huffpost--2020-04-30--California Gov To Order All Beaches, State Parks Closed In Effort To Fight Coronavirus

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) — Gov .
Gavin Newsom will order all beaches and state parks closed Friday after tens of thousands of people flocked to the seashore last weekend during a heat wave despite his stay-at-home order , according to a memo sent Wednesday evening to police chiefs around the state .
Newsom this week targeted beachgoers in Orange and Ventura counties , calling them an example of “ what not to do ” if the state wants to continue its progress fighting the coronavirus .
While many beaches and trails throughout the state have been closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with warnings for visitors to practice social distancing and more have reopened .
In Newport Beach , some 80,000 visitors hit the beach over the weekend , although lifeguards said most people exercised social distancing .
With criticism swirling , the Newport Beach City Council met Tuesday and rejected a proposal to close the beaches for the next three weekends .
Six San Francisco Bay Area counties that imposed the first broad stay-at-home orders in California because of the coronavirus loosened them — slightly — for the first time Wednesday , joining a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cracking the door to a less-restrictive life .
The announcement was part of a dizzying list of modified orders making it difficult to keep up with what is allowed and what is not .
Tennis will be OK in Sacramento starting Friday , but not in San Francisco , where public health officials say it ’ s still not safe for people to share a ball .
“ I want to remind everyone that we must all abide by all the local health orders and the state health orders .
That means whichever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the state order , ” Santa Clara County legal counsel James Williams said .
“ It is important that we adhere to the stricter of both.
” The Bay Area order allows for landscaping , construction and other outdoor businesses , such as flea markets and nurseries , so long as social distancing is maintained .
And in what could be a critical addition for many parents , it specifies that summer camps are allowed , but only for children of people allowed to work under the state order .
The children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer and with the same supervisor and may not mingle with kids outside their group .
The changes in local orders reflect the growing unrest among some residents and government officials over Newsom ’ s order and his plan for a slow and methodical reopening of the nation ’ s most populous state even as other states such as Florida move much more quickly .
With much of the economy closed , more than 3.7 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits since March 12 .
In Auburn , northeast of Sacramento , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started taking an occasional client to help pay her rent and meet other expenses .
She ’ s among a smattering of owners across the state who have dodged public health orders that closed their businesses because they are considered nonessential .
“ It won ’ t be on the basis of pressure , it won ’ t be on the basis of what we want , but what we need to do , ” Newsom said .
“ And what we need to do from my humble perspective is listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s 58 counties have their own public health experts , and many are starting to ask Newsom to open up the state .
On Monday , six rural Northern California counties sent a letter to the governor asking him to let them reopen , noting they only had 69 confirmed virus cases among a combined population of 500,000 people .
Santa Clara County Health Director Dr. Sara Cody said local officials have come up with their own metrics to measure infection rates , hospitalizations and testing to ensure that infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If that happens , she said , stricter rules will be back .
“ I wish I could give you a set timeline for when this was going to end .
My family asks me , my friends ask me — we don ’ t have a date , ” she said , noting that there still is no vaccine , so “ we are going to need to have protections in place for a very , very long time .
”

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Gavin Newsom will order all beaches and state parks closed Friday after tens of thousands of people flocked to the seashore last weekend during a heat wave despite his stay-at-home order, according to a memo sent Wednesday evening to police chiefs around the state.
Eric Nuñez, president of the California Police Chiefs Association, said it was sent to give chiefs time to plan ahead of Newsom’s expected announcement Thursday.
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A message to the governor’s office seeking comment wasn’t immediately returned.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to the seashore last weekend during a heatwave despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home order. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Newsom this week targeted beachgoers in Orange and Ventura counties, calling them an example of “what not to do” if the state wants to continue its progress fighting the coronavirus. While many beaches and trails throughout the state have been closed for weeks, others have remained open with warnings for visitors to practice social distancing and more have reopened.
In Newport Beach, some 80,000 visitors hit the beach over the weekend, although lifeguards said most people exercised social distancing. With criticism swirling, the Newport Beach City Council met Tuesday and rejected a proposal to close the beaches for the next three weekends.
Nearby Laguna Beach approved a limited reopening. Beaches across San Diego County reopened Monday, with a few exceptions.
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The governor’s order is sure to draw fire as pressure is building to ease restrictions and slowly reopen the state.
Six San Francisco Bay Area counties that imposed the first broad stay-at-home orders in California because of the coronavirus loosened them — slightly — for the first time Wednesday, joining a growing list of local governments that are cracking the door to a less-restrictive life.
The announcement was part of a dizzying list of modified orders making it difficult to keep up with what is allowed and what is not. Tennis will be OK in Sacramento starting Friday, but not in San Francisco, where public health officials say it’s still not safe for people to share a ball.
Compounding the confusion: Some elements of the revised orders won’t take effect because they conflict with the statewide stay-at-home order, which is still in place.
“I want to remind everyone that we must all abide by all the local health orders and the state health orders. That means whichever is stricter, in some cases that is the state order,” Santa Clara County legal counsel James Williams said. “It is important that we adhere to the stricter of both.”
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The Bay Area order allows for landscaping, construction and other outdoor businesses, such as flea markets and nurseries, so long as social distancing is maintained. And in what could be a critical addition for many parents, it specifies that summer camps are allowed, but only for children of people allowed to work under the state order. The children must remain in groups of 12 or fewer and with the same supervisor and may not mingle with kids outside their group.
It’s not clear if that element complies with the state order. When asked about it Wednesday, Newsom said it was “a point of clarification” his administration will be discussing with local officials.
The changes in local orders reflect the growing unrest among some residents and government officials over Newsom’s order and his plan for a slow and methodical reopening of the nation’s most populous state even as other states such as Florida move much more quickly.
With much of the economy closed, more than 3.7 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits since March 12. In Auburn, northeast of Sacramento, salon owner Tisha Fernhoff said she has started taking an occasional client to help pay her rent and meet other expenses. She’s among a smattering of owners across the state who have dodged public health orders that closed their businesses because they are considered nonessential.
Newsom reiterated Wednesday it would be weeks before he makes the first significant modification to the state order, urging people to remain at home to prevent unintended outbreaks among the state’s most high-risk populations, including nursing homes.
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“It won’t be on the basis of pressure, it won’t be on the basis of what we want, but what we need to do,” Newsom said. “And what we need to do from my humble perspective is listen to the public health experts.”
But each of the state’s 58 counties have their own public health experts, and many are starting to ask Newsom to open up the state. On Monday, six rural Northern California counties sent a letter to the governor asking him to let them reopen, noting they only had 69 confirmed virus cases among a combined population of 500,000 people.
Santa Clara County Health Director Dr. Sara Cody said local officials have come up with their own metrics to measure infection rates, hospitalizations and testing to ensure that infections don’t start rising again. If that happens, she said, stricter rules will be back.
But she acknowledged there may be other health effects from forcing people to stay home, as well as the burgeoning unemployment the pandemic restrictions have caused.
“I wish I could give you a set timeline for when this was going to end. My family asks me, my friends ask me — we don’t have a date,” she said, noting that there still is no vaccine, so “we are going to need to have protections in place for a very, very long time.”
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huffpost--2020-04-20--School Lunch Programs Are Rapidly Going Broke

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images Children pick up free lunches at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington , Virginia , on March 16 , after schools in the area closed due to the coronavirus outbreak .
In communities around the country , schools may be the only institutions making sure that hungry children and their families are fed .
They ’ ve opened grab-and-go lunch stations and started delivering meals to neighborhoods by bus .
But some programs are also going broke , losing millions of dollars .
School administrators fear that they ’ ll have to make deep cuts next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t provide relief .
Even as schools have closed , their cafeterias have remained open .
Their fixed food expenses have remained the same and , in some cases , even increased while their revenue has dropped precipitously .
Free and reduced-price lunches are reimbursed by the government on a per meal basis .
Even as more families rely on these lunches , schools are still serving drastically fewer meals than they would during a typical school year , leading to shortfalls that , by some estimates , could reach $ 19 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
“ Schools have literally become communities ’ emergency feeding sites , ” said Katie Wilson , executive director of the Urban School Food Alliance , a professional organization of the nation ’ s largest school districts .
“ This whole thing is starting to snowball into an immense amount of debt no one is really paying attention to.
” Unless the federal government steps in , school nutrition administrators worry they will have to make deep cuts next year , even as families continue to need their services .
Advocates who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association and the Urban School Food Alliance are lobbying the Department of Agriculture , which oversees school lunch programs , and Congress to provide enhanced relief .
School nutrition programs and their budgets exist separately from a school ’ s general fund .
As nutrition programs look to patch shortfalls , they ’ re concerned they will have to lay off staff members , who have spent months putting themselves on the line , and cut the variety of food served , even when schools are set to see a huge influx of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To cover the costs , they may also have to get help from their school ’ s general fund at a time when the schools are also facing shortfalls if kids are put in smaller classes and teachers have to make up for months of lost learning time .
“ A lot of schools are working through their or have worked through their inventory as they prepare these meals , and they need enough funding to fill their refrigerators again next fall , ” said Diane Pratt-Heavner , director of media relations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still paying school nutrition workers , sometimes extra as the job becomes increasingly hazardous .
They ’ re working to provide families with days ’ worth of meals in an effort to minimize contact , which requires expensive packaging .
Some schools are attempting to provide families with shelf-stable items , which cost more , in case they lack refrigeration .
They ’ re going deeply in debt as they serve fewer , albeit more expensive meals .
Meals provided to adults ― who are also increasingly in need of free food ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , schools are not making nearly as much money from the students who typically pay full price to purchase à la carte items .
In the Cleveland Municipal School District in Ohio , nearly 60 % of students qualify for food benefits , according to the National Center for Education Statistics .
The district has been serving about 10,000 meals a day ― including breakfast and lunch ― to a district of more than 36,000 kids , according to Chris Burkhardt , director of school nutrition .
But reimbursement for these meals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for the additional costs they ’ ve incurred .
The program sends buses to pick kids up from their community school ― typically within walking distance of their home ― to bring them to one of their 22 central food sites .
They ’ re keeping all their school nutrition workers on payroll ― whether working or not ― and paying extra to those on the front lines .
Pre-packaging food , instead of cooking from scratch , to reduce the risk of contamination is also costing more .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open buildings .
In Littleton Public Schools in Colorado , a district where only 17 % of students normally qualify for free or reduced-price lunches ― they ’ re serving just 10 % of what they would normally serve to the whole district , according to Jessica Gould , the district ’ s director of nutrition services .
The district has sent buses into neighborhoods as feeding sites , stationing themselves near hot spots of hunger , three days a week , packaging several meals at a time .
But they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process .
In districts like hers , they also typically generate a lot of revenue from à la carte items ― extra items that kids can purchase to add to their meal , which is now lost .
Wilson said that the large districts she works with are set to lose $ 12 million to $ 19 million each through June 30 .
One of her districts rented three refrigerated trucks to deliver food to students for the next three months .
That alone cost $ 95,000 .

Children pick up free lunches at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, Virginia, on March 16, after schools in the area closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
In communities around the country, schools may be the only institutions making sure that hungry children and their families are fed. They’ve opened grab-and-go lunch stations and started delivering meals to neighborhoods by bus. But some programs are also going broke, losing millions of dollars. School administrators fear that they’ll have to make deep cuts next year if the federal government doesn’t provide relief.
Even as schools have closed, their cafeterias have remained open. Their fixed food expenses have remained the same and, in some cases, even increased while their revenue has dropped precipitously. Free and reduced-price lunches are reimbursed by the government on a per meal basis. Even as more families rely on these lunches, schools are still serving drastically fewer meals than they would during a typical school year, leading to shortfalls that, by some estimates, could reach $19 million in larger districts in the next few months.
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“Schools have literally become communities’ emergency feeding sites,” said Katie Wilson, executive director of the Urban School Food Alliance, a professional organization of the nation’s largest school districts. “This whole thing is starting to snowball into an immense amount of debt no one is really paying attention to.”
Unless the federal government steps in, school nutrition administrators worry they will have to make deep cuts next year, even as families continue to need their services. Advocates who work for organizations like the School Nutrition Association and the Urban School Food Alliance are lobbying the Department of Agriculture, which oversees school lunch programs, and Congress to provide enhanced relief.
School nutrition programs and their budgets exist separately from a school’s general fund. As nutrition programs look to patch shortfalls, they’re concerned they will have to lay off staff members, who have spent months putting themselves on the line, and cut the variety of food served, even when schools are set to see a huge influx of kids who qualify for free lunches. To cover the costs, they may also have to get help from their school’s general fund at a time when the schools are also facing shortfalls if kids are put in smaller classes and teachers have to make up for months of lost learning time.
“A lot of schools are working through their or have worked through their inventory as they prepare these meals, and they need enough funding to fill their refrigerators again next fall,” said Diane Pratt-Heavner, director of media relations for the School Nutrition Association.
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Schools are still paying school nutrition workers, sometimes extra as the job becomes increasingly hazardous. They’re working to provide families with days’ worth of meals in an effort to minimize contact, which requires expensive packaging. Some schools are attempting to provide families with shelf-stable items, which cost more, in case they lack refrigeration.
They’re going deeply in debt as they serve fewer, albeit more expensive meals. Meals provided to adults ― who are also increasingly in need of free food ― are not reimbursable. On top of that, schools are not making nearly as much money from the students who typically pay full price to purchase à la carte items.
In the Cleveland Municipal School District in Ohio, nearly 60% of students qualify for food benefits, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The district has been serving about 10,000 meals a day ― including breakfast and lunch ― to a district of more than 36,000 kids, according to Chris Burkhardt, director of school nutrition.
But reimbursement for these meals isn’t nearly enough to make up for the additional costs they’ve incurred. The program sends buses to pick kids up from their community school ― typically within walking distance of their home ― to bring them to one of their 22 central food sites. They’re keeping all their school nutrition workers on payroll ― whether working or not ― and paying extra to those on the front lines. Pre-packaging food, instead of cooking from scratch, to reduce the risk of contamination is also costing more. They’re paying custodians and school safety workers in open buildings.
“[The expenses] are on our minds. It’s not impacting our decisions, though, because we know students need food. That’s our primary concern right now,” said Burkhardt.
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In Littleton Public Schools in Colorado, a district where only 17% of students normally qualify for free or reduced-price lunches ― they’re serving just 10% of what they would normally serve to the whole district, according to Jessica Gould, the district’s director of nutrition services. The district has sent buses into neighborhoods as feeding sites, stationing themselves near hot spots of hunger, three days a week, packaging several meals at a time. But they’ve incurred huge costs for additional packaging in the process. In districts like hers, they also typically generate a lot of revenue from à la carte items ― extra items that kids can purchase to add to their meal, which is now lost.
Looking into the future, she worries about how she’ll be able to keep her staff.
“We’ll take everything we can get,” Gould said.
Wilson said that the large districts she works with are set to lose $12 million to $19 million each through June 30. One of her districts rented three refrigerated trucks to deliver food to students for the next three months. That alone cost $95,000.


huffpost--2020-04-20--Oil Prices Plunge Below Zero As Demand Collapses

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Oil prices plunged below zero on Monday as demand for energy collapses amid the coronavirus pandemic and traders don ’ t want to get stuck owning crude with nowhere to store it .
Stocks were also slipping on Wall Street in afternoon trading , with the S & P 500 down 0.9 % , but the market ’ s most dramatic action was by far in oil , where benchmark U.S. crude for May delivery plummeted to negative $ 3.70 per barrel , as of 2:15 p.m. Eastern time .
Much of the drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technical reasons — the May delivery contract is close to expiring so it was seeing less trading volume , which can exacerbate swings .
But prices for deliveries even further into the future , which were seeing larger trading volumes , also plunged .
Demand for oil has collapsed so much due to the coronavirus pandemic that facilities for storing crude are nearly full .
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for June delivery , which shows a more ” normal ” price , fell 14.8 % to $ 21.32 per barrel , as factories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Big oil producers have announced cutbacks in production in hopes of better balancing supplies with demand , but many analysts say it ’ s not enough .
“ Basically , bears are out for blood , ” analyst Naeem Aslam of Avatrade said in a report .
“ The steep fall in the price is because of the lack of sufficient demand and lack of storage place given the fact that the production cut has failed to address the supply glut.
” Halliburton swung between gains and sharp losses , even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months of 2020 than analysts expected .
The oilfield engineering company said that the pandemic has created so much turmoil in the industry that it “ can not reasonably estimate ” how long the hit will last .
It expects a further decline in revenue and profitability for the rest of 2020 , particularly in North America .
In the stock market , the mild drops ate into some of the big gains made since late March , driven lately by investors looking ahead to parts of the economy possibly reopening as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pessimists have called the rally overdone , pointing to the severe economic pain sweeping the world and continued uncertainty about how long it will last .
More gains from companies that are winners in the new stay-at-home economy helped limit the market ’ s losses Amazon rose 1.4 % , and Netflix jumped 3.8 % as people shut in at home buy staples and look to fill their time .
Clorox likewise rose toward a new record and was up 1 % as households and businesses that remain open look to stay clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.1 % after Japan reported that its exports fell nearly 12 % in March from a year earlier as the pandemic hammered demand in its two biggest markets , the U.S. and China .
In a sign of continued caution in the market , Treasury yields remained extremely low .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 0.64 % from 0.65 % late Friday .
It started the year near 1.90 % .
Bond yields drop when their prices rise , and investors tend to buy Treasurys when they ’ re worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a generally upward swing recently , and the S & P 500 just closed out its first back-to-back weekly gain since the market began selling off in February .
Promises of massive aid for the economy and markets by the Federal Reserve and U.S. government ignited the rally , which sent the S & P 500 up as much as 28.5 % since a low on March 23 .
Many analysts also warn that a significant part of the recent recovery in stocks is due to the expectation among some investors that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantines are lifted .
They ’ re essentially predicting that a line chart of the economy will ultimately resemble the letter “ V , ” with a wild ride down but then a quick pivot to a vigorous recovery .
That may be to optimistic .
“ We caution that a U-shaped recovery is also quite likely , ” where the economy bottoms out and stays at that low level for a while before recovering , strategists at Barclays warned in a recent report .

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NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices plunged below zero on Monday as demand for energy collapses amid the coronavirus pandemic and traders don’t want to get stuck owning crude with nowhere to store it.
Stocks were also slipping on Wall Street in afternoon trading, with the S&P 500 down 0.9%, but the market’s most dramatic action was by far in oil, where benchmark U.S. crude for May delivery plummeted to negative $3.70 per barrel, as of 2:15 p.m. Eastern time.
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Much of the drop into negative territory was chalked up to technical reasons — the May delivery contract is close to expiring so it was seeing less trading volume, which can exacerbate swings. But prices for deliveries even further into the future, which were seeing larger trading volumes, also plunged. Demand for oil has collapsed so much due to the coronavirus pandemic that facilities for storing crude are nearly full.
Tanks could hit their limits within three weeks, according to Chris Midgley, head of analytics at S&P Global Platts.
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for June delivery, which shows a more ”normal” price, fell 14.8% to $21.32 per barrel, as factories and automobiles around the world remain idled. Big oil producers have announced cutbacks in production in hopes of better balancing supplies with demand, but many analysts say it’s not enough.
“Basically, bears are out for blood,” analyst Naeem Aslam of Avatrade said in a report. “The steep fall in the price is because of the lack of sufficient demand and lack of storage place given the fact that the production cut has failed to address the supply glut.”
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Halliburton swung between gains and sharp losses, even though it reported stronger results for the first three months of 2020 than analysts expected. The oilfield engineering company said that the pandemic has created so much turmoil in the industry that it “cannot reasonably estimate” how long the hit will last. It expects a further decline in revenue and profitability for the rest of 2020, particularly in North America.
Brent crude, the international standard, was down $1.78 to $26.30 per barrel.
In the stock market, the mild drops ate into some of the big gains made since late March, driven lately by investors looking ahead to parts of the economy possibly reopening as infections level off in hard-hit areas. Pessimists have called the rally overdone, pointing to the severe economic pain sweeping the world and continued uncertainty about how long it will last.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 364 points, or 1.5%, to 23,887. The Nasdaq was down 0.1%.
More gains from companies that are winners in the new stay-at-home economy helped limit the market’s losses Amazon rose 1.4%, and Netflix jumped 3.8% as people shut in at home buy staples and look to fill their time. Clorox likewise rose toward a new record and was up 1% as households and businesses that remain open look to stay clean.
In Tokyo the Nikkei 225 fell 1.1% after Japan reported that its exports fell nearly 12% in March from a year earlier as the pandemic hammered demand in its two biggest markets, the U.S. and China.
The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong lost 0.2%, and South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.8%.
European markets were modestly higher The German DAX was up 0.5%, the French CAC 40 was up 0.7% and the FTSE 100 in London gained 0.7%.
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In a sign of continued caution in the market, Treasury yields remained extremely low. The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 0.64% from 0.65% late Friday. It started the year near 1.90%. Bond yields drop when their prices rise, and investors tend to buy Treasurys when they’re worried about the economy.
Stocks have been on a generally upward swing recently, and the S&P 500 just closed out its first back-to-back weekly gain since the market began selling off in February. Promises of massive aid for the economy and markets by the Federal Reserve and U.S. government ignited the rally, which sent the S&P 500 up as much as 28.5% since a low on March 23.
More recently, countries around the world have tentatively eased up on business-shutdown restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the virus.
But health experts warn the pandemic is far from over and new flareups could ignite if governments rush to allow ”normal” life to return prematurely.
The S&P 500 remains about 15% below its record high in February as millions more U.S. workers file for unemployment every week amid the shutdowns.
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Many analysts also warn that a significant part of the recent recovery in stocks is due to the expectation among some investors that the economy will rebound sharply once economic quarantines are lifted. They’re essentially predicting that a line chart of the economy will ultimately resemble the letter “V,” with a wild ride down but then a quick pivot to a vigorous recovery.
That may be to optimistic. “We caution that a U-shaped recovery is also quite likely,” where the economy bottoms out and stays at that low level for a while before recovering, strategists at Barclays warned in a recent report.
Without strong testing programs for COVID-19, businesses likely won’t feel comfortable bringing back their full workforces for a while.
”With risk assets now overbought, the chance for a correction has increased,” Morgan Stanley strategists wrote in a report.
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huffpost--2020-04-20--The Best Ways To Exercise At Home During Coronavirus

Focusing on fitness can be a welcome respite from the anxiety caused by the coronavirus .
Exercise is a known stress reliever that shifts our minds away from things that are worrying us .
And during the COVID-19 pandemic , regular sweat sessions can even help reestablish a sense of normalcy for those who are used to having a workout regimen .
But that ’ s all easier said than done these days .
Gyms and fitness studios are likely to be closed for a while .
While exercising outside is still a viable option , it ’ s becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s why it ’ s crucial to find indoor options that will benefit your body and mind .
“ The main thing right now is just to stay disciplined .
If your goal is to continue working out , then don ’ t use this as an excuse to stop , ” said Zack DiBenedetto , owner of New Orleans ’ Big Easy Crossfit and part-owner of the F45 Garden District gym .
“ So , if two or three 30-minute at-home workouts a week is what keeps you going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would highly recommend doing those workouts.
” Thankfully , there are plenty of free or inexpensive ways to get moving , from fitness apps to online plans to easy-to-learn exercises .
Below , we spoke to fitness experts and trainers about the best ways to work out within the constraints of our homes .
While most people turn to Instagram for memes , picturesque images and news on what their friends are doing , the social network is also becoming a hub for workouts as many gyms and personal trainers are taking their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They ’ re 30- to 45-minute bodyweight and boxing workouts — no equipment is needed .
The music is phenomenal , and the vibes are all positive , ” said Rob Sulaver , founding trainer of Rumble Boxing and co-founder of the Bandana Training Club .
The classes are intended for people of all different fitness levels , even if you ’ ve never boxed a day in your life , Sulaver added .
Use a hand towel for more than just toweling off .
Slider exercises are ideal elements in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a plethora of the small plastic discs that keep your feet from sticking , most of us don ’ t have them in our homes .
Enter your hand towels .
“ I am using small hand towels as sliders on my hardwood floor and doing things such as mountain climbers , lunges , pikes and hamstring curls .
The hand towels work just as well as sliders , in my opinion .
If you don ’ t have hardwood floors , I have heard that paper plates work great on carpet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of options for home workouts on Pinterest and YouTube , which you can find by searching “ home workout ” or some variation of the term .
You can also find free workouts through apps .
FitOn , for example , is a free fitness app that offers a library of exercises , including HIIT workouts , dance classes , barre exercises , targeted toning workouts and kickboxing classes .
The workouts range from five-minute blasts to 30-minute-plus challenges .
The app even includes a category of workouts meant for small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do cardio inside .
The floor doesn ’ t have to be the only surface you use for your cardio workouts .
A hard chair can help you exercise different muscles and enjoy a change in positions .
Get creative with your equipment .
No household item is off-limits .
“ A bookbag is my number one go-to because you can load it up with however much weight you want and then do a slew of different movements with it , ” like bear crawls and pushups , DiBenedetto added .

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Focusing on fitness can be a welcome respite from the anxiety caused by the coronavirus. Exercise is a known stress reliever that shifts our minds away from things that are worrying us. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, regular sweat sessions can even help reestablish a sense of normalcy for those who are used to having a workout regimen.
But that’s all easier said than done these days. Gyms and fitness studios are likely to be closed for a while. While exercising outside is still a viable option, it’s becoming harder to feel truly safe doing so. That’s why it’s crucial to find indoor options that will benefit your body and mind.
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“The main thing right now is just to stay disciplined. If your goal is to continue working out, then don’t use this as an excuse to stop,” said Zack DiBenedetto, owner of New Orleans’ Big Easy Crossfit and part-owner of the F45 Garden District gym. “So, if two or three 30-minute at-home workouts a week is what keeps you going and keeps you sane, then I would highly recommend doing those workouts.”
Thankfully, there are plenty of free or inexpensive ways to get moving, from fitness apps to online plans to easy-to-learn exercises. Below, we spoke to fitness experts and trainers about the best ways to work out within the constraints of our homes.
Try a free Instagram workout.
While most people turn to Instagram for memes, picturesque images and news on what their friends are doing, the social network is also becoming a hub for workouts as many gyms and personal trainers are taking their expertise online during this time of quarantine.
Check your favorite fitness studio’s Instagram account or look through posts from celebrity trainers. Many are hosting workouts or offering tips through their pages, sometimes even for free.
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For example, Rumble Boxing ― a high-intensity boxing and weights program ― is doing daily classes on Instagram Live.
“They’re 30- to 45-minute bodyweight and boxing workouts — no equipment is needed. The music is phenomenal, and the vibes are all positive,” said Rob Sulaver, founding trainer of Rumble Boxing and co-founder of the Bandana Training Club. The classes are intended for people of all different fitness levels, even if you’ve never boxed a day in your life, Sulaver added.
Marko Geber via Getty Images
Use a hand towel for more than just toweling off.
Slider exercises are ideal elements in a challenging full-body workout. While gyms have a plethora of the small plastic discs that keep your feet from sticking, most of us don’t have them in our homes. Enter your hand towels.
Jamie Promislo, owner of Revel Ride in Philadelphia, said using hand towels can help you re-create workouts that utilize sliders.
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“I am using small hand towels as sliders on my hardwood floor and doing things such as mountain climbers, lunges, pikes and hamstring curls. The hand towels work just as well as sliders, in my opinion. If you don’t have hardwood floors, I have heard that paper plates work great on carpet,” Promislo said.
Try a sure-to-make-you-sweat HIIT workout.
DiBenedetto said he often sticks to one high-intensity interval training (HIIT) challenge workout that uses the below movements:
High knees Plyometric lunges Mountain climbers Drop squats Up downs (also known as stiff-arm burpees) Situps Bicycle crunches Tuck jumps Wide mountain climbers Pushups (add a clap in between each one for added difficulty) Squat pulses One inchworm and two jumping jacks
For each of the movements, follow this time schedule:
First round: Do the movement for 45 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds
Second round: Do the movement for 20 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds
Third round: Do the movement for 45 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds
Fourth round: Do the movement for 20 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds
So you start by doing movement number one ― high knees ― for 45 seconds and then rest for 15 seconds, followed by 20 seconds of high knees and 10 seconds of rest. Repeat both.
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Once you complete your high knees circuit, move on to the next movement, which is lunges, and repeat the four time rounds.
Continue down the list of movements repeating the four time rounds for each. The entire rotation takes about 36 minutes, and you’ll be super sweaty by the end.
Utilize free workout apps or social media videos.
There are a number of options for home workouts on Pinterest and YouTube, which you can find by searching “home workout” or some variation of the term. You can also find free workouts through apps.
FitOn, for example, is a free fitness app that offers a library of exercises, including HIIT workouts, dance classes, barre exercises, targeted toning workouts and kickboxing classes. The workouts range from five-minute blasts to 30-minute-plus challenges. The app even includes a category of workouts meant for small spaces ― ideal for those trying to do cardio inside.
And don’t forget other cult-favorite fitness apps, like Peleton and Obé, which may offer free trials before you need to start the paid version.
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PeopleImages via Getty Images
Grab a chair for an added challenge.
The floor doesn’t have to be the only surface you use for your cardio workouts. A hard chair can help you exercise different muscles and enjoy a change in positions.
“Use a chair against a wall for dips, reverse lunges, decline pushups and reverse crunches,” Promislo said. Repeat each move a few times and you’ll be feeling the burn.
Get creative with your equipment.
“Don’t be afraid to get creative with your equipment,” DiBenedetto said. “Some resistance is better than no resistance.”
No household item is off-limits. “A bookbag is my number one go-to because you can load it up with however much weight you want and then do a slew of different movements with it,” like bear crawls and pushups, DiBenedetto added.
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He also suggested using suitcases, briefcases, paint cans, 12-packs or cases of water to add resistance to your workouts.
Schedule your cardio.
Finally, make a date with exercise. If you’re struggling to get in your cardio workouts and find yourself making excuses, Sulaver recommends putting the time on your calendar to achieve your fitness goals.
“Schedule your workouts. Even though my routine has changed quite a bit, I still schedule my workouts each week in my calendar. It gives some structure to my day and a plan for the week,” Sulaver said.


huffpost--2020-04-20--U.S. Appeals Court Lets Texas Curb Medication Abortions During Pandemic

NEW YORK , April 20 ( Reuters ) - A U.S. appeals court on Monday allowed Texas to enforce curbs on medication-induced abortions as part of the Republican-governed state ’ s restrictions aimed at postponing medical procedures not deemed urgent during the coronavirus pandemic .
The New Orleans-based 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a federal judge ’ s order blocking the state from applying restrictions to abortions induced through medication , in the early stages of a pregnancy .
About half of all abortions in the state are performed through medication , which involves taking two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also prevented the state from banning surgical abortions for women who would be past the legal limit for the procedure by the time the coronavirus-related emergency order is set to expire , at the end of the day on Tuesday .
The 5th Circuit allowed that portion of the judge ’ s order to remain in effect .
Texas is one of several conservative states that have tried to impose limits on abortion during the pandemic , saying they are seeking to ensure that medical resources including protective equipment are available to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the respiratory disease caused by the virus .
Abortion rights advocates have accused the states of political opportunism by using the pandemic to advance anti-abortion policies .
The abortion providers - including Whole Woman ’ s Health and Planned Parenthood - sued Texas on March 25 , calling the restrictions a violation of the right to abortion under the U.S. Constitution as recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision .
The abortion providers said medication abortion should not be halted because it is not a procedure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of protective equipment .
The state disputed that contention , saying that medication abortion is a procedure and that protective equipment is used as part of the physical exams and follow-up exams or if there are complications requiring an emergency room visit .
In Monday ’ s ruling , the 5th Circuit said that in blocking the state ’ s actions to postpone abortions during the pandemic , U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel in Austin usurped the state ’ s authority “ to craft emergency public health measures.
” ( Reporting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hurley in Washington ; Editing by Will Dunham )

NEW YORK, April 20 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Monday allowed Texas to enforce curbs on medication-induced abortions as part of the Republican-governed state’s restrictions aimed at postponing medical procedures not deemed urgent during the coronavirus pandemic.
The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a federal judge’s order blocking the state from applying restrictions to abortions induced through medication, in the early stages of a pregnancy. About half of all abortions in the state are performed through medication, which involves taking two pills by mouth.
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The judge had also prevented the state from banning surgical abortions for women who would be past the legal limit for the procedure by the time the coronavirus-related emergency order is set to expire, at the end of the day on Tuesday. The 5th Circuit allowed that portion of the judge’s order to remain in effect.
Texas is one of several conservative states that have tried to impose limits on abortion during the pandemic, saying they are seeking to ensure that medical resources including protective equipment are available to help healthcare facilities cope with people with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus.
Abortion rights advocates have accused the states of political opportunism by using the pandemic to advance anti-abortion policies.
The abortion providers - including Whole Woman’s Health and Planned Parenthood - sued Texas on March 25, calling the restrictions a violation of the right to abortion under the U.S. Constitution as recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
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The abortion providers said medication abortion should not be halted because it is not a procedure at all and does not require the use of protective equipment.
The state disputed that contention, saying that medication abortion is a procedure and that protective equipment is used as part of the physical exams and follow-up exams or if there are complications requiring an emergency room visit.
In Monday’s ruling, the 5th Circuit said that in blocking the state’s actions to postpone abortions during the pandemic, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel in Austin usurped the state’s authority “to craft emergency public health measures.” (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York and Lawrence Hurley in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham)


huffpost--2020-04-20--Wanted Homicide Suspect Arrested For Breaking Social Distancing Rules: Cops

A man wanted for homicide in Pennsylvania was arrested in Florida over the weekend after authorities said he was caught violating social distancing rules at a beach .
Jacksonville Beach police arrested Mario Matthew Gatti , 30 , on Sunday after allegedly finding him sunbathing near the dunes in violation of local coronavirus prevention rules .
Beaches in Duval County reopened last week amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , but with restricted hours and only for exercise , not sunbathing .
This morning while officers patrolled the beach proper they captured a Fugitive from Justice , wanted in Arnold , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pic.twitter.com/JKRmHFTydw — COJB Police ( @ JaxBeachPD ) April 19 , 2020 Jacksonville Beach police said they recognized Gatti as someone with a warrant out for his arrest and took him into custody , Pennsylvania ’ s Valley News Dispatch reported .
He faces additional charges of giving false information in a felony or missing person case , as well as possessing drugs without a prescription , online jailhouse records show .
“ We have some rules in place that it ’ s open for active exercise : running , jogging , walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairs , sitting or lounging is allowed , ” a police spokesperson told the Dispatch .
“ He was found up closer toward our dunes lounging.
” Gatti was wanted for the shooting death of 33-year-old Michael Coover in Arnold , Pennsylvania , in January .
CORRECTION : An earlier version of this article misidentified the victim as 31-year-old Anthone Williams .
Williams was killed in a separate shooting in nearby New Kensington , Pennsylvania , also in January .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A man wanted for homicide in Pennsylvania was arrested in Florida over the weekend after authorities said he was caught violating social distancing rules at a beach.
Jacksonville Beach police arrested Mario Matthew Gatti, 30, on Sunday after allegedly finding him sunbathing near the dunes in violation of local coronavirus prevention rules.
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Beaches in Duval County reopened last week amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but with restricted hours and only for exercise, not sunbathing.
This morning while officers patrolled the beach proper they captured a Fugitive from Justice, wanted in Arnold, Pennsylvania for Homicide. Good job! pic.twitter.com/JKRmHFTydw — COJB Police (@JaxBeachPD) April 19, 2020
Jacksonville Beach police said they recognized Gatti as someone with a warrant out for his arrest and took him into custody, Pennsylvania’s Valley News Dispatch reported.
He faces additional charges of giving false information in a felony or missing person case, as well as possessing drugs without a prescription, online jailhouse records show.
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“We have some rules in place that it’s open for active exercise: running, jogging, walking a dog. No blankets, beach chairs, sitting or lounging is allowed,” a police spokesperson told the Dispatch. “He was found up closer toward our dunes lounging.”
Gatti was wanted for the shooting death of 33-year-old Michael Coover in Arnold, Pennsylvania, in January.


huffpost--2020-04-20--My Mom Has Alzheimer’s And COVID-19. I Can't Visit Her And It’s Traumatizing.

My guard was down when the caller ID lit up with the number from my mom ’ s care home on March 28 .
The ringing phone interrupted the time my husband and I were enjoying together over our coffee , a rare delight and an intentional moment of “ looking on the bright side ” of social distancing .
I woke up that morning feeling like we were finally getting into a groove after more than two weeks into isolation .
The days no longer stretched in endless minutes with constant interruptions .
My mind had transitioned from shock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if ” scenarios and endless emails starting with “ in these unprecedented times ” had receded to the background .
I knew I would walk my mom to the end of her days on this earth , to the very end of this challenging Alzheimer ’ s journey , and she knew it , too .
And I realized that in doing so , in fulfilling my duty to her and living my love for her , I would experience many heart-wrenching moments .
I already have .
I sat with her when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alzheimer ’ s is causing what you are experiencing , ” and I watched through tear-blurred vision as my mom ’ s face reddened in protest .
When I hung up the phone , I knew implicitly that I would not be allowed to visit my mom at the hospital because it was very possible that she might have the coronavirus .
As of March 18 , the hospital my mom was sent to had stopped allowing visitors except under specific circumstances ( like hospice ) .
While nominally one visitor is allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” in practice no one advertises that .
The hospital is fighting a war with an invisible enemy , and the risk of community spread is too great .
The likelihood of the coronavirus being present within an ER setting was enough to prevent me from even contemplating going .
However , because my mom is unable to understand or produce words anymore , I knew she would not be able to communicate with the medical staff , and without me ― her voice and advocate ― she would be confused , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no window into what was happening in the ER except for the lab results I received by email throughout the morning .
Since my mom ’ s medical account is linked to mine , notifications containing these jolts of data kept arriving but without any context or explanation .
For three hours , I heard nothing else .
I tried to wait patiently , tried to stave off the nagging nervous ache in my stomach , tried not to jump to conclusions and hope that some IV fluids would make her healthy again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving good care , even though I couldn ’ t put a face or name to any of the nurses or doctors .
I couldn ’ t see her or talk to her .
I could only imagine the hospital gurney she lay on , the colors of her hospital gown , and I wondered if she was warm enough , if she was scared , what the room looked like and how often the monitors beeped .
A headache blossomed from my neck to the tip of my brain — intense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do now ?
The die had been cast .
She was on a gurney , sick and confused , rolling through an unfamiliar and frightening place , where she would stay until that coronavirus test came back .
Would it be two days ?
Three ?
More ?
This chain reaction of events already felt so far out of my hands .
For all my promises to be by her side when she needed me , for all the advocacy I ’ ve done on her behalf for the last seven years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merely miles away but a world apart .
At 7 p.m. my phone rang again , this time with the hospital ’ s number on the caller ID .
The doctor introduced himself as my mom ’ s attending physician and said he was calling to let me know that my mom ’ s COVID-19 test was positive .
He said the prognosis for patients who are my mom ’ s age and who have her cognitive condition was not good , and that I needed to consider expanding the scope of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worse .
For the second time that day , silent streams coursed down my cheeks .
I called my brothers to tell them to prepare for the worst .
Isolation had never felt so complete .
The notion that she might pass away wondering , in her lucid moments , why I had abandoned her destroyed me .
I couldn ’ t do anything , not tell her I loved her or even hold her hand .
This separation from connection , from any semblance of normalcy , is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of most of our collective lives .
All of us are struggling with enormous amounts of uncertainty in this COVID-19 world .
In my mom ’ s case , the tsunami of sick patients was already starting and the medical staff was overwhelmed .
How could I empower myself and advocate for my mom from afar ?
How could I exercise power where I could ?
I needed to find a way to connect with her , so I started by reaching out to my Facebook community .
I asked if anyone knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my mom was admitted , hoping to find a direct connection to my mom .
Then , I sent my mom ’ s lab and hospital reports to a doctor friend .
She helped me interpret what I was seeing and gave me the language for what I needed to ask during the doctor ’ s infrequent check-ins .
What else could I do ?
My mom was combative and refusing to eat .
I was sidelined .
I tried not to bug the nurses .
But she is my mom and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I called twice a day .
My mom is so visually connected that I didn ’ t think a phone call would do much .
But we tried it .
A nurse caring for my mom passed the phone to her .
She didn ’ t say much , but I could hear her voice and her raspy breathing .
I told her I loved her and that I was sorry she wasn ’ t feeling well .
And then , I connected with a friend of a friend who worked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to please tell my mom that her daughter loves her .
Even if she may not understand it , I wanted her to hear it .
I needed her to know that .
If it ’ s her time , I can make my peace with that .
But I wanted her to know I love her and would never have abandoned her .
Personal connection , even without physical contact , is enormously important .
I have had a glimpse into the inhumanity of being pulled apart , how it tugs at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how it makes your head want to explode and how the feeling of something being amiss never leaves you the whole time , through every action of every day , even as you try to carry on .
So far , my mom has made it through the dicey early days of a COVID-19 infection , but even two weeks in she still has the virus .
All of her caregivers must dress in full personal protective equipment , enhancing the sensation for her , surely , that aliens have taken over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Few care homes are accepting coronavirus-positive dementia patients .
Due to these “ unprecedented times , ” the rules are being written on the fly .
With the hospital in desperate need of patient beds , for more than a week she sat mostly alone in a hospital room but couldn ’ t be discharged because there was nowhere for her to go .
There are no guarantees in this journey of life .
Never before has that been so universally apparent .
I ’ ve learned that it ’ s important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empower yourself and creatively strategize in order to diminish uncertainty and powerlessness .
As I sat in an existential crisis on the sidelines while my mom navigated hospitalization alone , I discovered that I am scared and worried , but I am not helpless .
In this moment of our collective history , as we weather the storm of this public health crisis , we may feel helpless , but we must also be resourceful , compassionate and courageous .

The author and her mom pre-quarantine. Courtesy of Meg Steere
My guard was down when the caller ID lit up with the number from my mom’s care home on March 28. The ringing phone interrupted the time my husband and I were enjoying together over our coffee, a rare delight and an intentional moment of “looking on the bright side” of social distancing. I woke up that morning feeling like we were finally getting into a groove after more than two weeks into isolation. The days no longer stretched in endless minutes with constant interruptions. My mind had transitioned from shock toward acceptance. The breathless “what if” scenarios and endless emails starting with “in these unprecedented times” had receded to the background.
The disjointed words “your mom, vomiting, ER” tumbled through the line, echoing against the noisy rush of blood in my ears. My next words should have been, “I’ll meet her ambulance there,” followed by a scramble to grab my keys and race to the hospital. Instead, I was engulfed in stunned silence.
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Since my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years ago, I have been her primary caregiver and advocate. She once told her friend, “The kid will tell me what I need to do — she takes care of everything!” She had forgotten my name, but was certain of my capable care.
I knew I would walk my mom to the end of her days on this earth, to the very end of this challenging Alzheimer’s journey, and she knew it, too. And I realized that in doing so, in fulfilling my duty to her and living my love for her, I would experience many heart-wrenching moments. I already have. I sat with her when the doctor said, “I think Alzheimer’s is causing what you are experiencing,” and I watched through tear-blurred vision as my mom’s face reddened in protest.
“I knew I would walk my mom to the end of her days on this earth, to the very end of this challenging Alzheimer’s journey, and she knew it, too.”
I hired her caregivers and fielded her calls when she didn’t want “these people” in her home. I bore her teasing tone when she called me her “handler” or replied in a sarcastic tone, “OK, Mommy,” to my directives. I signed do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. Eventually, I visited memory care homes and made the decision to move her in. Many difficult decisions are part of the slow, steady decline of Alzheimer’s. But never did I imagine that I wouldn’t be by her side when she needed me.
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When I hung up the phone, I knew implicitly that I would not be allowed to visit my mom at the hospital because it was very possible that she might have the coronavirus. As of March 18, the hospital my mom was sent to had stopped allowing visitors except under specific circumstances (like hospice). While nominally one visitor is allowed per emergency room patient “if necessary,” in practice no one advertises that. The hospital is fighting a war with an invisible enemy, and the risk of community spread is too great. The likelihood of the coronavirus being present within an ER setting was enough to prevent me from even contemplating going. However, because my mom is unable to understand or produce words anymore, I knew she would not be able to communicate with the medical staff, and without me ― her voice and advocate ― she would be confused, vulnerable and entirely alone.
I had no window into what was happening in the ER except for the lab results I received by email throughout the morning. Since my mom’s medical account is linked to mine, notifications containing these jolts of data kept arriving but without any context or explanation. For three hours, I heard nothing else. I tried to wait patiently, tried to stave off the nagging nervous ache in my stomach, tried not to jump to conclusions and hope that some IV fluids would make her healthy again. I had to assume she was receiving good care, even though I couldn’t put a face or name to any of the nurses or doctors. I couldn’t see her or talk to her. I could only imagine the hospital gurney she lay on, the colors of her hospital gown, and I wondered if she was warm enough, if she was scared, what the room looked like and how often the monitors beeped. A headache blossomed from my neck to the tip of my brain — intense, deep and throbbing.
“My mom is unable to understand or produce words anymore, so without me — her voice and advocate — she would be confused, vulnerable and entirely alone at the hospital.”
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I finally called the ER when I could no longer keep my anxiety at bay. The doctor reported that she was rehydrated but coughing, and her X-rays showed mild pneumonia. He was testing her for COVID-19 and would admit her for monitoring.
But what could I do now? The die had been cast. She was on a gurney, sick and confused, rolling through an unfamiliar and frightening place, where she would stay until that coronavirus test came back. Would it be two days? Three? More? This chain reaction of events already felt so far out of my hands. For all my promises to be by her side when she needed me, for all the advocacy I’ve done on her behalf for the last seven years, I found myself in this moment merely miles away but a world apart.
At 7 p.m. my phone rang again, this time with the hospital’s number on the caller ID. The doctor introduced himself as my mom’s attending physician and said he was calling to let me know that my mom’s COVID-19 test was positive. He said the prognosis for patients who are my mom’s age and who have her cognitive condition was not good, and that I needed to consider expanding the scope of her DNR if she took a turn for the worse. For the second time that day, silent streams coursed down my cheeks. I called my brothers to tell them to prepare for the worst.
Just before bed, the dread, sadness and fear crept its way in more aggressively. Sleep became elusive, exhaustion battling with imaginings of my mom’s reality. My eyes quickly became sunken underneath bags of fatigue so large an airline would have charged me for extra baggage.
Isolation had never felt so complete. The notion that she might pass away wondering, in her lucid moments, why I had abandoned her destroyed me. I couldn’t do anything, not tell her I loved her or even hold her hand. This separation from connection, from any semblance of normalcy, is one of the most unimaginably inhumane and thoroughly vulnerable times of most of our collective lives. All of us are struggling with enormous amounts of uncertainty in this COVID-19 world. In my mom’s case, the tsunami of sick patients was already starting and the medical staff was overwhelmed. How could I empower myself and advocate for my mom from afar? How could I exercise power where I could?
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“He said the prognosis for patients who are my mom’s age and who have her cognitive condition was not good, and that I needed to consider expanding the scope of her DNR if she took a turn for the worse.”
I needed to find a way to connect with her, so I started by reaching out to my Facebook community. I asked if anyone knew people who worked at the hospital where my mom was admitted, hoping to find a direct connection to my mom. Then, I sent my mom’s lab and hospital reports to a doctor friend. She helped me interpret what I was seeing and gave me the language for what I needed to ask during the doctor’s infrequent check-ins.
What else could I do? My mom was combative and refusing to eat. I was sidelined. I tried not to bug the nurses. But she is my mom and it is my job to ensure her welfare. I called twice a day. My mom is so visually connected that I didn’t think a phone call would do much. But we tried it. A nurse caring for my mom passed the phone to her. She didn’t say much, but I could hear her voice and her raspy breathing. I told her I loved her and that I was sorry she wasn’t feeling well.
I don’t know if it helped, or if she understood, but it made me feel better. She heard my voice, and that was a small joy.
“The notion that she might pass away wondering, in her lucid moments, why I had abandoned her destroyed me.”
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And then, I connected with a friend of a friend who worked at the hospital, and I asked her to please tell my mom that her daughter loves her. Even if she may not understand it, I wanted her to hear it. I needed her to know that. If it’s her time, I can make my peace with that. But I wanted her to know I love her and would never have abandoned her.
Being able to get this message to my mom changed everything for me.
Personal connection, even without physical contact, is enormously important. I have had a glimpse into the inhumanity of being pulled apart, how it tugs at your heart and empties out your soul, how it makes your head want to explode and how the feeling of something being amiss never leaves you the whole time, through every action of every day, even as you try to carry on.
So far, my mom has made it through the dicey early days of a COVID-19 infection, but even two weeks in she still has the virus. All of her caregivers must dress in full personal protective equipment, enhancing the sensation for her, surely, that aliens have taken over and removed anything familiar from her world. Few care homes are accepting coronavirus-positive dementia patients. Due to these “unprecedented times,” the rules are being written on the fly. With the hospital in desperate need of patient beds, for more than a week she sat mostly alone in a hospital room but couldn’t be discharged because there was nowhere for her to go.
There are no guarantees in this journey of life. Never before has that been so universally apparent. I’ve learned that it’s important to try to figure out ways to empower yourself and creatively strategize in order to diminish uncertainty and powerlessness. As I sat in an existential crisis on the sidelines while my mom navigated hospitalization alone, I discovered that I am scared and worried, but I am not helpless. In this moment of our collective history, as we weather the storm of this public health crisis, we may feel helpless, but we must also be resourceful, compassionate and courageous.
I did everything I could for my mom with what I had access to. And now with my mom back in her care home, I am enjoying seeing her on FaceTime and look forward to being able to visit her again when this isolation period is over. I am still hoping that she recovers fully from this, but I have to remind myself that whatever happens, she won’t remember this. I will.
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huffpost--2020-04-20--'The Bachelor Presents: Listen To Your Heart' Isn't So Bad After All

“ The Bachelor ” franchise ’ s latest offering , “ The Bachelor Presents : Listen To Your Heart , ” seemed at first glance to be ... let ’ s just say it : terrible .
Twenty-something single , hot singers , none of whom have appeared on other “ Bachelor ” shows , are put in a mansion and told to find love ― and musical partnership .
All of the promos were framed around unself-aware comparisons to “ A Star Is Born , ” and in the pre-COVID-19 era , many Bachelor Nation superfans had planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then stay-at-home orders hit , “ The Bachelorette ” filming was delayed , “ Bachelor Summer Games ” was canceled , and those of us who are lucky enough to be able to work remotely and practice social distancing needed things to watch .
So HuffPost reporters and hosts of “ Here To Make Friends In Quarantine , ” Leigh Blickley and Emma Gray , decided to give the new show a try ― and found themselves pleasantly surprised .
Leigh Blickley : We ’ re big fans of “ The Bachelor ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no surprise .
But when it came to the promos for “ The Bachelor Presents : Listen To Your Heart , ” I was skeptical .
The whole “ it ’ s inspired by ‘ A Star Is Born ’ ” tagline just seemed off ( considering the movie not only details musicians falling in love but substance abuse and suicide ) .
I decided that , after Pilot Pete ’ s whirlwind season of “ The Bachelor , ” I was going to give myself a well-deserved Bach Nation break .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quarantine .
Emma Gray : Leigh , you are spot-on .
I truly think that the real winner of mandatory quarantine life is “ The Bachelor Presents : Listen To Your Heart.
” Despite the clunky name and even worse marketing , I found myself really charmed by the new show ― possibly in part because I am spending so much time alone and I am desperate for new content to fill that alone time ?
But for real , “ Listen To Your Heart ” takes some structural cues and tropes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremonies , a communal mansion , date cards , a hit-you-over-the-head-with-it focus on finding true love ― and then adds 20 very musically inclined singles to the mix .
It ’ s like a Jed Wyatt fever dream if Jed had a personality or talent .
What do you think of the casting ?
I know we both felt that it in some ways stuck to the classic “ Bachelor ” -style casting ( lots of thin , white , conventionally attractive people ) , but still managed to give us at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are used to .
LB : Absolutely .
There ’ s Trevor and Jamie , who very much feel like they were made for this franchise ― Trevor is an “ American Idol ” alum who knows how to play the reality TV game , and Jamie is a 21-year-old who wants to avoid the drama , but also cause the drama ?
What a delight .
Then , we have a handful of other contestants who break the typical “ Bachelor ” contestant mold : long-haired , jewelry-wearing , soulful songwriter Sheridan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B-pop icon Rudi .
Also , seven contestants are in their 30s !
Truly groundbreaking .
EG : Yes .
I would have loved to see some more body diversity and racial diversity ( though it ’ s decent for “ Bachelor ” world ... sigh ) , but baby steps , I suppose .
I was really glad to see the Black men in the cast ( Chris and Gabe ) be truly presented as objects of desire , and , at least from initial indicators , it seems like Chris is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with Bri and make it far in the competition .
We ’ re used to seeing the men of color get kicked off early , so I ’ m really hoping that “ LTYH ” will not fall into that same trap .
I also think that adding in the talent element gives the contestants something to judge each other on initially that isn ’ t just “ do I like your face and want to get in the hot tub with you ?
” ― though there is plenty of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound silly , but because none of the contestants were influencers of any kind before ( only two of them had real followings on social media ) , there are fewer of those Instagram face indicators that have become so ubiquitous on reality television .
It ’ s a subtle change , but as someone who closely watches “ Bachelor ” shows , I found it notable .
Something else I like about the cast is that although they ’ re all musicians , each of them has their own vibe .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guitar and belting out love songs about being your Mr .
Right ... girl .
Some of them play piano , others have a background in musical theater , and yes , a few have been testing their luck down in Nashville .
But because they ’ re all different , it makes for interesting connections and impressive duets .
EG : Hmm .
There are certainly some differences in musical style , but I didn ’ t feel like the range was that great .
I found it interesting that they all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ musicians , ” but the vast majority of them are primarily singers .
That ’ s not a knock ― talented singers !
with gorgeous voices !
― but outside of Chris playing piano and Gabe playing cello in his intro package , singing is really what is being showcased on the show .
And there still is quite a bit of guitar strumming , mostly from Trevor .
I do like the musical dates far more than I thought I would .
They definitely run the risk of being uber-cheesy ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
― but because the cast is actually talented , it ’ s pleasant .
And it means we are forced to listen to fewer bad metaphors about “ reaching new heights ” as couples , like , scale a building .
LB : So the first rose ceremony mimicked what happens on “ Bachelor In Paradise ” ― since there were initially more guys in the house than girls ( 12 versus eight ) , the women got to hand out roses to their top picks and the remaining men were sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether new contestants will enter the house each week to stir things up , like what happens on “ Paradise.
” If that ’ s the case , things will surely get complicated .
But , presumably , the second episode will see the men handing out the roses .
I do also wonder how this show will fit into the larger “ Bachelor ” universe .
As we ’ ve seen , there ’ s a real ecosystem that has been built , where cast members from “ The Bachelor ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like “ Winter ” or “ Summer Games , ” “ Bachelor Pad ” ( RIP ) and “ Bachelor In Paradise.
” Will “ LTYH ” cast members start mingling with the rest of Bachelor Nation ?
Will they pop up on the beach in “ Paradise ” ?
Will they head to Stagecoach ?
( Once we can , ya know , be in proximity to other humans , of course . )
So , Should You Watch It ?

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If you can’t judge a book by its cover, then perhaps you also can’t judge a reality television show by its terribly packaged promotional spots.
“The Bachelor” franchise’s latest offering, “The Bachelor Presents: Listen To Your Heart,” seemed at first glance to be ... let’s just say it: terrible. Twenty-something single, hot singers, none of whom have appeared on other “Bachelor” shows, are put in a mansion and told to find love ― and musical partnership. All of the promos were framed around unself-aware comparisons to “A Star Is Born,” and in the pre-COVID-19 era, many Bachelor Nation superfans had planned to skip the new show altogether.
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But then stay-at-home orders hit, “The Bachelorette” filming was delayed, “Bachelor Summer Games” was canceled, and those of us who are lucky enough to be able to work remotely and practice social distancing needed things to watch. So HuffPost reporters and hosts of “Here To Make Friends In Quarantine,” Leigh Blickley and Emma Gray, decided to give the new show a try ― and found themselves pleasantly surprised.
In this piece, they break down what you need to know before diving into “Listen To Your Heart.”
"The Bachelor Presents: Listen To Your Heart." ILLUSTRATION: REBECCA ZISSER/HUFFPOST; PHOTO: ABC
The Bottom Line:
We were quick to judge the latest spinoff in “The Bachelor” universe, but it just might be the dating show you need right now.
Promotional Fail
Leigh Blickley: We’re big fans of “The Bachelor” over here, Emma, that’s no surprise. But when it came to the promos for “The Bachelor Presents: Listen To Your Heart,” I was skeptical. The whole “it’s inspired by ‘A Star Is Born’” tagline just seemed off (considering the movie not only details musicians falling in love but substance abuse and suicide). I decided that, after Pilot Pete’s whirlwind season of “The Bachelor,” I was going to give myself a well-deserved Bach Nation break. Then, we were all sent home to quarantine.
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So, with not much else to watch, I ended up DVR’ing the debut episode and, boy, was I wrong about this spinoff! It’s actually ... wildly entertaining?
Emma Gray: Leigh, you are spot-on. I truly think that the real winner of mandatory quarantine life is “The Bachelor Presents: Listen To Your Heart.” Despite the clunky name and even worse marketing, I found myself really charmed by the new show ― possibly in part because I am spending so much time alone and I am desperate for new content to fill that alone time? But for real, “Listen To Your Heart” takes some structural cues and tropes from “The Bachelor” ― rose ceremonies, a communal mansion, date cards, a hit-you-over-the-head-with-it focus on finding true love ― and then adds 20 very musically inclined singles to the mix. It’s like a Jed Wyatt fever dream if Jed had a personality or talent.
What do you think of the casting? I know we both felt that it in some ways stuck to the classic “Bachelor”-style casting (lots of thin, white, conventionally attractive people), but still managed to give us at least a tad bit more edge than we are used to.
Talent, And Beauty
LB: Absolutely. There’s Trevor and Jamie, who very much feel like they were made for this franchise ― Trevor is an “American Idol” alum who knows how to play the reality TV game, and Jamie is a 21-year-old who wants to avoid the drama, but also cause the drama? What a delight. Then, we have a handful of other contestants who break the typical “Bachelor” contestant mold: long-haired, jewelry-wearing, soulful songwriter Sheridan and don’t-take-no-crap-from-any-man future R&B-pop icon Rudi. Also, seven contestants are in their 30s! Truly groundbreaking.
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And, thankfully, it seems the diversity of the cast has improved. Do you agree?
EG: Yes. I would have loved to see some more body diversity and racial diversity (though it’s decent for “Bachelor” world ... sigh), but baby steps, I suppose. I was really glad to see the Black men in the cast (Chris and Gabe) be truly presented as objects of desire, and, at least from initial indicators, it seems like Chris is on track to form a really solid relationship with Bri and make it far in the competition. We’re used to seeing the men of color get kicked off early, so I’m really hoping that “LTYH” will not fall into that same trap. I also think that adding in the talent element gives the contestants something to judge each other on initially that isn’t just “do I like your face and want to get in the hot tub with you?” ― though there is plenty of that, of course.
And it may sound silly, but because none of the contestants were influencers of any kind before (only two of them had real followings on social media), there are fewer of those Instagram face indicators that have become so ubiquitous on reality television. It’s a subtle change, but as someone who closely watches “Bachelor” shows, I found it notable.
LB: I can get on board with that. I mean, these people are all beautiful, there’s no denying that, but it’s nice to be able to tell them apart!
Something else I like about the cast is that although they’re all musicians, each of them has their own vibe. They’re not all just strumming a guitar and belting out love songs about being your Mr. Right... girl. Some of them play piano, others have a background in musical theater, and yes, a few have been testing their luck down in Nashville. But because they’re all different, it makes for interesting connections and impressive duets.
What are your thoughts on the singing aspect of the show? The dates will seemingly be music-based, another nice addition.
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EG: Hmm. There are certainly some differences in musical style, but I didn’t feel like the range was that great. I found it interesting that they all insist on referring to each other as “musicians,” but the vast majority of them are primarily singers. That’s not a knock ― talented singers! with gorgeous voices! ― but outside of Chris playing piano and Gabe playing cello in his intro package, singing is really what is being showcased on the show. And there still is quite a bit of guitar strumming, mostly from Trevor.
I do like the musical dates far more than I thought I would. They definitely run the risk of being uber-cheesy ― and perhaps a little too John Mayer-heavy? ― but because the cast is actually talented, it’s pleasant. And it means we are forced to listen to fewer bad metaphors about “reaching new heights” as couples, like, scale a building.
Let’s get into the structure a bit. I’m obsessed with the “LTYH” mansion and the fact that they are all living together. But I don’t quite yet get how the field is going to be whittled down outside of this first episode?
The next chapter in "Bachelor" franchise history begins with "The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart," hosted by Chris Harrison. John Fleenor via Getty Images
With Love Comes Rejection
LB: So the first rose ceremony mimicked what happens on “Bachelor In Paradise” ― since there were initially more guys in the house than girls (12 versus eight), the women got to hand out roses to their top picks and the remaining men were sent packing. But it’s unclear whether new contestants will enter the house each week to stir things up, like what happens on “Paradise.” If that’s the case, things will surely get complicated. But, presumably, the second episode will see the men handing out the roses.
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Have you heard anything otherwise?
EG: It seems like at a certain point the couples will stay static and it will lean more heavily into the singing competition aspect. But beyond that, I guess we’re just going to have watch and see.
I do also wonder how this show will fit into the larger “Bachelor” universe. As we’ve seen, there’s a real ecosystem that has been built, where cast members from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” feed into shows like “Winter” or “Summer Games,” “Bachelor Pad” (RIP) and “Bachelor In Paradise.” Will “LTYH” cast members start mingling with the rest of Bachelor Nation? Will they pop up on the beach in “Paradise”? Will they head to Stagecoach? (Once we can, ya know, be in proximity to other humans, of course.)
LB: Let’s hope so? Host Chris Harrison did say he can see “the worlds colliding” in an interview with Refinery29. And although it feels like “Paradise” might not happen this summer as planned, there are always future opportunities for contestants to find love within the franchise. Maybe even Clare Crawley requested a certain singer-songwriter?
EG: I’m down for all the crossovers! In this era of quarantine, please just inject new reality television straight into my veins. The limit of trash I can consume truly does not exist.
LB: Is Netflix’s “Too Hot To Handle” is on your watchlist, Emma?
EG: DUH. As though I have anything better to do with my time?!
So, Should You Watch It?
LB: If you’re a “Bachelor” fanatic who was taking a hard pass on “LTYH,” maybe reconsider. Desperate times call for desperate decisions.
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EG: If you enjoy reality dating TV and can appreciate a soulful John Mayer cover, you’ll eat this quarantine candy right up.


huffpost--2020-02-23--South Korea Raises Alert To Highest Level As Coronavirus Cases Jump

SEOUL/SHANGHAI ( Reuters ) - South Korea raised its disease alert to the highest level on Sunday after a surge in coronavirus infections and two more deaths , while China state media warned the outbreak there had yet to reach a turning point despite some signs of easing .
South Korea ’ s president said he was putting the country on “ red alert ” due to the rapid rise in new cases , which are largely being traced back to church services .
Health officials reported 169 new infections , bringing the total to 602 , having doubled from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Yonhap News Agency said it also enables the government to forcibly prevent public activities and order the temporary closure of schools , though the government gave no immediate details on what steps could be taken .
In China , the health commission confirmed 648 new infections - higher than a day earlier - but only 18 were outside of Hubei province , the lowest number outside of the epicenter since authorities started publishing data a month ago and locked down large parts of the country .
The World Health Organization on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China was still relatively few , but it was worried by the detection of infections without a clear link to China .
The disease has spread to some 26 countries and territories outside China , killing more than a dozen people , according to a Reuters tally .
It has been fatal in 2 % of reported cases , with the elderly and ill the most vulnerable , according to the WHO .
The potential economic impact of coronavirus was prominent at a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Riyadh , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s 2020 growth would likely be lower at 5.6 % , down 0.4 percentage points from its January outlook , with 0.1 percentage points shaved from global growth .
Many of South Korea ’ s new cases were linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus congregation in Daegu after a 61-year-old woman known as “ Patient 31 ” tested positive for the virus last week .
The woman had no recent record of overseas travel .
Catholic churches in Daegu and Gwangju have suspended mass and other gatherings , while churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially among the elderly .
“ If the situation gets worse , I think we ’ ll need to take more measures .
Currently , we ’ re limiting personal gatherings within the church except for Mass , ” said Song Gi-young , 53 , wearing a face mask at church .
China said the number of new deaths on Saturday from COVID-19 , as the disease caused by the virus is known , was 97 , all but one of which were in Hubei .
Eighty-two of those were in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency said nucleic tests were being carried out on the backlog of cases to try to contain the spread .
In total , China has reported 76,936 cases , and 2,442 deaths .
The WHO says the virus is severe or critical in only a fifth of infected patients , and mild in the rest .
NOT OVER YET Beijing , Zhejiang , Sichuan had no new infections on Feb. 22 for the first time since the outbreak was detected .
There were signs of street life in Shanghai , with some cafes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking their dogs .
Analysts have been closely watching out for any signs of a secondary wave of infections as transport restrictions are eased and many migrant workers return to factories and offices .
Business activity in the world ’ s second-biggest economy is only gradually returning to normal after widespread disruptions .

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SEOUL/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - South Korea raised its disease alert to the highest level on Sunday after a surge in coronavirus infections and two more deaths, while China state media warned the outbreak there had yet to reach a turning point despite some signs of easing.
South Korea’s president said he was putting the country on “red alert” due to the rapid rise in new cases, which are largely being traced back to church services. Health officials reported 169 new infections, bringing the total to 602, having doubled from Friday to Saturday.
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The escalation in the alert level allows the government to send extra resources to Daegu city and Cheongdo county, which were designated “special care zones” on Friday.
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said it also enables the government to forcibly prevent public activities and order the temporary closure of schools, though the government gave no immediate details on what steps could be taken.
In China, the health commission confirmed 648 new infections - higher than a day earlier - but only 18 were outside of Hubei province, the lowest number outside of the epicenter since authorities started publishing data a month ago and locked down large parts of the country.
But the number of cases continued to climb elsewhere.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe instructed government agencies on Sunday to urgently prepare medical provisions and draft a comprehensive plan to curb the spread of the virus, after it reported 27 more cases a day earlier.
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The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory level one notch for South Korea and Japan to Level 2 on a scale of 1 to 4.
Concern about the reach and rapid spread of coronavirus also grew in Europe and the Middle East.
Cases in Italy, Europe’s worst hit country, more than quadrupled to 79 on Saturday, with two deaths.
Iran reported a total of 43 infections, with eight deaths - all since Tuesday - forcing some of its neighbors to announce travel and immigration curbs.
The World Health Organization on Saturday stressed that the number of cases outside of China was still relatively few, but it was worried by the detection of infections without a clear link to China.
The disease has spread to some 26 countries and territories outside China, killing more than a dozen people, according to a Reuters tally. It has been fatal in 2% of reported cases, with the elderly and ill the most vulnerable, according to the WHO.
The potential economic impact of coronavirus was prominent at a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Riyadh, at which the International Monetary Fund chief said China’s 2020 growth would likely be lower at 5.6%, down 0.4 percentage points from its January outlook, with 0.1 percentage points shaved from global growth.
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Christian faithful wearing masks to prevent contacting coronavirus pray during a service in Seoul, South Korea, February 23, 2020. Kim Hong-Ji / Reuters
CHURCH CONTAGION
The last time South Korea raised the alert to the highest was 11 years ago during the Influenza A or H1N1 outbreak.
Many of South Korea’s new cases were linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus congregation in Daegu after a 61-year-old woman known as “Patient 31” tested positive for the virus last week. The woman had no recent record of overseas travel.
Catholic churches in Daegu and Gwangju have suspended mass and other gatherings, while churches elsewhere saw declines in attendance on Sunday, especially among the elderly.
“If the situation gets worse, I think we’ll need to take more measures. Currently, we’re limiting personal gatherings within the church except for Mass,” said Song Gi-young, 53, wearing a face mask at church.
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Heo Young-moo, 88, expressed frustration.
“Devotees shouldn’t go to any risky places ... Hasn’t it become so widespread because those people didn’t get checked?”,” he said.
Outside of the church was a sign that said: “All Shincheonji followers are strictly prohibited from entering”.
The foreign ministry said South Koreans aboard a plane to Israel had been denied entry there on Saturday due to concerns about the virus spread.
China said the number of new deaths on Saturday from COVID-19, as the disease caused by the virus is known, was 97, all but one of which were in Hubei.
Eighty-two of those were in the provincial capital Wuhan, where Xinhua news agency said nucleic tests were being carried out on the backlog of cases to try to contain the spread.
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In total, China has reported 76,936 cases, and 2,442 deaths. The WHO says the virus is severe or critical in only a fifth of infected patients, and mild in the rest.
NOT OVER YET
Beijing, Zhejiang, Sichuan had no new infections on Feb. 22 for the first time since the outbreak was detected. There were signs of street life in Shanghai, with some cafes serving take-out food and families wearing masks walking their dogs.
State run television on Sunday urged people to avoid complacency, drawing attention to people gathering in public areas and tourist spots without wearing masks.
Analysts have been closely watching out for any signs of a secondary wave of infections as transport restrictions are eased and many migrant workers return to factories and offices. Business activity in the world’s second-biggest economy is only gradually returning to normal after widespread disruptions.
Japan’s health minister apologized on Saturday after a woman who was allowed to leave the coronavirus-struck Diamond Princess cruise ship tested positive despite having underwent quarantine.
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At least 623 cases have been reported on the vessel, the biggest outbreak outside China, involving more than a dozen nationalities.
In Italy, schools and universities were closed and some soccer matches postponed in Lombardy and Veneto, the country’s industrial heartland.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq have travel and immigration curbs on Iran, while Oman on Sunday urged its citizens to steer clear of countries with high infection rates and said arrivals from those nations would be quarantined.


huffpost--2020-02-23--Judge Blocks Plan To Move Coronavirus Patients To California City For Quarantine

COSTA MESA , Calif. ( AP ) — A court temporarily blocked the U.S. government from sending up to 50 people infected with a new virus from China to a Southern California city for quarantine after local officials argued that the plan lacked details about how the community would be protected from the outbreak .
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order late Friday to halt the transportation of anyone who has tested positive for the new coronavirus to Costa Mesa , a city of 110,000 in the heart of Orange County .
U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Stanton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
City officials quickly sought court intervention after learning from the California Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services that U.S. officials planned to start moving patients to a state-owned facility in Costa Mesa as early as Sunday .
They said in court documents that local officials were not included in the planning effort and wanted to know why the Fairview Developmental Center was considered a suitable quarantine site and what kind of safeguards were in place to prevent the possible transmission of the virus that has spread worldwide .
“ The city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process that led to the consideration of the site , and it would be unfair to not include us in this kind of significant decision that has great impact on our community , ” Mayor Katrina Foley told the Orange County Register .
The California Health and Human Services Agency said in a statement Saturday that it was working with federal authorities to find a place for people who were evacuated from a quarantined cruise ship in Japan and taken to Travis Air Force Base in Northern California .
Anyone who tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the base and must be sent either to the hospital or if they ’ re not sick enough , isolated until the infection has cleared .
“ If Fairview were chosen , the federal government would be responsible for providing health care — easing the burden on our hospitals during flu season — and for providing robust security to ensure the public safety and public health of the surrounding community , ” the state ’ s statement said .
Fairview is a 109-acre campus that was once home to about 2,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s now nearly empty as the state has moved residents into community homes and other living situations .
“ The coronavirus patients should be treated humanely and with the best medical care available .
But the first priority must be to contain the virus and make sure it doesn ’ t jump into the local population , ” Republican state Sen. John Moorlach said .

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COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — A court temporarily blocked the U.S. government from sending up to 50 people infected with a new virus from China to a Southern California city for quarantine after local officials argued that the plan lacked details about how the community would be protected from the outbreak.
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order late Friday to halt the transportation of anyone who has tested positive for the new coronavirus to Costa Mesa, a city of 110,000 in the heart of Orange County. U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Stanton scheduled a hearing on the issue Monday.
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City officials quickly sought court intervention after learning from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services that U.S. officials planned to start moving patients to a state-owned facility in Costa Mesa as early as Sunday.
They said in court documents that local officials were not included in the planning effort and wanted to know why the Fairview Developmental Center was considered a suitable quarantine site and what kind of safeguards were in place to prevent the possible transmission of the virus that has spread worldwide.
“The city has not been part of any of the process that led to the consideration of the site, and it would be unfair to not include us in this kind of significant decision that has great impact on our community,” Mayor Katrina Foley told the Orange County Register.
The California Health and Human Services Agency said in a statement Saturday that it was working with federal authorities to find a place for people who were evacuated from a quarantined cruise ship in Japan and taken to Travis Air Force Base in Northern California.
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Anyone who tested positive for the virus cannot stay at the base and must be sent either to the hospital or if they’re not sick enough, isolated until the infection has cleared.
The Fairview center in Costa Mesa is being considered as a place to send them.
“If Fairview were chosen, the federal government would be responsible for providing health care — easing the burden on our hospitals during flu season — and for providing robust security to ensure the public safety and public health of the surrounding community,” the state’s statement said.
Fairview is a 109-acre campus that was once home to about 2,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s now nearly empty as the state has moved residents into community homes and other living situations.
A state lawmaker whose district includes Costa Mesa said he feared the virus could travel through the facility’s air vents.
“The coronavirus patients should be treated humanely and with the best medical care available. But the first priority must be to contain the virus and make sure it doesn’t jump into the local population,” Republican state Sen. John Moorlach said.
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