newyorkpost--2020-03-18--West Virginia, last state without coronavirus, sees its first case

The coronavirus sweeping across the nation is now officially in all 50 states , as West Virginia on Tuesday night confirmed its first case of the deadly illness .
The state ’ s governor , Jim Justice , announced the patient ’ s diagnosis in an eight-minute televised address , warning West Virginia residents , “ This is real and it ’ s really concerning.
” The patient , who hails from the eastern portion of the state , is not hospitalized , health officials said .
Justice on Tuesday night also ordered the state ’ s bars , restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the potentially deadly virus .
The governor reminded residents to avoid crowds and keep a safe distance from others .
“ Our power to combat this disease is being apart from one another , ” Justice said .
So far , 137 people in West Virginia have been tested for the coronavirus , health officials have said .
Of those , 122 came back negative , and 14 were pending as of Tuesday night .
In Kansas , meanwhile , Gov .
Laura Kelly on Tuesday night announced a statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year to help in the fight against the illness .
Schools will move to a remote teaching format , Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference .
“ The reality of this pandemic is that it can not be controlled statewide if school buildings return to normal operations or if they respond inconsistently within our local communities , ” Kelly said .

The coronavirus sweeping across the nation is now officially in all 50 states, as West Virginia on Tuesday night confirmed its first case of the deadly illness.
The state’s governor, Jim Justice, announced the patient’s diagnosis in an eight-minute televised address, warning West Virginia residents, “This is real and it’s really concerning.”
The patient, who hails from the eastern portion of the state, is not hospitalized, health officials said.
Justice on Tuesday night also ordered the state’s bars, restaurants and casinos to close to help stem the spread of the potentially deadly virus.
The governor reminded residents to avoid crowds and keep a safe distance from others.
“Our power to combat this disease is being apart from one another,” Justice said.
So far, 137 people in West Virginia have been tested for the coronavirus, health officials have said. Of those, 122 came back negative, and 14 were pending as of Tuesday night.
In Kansas, meanwhile, Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday night announced a statewide school closure for the remainder of the year to help in the fight against the illness.
Schools will move to a remote teaching format, Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference.
“The reality of this pandemic is that it cannot be controlled statewide if school buildings return to normal operations or if they respond inconsistently within our local communities,” Kelly said.
With Post Wires


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Biden just made Bernie nothing more than a two-time loser

Joe Biden beat Bernie Sanders by nearly 39 points in the Democratic primary in Florida .
That ’ s bad if you ’ re Bernie .
What ’ s even worse is this : Michael Bloomberg , who ’ s been out of the race for two weeks , got more votes in Florida than Sanders received in aggregate in New Hampshire , Iowa and Nevada — the first three states on the Democratic primary calendar and the places that suggested Sanders might be romping his way to his party ’ s nomination .
But wait , there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a moment to dance either a merengue or a hora on Bernie Sanders ’ chances .
Everybody knew Bernie was going to lose Florida , since he seemed determined to speak in positive terms about Fidel Castro , the totalitarian monster who drove a million Cubans into the sea and toward the Sunshine State .
Then there was his insistence on trash-talking Israel and its democratic leadership while surrounding himself with openly anti-Semitic surrogates and staffers , which would tend to be a turnoff for Florida ’ s 600,000 Jews .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whether Bernie might overperform his expectations in Florida because it might radically decrease turnout among Joe Biden ’ s most dedicated voters .
In demographic terms , it ’ s the older the better when it comes to Biden , and of course it ’ s the older the worse when it comes to the virus .
Well , too bad , Bernie .
Turnout in Florida was shockingly high , virus and all , apparently because Democratic voters there wanted to make sure you were going to be beaten like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absentee and mail-in voting requests surged .
The Democratic vote total in Florida will end up at least 20 percent higher than it was for the Hillary-Bernie contest in 2016 .
And it seems unlikely that Sanders will even manage to match the same number of votes he got there in 2016 , when he lost to Hillary Clinton by what seems by Biden-Bernie 2020 standards to be a relatively modest 32 point margin .
Moving on , Biden also walloped Bernie in Illinois , where there are fewer alternate means of voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinarily low — especially by the standards of the eye-popping numbers we ’ ve seen in the Democratic race so far .
And he won easily in Arizona as well .
Let ’ s stop for a moment and take in what has happened since the day before the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29 — which was , after all , not even three weeks ago .
Basically left for dead , Joe Biden has since won 19 of 24 states .
The only two large states Sanders carried on Super Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems they were uncommonly friendly to him because of the delusional Democratic devotion to the god of early voting .
Those who cast ballots closer to Super Tuesday — which is to say , after the Biden triumph in South Carolina — went for Biden by a margin of 47-26 over Sanders .
In other words , even those victories reflected a false understanding of the realities of the Democratic race .
Now the big , the dramatic , the breathless question is : Will Sanders drop out ?
Yeah , he pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Sandernista will probably take over the Democratic Party if Biden is defeated in November .
But Bernie — Bernie the Fidel Fanboy , Bernie the Jewish Jew-Basher — is a two-time loser .
Leave now or leave later , you ’ re leaving either way .

Joe Biden beat Bernie Sanders by nearly 39 points in the Democratic primary in Florida. That’s bad if you’re Bernie.
What’s even worse is this: Michael Bloomberg, who’s been out of the race for two weeks, got more votes in Florida than Sanders received in aggregate in New Hampshire, Iowa and Nevada — the first three states on the Democratic primary calendar and the places that suggested Sanders might be romping his way to his party’s nomination.
But wait, there’s more, if you would like to take a moment to dance either a merengue or a hora on Bernie Sanders’ chances.
And I would.
Olé!
And l’chaim!
Everybody knew Bernie was going to lose Florida, since he seemed determined to speak in positive terms about Fidel Castro, the totalitarian monster who drove a million Cubans into the sea and toward the Sunshine State.
Then there was his insistence on trash-talking Israel and its democratic leadership while surrounding himself with openly anti-Semitic surrogates and staffers, which would tend to be a turnoff for Florida’s 600,000 Jews.
But the advent of the coronavirus raised questions about whether Bernie might overperform his expectations in Florida because it might radically decrease turnout among Joe Biden’s most dedicated voters. In demographic terms, it’s the older the better when it comes to Biden, and of course it’s the older the worse when it comes to the virus.
Well, too bad, Bernie. Turnout in Florida was shockingly high, virus and all, apparently because Democratic voters there wanted to make sure you were going to be beaten like a drum. In the past week, absentee and mail-in voting requests surged.
The Democratic vote total in Florida will end up at least 20 percent higher than it was for the Hillary-Bernie contest in 2016.
And it seems unlikely that Sanders will even manage to match the same number of votes he got there in 2016, when he lost to Hillary Clinton by what seems by Biden-Bernie 2020 standards to be a relatively modest 32 point margin.
Moving on, Biden also walloped Bernie in Illinois, where there are fewer alternate means of voting and turnout really was expected to be extraordinarily low — especially by the standards of the eye-popping numbers we’ve seen in the Democratic race so far. And he won easily in Arizona as well.
Let’s stop for a moment and take in what has happened since the day before the South Carolina primary on Feb. 29 — which was, after all, not even three weeks ago. Basically left for dead, Joe Biden has since won 19 of 24 states.
The only two large states Sanders carried on Super Tuesday were California and Colorado, and it seems they were uncommonly friendly to him because of the delusional Democratic devotion to the god of early voting.
Those who cast ballots closer to Super Tuesday — which is to say, after the Biden triumph in South Carolina — went for Biden by a margin of 47-26 over Sanders. In other words, even those victories reflected a false understanding of the realities of the Democratic race.
Now the big, the dramatic, the breathless question is: Will Sanders drop out?
Who cares?
Yeah, he pushed his party to the left. Yeah, a Sandernista will probably take over the Democratic Party if Biden is defeated in November.
But Bernie — Bernie the Fidel Fanboy, Bernie the Jewish Jew-Basher — is a two-time loser.
Leave now or leave later, you’re leaving either way.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--NBAPA executive: Many more players will catch coronavirus

Kevin Durant was among four members of the Brooklyn Nets ...

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National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts expressed optimism the NBA will return to play, but also admitted more players eventually could test positive for the coronavirus.
Roberts revealed her thoughts to USA Today on Tuesday, and said she is trying to keep the players informed of what will happen in the weeks and upcoming month about the pandemic.
Seven NBA players, including Brooklyn superstar Kevin Durant and three other unidentified Nets, have tested positive for the virus.
The 64-year old Roberts said she is certain more players will test positive after some notable names already have.
“I was mortified any of our players would test positive. But the more I learned about the likelihood of fatalities among all of us given our ages and pre-existing conditions, I have learned to embrace the probability that many of our players will be positive for the virus,” Roberts said.
“They want to understand exactly what the health risks are. So whatever information we can impart, we do. We are (as) vigilant as we can and try to update them.”
Durant told The Athletic on Tuesday that he was fine and wanted others to be aware of the virus. His fellow teammates are also in isolation and under the care of team physicians, according to the Nets.
Durant joined the Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell and the Pistons’ Christian Wood as the publicized NBA coronavirus cases.
Roberts has engaged with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on a daily basis about the events. Like the players, Roberts is not comfortable speculating when events will dictate how safe it is to continue the regular season and the playoffs. The NBA suspended play last week because of the coronavirus.
“As a lawyer used to making decisions based off a ton of information, I have not been as uncomfortable professionally as I am right now,” Roberts said. “It is a very difficult place to be when you find yourself speculating. You can’t do any better than that.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--‘Bachelorette’ stars Tyler Cameron and Hannah Brown cozy up amid coronavirus outbreak

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) ‘ The Bachelorette ’ stars Tyler Cameron and Hannah Brown aren ’ t letting social distancing get in the way of renewed romance .
The on-again couple was spotted looking close as they soaked up the sun in shorts and t-shirts outside his home in Jupiter , Fla. , on Tuesday .
Brown , 25 , and Cameron , 27 , appeared glued to their phones as they were seated close facing each other , while US leaders beg residents to stay home and practice social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A witness said , “ We were driving past , and Tyler literally sat right outside of his house , not even in the backyard .
Hannah had her legs up on him , they were sitting kind of intimately .
They looked pretty cozy , and seemed relaxed enough to flaunt it to everyone who could see.
” Fans of the show took to social media after Cameron was seen picking up Brown at Palm Beach International Airport on Sunday .
Then on Monday , Cameron and Brown spent the day on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sitting closely together on towels .
He tweeted on the same day , referring to the coronavirus shutdowns and people going into quarantine worldwide , “ There is going to be a major spike in childbirths 9 months from now.
” Fellow Bachelorette contestant on Cameron ’ s season , Dustin Kendrick replied , “ You sayin ’ I ’ m gon na be an uncle ?
” This is her second visit to Florida to see him in just over a week .
Brown visited Cameron in Jupiter following the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who passed away after suffering a brain aneurysm on Feb. 29 at the age of 55 .
It was reported she offered grieving Cameron support during a very difficult time for him and his family .
Last year Cameron came in second place on Brown ’ s season of ‘ The Bachelorette ’ after Brown chose musician Jed Wyatt over him .
But she called off her engagement with Wyatt after finding out he had a girlfriend at home as they filmed the show .
On the live finale , Brown then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown and Cameron were together in Los Angeles after her finale , but last summer he started spending more time in New York and dated supermodel Gigi Hadid , but their romance fizzled by October .
But it seems Cameron and Brown stayed in touch .
He had said on Nick Viall ’ s podcast in late July , “ I think we have a great relationship , you know , and friendship , and that ’ s something that doesn ’ t need to be cut off because that didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s immature.
” He said of their time on the ABC dating show , “ We went through a whole lot together .
You know , that was a crazy journey to share and experience with somebody .
“ And I value and cherish our relationship and our friendship and that ’ s something I don ’ t wan na just cut off cold turkey because it didn ’ t work out .
… [ She ’ s ] someone I would hope to have a drink with and see what happens and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Brown went on to compete in “ Dancing With The Stars ” last fall , and Cameron said he had been rooting for her to win , which she did .
‘ The Bachelorette ’ host Chris Harrison has even weighed in on their reconciliation , “ It wouldn ’ t shock me .
I think they ’ d be great together , ” he told Entertainment Tonight .
“ But they ’ re probably just friends .
”

“The Bachelorette” stars Tyler Cameron and Hannah Brown aren’t letting social distancing get in the way of renewed romance.
The on-again couple was spotted looking close as they soaked up the sun in shorts and T-shirts outside his home in Jupiter, Fla., on Tuesday.
Brown, 25, and Cameron, 27, appeared glued to their phones as they were seated close facing each other, while US leaders beg residents to stay home and practice social distancing to curtail the spread of coronavirus.
A witness said, “We were driving past, and Tyler literally sat right outside of his house, not even in the backyard. Hannah had her legs up on him, they were sitting kind of intimately. They looked pretty cozy, and seemed relaxed enough to flaunt it to everyone who could see.”
Fans of the show took to social media after Cameron was seen picking up Brown at Palm Beach International Airport on Sunday.
Then on Monday, Cameron and Brown spent the day on the beach, playing volleyball with friends and sitting closely together on towels.
He tweeted on the same day, referring to the coronavirus shutdowns and people going into quarantine worldwide, “There is going to be a major spike in childbirths 9 months from now.” A fellow “Bachelorette” contestant on Cameron’s season, Dustin Kendrick, replied, “You sayin’ I’m gonna be an uncle?”
This is her second visit to Florida to see him in just over a week. Brown visited Cameron in Jupiter following the death of his mom, Andrea Hermann Cameron, who passed away after suffering a brain aneurysm on Feb. 29 at the age of 55.
It was reported Brown offered a grieving Cameron support during a very difficult time for him and his family.
Last year Cameron came in second place on Brown’s season of “The Bachelorette” after Brown chose musician Jed Wyatt over him. But she called off her engagement with Wyatt after finding out he had a girlfriend at home as they filmed the show. On the live finale, Brown then asked Cameron out for a drink.
Related Video 'Bachelorette’ babe Tyler Cameron talks Hannah Brown, hints at Gigi Hadid
Brown and Cameron were together in Los Angeles after her finale. Last summer he started spending more time in New York and dated supermodel Gigi Hadid, but their romance fizzled by October.
But it seems Cameron and Brown stayed in touch. He had said on Nick Viall’s podcast in late July, “I think we have a great relationship, you know, and friendship, and that’s something that doesn’t need to be cut off because that didn’t work out. I think that’s immature.”
He said of their time on the ABC dating show, “We went through a whole lot together. You know, that was a crazy journey to share and experience with somebody.
“And I value and cherish our relationship and our friendship and that’s something I don’t wanna just cut off cold turkey because it didn’t work out. … [She’s] someone I would hope to have a drink with and see what happens and take it one step at a time.”
Brown went on to compete in “Dancing With the Stars” last fall, and Cameron said he had been rooting for her to win, which she did.
“The Bachelorette” host Chris Harrison has even weighed in on their reconciliation: “It wouldn’t shock me. I think they’d be great together,” he told “Entertainment Tonight.” “But they’re probably just friends.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-17--Life without Mets devastating for Port St. Lucie

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PORT ST. LUCIE — To many , this is not spring training , it ’ s a family pilgrimage .
Here was Andrew Friedman with his hands crossed behind his head , voice rising with emotion as he stared at a locked Clover Park on Tuesday .
For the past 19 years Friedman , his father and then Friedman ’ s children had been coming down to Mets spring training games .
Enjoying the sunshine , bonding , family renewal at the ballpark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not now , not this spring with the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I was supposed to be here next weekend with my dad and kids and I could cry , ’ ’ Friedman told The Post as tears welled in his eyes .
“ It started with me coming with my dad in college , now it ’ s my dad and my two kids .
We were supposed to see the Saturday night game , the Sunday game and fly home Sunday .
We do a weekend trip every year.
’ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , N.J. , and his brother-in-law Andrew Fateman were passing through .
The two men drove down to pick up their mother-in-law in Boca Raton to take her back north .
“ She can ’ t fly home and can ’ t train home and can ’ t get coronavirus down here because there is no one here with her , ’ ’ Friedman said .
“ We left Glen Rock at 2:15 [ Monday ] afternoon , picked her up at 8:15 this morning and we ’ ll be home at 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ They had to stop .
No one knows when baseball will start again .
This city that grew from 50,000 when the Mets first arrived here in 1988 to nearly 200,000 is a ghost town now compared to past years .
Restaurants , bars and hotels are being hammered .
“ It ’ s like someone turned a switch off as soon as MLB said they were stopping , it ’ s like people just cleared out , ’ ’ West End Grill manager Nichole Jackson said .
The family-owned West End @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for good food and a fun atmosphere with relaxed patio seating .
On this day , the place was nearly deserted at noon , on St. Patrick ’ s Day no less .
“ We ’ re trying to adapt , we ’ re doing takeout as well , ’ ’ Jackson said .
“ Beyond business , it ’ s just exciting to have the Mets in town .
It ’ s fun , as far as employees , we were all taking turns to catch the games .
My 9-year-old daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going ?
’ I said , ‘ We ’ re not.
’ It ’ s very sad .
It becomes part of your life.
’ ’ Servers Kellie Ann Frietas and Terry Cleary wait for customers to come back to the West End Grill .
“ We ’ re all in the same boat , and we ’ ll all get through this , ’ ’ Frietas said .
Hotels that were packed a week ago , with pool areas overflowing with guests , are nearly empty .
This is crushing the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clover Park just underwent a $ 57 million makeover with $ 55 million coming from St. Lucie County .
On ribbon-cutting day , Feb. 22 , there was so much hope .
Now the ballpark is empty .
Fans have left town .
On Tuesday three vans were parked in front of the main entrance for the company Safe/Clean as Clover Park attempts to disinfect .
The only game action that could be seen at Clover Park were the utility boxes covered with images of the ballpark — ghost games .
Over in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on I-95 , is where many of the Mets personnel and players make their homes .
This is a popular new area of shopping and restaurants ( where Tradition Field used to be ) .
The restaurants were mostly vacant Monday evening at 7 p.m. , usually the most popular time .
Pastaio is a huge hit with fans and Mets personnel for their handmade pasta .
To lift spirits on this day , the restaurant ’ s local deliveries also included a free T-shirt that read “ Eat pasta , run fasta.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is from Atlantic City , is doing what he can to make his customers feel better during these difficult times .
“ We ’ re doing something that most places don ’ t do , ’ ’ Lamarra said , explaining why his restaurant is successful .
“ We ’ re putting in the effort by making all handmade pasta .
It ’ s a dying art .
One hundred percent of the pasta we make is made in-house in front of the people every day .
A lot of restaurants say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right in front of the people — kind of like Tupac [ Shakur ] said it , ‘ Don ’ t believe what you hear .
Real eyes , realize , real lies.
’ “ We all felt it instantly , ’ ’ Lamarra said of the mass fan departure .
“ I haven ’ t done this since we opened , but today was the time I said , ‘ Hey , anybody who wants to leave , you can leave.
’ That ’ s the servers .
They live off their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chop up only a small amount it wouldn ’ t have been worth it .
It kills me to send anyone home .
Everyone who works in this restaurant is considered friends and family .
’ ’

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PORT ST. LUCIE — To many, this is not spring training, it’s a family pilgrimage.
Here was Andrew Friedman with his hands crossed behind his head, voice rising with emotion as he stared at a locked Clover Park on Tuesday. For the past 19 years Friedman, his father and then Friedman’s children had been coming down to Mets spring training games.
Enjoying the sunshine, bonding, family renewal at the ballpark. It happens every spring. But not now, not this spring with the coronavirus pandemic.
“I was supposed to be here next weekend with my dad and kids and I could cry,’’ Friedman told The Post as tears welled in his eyes. “It started with me coming with my dad in college, now it’s my dad and my two kids. We were supposed to see the Saturday night game, the Sunday game and fly home Sunday. We do a weekend trip every year.’’
Friedman, who lives in Glen Rock, N.J., and his brother-in-law Andrew Fateman were passing through. The two men drove down to pick up their mother-in-law in Boca Raton to take her back north.
“She can’t fly home and can’t train home and can’t get coronavirus down here because there is no one here with her,’’ Friedman said. “We left Glen Rock at 2:15 [Monday] afternoon, picked her up at 8:15 this morning and we’ll be home at 4 o’clock in the morning.’’
They had to stop.
No one knows when baseball will start again.
This city that grew from 50,000 when the Mets first arrived here in 1988 to nearly 200,000 is a ghost town now compared to past years. Restaurants, bars and hotels are being hammered.
“It’s like someone turned a switch off as soon as MLB said they were stopping, it’s like people just cleared out,’’ West End Grill manager Nichole Jackson said. The family-owned West End Grill is a go-to spot in town for good food and a fun atmosphere with relaxed patio seating. On this day, the place was nearly deserted at noon, on St. Patrick’s Day no less.
“We’re trying to adapt, we’re doing takeout as well,’’ Jackson said. “Beyond business, it’s just exciting to have the Mets in town. It’s fun, as far as employees, we were all taking turns to catch the games. My 9-year-old daughter asked me, ‘When are we going?’ I said, ‘We’re not.’ It’s very sad. It becomes part of your life.’’
Servers Kellie Ann Frietas and Terry Cleary wait for customers to come back to the West End Grill. “We’re all in the same boat, and we’ll all get through this,’’ Frietas said.
Hotels that were packed a week ago, with pool areas overflowing with guests, are nearly empty. This is crushing the local economy.
Don’t forget, Clover Park just underwent a $57 million makeover with $55 million coming from St. Lucie County.
On ribbon-cutting day, Feb. 22, there was so much hope. Now the ballpark is empty. Fans have left town. On Tuesday three vans were parked in front of the main entrance for the company Safe/Clean as Clover Park attempts to disinfect.
The only game action that could be seen at Clover Park were the utility boxes covered with images of the ballpark — ghost games.
Over in Tradition, Fla., an exit south on I-95, is where many of the Mets personnel and players make their homes. This is a popular new area of shopping and restaurants (remember when Clover Park used to be called Tradition Field). The restaurants were mostly vacant Monday evening at 7 p.m., usually the most popular time.
Pastaio is a huge hit with fans and Mets personnel for their handmade pasta. To lift spirits on this day, the restaurant’s local deliveries also included a free T-shirt that read “Eat pasta, run fasta.’’ Owner Pasquale Lamarra, who is from Atlantic City, is doing what he can to make his customers feel better during these difficult times.
“We’re doing something that most places don’t do,’’ Lamarra said, explaining why his restaurant is successful. “We’re putting in the effort by making all handmade pasta. It’s a dying art. One hundred percent of the pasta we make is made in-house in front of the people every day. A lot of restaurants say they have handmade pasta, we do it right in front of the people — kind of like Tupac [Shakur] said it, ‘Don’t believe what you hear. Real eyes, realize, real lies.’
“We all felt it instantly,’’ Lamarra said of the mass fan departure. “I haven’t done this since we opened, but today was the time I said, ‘Hey, anybody who wants to leave, you can leave.’ That’s the servers. They live off their tips. If everybody was going to chop up only a small amount it wouldn’t have been worth it. It kills me to send anyone home. Everyone who works in this restaurant is considered friends and family.’’
A wonderful community is hurting.


newyorkpost--2020-03-17--Ottawa Senators player is NHL’s first coronavirus case

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The NHL has its first coronavirus case after a member of the Ottawa Senators tested positive for the virus , the team announced Tuesday .
The unnamed player has mild symptoms , and is in isolation , according to the team .
It marks the first case for the NHL , which joined the vast majority of professional sports leagues last week in suspending play because of coronavirus .
The team said it would be alerting anyone who would have had close contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senators played the Islanders in Ottawa on March 5 , though it is unclear whether the player had the virus at that time .
Seven NBA players have tested positive for the coronavirus , including Brooklyn superstar Kevin Durant and three other unnamed Nets players .
The Senators played the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on March 11 — one day after the Nets played the Lakers at the same arena .
The hockey website , The Fourth Period , reported that the Senators used the same visitors locker room as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hockey , two Yankees minor leaguers were the first professional baseball players to test positive for the virus .

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The NHL has its first coronavirus case after a member of the Ottawa Senators tested positive for the virus, the team announced Tuesday.
The unnamed player has mild symptoms, and is in isolation, according to the team.
It marks the first case for the NHL, which joined the vast majority of professional sports leagues last week in suspending play because of coronavirus.
The team said it would be alerting anyone who would have had close contact with the player.
Locally, the Senators played the Islanders in Ottawa on March 5, though it is unclear whether the player had the virus at that time.
Seven NBA players have tested positive for the coronavirus, including Brooklyn superstar Kevin Durant and three other unnamed Nets players.
The Senators played the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on March 11 — one day after the Nets played the Lakers at the same arena.
The hockey website, The Fourth Period, reported that the Senators used the same visitors locker room as the Nets.
Outside of basketball and hockey, two Yankees minor leaguers were the first professional baseball players to test positive for the virus.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Here’s what federal bailouts need to do — and what they shouldn’t

Congress needs to act — like , yesterday — to stem the impact from a pandemic that will surpass 9/11 and 2008 in its economic impact .
People who are losing jobs and income need money fast , as do small businesses and state and local governments .
The alternative is they start defaulting on debt in mass numbers , turning coronavirus into a credit crisis that will make 2008 seem like a picnic .
But the proposal President Trump announced this week is too broad and may waste scarce resources we will need later .
Washington has two main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s power over private debt and stimulus .
The Fed has already cut interest rates to zero , and though it probably isn ’ t harming anything at this point , it didn ’ t work .
The reason is that this isn ’ t a crisis that can be solved by cheaper debt .
It ’ s a cash-flow crisis .
Think about how you run your household budget .
Money comes in , and money goes out .
Do you have months of easy-to-access money stored up in case you suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even with a supposedly booming economy , people rely on debt .
Only 57.5 percent of Americans pay off their credit-card balances each month , down from 63 percent in 2010 .
Small businesses work the same way .
Restaurants , bars , retail stores : They have thin operating margins and can ’ t withstand being closed for a month or more .
The airlines , huge businesses , have only seen flights curtailed for a few weeks and are already close to bankruptcy .
Municipalities , too , will run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and income taxes plummet .
The state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority has already announced a “ material event ” to its bondholders , meaning a potential apocalypse .
It can ’ t withstand a full schedule — meaning full costs — with severely depleted fare , toll and tax revenue beyond the late spring .
This isn ’ t a the-deficit-is-too-big issue ; it ’ s a basic liquidity issue .
The state and city , too , will see historic tax declines .
And remember , after 9/11 and 2008 , they addressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this economy will need to recover is lower taxes , particularly sales taxes and commercial-rent taxes .
So massive congressional action is in order .
But not a check to everyone — as Trump proposed Tuesday .
At a cost of $ 500 billion , it ’ s way too broad and risks increasing inflation , when both demand and supply in the “ real ” economy have fallen precipitously .
People who have kept their jobs , and kept most of their income , just don ’ t need a check from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check — and right now — are the likely tens of millions of people who will soon lose , or have already lost , their jobs or their freelance gigs .
The feds should massively supplement state unemployment insurance , which currently maxes out at $ 504 a week .
People who are losing freelance work should be able to apply for a top-up , with the Internal Revenue Service comparing this year ’ s quarterly earnings to last year ’ s .
Small businesses , too , are going to need massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As will state and local governments .
Longer term , the feds should tie aid for cost reform , but for now , the task is just to keep the trains running .
Otherwise , the MTA will have to severely curtail service come summer for lack of cash , something it essentially warned of this week .
That ’ s going to hamper the recovery .
Are these perfect ideas ?
No .
For one thing , they will cost a lot of money , likely well over a trillion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t start out here from a great place ; it ’ s already running a trillion-dollar deficit .
But households , businesses and municipal governments can ’ t survive a pandemic .
As it happens , the Federal Reserve released the latest tally of outstanding debt last Thursday , the day the World Health Organization declared the pandemic .
These three groups owe $ 35.3 trillion , more , after inflation , than they did in 2007 .
What ’ s the alternative ?
Mass-scale debt defaults , as people stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , perhaps , mortgages .
Just the fear of such mass defaults could send markets into a worse spiral than they have been in for weeks .
Then , Congress would end up bailing out banks , not people .
Would some people still default on debt ?
Sure .
But most people are responsible citizens and just want to get back to work .
After 2008 , aid to actual people took too long and was too complex .
We are still suffering the political fallout from Too Big to Fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus ; nothing is stimulated when people are locked down .
It is just avoiding something worse .

Congress needs to act — like, yesterday — to stem the impact from a pandemic that will surpass 9/11 and 2008 in its economic impact. People who are losing jobs and income need money fast, as do small businesses and state and local governments. The alternative is they start defaulting on debt in mass numbers, turning coronavirus into a credit crisis that will make 2008 seem like a picnic. But the proposal President Trump announced this week is too broad and may waste scarce resources we will need later.
Washington has two main economic tools: the Federal Reserve’s power over private debt and stimulus. The Fed has already cut interest rates to zero, and though it probably isn’t harming anything at this point, it didn’t work. The reason is that this isn’t a crisis that can be solved by cheaper debt.
It’s a cash-flow crisis. Think about how you run your household budget. Money comes in, and money goes out. Do you have months of easy-to-access money stored up in case you suddenly find yourself out of work? Already, even with a supposedly booming economy, people rely on debt. Only 57.5 percent of Americans pay off their credit-card balances each month, down from 63 percent in 2010.
Small businesses work the same way. Restaurants, bars, retail stores: They have thin operating margins and can’t withstand being closed for a month or more. The airlines, huge businesses, have only seen flights curtailed for a few weeks and are already close to bankruptcy.
Municipalities, too, will run out of cash quickly as sales taxes and income taxes plummet. The state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority has already announced a “material event” to its bondholders, meaning a potential apocalypse. It can’t withstand a full schedule — meaning full costs — with severely depleted fare, toll and tax revenue beyond the late spring. This isn’t a the-deficit-is-too-big issue; it’s a basic liquidity issue.
The state and city, too, will see historic tax declines. And remember, after 9/11 and 2008, they addressed that problem with higher taxes. What this economy will need to recover is lower taxes, particularly sales taxes and commercial-rent taxes.
So massive congressional action is in order.
But not a check to everyone — as Trump proposed Tuesday. At a cost of $500 billion, it’s way too broad and risks increasing inflation, when both demand and supply in the “real” economy have fallen precipitously. People who have kept their jobs, and kept most of their income, just don’t need a check from the government.
Who does need a check — and right now — are the likely tens of millions of people who will soon lose, or have already lost, their jobs or their freelance gigs.
The feds should massively supplement state unemployment insurance, which currently maxes out at $504 a week. People who are losing freelance work should be able to apply for a top-up, with the Internal Revenue Service comparing this year’s quarterly earnings to last year’s.
Small businesses, too, are going to need massive aid — and grants, not loans. As will state and local governments. Longer term, the feds should tie aid for cost reform, but for now, the task is just to keep the trains running.
Otherwise, the MTA will have to severely curtail service come summer for lack of cash, something it essentially warned of this week. That’s going to hamper the recovery.
Are these perfect ideas? No. For one thing, they will cost a lot of money, likely well over a trillion. Because of its recent profligacy, Congress doesn’t start out here from a great place; it’s already running a trillion-dollar deficit.
But households, businesses and municipal governments can’t survive a pandemic. As it happens, the Federal Reserve released the latest tally of outstanding debt last Thursday, the day the World Health Organization declared the pandemic. These three groups owe $35.3 trillion, more, after inflation, than they did in 2007.
What’s the alternative? Mass-scale debt defaults, as people stop paying their credit cards, auto loans and, perhaps, mortgages. Just the fear of such mass defaults could send markets into a worse spiral than they have been in for weeks. Then, Congress would end up bailing out banks, not people.
Would some people still default on debt? Sure. But most people are responsible citizens and just want to get back to work. After 2008, aid to actual people took too long and was too complex. We are still suffering the political fallout from Too Big to Fail.
The goal here isn’t stimulus; nothing is stimulated when people are locked down. It is just avoiding something worse.
Nicole Gelinas is a contributing editor of City Journal.Twitter: @NicoleGelinas


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--The 10 best books to read to beat coronavirus boredom

It ’ s easy to practice good social distance when you ’ re curled up at home with a great book !
Here are some of my favorite picks of all time .
Toby Fleishman and his wife have separated , and they ’ re going through the motions of pickups and drop-offs , trying to keep their kids ’ busy Manhattan schedules intact .
But when Fleishman ’ s wife is suddenly MIA and not answering calls , his life starts to implode around him .
Mind-blowingly good in its depiction of a marriage , middle age and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternates between being sharply funny at times , beautifully insightful at others .
“ Bad Blood ” is the book equivalent of a high-speed car chase as it follows the absolutely wild story that is the Theranos scandal , wherein charismatic , black-turtleneck-wearing founder Elizabeth Holmes , lauded as the next Steve Jobs , hoodwinked pretty much everyone with her “ blood testing ” startup .
Casey Han is the Queens-bred daughter of Korean immigrants , back in the city after graduating from Princeton and realizing her expensive degree is no match for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racked up .
As she navigates the city , trying to figure out where she fits in this privileged world , she questions what will truly make her happy .
This Pulitzer Prize-winning beauty of a novel is the second in Ford ’ s Frank Bascombe trilogy , which kicked off with “ The Sportswriter.
” Even so , it ’ s readily enjoyed on its own .
Ford ’ s writing is stunning , turning the story of a divorced real estate agent in Haddam , NJ , muddling through his days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the Garden of Beasts : Love , Terror and an American Family in Hitler ’ s Berlin Larson brings life to any historical moment he concentrates on , and this book is no exception .
This tells the riveting tale of America ’ s ambassador to Germany in 1933 , a mild-mannered man named William E. Dodd , who moves with his family to a country where things are already taking an ominous turn .
With great attention to detail , this book does a perfect job of describing an awful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attempts to warn his compatriots at home .
“ A Little Life ” follows four college classmates as they move to New York .
One of them , Jude , has endured unspeakable trauma in childhood .
Fair warning : This is a long and absolutely devastating book that will rip out your heart and then stomp on it not once , but several times .
It will be worth it , because this book is absolutely beautiful .
7 .
The Prisoner in His Palace : Saddam Hussein , His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unsaid A stunning description of the last days of Saddam Hussein , taken from firsthand accounts of American guards , soldiers , government officials and more , this is a well-written , strangely moving and thoroughly researched depiction of a fascinating time and place in history .
Jende Jonge is a Cameroonian immigrant who came to NYC in the fall of 2007 , seeking a better life for his family .
He lands a job as a driver for high-powered executive Clark Edwards , and , for a while , Jende and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , living a trickle-down version of the American Dream .
Then the financial world is rocked , and Jende is desperate not only to keep his job , but to stay in the US .
9 .
My Year of Rest and Relaxation It ’ s 2000 in New York , and a privileged young woman decides to spend the year inside her apartment , subsisting on takeout and prescription pills .
She has every reason to be happy and grateful , but something big is missing from her life .
A darkly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can all relate to at this point in time , given our collective hibernation .
One summer night in 2013 , four classmates meet again in their opioid-ravaged Ohio hometown , 10 years after graduating from high school .
Some have been to war and back ; others have joined the Wall Street protesters at Zuccotti Park .
The years have not been kind to their town , or to many of them .

It’s easy to practice good social distance when you’re curled up at home with a great book! Here are some of my favorite picks of all time.
Taffy Brodesser-Akner (fiction, Random House)
Toby Fleishman and his wife have separated, and they’re going through the motions of pickups and drop-offs, trying to keep their kids’ busy Manhattan schedules intact. But when Fleishman’s wife is suddenly MIA and not answering calls, his life starts to implode around him. Mind-blowingly good in its depiction of a marriage, middle age and the life of an NYC family. It alternates between being sharply funny at times, beautifully insightful at others.
John Carreyrou (nonfiction, Vintage)
“Bad Blood” is the book equivalent of a high-speed car chase as it follows the absolutely wild story that is the Theranos scandal, wherein charismatic, black-turtleneck-wearing founder Elizabeth Holmes, lauded as the next Steve Jobs, hoodwinked pretty much everyone with her “blood testing” startup.
Min Jin Lee (fiction, Grand Central Publishing)
Casey Han is the Queens-bred daughter of Korean immigrants, back in the city after graduating from Princeton and realizing her expensive degree is no match for the credit card debt she’s racked up. As she navigates the city, trying to figure out where she fits in this privileged world, she questions what will truly make her happy.
Richard Ford (fiction, Vintage)
This Pulitzer Prize-winning beauty of a novel is the second in Ford’s Frank Bascombe trilogy, which kicked off with “The Sportswriter.” Even so, it’s readily enjoyed on its own. Ford’s writing is stunning, turning the story of a divorced real estate agent in Haddam, NJ, muddling through his days into something gorgeous and epic.
Erik Larson (nonfiction, Crown)
Larson brings life to any historical moment he concentrates on, and this book is no exception. This tells the riveting tale of America’s ambassador to Germany in 1933, a mild-mannered man named William E. Dodd, who moves with his family to a country where things are already taking an ominous turn. With great attention to detail, this book does a perfect job of describing an awful, uneasy time, and the ambassador’s attempts to warn his compatriots at home.
Hanya Yanagihara (fiction, Anchor)
“A Little Life” follows four college classmates as they move to New York. One of them, Jude, has endured unspeakable trauma in childhood. Fair warning: This is a long and absolutely devastating book that will rip out your heart and then stomp on it not once, but several times. It will be worth it, because this book is absolutely beautiful.
Will Bardenwerper (nonfiction, Scribner)
A stunning description of the last days of Saddam Hussein, taken from firsthand accounts of American guards, soldiers, government officials and more, this is a well-written, strangely moving and thoroughly researched depiction of a fascinating time and place in history.
Imbolo Mbue (fiction, Random House Trade)
Jende Jonge is a Cameroonian immigrant who came to NYC in the fall of 2007, seeking a better life for his family. He lands a job as a driver for high-powered executive Clark Edwards, and, for a while, Jende and his wife become involved with the Edwards family, living a trickle-down version of the American Dream. Then the financial world is rocked, and Jende is desperate not only to keep his job, but to stay in the US.
Ottessa Moshfegh (fiction, Penguin Books)
It’s 2000 in New York, and a privileged young woman decides to spend the year inside her apartment, subsisting on takeout and prescription pills. She has every reason to be happy and grateful, but something big is missing from her life. A darkly funny, inventive book and one we can all relate to at this point in time, given our collective hibernation.
Stephen Markley (fiction, Simon & Schuster)
One summer night in 2013, four classmates meet again in their opioid-ravaged Ohio hometown, 10 years after graduating from high school. Some have been to war and back; others have joined the Wall Street protesters at Zuccotti Park. The years have not been kind to their town, or to many of them.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--West Virginia senator says lack of tests led to low coronavirus cases

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Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia said the reason his state has only one positive coronavirus case is due to a lack of testing .
The Democratic senator sounded the alarm Tuesday after the state ’ s governor , Jim Justice , announced the first patient ’ s diagnosis in an eight-minute televised address .
“ We have no testing , we ’ re not prepared , people think we ’ re immune to this , ” Manchin said on CNN .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , West Virginia had conducted just 40 tests .
By Tuesday , according to state health officials , that number was up to 137 , with 122 tests coming back negative .
Fourteen tests were still awaiting results as of Tuesday night .
Manchin said he ’ s been telling people that the state ’ s low case number doesn ’ t mean residents should put their guard down .
“ I wanted to make sure that people understood they should not get a false sense of security , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was especially concerned for what he called “ the most vulnerable population at risk.
” “ I have over 720,000 elderly .
I ’ ve got over 220,000 that are critically ill under 60 years of age , ” Manchin said .
“ If you put all this together , of the 1,800,000 people [ in West Virginia ] , I have over a million that could be absolutely , totally devastated by this virus if it hits .
”

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Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia said the reason his state has only one positive coronavirus case is due to a lack of testing.
The Democratic senator sounded the alarm Tuesday after the state’s governor, Jim Justice, announced the first patient’s diagnosis in an eight-minute televised address.
“We have no testing, we’re not prepared, people think we’re immune to this,” Manchin said on CNN.
The lawmaker said that until a few days ago, West Virginia had conducted just 40 tests.
By Tuesday, according to state health officials, that number was up to 137, with 122 tests coming back negative. Fourteen tests were still awaiting results as of Tuesday night.
Manchin said he’s been telling people that the state’s low case number doesn’t mean residents should put their guard down.
“I wanted to make sure that people understood they should not get a false sense of security,” he said on CNN.
The senator said he was especially concerned for what he called “the most vulnerable population at risk.”
“I have over 720,000 elderly. I’ve got over 220,000 that are critically ill under 60 years of age,” Manchin said.
“If you put all this together, of the 1,800,000 people [in West Virginia], I have over a million that could be absolutely, totally devastated by this virus if it hits.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Bolster the coronavirus safety net without blind handouts

Even as it finalizes one coronavirus-relief package , Congress is starting to debate some much broader action .
Wherever it goes , everyone should realize that the “ one grand for every American ” idea is just wrong here : It ’ s both too much and too little .
The effort to “ flatten the curve ” has intentionally shut down much of the US economy .
What ’ s needed is help so that the economy can restart rapidly in a few weeks , when the lockdowns end or at least ease .
But lots of folks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help .
Not just frontline workers , but tens of millions now telecommuting .
Others will be covered by the safety net that Congress is already bolstering , via extended unemployment benefits and so on .
They shouldn ’ t need an extra check .
Still others need more than $ 1,000 .
The feds will likely need to bolster the net even more for those who don ’ t normally qualify — bartenders and restaurant servers , for example .
And figure out how businesses that will again be profitable post-crisis can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survive — and don ’ t make them pay the usual doing-business fees when they ’ re not doing business .
The country needs to avoid a cascading debt crisis , where one set of loan defaults triggers another .
But blind cash payouts will inevitably beget more blind cash payouts — ultimately weakening society ’ s ability to maintain a true unemployment social-safety net , rather than temporarily strengthening it .
States seeing a collapse in tax revenues likely need some grants , too — but they ’ ll still absolutely have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone else is , and also ease off how they burden the private economy .
The point is to keep those who normally manage fine for themselves afloat , until we all get to the other side .
That goal is ambitious enough ; don ’ t go trying airy ideas like a “ universal basic income ” — the idea behind the $ 1,000-for-everybody scheme .
This is about holding on and holding together , not a revolution .

Even as it finalizes one coronavirus-relief package, Congress is starting to debate some much broader action. Wherever it goes, everyone should realize that the “one grand for every American” idea is just wrong here: It’s both too much and too little.
The effort to “flatten the curve” has intentionally shut down much of the US economy. What’s needed is help so that the economy can restart rapidly in a few weeks, when the lockdowns end or at least ease.
But lots of folks are still working and don’t need help. Not just frontline workers, but tens of millions now telecommuting. Others will be covered by the safety net that Congress is already bolstering, via extended unemployment benefits and so on. They shouldn’t need an extra check.
Still others need more than $1,000. The feds will likely need to bolster the net even more for those who don’t normally qualify — bartenders and restaurant servers, for example.
And figure out how businesses that will again be profitable post-crisis can get the bridge loans they need to survive — and don’t make them pay the usual doing-business fees when they’re not doing business. The country needs to avoid a cascading debt crisis, where one set of loan defaults triggers another.
But blind cash payouts will inevitably beget more blind cash payouts — ultimately weakening society’s ability to maintain a true unemployment social-safety net, rather than temporarily strengthening it.
States seeing a collapse in tax revenues likely need some grants, too — but they’ll still absolutely have to cut back somewhere, just as everyone else is, and also ease off how they burden the private economy.
The point is to keep those who normally manage fine for themselves afloat, until we all get to the other side. That goal is ambitious enough; don’t go trying airy ideas like a “universal basic income” — the idea behind the $1,000-for-everybody scheme.
This is about holding on and holding together, not a revolution.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Amusement parks, bowling alleys, zoos and fairs are the latest coronavirus casualties

In a sweeping , unprecedented move , the governors of New York , ...

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ALBANY—Gov. Andrew Cuomo added malls, amusement parks, zoos, aquariums and bowling alleys to the list of businesses ordered to close up shop thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, all “indoor common portions” of shopping malls larger than 100,000 feet are ordered to close.
But retail stores within malls that have their own entrances separate from a mall’s general entrance may stay open.
The list of casualties include “all places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors,” including locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, plus family and children’s attractions.
The rule doesn’t apply to public parks and “open recreation areas.” Gov. Cuomo waived fees on all local and state parks earlier this week.
On Monday, the Democratic governor along with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont closed all restaurants and bars except for takeout and delivery.
Gyms, casinos and movie theaters in the tri-state area were also ordered to shutter their doors until further notice to reduce public density and the coronavirus spread.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--MTA borrows $1B to stave off impending coronavirus fiscal apocalypse

Subway ridership has nearly halved at Manhattan ’ s busiest stations , according ...

The MTA will borrow $1 billion by the end of the week to bolster its bottom line as the coronavirus wreaks havoc on fare revenue, officials said Wednesday.
“The MTA is drawing down $1 billion on its existing line of credit as the authority continues its essential role responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” agency Chairman Pat Foye said in a statement.
“These emergency funds, which will be drawn down on March 20, are critical as the agency encounters a fiscal cliff due to significant, sustained revenue losses and increased expenses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.”
Subway ridership was down 60 percent Monday compared to the same time last year, the agency says. Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road commuter rail commuting was down 90 percent and 67 percent, respectively.
Fares account for around half of the MTA’s $18-billion operating budget. The agency is continuing to operate regular weekday bus and train schedules despite the reduced ridership.
On Tuesday, Foye penned a letter to New York’s congressional delegation requesting $4 billion in federal aid to account for the lost fares.
“There’s been a precipitous decline in ridership,” he said in a TV interview Wednesday afternoon. “Clearly ridership is going to be depressed during the duration of the pandemic and for some period thereafter.”
“While we’re carrying fewer people, we’re carrying the people who move New York,” he added. “Getting them to and from work is a critical task.”
The $1 billion loan accounts for the entirety the MTA’s available credit.
But Reinvent Albany Executive Director John Kaehny said the agency will likely be able to borrow more — the challenge will be paying back those loans.
“They’re going to have to start paying interest on that money now,” Kaehny said. “If you don’t get that bailout, you don’t have money to pay it back.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Teachers, NYPD worry about students’ whereabouts during remote learning

`` We are going to do our best , but this is ...

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School staffers are worried that countless city kids will blow off the remote learning during the coronavirus closures — and wonder how they will be tracked, sources told The Post.
The Department of Education has been scrambling to finalize a remote learning plan that will be able to track if students are connecting to their schools through devices and programs.
But a principal cautioned Wednesday that teachers will struggle to account for student whereabouts from afar.
Many schools don’t have standardized or verified email lists for parents and routes of communication are often unreliable, the Queens administrator said.
“The larger the school, the more traditional the approach, the more challenging the parent and family population in terms of stability, the more difficult it’s going to be,” he said.
The principal said that his school will use a Google Classroom function that registers logged in students daily and generates spreadsheet summaries of their cyber-attendance.
That process will allow administrators to identify kids who have “gone off the grid” and attempt to reach out to them.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has signaled his concern over the prospect of city kids congregating during coronavirus distancing efforts with schools shuttered.
An NYPD source said that the department is bracing for that scenario — especially given recent hikes in crime committed primarily by younger New Yorkers.
“The afternoon shift is considered the worst in the precinct,” the source said. “Why? Because that’s when kids get out. That’s when larcenies and robberies and assaults occur, kids up to no good. Now give them an entire day to cause havoc.”
The DOE said their remote learning model will prioritize monitoring student attendance during the unprecedented closure of the nation’s largest school system.
“Principals will be responsible for establishing a mechanism to monitor student attendance during remote learning, and students are expected to be engaged in remote learning every day during the week,” said DOE spokeswoman Miranda Barbot.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--NYC to begin releasing inmates amid coronavirus outbreak

Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to release “ vulnerable ” inmates from city jails to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic into local lockups , he said Wednesday .
“ In the next 48 hours , we will identify any inmates who need to be brought out because of either their own health conditions — if they have any preexisting conditions , etc .
— or because the charges were minor and we think it ’ s appropriate to bring them out in this context , ” de Blasio said on WCBS radio Wednesday evening .
“ That said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system to function , ” he added .
The announcement comes as correction officer and an inmate both tested positive of the deadly illness in the past day .
The Correction Officers Benevolent Association union has called for new masks to protect its members and for all new detainees to be housed in facilities other than Rikers Island amid the outbreak .
Some city officials , including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams , have pushed for the city to begin releasing prisoners who are over 50 years old and at a low-risk for re-offending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which oversees the jails , said in a statement Tuesday that the Big Apple needs to follow the lead of Los Angeles and Ohio authorities who have already started to release inmates to try to prevent the spread of the deadly contagion .
That would include not just suspects awaiting trial but also inmates serving sentences of less than a year .
“ The City must begin this process now , ” the BOC said .
“ The City ’ s jails have particular challenges to preventing disease transmissions on a normal day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health crisis .
”

Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to release “vulnerable” inmates from city jails to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic into local lockups, he said Wednesday.
“In the next 48 hours, we will identify any inmates who need to be brought out because of either their own health conditions — if they have any pre-existing conditions, etc. — or because the charges were minor and we think it’s appropriate to bring them out in this context,” de Blasio said on WCBS radio Wednesday evening.
“That said, we still need our criminal justice system to function,” he added.
The announcement comes as a correction officer and an inmate both tested positive for the deadly illness in the past day.
The Correction Officers Benevolent Association union has called for new masks to protect its members and for all new detainees to be housed in facilities other than Rikers Island amid the outbreak.
Some city officials, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, have pushed for the city to begin releasing prisoners who are over 50 years old and at a low risk for reoffending.
The city Board of Correction, which oversees the jails, said in a statement Tuesday that the Big Apple needs to follow the lead of Los Angeles and Ohio authorities, who have already started to release inmates to try to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly contagion. That would include not just suspects awaiting trial but inmates serving sentences of less than a year.
“The City must begin this process now,” the BOC said. “The City’s jails have particular challenges to preventing disease transmissions on a normal day and even more so during a public health crisis.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--‘Dr. Oz’ to film remotely after staffer tests positive for coronavirus

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Dr. Oz has suspended taping his show from his studio after a staffer tested positive for coronavirus .
Oz ’ s showrunner Amy Chiaro sent an email alerting the staff on Wednesday .
“ We have had a staff member test positive for Covid-19 .
Only 1 staff member has been tested at this time ( that we are aware of ) , ” she wrote .
“ We are asking everyone to wrap up their work on the Dr. Oz office side of the building at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This person was based out of that office space .
We will take every necessary measure to have the offices and office areas deep cleaned ASAP.
” The email included background information on the virus and the symptoms the staffer was experiencing .
“ We believe the virus lasts on surfaces for 2-3 days .
The staff member was sent home Thursday when exhibiting a symptom of a dry cough , ” she said .
Oz is one of the few daytime shows that have continued to shoot amid the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been taking strict social distancing measures like having meetings via phone from separate offices and having hair and makeup wear masks and gloves .
He was instrumental in having the staffer tested .
“ His symptoms were subtle and he was sent home .
He didn ’ t go home thinking he had coronavirus , but Dr. Oz wanted to be overly cautious and insisted he get the test .
He personally intervened and it turned out to be the right move .
Oz has been doing shows on the topic and knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to fast-track it to get the test , ” an insider told us .
Oz suspended his studio audience last week but has had some guests on his show since the staffer was sent home on Thursday .
“ There ’ s a long shortlist of people they ’ re in the process of notifying .
They had to notify the crew .
They had to notify the staff , so that ’ s what they ’ ve been doing so far , ” the insider said .
Oz will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up at his home .

Dr. Oz has suspended taping his show from his studio after a staffer tested positive for coronavirus.
Oz’s showrunner Amy Chiaro sent an email alerting the staff on Wednesday. “We have had a staff member test positive for Covid-19. Only 1 staff member has been tested at this time (that we are aware of),” she wrote.
“We are asking everyone to wrap up their work on the Dr. Oz office side of the building at 125 West End Avenue and head home. This person was based out of that office space. We will take every necessary measure to have the offices and office areas deep cleaned ASAP.”
The email included background information on the virus and the symptoms the staffer was experiencing. “We believe the virus lasts on surfaces for 2-3 days. The staff member was sent home Thursday when exhibiting a symptom of a dry cough,” she said.
Oz is one of the few daytime shows that have continued to shoot amid the coronavirus outbreak. We’re told Oz had been taking strict social distancing measures like having meetings via phone from separate offices and having hair and makeup wear masks and gloves. He was instrumental in having the staffer tested.
“His symptoms were subtle and he was sent home. He didn’t go home thinking he had coronavirus, but Dr. Oz wanted to be overly cautious and insisted he get the test. He personally intervened and it turned out to be the right move. Oz has been doing shows on the topic and knew doctors who had access, so he was able to fast-track it to get the test,” an insider told us.
Oz suspended his studio audience last week but has had some guests on his show since the staffer was sent home on Thursday.
“There’s a long shortlist of people they’re in the process of notifying. They had to notify the crew. They had to notify the staff, so that’s what they’ve been doing so far,” the insider said.
Oz will now tape his show from a mini studio set up at his home.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Tom Brady joining Buccaneers has huge impact on Super Bowl 2021 odds

Tom Brady ’ s odds of winning the 2021 Super Bowl dropped after his stunning move to the Buccaneers Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ as the team he left behind .
The Patriots originally had 12/1 odds of winning @ @ @ @ @ , per William Hill , but they have fallen to 20/1 since Brady broke everyone @ @ @ @ @ hearts and said he would be leaving after 20 years in the organization .
Brady @ @ @ @ @ Bay boosted the Buccaneers ’ Super Bowl odds from 50/1 to 16/1 .
The Buccaneers @ @ @ @ @ playoffs since 2007 , but the arrival of Brady instantly makes them a serious contender @ @ @ @ @ with weapons such as Mike Evans , Chris Godwin and OJ Howard .
The Patriots @ @ @ @ @ Bowls with Brady under center , still have Bill Belichick as head coach but have @ @ @ @ @ of their roster since free agency began .

Tom Brady’s odds of winning the 2021 Super Bowl dropped after his stunning move to the Buccaneers Tuesday, but not as much as the team he left behind.
The Patriots originally had 12/1 odds of winning the Super Bowl next season, per William Hill, but they have fallen to 20/1 since Brady broke everyone in New England’s hearts and said he would be leaving after 20 years in the organization.
Brady’s move to Tampa Bay boosted the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl odds from 50/1 to 16/1. The Buccaneers haven’t made the playoffs since 2007, but the arrival of Brady instantly makes them a serious contender, matching the 42-year-old quarterback with weapons such as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and OJ Howard.
The Patriots, who won six Super Bowls with Brady under center, still have Bill Belichick as head coach but have been losing other talented pieces of their roster since free agency began.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Hospital staff crafts masks from office supplies during coronavirus shortage

Hospital workers battling the coronavirus in Washington State have been making face masks out of office supplies — as stashes of the vital protective equipment are just “ days away ” from depletion , according to a report .
Infectious disease experts at Providence St. Joseph Health designed face-shield prototypes out of marine-grade vinyl , industrial tape , foam and elastic , Bloomberg reported .
Administrative staff bought the supplies needed to make the face-shields at craft stores and Home Depot Monday , the outlet reported .
Volunteers then started an assembly line to manufacture them on Tuesday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of face shields .
Masks , we ’ re probably a couple of days away , ” Becca Bartles , executive director of infection prevention at Providence St. Joseph Health , said .
She said clear vinyl sheets particularly come in handy .
The healthcare organization , which operates 51 hospitals , plans to buy more of the necessary raw materials from wholesale suppliers and resume assembly later this week if it can ’ t get more finished products , the outlet reported .
The World Health Organization said Tuesday it is considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals after a new study suggested that the coronavirus can survive in the air for hours .
Vice President Mike Pence also urged construction companies Tuesday to donate respiratory masks to hospitals and health centers .
Washington has been hit hard by the deadly COVID-19 virus , with more than 1,000 cases and 55 dead , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
The state was also devastated by a large cluster of cases at the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland , where heartbreaking photos show the effects of quarantine separations @ @ @

Hospital workers battling the coronavirus in Washington State have been making face masks out of office supplies — as stashes of the vital protective equipment are just “days away” from depletion, according to a report.
Infectious disease experts at Providence St. Joseph Health designed face-shield prototypes out of marine-grade vinyl, industrial tape, foam and elastic, Bloomberg reported.
Administrative staff bought the supplies needed to make the face-shields at craft stores and Home Depot Monday, the outlet reported. Volunteers then started an assembly line to manufacture them on Tuesday.
“We are very close to being out of face shields. Masks, we’re probably a couple of days away,” Becca Bartles, executive director of infection prevention at Providence St. Joseph Health, said.
She said clear vinyl sheets particularly come in handy.
The healthcare organization, which operates 51 hospitals, plans to buy more of the necessary raw materials from wholesale suppliers and resume assembly later this week if it can’t get more finished products, the outlet reported.
The World Health Organization said Tuesday it is considering new “airborne precautions” for medical professionals after a new study suggested that the coronavirus can survive in the air for hours.
Vice President Mike Pence also urged construction companies Tuesday to donate respiratory masks to hospitals and health centers.
Washington has been hit hard by the deadly COVID-19 virus, with more than 1,000 cases and 55 dead, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
The state was also devastated by a large cluster of cases at the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, where heartbreaking photos show the effects of quarantine separations on relationships.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Playboy kills iconic magazine, citing coronavirus woes

This septuagenarian isn ’ t satisfied with being a viral meme sensation ... .

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The latest victim of the coronavirus: Playboy.
The nudie mag founded by Hugh Hefner 66 years ago will no longer publish a printed edition, it said on Wednesday, citing coronavirus supply chain woes that have only served to exacerbate its already sagging newsstand sales.
“Last week, as the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic to content production and the supply chain became clearer and clearer, we were forced to accelerate a conversation we’ve been having internally,” CEO Ben Kohn said in a post on Medium.com.
The iconic magazine was already on the decline prior to the coronavirus pandemic as porn has proliferated online. It was still being published monthly as recently as 2017, but was scaled back to a quarterly mag without ads in early 2019.
The spring 2020 issue now hitting newsstands will be its last before it goes all digital next year.
“Over the past 66 years, we’ve become far more than a magazine. And sometime have to let go of the past to make room for the future,” Kohn said.
He left the door open to “special editions,” however.
Kohn, who insiders say was never a fan of the magazine, said the company, which also makes money licensing its brand, will now aim to “help create a culture where all people can pursue pleasure.”
He also touted the company’s social media and digital presence as growth areas. “Right now, the Playboy brand is more successful than ever before. Our audience is massive. We drive over $3 billion in annual consumer spend worldwide.”
A nude Marilyn Monroe was featured in the very first issue of Playboy, which Hefner famously did not date when it debuted in 1953 because he said he was unsure he’d have the money to produce a second issue.
At its height, it sold over 7 million copies a month on newsstands, but it was always a target of conservative opponents. President Ronald Reagan’s Attorney General Edwin Meese pressured convenience store owners such as 7-Eleven to stop displaying the magazine on newsstands. Its sale also was banned on all US military bases.
Hefner died in 2017. His son, Cooper Hefner, quit the company in April 2019 with plans to launch a new millennial-focused digital company, but those plans were halted in December when he said he would be joining the Air Force as a reservist.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Famed eatery Rao’s offering takeout amid coronavirus lockdown

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) With restaurants closed over coronavirus , fans of impossible-to-get-into eatery Rao ’ s may finally be able to taste the hotspot ’ s coveted meatballs — via takeout .
The eatery ’ s LA location is offering pick-up and delivery , we hear .
There ’ s also buzz that even Rao ’ s intimate , old-school , East Harlem location is offering takeout and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who ’ s to say who will make the cut ? )
.
“ Rao ’ s is now offering takeout , ” Rao ’ s employee Marc Mel posted on Instagram .
“ Delivery may be possible.
” The post had foodies buzzing , but we hear the service is geared more towards regulars : With only four tables and six booths , the NYC spot is famously the toughest reservation in town and has limited output .
Either way , the news was met with polarizing opinions online .
Food blogger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red sauce staple , “ So you turn away patrons for decades , but now you want people to order your take out ?
I ’ d rather support the business that we ’ re [ sic ] there for us all along.
” Food influencer Indulgent Eats appeared excited : “ WOW might be the only time you can get Rao ’ s since it ’ s impossible to get a table !
!
” read her Instagram story .
New Yorkers , now ’ s your chance to get the red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you know who to call .
In Hollywood , the sauce will be flowing freely to all comers .

With restaurants closed over coronavirus, fans of impossible-to-get-into eatery Rao’s may finally be able to taste the hotspot’s coveted meatballs — via takeout.
The eatery’s LA location is offering pick-up and delivery, we hear. There’s also buzz that even Rao’s intimate, old-school, East Harlem location is offering takeout and delivery in some instances, (though who’s to say who will make the cut?).
“Rao’s is now offering takeout,” Rao’s employee Marc Mel posted on Instagram. “Delivery may be possible.”
The post had foodies buzzing, but we hear the service is geared more towards regulars: With only four tables and six booths, the NYC spot is famously the toughest reservation in town and has limited output.
Either way, the news was met with polarizing opinions online. Food blogger Gotham Burger Social Club huffed of the red sauce staple, “So you turn away patrons for decades, but now you want people to order your take out? I’d rather support the business that we’re [sic] there for us all along.”
Food influencer Indulgent Eats appeared excited: “WOW might be the only time you can get Rao’s since it’s impossible to get a table!!” read her Instagram story.
New Yorkers, now’s your chance to get the red sauce while it’s hot — if you know who to call. In Hollywood, the sauce will be flowing freely to all comers.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Kevin Bacon starts ‘6 Degrees’ campaign to encourage social distancing

Kevin Bacon is offering up a fun and thoughtful way to encourage folks to stay home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The actor , who has been deemed Hollywood ’ s most interconnected figure through the concept of “ Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon ” , took to his social platforms today to not only encourage his millions for followers to practice social-distancing but to also share who they are staying home for during the current health crisis .
“ Hi , folks .
You know me , right ?
I ’ m technically only six degrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a video posted across the different social platforms .
He continued , “ Right now , like people around the world , I ’ m staying home , because it saves lives and it is the only way we ’ re going to slow down the spread of this coronavirus .
Because the contact that you make with someone , who makes contact with someone else , that may be what makes somebody ’ s mom or grandpa or wife sick.
” “ Every one of us has someone who is worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing his wife and fellow actor Kyra Sedgwick as his reason to self-isolate .
Bacon is asking his followers to post a similar video or photo with the hashtag # IStayHomeFor and tag six other people to follow suit .
“ The more folks involved , the merrier – We ’ re all connected by various degrees ( Trust me , I know ! )
, ” he wrote in the caption .

Kevin Bacon is offering up a fun and thoughtful way to encourage folks to stay home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The actor, who has been deemed Hollywood’s most interconnected figure through the concept of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”, took to his social platforms today to not only encourage his millions for followers to practice social-distancing but to also share who they are staying home for during the current health crisis.
“Hi, folks. You know me, right? I’m technically only six degrees away from you,” he said in a video posted across the different social platforms.
He continued, “Right now, like people around the world, I’m staying home, because it saves lives and it is the only way we’re going to slow down the spread of this coronavirus. Because the contact that you make with someone, who makes contact with someone else, that may be what makes somebody’s mom or grandpa or wife sick.”
“Every one of us has someone who is worth staying home for,” he said, citing his wife and fellow actor Kyra Sedgwick as his reason to self-isolate. Bacon is asking his followers to post a similar video or photo with the hashtag #IStayHomeFor and tag six other people to follow suit. “The more folks involved, the merrier – We’re all connected by various degrees (Trust me, I know!),” he wrote in the caption.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Phil Hughes shocked by Yankees Old-Timers’ Day invite: ‘I’m 33’

Gerrit Cole is seemingly enjoying the great outdoors amid the ...

Former Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes could not have been more surprised by what was in his mail, and he didn’t waste any time revealing it to his Twitter followers.
It was an invitation by the Yankees to attend Old Timers’ Day on Aug. 9.
“Really guys? I’m 33,” Hughes tweeted on Wednesday.
Hughes, who retired in 2018 after a short stint with the San Diego Padres, may be one of the youngest players to be invited to the annual event. Yet the Yankees’ 2004 first-round pick made enough of an impression to get the chance to suit up alongside Yankees legends.
He began his career as a starter in 2007, but first made an impact out of the bullpen in 2009 as a setup man to Mariano Rivera. Hughts’ 8-3 record with 96 strikeouts in 86 innings pitched helped the Yankees win their last World Series that same season. Hughes switched to become a starter in 2010 and was named to the All-Star team, as he finished with a career-best 18-8 record.
Arm and back injuries the next few years halted Hughes from consistently returning to his 2010 form and he left for Minnesota in 2014 on a three-year deal. He rebounded to compile a 16-10 record that season but further injuries would eventually put a halt to his career.
Hughes has kept himself busy since retiring from baseball, raising a family with wife Sarah and child Harrison while professing his love of baseball cards and other things on his ‘Phil’s Pulls’ YouTube page.


newyorkpost--2020-03-18--Coronavirus fears curtail elective surgeries in NYC amid concern for other patients

New York City hospitals have begun eliminating elective surgeries to prepare for an expected onslaught of coronavirus cases — amid concerns the move could put other patients at risk .
The NewYork-Presbyterian , NYU Langone Health , Mount Sinai and Northwell Health hospital systems all said Wednesday that they ’ d postponed or canceled elective procedures , as ordered by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday .
Exact numbers weren ’ t available , but nurse Anthony Ciampa , a union official who works at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in Upper Manhattan , said the operating-room schedule there was about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx , elective procedures — which comprise 80 percent of all surgeries — will be canceled as of Thursday , a spokeswoman said .
A similar move is underway in Britain , where the National Health Service on Wednesday announced plans to cancel all elective surgeries for three months .
Although there ’ s no official definition of “ elective surgery ” under state law , NYU Langone said the term covered procedures that aren ’ t “ medically necessary ” and that “ both the physician and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for up to three months.
” The chief medical officer of Northwell Health , Dr. David Battinelli , said physicians at its facilities — including Lenox Hill Hospital on the Upper East Side — were entrusted to make decisions on a case-by-case basis .
“ It ’ s not a master list .
It ’ s a master plan , I guess you can call it , ” he said .
“ What can be postponed safely will be postponed .
And what needs to occur , needs to occur.
” Battinelli estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by at least 30 percent since Northwell began postponing elective procedures last week .
Dr. Patrick Borgen , chairman of the surgery department at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn , said elective procedures were ones that “ could be postponed for eight to 12 weeks with no harm to the patient.
” “ You ’ ll read different definitions of that .
We believe the definition of that is no harm to the patient , not minimal harm to the patient , ” he said .
The American College of Surgeons cautioned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ define the medical urgency of a case solely on whether a case is on an elective surgery schedule.
” “ While some cases can be postponed indefinitely , the vast majority of the cases performed are associated with progressive disease ( such as cancer , vascular disease and organ failure ) that will continue to progress at variable , disease-specific rates , ” the group said in a statement Tuesday .
“ Indeed , given the uncertainty regarding the impact of COVID-19 over the next many months , delaying some cases risks having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when they will be less easily handled.
” Several medical-industry groups , led by the American Hospital Association , also sent a letter to US Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Sunday in which they expressed concern that government officials were “ recommending that hospitals immediately stop performing ‘ elective ’ surgeries without clear agreement on how we classify various levels of necessary care.
” “ We agree that the crisis as it develops may require the curtailment of the least critical or time-sensitive hospital services , but any curtailment must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely ill patients , ” the letter said .
“ Our patients will be best served by carefully evaluating and prioritizing gradients of ‘ elective ’ care to ensure that the most time-sensitive medically necessary care can be delivered by physicians and hospitals.
” During a Monday night appearance on MSNBC ’ s “ The Rachel Maddow Show , ” de Blasio acknowledged that “ elective surgeries are still very serious things in many cases.
” “ And we did say if a doctor believes something might have bigger , profound health ramifications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But we want them cleared out , ” he said .
On Tuesday evening , Hizzoner told NY1 ’ s “ Inside City Hall ” that his order would “ clear the way to focus on coronavirus.
” “ It also frees up personnel , it frees up beds and surgical rooms , it frees up the equipment as well , ” he added .

Melissa Klein, Lorena Mongelli, Bruce Golding

New York City hospitals have begun eliminating elective surgeries to prepare for an expected onslaught of coronavirus cases — amid concerns the move could put other patients at risk.
The NewYork-Presbyterian, NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai and Northwell Health hospital systems all said Wednesday that they’d postponed or canceled elective procedures, as ordered by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday.
Exact numbers weren’t available, but nurse Anthony Ciampa, a union official who works at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in Upper Manhattan, said the operating-room schedule there was about 75 percent lighter than usual.
At Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, elective procedures — which comprise 80 percent of all surgeries — will be canceled as of Thursday, a spokeswoman said.
A similar move is underway in Britain, where the National Health Service on Wednesday announced plans to cancel all elective surgeries for three months.
Although there’s no official definition of “elective surgery” under state law, NYU Langone said the term covered procedures that aren’t “medically necessary” and that “both the physician and the patient agree can be safely delayed for up to three months.”
The chief medical officer of Northwell Health, Dr. David Battinelli, said physicians at its facilities — including Lenox Hill Hospital on the Upper East Side — were entrusted to make decisions on a case-by-case basis.
“It’s not a master list. It’s a master plan, I guess you can call it,” he said.
“What can be postponed safely will be postponed. And what needs to occur, needs to occur.”
Battinelli estimated that total surgeries had been scaled back by at least 30 percent since Northwell began postponing elective procedures last week.
Dr. Patrick Borgen, chairman of the surgery department at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, said elective procedures were ones that “could be postponed for eight to 12 weeks with no harm to the patient.”
“You’ll read different definitions of that. We believe the definition of that is no harm to the patient, not minimal harm to the patient,” he said.
The American College of Surgeons cautioned that it’s “not possible to define the medical urgency of a case solely on whether a case is on an elective surgery schedule.”
“While some cases can be postponed indefinitely, the vast majority of the cases performed are associated with progressive disease (such as cancer, vascular disease and organ failure) that will continue to progress at variable, disease-specific rates,” the group said in a statement Tuesday.
“Indeed, given the uncertainty regarding the impact of COVID-19 over the next many months, delaying some cases risks having them reappear as more severe emergencies at a time when they will be less easily handled.”
Several medical-industry groups, led by the American Hospital Association, also sent a letter to US Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Sunday in which they expressed concern that government officials were “recommending that hospitals immediately stop performing ‘elective’ surgeries without clear agreement on how we classify various levels of necessary care.”
“We agree that the crisis as it develops may require the curtailment of the least critical or time-sensitive hospital services, but any curtailment must be nuanced to meet the needs of all severely ill patients,” the letter said.
“Our patients will be best served by carefully evaluating and prioritizing gradients of ‘elective’ care to ensure that the most time-sensitive medically necessary care can be delivered by physicians and hospitals.”
During a Monday night appearance on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show,” de Blasio acknowledged that “elective surgeries are still very serious things in many cases.”
“And we did say if a doctor believes something might have bigger, profound health ramifications they can figure that out this week. But we want them cleared out,” he said.
On Tuesday evening, Hizzoner told NY1’s “Inside City Hall” that his order would “clear the way to focus on coronavirus.”
“It also frees up personnel, it frees up beds and surgical rooms, it frees up the equipment as well,” he added.
Additional reporting by Julia Marsh