huffpost--2020-03-18--Donald Trump’s ‘Chinese Virus’ Coronavirus Tweet Has Me Scared For My Family

Just before I climbed back into the car , after dropping bags of groceries at my parents ’ door and firmly declining an offer to come inside for a cup of tea , my mom stepped outside to wave goodbye to me .
My dad stayed behind the door watching us through its window .
I grabbed my phone and asked her to pose for a snapshot to send my sister an update about our successful social distancing in the face of COVID-19 .
Never one to shy away from a camera , my mom threw her head back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s always a surprise when people learn she ’ s almost 70 — she ’ s playful and vibrant , with the high cheekbones and beautiful skin often seen in Chinese women .
I always say I hope to inherit her agelessness to join the dark eyes and olive skin she gave me .
I drove away with tears in my eyes ; my desire to keep my parents safe overwhelming me .
I ’ m grateful they moved close to us years earlier , so I can take care of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet from Donald Trump in which he called COVID-19 “ the Chinese Virus ” ( the first of several times in recent days he ’ s done that and a term he defended at his press briefing on Wednesday ) .
My concern was no longer just about my mom ’ s vulnerability to the coronavirus .
Simmering worries I ’ ve had about our ethnicity became icy fear as I scrolled through the comments .
Trump ’ s language and the expected ripple effects feel very dangerous , even here in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the border have incited and inspired people to behave badly .
In the earliest days of the coronavirus , my mom underwent two-phase eye surgery at our local hospital .
No extra precautions were taken when she went in for the first eye , but two weeks later when we returned for the second , screening signs were placed throughout the waiting area and news of the virus had overtaken the media .
Headlines played in a loop on the television mounted to the wall above the rows of chairs filled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tension was palpable .
When she coughed , I could feel the eyes upon us immediately .
The furtive glances pushed me upright in my seat , ready to defend her if I had to .
I was sitting right beside her , but even with her coloring in my features , my Irish father ’ s genes made me separate .
And in that moment , being white-passing felt like letting her down when she needed me most .
My mom knew she wasn ’ t a threat — having not traveled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and knowing her intermittent cough is a side-effect of the blood pressure medication she takes — but for many people in that room she was .
Because of her cough , but also because of her ethnicity .
Growing up in a small , predominately white town in the 1980s , my sister and I were targeted and taunted by peers , and I often felt embarrassed by our parent ’ s interracial marriage .
I had to be walked to kindergarten every day by our neighbor ’ s son because a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at me while pretending to speak Chinese .
I suffered the terror alone for days before finally telling my parents , because I didn ’ t want them to feel at fault for what was happening to me .
Even when we visited our cousins from my mom ’ s side in a bigger city , we would face jeers while visiting playgrounds and swimming pools .
I felt great empathy for them , knowing they faced racism more often and perhaps more viciously than we did , because our biracialism kept us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When our younger cousin came to visit us , a neighbor kid threw her to the ground , shoved snow into her face , and called her a “ Chink.
” Overcome with rage and protectiveness , my sister and I pulled him off and chased him to the door of his house , where we were met by his unimpressed parents .
We went inside and confessed what we did to our father , worried that he ’ d find out about it eventually .
He didn ’ t waste a moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand up to people like that your whole life.
” Since moving from that town and growing older , my experiences with racism have been much more intermittent .
Living in a culturally diverse community has helped me fully embrace my biracialism and allowed me to honor my culture and teach it to my own children .
It has felt safe to be openly Chinese , and my children are proud of their heritage , too , sharing it with their peers and making presentations about it at school .
But I haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them about the racism we ’ ve experienced .
I remind them they are fortunate , thus far , to know it only by way of our stories .
They ’ ve listened to tales from my childhood and they know about my mother ’ s traumas , too .
In 1969 , she was a 19-year-old student who immigrated to England from Hong Kong , where she was born and raised , to attend a nursing college in a community hospital .
She was young , alone , and had no more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was placed directly on to the hospital wards , where she learned by watching and listening .
She had to navigate language and cultural gaps daily , and often heard racist insults from patients .
Over the past two months , since the coronavirus outbreak began making news , I ’ ve scrolled past countless articles with click-bait headlines and commentary that perpetuate stereotypes and prejudices against Asian people and set off xenophobic alarm bells .
The posts are being shared widely by strangers , but also by people I know .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ last name perhaps make it easy for them to forget that my family is Chinese .
We know that fear can lead to defensiveness and blame .
I can tell myself that Trump ’ s dog-whistle tweets are an attempt to distract from his administration ’ s failures in preventing and controlling the spread of the virus .
But I will not feel compassion for his fear , as he clearly lacks any for the fear his words have ignited in the Asian community ― or any concern about the very real and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspire in others .

Just before I climbed back into the car, after dropping bags of groceries at my parents’ door and firmly declining an offer to come inside for a cup of tea, my mom stepped outside to wave goodbye to me. My dad stayed behind the door watching us through its window. I grabbed my phone and asked her to pose for a snapshot to send my sister an update about our successful social distancing in the face of COVID-19.
The author's mom, Doris, in front of her home earlier this week. Courtesy of Louise Gleeson
Never one to shy away from a camera, my mom threw her head back and gave me a dazzling smile. It’s always a surprise when people learn she’s almost 70 — she’s playful and vibrant, with the high cheekbones and beautiful skin often seen in Chinese women. I always say I hope to inherit her agelessness to join the dark eyes and olive skin she gave me. I drove away with tears in my eyes; my desire to keep my parents safe overwhelming me. I’m grateful they moved close to us years earlier, so I can take care of them now.
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“This is who I am protecting. I need you to protect her, too,” I wrote when I shared the photo on my social media once I got home.
Hours later, I read a tweet from Donald Trump in which he called COVID-19 “the Chinese Virus” (the first of several times in recent days he’s done that and a term he defended at his press briefing on Wednesday). My concern was no longer just about my mom’s vulnerability to the coronavirus. Simmering worries I’ve had about our ethnicity became icy fear as I scrolled through the comments. Trump’s language and the expected ripple effects feel very dangerous, even here in Canada, where statements from leaders south of the border have incited and inspired people to behave badly.
The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2020
In the earliest days of the coronavirus, my mom underwent two-phase eye surgery at our local hospital. No extra precautions were taken when she went in for the first eye, but two weeks later when we returned for the second, screening signs were placed throughout the waiting area and news of the virus had overtaken the media. Headlines played in a loop on the television mounted to the wall above the rows of chairs filled with patients and their family members. The tension was palpable.
Advertisement
When she coughed, I could feel the eyes upon us immediately. The furtive glances pushed me upright in my seat, ready to defend her if I had to. I was sitting right beside her, but even with her coloring in my features, my Irish father’s genes made me separate. And in that moment, being white-passing felt like letting her down when she needed me most.
My mom knew she wasn’t a threat — having not traveled since before the onset of the outbreak and knowing her intermittent cough is a side-effect of the blood pressure medication she takes — but for many people in that room she was. Because of her cough, but also because of her ethnicity.
Growing up in a small, predominately white town in the 1980s, my sister and I were targeted and taunted by peers, and I often felt embarrassed by our parent’s interracial marriage. I had to be walked to kindergarten every day by our neighbor’s son because a group of older kids had been throwing rocks at me while pretending to speak Chinese. I suffered the terror alone for days before finally telling my parents, because I didn’t want them to feel at fault for what was happening to me.
Even when we visited our cousins from my mom’s side in a bigger city, we would face jeers while visiting playgrounds and swimming pools. I felt great empathy for them, knowing they faced racism more often and perhaps more viciously than we did, because our biracialism kept us safe a lot of the time.
When our younger cousin came to visit us, a neighbor kid threw her to the ground, shoved snow into her face, and called her a “Chink.” Overcome with rage and protectiveness, my sister and I pulled him off and chased him to the door of his house, where we were met by his unimpressed parents. We went inside and confessed what we did to our father, worried that he’d find out about it eventually. He didn’t waste a moment before announcing, “You have to stand up to people like that your whole life.”
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The author and her parents, Doris and Tom, when the family first arrived in Canada in 1974. Courtesy of Louise Gleeson
Since moving from that town and growing older, my experiences with racism have been much more intermittent. Living in a culturally diverse community has helped me fully embrace my biracialism and allowed me to honor my culture and teach it to my own children. It has felt safe to be openly Chinese, and my children are proud of their heritage, too, sharing it with their peers and making presentations about it at school.
But I haven’t forgotten the importance of teaching them about the racism we’ve experienced. I remind them they are fortunate, thus far, to know it only by way of our stories. They’ve listened to tales from my childhood and they know about my mother’s traumas, too.
In 1969, she was a 19-year-old student who immigrated to England from Hong Kong, where she was born and raised, to attend a nursing college in a community hospital. She was young, alone, and had no more than a handful of English phrases. She was placed directly on to the hospital wards, where she learned by watching and listening. She had to navigate language and cultural gaps daily, and often heard racist insults from patients.
Although she was treated well by many, she was also screamed at and physically threatened by others. She kept showing up anyway, and made a difference to countless patients when they were at their most vulnerable.
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Over the past two months, since the coronavirus outbreak began making news, I’ve scrolled past countless articles with click-bait headlines and commentary that perpetuate stereotypes and prejudices against Asian people and set off xenophobic alarm bells. The posts are being shared widely by strangers, but also by people I know. My outward appearance and father’s last name perhaps make it easy for them to forget that my family is Chinese.
And it’s not just headlines I’m experiencing. Last month, I overheard a conversation among colleagues expressing concern about attending a staff potluck where spring rolls were going to be served. I am watching from the sidelines in terms of how Asian people are being treated in my once-safe community because I am seen as white.
The author and her grandmother shortly after the family immigrated to Canada in 1974. Courtesy of Louise Gleeson
We know that fear can lead to defensiveness and blame. I can tell myself that Trump’s dog-whistle tweets are an attempt to distract from his administration’s failures in preventing and controlling the spread of the virus. But I will not feel compassion for his fear, as he clearly lacks any for the fear his words have ignited in the Asian community ― or any concern about the very real and very dangerous acts that his words could inspire in others.
We all carry the traumas of the generations before us, who bravely faced persecution and prejudice when they immigrated here. It terrifies me to think of my children’s generation having firsthand experience of such prejudice to share with the next one.
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“Mom, I just saw Trump’s tweet,” my 17-year-old daughter tells me after noticing it on her Chinese friend’s social media. “She’s really angry.”
We talk about how we feel angry, too, even though it’s much scarier for her friend’s family and her grandmother than it is for her.
“We have to stand up to people like that,” I remind her, stopping myself before adding the words, “your whole life,” like my father did for me. I want to hold on to the hope that she won’t have to.
Louise Gleeson is a Toronto-based freelance writer, specializing in family life and parenting. Her work can be found in The Washington Post and Globe and Mail. She lives with her husband and four children, and mothers everyone she meets. You can find her on Instagram or Twitter @louisegleeson.
Keep up with the latest updates on the coronavirus at our live blog.
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huffpost--2020-03-18--Is It Safe For Kids To See Their Grandparents During The Coronavirus Pandemic?

The news on children and the new coronavirus has , up to this point , been pretty reassuring .
Just this week more evidence emerged from China that children seem to get milder symptoms than adults — although experts warn that the notion that children tend to simply be asymptomatic carriers of the virus who are somehow “ immune ” to it is likely an overstatement .
But what has been made very clear , so far , is that children play an important role in the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why millions of kiddos are now home with their parents or caregivers , rather than in school .
So what does that mean for families left wondering whether their kids can safely see their grandparents , or for those who have multiple generations living under one roof ?
Here ’ s what we know so far .
For now , video chat is probably the way to go ...
Some confusion has surrounded what “ social distancing ” actually means in practice , but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to take extra steps to put space between themselves and any other people if COVID-19 is spreading in their community .
Visits to nursing homes have been restricted nationwide .
One reason why older adults are at higher risk of serious complications — or death — from COVID-19 is that they ’ re more likely to have at least one chronic condition .
But it may also have to do with changes to the body ’ s immune system as we age .
...
Especially because it can be really hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
Though it ’ s not true that children are immune to the coronavirus , more and more evidence does seem to suggest that otherwise healthy children tend to experience milder symptoms .
And while that is good news in terms of the outcomes for children , it can make it difficult to know if they ’ re “ shedding ” or emitting the virus through coughing , nasal secretions , or even their feces .
“ Current data does suggest that it may be possible to pass along COVID-19 to others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been exposed but has not yet developed any symptoms , ” Darzynkiewicz said .
If kids and grandparents live under one roof , hand washing is essential .
“ It ’ s best to make sure that everyone in the house is washing their hands as often as possible , and avoiding touching their face , ” Darzynkiewicz said .
“ This is by far the best way to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
” Of course , if anyone in the household suspects they have contracted the virus or is confirmed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires immediate steps be taken to isolate the affected individual or individuals .
Talk to your health-care provider immediately about what this looks like — and make sure any older adults in your household also consult with their care team .

MoMo Productions via Getty Images
The news on children and the new coronavirus has, up to this point, been pretty reassuring. Just this week more evidence emerged from China that children seem to get milder symptoms than adults — although experts warn that the notion that children tend to simply be asymptomatic carriers of the virus who are somehow “immune” to it is likely an overstatement.
But what has been made very clear, so far, is that children play an important role in the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. They’re basically little vectors, which is why millions of kiddos are now home with their parents or caregivers, rather than in school.
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It has also been made very clear that adults over the age of 65 are at a much higher risk of getting really sick from the coronavirus.
So what does that mean for families left wondering whether their kids can safely see their grandparents, or for those who have multiple generations living under one roof? Here’s what we know so far.
For now, video chat is probably the way to go...
Some confusion has surrounded what “social distancing” actually means in practice, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued specific guidelines for older adults, telling them to take extra steps to put space between themselves and any other people if COVID-19 is spreading in their community. Visits to nursing homes have been restricted nationwide.
One reason why older adults are at higher risk of serious complications — or death — from COVID-19 is that they’re more likely to have at least one chronic condition. But it may also have to do with changes to the body’s immune system as we age.
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So, if possible, it’s probably best to play it safe.
“For the time being, it is safest to limit kids to virtual visits with grandparents, either through video calls or over the phone,” Dr. Rob Darzynkiewicz, chief medical officer of Hazel Health, told HuffPost.
... Especially because it can be really hard to know if a child is carrying the disease.
Though it’s not true that children are immune to the coronavirus, more and more evidence does seem to suggest that otherwise healthy children tend to experience milder symptoms. And while that is good news in terms of the outcomes for children, it can make it difficult to know if they’re “shedding” or emitting the virus through coughing, nasal secretions, or even their feces.
“Current data does suggest that it may be possible to pass along COVID-19 to others during the incubation period, when someone has been exposed but has not yet developed any symptoms,” Darzynkiewicz said.
So again, if you can avoid get-togethers with your children’s grandparents — even if you’re being safe about other social distancing measures, and taking pains to limit hugs and physical contact — it’s probably a good idea.
“Although only visiting grandparents virtually is unfortunate in the short term,” Darzynkiewicz said, “we hope that in the long term this will help to keep our most vulnerable populations safe and healthy.”
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If kids and grandparents live under one roof, hand washing is essential.
Three-generation households are on the rise in the U.S., which can make this whole issue particularly complex for many families.
“It’s best to make sure that everyone in the house is washing their hands as often as possible, and avoiding touching their face,” Darzynkiewicz said. “This is by far the best way to prevent transmission of COVID-19.”
Of course, if anyone in the household suspects they have contracted the virus or is confirmed to have COVID-19 after being tested, that requires immediate steps be taken to isolate the affected individual or individuals. Talk to your health-care provider immediately about what this looks like — and make sure any older adults in your household also consult with their care team.
Together — but also, apart — families can help keep grandparents healthy and safe.


huffpost--2020-03-18--How To Tell If An App, Game Or Show Is Actually Educational For Kids

Due to the social distancing measures necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic , parents are stretched thin as they balance working from home , improvising home-school , feeding everyone , disinfecting the house and coping with general coronavirus anxiety .
Thus , strict screen time rules are understandably falling by the wayside , but there are ways for caregivers to vet their children ’ s programming as they spend a little more time on their devices .
Ask If It Builds Skills “ Look for media that gives kids agency and choice , and focuses on building skills , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the director of education editorial strategy at Common Sense Media , told HuffPost .
“ Kids should have a lot of freedom to explore , experiment , think and create .
Learning and fun should be intertwined and indistinguishable ― not placed in opposition.
” Educational apps and games shouldn ’ t feel too rote or didactic , as if the user is “ playing through a worksheet , ” he added .
Otherwise , children will likely get bored quickly .
These sorts of apps and games should also give kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know where they are , where they ’ re going and how to get there .
Look Into The Creator “ It ’ s important to understand that in the app stores , really anyone can call their game educational , so you can ’ t just go by the words written on the app , ” said Sara DeWitt , vice president of PBS Kids Digital .
“ Really , this is an instance where you need someone to help you make the best decisions.
” Test It Out Yourself Although parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very valuable to take a few minutes to play around with a game or app and see if it ’ s a good fit for their kids .
This will help determine if it adheres to the above criteria .
“ Play with it yourself before handing it to your child , ” said DeWitt .
“ That can also help determine age appropriateness , which is often a confusing situation .
If it ’ s not age appropriate , it won ’ t be educational because it will be frustrating for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With A Trusted Source “ Look to see if the show or creator or channel has resources for learning or parenting that go beyond the program , such as discussion activities or lessons .
That ’ s a good sign they ’ re thinking about learning and not just entertainment , ” said Higgin .
Know That You Can Make Most Media Educational “ Even if you can ’ t watch it with them , you can ask about what they saw , ” she added .
“ Say they watched an episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know they ’ ve been introduced to an animal .
Ask , ‘ What animal did you learn about ?
How did that animal move ?
Can you act it out for me ?
’ Having that conversation makes that media experience more educational .
”

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Due to the social distancing measures necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic, parents are stretched thin as they balance working from home, improvising home-school, feeding everyone, disinfecting the house and coping with general coronavirus anxiety. Thus, strict screen time rules are understandably falling by the wayside, but there are ways for caregivers to vet their children’s programming as they spend a little more time on their devices.
Indeed, kids today have access to a seemingly endless reserve of games, apps and shows that claim to be “educational.” Still, there’s quite a range in quality for media with that label.
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HuffPost spoke to experts to find out how parents can make smart decisions and determine if an “educational” game, app or show will be beneficial for their children.
Ask If It Builds Skills
When it comes to educational apps and games, interactivity is key.
“Look for media that gives kids agency and choice, and focuses on building skills, not just drilling facts,” Tanner Higgin, the director of education editorial strategy at Common Sense Media, told HuffPost. “Kids should have a lot of freedom to explore, experiment, think and create. Learning and fun should be intertwined and indistinguishable ― not placed in opposition.”
Educational apps and games shouldn’t feel too rote or didactic, as if the user is “playing through a worksheet,” he added. Otherwise, children will likely get bored quickly. These sorts of apps and games should also give kids feedback on their learning, so they know where they are, where they’re going and how to get there.
The same logic can apply to determining if TV shows and videos have real educational value.
“Similar to apps and games, quality children’s television and video involves kids in the experience, and gets them thinking critically and reflecting on themselves, their world and their place in it,” Higgin said.
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Look Into The Creator
“Parents should get in the habit of doing a little digging on apps or games before downloading them,” said Higgin, who advised looking at the developers’ websites and learning about their background.
“It’s important to understand that in the app stores, really anyone can call their game educational, so you can’t just go by the words written on the app.” - Sara DeWitt, vice president of PBS Kids Digital
Some useful questions are: Who made the game? Do they have learning or curriculum experts on the team? Do they talk about their approach to learning and pedagogy?
“Also look into if they’ve conducted any research,” Higgin advised. “Third-party research that’s not published by the developer or conducted in partnership with them is best, but rare.”
Get Recommendations From Experts
“It’s important to understand that in the app stores, really anyone can call their game educational, so you can’t just go by the words written on the app,” said Sara DeWitt, vice president of PBS Kids Digital. “Really, this is an instance where you need someone to help you make the best decisions.”
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She suggested emailing your child’s teacher or librarian to ask what kinds of things they use in the classroom. Library websites also have recommendations.
Both DeWitt and Higgin recommended Common Sense Media as an expert-backed resource. The nonprofit has rated thousands of apps, games and websites for education potential and curated them into a number of helpful lists for families, including a special downloadable list of “50 Favorite Tools for Learning.”
Consider Privacy And Security
Privacy and security are also important considerations when choosing an app or game. Higgin pointed to Common Sense’s privacy evaluations, which inform parents about the options that prioritize safety and security ― and those that don’t.
“Try to see if it’s actively collecting any information about your kids. Does it require a strange login? Is it tracking location?” DeWitt advised.
“I’d also avoid commercialized products with ads or aggressive ‘freemium’ business models that bombard kids with pop-ups for upgrades,” Higgin added.
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Test It Out Yourself
Although parents are understandably busy, it can be very valuable to take a few minutes to play around with a game or app and see if it’s a good fit for their kids. This will help determine if it adheres to the above criteria.
“Look to see if the show or creator or channel has resources for learning or parenting that go beyond the program, such as discussion activities or lessons. That’s a good sign they’re thinking about learning and not just entertainment.” - Tanner Higgin, director of education editorial strategy at Common Sense Media
“Play with it yourself before handing it to your child,” said DeWitt. “That can also help determine age appropriateness, which is often a confusing situation. If it’s not age appropriate, it won’t be educational because it will be frustrating for the child.”
When It Doubt, Go With A Trusted Source
The simplest move is to stick to a trusted source of educational media, such as PBS Kids, Scholastic or Sesame Workshop, which lead with learning and base their programming in research. These creators tend to offer a combination of shows, games and apps.
“Look to see if the show or creator or channel has resources for learning or parenting that go beyond the program, such as discussion activities or lessons. That’s a good sign they’re thinking about learning and not just entertainment,” said Higgin.
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DeWitt noted that PBS offers educational overviews for its content, which includes shows as well as games tied to the shows available on the PBS Kids Games app. There’s also a new daily newsletter with online and offline activities on different subjects.
Know That You Can Make Most Media Educational
“Don’t forget that all kinds of media ― even those that don’t seem enriching ― can be adapted into great learning experiences,” Higgin explained. “Find ways to take things that your kids already love and seem drawn to and connect them to other activities that extend and deepen learning.”
For example, you can ask your child to create stories or drawings based on any TV show or game they like. If you have time to co-play or co-watch some kind of media with your kid, you can then discuss what they like or dislike about the app or show or ask thought-provoking questions about it.
“One thing that has been so consistent in the research I’ve been engaged with in 20 years of kids’ media is that if a parent has a conversation with a child about what they watched or played, the educational gains are going to be greater,” DeWitt said.
“Even if you can’t watch it with them, you can ask about what they saw,” she added. “Say they watched an episode of ‘Wild Kratts,’ so you know they’ve been introduced to an animal. Ask, ‘What animal did you learn about? How did that animal move? Can you act it out for me?’ Having that conversation makes that media experience more educational.”


huffpost--2020-03-17--Read Live Updates On The March 17 Primary Elections

Three states held primaries Tuesday , even as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has advised social distancing in @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus .
The Democratic presidential race is now a two-man battle between former Vice @ @ @ @ @ leads in convention delegates and appears to be on a clear path to the nomination @ @ @ @ @ ( I-Vt. ) .
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is still technically running , but @ @ @ @ @ so far .
Ohio , which has 136 delegates , scrambled Monday to postpone its @ @ @ @ @ Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton declared that conducting the election would be @ @ @ @ @ GOP Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s first attempt to delay the vote was shut @ @ @ @ @ are the states are still holding their primaries : Go here to see results as @ @ @ @

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Three states held primaries Tuesday, even as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has advised social distancing in order to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The Democratic presidential race is now a two-man battle between former Vice President Joe Biden, who leads in convention delegates and appears to be on a clear path to the nomination, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is still technically running, but has only won two delegates so far.
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Ohio, which has 136 delegates, scrambled Monday to postpone its primary until June 2. Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton declared that conducting the election would be a public health hazard after GOP Gov. Mike DeWine’s first attempt to delay the vote was shut down in court.
Here are the states are still holding their primaries:
Arizona, 67 delegates, polls close at 10 p.m. ET
Florida, 219 delegates (Biden projected winner)
Illinois, 155 delegates (Biden projected winner)
Go here to see results as they come in.
Read live updates below:


huffpost--2020-03-08--Cruise Ship Hit By Coronavirus To Dock In Oakland, California

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) — A cruise ship hit by the new coronavirus is headed to the port of Oakland , California , the captain told passengers , though they were destined to stay aboard the ship for at least another day .
Grand Princess Capt .
John Smith , in a recording provided by passenger Laurie Miller of San Jose , told guests the ship will dock in Oakland .
Princess Cruises says it ’ s expected to arrive on Monday .
The ship is carrying more than 3,500 people from 54 countries .
“ An agreement has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the port of Oakland , ” he told passengers Saturday night .
“ After docking , we will then begin a disembarkation process specified by federal authorities that will take several days.
” Smith said passengers who need medical treatment or hospitalization will go to health care facilities in California , while state residents who don ’ t require acute medical care “ will go to a federally operated isolation facility within California for testing and isolation.
” U.S. guests from other states will be transported by the federal government to facilities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantined and treated aboard the ship .
Smith said the information he was given did not include any details about what would happen to passengers from other countries .
The Grand Princess had been forbidden to dock in San Francisco amid evidence that the vessel was the breeding ground for a cluster of nearly 20 cases that resulted in at least one death after a previous voyage .
Meanwhile , the U.S. death toll from the virus climbed to 19 , with all but three victims in Washington state .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scattered across the U.S. , as passengers aboard the ship holed up in their rooms .
Steven Smith and his wife , Michele , of Paradise , California , went on the cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary .
The Smiths said they were a bit worried but felt safe in their room , which they had left just once since Thursday to video chat with their children .
The ship was heading from Hawaii to San Francisco when it was held off the California coast Wednesday so people with symptoms could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday disclosed more information about how they think the outbreak occurred .
Grant Tarling , chief medical officer for Carnival Corporation , said it ’ s believed a 71-year-old Northern California man who later died of the virus was probably sick when he boarded the ship for a Feb. 11 cruise to Mexico .
The passenger visited the medical center the day before disembarking with symptoms of respiratory illness , he said .
Others in several states and Canada who were on that voyage also have tested positive .
The passenger likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also tested positive for the virus , Tarling said , as did two people traveling with the man .
Two passengers now on the ship who have the virus were not on the previous cruise , he said .
Another Princess ship , the Diamond Princess , was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama , Japan , last month because of the virus .
Ultimately , about 700 of the 3,700 people aboard became infected in what experts pronounced a public-health failure , with the vessel essentially becoming a floating germ factory .

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A cruise ship hit by the new coronavirus is headed to the port of Oakland, California, the captain told passengers, though they were destined to stay aboard the ship for at least another day.
Grand Princess Capt. John Smith, in a recording provided by passenger Laurie Miller of San Jose, told guests the ship will dock in Oakland. Princess Cruises says it’s expected to arrive on Monday. The ship is carrying more than 3,500 people from 54 countries.
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“An agreement has been reached to bring our ship into the port of Oakland,” he told passengers Saturday night. “After docking, we will then begin a disembarkation process specified by federal authorities that will take several days.”
Smith said passengers who need medical treatment or hospitalization will go to health care facilities in California, while state residents who don’t require acute medical care “will go to a federally operated isolation facility within California for testing and isolation.”
U.S. guests from other states will be transported by the federal government to facilities in other states. Crew members will be quarantined and treated aboard the ship.
Smith said the information he was given did not include any details about what would happen to passengers from other countries.
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“We are working to obtain more details overnight. ... I’m sorry I can’t provide you more details right now,” he said.
The Grand Princess had been forbidden to dock in San Francisco amid evidence that the vessel was the breeding ground for a cluster of nearly 20 cases that resulted in at least one death after a previous voyage.
Meanwhile, the U.S. death toll from the virus climbed to 19, with all but three victims in Washington state. The number of infections swelled to more than 400, scattered across the U.S., as passengers aboard the ship holed up in their rooms.
Steven Smith and his wife, Michele, of Paradise, California, went on the cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary. The Smiths said they were a bit worried but felt safe in their room, which they had left just once since Thursday to video chat with their children.
Crew members wearing masks and gloves delivered trays with their food in covered plates, delivered outside their door. They’ve occupied themselves by watching TV, reading and looking out the window.
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“Thank God, we have a window!” Steven Smith said.
The ship was heading from Hawaii to San Francisco when it was held off the California coast Wednesday so people with symptoms could be tested for the virus. Cruise officials on Saturday disclosed more information about how they think the outbreak occurred.
Grant Tarling, chief medical officer for Carnival Corporation, said it’s believed a 71-year-old Northern California man who later died of the virus was probably sick when he boarded the ship for a Feb. 11 cruise to Mexico.
The passenger visited the medical center the day before disembarking with symptoms of respiratory illness, he said. Others in several states and Canada who were on that voyage also have tested positive.
The passenger likely infected his dining room server, who also tested positive for the virus, Tarling said, as did two people traveling with the man. Two passengers now on the ship who have the virus were not on the previous cruise, he said.
Some passengers who had been on the Mexico trip stayed aboard for the current voyage — increasing crew members’ exposure to the virus.
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Another Princess ship, the Diamond Princess, was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama, Japan, last month because of the virus. Ultimately, about 700 of the 3,700 people aboard became infected in what experts pronounced a public-health failure, with the vessel essentially becoming a floating germ factory.
Hundreds of Americans aboard that ship were flown to military bases in California and other states for two-week quarantines. Some later were hospitalized with symptoms.
An epidemiologist who studies the spread of virus particles said the recirculated air from a cruise ship’s ventilation system, plus the close quarters and communal settings, make passengers and crew vulnerable to infectious diseases.
“They’re not designed as quarantine facilities, to put it mildly,” said Don Milton of the University of Maryland.


huffpost--2020-03-08--Bahrain F1 Race Will Run Without Spectators Over Coronavirus Fears

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) — Bahrain ’ s Formula One race this month will be run without spectators over fears about the new coronavirus , the island kingdom announced Sunday , as Mideast stock markets fell sharply amid plummeting demand for crude oil and OPEC ’ s inability to agree on a production cut .
The decision by Bahrain is just the latest disruption felt by the Mideast over the virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes .
The wider Mideast now has over 6,200 confirmed cases of the virus , the majority in hard-hit Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bin Hamad ’ s announcement was carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency .
The crown prince said the decision was “ to preserve the safety of citizens , residents and racing fans.
” The race is scheduled for March 22 .
“ As an F1 host nation , balancing the welfare of supporters and race goers is a tremendous responsibility , ” Bahrain International Circuit said in a statement .
“ Given the continued spread of COVID-19 globally , convening a major sporting event , which is open to the public and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time.
” Bahrain , an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf , has so far reported 79 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus .
The kingdom has drastically cut air travel and urged residents who recently traveled from Iran to present themselves for testing , warning that those who don ’ t could face prosecution .
The decision to run the race with participants only was a major decision for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Arab Spring protests there , but held the race in 2012 with fans in attendance .
The decision came as Australia is still set to hold its F1 Grand Prix on March 13 with spectators .
F1 did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Hardest-hit was Boursa Kuwait , which saw shares fall more than 10 % .
The Dubai Financial Market saw stocks drop by 7.5 % in a steep selloff .
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange dropped by over 5 % .
Saudi Arabia ’ s Tadawul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market opened , with its marquee Saudi Aramco stock falling below its initial public offering price for the first time .
The state-run Saudi Arabian Oil Co. offered a sliver of its value to investors on the market in December .
OPEC and key ally Russia failed to agree on a cut to oil production Friday .
That saw crude oil prices , the bedrock commodity of the Mideast , drop .
Benchmark Brent crude sold Sunday for around $ 45 a barrel , down some 11 % from the year prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as air travel has been affected by the outbreak of the virus .
In hard-hit Iran , the Health Ministry said Saturday that 21 more people had died from the virus , bringing the death toll to 145 .
More than 1,000 new infections were also confirmed overnight , bringing the total to 5,823 cases nationwide .
Among the dead was Fatemeh Rahabar , a 55-year-old newly elected lawmaker who passed away in Tehran , the state-run IRNA news agency reported Saturday .
She ’ d been elected to the next parliament that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , Iranian lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told state television that 23 members in the current parliament had the coronavirus , and urged all lawmakers to avoid the public .

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Bahrain’s Formula One race this month will be run without spectators over fears about the new coronavirus, the island kingdom announced Sunday, as Mideast stock markets fell sharply amid plummeting demand for crude oil and OPEC’s inability to agree on a production cut.
The decision by Bahrain is just the latest disruption felt by the Mideast over the virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes. The wider Mideast now has over 6,200 confirmed cases of the virus, the majority in hard-hit Iran.
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Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad’s announcement was carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency. The crown prince said the decision was “to preserve the safety of citizens, residents and racing fans.” The race is scheduled for March 22.
“As an F1 host nation, balancing the welfare of supporters and race goers is a tremendous responsibility,” Bahrain International Circuit said in a statement. “Given the continued spread of COVID-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time.”
Bahrain, an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, has so far reported 79 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus. The kingdom has drastically cut air travel and urged residents who recently traveled from Iran to present themselves for testing, warning that those who don’t could face prosecution.
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The decision to run the race with participants only was a major decision for Bahrain. It cancelled its 2011 race over Arab Spring protests there, but held the race in 2012 with fans in attendance.
The decision came as Australia is still set to hold its F1 Grand Prix on March 13 with spectators. F1 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile Sunday, stock markets across the Mideast suffered sharp drops.
Hardest-hit was Boursa Kuwait, which saw shares fall more than 10%. The Dubai Financial Market saw stocks drop by 7.5% in a steep selloff. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange dropped by over 5%.
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul stock exchange fell over 7% as the market opened, with its marquee Saudi Aramco stock falling below its initial public offering price for the first time. The state-run Saudi Arabian Oil Co. offered a sliver of its value to investors on the market in December.
The Egyptian stock market’s benchmark index, the EGX 30, fell over 3% as it opened.
OPEC and key ally Russia failed to agree on a cut to oil production Friday. That saw crude oil prices, the bedrock commodity of the Mideast, drop. Benchmark Brent crude sold Sunday for around $45 a barrel, down some 11% from the year prior.
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The demand for oil has dropped as air travel has been affected by the outbreak of the virus.
In hard-hit Iran, the Health Ministry said Saturday that 21 more people had died from the virus, bringing the death toll to 145. More than 1,000 new infections were also confirmed overnight, bringing the total to 5,823 cases nationwide.
Among the dead was Fatemeh Rahabar, a 55-year-old newly elected lawmaker who passed away in Tehran, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Saturday. She’d been elected to the next parliament that begins work in May. Earlier this week, Iranian lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told state television that 23 members in the current parliament had the coronavirus, and urged all lawmakers to avoid the public.
Tehran’s mosques authority banned any collective prayer and religious ceremonies in Tehran’s mosques starting Saturday. They’ll still remain open individual prayers.


huffpost--2020-03-08--Daniel Craig Churns Out Wild, Goofy Twist On 'No Time To Die' On 'SNL'

The release of Daniel Craig ’ s new 007 film “ No Time to Die ” is being delayed because @ @ @ @ @ So Craig instead offered up a campy , over-the-top take on the movie during his @ @ @ @ @ Live.
” Touted as a “ sneak peek , ” the clip features Craig at @ @ @ @ @ , a casino .
But he is decidedly not his usually eternally suave 007 self @ @ @ @ @ when he begins winning at the craps table .
The crazy crowd is way more @ @ @ @ @ .
Check it out up top .
But don ’ t bet anything .
Another @ @ @ @ @ s show played off Craig ’ s transformation from the very British Bond to detective @ @ @ @ @ South — with accent transformation — in the mystery “ Knives Out.
” HIs “ @ @ @ @ @ shows how it ’ s done here :

Touted as a “sneak peek,” the clip features Craig at one of his favorite places, a casino. But he is decidedly not his usually eternally suave 007 self and gets giggly and bonkers when he begins winning at the craps table. The crazy crowd is way more Vegas than cool Casino Royale.


huffpost--2020-03-08--Top Health Official Urges Elderly People To ‘Absolutely’ Avoid Cruise Ships

A top U.S. health official on Sunday urged elderly people and individuals with underlying conditions such as heart disease and diabetes to “ absolutely ” avoid cruise ships as the coronavirus continues to spread across the world .
“ Something that ’ s important that I hope the American people appreciate is that the risk of getting into trouble with this infection ... is overwhelmingly weighted towards people with underlying conditions and the elderly , ” Fauci told NBC ’ s “ Meet The Press.
” “ If you are an elderly person with an underlying condition , if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into trouble is considerable , ” he continued .
“ When I say protect , I mean right now , [ don ’ t ] wait until things get worse , say ‘ no large crowds , no long trips , and above all , don ’ t get on a cruise ship.
’ ” Over 100,000 people worldwide have tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus first documented in December in Wuhan , China .
The virus has killed over 3,500 people globally , with the vast majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , the coronavirus has killed at least 18 people and infected over 350 , Fauci told “ Fox News Sunday.
” At least 46 of those confirmed cases were individuals who traveled aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship to Southeast Asia earlier this year .
Passengers were quarantined aboard the ship in Japan for weeks .
“ We ’ re having an acceleration of cases now , ” Fauci told Fox News ’ Chris Wallace on Sunday .
“ What we ’ re seeing is what is called ‘ community spread ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly in the area of Washington state.
” ″We have to be realistic , ” Fauci said .
“ I don ’ t think it would be as draconian as nobody in , nobody out .
But there ’ ll be , if we can continue to get cases like this , particularly at the community level , there will be what is called ‘ mitigation , ’ where you ’ ll have to do essentially social distancing.
” “ It ’ s particularly important among the most vulnerable , ” he continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department would be announcing new recommendations against travel for people with underlying conditions .
“ Those are the most vulnerable ones , particularly elderly people with underlying conditions ― heart disease , chronic lung disease , diabetes ― [ should ] take a look at things that are at high risk : crowded places , getting on airplanes and absolutely don ’ t get on a cruise ship , ” he said .
Wallace asked Fauci about the White House ’ s conflicting messages about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that tests for the virus are available to everyone who needs them , but Vice President Mike Pence , who is leading the White House ’ s coronavirus task force , said a day earlier that the U.S. does not have enough tests to meet the demand .
Democrats and some public health officials have criticized Trump for downplaying the deadly impacts of coronavirus and for botching some of the related science .
In describing what it ’ s like to work with Trump on the issue , Fauci told Politico last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own credibility.
” “ You don ’ t want to go to war with a president , ” he said .
“ But you got to walk the fine balance of making sure you continue to tell the truth.
” ″When you have the evidence , you give it as it is , ” he told Wallace .
“ If you don ’ t have all the evidence ’ cause we ’ re in a dynamic situation , you use your best judgment in recommendations and guidelines .
But you must always ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
”

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A top U.S. health official on Sunday urged elderly people and individuals with underlying conditions such as heart disease and diabetes to “absolutely” avoid cruise ships as the coronavirus continues to spread across the world.
Anthony Fauci, a doctor and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned vulnerable populations against unnecessary travel — especially on cruise ships — during a series of appearances on Sunday morning talk shows.
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“Something that’s important that I hope the American people appreciate is that the risk of getting into trouble with this infection ... is overwhelmingly weighted towards people with underlying conditions and the elderly,” Fauci told NBC’s “Meet The Press.”
“If you are an elderly person with an underlying condition, if you get infected, the risk of getting into trouble is considerable,” he continued. “When I say protect, I mean right now, [don’t] wait until things get worse, say ‘no large crowds, no long trips, and above all, don’t get on a cruise ship.’”
WATCH: "Don't get on a cruise ship" if you have an underlying health condition, the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases warns on #MTP.
Dr. Anthony Fauci says people who are already vulnerable to health infections should take extra precautions. pic.twitter.com/i9zdrJVR1C — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 8, 2020
Over 100,000 people worldwide have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus first documented in December in Wuhan, China. The virus has killed over 3,500 people globally, with the vast majority of deaths in China.
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In the U.S., the coronavirus has killed at least 18 people and infected over 350, Fauci told “Fox News Sunday.” At least 46 of those confirmed cases were individuals who traveled aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship to Southeast Asia earlier this year. Passengers were quarantined aboard the ship in Japan for weeks.
Another cruise ship suffering a coronavirus outbreak is scheduled to dock in Oakland, California, as early as Monday, officials said. It is carrying 3,000 passengers ― 21 of whom have tested positive for COVID-19.
“We’re having an acceleration of cases now,” Fauci told Fox News’ Chris Wallace on Sunday. “What we’re seeing is what is called ‘community spread’ in certain regions of the country, particularly in the area of Washington state.”
Earlier on Sunday, Italian officials announced a quarantine of a region in northern Italy that includes Milan and Venice that will restrict the movement of roughly 16 million people amid an outbreak of coronavirus.
Asked if that could happen in the U.S., Fauci said it’s “possible.”
″We have to be realistic,” Fauci said. “I don’t think it would be as draconian as nobody in, nobody out. But there’ll be, if we can continue to get cases like this, particularly at the community level, there will be what is called ‘mitigation,’ where you’ll have to do essentially social distancing.”
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“It’s particularly important among the most vulnerable,” he continued, adding that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department would be announcing new recommendations against travel for people with underlying conditions.
“Those are the most vulnerable ones, particularly elderly people with underlying conditions ― heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes ― [should] take a look at things that are at high risk: crowded places, getting on airplanes and absolutely don’t get on a cruise ship,” he said.
The State Department tweeted later Sunday that all U.S. citizens, especially those with underlying conditions, should not travel on cruise ships.
Doctor Anthony Fauci joined FOX News Sunday to give the latest on the spread of the coronavirus and the death toll. The virus has hit Italy hard and the government has shut certain areas down. Chris asked Doctor Fauci if this will be a reality in the U.S. #FNS pic.twitter.com/K9qBarQSVb — FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) March 8, 2020
Wallace asked Fauci about the White House’s conflicting messages about the coronavirus. President Donald Trump claimed Friday that tests for the virus are available to everyone who needs them, but Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the White House’s coronavirus task force, said a day earlier that the U.S. does not have enough tests to meet the demand.
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“Can anybody who needs a test get a test now?” Wallace asked.
Fauci didn’t directly answer the question, but said there are currently 1.1 million tests “out there now” with an additional 640,000 expected on Monday.
“The fact is, the tests are out there,” he said. “There was a misstep early on with regards to the test, mainly a technical difficulty.”
Democrats and some public health officials have criticized Trump for downplaying the deadly impacts of coronavirus and for botching some of the related science. In describing what it’s like to work with Trump on the issue, Fauci told Politico last week that “you should never destroy your own credibility.”
“You don’t want to go to war with a president,” he said. “But you got to walk the fine balance of making sure you continue to tell the truth.”
Fauci said Sunday that he tries his best to stay away from political spin while discussing the coronavirus.
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″When you have the evidence, you give it as it is,” he told Wallace. “If you don’t have all the evidence ’cause we’re in a dynamic situation, you use your best judgment in recommendations and guidelines. But you must always ― always ― be truthful with the American public.”


huffpost--2020-03-08--'Saturday Night Live' Mocks Romance In The Age Of Coronavirus In Soap Opera Spoof

“ Saturday Night Live ” host Daniel Craig and Kate McKinnon had fun with maintaining “ social distance ” and @ @ @ @ @ about soap opera love in the coronavirus era .
The bit from spoof “ Sands @ @ @ @ @ a message from producers warning that “ the staging of certain scenes has been altered @ @ @ @ @ ” from the disease .
The couple soldiers on in their romantic scenes .
Craig @ @ @ @ @ arm from several feet away , he and McKinnon kiss through Plexiglas , and they @ @ @ @ @ through plastic wrap — when Craig ’ s former wife ( Cecily Strong ) turns @ @ @ @ @ when Strong sneezes , and the actors head for the door .
In a separate @ @ @ @ @ Rachel Dratch is back in another sketch as her old character Debbie Downer .
This @ @ @ @ @ at a wedding reception in a gas mask .
It goes downhill from there .
@ @ @ @ @ Modesto ” in the video above , and Debbie Downer here :

“Saturday Night Live” host Daniel Craig and Kate McKinnon had fun with maintaining “social distance” and spraying antiseptic in a sketch about soap opera love in the coronavirus era.
The bit from spoof “Sands of Modesto” begins with a message from producers warning that “the staging of certain scenes has been altered for the actors’ safety” from the disease.
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The couple soldiers on in their romantic scenes. Craig caresses her with a fake arm from several feet away, he and McKinnon kiss through Plexiglas, and they are about to make love through plastic wrap — when Craig’s former wife (Cecily Strong) turns up. The scene implodes when Strong sneezes, and the actors head for the door.
In a separate jab at coronavirus fears, Rachel Dratch is back in another sketch as her old character Debbie Downer. This time, she shows up at a wedding reception in a gas mask.
It goes downhill from there.


huffpost--2020-03-08--White House Overruled CDC Push For Elderly Not To Fly Due To Coronavirus: Official

NEW YORK ( AP ) — The White House overruled health officials who wanted to recommend that elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines because of the new coronavirus , a federal official told The Associated Press .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention submitted the plan this week as a way of trying to control the virus , but White House officials ordered the air travel recommendation be removed , said the official who had direct knowledge of the plan .
Trump administration officials have since suggested certain people should consider not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the stronger guidance sought by the CDC .
The person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity did not have authorization to talk about the matter .
The person did not have direct knowledge about why the decision to kill the language was made .
On Friday , the CDC quietly updated its website to tell older adults and people with severe medical conditions such as heart , lung or kidney disease to “ stay home as much as possible ” and avoid crowds .
It urges those people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of exposure , ” but it doesn ’ t specifically address flying .
“ If you ’ re a senior citizen with a serious underlying health condition , this would be a good time to practice common sense and to avoid activities including traveling on a cruise line , ” Pence said , adding they were looking to cruise line officials for action , guidance and flexibility with those passengers .
Vice President Mike Pence , center , along with Florida Sen. Rick Scott , far left , and Gov .
Ron DeSantis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Redfield , right , speaks to the media after a meeting with cruise line company leaders to discuss the efforts to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus , at Port Everglades , Saturday March 7 , 2020 , in Fort Lauderdale , Fla. For most people , the flu-like viral illness causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
But — like the flu — it can cause pneumonia and be much more lethal to people made frail by old age and by conditions that make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections .
Dr. Peter Hotez , dean of tropical medicine at Baylor College of Medicine , this week warned U.S. lawmakers against minimizing the viruses risk for vulnerable people .
During a Congressional hearing , he said the coronavirus “ is like the angel of death for older individuals.
” Some experts this week said clearer and louder guidance should be made to vulnerable people , so they take every possible step to avoid settings where they might more easily become infected .
“ The clear message to people who fit into those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a semi-hermit .
You ’ ve got to really get serious in your personal life about social distancing , and in particular avoiding crowds of any kind , ’ ” said Dr. William Schaffner , a Vanderbilt University expert on infectious diseases .
Dr. Tom Frieden , a former CDC director , said whether to recommend the frail and elderly avoid air travel is “ a difficult question , ” but clearly this is a time when such conversations should be taking place .
“ At this point the risk in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing it spread rapidly .
We are going from the calm before the storm to the beginning of the storm , ” said Frieden , who now heads Resolve to Save Lives , an organization promoting global public health .
The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that can cause colds or more serious illnesses such as SARS and MERS .
Health officials think it spreads mainly from droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes , similar to how the flu spreads .
The virus first emerged late last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year has increasingly been spreading around the world .
More than 100,000 illnesses have been reported globally , in more than 90 countries and territories .
the count includes more than 3,500 deaths .
President Donald Trump visited the CDC in Atlanta on Friday , where he defended his administration ’ s handling of the outbreak and tried to reassure Americans that the government had the virus under control .
But Trump also detoured from that message , calling Washington state ’ s governor a “ snake ” and saying he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a cruise ship be left aboard so they wouldn ’ t be added to the nation ’ s tally .

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NEW YORK (AP) — The White House overruled health officials who wanted to recommend that elderly and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines because of the new coronavirus, a federal official told The Associated Press.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention submitted the plan this week as a way of trying to control the virus, but White House officials ordered the air travel recommendation be removed, said the official who had direct knowledge of the plan. Trump administration officials have since suggested certain people should consider not traveling, but they have stopped short of the stronger guidance sought by the CDC.
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The person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity did not have authorization to talk about the matter. The person did not have direct knowledge about why the decision to kill the language was made.
In a tweet, the press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence, Katie Miller, said that “it was never a recommendation to the Task Force” and called the AP story “complete fiction.”
On Friday, the CDC quietly updated its website to tell older adults and people with severe medical conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease to “stay home as much as possible” and avoid crowds. It urges those people to “take actions to reduce your risk of exposure,” but it doesn’t specifically address flying.
Pence, speaking Saturday after meeting with cruise ship industry leaders in Florida, targeted his travel advice to a narrower group: older people with serious health problems.
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“If you’re a senior citizen with a serious underlying health condition, this would be a good time to practice common sense and to avoid activities including traveling on a cruise line,” Pence said, adding they were looking to cruise line officials for action, guidance and flexibility with those passengers.
Vice President Mike Pence, center, along with Florida Sen. Rick Scott, far left, and Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, right, speaks to the media after a meeting with cruise line company leaders to discuss the efforts to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at Port Everglades, Saturday March 7, 2020, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar suggested older Americans and those with health problems should avoid crowds “especially in poorly ventilated spaces.”
For most people, the flu-like viral illness causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But — like the flu — it can cause pneumonia and be much more lethal to people made frail by old age and by conditions that make it harder for their bodies to fight infections.
Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of tropical medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, this week warned U.S. lawmakers against minimizing the viruses risk for vulnerable people. During a Congressional hearing, he said the coronavirus “is like the angel of death for older individuals.”
Advertisement
Some experts this week said clearer and louder guidance should be made to vulnerable people, so they take every possible step to avoid settings where they might more easily become infected.
“The clear message to people who fit into those categories is; ‘You ought to become a semi-hermit. You’ve got to really get serious in your personal life about social distancing, and in particular avoiding crowds of any kind,’” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University expert on infectious diseases.
That can include not only avoiding essential commercial travel but also large church services and crowded restaurants, he added.
Dr. Tom Frieden, a former CDC director, said whether to recommend the frail and elderly avoid air travel is “a difficult question,” but clearly this is a time when such conversations should be taking place.
“At this point the risk in the U.S. remains low, but we are seeing it spread rapidly. We are going from the calm before the storm to the beginning of the storm,” said Frieden, who now heads Resolve to Save Lives, an organization promoting global public health.
Advertisement
The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that can cause colds or more serious illnesses such as SARS and MERS. Health officials think it spreads mainly from droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how the flu spreads.
The virus first emerged late last year in mainland China, but this year has increasingly been spreading around the world. More than 100,000 illnesses have been reported globally, in more than 90 countries and territories. the count includes more than 3,500 deaths.
For weeks, cases in the U.S. remained very low, but the count has been accelerating in the last several days.
President Donald Trump visited the CDC in Atlanta on Friday, where he defended his administration’s handling of the outbreak and tried to reassure Americans that the government had the virus under control. But Trump also detoured from that message, calling Washington state’s governor a “snake” and saying he’d prefer that people exposed to the virus on a cruise ship be left aboard so they wouldn’t be added to the nation’s tally.
___
Associated Press writers Lynn Berry in Washington and Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.
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___


huffpost--2020-03-08--10 Dead, 23 Missing As Chinese Hotel Used To Isolate Coronavirus Contacts Collapses

BEIJING ( AP ) — At least 10 people were killed in the collapse of Chinese hotel that was being used to isolate people who had arrived from other parts of China hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak , authorities said Sunday .
The sudden collapse of the building in the southeastern city of Quanzhou on Saturday evening trapped 71 people , China ’ s Ministry of Emergency Management said .
The ministry said that 38 had been rescued and 23 were still missing .
Most of the rescued were taken to hospitals for treatment , some with serious injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation , and the owner of the building was put under police control , the official Xinhua News Agency said .
Two retail spaces on the first floor of the seven-story building were undergoing remodeling , and a pillar reportedly deformed a few minutes before the collapse , Xinhua said , quoting a housing and development official .
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency , rescuers search for victims at the site of a hotel collapse in Quanzhou , southeast China 's Fujian Province , Sunday , March 8 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was later converted to a 66-room hotel that opened in June 2018 , Quanzhou authorities said .
The coastal city is in Fujian province , across the Taiwan Strait from the island of Taiwan .
The city said that 58 people from epidemic-hit areas were staying at the Xinjia Hotel for medical observation .
All had tested negative for the virus .
Most Chinese cities are isolating people coming from Hubei province , where the disease is most widespread , for 14 days .
Hotel workers and employees of an auto shop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time of the collapse .
More than 1,000 firefighters and seven rescue dogs were dispatched to the site , according to the Ministry of Emergency Management .
News photos showed rescue workers with lights bringing out people , some bloodied by the collapse .
Rubble could be seen on cars in front of the building .
China , where the new virus first emerged in December , has confirmed more than 80,000 cases , about 75 percent of the global total .
More than 3,000 people have died in China .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an inland city in Hubei province about 475 miles northwest of Quanzhou .
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency , rescuers search for victims at the site of a hotel collapse in Quanzhou , southeast China 's Fujian Province , Sunday , March 8 , 2020 .

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BEIJING (AP) — At least 10 people were killed in the collapse of Chinese hotel that was being used to isolate people who had arrived from other parts of China hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, authorities said Sunday.
The sudden collapse of the building in the southeastern city of Quanzhou on Saturday evening trapped 71 people, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said.
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The ministry said that 38 had been rescued and 23 were still missing. Most of the rescued were taken to hospitals for treatment, some with serious injuries
The cause of the collapse was under investigation, and the owner of the building was put under police control, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Two retail spaces on the first floor of the seven-story building were undergoing remodeling, and a pillar reportedly deformed a few minutes before the collapse, Xinhua said, quoting a housing and development official.
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescuers search for victims at the site of a hotel collapse in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sunday, March 8, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Built in 2013, the building was later converted to a 66-room hotel that opened in June 2018, Quanzhou authorities said. The coastal city is in Fujian province, across the Taiwan Strait from the island of Taiwan.
The city said that 58 people from epidemic-hit areas were staying at the Xinjia Hotel for medical observation. All had tested negative for the virus. Most Chinese cities are isolating people coming from Hubei province, where the disease is most widespread, for 14 days.
Hotel workers and employees of an auto shop in the building were also inside at the time of the collapse.
More than 1,000 firefighters and seven rescue dogs were dispatched to the site, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. News photos showed rescue workers with lights bringing out people, some bloodied by the collapse. Rubble could be seen on cars in front of the building.
China, where the new virus first emerged in December, has confirmed more than 80,000 cases, about 75 percent of the global total. More than 3,000 people have died in China. Most of the cases have been in Wuhan, an inland city in Hubei province about 475 miles northwest of Quanzhou.
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huffpost--2020-03-08--Real Elizabeth Warren Pops Up On 'SNL' To Brag About Giving Mike Bloomberg 'A Swirly'

The actual Elizabeth Warren popped up on the cold open of “ Saturday Night Live ” to give her doppelganger Kate McKinnon a big hug and declare she has no regrets about her now-abandoned bid to be president .
The Massachusetts senator said friends , family and supporters have been “ so supportive ” — and have been calling up to ask if she was “ electable.
” Besides , Warren said , she can now rest on her laurels — fondly remembering giving “ a swirly ” to a billionaire in a debate on live TV — and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked who she was going to endorse , Warren joked : “ Maybe I ’ ll just pull a New York Times and endorse them both.
” ( The Times endorsed Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who has also dropped out of the race . )
McKinnon opened the bit playing Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham on “ The Ingraham Angle ” and bashing “ the left ” for waging a “ deceitful , dishonest , and frankly gay smear campaign against President Trump ” about coronavirus .
The left is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear frenzy of lies , which just isn ’ t right ; that ’ s our thing , ” she noted .
In a twist , she hosted Chris Matthews ( Darrell Hammond ) , and lamented that he was pressured to resign from MSNBC for the “ high crime of giving a girl a compliment ” ( sexist comments ) .
She encouraged him : “ Chris , you can say whatever you want ; it ’ s Fox.
” Check out the clip up top , and see what “ SNL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Donald Trump Jr. — and Jeanine Pirro .

The actual Elizabeth Warren popped up on the cold open of “Saturday Night Live” to give her doppelganger Kate McKinnon a big hug and declare she has no regrets about her now-abandoned bid to be president.
The Massachusetts senator said friends, family and supporters have been “so supportive” — and have been calling up to ask if she was “electable.” Besides, Warren said, she can now rest on her laurels — fondly remembering giving “a swirly” to a billionaire in a debate on live TV — and has the time to prank-call big banks.
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Asked who she was going to endorse, Warren joked: “Maybe I’ll just pull a New York Times and endorse them both.” (The Times endorsed Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who has also dropped out of the race.)
McKinnon opened the bit playing Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on “The Ingraham Angle” and bashing “the left” for waging a “deceitful, dishonest, and frankly gay smear campaign against President Trump” about coronavirus. The left is trying to “whip people into a fear frenzy of lies, which just isn’t right; that’s our thing,” she noted.
In a twist, she hosted Chris Matthews (Darrell Hammond), and lamented that he was pressured to resign from MSNBC for the “high crime of giving a girl a compliment” (sexist comments). She encouraged him: “Chris, you can say whatever you want; it’s Fox.”
So he called Ingraham “girl Hitler.“ She responded: “Welcome home.”
That’s when McKinnon introduced Warren, the woman “who savagely murdered Michael Bloomberg on live television.“
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Check out the clip up top, and see what “SNL” does with spoofs of Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. — and Jeanine Pirro.


huffpost--2020-04-09--Fauci Warns Going Back To Normal Won't 'Be A Light Switch That You Turn On And Off'

Dr. Anthony Fauci has cautioned in recent interviews that the coronavirus pandemic will unalterably change aspects of public life .
And on Thursday , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert again advised Americans not to expect a quick return to anything approaching “ normal.
” “ When you say ‘ get back to normal , ’ it ’ s not going to be a light switch that you turn on and off , ” Fauci said on “ CBS This Morning.
” Fauci , head of the National Institute on Allergies and Infectious Diseases , said it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what life after the pandemic may look like .
Even when the risk subsides , the process of how people return to work and school , and resume public gatherings , will likely be different across various states and cities depending on the virus ’ s spread , he said .
Officials will “ progress toward the steps toward normalization as we get closer to the end of the 30 days ” of social distancing recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Fauci said .
“ Hopefully , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we will have taken many steps in that direction , ” he said .
He added that Americans might be able to make plans for summer events only “ if we do the things that we need to do to prevent the resurgence ” of the virus .
`` When you say get back to normal , it 's not going to be a light switch that you turn on and off ... the bottom line of it all is that we see looking forward , it is very likely that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we get to the end of this 30 days . ''
— Fauci pic.twitter.com/GDwCrwLVlA — CBS This Morning ( @ CBSThisMorning ) April 9 , 2020 In China , where COVID-19 cases have tapered off and the government has ended more than two months of lockdown , residents are still under many restrictions to prevent a possible second wave of the pandemic .
Fauci , like Birx and other officials , said it ’ s vital to maintain social distancing and other containment measures .
Only then will the U.S. continue seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decrease in the number of Americans projected to die and early indications that the curve of infections may be flattening in New York , the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. “ That ’ s good news , but the thing we have to be careful of is that we don ’ t then take that good news to think that we might be able to pull back a bit , ” Fauci said Thursday .
“ We ’ ve got to continue , in many respects , to redouble our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to keep those numbers down , and hopefully even get them lower.
” “ We are hoping , with cautious optimism , that at the same time we ’ re in for a bad week , we ’ re going to start to see a turnaround , ” he said .
“ I think it will.
” When asked if the stabilization of the rate of hospitalizations in New York indicates that the curve is flattening , Fauci said : “ We ’ re looking at the very beginning of that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have remained steady for a few days , they need to continue to do so in order to indicate a clear pattern , he said .
Government officials have been hoping to make antibody tests available for people who have recovered from COVID-19 or may have been asymptomatic carriers .
If they test negative , it could mean they would be able to return to work .
Fauci said companies producing the tests say they ’ ll be available in “ days to weeks.
” The availability of a large number of tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible reopening of the economy and return to public life .

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Dr. Anthony Fauci has cautioned in recent interviews that the coronavirus pandemic will unalterably change aspects of public life. And on Thursday, the nation’s top infectious disease expert again advised Americans not to expect a quick return to anything approaching “normal.”
“When you say ‘get back to normal,’ it’s not going to be a light switch that you turn on and off,” Fauci said on “CBS This Morning.”
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Fauci, head of the National Institute on Allergies and Infectious Diseases, said it’s too early to even begin thinking about what life after the pandemic may look like. Even when the risk subsides, the process of how people return to work and school, and resume public gatherings, will likely be different across various states and cities depending on the virus’s spread, he said.
Officials will “progress toward the steps toward normalization as we get closer to the end of the 30 days” of social distancing recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fauci said.
“Hopefully, by the time we get to the summer, we will have taken many steps in that direction,” he said. He added that Americans might be able to make plans for summer events only “if we do the things that we need to do to prevent the resurgence” of the virus.
"When you say get back to normal, it's not going to be a light switch that you turn on and off... the bottom line of it all is that we see looking forward, it is very likely that we will progress toward the steps toward normalization as we get to the end of this 30 days." — Fauci pic.twitter.com/GDwCrwLVlA — CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) April 9, 2020
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In China, where COVID-19 cases have tapered off and the government has ended more than two months of lockdown, residents are still under many restrictions to prevent a possible second wave of the pandemic.
U.S. health officials have cautioned against lifting restrictions and relaxing social distancing guidelines too early for the same reason.
“What’s really important is that people don’t turn these early signs of hope into releasing from the 30 days to stop the spread,” White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said Wednesday. “It’s really critical.”
If people let their guard down and become more lax in abiding by social distancing rules, “a very acute second wave” of infections may erupt, Birx said.
Fauci, like Birx and other officials, said it’s vital to maintain social distancing and other containment measures. Only then will the U.S. continue seeing positive signs, such as models showing a decrease in the number of Americans projected to die and early indications that the curve of infections may be flattening in New York, the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S.
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“That’s good news, but the thing we have to be careful of is that we don’t then take that good news to think that we might be able to pull back a bit,” Fauci said Thursday. “We’ve got to continue, in many respects, to redouble our efforts at the mitigation of physical separation in order to keep those numbers down, and hopefully even get them lower.”
In another interview on NBC’s “Today,” Fauci expressed hope that the pandemic has reached a turning point.
“We are hoping, with cautious optimism, that at the same time we’re in for a bad week, we’re going to start to see a turnaround,” he said. “I think it will.”
When asked if the stabilization of the rate of hospitalizations in New York indicates that the curve is flattening, Fauci said: “We’re looking at the very beginning of that.”
Is the curve flattening in New York? @savannahguthrie asks Dr. Anthony Fauci. pic.twitter.com/UWEyLWFarz — TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 9, 2020
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While New York’s numbers have remained steady for a few days, they need to continue to do so in order to indicate a clear pattern, he said.
Government officials have been hoping to make antibody tests available for people who have recovered from COVID-19 or may have been asymptomatic carriers. If they test negative, it could mean they would be able to return to work.