newyorkpost--2020-03-25--‘In the Heights,’ ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ releases postponed due to coronavirus

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the world , Hollywood has become one of its biggest financial victims .
Warner Brothers studio announced on Tuesday that it is pushing the release of “ Wonder Woman 1984 , ” which was supposed to hit theaters June 5 , back one month amid growing concerns over theater closures .
“ When we greenlit ‘ Wonder Woman 1984 , ’ it was with every intention to be viewed on the big screen and are excited to announce that Warner Bros. Pictures will be bringing the film to theatres on Aug. 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pictures Group , Toby Emmerich , said in a statement .
Gal Gadot , the star of the Wonder Woman sequel , tweeted about the change of plans along with a new poster for the film .
“ In these dark and scary times , I am looking forward to a brighter future ahead .
Where we can share the power of cinema together again , ” Gadot wrote .
“ Excited to redate our WW84 film to August 14 , 2020 .
I hope everyone is safe .
Sending my love to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1984 ” has a firm release date , the same can not be said for the screenplay adaptation of Lin Manuel-Miranda ’ s “ In the Heights.
” The adaptation for the Tony Award-winning musical was originally scheduled to dance its way into theatres on June 26 .
However , a new release date has not been set .
There has been no reason given for the lack of a new release date .
Lin Manuel-Miranda , who wrote the show ’ s music and lyrics , also took to Twitter to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponement of these films and others were seemingly inevitable as theaters across the country have shut down to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the world, Hollywood has become one of its biggest financial victims.
Warner Brothers studio announced Tuesday that it is pushing the release of “Wonder Woman 1984,” which was supposed to hit theaters June 5, back one month amid growing concerns over theater closures.
“When we greenlit ‘Wonder Woman 1984,’ it was with every intention to be viewed on the big screen and are excited to announce that Warner Bros. Pictures will be bringing the film to theatres on Aug. 14,” the chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Toby Emmerich, said in a statement.
Gal Gadot, the star of the “Wonder Woman” sequel, tweeted about the change of plans along with a new poster for the film.
“In these dark and scary times, I am looking forward to a brighter future ahead. Where we can share the power of cinema together again,” Gadot wrote. “Excited to redate our WW84 film to August 14, 2020. I hope everyone is safe. Sending my love to you all.”
While “Wonder Woman 1984” has a firm release date, the same cannot be said for the screenplay adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.”
The adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical was originally scheduled to dance its way into theaters on June 26. However, a new release date has not been set. There has been no reason given for the lack of a new release date.
Miranda, who wrote the show’s music and lyrics, also took to Twitter to tell fans the sad news.
The postponement of these films and others was seemingly inevitable as theaters across the country have shut down to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--NBAer Karl-Anthony Towns: My mom is in coma with coronavirus

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Karl-Antony Towns ’ mother has been diagnosed with the coronavirus and is currently in a coma , the NBA star revealed in an emotional Instagram video late Tuesday night .
The 24-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves center , whose mom is connected to a ventilator , said he was told early last week that she was not feeling well and that her condition began “ deteriorating ” over the next few days , spiking a fever as high as 103 degrees .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at one point , but that things went “ sideways ” again .
Towns said he told this story to warn others how serious the coronavirus is and take seriously the practice of social distancing .
“ We can beat this , but this is serious and we need to take every precaution , ” Towns wrote in the post .
“ Sharing my story in the hopes that everyone stays at home !
We need more equipment and we need to help those medical personnel on the front lines .
“ Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping my mom .
You are all the true heroes !
Praying for all of us at this difficult time .
”

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Karl-Anthony Towns’ mother Jacqueline Cruz has been diagnosed with the coronavirus and is in a medically-induced coma, the NBA star revealed in an emotional Instagram video late Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves center, whose mom is connected to a ventilator, said he was told early last week that she was not feeling well and that her condition began “deteriorating” over the next few days, when she spiked a fever as high as 103 degrees. He added that she had been improving for a bit at one point, but that things went “sideways” again.
Towns said he told this story to warn others how serious the coronavirus is and to take seriously the practice of social distancing.
“We can beat this, but this is serious and we need to take every precaution,” Towns wrote in the post. “Sharing my story in the hopes that everyone stays at home! We need more equipment and we need to help those medical personnel on the front lines.
“Thank you to the medical staff who are helping my mom. You are all the true heroes! Praying for all of us at this difficult time.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Kenyon Martin Jr. declares for the 2020 NBA Draft

It looks like another Kenyon Martin could be headed to the NBA , despite not taking the traditional college path .
Kenyon Martin Jr. — the son of former Nets great Kenyon Martin — has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft in an Instagram post on Tuesday .
His father also confirmed the news to ESPN .
Martin Jr. , a 6-foot-7 wing , passed up a chance to play for the Vanderbilt Commodores , choosing to attend post-graduate school instead .
He thanks his supporters and had a message in his announcement to those who disagreed with that decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported me and my decisions is up to this point , ” he wrote .
“ There was a lot of hate and doubt about my journey but I feel I ’ ve done what was best for me and now is the time to take the next step which is to Declare for the 2020 NBA Draft.
” It has been a lifelong dream of mine and I will continue to work day by day to prove to myself and everyone that this is where I belong.
” Martin Jr. has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to have a career like his father .
Martin , who played in the NBA for 15 seasons , helped lead the then-New Jersey Nets to two NBA final appearances .
He averaged 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during his long career .

It looks like another Kenyon Martin could be headed to the NBA, despite not taking the traditional college path.
Kenyon Martin Jr. — the son of former Nets great Kenyon Martin — has declared for the 2020 NBA Draft in an Instagram post on Tuesday. His father also confirmed the news to ESPN.
Martin Jr., a 6-foot-7 wing, passed up a chance to play for the Vanderbilt Commodores, choosing to attend post-graduate school instead. He thanks his supporters and had a message in his announcement to those who disagreed with that decision.
“I appreciate everyone who has supported me and my decisions is up to this point,” he wrote. “There was a lot of hate and doubt about my journey but I feel I’ve done what was best for me and now is the time to take the next step which is to Declare for the 2020 NBA Draft.
“It has been a lifelong dream of mine and I will continue to work day by day to prove to myself and everyone that this is where I belong.”
Martin Jr. has a lot of work to do if he wants to have a career like his father. Martin, who played in the NBA for 15 seasons, helped lead the then-New Jersey Nets to two NBA Finals appearances. He averaged 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during his long career.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--White House, Senate leaders strike deal on $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package

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Senate leaders and the White House struck a deal early Wednesday morning on a $ 2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package to aid an economy that ’ s been hampered by the rapidly worsening pandemic .
“ At last , we have a deal , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said from Senate floor at about 1:30 a.m. “ After days of intense discussions , the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a historic relief package for this pandemic , ” McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedural votes on the mammoth stimulus bill were blocked by Democrats , who felt the package didn ’ t adequately protect American workers .
McConnell likened the massive bill to “ a wartime level of investment into our nation.
” A Senate vote appeared likely Wednesday , with a House vote to follow .
“ We ’ re going to pass this legislation later today , ” vowed McConnell .
Central to the bill are a Republican-led plan to send direct checks to millions of Americans , up to $ 3,400 for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses .
The rescue package includes a $ 367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home .
One of the last issues to close concerned $ 500 billion for guaranteed , subsidized loans to larger industries , including a fight over how generous to be with the airlines .
Hospitals would get significant help as well .

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Senate leaders and the White House struck a deal early Wednesday on a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package to aid an economy that’s been hampered by the rapidly worsening pandemic.
“At last, we have a deal,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said from the Senate floor at about 1:30 a.m.
“After days of intense discussions, the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a historic relief package for this pandemic,” McConnell said.
The deal came after two procedural votes on the mammoth stimulus bill were blocked by Democrats, who felt the package didn’t adequately protect American workers.
McConnell likened the massive bill to “a wartime level of investment into our nation.”
A Senate vote appeared likely Wednesday, with a House vote to follow.
“We’re going to pass this legislation later today,” vowed McConnell.
Central to the bill are a Republican-led plan to send direct checks to millions of Americans, up to $3,400 for a family of four, and loans to businesses.
The rescue package includes a $367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home.
One of the last issues to close concerned $500 billion for guaranteed, subsidized loans to larger industries, including a fight over how generous to be with the airlines.
Hospitals would get significant help as well.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Expert warns of ‘dire’ situation at NYC hospital amid coronavirus

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A medical expert at NewYork-Presbyterian ’ s Columbia University Medical Center detailed the hospital ’ s “ dire ” situation as the number of coronavirus patients skyrocketed in the past week .
“ The reality is what we ’ re seeing right now in our emergency rooms is dire , ” Dr. Craig Spencer , director of global health in emergency medicine , told CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper on Tuesday night .
Spencer said that things have escalated since last week when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients per shift in the emergency room .
“ This week in my shift , nearly every single patient I took care of was coronavirus , and many of them extremely severe , ” Spencer said .
“ Many were put on breathing tubes .
Many decompensated quite quickly.
” With the number of coronavirus cases projected to keep rising , the doctor balked at the idea that the US could return to the status quo by Easter .
“ To think that we will be in any place to lift these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three weeks , for me , seems [ like ] completely magical thinking , ” Spencer said .
“ What we know is that there ’ s math and modeling that can tell us that the number of cases are going to continue to rise .
We ’ re really at the beginning of this outbreak.
” President Trump earlier Tuesday said he wants the country ’ s economy back open for the Christian holiday on April 12 .
“ You ’ ll have packed churches all over our country .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the president said during a Fox News virtual town hall .
Spencer also highlighted how healthcare workers are forced to cope with limited medical supplies , with some staffers using the same n-95 mask for a whole week .
“ The CDC doesn ’ t want you re-using those , ” Spencer said .
“ The supply chain is extremely tight .
”

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A medical expert at NewYork-Presbyterian’s Columbia University Medical Center detailed the hospital’s “dire” situation as the number of coronavirus patients skyrocketed in the past week.
“The reality is what we’re seeing right now in our emergency rooms is dire,” Dr. Craig Spencer, director of global health in emergency medicine, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Tuesday night.
Spencer said that things have escalated since last week when he only tended to one or two coronavirus patients per shift in the emergency room.
“This week in my shift, nearly every single patient I took care of was coronavirus, and many of them extremely severe,” Spencer said. “Many were put on breathing tubes. Many decompensated quite quickly.”
With the number of coronavirus cases projected to keep rising, the doctor balked at the idea that the US could return to the status quo by Easter.
“To think that we will be in any place to lift these restrictionary measures by Easter in just two or three weeks, for me, seems [like] completely magical thinking,” Spencer said.
“What we know is that there’s math and modeling that can tell us that the number of cases are going to continue to rise. We’re really at the beginning of this outbreak.”
President Trump earlier Tuesday said he wants the country’s economy back open for the Christian holiday on April 12.
“You’ll have packed churches all over our country. I think it will be a beautiful time,” the president said during a Fox News virtual town hall.
Spencer also highlighted how healthcare workers are forced to cope with limited medical supplies, with some staffers using the same n-95 mask for a whole week.
“The CDC doesn’t want you re-using those,” Spencer said. “The supply chain is extremely tight.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Where the Mets will turn after Noah Syndergaard disaster

And then there were five .
Among the storylines that had developed before the COVID-19 outbreak suspended spring training was the Mets ’ six starters for five rotation spots .
Noah Syndergaard ’ s torn ulnar collateral ligament , which will keep him sidelined into 2021 , has ended that rotation battle .
Jacob deGrom , Marcus Stroman , Steven Matz , Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha are the Mets ’ five starters for now .
With the season on hold indefinitely , team officials have more significant issues with which to grapple than where they might find rotation depth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t put too much consideration into a largely barren free-agent market .
Among the in-house possibilities are David Peterson , Walker Lockett and Corey Oswalt should the Mets need another rotation arm .
The lefty Peterson was the organization ’ s top draft pick in 2017 , but hasn ’ t pitched above the Double-A level .
Last year he went 3-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 24 starts for Binghamton .
In camp this spring he had impressed team officials , but was slated to begin the season at Triple-A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and could be claimed off waivers if he doesn ’ t begin the season on the roster .
But with MLB officials and teams discussing various scenarios for a late-starting season — which might include a 30-man roster at the beginning — it could be easier for the Mets to carry Lockett if they deem him valuable enough .
The right-hander was 1-1 with an 8.34 ERA in nine appearances for the Mets last season .
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag Seth Lugo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but inserting either into the rotation would weaken an already suspect bullpen .
The Mets lost Zack Wheeler to Tommy John surgery in spring training 2015 and ended up reaching the World Series , but it helped having Syndergaard and Matz join the team from Triple-A as the season progressed .
Such reinforcements will be harder to find this time .
Before last season , the Mets traded pitching prospect Justin Dunn to the Mariners in the deal that yielded Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz .
At the trade deadline , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the price was pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson .

And then there were five.
Among the storylines that had developed before the COVID-19 outbreak suspended spring training was the Mets’ six starters for five rotation spots. Noah Syndergaard’s torn ulnar collateral ligament, which will keep him sidelined into 2021, has ended that rotation battle.
Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha are the Mets’ five starters for now.
With the season on hold indefinitely, team officials have more significant issues with which to grapple than where they might find rotation depth, but the early indication is they won’t put too much consideration into a largely barren free-agent market.
Among the in-house possibilities are David Peterson, Walker Lockett and Corey Oswalt should the Mets need another rotation arm.
The lefty Peterson was the organization’s top draft pick in 2017, but hasn’t pitched above the Double-A level. Last year he went 3-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 24 starts for Binghamton. In camp this spring he had impressed team officials, but was slated to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse.
Lockett is out of options and could be claimed off waivers if he doesn’t begin the season on the roster. But with MLB officials and teams discussing various scenarios for a late-starting season — which might include a 30-man roster at the beginning — it could be easier for the Mets to carry Lockett if they deem him valuable enough. The right-hander was 1-1 with an 8.34 ERA in nine appearances for the Mets last season.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman are other rotation possibilities, but inserting either into the rotation would weaken an already suspect bullpen.
The Mets lost Zack Wheeler to Tommy John surgery in spring training 2015 and ended up reaching the World Series, but it helped having Syndergaard and Matz join the team from Triple-A as the season progressed. Such reinforcements will be harder to find this time.
Before last season, the Mets traded pitching prospect Justin Dunn to the Mariners in the deal that yielded Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. At the trade deadline, the Mets acquired Stroman from the Blue Jays, but the price was pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--NewYork-Presbyterian casts wide net in search of equipment as coronavirus shortage looms

The state Department of Health advised hospitals to suspend almost ...

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Leaders of a New York City hospital are looking far and wide for life-saving medical equipment — sometimes quite literally — as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to deplete existing stockpiles.
In an internal video briefing obtained by The Post, Dr. Laura Forese, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NewYork-Presbyterian, outlined a plan being organized by an unnamed hospital trustee to charter a flight to China on a mask-finding mission.
It’s one of many avenues being explored by the hospital system to avoid running out of the important personal protective equipment that guards medical professionals from contracting the highly infectious COVID-19 virus currently sweeping the country.
NewYork-Presbyterian staff are also experimenting with several ways to disinfect used masks, including sterilizing them with ultraviolet light or powerful chemicals, according to the briefing, which was sent out to employees Sunday.
“Everyone is going to have to make sacrifices for a while, and everyone is going to have to start thinking differently,” Dr. Forese said in the video. “We’re going to have to reimagine our work entirely.”
In recent days the hospital has instituted a policy goal of allocating one mask per employee every shift, regardless of occupation, with more being given to those in positions that carry a higher risk of coming into contact with the coronavirus.
But this puts the hospital system’s existing supply in jeopardy of running out over the next few weeks. Dr. Forese estimated the hospital’s system is currently using 50,000 masks a day, and by the time it reaches maximum capacity that number has the potential to double.
After it became clear that coronavirus would batter the city’s medical system, the hospital set up and promoted a public email account, masks@nyp.org, to facilitate leads on mask distributors. Instead of becoming a productive way to centralize the search, however, the inbox was inundated with spam and ‘fraudulent’ leads, frustrating hospital leaders looking for a quick fix to their impending equipment shortage.
Earlier Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio blamed President Donald Trump and the federal government for the city’s medical equipment shortage, and said in an appearance on CNN that New York was a mere 10 days away from critical shortages of masks and ventilators that will make a big difference in how New York City weathers the pandemic.
“If we don’t get more ventilators in the next 10 days, people will die who don’t have to die. It’s as simple as that,” Hizzoner told Wolf Blitzer on CNN’s “The Situation Room.”
At the hospital, Dr. Forese said, doctors are currently working on a way to use one ventilator on two patients at once — and NewYork-Presbyterian is working with other facilities to teach medical professionals across the city how to apply the same tactics.
The intensive care unit spent Sunday performing “dry runs” of the technology and said they hoped to have it operational by Monday or Tuesday. “I have to give tremendous credit to our ICU team leaders … they have been working tirelessly on this,” Dr Forese said.
Neither NewYork-Presbyterian nor Dr. Forese responded to a request for comment.
As of Monday, New York has already seen 271 deaths due to the coronavirus, and a total of 26,486 people who have tested positive, according to numbers released by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Five members of Missouri family test positive for coronavirus

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Five members of one family in Missouri have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus — including a preschool teacher in a school where several other educators have contracted the virus .
Jane Weinhaus , 63 , and her immediate family in the St. Louis area , including her husband , two adult children and daughter-in-law , have all tested positive , a local NBC affiliate reported .
Weinhaus had spent several days on a respirator after initially coming down with a cough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlet .
Her husband , Michael , is just two doors down from her in the ICU where they are being treated .
“ That ’ s where it all started , with a cough , and next thing you know , it was not getting better , ” Ryan said .
Ryan , 32 , and the rest of the family appear to have had an easier time recovering .
His brother , Jason , is “ pretty much back to 100 percent ” after developing a fever , aches , shortness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ryan .
“ I did not expect myself to test positive or to have some of these symptoms , but it can happen to anybody , ” Ryan said .
“ It ’ s not just elderly individuals.
” Jane works at a childhood center that has shuttered after other teachers and a parent have come down with the virus , the outlet reported .
She ’ s recovered to the point of being taken off her ventilator .
“ We ’ re still proceeding with caution and cautiously optimistic that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this , ” Ryan said .
Ryan stressed that everyone needs to take care of themselves and stay in their houses .
“ It ’ s not even so much about you protecting yourself , but it ’ s you protecting people on the outside as well , ” Ryan said .
“ So be smart .
Stay in your house .
You know , follow suit .
”

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Five members of one family in Missouri have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus — including a preschool teacher in a school where several other educators have contracted the virus.
Jane Weinhaus, 63, and her immediate family in the St. Louis area, including her husband, two adult children and daughter-in-law, have all tested positive, a local NBC affiliate reported.
Weinhaus had spent several days on a respirator after initially coming down with a cough, her son, Ryan, told the outlet. Her husband, Michael, is just two doors down from her in the ICU where they are being treated.
“That’s where it all started, with a cough, and next thing you know, it was not getting better,” Ryan said.
Ryan, 32, and the rest of the family appear to have had an easier time recovering. His brother, Jason, is “pretty much back to 100 percent” after developing a fever, aches, shortness of breath and a cough, according to Ryan.
“I did not expect myself to test positive or to have some of these symptoms, but it can happen to anybody,” Ryan said. “It’s not just elderly individuals.”
Jane works at a childhood center that has shuttered after other teachers and a parent have come down with the virus, the outlet reported.
She’s recovered to the point of being taken off her ventilator.
“We’re still proceeding with caution and cautiously optimistic that she can remain off the ventilator during all of this,” Ryan said.
Ryan stressed that everyone needs to take care of themselves and stay in their houses.
“It’s not even so much about you protecting yourself, but it’s you protecting people on the outside as well,” Ryan said. “So be smart. Stay in your house. You know, follow suit.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-24--Amazon workers at 6 US warehouses test positive for coronavirus

SEATTLE – The U.S. coronavirus outbreak has spread to at least six Amazon warehouses , infecting workers racing to deliver massive volumes of packages for consumers leery of leaving their homes to shop .
In the past few days , Amazon workers tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel virus , in New York City ; Shepherdsville , Kentucky ; Jacksonville , Florida ; Katy , Texas ; Brownstown , Michigan ; and Oklahoma City , according to Amazon and local media reports .
In some cases , Amazon shut down facilities for cleaning , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their infected colleagues have been quarantined .
Just last week , warehouse workers sounded alarms that the company is not doing enough to protect them from the virus .
That came after workers at Amazon warehouses in Spain and Italy tested positive for the virus .
Since then , more than 1,500 workers from around the world have signed a petition that calls on the company to take additional steps to ensure safety in the workplace .
Some workers complained that Amazon pushes them to meet the per-hour rate at which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they worry discourages safe sanitary practices such as washing hands after a cough or sneeze .
Others have complained about “ stand-up ” meetings , where workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the start of each shift .
The new outbreaks at Amazon ’ s U.S. facilities come days after the online retail giant announced plans to hire 100,000 new workers to help cope with the flood of orders that have clogged its system .
That unexpected surge has rendered Amazon unable to stock and ship household staples to many customers who had come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are supporting the individuals , following guidelines from local officials , and are taking extreme measures to ensure the safety of all the employees at our sites , ” Amazon spokeswoman Lisa Levandowski said in an emailed statement .
The company has recently adopted new policies for its warehouses including more regularly cleaning door handles , stairway handrails , touch screens and more , Levandowski said .
It ’ s nixed stand-up meetings , staggered start and break times to aid social distancing and suspended screening workers as they leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Amazon , though , is struggling to get workers all the protection it wants them to have .
The company placed orders for “ millions of face masks ” to give to employees and contractors who can not work from home , Bezos wrote in a letter to employees Saturday .
Because of the global shortage of those masks , though , very few of those orders have been filled , he wrote .
And while Amazon allows warehouse staff to take time off if they ’ re concerned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warehouses to keep operating , saying in the letter that much of “ the essential work we do ” requires employees to clock in at the company ’ s warehouses , in its delivery vehicles and more .
Amazon has more than 175 warehouses around the globe , including more than 110 in North America .
Levandowski declined to say if workers at any other Amazon facility have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Sweetening its new job offers , Amazon increased pay for hourly employees through April by $ 2 an hour in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour in the United Kingdom , and about 2 euros an hour in parts of the European Union .
The company , which generated $ 280.5 billion in sales last year , said the pay hikes will cost $ 350 million .
Despite the spread of the coronavirus in Amazon ’ s U.S. warehouses , it probably will find workers for the new posts , said Elaine Kwon , founder of e-commerce management and software firm Kwontified and a former Amazon manager .
With unemployment claims already soaring as businesses shutter from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income to pay their rents and feed their families .
“ Quite a few people will be willing to take the risk , ” Kwon said .
Amazon has long had a contentious relationship with some warehouse workers , fighting efforts in the United States and abroad to unionize .
The company , which has nearly 800,000 workers worldwide , most of whom work in its warehouses , has faced criticism for harsh working conditions , insufficient bathroom breaks and difficult-to-attain goals .
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its warehouse staff .
And after the company raised its minimum wage to $ 15 an hour in 2018 , it caught heat for taking away some bonuses and stock grants for warehouse workers .
Last week , four U.S. senators – Sanders and three Democrats , Cory Booker of New Jersey , Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Robert Menendez of New Jersey – sent Bezos a letter expressing concern that the company isn ’ t doing enough to protect its warehouse workers from the coronavirus outbreak .
“ We write today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , safety , and well-being of your employees who are also our constituents , friends , family , and neighbors , ” the senators wrote .
The senators noted that Amazon could also put “ the entire country at risk ” if warehouse conditions aren ’ t sanitary because the coronavirus can live for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel .
They asked Bezos to respond to a series of questions by Thursday .

SEATTLE – The U.S. coronavirus outbreak has spread to at least six Amazon warehouses, infecting workers racing to deliver massive volumes of packages for consumers leery of leaving their homes to shop.
In the past few days, Amazon workers tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel virus, in New York City; Shepherdsville, Kentucky; Jacksonville, Florida; Katy, Texas; Brownstown, Michigan; and Oklahoma City, according to Amazon and local media reports. In some cases, Amazon shut down facilities for cleaning, and some co-workers who were in close contact with their infected colleagues have been quarantined.
Just last week, warehouse workers sounded alarms that the company is not doing enough to protect them from the virus. That came after workers at Amazon warehouses in Spain and Italy tested positive for the virus. Since then, more than 1,500 workers from around the world have signed a petition that calls on the company to take additional steps to ensure safety in the workplace.
Some workers complained that Amazon pushes them to meet the per-hour rate at which it wants orders fulfilled, a practice that they worry discourages safe sanitary practices such as washing hands after a cough or sneeze. Others have complained about “stand-up” meetings, where workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the start of each shift.
The new outbreaks at Amazon’s U.S. facilities come days after the online retail giant announced plans to hire 100,000 new workers to help cope with the flood of orders that have clogged its system. That unexpected surge has rendered Amazon unable to stock and ship household staples to many customers who had come to rely on the company’s convenience.
(Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.)
“We are supporting the individuals, following guidelines from local officials, and are taking extreme measures to ensure the safety of all the employees at our sites,” Amazon spokeswoman Lisa Levandowski said in an emailed statement.
The company has recently adopted new policies for its warehouses including more regularly cleaning door handles, stairway handrails, touch screens and more, Levandowski said. It’s nixed stand-up meetings, staggered start and break times to aid social distancing and suspended screening workers as they leave to improve the flow of workers, she said.
Amazon, though, is struggling to get workers all the protection it wants them to have. The company placed orders for “millions of face masks” to give to employees and contractors who cannot work from home, Bezos wrote in a letter to employees Saturday. Because of the global shortage of those masks, though, very few of those orders have been filled, he wrote.
And while Amazon allows warehouse staff to take time off if they’re concerned, Bezos also expects the company’s warehouses to keep operating, saying in the letter that much of “the essential work we do” requires employees to clock in at the company’s warehouses, in its delivery vehicles and more.
Amazon has more than 175 warehouses around the globe, including more than 110 in North America. Levandowski declined to say if workers at any other Amazon facility have tested positive for COVID-19.
Sweetening its new job offers, Amazon increased pay for hourly employees through April by $2 an hour in the United States, 2 pounds an hour in the United Kingdom, and about 2 euros an hour in parts of the European Union. The company, which generated $280.5 billion in sales last year, said the pay hikes will cost $350 million.
Despite the spread of the coronavirus in Amazon’s U.S. warehouses, it probably will find workers for the new posts, said Elaine Kwon, founder of e-commerce management and software firm Kwontified and a former Amazon manager. With unemployment claims already soaring as businesses shutter from the coronavirus fallout, laid-off workers will need income to pay their rents and feed their families.
“Quite a few people will be willing to take the risk,” Kwon said.
Amazon has long had a contentious relationship with some warehouse workers, fighting efforts in the United States and abroad to unionize. The company, which has nearly 800,000 workers worldwide, most of whom work in its warehouses, has faced criticism for harsh working conditions, insufficient bathroom breaks and difficult-to-attain goals.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has denounced the company for paying subsistence wages to its warehouse staff. And after the company raised its minimum wage to $15 an hour in 2018, it caught heat for taking away some bonuses and stock grants for warehouse workers.
Last week, four U.S. senators – Sanders and three Democrats, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Robert Menendez of New Jersey – sent Bezos a letter expressing concern that the company isn’t doing enough to protect its warehouse workers from the coronavirus outbreak.
“We write today to strongly urge you to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of your employees who are also our constituents, friends, family, and neighbors,” the senators wrote.
The senators noted that Amazon could also put “the entire country at risk” if warehouse conditions aren’t sanitary because the coronavirus can live for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel. They asked Bezos to respond to a series of questions by Thursday.


newyorkpost--2020-03-24--Clippers owner Ballmer buys the Forum from MSG for $400M

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is buying the Forum for $ 400 million , ending the billionaire ’ s legal fight with the Madison Square Garden Company and clearing the way to build a new arena for his NBA team down the street in Inglewood , California .
Ballmer announced his cash purchase of the venerated arena Tuesday .
Ballmer , the former Microsoft executive , and Clippers vice chairman Dennis Wong are making the transaction through CAPSS LLC , a newly formed entity that will continue to operate the Forum as a live music venue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we believe in our collective future , ” Ballmer said .
“ We are committed to our investment in the City of Inglewood , which will be good for the community , the Clippers and our fans.
” Apparently fearing competition for concerts and other big events , MSG has been aggressively attempting to thwart Ballmer ’ s desire to build a state-of-the-art , 18,000-seat home for the Clippers just a few blocks down Prairie Avenue from the Forum .
The two arenas would be separated only by the lavish SoFi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rams owner Stan Kroenke .
MSG , which bought the Forum for a reported $ 23.5 million in 2012 , has sued the Inglewood city government , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature in its various attempts to slow the approval process for Ballmer ’ s privately financed arena project , which is currently undergoing environmental review .
The Forum purchase abruptly wraps up the litigation fight and allows the Clippers to move ahead on their goal to open a new arena when their Staples Center lease expires in 2024 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arena with the Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL ’ s Los Angeles Kings .
Ballmer wants to build a $ 1.2 billion arena on 28 acres of land just south of the SoFi Stadium complex .
The addition of the Clippers ’ new project would put four significant arenas — SoFi Stadium contains a 6,000-seat performance venue in addition to the main football stadium — within one mile of each other on Prairie Avenue .
Ballmer said the Forum and the Clippers ’ new arena will be able to coordinate event schedules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impact of so many people in such a small area of the Los Angeles suburbs .
Chris Meany , a principal in the development company overseeing the Clippers ’ new arena project , acknowledged the importance of traffic management in the deal .
“ While we have gone to great lengths to provide an unprecedented traffic-management plan for the new basketball arena , this acquisition provides a much greater ability to coordinate and avoid scheduling events at the same time at both venues , ” he said .
MSG revitalized the once-Fabulous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the Lakers and Kings left for Staples Center in 1999 .
The building was famously home to the glitzy “ Showtime ” Lakers , who won five championships and reached eight NBA Finals during the 1980s .
Kobe Bryant began his 20-year Lakers career in the arena .
MSG spent a reported $ 50 million on renovations to the arena and re-opened it as a well-regarded venue primarily used for major concerts and combat sports .

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is buying the Forum for $400 million, ending the billionaire’s legal fight with the Madison Square Garden Company and clearing the way to build a new arena for his NBA team down the street in Inglewood, California.
Ballmer announced his cash purchase of the venerated arena Tuesday. Ballmer, the former Microsoft executive, and Clippers vice chairman Dennis Wong are making the transaction through CAPSS LLC, a newly formed entity that will continue to operate the Forum as a live music venue.
“This is an unprecedented time, but we believe in our collective future,” Ballmer said. “We are committed to our investment in the City of Inglewood, which will be good for the community, the Clippers and our fans.”
Apparently fearing competition for concerts and other big events, MSG has been aggressively attempting to thwart Ballmer’s desire to build a state-of-the-art, 18,000-seat home for the Clippers just a few blocks down Prairie Avenue from the Forum. The two arenas would be separated only by the lavish SoFi Stadium complex being built by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
MSG, which bought the Forum for a reported $23.5 million in 2012, has sued the Inglewood city government, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature in its various attempts to slow the approval process for Ballmer’s privately financed arena project, which is currently undergoing environmental review.
The Forum purchase abruptly wraps up the litigation fight and allows the Clippers to move ahead on their goal to open a new arena when their Staples Center lease expires in 2024. The Clippers currently share the downtown arena with the Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.
Ballmer wants to build a $1.2 billion arena on 28 acres of land just south of the SoFi Stadium complex. The addition of the Clippers’ new project would put four significant arenas — SoFi Stadium contains a 6,000-seat performance venue in addition to the main football stadium — within one mile of each other on Prairie Avenue.
Ballmer said the Forum and the Clippers’ new arena will be able to coordinate event schedules while under the same ownership, mitigating the impact of so many people in such a small area of the Los Angeles suburbs.
Chris Meany, a principal in the development company overseeing the Clippers’ new arena project, acknowledged the importance of traffic management in the deal.
“While we have gone to great lengths to provide an unprecedented traffic-management plan for the new basketball arena, this acquisition provides a much greater ability to coordinate and avoid scheduling events at the same time at both venues,” he said.
MSG revitalized the once-Fabulous Forum, which had fallen into disuse after the Lakers and Kings left for Staples Center in 1999. The building was famously home to the glitzy “Showtime” Lakers, who won five championships and reached eight NBA Finals during the 1980s. Kobe Bryant began his 20-year Lakers career in the arena.
MSG spent a reported $50 million on renovations to the arena and re-opened it as a well-regarded venue primarily used for major concerts and combat sports.


newyorkpost--2020-03-24--Rand Paul defends decision to not self-quarantine while awaiting coronavirus test

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Sen. Rand Paul in an op-ed on Tuesday urged folks to stop “ finger-wagging ” at him for not self quarantining while awaiting his coronavirus test results .
“ I did not quarantine while awaiting a coronavirus test because I did not meet the criteria for quarantine , ” the Kentucky Republican wrote in USA Today .
“ In fact , I did not meet the current criteria for even being tested , much less quarantined.
” “ Instead of hounding people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perhaps we need to broaden the testing and quit the finger-wagging.
” Paul , who confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday , was blasted by his colleagues for spending a week interacting with them and aides , as well as using Capitol Hill facilities while awaiting his results .
Republican Sens .
Mitt Romney and Mike Lee , both of Utah , went into self-quarantine after being in proximity to Paul .
The 57-year-old lawmaker said he took the test because he and his wife “ had traveled extensively during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and out of concern for his damaged lung .
Paul had part of his lung removed in August as a result of injuries he suffered when he was attacked by his neighbor in November 2017 — putting him at higher risk for serious complications .
But he never exhibited symptoms , nor was he in contact “ with anyone that health officials recommended quarantining or testing.
” “ The current guidelines would not have called for me to get tested nor quarantined .
It was my extra precaution , out of concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to get tested , ” he wrote .
Paul did attend a March 7 charity ball at Louisville ’ s Speed Art Museum , where two attendees later tested positive .
But , he said , “ I was not considered to be at risk since I never interacted with the two individuals , even from a distance , and was not recommended for testing by health officials.
” He didn ’ t explain how he got the test , which have been scarce , but issued a message to his critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For those who want to criticize me for lack of quarantine , realize that if the rules on testing had been followed to a T , I would never have been tested and would still be walking around the halls of the Capitol , ” Paul wrote .
“ America is strong .
We are a resilient people , but we ’ re stronger when we stand together .
”

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Sen. Rand Paul in an op-ed on Tuesday urged folks to stop “finger-wagging” at him for not self-quarantining while awaiting his coronavirus test results.
“I did not quarantine while awaiting a coronavirus test because I did not meet the criteria for quarantine,” the Kentucky Republican wrote in USA Today. “In fact, I did not meet the current criteria for even being tested, much less quarantined.”
“Instead of hounding people who got tested and then quarantined themselves, perhaps we need to broaden the testing and quit the finger-wagging.”
Paul, who confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, was blasted by his colleagues for spending a week interacting with them and aides, as well as using Capitol Hill facilities while awaiting his results.
Republican Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee, both of Utah, went into self-quarantine after being in proximity to Paul.
The 57-year-old lawmaker said he took the test because he and his wife “had traveled extensively during the weeks prior to COVID-19 social distancing practices” and out of concern for his damaged lung.
Paul had part of his lung removed in August as a result of injuries he suffered when he was attacked by his neighbor in November 2017 — putting him at higher risk for serious complications.
But he never exhibited symptoms, nor was he in contact “with anyone that health officials recommended quarantining or testing.”
“The current guidelines would not have called for me to get tested nor quarantined. It was my extra precaution, out of concern for my damaged lung, that led me to get tested,” he wrote.
Paul did attend a March 7 charity ball at Louisville’s Speed Art Museum, where two attendees later tested positive.
But, he said, “I was not considered to be at risk since I never interacted with the two individuals, even from a distance, and was not recommended for testing by health officials.”
He didn’t explain how he got one of the tests, which have been scarce, but issued a message to his critics and called for broader testing.
“For those who want to criticize me for lack of quarantine, realize that if the rules on testing had been followed to a T, I would never have been tested and would still be walking around the halls of the Capitol,” Paul wrote.
“America is strong. We are a resilient people, but we’re stronger when we stand together.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-24--Nevada governor bans malaria drugs for coronavirus patients

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Nevada ’ s governor on Tuesday banned the use of anti-malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus patients .
Democratic Gov .
Steve Sisolak ’ s executive order came after President Trump touted the medication as holding promise for combating the illness .
Sisolak said there was no consensus among experts or Nevada doctors that the drugs can treat people with COVID-19 .
His order also limits a prescription of the medicines — which are also used to treat illnesses like lupus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure it ’ s available for “ legitimate medical purposes ” and so people don ’ t stockpile the drug .
Trump helped create a recent flurry of demand for the drugs when he announced last week that chloroquine “ could be a game-changer ” and that the FDA had approved it as treatment for coronavirus sufferers , which it has not .
Trump also said hydroxychloroquine could be used in prevention .
But the country ’ s leading infectious-disease doctor , Anthony Fauci , said there is no substantive proof , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works in the battle against the deadly pandemic , only anecdotal information .
Sisolak ’ s order came a day after a Phoenix-area man died and his wife was in critical condition after taking an additive used to clean fish tanks called chloroquine phosphate , similar to the drug used to treat malaria .
As of Tuesday , New York hospitals have federal permission to give patients a cocktail of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to desperately ill patients on a “ compassionate care ” basis .

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Nevada’s governor signed an executive order Tuesday limiting the use of anti-malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus patients.
Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak’s emergency regulation limits the prescription of the drugs in outpatient settings — not in hospitals or emergency rooms — to a 30-day supply, to ensure they’re available for “legitimate medical purposes.”
The action also aims to prevent stockpiling the meds, which are also used to treat arthritis and lupus.
“While these drugs serve necessary medical purposes, this regulation protects the Nevadans who need them and prevents unnecessary hoarding,” Sisolak tweeted.
The move came after President Trump touted the drugs as holding promise for treating COVID-19, creating a flurry of demand.
Trump said last week that chloroquine “could be a game-changer” and that the FDA had approved it as treatment for coronavirus sufferers, which it has not. Trump also said hydroxychloroquine could be used in prevention.
But the country’s leading infectious-disease doctor, Anthony Fauci, said there is no substantive proof, at least yet, that either drug works in the battle against the deadly pandemic, only anecdotal information so far.
Sisolak’s order came a day after a Phoenix-area man died and his wife was in critical condition after taking an additive used to clean fish tanks called chloroquine phosphate, similar to the drug used to treat malaria.
Related Video Coronavirus vaccine at least a year away: WHO expert
As of Tuesday, New York hospitals have federal permission to give desperately ill patients a cocktail of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin on a “compassionate care” basis.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-24--Red Sox reveal minor leaguer tests positive for coronavirus

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The Boston Red Sox announced Tuesday that a minor league player had tested positive for the coronavirus .
The unidentified player received the diagnosis on Monday , and is doing well , the Red Sox said in a statement .
The team also said the player , the first in the Red Sox organization to test positive for the virus , had “ more than likely ” contracted the illness after leaving the Fenway South Red Sox training facility in Fort Myers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Red Sox will shut down the ballpark and surrounding buildings for the next two weeks and will do a “ deep cleaning ’ to disinfect the facility .
“ Following the advice of healthcare professionals , the club has instructed all players and staff who came into close contact with the affected player to self-quarantine for a period of two weeks , ” the Red Sox said in a statement .
Two Yankees minor leaguers also have tested positive for the virus after taking part in spring training at the club ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Red Sox and Yankees are the only MLB franchises to have a known coronavirus case among their players .
There are still a few Red Sox players who have been training voluntarily at the Fenway South facility since MLB spring training was canceled on March 12 .
Those players now can not return to the facility for two weeks and must train elsewhere .

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The Boston Red Sox announced Tuesday that a minor league player had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The unidentified player received the diagnosis on Monday, and is doing well, the Red Sox said in a statement. The team also said the player, the first in the Red Sox organization to test positive for the virus, had “more than likely” contracted the illness after leaving the Fenway South Red Sox training facility in Fort Myers on March 15.
As a precaution, the Red Sox will shut down the ballpark and surrounding buildings for the next two weeks and will do a “deep cleaning” to disinfect the facility.
“Following the advice of healthcare professionals, the club has instructed all players and staff who came into close contact with the affected player to self-quarantine for a period of two weeks,” the Red Sox said in a statement.
Two Yankees minor leaguers also have tested positive for the virus after taking part in spring training at the club’s minor league complex in Tampa. The Red Sox and Yankees are the only MLB franchises to have a known coronavirus case among their players.
There were still a few Red Sox players who have been training voluntarily at the Fenway South facility since MLB spring training was canceled on March 12. Those players now cannot return to the facility for two weeks and must train elsewhere.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--NHL’s coronavirus outlook gets bleak with more postponements

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

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The NHL timeline keeps getting pushed further and further back, all in the name of safety.
With the NHL in a “pause” due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league held a conference call with all 31 general managers on Wednesday afternoon and decided the annual combine in Buffalo and the awards in Las Vegas, along with the draft that was set to be in Montreal this year, all have been postponed.
The combine was set to take place the first week of June, while the awards were scheduled for June 18, normally as close to the end of the Stanley Cup final as possible. The draft was set to be held June 26-27. The only update the league provided was that “the location, timing and format of the 2020 NHL Draft (and Draft Lottery) will be announced when details are finalized.”
The league also decided to extend the players’ self-quarantine from the original date of March 27 to April 4. Players were allowed to travel home if they wanted, as many did. The league also asked teams to work with their arenas to find dates for potential games — now stretching into August, when previously they had said July.
It seems rather optimistic that the NHL and the Players’ Association will be able to work through all of the details needed to restart the season at any point without ruining the start of the 2020-21 season, with training camps scheduled for September. Since the league shut down on March 12, there have been far more questions than answers, and that continues to be the case.
“From a medical perspective, I think we’d have to understand what the risks are for the different groups,” Dr. Willem Meeuwisse, the league’s chief medical officer, told reporters on a call Wednesday. “What are the risks to the players? What are the risks to the staff that would be required to run an event? And what are the risks to the fans?
“Once we know what those things are, I think we can make a more intelligent decision.”
Only two NHL players have tested positive for the virus, both on the Senators, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the quarantine date was “meaningless at this point in time. As we get closer to the date, we’re going to have to make decisions as to what to do then. We’re biting this off in chunks.”
Now that the Olympics have been pushed back, there is a big broadcasting opening for NBC in late summer. The league’s broadcast affiliate certainly would love to have some hockey at that time, but it’s hard to gauge whether that’s going to be possible.
“It’s difficult to predict where the pandemic is going and what the timeline will be,” Meeuwisse said. “But we do expect this is going to get worse before it gets better.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Sick NYPD cop sent back to work — then she tested positive for coronavirus

A Bronx cop was told to get back to work after being out of work with flu-like symptoms — only to test positive for coronavirus days later , The Post has learned .
The female officer , assigned to the 46th Precinct in The Bronx , called out sick on March 17 and visited NYPD doctors on Friday , but by Sunday , the medical division told her to get back in uniform and she complied , police sources said .
On Wednesday , she found out she was positive for the pandemic COVID-19 , the sources said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cough , body ache , chills , congestion , ” one source said , conceding that “ she was starting to feel better when she saw the surgeon on Friday.
” “ Guess never was 100 percent better yet.
” The outbreak has been wreaking havoc on NYPD staffing levels with more than 3,200 cops out sick , three times the average , forcing top brass to warn detectives they could be roped into patrols .
Twenty-eight cops in the 72 Precinct — one of whom was coughing up blood — were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing positive for the bug , sources said .
More than 230 members have been confirmed to have coronavirus .
Sources said NYPD leadership ’ s botched handing out the outbreak has led to a wild-fire spread through the rank-and-file .
“ The girl has a boyfriend who is another cop in the same platoon and boyfriend has a different partner on patrol , ” another source told The Post of the confirmed 46th Precinct case .
“ So , it spreads like fire.
” “ This all goes back to commissioner thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Fausto ] Pichardo , ” the source griped .
“ Let ’ s see them come to a precinct and do patrol.
” The news comes as police sources said officers are angry about the lack of transparency regarding the virus ’ s spread through the department .
The mayor has said ill officers would have to stay off the job for at least a week — though the Bronx cop who later tested positive was out for fewer than seven days .
“ It will not be a fun seven to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven to 10 days they will be right back in uniform right back at their posts , ” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday .
That timeline even appears quicker than what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised , telling people to stay out “ until 14 days after the last potential exposure.
” But the CDC does add “ these decisions should be made based on the local situation , available resources , and competing priorities .
A spokesperson for the NYPD did not immediately respond for comment .

A Bronx cop was told to get back to work after being out of work with flu-like symptoms — only to test positive for coronavirus days later, The Post has learned.
The female officer, assigned to the 46th Precinct in The Bronx, called out sick on March 17 and visited NYPD doctors on Friday, but by Sunday, the medical division told her to get back in uniform and she complied, police sources said.
On Wednesday, she found out she was positive for the pandemic COVID-19, the sources said.
“She had a headache, minor fever, cough, body ache, chills, congestion,” one source said, conceding that “she was starting to feel better when she saw the surgeon on Friday.”
“Guess never was 100 percent better yet.”
A spokesman for the NYPD said the medical division has been doing a “great job.”
“They are following the guidelines on a case by case to the best of their ability,” the spokesman said.
The outbreak has been wreaking havoc on NYPD staffing levels with more than 3,200 cops out sick, three times the average, forcing top brass to warn detectives they could be roped into patrols.
Twenty-eight cops in the 72 Precinct — one of whom was coughing up blood — were out sick alone Wednesday, with three testing positive for the bug, sources said. More than 230 members have been confirmed to have coronavirus.
Sources said NYPD leadership’s botched handing out the outbreak has led to a wild-fire spread through the rank-and-file.
“The girl has a boyfriend who is another cop in the same platoon and boyfriend has a different partner on patrol,” another source told The Post of the confirmed 46th Precinct case. “So, it spreads like fire.”
“This all goes back to commissioner thinking that people can still work… and Chief [Fausto] Pichardo,” the source griped. “Let’s see them come to a precinct and do patrol.”
The news comes as police sources said officers are angry about the lack of transparency regarding the virus’s spread through the department.
The mayor has said ill officers would have to stay off the job for at least a week — though the Bronx cop who later tested positive was out for fewer than seven days.
“It will not be a fun seven to 10 days but the end of that seven to 10 days they will be right back in uniform right back at their posts,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday.
That timeline even appears quicker than what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised, telling people to stay out “until 14 days after the last potential exposure.” But the CDC does add “these decisions should be made based on the local situation, available resources, and competing priorities.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--De Blasio warns half of all New Yorkers will get COVID-19

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Over 4 million New Yorkers — or 50 percent of the city ’ s population — will get the coronavirus , Mayor de Blasio warned Wednesday .
“ It ’ s a fair bet to say that half of all New Yorkers and maybe more than half will end up contracting this disease , ” de Blasio said at a City Hall press briefing about the outbreak as the Big Apple ’ s positive cases approached 18,000 with nearly 200 deaths .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the percentage could be even worse by the fall .
“ We think 50 percent by the end of this epidemic , this pandemic , so by the time September rolls around likely 50 percent , but it could also be much higher , ” Dr. Barbot said at the briefing .
De Blasio added that there ’ s no certain patient zero for the metropolis , even though officials had previously identified a Manhattan health care worker who ’ d returned from Iran as the first case in early March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly when it first asserted here in the city , ” de Blasio admitted .
He reminded New Yorkers that 80 percent of people who contract the disease will have mild symptoms .
Barbot said there are currently “ tens of thousands of New Yorkers ” who ’ ve already contracted COVID-19 or been exposed to it .
“ That ’ s why it ’ s so important for people to stay home , ” she said .
“ We don ’ t want all those people to be seeking health care at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The city ’ s hospital system is nearing its breaking point .
The shortage of safety gear at Mount Sinai West in Manhattan is so dire that desperate nurses have resorted to wearing trash bags — and some blame the situation for the coronavirus death of a beloved colleague .

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Over 4 million New Yorkers — or 50 percent of the city’s population — will get the coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio warned Wednesday.
“It’s a fair bet to say that half of all New Yorkers and maybe more than half will end up contracting this disease,” de Blasio said at a City Hall press briefing about the outbreak as the Big Apple’s positive cases approached 18,000 with nearly 200 deaths.
“That’s worrisome, very deeply worrisome,” Hizzoner added.
His health commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, said the percentage could be even worse by the fall.
“We think 50 percent by the end of this epidemic, this pandemic, so by the time September rolls around, likely 50 percent, but it could also be much higher,” Barbot said at the briefing.
De Blasio added that there’s no certain patient zero for the metropolis, even though officials had previously identified a Manhattan health care worker who’d returned from Iran as the first case in early March.
“We don’t even know truly when it first asserted here in the city,” de Blasio admitted.
He reminded New Yorkers that 80 percent of people who contract the disease will have mild symptoms.
Barbot said there are currently “tens of thousands of New Yorkers” who’ve already contracted COVID-19 or been exposed to it.
“That’s why it’s so important for people to stay home,” she said.
“We don’t want all those people to be seeking health care at the same time,” she said.
The city’s hospital system is nearing its breaking point.
The shortage of safety gear at Mount Sinai West in Manhattan is so dire that desperate nurses have resorted to wearing trash bags — and some blame the situation for the coronavirus death of a beloved colleague.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Joe Montana miffed that Patriots let Tom Brady get away

As a multiple-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who only played for ...

Joe Montana’s final days with the 49ers were sad, but made sense. The three-time Super Bowl MVP was 36, had missed nearly two full seasons with a devastating elbow injury and had watched backup Steve Young became a league MVP, setting up Montana’s once-unthinkable trade to the Chiefs in 1993.
Making sense of Tom Brady’s departure from the Patriots is much harder for Montana to figure out.
“I don’t know what’s going on inside there, but somebody made a mistake,” Montana told USA TODAY Sports. “I had a different story, where they had made a decision. He, obviously, they never would have gotten rid of. I still don’t understand how New England let him get away. I don’t understand that.”
After two decades and a record six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots, Brady, 42, made a once-unimaginable signing to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While Brady has kept quiet about his reasoning for leaving the only NFL team he’s ever known, Montana said he believes the breakup isn’t due to the future Hall of Famer feeling unappreciated in New England.
“He wants control. I mean, he wants a lot of control. I don’t know what Tampa Bay gave him, but at some point in time, you’re just a player. You can try to get what you can and do what you want, but in the end, you’re still not in the hierarchy when it comes to hiring people, firing people and all that,” said Montana, who briefly spoke with Brady before Super Bowl 54. “I don’t know exactly what he’s looking for, but my understanding was that he’s just looking for more control of the offense. But I don’t know. I haven’t had a long conversation with him; I talked to him a little bit at the Super Bowl, but not enough time to really get in-depth.”
Though Montana was unable to win a Super Bowl in Kansas City — making a pair of playoff appearances in his two-year stint, including a run to the 1993 AFC Championship — the four-time Super Bowl champion remembers how much motivation he carried when he arrived to his new home.
“I think it’s going to be fun for him,” Montana said. “Probably for the first time in a long time he’ll be having fun, if I understand what he’s been saying, or what I’ve been reading.
“It actually brings a new excitement to you, to a certain degree. Because it’s not going to be the same-ol’, same-ol’ going into the same locker room that you’ve been going into for so many years, seeing the same people over and over. He doesn’t need a fresh start, but it gives you a great feeling inside, looking forward to trying to help the team move forward. And everybody believes in him, looking forward to watching him play.
“No one will put more pressure on him to perform than himself. That’s his makeup. Most players who have been that successful have that makeup that you can’t add pressure to him. Outside pressure, that external pressure, it slips off your back. I think the pressure comes from within, wanting to perform and show that he can make that change.”
Brady, who idolized Montana as a 49ers fan growing up in Northern California, mentioned the San Francisco legend during his introductory press conference with the Buccaneers.
“I was at Joe’s last game at Candlestick Park. I actually went up there and saw it with my friends, and I’ll never forget that,” Brady said. “I just think life continues to change for all of us, and just having the opportunity for me to continue to play football and lead a team is something that I love doing. I’ve loved playing this sport since I was a kid, since I was throwing footballs in the parking lot at Candlestick. And I still love doing that today.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--The meaning of ‘until tomorrow’ and other Instagram trends during coronavirus

With people social distancing and staying at home during the coronavirus crisis , many have taken to Instagram to pass the time and enjoy a light , fun distraction .
The latest viral Instagram fad dominating feeds is “ until tomorrow , ” which involves users posting embarrassing photos of themselves and captioning them with the phrase — and without context .
When someone likes the photo , the person who posted it has to send direct messages to the likers , instructing them to post their own photo and leave it up for 24 hours — until tomorrow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ So… you liked my post so you have to post an embarrassing picture of yourself , for the caption you ’ re ONLY allowed to write ‘ until tomorrow ’ and you can only tag me.
” As of Wednesday evening , the hashtag # untiltomorrow has over 352,000 posts with people sharing bad selfies and photos of themselves as children .
Since people are bored at home , quite a few Instagram challenges have been popping up .
The challenge # see10do10 is a pushup challenge to encourage at-home workouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Record a video doing 10 pushups , and then tag as many friends as you ’ d like to see do the same .
Many users have also been starting chains in their Instagram Stories , drawing different foods such as oranges and bananas and tagging their friends so they ’ ll join the virtual arty party , too .
There ’ s also the # SeeAPupSendAPup challenge on Twitter and Instagram which follows the same premise , with users posting pictures of their pets .
Instagram also started hashtag # stayhome , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the sticker are compiled and added to a custom story to encourage people to stay home .

With people social distancing and staying at home during the coronavirus crisis, many have taken to Instagram to pass the time and enjoy a light, fun distraction.
The latest viral Instagram fad dominating feeds is “until tomorrow,” which involves users posting embarrassing photos of themselves and captioning them with the phrase — and without context.
When someone likes the photo, the person who posted it has to send direct messages to the likers, instructing them to post their own photo and leave it up for 24 hours — until tomorrow.
An example of a direct message says: “So… you liked my post so you have to post an embarrassing picture of yourself, for the caption you’re ONLY allowed to write ‘until tomorrow’ and you can only tag me.”
As of Wednesday evening, the hashtag #untiltomorrow has over 352,000 posts with people sharing bad selfies and photos of themselves as children.
Since people are bored at home, quite a few Instagram challenges have been popping up. The challenge #see10do10 is a pushup challenge to encourage at-home workouts. It goes as it sounds: Record a video doing 10 pushups, and then tag as many friends as you’d like to see do the same.
Many users have also been starting chains in their Instagram Stories, drawing different foods such as oranges and bananas and tagging their friends so they’ll join the virtual arty party, too.
Related Video Coronavirus social distancing on display at this supermarket
There’s also the #SeeAPupSendAPup challenge on Twitter and Instagram which follows the same premise, with users posting pictures of their pets.
Instagram also started hashtag #stayhome, complete with a sticker. Stories tagged with the sticker are compiled and added to a custom story to encourage people to stay home.


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--De Blasio removing some city basketball hoops to stop games during coronavirus

Beware the playground !
The city has installed signs at parks ...

Game over!
City officials will take down basketball hoops at 80 courts where persistent pick-up games have flouted social distancing rules amid the coronavirus pandemic, the mayor said.
“There will not be any basketball games because there will not be any basketball hoops,” de Blasio said during a City Hall briefing Wednesday evening.
Cops and Parks Department workers identified the hoops among the 1,700 courts in the Parks Department system. “Repeated attempts” to stop pick-up games there failed, according to de Blasio.
But mayor said he would close more courts if necessary to curb the high-contact sport.
“If we have to end up closing down basketball courts across the board, we’ll do that,” he said.
De Blasio is still sitting on a decision on whether to close Parks playgrounds and reiterated that would be determined by Saturday.
“Parks will remain open but with a lot of enforcement under any scenario,” he said.
The mayor is also still figuring out which pair of streets to close in each borough in his attempt to give pedestrians more space to walk about.
“We are finalizing with NYPD and other city agencies and the [City] Council,” de Blasio said. “As we said, it will be up to two sites per borough.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--NYPD widow donates coronavirus-fighting supplies to late husband’s precinct

Two uniformed NYPD officers were shot dead Saturday afternoon as ...

Amid New York’s coronavirus crisis, the widow of a slain NYPD officer is giving back to her late husband’s precinct.
Pei “Sanny” Xia Chen — whose husband, Det. Wenjian Liu, was assassinated in the line of duty — on Wednesday donated more than 3,000 face masks and a 325 mg box of hand sanitizer to his Downtown Brooklyn precinct.
Chen, 37 and Liu, 32, had only been married three months when he and his partner at the 84th Precinct, Rafael Ramos, 40, were were fatally ambushed in their marked squad car by cop-hating Ismaaiyl Brinsley five days before Christmas 2014.
“I was thinking about my husband precinct, how I love them so,” Chen told The Post of the donation. “Their job is to keep us safe so we want to do something to keep them safe as well.”
Some of the much-needed supplies were purchased by the foundation Chen set up in her husband’s name, and the rest were collected from Brooklynites and local businessowners who also wanted to lend a hand.
“The supply is so shortage, so I try to do my best for officers,” Chen said. “When they go home they’ll be safe and not to transfer any virus to their loved ones.”
The package was delivered to the station house on Wednesday afternoon by a team from the Detective WenJian Liu Foundation, including Vice President John Valles, a retired NYPD chief.
“The 84th Precinct has always been in Sanny’s heart,” Valles said. “She knows that the police department doesn’t have sufficient supplies, so she decided to donate these to the precinct.”
“The cops know they’ve got to do their job no matter what, but I think they’ll do it much better knowing that they’re protected,” Valles added. “Wearing masks and gloves gives them a sense of security.”
More than 3,000 officers are out sick as coronavirus spreads throughout the NYPD.
At least 236 cops have tested positive for COVID-19, including one at the 1st Precinct, sources have told The Post. In recent days, another 31 cops assigned to that precinct have called out ill, accounting for 17% of the command’s staffing.
“We want to do whatever we can to help during a tough time. We’re not super wealthy by we try to help out as much as we can,” said Carsten Ye, a friend of Chen’s who helped deliver the supplies Wednesday and said he was “heartbroken” when she heard about the 1st Precinct.
Cpt. Melody Robinson, the 84th Precinct’s executive officer, said the station house was “very appreciative” for the help.
“When I heard that the WenJian Liu Foundation was here delivering supplies I just had to go thank them. That meant the world to us,” Robinson said. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice and anything in his honor is a big deal to the 84.”
“Our officers are coming in every day, leaving their families at home and risking their lives,” she added. “Any protection we get is a great help and we’re truly grateful for that.”
Valles estimated that the supplies would last about two weeks.
Chen wasn’t able to make the delivery herself as she is self-quarantining at home with her toddler daughter Angelina, who was miraculously conceived three years after Liu’s murder, using his preserved sperm.
She had to go into self-isolation after attending an event about 10 days ago, where someone later tested positive for COVID-19.
At home, her tot is staying entertained by the black Labrador Chen adopted after her husband’s death, named Liu in his honor.
“They’re best friends and they play around,” Chen said. “It keeps my little angel busy.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Nic Claxton has Nets dreaming about what’s to come: ‘He’s a beast’

Nic Claxton is a second-round pick who totaled just 66 points in his rookie campaign .
Meanwhile , two of his Nets teammates have already mustered three 50-point games so far this suspended season .
But that hasn ’ t stopped the Nets from gushing over Claxton , somewhere between hype and hyperbole over the 20-year-old .
Spencer Dinwiddie proclaimed Claxton the second-most talented player on a Nets roster that includes not only Kevin Durant , but Kyrie Irving , Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen .
And Durant and DeAndre Jordan have seen enough in Claxton to take him under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s a beast , especially when he got his hamstring better , ” Chris Chiozza told The Post .
“ He ’ s just a force down there with his athleticism and his length .
He ’ s been killing down there [ in the G-League ] , so I expect him to — when he gets a chance up here — to showcase what he can do .
“ I ’ m sure he ’ s going to be a great player .
He ’ s going to bring a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ability to rebound , he ’ s like an elite rebounder .
He ’ s got a great motor .
With that size , athleticism and having a motor , [ there ’ s ] not a lot of people like that .
That really separates him.
” Chiozza , on a two-way deal , played and practiced with Claxton in the G-League .
And while Dinwiddie largely had to go off what he saw in practice and cameos , he was similarly effusive earlier in the season .
“ Nic is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Dinwiddie had said .
“ [ First ] is KD , either the first or second-most talented scorer of all time .
But Nic ’ s got game .
He ’ s got a chance [ to be great ] .
” That ’ s high praise for a player who logged just 187 minutes in 15 cameo appearances .
But Claxton has shown flashes of a promising future , if he can pack some bulk on his spindly 216-pound frame .
A hamstring injury set Claxton back , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Island .
Despite being one of the youngest players in the G-League , he had its second-best Player Impact Estimate , his scoring average rising every month from 4 points per game in December to 15.5 to 16.7 to 21.7 in March .
Most noteworthy was hitting 55.6 percent from deep .
Claxton ’ s developing 3-point stroke is auspicious , ex-coach Kenny Atkinson having told The Post that adding a jumper to his length , handle and skill set would let him eventually excel as a stretch four .
“ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crazy thing , ” Chiozza said .
“ [ Jordan ] has been working with Nic a lot on [ passing ] and showing him some things .
That ’ s his little rookie.
” Claxton says assistant Travon Bryant has been helpful , as have Allen , Jordan and Durant , the latter of whom he ’ d been working out with before the coronavirus shutdown .
And despite limited playing time , he excelled in consecutive late appearances versus Milwaukee and Philadelphia .
Claxton had 14 points , six rebounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league-leading Bucks .
He backed that up with 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting against the Sixers , grabbing four boards and handing out two assists in just 17 minutes .
“ It felt good , a good confidence boost knowing I can go out there and produce for my team .
My name was called , and I just produced , ” Claxton said .
“ Me going out and producing is just showing everybody — and me showing myself — that I can play at the highest level .
@

Part 4 in a series analyzing the Brooklyn Nets.
Nic Claxton is a second-round pick who totaled just 66 points in his rookie campaign. Meanwhile, two of his Nets teammates have already mustered three 50-point games so far this suspended season.
But that hasn’t stopped the Nets from gushing over Claxton, somewhere between hype and hyperbole over the 20-year-old.
Spencer Dinwiddie proclaimed Claxton the second-most talented player on a Nets roster that includes not only Kevin Durant, but Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen. And Durant and DeAndre Jordan have seen enough in Claxton to take him under their wings.
“Oh man, he’s a beast, especially when he got his hamstring better,” Chris Chiozza told The Post. “He’s just a force down there with his athleticism and his length. He’s been killing down there [in the G-League], so I expect him to — when he gets a chance up here — to showcase what he can do.
“I’m sure he’s going to be a great player. He’s going to bring a lot of rim presence. And also his ability to rebound, he’s like an elite rebounder. He’s got a great motor. With that size, athleticism and having a motor, [there’s] not a lot of people like that. That really separates him.”
Chiozza, on a two-way deal, played and practiced with Claxton in the G-League. And while Dinwiddie largely had to go off what he saw in practice and cameos, he was similarly effusive earlier in the season.
“Nic is the second-most talented player on this team,” Dinwiddie had said. “[First] is KD, either the first or second-most talented scorer of all time. But Nic’s got game. He’s got a chance [to be great].”
That’s high praise for a player who logged just 187 minutes in 15 cameo appearances. But Claxton has shown flashes of a promising future, if he can pack some bulk on his spindly 216-pound frame.
A hamstring injury set Claxton back, and he spent much of his time with Long Island. Despite being one of the youngest players in the G-League, he had its second-best Player Impact Estimate, his scoring average rising every month from 4 points per game in December to 15.5 to 16.7 to 21.7 in March. Most noteworthy was hitting 55.6 percent from deep.
Claxton’s developing 3-point stroke is auspicious, ex-coach Kenny Atkinson having told The Post that adding a jumper to his length, handle and skill set would let him eventually excel as a stretch four.
“He’s really skilled, that’s the crazy thing,” Chiozza said. “[Jordan] has been working with Nic a lot on [passing] and showing him some things. That’s his little rookie.”
Claxton says assistant Travon Bryant has been helpful, as have Allen, Jordan and Durant, the latter of whom he’d been working out with before the coronavirus shutdown. And despite limited playing time, he excelled in consecutive late appearances versus Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
Claxton had 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in 19 minutes against the league-leading Bucks. He backed that up with 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting against the Sixers, grabbing four boards and handing out two assists in just 17 minutes.
“It felt good, a good confidence boost knowing I can go out there and produce for my team. My name was called, and I just produced,” Claxton said. “Me going out and producing is just showing everybody — and me showing myself — that I can play at the highest level.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-25--Tim Gunn on reuniting with Heidi Klum for ‘Making the Cut’

Tim Gunn says that “ Making the Cut , ” the new Amazon series he ’ s hosting with Heidi Klum , is the result of their unhappiness over the direction of their previous project , “ Project Runway.
” “ Heidi and I have wanted to make changes to ‘ Project Runway ’ for quite a while , ” Gunn , 66 , tells The Post .
“ We were joined in that desire by the ‘ Project Runway ’ showrunner for the last eleven seasons , an incredible woman by the name of Sara Rea .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said ‘ This is a success , people like the format , we ’ re not going to change anything.
’ ” Gunn and Klum both appeared on the fashion design reality show from 2004-2017 ( Klum as its host ; Gunn as the mentor to designers ) .
They were not part of the revamped version that returned to Bravo in 2017 with hosts Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano .
“ When ‘ Project Runway ’ left Lifetime and went back to Bravo , Heidi and I huddled and said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time that we can do what we really want to do , ” says Gunn .
On “ Making the Cut , ” ( premiering Friday ) , Gunn and Klum host a fashion design competition where 12 designers from around the world compete for a $ 1 million prize and the chance to have their collection featured for a wide audience on Amazon .
Over the course of 10 episodes , the designers show off their work in front of a panel of judges including Naomi Campbell , Nicole Richie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Project Runway , ” “ Making the Cut ” pivots away from emphasizing sewing skills to accentuating the importance of branding and global reach ( it jumps between New York , Paris , and Tokyo ) .
“ We wanted to take it to a higher level — we wanted it to be global , we wanted it to no longer be a sewing competition but about what it really takes to be a success in this industry , ” says Gunn .
“ You ’ ve got to be a brand.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ designers and fashion shows , “ Making the Cut ” features vignettes of Gunn and Klum undertaking various activities around Paris , including fencing .
“ They were a blast , ” Gunn says .
“ Heidi and I aren ’ t going to sit in a hotel room .
We thought , ‘ Let ’ s go out and about in Paris , and if the cameras want to follow us , let them follow us.
’ It doesn ’ t advance the plot , but it ’ s fun.
” Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , “ Making the Cut ” was not impacted by the coronavirus pandemic , which has shut down most of the TV industry .
“ We were in Paris and Tokyo in June and July , and then we returned to New York for the finale and that was in September , ” Gunn says .
“ So it was well before this pandemic .
And we hope that people who watch the show will follow our path once it ’ s safe to travel again.
” And even though Gunn and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since leaving “ Project Runway ” in 2017 , he doesn ’ t see this show as a reunion .
“ On ‘ Project Runway ’ we had such completely separate roles that we barely interacted , ” he says .
“ On ‘ Making the Cut , ’ we ’ re together all the time .
So that interaction is also a huge difference in the construct of the show .
We talk all the time , so I never felt that we were apart , and we knew that we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never really apart , and we were committed to implementing this vision together .
We were joined at the hip .
“ I keep pinching myself — we actually made the dream come true .
”

Tim Gunn says that “Making the Cut,” the new Amazon series he’s hosting with Heidi Klum, is the result of their unhappiness over the direction of their previous project, “Project Runway.”
“Heidi and I have wanted to make changes to ‘Project Runway’ for quite a while,” Gunn, 66, tells The Post. “We were joined in that desire by the ‘Project Runway’ showrunner for the last eleven seasons, an incredible woman by the name of Sara Rea. And the network wouldn’t budge — they said ‘This is a success, people like the format, we’re not going to change anything.’ ”
Gunn and Klum both appeared on the fashion design reality show from 2004-2017 (Klum as its host; Gunn as the mentor to designers). They were not part of the revamped version that returned to Bravo in 2017 with hosts Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano.
“When ‘Project Runway’ left Lifetime and went back to Bravo, Heidi and I huddled and said, ‘This is the opportunity. This is the time that we can do what we really want to do,” says Gunn.
On “Making the Cut,” (premiering Friday), Gunn and Klum host a fashion design competition where 12 designers from around the world compete for a $1 million prize and the chance to have their collection featured for a wide audience on Amazon. Over the course of 10 episodes, the designers show off their work in front of a panel of judges including Naomi Campbell, Nicole Richie, Carine Roitfeld and Joseph Altuzarra.
Unlike “Project Runway,” “Making the Cut” pivots away from emphasizing sewing skills to accentuating the importance of branding and global reach (it jumps between New York, Paris, and Tokyo).
“We wanted to take it to a higher level — we wanted it to be global, we wanted it to no longer be a sewing competition but about what it really takes to be a success in this industry,” says Gunn. “You’ve got to be a brand.”
In between the segments of the designers and fashion shows, “Making the Cut” features vignettes of Gunn and Klum undertaking various activities around Paris, including fencing.
“They were a blast,” Gunn says. “Heidi and I aren’t going to sit in a hotel room. We thought, ‘Let’s go out and about in Paris, and if the cameras want to follow us, let them follow us.’ It doesn’t advance the plot, but it’s fun.”
Because it was filmed over last summer and fall, “Making the Cut” was not impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down most of the TV industry.
“We were in Paris and Tokyo in June and July, and then we returned to New York for the finale and that was in September,” Gunn says. “So it was well before this pandemic. And we hope that people who watch the show will follow our path once it’s safe to travel again.”
And even though Gunn and Klum had not worked together on camera since leaving “Project Runway” in 2017, he doesn’t see this show as a reunion.
“On ‘Project Runway’ we had such completely separate roles that we barely interacted,” he says. “On ‘Making the Cut,’ we’re together all the time. So that interaction is also a huge difference in the construct of the show. We talk all the time, so I never felt that we were apart, and we knew that we had something great percolating. So we were never really apart, and we were committed to implementing this vision together. We were joined at the hip.
“I keep pinching myself — we actually made the dream come true.”