newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Men can’t have it all either, struggle with work-life balance

Hey , ladies — you ’ re not the only ones struggling with work-life balance .
Just like women , men these days are struggling to have it all , according to a new report .
The research , released last week by Hearst Magazines and marketing firm Open Mind Strategy , looked at goals for men and women at different life stages .
It found that younger men — Gen Zers , Gen Xers and millennials — considered “ work-life balance ” their top priority .
Between their demanding careers and busy home lives , researchers explain , guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially true for fathers , says Lance Somerfeld , an Upper East Side father of two .
“ More dads are really pitching in at home and stepping up in such a huge way : cooking meals , doing laundry , helping with homework , painting their daughter ’ s nails , ” the 47-year-old , an actuary who also runs a social club called City Dads Group , tells The Post .
“ They ’ re sharing in all aspects of the parenting.
” That includes stressing out about work-life balance — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion ” du jour .
How can you thrive at work , exercise , see your friends and be a parent ?
Men striving as much at home as they do at work “ would have been unthinkable even 10 or 15 years ago , ” says Rich Dorment , editor-in-chief of Men ’ s Health magazine .
“ When you look at our fathers , they might work from 9-to-5 and go home .
Then , they didn ’ t do much .
They played ball with Junior , but that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today , some dads , such as Upper West Sider Teddy Levarda , are pitching in more at home out of love .
The 34-year-old recently left a lucrative job in finance for a more flexible gig as an acupuncturist because he didn ’ t want to miss out on raising his 6-month-old daughter , Asha .
“ My bosses were missing out on their kids lives , ” Levarda says .
“ Their college-aged kids would come into the office sometimes and seeing them interact , they barely knew them .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rat race — becoming the primary chore-doer and caregiver , while his wife , a psychologist , continues working — and it ’ s been a struggle emotionally .
“ I ’ m still working on finding the right balance , ” Levarda says , adding that there ’ s a lot of “ pressure ” and “ stress ” around his career and social life now .
“ But knowing that I get to be involved with my family makes it easier to deal with.
” South Brooklyn dad Dan Quigley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robust fashion career : He manages the Armoury Westbury , an Upper East Side men ’ s clothing store , and also runs a small business , a custom tie company called ByWayOv .
He doesn ’ t want to give any of that up , so he works hard to carve out time with his 2-year-old son , Cillian , planning his week to the minute so he can be there for family breakfasts , bath time and family outings .
During his commutes , he meditates , so he can “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s definitely a lot of pressure , ” says Quigley .
“ My time with my son is pragmatic , and I have to work to make that time happen.
” Another thing driving this new male pressure cooker ?
Economics .
As male breadwinners with stay-at-home spouses become less and less common , Dorment explains , guys ’ partners expect them to carry more weight at home .
“ We don ’ t have a choice , ” the editor says , admitting that it ’ s a “ cynical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in dual-income households and people don ’ t have the option not to participate in their family lives.
” There also are social complications .
Even in these enlightened times , many men don ’ t yet feel comfortable openly prioritizing their family .
Dads are more likely to miss family events and dinners because of work than moms , according to a study by child-care provider Bright Horizons .
Men also are less likely to be upfront with their colleagues about having to tend to a family matter .
Some 59 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office rather than leveling with their co-workers , versus 42 percent of women .
In this sense , it ’ s actually harder for men than women to walk the achievement tightrope .
“ Women are a generation ahead , ” Dorment says .
“ There was the rush into the workplace in the ‘ 70s and ‘ 80s among women .
That ’ s when they felt the competing demands between work and [ family ] life .
Men were much later to face those same pressures.
” Women agree — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Women have been dealing with this issue forever , ” says mom of two and blogger Kristen Kelly , 31 , who ’ s launching a podcast called “ Not Your Mom ’ s Podcast ” in May .
“ We ’ ve never had a 9-to-5 .
As moms , you have a job from the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment you fall asleep at night.
” “ This is life .
This is what happens when you have family and a job , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where men and women should have equal responsibilities , ” says blogger Brianne Manz , 38 , who runs the lifestyle blog Stroller in the City , and has three kids who are 6 , 8 and 11 .
“ Women just handled it , they just got it done .
I think dads are vocalizing it more , which is why this is a bigger issue.
” Even if they feel stretched , most dudes are not oblivious : They recognize that the majority of the burden still falls to their partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and women have had to do too much for too long , ” says Levarda .
He ’ s on Week 2 of his wife ’ s return to work and is settling into a new rhythm of chores and maintaining feeding and nap schedules .
But he knows that the conflict is even stronger in his wife ’ s mind .
“ I ’ ll never have it as hard as she does.
” And just like many women before them , many men are realizing that something ’ s got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give each other and ourselves a break , in terms of being perfect employers or employees and parents , ” says Dorment .
“ Nobody can have it all .
”

Hey, ladies — you’re not the only ones struggling with work-life balance.
Just like women, men these days are struggling to have it all, according to a new report.t
The research findings come from a study conducted by Hearst Magazines and marketing firm Open Mind Strategy about health and wellness goals for men and women at different life stages. It found that younger men — Gen Zers, Gen Xers and millennials — considered “work-life balance” their top priority. Between their demanding careers and busy home lives, researchers explain, guys are feeling crunched.
That’s especially true for fathers, says Lance Somerfeld, an Upper East Side father of two.
“More dads are really pitching in at home and stepping up in such a huge way: cooking meals, doing laundry, helping with homework, painting their daughter’s nails,” the 47-year-old behind a social club called City Dads Group, tells The Post. “They’re sharing in all aspects of the parenting.”
That includes stressing out about work-life balance — what Somerfeld calls dads’ “corner-of-the-playground discussion” du jour. How can you thrive at work, exercise, see your friends and be a parent?
Men striving as much at home as they do at work “would have been unthinkable even 10 or 15 years ago,” says Rich Dorment, editor-in-chief of Men’s Health magazine. “When you look at our fathers, they might work from 9-to-5 and go home. Then, they didn’t do much. They played ball with Junior, but that was often the extent of their involvement.”
Today, some dads, such as Upper West Sider Teddy Levarda, are pitching in more at home out of love. The 34-year-old recently left a lucrative job in finance for a more flexible gig as an acupuncturist because he didn’t want to miss out on raising his 6-month-old daughter, Asha.
“My bosses were missing out on their kids lives,” Levarda says. “Their college-aged kids would come into the office sometimes and seeing them interact, they barely knew them. It was really sad.”
So he quit the rat race — becoming the primary chore-doer and caregiver, while his wife, a psychologist, continues working — and it’s been a struggle emotionally.
“I’m still working on finding the right balance,” Levarda says, adding that there’s a lot of “pressure” and “stress” around his career and social life now. “But knowing that I get to be involved with my family makes it easier to deal with.”
South Brooklyn dad Dan Quigley feels similarly. The 48-year-old has a robust fashion career: He manages the Armoury Westbury, an Upper East Side men’s clothing store, and also runs a small business, a custom tie company called ByWayOv. He doesn’t want to give any of that up, so he works hard to carve out time with his 2-year-old son, Cillian, planning his week to the minute so he can be there for family breakfasts, bath time and family outings. During his commutes, he meditates, so he can “be present” at home.
“There’s definitely a lot of pressure,” says Quigley. “My time with my son is pragmatic, and I have to work to make that time happen.”
Another thing driving this new male pressure cooker? Economics. As male breadwinners with stay-at-home spouses become less and less common, Dorment explains, guys’ partners expect them to carry more weight at home.
“We don’t have a choice,” the editor says, admitting that it’s a “cynical” perspective. “We often live in dual-income households and people don’t have the option not to participate in their family lives.”
There also are social complications. Even in these enlightened times, many men don’t yet feel comfortable openly prioritizing their family. Dads are more likely to miss family events and dinners because of work than moms, according to a study by child-care provider Bright Horizons. Men also are less likely to be upfront with their colleagues about having to tend to a family matter. Some 59 percent of men admit to sneaking out of the office rather than leveling with their co-workers, versus 42 percent of women.
In this sense, it’s actually harder for men than women to walk the achievement tightrope.
“Women are a generation ahead,” Dorment says. “There was the rush into the workplace in the ‘70s and ‘80s among women. That’s when they felt the competing demands between work and [family] life. Men were much later to face those same pressures.”
Women agree — although their sympathies are a little strained.
“Women have been dealing with this issue forever,” says mom of two and blogger Kristen Kelly, 31, who’s launching a podcast called “Not Your Mom’s Podcast” in May. “We’ve never had a 9-to-5. As moms, you have a job from the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment you fall asleep at night.”
“This is life. This is what happens when you have family and a job, and we’re in a world now where men and women should have equal responsibilities,” says blogger Brianne Manz, 38, who runs the lifestyle blog Stroller in the City, and has three kids who are 6, 8 and 11. “Women just handled it, they just got it done. I think dads are vocalizing it more, which is why this is a bigger issue.”
Even if they feel stretched, most dudes are not oblivious: They recognize that the majority of the burden still falls to their partners.
“Parenting is a team effort, and women have had to do too much for too long,” says Levarda. He’s on Week 2 of his wife’s return to work and is settling into a new rhythm of chores and maintaining feeding and nap schedules. But he knows that the conflict is even stronger in his wife’s mind. “I’ll never have it as hard as she does.”
And just like many women before them, many men are realizing that something’s gotta give.
“We have to give each other and ourselves a break, in terms of being perfect employers or employees and parents,” says Dorment. “Nobody can have it all.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Attorney for Brooklyn teacher on trial for sex with student says alleged victim is lying

An attorney defending a teacher on charges that he had a sexual relationship with an underage student told jurors on Tuesday that the alleged victim invented the accusations to make money from suing the city .
The attorney for Mervyn Affoon , a business teacher at the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn , said during opening statements that the accuser made up stories of having sex the then-66-year-old instructor in 2017 — when the alleged victim was 16 years old — so his family could file a $ 11 million lawsuit against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a troublesome , mischievous , not-truthful 16-year-old boy that devised a clever , brilliant and shameless plan to get big money for him and his family , ” attorney Mark Pollard said to jurors on the first day of the trial against Affoon .
Affoon denies charges that he had sex with the student on multiple occasions over a several-month period starting in March 2017 .
Affoon was arrested in October 2017 and faces a 25-count indictment that includes promoting a sexual performance with a child , a felony charge that carries a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors allege that Affoon began grooming his alleged victim by touching him on his groin on an elevator on campus at Erasmus Hall in Flatbush .
Affoon gave the teen $ 10 or $ 20 after their illicit liaisons , Assistant District Attorney Christopher Mirabella said to jurors during opening arguments .
“ While some teachers practice arithmetic with their students … this teacher practiced a ritual of sexual abuse , ” Mirabella said .
Affoon , who wore a blue dress shirt and a gray scarf to court , remained mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head once during Mirabella ’ s presentation .
Jurors also heard testimony on Tuesday from the teen ’ s mother , Lisa Robertson Durrant , whose voice cracked with emotion as she described the time when her son revealed that he had been having sex with his teacher .
“ He was very upset .
He was about to tears , ” she said .
During his cross-examination with the mother , Pollard aimed many of his questions at the family ’ s lawsuit — including whether or not she “ looked forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the city .
“ No , sir , ” she shot back , her voice cracking again .
The family ’ s lawsuit , filed against the city in 2018 , is still pending .
The Brooklyn District Attorney ’ s Office declined to comment on Affoon ’ s accusation against his accuser , who is now 19 years old .

An attorney defending a teacher on charges that he had a sexual relationship with an underage student told jurors on Tuesday that the alleged victim invented the accusations to make money from suing the city.
The attorney for Mervyn Affoon, a business teacher at the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, said during opening statements that the accuser made up stories of having sex the then-66-year-old instructor in 2017 — when the alleged victim was 16 years old — so his family could file a $11 million lawsuit against the city.
“This case is about a troublesome, mischievous, not-truthful 16-year-old boy that devised a clever, brilliant and shameless plan to get big money for him and his family,” attorney Mark Pollard said to jurors on the first day of the trial against Affoon.
Affoon denies charges that he had sex with the student on multiple occasions over a several-month period starting in March 2017.
Affoon was arrested in October 2017 and faces a 25-count indictment that includes promoting a sexual performance with a child, a felony charge that carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
Prosecutors allege that Affoon began grooming his alleged victim by touching him on his groin on an elevator on campus at Erasmus Hall in Flatbush.
Affoon gave the teen $10 or $20 after their illicit liaisons, Assistant District Attorney Christopher Mirabella said to jurors during opening arguments.
“While some teachers practice arithmetic with their students … this teacher practiced a ritual of sexual abuse,” Mirabella said.
Affoon, who wore a blue dress shirt and a gray scarf to court, remained mostly expressionless through opening arguments but shook his head once during Mirabella’s presentation.
Jurors also heard testimony on Tuesday from the teen’s mother, whose voice cracked with emotion as she described the time when her son revealed that he had been having sex with his teacher.
“He was very upset. He was about to tears,” she said.
During his cross-examination with the mother, Pollard aimed many of his questions at the family’s lawsuit — including whether or not she “looked forward” to getting some settlement money out of the city.
“No, sir,” she shot back, her voice cracking again. The family’s lawsuit, filed against the city in 2018, is still pending.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on Affoon’s accusation against his accuser, who is now 19 years old.
Affoon retired from the DOE in November 2017.
“These extremely disturbing allegations have absolutely no place in our schools and Mr. Affoon no longer works for the DOE,” a spokeswoman for the department said.


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Harvey Weinstein sought help from Mike Bloomberg and Jeff Bezos, emails show

Harvey Weinstein suggested that Jennifer Aniston `` should be killed '' upon ...

Harvey Weinstein desperately tried to enlist some of the country’s most powerful billionaires in a failed bid to keep his job with the movie studio he co-founded, newly unsealed court filings revealed Tuesday.
Weinstein emailed former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lloyd Blankfein, then the CEO of Goldman Sachs, and others to plead for help as he was engulfed by the #MeToo scandal in early October 2017, the documents show.
“My board is thinking of firing me,” Weinstein wrote in a form letter sent from his email account at The Weinstein Company.
“All I’m asking for is, let me take a leave of absence and get into heavy therapy and counseling whether it be in a facility or someplace else, and allow me to resurrect myself with a second chance.”
Weinstein claimed that “a lot of the allegations are false” and that “what the board is trying to do is not only wrong, but it might be illegal and would destroy the company.”
“If you could write this letter backing me getting the help and time away I need and also stating your opposition to the board firing me, it would help me a lot — I’m desperate for your help,” he added.
Bezos and Apple CEO Tim Cook both got differently worded pleas, with the disgraced movie mogul telling them that “right now I’m the poster boy for bad behavior” and “I’m in a tough spot,” respectively.
But the emails, sent Oct. 8, 2017, were all in vain, as he was fired the same day and the Weinstein Company filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2018.
Its assets — including a 277-film library featuring the hits “Django Unchained,” “The King’s Speech” and “Silver Linings Playbook” — were later sold for $289 million to Lantern Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm.
Most of the bigwigs who were contacted by Weinstein didn’t return requests for comment, but a spokesman for Bloomberg — who last week abandoned his $500 million-plus bid for the White House — said that “Mike didn’t reply to the email.”
In addition to contacting titans of industry, Weinstein engaged in an email exchange with veteran Democratic strategist Anita Dunn, who reached out and asked how he was doing in the wake of defense lawyers Lisa Bloom and Lanny Davis “jumping ship” from his case.
“I’m sick — I need your advice,” Weinstein wrote.
Dunn, now a top official in former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, told Weinstein that his admission was “a great first step.”
But Weinstein ultimately rejected her recommendations, which included being “as brave as those who have found the strength to stand up to you.”
“You should accept your fate graciously, and not seek to deny or discredit those who your behaviour [sic] has affected,” she added.
Other emails from late July and early August 2017 also show that Weinstein was sent a spreadsheet titled “Miramax Master List 1987-2004” that contained an evolving list of people apparently affiliated with his former production company.
The emails note that the list contains people identified as “red flags” — presumably because they could make misconduct allegations against Weinstein — although the photocopied spreadsheets don’t make clear who they were.
The names on the spreadsheet include Weinstein accusers Rose McGowan, Mira Sorvino and Rosanna Arquette, along with men including Ben Affleck, who was ultimately removed from the list.
The emails were contained in a massive trove of Manhattan Supreme Court filings that were unsealed following his Feb. 24 conviction and ahead of his scheduled sentencing Wednesday.
His lawyers convinced Justice James Burke to prevent prosecutors from introducing them as evidence by arguing they weren’t relevant to the charges and could prejudice jurors against the accused sex fiend, the records show.
The documents also contain a text message that Weinstein sent gossip columnist AJ Benza in which he suggested he was the victim of childhood sexual abuse.
“It is an incident when I was a very young boy,” Weinstein wrote.
“I’m having a hard time I beg u not to say anything.”
On Nov. 5, 2017, Benza emailed the text to Dylan Howard, then the editor-in-chief of the National Enquirer, who the next day told Benza, “Hold fire on this,” the records show.
Other documents that are part of the unsealed records reveal that if Weinstein had decided to testify in his own defense, prosecutors were prepared to call 11 witnesses to rebut his self-serving claims.
Weinstein’s “volcanic” behavior was “brutal and vicious,” according to a former employee.
Another former employee of Weinstein’s told authorities that he was “always behaving strangely — erratic, always snapping at people, seemed sociopathic.
“He got a lot of joy by demeaning people. If you opened the door for him, he would turn and say, ‘What the f–k are you looking at? Don’t f—ing look at me.’”
Prosecutors also planned to cross-examine Weinstein over allegations that he used a friend’s social security number without permission to obtain a passport in 1998, and that an employee used a pen to jab him in the stomach when Weinstein, while naked, allegedly grabbed her breasts in London during the late 1990s.


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--City homeless still sleeping on subways amid coronavirus outbreak

You know times are dire when Mayor Bill de Blasio ...

What should a rider do in this case, Mayor Bill de Blasio?
Hizzoner on Tuesday advised straphangers to avoid taking crowded rush hour trains amid the coronavirus crisis — but commuters say there’s a more pressing problem.
Photos shared with The Post show four people asleep on the seats and floors of one D train car Tuesday morning, which a witness likened to a “hostel.”
The sight shocked straphangers, who said de Blasio’s advice is out of touch with reality.
“De Blasio tells us not to use the train if we don’t have to, but what does he know? He doesn’t take the subway,” said one rider who identified herself as Val.
“I know homeless people don’t want to be in a shelter, but they need to find a place for them out of the subways until the virus blows over. It makes me nervous when I think about it.”
As COVID-19 cases in the city surged to 36 and 173 statewide, de Blasio advised commuters on Tuesday: “We have a real concern about the super-packed subway cars. Particularly at rush hour. If you don’t need to be on one of those, please avoid them, even if that means letting a few trains pass until one’s less crowded.”
On Monday, he had said city outreach workers were developing a “systematic effort to go through all of their contacts with homeless individuals, reach them all, check on their health, see if there’s any sign of symptoms, follow up where there is, get them health care.”
But pushed on Tuesday, Hizzoner admitted the city-contracted outreach workers were doing the “same exact outreach efforts we’ve been doing now for months,” but with added medical care for those showing coronavirus symptoms.
The city and MTA’s efforts to get homeless people off the system have recently been slammed by government watchdogs — with the MTA’s inspector general finding workers from contractor Bowery Residents’ Committee holing up in their office and spending just a quarter of their time conducting in-person outreach at some stations.
Confronted by the D train images, an MTA spokesman Tim Minton blamed riders and NYPD cops, saying, “Sleeping on subway floors and across train seats is a violation of subway rules that we ask customers to respect and our law enforcement partners to enforce.”
“Homeless outreach teams continue to provide attention, services and offers of treatment where appropriate — almost 45,000 contacts on subways since the MTA task force was deployed last summer — and the city has pledged outreach as well,” he added.
But riders say the city needs to do more.
“Honestly, the city should try to give homeless people on the subway a kit with hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, a mask and other medical necessities,” said Sarah Elizabeth, 19, a hospital worker from the Bronx.
“They don’t have access to medical care. In the end, it’s up to us to go to the doctor when we feel sick or get symptoms.”
Additional reporting by Julia Marsh


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Talk shows are banning studio audiences amid coronavirus outbreak

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 ) Talk shows across the city , including ABC ’ s “ The View ” and “ Live With Kelly and Ryan , ” will tape without studio audiences because of the coronavirus outbreak , Page Six is told .
Sources say that “ Good Morning America ” — which has a live audience in its second hour — will also keep the public out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the network has already banned its stars including Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan from taking selfies with the crowd , while its New York City studio has been littered with hand-sanitizer stations and signs are up telling visitors to take precautions .
It ’ s unclear if ABC ’ s late night show , “ Jimmy Kimmel Live !
, ” which tapes in LA , will follow suit .
Meanwhile , we ’ re told that execs at NBC are keeping an eye on the situation , but the Peacock Network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studio audiences .
On Tuesday evening , the “ Tamron Hall Show ” and “ The Wendy Williams Show ” announced they would be taping without an audience .
A spokesperson for “ The Wendy Williams Show ” said , “ Wendy values her co-hosts and their daily participation but in light of the current health climate , ‘ The Wendy Williams Show ’ will not have a live studio audience until further notice .
We will continue to produce a daily live talk show and look forward to welcoming the studio audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Dr Phil , ” “ Jeopardy ” and “ Wheel of Fortune ” are already taping without audiences .

Talk shows across the city, including ABC’s “The View” and “Live With Kelly and Ryan,” will tape without studio audiences because of the coronavirus outbreak, Page Six is told.
Sources say that “Good Morning America” — which has a live audience in its second hour — will also keep the public out of its studio. “Given the current developing situation in New York City, we have made the decision to suspend live audiences from attending our news broadcasts and talk shows,” ABC confirmed Tuesday night.
We’re also told that the network has already banned its stars including Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan from taking selfies with the crowd, while its New York City studio has been littered with hand-sanitizer stations and signs are up telling visitors to take precautions.
It’s unclear if ABC’s late-night show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” which tapes in LA, will follow suit.
Meanwhile, we’re told that execs at NBC are keeping an eye on the situation, but the Peacock Network hasn’t made a decision about studio audiences.
On Tuesday evening, the “Tamron Hall Show” and “The Wendy Williams Show” announced they would be taping without an audience.
A spokesperson for “The Wendy Williams Show” said, “Wendy values her co-hosts and their daily participation but in light of the current health climate, ‘The Wendy Williams Show’ will not have a live studio audience until further notice. We will continue to produce a daily live talk show and look forward to welcoming the studio audience back when the time is right.”
“Dr Phil,” “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” are already taping without audiences.


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--SXSW refusing to issue refunds after being canceled due to coronavirus

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 ) After Austin canceled its long-running annual South by Southwest ( SXSW ) festival due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus , the company behind the festival is now refusing to refund thousands of ticket buyers for their purchases .
According to SXSW ’ s terms and conditions of participation , their strict no-refund policy states , “ Any and all payments made to SXSW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including , without limitation , failure to use Credentials due to illness , acts of God , travel-related problems , acts of terrorism , loss of employment and/or duplicate purchases.
” Due to the cancellation , the festival also laid off a third of its employees , a decision referred to as “ the only way to stop the bleeding ” by a source to the Austin Chronicle .
“ We are devastated to share this news with you , ” conference organizers wrote in a statement on the SXSW website .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our DNA , and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place .
We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation .
”

This year’s music festival season is headed south, fast.
After Austin canceled its long-running annual South by Southwest (SXSW) festival due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus, the company behind the festival is now refusing to refund thousands of ticket buyers for their purchases.
SXSW’s original terms and conditions of participation states, “Any and all payments made to SXSW are not refundable for any reason, including, without limitation, failure to use Credentials due to illness, acts of God, travel-related problems, acts of terrorism, loss of employment and/or duplicate purchases.”
According to a spokesperson, however, they will be honoring tickets for future festivals.
“We are allowing registrants to defer for up to three years – through the 2023 event. We are also working on other ways to add value to their deferred registration so not only will they be able to take advantage of a future SXSW but there will be extra benefits included, as well.”
Due to the cancellation, the festival also laid off a third of its employees, a decision referred to as “the only way to stop the bleeding” by a source to the Austin Chronicle.
“We are devastated to share this news with you,” conference organizers wrote in a statement on the SXSW website. ”’The show must go on’ is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--We’re learning how to beat coronavirus, but health-care workers need more training

“ According to our estimates , we are hopeful that in April ...

There is good news and bad news about coronavirus.
First, there is reason for optimism. The virus struck only four months ago, yet we already know its genetic features. It took scientists years to get that far with HIV. Antiviral drugs are in development, and a vaccine could be available within 18 months. The pace of scientific progress is breathtaking.
So is human ingenuity. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will soon offer home coronavirus testing kits, starting in the hard-hit Seattle area. Anyone who is worried can fill out an online questionnaire, receive a nasal swab kit in the mail, use it and send it to the lab. Positive results will be shared with public-health officials, who will help infected people get medical care and self-quarantine. That’s progress.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday that in Korea, no one under 30 has died from coronavirus. In Japan, no one under 50. Our children appear safe. That’s a blessing.
But there are serious concerns. Doctors at Johns Hopkins University are cautioning that hospitals could become “disease amplifiers.” If you don’t have coronavirus before you go into the hospital, the risk is you will get it while you are there.
The CDC is warning that the outbreak is only beginning, and “there’s a good chance many will become sick.”
No one knows how many will need hospital care. But hospitals in New York and across the nation expect to be overwhelmed. The impact will be “severe in the best of circumstances,” warns the Johns Hopkins report.
To make room for the infected, hospitals are already devising emergency strategies that include discharging other patients sooner than usual, converting single rooms into doubles, creating makeshift isolation facilities, buying nearby motels and even erecting temporary wards in parking lots.
Surgeons are alerting patients that elective procedures may have to be canceled.
Hospitals will be short on space and equipment, and worst of all, short on staff. Already the coronavirus is infecting some health-care workers, and forcing others into self-quarantine because they have been exposed.
Last week, Congress enacted a whopping $8.3 billion coronavirus emergency bill. It’s larded with giveaways to international groups and projects overseas, including money for the CDC to purchase “official motor vehicles in foreign countries.” The agency ought to be called the Center for the Disbursement of Cash Around the World.
Paying to fight disease overseas is smart, but the bill goes overboard. The bureaucrats running the federal health agencies need to adjust their globalist biases and focus on protecting Americans.
The bill ignores one of the most urgent needs — an aggressive infection-control campaign to prepare hospital staff. That’s a serious oversight. The incident last week at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, Queens, shows why.
On March 3, an Uber driver walked into the St. John’s emergency room unknowingly infected. He complained of flu-like symptoms, but the staff sent him home. He returned sicker a few hours later. By the time he was put in isolation, up to 40 doctors, nurses and other hospital staff had contact with him and are now being monitored. Worse, the incident exposed numerous patients and hospital visitors to the virus.
Expect this mistake to be repeated all over the city and nation, needlessly infecting patients and hospital staff.
American health-care workers need additional training on how to recognize patients at risk of infection and isolate them quickly. They need to get up to speed on cleaning their hands, wearing protective gear and making sure medical equipment like wheelchairs and blood-pressure cuffs are disinfected between each use.
On another front, research announced Monday explains why coronavirus is so menacing. People infected with it shed 1,000 times more virus than people infected with SARS, an earlier global virus. Shedding the virus in saliva, sputum and other bodily fluids is what makes people contagious. SARS infected only 8,000 people before petering out, while the new coronavirus has already infected 110,000 worldwide and continues to spread.
Fortunately, scientists are arming us with knowledge to battle this contagion.
Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York, is chairwoman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones arrested on drunk driving charge

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was arrested in Texas early Tuesday on charges of driving while intoxicated following a spat with his wife , authorities said .
Travis County Sheriff ’ s Deputies were responding to a disturbance at Jones ’ house in Austin around 10:10 p.m. Monday , when they saw him going 45 mph in a 40 mph zone and stopped him , according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Post .
“ When I made contact with Jones I detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person , ” the deputy wrote in the affidavit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his wife got into an argument while eating dinner at a sushi restaurant , where he ’ d guzzled a bottle of sake , the court document states .
He then said he walked the three miles home from the restaurant , where the couple continued their tiff — prompting him to drive to another residence he owns downtown “ to get away from his wife , ” according to the affidavit .
Jones ’ wife had told dispatchers that the pair got into a physical fight that later turned into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ booked it in a black Dodge Charger and was possibly drinking , the document states .
A sobriety test conducted on Jones found that he had a blood alcohol level of 0.076 at 11:55 p.m. and a level of 0.079 at 11:59 p.m .
The legal blood alcohol limit for driving in Texas is 0.08 .
However , drivers in the state can be charged with DWI if they ’ re considered impaired , even if they ’ re under the limit .
Jones ’ eyes were described as watery and glassy with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed as excited , talkative , carefree and cooperative , in the documents .
The InfoWars founder was booked into the Travis County Jail around 12:37 a.m. , according to Travis County sheriff ’ s office spokeswoman Kristen Dark .
He was released on $ 3,000 bond at around 4:11 a.m. An article on Jones ’ InfoWars website claimed he ’ d only been “ drinking a small amount of sake at a Japanese restaurant ” and got “ caught up in a Travis Co. DWI dragnet.
” Jones is facing several lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandy Hook massacre for pushing the theory that the mass shooting was a hoax .

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was arrested in Texas early Tuesday on charges of driving while intoxicated following a spat with his wife, authorities said.
Travis County Sheriff’s Deputies were responding to a disturbance at Jones’ house in Austin around 10:10 p.m. Monday, when they saw him going 45 mph in a 40 mph zone and stopped him, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Post.
“When I made contact with Jones I detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person,” the deputy wrote in the affidavit.
Alex Jones Getty Images
Jones, 46, claimed he and his wife got into an argument while eating dinner at a sushi restaurant, where he’d guzzled a bottle of sake, the court document states.
He then said he walked the three miles home from the restaurant, where the couple continued their tiff — prompting him to drive to another residence he owns downtown “to get away from his wife,” according to the affidavit.
Jones’ wife had told dispatchers that the pair got into a physical fight that later turned into a verbal argument.
She said Jones had booked it in a black Dodge Charger and was possibly drinking, the document states.
A sobriety test conducted on Jones found that he had a blood alcohol level of 0.076 at 11:55 p.m. and a level of 0.079 at 11:59 p.m. The legal blood alcohol limit for driving in Texas is 0.08.
However, drivers in the state can be charged with DWI if they’re considered impaired, even if they’re under the limit.
Jones’ eyes were described as watery and glassy with constricted pupils, while his demeanor was listed as excited, talkative, carefree and cooperative, in the documents.
The InfoWars founder was booked into the Travis County Jail around 12:37 a.m., according to Travis County sheriff’s office spokeswoman Kristen Dark.
He was released on $3,000 bond at around 4:11 a.m.
An article on Jones’ InfoWars website claimed he’d only been “drinking a small amount of sake at a Japanese restaurant” and got “caught up in a Travis Co. DWI dragnet.”
Jones is facing several lawsuits from families of children killed in the Sandy Hook massacre for pushing the theory that the mass shooting was a hoax.


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Biden’s biggest problem: His candidacy relies totally on Obama nostalgia

Former Vice President Joe Biden got into a heated argument ...

Last week wiped away Democrats’ worst fears. Joe Biden’s comeback likely ended the possibility that Bernie Sanders and his leftist fanatics will hijack their party and crash it in November. But they shouldn’t bust out the party horns quite yet.
Democrats think the general election can now be a referendum on President Trump, rather than one about the merits of socialism. But their embrace of Biden means they’re asking the country for something that might be equally unpalatable: a third term for President Barack Obama, except attached to Biden.
For now, Democrats might take some comfort. While the nonstop gaffes continue to provide fodder for gossip about his apparent slide into senescence, Biden at least seems to be more energized since his dramatic Super Tuesday victories.
But gaffes aside, now that he is the likely nominee, there is no avoiding the fact that his candidacy is the most backward-looking of any of the 2020 hopefuls or, in fact, of any presidential candidate in memory. Indeed, he would already be a political goner had he not tied himself inextricably to Obama’s legacy — for some good and much ill.
Left-wing activists like to highlight Biden’s transgressions against current progressive orthodoxy, including opposition to forced busing in the 1970s and support for a tough crime bill in the ’90s. But black voters seem to see only Obama’s faithful vice president.
This is good news for Democrats, since they know the only way they can beat Trump is by producing the same sort of massive minority voter turnout that enabled Obama’s 2008 and 2012 victories. By contrast, the failure to produce that kind of a response among African-Americans doomed Hillary Clinton in 2016.
That means that Biden will have no reason to stop constantly reminding us that he was Obama’s man. Many Democrats have moved on from Obama’s brand of liberalism to one that promises a far larger dilation of entitlements. Yet the memory of the Obama era still appeals to the party’s base. Moreover, Democrats are hoping to capitalize on the contrast between Trump’s divisive personality and what they remember as a gentler era dominated by Obama’s jazzy cool.
But remember: Trump was elected because many Americans — especially white, working-class voters Biden claims he can recapture for the Democrats — were sick of Obama. Though sacred to the memory of the Democratic elite, the Obama administration exemplified the rule of the liberal establishment that treated such voters with contempt.
What Biden is doing is inviting a referendum on a presidency that will solely be remembered for the historic breakthrough it represented for African-Americans. Shorn of that distinction, it just means tying today’s Democrats to the failed promise of the era of Hope and Change.
Obama’s political magic was never transferable. Hillary Clinton thought she could win what would, in effect, have been a third term for Obama. But if she couldn’t do it in 2016, it’s hard to imagine how Biden can pull it off in 2020.
Nor is tying the Democrats’ fortunes to Obama nostalgia the same as Trump’s vow to “make America great again.” Trump’s appeal was based on the fact that he was something new and entirely different in American politics, not, like Biden, an old and tired retread of the recent political past.
Trump’s re-election will hinge on whether voters see him as having succeeded where Obama failed. That’s why the impact of the coronavirus on a booming economy is such a problem for Republicans.
But despite their relief about torpedoing Sanders, Democrats should remember that there is no precedent for winning the White House purely on the basis of a longing for a past president. That’s all Biden has going for him. And though he has the virtue of not being a socialist, the idea that Biden can be elected as a tribute to Obama is a fantasy.
Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS.org. Twitter: @JonathanS_Tobin


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Rosario Dawson voted for Sanders after boyfriend Cory Booker endorsed Biden

Joe Biden is looking to continue to ride a surge ...

Actress Rosario Dawson said she voted for Bernie Sanders on the same day her boyfriend and former presidential hopeful Sen. Cory Booker endorsed Joe Biden.
In an Instagram post on Monday night, the “Men in Black II” actress and activist, who was a surrogate for Sanders in 2016, said she was proud to support the 78-year-old socialist senator from Vermont.
“I got to vote for Bernie again and I did,” Dawson wrote in the lengthy post.
“Whoever it is that you’re supporting I hope that you are doing it consciously, with heart and with a ballot. Talking about things helps but actions speak louder than words.”
Dawson refrained from attacking the former veep who her boyfriend endorsed earlier on Monday.
Booker became the latest presidential drop-out to endorse Biden on Monday morning in a tweet that contained a thinly veiled shot at Sanders.
“The answer to hatred and division is to reignite our spirit of common purpose,” Booker wrote on Twitter.
“Joe Biden won’t only win – he’ll show there’s more that unites us than divides us.”
The “Rent” actress confirmed her relationship with the former Newark, New Jersey, mayor in March 2019, calling him a “wonderful human being.”
Dawson, who would have presumably voted for Sanders in the California primary last week, is the co-founder of Voto Latino, a nonprofit organization that encourages young Hispanic and Latino Americans to register to vote and become more politically involved.


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--NYC’s half marathon, auto show postponed over coronavirus concerns

The mother of a man who was roughed up by ...

The new coronavirus has claimed two iconic springtime events in New York City.
Organizers of the annual New York International Auto Show at the Javits Center have rescheduled the 10-day event — while the New York City Half Marathon has been canceled in its entirety, event planners announced Tuesday amid a coronavirus outbreak in the metropolitan area.
The half marathon was canned just days before runners were to step off this Sunday.
“We know this is a challenging time for everyone, and the cancellation of the NYC Half is disappointing news to many, but the resources necessary to organize an event with 25,000 runners on the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan have become strained during this difficult period,” New York Road Runners, the marathon organizers, announced in a statement.
The auto show, originally scheduled for April with expectations to draw close to a million visitors, will now be held in the late summer — from Aug. 28 to Sept. 6, 2020.
“We are taking this extraordinary step to help protect our attendees, exhibitors and all participants from the coronavirus,” said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, the organization that owns and operates the New York Auto Show.
“For 120 years, ‘the show must go on’ has been heavily embedded in our DNA, and while the decision to move the show dates didn’t come easy, our top priority remains with the health and well-being of all those involved in this historic event,” Schienberg added.
The preemptive measures come days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a “state of emergency” in New York to combat a soaring number of COVID-19 cases.
The state has documented at least 173 coronavirus patients, including 36 cases in New York City and more than 100 in Westchester County.
Cuomo on Tuesday said he would deploy the National Guard to enforce a mile-radius coronavirus “containment area” in the New Rochelle community of Westchester, which could have the largest cluster of patients int he United States, according to the governor.


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Conor McGregor donates $1M to families of first responders

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Irish-born MMA champion Conor McGregor has donated $ 1 million to a New York foundation that supports the families of first responders to celebrate St Patrick ’ s Day .
McGregor announced he is making the donation to New York ’ s Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation , which supports the families of firefighters and law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty across the US .
The non-profit honors firefighter Stephen Siller who gave his life to save others on 9/11 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for first responders who are not only selfless but also fearless in performing their duties , “ McGregor told The Post ’ s John Aidan Byrne .
“ They are willing to risk it all for perfect strangers.
” The fighter made the donation after pledging he ’ d give $ 5 for every case of his Proper No .
Twelve Irish Whiskey .
He has also recorded public service announcements to encourage others to donate to the foundation .
He continued , “ We are so proud to partner with the Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these proper heroes .
The foundation ’ s goal is to ensure stability and security for these families facing sudden tragic loss.
” McGregor added that he will celebrate St. Patrick ’ s Day , March 17 , at home in Ireland .
While Dublin ’ s parade has been canceled , New York ’ s mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday there were no plans yet to cancel Manhattan ’ s parade , which annually attracts more than two million people .
And — amid much speculation when and where his next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is looking forward to spending more time in the US , “ Most likely after my next fight .
I know you will ask when that will happen , and my answer is , ‘ keep guessing .
’ ”

Irish-born MMA champion Conor McGregor has donated $1 million to a New York foundation that supports the families of first responders to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
McGregor announced he is making the donation to New York’s Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation, which supports the families of firefighters and law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty across the US. The non-profit honors firefighter Stephen Siller who gave his life to save others on 9/11.
“I have always had deep respect for first responders who are not only selfless but also fearless in performing their duties,“ McGregor told The Post’s John Aidan Byrne. “They are willing to risk it all for perfect strangers.”
The fighter made the donation after pledging he’d give $5 for every case of his Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey. He has also recorded public service announcements to encourage others to donate to the foundation.
He continued, “We are so proud to partner with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor these proper heroes. The foundation’s goal is to ensure stability and security for these families facing sudden tragic loss.”
McGregor added that he will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, at home in Ireland. While Dublin’s parade has been canceled, New York’s mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday there were no plans yet to cancel Manhattan’s parade, which annually attracts more than two million people.
And — amid much speculation when and where his next fight would be — McGregor added he is looking forward to spending more time in the US, “Most likely after my next fight. I know you will ask when that will happen, and my answer is, ‘keep guessing.’”


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Mother of man in viral arrest video demands punishment for cops

The mother of a man who was roughed up by cops in a tense , caught-on-video arrest has hired civil rights attorney Sanford Rubenstein to get “ justice ” for her son , she said after meeting with a member of Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s administration to call for a quick investigation and punishment for the cops .
“ All I want is justice for my son , he was treated like less than an animal , ” Daphne Gayle , 58 , said of her son Fitzroy Gayle , 20 , of Brooklyn .
“ Something has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s something wrong , ” the mom said after meeting with Rubenstein and a member of de Blasio ’ s administration in Manhattan .
“ This is a nightmare , we are all in a nightmare.
” At an afternoon news conference , Daphne , Rubenstein and the Rev .
Kevin McCall of Crisis Action Center called for a swift investigation of the incident and said that all the officers involved be put on modified duty immediately .
“ It should not take a whole week and half , while millions of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being assaulted and kidnapped by the NYPD , ” Rev .
Kevin McCall of Crisis Action Center said .
“ The video demonstrates what ’ s wrong with stop and frisk , ” Rubenstein said .
Police said they approached her son after spotting him in a park smoking pot with another man .
They were there to investigate a report of gunshots , cops said .
A passerby shot video of the exchange , which took place about 10 p.m. on March 4 outside a Canarsie playground , and posted it on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , Gayle is holding his hands up with his phone in his right hand as he speaks to an undercover cop .
“ Yo , what crime did I commit ?
” Gayle is heard saying .
“ You ’ re trying to hurt me ?
You ’ re trying to hurt me ?
What did I do ?
” “ Don ’ t move , ” the plainclothes officer replies .
“ Why would I want to hurt you ?
” The officer speaks over his radio as the dialogue continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoot me ?
” Gayle asks at one point as the cop appears to point a Taser at him .
“ I don ’ t have a crime .
Listen to me , what crime did I commit ?
You ’ re not supposed to do that .
That ’ s the law.
” Soon after that , at least a half dozen cops converge on the scene and jump on Gayle , who can be heard saying , “ I did not commit a crime ” several times before being taken down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God , ” he screams .
“ I am not resisting .
I ’ ve never been arrested a day in my life.
” Gayle was charged with resisting arrest , obstruction and marijuana possession .
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said the next day that he had watched the video and would “ look for an investigation just to make sure I know everything that happened.
” “ Keep your campaign promise from 7 years ago , ” he said .
“ Stop stop and Frisk.
” Rubenstein said he will ask Brooklyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resisting arrest and obstruction charges Wednesday .
They also plan to ask a judge to dismiss all charges if the case makes it that far .
“ We need to treat each other better , this is a social responsibility , ” said Fitzroy Gayle ’ s sister , Tena Reid , 31 .
“ We just need justice .
We need peace and we need it now because we don ’ t want to have this happen to another person.
” They ended the presser with everyone holding their hands up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t shoot .
”

The mother of a man who was roughed up by cops in a tense, caught-on-video arrest has hired civil rights attorney Sanford Rubenstein to get “justice” for her son, she said after meeting with a member of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration to call for a quick investigation and punishment for the cops.
“All I want is justice for my son, he was treated like less than an animal,” Daphne Gayle, 58, said of her son Fitzroy Gayle, 20, of Brooklyn.
“Something has to be changed, because there’s something wrong,” the mom said after meeting with Rubenstein and a member of de Blasio’s administration in Manhattan. “This is a nightmare, we are all in a nightmare.”
At an afternoon news conference, Daphne, Rubenstein and the Rev. Kevin McCall of Crisis Action Center called for a swift investigation of the incident and said that all the officers involved be put on modified duty immediately.
“It should not take a whole week and half, while millions of people view a video that shows Fitzroy Gayle being assaulted and kidnapped by the NYPD,” Rev. Kevin McCall of Crisis Action Center said.
“The video demonstrates what’s wrong with stop and frisk,” Rubenstein said.
Police said they approached her son after spotting him in a park smoking pot with another man. They were there to investigate a report of gunshots, cops said.
A passerby shot video of the exchange, which took place about 10 p.m. on March 4 outside a Canarsie playground, and posted it on Twitter the following day.
In the video, Gayle is holding his hands up with his phone in his right hand as he speaks to an undercover cop.
“Yo, what crime did I commit?” Gayle is heard saying. “You’re trying to hurt me? You’re trying to hurt me? What did I do?”
“Don’t move,” the plainclothes officer replies. “Why would I want to hurt you?”
The officer speaks over his radio as the dialogue continues.
“You’d like to shoot me?” Gayle asks at one point as the cop appears to point a Taser at him. “I don’t have a crime. Listen to me, what crime did I commit? You’re not supposed to do that. That’s the law.”
“Stop moving!” the officer shouts.
Soon after that, at least a half dozen cops converge on the scene and jump on Gayle, who can be heard saying, “I did not commit a crime” several times before being taken down.
“Help me. Oh my God,” he screams. “I am not resisting. I’ve never been arrested a day in my life.”
Gayle was charged with resisting arrest, obstruction and marijuana possession.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said the next day that he had watched the video and would “look for an investigation just to make sure I know everything that happened.”
Rubenstein was critical of de Blasio.
“Keep your campaign promise from 7 years ago,” he said. “Stop stop and Frisk.”
Rubenstein said he will ask Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez not to prosecute the resisting arrest and obstruction charges Wednesday. They also plan to ask a judge to dismiss all charges if the case makes it that far.
“We need to treat each other better, this is a social responsibility,” said Fitzroy Gayle’s sister, Tena Reid, 31. “We just need justice. We need peace and we need it now because we don’t want to have this happen to another person.”
They ended the presser with everyone holding their hands up saying, “Hands up, don’t shoot.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-10--Instagram star dons skimpy swimsuit to fight coronavirus

From infectious hand-washing PSAs to grapefruit masks , people around the world have conjured up ever-inventive measures to fight coronavirus .
However , one enterprising Instagram star is raising awareness in a more direct way : by donning a skimpy swimsuit in public and simply telling bystanders to wash their hands .
“ It ’ s pretty crazy we need to remind people in the first place to wash their hands , but hey , I ’ m here to remind them , ” says Pennsylvania ’ s Samantha Marie Gangewere , 28 , who frequently shares saucy snaps to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bombshell has taken her exhibitionist talents to Times Square , where she can be seen posing on a bench in a revealing orange swimsuit and surgical mask .
To drive the point home , Gangewere totes a cardboard sign scrawled with the message “ wash your damn hands.
” Needless to say , Gangewere ’ s disease-fighting striptease garnered oodles of responses on Instagram .
“ Got ta love telling people things they should ’ ve learned when they were 2yrs old , ” said one social media health nut .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base way to benefit from a global health crisis .
“ You would take the opportunity to take a potentially world wide issue and try to get some pr from it , ” shot one critic .
Still , Gangewere tells Jam Press that the salacious display was inspired by the fact that she suffers from a “ weakened immune system.
” If her immunodeficiency didn ’ t put her at enough risk , Gangewere ’ s modeling gig requires her to travel frequently .
“ I just wash my hands extra now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says the immunocompromised Insta-star , who claims that fighting COVID-19 “ is as easy as washing your damn hands.
” Indeed , studies show that scrubbing one ’ s mitts is more effective than hand sanitizer when it comes to combating COVID-19 .
As a result , Gangewere has little sympathy for those who don ’ t practice proper hygiene : “ If someone coughs near me though , [ they ’ re ] getting my backhand if they don ’ t cover their mouth , ” spouts the no-nonsense hand-wash hyper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admits that the people “ buying bulk hand sanitizer and masks are ridiculous.
” “ Leave them for the people who actually travel or are in the health field , ” she says .
However , the health-conscious hussy reserves most of her vitriol for toilet paper hoarders , saying “ Looks like they have a s–tting problem to me.
” Two days ago , two Australian women blew up the internet after brawling over bathroom tissue in a scene straight out of a zombie apocalypse flick .
Map of coronavirus cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admits that she ’ s “ dabbling in stocks so the panic is kinda good for me.
” Gangewere isn ’ t the first exhibitionist to cash in on the epidemic .
Last week , coronavirus-themed porn went viral on streaming sites , with more than 100 sickness-inspired skin flicks popping up in recent days .

From infectious hand-washing PSAs to grapefruit masks, people around the world have conjured up ever-inventive measures to fight coronavirus.
However, one enterprising Instagram star is raising awareness in a more direct way: by donning a skimpy swimsuit in public and simply telling bystanders to wash their hands.
“It’s pretty crazy we need to remind people in the first place to wash their hands, but hey, I’m here to remind them,” says Pennsylvania’s Samantha Marie Gangewere, 28, who frequently shares saucy snaps to her 500,000 ‘Gram gawkers.
Now the bombshell has taken her exhibitionist talents to Times Square, where she can be seen posing on a bench in a revealing orange swimsuit and surgical mask. To drive the point home, Gangewere totes a cardboard sign scrawled with the message “wash your damn hands.”
Needless to say, Gangewere’s disease-fighting striptease garnered oodles of responses on Instagram. “Gotta love telling people things they should’ve learned when they were 2yrs old,” said one social media health nut.
“Making traffic stop,” said another.
However, others slammed the stunt as a base way to benefit from a global health crisis. “You would take the opportunity to take a potentially world wide issue and try to get some pr from it,” shot one critic.
Still, Gangewere tells Jam Press that the salacious display was inspired by the fact that she suffers from a “weakened immune system.” If her immunodeficiency didn’t put her at enough risk, Gangewere’s modeling gig requires her to travel frequently.
“I just wash my hands extra now and keep hand sanitizer with me,” says the immunocompromised Insta-star, who claims that fighting COVID-19 “is as easy as washing your damn hands.” Indeed, studies show that scrubbing one’s mitts is more effective than hand sanitizer when it comes to combating COVID-19.
As a result, Gangewere has little sympathy for those who don’t practice proper hygiene: “If someone coughs near me though, [they’re] getting my backhand if they don’t cover their mouth,” spouts the no-nonsense hand-wash hyper.
Despite her fanaticism, even Gangewere admits that the people “buying bulk hand sanitizer and masks are ridiculous.”
“Leave them for the people who actually travel or are in the health field,” she says.
However, the health-conscious hussy reserves most of her vitriol for toilet paper hoarders, saying “Looks like they have a s–tting problem to me.” Two days ago, two Australian women blew up the internet after brawling over bathroom tissue in a scene straight out of a zombie apocalypse flick.
Map of coronavirus cases in the US
Although the health-minded model cheekily admits that she’s “dabbling in stocks so the panic is kinda good for me.”
Gangewere isn’t the first exhibitionist to cash in on the epidemic. Last week, coronavirus-themed porn went viral on streaming sites, with more than 100 sickness-inspired skin flicks popping up in recent days.


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--Coronavirus travel ban makes sense, but Team Trump needs to step up communications

President Donald Trump says he will suspend all travel from ...

President Trump was prescient in restricting travel to the United States from China on Jan. 27. And he’s wise to widen those restrictions again now, as the coronavirus continues to spread, with cases continuing to rise exponentially.
Targeting the European Union’s Schengen Area makes sense: These 26 countries allow free travel within the zone, with no passport or border control. And one of them is Italy, the European nation hardest hit — and likely the country with the most cases outside of China and Iran — with 15,113 confirmed cases and more than 1,000 deaths.
So shutting off travel from Italy alone wouldn’t have been enough to stall the wider spread of COVID-19 within America. Leaders of other countries in the zone have warned their citizens to be prepared for the pandemic: German Chancellor Angela Merkel expects up to 70 percent of people in her nation to get the bug.
Trump may have to do more soon. Ireland and the United Kingdom, while not part of the Schengen Area, have quite a few cases, as do South Korea and Japan.
Then there are the mixed messages over whether US citizens and permanent residents who test positive will be allowed back in. On Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence — the administration point man — said all Americans will be welcomed home, regardless of condition. Trump then contradicted him, saying those who test positive won’t be.
Trump gets to set policy — but doing it on the fly is a huge mistake. And it looks like he should leave all explaining-the-details stuff to others: His Wednesday night remarks wound up being misleading about whether European cargo is banned — it’s not.
The administration needs to get its act together now, for the good of the nation.
Either way, anyone allowed back needs to be screened. Banning only some people and refusing to screen the rest makes no sense if the worry is travelers bringing back infectious disease. The administration needs to define — and communicate — its procedures clearly.
Map of coronavirus cases in the US


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--New York attorney general tells Alex Jones to stop selling bogus coronavirus cures

New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a cease and desist letter to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for allegedly selling bogus coronavirus killing toothpaste .
“ As the coronavirus continues to pose serious risks to public health , Alex Jones has spewed outright lies and has profited off of New Yorkers ’ anxieties , ” James alleged in a statement the same day her office sent the letter .
The InfoWars founder claimed on his talk show Tuesday that the silver-infused “ Super-Silver Whitening Toothpaste ” was verified by the Pentagon and Homeland Security for its ability to kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently no known vaccine for COVID-19 .
In fact , products containing colloidal silver don ’ t cure disease and can cause serious side effects , the Department of Health and Human Services has said .
The AG ’ s office told Jones to stop selling the products “ immediately ” and said that if he didn ’ t they could sue and seek $ 5,000 for each violation , according to the letter .
James ’ office sent similar letters to televangelist Jim Bakker and Dr. Sherrill Sellman after Sellman said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 12 that “ Silver Solution ” can cure certain strains of the virus .
Jones said the AG ’ s office cherry-picked what he said on the show about the product .
“ I don ’ t believe in a cure .
I would never tell my listeners that this is a silver bullet , it ’ s just not true , ” Jones said .

New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a cease and desist letter to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for allegedly selling bogus coronavirus killing toothpaste.
“As the coronavirus continues to pose serious risks to public health, Alex Jones has spewed outright lies and has profited off of New Yorkers’ anxieties,” James alleged in a statement the same day her office sent the letter.
The InfoWars founder claimed on his talk show Tuesday that the silver-infused “Super-Silver Whitening Toothpaste” was verified by the Pentagon and Homeland Security for its ability to kill SARS-corona family viruses, while there is currently no known vaccine for COVID-19.
In fact, products containing colloidal silver don’t cure disease and can cause serious side effects, the Department of Health and Human Services has said.
The AG’s office told Jones to stop selling the products “immediately” and said that if he didn’t they could sue and seek $5,000 for each violation, according to the letter.
James’ office sent similar letters to televangelist Jim Bakker and Dr. Sherrill Sellman after Sellman said on an interview on Bakker’s show Feb. 12 that “Silver Solution” can cure certain strains of the virus.
Jones said the AG’s office cherry-picked what he said on the show about the product.
“I don’t believe in a cure. I would never tell my listeners that this is a silver bullet, it’s just not true,” Jones said.


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--Angst at ritzy Soho hotel where corona-positive NBA star stayed

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) There ’ s angst at the glitzy downtown hotel where Rudy Gobert — the NBA star who tested positive for coronavirus — and his team the Utah Jazz recently stayed when they were in New York .
Insiders tell Page Six that — after learning on Wednesday that Gobert has the illness — staff at The Dominick Hotel in Soho were so perturbed about an apparent lack of concern on the part of the hotel management that some of them called their unions for help .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 4th and stayed at the hotel on March 2nd and 3rd .
But the hotel — formerly the Trump Soho — told Page Six Thursday in a statement , “ Prior to the team ’ s March 11 announcement that one of its players tested positive for the novel Coronavirus , The Dominick had published and distributed new operating procedures which addresses precautionary measures and had implemented elevated cleaning practices.
” It added , “ We continue to be vigilant in maintaining the highest level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our guests , employees , and visitors.
” Gobert apologized on Thursday for his careless behavior before he knew he had the disease .
On Monday — apparently as a way to mock the NBA ’ s decision to keep reporters six to eight feet from players — Gobert had made a point of touching every reporter ’ s microphone or recording device during a press conference .
On Thursday he said on Instagram , “ I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was even infected .
I was careless and make no excuse .
I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously .
”

There’s angst at the glitzy downtown hotel where Rudy Gobert — the NBA star who tested positive for coronavirus — and his team the Utah Jazz recently stayed when they were in New York.
Insiders tell Page Six that — after learning on Wednesday that Gobert has the illness — staff at The Dominick Hotel in Soho were so perturbed about an apparent lack of concern on the part of the hotel management that some of them called their unions for help.
The team was in town to play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 4th and stayed at the hotel on March 2nd and 3rd.
But the hotel — formerly the Trump Soho — told Page Six Thursday in a statement, “Prior to the team’s March 11 announcement that one of its players tested positive for the novel Coronavirus, The Dominick had published and distributed new operating procedures which addresses precautionary measures and had implemented elevated cleaning practices.”
It added, “We continue to be vigilant in maintaining the highest level of safeguards for the health and well-being of our guests, employees, and visitors.”
Gobert apologized on Thursday for his careless behavior before he knew he had the disease. On Monday — apparently as a way to mock the NBA’s decision to keep reporters six to eight feet from players — Gobert had made a point of touching every reporter’s microphone or recording device during a press conference.
On Thursday he said on Instagram, “I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse. I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--Globetrotting influencers combatting coronavirus with designer face masks

Globe-trotting influencers aren ’ t letting the coronavirus pandemic in the way of their luxe excursions — as some turn @ @ @ @ @ matching gloves to protect themselves .
The jet-setting influencers are still seen snapped on the @ @ @ @ @ in destinations hit by the virus , which has spread to more than 125,000 people @ @ @ @ @ one post , Mark Berman is taking precautions by wearing a flashy , rhinestone face @ @ @ @ @ in Nice , France .
“ Coronavirus isn ’ t going to stop my travel @ @ @ @ @ said .
France alone has seen at least 1,700 cases since the outbreak first emerged @ @ @ @ @ Another photo shows Tair Marassulov wearing a matching Louis Vuitton face mask and gloves in @ @ @ @ @ “ LV will protect me from Coronavirus right ?
” the post said .
Across @ @ @ @ @ has spread to more than 118 countries and territories as the death toll climbs over @ @

Sign up for our special edition newsletter to get a daily update on the coronavirus pandemic.
Globe-trotting influencers aren’t letting the coronavirus pandemic in the way of their luxe excursions — as some turn to designer face masks and matching gloves to protect themselves.
The jet-setting influencers are still seen snapped on the page Rich Kids of Instagram in destinations hit by the virus, which has spread to more than 125,000 people across the world.
In one post, Mark Berman is taking precautions by wearing a flashy, rhinestone face mask on a private jet in Nice, France.
“Coronavirus isn’t going to stop my travel plans,” the post said.
France alone has seen at least 1,700 cases since the outbreak first emerged in Wuhan, China.
Another photo shows Tair Marassulov wearing a matching Louis Vuitton face mask and gloves in a convertible in Paris.
“LV will protect me from Coronavirus right?” the post said.
Across the world, the virus has spread to more than 118 countries and territories as the death toll climbs over 4,000.


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--Joe Biden tells campaign office staffers to work from home

Joe Biden ’ s campaign told field office staffers to work from home and will shut down the offices this @ @ @ @ @ crisis , according to multiple reports .
“ Starting Saturday , March 14 , all @ @ @ @ @ in our Philadelphia headquarters and in field offices across the country will work from home @ @ @ @ @ from top campaign strategist Anita Dunn and new campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon @ @ @ @ @ fears of the spreading virus have forced cancellation of major sporting events , Broadway shows @ @ @ @ @ and after Biden delivered a speech detailing what he believed should be done to combat @ @ @ @

Joe Biden’s campaign told field office staffers to work from home and will shut down the offices this weekend because of the coronavirus crisis, according to multiple reports.
“Starting Saturday, March 14, all Biden for President employees both in our Philadelphia headquarters and in field offices across the country will work from home,” an internal memo from top campaign strategist Anita Dunn and new campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon.
The move came as fears of the spreading virus have forced cancellation of major sporting events, Broadway shows and other large gatherings, and after Biden delivered a speech detailing what he believed should be done to combat the deadly virus.


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--Angélique Kidjo ‘disappointed’ Carnegie Hall show canceled over coronavirus

Like many artists , Grammy-winning Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo — whom Time magazine once called “ Africa ’ s premier diva ” — has felt the staggering effect of the coronavirus crisis , which forced the cancellation of her Daughter of Independence concert at Carnegie Hall on Saturday .
“ It ’ s a good thing and a real sad thing at the same time , ” Kidjo tells The Post after finding out Thursday afternoon that her show was canceled .
“ People have to be safe .
Right now , I mean , our lives are in danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can reschedule — it can happen anytime.
” Kidjo and her band were in rehearsals in Brooklyn when they got the news that Carnegie Hall was canceling all performances from Friday through March 31 .
“ I ’ m disappointed , because I was ready , and we worked so hard to prepare this show , ” she says .
“ But there ’ s always a blessing when something like that happens .
That ’ s my take on it.
” Hours before the event was called off , the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as she spoke to The Post on the phone from her Park Slope home .
“ It ’ s crazy , ” she says .
“ I have a friend that arrived yesterday from France and is back at the airport trying to go back.
” In fact , two of the special guests who were scheduled to perform with Kidjo had already canceled their appearances before Carnegie Hall pulled the plug : Baaba Maal , who was in New York , was heading back to Senegal , while Cameroonian great Manu Dibango @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the trip because , says Kidjo , “ he ’ s too old to be traveling like that.
” The other two guests — Brittany Howard and Nigeria ’ s Yemi Alade — were already in New York and had planned to appear .
The concert was set to celebrate Kidjo ’ s 60th birthday — which is actually July 14 — as well as the 60th anniversary of Benin gaining independence from France , just about two weeks after the singer was born .
That ’ s why she calls herself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I was a little child , I felt that sense of freedom , ” she says .
“ I felt that I was free to go from one house to the other with no fear at all , that nothing ever could happen to me .
And that ’ s what I want to celebrate.
” Kidjo had another reason to celebrate in January , when she won her fourth Grammy , taking home the gramophone for Best World Music Album for “ Celia , ” her tribute to Cuban legend Celia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Grammy pre-telecast show at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles .
“ I walked in , and then the news broke that Kobe Bryant just died .
It just killed my energy right there , ” she says .
“ So we celebrated [ his life ] , and I was singing thinking of him.
” Although born and raised in Benin , in West Africa , Kidjo has called Brooklyn home for 20 years .
“ When I arrived [ in New York ] in 1997 , I was living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eighth and Ninth .
My daughter [ Naïma ] was 4 at that time , and she couldn ’ t handle the noise .
Manhattan was too noisy for her.
” But she ’ s still giving back to the women of Africa , empowering them with her Batonga Foundation .
“ My mom is an example for me , ” Kidjo says .
“ [ She ] was a strong advocate of girls ’ education , that we have the right to go to school.
” And Kidjo is still proudly representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ African music is everywhere , ” she says .
“ We can fool ourselves .
.
.
that every music comes from the Western world .
Hell no !
We all come from Africa .
Africa is the creator of humanity .
”

Like many artists, Grammy-winning Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo — whom Time magazine once called “Africa’s premier diva” — has felt the staggering effect of the coronavirus crisis, which forced the cancellation of her Daughter of Independence concert at Carnegie Hall on Saturday.
“It’s a good thing and a real sad thing at the same time,” Kidjo tells The Post after finding out Thursday afternoon that her show was canceled. “People have to be safe. Right now, I mean, our lives are in danger with this virus. The concert, we can reschedule — it can happen anytime.”
Kidjo and her band were in rehearsals in Brooklyn when they got the news that Carnegie Hall was canceling all performances from Friday through March 31.
“I’m disappointed, because I was ready, and we worked so hard to prepare this show,” she says. “But there’s always a blessing when something like that happens. That’s my take on it.”
Hours before the event was called off, the coronavirus fallout was on Kidjo’s mind as she spoke to The Post on the phone from her Park Slope home. “It’s crazy,” she says. “I have a friend that arrived yesterday from France and is back at the airport trying to go back.”
In fact, two of the special guests who were scheduled to perform with Kidjo had already canceled their appearances before Carnegie Hall pulled the plug: Baaba Maal, who was in New York, was heading back to Senegal, while Cameroonian great Manu Dibango, 86, didn’t even make the trip because, says Kidjo, “he’s too old to be traveling like that.” The other two guests — Brittany Howard and Nigeria’s Yemi Alade — were already in New York and had planned to appear.
The concert was set to celebrate Kidjo’s 60th birthday — which is actually July 14 — as well as the 60th anniversary of Benin gaining independence from France, just about two weeks after the singer was born. That’s why she calls herself a “daughter of independence.”
“When I was a little child, I felt that sense of freedom,” she says. “I felt that I was free to go from one house to the other with no fear at all, that nothing ever could happen to me. And that’s what I want to celebrate.”
Kidjo had another reason to celebrate in January, when she won her fourth Grammy, taking home the gramophone for Best World Music Album for “Celia,” her tribute to Cuban legend Celia Cruz. She also performed through sadness during the Grammy pre-telecast show at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. “I walked in, and then the news broke that Kobe Bryant just died. It just killed my energy right there,” she says. “So we celebrated [his life], and I was singing thinking of him.”
Although born and raised in Benin, in West Africa, Kidjo has called Brooklyn home for 20 years. “When I arrived [in New York] in 1997, I was living in Hell’s Kitchen, 55th between Eighth and Ninth. My daughter [Naïma] was 4 at that time, and she couldn’t handle the noise. Manhattan was too noisy for her.”
But she’s still giving back to the women of Africa, empowering them with her Batonga Foundation. “My mom is an example for me,” Kidjo says. “[She] was a strong advocate of girls’ education, that we have the right to go to school.”
And Kidjo is still proudly representing Mother Africa on the global stage. “African music is everywhere,” she says. “We can fool ourselves . . . that every music comes from the Western world. Hell no! We all come from Africa. Africa is the creator of humanity.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--Broadway ticket holders to get automatic Telecharge refund during coronavirus shutdown

Telecharge , the service that bills itself as the official ticketing site for Broadway and Off-Broadway , will automatically refund Broadway tickets purchased for performances between today and April 12 .
The tickets will be refunded back to purchasers ’ credit cards .
Rival service Ticketmaster posted notices on its website for some Broadway shows indicating that internet and phone orders will automatically be cancelled and refunded , with other refunds at point of purchase .
As of late afternoon Thursday , some shows listed on the Ticketmaster site , including “ Tina , ” “ Hamilton ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled , with no updated Ticketmaster refund policy stipulated .
The automatic refunds were put in place today following the announcement of a month-long shutdown of Broadway productions due to coronavirus concerns .
Telecharge refunds also will be made automatically for the five-theater Off-Broadway venue New World Stages in Manhattan ’ s theater district , including the popular revival of “ The Jersey Boys.
” “ If you purchased tickets from Telecharge for a Broadway or New World Stages performance between 3/12/20 and 4/12/20 , your tickets will be automatically refunded back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we process refunds ; it may take some time for the refund to appear , ” Telecharge tweeted .
The company is a division of Broadway ’ s The Shubert Organization .

Telecharge, the service that bills itself as the official ticketing site for Broadway and Off-Broadway, will automatically refund Broadway tickets purchased for performances between today and April 12. The tickets will be refunded back to purchasers’ credit cards.
Rival service Ticketmaster posted notices on its website for some Broadway shows indicating that internet and phone orders will automatically be cancelled and refunded, with other refunds at point of purchase. As of late afternoon Thursday, some shows listed on the Ticketmaster site, including “Tina,” “Hamilton” and “Hadestown,” are noted only as canceled, with no updated Ticketmaster refund policy stipulated.
The automatic refunds were put in place today following the announcement of a month-long shutdown of Broadway productions due to coronavirus concerns. Telecharge refunds also will be made automatically for the five-theater Off-Broadway venue New World Stages in Manhattan’s theater district, including the popular revival of “The Jersey Boys.”
“If you purchased tickets from Telecharge for a Broadway or New World Stages performance between 3/12/20 and 4/12/20, your tickets will be automatically refunded back to your credit card. Please be patient as we process refunds; it may take some time for the refund to appear,” Telecharge tweeted. The company is a division of Broadway’s The Shubert Organization.


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--City Hall’s got a new plan to finally tackle trash-lined NYC sidewalks

Say goodbye to streets lined with trash !
One of the most infamous scenes in the Big Apple could soon be headed for the bin as City Hall rolled out two new programs Thursday aimed at keeping trash off the curb and away from rats .
The city ’ s Sanitation and Transportation departments are teaming up to get key business districts — like Times Square and parts of downtown Brooklyn — to join a new “ Clean Curbs ” pilot program , which will install sealed containers on the street to keep commercial trash off sidewalks .
Additionally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new 300-plus-unit buildings to put their garbage in sealed containers rather than piling it in bags that New York ’ s infamous rats and other vermin often claw into for food .
“ City pedestrians navigate around piles of trash and recycling that take up significant sidewalk space , ” Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia said .
“ It is time to make smarter , more efficient choices when it comes to the way New Yorkers set out refuse and recycling for collection in the public right of way .
Today ’ s announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” New residential buildings with at least 150 units would also have to submit a management plan to the city .
It would include outlining how they ’ ll store trash and recyclables indoors between regular scheduled pickups .
Buildings that don ’ t comply with the proposed rules won ’ t receive free pickup from the Department of Sanitation .
Garcia said the city is focusing on new buildings but is open to expanding the rules to cover other types of residences .
“ If we have success , we would want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Garcia said .
“ I ’ m hopeful that is where we end up.
” It ’ s unclear when the pilot program or the proposed rules will go into effect , but the city has scheduled a public hearing on the rules for April 16 .
Garcia declined to say which Business Improvement Districts have expressed interest in the pilot program or when they will be able to apply .
Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said “ allowing eligible BIDs to experiment with installing sealed , on-street garbage and recycling containers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidewalks cleaner , more accessible , and more enjoyable for residents and tourists alike .
”

Say goodbye to streets lined with trash!
One of the most infamous scenes in the Big Apple could soon be headed for the bin as City Hall rolled out two new programs Thursday aimed at keeping trash off the curb and away from rats.
The city’s Sanitation and Transportation departments are teaming up to get key business districts — like Times Square and parts of downtown Brooklyn — to join a new “Clean Curbs” pilot program, which will install sealed containers on the street to keep commercial trash off sidewalks.
Additionally, the Sanitation Department plans to require all new 300-plus-unit buildings to put their garbage in sealed containers rather than piling it in bags that New York’s infamous rats and other vermin often claw into for food.
“City pedestrians navigate around piles of trash and recycling that take up significant sidewalk space,” Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia said. “It is time to make smarter, more efficient choices when it comes to the way New Yorkers set out refuse and recycling for collection in the public right of way. Today’s announcement is the first step in that direction.”
New residential buildings with at least 150 units would also have to submit a management plan to the city. It would include outlining how they’ll store trash and recyclables indoors between regular scheduled pickups.
Buildings that don’t comply with the proposed rules won’t receive free pickup from the Department of Sanitation.
Garcia said the city is focusing on new buildings but is open to expanding the rules to cover other types of residences.
“If we have success, we would want to look at it more broadly,” Garcia said. “I’m hopeful that is where we end up.”
It’s unclear when the pilot program or the proposed rules will go into effect, but the city has scheduled a public hearing on the rules for April 16.
Garcia declined to say which Business Improvement Districts have expressed interest in the pilot program or when they will be able to apply.
Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said “allowing eligible BIDs to experiment with installing sealed, on-street garbage and recycling containers will help make New York’s bustling sidewalks cleaner, more accessible, and more enjoyable for residents and tourists alike.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--Unlucky NYC tourists see itineraries shredded by coronavirus cancellations

And you thought the coronavirus spoiled your plans .
A Washington state couple traveled thousands of miles to the Big Apple to see a Broadway play , go to the St. Patrick ’ s Day Parade and compete in the city ’ s half marathon — all of which were canceled or postponed due to the outbreak .
“ We are disappointed , ” said Ed Everstine , 69 , who was visiting from Spokane with his wife , Rita .
“ We were looking forward to everything .
It ’ s New York City !
” New York ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 400 for tickets to a March 17 showing of the hit musical “ Tina ” — before all Broadway productions were shut down as a response to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It ’ s unfortunate , ” said Rita , 67 .
“ We grew up on Tina .
Those legs !
” Their dream to party at New York City ’ s annual St. Patrick ’ s Day Parade was also dashed when the event was postponed indefinitely .
And the New York City Half Marathon — which Rita planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scraped to “ facilitate social distancing , ” organizers said .
The pair , which is only in town for a week , now plans to hang out near Times Square , jog in Central Park and go out to eat .
“ Hopefully the restaurants will stay open because we want to get all the good New York food , ” said Rita .
She ’ s “ sad ” about the missing the marathon and the Paddy ’ s day celebration but understands it ’ s important to prevent the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We did get to cross one thing off our bucket list , ” she said .
“ We went to the Empire State Building .
”

And you thought the coronavirus spoiled your plans.
A Washington state couple traveled thousands of miles to the Big Apple to see a Broadway play, go to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and compete in the city’s half marathon — all of which were canceled or postponed due to the outbreak.
“We are disappointed,” said Ed Everstine, 69, who was visiting from Spokane with his wife, Rita. “We were looking forward to everything. It’s New York City!”
New York’s most unlucky tourists said they paid $400 for tickets to a March 17 showing of the hit musical “Tina” — before all Broadway productions were shut down as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Rita, 67. “We grew up on Tina. Those legs!”
Their dream to party at New York City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was also dashed when the event was postponed indefinitely. And the New York City Half Marathon — which Rita planned to run in on Sunday — was scraped to “facilitate social distancing,” organizers said.
The pair, which is only in town for a week, now plans to hang out near Times Square, jog in Central Park and go out to eat. “Hopefully the restaurants will stay open because we want to get all the good New York food,” said Rita.
She’s “sad” about the missing the marathon and the Paddy’s day celebration but understands it’s important to prevent the virus from spreading, she said.
“We did get to cross one thing off our bucket list,” she said. “We went to the Empire State Building.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-12--The day coronavirus sent sports into hibernation has come

The NBA could be playing deep into the summer — ...

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Look, we are a reasonable people, a rational nation. Despite occasional appearances to the contrary, we know sport isn’t life and death, that it is only vaguely real life at all. We may care too much at times. We may yell too much at times. Sometimes, inexplicably, we paint our faces outlandish team colors.
Sometimes we lose sleep over a buzzer-beater, a walk-off, a shootout.
Mostly, we know. We understand. When the towers fell on Sept. 11, 2001, we knew enough that sports would have to go away for a while (even if Michael Strahan and Kevin Mawae had to stand up on behalf of New York and remind the rest of the NFL first, both men’s finest hours in Hall of Fame careers).
Pete Rozelle spent the last 33 years of his life knowing, and understanding, how profoundly he had erred in allowing the NFL to play a full slate of games just two days after John F. Kennedy’s assassination on Nov. 22, 1963. Rozelle, wanting to honor the late president, cited football as “his game” in explaining that decision. Forever, he had to answer for that.
“Some things,” he said in 1988, “are simply beyond the games.”
This, in the end, was beyond the game — this virus, COVID-19, which is suddenly a part of our every waking moment, which insinuates itself in everything we do. It is still mysterious enough that many of us aren’t quite certain just how serious it must be taken, or how much peril we are really in. But by now, we are quite certain of one thing:
It merits our attention, undivided, unfiltered. It takes precedence over the routines of our lives now. The St. Patrick’s Day parade. Broadway shows. College semesters. Concerts.
And sports.
Thursday — March 12, 2020 — was the day sports died, or at least the day they went into temporary hibernation. It was a day that had been brewing and percolating for some time, the drip-drip-drip of a nation trying to assemble a responsible course of action. First, media contact was limited. Then, fans were banned. Some collegiate leagues canceled seasons.
But Thursday was when the lights went off for good, when the men and women who control sports in the United States finally understood it was time to reach for the red phone, the nuclear option.
In late morning, in arenas in Manhattan and Brooklyn, Kansas City and Indianapolis and Atlantic City and Greensboro, N.C., basketball players had begun warming up for games that would be played in front of TV cameras and friends and family only. It was the last gasp of a nation trying to have it both ways, grasping for the normalcy sports carries while still illustrating concern for the public good. But it always felt like a half measure.
And in the end, it was. One by one the athletes were called off the courts, the lights were turned off, the doors were closed. At Madison Square Garden, the Big East delivered sports fans one last regrettable spasm of activity before pulling the plug on a St. John’s-Creighton game at halftime. And that was the just the first domino.
Soon enough, both Duke and Kansas would announce they wouldn’t participate in the NCAA Tournament, which finally spurred the NCAA to embrace the inevitable, canceling its signature event. In Jacksonville, Fla., it first was announced The Players Championship would proceed, without galleries starting Friday, but by night the PGA Tour wiped out its schedule until the week before the Masters. Major League Soccer suspended its season. So did the NHL. Neither was a surprise.
Nor was what became official, at last, just past 3 o’clock: baseball’s spring training would be shut down. The start of the season would be delayed until at least April 8 — though it was a bit unsettling to hear umpire Angel Hernandez, passing writers covering a Yankees-Nationals game in West Palm Beach, saying, “See you guys in June.”
Hernandez may have been joking. Or he may be right. Or he may be underestimating. We have no way of knowing. In the time of COVID-19, we are making our way a few minutes at a time, flailing in untamed sea, because there is no other choice.
Here’s something, though:
Just because we understand sport’s proper place in our world right now doesn’t mean we aren’t allowed to feel its loss. Losing baseball season, for baseball fans, is like losing a lung. There is much regret lying in the detritus of the NCAA Tournament. Rutgers fans have waited since 1991 for an invite. Hofstra fans have gone from sublime high to crashing low in the space of two days.
“My dreams are shattered,” a friend texted the other day. He’s a Dayton alum. Dayton may never again have a team with this legit a chance to play in a Final Four. If you’ve ever cared, truly cared, about a sports team, you certainly understand what he is feeling.
But you also understand why this is necessary. We are a reasonable people. We are a rational nation. Our games go away now, and maybe for some time because they must, because it’s the right thing, because COVID-19 is the only opponent that matters right now. Doesn’t make it the easy thing. We’ll miss the games, and it’s OK to miss them. I miss them already.