newyorkpost--2020-04-16--American flag projected onto Matterhorn in Swiss Alps for coronavirus solidarity

Oh , say can you see !
An artist projected an image of Old Glory onto the famous Matterhorn mountain in the Swiss Alps Wednesday as a part of a series to spread hope and solidarity , stunning images show .
Gerry Hofstetter , a light artist known for transforming buildings and landscapes all over the world into temporary art projects , was selected to illuminate the mountain daily starting March 24 , according to Zermatt Matterhorn — a website that promotes tourism to the local town of Zermatt .
“ As it stands , the USA , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 crisis with the highest number of confirmed cases .
Our thoughts are with all American people at this unprecedented time , ” a release from Zermatt Matterhorn reads .
“ May our message convey solidarity and give you hope and strength .
We look forward to meeting again at the foot of the Matterhorn , we are all in this together.
” The Embassy of Switzerland in the United States posted an image of the American flag projection with a message for Americans .
“ INCREDIBLE !
As a sign of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onto the Matterhorn last night .
Switzerland is sending hope and strength to the United States of America , ” the caption of the post reads .
Hofstetter has also projected the flags of Japan , Germany , the United Kingdom , Spain , France and Italy — as well as textual messages including “ # StayAtHome ” and # AllOfUs — onto the 14,690-foot tall mountain .
“ Switzerland and Japan have maintained a close exchange for many decades .
With Myoko and Fujikawaguchiko , Zermatt has two sister cities in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greet our Japanese friends , partners and guests and send them a sign of hope and strength to overcome this unusual and difficult time , ” Zermatt Matterhorn wrote to honor the county .

Oh, say can you see!
An artist projected an image of Old Glory onto the famous Matterhorn mountain in the Swiss Alps Wednesday as a part of a series to spread hope and solidarity, stunning images show.
Gerry Hofstetter, a light artist known for transforming buildings and landscapes all over the world into temporary art projects, was selected to illuminate the mountain daily starting March 24, according to Zermatt Matterhorn — a website that promotes tourism to the local town of Zermatt.
“As it stands, the USA, is the country that has been most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis with the highest number of confirmed cases. Our thoughts are with all American people at this unprecedented time,” a release from Zermatt Matterhorn reads. “May our message convey solidarity and give you hope and strength. We look forward to meeting again at the foot of the Matterhorn, we are all in this together.”
The Embassy of Switzerland in the United States posted an image of the American flag projection with a message for Americans.
“INCREDIBLE! As a sign of solidarity, the American flag was projected onto the Matterhorn last night. Switzerland is sending hope and strength to the United States of America,” the caption of the post reads.
Hofstetter has also projected the flags of Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Italy — as well as textual messages including “#StayAtHome” and #AllOfUs — onto the 14,690-foot tall mountain.
“Switzerland and Japan have maintained a close exchange for many decades. With Myoko and Fujikawaguchiko, Zermatt has two sister cities in the land of the rising sun. We greet our Japanese friends, partners and guests and send them a sign of hope and strength to overcome this unusual and difficult time,” Zermatt Matterhorn wrote to honor the county.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--Hospitals taking bailouts should quit trying to keep their prices secret

The number of health care workers calling in sick at ...

American hospitals are taking a scalpel to the hands that feed them. They have received $100 billion in coronavirus bailouts from the federal government, and they can draw on the $349 billion in rescue funds for businesses. At the same time, they have the gall to sue the government — to block new federal rules requiring them to come clean about their opaque prices.
Last week, hospital groups requested virtual oral arguments in their lawsuit, which has been postponed by the outbreak. Meanwhile, congressional Democrats have demanded an additional $100 billion in hospital funding on the grounds that the original tranche wasn’t enough to cover corona-induced costs.
While front-line heroes deserve our utmost gratitude, economically vulnerable taxpayers are more than handsomely rewarding the hospitals that employ health workers. In return, hospitals can show their appreciation by dropping their lawsuit against an eminently fair policy: price transparency.
Clear prices before care are the key to reducing out-of-control health costs. They will allow patients and employers, which provide health coverage for 181 million Americans, to shop around for the best quality of care at the lowest price.
In a system with transparent prices, health providers will compete for business, just as any other business does, from Amazon to your local deli. Hence Team Trump’s rule, issued last November, that requires hospitals to disclose their cash prices and secret rates negotiated among insurers.
Revealing this information threatens hospitals’ sky-high revenues, which depend on a murky price model ripe for price-gouging, overbilling and waste. Hospitals deviously pass on these costs to powerless, often unsophisticated patients via bills weeks after treatment.
Clear prices will empower health consumers like they do in every other industry.
Hospitals are predictably hostile to this rule. They filed suit soon after Team Trump issued it. Their position is especially shameful when you consider how ordinary Americans have financed hospitals with eye-watering bills, massive tax breaks and now bailouts.
The novel coronavirus doesn’t obviate the need for price transparency — it only reinforces it. The Trump administration has (rightly) announced that the government will shoulder the cost for coronavirus treatments for the uninsured. Congressional Democrats want a similar guarantee from health insurers for those in the private market.
But when payment is mandatory and prices are opaque, providers can jack up rates without repercussions. Price transparency for treatments provides accountability for hospitals, arming patients and employers with the information they need to shop for value.
Critics of price transparency may argue that it is nigh impossible to compare prices amid emergencies. Wrong. They ignore the economic phenomenon known as proxy shoppers, in which only a small fraction of consumers need to shop to keep prices low for everyone. Just like only a small portion of drivers shop around for gas, so only a fraction of patients need to compare hospital prices to drive down pricing nationwide.
Federal lawmakers partly recognized the power of price transparency in the last rescue bill by requiring it for coronavirus testing. They should demand broad price transparency in subsequent bailout packages.
Better yet: Hospitals should drop their insulting lawsuit and do the right thing by disclosing prices. Taxpayers don’t deserve to be taken to court by the industry they’re rescuing.
While they’re at it, hospitals should also drop their countless collections lawsuits against ordinary patients. Hospital systems routinely place liens on homes, seize bank accounts and garnish wages over outstanding bills. According to a Kaiser Health News examination, the University of Virginia hospital network, to take one example, sued past patients for unpaid bills for as little as $14 more than 36,000 times between 2012 and 2018.
Nine of 10 Americans support price transparency, according to polls. In return for their generosity, Americans should demand that hospitals restore patient and taxpayer trust in health care by posting real prices online in real time, creating a genuine market to give Americans the best bang for their (corona-strained) buck.
Cynthia Fisher, a life-sciences entrepreneur, is founder and chairman of PatientRightsAdvocate.org.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--Inseparable mother and daughter die of coronavirus within hours of each other

Russia ’ s test Wednesday of an anti-satellite missile is “ yet another ...

A California mother and daughter known for their inseparable bond died from the coronavirus just hours apart, according to a report.
Letty Ramirez, 54, and her mom Carolina Tovar, 86, succumbed to COVID-19 on April 3 at separate hospitals in southern California, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“How ironic that you could not separate these two women in life and that fate had made it so that they wouldn’t have to be separated after death,” Art Aguilar, who was Tovar’s grandson and Ramirez’s nephew, told the paper.
Both of the women — who typically spent time together cooking watching classic Mexican movies — began having breathing trouble in mid-March, before the family brought them separately to the emergency room at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, according to the report.
Ramirez was admitted first to the hospital, where she was placed on a ventilator and transferred to Providence St. John’s Health Center, the newspaper reported.
But she struggled to battle the illness as she received new diagnoses of diabetes and kidney failure, the outlet reported.
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Carolina Tovar and her daughter Letty Ramirez GoFundMe Carolina Tovar and her daughter Letty Ramirez GoFundMe Advertisement
“I just told her, ‘Mom, please keep fighting. We still need you here. We want you to come home,'” her own daughter, Alexis, told the newspaper.
Meanwhile, Tovar’s family was forced to decide whether to put her on a ventilator — which was against the matriarch’s wishes, the outlet reported.
They made the painful decision to respect her request and gathered together on Facetime as she took her last breath.
“She was ready, and we prepared ourselves too,” Alexis said. “We were all still talking to her, telling her we loved her, that we’re going to be OK and she doesn’t have to fight anymore.”
Within hours, Alexis received word that Ramirez’s health was not improving and made the decision to remove her from the machines, according to the newspaper. She died within nine minutes of being taken off the ventilator.
The family again gathered on Facetime to grieve both losses, the report said.
“It was just hard that we couldn’t be together to console one another,” Alexis said.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--Russia’s latest move to militarize space

Russia ’ s test Wednesday of an anti-satellite missile is “ yet another example that the threats to US and allied space systems are real , serious and growing , ” said Gen. John Raymond , commander of US Space Command and chief of US Space Force Operations .
Indeed .
The test of the missile to take out satellites in low Earth orbit is also , as Raymond put it , “ further proof of Russia ’ s hypocritical advocacy of outer-space-arms-control proposals designed to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s also a sign of Moscow ’ s drive to militarize space — and challenge the United States in the process , since a growing part of the US economy as well as its military depend on space-based tech .
This follows news in February that two Russian satellites were shadowing a US spy satellite in orbit , yet another demonstration of the Kremlin ’ s growing off-earth capabilities , as well as a provocation .
Plus : Taking out even one of your own nation ’ s satellites puts hundreds of bits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatens all satellites , military and commercial .
All in all , it ’ s another sign of Vladimir Putin ’ s contempt for civilized norms , and the civilized world .

Russia’s test Wednesday of an anti-satellite missile is “yet another example that the threats to US and allied space systems are real, serious and growing,” said Gen. John Raymond, commander of US Space Command and chief of US Space Force Operations. Indeed.
The test of the missile to take out satellites in low Earth orbit is also, as Raymond put it, “further proof of Russia’s hypocritical advocacy of outer-space-arms-control proposals designed to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting their counterspace weapons programs.”
It’s also a sign of Moscow’s drive to militarize space — and challenge the United States in the process, since a growing part of the US economy as well as its military depend on space-based tech.
This follows news in February that two Russian satellites were shadowing a US spy satellite in orbit, yet another demonstration of the Kremlin’s growing off-earth capabilities, as well as a provocation.
Plus: Taking out even one of your own nation’s satellites puts hundreds of bits of debris in orbit, garbage that threatens all satellites, military and commercial.
All in all, it’s another sign of Vladimir Putin’s contempt for civilized norms, and the civilized world.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--The Census must adjust to coronavirus crisis — just like everything else

Every decade the US conducts a census , and while your ...

With the coronavirus forcing the nation to rethink everything from core economic policy to how we vote, it should be no surprise that Census procedures need revision, too.
Team Trump is asking Congress for a three-month delay in Census operations, which began April 1. With much of the country on lockdown and ordered not to let strangers in the house, it’s a pretty modest request.
Even with all Census operations postponed to June 1, the Commerce Department would aim to finish the count by Oct. 31 — well within the Constitution’s mandate of an enumeration of the population every 10 years.
Congress, when lawmakers go back into session, has a clear duty to OK the proposed statutory changes to the Census timeline. Some on the left will look at any delay as part of the president’s supposed desire to undercount in areas that lean against his agenda, but what’s the alternative here?
Yes, most Americans can fill out their Census forms online, while others drop the documents in the mail. But on-the-ground followup is essential: Progressives, in particular, insist on the need to strive to avoid any undercounts. But social-distancing rules make it near-impossible for Census workers to do physical followup.
The feds have managed to do the Census every decade through our nation’s 230-year history, even in times of war. The count is used to apportion House seats and allot some $1.5 trillion in federal aid to state and local governments.
Bronx Rep. José Serrano, chair of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Census, wants to ensure an accurate count of “hard-to-count” communities.
Getting that done means that, for once, Democrats need to cut the Trump administration some slack.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--Sorry: Pot shops not ‘essential businesses’ — and smoking boosts coronavirus risks

Two children have been hospitalized after eating marijuana gummies they ...

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To contain the coronavirus, governments have scaled down society to its bare bones, allowing only essential services to operate. Hospitals. Grocery stores. Takeout restaurants and pharmacies. Things that literally mean life or death.
Does getting high count? Of course, it doesn’t.
Yet several governors have bowed to pressure from Big Weed and added pot shops to the short list. In Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis initially restricted marijuana businesses to curbside or takeout-style service only. It took less than a week, however, before he caved to pot-industry lobbyists and reversed course, allowing full indoor sales to carry on.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker wasn’t so easy to bend, so last week, Big Weed filed a lawsuit against him, demanding he deem recreational-marijuana businesses “essential” and allow them to operate.
While the industry lawyers are fighting for pot rights, legal pot peddlers are celebrating massive increases in sales. One executive has even gone so far as to claim that marijuana is “recession-proof.” According to CNBC, one California-based chain is enjoying a 20 to 25 percent increase in sales.
Given this rise in sales, it’s worth pointing out that a host of public-health organizations have raised the alarm about the dangers of smoking marijuana, or anything for that matter, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we face down a disease that targets lungs and the immune system, promoting pot is dangerous.
Today’s marijuana isn’t Woodstock weed. Pot packaged and sold in shops can be up to 99 percent THC, the active ingredient. And those shops don’t primarily serve the sick and dying. Regardless, there are Food and Drug Administration-approved, marijuana-based medications still at pharmacies for those people who truly rely on these products to deal with end-of-life care or severe illness.
But giving pot shops a free pass at a time like this is the wrong thing to do.
First, smoking or vaping marijuana may make COVID-19 symptoms worse. According to the National Institutes of Health (corona czar Dr. Anthony Fauci’s mother organization), the World Health Organization and the American Lung Association, there are certain groups of people more susceptible to developing a severe case of COVID-19, and among them are those who use marijuana or tobacco.
In a recent blog post, Dr. Nora Volkow, director of one NIH institute, stated that “because it attacks the lungs . . . COVID-19 could be an especially serious threat to those who smoke tobacco or marijuana or who vape.” Marijuana smoke is extremely harmful to the lungs and has even been found to contain many of the same harmful components as tobacco smoke.
There is even evidence that it leads to the development of chronic bronchitis. Plus, research suggests that marijuana use increases the risk of infections such as pneumonia, a condition commonly seen in the most severe COVID-19 cases.
And you aren’t out of the woods if you take edibles, either. THC has been shown in studies to hurt the immune system and jeopardize overall health. In fact, THC can be an immunosuppressant, according to studies.
When a foreign viral body, such as the novel coronavirus, enters the body, your immune system shoots into overdrive and creates proteins that work to destroy the foreign invader. THC works against the body’s ability to create these proteins, giving the viral infection the upper hand. The result: more severe symptoms or a longer road to full recovery.
The marijuana lobby, concerned only with profits, has now even demanded government-bailout money.
What are they smoking?
Instead of bowing to the demands of Big Weed and their well-funded lobbyists, we should be doing everything in our power to mitigate the harms associated with this outbreak. In the interest of the health and safety of Americans, marijuana stores shouldn’t be deemed “essential” — they should be closed. And not a dime of taxpayer money should go to them while they’re reaping record profits.
Finally, we need to discourage dangerous pot use while people are shut in. Prior generations sacrificed far more in times of crisis. We can give up a little pot.
Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former drug-policy adviser to President Barack Obama, is president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--Bill de Blasio’s NYC budget is still in denial about coronavirus’ economic impact

City Hall detailed its plans to whack $ 1.3 billion from ...

Empire Center fiscal expert E.J. McMahon is warning that the local economic outlook is “the grimmest on record,” thanks to the pandemic — yet you’d barely know it from the budget Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled Thursday.
De Blasio aims to trim spending to $97.4 billion this year and $89.3 billion next year, based on estimates of a 3.5 percent drop in tax revenues through June and 8.3 percent in fiscal year 2021.
That may sound bold, but when you adjust for back surpluses the mayor is using to balance the books, it turns out his plan actually increases city-funded spending slightly, the city’s Independent Budget Office reports.
And this after years of soaring budgets: City-funded outlays through 2020 rose 32 percent since de Blasio took office. The payroll headcount is up 12 percent, to the highest level in recent history.
In sounding the alarm, McMahon cites new jobless numbers (1.1 million more New Yorkers out of work as of April 4) and a Federal Reserve report noting that “indicators of regional business activity plunged to historic lows in early April,” with one key index fallen to “well below any historical precedent,” including the Great Recession.
Yet de Blasio’s plan relies heavily on short-term patches — back surpluses, raiding reserves, re-estimating costs downward and federal aid not likely to recur. And his revenue projections are rosier than other budget experts’.
As the Citizens Budget Commission puts it, the plan uses “optimistic assumptions” about federal and state aid and fails to aim for sufficient “recurring savings.”
The mayor’s approach might carry the city for a while and even be enough if the economy bounces back quickly. But even he now projects three straight yearly shortfalls of about $5 billion each after next year.
And many of his cuts are really just savings from programs suspended because of the virus, such as summer pools. As the CBC notes, “the two-year, $2.7 billion savings program totals less than 2 percent of the budget.”
New Yorkers can hope for the best in terms of an economic rebound, but at a time like this, it sure would’ve been prudent for their mayor to plan for the worst.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--NYC nurse who beat coronavirus pummeled, robbed by group of thugs

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A New York City nurse who recently recovered from the coronavirus was attacked on her way to work by a group of vicious youths who badly beat her and ran off with her purse , police sources and the victim told The Post .
Martha Toscano had just gotten out of the 6 train station on her way to work at Bellevue Hospital Wednesday around 10:30 p.m. when about 15 thugs ran her down and pummeled her to the ground .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Toscano , 60 , said in a phone call from her Queens studio Thursday .
“ They hit me on the head , on the face , I run and fell on the floor and they keep hitting me.
” The beatdown was interrupted by three men driving down the street , who screamed “ Stop it , stop it , ” Toscano recalled .
“ Thank God these angels came , because nobody was in the street , nobody.
” The good Samaritans pulled the woman up and tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to no avail .
Police on Thursday arrested three of the alleged assailants , including two teenage girls , aged 14 and 15 , and a 19-year-old man named Deshaun Harrison .
All three suspects are residents of a nearby group home run by the city ’ s Administration for Children ’ s Services ( ACS ) , sources said .
Harrison — who has a lengthy rap sheet — was charged with robbery in the second degree , the sources said .
An ACS spokeswoman said the agency couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bumps all over her body but was able to escape the bruising without serious injuries .
“ I have pain in all my body , ” she said .
“ My back , my neck , bumps on my head , even on my elbows.
” The brave healthcare worker said she ’ d been out of work for two weeks after catching COVID-19 but had just gotten the OK to return to her job Friday .
“ My first day back was Sunday… and then this , ” Toscano said , breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had begged her to stop working , afraid that she would catch the deadly disease , she said .
After getting checked out at her hospital , Toscano said she returned home around 4 a.m. and had to call her landlord to get into her apartment , since her keys — as well as her ID and credit cards — were in the purse the thugs swiped .
Toscano was recovering at home with her fiance , adding that she didn ’ t know when she would return to work because of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m so afraid , ” she said .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
A New York City nurse who recently recovered from the coronavirus was attacked on her way to work by a group of vicious youths who badly beat her and ran off with her purse, police sources and the victim told The Post.
Martha Toscano had just gotten out of the 6 train station on her way to work at Bellevue Hospital around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday when about 15 thugs ran her down and pummeled her to the ground.
“I thought they were going to kill me,” Toscano, 60, said in a phone call from her Queens studio Thursday.
“They hit me on the head, on the face, I run and fell on the floor and they keep hitting me.”
The beatdown was interrupted by three men driving down the street, who screamed, “Stop it, stop it,” Toscano recalled.
“Thank God these angels came, because nobody was in the street, nobody.”
The good Samaritans pulled the woman up and tried to chase the muggers to retrieve her purse, to no avail.
Police on Thursday arrested three of the alleged assailants, including two girls, ages 14 and 15, and a 19-year-old man named Deshaun Harrison. All three suspects are residents of a nearby group home run by the city’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), sources said.
Harrison — who has a lengthy rap sheet — was charged with robbery in the second degree, the sources said. An ACS spokeswoman said the agency couldn’t legally comment.
Toscano suffered scrapes and bumps all over her body but was able to escape the attack without serious injuries.
“I have pain in all my body,” she said. “My back, my neck, bumps on my head, even on my elbows.”
The brave health care worker said she’d been out of work for two weeks after catching COVID-19 but had just gotten the OK to return to her job Friday.
“My first day back was Sunday … and then this,” Toscano said, breaking into tears.
Her three adult children had begged her to stop working, afraid that she would catch the deadly disease, she said.
After getting checked out at her hospital, Toscano said, she returned home around 4 a.m. and had to call her landlord to get into her apartment, since her keys — as well as her ID and credit cards — were in the purse the thugs swiped.
Toscano was recovering at home with her fiance, adding that she didn’t know when she would return to work because of how terrified she was.
“I’m so afraid,” she said.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--Giants’ Dave Gettleman’s unenviable 2020 NFL Draft dilemma is here

Leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft , The Post is ...

Dave Gettleman, our 69-year-old football lifer, is surviving in his unsettling virtual reality NFL world … a world without interpersonal relationships and getting-to-know-you dinners and watching prospective draftees interact inside the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
“We got the visual touch-point, but we’re really missing out on the personal touch-point when you can smell and feel a guy,” Gettleman said on a Monday conference call with the media.
The Giants feel they have navigated over these stormy seas as well as possible, but of course COVID-19 has complicated things for all 32 GMs.
It doesn’t change anything about the fact that Gettleman’s true dilemma will come on draft night:
“With the fourth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will begin, standing in the basement of his Bronxville home, “the New York Giants select … ”
Will it be Isaiah Simmons, the Robo-Freak playmaker, if Gettleman is forced to stick at No. 4 and picks and cannot or will not trade down, something he’s never done in his career?
Or will it be Tristan Wirfs, or Mekhi Becton, or Andrew Thomas, or Jedrick Wills Jr. to block for Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley?
Inside Dave’s Dilemma:
Robo-Freak Playmaker is a need.
Offensive tackle is a need.
Gettleman has always believed that drafting for need gets you in trouble, but he’ll be drafting for need here and now, whether he chooses to admit so or not.
He believes his free-agent signings of CB James Bradberry, LBs Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell and DT Austin Johnson enable him to go the best-available-player route come Thursday.
“I think we’ve done a good job … it’s not perfect. … I’m pleased with where we’re at going into the draft,” Gettleman said.
But who is best available player?
Even Bill Belichick — we think — won’t be able to find a way to access the Giants’ draft board, so only Gettleman will know whether he will have Simmons rated in a league of his own, the way Barkley was in 2018. Gettleman will have to ask himself whether Simmons fits his definition of Gold Jacket Guy. In which case, Gold Jacket Guy would trump offensive tackle.
On the other hand, he is well aware that he has yet to make good on his vow to fix the offensive line. And it precipitated the end of the Eli Manning Era. It has devalued Barkley, who will be entering Year 3 at a position where the average shelf life is 2.57 years.
Gettleman gushed about tackle Nick Gates, a former free agent, wouldn’t rule out moving him to center, another hole on the offensive line, but c’mon.
Dave’s Dilemma in 2018: Barkley or franchise quarterback? Gettleman, with the second overall pick, kicked the franchise quarterback can down the road.
Dave’s Dilemma in 2019: Franchise quarterback or elite pass-rusher? Gettleman, with the sixth pick, agonized over passing on Josh Allen because it was past time for franchise quarterback to trump any other position.
Dave’s Dilemma in 2020: What if Simmons has only a slightly higher grade than, say, Wirfs? Gettleman intends to give Barkley a second contract. Christian McCaffrey just agreed to a $16 million-per-year deal. Gettleman will have to weigh that in his thinking. Not to mention that left tackle Nate Solder will be gone after this season and Cameron Fleming is better served as a swing tackle.
With 16 picks over the past two years, Gettleman has drafted two offensive linemen — guard Will Hernandez (second round in 2018) and tackle George Asafo-Adjei (seventh round in 2019).
Simmons can be deployed as a pass-rush weapon for a team that doesn’t seem interested right now in Jadeveon Clowney or Markus Golden, or possibly trading for disgruntled Jaguar Yannick Ngakoue.
Submit your Giants questions to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
Simmons detractors will point to the positional value edge belonging to offensive tackle over linebacker/safety.
“I think it matters only in how they fit in your system, and how you can use them to expand in your system,” Joe Judge said Wednesday. “Every player has to have a level of versatility within their game to adjust to different game plans and schemes. To me if you find a player who’s had great impact and has an upside, that’s a guy you want to really add to your roster. To me the position home’s gonna be defined by how you choose to use ’em and that’s really up to us as coaches to be creative and maximize their strengths and not talk about what they’re not and figure out what they can do for us and help us win.”
Gettleman has drafted 10 defensive players over his first two drafts, acquired Jabrill Peppers in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, acquired Leonard ($16.1 million) Williams in the controversial trade with the Jets, re-signed LB David Mayo and added the four defenders in the most recent free-agent period.
“You just gotta keep building it,” Gettleman said. “We’re excited about the draft, there’s good players there. Nothing’s ever done, if that makes sense.”
Robo-Freak Playmaker makes sense for a defense starving for one.
Offensive tackle makes sense for a young franchise quarterback and a generational running back.
Such is Dave’s Dilemma.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--Stonehenge was like an ancient ‘Lego,’ experts say

Parts of Stonehenge bear a resemblance to ancient “ Lego , ” according to English Heritage , which oversees the famous site in southern England .
On April 10 , English Heritage Stonehenge tweeted a rare photo of the top of one of the famous stones .
“ This is a rarely seen view of the top of one of the giant sarsen stones , ” it said .
“ The protruding tenons are clearing visible and the corresponding horizontal lintel stone would have had mortise holes for them to slot into .
A bit like early Lego !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famous toymaker , which responded : “ ah , where it all began.
” Stonehenge continues to be a source of fascination for historians .
In 2018 , experts said that the famous ancient site may have been built using Greek philosopher Pythagoras ’ famous theorem two millennia before the mathematical equation was developed .
Last year a missing piece of Stonehenge was returned 60 years after it went missing during an archaeological excavation .
The first monument at the site , an early “ henge ” monument , was constructed about 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was built around 2,500 B.C .
during the late Neolithic period .
The World Heritage site is known for its alignment with the movements of the sun — thousands travel to the site in Avebury , Southern England , to mark the solstices in summer and winter .
The Associated Press and Fox News ’ Chris Ciaccia contributed to this article .

Parts of Stonehenge bear a resemblance to ancient “Lego,” according to English Heritage, which oversees the famous site in southern England.
On April 10, English Heritage Stonehenge tweeted a rare photo of the top of one of the famous stones.
“This is a rarely seen view of the top of one of the giant sarsen stones,” it said. “The protruding tenons are clearing visible and the corresponding horizontal lintel stone would have had mortise holes for them to slot into. A bit like early Lego!”
The tweet caught the attention of the famous toymaker, which responded: “ah, where it all began.”
Stonehenge continues to be a source of fascination for historians. In 2018, experts said that the famous ancient site may have been built using Greek philosopher Pythagoras’ famous theorem two millennia before the mathematical equation was developed.
Last year a missing piece of Stonehenge was returned 60 years after it went missing during an archaeological excavation.
The first monument at the site, an early “henge” monument, was constructed about 5,000 years ago. The world-famous stone circle was built around 2,500 B.C. during the late Neolithic period.
The World Heritage site is known for its alignment with the movements of the sun — thousands travel to the site in Avebury, Southern England, to mark the solstices in summer and winter.
The Associated Press and Fox News’ Chris Ciaccia contributed to this article.


newyorkpost--2020-04-16--Rutgers football community has been hit hard by coronavirus

They are coping the best they can , same as you , ...

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Rutgers football players have had family members get sick with the coronavirus and some have dealt with a death, coach Greg Schiano says.
Speaking to the media for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the Big Ten Conference university and its athletic programs last month, Schiano said Thursday his biggest concern is the health of his players and their families.
Schiano said none of his football players is known to have had the virus.
Once he hears about a virus-related illness in a player’s family, Schiano said he telephones the player to ask how the school can help. He also offers information on how a player can protect himself.
“It’s hard,” said Schiano, who spoke for roughly 25 minutes. “I think we’ve had players that have lost people to the virus. That’s sad. Things you don’t even think about, like they have to do a virtual family service for their lost loved one. Those are hard things.”
Rutgers spokesman Hasim Phillips said the university would not comment on those who died out of respect for the families involved.
The New Jersey-based university has barred students from returning to campus until at least Aug. 14. Schiano did not know if that would apply to the football team if that date stood. He refused to speculate possible scenarios for the upcoming season, if there is one. He has contingency plans.
Schiano, who was hired in December to once again rebuild the program that has three wins in the last two seasons, said his day is spent at home with his wife and four children. He has video conversations with his staff, players, the conference and athletic director Pat Hobbs. Recruiting is always a topic.
It was a little different on Thursday. He had a team meeting.
With spring practices canceled because of the health crisis and the new staff teaching on a virtual level, Schiano said the football team is a little behind where it would like to be.
“What we spent a week installing right now would have been installed in one day had we been practicing,” Schiano said. “Without the urgency to get out on the field and do it we’re able to spend a much longer period of time on each phase.”
The hope is the players are getting a better understanding of what the coaches want by slowing things down. That used to come from repeating things in practices.
On other issues, Schiano said the stay-at-home mandate has increased his use of video conference calling and he plans to use it more.
He also said he likes the idea of having walk-ons on the teams, saying seven captains during his first 11-year stint at Rutgers were former walk-ons.
While the coronavirus has caused adversity and had people isolated at their homes, Schiano found a positive.
“One of the things that I think has been a really cool thing is I have had more family dinners in the last month than I probably had in the last 20 years. That’s been a really great benefit of a very tough time,” he said.
This is Schiano’s second tour at Rutgers. He is taking over a program that has not had a winning season since 2014. The Scarlet Knights have won 13 games in the past five seasons.
The head coach job is Schiano’s first since a dismal two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL in 2012-13. He was almost hired by Tennessee in 2017, but the deal fell apart after allegations he failed to report sexual abuse at Penn State during his time there.
Schiano and Penn State have denied those allegations.


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ is leaving Netflix: How to shop its iconic fashions

The preppy psychological thriller “ The Talented Mr. Ripley ” debuted just over 20 years ago .
Thanks to a killer cast ( Matt Damon , Gwyneth Paltrow , Jude Law , Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman at their disturbing best ) and a dreamy 1950s Italy setting , the film became an instant fashion classic , its impeccable resort ensembles still covetable today .
With the movie set to leave Netflix on April 30 , there ’ s no better time to borrow its style for summer vacation inspiration — or a breezy outfit for your next quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get the iconic looks of Dickie Greenleaf , a wealthy Ivy League grand on permanent vacation in Italy , and Marge Sherwood , his Hitchcock-blond socialite girlfriend .
If the sun-drenched Amalfi coast were reincarnated as a film character , it would be Marge Sherwood .
Whether she ’ s lolling on a sailboat in the Mediterranean or sleuthing down bougainvillea-draped passageways , she nails “ Roman Holiday ” -chic .
Get her go-to look with a gauzy button-down atop a bathing suit or swooping printed skirt , paired with a beach-friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s a reason Damon ’ s Tom Ripley is obsessed with this “ fellow ” Princeton grad and shipping heir playboy — and it begins with Dickie ’ s jet-setting , jazz-worshipping , dolce vita style .
Much like the talented Mr. Ripley himself , you can steal Dickie ’ s suave nonchalance with a breezy button-down and pale pink shorts — oh , and don ’ t forget to cop his silver watch and signature pinky ring .

The preppy psychological thriller “The Talented Mr. Ripley” debuted just over 20 years ago. Thanks to a killer cast (Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman at their disturbing best) and a dreamy 1950s Italy setting, the film became an instant fashion classic, its impeccable resort ensembles still covetable today.
With the movie set to leave Netflix on April 30, there’s no better time to borrow its style for summer vacation inspiration — or a breezy outfit for your next quarantine conference call.
Here’s how to get the iconic looks of Dickie Greenleaf, a wealthy Ivy League grand on permanent vacation in Italy, and Marge Sherwood, his Hitchcock-blond socialite girlfriend.
Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow)
If the sun-drenched Amalfi coast were reincarnated as a film character, it would be Marge Sherwood. Whether she’s lolling on a sailboat in the Mediterranean or sleuthing down bougainvillea-draped passageways, she nails “Roman Holiday”-chic. Get her go-to look with a gauzy button-down atop a bathing suit or swooping printed skirt, paired with a beach-friendly straw bag and a pair of espadrilles.
Linen wrap-around blouse, $25 at H&M
Alaçuz skirt, $333 at Farfetch
“Montauk” woven tote bag, $68 at Anthropologie
Castañer “Carola” crochet wedge espadrilles, $120 at Farfetch
Poppy Lissiman “Coco Husk” sunglasses, $115 at Shopbop
Ombre silk diamond scarf, $39 at Echo
Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law)
There’s a reason Damon’s Tom Ripley is obsessed with this “fellow” Princeton grad and shipping heir playboy — and it begins with Dickie’s jet-setting, jazz-worshipping, dolce vita style. Much like the talented Mr. Ripley himself, you can steal Dickie’s suave nonchalance with a breezy button-down and pale pink shorts — oh, and don’t forget to cop his silver watch and signature pinky ring.
Onia “Shaun” linen-blend polo shirt, $85 at Mr Porter
Save Khaki United cotton-corduroy shorts, $110 at Mr Porter
“Striper” distressed sneakers, $60 at Sperry
“Saylor” sunglasses, $145 at Warby Parker
Diamond analog watch, $115 at Guess
Miansai 14-k gold-plated “Heritage” ring, $165 at Saks Fifth Avenue


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--‘My lungs are on fire’: Coronavirus survivors say they fear long-term effects

`` I just want to lay them to rest , but I ...

They may have survived a pandemic, but survivors of the coronavirus are still fighting.
The lasting damage of COVID-19 is only just now becoming clear to doctors — and to the patients who are adapting to life on the other side. Some, such as six-time Tony nominee Danny Burstein, say the long-term impacts of the disease that almost killed him will be difficult to grapple with.
Burstein, who was starring in “Moulin Rouge: The Musical!” on Broadway before the city shut down, built strong lungs by singing and dancing onstage for 40 years.
But now, weeks after recovering from the coronavirus, just taking the garbage down two flights of stairs has him completely winded.
“Sometimes I’m having conversations and I can’t get enough air, that’s the toughest part,” Burstein, 55, tells The Post. “It’s frustrating. It’s been a very slow recovery. For the most part, the symptoms are gone, but what remains is the damage that was done to my lungs.”
Will they ever recover?
Tens of thousands of patients have already recovered from COVID-19. But the long-term effects of the disease are only just beginning to become apparent. Burstein and many other patients are still experiencing breathing and other problems weeks after they began feeling better, for example.
“One of the biggest questions . . . is [whether] these patients will recover fully, or if there will be chronic lung damage from this virus,” says Mina Rafik Makaryus, MD, a pulmonologist at Northwell Health.
Makaryus says it is “overwhelming” to think about how many patients there could be with long-term lung problems.
“There are not enough pulmonologists in the community to handle this potential number of chronic lung injuries,” he adds.
There’s only a little data on recovered patients so far — even the earliest Chinese COVID-19 diagnoses are only 3 months old. But in a small study of 34 patients, researchers found that COVID-19 affected metabolism and caused other “physiological changes.” Another early study in China found heart damage in 12% of patients who did not have respiratory issues.
“There just isn’t enough data yet,” Makaryus tells The Post. “You worry especially for patients who had to go on life support and what those long-term effects will be.”
For Shaun Khubchandani, 30, recovering from the coronavirus was not easy. Weeks after his diagnosis, breathing still made his lungs feel “on fire.” Although the Soho resident says he is now “fully recovered,” four weeks after his positive COVID-19 test, he can’t stop wondering if there will be any lingering lung damage.
“I had a long recovery,” Khubchandani tells The Post. “For my age, I was not expecting this at all. This was not mild flu.”
He had symptoms for three weeks straight. But after those subsided and he was feeling better, “it felt like my lungs were on fire,” he says. “I couldn’t take a deep breath. That’s when I started getting worried.”
Recovery is a false alarm
Khubchandani also says the virus is a sneaky one: It “tricked” him numerous times into thinking he was better, even after two weeks.
“I had a couple of false alarms, where I felt like I’d totally recovered, and then the next day a fever came back,” he says.
“Towards the end, when I started having chest pains, I had concerns that maybe I’ve damaged my lungs or that I’ll develop some long-term issues but I got a chest X-ray and it looks clear.”
Burstein, who documented his diagnosis and hospital stay in vivid detail for The Hollywood Reporter, is familiar with the “false alarms” that COVID-19 brings.
“It would be as if it was going away, and then you’d have these weird flare-ups,” he tells The Post. “One day it’s crazy sweats and headache and then it’s backache, when one goes away, one comes back. It’s like fingernails sliding down your back, clinging on.”
Burstein and Khubchandani both used a spirometer to help improve their breathing, and Burstein says he also blows up a balloon “every hour” to strengthen his lungs on the advice of his doctor.
“Patients are telling me that their breathing is getting better overall,” Makaryus says. “But I have seen a number of patients who still require oxygen weeks after diagnosis.”
Two steps forward, one step back
“You also worry about the long-term psychiatric implications,” Makaryus says. “One of the things that makes this more difficult is that it’s a lonely disease for both patients and family.”
Survivors are mostly forced to recover alone, for fear of spreading the disease even further. And if they were attached to a ventilator, the experience may cause some post-traumatic stress, doctors say.
For Brianna Cohen, an actress who lives in Hoboken, New Jersey, the symptoms the second two weeks were worse than the first.
“The symptoms kept changing,” Cohen, 32, tells The Post. “It was always two steps forward, one step back.”
More than five weeks after first feeling ill and a month post-positive test, she is still experiencing some lingering symptoms, such as lung pain — “My lungs feel like they are on fire” — and anxiety.
“At one point, about three weeks post-COVID [diagnosis], my blood pressure was through the roof and my heart rate was [extremely high],” she says. “I got a lung X-ray and an EKG and everything was fine. They gave me a small amount of [anxiety] medicine and now my heart rate is fine.”
Burstein says the harrowing experience made him reckon with his mortality in a profound way. After 20 hours in the ER and once his test came back positive for COVID-19, hospital personnel told him that they were sending him to the COVID-19 unit.
Related Video Coronavirus patients report strange new symptom: fizzing
“Right after they said that, they asked me if I was an organ donor,” Burstein says. “It was a sobering lesson.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Bill Gates becomes top target of bogus coronavirus conspiracy theories

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The world ’ s second-richest man has reportedly become the No .
1 target of coronavirus conspiracy theorists .
Theories linking Microsoft magnate Bill Gates to COVID-19 have exploded in recent months as as right-wing conspiracists and anti-vaccine zealots accused him of using the virus to control the masses , The New York Times reported Friday .
Bogus ideas about Gates and the deadly virus were mentioned on social media and TV 1.2 million times from February to April — more than any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm Zignal Labs told the Times .
The paper also found more than 16,000 Facebook posts about Gates and the coronavirus that generated nearly 900,000 likes and comments this year , along with 10 popular YouTube videos that have been viewed nearly 5 million times .
Some online cranks are reportedly basing their wild theories of Gates — who was worth $ 104 billion as of Thursday — on a 2015 speech in which he predicted an infectious virus was more likely than war to kill millions of people .
Conspiracy theorists have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his March suggestion that “ digital certificates ” could be used to track who has recovered from the virus .
That evolved into a bogus claim that Gates wanted to put microchips in people ’ s bodies — an idea former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone echoed in a recent radio interview .
Gates ’ s main charity , the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , has supported public health initiatives around the world and pledged to put $ 250 million toward fighting the coronavirus .
Foundation CEO Mark Suzman told the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are people spreading misinformation when we should all be looking for ways to collaborate and save lives .
”

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
The world’s second-richest man has reportedly become the No. 1 target of coronavirus conspiracy theorists.
Theories linking Microsoft magnate Bill Gates to COVID-19 have exploded in recent months as right-wing conspiracists and anti-vaccine zealots accused him of using the virus to control the masses, the New York Times reported Friday.
Bogus ideas about Gates and the deadly virus were mentioned on social media and TV 1.2 million times from February to April — more than any other virus-related conspiracy theory, media analysis firm Zignal Labs told the Times.
The paper also found more than 16,000 Facebook posts about Gates and the coronavirus that generated nearly 900,000 likes and comments this year, along with 10 popular YouTube videos that have been viewed nearly 5 million times.
Some online cranks are reportedly basing their wild theories about Gates — who was worth $104 billion as of Thursday — on a 2015 speech in which he predicted an infectious virus was more likely than war to kill millions of people. Conspiracy theorists have also warped his more recent words like his March suggestion that “digital certificates” could be used to track who has recovered from the virus.
That evolved into a bogus claim that Gates wanted to put microchips in people’s bodies — an idea former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone echoed in a recent radio interview.
Gates’ main charity, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has supported public health initiatives around the world and pledged to put $250 million toward fighting the coronavirus. Foundation CEO Mark Suzman told the Times it’s “distressing that there are people spreading misinformation when we should all be looking for ways to collaborate and save lives.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Blind teen can hear the difference between sodas

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Who needs a “blind” taste test when you have heightened senses? Watch as 17-year-old AJ Moncman, who has been blind since birth, demonstrates how he tells the difference between various soda brands. By tapping on the plastic bottle and hearing the vibration, the teen in Centre Valley, Pennsylvania, can distinguish between ginger ale, orange Fanta and even Coke versus Coke Zero.
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newyorkpost--2020-04-17--NFL Draft 2020 approaching: What we can learn from recent trends

The 2020 NFL Draft is almost here and the Jets ...

In less than a week, the 32 NFL teams will take their swings at the 2020 NFL Draft.
This draft has been the most debated and discussed ever because of the current circumstances in the world. The NFL draft is the only thing really going on in the sports world and has provided fans a distraction and something to debate with their friends.
We decided to look at the past five drafts and see if there are any trends to be detected and what those tell us about potential decisions teams face in this year’s draft.
Starting with the 2015 draft, we used Pro Football Reference’s Draft Finder tool to break things down.
In those five drafts, there have been 608 offensive players drafted, 558 defensive players taken and 18 on special teams.
Here is some of what we found:
Position taken the most
Teams have drafted wide receivers more than any other position, a reflection on how important the passing game has become. There have been 159 receivers taken — 17 in the first round, which is the third-most. Cornerback (147) is in second overall and tied for first with 18 first-round picks. Running back (121), defensive tackle (109) and defensive end (105) round out the top five.
Defensive end is tied with cornerback for the most first-round picks taken (18). While quarterback and offensive tackle don’t have high overall numbers, they are tied for fourth, along with defensive tackle, in first-round picks (16).
Position taken the least
We excluded kickers and punters from this count. Interior offensive linemen take up two of the top five spots. Centers (33) have been taken the least in the past five drafts. They are followed by inside linebackers (34), quarterbacks (56), guards (67) and outside linebackers (69).
The first-round selections fall pretty closely to the overall numbers. The one exception is running back. While the 121 running backs taken are the third-most by position, only nine have been taken in the first round, which is the tied for the fifth-fewest. That backs up the theory most teams now have that running backs can be found in later rounds.
First round or bust
There is always great debate about positional value when it comes to first-round picks. Do you use a first-round pick on a wide receiver or wait until later rounds? Can you find a good edge-rusher outside of the first round?
Here are the positions at which we found first-round picks succeeded much more than those in the rest of the rounds: offensive lineman, cornerback and quarterback.
Let’s start with offensive tackles. There have been 96 drafted, 16 in the first round, four in the top 10. Out of those 96, three have made an All-Pro team and all of those were first-round picks; two of those were top-10 picks.
There have been 67 guards drafted, eight in the first round and two in the top 10. Only Quenton Nelson has been All-Pro and he was taken No. 6 overall by the Colts in 2018.
Only one of the 33 centers drafted has made a Pro Bowl, and that was another Colts first-round pick, Ryan Kelly.
At cornerback, of the 147 players drafted, eight have made a Pro Bowl. The Dolphins’ Xavien Howard, a second-round pick, is the only one from outside the first round.
Quarterback is one you’d expect to have a higher hit rate in the first round, because quarterbacks always get over-drafted. Of 56 drafted, there have been eight Pro Bowlers, with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, a fourth-round pick, the only one coming from outside of the first round.
You can wait on these
The positions at which teams have had the most success outside of the first round are running back, wide receiver and defensive end.
Running back is probably the most debated position in the draft. There have been 121 drafted, nine in the first round. Of the 14 who have made a Pro Bowl, nine came from outside the first round. For every Ezekiel Elliott, there is an Alvin Kamara.
There is a debate among Jets fans right now about taking a wide receiver in the first round. The numbers say they should wait. Of the 159 wide receivers drafted, 17 have been taken in the first round. There have been eight (not including those selected as a returner) of those who have made a Pro Bowl, and seven of them were drafted outside the first round. Amari Cooper, drafted by the Raiders in 2015, is the only first-rounder who has been a Pro Bowler.
Defensive end is an even split. Of the 10 Pro Bowlers, five have come outside the first round.
Does volume matter?
There is always discussion at this time of year of trading down to acquire more picks with the idea that more picks means getting more good players.
That is not always the case.
The Browns have used the most draft picks over the past five years (52). While they have improved their talent greatly in that time, they have not made a playoff appearance. They also have made some big trades (Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry) to supplement their roster.
The teams right behind the Browns have had mixed success. The Seahawks (49), Vikings (49), Bengals (48) and 49ers (48) round out the top five.
The teams that have used the fewest picks are the Panthers (32), Falcons (32), Eagles (32), Bears (32) and Saints (33).
Volume does not always equate to draft success. Would you rather have the Saints’ past five drafts or those of the Bengals?
Making a move
Which general managers are most likely to make a move? Examining teams that have traded in the first round since 2015, Seahawks GM John Schneider loves to move back. Bills GM Brandon Beane and Eagles GM Howie Roseman like to move up.
Schneider has traded down six times in the first round. It makes sense because Seattle is usually drafting late in the first round. Many teams like to move out of the end of the first round, feeling there is not much of a difference in the caliber of player to take in the second round. The Browns and Ravens have also traded back three times.
The Bills and Eagles each have moved up three times. In both instances, two of those trades led to drafting a quarterback. Philadelphia moved up twice to get Carson Wentz in 2016. Buffalo did the same in 2018 for Josh Allen.


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Longtime scout Cesar Presbott retiring after 28 years with Yankees

Even as Hank Steinbrenner continued to channel his father and ...

He had a hand in Dellin Betances becoming a Yankee out of Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn. He said Manny Ramirez, who played at George Washington High School in Washington Heights, was the best amateur player he ever saw. He touched countless other New York City baseball players, regardless of their talent level, and connected with their families. And his turkey giveaway in The Bronx at Thanksgiving time is legendary.
Now, Cesar Presbott is going to put away his scout’s tools after 45 years, 28 with the Yankees, but he said he hopes to stay connected to the game in other ways.
“That is the plan right now,’’ the 71-year-old Presbott told The Post. “I want another experience in baseball, the opportunity to talk to kids. I get call from parents, kids and coaches asking about the draft and school. I can help so many kids in different ways.’’
With colleges and high schools not playing due to the coronavirus pandemic, Presbott is away from baseball fields and may not scout another game. Thursday, that gave him the opportunity to deliver food to the needy in Manhattan.
Betances was easily the best prospect Presbott helped sign for the Yankees, who took the big right-hander in the eighth round of the 2006 draft and gave him $1 million to keep him from going to Vanderbilt.
While Betances was well-known in the scouting community, Johnny Rodriguez wasn’t.
Undrafted out of Manhattan’s Brandeis High School in 1997, Presbott saw the left-handed hitting outfielder play in a league at St. Mary’s Park in The Bronx. Not everybody was impressed with Rodriguez, but Presbott asked Mark Newman, then the head of the Yankees’ minor league operations, for $1,000 and a plane ticket to Tampa for the youngster.
“I know of no other case like that in my decades with the Yankees,’’ Newman said when asked how rare it was that a kid who signed for a grand played in the big leagues and earned a World Series ring with the 2006 Cardinals. “There is probably somebody someplace else but the inner city, it is hard. I can’t think of anybody.’’
Rodriguez spent a total of nine years in the Yankees’ system and split the 2005 season between teams in the Indians and Cardinals minor leagues. He reached the big leagues with the Cardinals in 2005 and hit .295 in 56 games. The following season, Rodriguez appeared in 102 games and batted .301. In 158 big-league games, Rodriguez hit .298.
Rodriguez has Presbott’s connections in The Bronx to thank for his career.
“A police officer told me he had a kid I should look at and when I saw him I didn’t know,” Presbott said, “but [scout] Roman Pena, my best friend in the world said, ‘Cesar, that is going to be your first major league player.’ ”
Following a workout at Yankee Stadium with three other players, Presbott was told by a Yankees Latin American scout that his job would be in jeopardy if he signed Rodriguez.
“I got mad and when I got home I told my wife I liked the kid, but this guy told me he didn’t like the kid,” Presbott said. “She told me, ‘Don’t take the words of nobody. If you like the kid sign him.’ ’’
On a lesser scale, Presbott pushed the Yankees to draft shortstop Conor Mullee out of St. Peter’s in Jersey City. They took him in the 24th round of the 2010 draft and converted him into a pitcher. Mullee pitched in three big-league games in 2016.
Presbott’s connections in New York helped him and the Yankees in other ways.
“He gave us somebody with the Yankees in New York City that had the patience and the work ethic and the knowledge of almost anybody who plays and comes through New York. It gave a comfort level for a scouting director that he was going to lead us to the right guys and know the players and the family,’’ said Yankees amateur scouting director Damon Oppenheimer, Presbott’s boss since 2005.
“Families liked Cesar and really respected him. He represented the Yankee brand to these families and young kids real well. His knowledge of Betances was second to none in terms of amateur scouts. He painted a really good picture of who he was as a kid and his family.’’
Presbott appreciates the respect he received during his time with the Yankees.
“I feel very excited. The Yankees always treated me with respect. Brian Cashman … is my angel,’’ said Presbott, who also worked closely with Hank’s Yanks which was started by the late Hank Steinbrenner.


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Ex-Patriot Ben Watson: Jarrett Stidham can be team’s QB answer

Tom Brady just won ’ t let it go – maybe that ’ s ...

It’s a new dawn in Foxborough, and the big question for the Patriots is who will succeed six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, who is now quarterbacking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 years in New England. As the 2020 NFL Draft — which begins Thursday — gets closer, speculation has increased about whether the Patriots will attempt to trade up in the hope of landing one of the top-ranked quarterbacks — a group headlined by Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert.
But Ben Watson, who retired last month after a 15-year career that began and ended in New England, said he thinks the Patriots have an in-house answer — Jarrett Stidham.
Though Stidham, the Patriots’ fourth-round draft choice in 2019, threw just four regular-season passes, Watson said he believes the Auburn product has what it takes to make it as an effective starting quarterback.
“I’ve seen a lot of guys who come in with a lot of hype who didn’t pan out. I’ve seen guys who came in under the radar and turned into superstars,” Watson told Fox Sports 1’s “First Things First” on Tuesday. “Stidham has all that there needs to be for somebody who’s going to be successful. He’s a student of the game. You hear that a lot, but what that really means is that when we’re in the meeting rooms, he’s paying attention.”
Stidham, just 23, was Brady’s backup last season, beating out 33-year-old Brian Hoyer (who returned this offseason for his third stint with the team). The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Stidham starred for two seasons at Auburn, leading the Tigers to the SEC West Division championship in 2017, with victories over Georgia and Alabama.
After arriving in the NFL, Stidham had the year to sit and learn from Brady, who back in 2001 had waited for his turn to start until taking over for injured starter Drew Bledsoe during a Week 2 regular season game against the Jets.
The rest is history. Brady won six Super Bowl titles, so there will be plenty of pressure on Stidham if he gets the starting nod.
Watson, who earned a Super Bowl ring his rookie year of 2004 after the Patriots beat the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, said Stidham has learned a lot from playing behind a future Hall of Famer in Brady as part of the winning Patriots organization.
“He’s eager to learn, and he has a certain humility about him, with confidence,” Watson said. “He had a chance to learn under arguably the greatest quarterback to play the game.
“He soaked that in for a year. Patriots fans should be confident that he wouldn’t be in that room if coach [Bill] Belichick didn’t think he could help the team.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Wuhan suddenly increases coronavirus death toll by 50 percent

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The coronavirus death toll in the Chinese city of Wuhan — where the global outbreak is believed to have originated — was revised on Friday , increasing by 50 percent , state media reported .
Wuhan is attributing the drastic uptick — from 2,579 to 3,869 fatalities — to insufficient admission capabilities at hospitals that were overwhelmed during the outbreak ’ s peak in the city .
Cases in the city were also adjusted , up 325 to 50,333 , accounting for over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China .
Wuhan ’ s revised coronavirus numbers came days after it was revealed the Chinese government waited six days before warning its citizens of the severity of Wuhan ’ s outbreak .
President Xi Jinping warned the public on Jan. 20 – nearly a week after Chinese officials had privately determined on Jan. 14 that the virus had evolved into a pandemic , the Associated Press reported , citing expert estimates based on infection data .
During those crucial days , more than 3,000 people in Wuhan came down with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Lunar New Year celebrations .
The first case of coronavirus in Wuhan was officially reported on Dec. 31 .
The coronavirus outbreak has since surged around the world , infecting more than 2.1 million people and causing more than 145,000 deaths .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus death toll in the Chinese city of Wuhan — where the global outbreak is believed to have originated — was revised on Friday, increasing by 50 percent, state media reported.
Wuhan is attributing the drastic uptick — from 2,579 to 3,869 fatalities — to insufficient admission capabilities at hospitals that were overwhelmed during the outbreak’s peak in the city.
Cases in the city were also adjusted, up 325 to 50,333, accounting for over 60 percent of everybody infected in all of China.
Wuhan’s revised coronavirus numbers came days after it was revealed the Chinese government waited six days before warning its citizens of the severity of Wuhan’s outbreak.
President Xi Jinping warned the public on Jan. 20 — nearly a week after Chinese officials had privately determined on Jan. 14 that the virus had evolved into an epidemic, the Associated Press reported, citing expert estimates based on infection data.
During those crucial days, more than 3,000 people in Wuhan came down with the coronavirus and millions of Chinese began traveling for Lunar New Year celebrations.
The first case of coronavirus in Wuhan was officially reported on Dec. 31.
The coronavirus outbreak has since surged around the world, infecting more than 2.1 million people and causing more than 145,000 deaths.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--It’s official: St. John’s adds George Washington transfer Arnaldo Toro

The search is over .
St. John ’ s has filled its glaring ...

St. John’s added forward Arnaldo Toro on Thursday as a graduate transfer from George Washington. The Post’s Zach Braziller reported earlier this month that Toro verbally committed to the school.
The 6-foot-8 Toro averaged 6.1 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game for the Colonials last season. After spending four years at George Washington, he will be eligible to play for the Red Storm immediately.
Heading into his second season at St. John’s, coach Mike Anderson hopes Toro can help fill out a thin frontline.
Toro was born in Puerto Rico and played high school ball in New Jersey. He averaged 6.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 99 career games with George Washington.
“Arnaldo is a mature player who brings plenty of experience to our program. We believe his physicality and ability to extend the floor will fit our brand of basketball well,” Anderson said in a news release.
Toro had a career-high 24 rebounds against American last season, equaling an Atlantic 10 record. He played in seven games, all starts, as a junior in 2018-19 before being sidelined by an injury.
St. John’s went 17-15 in Anderson’s first season, including 5-13 in Big East play. The Red Storm won their conference tournament opener against Georgetown last month and were leading top-seeded Creighton at halftime the following day when the rest of the event was canceled due to the coronavirus.


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Supplies sent to Coler Hospital on Roosevelt Island following complaints from staffers

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Following alarming claims of shortages , masks and other supplies were delivered Thursday to a city hospital on Roosevelt Island being used to treat COVID-19 patients .
Last week , staffers at Coler Specialty Hospital put out an urgent video on YouTube complaining they were given cheap masks , not the more protective N95 masks .
“ The reality is this is the cheap stuff .
We have three people contaminated with the coronavirus .
This is how we expose ourselves and take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s not right , ” said one staffer said in the video , with several others in the background chanting , “ Help us.
” Out-of-state nurses assigned to Coler also complained about shoddy conditions there .
Coler Hospital is a long-term nursing and rehabilitation facility .
Some of the space there was reformulated to treat coronavirus patients .
Local community leaders — including Assemblywoman Rebecca Seabrook — dropped off thousands of donated masks and shields , including some made by Cornell Tech University students .
But Seabrook said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Members of the community are getting alarming reports from the inside describing deathtrap conditions .
The silence from the city hospital administrators is outrageous and insulting .
We need to know what is going on inside right now , ” Seabrook said .
She added , “ We are here today to deliver to Coler Hospital these urgently needed supplies and to thank our courageous frontline medical workers for their service .
Roosevelt Island residents opened their hearts and responded with great generosity and without hesitation.
” But Coler CEO Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear , insisted all is well at the hospital and dismissed complaints .
“ We are very fortunate in that we ’ ve had plentiful supplies of PPE throughout this time .
We are very fortunate , we ’ ve always had what we needed .
This adds to our ample supply but , you know , again , we are very thankful , ” he told a Post reporter at the facility .
Meanwhile , Brooklyn restaurateur Govinda ’ s restaurant is providing vegetarian fare to Coler staffers .

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Following alarming claims of shortages, masks and other supplies were delivered Thursday to a city hospital on Roosevelt Island being used to treat COVID-19 patients.
Last week, staffers at Coler Specialty Hospital put out an urgent video on YouTube complaining they were given cheap masks, not the more protective N95 masks.
“The reality is this is the cheap stuff. We have three people contaminated with the coronavirus. This is how we expose ourselves and take a lot of chances every day. It’s not right,” said one staffer said in the video, with several others in the background chanting, “Help us.”
Out-of-state nurses assigned to Coler also complained about shoddy conditions there.
Coler Hospital is a long-term nursing and rehabilitation facility. Some of the space there was reformulated to treat coronavirus patients.
Local community leaders — including Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright — dropped off thousands of donated masks and shields, including some made by Cornell Tech University students.
But Seawright said she was not happy with the secretiveness at Coler.
“Members of the community are getting alarming reports from the inside describing deathtrap conditions. The silence from the city hospital administrators is outrageous and insulting. We need to know what is going on inside right now,” Seawright said.
She added, “We are here today to deliver to Coler Hospital these urgently needed supplies and to thank our courageous frontline medical workers for their service. Roosevelt Island residents opened their hearts and responded with great generosity and without hesitation.”
But Coler CEO Robert Hughes, while welcoming the personal protective gear, insisted all is well at the hospital and dismissed complaints.
“We are very fortunate in that we’ve had plentiful supplies of PPE throughout this time. We are very fortunate, we’ve always had what we needed. This adds to our ample supply but, you know, again, we are very thankful,” he told a Post reporter at the facility.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn restaurateur Govinda’s restaurant is providing vegetarian fare to Coler staffers.


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Microsoft pulls ad featuring Marina Abramović over conspiracy theory

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Microsoft nixed a commercial featuring Marina Abramović after a bogus conspiracy theory surfaced that the performance artist was involved with Satanism .
Abramovic had been featured in the advertisement for a Microsoft headset called the Hololens 2 — which allows the user to see digital imagery with the outside world .
In the spot , the artist discussed her new mixed reality project and interviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house .
“ I believe that art of the future is art without objects , ” says Abramović in the now-deleted YouTube clip .
“ This is just pure transmission of energy between the viewer and the artist .
To me , mixed reality is this answer.
” The ad , however , garnered 24,000 dislikes amid an online outcry over alleged Satanism , reported first by Artnet .
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones — who is alleged to have sold bogus coronavirus cures — likely started the outcry when he addressed the conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech company really want a Luciferian individual like her to be the face of their new mixed reality device because of her art ?
” he said .
Microsoft quickly succumbed to the pressure and pulled the video .
Abramović became a target of right-wing conspiracies in 2016 after the internet alleged to uncover the artist ’ s ties to Satanism .
At the time , she defended herself when asked about the ludicrous conspiracy theory .
“ I ’ m outraged because this is taken completely out of my context , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anybody who wants can read my memoirs and find out that [ my work ] is far away from Satanism .
”

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Microsoft nixed a commercial featuring Marina Abramović after a bogus conspiracy theory surfaced that the performance artist was involved with Satanism.
Abramovic had been featured in the advertisement for a Microsoft headset called the Hololens 2 — which allows the user to see digital imagery with the outside world.
In the spot, the artist discussed her new mixed reality project and interviewed the CEO of Christie’s auction house.
“I believe that art of the future is art without objects,” says Abramović in the now-deleted YouTube clip.
“This is just pure transmission of energy between the viewer and the artist. To me, mixed reality is this answer.”
The ad, however, garnered 24,000 dislikes amid an online outcry over alleged Satanism, reported first by Artnet.
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones — who is alleged to have sold bogus coronavirus cures — likely started the outcry when he addressed the conspiracy on his show.
“Would a tech company really want a Luciferian individual like her to be the face of their new mixed reality device because of her art?” he said.
Microsoft quickly succumbed to the pressure and pulled the video.
Abramović became a target of right-wing conspiracies in 2016 after the internet alleged to uncover the artist’s ties to Satanism.
At the time, she defended herself when asked about the ludicrous conspiracy theory.
“I’m outraged because this is taken completely out of my context,” she said at the time.
“Anybody who wants can read my memoirs and find out that [my work] is far away from Satanism.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Six people in South Carolina die of coronavirus after attending same funeral

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Six elderly South Carolina residents — including a married couple — died of coronavirus a feweeks after attending the same funeral , according to a report .
All six of the deceased were African Americans and over 60-years-old , both categories at high risk of contracting the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , according to The State .
The coroner of Sumter County , where most of the dead lived , told the paper that all six likely contracted the illness from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They attended that same funeral and unfortunately passed away from COVID [ 19 ] , ” Baker said .
“ They came back to Sumter , got sick , and I was notified they had passed .
“ Unfortunately , a large amount of people congregated at that funeral , somebody there was infected with it , spread it , and just didn ’ t know it , ” Baker said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on March 16 — after the South Carolina funeral — issued new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live stream services to comply with state and federal social distancing restrictions .
South Carolina had more than 3,600 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 107 deaths from the disease as of Wednesday , the report said , citing the state health department .
About 90 percent of the state ’ s fatalities were people over the age of 61 , the paper said .
African Americans , who make up 27 percent of the state ’ s population , account for 56 percent of the state ’ s coronavirus-related deaths .

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Six elderly South Carolina residents — including a married couple — died of coronavirus a few weeks after attending the same funeral, according to a report.
All six of the deceased were African Americans and over 60 years old, both categories at high risk of contracting the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to The State.
The coroner of Sumter County, where most of the dead lived, told the paper that all six likely contracted the illness from another attendee at the early March funeral.
“They attended that same funeral and unfortunately passed away from COVID [19],” Baker said. “They came back to Sumter, got sick, and I was notified they had passed.
“Unfortunately, a large amount of people congregated at that funeral, somebody there was infected with it, spread it, and just didn’t know it,” Baker said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on March 16 — after the South Carolina funeral — issued new guidance to funeral directors, urging them to livestream services to comply with state and federal social distancing restrictions.
South Carolina had more than 3,600 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 107 deaths from the disease as of Wednesday, the report said, citing the state health department.
About 90 percent of the state’s fatalities were people over the age of 61, the paper said.
African Americans, who make up 27 percent of the state’s population, account for 56 percent of the state’s coronavirus-related deaths.


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Mike Conley beats Zach LaVine to win ESPN’s HORSE title

Mike Conley was pleased just to get in some good competition with the NBA season suspended during the coronavirus outbreak .
That he won ESPN ’ s H-O-R-S-E Challenge , beating Zach LaVine in the championship match aired Thursday night , was secondary to the entertainment value .
“ It was a fun environment to be a part of , ” Conley ( H-O ) of the Utah Jazz said on ESPN after beating LaVine of the Chicago Bulls .
“ This gave us all something to do at a time we ’ re all sitting around the house.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by beating former NBA star Chauncey Billups , while LaVine ( H-O-R ) ousted WNBA star Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky .
Conley , who was playing from an indoor gym in Columbus , Ohio , quickly saddled LaVine with H-O , the second letter coming when Conley made a free throw with both his eyes closed while LaVine missed his matching attempt .
LaVine , playing outdoors in Snohomish , Wash. , later was at H-O-R and within one letter after Conley missed a 3-point bank from the top of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the second a running hook over the backboard that LaVine was unable to match , saddling with him H-O-R-S-E. “ You deserve that championship , I ’ ll let you know that , ” LaVine said after falling short .
“ I did everything I could .
I got a real tough opponent in the championship game , and he had some tricks I hadn ’ t seen before .
“ It was fun .
It comes down to making shots and he made some really , really , really tough shots.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ LaVine .
“ It was good to see another NBA guy , man , ” Conley said .
“ Cooped up in the house .
It was good to see you.
” In the semifinals , also aired Thursday , Conley finished off Billups with a two-handed underhand free throw .
The former star known as “ Mr .
Big Shot ” could only marvel at Conley ’ s performance .
“ Mike was a little too tough , ” Billups , who was playing in Denver , said .
“ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me.
” LaVine repeatedly used his athleticism in his semifinal win over Quigley , who was playing in Deerfield , Ill. That prompted Quigley , one of the WNBA ’ s best 3-point shooters , to remind LaVine that he made 13 3-pointers in a game earlier this season .
LaVine didn ’ t take the bait and eventually finished off his Chicago hoopster counterpart .
“ It was so much fun , ” Quigley said afterward .
“ It was such a good experience.
” Quigley defeated 10-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterfinals , which were shown Sunday .
In the other quarterfinals , Billups beat Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young , LaVine swept NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce , and Conley defeated former WNBA star Tamika Catchings , who is slated to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in late August .

Mike Conley was pleased just to get in some good competition with the NBA season suspended during the coronavirus outbreak.
That he won ESPN’s H-O-R-S-E Challenge, beating Zach LaVine in the championship match aired Thursday night, was secondary to the entertainment value.
“It was a fun environment to be a part of,” Conley (H-O) of the Utah Jazz said on ESPN after beating LaVine of the Chicago Bulls. “This gave us all something to do at a time we’re all sitting around the house.”
Conley (H-O) reached the final by beating former NBA star Chauncey Billups, while LaVine (H-O-R) ousted WNBA star Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky.
Conley, who was playing from an indoor gym in Columbus, Ohio, quickly saddled LaVine with H-O, the second letter coming when Conley made a free throw with both his eyes closed while LaVine missed his matching attempt.
LaVine, playing outdoors in Snohomish, Wash., later was at H-O-R and within one letter after Conley missed a 3-point bank from the top of the key. But Conley converted back-to-back shots, the second a running hook over the backboard that LaVine was unable to match, saddling with him H-O-R-S-E.
“You deserve that championship, I’ll let you know that,” LaVine said after falling short. “I did everything I could. I got a real tough opponent in the championship game, and he had some tricks I hadn’t seen before.
“It was fun. It comes down to making shots and he made some really, really, really tough shots.”
Conley expressed his joy about seeing LaVine.
“It was good to see another NBA guy, man,” Conley said. “Cooped up in the house. It was good to see you.”
In the semifinals, also aired Thursday, Conley finished off Billups with a two-handed underhand free throw. The former star known as “Mr. Big Shot” could only marvel at Conley’s performance.
“Mike was a little too tough,” Billups, who was playing in Denver, said. “He’s got too many trick shots for me.”
LaVine repeatedly used his athleticism in his semifinal win over Quigley, who was playing in Deerfield, Ill. That prompted Quigley, one of the WNBA’s best 3-point shooters, to remind LaVine that he made 13 3-pointers in a game earlier this season.
LaVine didn’t take the bait and eventually finished off his Chicago hoopster counterpart.
“It was so much fun,” Quigley said afterward. “It was such a good experience.”
Quigley defeated 10-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the quarterfinals, which were shown Sunday.
In the other quarterfinals, Billups beat Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young, LaVine swept NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce, and Conley defeated former WNBA star Tamika Catchings, who is slated to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in late August.


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--North Dallas Forty gives true picture of what football was like in 1970s

During the coronavirus shutdown , each day we will bring you ...

During the coronavirus shutdown, each day we will bring you a recommendation from The Post’s Peter Botte for a sports movie, TV show or book that perhaps was before your time or somehow slipped between the cracks of your viewing/reading history.
North Dallas Forty (1979)
Rated R
Streaming: Amazon Prime
If you ever wondered what professional football truly was like in its wild-west heyday of the 1970s, seek out this acclaimed dramedy adaption of former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Peter Gent’s best-selling satirical novel of the same name.
Nick Nolte (younger readers might remember him as “Blue Chips” coach Pete Bell) portrays battered and aging pass-catcher Phil Elliott, who has become increasingly dependent on pain-killers and booze — and combatant with coaches and front-office types — as his skills and health have deteriorated in the waning days of his career.
Directed by Ted Kotcheff (“First Blood”), the football scenes aren’t necessarily as intricate or high-def quality as latter-day football entries such as Oliver Stone’s “Any Given Sunday.”
Still, “North Dallas Forty” wasn’t intended to be a traditional sports flick as much as an examination of the cold business side of the game and its institutional pressures, especially during that era, when the paychecks usually weren’t commensurate with the pain these disposable players endured.
Country singer/songwriter Mac Davis also makes a memorable big-screen debut as star quarterback Seth Maxwell, based loosely on Gent’s fun-loving former Cowboys teammate and “Monday Night Football” legend Don Meredith. The scene between Nolte and Davis when they down a mixture of codeine pills with Budweiser — “The Breakfast of Champions” — was particularly eye-opening for its time.
Also, look out for two-time Super Bowl winning Raiders defensive end John Matuszak (later the deformed Sloth in “The Goonies”) as player O.W. Shaddock in his first credited role.
Quote of Note: “Son, you ain’t never gonna get off that bench until you stop fighting them suckers. You got to learn how to fool ’em. Give ’em what they want. I know. I’ve been fooling them bastards for years.” Seth Maxwell to Jack Elliot about the Bulls’ coaching staff and front office in “North Dallas Forty.”
Botte Blows: 4.4 of 5


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Federal judge denies Roger Stone’s request for a new trial

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Thursday denied a request for a new trial made by Trump ally Roger Stone following his conviction on charges related to the Russia investigation .
Stone claimed the jury forewoman was biased and petitioned for a new trial ; his first such request was denied .
It prompted Judge Amy Berman Jackson to call nearly all jurors back for a hearing , a highly unusual move , after Stone ’ s attorneys also alleged misconduct after some jurors spoke out publicly following the case .
During a trial , jurors are not allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the case or discuss it with anyone until deliberations , but after their verdict is rendered , they are released from duty and can speak publicly if they wish .
New trial requests are not uncommon , but this case was surprising in many ways — including a barrage of tweets from President Donald Trump on the trial , threats by the attorney general to quit and the departure of the entire prosecution team following Justice Department leadership ’ s decision to back off its sentencing request .
In her 81-page memorandum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not proved the forewoman was biased or that any jurors acted inappropriately .
She included details of their juror questionnaires in her explanation .
“ The assumption underlying the motion – that one can infer from the juror ’ s opinions about the President that she could not fairly consider the evidence against the defendant – is not supported by any facts or data and it is contrary to controlling legal precedent , ” she wrote in denying the new trial .
“ The motion is a tower of indignation , but at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is little of substance holding it up.
” Stone was convicted on all seven counts of an indictment that accused him of lying to Congress , tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election .
He was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted on charges brought as part of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Before his Feb. 20 sentencing , the Justice Department leadership backed away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweeted his displeasure at the recommendation of up to nine years in prison , saying it had been too harsh .
The move led to a brief flare-up between Attorney General Willam Barr and Trump .
The decision on sentencing was Jackson ’ s to make .
She sentenced Stone to more than three years in prison plus two years ’ probation and a $ 20,000 fine .

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Thursday denied a request for a new trial made by Trump ally Roger Stone following his conviction on charges related to the Russia investigation.
Stone claimed the jury forewoman was biased and petitioned for a new trial; his first such request was denied. It prompted Judge Amy Berman Jackson to call nearly all jurors back for a hearing, a highly unusual move, after Stone’s attorneys also alleged misconduct after some jurors spoke out publicly following the case.
During a trial, jurors are not allowed to read news accounts or social media posts about the case or discuss it with anyone until deliberations, but after their verdict is rendered, they are released from duty and can speak publicly if they wish.
New trial requests are not uncommon, but this case was surprising in many ways — including a barrage of tweets from President Donald Trump on the trial, threats by the attorney general to quit and the departure of the entire prosecution team following Justice Department leadership’s decision to back off its sentencing request.
In her 81-page memorandum, Judge Jackson said the lawyers had not proved the forewoman was biased or that any jurors acted inappropriately. She included details of their juror questionnaires in her explanation.
“The assumption underlying the motion – that one can infer from the juror’s opinions about the President that she could not fairly consider the evidence against the defendant – is not supported by any facts or data and it is contrary to controlling legal precedent,” she wrote in denying the new trial. “The motion is a tower of indignation, but at the end of the day, there is little of substance holding it up.”
Stone was convicted on all seven counts of an indictment that accused him of lying to Congress, tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election.
He was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted on charges brought as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Before his Feb. 20 sentencing, the Justice Department leadership backed away from its initial recommendation just hours after Trump tweeted his displeasure at the recommendation of up to nine years in prison, saying it had been too harsh. The move led to a brief flare-up between Attorney General Willam Barr and Trump.
The decision on sentencing was Jackson’s to make. She sentenced Stone to more than three years in prison plus two years’ probation and a $20,000 fine.


newyorkpost--2020-04-17--Nick Cordero may never walk again after coronavirus battle, wife says

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) The wife of “ Waitress ” actor Nick Cordero said he may not be able to walk again as he suffers from coronavirus .
Amanda Kloots posted on Instagram Thursday that her husband is on a ventilator and needs surgery on a blood flow issue in his right leg .
She is unsure if her husband will walk again after the procedure .
Cordero , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has been fighting for his life in an intensive care unit .
“ The surgery went well .
The doctor said for Nick ’ s heart and lungs right now , they ’ re in the best condition that they could be , ” Kloots said in her post .
“ His right leg is still an issue .
There has been some blood flow issues coming down to his foot.
” Kloots also mentioned that she wasn ’ t sure if he would be able to walk again and that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nick ’ s future , but blood was returning to his toes .
This statement comes a day after she posted that doctors could not find a pulse in his leg and , in order to fully assess the toll that the COVID-19 virus had taken , they need Nick to regain consciousness .
Cordero has been in the hospital for over two weeks , where , after showing signs of recovery , his condition took a dramatic turn .

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The wife of “Waitress” actor Nick Cordero said he may not be able to walk again as he suffers from coronavirus.
Amanda Kloots posted on Instagram Thursday that her husband is on a ventilator and needs surgery on a blood flow issue in his right leg.
She is unsure if her husband will walk again after the procedure.
Cordero, 41, was recently diagnosed with coronavirus and has been fighting for his life in an intensive care unit.
“The surgery went well. The doctor said for Nick’s heart and lungs right now, they’re in the best condition that they could be,” Kloots said in her post.
“His right leg is still an issue. There has been some blood flow issues coming down to his foot.”
Kloots also mentioned that she wasn’t sure if he would be able to walk again and that there will probably be a lot of rehab in Nick’s future, but blood was returning to his toes.
This statement comes a day after she posted that doctors could not find a pulse in his leg and, in order to fully assess the toll that the COVID-19 virus had taken, they need Nick to regain consciousness.
Cordero has been in the hospital for over two weeks, where, after showing signs of recovery, his condition took a dramatic turn.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for his medical bills.