newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Nets’ Wilson Chandler takes you inside his coronavirus isolation

`` It ’ s a perfectly reasonable question to ask Chandler if he ’ s ...

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Wilson Chandler — self-quarantined after four Nets tested positive for coronavirus — had vented on Twitter about a call from his building manager asking him to stay out of the lobby. Now he’s opened up more in the Players’ Tribune about what the isolation is like.
Earlier this week, Chandler had expressed frustration at the building manager encounter, writing on Twitter: “Didn’t even ask was I ok, one. And two, she didn’t ask me if I had been tested and if it was negative or positive. (Screw) this building man. I’m going home.”
In the Players’ Tribune piece, he went further into that conversation — a window into how the pandemic is fraying peoples’ nerves — and also why in the end he opted not to head back to Michigan but self-quarantine himself in New York instead.
“I opened my eyes, and I wanted to write. That’s how my mornings go. I didn’t have my notebook, so I went down to the car to grab my backpack. I also had a Whole Foods delivery, so on my way back up I went by the front desk and grabbed it,” Chandler wrote. “When I got back to my apartment, I had a call from the company that manages my building: ‘We’ve been reading the reports, and we know four players have gotten the coronavirus from the Nets. Would you mind not coming to the lobby.’ How am I getting out of the building if I can’t go through the lobby?”
One condo owner in Chandler’s building did come to the manager’s defense to Page Six.
After four Nets tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday — Kevin Durant coming out and saying he was among the quartet — the others have been asked to self-isolate. Chandler had considered doing so back home in Michigan, but decided against it.
“I went under self-quarantine two days ago. I decided to stay at my apartment in New York. I was thinking about going back to Michigan, but it’s probably in my family’s best interest if I stay here, you know?” Chandler wrote. “It just wasn’t worth it, what with traveling, the risk of getting sick, and then possibly getting my grandmother sick — since older people, with immune systems that are not as strong, are the ones who are most affected by corona. So that was my fear.”
So what has he done with his time since the NBA suspended play on March 11 and the Nets flew back from California? He wrote: “It’s not the offseason because there’s so much going on with the virus.”
Chandler has taken up meditation, has reconnected with art, has been getting humiliated in Fortnite by his 11-year-old and been reading (“Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson”).
Reading has him ruminating on the plight of the incarcerated, with his father and other family members having spent time in prison. They suffer in terms of healthcare even in the best of times. But in the coronavirus pandemic, they’re especially at risk.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about the people who are locked up right now. Growing up, having my dad and different family members and friends go to prison, and hearing from them about the conditions there,” Chandler wrote. “Even before this virus, there was a prison in Alabama where the prisoners were dying just because of the conditions, just maybe a month ago.
“So, just from that standpoint, and knowing like even now that there are people that’s on the street — I’m talking people not in prison — that can’t get tested. What are those prisoners gonna do that’s treated like second-, third-, fourth-class citizens that don’t have most of their rights? It gives me anxiety just thinking about those people because, wrong or not, they’re still human beings.”
NBA players, coaches and icons have been filming PSAs from home during the pandemic. To date 17 PSAs have gotten over 35 million views. Among them was Donovan Mitchell, whom the U.S. surgeon general cited as an influencer they need to get young people to stay in and practice social distancing.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Boxing Hall of Fame ceremony still set for June — for now

It would be the biggest fight in the history of ...

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The International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., will be closed at least through the end of March to limit the spread of the coronavirus. But its executive director, Ed Brophy, is hoping the annual Hall of Fame Weekend can still be held on schedule from June 11-14.
“Hall of Fame weekend is still on for mid-June,” Brophy told The Post on Thursday. “But we’ll continue to follow the rules and regulations of the county and the state and monitor all the different guidelines and watch what happens day-by-day and week-by-week as we go through March.”
The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame announced Thursday it was rescheduling its induction dinner from April 19 to Sept. 20 at Russo’s On The Bay in Queens.
“It would not have been fair to the honorees, their friends and guests and the general public to wait any longer,” said NYSBOF president Bob Duffy. “I must commend the ownership and management at Russo’s On The Bay for working with us during this crisis to give us a date that will hopefully work for us all.”
The Hall of Fame induction is a much more elaborate event, at which boxing’s past champions from around the world can relive their glory.
This year’s induction class includes former middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins of Philadelphia, multi-division champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico and multi-division champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley of Pomona, Calif.
This is also an historic year because the first class of female fighters will be enshrined. Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker will be inducted in the modern era category while 90-year-old Barbara Buttrick of England, who fought in the 1950s, represents the trailblazer category. The non-participants scheduled to be inducted include promoters Lou DiBella, Kathy Duva and the late Dan Goossen, journalist Bernard Fernandez of Philadelphia and author Thomas Hauser.
“It’s an historic class with the first females to be enshrined and have their plaques in the museum,” Brophy said. “Ticket sales for the weekend had been good since the fall when we made the announcement of the inductees. We’re still right on target for have a special weekend. We’re going to continue to monitor the next week and a half and the beginning of April and determine what is happening. Everything is day-to-day. It’s hard to forecast out to June. But the best position we can be in is to maintain our plans that are well underway and keep moving forward.”
The museum closed on March 17 in the midst of a year of resurgence in the sport. With boxing now prevalent on network television and live-streamed on other platforms, business has improved at the Hall of Fame.
“With so much activity in boxing with the networks and the apps, it’s been busy,” Brophy said. “There’s been a spin-off at the Hall of Fame. Fans have been visiting more frequently and talking about the current fighters because they’ve seen them so much on these different networks. The momentum of boxing had been wonderful for everybody in boxing. Now every major sport has settled down with no activity. Everybody is anxious and hoping we can get this under control and enjoy the sport they all love.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Some Yankees still clinging to time in Tampa: ‘Safest place to be’

TAMPA — Aaron Judge hasn ’ t just been dealing with a ...

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TAMPA — Pretty much everything else around them has changed, so the Yankees who have chosen to stay in Tampa to work out are trying to maintain their baseball routines as much as possible.
A day after DJ LeMahieu said the work at Steinbrenner Field keeps him “sane,’’ two teammates echoed that sentiment.
“The great thing is they have this open so we can come here and do some baseball activity and stay ready,’’ Aaron Judge said Friday outside the facility. “You still kind of feel like we are in baseball mode, but it is kind of when you go home … I have some stuff to do around the house, put some stuff on the wall and cleaning. But I think after I get all the stuff done in my apartment, I think I will kind of [go] crazy.’’
Tyler Wade, like Judge, is a California resident and has been a regular at Steinbrenner Field. And the utility infielder is making the most of his time there while MLB is shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I like coming here,’’ Wade said. “I trust everybody in the facility. Everything is clean and people are wearing gloves. I see people once they touch something they take off the gloves and throw it away.”
Added Wade: “Coming in here, I almost feel this is the safest place to be.’’
Judge, Wade and LeMahieu were joined Friday by Clint Frazier, Luis Severino and Mike Ford.
Participating in small groups has been beneficial for Wade because he has gotten a closer look at LeMahieu’s attention to detail.
“It’s not necessarily what he is saying, it’s what he is doing,’’ Wade said. “I just watch. It is crazy how routine-orientated this guy [is] and how professional he is. If I look at the clock, I know exactly where DJ is at. His routine is so on point.’’
With the possibility that Steinbrenner Field will be off-limits to players at some point, Wade and others might be forced to vacate the Tampa area.
“I don’t know, that is something I would have to think about,’’ Wade said of potentially having to leave. “Maybe [go to] Arizona. There are a lot of guys out there. But hopefully since our numbers are very small that is beneficial toward us.’’
In the meantime, he said he’s passing the vast amount of dead time watching Netflix and participating in a “Madden” football video game tournament with teammates that is in the final stages.
— Additional reporting by Dan Martin


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--CEO of New Jersey hospital treating dozens of coronavirus patients tests positive

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The head of Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck , NJ — where as many as 61 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 — has himself tested positive for the disease , a hospital spokesman confirmed .
Hospital president and CEO Michael Maron , 60 , has been quarantined at his home in nearby Oradell this week .
“ He ’ s in stable condition .
He doesn ’ t need hospitalization , ” the spokesman told The Post .
Maron sent an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition .
“ Like so many in our area and in the healthcare field , I ’ ve tested positive for COVID-19 , ” Maron said in a statement released by the hospital .
“ I ’ m being monitored by Holy Name ’ s telemedicine program as I recover at home .
I continue to work from home .
Thanks to technology , I am in constant “ virtual ” touch with the Holy Name ’ s leadership team .
“ As soon as I began developing symptoms , I self-quarantined and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy Name has been inundated with COVID-19 patients , adding new wards to handle the influx .
Of 61 suspected COVID-19 cases , 18 are confirmed positives .
said spokeswoman Jessica Griffin .
On March 14 , the township of Teaneck imposed a voluntary self-quarantine on its 41,000 residents to stem the spread of infection .
It was one of the first municipalities in the country to do so .
On March 15 , Maron joined officials — including Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco and Rep Josh Gottheimer –at a COVID-19 press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr. James Pruden , director of emergency preparedness at St. Joseph ’ s University Medical Center in Paterson , N.J. , has also been infected and was hospitalized there .

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The head of Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, NJ — where as many as 61 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 — has himself tested positive for the disease, a hospital spokesman confirmed.
Hospital president and CEO Michael Maron, 60, has been quarantined at his home in nearby Oradell this week.
“He’s in stable condition. He doesn’t need hospitalization,” the spokesman told The Post.
Maron sent an email to staff members alerting them to his condition.
“Like so many in our area and in the healthcare field, I’ve tested positive for COVID-19,” Maron said in a statement released by the hospital.
“I’m being monitored by Holy Name’s telemedicine program as I recover at home. I continue to work from home. Thanks to technology, I am in constant “virtual” touch with the Holy Name’s leadership team.
“As soon as I began developing symptoms, I self-quarantined and was tested,” Maron said.
Holy Name has been inundated with COVID-19 patients, adding new wards to handle the influx.
Of 61 suspected COVID-19 cases, 18 are confirmed positives. said spokeswoman Jessica Griffin.
On March 14, the township of Teaneck imposed a voluntary self-quarantine on its 41,000 residents to stem the spread of infection. It was one of the first municipalities in the country to do so.
On March 15, Maron joined officials — including Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco and Rep Josh Gottheimer –at a COVID-19 press conference in Hackensack,
A prominent Teaneck resident, Dr. James Pruden, director of emergency preparedness at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J., has also been infected and was hospitalized there.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Officials approve release of more than 50 Rikers inmates over coronavirus fears

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Officials on Friday approved the release of 56 detainees from Rikers Island to help blunt the potential of a coronavirus outbreak in the jail complex .
The lucky detainees are parole violators and defendants awaiting trial ; their release was approved by district attorneys throughout the five boroughs , according to a spokesman for the Office of Court Administration .
Three hail from Queens ; eight are from the Bronx ; 28 are from Brooklyn ; seven are from Staten Island and ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the heels of a Legal Aid Society lawsuit filed Thursday against the Department of Corrections and calling for the release of 116 detainees in city jails suffering from asthma , heart disease and diabetes , or who are age 50 or older — all conditions that would make them especially vulnerable to COVID-19 .
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that he looked to release 40 inmates from Rikers who are most susceptible to the disease or face relatively minor charges .
At least four correction officers and one inmate at Rikers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the head doctor at Rikers Island warning Thursday that a “ storm is coming ” in that the coronavirus would inevitably spread through the complex .
“ To be clear , the public servants who care for those in your jails have been planning for this storm for weeks and months .
We will muster every tool of public health , science and medicine to try to keep our patients safe .
We will apply every novel treatment and scarce test , ” the doctor , Ross MacDonald , wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves at personal risk and ask little in return But we can not change the fundamental nature of jail , ” he went on .
“ We can not socially distance dozens of elderly men living in a dorm , sharing a bathroom .
Think of a cruise ship recklessly boarding more passengers each day .
”

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Officials on Friday approved the release of 56 detainees from Rikers Island to help blunt the potential of a coronavirus outbreak in the jail complex.
The lucky detainees are parole violators and defendants awaiting trial; their release was approved by district attorneys throughout the five boroughs, according to a spokesman for the Office of Court Administration.
Three hail from Queens; eight are from the Bronx; 28 are from Brooklyn; seven are from Staten Island and ten are from Manhattan.
The decision comes on the heels of a Legal Aid Society lawsuit filed Thursday against the Department of Corrections and calling for the release of 116 detainees in city jails suffering from asthma, heart disease and diabetes, or who are age 50 or older — all conditions that would make them especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that he looked to release 40 inmates from Rikers who are most susceptible to the disease or face relatively minor charges.
At least four correction officers and one inmate at Rikers have tested positive for the virus, with the head doctor at Rikers Island warning Thursday that a “storm is coming” in that the coronavirus would inevitably spread through the complex.
“To be clear, the public servants who care for those in your jails have been planning for this storm for weeks and months. We will muster every tool of public health, science and medicine to try to keep our patients safe. We will apply every novel treatment and scarce test,” the doctor, Ross MacDonald, wrote in a Twitter thread.
“We will put ourselves at personal risk and ask little in return But we cannot change the fundamental nature of jail,” he went on.
“We cannot socially distance dozens of elderly men living in a dorm, sharing a bathroom. Think of a cruise ship recklessly boarding more passengers each day.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--NFL free agency: Jadeveon Clowney scenario Giants must consider

Markus Golden tallied more sacks last season than free agent ...

Dave Gettleman developed a “thick rhino hide” during the onslaught of criticism over his Leonard Williams trade.
Now, Gettleman has an unexpected chance to show he has the boldness of a lion and the cunning of a fox — and change the narrative around himself and the Giants.
All the general manager has to do to stop the denunciations is swap in Williams for Jadeveon Clowney.
That might be the craziest thing you read today — straight from a video game or fantasy football league — but it’s simpler and more sensible than it seems.
In three steps: 1. Find out Clowney’s can’t-refuse number on a one-year contract. 2. Rescind the franchise tag on Williams. 3. Free up an additional few million in salary cap space by restructuring bonus figures on another contract.
“I don’t think it’s crazy,” NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger said when the scenario was posed to him. “The guy that has to suffer is Gettleman, but nobody thought Clowney would still be here. It’s, ‘I like the blue coat [of paint], but the red Ferrari is really what I always wanted.’ ”
The more detailed version goes like this: The Giants placed a franchise tag on Williams, reserving $16.1 million for a one-year contract. Williams has not signed the tender and could follow the path of tagged players who hold out to build negotiation leverage without incurring fines.
The two sides have until July 15 to reach a long-term extension, at which point it is tag or bust. The salary becomes guaranteed the moment Williams signs. The Giants can rescind the offer without penalty until he does — a rare move unpopular in locker rooms, but one which Gettleman prudently pulled on Josh Norman while with the Panthers.
Sources told The Post the Giants have expressed interest in Clowney, who started off asking for $20 million per year on a multi-year contract, but has found a surprisingly depressed market five days into free agency. He reportedly is open to a high-paying short-term deal with a chance to reenter free agency when the salary cap skyrockets next season.
The Giants should strike, substituting the allure of New York City for the chance to win a Super Bowl in 2020.
When the Giants traded two draft picks to the Jets in October for Williams, then a pending free agent, Gettleman was overconfident he would finalize a multi-year extension. If Williams is not going to take a hometown discount — the tag salary often is used as the baseline for average annual salary on an extension, but the Giants are hoping to knock about $4 million off that number — then it is an apples-to-apples comparison.
One-year deals for both players, so who makes the team better: Williams or Clowney? No prolonged salary cap ramifications and a bone tossed to a fan base disheartened by the NFL’s worst three-year record.
With Markus Golden unsigned in free agency, the Giants do not have a player who had more than 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss or 13 quarterback hits last season. Newly signed Kyler Fackrell is the only player with more than five sacks in any year of his career.
The Giants invested three high draft picks on defensive tackles (Dexter Lawrence, B.J. Hill and Dalvin Tomlinson) who lost snaps after Williams was acquired. Clowney comes off the edge, where need and impact are greater.
The knocks on Clowney don’t apply here: Injury-prone? It’s a one-year deal on a team with minimal playoff expectations. Unmotivated? He will be playing for his next contract in a market in which effort is scrutinized. Not enough big plays? Williams had a half-sack and two tackles for loss last season.
The Giants wouldn’t risk losing Williams for nothing, either. Negotiate with Clowney and only rescind the tag if and when an agreement is in place.
“Jadeveon is a guy that needs structure,” Baldinger said, “but he is the much more disruptive player and is capable of taking over games. You get the better player in the short-term, and it addresses a bigger need.”
The best way to flip the script on the Williams trade and move past the wasted draft picks? Swap him for Clowney.
It really is that simple.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--NYU students frustrated about having to pack up their dorms amid coronavirus

New York University students are frustrated with the college for closing down the school ’ s residence halls amid coronavirus concerns — and for being asked to clear their belongings from their dormitories so they can potentially be filled with hospital beds .
“ It ’ s difficult , especially because I live in Los Angeles .
It ’ s a difficult situation , ” Pawla Velosa , 20 , a sophomore said Friday , adding that she was already in California this week and had to come back to the city after she received a school email asking students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got here Tuesday morning and immediately started packing .
I had to pack both my suitemates ’ stuff as well because they can ’ t afford to come back , ” Velosa said .
“ I had to pack for three people before Sunday.
” Earlier this week , the college sent an email to its students asking them to clear out their dorm spaces after announcing that spring semester classes will be moved online and that student residence halls will close by Sunday .
The email stated that “ there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of its contingency planning , is looking at university dormitories as settings for overflow beds from hospitals ” as the potentially deadly virus spreads through the city .
An NYU spokesman told The Post this week that there “ have been no specific requests of the University at this point , but we would want to be in a position to help if needed.
” Velosa claimed that NYU is handling the matter with “ a bad attitude.
” “ Pretty much their attitude is , ‘ you can stay , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard time , ’ ” the student said .
Senior Sara Atehortua , 22 , called the situation “ the worst ” as she readied to drive back home to Florida with her mom Friday after moving all her stuff out from her dorm room .
“ Totally unexpected , very shocking , very disorienting , ” said Atehortua , who noted that she was in Florida for spring break when she was notified about moving out her belongings .
“ We were told [ at first ] to take the things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so I took all my essentials , ” the student said .
“ And then we got an email telling us we needed to come back and grab all our things , otherwise they were going to be shipped to us or held in the rooms.
” Atehortua said the matter is “ difficult for a lot of people.
” “ I understand why they made the decision , ” she said .
“ A lot of students are badly affected and it ’ s a very serious situation.
” Freshman Shea Grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move back home to New Jersey said , “ It ’ s horrible and really overwhelming .
“ I was just really shocked because none of us thought they were going to shut down housing , even though they were shutting down the school , ” Grant said .
“ I was kind of pissed.
” Meanwhile , Manhattan ’ s International House , which is affiliated with NYU and Columbia University and houses some students , announced Thursday that a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ This individual has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , ” International House said .
“ However , we are convinced that numerous residents and staff have had close contact with this affected individual in recent weeks and as such I-House is now considered an at-risk community.
” As a result , the organization is requiring all residents of I-House South to leave by Mar .
27 .
“ Unfortunately , there can be no exceptions , ” the organization said .
“ In addition , given the interconnectivity between I-House South and North , we are urging residents of I-House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible .
”

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New York University students are frustrated with the college for closing down the school’s residence halls amid coronavirus concerns — and for being asked to clear their belongings from their dormitories so they can potentially be filled with hospital beds.
“It’s difficult, especially because I live in Los Angeles. It’s a difficult situation,” Pawla Velosa, 20, a sophomore said Friday, adding that she was already in California this week and had to come back to the city after she received a school email asking students to pack up their stuff.
“I got here Tuesday morning and immediately started packing. I had to pack both my suitemates’ stuff as well because they can’t afford to come back,” Velosa said. “I had to pack for three people before Sunday.”
“It’s stressful,” she said.
Earlier this week, the college sent an email to its students asking them to clear out their dorm spaces after announcing that spring semester classes will be moved online and that student residence halls will close by Sunday.
The email stated that “there are significant indications that the state, as part of its contingency planning, is looking at university dormitories as settings for overflow beds from hospitals” as the potentially deadly virus spreads through the city.
An NYU spokesman told The Post this week that there “have been no specific requests of the University at this point, but we would want to be in a position to help if needed.”
Velosa claimed that NYU is handling the matter with “a bad attitude.”
“Pretty much their attitude is, ‘you can stay, but we’re going to give you a hard time,’” the student said.
Previous 1 of 7 Next Advertisement NYU students forced to leave dorm rooms. Taidgh Barron/NY Post NYU students forced to leave dorm rooms. Taidgh Barron/NY Post Advertisement NYU students forced to leave dorm rooms. Taidgh Barron/NY Post NYU students forced to leave dorm rooms. Taidgh Barron/NY Post NYU students forced to leave dorm rooms Reuters Advertisement
Senior Sara Atehortua, 22, called the situation “the worst” as she readied to drive back home to Florida with her mom Friday after moving all her stuff out from her dorm room.
“Totally unexpected, very shocking, very disorienting,” said Atehortua, who noted that she was in Florida for spring break when she was notified about moving out her belongings.
“We were told [at first] to take the things we need to go to school, so I took all my essentials,” the student said. “And then we got an email telling us we needed to come back and grab all our things, otherwise they were going to be shipped to us or held in the rooms.”
Atehortua said the matter is “difficult for a lot of people.”
“I understand why they made the decision,” she said. “A lot of students are badly affected and it’s a very serious situation.”
Freshman Shea Grant, 18, who now has to move back home to New Jersey said, “It’s horrible and really overwhelming.
“I was just really shocked because none of us thought they were going to shut down housing, even though they were shutting down the school,” Grant said. “I was kind of pissed.”
Meanwhile, Manhattan’s International House, which is affiliated with NYU and Columbia University and houses some students, announced Thursday that a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
“This individual has been recovering outside I-House safely for the past week,” International House said. “However, we are convinced that numerous residents and staff have had close contact with this affected individual in recent weeks and as such I-House is now considered an at-risk community.”
As a result, the organization is requiring all residents of I-House South to leave by Mar. 27.
“Unfortunately, there can be no exceptions,” the organization said. “In addition, given the interconnectivity between I-House South and North, we are urging residents of I-House North to leave the premises as soon as possible.”
Additional reporting by Jennifer Gould Keil


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Letitia James urges Barr to stop in-person immigration courts during coronavirus

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New York Attorney General Letitia James is urging immigration courts and US Attorney General William Barr , who oversees them , to help stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic by temporarily ending in-person court proceedings .
“ During this national public health emergency , it is incumbent upon us all to mitigate the spread of this novel virus , ” James wrote Friday in a letter to Barr .
James asked the immigration courts to instead hold hearings by telephone and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need to protect the staff who work in the courts , the public , and the lawyers for organizations who provide free legal representation — some of whom have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to it .
“ These are unprecedented times .
It is imperative that all agencies adjust policies and practices to protect the health and welfare of our community .
I implore you to take these critical steps here , ” James wrote .
Nine US immigration courts around the country , including two in Manhattan , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier this week , it was announced that arraignments in New York would be conducted by video and remote appearance .
A Brooklyn Supreme Court judge tested positive for the coronavirus Friday , making them the second confirmed judge in New York to have the disease .
In Manhattan , criminal court Judge Kevin McGrath married two sets of lovebirds hoping to get hitched despite the closing of the city ’ s wedding bureau .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is urging immigration courts and US Attorney General William Barr, who oversees them, to help stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic by temporarily ending in-person court proceedings.
“During this national public health emergency, it is incumbent upon us all to mitigate the spread of this novel virus,” James wrote Friday in a letter to Barr.
James asked the immigration courts to instead hold hearings by telephone and let lawyers file paperwork electronically, noting the need to protect the staff who work in the courts, the public, and the lawyers for organizations who provide free legal representation — some of whom have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to it.
“These are unprecedented times. It is imperative that all agencies adjust policies and practices to protect the health and welfare of our community. I implore you to take these critical steps here,” James wrote.
Nine US immigration courts around the country, including two in Manhattan, have already closed, it was revealed Tuesday.
Earlier this week, it was announced that arraignments in New York would be conducted by video and remote appearance.
A Brooklyn Supreme Court judge tested positive for the coronavirus Friday, making them the second confirmed judge in New York to have the disease.
In Manhattan, criminal court Judge Kevin McGrath married two sets of lovebirds hoping to get hitched despite the closing of the city’s wedding bureau.


newyorkpost--2020-03-20--Broadway producers reach deal to pay actors, industry workers during coronavirus shutdown

Broadway producers have reached a deal to pay actors and industry workers while the coronavirus keeps theaters shut down .
The “ emergency relief agreement , ” brokered by the Broadway League and a coalition of unions , will secure several weeks of pay and a month of health insurance for hundreds of actors , musicians and stagehands , the New York Times reported Friday .
“ The leaders of our industry have been working tirelessly with our partners at the unions to forge an agreement that will address many of the needs of our employees during this crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Broadway League , a trade organization .
“ We are a community that cares about each other , and we are pleased that we can offer some relief.
” Broadway closed curtains on March 12 over the coronavirus pandemic in what is the worst crisis the industry has faced since 9/11 .
All unionized employees will be paid for that partial week as well as for the following two weeks under the agreement , the Times reported .
But workers will only receive the contractual minimum during the latter 14 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pay cut .
Health benefits would be provided through April 12 , though federal officials believe Americans can be stuck at home for at least several weeks longer .
Both sides could come to the table in the coming weeks to negotiate extending benefits .
“ It ’ s the best deal we could get under trying circumstances , ” actress Kate Shindle , the president of Actors ’ Equity Association , which represents actors and stage managers , told The Times .

Broadway producers have reached a deal to pay actors and industry workers while the coronavirus keeps theaters shut down.
The “emergency relief agreement,” brokered by the Broadway League and a coalition of unions, will secure several weeks of pay and a month of health insurance for hundreds of actors, musicians and stagehands, the New York Times reported Friday.
“The leaders of our industry have been working tirelessly with our partners at the unions to forge an agreement that will address many of the needs of our employees during this crisis,” said Charlotte St. Martin the president of the Broadway League, a trade organization.
“We are a community that cares about each other, and we are pleased that we can offer some relief.”
Broadway closed curtains on March 12 over the coronavirus pandemic in what is the worst crisis the industry has faced since 9/11.
All unionized employees will be paid for that partial week as well as for the following two weeks under the agreement, the Times reported.
But workers will only receive the contractual minimum during the latter 14 days, meaning many will effectively be taking a pay cut.
Health benefits would be provided through April 12, though federal officials believe Americans can be stuck at home for at least several weeks longer. Both sides could come to the table in the coming weeks to negotiate extending benefits.
“It’s the best deal we could get under trying circumstances,” actress Kate Shindle, the president of Actors’ Equity Association, which represents actors and stage managers, told The Times.


newyorkpost--2020-03-20--NYC buses going back-door boarding only due to coronavirus, MTA says

`` The revenue is down every day ... same with all the ...

New York City buses will be back door-only starting Monday in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the MTA and its bus operator unions announced Friday.
Riders who do not have mobility disabilities will be required to enter buses on local and “Select Bus Service” routes through the rear door, according to the new policy.
On local routes, riders will no longer enter near the farebox, which is right next to the driver’s seat — effectively eliminating fare collection on those routes, an MTA source said.
Fare collection will continue on Select Bus Service and express routes.
On express charter buses, which carry riders between the far edges of the city and its Manhattan core, riders will be required to sit at least three rows behind the driver.
“This is the right move,” Transport Workers Local 100 President Tony Utano said in a statement. “It will better protect our bus operators, give them some peace of mind, and demonstrate that their concerns have been heard.”
Bus ridership has plummeted as a result of the outbreak — but at a lesser rate than on subways and commuter rails, whose riders tend to be relatively higher income.
The announcement of the new policy comes the day after the MTA confirmed employees out of the Fresh Pond bus depot had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
As of Thursday evening, the MTA had confirmed 23 positive coronavirus cases among its 74,000-person workforce.


newyorkpost--2020-03-20--Raymour & Flanigan going ahead with festive sale despite coronavirus

Furniture store Raymour & Flanigan appears to be moving forward with a festive “ Friends & Family ” sale this weekend , despite ratcheted up efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak .
Sources said the furniture store told employees on Friday that it was moving forward with the sale even after Gov .
Cuomo ordered all non-essential businesses close by 8 p.m. on Sunday to contain the spread of the virus .
“ It ’ s a potential breeding ground for problems , ” said one source of the store ’ s weekend sale .
“ Just as a thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll have people running up and touching people and the furniture .
You ’ re not wiping everything down.
” To comply with Cuomo ’ s order , Raymour & Flanigan will close its New York stores starting at 6 p.m. Sunday , a spokeswoman confirmed without addressing the “ Friends & Family ” sales .
Even prior to the edict , store associates were complaining about the sale .
According to a source , sales associates in the Cherry Hill , NJ-region , south of Philadelphia , were being asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store for the company ’ s sale this weekend .
In response to complaints , the home furnishings firm said it would disinfect the stores more and would only allow five to 10 customers at one time “ depending on store size.
” It also listed a handful of precautions it was taking , including shortening store opening hours by an hour to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday , and Sunday hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m .
But sources complained to The Post that the updated hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s statewide curfew , which goes into place at 8 p.m. A rep for the Liverpool , NY-based retailer later told The Post that stores would remain open and that New Jersey-based chains would close at 7 p.m. so that employees could get home before the state ’ s mandated 8 p.m. curfew , which was instated on Wednesday .

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Furniture store Raymour & Flanigan appears to be moving forward with a festive “Friends & Family” sale this weekend, despite ratcheted up efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Sources said the furniture store told employees on Friday that it was moving forward with the sale even after Gov. Cuomo ordered all non-essential businesses close by 8 p.m. on Sunday to contain the spread of the virus.
“It’s a potential breeding ground for problems,” said one source of the store’s weekend sale. “Just as a thinking person during this god-awful time, you’ll have people running up and touching people and the furniture. You’re not wiping everything down.”
To comply with Cuomo’s order, Raymour & Flanigan will close its New York stores starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, a spokeswoman confirmed without addressing the “Friends & Family” sales.
Even prior to the edict, store associates were complaining about the sale. According to a source, sales associates in the Cherry Hill, NJ-region, south of Philadelphia, were being asked to contact valued customers to come to the store for the company’s sale this weekend.
In response to complaints, the home furnishings firm said it would disinfect the stores more and would only allow five to 10 customers at one time “depending on store size.”
It also listed a handful of precautions it was taking, including shortening store opening hours by an hour to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and Sunday hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
But sources complained to The Post that the updated hours did not take into consideration New Jersey’s statewide curfew, which goes into place at 8 p.m.
“How will salespeople get home?” complained a source.
A rep for the Liverpool, NY-based retailer later told The Post that stores would remain open and that New Jersey-based chains would close at 7 p.m. so that employees could get home before the state’s mandated 8 p.m. curfew, which was instated on Wednesday.


newyorkpost--2020-03-20--Coronavirus killing more than a person an hour in NYC

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The coronavirus killed city residents at a rate of more than one per hour on Friday .
Between just 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. , 14 people in New York City died from the virus , pushing the Big Apple ’ s total death toll to 43 .
The toll had been 29 prior to Friday ’ s jump in deaths .
It was the first time that the city ’ s single-day toll had hit double digits .
And the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , warned New Yorkers that double-digit daily deaths may well become the new normal , at least for a time .
“ I wouldn ’ t be surprised if we get to a day when we have double-digits new people dying every day , ” she said at a City Hall press conference Friday afternoon .
During that eight-hour period Friday the city ’ s positive cases also climbed from 5,151 to 5,683 .
At 1,750 Brooklyn has the most COVID-19 cases followed by 1,514 in Queens , 1,402 in Manhattan , 736 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staten Island .
Authorities attribute at least part of the jump to increased testing capacity .

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The coronavirus killed city residents at a rate of more than one per hour on Friday.
Between just 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., 14 people in New York City died from the virus, pushing the Big Apple’s total death toll to 43.
The toll had been 29 prior to Friday’s jump in deaths.
It was the first time that the city’s single-day toll had hit double digits.
And the city’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, warned New Yorkers that double-digit daily deaths may well become the new normal, at least for a time.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we get to a day when we have double-digits new people dying every day,” she said at a City Hall press conference Friday afternoon.
During that eight-hour period Friday the city’s positive cases also climbed from 5,151 to 5,683.
At 1,750 Brooklyn has the most COVID-19 cases followed by 1,514 in Queens, 1,402 in Manhattan, 736 in the Bronx, and 285 in Staten Island.
Authorities attribute at least part of the jump to increased testing capacity.


newyorkpost--2020-03-20--Executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate say victims’ lawsuit is time-barred

Executors of Jeffrey Epstein ’ s estate want a lawsuit filed under the Child Victims Act to be tossed — in part because some of the victims were adults when the alleged abuse occurred , according to new court papers .
The galling filing from the Epstein estate concerns nine women who sued the estate in December , claiming the now-dead pedophile sexually abused them between the years of 1985 and 2007 .
The lawsuit includes plaintiffs who say they were as young as 13 at the time of the abuse .
On Friday , executors Darren Indyke and Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throw the case out because “ the extremely thin allegations asserted by all of the Plaintiffs fail to state a claim and are time-barred in any event as each of these assaults alleged to have been committed by Jeffrey E. Epstein… now deceased , against these Plaintiffs occurred between 13 and 35 years ago.
” The suit was filed under the Child Victims Act which opens a one-year look-back window for people who were victims of child abuse to bring claims that have since passed outside of the statute of limitations .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the age of eighteen when the alleged offenses occurred , ” Indyke and Kahn ’ s lawyer , Matthew Aaronson wrote in court papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court .
Victims ’ lawyer Jordan Merson says that even the women who were older than 18 when they were allegedly abused by Epstein are still allowed to sue because the criminal case filed against the multi-millionaire financier opened up the statute of limitation to them .
The Epstein estate executors call into question the validity of the entire CVA , which was passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went into effect in August , in addition to arguing that the women who were underage at the time don ’ t have a case .
“ The CVA is unconstitutional and fails to revive any of Plaintiffs ’ claims , ” the court papers claim .
“ It is disconcerting that the Estate is attempting to use antiquated state laws to try to shirk its responsibilities to these sexual assault victims , ” Merson said .
“ While none of their arguments have a scintilla of merit , the fact they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further statute of limitation reform is needed by the NY State legislature.
” The 66-year-old convicted pedophile hanged himself in a Lower Manhattan lockup while he was awaiting trial on charges of sex-trafficking .

Executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate want a lawsuit filed under the Child Victims Act to be tossed — in part because some of the victims were adults when the alleged abuse occurred, according to new court papers.
The galling filing from the Epstein estate concerns nine women who sued the estate in December, claiming the now-dead pedophile sexually abused them between the years of 1985 and 2007.
The lawsuit includes plaintiffs who say they were as young as 13 at the time of the abuse.
On Friday, executors Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn filed papers asking a judge to throw the case out because “the extremely thin allegations asserted by all of the Plaintiffs fail to state a claim and are time-barred in any event as each of these assaults alleged to have been committed by Jeffrey E. Epstein… now deceased, against these Plaintiffs occurred between 13 and 35 years ago.”
The suit was filed under the Child Victims Act which opens a one-year look-back window for people who were victims of child abuse to bring claims that have since passed outside of the statute of limitations.
But, “six of the nine plaintiffs…were over the age of eighteen when the alleged offenses occurred,” Indyke and Kahn’s lawyer, Matthew Aaronson wrote in court papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Victims’ lawyer Jordan Merson says that even the women who were older than 18 when they were allegedly abused by Epstein are still allowed to sue because the criminal case filed against the multi-millionaire financier opened up the statute of limitation to them.
The Epstein estate executors call into question the validity of the entire CVA, which was passed by New York lawmakers last year and went into effect in August, in addition to arguing that the women who were underage at the time don’t have a case.
“The CVA is unconstitutional and fails to revive any of Plaintiffs’ claims,” the court papers claim.
“It is disconcerting that the Estate is attempting to use antiquated state laws to try to shirk its responsibilities to these sexual assault victims,” Merson said.
“While none of their arguments have a scintilla of merit, the fact they are even trying to do this confirms that further statute of limitation reform is needed by the NY State legislature.”
The 66-year-old convicted pedophile hanged himself in a Lower Manhattan lockup while he was awaiting trial on charges of sex-trafficking.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--‘Blood on their hands:’ Teachers say de Blasio and Carranza helped spread coronavirus

With just days to spare , the Department of Education scrambled ...

One after another, sick Brooklyn Technical High School teachers called union chapter leader Nate Bonheimer last week, to tell him they’d tested positive for COVID-19.
By Friday, five of them had shared the devastating news. But after being notified about each one, the city Department of Education still ordered the 6,000-student school’s 350 staffers to show up for work last week, saying the building had been cleaned.
“The DOE did not close the school for any of the cases,” said Bonheimer, who worries that inaction exposed others to the dreaded infection.
The city failed to follow a March 9 directive by the state Education Department that “requires an initial 24-hour closure, in order to begin an investigation to determine the contacts that the individual may have had within the school environment.”
DOE did not attempt to identify close contacts, Bonheimer said. “They did not alert the people who needed to know the most to protect themselves, their families and everyone else they came into contact with.”
One infected teacher was so torn by the secrecy he took it upon himself to personally let all his students know his condition.
Around the city, teachers and administrators are outraged that Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza resisted a drum beat to close the public schools in the name of safety.
Some renamed the coronavirus “Carranzavirus.”
“You say equity and excellence, but every other school district closed before you did. You had these kids like petri dishes spreading this to their families,” an administrator fumed.
Some DOE employees believe de Blasio and Carranza deliberately kept the lid on the COVID-19 cases popping up, putting kids and families at risk.
“The blood is on their hands,” one said
DOE staffers think the two city leaders tried to cover up the cases because they wanted to keep the 1.1-million-student system running despite increasing pressure to shut it down. Finally, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo about to do it, the mayor relented and closed the schools for students on March 16. They will remain shut until at least April 20, after the spring break.
An expert agreed the failure to notify health officials was dangerous.
“The chancellor was not properly following state policy,” said Aaron Carroll, a health sciences researcher and pediatrician at Indiana University School of Medicine.
The information freeze started March 10, when Carranza, in an email obtained by The Post, told administrators not to alert city health officials about COVID-19 cases among students or staff.
“At the moment, there is no reason for any school to call [the Health Department] to report potential or confirmed cases,” Carranza wrote, repeating the statement later in the same email.
Carranza said DOH would get test results from labs, and school personnel should help “by keeping their phones clear.”
Health department spokesman Patrick Gallahue said Friday the agency “was in agreement with DOE on the directive.”
At several campuses and DOE offices citywide, multiple staffers have tested positive but affected buildings remained open while workers, students and parents were kept in the dark, whistleblowers said.
At the Grand Street campus in Williamsburg, which houses three high schools, a teacher returned from a trip to China over the February break. Despite reports of the outbreak, the teacher did not self-quarantine, but returned to teach kids in all three schools Feb. 26 through Feb. 29, a staffer said.
The teacher then became sick and stopped working. The school was not closed, and employees were not notified, insiders said.
Up to four other staffers have since become sick, they said.
The teacher did not return a message, but a relative said Friday, “He’s very ill, and so is his entire staff,” before declining to comment further.
Last Thursday — after Grand Street teachers worked three days in a row in the building — the principals sent a joint letter saying that “members of our school community” had self-reported positive COVID-19 tests. It did not say how many members or give other details.
“Unfortunately, the DOE suspended keeping track of positive cases,” a teachers’ union official told a staffer on Tuesday. The DOE would not comment on the Grand Street or other cases.
At the Jamaica High School campus, which houses three schools, Carlos Borrero, principal of the High School for Community Leadership, blasted a robocall to parents the Sunday before schools closed for students, reporting the school had “one confirmed” case and another “preliminary positive” case identified over the prior two days — while students attended. One was a teacher, Borrero said.
Asked about the announcement last week, the DOE would not give details.
“The city is no longer confirming information about individual cases due to the volume, but we support any school that wants to notify their community of a self-confirmed case,” said DOE spokeswoman Miranda Barbot.
At the Grace Dodge High School campus in the Bronx, a teacher self-reported a positive COVID-19 test on Thursday, March 12, staffers said. The DOE did not close the school the next day, when kids still attended before de Blasio announced that all schools would close for students starting March 16.
Teachers received a form letter from Carranza confirming a staffer had tested positive, saying the building was “disinfected.” The school was not closed while teachers worked last week.
“We asked when students and parents would get notification, and they still haven’t gotten it,” a teacher said. The DOE had no comment.
At the Bronx’s Alfred E. Smith campus which houses three high schools, teachers reported for three days of training on remote-teaching to begin next week.
“Ten minutes before the end of the last day, the union rep walked through the hall and said, ‘You’re free to leave,’” a teacher said. She asked why.
As custodians arrived in Hazmat suits, the union rep replied, “There’s coronavirus in the building.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Coronavirus Tales: My new business had to close after only two days

East Village resident Wilson Johnson , 37 , didn ’ t have the luck of the Irish when he launched the “ tailor-made ” coffee and snacks joint , Suited , in Manhattan ’ s Financial District on St. Patrick ’ s Day .
The place was open for just two days before having to close .
My business partner , Andrew Fazio , and I first had the dream of opening a place that serves specialty coffee and amazing food five years ago .
Since then , we fool-proofed and branded our concept , put together the capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and built it out on our own .
We planned to open on St. Patrick ’ s Day .
We were open for just two days before we knew we couldn ’ t do this now .
John Street was desolate .
We tried doing takeout — we had around 25 to 30 people buying coffee each day — but ended up telling our staff that their health and safety was most important and it was time for everyone to be with their families .
They will be our first hires once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t started serving food yet , so we didn ’ t lose that .
I haven ’ t figured out what closing will cost us , but no doubt this is a crushing blow to our dreams .
It has taken everything we have to formulate what we think is the most beautiful cafe in New York City — and still will be on the other side of this snafu .
For now I ’ m headed to my native Georgia to spend time with those closest to me .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ @ @

East Village resident Wilson Johnson, 37, didn’t have the luck of the Irish when he launched the “tailor-made” coffee and snacks joint, Suited, in Manhattan’s Financial District on St. Patrick’s Day. The place was open for just two days before having to close.
My business partner, Andrew Fazio, and I first had the dream of opening a place that serves specialty coffee and amazing food five years ago. Since then, we fool-proofed and branded our concept, put together the capital, signed a lease, designed the place and built it out on our own. We planned to open on St. Patrick’s Day.
We were open for just two days before we knew we couldn’t do this now. John Street was desolate. We tried doing takeout — we had around 25 to 30 people buying coffee each day — but ended up telling our staff that their health and safety was most important and it was time for everyone to be with their families. They will be our first hires once the smoke clears.
Luckily, we hadn’t started serving food yet, so we didn’t lose that.
I haven’t figured out what closing will cost us, but no doubt this is a crushing blow to our dreams. It has taken everything we have to formulate what we think is the most beautiful cafe in New York City — and still will be on the other side of this snafu.
For now I’m headed to my native Georgia to spend time with those closest to me.
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Coronavirus Tales: I decided to stay in Tahiti

Swimsuit model Megan McGarrah got called by Maxim France to a photo shoot in Tahiti last week .
But after the pandemic hit the US hard , she decided to stay on the island .
A week and a half ago , I left for a last-minute job .
On my second day here , the producer started talking about sending me home already because of flights being canceled .
If I stayed I might end up getting stuck here longer than intended .
Another model , Katie , and I decided to take that risk .
All of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictures of people fighting in stores over toilet paper .
I ’ ll be coming back to what feels like the end of the world , and I ’ d rather stay away from it .
Supposedly there have only been a handful of diagnosed cases [ of COVID-19 ] in Tahiti .
I ’ m staying in a lovely house up in the hills with a beautiful infinity pool and a view of the ocean .
We ’ ll go to the beach , take some photos , maybe have some piña @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island here , so I ’ ve been eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables .
The restaurants are still open .
They are starting to close down the gym and the bars , though .
Once that happens , we ’ ll stick to the beach or the pool , and we ’ ll play guitar and sing for fun .
Still , I ’ ve been thinking about my dog and cat back home in Los Angeles , who are staying with a friend , and my family in Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe .
I ’ ve been thinking about how I ’ m going to make rent , too .
Right now , though , I ’ m in paradise , so I ’ m trying not to stress too much about those things .
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic .

Swimsuit model Megan McGarrah got called by Maxim France to a photo shoot in Tahiti last week. But after the pandemic hit the US hard, she decided to stay on the island.
A week and a half ago, I left for a last-minute job. On my second day here, the producer started talking about sending me home already because of flights being canceled. If I stayed I might end up getting stuck here longer than intended. Another model, Katie, and I decided to take that risk.
All of my friends in the US are sending me pictures of people fighting in stores over toilet paper. I’ll be coming back to what feels like the end of the world, and I’d rather stay away from it.
Supposedly there have only been a handful of diagnosed cases [of COVID-19] in Tahiti. I’m staying in a lovely house up in the hills with a beautiful infinity pool and a view of the ocean. We’ll go to the beach, take some photos, maybe have some piña coladas.
You could live off the island here, so I’ve been eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables. The restaurants are still open. They are starting to close down the gym and the bars, though. Once that happens, we’ll stick to the beach or the pool, and we’ll play guitar and sing for fun.
Still, I’ve been thinking about my dog and cat back home in Los Angeles, who are staying with a friend, and my family in Kentucky, who I keep reminding to stay safe. I’ve been thinking about how I’m going to make rent, too. Right now, though, I’m in paradise, so I’m trying not to stress too much about those things.
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Rangers must resist K’Andre Miller, Nils Lundkvist temptation

We will get to hockey in a minute .
Promise .
But ...

K’Andre Miller is under contract, Nils Lundkvist should sign at some point during this undefined offseason, and so both youngsters representing the forefront of the next wave of Rangers defensemen are expected to be at training camp preceding the 2020-21 season.
That is of course welcome news for the Blueshirts, who drafted the left-handed Miller 22nd overall in 2018, six slots ahead of where the right-handed Lundkvist was selected. Who knows? At some point, and maybe not all that far off in the future, they will become a matched set, a la Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren.
But not next year, at least not on Broadway, and no one should anticipate or even hope otherwise. Because the worst thing management could do would be to heighten expectations and then rush either or both of these young men into the NHL. They’re going to need time, both of them, and they should get that time in Hartford with the Wolf Pack.
In fact, once 2020-21 training camp concludes, the Rangers should pretend Miler, who turned 20 in January, is actually still at the University of Wisconsin, where he encountered a few potholes as a sophomore. They should pretend Lundkvist, who will turn 20 in July, is still plying his trade overseas in Sweden, where he had a big-time, step-up year for Lulea in which he eclipsed teenaged totals previously posted by the likes of Erik Karlsson.
It is important for the Rangers to get their organizational jewels into the organization, more so since the AHL operation under GM Chris Drury and coach Kris Knoblauch has become a genuine development program. It is important for the 6-foot-5 Miller, who can skate and move the puck but needs work to become a reliable player on both sides of the puck, to gain experience and learn the pro game. It is important for the 5-foot-10 Lundkvist, a slick driver of offense, to learn the North American game.
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Everyone is flying blind here. Personnel decisions will of course be dramatically affected by the cap and the cap may be dramatically affected by this interruption, and hypothetical cancellation, of the 2019-20 season. The cap number may remain stagnant. Amnesty buyouts might become part of the picture.
Regardless, the Rangers should not and must not rush Miller and Lundkvist, even if they have terrific camps and there is some external pressure to bring them to Broadway. They will need time. Management must be wise enough and resolute to give it to them.
The NHLPA held a membership-wide conference call Friday in which the players essentially decided to defer a decision on how to handle upcoming crushing escrow losses until a verdict on this season is rendered, per a source who participated in the give-and-take.
As we reported Thursday, the league has informed the union that cancellation of the season could mean a revenue loss of up to $1 billion. That would translate to approximate escrow losses of up to 35 percent per player.
If there is nothing the union can do about that, and it seems to be locked in by the collective bargaining agreement 50-50 partnership on hockey-related revenue, the players are sure going to want to hold next year’s number down as much as possible, which is why it is impossible to predict what that cap might be, and what the personnel fallout might be across the league.
It also was reported by Canada’s TSN that owners will hold another conference call Monday on league financial issues.
So the Bruins of “Mr. Jacobs” are in, on Saturday becoming the final NHL operation to provide financial assistance for arena game-night laborers. It took awhile, but it’s done, all 31 teams in, and it’s a good look for the NHL.
Boston’s ownership took a public pounding throughout the week when it appeared as if the Jacobs family was going to be the league’s lone holdout. That criticism was justifiable.
But do you know whose ownerships have generally escaped scrutiny as the impact of the coronavirus moves at warp speed through society and we careen from one trauma to the next?
The ownerships of the Sharks, Blue Jackets and Capitals, that’s who.
Despite the fact the Santa Clara County public health officials recommended canceling sporting events, the Sharks opened their gates and played a March 5 home game against the Wild that had an attendance of 14,517.
Despite the fact Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine suggested that all sporting events in the state be played without spectators, the Blue Jackets thought they knew better and were prepared to open the gates in Columbus for matches on March 12 and 14 before they were postponed.
The press release announcing the decision included the phrase, “Given the facts before us …”
Given the facts before us, the Columbus ownership stands indicted as either insensitive, willfully ignorant, or greedy. Or all of the above.
Despite the fact the Washington D.C. Health Department issued a recommendation that non-essential mass gatherings [of 1,000 people or more] be postponed, the Caps were prepared to open their doors to fans for a March 12 match and beyond until the NHL hit the pause button on March 11.
Someone might have wanted to inform the team’s Monumental Ownership that, a) Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record is non-essential; and, b) that its decision to ignore health officials reeked of Monumental Arrogance.
Here is Coach A, in the Hockey Hall of Fame: 1,400 games behind the bench (10th in NHL history), 684 victories (11th), .556 winning percentage, 183 playoff games (fifth), 94 playoff victories (sixth), two finals, no Stanley Cups.
Here is Coach B, not in the HHOF: 1,386 games behind the bench (11th), 672 victories (12th), .551 winning percentage, 173 playoff games (sixth), 96 playoff victories (fifth), four finals, one Stanley Cup.
Coach A is Pat Quinn.
Coach B is Mike Keenan.
And finally …
Because you never know what is around the corner, because you never know how much time anyone has, because all of this is so fragile, why wait when there is no need?
So again, only this time with added urgency, when hockey returns, let’s get the number of the second-greatest defenseman of his era and the second greatest defenseman in franchise history up to the pinwheel ceiling of the Garden.
Let’s honor No. 2, Brad Park.
Stay safe, folks.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Coronavirus Tales: I’m stuck on a ship in Antarctica

Sarah Slack , 44 , is an 8th grade science teacher at the Montauk School in Brooklyn ’ s Borough Park .
In January , the educational grant program PolarTREC selected her to join scientists on board the Nathaniel B. Palmer ship traveling to West Antarctica , as part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration , researching changes in the sea floor .
Now , she is temporarily stuck there .
Right now we are in the Bellingshausen Sea , just south of the Antarctic peninsula .
We were scheduled to dock in Chile on March 25 ; now we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
The country ’ s borders are closed , but we have a waiver that will allow us to dock and travel to the airport .
But we don ’ t know when or if there are flights out .
It might be that we have to stay on the ship .
I ’ d like to get home .
I want to see my boyfriend and my dogs .
I worry about my students .
I teach a lot of kids with special-education needs or very limited English skills .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I have been working on lesson plans for the kids , but I ’ m worried they won ’ t have the supplies or space or incentive to work on them .
To pass the time onboard the ship , we have a ping-pong table — though , with the rocking waves , you really have to plan your returns .
We ’ ve been playing cribbage , and we have thousands of movies on a [ computer ] server .
There ’ s been talk of watching “ Up.
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic .

Sarah Slack, 44, is an 8th grade science teacher at the Montauk School in Brooklyn’s Borough Park. In January, the educational grant program PolarTREC selected her to join scientists on board the Nathaniel B. Palmer ship traveling to West Antarctica, as part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, researching changes in the sea floor. Now, she is temporarily stuck there.
Right now we are in the Bellingshausen Sea, just south of the Antarctic peninsula. We were scheduled to dock in Chile on March 25; now we hope to get there a few days later. The country’s borders are closed, but we have a waiver that will allow us to dock and travel to the airport.
But we don’t know when or if there are flights out. It might be that we have to stay on the ship.
I’d like to get home. I want to see my boyfriend and my dogs. I worry about my students. I teach a lot of kids with special-education needs or very limited English skills. How will we encourage them to stay motivated? I have been working on lesson plans for the kids, but I’m worried they won’t have the supplies or space or incentive to work on them.
To pass the time onboard the ship, we have a ping-pong table — though, with the rocking waves, you really have to plan your returns. We’ve been playing cribbage, and we have thousands of movies on a [computer] server. There’s been talk of watching “Up.” I think a good cry would help us all.
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Shortened MLB season drastically alters pitchers’ fantasy value

Need a silver lining during this hibernation of sports ?
Something ...

We may not know when the 2020 MLB season will begin, but we do know that, with a truncated season ahead, there are a few adjustments to make when formulating your fantasy baseball draft plan.
First and foremost, do not overvalue starting pitching. Though hurlers like Gerrit Cole and Jacob deGrom have a distinct talent advantage over most of their contemporaries, one of the primary reasons their value is so high in fantasy is their innings-pitched advantage.
Last season, there were 15 starters who threw for more than 200 innings. Of those, just two had an ERA over 4.00 and just five had a mark of 3.70 or higher. Just three had fewer than 200 strikeouts, and nine had in excess of 220. But in 2020, none of those pitchers will throw for 200 innings.
To throw more than 200 innings, each of these starters needed at least 32 starts in a given season. If the average pitcher makes five starts in a month, a truncated season may yield just 20-22 starts, and even 20 complete games isn’t going to push them over that 200-inning mark. With that advantage removed and looking at another 15 starters who threw at least 150 innings with a strikeout per inning and an ERA below 4.00, you can see how the positional depth is diluted. And that doesn’t even account for the number who did the same with just 120 innings pitched. Yes, an ace has value, but waiting on starting pitching is definitely the way to go right now.
You should also forget about most, if not all, rookies. Someone like Luis Robert of the White Sox is fine, as he is expected to start the season in the majors, but young hopefuls such as Jo Adell, Dylan Carlson and MacKenzie Gore should be relatively ignored in redraft formats.
Though questions regarding service time and the Super-Two free-agent clock still need to be answered, teams really don’t have much incentive to use their kids in a shortened season, outside of injuries. Veterans who run low on stamina won’t have as arduous a season, and the new rule implemented this year of a 28-man roster in September, instead of the usual 40-man roster, means there is less opportunity to bring a rookie to take the place of a player the team is already committed to pay.
No one wants an abbreviated MLB season, but it doesn’t look like there’s much choice. We play the hand we’ve been dealt. The only difference, though, is knowing how make the right fantasy adjustments, and that always starts with draft strategy. Understand the value of what a player brings to the table and if it doesn’t stick, you need make the proper change.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays at 4 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy advice, MLB lineups and DFS weather updates.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Watch Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Lloyd Webber in charity piano play-off

Composers in isolation are taking their chops to Twitter with the idea of raising dough for furloughed Broadway workers .
Musical megastar Andrew Lloyd Webber started the trend Thursday , playing the show-stopping “ All I Ask of You ” from his “ Phantom of the Opera ” musical .
The cooped-up Twitterati were ticked by Webber ’ s tinkling of the ivories .
“ I didn ’ t think I ’ d ever get such a response to this little tryout !
Here I am in my own self-isolation , ” Webber captioned the video , which was interrupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creator Lin-Manuel Miranda replied by giving an early birthday shout-out to the soon-to-be-71-year-old .
“ It ’ s almost your birthday and you give US gifts , ” the star producer tweeted , prompting Webber to challenge him to a play-off .
Miranda later posted a video of himself playing “ Everything ’ s Alright ” from Webber ’ s “ Jesus Christ Superstar ” and asked fans to donate to Broadway Cares , which is raising emergency funds for Broadway workers left jobless by the COVID-19 outbreak .
As of Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 60 % of its $ 1 million goal .

Composers in isolation are taking their chops to Twitter with the idea of raising dough for furloughed Broadway workers.
Musical megastar Andrew Lloyd Webber started the trend Thursday, playing the show-stopping “All I Ask of You” from his “Phantom of the Opera” musical.
The cooped-up Twitterati were tickled by Webber’s tinkling of the ivories.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get such a response to this little tryout! Here I am in my own self-isolation,” Webber captioned the video, which was interrupted by his dog.
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda replied by giving an early birthday shout-out to the soon-to-be-71-year-old.
“It’s almost your birthday and you give US gifts,” the star producer tweeted, prompting Webber to challenge him to a play-off.
Miranda later posted a video of himself playing “Everything’s Alright” from Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” and asked fans to donate to Broadway Cares, which is raising emergency funds for Broadway workers left jobless by the COVID-19 outbreak.
As of Saturday, the group had raised $586,432, nearly 60% of its $1 million goal.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Coronavirus Tales: I’m going to deal weed until my restaurant reopens

A bar/restaurant employee who lives and works in Manhattan told The Post he has a unique plan for making ends meet during the pandemic .
After my place of employment turned to takeout and delivery , everybody ’ s hours got cut .
My first thought was , “ Where is the money ?
” That was when the weed-selling teenage version of myself returned .
I obtained what I ’ ll say is a good amount of marijuana .
Normally I would have met potential customers at bars and asked them to spread the word .
Instead , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know , and I plan on doing deliveries with multiple helpers .
As for myself , I ’ m not afraid of going into people ’ s houses .
I ’ m healthy and not worried about contracting the coronavirus .
The scariest thing for me is walking down the street and seeing people jump to the side when you come up behind them , since everyone is so afraid of contagion .
If all goes well and everything gets sold , I can make two to three times the money I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things will rev back up and I ’ ll return to my full-time job .
If sales do not proceed as anticipated , I ’ ll revert to Plan B : Whatever is left over when the corona ban lifts , I ’ ll just smoke it myself .
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic .

A bar/restaurant employee who lives and works in Manhattan told The Post he has a unique plan for making ends meet during the pandemic.
After my place of employment turned to takeout and delivery, everybody’s hours got cut. My first thought was, “Where is the money?” That was when the weed-selling teenage version of myself returned.
I obtained what I’ll say is a good amount of marijuana. Normally I would have met potential customers at bars and asked them to spread the word. Instead, I’m sending discreet texts to people I know, and I plan on doing deliveries with multiple helpers.
As for myself, I’m not afraid of going into people’s houses. I’m healthy and not worried about contracting the coronavirus. The scariest thing for me is walking down the street and seeing people jump to the side when you come up behind them, since everyone is so afraid of contagion.
If all goes well and everything gets sold, I can make two to three times the money I put in. Hopefully by then, things will rev back up and I’ll return to my full-time job. If sales do not proceed as anticipated, I’ll revert to Plan B: Whatever is left over when the corona ban lifts, I’ll just smoke it myself.
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Serial thieves busted for string of Manhattan robberies

Two serial thieves were busted for a months-long string of Manhattan burglaries , police and sources told The Post .
Cops arrested Jayson Maldonado , 34 , on Wednesday for a series of crimes across Tribeca and the East Village , where he would break into homes and steal packages and other property , sources said .
Maldonado , who has at least 19 prior arrests including charges of menacing , petty larceny , criminal mischief and assaulting a police officer , was slapped with burglary charges for 13 incidents dating back to Jan 14 , the sources said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest , infuriating NYPD officers who feared the criminal would take advantage of New Yorkers amid panic over the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We have enough to worry about with the virus , we don ’ t need career criminals walking the street .
It ’ s only a matter of hours before he picks on some innocent victim during these trying times , ” one Manhattan officer fumed .
Maldonado is expected back in court in June .
Police also picked up 56-year-old career crook Kenneth Flora , who was hit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes across Midtown beginning in December .
Flora , a Brooklyn parolee , has more than 50 past busts , sources told The Post .

Two serial thieves were busted for a months-long string of Manhattan burglaries, police and sources told The Post.
Cops arrested Jayson Maldonado, 34, on Wednesday for a series of crimes across Tribeca and the East Village, where he would break into homes and steal packages and other property, sources said.
Maldonado, who has at least 19 prior arrests including charges of menacing, petty larceny, criminal mischief and assaulting a police officer, was slapped with burglary charges for 13 incidents dating back to Jan 14, the sources said.
Maldonado was freed without bail following the arrest, infuriating NYPD officers who feared the criminal would take advantage of New Yorkers amid panic over the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have enough to worry about with the virus, we don’t need career criminals walking the street. It’s only a matter of hours before he picks on some innocent victim during these trying times,” one Manhattan officer fumed.
Maldonado is expected back in court in June.
Police also picked up 56-year-old career crook Kenneth Flora, who was hit with 15 burglary charges for a spate of crimes across Midtown beginning in December.
Flora, a Brooklyn parolee, has more than 50 past busts, sources told The Post.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Coronavirus Tales: ‘I felt safer in Asia than I do in the US’

Avery Slusher , 18 , from Cincinnati , returned to the US after three months in Southeast Asia on Wednesday — when she was shocked by lax airport safety measures .
When I was in Indonesia , workers wouldn ’ t let you on boats without taking your temperature .
In Bali , hand-sanitizer stations were all over the airport .
Last week , I flew from Chiang Mai to Phuket — a domestic Thailand flight , but airport workers still did temperature checks .
People stared at the few people not wearing a mask .
You couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Are you sweating ?
Are you coughing ?
Is breathing difficult ?
” During the 11-hour flight to Los Angeles , I was given a US health-declaration form to fill out , asking if I had a cough or fever and if I had traveled to affected countries .
I was told screeners would collect the forms , check passengers ’ temperatures and give an overall health evaluation .
But the forms were never collected , and I wasn ’ t screened .
I was in shock .
I braced myself for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The agent asked where I ’ d been .
When I told him I had traveled throughout Southeast Asia since December , he said , “ Dope !
Welcome home ” and waved me on through .
I hopped on two more flights , to Denver International Airport and then Cincinnati .
The crew didn ’ t wear masks .
Airports here aren ’ t taking basic measures .
They should be distributing hand sanitizer at every corner , monitoring people , taking temperatures .
I felt safer everywhere in Asia than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic .

Avery Slusher, 18, from Cincinnati, returned to the US after three months in Southeast Asia on Wednesday — when she was shocked by lax airport safety measures.
When I was in Indonesia, workers wouldn’t let you on boats without taking your temperature. In Bali, hand-sanitizer stations were all over the airport.
Last week, I flew from Chiang Mai to Phuket — a domestic Thailand flight, but airport workers still did temperature checks. People stared at the few people not wearing a mask. You couldn’t miss the signs throughout the airport: “Are you sweating? Are you coughing? Is breathing difficult?”
In Bangkok, airport staff walked around distributing hand sanitizer.
During the 11-hour flight to Los Angeles, I was given a US health-declaration form to fill out, asking if I had a cough or fever and if I had traveled to affected countries. I was told screeners would collect the forms, check passengers’ temperatures and give an overall health evaluation.
But the forms were never collected, and I wasn’t screened. I was in shock.
I braced myself for a grilling by Customs that never happened. The agent asked where I’d been. When I told him I had traveled throughout Southeast Asia since December, he said, “Dope! Welcome home” and waved me on through.
I hopped on two more flights, to Denver International Airport and then Cincinnati. The crew didn’t wear masks.
Airports here aren’t taking basic measures. They should be distributing hand sanitizer at every corner, monitoring people, taking temperatures.
I felt safer everywhere in Asia than I do in the US.
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Corrections Officer slams DOC over lack of masks

The officer works security for the front gate at a ...

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The city’s Department of Correction is failing to provide masks for officers working among coronavirus-infected inmates on Rikers Island, according to a sergeant who ripped the agency this week in footage obtained by The Post.
“You would think that this department would give the proper protective equipment to the officers here. Hand sanitizers, making sure that everyone has what they need. No. That’s not the case,” Sgt. Benny Boscio says outside the West facility on Rikers Island, where sick prisoners are being held.
“Can you get the officers that work here where you’re sending sick inmates the proper protection equipment?”
The city corrections officer’s union has renewed their call for supplies such as masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves on Wednesday — when a DOC security officer on Rikers was confirmed as the first from the agency to come down with COVID-19.
“The other thing that’s crazy to me is that I hear an officer…decided to bring her own mask to work and wear it at roll call in the chapel,” Boscio claimed.
When the officer declined to remove her mask, a captain began “chastising” and “threatening” her before ultimately sending her home for the day, he said.
“I don’t understand. You don’t supply the mask, but we can’t wear our own mask? Do you really care about the safety and well-being of your officers?” Boscio fumed in the six-minute clip.
It was not immediately clear why the officer was sent home, though a Corrections sources told The Post she may have been sick herself and was “coughing and told to go home.”
Union officials have been pushing for masks “since day one of this crisis, and before any of our members even tested positive for COVID-19,” COBA President Elias Husamudeen in a statement.
“We’re at the epicenter of the epicenter and the city must do more to keep our officers safe.”
The DOC did not immediately return an email.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Student wants MTA to refund monthly MetroCard after coronavirus cancels classes

All Michael Mazzariello wants from the MTA is a partial refund for his son ’ s $ 445 monthly student MetroNorth/MetroCard pass .
No more , no less .
And no hassles .
So far , all he ’ s gotten is plenty of guff .
Mauro , 16 , stopped using the pass when his Manhattan school was shut because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Mazzariello has gotten no money back and he is dumbfounded by what he called the MTA ’ s stonewalling , and galled by MetroNorth ’ s insistence that he prove the reason for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that about ?
” Mazzariello asked .
“ We ’ re not talking about regular passengers -– that would be bad enough .
We ’ re talking about kids.
” Until March 12 , Mauro commuted four hours every weekday — 80 miles one way — between Regis High School on the Upper East Side and his family ’ s home in the Orange County town of Newburgh .
On that Thursday , the top-rated , tuition-free Regis suspended classes until at least March 30 because of the threat of COVID-19 .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home — no more riding MetroNorth from the Beacon Station to the Harlem-125th Street stop and then catching a 4 train to 86th Street , a couple of blocks from Regis at 84th and Park Avenue .
But now Mazzariello is on his own long and winding journey , in search of a partial refund .
The lawyer started his Monday by dialing for his dollars .
First , Mazzariello called the Mail & Ride program ’ s student services number .
No luck .
Don ’ t expect a refund , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date was past the 10th .
Next , he called the customer service line .
He got the same answer .
On the same day , the determined Mazzariello put pen to paper , explaining he simply wanted what was owed him .
He recounted how he had never had a problem getting a partial refund for his son ’ s ticket for the month of June , when school let out .
He put in a call to an employee , now retired , who asked parents to mail back their passes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refund arrived .
Roughly 2,200 students buy monthly MetroNorth Mail & Ride tickets , at a 33 % discount for the rail service , according to the MTA .
The cost varies by destination .
MTA doesn ’ t prorate a refund for a MetroNorth monthly pass , but instead calculates the amount using a complex formula that totals the value of service left on the ticket , forfeits the rail discount and deducts $ 10 for processing .
The same policy applies to Long Island Rail Road .
“ The reality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal calamity as a result of this pandemic and has urgently requested $ 4 billion in federal assistance , ” spokeswoman Meredith Daniels wrote in an email .
“ We are running regular service moving the heroes on the frontlines of this crisis : doctors , nurses , childcare workers , police officers and other first responders .
At this time , our refund policies remain unchanged.
” NJ Transit is giving refunds for both weekly and monthly passes , said spokeswoman Nancy Snyder .
The policy , laid on the agency ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that NJ Transit has had : The refund for an unused pass returned before the start is the purchase price , and the refund for a pass returned after the start date is prorated .
Monthly passes make up about half of NJ Transit ’ s farebox revenue , which was estimated at $ 990.4 million for fiscal 2020 , according to a budget document included in the March 11 board meeting packet .
Refund requests are running about six times higher than normal , but Snyder claimed she didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure .
PATH , operated by the Port Authority , didn ’ t respond to requests for comment .
State Sen. James Skoufis isn ’ t happy about the MTA ’ s refund runaround .
He knows the agency has fallen on hard times , too , but insists that doesn ’ t mean riders shouldn ’ t be shown compassion .
“ It ’ s unspeakable and outrageous for the MTA to literally cheat people out of their hard-earned money during these difficult times , ” said Skoufis , who is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissions Committee , which has jurisdiction over the transit agency .
Skoufis told The Post he spoke with the panel ’ s chairman , state Sen. Leroy Comrie ( D-Queens ) , who was “ quite upset to hear ” about the snafu .
He believes Comrie will bring the matter to the highest levels of the MTA .
For Mazzariello , the fight is a lesson for Mauro : “ If you ’ re not getting what you paid for , you should get that money back.
” And the fight isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself : “ It ’ s for every student out there and every parent out there .
It ’ s for equity .
”

All Michael Mazzariello wants from the MTA is a partial refund for his son’s $445 monthly student MetroNorth/MetroCard pass.
No more, no less. And no hassles. So far, all he’s gotten is plenty of guff.
Mauro, 16, stopped using the pass when his Manhattan school was shut because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Mazzariello has gotten no money back and he is dumbfounded by what he called the MTA’s stonewalling, and galled by MetroNorth’s insistence that he prove the reason for the refund.
“What the f— is that about?” Mazzariello asked. “We’re not talking about regular passengers -– that would be bad enough. We’re talking about kids.”
Until March 12, Mauro commuted four hours every weekday — 80 miles one way — between Regis High School on the Upper East Side and his family’s home in the Orange County town of Newburgh.
On that Thursday, the top-rated, tuition-free Regis suspended classes until at least March 30 because of the threat of COVID-19.
Since Monday, Mauro has been studying remotely from home — no more riding MetroNorth from the Beacon Station to the Harlem-125th Street stop and then catching a 4 train to 86th Street, a couple of blocks from Regis at 84th and Park Avenue.
But now Mazzariello is on his own long and winding journey, in search of a partial refund.
The lawyer started his Monday by dialing for his dollars.
First, Mazzariello called the Mail&Ride program’s student services number. No luck. Don’t expect a refund, the agent told him, because the date was past the 10th. Next, he called the customer service line. He got the same answer.
On the same day, the determined Mazzariello put pen to paper, explaining he simply wanted what was owed him. He recounted how he had never had a problem getting a partial refund for his son’s ticket for the month of June, when school let out. He put in a call to an employee, now retired, who asked parents to mail back their passes. In no time, the June refund arrived.
Roughly 2,200 students buy monthly MetroNorth Mail & Ride tickets, at a 33% discount for the rail service, according to the MTA. The cost varies by destination.
MTA doesn’t prorate a refund for a MetroNorth monthly pass, but instead calculates the amount using a complex formula that totals the value of service left on the ticket, forfeits the rail discount and deducts $10 for processing. The same policy applies to Long Island Rail Road.
“The reality is, the MTA [is] facing fiscal calamity as a result of this pandemic and has urgently requested $4 billion in federal assistance,” spokeswoman Meredith Daniels wrote in an email. “We are running regular service moving the heroes on the frontlines of this crisis: doctors, nurses, childcare workers, police officers and other first responders. At this time, our refund policies remain unchanged.”
NJ Transit is giving refunds for both weekly and monthly passes, said spokeswoman Nancy Snyder.
The policy, laid on the agency’s COVID-19 page, is the same one that NJ Transit has had: The refund for an unused pass returned before the start is the purchase price, and the refund for a pass returned after the start date is prorated.
Monthly passes make up about half of NJ Transit’s farebox revenue, which was estimated at $990.4 million for fiscal 2020, according to a budget document included in the March 11 board meeting packet.
Refund requests are running about six times higher than normal, but Snyder claimed she didn’t know the average number or the March figure.
PATH, operated by the Port Authority, didn’t respond to requests for comment.
State Sen. James Skoufis isn’t happy about the MTA’s refund runaround. He knows the agency has fallen on hard times, too, but insists that doesn’t mean riders shouldn’t be shown compassion.
“It’s unspeakable and outrageous for the MTA to literally cheat people out of their hard-earned money during these difficult times,” said Skoufis, who is a member of the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee, which has jurisdiction over the transit agency.
Skoufis told The Post he spoke with the panel’s chairman, state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-Queens), who was “quite upset to hear” about the snafu. He believes Comrie will bring the matter to the highest levels of the MTA.
For Mazzariello, the fight is a lesson for Mauro: “If you’re not getting what you paid for, you should get that money back.”
And the fight isn’t just for his son or himself: “It’s for every student out there and every parent out there. It’s for equity.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Coronavirus Tales: We had to put our surrogacy plans on hold

Natali Perilo , a 39-year-old behavior analyst in Brooklyn , and her husband , Josh , have been struggling to have a baby for 11 years .
They finally lined up a surrogate — but those plans are now up in the air .
My husband and I were going to transfer our embryo in April .
But now everything is on hold .
We ’ ve been trying to have a baby for 11 years .
Josh and I got married when I was 28 and he was 32 and we wanted to start a family quickly .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to a fertility clinic .
At 36 , I started doing IVF .
It really took a toll .
I had a few chemical pregnancies [ miscarriage before five weeks ] and then a seven-week miscarriage .
That was the turning point , when things felt really dark .
We did more IVF , and last summer I got pregnant but lost the baby again .
I felt like I needed to take a break ; it ’ s so much trauma .
We decided to try a surrogate .
Our first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars , but we found a wonderful woman in December and our embryo was supposed to be transferred to her in April .
Now that can ’ t happen .
The surrogate would have to take immune-suppressing steroids , which is , of course , dangerous to do with coronavirus , and clinics are recommending against the drugs .
It ’ s hard believing we ’ ll ever make it to the other side .
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic .

Natali Perilo, a 39-year-old behavior analyst in Brooklyn, and her husband, Josh, have been struggling to have a baby for 11 years. They finally lined up a surrogate — but those plans are now up in the air.
My husband and I were going to transfer our embryo in April. But now everything is on hold.
We’ve been trying to have a baby for 11 years. Josh and I got married when I was 28 and he was 32 and we wanted to start a family quickly. We tried for two years, then we went to a fertility clinic.
At 36, I started doing IVF. It really took a toll. I had a few chemical pregnancies [miscarriage before five weeks] and then a seven-week miscarriage. That was the turning point, when things felt really dark.
We did more IVF, and last summer I got pregnant but lost the baby again. I felt like I needed to take a break; it’s so much trauma.
We decided to try a surrogate. Our first one dropped out and we lost thousands of dollars, but we found a wonderful woman in December and our embryo was supposed to be transferred to her in April.
Now that can’t happen. The surrogate would have to take immune-suppressing steroids, which is, of course, dangerous to do with coronavirus, and clinics are recommending against the drugs.
It’s hard believing we’ll ever make it to the other side.
Read more stories about surviving the coronavirus pandemic.


newyorkpost--2020-03-21--Workers claim UPS fails to pay OT, hides accidents to keep insurance down

UPS managers routinely manipulate time-clock records in a bid to avoid paying drivers overtime , three former employees claim in @ @ @ @ @ Murray , Carlos Palagoachi and Warren Payne also charge the delivery giant gave plum assignments @ @ @ @ @ employees instead of minority workers , and routinely forced road supervisors to pay out-of-pocket for @ @ @ @ @ to avoid reporting collisions to the company ’ s insurer , according to court papers @ @ @ @ @ cheating , they ’ re lying , they ’ re stealing people ’ s time @ @ @ @ @ reporting accidents and injuries , and you can never go home , ” Murray said @ @ @ @ @ working 17 or 18 hours , and if you speak up you get fired and @ @ @ @ @ allegations are “ not consistent with our culture or processes , ” and that they @ @ @

UPS managers routinely manipulate time-clock records in a bid to avoid paying drivers overtime, three former employees claim in a class-action lawsuit.
Fari Murray, Carlos Palagoachi and Warren Payne also charge the delivery giant gave plum assignments and higher pay to white employees instead of minority workers, and routinely forced road supervisors to pay out-of-pocket for vehicular accidents in a bid to avoid reporting collisions to the company’s insurer, according to court papers.
“They’re cheating, they’re lying, they’re stealing people’s time, they’re not reporting accidents and injuries, and you can never go home,” Murray said. “You’re working 17 or 18 hours, and if you speak up you get fired and harassed.”
They’re seeking unspecified damages in their Brooklyn Federal Court filing.
UPS said the allegations are “not consistent with our culture or processes,” and that they would investigate.