newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Here’s your chance to win Peloton, Mirror, TRX and other at-home gym gear

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store , from our partner StackCommerce .
NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links .
If you ’ ve been dying to get your hands on some of today ’ s most coveted fitness gadgets — like Peloton ’ s brand new Bike+ and the best-selling Mirror interactive trainer — but can ’ t justify the hefty price tag , this giveaway could be just the answer .
Whether you enter for free or boost your chances of winning by making a donation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the proud owner of over $ 5K of fan-favorite fitness gear and equipment .
Right now , the Playing For Change Foundation , a 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization is partnering on the Complete Home Gym Giveaway .
The organization was founded in 2007 with one main mission : to create positive change for children and communities in need through music .
And since its inception , it has impacted the lives of thousands of children across the globe by providing access to music and arts education through their school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musicians and administrators .
As part of this holiday fundraiser , participants can purchase 100 , 250 , 1,000 , 1,500 , 2,500 , or 4,500 entries to the giveaway , with costs starting as low as $ 10 .
So what ’ s in this epic fitness bundle ?
For starters , there ’ s the Peloton ’ s Bike+ , a new and improved version of the popular stationary bike .
Unlike its predecessor , this upgraded model comes with an adjustable screen that allows you to turn the tablet a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re looking to cross-train and take yoga , pilates , or weight training classes through your Peloton membership , you ’ ll be able to do so straight from your bike ’ s tablet .
Not only does the Bike+ come with both on- and off-bike functionalities , but it also boasts a larger screen and improved speaker system .
In addition to a Peloton , the winner of the Complete Home Giveaway will also get to enjoy the Mirror .
At first glance , this device looks like any other full-length mirror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But once activated , it becomes an immersive gym , displaying cardio , yoga , boxing , and weight training workouts .
And because you ’ ll be able to see both yourself and your instructor , you ’ ll be able to check and correct your form during each of your workouts .
The winner will also take home a set of Bowflex dumbells which adjust anywhere from five to 52.5 pounds , a TRX Pro System that makes suspension training at home a complete breeze , the much-loved Theragun massage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery times , a powerful sleep and activity tracking Oura Ring , and a $ 100 gift card to their choice of Lululemon , Nike or Athleta .
Who needs a gym ?
And even if you aren ’ t walking away with the grand prize , the fact that contributing to a good cause this holiday season makes you a winner in any book .

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store, from our partner StackCommerce. NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
If you’ve been dying to get your hands on some of today’s most coveted fitness gadgets — like Peloton’s brand new Bike+ and the best-selling Mirror interactive trainer — but can’t justify the hefty price tag, this giveaway could be just the answer. Whether you enter for free or boost your chances of winning by making a donation to a great cause, you could soon be the proud owner of over $5K of fan-favorite fitness gear and equipment.
Right now, the Playing For Change Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization is partnering on the Complete Home Gym Giveaway. The organization was founded in 2007 with one main mission: to create positive change for children and communities in need through music. And since its inception, it has impacted the lives of thousands of children across the globe by providing access to music and arts education through their school programs, as well as jobs to musicians and administrators.
As part of this holiday fundraiser, participants can purchase 100, 250, 1,000, 1,500, 2,500, or 4,500 entries to the giveaway, with costs starting as low as $10.
So what’s in this epic fitness bundle? For starters, there’s the Peloton’s Bike+, a new and improved version of the popular stationary bike. Unlike its predecessor, this upgraded model comes with an adjustable screen that allows you to turn the tablet a full 360 degrees. When you’re looking to cross-train and take yoga, pilates, or weight training classes through your Peloton membership, you’ll be able to do so straight from your bike’s tablet. Not only does the Bike+ come with both on- and off-bike functionalities, but it also boasts a larger screen and improved speaker system.
In addition to a Peloton, the winner of the Complete Home Giveaway will also get to enjoy the Mirror. At first glance, this device looks like any other full-length mirror you’d have in your home. But once activated, it becomes an immersive gym, displaying cardio, yoga, boxing, and weight training workouts. And because you’ll be able to see both yourself and your instructor, you’ll be able to check and correct your form during each of your workouts.
The winner will also take home a set of Bowflex dumbells which adjust anywhere from five to 52.5 pounds, a TRX Pro System that makes suspension training at home a complete breeze, the much-loved Theragun massage tool that can speed up your muscle recovery times, a powerful sleep and activity tracking Oura Ring, and a $100 gift card to their choice of Lululemon, Nike or Athleta. Who needs a gym?
And even if you aren’t walking away with the grand prize, the fact that contributing to a good cause this holiday season makes you a winner in any book.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--This crowdfunded face mask keeps out more than 99.97% of particles suspended in the air

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store , from our partner StackCommerce .
NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links .
Back in March , when the novel coronavirus began spreading across the country , finding a proper face covering was no easy feat .
In lieu of traditional face masks , which were being reserved for front line workers and physicians , many of us turned to scarves and bandanas to help slow the transmission of the virus .
Nine months later , there are thousands of options to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly every color or pattern , come in both reusable and one-time-wear styles , and feature a variety of innovative features .
With so many choices , it can be hard to decide which one is best for protecting you and your family .
One of our favorites is the Ultramasx UltraOne Fan Mask .
This unique face mask , which has been featured on NBC , ABC , Fox News , and USA Today , is equipped with an active , 2-speed electrically-powered turbofan that is designed to provide optimal airflow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotes long-term comfort .
The Ultramasx UltraOne Fan Mask also features a 4-stage HEPA-filter and an activated carbon filter to effectively eliminate more than 99.97 % of suspended particles with a diameter as small as 0.3 micrometers .
Between these state-of-the-art filters and the fan , you will be protected from harmful air pollution , smoke , bacteria , and viruses .
On top of the protection factor , this mask is also lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day long .
It is crafted with a medical-grade silicone face seal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your skin .
It ’ s also extremely durable and made to last up to 3 years—a big win for the environment !
You can score the Ultramasx UltraOne Fan Mask with 4-Stage HEPA & Activated Carbon Filter for only $ 69.95—that ’ s 21 % off .

Discover the highlights of our NY Post Store, from our partner StackCommerce. NY Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.
Back in March, when the novel coronavirus began spreading across the country, finding a proper face covering was no easy feat. In lieu of traditional face masks, which were being reserved for front line workers and physicians, many of us turned to scarves and bandanas to help slow the transmission of the virus. Nine months later, there are thousands of options to choose from. They are available in nearly every color or pattern, come in both reusable and one-time-wear styles, and feature a variety of innovative features.
With so many choices, it can be hard to decide which one is best for protecting you and your family. One of our favorites is the Ultramasx UltraOne Fan Mask. This unique face mask, which has been featured on NBC, ABC, Fox News, and USA Today, is equipped with an active, 2-speed electrically-powered turbofan that is designed to provide optimal airflow, as well as a refreshing feeling that promotes long-term comfort.
The Ultramasx UltraOne Fan Mask also features a 4-stage HEPA-filter and an activated carbon filter to effectively eliminate more than 99.97% of suspended particles with a diameter as small as 0.3 micrometers. Between these state-of-the-art filters and the fan, you will be protected from harmful air pollution, smoke, bacteria, and viruses.
On top of the protection factor, this mask is also lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day long. It is crafted with a medical-grade silicone face seal and features thin straps that limit direct contact to your skin. It’s also extremely durable and made to last up to 3 years—a big win for the environment!
You can score the Ultramasx UltraOne Fan Mask with 4-Stage HEPA & Activated Carbon Filter for only $69.95—that’s 21% off.
Prices subject to change.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Early morning house fire kills two in Queens

The nation ’ s top two offenses will collide in Sioux Falls , ...

Three people died in an early-morning inferno inside a Queens home regularly cited by the city for illegally packing in tenants.
Flames were so intense at least one person jumped from the third floor to escape, officials said.
Two of those killed Saturday could be seen struggling to escape, and may have been unable to get out because a door leading to a second-floor terrace was kept locked, sources and a witness told The Post.
“I watched two guys die in front of me because I saw the smoke just surround them and suffocate them,” a first floor-resident said.
Firefighters later slid a victim’s body out of a third-floor window of the three-story brick home, lowering it to the ground in a ladder truck.
Onlookers could hear anguished cries.
One “guy was screaming, ‘Help, help,’ but there was nothing I could do. There was too much fire,” said an occupant of the home’s second floor who gave his name as Samir.
He said two of the dead were immigrants, one from Guyana and one from Morocco.
One man who left the building a year ago said current occupants didn’t have keys to doors on the second floor.
“The windows on the balcony, they are sliding doors, and one of the guys who died last night, I knew him. He lived right next to the window, but the previous owner never gave them the key to the sliding door,” said former resident Gustavo Escubero, 45.
He claimed he was the former super for the building and once lived there among 30 others.
The 5:37 a.m. blaze at 90-31 48th Ave. left four others, including two firefighters, with minor injuries, officials said. One firefighter fell through a floor, but was ultimately able to get to safety.
Previous 1 of 6 Next Advertisement FDNY responding to the fire in Elmhurst, Queens. Seth Gottfried Advertisement Seth Gottfried Seth Gottfried Advertisement
FDNY Chief Thomas Richardson said there were reports of eight people living in the house, which was badly damaged.
“The entire roof collapsed into the third floor,” Richardson said.
Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the blaze.
“The flames were crazy. They were shooting out from the windows and shooting out the back of the house. It eventually broke through the roof,” said Fernando Andujar, 37, who lives across the street. “It spread to the home next door. It was bad. It was a really big inferno.”
Andujar said the new owner of the house had been trying to sell it.
“But he was having a hard time getting rid of the squatters living there,” he said.
“Because of the squatters he was getting frustrated and wanted to sell the house. He didn’t want to be bothered with the whole thing.”
Complaints about the illegal conversion of the home into smaller rental units date to 2001, shortly after it was purchased by the Mahmood family, city records show.
The DOB issued a partial vacate order in February 2018 because the basement was illegally converted into six living units.
The owner failed to address those violations, and the city issued more than $217,000 in penalties, the DOB said.
In January 2020, a prospective tenant claimed there were more than 60 people living in the house, according to a complaint to the city Department of Buildings.
“I also witnessed people using drugs and the whole house smell of marijuana,” the complaint says.
A DOB inspector was denied access to the house in February, and no one answered the door in May, the Buildings Department said.
The home went into foreclosure and was sold in February 2020 to an LLC for $1.2 million, city records show. The current owner could not be reached for comment.
Escubero said he moved out when the new owners cut the heat and hot water off last winter. He said the utilities were restored over the summer when the remaining occupants — who were not paying rent — complained to 311.
Misbaah Mahmood said his family sold the home, which had been owned by his elderly mother, Munawwara, but he claimed to not know the current owner.
Of the apparently locked balcony door, he said, “It doesn’t matter who locked it because when the new owner came, they have to check everything. I don’t remember anything now.”
The FDNY said it would investigate whether the doors were locked as part of its probe.
DOB inspectors were also on the scene Saturday assessing the stability of the damaged house, as well as two neighboring buildings.
“Illegal conversions pose a severe fire hazard to not only building occupants, but neighbors and first responders as well, which is why we previously issued a Vacate Order for the cellar of this building and issued punitive violations to the landlord. Our inspectors remain on scene, conducting a full investigation into this tragic fire,” said DOB spokesman Andrew Rudansky.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Gonzaga vs. Iowa prediction, Over/Under: Too high a bar to clear

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Listen Live to VSiN 's sports betting shows The nation ’ s top two offenses will collide in Sioux Falls , S.D.
, on Saturday in a game that figures to have tons of scoring .
But perhaps the total set by the bookmakers is a tad too high .
Gonzaga , which averages 93 points per game , is coming off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That could be cause for players to lack the conditioning you ’ d expect for an up-and-down game along with being prone to a cold start due to the layoff .
Iowa has the top-ranked offense in the country in both total points ( 100.5 per game ) and points per possession .
But other than their game against North Carolina , the Hawkeyes have been playing lesser competition .
Games against North Carolina Central , Southern , Western Illinois and Northern Illinois certainly help the numbers .
Iowa ranks in the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per possession , and opponents are shooting just 30.1 percent from 3-point range .
With Gonzaga making 29.1 percent of its 3-pointers this season , which ranks 251st in the nation , it should lead to some empty possessions and a bit of a lower-scoring affair than many might expect .

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The nation’s top two offenses will collide in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Saturday in a game that figures to have tons of scoring. But perhaps the total set by the bookmakers is a tad too high.
Gonzaga, which averages 93 points per game, is coming off a two-week shutdown of the program. That could be cause for players to lack the conditioning you’d expect for an up-and-down game along with being prone to a cold start due to the layoff.
Iowa has the top-ranked offense in the country in both total points (100.5 per game) and points per possession. But other than their game against North Carolina, the Hawkeyes have been playing lesser competition. Games against North Carolina Central, Southern, Western Illinois and Northern Illinois certainly help the numbers.
Iowa ranks in the top 55 in the nation in points allowed per possession, and opponents are shooting just 30.1 percent from 3-point range.
With Gonzaga making 29.1 percent of its 3-pointers this season, which ranks 251st in the nation, it should lead to some empty possessions and a bit of a lower-scoring affair than many might expect.
The Pick: Iowa-Gonzaga total, Under


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Alabama-Florida goes beyond College Football playoff implications

The oddsmakers aren ’ t sold .
Neither are most experts .
Notre Dame ’ s ...

The ACC championship game, pitting No. 2 Notre Dame against No. 3 Clemson, is the game of the day, a rematch of the Fighting Irish’s dramatic double overtime victory on Nov. 7. It is just one of many intriguing matchups on the eve of the College Football Playoff announcement.
SEC Championship
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 7 Florida
It’s hard to envision Alabama falling out of the playoff even if it suffers an unexpected upset. But Florida still has a shot to become the first two-loss participant, after the committee dropped the Gators only one spot following their upset loss to LSU. This showdown could also determine the Heisman Trophy. The two quarterbacks, Alabama’s Mac Jones and Florida’s Kyle Trask, are the heavy favorites. A big performance could determine the winner.
Big Ten Championship
No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 14 Northwestern
It feels like the committee has already determined the Buckeyes belong despite playing just five games. Now Justin Fields and company, healthy 18.5-point favorites, have to take care of business in a rematch of the 2018 Big Ten title game, which Ohio State won going away. The Wildcats’ 13th-ranked defense will have to play the game of its life to give Northwestern a chance.
Big 12 Championship
No. 6 Iowa State vs. No. 10 Oklahoma
The Cyclones have already made program history by reaching the Big 12 title game for the first time. They can make even more of it by snapping the Sooners’ run of five straight league championships. In a related note, coach Matt Campbell’s agent’s phone won’t stop ringing for weeks.
AAC Championship
No. 9 Cincinnati vs. No. 24 Tulsa
Cincinnati hasn’t played since Nov. 21 due to COVID-19 cancellations and has fallen two spots in the CFP rankings, while Ohio State hasn’t been punished for similar inactivity. It’s just the latest reminder that this current system will never include a non-power-conference team. The Bearcats have to win big and pray for multiple upsets.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Congress working through the weekend to finalize COVID-19 aid package

Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Washington were working through the weekend to complete a $ 900 billion coronavirus aid bill for American individuals and businesses struggling from the economic fallout of pandemic lockdowns .
It would be the largest relief package since this spring , when Congress approved more than $ 4 trillion in aid .
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed 311,000 Americans , by far the most in the world , and put millions out of work .
Economists say growth will likely remain sluggish until vaccines are widely available in mid-2021 .
The Senate is to convene at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
Representative Steny Hoyer , the second-most senior Democrat in the House of Representatives , said on Friday any vote on a package would not come before Sunday afternoon .
Republicans and Democrats say they are close to a deal , but significant differences remain .
Republicans are pushing to rein in Federal Reserve lending programs for midsize businesses and municipal bond issuers that were intended to ease the pandemic ’ s sting , saying those programs were meant to be temporary .
But Democrats say the move is an attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who will take office on Jan. 20 .
The parties also disagree over how much to give to arts venues closed by COVID-19 restrictions , and how much emergency aid should go to local governments for supplies like personal protective equipment for schools .
But many issues have been settled .
The legislation is expected to include one-off $ 600 checks for most Americans , enhanced unemployment benefits of $ 300 per week , help for states distributing coronavirus vaccines and more assistance for small businesses .
The deal does not include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a provision pushed by Republicans that has long been a red line for Democrats .
Nor does it include the extensive aid to state and local governments that Democrats wanted .
Congressional leaders expect to attach the package to a $ 1.4 trillion spending bill that would fund U.S. government activity through September 2021 .
Government funding was due to expire on Friday , but lawmakers approved a two-day stopgap bill to buy more time which President Donald Trump signed into law late on Friday .
Congress now faces a Sunday midnight @ @ @ @ @ @

Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Washington were working through the weekend to complete a $900 billion coronavirus aid bill for American individuals and businesses struggling from the economic fallout of pandemic lockdowns.
It would be the largest relief package since this spring, when Congress approved more than $4 trillion in aid. The COVID-19 pandemic has killed 311,000 Americans, by far the most in the world, and put millions out of work. Economists say growth will likely remain sluggish until vaccines are widely available in mid-2021.
The Senate is to convene at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) on Saturday. Representative Steny Hoyer, the second-most senior Democrat in the House of Representatives, said on Friday any vote on a package would not come before Sunday afternoon.
Republicans and Democrats say they are close to a deal, but significant differences remain.
Republicans are pushing to rein in Federal Reserve lending programs for midsize businesses and municipal bond issuers that were intended to ease the pandemic’s sting, saying those programs were meant to be temporary. But Democrats say the move is an attempt to tie the hands of President-elect Joe Biden, who will take office on Jan. 20.
The parties also disagree over how much to give to arts venues closed by COVID-19 restrictions, and how much emergency aid should go to local governments for supplies like personal protective equipment for schools.
But many issues have been settled. The legislation is expected to include one-off $600 checks for most Americans, enhanced unemployment benefits of $300 per week, help for states distributing coronavirus vaccines and more assistance for small businesses.
The deal does not include liability protections for businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits, a provision pushed by Republicans that has long been a red line for Democrats. Nor does it include the extensive aid to state and local governments that Democrats wanted.
Congressional leaders expect to attach the package to a $1.4 trillion spending bill that would fund U.S. government activity through September 2021. Government funding was due to expire on Friday, but lawmakers approved a two-day stopgap bill to buy more time which President Donald Trump signed into law late on Friday.
Congress now faces a Sunday midnight deadline to approve more funding.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Amazon delivery man arrested for knifing another driver over parking spot

An Amazon delivery man was in custody early Saturday after allegedly stabbing another driver in a brawl over a parking spot in Brooklyn , police said .
Lancelot Forrester , 26 , of Queens , has been charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon for the knife , police said .
His victim , a 47-year-old man , is hospitalized in stable condition with a stab wound to his upper back , police said .
The brawl happened just after 6 p.m. on Friday at the intersection of Ainslie Street and Bushwick Avenue in East Williamsburg .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle when he got into an argument with the driver of another vehicle who was attempting to park , police said .
After some shouting , both men left their vehicles and a small crowd gathered ; Forrester is maintaining that someone in the crowd hit him in the head with a baseball bat prior to the stabbing , police said .
Forrester was taken to the hospital for abrasions to his head .
The Amazon driver had just delivered a package to his house on Ainsley Street , a witness who wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” told The Post .
“ It was an Amazon delivery driver ; the person who got stabbed , he rents a garage on Humbolt Street .
His car was blocking the [ Amazon ] truck , ” John said .
“ They kept following him saying , ‘ What ’ re you going to do ?
What ’ re you going to do ?
” John said of men who fought with the delivery man .
An investigation is continuing into possible charges against others involved in the fight , police said @

An Amazon delivery man was in custody early Saturday after allegedly stabbing another driver in a brawl over a parking spot in Brooklyn, police said.
Lancelot Forrester, 26, of Queens, has been charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon for the knife, police said.
His victim, a 47-year-old man, is hospitalized in stable condition with a stab wound to his upper back, police said.
The brawl happened just after 6 p.m. on Friday at the intersection of Ainslie Street and Bushwick Avenue in East Williamsburg.
Forrester had just returned to his delivery vehicle when he got into an argument with the driver of another vehicle who was attempting to park, police said.
After some shouting, both men left their vehicles and a small crowd gathered; Forrester is maintaining that someone in the crowd hit him in the head with a baseball bat prior to the stabbing, police said.
Forrester was taken to the hospital for abrasions to his head.
The Amazon driver had just delivered a package to his house on Ainslie Street, a witness who wanted to be identified only as “John” told The Post.
“It was an Amazon delivery driver; the person who got stabbed, he rents a garage on Humbolt Street. His car was blocking the [Amazon] truck,” John said.
“They kept following him saying, ‘What’re you going to do? What’re you going to do?” John said of men who fought with the delivery man.
An investigation is continuing into possible charges against others involved in the fight, police said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Texas hospital appears to give worker fake COVID-19 vaccine shot

A Texas hospital is under fire after eagle-eyed viewers claimed the COVID vaccine healthcare workers received on TV appeared to be fake .
Camera crews were invited to the University Medical Center of El Paso to capture five of its front-line workers get the coveted coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday .
Videos on social media showing paramedic Ricardo Martinez getting the supposed shot raised concerns among skeptical viewers who noticed that the syringe was already pushed down .
“ Clearly that syringe was EMPTY and the plunger was already down .
Where ’ s the bandaid ?
Yeah , nice try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook user Barbara Siira wrote .
“ Syringe is empty , the guy didn ’ t push the syringe at all , bad acting , ” viewer Aaron Isaac Hernandez wrote .
“ Just for show .
I ’ m definitely not taking this now , ” wrote another Facebook user .
After the press conference , Martinez said he was proud he got vaccinated .
“ At least I feel like I could do my job with ease , ” he said , according to FOX14 .
UMC admitted one of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine and that a second shot was administered to erase any doubt .
“ After numerous reports emerged on social media claiming one of the five nurses receiving a vaccination on Tuesday did not receive a full dose of vaccine , we want to remove any doubt raised that he was not fully vaccinated and further strengthen confidence in the vaccination process , ” the hospital said in a statement to KTSM .

A Texas hospital is under fire after eagle-eyed viewers claimed the COVID vaccine healthcare workers received on TV appeared to be fake.
Camera crews were invited to the University Medical Center of El Paso to capture five of its front-line workers get the coveted coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday.
Videos on social media showing paramedic Ricardo Martinez getting the supposed shot raised concerns among skeptical viewers who noticed that the syringe was already pushed down.
“Clearly that syringe was EMPTY and the plunger was already down. Where’s the bandaid? Yeah, nice try! We are not fooled!” Facebook user Barbara Siira wrote.
“Syringe is empty, the guy didn’t push the syringe at all, bad acting,” viewer Aaron Isaac Hernandez wrote.
“Just for show. I’m definitely not taking this now,” wrote another Facebook user.
Paramedic Ricardo Martinez getting the supposed COVID-19 Vaccine Facebook
After the press conference, Martinez said he was proud he got vaccinated.
“At least I feel like I could do my job with ease,” he said, according to FOX14.
UMC admitted one of its workers didn’t receive the entire vaccine and that a second shot was administered to erase any doubt.
“After numerous reports emerged on social media claiming one of the five nurses receiving a vaccination on Tuesday did not receive a full dose of vaccine, we want to remove any doubt raised that he was not fully vaccinated and further strengthen confidence in the vaccination process,” the hospital said in a statement to KTSM.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Jupiter, Saturn will appear side by side for first time in centuries

Jupiter and Saturn , the two largest planets in the solar system , will appear side by side in the @ @ @ @ @ first time in almost 800 years .
The titanic planets “ will appear just a @ @ @ @ @ , ” which is equivalent to the thickness of a dime , according to NASA @ @ @ @ @ watchers could get a glimpse of the two planets and their moons through binoculars or @ @ @ @ @ event , called the “ Great Conjuncture ” will occur on the winter solstice , @ @ @ @ @ year .
The last time Jupiter and Saturn had such a close pairing was in @ @ @

Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in the solar system, will appear side by side in the sky Monday night for the first time in almost 800 years.
The titanic planets “will appear just a tenth of a degree apart,” which is equivalent to the thickness of a dime, according to NASA.
NASA added that sky watchers could get a glimpse of the two planets and their moons through binoculars or a small telescope.
The event, called the “Great Conjuncture” will occur on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
The last time Jupiter and Saturn had such a close pairing was in July 1623.
With Post Wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Some two dozen VA hospitals and urgent care centers have run low on PPE: watchdog

Nearly two dozen Veterans Administration emergency rooms and urgent care centers ran so low on personal-protective equipment while battling the coronavirus this year , that the gear had to be rationed , according to a new report .
Some facilities ran so low on N-95 masks , workers were limited to one new mask per week unless it became soiled , the VA ’ s Office of Inspector General — an internal watchdog agency — reported .
Two facilities ran out of some gear entirely , the report said , according to The Wall Street Journal .
For its investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a sample of 49 emergency rooms and 14 urgent care centers , asking them about their experiences from March to July .
“ The emergency department director at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in West Virginia and urgent care center director at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin , Ga. , both responded affirmatively when asked by VA OIG staff during the interviews if their facilities ran out of personal protective equipment , ” a spokesman for the inspector general told the paper .
Veterans Administration officials , including at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of PPE , called the IG report inaccurate .
“ “ The IG report is wrong .
Our records do not indicate that we ever ran out of PPE for staff or Veterans , ” said Lauren Winebrenner , spokeswoman for the VA facility in Martinsburg , W.Va. A spokesman for the Dublin , Ga. , center said the center had never run out of equipment .

Nearly two dozen Veterans Administration emergency rooms and urgent care centers ran so low on personal-protective equipment while battling the coronavirus this year, that the gear had to be rationed, according to a new report.
Some facilities ran so low on N-95 masks, workers were limited to one new mask per week unless it became soiled, the VA’s Office of Inspector General — an internal watchdog agency — reported.
Two facilities ran out of some gear entirely, the report said, according to The Wall Street Journal.
For its investigation, the IG office surveyed the directors at a sample of 49 emergency rooms and 14 urgent care centers, asking them about their experiences from March to July.
“The emergency department director at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in West Virginia and urgent care center director at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, Ga., both responded affirmatively when asked by VA OIG staff during the interviews if their facilities ran out of personal protective equipment,” a spokesman for the inspector general told the paper.
Veterans Administration officials, including at the hospitals said to have run out of PPE, called the IG report inaccurate.
““The IG report is wrong. Our records do not indicate that we ever ran out of PPE for staff or Veterans,” said Lauren Winebrenner, spokeswoman for the VA facility in Martinsburg, W.Va.
A spokesman for the Dublin, Ga., center said the center had never run out of equipment.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Tunnel to Towers pays off mortgage of NYPD cop with brain injury from 2017 incident

Veve , who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being dragged several Brooklyn blocks three years ago , learned Friday that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation was paying off the mortgage of his Long Island home .
Esther Veve , who was standing next to her husband at One Police Plaza , said she was filled with joy when Tunnel to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller made the generous gift .
“ It ’ s definitely a burden lifted off my shoulders , ” she said at the ceremony , which can be viewed on the NYPD ’ s Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No more concerns .
No more monthly reminders.
” Veve ’ s is one of 36 mortgages that the foundation will be paying off as part of its “ Season of Hope , ” which began on Thanksgiving and runs through the end of the year .
“ Your strength and resilience is remarkable , ” Siller said .
“ You are showing us all how to live.
” Veve was responding to a loud house party on June 3 , 2017 when a heartless Crips gang member struck and dragged him for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The incident has left Veve wheelchair-bound and in need of 24-hour care .
In January 2019 , suspect Justin Murrell was sentenced to just 1 ⅓ to 4 years behind bars and was freed after only 14 months .
At Friday ’ s ceremony , NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea commended Veve for his heroism .
“ Dalsh is a truly remarkable , shining member of our police department , and I couldn ’ t be more proud of him , ” Shea said .

Christmas came early for NYPD Detective Dalsh Veve.
Veve, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being dragged several Brooklyn blocks three years ago, learned Friday that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation was paying off the mortgage of his Long Island home.
Esther Veve, who was standing next to her husband at One Police Plaza, said she was filled with joy when Tunnel to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller made the generous gift.
“It’s definitely a burden lifted off my shoulders,” she said at the ceremony, which can be viewed on the NYPD’s Facebook page.
“No more worries. No more concerns. No more monthly reminders.”
Veve’s is one of 36 mortgages that the foundation will be paying off as part of its “Season of Hope,” which began on Thanksgiving and runs through the end of the year.
“Your strength and resilience is remarkable,” Siller said. “You are showing us all how to live.”
Veve was responding to a loud house party on June 3, 2017 when a heartless Crips gang member struck and dragged him for three blocks in East New York.
The incident has left Veve wheelchair-bound and in need of 24-hour care.
In January 2019, suspect Justin Murrell was sentenced to just 1 ⅓ to 4 years behind bars and was freed after only 14 months.
At Friday’s ceremony, NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea commended Veve for his heroism.
“Dalsh is a truly remarkable, shining member of our police department, and I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Shea said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Nets’ Caris LeVert shines off bench in preseason debut

It takes a lot to strike the loquacious Spencer Dinwiddie ...

With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the floor, it’s easy to just sit back and watch. Which is exactly what the Nets don’t want out of Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie.
After missing the preseason opener with a minor knee issue, LeVert debuted with 18 points in Friday’s 113-89 win at Boston. He came off the bench as the sixth man with Dinwiddie starting. But whichever one is in the lineup with Durant and Irving, the Nets want them to stay aggressive rather than defer too much.
“Caris can score as fast as anybody. He can play off the ball and shoot the 3,” Durant said. “But for us, when he comes in and handles the rock with me and Kyrie out on the floor, that’s going to open the floor up for him so much more.
“We’re going to need him to be aggressive, especially coming off that bench and commanding that second unit. It’s good for him to come back out on the floor after missing that first preseason game and a couple of days of practice. Hopefully, he just keeps getting better and more comfortable in that role.”
Caris LeVert makes his preseason debut. Getty Images
While coach Steve Nash said he was pleased with how LeVert looked both playing alongside the stars and as sixth man, he agreed that both LeVert and Dinwiddie absolutely have to stay in attack mode.
“[Dinwiddie] is a great basketball player, great athlete. But he’s also skilled and can make plays for his teammates, score, high IQ, so I want Spencer to be aggressive. I don’t want him just to stand and watch,” Nash said. “He’s too athletic and too gifted of a basketball player, too intelligent to just be passing. He needs to be aggressive.”
Dinwiddie was much more muted against the Celtics, with seven points and three assists on just 1-of-7 shooting. But the Nets hit 15-of-32 from 3-point range and will continue to get open looks with Durant and Irving attracting so much attention.
LeVert admitted both stars have spoken to him about staying in attack mode.
“Absolutely,” LeVert said. “Those guys talk to me a lot about, you know, what they expect from me when I’m out there, what they expect from me when I’m coming off the bench.“For me, I’m just aggressive, especially when I’m out there with those guys, because you can’t help off of any of them. You can’t help off of KD, you can’t help off of Ky, you cant help off of Joe [Harris]. So it’s really just me out there playing against my defender, so I feel like Spencer and I will really benefit from those situations, for sure.”
In the annual NBA GM Survey, 81 percent picked the Lakers to repeat. The Nets were picked to finish second in the Eastern Conference behind the Bucks, while only the Lakers and Clippers getting more votes to win the title.
League GMs voted Nash the new or relocated coach who will have the biggest impact on his team and Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni the league’s top assistant.
The Nets claimed forward Paul Eboua off waivers.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Chance to silence the Trevor Lawrence chatter has lit fire under Notre Dame

Brian Kelly is threatening to decline an invite to the College Football ...

The oddsmakers aren’t sold. Neither are most experts.
Notre Dame’s Nov. 7, double-overtime victory over Clemson may as well come with an asterisk entitled NL — No Lawrence.
That’s Lawrence, as in Trevor Lawrence — the projected top pick in the NFL draft, the quarterback scouts think is the best prospect at his position since Andrew Luck and the supposed salvation for the Jets — who didn’t play in the classic first meeting between the two.
Now that the junior will be under center in Saturday’s ACC championship game, third-ranked Clemson is a hefty 10.5-point favorite.
“This game would just be the same thing,” Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book said this week. “People are probably saying a lot of things about their players being gone and now they’re back. ‘There’s no way [we can beat them].’ ”
It’s not just Lawrence’s presence that makes the rematch feel different. The Tigers’ defense, which was shredded for 518 total yards in the first encounter, will have starters James Skalski, Tyler Davis and Mike Jones Jr. back.
Clemson needs the game to reach the College Football Playoff for the sixth straight year, while No. 2 Notre Dame (10-0) likely would get in even with a loss, assuming it isn’t too one-sided. If the Fighting Irish pull off the upset, there would be a free-for-all for the fourth spot, including Texas A&M, Cincinnati and the Big 12 champion, among others.
The first meeting was a thriller despite Lawrence’s absence, a see-saw affair in which Notre Dame built a 13-point advantage and true freshman quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei led Clemson (9-1) into the lead late, beforethe Irish prevailed in two overtimes after a late rally.
“I won’t forget walking off the field and all the students storm onto the field,” said Lawrence, who was unable to play due to a positive COVID-19 test, but was on the sideline. “It wasn’t a good feeling, so we kind of have that picture locked in our brain.”
Since that loss, Clemson dominated Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech by a combined 97-27 with Lawrence back at quarterback. Aside from the Notre Dame game, the Tigers have won eight of their nine victories by at least 18 points.
Notre Dame has only picked up momentum since the win over Clemson, defeating Boston College, North Carolina and Syracuse by at least two touchdowns apiece. Book set a career-best with eight rushing touchdowns and has been intercepted just twice all year. He was particularly impressive in the win over Clemson, producing 377 yards of offense and forcing overtime by driving Notre Dame 91 yards in eight plays in the final minute of regulation.
“He’s a special player,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “This kid is a great player. I hate to compare him to Joe Montana, but Joe Montana played at Notre Dame, and he just has a little bit of magic to him.”
Lawrence will still be the best player on the field, a likely Heisman Trophy finalist despite missing two games. He has produced 26 touchdowns, completed 69.2 percent of his passes, and has been intercepted just three times this year. He has lost just one college game in which he started — last year’s championship game. That is why the experts expect a Clemson victory. The Tigers are healthy, rested and will have No. 16 at quarterback.
But Book and Notre Dame don’t sound intimidated. If anything, they are motivated.
“I’m excited that all those guys are back,” Book told ESPN, “and we can play them and have all those people be quiet once the game’s over and we get this win.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--It’s ‘pretty clear’ Russia did it, Pompeo says of massive U.S. government hack attack

Russia is behind the ongoing hack of a spectrum of government agencies and corporations , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday night .
“ This was a very significant effort , and I think it ’ s the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity , ” Pompeo said during an interview on the Mark Levin Show .
Pompeo is now the first Trump administration official to pin the hack on Russia .
“ We ’ re still unpacking precisely what it is , and I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pompeo , who formerly headed the CIA , told Levin , according to a transcript of the interview released by the State Department .
‘ But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside the US government systems and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world as well , ” he said .
Speaking on CNN on Wednesday , Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois called the hack of government agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war.
” “ We can ’ t be buddies with Vladimir Putin and have him at the same time making this kind of cyberattack on America .
This is virtually a declaration of war by Russia on the United States , and we should take it that seriously , ” the minority whip told the news network .

Russia is behind the ongoing hack of a spectrum of government agencies and corporations, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday night.
“This was a very significant effort, and I think it’s the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity,” Pompeo said during an interview on the Mark Levin Show.
Pompeo is now the first Trump administration official to pin the hack on Russia.
“We’re still unpacking precisely what it is, and I’m sure some of it will remain classified,” Pompeo, who formerly headed the CIA, told Levin, according to a transcript of the interview released by the State Department.
‘But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside the US government systems and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world as well,” he said.
Speaking on CNN on Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois called the hack of government agencies and corporations “virtually a declaration of war.”
“We can’t be buddies with Vladimir Putin and have him at the same time making this kind of cyberattack on America. This is virtually a declaration of war by Russia on the United States, and we should take it that seriously,” the minority whip told the news network.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Oregon beats USC for Pac-12 title after replacing Washington

LOS ANGELES — Oregon didn’t win its Pac-12 division, and it only got into the championship game because Washington had to drop out. The Ducks hadn’t won a game in nearly a month before they took the Coliseum field Friday night.
They still ended up celebrating amid confetti and streamers in their rivals’ empty stadium.
After yet another display of the big-game poise their West Coast foes so often lack, the Ducks are back-to-back conference champions.
Anthony Brown threw two touchdown passes in his unusual Oregon debut, Jamal Hill made his second interception with 2:47 to play, and the Ducks won their second straight Pac-12 title with a 31-24 victory over No. 13 Southern California.
Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, the game’s MVP with five tackles and a sack, jauntily wore two hats during the postgame party to symbolize the Ducks’ two championships.
“We fought this year,” said Thibodeaux, a Los Angeles native. “So many trials and tribulations. So many things that kept popping up. So many excuses we could have made, and we didn’t flinch. We stuck to the script and got it done.”
Tyler Shough also threw two touchdown passes for the Ducks (4-2), who claimed the Pac-12’s New Year’s Six bowl berth despite having more losses than USC, Washington or Colorado. The Trojans were one win away from an unbeaten regular season before the Ducks took charge with a superb defensive effort and timely offense throughout the night.
Oregon celebrates its Pac-12 title. Getty Images
“We were itching to get back to our kind of football, and we did it tonight,” coach Mario Cristobal said. “(We) really just came out with an attitude, came out with a purpose and a mission.”
Jaylon Redd, Hunter Kampmoyer, DJ Johnson and Travis Dye caught TD passes for the Ducks, who got into the title game after consecutive losses only because the Huskies had to drop out Monday due to coronavirus problems.
Despite losing its two previous games to Oregon State and California, Oregon seized the opportunity to continue its domination of the Trojans on the way to the school’s sixth Pac-12 championship in 12 years and its record fourth championship game victory.
When Thibodeaux was asked whether a championship won in 2020 should have an asterisk, he replied: “Everybody who’s not a winner is going to say that, so who are we leaving it up to? The winners or the losers?”
Kedon Slovis passed for 320 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions for the Trojans (5-1), whose perfect season ended with their fourth loss in their last five meetings with Oregon. The sophomore quarterback had X-rays on his shoulder after the game.
USC fell behind 14-0 in the opening minutes after two interceptions from Slovis led to TD drives by the Ducks — and unlike every other game this season, the Trojans never caught up.
“There’s a lot of hurt souls in our locker room right now,” USC coach Clay Helton said. “I know our kids wanted extremely badly to win a championship, and we came up a play too short today.”
Oregon had a 31-17 lead with less than 10 minutes to play, but Bru McCoy caught a TD pass on fourth down for the Trojans before they got the ball back with 4:43 left. USC reached midfield in search of a fourth-quarter comeback win for the fourth time in its six-game season, but Slovis threw the first fourth-quarter interception of his career.
Hill made an acrobatic play to hang on to the poorly thrown ball, and Oregon’s offense ran all but 23 seconds off the clock. USC reached the Oregon 49, but the Ducks’ pass rush prevented Slovis from getting off a Hail Mary.
“We didn’t have any doubt at all,” USC receiver Drake London said. “We believed in each other to just try to go out there and execute it. Unfortunately we just ended up short.”
Amon-Ra St. Brown caught a TD pass before spraining his shoulder late and Markese Stepp rushed for a score for the Trojans, who had a horrible start to their third game in 13 days.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--How Jets are trying to limit the effects of daunting flight schedule

The Jets landed in New Jersey on a redeye flight from Seattle on Monday morning , then had five days to get their bodies recovered in time to take another cross-country flight Friday .
In a season in which they have been beat up plenty on the field , the Jets tried to make sure their travel schedule didn ’ t do the job this week before they take on the Rams on Sunday in Inglewood , Calif. “ Most of it was more of a Monday , Tuesday , Wednesday type deal of just making sure , trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , recovery , rest , kind of just getting our body clocks basically where they needed to be , ” coach Adam Gase said Friday .
“ We cut a few things out on Wednesday , just to try to shorten the day up , and then Thursday with what happened weather-wise , it kind of backed some things up for us .
It seemed like the guys , especially on Thursday , the energy level was good .
It felt like we were back to normal.
” In a normal year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West Coast after playing at Seattle last Sunday .
But because of COVID-19 protocols and not wanting to confine the Jets to a hotel for more than a week , Gase said previously , they opted to make it two separate trips .
“ Now we ’ ve got to head out there again today , ” Gase said .
“ It ’ s really a process of doing a good job on the flight as far as eating the right things , putting the right things in your body , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those things that you need to do to make sure by Sunday we ’ re in good shape.
” Wide receiver Jamison Crowder ( calf ) was a limited practice participant Friday and is questionable for Sunday ’ s game against the Rams .
He played through the injury last week and was on the field for 38 of 53 snaps .
Barring a setback , kicker Sam Ficken is set to be activated off injured reserve in time for Sunday ’ s game .
He has kicked once since Week 6 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 before missing three more games due to a groin injury .
Linebacker Jordan Jenkins , who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday , is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder , per NFL Network .
Defensive assistant Blake Williams , the son of recently fired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams , will not make the trip to Los Angeles .
The team said the reason is not illness-related .

The Jets landed in New Jersey on a redeye flight from Seattle on Monday morning, then had five days to get their bodies recovered in time to take another cross-country flight Friday.
In a season in which they have been beat up plenty on the field, the Jets tried to make sure their travel schedule didn’t do the job this week before they take on the Rams on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.
“Most of it was more of a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday type deal of just making sure, trying to really emphasize the whole hydration, nutrition, recovery, rest, kind of just getting our body clocks basically where they needed to be,” coach Adam Gase said Friday. “We cut a few things out on Wednesday, just to try to shorten the day up, and then Thursday with what happened weather-wise, it kind of backed some things up for us. It seemed like the guys, especially on Thursday, the energy level was good. It felt like we were back to normal.”
In a normal year, the Jets likely would have stayed on the West Coast after playing at Seattle last Sunday. But because of COVID-19 protocols and not wanting to confine the Jets to a hotel for more than a week, Gase said previously, they opted to make it two separate trips.
“Now we’ve got to head out there again today,” Gase said. “It’s really a process of doing a good job on the flight as far as eating the right things, putting the right things in your body, making sure that we are hydrating, all those things that you need to do to make sure by Sunday we’re in good shape.”
Wide receiver Jamison Crowder (calf) was a limited practice participant Friday and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Rams. He played through the injury last week and was on the field for 38 of 53 snaps.
Barring a setback, kicker Sam Ficken is set to be activated off injured reserve in time for Sunday’s game. He has kicked once since Week 6, coming back against the Chargers in Week 11 before missing three more games due to a groin injury.
Linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder, per NFL Network.
Defensive assistant Blake Williams, the son of recently fired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, will not make the trip to Los Angeles. The team said the reason is not illness-related.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Trump could lift restrictions on travel between the U.S. and U.K. in time for Christmas

President Trump could lift restrictions on travel between the U.S. and the U.K. on Tuesday — in time for Christmas @ @ @ @ @ .
A lift on the restrictions would come via executive order , and has been @ @ @ @ @ Homeland Security , the U.K. ’ s The Telegraph reported Friday , citing unnamed industry @ @ @ @ @ U.K. has also been lobbying the Trump administration to lift the restrictions , which currently @ @ @ @ @ citizens who were recently in Brazil , Britain , Ireland and 26 other European countries @ @ @ @ @ has mulled opening travel between the two nations since October .
Restrictions barring most visitors @ @ @ @ @ place since mid-March to address the coronavirus pandemic .
Britain currently allows Americans to visit @ @ @ @ @ quarantine upon landing .

President Trump could lift restrictions on travel between the U.S. and the U.K. on Tuesday — in time for Christmas, according to a report.
A lift on the restrictions would come via executive order, and has been recommended by the Department of Homeland Security, the U.K.’s The Telegraph reported Friday, citing unnamed industry and aviation sources.
The U.K. has also been lobbying the Trump administration to lift the restrictions, which currently ban entry for most non-U.S. citizens who were recently in Brazil, Britain, Ireland and 26 other European countries, Reuters reported.
Trump has mulled opening travel between the two nations since October.
Restrictions barring most visitors from Europe have been in place since mid-March to address the coronavirus pandemic.
Britain currently allows Americans to visit but requires two weeks of quarantine upon landing.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Evan Engram is surprise add to Giants’ injury report

Freddie Kitchens calling plays for the first time since he ...

Evan Engram was added to the Giants’ injury report Friday with a calf injury and is now questionable to play Sunday night against the Browns.
With quarterback Daniel Jones’ status still up in the air as well, due to a lingering hamstring injury in addition to an ankle injury sustained last week against the Cardinals, the Giants could be without two key offensive starters for Week 15.
Engram was limited in practice for the first time this week Friday, meaning his calf injury likely came up Thursday or Friday. Jones continued to practice on a limited basis Friday, after doing so the entire week.
In his third season with the Giants, Engram is currently the team’s second-leading receiver with 50 receptions for 526 yards and one touchdown.
The only player officially ruled out for Sunday is cornerback Darnay Holmes, who will miss his second consecutive week with a knee injury. Because James Bradberry was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday (he was deemed to be a “high risk close contact” after seeing a chiropractor outside of the Giants facility who tested positive), the Giants are in a tight situation at cornerback.
Evan Engram AP
The Giants could turn to Logan Ryan or Julian Love, both of whom have experience at corner. Rookie Xavier McKinney also could assume an expanded role this week.
After he was limited in practice Thursday with a knee injury, tight end Kaden Smith was limited again Friday and is considered questionable to play Sunday. Guard Kevin Zeitler, who practiced on a limited basis due to a shoulder injury earlier this week, appears to be cleared to play Sunday.
Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, a cancer survivor, seriously contemplated sitting out of the 2020 season due to his increased risk of contracting COVID-19 because of his compromised immune system.
So when news broke Thursday that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett had tested positive for the coronavirus, McGaughey admitted he began to think twice about where he had been in the Giants practice facility.
“We’re all around each other all the time, that’s the scary thing about this virus, is that we try to do our best in spacing out, but we’re always around each other,” he said on a Zoom call Friday morning. “Me, Jason and [defensive coordinator] Pat [Graham] and [head coach] Joe [Judge] are always in coordinators meetings together. But it’s scary, the whole thing is scary. You never know.“I might touch a doorknob, push a button in the elevator, or going to my car, somebody could’ve touched the door handle on my car, I don’t know. You go to the grocery store, you just don’t know. That’s the scary part of this whole situation. You try to control what you can control and just pray that everything works itself out.”
Tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens is set to assume offensive play-calling duties with Garrett out. Aside from the play-calling changes for Sunday, the Giants haven’t made any other dramatic changes since learning of the positive tests, according to Kitchens.
“Truly, it’s just been what we normally do,” Kitchens said. “Nothing will truly change until we get to Sunday. Jason is still in the Zoom meeting with us and things like that. Really, at the end of the day, on a weekly basis our game planning for practice, for the game, it’s really a group effort — which it should be. So that’s continued, nothing has really changed except for Sunday.”
Garrett will not be allowed to call in during any point of the game to offer up his observations.
“No, we can’t have any external contact,” Judge said.
Graham, who joined the Giants this season as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, asserted that he has faith in the NFL’s protocols to keep everybody safe. And although he continues to hope that everybody and their families are safe, Graham said he’s still in “a normal mode.”
“For me, when stuff comes up in the season, I move on to the task at hand,” Graham said. “I’m not saying there’s not a human element to it. I just want everybody to be safe and their families to be safe, to be honest with you. But I know I have a job to do, and as long as I’m in the building doing my job, that’s what I’m going to do. That’s the extent of it right there.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--St. John’s agrees to postpone game against Villanova

St. John ’ s players , who have been on campus since the end of July , will get a @ @ @ @ @ for the holidays .
The Red Storm ’ s game at Villanova on Dec. 30 @ @ @ @ @ will be free to go their separate ways after Sunday night ’ s home game @ @ @ @ @ school by Dec. 24 , according to sources .
The next scheduled game is Jan. @ @ @ @ @ .
It was Villanova ’ s idea to move the game back , sources said @ @ @ @ @ s was amenable to it .
The game has yet to be rescheduled .
“ @ @ @ @ @ needed a break , ” Villanova coach Jay Wright said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ priority .
We appreciate that St. John ’ s is in agreement with us on @ @ @ @ @ for their players .
”

St. John’s players, who have been on campus since the end of July, will get a few days to go home for the holidays.
The Red Storm’s game at Villanova on Dec. 30 was postponed, so they will be free to go their separate ways after Sunday night’s home game against Georgetown and return to school by Dec. 24, according to sources. The next scheduled game is Jan. 2 at home against DePaul.
It was Villanova’s idea to move the game back, sources said, and St. John’s was amenable to it. The game has yet to be rescheduled.
“We just thought our players needed a break,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said in a statement. “Their well-being is our top priority. We appreciate that St. John’s is in agreement with us on this in wanting the same for their players.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Minnesota state Sen. Jerry Relph dead from COVID-19 complications

A Minnesota state senator who recently contracted COVID-19 died Friday of complications from the disease .
First-term Republican Sen. Jerry @ @ @ @ @ virus after having close contact with an infected colleague , the Star Tribune reported .
@ @ @ @ @ , who recently lost re-election , was one of several GOP state senators who contracted @ @ @ @ @ post-election party in November , according to MPR News .
Around that same time , @ @ @ @ @ room twice after experiencing COVID symptoms , but wasn ’ t hospitalized , the outlet @ @ @ @ @ Relph was a true friend and colleague loved by so many .
For four years @ @ @ @ @ sleeves and tackled tough issues for our state .
Senator Relph will always be remembered @ @ @ @ @ , ” Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka tweeted .

A Minnesota state senator who recently contracted COVID-19 died Friday of complications from the disease.
First-term Republican Sen. Jerry Relph tested positive for the virus after having close contact with an infected colleague, the Star Tribune reported.
Relph began quarantining on Nov. 10.
The 76-year-old Vietnam War veteran, who recently lost re-election, was one of several GOP state senators who contracted the coronavirus after attending a post-election party in November, according to MPR News.
Around that same time, Relph went to the emergency room twice after experiencing COVID symptoms, but wasn’t hospitalized, the outlet reported.
“Senator Jerry Relph was a true friend and colleague loved by so many. For four years, he rolled up his sleeves and tackled tough issues for our state. Senator Relph will always be remembered as a dedicated public servant,” Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka tweeted.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Missouri mom shares bloody images of eighth-grade son’s COVID-19 hospital room

A Missouri mom hopes the sight of her dying son ’ s blood dripping down a hospital room wall will help Americans take COVID-19 seriously .
Peyton Baumgarth was just 13-years-old when he died of the virus in October , as his mom — a nurse who had also been infected — looked on .
The eighth-grader was diagnosed with coronavirus just six days prior , but suddenly took a turn for the worse with his oxygen levels plummeting , his mom , Stephanie Franek , told The Sun .
As doctors at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grader ’ s life , Peyton began to hemorrhage , his mom said .
“ He had this big coughing fit and he basically started to hemorrhage in his chest , ” she said .
As one doctor tried to place tubes into the boy ’ s neck to help oxygenate his blood , the fluid sprayed everywhere , coating the walls , medical equipment and the physician himself , Franek said .
“ Never did I ever think this was going to happen , ” Stephanie said .
“ You don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it being that serious .
I was just in shock .
I can ’ t describe that sudden devastating loss , ” she added .
“ I hope people will take COVID more seriously and not say it is a political agenda or some type of fake news or that it is the same as the flu .
”

A Missouri mom hopes the sight of her dying son’s blood dripping down a hospital room wall will help Americans take COVID-19 seriously.
Peyton Baumgarth was just 13 years old when he died of the virus in October, as his mom — a nurse who had also been infected — looked on.
The eighth-grader was diagnosed with coronavirus just six days prior, but suddenly took a turn for the worse with his oxygen levels plummeting, his mom, Stephanie Franek, told the Sun.
As doctors at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital worked frantically to save his life, Peyton began to hemorrhage, his mom said.
“He had this big coughing fit and he basically started to hemorrhage in his chest,” she said.
As one doctor tried to place tubes into the boy’s neck to help oxygenate his blood, the fluid sprayed everywhere, coating the walls, medical equipment and the physician himself, Franek said.
“Never did I ever think this was going to happen,” Stephanie said.
“You don’t hear about kids getting COVID and it being that serious. I was just in shock. I can’t describe that sudden devastating loss,” she added.
“I hope people will take COVID more seriously and not say it is a political agenda or some type of fake news or that it is the same as the flu.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--What the New York Times hasn’t admitted: Goodwin

The best stories in The New York Times often involve the Gray Lady ’ s self-flagellation over a doozy of a mistake , and Saturday was one of those days .
The paper was crowded with confessions , explanations and apologies over a disgraced podcast called “ Caliphate ” that went off the rails and into the weeds of fiction .
Over 12 episodes in 2018 , the program promoted the false boasts of a Pakistani man living in Canada who claimed he murdered and beheaded people as a member of Islamic State in Syria .
The man , Shehroze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abu Huzayfah , also told tales about terrorist leaders using maps to plan attacks on Western targets and aiming for another 9/11 .
“ They wanted to outdo Al Qaeda , ” Chaudhry warned .
It was sensational stuff and the release sparked political fallout in Canada , with Justin Trudeau ’ s government accused of not monitoring the return of Islamic State fiends .
Soon , however , critics suggested the Times had been duped and that Chaudhry never joined ISIS or committed crimes .
It turns out that the battlefield pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own were taken off the Internet .
Although he visited South Africa and lived for a time in Pakistan with his grandparents , Canadian intelligence believes he never set foot in Syria .
Indeed , by then Chaudhry was working in his family ’ s shawarma shop in a suburban Ontario strip mall .
Predictably , the Times and lead reporter Rukmini Callimachi fought the critics and insisted the paper had gotten the truth out of Chaudhry .
The Times began to seriously re-examine its work only when their star confessor was arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with committing a terrorist hoax by claiming he was a killer when he actually wasn ’ t .
Finally , the paper ’ s surrender came Friday in a voluminous mea culpa , where top editor Dean Baquet shredded the podcast for failing to vet Chaudhry and ignoring discrepancies .
The Times reporters who spent two months hunting the truth described Chaudhry as a “ Walter Mitty ” fabulist , and reporter Callimachi apologized .
She keeps her job but is pulled off the terror beat and a Peabody award she won for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times said .
The bizarre episode is important because it helps illustrate what has happened to the Times since it abandoned its standards of fairness and accuracy to pursue a far-left political and cultural agenda .
While the ritualistic repentance in this case seems sincere , it is also designed to create the impression that everything else the paper publishes can be trusted .
Nonsense .
Here are a few recent examples that had far worse impacts than “ Caliphate ” and none have been admitted or corrected .
The Times was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern journalism : The false claims that President Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election .
The paper pushed the narrative and was rewarded with Pulitzers and other awards .
The Times played Pied Piper to pack rats from other outlets who joined the feast of fabrication .
The campaign , based largely on anonymous sources , sabotaged a presidency for nearly three years .
Even after special counsel Robert Mueller came up empty in trying to find collusion , the Times and fellow culprits never expressed contrition for their destructive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their justification .
The paper also played a major role in the unforgivable smearing of Brett Kavanaugh during the 2018 Supreme Court nomination battle .
Times reporters reflexively gave credence to lurid allegations that had not a shred of evidence in a bid to block his confirmation .
To this day , there have been no apologies or explanations .
Then there is the 1619 Project , where the Times took it upon itself to rewrite American history , despite esteemed historians pointing out its major errors .
For Baquet and his crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bid to advance a radical racial narrative .
The list of errors also includes things the Times doesn ’ t print because the facts conflict with its partisan position .
It withheld until after the election the knowledge that e-mails linking Joe Biden to his son Hunter ’ s foreign business schemes were authentic .
Despite the different topics involved , the fundamental mistakes are similar .
The Times runs afoul when it shapes stories to make the truth appear what reporters and editors want it to be .
When facts don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or massaged .
Baquet ’ s description of what went wrong in the “ Caliphate ” podcast could apply to the other cases as well .
“ We fell in love with the fact that we had gotten a member of ISIS who would describe his life in the caliphate and would describe his crimes , ” he told NPR .
“ I think we were so in love with it that when we saw evidence that maybe he was a fabulist , when we saw evidence that he was making some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen hard enough.
” “ Love ” may sound like an odd word in the context , but journalists with zeal for a story often act like people madly in love .
Blind to flaws and drawbacks obvious to others , they race ahead convinced of their own righteousness .
Putting the brakes on zealousness is why rigorous standards were created at the Times more than a century ago .
Rules demanding fairness , accuracy and impartiality aimed to keep stories straight and win public trust .
Baquet eliminated those standards in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trash Trump in virtually every story .
Although the daily dose of Trump hate brought increased revenues , the more enduring result is a collapse of public trust in the Times .
Not coincidentally , the number and scope of major screwups has also ballooned .
That ’ s what happens when you stop being a newspaper and become an activist chasing social and political agendas .
Reader John Verras , describing himself as a restaurant worker who hasn ’ t worked in nine months , is near his wits ’ end .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discarded as if our services are no longer needed .
“ Gov .
Cuomo is so caught up in himself and the damage he created during the early days that he ’ s willing to throw anything at the situation , even our industry , to try to show he cares .
“ So now I will be forced to use primitive instincts to survive because the city I was happy to serve all my life says ‘ Closed Indefinitely ’ to me and my family.
” Does the aroma improve with age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Mayor de Blasio ’ s new admissions policy for middle schools an experiment because we already know the results .
Most schools will get worse and many families will flee .
The plan is to eliminate merit — attendance , grades , test scores , behavior — in favor of a lottery .
Then again , maybe we should pick the next mayor the same way .
Almost any New Yorker selected in a random drawing would be an improvement over de Blasio .

The best stories in The New York Times often involve the Gray Lady’s self-flagellation over a doozy of a mistake, and Saturday was one of those days. The paper was crowded with confessions, explanations and apologies over a disgraced podcast called “Caliphate” that went off the rails and into the weeds of fiction.
Over 12 episodes in 2018, the program promoted the false boasts of a Pakistani man living in Canada who claimed he murdered and beheaded people as a member of Islamic State in Syria. The man, Shehroze Chaudhry, who went by the name Abu Huzayfah, also told tales about terrorist leaders using maps to plan attacks on Western targets and aiming for another 9/11. “They wanted to outdo Al Qaeda,” Chaudhry warned.
It was sensational stuff and the release sparked political fallout in Canada, with Justin Trudeau’s government accused of not monitoring the return of Islamic State fiends.
Soon, however, critics suggested the Times had been duped and that Chaudhry never joined ISIS or committed crimes. It turns out that the battlefield pictures he posted on social media as his own were taken off the Internet.
Although he visited South Africa and lived for a time in Pakistan with his grandparents, Canadian intelligence believes he never set foot in Syria. Indeed, by then Chaudhry was working in his family’s shawarma shop in a suburban Ontario strip mall.
Predictably, the Times and lead reporter Rukmini Callimachi fought the critics and insisted the paper had gotten the truth out of Chaudhry. The Times began to seriously re-examine its work only when their star confessor was arrested in Canada two months ago and charged with committing a terrorist hoax by claiming he was a killer when he actually wasn’t.
Finally, the paper’s surrender came Friday in a voluminous mea culpa, where top editor Dean Baquet shredded the podcast for failing to vet Chaudhry and ignoring discrepancies. The Times reporters who spent two months hunting the truth described Chaudhry as a “Walter Mitty” fabulist, and reporter Callimachi apologized. She keeps her job but is pulled off the terror beat and a Peabody award she won for the series has been returned, the Times said.
The bizarre episode is important because it helps illustrate what has happened to the Times since it abandoned its standards of fairness and accuracy to pursue a far-left political and cultural agenda.
While the ritualistic repentance in this case seems sincere, it is also designed to create the impression that everything else the paper publishes can be trusted.
Nonsense. Here are a few recent examples that had far worse impacts than “Caliphate” and none has been admitted or corrected.
The Times was the lead offender in the greatest error in modern journalism: The false claims that President Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election.
The paper pushed the narrative and was rewarded with Pulitzers and other awards. The Times played Pied Piper to pack rats from other outlets who joined the feast of fabrication.
The campaign, based largely on anonymous sources, sabotaged a presidency for nearly three years. Even after special counsel Robert Mueller came up empty in trying to find collusion, the Times and fellow culprits never expressed contrition for their destructive errors. Their hatred of Trump was their justification.
The paper also played a major role in the unforgivable smearing of Brett Kavanaugh during the 2018 Supreme Court nomination battle. Times reporters reflexively gave credence to lurid allegations that had not a shred of evidence in a bid to block his confirmation. To this day, there have been no apologies or explanations.
Then there is the 1619 Project, where the Times took it upon itself to rewrite American history, despite esteemed historians pointing out its major errors. For Baquet and his crew, facts didn’t matter in their bid to advance a radical racial narrative.
The list of errors also includes things the Times doesn’t print because the facts conflict with its partisan position. It withheld until after the election the knowledge that e-mails linking Joe Biden to his son Hunter’s foreign business schemes were authentic.
Despite the different topics involved, the fundamental mistakes are similar. The Times runs afoul when it shapes stories to make the truth appear what reporters and editors want it to be. When facts don’t fit, they are ignored or massaged.
Baquet’s description of what went wrong in the “Caliphate” podcast could apply to the other cases as well.
“We fell in love with the fact that we had gotten a member of ISIS who would describe his life in the caliphate and would describe his crimes,” he told NPR. “I think we were so in love with it that when we saw evidence that maybe he was a fabulist, when we saw evidence that he was making some of it up, we didn’t listen hard enough.”
“Love” may sound like an odd word in the context, but journalists with zeal for a story often act like people madly in love. Blind to flaws and drawbacks obvious to others, they race ahead convinced of their own righteousness.
Putting the brakes on zealousness is why rigorous standards were created at the Times more than a century ago. Rules demanding fairness, accuracy and impartiality aimed to keep stories straight and win public trust.
Baquet eliminated those standards in 2016 when he gave reporters free rein to trash Trump in virtually every story. Although the daily dose of Trump hate brought increased revenues, the more enduring result is a collapse of public trust in the Times.
Not coincidentally, the number and scope of major screwups has also ballooned. That’s what happens when you stop being a newspaper and become an activist chasing social and political agendas.
You’re starvin’ us, Gov. Cuomo!
Reader John Verras, describing himself as a restaurant worker who hasn’t worked in nine months, is near his wits’ end. He writes: “We are being discarded as if our services are no longer needed.
“Gov. Cuomo is so caught up in himself and the damage he created during the early days that he’s willing to throw anything at the situation, even our industry, to try to show he cares.
“So now I will be forced to use primitive instincts to survive because the city I was happy to serve all my life says ‘Closed Indefinitely’ to me and my family.”
Sauvignon blecch
Headline: Illegal winery found in Alabama sewage plant.
Does the aroma improve with age?
Muddle schools
It’s not accurate to call Mayor de Blasio’s new admissions policy for middle schools an experiment because we already know the results. Most schools will get worse and many families will flee.
The plan is to eliminate merit — attendance, grades, test scores, behavior — in favor of a lottery.
Then again, maybe we should pick the next mayor the same way. Almost any New Yorker selected in a random drawing would be an improvement over de Blasio.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Knicks waiving Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Knicks waiving Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The Knicks are waiving a member of their Kentucky corps .
The team is parting ways with forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist @ @ @ @ @ Marc Berman confirmed .
The Athletic was the first to report the news .
The @ @ @ @ @ of the many on the Knicks — signed with the team in late November in @ @ @ @ @ career after eight seasons .
Kidd-Gilchrist , 27 , had been in the running for @ @ @ @ @ spot but did not play in the preseason because of an illness , which was @ @ @ @ @ with Kidd-Gilchrist , means the final slots will likely go to Omari Spellman and Ignas @ @ @ @ @ star Myles Powell could also be an option , but he will probably start the @ @ @ @ @

The Knicks are waiving a member of their Kentucky corps.
The team announced it is parting ways with forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
The former Kentucky star — one of the many on the Knicks — signed with the team in late November in the hope of reviving his career after eight seasons.
Kidd-Gilchrist, 27, had been in the running for the Knicks’ final roster spot but did not play in the preseason because of an illness, which was not COVID-19. Parting ways with Kidd-Gilchrist, means the final slots will likely go to Omari Spellman and Ignas Brazdeikis.
Former Seton Hall star Myles Powell and guard Bryce Brown were also waived. Powell will likely start the season in the G-League.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Arson suspect charged in MTA conductor’s death granted no bail

The disturbed arsonist charged in a subway fire that killed an MTA conductor was ordered held without bail Saturday .
A day after his arrest in the case , Nathaniel Avinger , 50 , was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge during a virtual court appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court .
Prosecutors said he started the March 27 fire on a Harlem No .
2 train that killed conductor Garrett Goble and injured 16 others .
“ The defendant admitted to being on the train lighting papers on fire , but claims he didn ’ t set the big fire.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal history , alleging that two weeks before the subway incident he set a pile of garbage on fire at 125th Street in Harlem , causing a large blaze that damaged wiring on a lighting pole .
Avinger ’ s Legal Aid lawyer Marnie Zien asked that Avinger be offered some bail , but Judge Douglas Hoffman deemed him a flight risk and ordered him held .
Avenger has also been charged with third-degree sexual abuse for groping a female MTA employee .
His rap sheet also includes 13 misdemeanors , plus felonies @ @ @ @ @ @

Khristina Narizhnaya, Elizabeth Elizalde

The disturbed accused arsonist charged in a subway fire that killed an MTA conductor was ordered held without bail Saturday.
A day after his arrest in the case, Nathaniel Avinger, 50, was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge during a virtual court appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Prosecutors said he started the March 27 fire on a Harlem No. 2 train that killed conductor Garrett Goble and injured 16 others.
“The fire completely destroyed the train car,” Assistant District Attorney Christine Keenan told a judge Saturday.
“The defendant admitted to being on the train lighting papers on fire, but claims he didn’t set the big fire.”
Prosecutors pointed to Avinger’s criminal history, alleging that two weeks before the subway incident he set a pile of garbage on fire at 125th Street in Harlem, causing a large blaze that damaged wiring on a lighting pole.
Avinger’s Legal Aid lawyer Marnie Zien asked that Avinger be offered some bail, but Judge Douglas Hoffman deemed him a flight risk and ordered him held.
Avenger has also been charged with third-degree sexual abuse for groping a female MTA employee.
His rap sheet also includes 13 misdemeanors, plus felonies including robbery and attempted assault.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Bills rout Broncos to win AFC East, end Patriots’ dominance

DENVER — The Buffalo Bills captured their first AFC East title in a quarter-century Saturday when 24-year-old quarterback Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in a 48-19 rout of the Denver Broncos .
The Bills ( 11-3 ) scored twice in a 17-second span in the third quarter to ice their fourth straight victory that officially ended the New England Patriots ’ 11-year reign atop the division .
The Broncos ( 5-9 ) have their fourth consecutive losing season for the first time since they had 10 straight sub-.500 campaigns from 1963-72 .
They also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years without making the playoffs following a Super Bowl title .
Allen threw for 359 yards , hitting Stefon Diggs 11 times for 147 yards before a foot injury in the fourth quarter , and Cole Beasley eight times for 112 yards .
Allen also tied Jack Kemp ’ s record of 25 career touchdown runs with his second TD scamper , a 1-yard keeper to the right that was set up by Andre Roberts ’ 55-yard return of Taylor Russilino ’ s short second-half kickoff .
The Broncos turned to Russolino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the XFL , the Canadian Football League and even the Chinese arena league after Brandon McManus went on the COVID-19 reserve list .
Russolino missed a 51-yard field goal and two extra points on a windy day that didn ’ t adversely affect Bills kicker Tyler Bass , who made both field goal attempts and all six extra points .
After Allen ’ s 1-yard TD run to start the second half , cornerback Tre ’ Davious White strip-sacked Drew Lock on Denver ’ s first offensive play .
Defensive end Jerry Hughes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weaved his way through several Broncos to make it 35-13 .
Allen dismantled Denver ’ s makeshift secondary that had lost five cornerbacks in two weeks , picking on De ’ Vante Bausby all afternoon while completing 28 of 40 passes .
Rookie cornerback Michael Ojemudia held his own but was ejected in the third quarter for slapping Bills rookie receiver Gabriel Davis .
The Bills took a 21-13 halftime lead behind Allen ’ s touchdown throws of 9 yards to tight end Dawson Knox and 22 yards to Jake Kumerow sandwiched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone .
Kumerow became the 13th Bills player to catch a TD pass this year .
That tied an NFL record set by seven other teams .
Lock hit tight end Noah Fant with a 6-yard touchdown toss with 5 seconds left in the first half , but Russolino missed the extra point .
He also missed the 51-yard field goal attempt way to the right on Denver ’ s opening drive , after which Allen drove the Bills 59 yards in 13 plays on an adventurous drive that included him recovering his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also somehow got off a pass while being dragged down .
Knox broke away from Bausby to catch Allen ’ s 9-yard TD throw , and Allen made it 14-0 when he scampered in from 24 yards to cap a 95-yard drive .
A muffed punt opened the door for Denver ’ s first score , a 10-yard run by Melvin Gordon .
Late in the first half , the Bills had the ball at the Broncos 5-yard line when a trio of penalties had them facing first-and-goal from the 30 .
Allen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle from 22 yards to put Buffalo ahead 21-7 .

DENVER — Donning gray caps that declared them AFC East champions for the first time since 1995, the Buffalo Bills acted like this was old hat.
“We’re going to enjoy it on the flight back home, but we know the job ain’t done yet,” defensive end Jerry Hughes said after the Bills’ 48-19 dismantling of the Denver Broncos officially ended New England’s 11-year reign atop the division.
“We still have a lot more to accomplish,” added Hughes, who contributed to the Bills’ biggest blowout of 2020 with a 21-yard fumble return for a touchdown just 17 seconds after Josh Allen’s second TD run.
Sporting blue T-shirts that read “Won but not done,” the Bills (11-3) acted like the Patriots did all those years when they dominated the division and AFC East titles were mere stepping stones.
“It’s great that we’re able to do it the first time in 25 years,” Allen said. “To be the team and to be the quarterback on the team that does it, obviously feels really good. At the same time, that’s not our end goal. We set out to do this in order to get the chance to do what we really want to do, and that’s to win a Super Bowl championship.”
No disrespect to those celebrating, of course.
“I know our fans and Bills Mafia is probably going crazy right now,” Allen added. “But there’s still a lot on the table.”
Josh Allen and the Bills beat the Broncos to clinch the AFC East title on Saturday. Getty Images
Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said he received a congratulatory email from Marv Levy, the last Bills coach to win the AFC East.
Allen, who wasn’t even born the last time the Bills won the division in 1995, ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more against the team that bypassed him in the 2018 NFL draft despite his starring at windy Wyoming, just 2½ hours north of Denver.
Asked if the snub by Broncos general manager John Elway, who chose linebacker Bradley Chubb instead, made this milestone moment any more meaningful, Allen responded, “I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
While the Bills have turned things around in Allen’s three seasons, the Broncos (5-9) continue to founder. This loss secured their fourth consecutive losing season, something that hadn’t happened in Denver since the franchise’s futile early days in the 1960s and early ’70s.
They also became the first team ever to go five years without making the playoffs following a Super Bowl title.
Allen threw for 359 yards, hitting Stefon Diggs 11 times for 147 yards before he suffered a foot injury in the fourth quarter, and Cole Beasley eight times for 112 yards.
Allen also tied Jack Kemp’s record of 25 career touchdown runs with his second TD scamper, a 1-yard keeper to the right that was set up by Andre Roberts’ 55-yard return of Taylor Russilino’s short second-half kickoff.
After Allen’s 1-yard TD run to start the second half, cornerback Tre’Davious White strip-sacked Drew Lock on Denver’s first offensive play. Defensive end Jerry Hughes scooped up the ball at the 21 and weaved his way through several Broncos to make it 35-13.
Allen dismantled Denver’s makeshift secondary that had lost five cornerbacks in two weeks, picking on De’Vante Bausby all afternoon while completing 28 of 40 passes. Rookie cornerback Michael Ojemudia held his own but was ejected in the third quarter for slapping Bills rookie receiver Gabriel Davis.
Allen threw touchdown passes to Dawson Knox and Jake Kumerow, who became the 13th Bills player to catch a TD pass, tying an NFL record held by seven other teams.
Lock hit tight end Noah Fant with a 6-yard touchdown toss with 5 seconds left in the first half, but Russolino missed the extra point. He also missed the 51-yard field goal attempt way to the right on Denver’s opening drive.
“I thought offensively we had a pretty good first half there,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “If we make the field goal and extra point for 17 points, you’re looking at a tight game.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--What virus? Over 1 million travelers screened by TSA Friday

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic .
So much for @ @ @ @ @ a million people were screened by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration on Friday as the @ @ @ @ @ in earnest — despite urgent warnings from public health officials .
“ Gatherings with family @ @ @ @ @ live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu @ @ @ @ @ warned .
Travel in American airports has plummeted 59 percent as compared to a year @ @ @ @ @ 1,066,747 who were screened by TSA on Friday marked the sixth time passenger counts were @ @ @ @ @ since the pandemic began in March , according to USA Today .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
So much for staying home!
More than a million people were screened by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration on Friday as the holiday travel season kicked off in earnest — despite urgent warnings from public health officials.
“Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu,” the CDC has warned.
Travel in American airports has plummeted 59 percent as compared to a year ago.
Still, the 1,066,747 who were screened by TSA on Friday marked the sixth time passenger counts were above the one million mark since the pandemic began in March, according to USA Today.


newyorkpost--2020-12-19--Improving Denzel Mims set for Jets return: ‘Man, he’s getting this’

The dubious countdown for the Jets continues Sunday when they ...

All Denzel Mims could do was watch last week as his Jets teammates got blown out in Seattle.
Mims had to return home to Texas to deal with a family emergency. That caused him to miss COVID-19 testing that week, which kept him out of the game. Mims returned to New Jersey two days before the Seahawks game, but players must have five consecutive negative tests to play, so there was not enough time for him to be cleared.
“It was pretty tough, just knowing that I’m healthy to play and I wasn’t able to play with the team and watching them play a very good team,” Mims said. “It was tough seeing that. I wish I was there.”
Mims is back now and will play Sunday at the Rams. The rookie wide receiver from Baylor is one of the few reasons to watch the Jets over the final three games of the season. He has been improving since recovering from hamstring injuries that kept him out of the first six games.
Denzel Mims Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“I’m no [rocket scientist] by any means, but right now I like how [Mims] is ascending, I like where he’s going,” coach Adam Gase said. “Each week he’s getting better. I see him do something, whether it’s at practice or a game, where I’m like, ‘Man, he’s getting this,’ and you get excited and you love being around him, you love coaching him.”
Mims has 19 catches for 324 yards in six games. He has yet to score a touchdown but did catch a two-point conversion pass against the Raiders. Mims was asked this week what he will focus on improving this offseason.
“The main focus for me is I want to be able to be labeled as a good route runner,” Mims said. “That’s what, in the offseason, I’m going to work on a lot. I’m going to try to be good in that area and be good at everything else. I want to be that go-to guy. I’m going to try to do everything I can so I can impress the coaches and my teammates so they can trust in me.”
The Jets will have Sam Ficken back at kicker Sunday after Sergio Castillo was cut this week. Castillo missed three field goals against the Seahawks on Sunday and was cut two days later. Ficken came off injured reserve after dealing with a groin injury.
“I just didn’t think he was keeping his head down enough,” special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said of Castillo’s issues. “I think his follow-through was a little short. And the thing with all players, at any position, if you have one bad play, you got to put it behind you and go to the next. It doesn’t matter if you’re a corner, you’re a linebacker, you’re a lineman, it doesn’t matter, especially a kicker, where it’s a lot mentally. You can’t let one bad play turn into two, two turn into three, three turn into four. And then, next thing you know, it’s terrible.”
CB Bless Austin was fined $4,210 for unsportsmanlike conduct in last week’s loss to the Seahawks. …K Sam Ficken was activated from IR and will kick Sunday. … DL Tanzel Smart, LB Sharif Finch and LB Noah Dawkins were elevated from the practice squad.