy active starter after eight days.
Day 2: It’s time to start feeding your starter.
Discard all but 50g of the initial starter from Day 1. Add 100g lukewarm water and 100g strong white bread flour. Stir to combine until no dry clumps remain. Cover loosely and let sit at room temperature for another 24 hours. You’ll repeat this feeding process for the next 3-14 days until the starter becomes active and mature. (See below for the signs to watch out for.)
Note: Discarding a portion of the starter does three things: it maintains a nice flavor by reducing acidity, provides a small colony of yeast with lots of fresh food and keeps your starter from getting too big. If you feel like it’s a waste of flour, “you can go ahead and toss it right into something else,” Jensen told HuffPost. She has sourdough cookie, pizza, cake and loaf recipes on her highlighted stories on Instagram, all of which use the day’s discard.
Days 3-7: Continue feeding your starter every 24 hours while looking out for signs of activity.
This is when it’s time to become observant. Look out for any signs of activity: a change in smell, small bubbles forming, or a rise above the line you marked on the container. By Day 3, you’ll likely see some signs of activity — but don’t be discouraged if you don’t. Just keep feeding it every 24 hours until you do.
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Jensen recommends taking notes between feedings. “In that way you can become your own expert on your own unique starter. The guidelines I set out are there as general rules but every time you think of it, try to check on it and see what it’s doing,” she said.
Most of the things you might worry about are probably normal, she said. Weird smells will probably start to normalize in Week 2, when the pH rises in the starter and kills off bad microbes. If you see alcohol or water forming on the top, it’s probably fermenting too fast and should be fed more frequently. Try every 12 hours and see if you start to see more activity.
The “float test” can tell you if the starter is ready for baking.
If you’re seeing a lot of activity in your starter, you can use the float test to determine if it’s ready to go. Wet your fingers and grab a small amount of starter and drop it into a bowl of cool water. If it floats, it means there’s yeast present in the starter and producing enough gas to act as a leaven in your bread. If it doesn’t float, it’s either too early or too late, Jensen said. Keep feeding it every 24 hours and observe it as closely as you can. If you see big bubbles ― and a dimple forming on top ― that probably means it’s at its peak, so make sure to test it right away.
Once the starter is established, it will pretty much last forever in your fridge. Keep feeding it every day if you plan to regularly bake bread, but otherwise just keep it in the fridge with a loose-fitting lid. Even if the starter goes dormant, you can bring it back with regular feedings a few days before you plan to bake bread.
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Once it’s active, you’re ready to bake bread.
Congratulations! You’ve built your starter and it’s time to put it to work. There are a lot of different styles of sourdough, but start with one that interests you and practice it, Jensen said. Her basic loaf recipe is on her Instagram:
Her advice? Don’t get too caught up in fancy equipment. Go ahead and use what you have.
Many recipes call for a banneton ― a special basket that helps bread keep its shape. But if you don’t have one at home, try lining a colander with a tea towel, she said. Just avoid terry cloth or you might get some fuzzies in your dough.
When it comes to baking, a dutch oven or combo cooker is your best bet. But “any kind of large pot with a lid that’s able to get up to 500 degrees” will work, she said. “If you have a pizza stone, you can put your bread on that and use a bowl as a lid.” The lid traps the steam released from the dough in the beginning of the bake ― which helps it rise.
A classic bread tin is also a good way to go, she said. “I know there’s been a big trend in being able to bake “bakery style” loaves in your home kitchen which is wonderful” she said. “But personally I’m really enjoying using bread tins and simple ingredients and a few tools. I think this is a nice moment to really embrace home baking and the flexibility we have at home.”