huffpost--2020-05-11--Coronavirus Live Updates: Read The Latest About The COVID-19 Outbreak

Schools in France will open to students today .
However , they will have little in common with those shut prior to the coronavirus lockdown .
Under strict protocols imposed by the government , parents will need to take the temperature of their children before arriving at school , lesson times will be staggered to avoid student contact , and class sizes will be limited to allow for a meter ( 3.2 feet ) spacing between desks .
HuffPost France reports ( in French ) that teachers have also voiced concerns over how they will teach lessons while wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of a face covering is essential “ when the rules of social distancing may not be respected.
” “ Teachers have multiple tools to do their jobs .
They have intellectual resources , like knowledge ; materials , such as paintings , pens and notebooks .
But they also have their voices , their looks , and all the facial expressions , ” said Françoise Lantheaume , a sociologist and professor in educational sciences .
Coronavirus has killed more than 26,000 people in France , the world ’ s fifth-highest toll behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Spain .
Deaths in the country on Monday were almost four times higher than Sunday , and new confirmed cases more than doubled over 24 hours , as it started unwinding an almost two-month national lockdown .
Western States Pact Ask For $ 1 Trillion In Federal Aid ― 5/22/2020 , 7:20 p.m .
ET The Western States Pact , a five-state alliance formed in response to the coronavirus pandemic , is asking the federal government to provide $ 1 trillion in relief aid across all states to help their economies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada , Oregon and Washington ― wrote in a letter to congressional leaders Monday that state and local leaders need the funding to “ preserve core government services like public health , public safety , public education and help people get back to work .
It would help our states and cities come out of this crisis stronger and more resilient.
” The request comes as Congress debates how much money to provide in such aid .
Though Democrats have largely pushed for more , Republicans are divided on whether to expand on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states and cities that Congress approved in March .
U.S. Death Toll From Coronavirus Passes 80,000 — 5/11/20 , 4:45 p.m .
ET More than 80,000 people have officially died from COVID-19 in the United States , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The U.S. continues to lead the world in confirmed coronavirus cases , with more than 1.3 million as of Monday .
Last month , President Donald Trump estimated that the U.S. death toll from the virus would reach 60,000 .
Just over a week later , the number of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has urged states to reopen businesses over the last several weeks , and many have begun to do so .
Public health experts have warned that reopening too soon could lead to a surge in cases .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) marked “ a new phase ” in the state ’ s COVID-19 response , laying out a phased reopening plan by region that will begin Friday , when the state ’ s stay-at-home order is set to expire .
Each region will have to meet seven metrics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline in cases , sufficient hospital capacity and enough testing and tracing per capita .
The regional approach is a contrast from Cuomo ’ s previous insistence that COVID-19 measures should be statewide .
Businesses will reopen in four phases , with hotels , restaurants and schools as well and arts , entertainment and recreational facilities among the last that will be allowed to resume operations , Cuomo said .
Some will be exempted , such as landscaping , gardening , any “ low-risk outdoor ” activities , drive-in movie theaters and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contactless or curbside pickup or delivery .
Over the last few weeks , the number of new COVID-19 cases has consistently declined in the state , which has had by far the most cases in the United States .
Cuomo tried to contrast the reopening plan with that of other states , where governors have begun to reopen businesses even as cases in their states continue to rise , unlike in New York .
As HuffPost ’ s Michael Hobbes reported , these metrics-based reopening approaches can be fairly suspect and do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially given the possibility of a second wave of infections .
Disney Reopens Shanghai ’ s Disneyland , With Strict Controls — 5/11/20 , 11:39 a.m .
ET Shanghai ’ s Disneyland on Monday became the first Disney park to reopen since the coronavirus began spreading in January , serving as a test for the entertainment giant as it assesses when to reopen parks worldwide .
The park is operating at 30 % capacity with strict entry controls , including temperature checks and use of the Chinese government ’ s QR code tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by assigning each individual green , yellow or red designations based on their health and how much they ’ ve interacted with people who tested positive or were exposed to the virus .
Read more from the Associated Press .
UK Movie Theaters Won ’ t Reopen Until At Least July 4 — 5/11/20 , 11:17 a.m .
ET Officials in the United Kingdom don ’ t expect movie theaters to reopen until July 4 at the earliest , according to a COVID-19 reopening plan announced Monday .
The plan puts movie theaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses , which will be among the last to reopen .
The category also includes restaurants , pubs , hair salons , religious facilities and other enclosed places where it would be difficult to practice social distancing .
Many of these businesses may not be prepared to reopen until even later , the U.K. government said .
“ Some venues which are , by design , crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point , or may be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan read .
Most theater chains around the world remain closed due to the pandemic .
Hollywood executives have been aiming for an early July reopening , ahead of the July 17 premiere of Christopher Nolan ’ s “ Tenet.
” The action thriller is slated to be the first major blockbuster remaining on the movie calendar to be released , as most other spring and summer movies were pushed back — but even that date seems optimistic .
South Korea Donates 2 Million Face Masks To U.S. — 5/11/2020 , 3:58 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign ministry said Sunday that it had donated 2 million face masks to the United States , in a show of “ support for our ally.
” The masks were set to arrive in America on Monday aboard a U.S. cargo flight , the ministry said , per South Korea ’ s Yonhap News Agency .
Harry Harris , the U.S. ambassador to South Korea , thanked the country on Twitter for the shipment .
“ Our alliance and friendship are as vital and ironclad today as it was 70 years ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Out ‘ 5 Alert ’ Plan For Britain To Ease Lockdown — 5/10/20 , 2:30 p.m .
ET U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson has announced the country ’ s first changes to the coronavirus lockdown , which will come into force on Wednesday , but warned it would be “ madness ” to remove restrictions entirely this week .
Johnson said people will be permitted to do “ unlimited ” outdoor exercise , sunbathe , play sports with members of their household , and “ drive to other destinations.
” He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home will be “ actively encouraged ” to return to their jobs .
But in the pre-recorded speech to the nation on Sunday evening , the prime minister said that while some rules will be relaxed , fines for people who break the lockdown guidelines will be increased .
Johnson said some primary-age children could return to school by June 1 “ at the earliest.
” The “ phased ” reopening of shops could also be allowed at the start of next month .
Under the P.M. ’ s plan , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places could be allowed to reopen at the beginning of July .
A new alert system , similar to that used to monitor active terrorist threats , is being established to monitor the threat posed by the virus .
The U.K. is currently at level four of the five-tier system , just below the “ most critical ” threat .
The number of registered deaths from COVID-19 currently stands at 33,021 across the country .
Mnuchin : Actual U.S. Unemployment Rate ‘ Could Be ’ Close To 25 % — 5/10/20 , 12:15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week that the unemployment rate has hit a record 14.7 % , but Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that the actual rate could be closer to 25 % .
The latter figure would match the joblessness rate during the Great Depression , which is estimated to have peaked at 24.9 % in 1933 .
On “ Fox News Sunday , ” Mnuchin said the reported unemployment numbers would probably “ get worse before they get better.
” “ That ’ s why we ’ re very focused on rebuilding this economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ This is no fault of American business .
This no fault of American workers .
This is the result of a virus.
” White House Officials Killed Report On Reopening Country , Not The CDC ― 5/8/20 , 7:07 p.m .
ET It was high-ranking White House officials who made the decision to shelf detailed reopening guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , The Associated Press reported Friday .
AP ’ s findings conflict with claims by White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redfield did not approve the documents .
Emails obtained by the AP show that he did .
AP also found that CDC officials repeatedly inquired why the White House hadn ’ t posted their guidance , which included “ decision trees , ” a type of flow chart that would establish benchmarks for when communities can resume business as usual .
But the White House killed the documents for good on April 30 .
For earlier updates on the pandemic , go here .

Schools in France will open to students today. However, they will have little in common with those shut prior to the coronavirus lockdown.
Under strict protocols imposed by the government, parents will need to take the temperature of their children before arriving at school, lesson times will be staggered to avoid student contact, and class sizes will be limited to allow for a meter (3.2 feet) spacing between desks.
HuffPost France reports (in French) that teachers have also voiced concerns over how they will teach lessons while wearing a mask, with rules declaring that the use of a face covering is essential “when the rules of social distancing may not be respected.”
“Teachers have multiple tools to do their jobs. They have intellectual resources, like knowledge; materials, such as paintings, pens and notebooks. But they also have their voices, their looks, and all the facial expressions,” said Françoise Lantheaume, a sociologist and professor in educational sciences.
Coronavirus has killed more than 26,000 people in France, the world’s fifth-highest toll behind the United States, U.K., Italy and Spain. Deaths in the country on Monday were almost four times higher than Sunday, and new confirmed cases more than doubled over 24 hours, as it started unwinding an almost two-month national lockdown.
Read more here.
— James Martin
Western States Pact Ask For $1 Trillion In Federal Aid ― 5/22/2020, 7:20 p.m. ET
The Western States Pact, a five-state alliance formed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, is asking the federal government to provide $1 trillion in relief aid across all states to help their economies.
The pact ― California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington ― wrote in a letter to congressional leaders Monday that state and local leaders need the funding to “preserve core government services like public health, public safety, public education and help people get back to work. It would help our states and cities come out of this crisis stronger and more resilient.”
The request comes as Congress debates how much money to provide in such aid. Though Democrats have largely pushed for more, Republicans are divided on whether to expand on the $150 billion stimulus package for states and cities that Congress approved in March.
― Lydia O’Connor
U.S. Death Toll From Coronavirus Passes 80,000 — 5/11/20, 4:45 p.m. ET
More than 80,000 people have officially died from COVID-19 in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. continues to lead the world in confirmed coronavirus cases, with more than 1.3 million as of Monday.
Last month, President Donald Trump estimated that the U.S. death toll from the virus would reach 60,000. Just over a week later, the number of deaths surpassed his predicted figure.
The president has urged states to reopen businesses over the last several weeks, and many have begun to do so. Public health experts have warned that reopening too soon could lead to a surge in cases.
— Sarah Ruiz-Grossman
New York Unveils Phased Regional Reopening Plan — 5/11/20, 12:36 p.m. ET
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) marked “a new phase” in the state’s COVID-19 response, laying out a phased reopening plan by region that will begin Friday, when the state’s stay-at-home order is set to expire.
Each region will have to meet seven metrics for reopening, including a consistent 14-day decline in cases, sufficient hospital capacity and enough testing and tracing per capita. The regional approach is a contrast from Cuomo’s previous insistence that COVID-19 measures should be statewide.
Businesses will reopen in four phases, with hotels, restaurants and schools as well and arts, entertainment and recreational facilities among the last that will be allowed to resume operations, Cuomo said.
Some will be exempted, such as landscaping, gardening, any “low-risk outdoor” activities, drive-in movie theaters and restaurants or retail outlets that are already doing contactless or curbside pickup or delivery.
Over the last few weeks, the number of new COVID-19 cases has consistently declined in the state, which has had by far the most cases in the United States.
Cuomo tried to contrast the reopening plan with that of other states, where governors have begun to reopen businesses even as cases in their states continue to rise, unlike in New York.
As HuffPost’s Michael Hobbes reported, these metrics-based reopening approaches can be fairly suspect and do not always hold states and regions accountable, especially given the possibility of a second wave of infections.
— Marina Fang
Disney Reopens Shanghai’s Disneyland, With Strict Controls — 5/11/20, 11:39 a.m. ET
Shanghai’s Disneyland on Monday became the first Disney park to reopen since the coronavirus began spreading in January, serving as a test for the entertainment giant as it assesses when to reopen parks worldwide.
The park is operating at 30% capacity with strict entry controls, including temperature checks and use of the Chinese government’s QR code tracking system, which controls citizens’ movements by assigning each individual green, yellow or red designations based on their health and how much they’ve interacted with people who tested positive or were exposed to the virus.
Read more from the Associated Press.
— Marina Fang
UK Movie Theaters Won’t Reopen Until At Least July 4 — 5/11/20, 11:17 a.m. ET
Officials in the United Kingdom don’t expect movie theaters to reopen until July 4 at the earliest, according to a COVID-19 reopening plan announced Monday.
The plan puts movie theaters in the “high-risk” group of businesses, which will be among the last to reopen. The category also includes restaurants, pubs, hair salons, religious facilities and other enclosed places where it would be difficult to practice social distancing.
Many of these businesses may not be prepared to reopen until even later, the U.K. government said.
“Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part,” the plan read.
Most theater chains around the world remain closed due to the pandemic. Hollywood executives have been aiming for an early July reopening, ahead of the July 17 premiere of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet.” The action thriller is slated to be the first major blockbuster remaining on the movie calendar to be released, as most other spring and summer movies were pushed back — but even that date seems optimistic.
— Marina Fang
South Korea Donates 2 Million Face Masks To U.S. — 5/11/2020, 3:58 a.m. ET
South Korea’s foreign ministry said Sunday that it had donated 2 million face masks to the United States, in a show of “support for our ally.” The masks were set to arrive in America on Monday aboard a U.S. cargo flight, the ministry said, per South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
Harry Harris, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, thanked the country on Twitter for the shipment.
“Our alliance and friendship are as vital and ironclad today as it was 70 years ago,” Harris wrote.
— Dominique Mosbergen
Boris Johnson Sets Out ‘5 Alert’ Plan For Britain To Ease Lockdown — 5/10/20, 2:30 p.m. ET
U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson has announced the country’s first changes to the coronavirus lockdown, which will come into force on Wednesday, but warned it would be “madness” to remove restrictions entirely this week.
Johnson said people will be permitted to do “unlimited” outdoor exercise, sunbathe, play sports with members of their household, and “drive to other destinations.” He added that from Monday people who cannot work from home will be “actively encouraged” to return to their jobs.
But in the pre-recorded speech to the nation on Sunday evening, the prime minister said that while some rules will be relaxed, fines for people who break the lockdown guidelines will be increased.
Johnson said some primary-age children could return to school by June 1 “at the earliest.” The “phased” reopening of shops could also be allowed at the start of next month. Under the P.M.’s plan, some of the hospitality industry and other public places could be allowed to reopen at the beginning of July.
A new alert system, similar to that used to monitor active terrorist threats, is being established to monitor the threat posed by the virus. The U.K. is currently at level four of the five-tier system, just below the “most critical” threat.
The number of registered deaths from COVID-19 currently stands at 33,021 across the country.
Read more here.
— Ned Simons
Mnuchin: Actual U.S. Unemployment Rate ‘Could Be’ Close To 25% — 5/10/20, 12:15 p.m. ET
The Labor Department reported this week that the unemployment rate has hit a record 14.7%, but Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Sunday that the actual rate could be closer to 25%.
The latter figure would match the joblessness rate during the Great Depression, which is estimated to have peaked at 24.9% in 1933.
On “Fox News Sunday,” Mnuchin said the reported unemployment numbers would probably “get worse before they get better.”
“That’s why we’re very focused on rebuilding this economy and getting back to where it was,” he said. “This is no fault of American business. This no fault of American workers. This is the result of a virus.”
— Hayley Miller
White House Officials Killed Report On Reopening Country, Not The CDC ― 5/8/20, 7:07 p.m. ET
It was high-ranking White House officials who made the decision to shelf detailed reopening guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Associated Press reported Friday.
AP’s findings conflict with claims by White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who said Friday that CDC Director Robert Redfield did not approve the documents. Emails obtained by the AP show that he did.
AP also found that CDC officials repeatedly inquired why the White House hadn’t posted their guidance, which included “decision trees,” a type of flow chart that would establish benchmarks for when communities can resume business as usual. But the White House killed the documents for good on April 30.
― Lydia O’Connor
For earlier updates on the pandemic, go here.


huffpost--2020-05-11--Viral Video Sensation Known As The 'Double Rainbow Guy' Dies

MARIPOSA , Calif. ( AP ) — Paul L. Vasquez , the burly mountain man whose awestruck reaction upon seeing a double rainbow propelled him to internet stardom and turned him into a folk hero , has died in Central California .
He was 57 .
Vasquez , who called himself Yosemitebear on social media , died early Saturday at a hospital emergency room , the Mariposa County coroner ’ s office told the Modesto Bee .
The cause of death has not been released .
Vasquez had recently posted on his Facebook page that he had gone to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unspecified ailment .
In January 2010 , Vasquez posted on YouTube a video shot from his mountainside house of a set of rainbows overlooking the Yosemite valley .
He notes in the caption that the camera couldn ’ t capture the rainbows ’ intensity and brightness .
But that wasn ’ t what led to 46 million views of the video .
It was Vasquez ’ s reaction .
Over the course of the 3-minute video , he repeatedly said “ whoa , ” laughed and even sobbed as he marveled at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a double rainbow all the way across the sky !
” he exclaimed .
He went on to ponder : “ What does it all mean ?
” The video went viral that summer after talk show host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted about it , and it led to appearances on a number of TV shows and commercials for Smartwater , Microsoft and Delta Air Lines .
“ His ‘ Double Rainbow ’ basically wrote the book on what a viral video was , ” Vasquez ’ s friend , Robert Borchard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vasquez an “ amazing character ” who was always enthusiastic about the world .
In a 2015 interview with CNN , Vasquez said he was working as a Los Angeles County firefighter before moving in the mid-1980s to Mariposa , where he worked odd jobs and lived alone in a mobile home close to Yosemite National Park .
A cannabis grower and user , he said he wasn ’ t high when he shot the video .
He told CNN that his solitude allowed him to connect to nature on a deep level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could never understand .
“ You can ’ t look at a rainbow anymore and not think about me , ” he said .

MARIPOSA, Calif. (AP) — Paul L. Vasquez, the burly mountain man whose awestruck reaction upon seeing a double rainbow propelled him to internet stardom and turned him into a folk hero, has died in Central California. He was 57.
Vasquez, who called himself Yosemitebear on social media, died early Saturday at a hospital emergency room, the Mariposa County coroner’s office told the Modesto Bee.
The cause of death has not been released. Vasquez had recently posted on his Facebook page that he had gone to get tested for COVID-19 but learned about another unspecified ailment.
In January 2010, Vasquez posted on YouTube a video shot from his mountainside house of a set of rainbows overlooking the Yosemite valley. He notes in the caption that the camera couldn’t capture the rainbows’ intensity and brightness.
But that wasn’t what led to 46 million views of the video. It was Vasquez’s reaction.
Over the course of the 3-minute video, he repeatedly said “whoa,” laughed and even sobbed as he marveled at the sight of the rainbows.
“It’s a double rainbow all the way across the sky!” he exclaimed.
He went on to ponder: “What does it all mean?”
The video went viral that summer after talk show host Jimmy Kimmel tweeted about it, and it led to appearances on a number of TV shows and commercials for Smartwater, Microsoft and Delta Air Lines.
“His ‘Double Rainbow’ basically wrote the book on what a viral video was,” Vasquez’s friend, Robert Borchard, told the Bee. He called Vasquez an “amazing character” who was always enthusiastic about the world.
In a 2015 interview with CNN, Vasquez said he was working as a Los Angeles County firefighter before moving in the mid-1980s to Mariposa, where he worked odd jobs and lived alone in a mobile home close to Yosemite National Park.
A cannabis grower and user, he said he wasn’t high when he shot the video. He told CNN that his solitude allowed him to connect to nature on a deep level and gave him a freedom most people could never understand.
“You can’t look at a rainbow anymore and not think about me,” he said.


huffpost--2020-05-11--Newly Reopened Ice Cream Parlor Closes After Getting Mobbed By Impatient Customers

An overwhelming mob of customers at a newly reopened ice cream parlor led to the business immediately shutting down again and a teenage staffer quitting after she was subjected to an “ unyielding verbal assault ” from impatient patrons , the owner said .
“ In 19 years of operation this is the lowest feeling I have ever felt , ” Mark Lawrence , owner of the Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour on Cape Cod , Massachusetts , posted on Facebook Friday night .
The family-run business in the town of Mashpee had announced it would reopen for Mother ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing guidelines that would require customers to place their orders at least an hour in advance .
Customers turned on a 17-year-old employee , who had worked at the store for the past three years while saving for college , when she became overwhelmed with orders , Lawrence said .
“ She was met with an unyielding verbal assault with some of the most vulgar and disgusting words hurled at her , these shouldn ’ t be heard in a men ’ s locker room , never mind directed to a teenager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page set up for her .
“ In spite of this , she continued to work until the last ice cream was served and then turned in her apron , ” he added .
“ Asked why she didn ’ t tell me sooner of this behavior , she simply said she didn ’ t want to disappoint me or our loyal fans.
” Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour announced Friday that it would close to the general public in the wake of what happened .
It began serving to a smaller clientele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgotten how to treat other human beings in the six or seven weeks that they ’ ve been confined to their homes .
They have no clue how to respect other human beings , ” Lawrence told Boston station WFXT .
The GoFundMe page set up for the unidentified employee ’ s college savings account had raised more than $ 10,000 by Monday afternoon .

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An overwhelming mob of customers at a newly reopened ice cream parlor led to the business immediately shutting down again and a teenage staffer quitting after she was subjected to an “unyielding verbal assault” from impatient patrons, the owner said.
“In 19 years of operation this is the lowest feeling I have ever felt,” Mark Lawrence, owner of the Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, posted on Facebook Friday night.
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The family-run business in the town of Mashpee had announced it would reopen for Mother’s Day weekend and that its coronavirus-related social distancing guidelines that would require customers to place their orders at least an hour in advance.
Unfortunately, many people were not pleased with this request.
Customers turned on a 17-year-old employee, who had worked at the store for the past three years while saving for college, when she became overwhelmed with orders, Lawrence said.
“She was met with an unyielding verbal assault with some of the most vulgar and disgusting words hurled at her, these shouldn’t be heard in a men’s locker room, never mind directed to a teenager!” Lawrence wrote on a GoFundMe page set up for her.
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“In spite of this, she continued to work until the last ice cream was served and then turned in her apron,” he added. “Asked why she didn’t tell me sooner of this behavior, she simply said she didn’t want to disappoint me or our loyal fans.”
Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour announced Friday that it would close to the general public in the wake of what happened. It began serving to a smaller clientele the following day.
“People have forgotten how to treat other human beings in the six or seven weeks that they’ve been confined to their homes. They have no clue how to respect other human beings,” Lawrence told Boston station WFXT.
Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.


huffpost--2020-06-09--North Korea Cuts Off All Communication With South Korea

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) — North Korea said it was cutting off all communication channels with South Korea on Tuesday , a move experts say could signal Pyongyang has grown frustrated that Seoul has failed to revive lucrative inter-Korean economic projects and persuade the United States to ease sanctions .
The North ’ s Korean Central News Agency said all cross-border communication lines would be cut off at noon in the “ the first step of the determination to completely shut down all contact means with South Korea and get rid of unnecessary things.
” When South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korean counterparts via several channels after the North ’ s announcement Tuesday , the North Koreans didn ’ t answer , according to the South Korean government .
North Korea has cut communications in the past — not replying to South Korean phone calls or faxes — and then restored those channels when tensions eased .
North Korea has been accused at times of deliberately creating tensions to bolster internal unity or to signal its frustration over a lack of progress in nuclear talks with Washington .
South Korea ’ s liberal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea , said that cross-border hotlines must be maintained as they are the basic means of communication between the two Koreas .
The Unification Ministry said South Korea will strive to promote peace while abiding by inter-Korean agreements .
For years , conservative South Korean activists , including North Korean defectors living in the South , have floated huge balloons into North Korea carrying leaflets criticizing leader Kim Jong Un over his nuclear ambitions and human rights record .
The leafleting has sometimes triggered a furious response from North Korea , which bristles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
South Korea has typically let activists launch such balloons , citing their rights to freedom of speech , but has halted some attempts when North Korean warnings appeared to be serious .
In 2014 , North Korean troops opened fire at propaganda balloons flying toward their territory , triggering an exchange of fire that caused no known causalities .
Kim ’ s sister Kim Yo Jong called defectors involved in recent leafleting “ human scum ” and “ mongrel dogs , ” and she threatened to permanently shut down a liaison office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both in the North , as well as nullify a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement that had aimed to reduce tensions .
“ The North Koreans have been trying to find something they can use to express their dissatisfaction and distrust against South Korea .
And they ’ ve now got the leaftleting issue , so I don ’ t think we can simply resolve ( tensions ) even if we address issues related to the leafleting , ” said Kim Dong-yub , an analyst from Seoul ’ s Institute for Far Eastern Studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cold shoulder to Moon and suspended virtually all inter-Korean cooperation since a second Kim-Trump summit in early 2019 fell apart due to disputes over U.S.-led sanctions .
North Korea has urged Moon ’ s government not to meddle in its diplomacy with Trump and slammed Seoul for failing to break away from Washington and revive joint economic projects held up by the sanctions .
Critics of Moon ’ s engagement policy say North Korea had initially expected Moon to help it win sanctions relief but eventually got angry with him after Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handed .
How far Kim is willing to go in stoking tensions is unclear .
Some experts say he could take additional steps targeting South Korea , such as shutting down the liaison office or short-range weapons tests .
However , they say Kim may be reluctant to do something like stage a nuclear or missile test due to concerns it could completely scuttle diplomacy with Washington .

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said it was cutting off all communication channels with South Korea on Tuesday, a move experts say could signal Pyongyang has grown frustrated that Seoul has failed to revive lucrative inter-Korean economic projects and persuade the United States to ease sanctions.
The North’s Korean Central News Agency said all cross-border communication lines would be cut off at noon in the “the first step of the determination to completely shut down all contact means with South Korea and get rid of unnecessary things.”
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When South Korean officials tried to contact their North Korean counterparts via several channels after the North’s announcement Tuesday, the North Koreans didn’t answer, according to the South Korean government.
North Korea has cut communications in the past — not replying to South Korean phone calls or faxes — and then restored those channels when tensions eased. North Korea has been accused at times of deliberately creating tensions to bolster internal unity or to signal its frustration over a lack of progress in nuclear talks with Washington.
In its announcement, North Korea said Tuesday’s move was a response to South Korea’s failure to stop activists from floating anti-Pyongyang leaflets across their border.
“The South Korean authorities connived at the hostile acts against (North Korea) by the riff-raff, while trying to dodge heavy responsibility with nasty excuses,” KCNA said.
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A visitor carrying a South Korean flag uses binoculars to view the northern side at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, on June 9, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
South Korea’s liberal government, which seeks improved relations with North Korea, said that cross-border hotlines must be maintained as they are the basic means of communication between the two Koreas. The Unification Ministry said South Korea will strive to promote peace while abiding by inter-Korean agreements.
For years, conservative South Korean activists, including North Korean defectors living in the South, have floated huge balloons into North Korea carrying leaflets criticizing leader Kim Jong Un over his nuclear ambitions and human rights record. The leafleting has sometimes triggered a furious response from North Korea, which bristles at any attempt to undermine its leadership.
South Korea has typically let activists launch such balloons, citing their rights to freedom of speech, but has halted some attempts when North Korean warnings appeared to be serious. In 2014, North Korean troops opened fire at propaganda balloons flying toward their territory, triggering an exchange of fire that caused no known causalities.
North Korea began taking with issue with the leafleting again last week.
Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong called defectors involved in recent leafleting “human scum” and “mongrel dogs,” and she threatened to permanently shut down a liaison office and a jointly run factory park, both in the North, as well as nullify a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement that had aimed to reduce tensions.
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North Korea’s latest moves will further set back South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s push for inter-Korean reconciliation.
“The North Koreans have been trying to find something they can use to express their dissatisfaction and distrust against South Korea. And they’ve now got the leaftleting issue, so I don’t think we can simply resolve (tensions) even if we address issues related to the leafleting,” said Kim Dong-yub, an analyst from Seoul’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies.
He said the North Korean statement also appeared aimed at strengthening internal unity and signaling the North’s resolve not to make concessions in nuclear talks.
Moon, who met Kim Jong Un three times in 2018, facilitated a flurry of high-profile meetings between Pyongyang and Washington, including the first summit between Kim and President Donald Trump in June 2018.
But North Korea has increasingly turned the cold shoulder to Moon and suspended virtually all inter-Korean cooperation since a second Kim-Trump summit in early 2019 fell apart due to disputes over U.S.-led sanctions.
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North Korea has urged Moon’s government not to meddle in its diplomacy with Trump and slammed Seoul for failing to break away from Washington and revive joint economic projects held up by the sanctions.
Critics of Moon’s engagement policy say North Korea had initially expected Moon to help it win sanctions relief but eventually got angry with him after Kim returned from the second Trump summit empty handed.
How far Kim is willing to go in stoking tensions is unclear. Some experts say he could take additional steps targeting South Korea, such as shutting down the liaison office or short-range weapons tests. However, they say Kim may be reluctant to do something like stage a nuclear or missile test due to concerns it could completely scuttle diplomacy with Washington.
Some see Tuesday’s move as a sign that North Korea is feeling the pinch financially and that its already battered economy perhaps deteriorated further when the coronavirus pandemic forced it to shut its border with China, the North’s biggest trading partner.


huffpost--2020-06-09--How To Make Your Children Feel Safe During Difficult Times

“ First , we have the death of a huge icon , Kobe Bryant , and his very young daughter Gigi , then we have COVID-19 , which caused financial insecurity in many of the households in America as well as allowing for school , sports , virtually anything but quarantine , to be shut down , ” Redd explained .
“ Now , within a two-month time span , because of technology , we are seeing reality recorded in real time with the deaths of George Floyd , Ahmaud Arbery , etc .
Point is , all of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place all at once.
” Don ’ t be afraid to address it .
Kids often fear what they don ’ t understand , but they are very capable of processing difficult topics .
They just need to receive the information in a developmentally appropriate way ( i.e .
not through images of violence on the news ) .
Parents should know their own children ’ s sensitivities and how to present the issues of racism and police brutality in a manner that is educational and helpful , just as they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve talked to , especially white parents , will ask me , ‘ Isn ’ t talking about race supporting racism ?
And isn ’ t it true that talking to my child about race could harm them and bring my own burdens onto them ?
’ ” said Howard Stevenson , a professor of urban education at the University of Pennsylvania ’ s Graduate School of Education .
“ My reaction to this is that we often try to explain to very young children how to protect themselves should emergencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have scary conversations with them , but we do so in order to protect them.
” “ Knowledge is power , so the more you are prepared , the better it will be in the long run , ” Redd explained .
“ Modeling the behavior is good , too .
So for example , have role play where mom or dad is the cop and the kids are getting stopped .
You can then run through with them how to stay calm and remain safe in that situation .
It sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it is very necessary to combat what is happening now .
I would say these drills should start between 10-13.
” “ It ’ s OK for them to know that more work needs to be done and that we as a family and community are going to do our part to ensure our friends are considered , thought about and supported , ” said Austin .
She added that children can support fellow kids who may be experiencing fear by talking to them about it so that they feel less alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am so adamant about asking parents to not only talk about the issues we are facing right now , but also addressing the why and how we got here in the first place , ” she said .
“ Education on past history in America and not just in February should include the Black Americans that fought and built this country just as it includes our founding fathers .
”

skynesher via Getty Images It’s imperative to talk to children about difficult events they have seen or heard about.
When harrowing events like acts of police brutality dominate the national conversation, adults aren’t the only ones with emotional reactions.
Kids tend to pick up on the fact that something is going on, whether they catch glimpses of the news, overhear conversations between their parents or simply sense tension in the people around them. For many children, this can breed fear.
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Some children might already fear for their physical safety and feel triggered. Others don’t, but images of violence in the news can create a sense of confusion and fear.
“We as a country have been through a lot in the first half of 2020,” said Achea Redd, a mental health advocate and author of the book “Be Free. Be You.”
“First, we have the death of a huge icon, Kobe Bryant, and his very young daughter Gigi, then we have COVID-19, which caused financial insecurity in many of the households in America as well as allowing for school, sports, virtually anything but quarantine, to be shut down,” Redd explained. “Now, within a two-month time span, because of technology, we are seeing reality recorded in real time with the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, etc. Point is, all of that is a huge amount of change that took place all at once.”
It’s natural for children to be afraid in times of upheaval, so their caregivers should show love and support as they help them navigate tough topics.
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As people across the nation protest racism and police brutality, HuffPost asked Redd and other experts and parents to share their guidance for helping kids feel safe during difficult times.
Read on for their advice, which includes general guidance as well as tips geared toward children of different racial identities.
Limit their news exposure.
Most protests following George Floyd’s death have been peaceful, but many news broadcasts have focused on images of car fires, broken windows and acts of aggression against protesters. Video footage of Floyd’s death at the hands of police has also circulated across airwaves and social media. These images are upsetting and unhelpful to young children.
“Minimizing children viewing acts of violence on television is always a good idea,” said Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a pediatric mental health expert. “Children do not have the emotional maturity to understand what they are viewing, and this can cause not only emotional responses but can lead to aggressive behaviors.”
Nefertiti Austin, the author of “Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America,” echoed this sentiment. She said she believes it’s important to restrict the violence children see on TV to protect them emotionally.
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“I was watching the news this week, and my 7-year-old kept asking, ‘Why is the police car on fire? How did that happen? Why is it happening?’” she recalled. “I knew I had to turn the TV off because it was upsetting to her. Kids are taking this into their little souls, and we need to limit that.”
Don’t be afraid to address it.
Just because you’ve turned off the news doesn’t mean the matter ends there. It’s imperative to talk to children about what they have seen or heard, or they may fill in the blanks themselves and come to frightening or inaccurate conclusions.
Kids often fear what they don’t understand, but they are very capable of processing difficult topics. They just need to receive the information in a developmentally appropriate way (i.e. not through images of violence on the news). Parents should know their own children’s sensitivities and how to present the issues of racism and police brutality in a manner that is educational and helpful, just as they do with other topics.
“Having a conversation with children at different developmental stages will not harm children or their childhood, any more than giving the message before the plane takes off about [what to do] in case of an emergency will somehow cause the plane to crash.” - Howard Stevenson, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
“Many parents I’ve talked to, especially white parents, will ask me, ‘Isn’t talking about race supporting racism? And isn’t it true that talking to my child about race could harm them and bring my own burdens onto them?’” said Howard Stevenson, a professor of urban education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. “My reaction to this is that we often try to explain to very young children how to protect themselves should emergencies or crises arise. And so we will have scary conversations with them, but we do so in order to protect them.”
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Most parents talk to their young children about what to do in the event of a fire and tell them not to take candy from strangers to prevent kidnapping, which are both frightening notions, said Stevenson. But kids can handle difficult topics when parents are there to guide them with love and support.
“After having these conversations, children are most likely not going to be having nightmares of strangers offering candy and trying to kidnap them or that their house will suddenly burn up in flames,” he noted.
“But so many of these parents are more fearful that talking about race could damage their children’s childhood. There’s no evidence for this. Having a conversation with children at different developmental stages will not harm children or their childhood, any more than giving the message before the plane takes off about [what to do] in case of an emergency will somehow cause the plane to crash.”
Have open, age-appropriate discussions.
“The best way for parents to help children feel safe is to open up conversations and create that safe space for their children and teens to feel comfortable to ask questions,” said Capanna-Hodge. “Find out what your kid is thinking, talk, and reassure” your child when discussing issues related to safety or violence, she suggested.
Parents should be honest and use developmentally appropriate wording when talking about issues like racism, police brutality and safety with kids. For very young children, it may be best to avoid words like “killed” or “murdered” and just say that a man named George Floyd was hurt and treated unfairly by the police.
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It’s helpful to speak in terms of fairness and unfairness to convey that this is a systemic issue, rather than a matter of “a few bad apples.” Parents should also emphasize that there are many “helpers” ― people who have been working to combat injustice in their communities. Art, books and play are powerful tools as well.
“Parents can make their children feel safe by showering them with positive words and thoughtful parenting practices that can empower their children,” said Jennifer Keitt, a human behavioral consultant and author of “#StrongKids.” She suggested reading children’s books about race and diversity, expanding playgroups to include children of different races, and normalizing conversations about race and differences in everyday life.
These conversations also offer the opportunity to teach emotional intelligence. Parents talk about how it makes them feel sad and mad to see people hurting other people and other acts of injustice. They can encourage their children to understand and express their feelings of worry, and then work to soothe their fears.
“Acknowledge that sometimes when people are angry or hurt, they lash out,” Austin said of imagery that shows non-peaceful protest. “That doesn’t mean those people are bad. No one’s coming to get you. People are responding to systemic racism. Rioting is the language of the unheard. They’re reacting, and that doesn’t mean they’re bad.”
Help children of color feel empowered.
“Black parents can continue to make their children feel safe by empowering them with knowledge and information about growing up in a racially divisive country,” said Keitt. “For hundreds of years, Black parents have had to try and make their children feel safe in an extremely unsafe situation. Black parents can continue to use the power of their family relationships, the love and support of their communities, churches and extended family members to bolster the esteem and confidence of their children.”
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Redd noted that Black parents have long been forced to have “the talk” with their children to teach them how to survive encounters with police officers.
“Knowledge is power, so the more you are prepared, the better it will be in the long run,” Redd explained. “Modeling the behavior is good, too. So for example, have role play where mom or dad is the cop and the kids are getting stopped. You can then run through with them how to stay calm and remain safe in that situation. It sounds a lot scarier than it is, but it is very necessary to combat what is happening now. I would say these drills should start between 10-13.”
“For hundreds of years, Black parents have had to try and make their children feel safe in an extremely unsafe situation.” - Jennifer Keitt, a human behavioral consultant and author of “#StrongKids.”
Redd added that this guidance can also apply to non-Black people of color whose children also need to prepare to navigate a racially hostile world.
Another way parents of Black children can help them feel a sense of control (which promotes feelings of safety) is by highlighting things they can do to fight injustice in their communities and help people who have been doing this work for years.
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“It’s OK for them to know that more work needs to be done and that we as a family and community are going to do our part to ensure our friends are considered, thought about and supported,” said Austin. She added that children can support fellow kids who may be experiencing fear by talking to them about it so that they feel less alone.
Educate white children on the issues.
White children’s worries right now don’t center around being the next victim of police brutality, but they are likely picking up on the gravity of this moment and need guidance to develop understanding, rather than uncertainty and fear. This serves to help them feel safe and foster a society in which children of color feel safe.
“One of the many important pieces to this eliminating racism puzzle is education. I have a 4th and 8th grader, and it is abundantly clear that we can not depend on the school to educate our kids on the history as it truly happened in the past,” Redd explained.
“That’s why I am so adamant about asking parents to not only talk about the issues we are facing right now, but also addressing the why and how we got here in the first place,” she said. “Education on past history in America and not just in February should include the Black Americans that fought and built this country just as it includes our founding fathers.”
Austin advised white parents to seek out resources written by people of color, particularly Black mothers, to develop greater empathy.
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“We do this day in and out, checking our children’s temperatures emotionally,” she said. “We love them so much, and we just want to keep them safe, as any parent wants to keep their child safe.”
There are many books and other resources to help parents explain systemic racism to white children. These conversations aren’t always simple, but raising anti-racist children is a life-long commitment that parents must make to help effect change.
“Can you imagine this new generation coming up with white Americans who understand that Black Americans helped build this country and the Black Americans understand that this country is theirs, too, and them actually being treated as such?” Redd asked. “It would be life-changing and would solve a lot of problems that we are having right now because if one doesn’t know their history, they are bound to repeat it.”
Encourage kids to be upstanders.
Another way to make your child feel more in control in the face of injustice is to encourage them to be an “upstander” ― someone who recognizes when something is wrong and takes action.
“Kids often feel very powerless,” Austin said. “Teach what it means to be an upstander and how you can feel [safe] by being an upstander rather than a bystander.”
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Stevenson advocates the CLCBE method ― “a racial mindfulness approach called ‘Calculate, Locate, Communicate, Breathe, and Exhale’” ― to teach kids how to deal with racism or stand up for friends experiencing it. It involves understanding and identifying emotions in times of duress to make good decisions.
In addition to standing up for their peers, children can support other kids experiencing fear by talking to them about it so that they feel less alone, said Austin.
“You can say, ‘Some of your friends may feel afraid, too. Check on your friends. Ask how they’re doing,’” she suggested. “This will make the friend feel safer and the person initiating feel like they have some agency.”
Fundamentally, actions to help children feel safe should also promote actual safety in their communities.
“Making our children ‘feel’ safe is not the same as changing policy and hearts and minds of people so that they will actually BE safe,” said Keitt. “My hope is that America will become a place where we stop trying to feel change and actually become the change we wish to see in our country.”


huffpost--2020-06-09--Bernie Sanders Endorses Jamaal Bowman, Five Other Progressive Candidates For Congress

MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) is famous for his political independence and left-wing views , but he rarely endorses candidates taking on incumbent Democrats .
His support is the latest coup for Bowman , a Black middle school principal , who has hammered Engel for his absence in the district during the COVID-19 pandemic and leveraged the unrest over racist police practices to call for a change in leadership .
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D ) and several other prominent New York elected officials endorsed Bowman last week .
“ Jamaal understands that low-income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decent life due to a system that is rigged to benefit the wealthy , ” Sanders wrote in a Medium post announcing the endorsement .
“ He is someone we can trust to be a powerful advocate for a progressive agenda in Congress.
” We are in an unprecedented moment in American history , and now more than ever we must stand together in the fight for justice .
He is supporting Charles Booker , a Black Kentucky state lawmaker competing for the chance to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a housing rights organizer running for an open , safe Democratic seat in the Bronx ; Mondaire Jones , an openly gay Black attorney running for an open , safe Democratic seat in the New York City suburbs ; Mike Siegel , a civil rights attorney locked in a Democratic primary runoff race in Texas ’ 10th Congressional District , a GOP-held seat ; and Cori Bush , a registered nurse seeking to unseat Rep. Lacy Clay , a veteran Democratic congressman in St. Louis , Missouri .
Both Bush , who supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 10-term incumbent , are Black .
Sanders is the best-known and most influential left-wing politician in the country .
But contrary to his reputation as an independent gadfly , he rarely endorses candidates trying to unseat incumbent Democrats with whom he caucuses .
For example , he did not back Ocasio-Cortez , who had volunteered for Sanders ’ 2016 White House bid , in her successful 2018 primary run .
Sanders has also largely receded from the national stage since dropping out of the presidential race in early April .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not appear in Washington for a vote on a Senate amendment he supports that would have prohibited warrantless federal government spying on the internet .
But Sanders , who immediately sent a fundraising email for the six congressional candidates , indicated in the Medium post that the urgency of the national crisis over police violence and racism contributed to his decision to get involved in the races .
“ In order to continue our struggle for economic justice , social justice , racial justice and environmental justice , we must come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a progressive agenda , ” he wrote .
“ We are in an unprecedented moment in American history , and now more than ever we must stand together in the fight for justice.
” In addition to Bowman , Booker , a progressive competing in Kentucky ’ s Senate Democratic primary , has been gaining traction since the onset of the protest movement sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota .
That movement has been particularly energetic in Louisville , Kentucky , where police shot and killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-March .
During the recent protests , Louisville cops also shot and killed Black barbecue business owner David McAtee .
While he had previously struggled to raise campaign funds , Booker has been bringing in $ 100,000 a day since the start of June .
He is plowing that money into a $ 400,000 TV ad buy pitching himself as the candidate for the moment and criticizing retired Marine fight pilot Amy McGrath .
McGrath , who won the early endorsement of Senate Democrats ’ official campaign arm , has attacked McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposedly breaking with President Donald Trump .
Although New York ’ s 17th Congressional District , a swath of the Bronx and Westchester County that Engel has represented since 1989 , is one of the House seats hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic , Engel , 73 , spent the height of the outbreak in his home in an upscale suburb of Washington .
Bowman ’ s presence in the district , by contrast , helped him win the support of New York ’ s largest nurses union , an endorsement Engel incorrectly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Engel compounded the challenge of a white man representing a diverse district during a moment of national reckoning on race with a gaffe last Tuesday .
He was caught on a hot mic asking for a speaking slot at a press conference responding to looting in the Bronx .
To explain why he was so insistent on speaking , Engel said , “ If I didn ’ t have a primary , I wouldn ’ t care .
”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is famous for his political independence and left-wing views, but he rarely endorses candidates taking on incumbent Democrats. MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images
Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed progressive House primary challenger Jamaal Bowman and five other congressional candidates on Tuesday, adding another high-profile boost to Bowman’s effort to unseat Rep. Eliot Engel, a powerful New York Democrat.
Sanders, a two-time presidential contender, has a famously devoted fan base and immense capacity to raise small-dollar donations. The independent from Vermont rarely endorses candidates taking on incumbent Democrats.
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His support is the latest coup for Bowman, a Black middle school principal, who has hammered Engel for his absence in the district during the COVID-19 pandemic and leveraged the unrest over racist police practices to call for a change in leadership. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) and several other prominent New York elected officials endorsed Bowman last week.
New York’s congressional primary is on June 23.
“Jamaal understands that low-income families are locked out of opportunity and a decent life due to a system that is rigged to benefit the wealthy,” Sanders wrote in a Medium post announcing the endorsement. “He is someone we can trust to be a powerful advocate for a progressive agenda in Congress.”
“We are in an unprecedented moment in American history, and now more than ever we must stand together in the fight for justice.” - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
The five other candidates Sanders is backing include primary challengers and candidates in open races, Senate and House contenders, and longshots as well as legitimate competitors.
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He is supporting Charles Booker, a Black Kentucky state lawmaker competing for the chance to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Samelys López, a housing rights organizer running for an open, safe Democratic seat in the Bronx; Mondaire Jones, an openly gay Black attorney running for an open, safe Democratic seat in the New York City suburbs; Mike Siegel, a civil rights attorney locked in a Democratic primary runoff race in Texas’ 10th Congressional District, a GOP-held seat; and Cori Bush, a registered nurse seeking to unseat Rep. Lacy Clay, a veteran Democratic congressman in St. Louis, Missouri. Both Bush, who supported Sanders’ presidential bid, and Clay, a 10-term incumbent, are Black.
Sanders is the best-known and most influential left-wing politician in the country. But contrary to his reputation as an independent gadfly, he rarely endorses candidates trying to unseat incumbent Democrats with whom he caucuses. For example, he did not back Ocasio-Cortez, who had volunteered for Sanders’ 2016 White House bid, in her successful 2018 primary run.
Sanders has also largely receded from the national stage since dropping out of the presidential race in early April. Sanders disappointed some progressive activists in May when he did not appear in Washington for a vote on a Senate amendment he supports that would have prohibited warrantless federal government spying on the internet.
But Sanders, who immediately sent a fundraising email for the six congressional candidates, indicated in the Medium post that the urgency of the national crisis over police violence and racism contributed to his decision to get involved in the races.
“In order to continue our struggle for economic justice, social justice, racial justice and environmental justice, we must come together to elect candidates who will fight for a progressive agenda,” he wrote. “We are in an unprecedented moment in American history, and now more than ever we must stand together in the fight for justice.”
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Jamaal Bowman distributes food at a food bank in Yonkers, New York. His presence in the district helped win him the backing of an influential union. Jamaal Bowman for Congress
In addition to Bowman, Booker, a progressive competing in Kentucky’s Senate Democratic primary, has been gaining traction since the onset of the protest movement sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. That movement has been particularly energetic in Louisville, Kentucky, where police shot and killed Black EMT Breonna Taylor in her home in mid-March. During the recent protests, Louisville cops also shot and killed Black barbecue business owner David McAtee.
While he had previously struggled to raise campaign funds, Booker has been bringing in $100,000 a day since the start of June. He is plowing that money into a $400,000 TV ad buy pitching himself as the candidate for the moment and criticizing retired Marine fight pilot Amy McGrath. McGrath, who won the early endorsement of Senate Democrats’ official campaign arm, has attacked McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, for supposedly breaking with President Donald Trump.
But Sanders’ blessing is likely most significant in Bowman’s race to oust Engel, a 16-term incumbent who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Through a combination of Bowman’s dogged campaigning and a series of unforced errors by Engel, Bowman, 44, now stands the chance of becoming just the second progressive challenger this election cycle to unseat a more moderate Democratic incumbent.
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Although New York’s 17th Congressional District, a swath of the Bronx and Westchester County that Engel has represented since 1989, is one of the House seats hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Engel, 73, spent the height of the outbreak in his home in an upscale suburb of Washington. Bowman’s presence in the district, by contrast, helped him win the support of New York’s largest nurses union, an endorsement Engel incorrectly claimed to have received on Monday.
Engel, a domestic policy liberal with a hawkish foreign policy record, is a rare white lawmaker representing a district that now has more Black and Latino residents than white people.
Engel compounded the challenge of a white man representing a diverse district during a moment of national reckoning on race with a gaffe last Tuesday. He was caught on a hot mic asking for a speaking slot at a press conference responding to looting in the Bronx. To explain why he was so insistent on speaking, Engel said, “If I didn’t have a primary, I wouldn’t care.”
Engel’s remarks have already become the focus of an advertising campaign financed by the left-wing group Justice Democrats, which recruited Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez, and the Working Families Party.
Referring to Engel’s absence from the district, the narrator of one TV spot says, “Engel only came back to win reelection, to help himself ― to save his job, not our lives.”


huffpost--2020-06-09--What To Bake After Banana Bread: A Choose-Your-Own Adventure Guide

We had a good thing going there , banana bread .
All through the early days of sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic , you were our go-to baking project for so many reasons : You ’ re delicious , inexpensive , easy to make — and you helped us save food that would otherwise be going bad .
Even with all your virtues , though , it might be time to move on and expand our culinary horizons .
“ It ’ s really very easy to make , and there are no special ingredients needed — no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you don ’ t have buttermilk , you can make some with just milk and a little vinegar or lemon juice , ” blogger Shelagh Mullen told HuffPost .
“ When this bread is baking , the house smells glorious.
” Best of all , you don ’ t have to worry about long cooling times , because you can dig into this loaf straight out of the oven .
Banana bread starts with fruit that ’ s clearly past its prime , so why not extend that zero-waste philosophy to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce crisper to see if you have the less-than-fresh makings of an equally delicious baked treat .
“ This carrot cake loaf is easy to make , and it ’ s a great way to use up leftover baby carrots , ” blogger Dorothy Kern said .
“ Plus , loaves are just better , because they ’ re easier to frost , slice , eat and store.
” This recipe makes two loaves , so you can share one with a friend who needs a day-brightener .
3 .
Use the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s everything we love about blueberry muffins conveniently baked in a loaf pan , ” said Sally McKenney of Sally ’ s Baking Addiction .
“ Since there are no individual muffin tins to fill , the batter goes from the mixing bowl to the oven in minutes .
The crumbles add a delicious crust on top.
” 4 .
Try another bread with a healthy base ingredient With a fruit right there in its title , banana bread was virtue-signaling long before the superfood gang got famous .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with another healthy base ingredient , try this Applesauce Kitchen Sink Cake from culinary dietitian Sara Haas .
“ Because it ’ s made with whole grains , each piece leaves you feeling like you had a substantial snack , ” Haas said .
“ Plus , making this bread is a good way to use up that dried fruit or last teensy bit of nuts tucked away in your pantry.
” Her pro tip : Be sure to finely chop the dried fruit and nuts to ensure there ’ s a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Try another cake with a common ( but surprising ) household ingredient There ’ s nothing better than having a freshly baked treat on the kitchen counter , allowing you to take a sliver each time you pass .
While banana bread has been front and center on many counters for weeks now , you might want to try this made-for-snacking cake that uses a secret ingredient ― mayonnaise !
— in place of eggs or butter .
“ This is such a fun recipe that ’ s great for the times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blogger Sarah Peterson said .
“ Like a lot of old-fashioned recipes , it uses ingredients we probably all have on hand .
The recipe has been in my friend ’ s family for years , and it ’ s tried and true recipes like this one that I turn to whenever I want to bake something special.
” 6 .
If you want another cake that doesn ’ t require frosting ... As cake-like as it is , one of banana bread ’ s best qualities is that it doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bread stands on its own , too , although you can top with a simple glaze if you ’ d like .
“ It ’ s very easy to make , ” blogger Rosemary Molloy said .
“ You don ’ t need a mixer to pull it together , and it turns out moist and lemony.
” 7 .
A quick bread that has vegetables , but doesn ’ t taste like it If you ’ d like to make something that ’ s chocolate-level scrumptious but still starts with another favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chocolate Zucchini Bread from blogger Jennifer Segal .
It ’ s a delicious way to sneak in veggies and use up extra zucchini from your home garden .
“ It also makes the perfect afternoon snack when you ’ re in need of a chocolate fix , ” Segal said .
8 .
If you just LOVE bananas and can ’ t get enough Finally , if you ’ re still bananas ride or die , you might want to experiment with a change of format , just to keep things interesting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much , but sometimes I ’ m not in the mood for the standard loaf , ” blogger Jenn Quillen said .
“ This Banana Bread Cookie recipe fits the bill and then some .
Let ’ s get real , who doesn ’ t love cookies ?
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
We had a good thing going there, banana bread. All through the early days of sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic, you were our go-to baking project for so many reasons: You’re delicious, inexpensive, easy to make — and you helped us save food that would otherwise be going bad. Even with all your virtues, though, it might be time to move on and expand our culinary horizons.
Don’t worry, we’ll be back. But in the meantime, here are some new banana-bread-adjacent recipes that might be fun to flirt with now and then.
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1. Try another yeastless bread
Shelagh Mullen
Banana bread baking has boomed, in part, because it’s so easy to make. But for something just as easy, and even more versatile, try Irish soda bread.
“It’s really very easy to make, and there are no special ingredients needed — no yeast, no starter, and even if you don’t have buttermilk, you can make some with just milk and a little vinegar or lemon juice,” blogger Shelagh Mullen told HuffPost. “When this bread is baking, the house smells glorious.” Best of all, you don’t have to worry about long cooling times, because you can dig into this loaf straight out of the oven.
2. Another loaf that reduces food waste
Crazy For Crust
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Banana bread starts with fruit that’s clearly past its prime, so why not extend that zero-waste philosophy to other ingredients? Take a peek in the produce crisper to see if you have the less-than-fresh makings of an equally delicious baked treat.
“This carrot cake loaf is easy to make, and it’s a great way to use up leftover baby carrots,” blogger Dorothy Kern said. “Plus, loaves are just better, because they’re easier to frost, slice, eat and store.” This recipe makes two loaves, so you can share one with a friend who needs a day-brightener.
3. Use the same loaf pan to make a muffin-like breakfast
Sally McKenney
If it has bananas in it, it’s a breakfast food, right? If you agree with that philosophy, then add this muffin-in-a-loaf to your morning meal lineup.
“It’s everything we love about blueberry muffins conveniently baked in a loaf pan,” said Sally McKenney of Sally’s Baking Addiction. “Since there are no individual muffin tins to fill, the batter goes from the mixing bowl to the oven in minutes. The crumbles add a delicious crust on top.”
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4. Try another bread with a healthy base ingredient
Sara Haas
With a fruit right there in its title, banana bread was virtue-signaling long before the superfood gang got famous. If you’d like to bake something with another healthy base ingredient, try this Applesauce Kitchen Sink Cake from culinary dietitian Sara Haas.
“Because it’s made with whole grains, each piece leaves you feeling like you had a substantial snack,” Haas said. “Plus, making this bread is a good way to use up that dried fruit or last teensy bit of nuts tucked away in your pantry.” Her pro tip: Be sure to finely chop the dried fruit and nuts to ensure there’s a little of everything in every bite.
5. Try another cake with a common (but surprising) household ingredient
Sarah Peterson
There’s nothing better than having a freshly baked treat on the kitchen counter, allowing you to take a sliver each time you pass. While banana bread has been front and center on many counters for weeks now, you might want to try this made-for-snacking cake that uses a secret ingredient ― mayonnaise! — in place of eggs or butter.
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“This is such a fun recipe that’s great for the times we’re in now,” blogger Sarah Peterson said. “Like a lot of old-fashioned recipes, it uses ingredients we probably all have on hand. The recipe has been in my friend’s family for years, and it’s tried and true recipes like this one that I turn to whenever I want to bake something special.”
6. If you want another cake that doesn’t require frosting ...
Rosemary Molloy
As cake-like as it is, one of banana bread’s best qualities is that it doesn’t require any fancy frosting. This lemon bread stands on its own, too, although you can top with a simple glaze if you’d like. “It’s very easy to make,” blogger Rosemary Molloy said. “You don’t need a mixer to pull it together, and it turns out moist and lemony.”
7. A quick bread that has vegetables, but doesn’t taste like it
Jennifer Segal
If you’d like to make something that’s chocolate-level scrumptious but still starts with another favorite from the produce aisle, consider this Chocolate Zucchini Bread from blogger Jennifer Segal. It’s a delicious way to sneak in veggies and use up extra zucchini from your home garden. “It also makes the perfect afternoon snack when you’re in need of a chocolate fix,” Segal said.
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8. If you just LOVE bananas and can’t get enough
The Rebel Chick


huffpost--2020-06-09--Last Week, I Told My Black Son A Lie. I Hope He Never Discovers It's Untrue.

Courtesy of Christina Hale-Elliott `` Unlike my son , who has been permanently altered by the realizations of racism , I fear that our country will fall back into the convenient state of ambivalence and feigned ignorance , '' the author writes .
After spending the afternoon paying tribute to several of the recently murdered Black people in our country , I found my 9-year-old son crying profusely in his bed .
He was saddened by what had happened to each of the individuals whose names we had listed with chalk inside hearts adorning the sidewalk in front of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter ” and “ We all deserve to breathe.
” But in addition to being sad , my son was afraid .
Unlike many young children who fear the dark and the monsters that might be lurking in the shadows to attack , he feared the monsters who might be lurking to attack him because of his darkness .
With the recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery , Breonna Taylor and George Floyd , he now knows that his beautifully rich dark skin ― that reflects the strength of our ancestors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him at risk for being senselessly killed by those who see his mere visage as a threat .
I lied and told him that he did not need to worry .
I lied and told him that Mommy and Daddy would always protect him .
As I have done many times before , I also reminded him of the steps that he must always take to increase his chances of coming home alive should he ever be confronted by a police officer or a neighborhood vigilante .
But really , what I tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — of was that I will be able to keep him safe .
The truth is that I have known that was a lie since he was 2 years old and I heard the verdict in the trial of the man who murdered Trayvon Martin ( I choose to say the name of the unjustly slain instead of the unjustly freed ) .
At that moment , I knew that not only could I not guarantee my children ’ s safety , I also could not guarantee them justice .
The truth is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one being held by the grip of fear .
I feared ( and continue to fear ) that he will never experience the fullness of childhood — because , with each question posed about how and why those lives had been taken , I could hear his innocence dissolving .
He said it best when he plainly stated , “ I don ’ t think I ’ ll ever go back to feeling like I did before I learned about all the people who died.
” Yet even as I expand the seams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of innocence , I also fear that he will never experience the fullness of adulthood .
I fear that the panic of a 9-year-old child , viewing for the first time the world ’ s disdain for his body and his being , could in fact be a premonition .
The truth is that while uprisings and protests in response to these most recent killings feel somehow more galvanizing and more promising than anything I have witnessed before , coming at a time when so many of us are keenly aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , I fear that things will remain the same .
Unlike my son , who has been permanently altered by the realizations of racism , I fear that our country will fall back into the convenient state of ambivalence and feigned ignorance .
I fear that fingers will point towards individual assailants or individual systems without doing the painstaking work of first examining how every facet of our country ’ s infrastructure has been infected by the ills of white supremacy , and then doing the work of uprooting systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With all of the current anti-Black violence that has been making headlines , I recently took a quiet moment to allow myself to fully confront and accept the emotions that I had been holding within over the past weeks .
Lying on my bed with my hands on my belly to feel my breath , the sound of my children playing loudly and joyfully in the next room , I began to cry and think : But then I remembered the disproportionate rate of Black maternal and infant mortality in this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained or justified by educational or economic differences alone ( although those factors would lead us right back to racism as well ) .
I remembered the myriad other manifestations of institutionalized racism that endanger the lives and well-being of Black children , from the school-to-prison pipeline to housing discrimination and beyond .
That was when I realized :

"Unlike my son, who has been permanently altered by the realizations of racism, I fear that our country will fall back into the convenient state of ambivalence and feigned ignorance," the author writes. Courtesy of Christina Hale-Elliott
Last week, I lied to my child. It was a large white lie, the kind of lie that obstructs the truth under the pretense of good intentions, but within the labyrinth of its entangled roots resides a self-serving desire.
After spending the afternoon paying tribute to several of the recently murdered Black people in our country, I found my 9-year-old son crying profusely in his bed. He was saddened by what had happened to each of the individuals whose names we had listed with chalk inside hearts adorning the sidewalk in front of our home. The accompanying messages: “Black Lives Matter” and “We all deserve to breathe.”
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But in addition to being sad, my son was afraid. Unlike many young children who fear the dark and the monsters that might be lurking in the shadows to attack, he feared the monsters who might be lurking to attack him because of his darkness. With the recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, he now knows that his beautifully rich dark skin ― that reflects the strength of our ancestors and the history of human civilization ― puts him at risk for being senselessly killed by those who see his mere visage as a threat.
So what did I do? As he voiced his terror-driven unwillingness to venture outside of our home for fear that someone might mistake his Black Panther action figure toy for a gun and shoot him in broad daylight? I lied.
I lied and told him that he did not need to worry. I lied and told him that Mommy and Daddy would always protect him. As I have done many times before, I also reminded him of the steps that he must always take to increase his chances of coming home alive should he ever be confronted by a police officer or a neighborhood vigilante. But really, what I tried to convince him — and ultimately myself — of was that I will be able to keep him safe.
“Unlike many young children who fear the dark and the monsters that might be lurking in the shadows to attack, my son feared the monsters who might be lurking to attack him because of his darkness.”
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The truth is that I have known that was a lie since he was 2 years old and I heard the verdict in the trial of the man who murdered Trayvon Martin (I choose to say the name of the unjustly slain instead of the unjustly freed). At that moment, I knew that not only could I not guarantee my children’s safety, I also could not guarantee them justice.
The truth is that my son was not the only one being held by the grip of fear. I feared (and continue to fear) that he will never experience the fullness of childhood — because, with each question posed about how and why those lives had been taken, I could hear his innocence dissolving.
He said it best when he plainly stated, “I don’t think I’ll ever go back to feeling like I did before I learned about all the people who died.” Yet even as I expand the seams of my sorrow to now mourn his loss of innocence, I also fear that he will never experience the fullness of adulthood. I fear that the panic of a 9-year-old child, viewing for the first time the world’s disdain for his body and his being, could in fact be a premonition.
The truth is that while uprisings and protests in response to these most recent killings feel somehow more galvanizing and more promising than anything I have witnessed before, coming at a time when so many of us are keenly aware of our shared humanity as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic, I fear that things will remain the same. Unlike my son, who has been permanently altered by the realizations of racism, I fear that our country will fall back into the convenient state of ambivalence and feigned ignorance.
I fear that fingers will point towards individual assailants or individual systems without doing the painstaking work of first examining how every facet of our country’s infrastructure has been infected by the ills of white supremacy, and then doing the work of uprooting systems of oppression, reimagining and building anew.
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In the absence of that work, I fear that nothing will change, and I will eventually find myself telling this same lie to my two younger children as well.
“Really, what I tried to convince my son — and ultimately myself — of was that I will be able to keep him safe.”
With all of the current anti-Black violence that has been making headlines, I recently took a quiet moment to allow myself to fully confront and accept the emotions that I had been holding within over the past weeks. Lying on my bed with my hands on my belly to feel my breath, the sound of my children playing loudly and joyfully in the next room, I began to cry and think:
The last time you were safe was in my womb. In my womb, I could shield you from the world and the ugliness of white supremacy and hatred.
But then I remembered the disproportionate rate of Black maternal and infant mortality in this country. A disparity that cannot be explained or justified by educational or economic differences alone (although those factors would lead us right back to racism as well). I remembered the myriad other manifestations of institutionalized racism that endanger the lives and well-being of Black children, from the school-to-prison pipeline to housing discrimination and beyond. That was when I realized:
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The last time you were truly safe was in my dreams. In that ephemeral space of hope and possibilities where I imagined who you might be and the life that you might live.
So, with that realization in mind, when my son looked to me for answers last week in his moment of sorrow and trepidation, I lied. And it is a lie that I pray he will never discover to be untrue.
______


huffpost--2020-06-09--Progressive Charles Booker Unveils First Big Ad Buy In Race To Oust Mitch McConnell

Fourteen days before the state ’ s Democratic Senate primary , another candidate , Charles Booker , Kentucky ’ s youngest Black state lawmaker , is having a moment .
For weeks , he has been visible at the protests for Black lives in Louisville , a city that has been reeling over the deaths of Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old EMT whom police shot and killed in her own apartment , and David “ Ya Ya ” McAtee , a barbecue joint owner who was killed by law enforcement during the demonstrations protesting excessive police force .
Running to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Green New Deal , “ Medicare for All ” and a universal basic income , Booker has been raising roughly $ 100,000 a day since the start of June , after struggling to pull in cash for months .
On Tuesday , Booker ’ s campaign will go on the air in Kentucky for the first time with a $ 400,000 ad buy , to run over the next week .
The 30-second spot , titled “ Fighting for Real Change ” and airing in all Kentucky media markets , takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is shown saying , “ That ’ s going to be my message : the things Kentuckians voted for Trump for are not getting done.
” The text on the screen comes from a 2019 Courier Journal article headlined “ Amy McGrath challenges Mitch McConnell as a pro-Trump Democrat.
” ( She was referring to campaign promises once made by Trump — like lowering drug prices and bringing back jobs after the 2008 recession — that McGrath argues McConnell stood in the way of . )
Until now , Booker has faced an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tapped by Democratic leaders to run against McConnell after losing a high-profile congressional race against Rep. Andy Barr ( R ) in 2018 .
Because of her national profile , McGrath has raised more money than even McConnell in 2020 .
Her donors are focused on ousting the Senate Republican leader in the general election .
And her campaign has been aggressive in spending early with an eye on November , dropping $ 2 million on television ads in 2019 .
“ They are spending money like drunken sailors — both [ McGrath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t see how [ Booker ] overcomes that , ” said another Democratic strategist in the state , who asked for anonymity because of his affiliation with another candidate in the race .
“ It ’ s not a state that ’ s filled with Democratic primary voters that are that far left.
” But McGrath has had several stumbles in her campaign in addition to the “ pro-Trump ” label .
An attempt to tack to the center on policy has been poorly received among progressives nationwide and state Democrats .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
And , particularly compared to Booker , she ’ s been notably absent in the protests for Black lives .
Booker has received some major endorsements in the state recently .
Several of his colleagues in the Kentucky House have come out in support of him , including three members of the state Democratic Party ’ s legislative leadership .
Popular Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones , who himself considered a Senate bid , has thrown his weight behind Booker , as has the progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s little data on whether this momentum extends to the voters .
There ’ s been no public polling in the Democratic primary , where there are currently 10 candidates , and McGrath has always been favored .
National and state political observers all see it as an impossible contest to predict , particularly with the public health crisis around COVID-19 and the recent racial justice protests .
Kentucky has loosened restrictions on mail-in ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic , and it ’ s not at all clear how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s got to raise his named ID to win , ” said Jessica Taylor , with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report .
“ The primary could be engaging late because other things have been on voters ’ minds with COVID and what happened in Louisville .
”

Kentucky state Rep. Charles Booker is running to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November. Bryan Woolston/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Somewhat suddenly, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath’s bid to be chosen the Democrats’ candidate against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is no longer a sure bet.
Fourteen days before the state’s Democratic Senate primary, another candidate, Charles Booker, Kentucky’s youngest Black state lawmaker, is having a moment. For weeks, he has been visible at the protests for Black lives in Louisville, a city that has been reeling over the deaths of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT whom police shot and killed in her own apartment, and David “Ya Ya” McAtee, a barbecue joint owner who was killed by law enforcement during the demonstrations protesting excessive police force.
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Running to McGrath’s left, in support of the Green New Deal, “Medicare for All” and a universal basic income, Booker has been raising roughly $100,000 a day since the start of June, after struggling to pull in cash for months.
“A couple weeks ago [Booker] couldn’t afford an ad buy. A couple weeks ago he couldn’t afford a poll,” said Matt Erwin, a Kentucky Democratic strategist who is not affiliated with either the McGrath or Booker campaigns. “But the last couple weeks have changed everything.”
On Tuesday, Booker’s campaign will go on the air in Kentucky for the first time with a $400,000 ad buy, to run over the next week. The 30-second spot, titled “Fighting for Real Change” and airing in all Kentucky media markets, takes a direct swipe at McGrath.
“Kentucky needs a real Democrat who will take on Mitch McConnell,” Booker narrates before a clip of McGrath embracing parts of President Donald Trump’s agenda.
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McGrath is shown saying, “That’s going to be my message: the things Kentuckians voted for Trump for are not getting done.” The text on the screen comes from a 2019 Courier Journal article headlined “Amy McGrath challenges Mitch McConnell as a pro-Trump Democrat.” (She was referring to campaign promises once made by Trump — like lowering drug prices and bringing back jobs after the 2008 recession — that McGrath argues McConnell stood in the way of.)
Until now, Booker has faced an uphill battle against McGrath, who was tapped by Democratic leaders to run against McConnell after losing a high-profile congressional race against Rep. Andy Barr (R) in 2018. Because of her national profile, McGrath has raised more money than even McConnell in 2020. Her donors are focused on ousting the Senate Republican leader in the general election. And her campaign has been aggressive in spending early with an eye on November, dropping $2 million on television ads in 2019.
It’s a war chest that might be too big to overcome, especially just two weeks from primary day.
“They are spending money like drunken sailors — both [McGrath] and Mitch. I don’t see how [Booker] overcomes that,” said another Democratic strategist in the state, who asked for anonymity because of his affiliation with another candidate in the race. “It’s not a state that’s filled with Democratic primary voters that are that far left.”
But McGrath has had several stumbles in her campaign in addition to the “pro-Trump” label. An attempt to tack to the center on policy has been poorly received among progressives nationwide and state Democrats. She previously said she would have voted to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. And, particularly compared to Booker, she’s been notably absent in the protests for Black lives.
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Booker is making the pitch that she’s not the kind of Democrat who should be trusted to take on McConnell and the Republican Party.
“There’s a real question right now about whether this [primary race] is a foregone conclusion. This week it’s not,” Erwin said, noting that rumors of McGrath’s fall abound in Democratic political circles.
Booker has received some major endorsements in the state recently. Several of his colleagues in the Kentucky House have come out in support of him, including three members of the state Democratic Party’s legislative leadership. Popular Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones, who himself considered a Senate bid, has thrown his weight behind Booker, as has the progressive Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union.
But there’s little data on whether this momentum extends to the voters. There’s been no public polling in the Democratic primary, where there are currently 10 candidates, and McGrath has always been favored. National and state political observers all see it as an impossible contest to predict, particularly with the public health crisis around COVID-19 and the recent racial justice protests. Kentucky has loosened restrictions on mail-in ballots amid the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s not at all clear how many people have already voted.
“He’s got to raise his named ID to win,” said Jessica Taylor, with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. “The primary could be engaging late because other things have been on voters’ minds with COVID and what happened in Louisville.”
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Taylor noted that the same events that are making this race so hard to read may play to Booker’s advantage.


huffpost--2020-04-21--Here's How To Make IKEA's Famed Swedish Meatballs

Money can ’ t buy happiness , but it can buy you the ingredients to make IKEA ’ s famous Swedish meatballs .
The furniture retailer ’ s United Kingdom account tweeted the recipe for its meatballs and accompanying cream sauce on Monday , paired with illustrated instructions for a novice cook .
It ’ s a relatively simple recipe .
All a hungry chef needs to whip up some meatballs is some ground beef , ground pork , onion , garlic , breadcrumbs , eggs and milk .
The sauce ’ s shopping list includes butter , flour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cream , soy sauce and Dijon mustard .
Many people have taken to cooking and baking while in lockdown in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus , which Lorena Lourido , IKEA ’ s country food manager in the UK and Ireland , told People she knows “ can be hard.
” “ We want to help make everyone ’ s lives that little bit easier and more enjoyable , ” she told the publication .
Lourido also noted that this recipe is an “ at-home alternative ” to the meatballs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accessible ingredients , ” so while it might not be the exact ones the retailer makes , they ’ re pretty darn close .
Well , we have some grocery shopping to do .
Can ’ t wait to chow down .

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Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy you the ingredients to make IKEA’s famous Swedish meatballs.
The furniture retailer’s United Kingdom account tweeted the recipe for its meatballs and accompanying cream sauce on Monday, paired with illustrated instructions for a novice cook.
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It’s a relatively simple recipe. All a hungry chef needs to whip up some meatballs is some ground beef, ground pork, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs and milk. The sauce’s shopping list includes butter, flour, vegetable stock, beef stock, heavy cream, soy sauce and Dijon mustard.
(Americans will also have to do the necessary math to convert the U.K. measurements from the metric system.)
Missing your IKEA meatball fix? We’ve created a recipe for you to recreate this delicious dish in the comfort of your own home #IKEAmeatballs pic.twitter.com/d89lRsJxH7 — IKEA UK (@IKEAUK) April 20, 2020
Many people have taken to cooking and baking while in lockdown in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which Lorena Lourido, IKEA’s country food manager in the UK and Ireland, told People she knows “can be hard.”
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“We want to help make everyone’s lives that little bit easier and more enjoyable,” she told the publication.
Lourido also noted that this recipe is an “at-home alternative” to the meatballs they sell in-store and uses “easily accessible ingredients,” so while it might not be the exact ones the retailer makes, they’re pretty darn close.


huffpost--2020-04-21--Texas ER Doctor Self-Isolating In Kids' Treehouse

CORPUS CHRISTI , Texas ( AP ) — A South Texas emergency room physician has chosen a novel place to self-isolate as he ’ s treating patients with the novel coronavirus .
Dr. Jason Barnes made a temporary home of his children ’ s treehouse in the backyard of the family ’ s Corpus Christi home .
He is among many health care workers who are leaving their homes or or taking other precautions to protect their families after being exposed to the virus .
The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people , but for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
Barnes , a 39-year-old physician at Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville and Christus Spohn Hospital South in Corpus Christi , told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times that he has spent nearly three weeks in the cabin treehouse and often shouts down to his kids if he needs something — or sometimes walks up to the back picture window door of their home to make his request .
“ They ’ re within yelling distance , ” Barnes said .
“ But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass .
They know not to open the door and risk catching something.
” Of course , this self-isolation means his two sons , ages 6 and 9 , lose their playhouse .
“ They love that thing , but they understand , so they ’ re not missing the treehouse , per se , ” Barnes said .
“ They tell me they miss me once a day .
”

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — A South Texas emergency room physician has chosen a novel place to self-isolate as he’s treating patients with the novel coronavirus.
Dr. Jason Barnes made a temporary home of his children’s treehouse in the backyard of the family’s Corpus Christi home. He is among many health care workers who are leaving their homes or or taking other precautions to protect their families after being exposed to the virus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
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Barnes, a 39-year-old physician at Christus Spohn Hospital Beeville and Christus Spohn Hospital South in Corpus Christi, told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times that he has spent nearly three weeks in the cabin treehouse and often shouts down to his kids if he needs something — or sometimes walks up to the back picture window door of their home to make his request.
“They’re within yelling distance,” Barnes said. “But I can call or go up to the glass. They know not to open the door and risk catching something.”
Of course, this self-isolation means his two sons, ages 6 and 9, lose their playhouse.