newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Weighing Giants’ five biggest needs in 2020 NFL Draft

The problem with offering an opinion as to what the Giants need most and thus who they must take with the No .
4 pick in the draft is that you are all wrong .
Or all correct .
The problem is the answer to the “ needs ’ ’ question is far too often “ Yes.
’ ’ When a team wins three , five and four games in a three-year span , there are leaks all over , and clear sailing takes a back seat to staying afloat .
Remember when you were a kid ( depending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
“ Got it , got it , got it , need it.
’ ’ This is the way it is with the Giants , in reverse .
They are all about “ Need it , need it , need it , got it.
’ ’ You name it ( outside of quarterback , running back and probably guard ) and there is a good chance the Giants can use it .
There must be priorities , though .
Here is how The Post views the Giants ’ five greatest needs : Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at least one of them on the bench capable of sliding in on either side in an emergency .
A case can be made the Giants have one of these requirements .
General manager Dave Gettleman recently admitted left tackle Nate Solder had a bad 2019 season .
Solder , 32 , returns , and all the Giants can do is hope after nine seasons he is not shot .
There is no right tackle .
Mike Remmers was one-and-done .
Nick Gates is an undrafted prospect , so beware there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency , but he has mostly been a career backup .
The Giants need to come out of this draft with someone capable of starting much sooner than later at right tackle .
Period .
This is not a single position need as much as it is a defensive trait that must be addressed .
It is fine ( sort of ) for Gettleman to say he was unwilling to pay massive money for the two or three good-but-not-great sack guys on the market .
It is fine ( sort of ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ approach to getting to the opposing quarterback .
This means the defensive coaching staff must be wizards , and we will wait and see on that one .
Bottom line : Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines must develop as pass rushers .
They are third-round picks , and it is not too much to ask .
We will believe Kyler Fackrell is part of the solution when we see it .
Good luck finding a legitimate pass rusher in this draft once Chase Young is off the board .
The wait for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is coming off major Achilles tendon surgery and remains unsigned .
He should return to health , but the problem is he was not anything special when he played in 2019 .
Spencer Pulley is a serviceable option .
The Giants do not need a superstar here .
But with defenses more and more relying on inside pressure up the middle , anchoring in at center is essential , and there are a few of them in this draft ( Cesar Ruiz , Lloyd Cushenberry , Matt Hennessy , Tyler Biadasz ) who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Submit your Giants questions here to be answered in an upcoming mailbag Let ’ s see , there is Jabrill Peppers , coming off a fracture in his back that kept him out of the last five games .
He is young and strong , though , but needs to take a big step forward entering his fourth NFL season ( second with the Giants ) .
Otherwise , the depth chart is slim-to-none .
Perhaps Julian Love in Year 2 can emerge at free safety , but that is more a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not addressed at all in free agency .
Veteran Antoine Bethea was released and another veteran , Michael Thomas , is unsigned .
It would not be a surprise if the Giants took a safety on the second day of the draft , especially if Xavier McKinney ( Alabama , unlikely to be there ) or Grant Delpit ( LSU ) are on the board at No .
36 .
Yes , we know Sterling Shepard , Golden Tate and Darius Slayton are all on the roster .
This does not mitigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one with some size .
Shepard is a gamer , but he had terrible concussion issues last season and that is alarming .
Tate is tough but also 31 and entering his 11th NFL season .
Slayton as a fifth-round pick was a rookie revelation , and it is intriguing to consider what his second year will bring .
This draft is loaded with receivers .
The Giants can find one in the fourth or fifth round who could make their team and contribute .

The problem with offering an opinion as to what the Giants need most and thus who they must take with the No. 4 pick in the draft is that you are all wrong. Or all correct.
The problem is the answer to the “needs’’ question is far too often “Yes.’’ When a team wins three, five and four games in a three-year span, there are leaks all over, and clear sailing takes a back seat to staying afloat.
Remember when you were a kid (depending on your age) rifling through baseball cards? “Got it, got it, got it, need it.’’ This is the way it is with the Giants, in reverse. They are all about “Need it, need it, need it, got it.’’ You name it (outside of quarterback, running back and probably guard) and there is a good chance the Giants can use it.
There must be priorities, though. Here is how The Post views the Giants’ five greatest needs:
Offensive tackle
Every team needs two of them to start and at least one of them on the bench capable of sliding in on either side in an emergency. A case can be made the Giants have one of these requirements. General manager Dave Gettleman recently admitted left tackle Nate Solder had a bad 2019 season. Solder, 32, returns, and all the Giants can do is hope after nine seasons he is not shot.
There is no right tackle. Mike Remmers was one-and-done. Nick Gates is an undrafted prospect, so beware there. Veteran Cam Fleming was signed in free agency, but he has mostly been a career backup. The Giants need to come out of this draft with someone capable of starting much sooner than later at right tackle. Period.
Pass rush
This is not a single position need as much as it is a defensive trait that must be addressed. It is fine (sort of) for Gettleman to say he was unwilling to pay massive money for the two or three good-but-not-great sack guys on the market. It is fine (sort of) to speak of using a “committee’’ approach to getting to the opposing quarterback. This means the defensive coaching staff must be wizards, and we will wait and see on that one.
Bottom line: Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines must develop as pass rushers. They are third-round picks, and it is not too much to ask. We will believe Kyler Fackrell is part of the solution when we see it. Good luck finding a legitimate pass rusher in this draft once Chase Young is off the board.
Center
The wait for Jon Halapio might be fruitless. He is coming off major Achilles tendon surgery and remains unsigned. He should return to health, but the problem is he was not anything special when he played in 2019. Spencer Pulley is a serviceable option.
The Giants do not need a superstar here. But with defenses more and more relying on inside pressure up the middle, anchoring in at center is essential, and there are a few of them in this draft (Cesar Ruiz, Lloyd Cushenberry, Matt Hennessy, Tyler Biadasz) who could immediately challenge for a starting spot.
Submit your Giants questions here to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
Safety
Let’s see, there is Jabrill Peppers, coming off a fracture in his back that kept him out of the last five games. He is young and strong, though, but needs to take a big step forward entering his fourth NFL season (second with the Giants).
Otherwise, the depth chart is slim-to-none. Perhaps Julian Love in Year 2 can emerge at free safety, but that is more a projection than a plan. This spot was not addressed at all in free agency. Veteran Antoine Bethea was released and another veteran, Michael Thomas, is unsigned. It would not be a surprise if the Giants took a safety on the second day of the draft, especially if Xavier McKinney (Alabama, unlikely to be there) or Grant Delpit (LSU) are on the board at No. 36.
Wide receiver
Yes, we know Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate and Darius Slayton are all on the roster. This does not mitigate the need for another target, preferably one with some size. Shepard is a gamer, but he had terrible concussion issues last season and that is alarming. Tate is tough but also 31 and entering his 11th NFL season. Slayton as a fifth-round pick was a rookie revelation, and it is intriguing to consider what his second year will bring. This draft is loaded with receivers. The Giants can find one in the fourth or fifth round who could make their team and contribute.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--‘Sorry, we’re clothed’: Las Vegas Strip, strip clubs dark amid coronavirus pandemic

“ Sorry , we ’ re clothed , ” reads the digital signet outside Little Darlings , a now-shuttered Las Vegas strip club that had stubbornly tried to remain open early on in the coronavirus outbreak .
The fully nude jiggle joint had tried to stay afloat by advertising “ coronavirus-free ” dancers , nude hand sanitizer wrestling and drive-thru strip shows — but to no avail .
The club sits just off a Vegas Strip that is now stripped of life .
The entirety of the famed boulevard has been shut down for the first time since the assassination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian .
Like the nearly completely desolate Times Square , the abandoned Strip is a haunting illustration of an invisible pandemic .
Stragglers wandering through the country ’ s gambling epicenter are greeted with messages of hope on screens from closed casinos still patrolled by security guards .
Palace Station ’ s sign announces , “ Doors closed , hearts open.
” The closures are expected to devastate the state ’ s economy .
The Nevada Resort Association penned a letter to Congress asking for federal relief .
The group estimated last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an estimated $ 2 billion from canceled meetings and conventions , the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported .
The shuttered strip could lead to nearly $ 39 billion in economic losses , the group said .
“ This is an unprecedented economic situation that will have catastrophic financial ramifications for individuals , families , businesses and state and local budgets across the state , ” the association ’ s President and CEO Virginia Valentine , wrote in the letter .

There’s no pole dancing during a pandemic.
“Sorry, we’re clothed,” reads the digital signet outside Little Darlings, a now-shuttered Las Vegas strip club that had stubbornly tried to remain open early on in the coronavirus outbreak.
The fully nude jiggle joint had tried to stay afloat by advertising “coronavirus-free” dancers, nude hand sanitizer wrestling and drive-thru strip shows — but to no avail.
The club sits just off a Vegas Strip that is now stripped of life.
The entirety of the famed boulevard has been shut down for the first time since the assassination of John F. Kennedy, according to The Guardian.
Like the nearly completely desolate Times Square, the abandoned Strip is a haunting illustration of an invisible pandemic.
Stragglers wandering through the country’s gambling epicenter are greeted with messages of hope on screens from closed casinos still patrolled by security guards. Palace Station’s sign announces, “Doors closed, hearts open.”
The closures are expected to devastate the state’s economy.
The Nevada Resort Association penned a letter to Congress asking for federal relief. The group estimated last month has warned the state has lost an estimated $2 billion from canceled meetings and conventions, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
The shuttered strip could lead to nearly $39 billion in economic losses, the group said.
“This is an unprecedented economic situation that will have catastrophic financial ramifications for individuals, families, businesses and state and local budgets across the state,” the association’s President and CEO Virginia Valentine, wrote in the letter.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--NYCFC players using video games to fill down time during shutdown

Thousands of people are currently struggling for food in the ...

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Sebastien Ibeagha still wakes up at 8 a.m and fixes himself breakfast. He gets a workout in, unless it’s a day off. Then he turns to one of life’s last pleasures unaffected by social distancing to fill his empty schedule: He flicks on his Xbox.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and the suspension of sports that followed thereafter, the New York City FC defender is one of many pro athletes now faced with a massive surplus of free time. He and several teammates are turning to “Call of Duty” to fill that void.
For some on the team, the game (they play the “Modern Warfare” title specifically) has been a very rough substitute for the intensity of pro sports. The club played Mexican giant Tigres on March 11 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, falling 1-0 in a tense affair and one of the club’s biggest matches ever. Now, some NYCFC players are maintaining that stimulation by yelling at their TVs instead.
“I think it makes me angry enough to where it kind of simulates stuff that happens on the field,” Ibeagha told The Post by phone.
Ibeagha and his most frequent gaming partner on the team — backup goalkeeper Brad Stuver — play “Call of Duty” for hours on end, now spending their days bemoaning “campers” (players who hide within the game) instead of missed calls on the field.
“Being a pro athlete, we don’t get to play the game we love [right now], but our entire life is about that competitive feeling. … And when we don’t get to go into training every day and have that, sometimes guys have a hard time filling that gap,” Stuver said.
Other NYCFC players are maintaining their sanity through different avenues.
After sleeping in, 17-year-old Joe Scally prefers to play “FIFA” with his brother or teammate (and fellow teenager) James Sands.
Veteran defender Anton Tinnerholm shrugs off gaming entirely.
“I’m too old to play ‘FIFA,’ ” the 29-year-old said on a recent conference call.
Not everyone is built to be a gamer — or even the same type of gamer.
Though Ibeagha and Stuver are heavily focused on the results of their “Call of Duty” exploits, their teammate Keaton Parks has a more lax approach to the game when he joins in.
“I’m there to hang out, you know,” the midfielder said to his teammates’ chagrin in a Google Hangouts video chat. “I’m not there to get dubs.”
“See, that’s the problem right there,” Ibeagha shot back.
Parks, who admits he’s the worst of the three at the game, plays it for just an hour or two at a time and largely uses it as a vehicle to interact with friends. His approach may be ridiculed by his uber-competitive teammates, but actually illustrates the game’s connective abilities amid MLS’s suspension of play.
NYCFC have done their part in keeping team members in touch. There’s an active WhatsApp group for players, coaches and support staff, and the team has organized several fitness classes over Zoom. But still, the stay-at-home guidelines have robbed athletes of almost all in-person interaction, so the makeshift locker room within “Call of Duty” has taken on a sense of heightened importance for Ibeagha, Stuver and Parks.
The banter the game enables hasn’t changed, but every “turn off your console” or genuine conversation through their headsets has now temporarily become the backbone of the trio’s real-life friendship.
“It allows us to vent in that type of way, to guys you usually see everyday,” Ibeagha said.
NYCFC’s gamers will still step away from their screens and occupy their time with other things, in addition to working out. Stuver reads and prepares meals, and Scally will occasionally be dragged outside by his dad to play basketball.
Still, it’s easy to see why gaming — with its social byproduct and rigor — can be uniquely addictive for athletes.
“Even if it’s not the same,” Stuver said, “it’s something.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Lousy ‘One World Together At Home’ concert made us feel worse

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

One world together, pulling our hair out.
Saturday’s two-hour primetime concert, “One World Together At Home,” achieved the impossible: It made us feel even worse about our already miserable circumstances.
The insufferable show — simulcast on CBS, NBC, ABC and the internet — pieced together saintly speeches from A-list celebrities and somber United Nations officials between womp-womp acoustic ballads. Didn’t we tune in for some uplift?
Yes, but we got none of that when couple Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello dueted on “What A Wonderful World,” Louis Armstrong’s signature number, surrounded by candles like a Bonnie Tyler music video.
Or when Taylor Swift softly crooned “Soon You’ll Get Better” as though she was a hospital resident scrawling out a prescription.
Nearly every musician opted for the saddest, most obvious tune they could muster, while — lucky us! — giving a shaky tour of their fabulous homes that would make Robin Leach scowl.
If you didn’t know John Legend was an EGOT before, you sure do after gawking tonight at his awards shelf, conveniently located next to his piano.
Ellen DeGeneres’ floor-to-ceiling windows revealed lush California greenery. And Elton John, oddly, wanted us to witness his basketball hoop, complete with two basketballs on the driveway, as he barked “I’m Still Standing.”
The luxurious Trulia listings would have been forgiven were it not for the dull sanctimony paired with them.
Previous 1 of 7 Next Advertisement Japanese woman Noemi watches Taylor Swift perform during "One World: Together At Home" presented by Global Citizen today. Christopher Jue/Getty Images Noemi watches the performance of Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell. Advertisement Jennifer Lopez Getty Images for Global Citizen Keith Urban Getty Images for Global Citizen Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabelo Advertisement
Remember 1985’s Live Aid, held to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia? That international telethon provided one of Queen and Freddie Mercury’s most legendary performances. This downer, however, didn’t have half its energy.
Saturday night wasn’t even a telethon! Surely taking into consideration the skyrocketing unemployment figures of the coronavirus pandemic, co-host Stephen Colbert (alongside Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel) began by saying, “We’d love everyone to take out their wallets and throw them away. We aren’t asking for any money tonight.”
Even if the co-hosts didn’t land a joke all night, that’s a nice thought. What people want is a fun distraction, a celebration of the human spirit, right? But the next 118 minutes had no humor, no fun, no watchability.
The most memorable moments were, at best, weird.
Jennifer Lopez had, um, a conspicuously clean vocal track, as she sang “People” from “Funny Girl” in front of a campy tree covered in Christmas lights.
“There’s one thing I realized during this whole time,” Lopez said. “And that’s that we all need each other … PEOPLE!” You can’t make it up.
And Keith Urban performed “Higher Love” with two digital copies of himself. At the end of the tune, his wife, Nicole Kidman, came out and kissed one of the carbon copies. Strange, but at least it was uptempo.
One of the most vital performances was 76-year-old Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones doing “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” That says it all, doesn’t it?
In the final song of the show, Lady Gaga, one of the event’s organizers, wedged herself into a famous duet: “The Prayer,” sung by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. The song — delivered by those two legends — has been a comfort to the world for 22 years. And still, Gaga had to get in there.
It was the final act of narcissism during a night dominated by it.


newyorkpost--2020-04-18--There’s no crying in baseball! The movie that will keep you from missing America’s pastime

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.
A League of Their Own (1992)
Rated: PG-13
Streaming: Amazon Prime
Throwing like a girl was never more of a compliment.
Actress-turned-director Penny Marshall (“The Odd Couple,” “Laverne and Shirley,” “Big”) presents a warm and often-hilarious account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that sprung up and thrived while countless major league players were overseas during World War II.
This actually might be my favorite baseball movie, and that’s saying an awful lot in the company of past recommendations such as “The Natural” and “Bull Durham” — as well as a few we haven’t gotten to yet, such as “Major League” and the original “The Bad News Bears.”
Geena Davis, as star catcher and slugger Dottie Hinson, and Lori Petty, as her kid sister Kit Keller, are convincing athletically, as are Madonna (“All the way, Mae!”) and Rosie O’Donnell (Doris Murphy) in supporting roles. And don’t forget the great Marla Hooch (Megan Cavanagh), what a hitter!
Even with six career Academy Award nominations and two victories, this is among Tom Hanks’ most memorable roles, as washed-up, heavy-drinking former slugger Jimmy Dugan. (Especially his unforgettable rant about there being “no crying in baseball” and his signing of an autograph to two young boys: “Avoid the clap, Jimmy Dugan.”)
One minor note you might have missed: Betty “Spaghetti” Horn is portrayed by Marshall’s real-life daughter, Tracy Reiner, the adopted child of Marshall’s husband, actor/director Rob Reiner of “All in the Family,” “This is Spinal Tap” and “A Few Good Men” fame.
Also, who even remembers there even was a six-episode TV series based on the film — starring Sam McMurray as Dugan, Carey Lowell (“Law and Order”) as Hinson, with Cavanagh, Reiner and Marshall’s brother Garry (as league owner and candy bar magnate Walter Harvey) reprising their big-screen roles?
Quote of Note: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” — Manager Jimmy Dugan to catcher Dottie Hinson
Botte Blows: 4.75 of 5


newyorkpost--2020-04-18--Veterans are entitled to free hearing aids through the VA

Readers : As I mentioned a few weeks back , Nano Hearing Aids — nanohearingaids.com — was giving away 24 pairs of hearing aids through this column .
The company is in the process of contacting the people it picked for this giveaway based on their need and their inability to pay for hearing aids on their own .
Here is the ninth lucky winner : Nano : I hope you consider me for a pair of hearing aids in your giveaway promotion .
I am 59 years old and blind .
It is important that I have good hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of eyesight .
I have a pretty good HMO , but unfortunately , it does not cover hearing aids .
I have been to an audiologist and have been fitted for a pair .
But when it came time to purchase them , I couldn ’ t come up with the money I needed .
You ’ ll be doing my wife a great favor by providing me with hearing aids as I am constantly annoying her by asking , “ What ?
” LOL .
Anyway , thank you for reading this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A lot of you vets have been asking for the free hearing aids that are being given away .
And Nano Hearing Aids has been wonderful in granting as many of those requests as possible , along with giving devices out to non-veterans as well .
But people who have served in the Armed Forces should know that vets are entitled to free hearing aids through the federal Veterans Administration .
You can get all the information you need at www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/hearing_aids.asp .
It ’ s a benefit you are entitled to , so @ @ @ @

Readers: As I mentioned a few weeks back, Nano Hearing Aids — nanohearingaids.com — was giving away 24 pairs of hearing aids through this column.
The company is in the process of contacting the people it picked for this giveaway based on their need and their inability to pay for hearing aids on their own. Here is the ninth lucky winner:
Winner 9
Nano: I hope you consider me for a pair of hearing aids in your giveaway promotion.
I am 59 years old and blind. It is important that I have good hearing to help make up for my lack of eyesight.
I have a pretty good HMO, but unfortunately, it does not cover hearing aids. I have been to an audiologist and have been fitted for a pair. But when it came time to purchase them, I couldn’t come up with the money I needed.
You’ll be doing my wife a great favor by providing me with hearing aids as I am constantly annoying her by asking, “What?” LOL.
Anyway, thank you for reading this and for considering me. C.M.
Special note to veterans
A lot of you vets have been asking for the free hearing aids that are being given away. And Nano Hearing Aids has been wonderful in granting as many of those requests as possible, along with giving devices out to non-veterans as well.
But people who have served in the Armed Forces should know that vets are entitled to free hearing aids through the federal Veterans Administration. You can get all the information you need at www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/hearing_aids.asp. It’s a benefit you are entitled to, so go for it.


newyorkpost--2020-04-18--Insurance money for homeless disabled veteran proves evasive

Insurance companies in New Zealand reportedly are saving big bucks ...

Dear John: My brother passed away in February 2018 and for two years I have been stalled by the insurance company in my efforts to obtain the insurance money.
I am a disabled veteran, now homeless, and paid out of pocket to bury my brother, relying on the proceeds from the policy.
I read your articles regularly, and I remember reading a similar case where your intervention was successful.
I have enclosed a copy of my last letter to the insurance company for your review and pray that you will intervene on my behalf. E.J.
Dear E.J.: I did intervene on your behalf with Global Life Insurance Co., and the insurance money was finally paid — only not to you.
Understand that in these situations, the company usually won’t discuss details with me. Most of the time they say it’s none of my business and they have a legal obligation not to share details with me. But more often than not, they’d rather I not butt in.
So I called you and here’s all that they told me — the situation was settled a month ago.
I had to speak with you to get the details.
Global apparently paid the money to a cousin of yours who lives in California. The amount was $5,000, and the cousin gave you $1,000 of it.
The question is: When was the beneficiary changed from you — as you claim — to your cousin? We will probably never know why it was changed, if it was, because your brother is dead. But I can see some reasonable explanations, such as: You were homeless and couldn’t be reached, so she was the person who would have an easier time collecting. Whether she was supposed to share the money with you, or give it all to you, is an answer that went to the grave with your brother.
But since your life is in the state it is, I asked Global the following questions: One, why did it take so long to pay out this money? Two, was a fraud investigation undertaken to determine if the cousin really was the beneficiary? And when was the beneficiary changed (if you are telling me the truth on that)?
The way this will work is: Global won’t answer these questions for me. But, if it is smart, Global will eventually get back to you with the answers. And you’ll have to contact me with those answers.
If I don’t like those answers I will call the NYS Insurance Department and have it investigate.
Hope this helps a little.


newyorkpost--2020-04-18--SoCal park takes un-gnarly route to keep skateboarders out amid coronavirus

Sun worshippers jammed newly-opened beaches in Florida Saturday at the ...

This is not what anyone ever meant by “sidewalk surfing.”
A Southern California city reportedly dumped tons of sand into a popular skatepark to keep die-hard skaters out during the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials in San Clemente poured 37 tons of sand into Ralphs Skate Court after skateboarders were caught routinely ignoring the “no trespassing” signs.
The signs were posted after the city shut down all its parks and recreational facilities on April 1, as part of the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order, the San Clemente Times reported.
“On April 1, we kind of let it play out to see if users would abide by the closure,” said Samantha Wylie, the city’s recreation manager for the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department.
“During that [two-week period], we saw people continue to skate the park, groups would gather, kids with their parents; it became a regular [occurrence]. It appeared the closure was not being abided by.”
Cities around the country are grappling with how to police their public space during the coronavirus outbreak to ensure people abide by social distancing rules.
Wyle told the outlet sand was a cheap option for a park that is not enclosed by any tall fencing.
“We did consider fencing. Fencing is really difficult to get right now, and we know we’ve done fencing at the skate park before, and it just gets hopped over,” Wylie said, adding: “We also considered security, but there’s a cost to that.
“The sand, it cost us nothing to put it in, (and) it’ll cost us nothing to remove it. So that’s why we went with that decision.”
The measure rankled the San Clemente Skatepark Coalition, a nonprofit that helped raise funding for the park.
Stephanie Aguilar, the coalition’s president, told the Times the city could have reached out to the coalition and utilized the group to communicate the need for social distancing.
She said it represents a double standard the city has for skateboarders.
“Social distancing hasn’t been followed in a lot of different areas, whether it’s on our trails, tennis courts, the basketball courts, the walking paths; we didn’t see the city dump sand on the walking trail,” Aguilar said.
“We didn’t see them dump sand onto any other sport area that’s being used. It just plays into, kind of feeds into that double standard the skate community has been treated with.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Director of Wuhan lab denies coronavirus escaped from his facility

US officials are reportedly looking into the possibility that the ...

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The director of a lab studying the coronavirus in Wuhan — the Chinese city where the global outbreak is believed to have originated — denied that the bug accidentally spread from his facility.
“There’s no way this virus came from us,” Yuan Zhiming, director of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, told state media on Saturday.
Yuan’s denial came days after a fresh round of reports suggesting the novel coronavirus escaped from the Wuhan Institute or another similar laboratory miles away in the Chinese city.
President Trump was asked about the possibility at a White House press briefing last Wednesday and said the US was investigating the origins.
“More and more we’re hearing the story … we are doing a very thorough examination of this horrible situation,” the president said.
Two reports — one by Fox News and another in the Washington Post — followed, quoting anonymous sources raising concerns that the virus may have accidentally escaped from the facility.
Yuan admitted that the lab is studying “different areas related to the coronavirus,” but told the English-language state broadcaster CGTN that none of his staff has been infected.
“As people who carry out viral studies we clearly know what kind of research is going on at the institute and how the institute manages viruses and samples,” he said.
He said that since the lab is in Wuhan “people can’t help but make associations”, but claimed that some media outlets are “deliberately trying to mislead people”.
But officials in the past have raised concerns over the safety conditions of the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
In March 2018, US science diplomats dispatched to the lab issued two “sensitive” diplomatic cables about inadequate safety measures at the lab, the Washington Post reported, citing intelligence sources.
The first cable warned the experiments conducted in the lab on coronavirus in bats “represented a risk of a new SARS-like pandemic,” according to the report.
The cable, written by two US-China embassy officials, said there is a “serious shortage of appropriately trained technicians and investigators needed to safely operate this high-containment laboratory,” according to the report.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--MLB allowing pay cuts, furloughs of non-players amid coronavirus

“ Can I kick you in the shins ?
” Strange questions have ...

Commissioner Rob Manfred is planning to suspend Uniform Employee Contracts (UEC), likely on Monday, which will allow teams to furlough employees or cut salaries, a source confirmed.
The Athletic first reported Manfred’s intentions.
No team has to impose furloughs or reductions and clubs such as the Braves, Giants and Phillies have already let non-playing employees covered by the UEC know that they will be paid through May. But there were organizations that were anticipating the financial crunch and were not initially supportive of paying employees even in April without games and, thus, revenue coming in.
There is a provision within the UEC that permits the commissioner to withhold pay in case of a national emergency. President Trump declared a national emergency on March 13. Initially, Manfred did not want to impose the rule. But with games not being played in April, doubtful for May and the season in question overall, he is now going to arm organizations with a method to save money.
The UEC mainly covers major and minor league managers, coaches and scouts.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Michigan prisoner dies of coronavirus just weeks before parole

A Michigan prisoner died from coronavirus just weeks before his parole .
Sentenced as a juvenile , William Garrison served nearly 44 years of his sentence before succumbing to the virus .
Garrison ’ s bunkmate found him struggling to breathe on Monday night in their two-man cell at Macomb Correctional Facility.
’ Garrison was charged with life in prison after a 1976 home invasion resulted in Garrison shooting and killing a man at the age of 16 .
His sentence was cut in half in January , and he was offered the choice of an immediate release on parole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz issued a statement to the Detroit Free Press regarding Garrison ’ s passing .
Gautz claimed the prison staff went cell to cell to assess prisoners in the days before Garrison died , and Garrison ’ s bunkmate claimed he did not suffer from any COVID-19 symptoms besides a cough .
But Garrison ’ s sister , who was preparing for him to live with her following his release in early May , disputes their accounts of events .
“ My brother shouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yolanda Peterson told the Detroit Free Press .
“ He was trying to get free.
” Garrison had appealed for an early release to avoid the COVID-19 outbreak at Macomb .
Gautz claimed a post-mortem autopsy confirmed Garrison had coronavirus , while a test confirmed that Garrison ’ s bunkmate was negative .
Gautz called the situation “ unfortunate all the way around , ” noting that Garrison could have paroled earlier this year .
As of Sunday , Michigan has seen at least 30,791 confirmed coronavirus cases and 2,308 deaths .
Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , falling from the third-most infected state to the fifth-most over the past few days .

A Michigan prisoner died from coronavirus just weeks before his parole.
Sentenced as a juvenile, William Garrison served nearly 44 years of his sentence before succumbing to the virus. Garrison’s bunkmate found him struggling to breathe on Monday night in their two-man cell at Macomb Correctional Facility.’
Garrison was charged with life in prison after a 1976 home invasion resulted in Garrison shooting and killing a man at the age of 16. His sentence was cut in half in January, and he was offered the choice of an immediate release on parole or release without parole in September.
Garrison chose the latter.
Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz issued a statement to the Detroit Free Press regarding Garrison’s passing.
Gautz claimed the prison staff went cell to cell to assess prisoners in the days before Garrison died, and Garrison’s bunkmate claimed he did not suffer from any COVID-19 symptoms besides a cough.
But Garrison’s sister, who was preparing for him to live with her following his release in early May, disputes their accounts of events.
“My brother shouldn’t have died in there like that,” Yolanda Peterson told the Detroit Free Press. “He was trying to get free.”
Garrison had appealed for an early release to avoid the COVID-19 outbreak at Macomb. Gautz claimed a post-mortem autopsy confirmed Garrison had coronavirus, while a test confirmed that Garrison’s bunkmate was negative.
Gautz called the situation “unfortunate all the way around,” noting that Garrison could have paroled earlier this year.
As of Sunday, Michigan has seen at least 30,791 confirmed coronavirus cases and 2,308 deaths. Michigan has recently seen a drop in new cases, falling from the third-most infected state to the fifth-most over the past few days.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--NY assemblywoman may be barred from re-election over paperwork error

Following alarming claims of shortages , masks and other supplies were ...

A state assemblywoman may be barred from seeking re-election because she failed to include a cover sheet with her latest paperwork, sources told The Post.
Rebecca Seawright, who represents 133,000 constituents in the 76th District on the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, failed to include the cover sheet when she submitted her petitions confirming that she had collected enough Democratic voter signatures to get on the ballot, the sources said.
She also didn’t have a signed “certificate of acceptance” to allow her to run under the Working Families Party, they said.
Seawright could be prevented from running for re-election in the seat she has held since 2014 because the Board of Elections’ legal staff is recommending she be knocked off the ballot for the violation, the sources said.
The board is due to hear her case on Tuesday.
Her opponent, Republican Lou Puliafito, has also filed a legal challenge in Manhattan Supreme Court to prevent her from running.
“Theoretically, this is something that is not curable. If board members follow the law, Seawright is in trouble,” said one board member, who requested anonymity so as not to be accused of prejudging the lawmaker’s case.
“It’s very unusual for something like this to happen to an incumbent,” the member said of Seawright’s errors.
Seawright missed some crucial time during the petition gathering period last month because she was ill with what her campaign says were “Covid-like symptoms,” but still comfortably got more than enough signatures to get on the ballot, the sources say.
Although she didn’t have the virus, it could be her one hope for salvation, if officials decide to relax the usually strict regulations because of the chaos the pandemic has caused, the sources say.
Insiders point out that other regulations have been relaxed, including the number of signatures required to get on the ballot. The minimum was reduced from 500 to 150.
“You can’t underestimate the COVID pandemic for our lives in general,” the source on the board said.
In a statement to The Post, Seawright’s campaign said: “Like so many New Yorkers upended by the Covid-19 pandemic, Rebecca contracted an infectious and contagious virus with Covid-like symptoms and was placed under doctors’ care precisely at the time the filing was due.”
“Assemblymember Seawright . . . has retained legal counsel to ensure that every voice is heard. Voters from the Upper East Side, Yorkville and Roosevelt Island must not be denied their right to consider her candidacy on the Democratic Party line in the June 23 primary elections,” it continued.
Puliafito, 62, said “there’s no excuse” for Seawright not to file her cover sheet with her petitions.
“Seawright had the Democratic machine behind her. She could have reached out to someone to help her,” Puliafito said.
“It’s a shame that she was sick but that’s no excuse for her not to delegate someone to do it for her. She handed in her voter signatures to the election board didn’t she?”
Puliafito, an apartment building doorman, also said he too was self-quarantined with COVID-like symptoms from March 24 to April 15.
“Rebecca Seawright is a dedicated public servant, a good Democrat committed to moving our state forward and a reliable partner in fighting for New York families. During the current COVID-19 outbreak, she had worked to get nurses and doctors in her district the PPE they need to fight the virus safely,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) said in a statement.
“She is also a champion for women, ensuring critical screenings are covered by insurance companies and passing the Equal Rights Amendment in the Assembly. Rebecca is a colleague, a friend and a trusted part of our team.“


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--City DOE postpones vote on millions in vendor contracts

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The city Department of Education is putting the brakes on millions of dollars in contracts that critics call outrageous spending amid a dire cash crunch , The Post has learned .
The DOE was poised to plunk down up to $ 700 million alone to keep bus companies on standby through June , despite the closure of school buildings since March 13 amid the coronavirus crisis .
But after The Post revealed the mind-boggling planned expenditure — and Mayor Bill de Blasio warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut by $ 264 millions thanks to lost revenue from the pandemic — City Hall moved to at least postpone a vote on the bus contracts and a slew of others , sources said Sunday .
“ The DOE should look at every single one of these contracts in light of what we ’ re experiencing : Is it absolutely necessary ?
Is it critical for kids ?
And are we using the services now ?
” said Leonie Haimson , executive director of Class Size Matters and a school-budget watchdog.. “ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions is no , they should cancel or eliminate the contracts .
“ We ’ re facing a fiscal crisis , and we ’ re wasting millions of dollars for no reason , ’ ’ Haimson said .
A vote on the proposed new contracts and extensions is now off the table until April 29 , said Isaac Carmignani , a member of the DOE ’ s Panel for Educational Policy , which reviews expenditures for the department .
“ It ’ s either to get more answers … or some things might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the extra time to mull over the deals .
As for the bus contracts , “ I want to see something for our money , ’ ’ Carmignani said .
The department also planned to spend nearly $ 4.5 million a month through June on contracts with private companies to supply more than 350 nurses to staff centers where first-responders ’ kids currently go — even though the DOE has 500 school nurses getting paid for doing nothing at the moment .
“ I have no idea why they would need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ said Kimberly Watkins , president of Community Education Council 3 , the parent advisory group covering schools on the Upper West Side and in Harlem .
“ You would think the DOE nurse pool would be sufficient , ’ ’ Watkins said .
The department also was set to ink a $ 40 million contract with IBM to install a data-storing SIM card and software in each of the 300,000 iPads the DOE it is buying from Apple for students without an online device .
A DOE spokeswoman would not say how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the iPads , but a City Council source said it ’ s $ 189 million — or about $ 630 per device .
Other contracts would allow the DOE to pay vendors millions of dollars for “ professional development ’ ’ for educators .
Also up for a vote was a two-month , $ 1.2 million contract with Accenture , a private firm , to provide “ management consulting ” on issues related to COVID-19 .
The DOE would not give the firm ’ s hourly rate .
The DOE has been asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Management and Budget on the proposed deals , Carmignani said .
The DOE has said the proposed expenditures are necessary and that it will not sacrifice students ’ education .

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The city Department of Education is putting the brakes on millions of dollars in contracts that critics call outrageous spending amid a dire cash crunch, The Post has learned.
The DOE was poised to plunk down up to $700 million alone to keep bus companies on standby through June, despite the closure of school buildings since March 13 amid the coronavirus crisis.
But after The Post revealed the mind-boggling planned expenditure — and Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that the schools’ budget would be cut by $827 millions through next year thanks to lost revenue from the pandemic — City Hall moved to at least postpone a vote on the bus contracts and a slew of others, sources said Sunday.
“The DOE should look at every single one of these contracts in light of what we’re experiencing: Is it absolutely necessary? Is it critical for kids? And are we using the services now?” said Leonie Haimson, executive director of Class Size Matters and a school-budget watchdog..
“If the answer to any one of these questions is no, they should cancel or eliminate the contracts.
“We’re facing a fiscal crisis, and we’re wasting millions of dollars for no reason,’’ Haimson said.
A vote on the proposed new contracts and extensions is now off the table until April 29, said Isaac Carmignani, a member of the DOE’s Panel for Educational Policy, which reviews expenditures for the department.
“It’s either to get more answers … or some things might be pulled,’’ he said of the extra time to mull over the deals.
As for the bus contracts, “I want to see something for our money,’’ Carmignani said.
The department also wants to award contracts to spend up to $4.5 million a month through June on private companies to supply up to 350 nurses. Currently, the DOE is paying for only 35 contracted nurses to staff centers for children of first-responders and health-care workers, a spokeswoman aaid.
But the DOE has 500 nurses on its own payroll, with only half of them working in the centers or in hospitals. The department could not explain why the contracted nurses are needed while some 250 school nurses are sidelined.
“I have no idea why they would need to hire more nurses right now,’’ said Kimberly Watkins, president of Community Education Council 3, the parent advisory group covering schools on the Upper West Side and in Harlem.
“You would think the DOE nurse pool would be sufficient,’’ Watkins said.
The department also was set to ink a $40 million contract with IBM to install a data-storing SIM card and software in each of the 300,000 iPads the DOE it is buying from Apple for students without an online device.
A DOE spokeswoman would not say how much the DOE is shelling out for the iPads, but a City Council source said it’s $189 million — or about $630 per device.
Other contracts would allow the DOE to pay vendors millions of dollars for “professional development’’ for educators.
Also up for a vote was a two-month, $1.2 million contract with Accenture, a private firm, to provide “management consulting” on issues related to COVID-19. The DOE would not give the firm’s hourly rate.
The DOE has been asked to consult the city’s Office of Management and Budget on the proposed deals, Carmignani said.
Mayoral spokeswoman Freddi Goldstein said, “At the request of the mayor, we have postponed the meeting while we review the bus contracts.”
She declined to comment further.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Adam Warren’s third Yankees chance became utter chaos

When Adam Warren reported to the Yankees ’ minor league camp in February , he recalled it had been a decade since his initial taste of something that is decidedly different from what big-league spring training is about .
Warren , 32 and easily the oldest player in minor league camp , had eight years in the big leagues but was coming back from early September Tommy John surgery on his right elbow while with the Padres .
He signed a two-year minor league deal with the Yankees and figured the first season would be used to recover from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meister in Texas and put him in position to compete for a Yankees bullpen spot in 2021 spring training .
Little did Warren know that his spring training in Tampa was going to be nothing like anything he saw since being selected by the Yankees out of North Carolina in the fourth round of the 2009 draft .
First , MLB shut down spring training on March 12 due to the coronavirus .
Then , on March 15 , the first of two Yankees minor leaguers tested positive for the coronavirus and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually sent home on March 26 .
Warren has a house in the Tampa area , so he wasn ’ t quarantined like others who were housed in hotels .
“ Fortunately , I was home .
Talking to some of the guys it sounded like a bad situation , ” Warren told The Post via phone .
“ It was kind of scary because you are kind of waiting to see if you would get it .
The guys stuck in the hotel were glad to go home once it was over.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 feet when minor league camp was shuttered .
Since , he has invented ways to continue to throw while building strength in his elbow with weights — and his rehab program is on schedule .
“ I have been in touch with the trainers and [ Greg ] Pav [ rehab pitching coach ] and they have given me a program where I have been able to keep throwing using whatever I can , whether it is a backstop and my wife helps getting the ball to me , ’ ’ Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t missed a beat too much with my rehab .
The communication I have had with everybody has been great .
We are doing the best we can with the situation.
’ ’ Prior to the surgery Warren went 4-1 with a 5.34 ERA in 25 games for the Padres , who signed him as a free agent after the 6-foot-1 , 224-pounder left the Mariners following the 2018 season .
The Yankees , who had traded him to Seattle that season , received international bonus slot money in return .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Yankees .
The first was after the 2015 season , when he was traded to the Cubs for Starlin Castro .
In July 2016 , Warren was dealt back to the Yankees with Aroldis Chapman going to the Cubs in the trade that brought Gleyber Torres to the Yankees .
Knowing the surgery would erase his 2020 season , Warren was hoping the Yankees had interest .
“ The Yankees were my ideal team because we have a house in the Tampa area and obviously the familiarity with the Yankees organization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lifetime 20-20 record and a 3.18 ERA in 246 games ( 20 starts ) for the Yankees and is 30-24 with a 3.53 ERA in 323 big-league games .
“ That was team number one that we set out to see if they were interested .
Once they said they were interested , we didn ’ t look anywhere else .
It was a situation where I didn ’ t have that much bargaining power and I wanted to catch on with a team that would take a chance on me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that .
It ’ s pretty tough for a player who isn ’ t going to play the first year of the contract .
It was pretty neat and pretty cool for me that they would take that chance on me.
’ ’ The popular timetable for recovery from Tommy John surgery is 12-16 months and if a big-league season is played in 2020 and there are games in October and November , there is a small chance Warren could be ready .
“ The possibility of the season pushed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing this year kind of tempts me to come back quicker , but the timing of the surgery it would feel like I am rushing back , ’ ’ Warren said .
“ The most realistic goal is treat this as a gone year .
I won ’ t be playing competitively [ in 2020 ] , but I think I will be ready for 2021 .
’ ’

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When Adam Warren reported to the Yankees’ minor league camp in February, he recalled it had been a decade since his initial taste of something that is decidedly different from what big-league spring training is about.
Warren, 32 and easily the oldest player in minor league camp, had eight years in the big leagues, but was coming back from early September Tommy John surgery on his right elbow while with the Padres.
He signed a two-year minor league deal with the Yankees, and figured the first season would be used to recover from the surgery, which was done by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas, and put him in position to compete for a Yankees bullpen spot in 2021 spring training.
Little did Warren know that his spring training in Tampa was going to be nothing like anything he saw since being selected by the Yankees out of North Carolina in the fourth round of the 2009 draft.
First, MLB shut down spring training on March 12 due to the coronavirus. Then, on March 15, the first of two Yankees minor leaguers tested positive for the coronavirus and the players at the complex were quarantined and eventually sent home on March 26.
Warren has a house in the Tampa area, so he wasn’t quarantined like others who were housed in hotels.
“Fortunately, I was home. Talking to some of the guys it sounded like a bad situation,” Warren told The Post via phone. “It was kind of scary because you’re kind of waiting to see if you would get it. The guys stuck in the hotel were glad to go home once it was over.”
Warren had progressed to throwing from 50 feet when minor league camp was shuttered. Since, he has invented ways to continue to throw while building strength in his elbow with weights — and his rehab program is on schedule.
“I’ve been in touch with the trainers and [Greg] Pav [rehab pitching coach], and they’ve given me a program where I’ve been able to keep throwing using whatever I can, whether it’s a backstop and my wife helps getting the ball to me,’’ Warren said. “Fortunately I haven’t missed a beat too much with my rehab. The communication I’ve had with everybody has been great. We’re doing the best we can with the situation.’’
Prior to the surgery, Warren went 4-1 with a 5.34 ERA in 25 games for the Padres, who signed him as a free agent after the 6-foot-1, 224-pounder left the Mariners following the 2018 season. The Yankees, who had traded him to Seattle that season, received international bonus slot money in return.
It was the second time Warren was dealt by the Yankees. The first was after the 2015 season, when he was traded to the Cubs for Starlin Castro. In July 2016, Warren was dealt back to the Yankees with Aroldis Chapman going to the Cubs in the trade that brought Gleyber Torres to the Yankees.
Knowing the surgery would erase his 2020 season, Warren was hoping the Yankees had interest.
“The Yankees were my ideal team because we have a house in the Tampa area and obviously the familiarity with the Yankees organization,’’ said Warren, who has a lifetime 20-20 record and a 3.18 ERA in 246 games (20 starts) for the Yankees and is 30-24 with a 3.53 ERA in 323 big-league games. “That was team number one that we set out to see if they were interested. Once they said they were interested, we didn’t look anywhere else. It was a situation where I didn’t have that much bargaining power and I wanted to catch on with a team that would take a chance on me. I was very fortunate the Yankees wanted to do that. It’s pretty tough for a player who isn’t going to play the first year of the contract. It was pretty neat and pretty cool for me that they would take that chance on me.’’
The popular timetable for recovery from Tommy John surgery is 12-16 months, and if a big-league season is played in 2020 and there are games in October and November, there is a small chance Warren could be ready.
“The possibility of the season pushed back a little bit if they do start playing this year kind of tempts me to come back quicker, but the timing of the surgery, it would feel like I am rushing back,’’ Warren said. “The most realistic goal is treat this as a gone year. I won’t be playing competitively [in 2020], but I think I will be ready for 2021.’’


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--New York to begin coronavirus antibody testing survey on Monday

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New York State @ @ @ @ @ antibody tests to help determine how many New Yorkers were infected by the disease , @ @ @ @ @ .
A sample of 3,000 state residents will start receiving tests from the state Department @ @ @ @ @ the presence of antibodies produced by people infected with COVID-19 , Cuomo said .
The @ @ @ @ @ that Germany — with a population of 83 million to New York ’ s 19.5 @ @ @ @ @ sample size for its antibody testing survey .
“ This will be the first true @ @ @ @ @ people were infected by COVID-19 , ” the governor said in a statement .
The @ @ @ @ @ “ will help us to reopen and rebuild without jeopardizing what we ’ ve already @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus antibodies does not prove immunity , the World Health Organization said Friday .

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New York state on Monday will begin conducting antibody tests to help determine how many New Yorkers were infected by the disease, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday.
A sample of 3,000 state residents will start receiving tests from the state Department of Health to detect the presence of antibodies produced by people infected with COVID-19, Cuomo said.
The governor’s office noted that Germany — with a population of 83 million to New York’s 19.5 million — used the same sample size for its antibody testing survey.
“This will be the first true snapshot of exactly how many people were infected by COVID-19,” the governor said in a statement.
The testing, Cuomo said, “will help us to reopen and rebuild without jeopardizing what we’ve already accomplished.”
Testing positive for coronavirus antibodies does not prove immunity, the World Health Organization said Friday.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--RJ Barrett’s bizarre coronavirus world involves big donations

Last week , Knicks rookie RJ Barrett went to pick up a package for his grandmother .
He didn ’ t even get out of the car , but someone recognized him from afar .
And it blew his mind .
“ I really forgot that I play in the NBA , ” he tells The Post .
“ It ’ s such a different reality that we ’ re in right now.
” The 19-year-old is riding out the coronavirus lockdown with his family in Orlando , Fla. , playing video games , chilling with his French bulldogs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his little brother , Nathan .
It ’ s a bizarre new world for the 6-foot-7 shooting guard who only knows the frenetic pace of a ballplayer ’ s life .
But while he had to shake the cobwebs to remember his status as one of league ’ s promising young stars , he has not forgotten his adopted hometown of New York and all of the people frantically fighting to keep the city whole as it remains the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ I have been following social media and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been getting drastically worse .
What really struck me is all of the workers in the hospital .
These people are risking their lives and they go home and stay in the same house as their family and kids .
I wanted to see what I could do to help , ” said Barrett , who was particularly heartbroken to see coverage of Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center in Brownsville , a facility so overwhelmed by the deadly virus that an ER doctor there called it a “ medical war zone.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My family is there , and it hit me a little extra harder .
We need to protect those workers as much as they are protecting us.
” His team reached out to Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s staff to see where it could plug the most gaping holes .
The answer was always the same : New York hospitals were desperate for PPE .
So his team embarked on an odyssey to source face masks , disposable face shields , KN95 masks , gowns and microporous disposable coveralls from distributors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be distributed to Brookdale and Gov .
Cuomo ’ s relief efforts .
From there , team Barrett drew up a play to maximize his donation power and ensure that every move was done with purpose .
“ I just wanted to get people what they needed , ” Barrett said .
And it wasn ’ t a one-size-fits-all answer .
After reading stories that shoes aided the spread of coronavirus , the Puma athlete teamed up with the sneaker company to donate over 1,000 pairs of sneakers and slippers across Brookdale , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada so medical workers could leave their contaminated shoes at work and have fresh gear to wear home .
Barrett also looked north to his Canadian homeland , where the virus caused a very different crisis : depleting food bank supplies .
He dropped $ 100,000 to the Mississauga food bank , which has nine locations throughout Ontario .
“ I just spoke to them and they said the donation was going to be able to provide 200,000 meals and that put a smile on my face , ” Barrett said .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks who keep the engine running at the World ’ s Most Famous Arena .
“ I love playing at Madison Square Garden .
I am cool with the security guards .
Everyone that works at MSG , they take care of me so much , ” Barrett said .
“ I thought about all they do for us .
They are such amazing people.
” He gave $ 25,000 to MSG Relief Fund , which provides employees with financial assistance for a variety of areas including unanticipated healthcare costs , rent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After all of the checks cashed and the equipment shipped , Barrett ’ s assist was worth $ 250,000 .
“ If we can make their lives a little easier and help people survive , that ’ s what it ’ s all about , ” he said Meanwhile Barrett is trying to keep in shape and stave off boredom .
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag “ I do regular kid stuff like play video games , ” said Barrett who is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his home .
He is watching old games of hoops .
“ I am watching old NBA playoffs , women ’ s college basketball , tons of basketball .
And I can ’ t wait for the MJ documentary to come out , ” he said of the highly anticipated 10-part documentary “ The Last Dance ” about Michael Jordan and the Bulls dynasty .
And he of course watched all the reactions on social media to his friend Sabrina Ionescu getting selected first overall in the WNBA draft on Friday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hype for her .
She will love New York , ” Barrett said .
“ She is perfect for this city.
” Barrett says it will be cool to hit up restaurants and explore the Big Apple with Ionescu when everything comes back to life .
“ What I really want to do is go to a game , ” he said .
“ Maybe she can hook me up.
” As for his fellow Knicks , he is always in touch .
“ I speak to my teammates and we try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York staff .
Everyone seems to be doing OK and trying to see how we can help .
We all really miss playing basketball.
” This struggle has given Barrett a new perspective .
“ Life is short .
This has taught me to be thankful .
Be grateful for every single moment you spend with your family .
I am blessed that we are safe and healthy and together .
”

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Last week, Knicks rookie RJ Barrett went to pick up a package for his grandmother. He didn’t even get out of the car, but someone recognized him from afar. And it blew his mind.
“I really forgot that I play in the NBA,” he tells The Post. “It’s such a different reality that we’re in right now.”
The 19-year-old is riding out the coronavirus lockdown with his family in Orlando, Fla., playing video games, chilling with his French bulldogs, Kobe and Kingston, and bonding with his little brother, Nathan. It’s a bizarre new world for the 6-foot-7 shooting guard who only knows the frenetic pace of a ballplayer’s life. But while he had to shake the cobwebs to remember his status as one of league’s promising young stars, he has not forgotten his adopted hometown of New York and all of the people frantically fighting to keep the city whole as it remains the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I have been following social media and watching the news, seeing how things have been getting drastically worse. What really struck me is all of the workers in the hospital. These people are risking their lives and they go home and stay in the same house as their family and kids. I wanted to see what I could do to help,” said Barrett, who was particularly heartbroken to see coverage of Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center in Brownsville, a facility so overwhelmed by the deadly virus that an ER doctor there called it a “medical war zone.”
“My mom grew up in Brooklyn. My family is there, and it hit me a little extra harder. We need to protect those workers as much as they are protecting us.”
His team reached out to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s staff to see where it could plug the most gaping holes. The answer was always the same: New York hospitals were desperate for PPE. So his team embarked on an odyssey to source face masks, disposable face shields, KN95 masks, gowns and microporous disposable coveralls from distributors all around the world. They will be distributed to Brookdale and Gov. Cuomo’s relief efforts.
From there, team Barrett drew up a play to maximize his donation power and ensure that every move was done with purpose.
“I just wanted to get people what they needed,” Barrett said. And it wasn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
After reading stories that shoes aided the spread of coronavirus, the Puma athlete teamed up with the sneaker company to donate over 1,000 pairs of sneakers and slippers across Brookdale, Maimonides Hospital and Credit Valley Hospital in Canada so medical workers could leave their contaminated shoes at work and have fresh gear to wear home.
Barrett also looked north to his Canadian homeland, where the virus caused a very different crisis: depleting food bank supplies. He dropped $100,000 to the Mississauga food bank, which has nine locations throughout Ontario.
“I just spoke to them and they said the donation was going to be able to provide 200,000 meals and that put a smile on my face,” Barrett said.
Then he turned to his colleagues, the folks who keep the engine running at the World’s Most Famous Arena.
“I love playing at Madison Square Garden. I am cool with the security guards. Everyone that works at MSG, they take care of me so much,” Barrett said. “I thought about all they do for us. They are such amazing people.”
He gave $25,000 to MSG Relief Fund, which provides employees with financial assistance for a variety of areas including unanticipated healthcare costs, rent, food, medicine and other expenses.
After all of the checks cashed and the equipment shipped, Barrett’s assist was worth $250,000.
“If we can make their lives a little easier and help people survive, that’s what it’s all about,” he said
Meanwhile Barrett is trying to keep in shape and stave off boredom.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
“I do regular kid stuff like play video games,” said Barrett who is going for runs and working out on equipment in his home. He is watching old games of hoops.
“I am watching old NBA playoffs, women’s college basketball, tons of basketball. And I can’t wait for the MJ documentary to come out,” he said of the highly anticipated 10-part documentary “The Last Dance” about Michael Jordan and the Bulls dynasty.
And he of course watched all the reactions on social media to his friend Sabrina Ionescu getting selected first overall in the WNBA draft on Friday night by the Liberty.
“I was hype for her. She will love New York,” Barrett said. “She is perfect for this city.”
Barrett says it will be cool to hit up restaurants and explore the Big Apple with Ionescu when everything comes back to life.
“What I really want to do is go to a game,” he said. “Maybe she can hook me up.”
As for his fellow Knicks, he is always in touch.
“I speak to my teammates and we try to check in. Especially with the New York staff. Everyone seems to be doing OK and trying to see how we can help. We all really miss playing basketball.”
This struggle has given Barrett a new perspective. “Life is short. This has taught me to be thankful. Be grateful for every single moment you spend with your family. I am blessed that we are safe and healthy and together.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Trump plays clip of Gov. Cuomo praising federal coronavirus response

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President Trump played a clip of New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo praising his administration during a briefing from the White House coronavirus task force on Sunday .
In the 2-minute clip from Cuomo ’ s own briefing on the virus earlier Sunday , the governor said that the federal government had “ stepped up and was a great partner ” to the Empire state .
“ These were just extraordinary efforts and acts of mobilization , ” Cuomo said , referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the USNS Comfort .
After the footage played , Trump said the clip had left out “ the good part ” — apparently more compliments from Cuomo .
“ I just think it ’ s so good because it ’ s bipartisan , ” the president said .
He then played another clip of Cuomo saying that none of the victims of the virus in New York have died due to a shortage of hospital space or ventilators .
“ I think it ’ s a tribute to New York , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government , ” Trump said .
There was no mention in the clip of Cuomo calling on the federal government to come through with a cash infusion to help the state post-coronavirus .
“ If you don ’ t help the state government and local government , then how are we supposed to have the finances to re-open ?
” asked the governor earlier on Sunday .
“ If you starve state and local government , all that means is we have to turn around and reduce funding to the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a CNN reporter why he was taking time during the briefings to discuss praise he had received , Trump said he was “ standing up for the men and women who have done such an incredible job , ” not for himself .
“ It ’ s not about me .
Nothing is about me , ” he said .
“ You are never going to treat me fairly , many of you , and I understand that .
”

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President Trump played a clip of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo praising his administration during a briefing from the White House coronavirus task force on Sunday.
In the 2-minute clip from Cuomo’s own briefing on the virus earlier Sunday, the governor said that the federal government had “stepped up and was a great partner” to the Empire state.
“These were just extraordinary efforts and acts of mobilization,” Cuomo said, referring to the Navy-built hospital at the Javits Center and the USNS Comfort.
After the footage played, Trump said the clip had left out “the good part” — apparently more compliments from Cuomo.
“I just think it’s so good because it’s bipartisan,” the president said.
He then played another clip of Cuomo saying that none of the victims of the virus in New York have died due to a shortage of hospital space or ventilators.
“I think it’s a tribute to New York, I think it’s a tribute to the federal government,” Trump said.
There was no mention in the clip of Cuomo calling on the federal government to come through with a cash infusion to help the state post-coronavirus.
“If you don’t help the state government and local government, then how are we supposed to have the finances to re-open?” asked the governor earlier on Sunday.
“If you starve state and local government, all that means is we have to turn around and reduce funding to the people who we are funding.”
Asked by a CNN reporter why he was taking time during the briefings to discuss praise he had received, Trump said he was “standing up for the men and women who have done such an incredible job,” not for himself.
“It’s not about me. Nothing is about me,” he said. “You are never going to treat me fairly, many of you, and I understand that.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Nova Scotia shooter identified as denturist Gabriel Wortman

The man who fatally shot 13 people during a bloody rampage in Nova Scotia was 51-year-old denture-maker Gabriel Wortman , @ @ @ @ @ went on a shooting spree in several towns while dressed as a Royal Canadian Mounted @ @ @ @ @ mocked-up RCMP vehicle , according to CBC .
“ The fact that this individual had @ @ @ @ @ car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act , ” @ @ @ @ @ Leather said .
Wortman , who is listed as a denturist , was tracked down @ @ @ @ @ station .
He later died .
The cause of Wortman ’ s death was not @ @ @ @ @ death toll , which includes RCMP officer Heidi Stevenson , could rise .
It was @ @ @ @ @ , which apparently began around 10:30 p.m. Saturday , when cops first received a call @ @ @ @ @ firearms ” in the tiny town of Portapique and the area went into lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ was not known on Sunday night .

The man who fatally shot 16 people during a bloody rampage in Nova Scotia was 51-year-old denture-maker Gabriel Wortman, reports said Sunday.
Wortman went on a shooting spree in several towns while dressed as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and driving a mocked-up RCMP vehicle, according to CBC.
“The fact that this individual had a uniform and a police car at his disposal certainly speaks to it not being a random act,” RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather said.
Wortman, who is listed as a denturist, was tracked down by police at a gas station. He later died. The cause of Wortman’s death was not revealed.
Authorities originally placed the death toll at 10, saying it would likely rise, before updating it to 16 — marking the deadliest mass shooting on Canadian soil.
Among the victims was RCMP officer Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and 23-year veteran of the force. Another officer was also injured.
It was unclear what sparked the attack, which apparently began around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, when cops first received a call about “a person with firearms” in the tiny town of Portapique and the area went into lockdown.
A motive for the killings was not known on Sunday night.
“As a country, in moments like these, we come together to support one another. Together we will mourn with the families of the victims, and help them get through this difficult time,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Thousands in Denver protest business closures over virus

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DENVER — Thousands of people staged a peaceful protest outside Colorado ’ s Capitol on Sunday against the state ’ s stay-at-home order and its closures of thousands of nonessential businesses as ways to fight the spread of the coronavirus .
Denver ’ s protesters joined others in the West , including Utah , Idaho and Washington state , in staging rallies demanding immediate action to reopen states for business .
Horn-honking motorists lined up for several blocks on an avenue leading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as pedestrians , some not wearing masks , congregated closely outside the building .
Many waved American flags and held signs that read “ End the Virus , Not the Economy ” and “ We need stability to stay healthy , ” The Denver Post reported .
Other signs expressed support for President Donald Trump , who has called for a rapid economic reopening , and against Gov .
Jared Polis , whose orders shuttered thousands of nonessential businesses .
Police officers wearing masks and gloves kept tabs on the protest .
Hand-washing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick are fine — but not closing businesses , said protester Jim Fenimore of Colorado Springs .
“ Every day that goes by is hurting the state.
” Hundreds of thousands of residents have filed unemployment claims since a statewide order shut nonessential businesses on March 26 .
Colorado ’ s unemployment rate rose from a historic low of 2.5 % in February to 4.5 % in March , the state reported Friday .
Polis ’ office said the governor respects citizens ’ right to protest but that “ those participating are only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died in Colorado and 9,433 have tested positive for the coronavirus , according to the state health department .
Polis has laid out goals for an economic reopening that he says will include social distancing in work and social settings until a vaccine or cure is found for the coronavirus .
He urged businesses to consider continued telecommuting where possible , staggered work shifts , barriers between work stations and other ways to contain the virus .
Like many governors , Polis also has stressed that more data is needed to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus ’ spread .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

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DENVER — Thousands of people staged a peaceful protest outside Colorado’s Capitol on Sunday against the state’s stay-at-home order and its closures of thousands of nonessential businesses as ways to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Denver’s protesters joined others in the West, including Utah, Idaho and Washington state, in staging rallies demanding immediate action to reopen states for business.
Horn-honking motorists lined up for several blocks on an avenue leading to the Capitol building, then circled it as pedestrians, some not wearing masks, congregated closely outside the building. Many waved American flags and held signs that read “End the Virus, Not the Economy” and “We need stability to stay healthy,” The Denver Post reported. Other signs expressed support for President Donald Trump, who has called for a rapid economic reopening, and against Gov. Jared Polis, whose orders shuttered thousands of nonessential businesses. Police officers wearing masks and gloves kept tabs on the protest.
Hand-washing and staying home if you’re sick are fine — but not closing businesses, said protester Jim Fenimore of Colorado Springs. “Every day that goes by is hurting the state.”
Hundreds of thousands of residents have filed unemployment claims since a statewide order shut nonessential businesses on March 26. Colorado’s unemployment rate rose from a historic low of 2.5% in February to 4.5% in March, the state reported Friday.
Polis’ office said the governor respects citizens’ right to protest but that “those participating are only endangering themselves.”
At least 411 people have died in Colorado and 9,433 have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the state health department.
Polis has laid out goals for an economic reopening that he says will include social distancing in work and social settings until a vaccine or cure is found for the coronavirus. He urged businesses to consider continued telecommuting where possible, staggered work shifts, barriers between work stations and other ways to contain the virus.
Like many governors, Polis also has stressed that more data is needed to determine how effective social distancing is in curbing the virus’ spread.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Surprised Peyton Manning sees ‘tough’ Tom Brady-Buccaneers hurdle

Joe Burrow is getting a head start on his rookie ...

Count Peyton Manning among those surprised that Tom Brady jumped ship after 20 years as a Patriot and signed with the Buccaneers — just perhaps not for the same reason as everybody else.
When Manning left Indianapolis after 13 years as a Colt, albeit under much different circumstances, he stayed in the AFC and signed with the Broncos. Brady is taking his talents to the NFC for a change, something that Manning said his fellow future Hall of Famer will have to adjust to.
“That was interesting,” Manning said Sunday on “SportsCenter.” “I’ve talked to Tom at different times, but never really about that actual decision. He seems happy, he seems excited. I’m a little surprised he jumped over to the NFC. I always see Tom Brady as an AFC guy, so he’s going to have to go through initiation to learn the ropes of the NFC.”
The NFC South won’t be rolling out the red carpet for him, either.
“He’s got a tough division,” Manning added. “I don’t think the Saints and the Falcons and the Panthers are going to just let the Bucs kind of roll into town, so it should make for some interesting divisional games and matchups.”
Manning didn’t play a single snap in his final year with the Colts after undergoing neck surgery and spinal fusion surgery. He still had four years left on his contract, but with the Colts set to take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, they released Manning.
After being courted by a handful of teams, including some in the NFC like the Cardinals and 49ers, the 35-year-old Manning signed a five-year, $96 million deal with the Broncos, where he won another Super Bowl.
Now, the 42-year-old Brady is the one chasing a Super Bowl with a second team after signing a two-year, $50 million deal with the Bucs. He’ll do so under a few of Manning’s former coaches. Head coach Bruce Arians was Manning’s quarterbacks coach for his first three years in the league, offensive consultant Tom Moore was his offensive coordinator for 12 years and quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen was his offensive coordinator for three years.
“They got a great team around him, it sounds like,” Manning said. “Tom is going down there to get coached by some guys who I’m very familiar with, guys that know football, that love football. Everybody knows how hard he’s going to work.”


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Dustin Pedroia’s Red Sox future sounds even more ominous

The Red Sox great , whose left knee has ailed him since Manny Machado famously slid into it with his spikes in 2017 , isn ’ t “ at a point where he ’ s thinking to be ready to come back and join us , ” interim manager Ron Roenicke recently told reporters .
The 36-year-old Pedroia has played in just nine games over the past two seasons due to his troublesome knee , and suffered another significant setback while rehabbing in January .
Pedroia didn ’ t participate in spring training and was said to be weighing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when baseball suspended operations on March 12 due to the pandemic .
The Red Sox haven ’ t had much luck at second base without Pedroia , leading them to sign Jose Peraza this offseason .
The 25-year-old Peraza hit .239/.285/.346 in 141 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season .
Pedroia , the 2008 American League MVP , has won two World Series with the Sox , but was inactive for their 2018 title run .
He has made more than $ 103 million in 15 seasons with Boston , and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the 2022 season .

Don’t count on Dustin Pedroia making a miraculous return once baseball’s coronavirus-induced suspension finally ends.
The Red Sox great, whose left knee has ailed him since Manny Machado famously slid into it with his spikes in 2017, isn’t “at a point where he’s thinking to be ready to come back and join us,” interim manager Ron Roenicke recently told reporters.
The 36-year-old Pedroia has played in just nine games over the past two seasons due to his troublesome knee, and suffered another significant setback while rehabbing in January.
Pedroia didn’t participate in spring training and was said to be weighing his options, which likely included retirement, when baseball suspended operations on March 12 due to the pandemic.
The Red Sox haven’t had much luck at second base without Pedroia, leading them to sign Jose Peraza this offseason. The 25-year-old Peraza hit .239/.285/.346 in 141 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season.
Pedroia, the 2008 American League MVP, has won two World Series with the Sox, but was inactive for their 2018 title run.
He has made more than $103 million in 15 seasons with Boston, and is slated to earn $13 million annually through the 2022 season.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Joe Douglas’ NFL Draft ‘sweet spot’ is key to Jets turnaround

The Jets in this draft could be like the guy ...

Joe Douglas looks like a grinder. He’s a sleeves-rolled-up type of guy, unafraid to do the little things.
Former Jets coach Herman Edwards used to talk a lot about “doing the corners,’’ a reference to the importance of making sure every little detail has been addressed. Douglas looks like a guy who lives in those corners.
The Jets’ first-time general manager, beginning Thursday and for the ensuing two days, will conduct his first NFL draft with his new team that happens to be starved for talent the way we’re all starved to put this coronavirus crisis behind us and return to our daily routines.
Back in the days of the Giants’ first two Super Bowls, then-coach Bill Parcells used to revel in calling his offensive linemen “lunch-pail guys.’’ Douglas is a quintessential “lunch-pail guy.’’
This, all Jets fans hope with every fiber of their beings, should be a good thing for a team whose needs are so plentiful entering this draft the success of it lies not in the first round, where the Jets pick 11th overall, but in the middle rounds.
The middle rounds of drafts are what build teams’ foundations. And, based on the rampant misses of the previous regimes, this is why the Jets foundation at the moment looks like it’s put together with twigs and balsa wood.
Douglas and his scouts, of course, need to land an immediate starter with the 11th-overall pick — most likely one of the top tackles available.
But more than anything, if he’s not hitting home runs, Douglas needs to at least hit some doubles and triples off the wall with his second-, third- and fourth-round picks.
Because the Jets cannot sustain any more third- and fourth-round failures like Jachai Polite (2019 third-round linebacker who was cut in training camp) … ArDarius Stewart (2017 third-round receiver who caught six passes for 82 yards as a Jet) … Chad Hanson (2017 fourth-round receiver who caught nine passes for 94 yards as a Jet) …
… Juston Burris (2016 fourth-round cornerback who started two games as a Jet) … Lorenzo Mauldin (2015 third-round linebacker who started four games and lasted two seasons) … Dexter McDougle (2014 third-round cornerback who didn’t start a single game in three-plus seasons and failed to intercept a single pass) … Jalen Saunders (2014 fourth-round receiver who caught one pass for 7 yards as a Jet) … Shaquille Evans (2014 fourth-round receiver who never played a game for the Jets).
They, too, cannot survive any more second-round busts like Jace Amaro (tight end picked in 2014 and totaled 41 catches for 404 yards as a Jet) … Devin Smith (receiver picked in 2015 and caught 15 passes as a Jet) … and Christian Hackenberg (quarterback picked in 2015 who never played a game as a Jet).
Enough?
I’ll stop now. You get the picture.
Submit questions on your favorite New York teams to be answered in an upcoming mailbag
If Douglas, a former high school and college offensive lineman, takes a tackle in the first round as most of the league believes he will, he then needs to turn his attention immediately to the receiver position, where the Jets are thin and this draft is fat.
As much as Sam Darnold needs a left tackle to protect his blind side, he needs a big-play receiver to threaten opposing defenses.
Unless he surprises and goes receiver in the first round, Douglas must pick one in the second round, the 48th overall spot, and perhaps again with one of his two third-round picks.
Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool (a matchup nightmare at 6-foot-4, 238 pounds), LSU’s Justin Jefferson (111 catches for 1,540 yards and 18 TDS last season), Clemson’s Tee Higgins (6-4, 216 with big-time red-zone skills), Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk (65 for 1,192 yards and eight TDs last year) and/or TCU’s Jalen Reagor (4.47 in the 30) may be available in the second round.
If Douglas goes for a receiver again in the third or fourth rounds, Baylor’s Denzel Mims, Central Florida’s Gabriel Davis or Penn State speedster K.J. Hamler are possibilities.
NFL Network analyst and draft specialist Daniel Jeremiah, who worked as a scout with the Ravens alongside Douglas in the mid 2000s, knows Douglas’ strengths and said this past week, “Joe is going to do very well in the middle rounds of this draft; that’s where the sweet spot is.’’
This should be sweet music to the ears of the Jets, who have two third-round picks, with the second one acquired from the Giants in the Leonard Williams trade, along with a fourth-, fifth- and sixth-rounder.
“[The Jets] don’t have a lot of blue-chip players at the important positions,’’ Jeremiah said. “They’ve got to find ways to score points; they just couldn’t do it last year [the Jets scored 276 points in 2019, which ranked 31st in the league]. They’ve got to go about getting that fixed, and that starts with getting much better up-front, and you’ve got to give Sam Darnold some weapons. I would imagine it’s going to be high on the priority list with this draft.’’


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--California mayor who compared Trump backers to KKK dies in plane crash: report

A California mayor who recently said he would resign over social media posts comparing Trump supporters to members of the Ku Klux Klan was killed in a plane crash Saturday , according to a report .
Auburn Mayor Bill Kirby was identified as the person killed when a small plane went down near Auburn Airport just after 11 a.m. local time , FOX 40 Sacramento reported .
The other person on the plane suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital , the Sacramento Bee reported .
Kirby , 72 , was piloting the plane and had been licensed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
The urologist worked with the group Flying Doctors that helps run free medical clinics in rural villages .
He was the father of two grown children and had lived in Auburn for 30 years .
He ran for Congress as a Republican in the state ’ s 2002 primary , according to the Bee .
“ Our family is devastated by this tragic news , ” the statement said .
“ Bill devoted decades of enthusiastic and loving support to his family , his patients and the Auburn community he loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immensely but take comfort in knowing he died while flying – one of the other loves of his life.
” Kirby had taken heat from Auburn residents last week during a city council meeting that was conducted by video because of the coronavirus outbreak .
In one of the posts , the mayor allegedly shared a photo of a Ku Klux Klan hood , with the caption , “ Good news for Trump supporters is that most of them already have masks , ” FOX 40 reported .
The post was later taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump for a lack of proper gear and testing capabilities in his work as a physician .
“ This president has put us all at risk , ” Kirby said .
During the city council meeting , officials and the public heard a string of voicemails that the council had received from residents infuriated by Kirby ’ s online posts .
“ These comments are hateful , degrading , bigoted and more consistent with the mentality of a 15-year-old , ” one voicemail said , according to FOX 40 .
The mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked about the posts .
“ I spent 40 years dedicating my life to serving the community of Auburn as a physician and through my volunteer efforts .
Am I perfect ?
No .
We ’ re all a little flawed , ” Kirby said .
Kirby said he planned to step down as mayor at the next council meeting on April 27 .
The plane crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration , California state fire officials told the station .
Auburn is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 miles northeast of Sacramento .

A California mayor who recently said he would resign over social media posts comparing President Trump supporters to members of the Ku Klux Klan was killed in a plane crash Saturday, according to a report.
Auburn Mayor Bill Kirby was identified as the person killed when a small plane went down near Auburn Airport just after 11 a.m. local time, FOX 40 Sacramento reported.
The other person on the plane suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Kirby, 72, was piloting the plane and had been licensed since at least 2009, the Bee reported. The urologist worked with the group Flying Doctors that helps run free medical clinics in rural villages.
He was the father of two grown children and had lived in Auburn for 30 years. He ran for Congress as a Republican in the state’s 2002 primary, according to the Bee.
Kirby’s family issued a statement through a Facebook post by Sacramento political consultant Jeff Raimondo.
“Our family is devastated by this tragic news,” the statement said. “Bill devoted decades of enthusiastic and loving support to his family, his patients and the Auburn community he loved so much. We will miss him immensely but take comfort in knowing he died while flying — one of the other loves of his life.”
Kirby had taken heat from Auburn residents last week during a city council meeting that was conducted by video because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In one of the posts, the mayor allegedly shared a photo of a Ku Klux Klan hood, with the caption, “Good news for Trump supporters is that most of them already have masks,” FOX 40 reported. The post was later taken down.
Kirby told residents he blamed Trump for a lack of proper gear and testing capabilities in his work as a physician.
“This president has put us all at risk,” Kirby said.
During the city council meeting, officials and the public heard a string of voicemails that the council had received from residents infuriated by Kirby’s online posts.
“These comments are hateful, degrading, bigoted and more consistent with the mentality of a 15-year-old,” one voicemail said, according to FOX 40.
The mayor appeared remorseful at the meeting when he talked about the posts.
“I spent 40 years dedicating my life to serving the community of Auburn as a physician and through my volunteer efforts. Am I perfect? No. We’re all a little flawed,” Kirby said.
Kirby said he planned to step down as mayor at the next council meeting on April 27.
The plane crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, California state fire officials told the station.
Auburn is a city of about 13,000 residents located about 33 miles northeast of Sacramento.
Fox News’ Jack Durschlag contributed to this story.


newyorkpost--2020-04-19--Spain coronavirus deaths climb by lowest daily amount in a month

MADRID – Spain ’ s death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak rose by 410 on Sunday , the lowest daily increase in about a month in one of the world ’ s hardest hit countries , prompting cautious optimism from the government that the figures are on a downward path .
The daily increase in deaths was the lowest since March 22 .
It is far below the highest daily increase – 950 deaths reported on April 2 – in a sign of a slowdown of the spread of the virus after Spain imposed a strict lockdown in mid-March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20,453 on Sunday , the Health Ministry said .
It is the third-highest toll worldwide after the United States and Italy .
The overall number of coronavirus cases rose to 195,944 from 191,726 on Saturday .
Health workers account for 15.6 % of those infected , health emergency chief Fernando Simon told a press briefing .
“ Data confirms the breaking of the curve , even with an increased number of tests , ” said health minister Salvador Illa , referring to the evolution of the death toll .
“ It is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going in the right direction ” .
Spain is conducting around 40,000 coronavirus tests daily , one of the highest numbers among European countries , Illa said .
Close to a million tests had been conducted as of April 13 .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday he would ask parliament for a 15-day extension of the country ’ s lockdown until May 9 , but said the restrictions would be more flexible .
Parliament will convene next Wednesday , Illa said .
The leftist-coalition government received widespread backing for the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first imposed on March 14 , including from the main opposition conservative party PP .
“ From the beginning we have said that ( Sanchez ) would have our support to save lives but not to ruin Spain or to hide his mistakes , ” PP ’ s leader Pablo Casado said in an interview with La Razon newspaper published on Sunday .
The interview was conducted before Sanchez ’ s announcement on Saturday that he would seek another extension .
Sanchez is scheduled to meet Casado on Monday as the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ agreements for reconstruction ” , a wide-ranging nationwide pact to address the aftermath of the virus ’ impact .

MADRID – Spain’s death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak rose by 410 on Sunday, the lowest daily increase in about a month in one of the world’s hardest hit countries, prompting cautious optimism from the government that the figures are on a downward path.
The daily increase in deaths was the lowest since March 22. It is far below the highest daily increase – 950 deaths reported on April 2 – in a sign of a slowdown of the spread of the virus after Spain imposed a strict lockdown in mid-March.
The total number of deaths reached 20,453 on Sunday, the Health Ministry said. It is the third-highest toll worldwide after the United States and Italy.
The overall number of coronavirus cases rose to 195,944 from 191,726 on Saturday. Health workers account for 15.6% of those infected, health emergency chief Fernando Simon told a press briefing.
“Data confirms the breaking of the curve, even with an increased number of tests,” said health minister Salvador Illa, referring to the evolution of the death toll. “It is still a difficult stage, but we are going in the right direction”.
Spain is conducting around 40,000 coronavirus tests daily, one of the highest numbers among European countries, Illa said. Close to a million tests had been conducted as of April 13.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday he would ask parliament for a 15-day extension of the country’s lockdown until May 9, but said the restrictions would be more flexible.
Parliament will convene next Wednesday, Illa said.
The leftist-coalition government received widespread backing for the previous two extensions of a state of emergency first imposed on March 14, including from the main opposition conservative party PP.
“From the beginning we have said that (Sanchez) would have our support to save lives but not to ruin Spain or to hide his mistakes,” PP’s leader Pablo Casado said in an interview with La Razon newspaper published on Sunday.
The interview was conducted before Sanchez’s announcement on Saturday that he would seek another extension.
Sanchez is scheduled to meet Casado on Monday as the prime minister aims to launch what he has called “agreements for reconstruction”, a wide-ranging nationwide pact to address the aftermath of the virus’ impact.