huffpost--2020-04-23--Under Pressure, Harvard Says It Will Reject U.S. Relief Aid

“ While we understand any reallocation of these resources is a matter for the Department of Education , we hope that special consideration will be given to Massachusetts institutions that are struggling to serve their communities and meet the needs of their students through these difficult and challenging times , ” Harvard said in a statement .
But Trump said Tuesday that Harvard “ shouldn ’ t be taking ” its share because it has such deep financial reserves .
It echoed concerns from other critics , including some alumni , who said Harvard doesn ’ t need the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 billion endowment .
“ Schools with large endowments should not apply for funds so more can be given to students who need support the most .
It ’ s also important for Congress to change the law to make sure no more taxpayer funds go to elite , wealthy institutions , ” she said .
Only hours later , Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, said he was introducing legislation to block colleges from receiving coronavirus relief if they have endowments topping $ 10 billion .
Under the proposal , those schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend a large share of their own money — an amount 10 times the size of their federal allotment — on direct aid for students .
The higher education funding was meant to help colleges and students facing financial losses triggered by the pandemic .
If colleges accept the funding , they ’ re required to spend at least half on direct grants for students .
Harvard had previously committed to spending its entire share on students , and on Wednesday said it is “ fully committed to providing the financial support that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stanford , which has an endowment of nearly $ 28 billion , said it told the Education Department on Monday it would refuse $ 7.4 million allocated in the package .
The school said it wanted to free the funding to be directed to smaller colleges that now face an “ existential threat ” because of the pandemic .
Yale expressed a similar sentiment , saying it wants its $ 6.9 million to go to “ colleges and universities in Connecticut whose continued existence is threatened by the current crisis.
” Officials at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in aid , but not because of the pressure from DeVos .
The school said it made the decision after the Education Department issued new guidelines forbidding the funding from going to students in the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for immigrants who were brought to the country illegally .
The school , which has a $ 26 billion endowment , said the rules were inconsistent with Princeton ’ s values .
More than 300 colleges were granted larger shares than Harvard , including some that also rank among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Southern California , which had an endowment of $ 5.7 billion last year , was allotted nearly $ 20 million .
Columbia University , with an endowment of $ 11 billion , was allotted nearly $ 13 million .
But some of the richest colleges still plan to take the funding .
Cornell University , with a $ 7.3 billion endowment , says it plans to accept $ 12.8 million in relief and use it entirely on student grants .
The University of Southern California said its $ 5.7 billion endowment is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peers ” and noted that 1 in 5 of its undergraduates receive federal Pell grants for low-income students .
Scores of colleges say they have taken heavy hits as they refund money to students for housing after campuses closed last month .
Many more are losing millions in ticket sales after sports seasons were cut short , and some have lost big shares of their endowments amid swings in the stock market .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard University announced Wednesday it will turn down $8.7 million in federal coronavirus relief, a day after President Donald Trump excoriated the wealthy Ivy League school over taxpayer money it stood to receive.
Similar action was taken at Stanford, Princeton and Yale universities, which said they too will reject millions of dollars in federal funding amid growing scrutiny of wealthy colleges.
Advertisement
Officials at Harvard said the school still faces significant financial challenges due to the pandemic but will refuse the money over concerns that “intense focus by politicians” will undermine the relief program created by Congress.
“While we understand any reallocation of these resources is a matter for the Department of Education, we hope that special consideration will be given to Massachusetts institutions that are struggling to serve their communities and meet the needs of their students through these difficult and challenging times,” Harvard said in a statement.
Trump later thanked Harvard and Stanford at a White House press conference, saying he was pleased the schools turned down the funding.
“They stopped it,” he said. “They’re not accepting the money and that’s great. So I want to thank Harvard. I want to thank Stanford.”
Advertisement
Congress is offering $14 billion to the nation’s colleges and universities as part of a $2.2 trillion rescue package. Schools were allotted varying sums based on their size and the number of students they teach from poorer backgrounds.
But Trump said Tuesday that Harvard “shouldn’t be taking” its share because it has such deep financial reserves. It echoed concerns from other critics, including some alumni, who said Harvard doesn’t need the money and can rely on its nearly $40 billion endowment.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Wednesday said other rich schools should reject the funding. Affluent schools that do not primarily serve low-income students “do not need or deserve additional taxpayer funds,” she said in a statement.
“Schools with large endowments should not apply for funds so more can be given to students who need support the most. It’s also important for Congress to change the law to make sure no more taxpayer funds go to elite, wealthy institutions,” she said.
Only hours later, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said he was introducing legislation to block colleges from receiving coronavirus relief if they have endowments topping $10 billion. Under the proposal, those schools could access federal relief only after they spend a large share of their own money — an amount 10 times the size of their federal allotment — on direct aid for students.
Advertisement
About a dozen U.S. schools have endowments large enough to be affected by the proposal.
The higher education funding was meant to help colleges and students facing financial losses triggered by the pandemic. If colleges accept the funding, they’re required to spend at least half on direct grants for students. Harvard had previously committed to spending its entire share on students, and on Wednesday said it is “fully committed to providing the financial support that it has promised to its students.”
Stanford, which has an endowment of nearly $28 billion, said it told the Education Department on Monday it would refuse $7.4 million allocated in the package. The school said it wanted to free the funding to be directed to smaller colleges that now face an “existential threat” because of the pandemic. Yale expressed a similar sentiment, saying it wants its $6.9 million to go to “colleges and universities in Connecticut whose continued existence is threatened by the current crisis.”
Officials at Princeton said they will reject $2.4 million in aid, but not because of the pressure from DeVos. The school said it made the decision after the Education Department issued new guidelines forbidding the funding from going to students in the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for immigrants who were brought to the country illegally. The school, which has a $26 billion endowment, said the rules were inconsistent with Princeton’s values.
Harvard also said the “evolving guidance” around the funding factored into its decision.
More than 300 colleges were granted larger shares than Harvard, including some that also rank among the nation’s wealthiest. The University of Southern California, which had an endowment of $5.7 billion last year, was allotted nearly $20 million. Columbia University, with an endowment of $11 billion, was allotted nearly $13 million.
Major public universities received many of the largest shares, including Arizona State University, which was granted $63.5 million, and the Pennsylvania State University system, with $55 million.
Advertisement
Wealthy colleges are facing new pressure to reject the funding amid a similar outcry over major companies that received emergency aid meant for small businesses. The Shake Shack burger empire said it would return a $10 million loan after facing public anger.
But some of the richest colleges still plan to take the funding. Cornell University, with a $7.3 billion endowment, says it plans to accept $12.8 million in relief and use it entirely on student grants. The University of Southern California said its $5.7 billion endowment is “substantially smaller than that of our peers” and noted that 1 in 5 of its undergraduates receive federal Pell grants for low-income students.
“We desperately need these emergency funds and will drive 100% of them toward supporting our students who are experiencing financial hardships,” the school said Wednesday.
Other affluent universities contacted by The Associated Press, including Duke and Columbia universities, said they have yet to make decisions on the funding.
Scores of colleges say they have taken heavy hits as they refund money to students for housing after campuses closed last month. Many more are losing millions in ticket sales after sports seasons were cut short, and some have lost big shares of their endowments amid swings in the stock market.
Advertisement
Some colleges have starting to furlough employees to avoid deeper layoffs later, and some small colleges have had to shut down permanently amid financial crisis.
Terry Hartle, a senior vice president with the American Council on Education, an association of college presidents, said Congress did not exclude any type of institution when it created the formula used to distribute funding. Instead, lawmakers said all colleges qualified to receive federal education funding were eligible for the relief.


huffpost--2020-04-23--10 Smart Substitutes For Hard-To-Find Grocery Store Ingredients

Pasta : Instead , try shirataki or rice noodles However , chef and food writer Ariane Resnick advises shoppers to mosey over to the international foods section , where they can locate viable alternatives to typical wheat-based pastas .
“ Lately , I ’ ve found that wheat pasta is hard to get , but rice pasta , shirataki noodles and other alternative forms are available .
Brown rice pasta cooks up very similarly to wheat .
Note that it does not keep equally well ― it will dry out and needs to be reheated with liquid , unlike wheat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in dishes like macaroni salad , ” Resnick explained .
“ [ With a ] spiralizer , food processor or mandolin , you can use a wide variety of vegetables from zucchini and squash to sweet potato or daikon radish to make veggie noodles .
You can use chicken or vegetable stock as your broth base and add any assortment of seasonings that you wish , cooking your ‘ noodles ’ in the broth to add more flavor .
As with your usual ramen , you can garnish with any variety of toppings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mushrooms , bamboo shoots , bacon , or nori .
The veggie noodles are a healthy , gluten free alternative that can change up your ramen game , ” Claxton said .
All-purpose flour : Instead , consider gluten-free flours , but not to excess Also , “ almond flour [ is ] one of the most common grain- and gluten-free flours , and it ’ s rich in minerals and is a great source of vitamin E. It ’ s also a wonderful grain-free alternative to breadcrumbs .
You can typically substitute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you are baking with this type of flour , use one extra egg , but note the batter may be thicker and more dense , ” and “ oat flour offers more flavor than AP and results in a chewier , crumblier texture .
Oats contain a soluble fiber called beta-glucan , which can help lower ‘ bad ’ LDL cholesterol , blood sugar and insulin levels.
” Chef-owner Marisa Paolillo of Mango Pickle in Chicago opts for “ farro or wheat berries .
There isn ’ t much that needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give [ it ] a good mouthfeel and flavor .
Both grains pair well with anything that you would put onto pasta or rice , and , unlike cooked pasta , they store well in the fridge .
So you can make a large batch and have it throughout the week .
They just require more time to cook than other grains.
” Potatoes : Instead , swap in other root vegetables Fresh salmon : Instead , buy canned salmon ... but be sure to check the labels first With that in mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts in Cambridge , Massachusetts , recommends giving canned fish a second look ( as long as you ’ re ready to read the labels ) : “ Use canned salmon instead of fresh if you are not able to get fresh salmon easily .
Salmon is a heart-healthy and brain-healthy food for you and your family .
[ But you should ] consider buying options such as Alaskan pink salmon , sockeye or red salmon , as these terms indicate that your canned salmon is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Use these canned salmons to make salmon burgers or a stir fry , or add them to a large green salad or even to pasta.
” Fresh fruits and vegetables : Instead , use frozen versions “ There are some frozen options that make great substitutes for the fresh varieties .
The two best are frozen artichoke hearts and frozen spinach .
These products are already cleaned , blanched and chopped .
All you need do is squeeze out the water and they can quickly be sautéed and become wonderful additions to dishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Frozen fruits and berries are also excellent , especially when used in a muffin or tossed into a blender for a smoothie or an adult beverage , ” Esko told HuffPost .
Gallons of milk vanish at an astonishing pace at today ’ s grocery stores , but if you just need some dairy for cooking or baking purposes , then follow the lead of executive pastry chef Jessica Grossman of Patrick Properties Hospitality Group in Charleston , South Carolina , and “ scour your pantry for a can of evaporated milk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or you can sub evaporated milk 1-for-1 in most cooking and baking recipes .
In fact , I often use it in place of milk , half-and-half , or cream in a lot of my home cooking , particularly in sauces and soups .
It adds a lot of richness without all the fat of heavy cream .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
With a huge percentage of the population staying at home as the world weathers the coronavirus, there has been a massive increase in home cooking. If you’ve visited a grocery store or attempted to place an Instacart order recently, you’re probably familiar with the picked-over state of the shelves, butcher counters and produce sections as folks try to stock up on essentials.
Unfortunately, this uptick in grocery shopping means that certain high-demand items are consistently challenging to find. And this list includes crucial staples like pasta, rice, flour and milk.
Advertisement
Luckily, many of these hard-to-find items have easier-to-locate alternatives, which could be well worth a try if you’d rather avoid unnecessary supermarket stress. We asked a group of chefs and kitchen pros for their favorite under-the-radar ingredient substitutions, and they delivered with this list of 10 replacement suggestions.
Pasta: Instead, try shirataki or rice noodles
Pasta aisles are among the most ransacked grocery store sections right now, and if you’re in need of a box of ziti to pair with a jar of marinara or a homemade bolognese sauce, you may find yourself out of luck.
However, chef and food writer Ariane Resnick advises shoppers to mosey over to the international foods section, where they can locate viable alternatives to typical wheat-based pastas. “Lately, I’ve found that wheat pasta is hard to get, but rice pasta, shirataki noodles and other alternative forms are available. Brown rice pasta cooks up very similarly to wheat. Note that it does not keep equally well ― it will dry out and needs to be reheated with liquid, unlike wheat pasta, which can be used cold in dishes like macaroni salad,” Resnick explained.
angintaravichian via Getty Images
Advertisement
Ramen: Instead, use veggie noodles
Spiralized noodles made from zucchini (also known as “zoodles”) made a major splash among low-carb dieters over the past several years, and vegetable “pasta” is often suggested as a substitute for standard-issue spaghetti.
That said, the flavor and texture of veggie noodles differs from that of wheat-based pastas, and these variations don’t always vibe with pasta sauces and prep techniques. But if you’re struggling to find packets of ramen in the supermarket, you’ll be glad to know that vegetable noodles fit into these seasoned soups quite harmoniously, according to executive chef Kenny Claxton of The Easterly Restaurant on St. Thomas.
“[With a] spiralizer, food processor or mandolin, you can use a wide variety of vegetables from zucchini and squash to sweet potato or daikon radish to make veggie noodles. You can use chicken or vegetable stock as your broth base and add any assortment of seasonings that you wish, cooking your ‘noodles’ in the broth to add more flavor. As with your usual ramen, you can garnish with any variety of toppings, including a soft boiled egg, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, bacon, or nori. The veggie noodles are a healthy, gluten free alternative that can change up your ramen game,” Claxton said.
And if you don’t feel like making them, many grocery stores will have pre-made noodles out of sweet potatoes, squash and zucchini available in the prepared foods section of your produce aisle.
All-purpose flour: Instead, consider gluten-free flours, but not to excess
If we’ve learned anything from Instagram since the beginning of this stay-at-home era, it’s that baking projects have never been more popular and more widespread than they are right now. For that reason, locating a bag of all-purpose flour at your local market probably feels like a fool’s errand.
Advertisement
That’s why executive pastry chef Anna Brown of Civana Wellness Resort & Spa in Carefree, Arizona, urges shoppers to look into different styles of flour, particularly a few gluten-free options that aren’t as likely to sell out as their AP equivalents. Just keep in mind that people who need gluten-free flours for their diet should get first dibs, so be reasonable with the amount you buy.
Brown’s top recommendations: “Coconut flour, [because it] offers a mild coconut flavor and light texture that yields similar results to AP. This flour is high in the saturated fat lauric acid, which provides energy for the body and can help lower ‘bad’ LDC cholesterol. This flour is a good source of fiber and can help maintain blood sugar levels. This is also a great alternative to those with nut allergies.”
Also, “almond flour [is] one of the most common grain- and gluten-free flours, and it’s rich in minerals and is a great source of vitamin E. It’s also a wonderful grain-free alternative to breadcrumbs. You can typically substitute wheat flour in a 1-to-1 ratio. If you are baking with this type of flour, use one extra egg, but note the batter may be thicker and more dense,” and “oat flour offers more flavor than AP and results in a chewier, crumblier texture. Oats contain a soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which can help lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, blood sugar and insulin levels.”
bhofack2 via Getty Images Farro makes a healthy alternative when you can't find rice.
Rice: Instead, use “ancient grains”
Like boxes of pasta, bags of rice appear on the most wanted lists of many frustrated shoppers these days. Dealing with a rice drought with no end in sight? Try switching over to ancient grains like quinoa or farro, which deliver a rice-like texture and also provide amped-up flavor and greater nutrition.
Advertisement
Chef-owner Bill Kim of Urbanbelly in Chicago, told HuffPost that he often uses quinoa to replace rice. “It’s pretty quick, easy and has great texture if you cook it correctly. One of my favorite and easy dishes to make at home is quinoa ‘fried rice’ with fresh herbs and marinated shrimp.”
Chef-owner Marisa Paolillo of Mango Pickle in Chicago opts for “farro or wheat berries. There isn’t much that needs to be done with either grain option to give [it] a good mouthfeel and flavor. Both grains pair well with anything that you would put onto pasta or rice, and, unlike cooked pasta, they store well in the fridge. So you can make a large batch and have it throughout the week. They just require more time to cook than other grains.”
Potatoes: Instead, swap in other root vegetables
Empty potato bins at the grocery store don’t need to deter you from making a savory mash or crispy “potato” pancakes. Chef and founder Jess Dang of Cook Smarts says that “if a recipe calls for potatoes, you can use sweet potatoes, parsnips, rutabagas or any other root veggie.” Experiment with your most accessible root vegetables, and you may end up with a new favorite side dish.
a-lesa via Getty Images Canned salmon is a good alternative to fresh when you're looking to boost your omega-3s.
Fresh salmon: Instead, buy canned salmon ... but be sure to check the labels first
Serious supermarket traffic results in a dearth of fresh meat and seafood, and with many butcher shops and fishmongers closed throughout the country, it can seem like shoppers have few options for scoring high-quality proteins.
Advertisement
With that in mind, chef and culinary instructor Uma Naidoo of the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts in Cambridge, Massachusetts, recommends giving canned fish a second look (as long as you’re ready to read the labels): “Use canned salmon instead of fresh if you are not able to get fresh salmon easily. Salmon is a heart-healthy and brain-healthy food for you and your family. [But you should] consider buying options such as Alaskan pink salmon, sockeye or red salmon, as these terms indicate that your canned salmon is the wild version from North American waters. Use these canned salmons to make salmon burgers or a stir fry, or add them to a large green salad or even to pasta.”
Canned beans: Instead, try dried lentils
A healthy vegetarian item that’s packed with protein, canned beans are highly desirable (and, therefore, highly scarce) at the moment. You may assume that dried beans make the best possible replacement for their canned versions, but depending on which bean style you choose, prepping and cooking dried beans can be hugely time consuming.
Therefore, when chef and cookbook author Sarah Adler can’t locate a can of kidney, pinto or black beans and needs to whip up a meal ASAP, she instead “tries some dried lentils instead. Lentils are the fastest cooking legume, so in around 20 minutes, you could have dinner on the table.”
Dried lentils were difficult to find in mid-March, but they’ve been back on store shelves for some time now in most regions around the U.S.
Fresh fruits and vegetables: Instead, use frozen versions
Produce aficionados often frown upon frozen vegetables, assuming that these bagged renditions sacrifice flavor and texture. However, executive chef Jakob Esko of The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay in California believes that certain frozen fruits and veggies make worthy swap-outs for their fresh equivalents, especially while supply chains are compromised and fresh produce is ever more difficult to source and stock.
Advertisement
“There are some frozen options that make great substitutes for the fresh varieties. The two best are frozen artichoke hearts and frozen spinach. These products are already cleaned, blanched and chopped. All you need do is squeeze out the water and they can quickly be sautéed and become wonderful additions to dishes like risotto, a tagine or couscous. Frozen fruits and berries are also excellent, especially when used in a muffin or tossed into a blender for a smoothie or an adult beverage,” Esko told HuffPost.
Red meat: Instead, try portobello mushrooms
OK, we’ll admit it: Mushrooms can’t truly replicate the sensory appeal of a juicy steak. But if you’re seeking a savory, satisfying and nutritious entree that offers many flavor-based similarities to red meat, portobello mushrooms might prove a perfect fit.
“Portobello mushrooms are another great substitute when you have a hankering for beef when it’s not available,” said chef and cookbook author Lisa Dahl of Dahl Restaurant Group in Sedona, Arizona. “Not only are they brimming with nutrients and packed with healing properties, portobellos have an umami flavor and meat-like texture that makes them ideal for healthy substitutions within even the heartiest of dishes.”
Regular milk: Instead, swap in evaporated milk
Gallons of milk vanish at an astonishing pace at today’s grocery stores, but if you just need some dairy for cooking or baking purposes, then follow the lead of executive pastry chef Jessica Grossman of Patrick Properties Hospitality Group in Charleston, South Carolina, and “scour your pantry for a can of evaporated milk. Evaporated milk should be diluted 1-to-1, or you can sub evaporated milk 1-for-1 in most cooking and baking recipes. In fact, I often use it in place of milk, half-and-half, or cream in a lot of my home cooking, particularly in sauces and soups. It adds a lot of richness without all the fat of heavy cream.”
Just keep in mind that evaporated milk is not the same thing as sweetened condensed milk, which would ruin any savory recipe.


huffpost--2020-04-21--Germany's Oktoberfest, Spain's Running Of The Bulls Canceled Due To Coronavirus

ATLANTA ( AP ) — Spain called off the Running of the Bulls in July , the U.S. scrapped the national spelling bee in June and Germany canceled Oktoberfest five months away , making it clear Tuesday that the effort to beat back the coronavirus and return to normal could be a long and dispiriting process .
Amid growing impatience over the shutdowns that have thrown tens of millions out of work , European countries continued to reopen in stages , while in the U.S. , one state after another — mostly ones led by Republican governors — began taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Lebos , owner of Strong Gym in Savannah , Georgia , where Gov .
Brian Kemp announced that gyms and salons can reopen this week , said it would be professional negligence to do so right now .
Ronique Holloway , who owns a hair salon in Smyrna , Georgia , said she will wait until late next week , and even then thinks that ’ s too early .
She is nervous about contracting the virus from customers , though she plans to wear a mask and gloves and is looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would have waited at least until the end of May , but I ’ m going back because I don ’ t have a choice , ” she said .
“ I have to feed my daughter.
” With deaths and infections still rising around the world , the push to reopen has set off warnings from health authorities that the crisis that has killed well over 170,000 people globally — including more than 42,000 in the U.S. — is far from over and that relaxing the stay-at-home orders too quickly could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With demand for petroleum plummeting because of the economic shutdown and producers running out of room to store crude , the price of a barrel of U.S. oil to be delivered in June plunged 43 % to just under $ 12 .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 630 points , or 2.7 % .
In Europe , meanwhile , Denmark , Austria , Spain and Germany began allowing some people back to work , including hairdressers , dentists and construction workers , and some stores were cleared to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among the worst-hit countries , will also begin allowing children out of their homes for brief periods next Monday .
Denmark ’ s Tivoli Gardens , the Copenhagen amusement park that inspired Walt Disney , will reopen on May 11 .
But in an indication that it will be a long time before life returns to normal , Spain canceled its Running of the Bulls in Pamplona , the more than 400-year-old event made world-famous by Ernest Hemingway ’ s 1926 novel “ The Sun Also Rises.
” It was also called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1930s .
Germany called off the centuries-old Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich , which draws about 6 million visitors each year .
It was previously canceled during the two world wars ; during a period of hyperinflation in Germany in 1923 ; and twice because of cholera outbreaks in the 1800s .
In Italy , Premier Giuseppe Conte confirmed that businesses can start reopening on May 4 but dashed any hopes of a full end to the country ’ s strict lockdown any time soon , saying : ” A decision of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the U.S. , some states , including Tennessee , West Virginia and Colorado , announced plans this week to begin reopening in stages in the coming days .
Sunbathers quickly flocked to the sand after some South Carolina beaches reopened with the governor ’ s backing .
Some sheriffs in Washington state , Michigan and Wisconsin said they won ’ t enforce stay-at-home orders .
Angry protesters demanding the lifting of restrictions marched in North Carolina and Missouri with signs like “ Enough is enough.
” And Wisconsin Republicans asked the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extension of the stay-at-home order there .
Governors and local leaders from some states have said that before they can relax the social distancing restrictions , they need help from Washington in expanding testing to help keep the virus in check .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
ATLANTA (AP) — Spain called off the Running of the Bulls in July, the U.S. scrapped the national spelling bee in June and Germany canceled Oktoberfest five months away, making it clear Tuesday that the effort to beat back the coronavirus and return to normal could be a long and dispiriting process.
Amid growing impatience over the shutdowns that have thrown tens of millions out of work, European countries continued to reopen in stages, while in the U.S., one state after another — mostly ones led by Republican governors — began taking steps to get back to business.
Advertisement
Business owners in the U.S. who got the go-ahead weighed whether to reopen, and some hesitated, in a sign that commerce won’t necessarily bounce back right away.
Mark Lebos, owner of Strong Gym in Savannah, Georgia, where Gov. Brian Kemp announced that gyms and salons can reopen this week, said it would be professional negligence to do so right now.
“We are not going to be a vector of death and suffering,” he said.
Ronique Holloway, who owns a hair salon in Smyrna, Georgia, said she will wait until late next week, and even then thinks that’s too early. She is nervous about contracting the virus from customers, though she plans to wear a mask and gloves and is looking for sanitary wipes and Lysol.
“I would have waited at least until the end of May, but I’m going back because I don’t have a choice,” she said. “I have to feed my daughter.”
Advertisement
With deaths and infections still rising around the world, the push to reopen has set off warnings from health authorities that the crisis that has killed well over 170,000 people globally — including more than 42,000 in the U.S. — is far from over and that relaxing the stay-at-home orders too quickly could enable the virus to come surging back.
The economic damage mounted as oil prices suffered an epic collapse and stocks registered their worst loss in weeks on Wall Street.
With demand for petroleum plummeting because of the economic shutdown and producers running out of room to store crude, the price of a barrel of U.S. oil to be delivered in June plunged 43% to just under $12. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 630 points, or 2.7%.
The crisis hit home at President Donald Trump ’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, which laid off 153 workers, including bartenders, cooks, dishwashers and housekeepers.
In Europe, meanwhile, Denmark, Austria, Spain and Germany began allowing some people back to work, including hairdressers, dentists and construction workers, and some stores were cleared to reopen or will soon get the OK.
Advertisement
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said the government will be watching carefully and will “pull the emergency brake” if necessary.
Spain, among the worst-hit countries, will also begin allowing children out of their homes for brief periods next Monday. Denmark’s Tivoli Gardens, the Copenhagen amusement park that inspired Walt Disney, will reopen on May 11.
But in an indication that it will be a long time before life returns to normal, Spain canceled its Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, the more than 400-year-old event made world-famous by Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises.” It was also called off during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee in the U.S. was canceled. The competition has been held since 1925 and was last scrubbed in 1945, during World War II.
“Our hearts go out to the spellers who won’t get their final shot at winning,” said Paige Kimble, executive director.
Advertisement
Germany called off the centuries-old Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, which draws about 6 million visitors each year. It was previously canceled during the two world wars; during a period of hyperinflation in Germany in 1923; and twice because of cholera outbreaks in the 1800s.
“We agreed that the risk is simply too high,” Bavarian governor Markus Soeder said.
In Italy, Premier Giuseppe Conte confirmed that businesses can start reopening on May 4 but dashed any hopes of a full end to the country’s strict lockdown any time soon, saying: ”A decision of that kind would be irresponsible.’’
In the U.S., some states, including Tennessee, West Virginia and Colorado, announced plans this week to begin reopening in stages in the coming days. Sunbathers quickly flocked to the sand after some South Carolina beaches reopened with the governor’s backing.
Political tensions were high.
Some sheriffs in Washington state, Michigan and Wisconsin said they won’t enforce stay-at-home orders. Angry protesters demanding the lifting of restrictions marched in North Carolina and Missouri with signs like “Enough is enough.” And Wisconsin Republicans asked the state’s high court to block an extension of the stay-at-home order there.
Governors and local leaders from some states have said that before they can relax the social distancing restrictions, they need help from Washington in expanding testing to help keep the virus in check.
Advertisement
“If some of these reopenings are done the wrong way, it’s going to affect all of us,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said on CNN.
___
Long reported from Washington. AP journalists worldwide contributed to this report.
___


huffpost--2020-04-16--Democrat Raphael Warnock Leads Crowded Georgia Senate Race With Big Fundraising Haul

“ I think it ’ s because people respect our message , ” Warnock told HuffPost in an interview .
“ I ’ ve been focused on this whole issue of health care for years .
I ’ ve been fighting for accessible and affordable health care , which I see as a human right .
And the COVID-19 challenge really brings into sharp focus the issues that I ’ ve been advocating for for years.
” Warnock is the senior pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist Church , the famous Atlanta church where the Rev .
Martin Luther King , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only Democrat in the race , but he has the support of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , former United Nations Amb .
Andrew Young ( who was a close King confidante ) and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
Gov .
Brian Kemp ( R ) appointed Loeffler to the Senate seat after Republican Johnny Isakson resigned last year , but she will have to fight to keep the position in the November special election .
All candidates , regardless of party , will be on the ballot together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the vote , the top two vote-getters will be on the ballot for a runoff in January 2021 .
Loeffler has been wrapped up in a scandal for dumping millions in stock in the days and weeks after attending a private briefing on the coronavirus for senators .
Members of Congress are barred from trading on non-public information that they get during their official duties .
“ I think it ’ s the very kind of thing that turns people off from politics in the first place , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this unbroken trafficking between political backroom and corporate board rooms .
And too often in our politics , you can ’ t tell one from the other .
The folks who are in the political backrooms are the people in the corporate board rooms .
When you are situated in both places , the onus is on you to work hard and very hard to prove to us that there really is a difference.
” Loeffler , a former Wall Street executive , is the richest member of Congress and her husband is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exchange .
While she said she did nothing wrong with the trades , she announced she and her husband would liquidate their individual stock shares to move on from the “ distraction.
” Georgians will be voting for both its U.S. senators in November .
So far , however , the races haven ’ t attracted the top-tier national attention that the Senate races in places like Maine , Colorado , North Carolina and Arizona have received , indicating that many Democratic strategists still see Georgia as a reach .
No party-affiliated committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state yet .
Warnock jumped into the race in January with a campaign video charting his path from public housing in Savannah to his position at the church .
A graduate of Morehouse College , Warnock became senior pastor at Ebenezer in 2005 , when he was 35 .
In 2013 , he delivered the closing prayer at President Barack Obama ’ s Inaugural Prayer Service , and in 2016 , he gave the sermon at the Annual White House Prayer breakfast .
“ They had to say farewell to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And if that isn ’ t bad enough , on top of it , this virus requires us to do the opposite of what we would normally be doing at a time in the wake of death , ” he said .
“ When we would be embracing one another , we have to engage in social distancing from one another .
And so I conducted the entire funeral on a Zoom platform because we are clear that we didn ’ t want the funeral to produce additional funerals.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said , “ and sometimes they have done more than enough for people at the top ― and well-connected corporations and corporate interests ― and not nearly enough for people who are just sheltering in right now , dealing with everyday bread-and-butter conversations : Will I have a job next week ?
If I don ’ t , will the unemployment check come soon enough ?
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Out of the 21 candidates running for U.S. Senate in Georgia’s special election race, it was the Rev. Raphael Warnock who came out on top in the money race for the first quarter.
Warnock, a Democrat and first-time candidate, outraised both Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Rep. Doug Collins, the top two Republicans in the race.
Advertisement
“I think it’s because people respect our message,” Warnock told HuffPost in an interview. “I’ve been focused on this whole issue of health care for years. I’ve been fighting for accessible and affordable health care, which I see as a human right. And the COVID-19 challenge really brings into sharp focus the issues that I’ve been advocating for for years.”
Warnock is the senior pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, the famous Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached. He’s not the only Democrat in the race, but he has the support of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, former United Nations Amb. Andrew Young (who was a close King confidante) and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Rev. Raphael Warnock is running for U.S. Senate in Georgia. David Goldman/Associated Press
Gov. Brian Kemp (R) appointed Loeffler to the Senate seat after Republican Johnny Isakson resigned last year, but she will have to fight to keep the position in the November special election. All candidates, regardless of party, will be on the ballot together. If no one receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will be on the ballot for a runoff in January 2021.
Advertisement
Loeffler has been wrapped up in a scandal for dumping millions in stock in the days and weeks after attending a private briefing on the coronavirus for senators. Members of Congress are barred from trading on non-public information that they get during their official duties.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) has been in hot water over her stock trades after receiving a private briefing about the coronavirus. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Warnock called Loeffler’s actions “deeply disappointing.”
“I think it’s the very kind of thing that turns people off from politics in the first place,” he said. “Where we’re seeing this unbroken trafficking between political backroom and corporate board rooms. And too often in our politics, you can’t tell one from the other. The folks who are in the political backrooms are the people in the corporate board rooms. When you are situated in both places, the onus is on you to work hard and very hard to prove to us that there really is a difference.”
Loeffler, a former Wall Street executive, is the richest member of Congress and her husband is the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange. While she said she did nothing wrong with the trades, she announced she and her husband would liquidate their individual stock shares to move on from the “distraction.”
Collins is Loeffler’s main competition for GOP support. He’s a staunch Trump defender. Although Trump has so far stayed neutral, he reportedly lobbied Kemp to choose Collins for the appointment that ultimately went to Loeffler.
Advertisement
Other Democrats in the race include Matt Lieberman, the son of former Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), and former U.S. attorney Ed Tarver.
Georgians will be voting for both its U.S. senators in November. So far, however, the races haven’t attracted the top-tier national attention that the Senate races in places like Maine, Colorado, North Carolina and Arizona have received, indicating that many Democratic strategists still see Georgia as a reach. No party-affiliated committee or super PAC has placed ad reservations in the state yet.
But Loeffler’s stumbles and Warnock’s fundraising strength may give the special election an extra boost.
Warnock jumped into the race in January with a campaign video charting his path from public housing in Savannah to his position at the church. A graduate of Morehouse College, Warnock became senior pastor at Ebenezer in 2005, when he was 35. In 2013, he delivered the closing prayer at President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Prayer Service, and in 2016, he gave the sermon at the Annual White House Prayer breakfast.
Advertisement
Warnock, like every other candidate, has had to change how he campaigns with the coronavirus pandemic still raging. But he’s also had to change how he reaches out to his congregation.
For the past five weeks, the church services at Ebenezer have been conducted virtually. And two weeks ago, he had his first COVID-19 funeral ― a beloved football coach and father of twin 16-year-old daughters whom Warnock watched grow up as members of his congregation.
“They had to say farewell to their father as a result of this virus. And if that isn’t bad enough, on top of it, this virus requires us to do the opposite of what we would normally be doing at a time in the wake of death,” he said. “When we would be embracing one another, we have to engage in social distancing from one another. And so I conducted the entire funeral on a Zoom platform because we are clear that we didn’t want the funeral to produce additional funerals.”
Warnock said that for him, it’s important that any stimulus relief package keeps “struggling families and working people” at the center.
“We’ve seen stimulus packages before,” he said, “and sometimes they have done more than enough for people at the top ― and well-connected corporations and corporate interests ― and not nearly enough for people who are just sheltering in right now, dealing with everyday bread-and-butter conversations: Will I have a job next week? If I don’t, will the unemployment check come soon enough?”
Advertisement
“Every now and then, the other side lets us know why they’re engaged in rabid voter suppression.” - Rev. Raphael Warnock
Warnock also said he supports making voting by mail easier and more accessible for the November elections.
Georgia, which is controlled by Republicans at the state level, recently made it easier for voters to cast a ballot through the mail for the May primary (which has since been pushed back to June).
But David Ralston, the Republican speaker of the state House, said he was opposed to that decision because absentee ballots would make it easier for people to vote ― and presumably increase turnout ― which would hurt Republicans.
“The president said it best ― this will be extremely devastating to Republicans and conservatives in Georgia,” said Ralston.


huffpost--2020-04-23--4.4 Million More Americans File For Unemployment Benefits As Virus Devastates Economy

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as job cuts escalated across an economy that remains all but shut down , the government said Thursday .
Roughly 26 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the five weeks since the coronavirus outbreak began forcing millions of employers to close their doors .
About one in six American workers have now lost their jobs since mid-March , by far the worst string of layoffs on record .
Economists have forecast that the unemployment rate for April could go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enormous magnitude of job cuts has plunged the U.S. economy into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
Some economists say the nation ’ s output could shrink by twice the amount that it did during the Great Recession , which ended in 2009 .
The painful economic consequences of the virus-related shutdowns have sparked angry protests in several state capitals from crowds demanding that businesses reopen .
Some governors have begun easing restrictions despite warnings from health authorities that it may be too soon to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gyms , hair salons and bowling alleys can reopen Friday .
Texas has reopened its state parks .
Yet those scattered re-openings won ’ t lead to much rehiring , especially if Americans are too wary to leave their homes .
Most people say they favor stay-at-home orders and believe it won ’ t be safe to lift social distancing guidelines anytime soon .
And there are likely more layoffs to come from many small businesses that have tried but failed to receive loans from a federal aid program .
The total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits has reached a record 16 million , surpassing a previous high of 12 million set in 2010 , just after the 2008-2009 recession ended .
This figure reflects people who have managed to navigate the online or telephone application systems in their states , have been approved for benefits and are actually receiving checks .
In some states , many laid-off workers have run into obstacles in trying to file applications for benefits .
Among them are millions of freelancers , contractors , gig workers and self-employed people — a category of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits for the first time .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as job cuts escalated across an economy that remains all but shut down, the government said Thursday.
Roughly 26 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the five weeks since the coronavirus outbreak began forcing millions of employers to close their doors. About one in six American workers have now lost their jobs since mid-March, by far the worst string of layoffs on record. Economists have forecast that the unemployment rate for April could go as high as 20%.
Advertisement
The enormous magnitude of job cuts has plunged the U.S. economy into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Some economists say the nation’s output could shrink by twice the amount that it did during the Great Recession, which ended in 2009.
The painful economic consequences of the virus-related shutdowns have sparked angry protests in several state capitals from crowds demanding that businesses reopen. Some governors have begun easing restrictions despite warnings from health authorities that it may be too soon to do so without sparking new infections. In Georgia, gyms, hair salons and bowling alleys can reopen Friday. Texas has reopened its state parks.
Yet those scattered re-openings won’t lead to much rehiring, especially if Americans are too wary to leave their homes. Most people say they favor stay-at-home orders and believe it won’t be safe to lift social distancing guidelines anytime soon. And there are likely more layoffs to come from many small businesses that have tried but failed to receive loans from a federal aid program.
The total number of people who are receiving unemployment benefits has reached a record 16 million, surpassing a previous high of 12 million set in 2010, just after the 2008-2009 recession ended. This figure reflects people who have managed to navigate the online or telephone application systems in their states, have been approved for benefits and are actually receiving checks.
Advertisement


huffpost--2020-04-23--How To Shape Your Eyebrows At Home

How To Shape Your Eyebrows At Home

Bigger is better when it comes to eyebrows .
It ’ s a convenient truth for the current situation we find ourselves in .
But with quarantine comes more time to examine ourselves in the mirror , and potentially more temptation to make , er , tweaks .
Tackling your own brows is a delicate dance .
One wrong pluck can affect your whole face .
It ’ s low on the list of things to be concerned about during the coronavirus outbreak , but if you ’ re abiding by shelter-in-place guidelines , you may find yourself wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically go someplace to have them done .
“ The first thing I tell them is to stay away from the magnifying mirrors , ” she told HuffPost .
“ People are super bored right now , so the worst thing is to sit in front of that mirror and start going to town with it.
” As with the rest of the hair on your body , ideally you could just let it grow out until you ’ re able to visit the salon again .
But if you ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vucetaj has a few tips and tricks .
The first thing you want to do , Vucetaj said , is outline your brow shape with a pencil in a shade that matches your brow color ( she makes one herself ) .
To outline , lift at the arch and lightly go over the natural curve of your brow .
Here ’ s a helpful video .
Whatever lies inside that line is what she calls “ the red zone.
” “ Step back , make sure they look symmetrical and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too thin , because you ’ re going to tweeze around that line , ” she said .
“ Once you create a strong barrier , then you tweeze lightly underneath the corners and in the middle ― but that ’ s it .
You don ’ t want to go into the shape , you don ’ t want to try to create something .
You just want to give a little bit of clean up.
” Take stock of your tools .
“ A lot of tweezers break the hairs because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointy , which is wrong , ” Vucetaj said .
“ They should have a slanted tip .
You need to pull by the root of the hair so you grab it in full , which prevents ingrown hairs and breakage.
” While trimming is not a necessary step for everyone , Vucetaj offered advice on how to figure out whether you need to do it if your hairs have grown long .
“ Brush the hairs upward , ” Vucetaj said .
“ If they ’ re super long and messy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to create shape , just to keep them neat-looking .
If you brush them up and the hairs are sitting layered over each other , you don ’ t need to trim.
” Watch where you put your product .
If you ’ re using this opportunity to grow your brows back in , Vucetaj has a tip for promoting growth — not a product , but rather lack thereof .
Basically , she recommends keeping any serums , lotions or creams that you typically use as part of your skin care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is a great time to avoid anything on your brows and really let the hairs come through , ” she said .
“ I strongly suggest — and I know from experience — that if you don ’ t put any creams or lotions on or around the brows , your brows will grow back .
It ’ s really about letting the hair follicles breathe .
It ’ s like your scalp.
” Even if you don ’ t do a single thing , it will be very easy to restore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can get back to the salon .
“ It ’ s actually going to be better if you let them go because you have more to work with , ” Vucetaj said .
“ Two or three months in the house not doing much to your brows is an amazing thing .
Brows is the one thing where the longer you wait , the better they ’ re gon na look .
”

Bigger is better when it comes to eyebrows. It’s a convenient truth for the current situation we find ourselves in. But with quarantine comes more time to examine ourselves in the mirror, and potentially more temptation to make, er, tweaks.
Tackling your own brows is a delicate dance. One wrong pluck can affect your whole face. It’s low on the list of things to be concerned about during the coronavirus outbreak, but if you’re abiding by shelter-in-place guidelines, you may find yourself wanting to clean things up, especially if you typically go someplace to have them done.
Advertisement
Sania Vucetaj, celebrity brow specialist and founder of Sania’s Brow Bar in New York City, has been fielding questions from clients since temporarily shutting down her space in line with the mandated closing of nonessential businesses.
“The first thing I tell them is to stay away from the magnifying mirrors,” she told HuffPost. “People are super bored right now, so the worst thing is to sit in front of that mirror and start going to town with it.”
As with the rest of the hair on your body, ideally you could just let it grow out until you’re able to visit the salon again. But if you’re going to try taming your brows at home, Vucetaj has a few tips and tricks.
Stay outside the lines.
The first thing you want to do, Vucetaj said, is outline your brow shape with a pencil in a shade that matches your brow color (she makes one herself). To outline, lift at the arch and lightly go over the natural curve of your brow. Here’s a helpful video. Whatever lies inside that line is what she calls “the red zone.”
Advertisement
“Step back, make sure they look symmetrical and make sure you didn’t make them too thin, because you’re going to tweeze around that line,” she said. “Once you create a strong barrier, then you tweeze lightly underneath the corners and in the middle ― but that’s it. You don’t want to go into the shape, you don’t want to try to create something. You just want to give a little bit of clean up.”
Take stock of your tools.
It’s worth investing in proper tools like tweezers and scissors for a few reasons.
“A lot of tweezers break the hairs because either they’re too sharp or pointy, which is wrong,” Vucetaj said. “They should have a slanted tip. You need to pull by the root of the hair so you grab it in full, which prevents ingrown hairs and breakage.”
Tread lightly with trimming.
While trimming is not a necessary step for everyone, Vucetaj offered advice on how to figure out whether you need to do it if your hairs have grown long.
“Brush the hairs upward,” Vucetaj said. “If they’re super long and messy, you just trim the very tips — not to create shape, just to keep them neat-looking. If you brush them up and the hairs are sitting layered over each other, you don’t need to trim.”
And in this case, she added, “better to do less more often than too much.”
Watch where you put your product.
If you’re using this opportunity to grow your brows back in, Vucetaj has a tip for promoting growth — not a product, but rather lack thereof. Basically, she recommends keeping any serums, lotions or creams that you typically use as part of your skin care routine away from the area.
Advertisement
“This is a great time to avoid anything on your brows and really let the hairs come through,” she said. “I strongly suggest — and I know from experience — that if you don’t put any creams or lotions on or around the brows, your brows will grow back. It’s really about letting the hair follicles breathe. It’s like your scalp.”
Don’t worry, you’ll bounce back.
Even if you don’t do a single thing, it will be very easy to restore your brows to their previous condition once you can get back to the salon.
“It’s actually going to be better if you let them go because you have more to work with,” Vucetaj said. “Two or three months in the house not doing much to your brows is an amazing thing. Brows is the one thing where the longer you wait, the better they’re gonna look.”
For more information, head to Vucetaj’s Instagram, which is full of information on brow maintenance ― and mesmerizing videos of her staff doing tutorials.


huffpost--2020-04-23--The Reason Bruce Willis Quarantines With Demi Moore And Not His Wife Is … Weird

Scout Willis , the middle child of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis , went on the “ Dopey ” podcast last Friday and explained why her divorced parents are quarantining together in Sun Valley , Idaho , while Willis ’ current wife , Emma Heming Willis , is staying in Los Angeles with their two daughters .
“ My stepmom was going to come up here , too , with my little sisters , ” Scout Willis , 28 , said .
” [ But ] my younger sister… [ who has ] never gotten a talk about not fucking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a park and ] she actually tried to poke her shoe with it and poked her foot.
” She went on to explain that Heming took the 7-year-old child to the doctor to get tests .
“ So my stepmom had to be in L.A. waiting to get the results from taking her to the doctor , so my dad came [ to Idaho ] early and then travel got crazy , ” Scout Willis said .
“ So my stepmom stayed in L.A. with my little sisters.
” Moore and Bruce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friendly .
The famous exes raised eyebrows in the past couple of weeks when photos of them quarantining together during the COVID-19 outbreak began hitting social media — especially because Heming wasn ’ t in any of the photos .
Heming , though , gave her approval to the shot that featured her husband and Moore in matching pajamas .
“ Not many can pull that color off !
😂 Lookin good squad 💚💚💚💚 , ” Heming commented on Instagram .
Scout Willis added on the “ Dopey ” podcast that even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dice of who you were with ” when most people felt obliged to go on lockdown and socially distance , she feels “ very grateful to be with my family.
” “ It ’ s been really funny having both my parents at the house where they raised us , which has been really cute , ” she told the podcast .
“ They were both such nerdy , adorable ’ 90s parents in a small town where they chose [ to raise us ] and not be in L.A .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Sure, why not?
Scout Willis, the middle child of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, went on the “Dopey” podcast last Friday and explained why her divorced parents are quarantining together in Sun Valley, Idaho, while Willis’ current wife, Emma Heming Willis, is staying in Los Angeles with their two daughters.
… And it’s quite a story.
Rumer Willis, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Scout Willis, Emma Heming Willis and Tallulah Willis at Moore's 'Inside Out' book party on Sept. 23, 2019, in Los Angeles. Stefanie Keenan via Getty Images
Advertisement
“My stepmom was going to come up here, too, with my little sisters,” Scout Willis, 28, said. ”[But] my younger sister… [who has] never gotten a talk about not fucking with hypodermic needles… she found [needles at a park and] she actually tried to poke her shoe with it and poked her foot.”
She went on to explain that Heming took the 7-year-old child to the doctor to get tests.
“So my stepmom had to be in L.A. waiting to get the results from taking her to the doctor, so my dad came [to Idaho] early and then travel got crazy,” Scout Willis said. “So my stepmom stayed in L.A. with my little sisters.”
Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis at an event last year. Pacific Press via Getty Images
Moore and Bruce Willis divorced in 2000 but they remain friendly. The famous exes raised eyebrows in the past couple of weeks when photos of them quarantining together during the COVID-19 outbreak began hitting social media — especially because Heming wasn’t in any of the photos.
Advertisement
Heming, though, gave her approval to the shot that featured her husband and Moore in matching pajamas. “Not many can pull that color off! 😂 Lookin good squad 💚💚💚💚,” Heming commented on Instagram.
Scout Willis at the "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" premiere in July 2019. Steve Granitz via Getty Images
Scout Willis added on the “Dopey” podcast that even though it seemed “a roll of a dice of who you were with” when most people felt obliged to go on lockdown and socially distance, she feels “very grateful to be with my family.”
“It’s been really funny having both my parents at the house where they raised us, which has been really cute,” she told the podcast. “They were both such nerdy, adorable ’90s parents in a small town where they chose [to raise us] and not be in L.A.”


huffpost--2020-05-12--I'm An AIDS Survivor And COVID-19 Is Giving Me Flashbacks

There are similarities between corona and HIV , such as living with uncertainty and fears for both ourselves and loved ones .
Some AIDS survivors I ’ ve spoken to report having a PTSD experience now .
They are reliving the days before the mid-1990s , when there was no effective virus management .
But all of us who have chronic or underlying health conditions have a treasure trove of skills , including bravery , courage and resiliency , in facing the current pandemic .
Yes , I ’ m high risk and taking it seriously , but for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been far from my mind .
When my husband was diagnosed with AIDS in 1992 , we faced a deadly virus that at the time had no drugs , vaccine or cure .
He refused to discuss how he contracted HIV .
My theory is that he was bisexual and had trouble dealing with it .
He became so sick that I stopped asking him .
The priority was to stay alive and help him recover .
When the doctors delivered his diagnosis , the scenario was beyond bleak .
They said my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then our 2-year-old son .
I felt like I was falling backward into a deep black hole .
After much misery , my 41-year old husband did die of AIDS a year later .
Tragically and surreally , my 40-year-old uncle also contracted the disease , through circumstances completely unrelated to our family , and died .
The current reports of ventilators , intubation and lung tubes for coronavirus patients are like a blast from my past .
Unfortunately , I know all three very well .
I tested negative in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test .
Later , my doctor indicated it was probably a faulty test .
But HIV didn ’ t enter my mind when I developed a serious cough 12 years later .
It also didn ’ t occur to the doctors that it could be HIV-related .
They inserted a breathing tube and attached me to a ventilator .
At some point , my lungs collapsed and I needed intubation .
Then they inserted four lung tubes .
A fifth one went in the middle of the night by an eager doc , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was annoyed .
Later , I found out that I had a 50-50 chance of survival .
After a month , they removed the breathing tube .
When I was taken off ventilation and synthetic morphine , I developed ICU psychosis .
My waking and sleeping images blended .
I was convinced there were llamas at the foot of my bed , a nurse was dressed like a Renaissance queen and dead relatives were camped out in the hospital hallway drinking champagne .
I was lucky that by then an effective and lifesaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been developed .
However , it took over a decade of testing to develop the antiviral cocktail now in wide use .
In my case , the maintenance cocktail started out as a complex regimen and now is down to one daily little pill .
I have been fortunate to have little or no side effects and to have remained healthy for the past 16 years .
But I am not without survivor ’ s guilt , which plagues me to this day .
There are differences between that crisis and this one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me and many others to hide in the closet for fear of being denied insurance , jobs and mortgages .
Even when it was no longer considered a death sentence , I continued to be wary of revealing my status .
And the government and society ’ s treatment of people with HIV and AIDS was a low point during the last century .
Health care workers also had issues treating AIDS patients , especially before it was known the virus was only transmittable through bodily fluids .
I remember our dentist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hazmat suits .
Those health care workers and doctors are our heroes .
My own Seattle doctor , an infectious disease specialist , is back on the front lines , caring for coronavirus patients , saving lives , as he did mine and others .
Another lesson from the fight against HIV and AIDS is that you can ’ t count on a vaccine .
Hopefully , advances in the medical field will lead to fast-tracked medications and protocols to deal with COVID-19 and its trajectory .
The stories of solitary deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I watched several die in my husband ’ s hospital ward , with no loved ones around .
All I could do is try to give them courage to fight .
I ’ m at high risk for complications if I contract the coronavirus and I am taking all precautions , but I ’ m also keeping in mind the words of a female artist , in the hospital bed next to me years ago , who said , “ You survived !
Now go out and find the reason why.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and off while working at a demanding corporate job .
My previous lives , as a journalist , playwright and jazz vocalist , were dormant .
As soon as I got home from the hospital , I began writing and singing again .
I stayed with my corporate job for a while , but my center of gravity had shifted and I left it a few years later .
Because of my experience of facing my own mortality and watching loved ones die from a deadly virus , I view the coronavirus as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us who were affected by HIV have been through the trenches and are truly battle-tested for this one .

25th Annual Gay Pride Parade in NYC: Act Up Demo protesting AIDS epidemic, New York, New York, June 26, 1994. (Photo by Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images) Allan Tannenbaum via Getty Images
I’m living proof that there can be life after a deadly virus. My personal panic about the current coronavirus crisis is interwoven with my memories of facing another virus, HIV.
There are similarities between corona and HIV, such as living with uncertainty and fears for both ourselves and loved ones. Some AIDS survivors I’ve spoken to report having a PTSD experience now. They are reliving the days before the mid-1990s, when there was no effective virus management. But all of us who have chronic or underlying health conditions have a treasure trove of skills, including bravery, courage and resiliency, in facing the current pandemic.
Advertisement
Yes, I’m high risk and taking it seriously, but for the last three decades, mortality has never been far from my mind. When my husband was diagnosed with AIDS in 1992, we faced a deadly virus that at the time had no drugs, vaccine or cure. He refused to discuss how he contracted HIV. My theory is that he was bisexual and had trouble dealing with it. He became so sick that I stopped asking him. The priority was to stay alive and help him recover.
When the doctors delivered his diagnosis, the scenario was beyond bleak. They said my husband would die first, then me, and then our 2-year-old son. I felt like I was falling backward into a deep black hole. After much misery, my 41-year old husband did die of AIDS a year later. Tragically and surreally, my 40-year-old uncle also contracted the disease, through circumstances completely unrelated to our family, and died.
But as it turned out, I didn’t die and neither did my son, who is now 29. We are currently together as we “shelter in place.”
The current reports of ventilators, intubation and lung tubes for coronavirus patients are like a blast from my past. Unfortunately, I know all three very well. I tested negative in 1994 for active HIV with a PCR test. Later, my doctor indicated it was probably a faulty test. But HIV didn’t enter my mind when I developed a serious cough 12 years later. It also didn’t occur to the doctors that it could be HIV-related.
Advertisement
I collapsed and was rushed to the emergency room and then directly to isolation. Since I had traveled to Asia recently, they thought I had SARS, but it turned out I was in respiratory failure due to pneumocystis pneumonia, or PCP ― an AIDS-related illness.
They inserted a breathing tube and attached me to a ventilator. At some point, my lungs collapsed and I needed intubation. Then they inserted four lung tubes. A fifth one went in the middle of the night by an eager doc, unbeknownst to my chief doctor, who was annoyed. Later, I found out that I had a 50-50 chance of survival.
After a month, they removed the breathing tube. When I was taken off ventilation and synthetic morphine, I developed ICU psychosis. My waking and sleeping images blended. I was convinced there were llamas at the foot of my bed, a nurse was dressed like a Renaissance queen and dead relatives were camped out in the hospital hallway drinking champagne.
I was lucky that by then an effective and lifesaving cocktail to control HIV had by then been developed. However, it took over a decade of testing to develop the antiviral cocktail now in wide use. In my case, the maintenance cocktail started out as a complex regimen and now is down to one daily little pill. I have been fortunate to have little or no side effects and to have remained healthy for the past 16 years. But I am not without survivor’s guilt, which plagues me to this day.
There are differences between that crisis and this one. The stigma attached to HIV caused me and many others to hide in the closet for fear of being denied insurance, jobs and mortgages. Even when it was no longer considered a death sentence, I continued to be wary of revealing my status. And the government and society’s treatment of people with HIV and AIDS was a low point during the last century.
Advertisement
Hopefully, the incredible passionate activism during the AIDS epidemic serves as a model. In the 1980s the number of deaths and HIV infections, and the lack of government response, led the LBGTQ community to organize protests. Their mobilization to develop testing, and eventually effective maintenance meds, saved my life and many others.
Health care workers also had issues treating AIDS patients, especially before it was known the virus was only transmittable through bodily fluids. I remember our dentist and his hygienist treating my husband while wearing hazmat suits. Those health care workers and doctors are our heroes. My own Seattle doctor, an infectious disease specialist, is back on the front lines, caring for coronavirus patients, saving lives, as he did mine and others.
Another lesson from the fight against HIV and AIDS is that you can’t count on a vaccine. Hopefully, advances in the medical field will lead to fast-tracked medications and protocols to deal with COVID-19 and its trajectory. The stories of solitary deaths in hospitals are reminiscent of the AIDS era. I watched several die in my husband’s hospital ward, with no loved ones around. All I could do is try to give them courage to fight.
I begged both my husband and my uncle to try to hang on, as I felt there would be breakthrough medications soon. But we lost both within the space of 15 months.
I’m at high risk for complications if I contract the coronavirus and I am taking all precautions, but I’m also keeping in mind the words of a female artist, in the hospital bed next to me years ago, who said, “You survived! Now go out and find the reason why.”
Advertisement
I had been a creative person on and off while working at a demanding corporate job. My previous lives, as a journalist, playwright and jazz vocalist, were dormant. As soon as I got home from the hospital, I began writing and singing again. I stayed with my corporate job for a while, but my center of gravity had shifted and I left it a few years later.
Because of my experience of facing my own mortality and watching loved ones die from a deadly virus, I view the coronavirus as yet another very large hurdle. Those of us who were affected by HIV have been through the trenches and are truly battle-tested for this one.
During the AIDS crisis, the world didn’t face financial collapse, massive unemployment, and daily White House briefings. It took brave and relentless activists, many deaths and a lot of fear before there were lifesaving drugs. The global energy to solve or ease the COVID-19 crisis is palpable.
And while the coronavirus has placed the world on pause, in the post-pandemic universe there will be possibilities to be explored. I’m living proof that dealing with and surviving a deadly virus can give a powerful reboot to our future lives.
Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch!


huffpost--2020-04-28--Thousands Of COVID-19 Victims Not Included In Indonesia’s Official Death Toll, Report Says

To be classified as PDP , patients must also have travelled to a country , or an area in Indonesia @ @ @ @ @ taken hold within 14 days of becoming sick .
“ I believe the vast majority @ @ @ @ @ by COVID-19 , ” said Pandu Riono , an epidemiologist at the University of Indonesia @ @ @ @ @ and that there was no other identified cause of death .
Some senior government members @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak in January and February with some suggesting that prayer , herbal remedies and @ @ @ @ @ off the virus .
The death toll is now the highest in Asia after China @ @ @ @ @ tally .

To be classified as PDP, patients must also have travelled to a country, or an area in Indonesia, where the coronavirus has taken hold within 14 days of becoming sick.
“I believe the vast majority of PDP deaths were caused by COVID-19,” said Pandu Riono, an epidemiologist at the University of Indonesia, citing their COVID-19 symptoms and that there was no other identified cause of death.
Some senior government members played down the risk of an outbreak in January and February with some suggesting that prayer, herbal remedies and hot weather would help ward off the virus. The death toll is now the highest in Asia after China, according to a Reuters tally.


huffpost--2020-05-19--Ford Motor Co. Changes Mind, Won't Insist Trump Wear Mask During Visit [UPDATE]

UPDATE : 4:53 p.m .
ET ― Officials for Ford Motor Co. have backpedaled on a decree that President Donald Trump wear a mask when he visits a plant in Ypsilanti , Michigan , on Thursday , Bloomberg reported .
A company spokeswoman told the outlet Ford would defer to the White House ’ s own policies on mask-wearing .
When President Donald Trump visits a Ford Motor Co. plant on Thursday , he may finally have to do something he ’ s resisted up to this point : wear a mask .
The president is scheduled to visit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though the visit technically violates an executive order from Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer that prohibits “ nonessential ” plant tours .
However , the governor ’ s office has signaled it will not stand in the way of the visit , Whitmer spokesman Zack Pohl told Crain ’ s Detroit .
“ While the president ’ s visit is contrary to the governor ’ s order , this is an opportunity to showcase how important Michigan is to the response to COVID-19 and rebuilding our nation ’ s economy.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they will insist the mask-averse president will have to wear one during his visit .
“ Our policy is that everyone wears PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , ” a Ford spokesperson told The Detroit Bureau .
“ We shared all of Ford ’ s safety protocols , including our manufacturing playbook , employee pamphlet and self-assessment survey with the White House ahead of time and in preparation for this trip.
” It remains to be seen whether Trump will follow the reasonable request , especially since he wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask factory in Arizona earlier this month .
“ I don ’ t think that I ’ m going to be doing it , ” he said after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines to encourage mask usage .
White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the president planned to go along with the mask order .
When asked Tuesday whether he would don the mask on Thursday , the president told reporters , “ Where it ’ s appropriate , I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says he has n't `` even thought of '' whether he 'll wear a mask when he visits a Ford plant in Michigan on Thursday : `` Where it 's appropriate , I would do it , certainly '' https : //t.co/Nj065CIsxp pic.twitter.com/cOuU62vHli — CBS News ( @ CBSNews ) May 19 , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
UPDATE: 4:53 p.m. ET ― Officials for Ford Motor Co. have backpedaled on a decree that President Donald Trump wear a mask when he visits a plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Thursday, Bloomberg reported.
A company spokeswoman told the outlet Ford would defer to the White House’s own policies on mask-wearing.
Advertisement
PREVIOUSLY:
When President Donald Trump visits a Ford Motor Co. plant on Thursday, he may finally have to do something he’s resisted up to this point: wear a mask.
The president is scheduled to visit the Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, even though the visit technically violates an executive order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that prohibits “nonessential” plant tours.
However, the governor’s office has signaled it will not stand in the way of the visit, Whitmer spokesman Zack Pohl told Crain’s Detroit.
“While the president’s visit is contrary to the governor’s order, this is an opportunity to showcase how important Michigan is to the response to COVID-19 and rebuilding our nation’s economy.”
Advertisement
But there is a catch: Ford officials say they will insist the mask-averse president will have to wear one during his visit.
“Our policy is that everyone wears PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” a Ford spokesperson told The Detroit Bureau. “We shared all of Ford’s safety protocols, including our manufacturing playbook, employee pamphlet and self-assessment survey with the White House ahead of time and in preparation for this trip.”
It remains to be seen whether Trump will follow the reasonable request, especially since he wouldn’t wear a mask when touring a mask factory in Arizona earlier this month.
“I don’t think that I’m going to be doing it,” he said after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines to encourage mask usage.
White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the president planned to go along with the mask order.
Advertisement
When asked Tuesday whether he would don the mask on Thursday, the president told reporters, “Where it’s appropriate, I would do it, certainly.”


huffpost--2020-05-19--New York Nurses Union Endorses Progressive House Challenger

Jamaal Bowman for Congress Jamaal Bowman distributes food at a food bank in Yonkers , New York .
His presence in the district has helped win him the backing of an influential union .
The largest nurses union in New York endorsed the House bid of middle school principal Jamaal Bowman on Tuesday , providing a major boost for the progressive candidate ’ s uphill effort to unseat Rep. Eliot Engel in the Democratic primary for New York ’ s 16th congressional district .
The New York State Nurses Association , which has 40,000 members and is not affiliated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if ever , endorsed a primary challenger in a race against an incumbent Democrat .
In a statement announcing the endorsement , the union pointed to Bowman ’ s ardent support for “ Medicare for All ” and his in-person participation in the union ’ s protest for safer conditions and more personal protective equipment ( PPE ) in April .
“ The COVID-19 crisis has shown more clearly than ever that our health care system is broken , and that we must push for a more just Medicare for All system where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they need , ” NYSNA President Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez said .
“ NY-16 ’ s nurses and essential workers are grateful for Jamaal Bowman ’ s partnership throughout the ongoing crisis , including joining nurses rallying at St. Joseph ’ s Hospital to demand an increased production of PPE , and repeatedly calling out the corrupt price gouging of this life-saving equipment.
” The union was careful not to disparage Engel , who is also a longtime supporter of Medicare for All .
But its reference to Bowman ’ s participation in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distinction between Bowman and Engel .
Bowman was able to join the demonstration because he has remained in the district , which includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester County , throughout the pandemic .
Engel has stayed in his family ’ s home in Potomac , Maryland , a ritzy suburb of Washington , D.C. Engel , who is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has been in Congress since 1989 , still boasts a massive fundraising advantage over Bowman .
The primary is June 23 .
The contest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the activist left ’ s last opportunities this election cycle to unseat an incumbent Democrat in Congress with someone more progressive .
Engel has a relatively progressive record on domestic policy , but is a foreign policy hawk .
He is one of Congress ’ most ardent supporters of the Israeli government and opposed then-President Barack Obama ’ s 2015 deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program .
Perhaps more importantly , Engel is a loyal soldier for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) .
Bowman would become part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers who try to assert power independent of party leadership .
So far this cycle , the group has not landed a victory comparable in scope to Ocasio-Cortez ’ s upset .
Justice Democrats endorsed successful Illinois primary challenger Marie Newman .
But she was a second-time candidate who also had the backing of much more influential and deep-pocketed pro-choice groups .
Bowman has struggled at times to elicit sustained attention in a media environment dominated first by the Democratic presidential primary and then by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Ocasio-Cortez and other high-profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bid .
Bowman has tried to find creative ways to communicate with prospective voters in a racially diverse and impoverished district that is home to one of the most acute concentrations of coronavirus cases in the country .
Drawing attention to Engel ’ s absence in the district may be a game-changer for Bowman , however .
Ocasio-Cortez won in part by hammering then-Rep. Joseph Crowley for lacking a permanent residence in his district — though Engel , unlike Crowley , has a second home in the district .

Jamaal Bowman distributes food at a food bank in Yonkers, New York. His presence in the district has helped win him the backing of an influential union. Jamaal Bowman for Congress
The largest nurses union in New York endorsed the House bid of middle school principal Jamaal Bowman on Tuesday, providing a major boost for the progressive candidate’s uphill effort to unseat Rep. Eliot Engel in the Democratic primary for New York’s 16th congressional district.
The New York State Nurses Association, which has 40,000 members and is not affiliated with an international union, has rarely, if ever, endorsed a primary challenger in a race against an incumbent Democrat.
Advertisement
In a statement announcing the endorsement, the union pointed to Bowman’s ardent support for “Medicare for All” and his in-person participation in the union’s protest for safer conditions and more personal protective equipment (PPE) in April.
“The COVID-19 crisis has shown more clearly than ever that our health care system is broken, and that we must push for a more just Medicare for All system where everyone can access and afford the care that they need,” NYSNA President Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez said. “NY-16’s nurses and essential workers are grateful for Jamaal Bowman’s partnership throughout the ongoing crisis, including joining nurses rallying at St. Joseph’s Hospital to demand an increased production of PPE, and repeatedly calling out the corrupt price gouging of this life-saving equipment.”
The union was careful not to disparage Engel, who is also a longtime supporter of Medicare for All.
But its reference to Bowman’s participation in a protest outside a hospital highlights a key distinction between Bowman and Engel. Bowman was able to join the demonstration because he has remained in the district, which includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester County, throughout the pandemic. Engel has stayed in his family’s home in Potomac, Maryland, a ritzy suburb of Washington, D.C.
Engel, who is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has been in Congress since 1989, still boasts a massive fundraising advantage over Bowman. The primary is June 23.
Advertisement
The contest in New York’s 16th is one of the activist left’s last opportunities this election cycle to unseat an incumbent Democrat in Congress with someone more progressive.
Engel has a relatively progressive record on domestic policy, but is a foreign policy hawk. He is one of Congress’ most ardent supporters of the Israeli government and opposed then-President Barack Obama’s 2015 deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program.
Perhaps more importantly, Engel is a loyal soldier for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Bowman would become part of a small but growing bloc of progressive lawmakers who try to assert power independent of party leadership.
Justice Democrats, the left-wing group that helped elect Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), recruited and endorsed Bowman, who announced his candidacy last June.
So far this cycle, the group has not landed a victory comparable in scope to Ocasio-Cortez’s upset. Justice Democrats endorsed successful Illinois primary challenger Marie Newman. But she was a second-time candidate who also had the backing of much more influential and deep-pocketed pro-choice groups.
Advertisement
Bowman has struggled at times to elicit sustained attention in a media environment dominated first by the Democratic presidential primary and then by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ocasio-Cortez and other high-profile progressive lawmakers have yet to endorse Bowman’s bid.
Bowman has tried to find creative ways to communicate with prospective voters in a racially diverse and impoverished district that is home to one of the most acute concentrations of coronavirus cases in the country.
For example, he has taken to giving home-schooling tips via video livestream on his campaign’s Facebook page.
Drawing attention to Engel’s absence in the district may be a game-changer for Bowman, however. Ocasio-Cortez won in part by hammering then-Rep. Joseph Crowley for lacking a permanent residence in his district — though Engel, unlike Crowley, has a second home in the district.