newyorkpost--2020-07-17--J.J. Watt has list of coronavirus concerns ahead of NFL training camp

The NFL ’ s biggest advantage during the coronavirus pandemic is almost finished .
While other major professional sports leagues were interrupted during or near the start of their regular season , the NFL had the luxury of time and taking a wait-and-see approach .
Well , the clock is almost expired , and there are still too many unanswered questions for the players ’ liking .
J.J. Watt , a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner , revealed some of the lingering issues Thursday .
After joining four conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association over the past two weeks , Watt is seeking further clarity and said players still do not know : • If there will be two preseason games ( as the league wants ) or zero ( as the union wants ) • The frequency of testing , whether daily or semi-daily • How a positive test will affect contracts and roster spots • Of a valid Infectious Disease Emergency Response plan from any team or the league Watt added “ nothing has been agreed upon regarding what training camp will actually look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ period will work.
” One sticking point is thought to be whether at-risk players will have an opt-out availability and how much , if any , of their salary will be paid if they exercise it .
But Watt started and ended his message by saying players “ want to play , ” which could be interpreted as encouraging or as deflecting responsibility if this heads to an ugly labor dispute , as was the case with MLB .
Rookies for Watt ’ s Houston Texans and the defending Super Bowl champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
Rookies for the Giants and Jets are due Tuesday , with veterans joining for the start of camps July 28 .
“ Every decision this year that prioritizes normalcy over innovation , custom over science or even football over health , significantly reduces our chances of completing the full season , ” NFLPA president J.C. Tretter , an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns , wrote in an open letter earlier this month .
Giants ’ union rep Nate Solder later tweeted , “ If the NFL doesn ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no football in 2020 .
It ’ s that simple.
” The NFL issued a set of protocols earlier this summer that included wearing protective face masks around the facility , outdoor and virtual team meetings , social distancing in the locker room and contract tracing for positive tests .
The union reported 72 players — about 2.5 percent of the league — are known to have tested positive ( before all have been tested ) as of the end of last week and publicized a heat map of coronavirus hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to report on time under the Collective Bargaining Agreement , but there is discussion of reducing training camp roster sizes from 90 players per team , with even greater limitations on the number simultaneously allowed in the building .

The NFL’s biggest advantage during the coronavirus pandemic is almost finished.
While other major professional sports leagues were interrupted during or near the start of their regular season, the NFL had the luxury of time and taking a wait-and-see approach. Well, the clock is almost expired, and there are still too many unanswered questions for the players’ liking.
J.J. Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner, revealed some of the lingering issues Thursday.
After joining four conference calls with the National Football League Players Association over the past two weeks, Watt is seeking further clarity and said players still do not know:
If there will be two preseason games (as the league wants) or zero (as the union wants)
The frequency of testing, whether daily or semi-daily
How a positive test will affect contracts and roster spots
Of a valid Infectious Disease Emergency Response plan from any team or the league
Watt added “nothing has been agreed upon regarding what training camp will actually look like and how the ‘ramp up’ period will work.” One sticking point is thought to be whether at-risk players will have an opt-out availability and how much, if any, of their salary will be paid if they exercise it.
But Watt started and ended his message by saying players “want to play,” which could be interpreted as encouraging or as deflecting responsibility if this heads to an ugly labor dispute, as was the case with MLB.
Rookies for Watt’s Houston Texans and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled to report Saturday. Rookies for the Giants and Jets are due Tuesday, with veterans joining for the start of camps July 28.
“Every decision this year that prioritizes normalcy over innovation, custom over science or even football over health, significantly reduces our chances of completing the full season,” NFLPA president J.C. Tretter, an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns, wrote in an open letter earlier this month.
Giants’ union rep Nate Solder later tweeted, “If the NFL doesn’t do their part to keep players healthy, there is no football in 2020. It’s that simple.”
The NFL issued a set of protocols earlier this summer that included wearing protective face masks around the facility, outdoor and virtual team meetings, social distancing in the locker room and contract tracing for positive tests.
The union reported 72 players — about 2.5 percent of the league — are known to have tested positive (before all have been tested) as of the end of last week and publicized a heat map of coronavirus hot spots.
The league could require players to report on time under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but there is discussion of reducing training camp roster sizes from 90 players per team, with even greater limitations on the number simultaneously allowed in the building.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--India struggles to contain coronavirus as cases surpass one million

NEW DELHI — India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday , third only to the United States and Brazil , prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country ’ s feeble health care system .
A surge of 34.956 new cases in the past 24 hours took the national total to 1,003,832 .
The Health Ministry also reported a record number of 687 deaths for a total of 25,602 .
It said 635,757 people have recovered and the recovery rate was continuing to improve at 63 % .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several Indian states are imposing focused lockdowns to stem the outbreak amid frantic efforts by local governments to protect the economy .
So far , three states — Maharashtra , Delhi and Tamil Nadu — have accounted for more than half of total cases .
But in India ’ s vast countryside , which is much less prepared and with weaker health care , the pandemic is clearly growing .
“ The acceleration in cases remains the main challenge for India in the coming days , ” said Dr. Ashish Jha , director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that a vast majority of cases were still being missed .
The continuing surge has forced authorities to reinstate lockdowns in some cities and states .
In Bangalore , a city that prides itself as the center of Indian technology innovation , the government ordered a weeklong lockdown that began Tuesday evening after the cases surged exponentially .
In Bihar , an eastern state with a population of 128 million and a fragile health system , a two-week lockdown was announced Thursday .
In Uttar Pradesh , the most populous state with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have started placing residents under strict weekend curfews , which will remain in place until the end of the month .
Other local governments are increasingly focusing on smaller lockdowns that shield the economy .
Nearly a dozen states have imposed restrictions on “ containment zones ” — areas that can be as small as a few houses or a street .
Dr. Anant Bhan , a global health researcher , said that India was likely to see “ a series of peaks , ” as the infection spread in rural areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Delhi and the financial capital , Mumbai , had already seen surges , while infections have now shifted to smaller cities .
India ’ s response to the virus was initially sluggish and then it bought time by locking down its entire population of 1.4 billion people when Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed a nationwide lockdown for three weeks on March 24 .
“ If ( the ) situation is not handled in these 21 days , the country and your family could go back 21 years , ” Modi said then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of whom were still unaware of the scale of the crisis in the country .
The nationwide lockdown , then extended for five more weeks , came at an enormous economic cost amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis when millions of impoverished migrant workers were forced to return to the countryside due to job losses and hunger .
Aimed at increasing the capacity of the health care system , the lockdown slowed down the virus , but it wasn ’ t enough .
Cases kept increasing while testing still remained abysmally low and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast landscape — from high up in the Himalayan Kashmir to the sprawling beaches of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu .
“ Slowdown isn ’ t eradication , ” said Jayaprakash Muliyil , an epidemiologist at the Christian Medical College in Vellore .
Muliyil said that India had to try and slow down the virus because it didn ’ t have enough beds but was only partly successful since the “ requirement was quite large.
” India ’ s public health care system is one of the most chronically underfunded in the world and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very low .
Experts say the challenge for India will be to tightrope the opening up of the economy while trying to restrict the increase in cases to manageable levels that don ’ t overwhelm hospitals .
“ India ’ s strategy going forward will revolve around containment zones , ” said Rajesh Bhushan of India ’ s federal Health Ministry .
Once more zones are mapped out , health care workers will go from house to house and test those with symptoms , he said .
Dr. Ujjwal Parakh , a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Ganga Ram Hospital , New Delhi , said authorities could have been more transparent about testing guidelines .
Initially , India had some of the world ’ s most stringent testing criteria and used only about a third of its testing capacity .
After months of sluggishness , it has now ramped up testing , from a single lab in January to over 1,200 .
Over 300,000 samples are being tested every day .
In some cities , it has also allowed tests without a doctor ’ s prescription .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things we know work .
Open the economy , as much as it is safe .
Track things very closely , ” said Jha .
“ But don ’ t let the virus get a foothold .
”

NEW DELHI — India crossed 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday, third only to the United States and Brazil, prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country’s feeble health care system.
A surge of 34.956 new cases in the past 24 hours took the national total to 1,003,832.
The Health Ministry also reported a record number of 687 deaths for a total of 25,602. It said 635,757 people have recovered and the recovery rate was continuing to improve at 63%.
The grim milestone comes at a time when several Indian states are imposing focused lockdowns to stem the outbreak amid frantic efforts by local governments to protect the economy.
So far, three states — Maharashtra, Delhi and Tamil Nadu — have accounted for more than half of total cases. But in India’s vast countryside, which is much less prepared and with weaker health care, the pandemic is clearly growing.
“The acceleration in cases remains the main challenge for India in the coming days,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, adding that a vast majority of cases were still being missed.
The continuing surge has forced authorities to reinstate lockdowns in some cities and states.
In Bangalore, a city that prides itself as the center of Indian technology innovation, the government ordered a weeklong lockdown that began Tuesday evening after the cases surged exponentially.
In Bihar, an eastern state with a population of 128 million and a fragile health system, a two-week lockdown was announced Thursday.
In Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state with more than 200 million people, authorities have started placing residents under strict weekend curfews, which will remain in place until the end of the month.
Other local governments are increasingly focusing on smaller lockdowns that shield the economy. Nearly a dozen states have imposed restrictions on “containment zones” — areas that can be as small as a few houses or a street.
Dr. Anant Bhan, a global health researcher, said that India was likely to see “a series of peaks,” as the infection spread in rural areas. He pointed out that the capital of New Delhi and the financial capital, Mumbai, had already seen surges, while infections have now shifted to smaller cities.
India’s response to the virus was initially sluggish and then it bought time by locking down its entire population of 1.4 billion people when Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed a nationwide lockdown for three weeks on March 24.
“If (the) situation is not handled in these 21 days, the country and your family could go back 21 years,” Modi said then in a televised address to Indians, many of whom were still unaware of the scale of the crisis in the country.
The nationwide lockdown, then extended for five more weeks, came at an enormous economic cost amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis when millions of impoverished migrant workers were forced to return to the countryside due to job losses and hunger.
Aimed at increasing the capacity of the health care system, the lockdown slowed down the virus, but it wasn’t enough. Cases kept increasing while testing still remained abysmally low and the virus rocketed through India’s vast landscape — from high up in the Himalayan Kashmir to the sprawling beaches of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
“Slowdown isn’t eradication,” said Jayaprakash Muliyil, an epidemiologist at the Christian Medical College in Vellore.
Muliyil said that India had to try and slow down the virus because it didn’t have enough beds but was only partly successful since the “requirement was quite large.”
India’s public health care system is one of the most chronically underfunded in the world and access to hospitals in rural areas is very low. Experts say the challenge for India will be to tightrope the opening up of the economy while trying to restrict the increase in cases to manageable levels that don’t overwhelm hospitals.
“India’s strategy going forward will revolve around containment zones,” said Rajesh Bhushan of India’s federal Health Ministry. Once more zones are mapped out, health care workers will go from house to house and test those with symptoms, he said.
Experts say low testing remains a concern.
Dr. Ujjwal Parakh, a senior consultant at the department of respiratory medicine at Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, said authorities could have been more transparent about testing guidelines.
Initially, India had some of the world’s most stringent testing criteria and used only about a third of its testing capacity. After months of sluggishness, it has now ramped up testing, from a single lab in January to over 1,200.
Over 300,000 samples are being tested every day. In some cities, it has also allowed tests without a doctor’s prescription. “The battle plan is to do all the things we know work. Open the economy, as much as it is safe. Track things very closely,” said Jha. “But don’t let the virus get a foothold.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Red Bulls fail to get shot on goal in ugly loss to Crew

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. — Gyasi Zardes and Lucas Zelarayan scored for the Columbus Crew in a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Thusday night to clinch a spot in the knockout round of the MLS is Back tournament .
With a pair of wins to open the World Cup-style tournament , the Crew have all but secured the top spot in their group with a final match against Atlanta on Tuesday .
Zardes threatened in the 17th minute but his header went into the net atop the goal .
He scored in the 23rd minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games .
It was his 70th career MLS goal .
Pedro Santos nearly added another goal for the Crew from distance in the 40th minute but Red Bulls goalkeeper David Jensen dove to push the ball into the post and away from the net .
Zelarayan scored in the opening minutes of the second half .
The Crew signed the Argentine attacking midfielder from Tigres UANL for a club record transfer fee in the offseason .
Zardes broke away for a chance at a second goal in the 74th minute but he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Bulls had no shots on goal in the game .
Sebastian Berhalter , son of U.S. men ’ s national team coach Gregg Berhalter , got the start in the midfield for the Crew .
Columbus opened the tournament with a 4-0 rout of Ohio rival Cincinnati FC .
Florian Valot scored the lone goal in the Red Bulls ’ tournament opening victory over Atlanta .
The 24 teams playing in the tournament are divided into six groups for the preliminary stage , with results counting toward the regular season .
Nashville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdraw because of positive COVID-19 tests .
The tournament is being played without fans at ESPN ’ s Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World .
Both the Crew and the Red Bulls opened the regular season with a win and a draw before the league was shut down by the coronavirus outbreak .

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Gyasi Zardes and Lucas Zelarayan scored for the Columbus Crew in a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Thusday night to clinch a spot in the knockout round of the MLS is Back tournament.
With a pair of wins to open the World Cup-style tournament, the Crew have all but secured the top spot in their group with a final match against Atlanta on Tuesday.
Zardes threatened in the 17th minute but his header went into the net atop the goal. He scored in the 23rd minute, for his third goal in two games. It was his 70th career MLS goal.
Pedro Santos nearly added another goal for the Crew from distance in the 40th minute but Red Bulls goalkeeper David Jensen dove to push the ball into the post and away from the net.
Zelarayan scored in the opening minutes of the second half. The Crew signed the Argentine attacking midfielder from Tigres UANL for a club record transfer fee in the offseason.
Zardes broke away for a chance at a second goal in the 74th minute but he was successfully tackled by Amro Tarek.
The Red Bulls had no shots on goal in the game.
Sebastian Berhalter, son of U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter, got the start in the midfield for the Crew.
Columbus opened the tournament with a 4-0 rout of Ohio rival Cincinnati FC.
Florian Valot scored the lone goal in the Red Bulls’ tournament opening victory over Atlanta.
The 24 teams playing in the tournament are divided into six groups for the preliminary stage, with results counting toward the regular season. Nashville SC and Dallas FC were forced to withdraw because of positive COVID-19 tests.
The tournament is being played without fans at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World.
Both the Crew and the Red Bulls opened the regular season with a win and a draw before the league was shut down by the coronavirus outbreak.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--9/11 responder finds US flag stuffed in portable toilet in upstate New York

A retired New York City firefighter who responded to 9/11 said he found an American flag stuffed into a portable toilet at a softball field where he played in a league for senior citizens in Poughkeepsie , N.Y. , this week .
The firefighter , Chris Edwards , told local media that he and the other players , many of them veterans and retired first responders , noticed the flag was missing from the field ’ s flagpole around 9 a.m. Wednesday .
Then 63-year-old Navy veteran Johnny Bellezza found it stuffed in the toilet , soaked in filth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is just absolutely the most disrespectful act against the flag I ’ ve seen in my lifetime , ” Edwards told the outlet .
“ I ’ m really choked up and upset , to see this.
” The men pulled it out , did what they could to clean it off and hung it to dry before a local police officer said he would contact the American Legion to coordinate its proper disposal , local radio station WPDH reported .
Police told the Poughkeepsie Journal that they did not have any suspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around town .
Marc Molinaro , the Dutchess County executive and a Republican who ran unsuccessfully against New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo in 2018 , condemned the vandalism .
“ This is entirely inexcusable & terribly disheartening , ” he tweeted .
“ Desecrating our flag & damaging public property is insulting , disgraceful and illegal.
” Molinaro added that while Americans have a right to express their political differences , vandalism is not protected .
“ We celebrate the right of our neighbors to exercise & express their views and beliefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this way .
Not ever.
” The vandalism occurred just days after someone in the nearby community of Washingtonville cut down a flagpole at a memorial to five firefighters who died in the Sept. 11 attacks .
After hacking down the flagpole , graffiti was left on its base .
An eagle figurine that had been perched atop the pole was found down the street next to a toppled sign at a church .
Washingtonville is across county lines in Orange County , about 30 miles south of Poughkeepsie .
Both communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York City .

A retired New York City firefighter who responded to 9/11 said he found an American flag stuffed into a portable toilet at a softball field where he played in a league for senior citizens in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., this week.
The firefighter, Chris Edwards, told local media that he and the other players, many of them veterans and retired first responders, noticed the flag was missing from the field’s flagpole around 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Then 63-year-old Navy veteran Johnny Bellezza found it stuffed in the toilet, soaked in filth, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported.
“This is just absolutely the most disrespectful act against the flag I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Edwards told the outlet. “I’m really choked up and upset, to see this.”
The men pulled it out, did what they could to clean it off and hung it to dry before a local police officer said he would contact the American Legion to coordinate its proper disposal, local radio station WPDH reported.
Police told the Poughkeepsie Journal that they did not have any suspects but would be increasing patrols in parks around town.
Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive and a Republican who ran unsuccessfully against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2018, condemned the vandalism.
“This is entirely inexcusable & terribly disheartening,” he tweeted. “Desecrating our flag & damaging public property is insulting, disgraceful and illegal.”
Molinaro added that while Americans have a right to express their political differences, vandalism is not protected.
“We celebrate the right of our neighbors to exercise & express their views and beliefs,” he wrote. “Not in this way. Not ever.”
The vandalism occurred just days after someone in the nearby community of Washingtonville cut down a flagpole at a memorial to five firefighters who died in the Sept. 11 attacks. After hacking down the flagpole, graffiti was left on its base.
An eagle figurine that had been perched atop the pole was found down the street next to a toppled sign at a church.
Washingtonville is across county lines in Orange County, about 30 miles south of Poughkeepsie.
Both communities are within the Hudson Valley, north of New York City.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Robinson Cano trying to find swing before Mets’ season starts

Robinson Cano kept active at home in the Dominican Republic during his hiatus from spring training 2.0 , but that doesn ’ t necessarily translate into game-readiness .
The Mets second baseman is on a mission over this final week before Opening Day to find his swing and stake a claim to a lineup spot .
“ It ’ s really hard right now , but I ’ ve also got to understand the situation , ” Cano said Thursday .
“ I was home training , do some biking every day and try to keep myself in shape , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks before the season starts.
” Cano began camp with the Mets but departed after three days of workouts .
He returned Wednesday , following an eight-day absence .
He declined to provide any details about his absence , saying he had “ personal issues ” and wanted the focus to remain on the team ’ s success .
Cano was among the players who arrived for early batting practice Thursday , before the Mets played an intrasquad scrimmage .
A day earlier Cano played three innings in a scrimmage and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to say that I feel behind , ” Cano said .
“ But I think we have got a week left , and I think I can get some at-bats , 20-25 , and for me the main thing right now is I feel good physically and was able to keep myself in shape.
” The Mets signed one of Cano ’ s closest friends , Melky Cabrera , and added him to the 60-player pool before camp .
Cabrera is among the veterans fighting for a bench role on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes Matt Adams and Eduardo Nunez .
“ [ Cabrera ] means a lot to me , ” Cano said .
“ We came over here with the Yankees and created a good relationship , won a championship together and it ’ s good to have him here .
I know what he can bring to the table and also he ’ s a guy with experience that can help the team from both sides of the plate , in the outfield .
He can help this team to win games.
” Cano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and expects the 24-year-old shortstop to continue with his improvement .
“ After the second half last year , the way he improved and the numbers he was able to put up , he was better than the year before , ” Cano said .
“ He came into spring training in shape and he ’ s a guy , he can still grow .
He will be one of the best shortstops in this game .
It ’ s just a matter of time and some guys take longer than the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 6¹/₃ hitless innings in an intrasquad scrimmage .
The only base runner allowed by the right-hander came on a Dominic Smith error at first base on a toss in the first inning .
Wacha , who threw 69 pitches , figures to receive a final tune-up for the regular season next week .
The goal is to get him to about 85 pitches in his next appearance .
Other highlights included Yoenis Cespedes easily reaching second base on a double to right field .
Cespedes ’ base-running is a focal point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double heel surgery that preceded multiple ankle fractures .
“ I was glad the way he came out of the box , looking like he had a chance to take two [ bases ] , ” manager Luis Rojas said .
“ He kept a good speed.
” Wilson Ramos smashed a two-run homer against Tyler Bashlor that carried the white team to a 3-1 victory .
Manager Luis Rojas has not announced a starting pitcher for Saturday ’ s exhibition game against the Yankees at Citi Field .
… Gordon Beckham returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Robinson Cano kept active at home in the Dominican Republic during his hiatus from spring training 2.0, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into game-readiness.
The Mets second baseman is on a mission over this final week before Opening Day to find his swing and stake a claim to a lineup spot.
“It’s really hard right now, but I’ve also got to understand the situation,” Cano said Thursday. “I was home training, do some biking every day and try to keep myself in shape, because it was like a week or two weeks before the season starts.”
Cano began camp with the Mets but departed after three days of workouts. He returned Wednesday, following an eight-day absence. He declined to provide any details about his absence, saying he had “personal issues” and wanted the focus to remain on the team’s success.
Cano was among the players who arrived for early batting practice Thursday, before the Mets played an intrasquad scrimmage. A day earlier Cano played three innings in a scrimmage and took two at-bats.
“I don’t want to say that I feel behind,” Cano said. “But I think we have got a week left, and I think I can get some at-bats, 20-25, and for me the main thing right now is I feel good physically and was able to keep myself in shape.”
The Mets signed one of Cano’s closest friends, Melky Cabrera, and added him to the 60-player pool before camp. Cabrera is among the veterans fighting for a bench role on the team, in a group that also includes Matt Adams and Eduardo Nunez.
“[Cabrera] means a lot to me,” Cano said. “We came over here with the Yankees and created a good relationship, won a championship together and it’s good to have him here. I know what he can bring to the table and also he’s a guy with experience that can help the team from both sides of the plate, in the outfield. He can help this team to win games.”
Cano has also become tight with Amed Rosario and expects the 24-year-old shortstop to continue with his improvement.
“After the second half last year, the way he improved and the numbers he was able to put up, he was better than the year before,” Cano said. “He came into spring training in shape and he’s a guy, he can still grow. He will be one of the best shortstops in this game. It’s just a matter of time and some guys take longer than the other ones.”
Michael Wacha pitched the equivalent of 6¹/₃ hitless innings in an intrasquad scrimmage. The only base runner allowed by the right-hander came on a Dominic Smith error at first base on a toss in the first inning. Wacha, who threw 69 pitches, figures to receive a final tune-up for the regular season next week. The goal is to get him to about 85 pitches in his next appearance.
Other highlights included Yoenis Cespedes easily reaching second base on a double to right field. Cespedes’ base-running is a focal point in camp as he attempts to return from double heel surgery that preceded multiple ankle fractures.
“I was glad the way he came out of the box, looking like he had a chance to take two [bases],” manager Luis Rojas said. “He kept a good speed.”
Wilson Ramos smashed a two-run homer against Tyler Bashlor that carried the white team to a 3-1 victory.
Manager Luis Rojas has not announced a starting pitcher for Saturday’s exhibition game against the Yankees at Citi Field. … Gordon Beckham returned to camp after a two-day absence.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--‘She’s a mess!’: Trump trashes niece over tell-all book

A New York appeals court judge on Wednesday gave the ...

President Trump joked that he’s the Book of the Month Club’s “ultimate member” in a tweet Friday night — as he trashed the tell-all from his niece Mary Trump as someone his parents “couldn’t stand.”
Trump went off on Mary and his former national security advisor, John Bolton, who have both sold staggering numbers of books savaging the president as a sociopath unfit for office.
“I am the ultimate member of The Book of the Month Club,” Trump cracked.
“First I have lowlife dummy John Bolton, a war mongering fool, violating the law (he released massive amounts of Classified Information) and an NDA in order to build badly needed credibility and make a few dollars, which….will all end up going to the government anyway,” he wrote in a tweet thread.
“Next up is Mary Trump, a seldom seen niece who knows little about me, says untruthful things about my wonderful parents (who couldn’t stand her!) and me, and violated her NDA,” he went on.
“She also broke the Law by givng [sic] out my….Tax Returns. She’s a mess! Many books have been written about me, some good, some bad.”
Bolton’s book from inside the White House, “The Room Where It Happened,” reached No. 1 on USA TODAY’s best-sellers list earlier this month, selling more than 780,000 copies in its first week.
The Trump administration fought tooth and nail to stop the release of the bombshell, in which Bolton laments, “I am hard pressed to identify any single Trump decision during my tenure that wasn’t driven by re-election calculations.”
Mary Trump’s book, “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man” — which Trump’s camp had also tried to block from hitting the shelves — provides an unflattering insider account of Trump’s childhood and an analysis of his psyche.
She writes that her uncle is the result of “one of the world’s most powerful and dysfunctional families” and was emotionally scarred by his “toxic” relationship with his father, the late developer Fred Trump.
Trump is predicting more ink to be spilled in the future.
“Both happily and sadly, there will be more to come!” he wrote of his future biographers.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Bill de Blasio bemoans the world he helped create

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday said that he ’ s “ very ...

“It does not make sense to me,” Mayor Bill de Blasio says. He’s “very unhappy” that the guy accused of punching NYPD Chief Terence Monahan and two other cops was released without bail.
“To assault anyone is absolutely unacceptable,” the mayor says, and “there needs to be consequences.” Also: “If you assault a police officer you’re assaulting all of us.”
Well, duh, Mr. Mayor: This is the world you’ve created.
De Blasio spent years feeding anti-cop narratives to the voters — heck, he basically won the 2013 Democratic mayoral primary by smearing the NYPD as racist. And while he’s avoided destroying the department as mayor, he’s also never stopped pandering to the far left by, for example, agreeing to close Rikers Island and, most recently, insisting that Black Lives Matter demonstrations don’t have to abide by the same lockdown rules as everyone else, as well as signing an “anti-chokehold” law that his own top cops say goes much too far.
He’s also used his power as mayor to put fellow progressives on the bench and elect them to the state Legislature, with considerable success. And it was those same progressives who pushed through the no-bail law, utterly ignoring everyone in law enforcement, even those with impeccable reform credentials, such as Albany DA David Soares.
So it’s no bail for looting or for assaulting a cop — or much else.
You got what you asked for, Blas. Stop pretending to be surprised.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Beijing makes it official: Seeking democracy is treason

Barely weeks after China imposed its new Hong Kong-crackdown law , citizens there courageously showed Beijing what they think of it — by showing up last weekend to an unofficial “ opposition primary ” among pro-democracy candidates .
The Communists ’ response : threaten prison for all who voted .
That ’ s more than 600,000 people who showed up to choose among supporters of the months of demonstrations against Beijing ’ s efforts to crush the city ’ s freedoms .
Those protests stopped Hong Kong ’ s legislature from acting , so the mainland rulers had the puppet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of reach in Beijing — in blatant violation of the accord that restored Chinese sovereignty over the city but with a commitment to preserve its citizens ’ freedoms .
The new “ national security ” law effectively criminalizes any resistance to the Chinese Communist Party ’ s whims , rendering the city ’ s independent legal system and local laws irrelevant .
Hence the threat to the independent voters .
As Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam ( the Piglet to President Xi Jinping ’ s Pooh ) put it , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the objective of objecting or resisting every policy initiative , ” that counts as “ subverting the state power ” — which means voting could earn you years in prison .
Lester Shum , one of the candidates , called the turnout a sign “ Hong Kong people have still not given up.
” When they insist that democratic dissent is treason , how can you give up ?

Barely weeks after China imposed its new Hong Kong-crackdown law, citizens there courageously showed Beijing what they think of it — by showing up last weekend to an unofficial “opposition primary” among pro-democracy candidates. The Communists’ response: threaten prison for all who voted.
That’s more than 600,000 people who showed up to choose among supporters of the months of demonstrations against Beijing’s efforts to crush the city’s freedoms.
Those protests stopped Hong Kong’s legislature from acting, so the mainland rulers had the puppet national parliament do the job, sitting out of reach in Beijing — in blatant violation of the accord that restored Chinese sovereignty over the city but with a commitment to preserve its citizens’ freedoms.
The new “national security” law effectively criminalizes any resistance to the Chinese Communist Party’s whims, rendering the city’s independent legal system and local laws irrelevant.
Hence the threat to the independent voters. As Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (the Piglet to President Xi Jinping’s Pooh) put it, if the idea was to elect legislators “with the objective of objecting or resisting every policy initiative,” that counts as “subverting the state power” — which means voting could earn you years in prison.
Lester Shum, one of the candidates, called the turnout a sign “Hong Kong people have still not given up.” When they insist that democratic dissent is treason, how can you give up?


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--‘Emperor’ Andrew Cuomo’s insane ‘eat if you’re drinking at a bar’ order

If you had any doubts that power has gone to Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s head , his order that everyone has to eat when drinking at a New York bar should resolve the issue .
He theoretically has the power , since the Legislature basically made him a dictator for the duration of the pandemic with its grant of emergency powers before it fled Albany in early March .
But it ’ s one thing to issue an order — another to make it stick .
Nonetheless , His Royal Highness Andrew I insists that New Yorkers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just drink .
The rule applies statewide , but it ’ s Gotham that ’ s got his goat , as city residents have shown “ significant evidence of failure to comply ” with his previous orders , he claims .
“ The concept here was bars and restaurants would be allowed to do outdoor dining .
That is a dining situation .
You go with several people , you sit at a table and you have a meal , ” Cuomo said Thursday .
“ If you ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re just drinking , then it ’ s just an outdoor bar and people are mingling and they ’ re not isolated.
” So what ?
There ’ s no science here : The virus is no more likely to spread among people who are just drinking , rather than drinking and sharing some nachos .
It ’ s pure , puritanical preference on the gov ’ s part .
Has Cuomo gotten off his throne and spent any time with the peasants since outdoor dining started June 22 ?
Plenty of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not “ mingling ” without masks — and insisting you order food will only make it more likely you get drinks to-go rather than sit down .
The royal decree took effect Friday , amidst mixed messages from the palace .
Thursday , the emperor said establishments couldn ’ t just serve a bag of potato chips to kosherize their drinks — it had to be closer to a meal .
The next day , Cuomo minion Rich Azzopardi nonetheless said a $ 1 order of “ Cuomo Chips ” ( as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ consistent with the guidance — but you have to be seated.
” Coronavirus cases continue to drop in the state , with the number of people hospitalized on Friday hitting its lowest mark since March 18 .
Not even 1 percent of COVID-19 tests are coming back positive .
But the economy is still stung , with a 15.7 percent unemployment rate last month — 20.4 percent in the Big Apple .
Focus your royal eyes on that , governor .

If you had any doubts that power has gone to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s head, his order that everyone has to eat when drinking at a New York bar should resolve the issue.
He theoretically has the power, since the Legislature basically made him a dictator for the duration of the pandemic with its grant of emergency powers before it fled Albany in early March. But it’s one thing to issue an order — another to make it stick.
Nonetheless, His Royal Highness Andrew I insists that New Yorkers at a restaurant or bar must order food, not just drink.
The rule applies statewide, but it’s Gotham that’s got his goat, as city residents have shown “significant evidence of failure to comply” with his previous orders, he claims.
“The concept here was bars and restaurants would be allowed to do outdoor dining. That is a dining situation. You go with several people, you sit at a table and you have a meal,” Cuomo said Thursday. “If you’re not eating a meal, and you’re just drinking, then it’s just an outdoor bar and people are mingling and they’re not isolated.”
So what? There’s no science here: The virus is no more likely to spread among people who are just drinking, rather than drinking and sharing some nachos. It’s pure, puritanical preference on the gov’s part.
Has Cuomo gotten off his throne and spent any time with the peasants since outdoor dining started June 22? Plenty of people have had drinks sitting down at tables, not “mingling” without masks — and insisting you order food will only make it more likely you get drinks to-go rather than sit down.
The royal decree took effect Friday, amidst mixed messages from the palace. Thursday, the emperor said establishments couldn’t just serve a bag of potato chips to kosherize their drinks — it had to be closer to a meal. The next day, Cuomo minion Rich Azzopardi nonetheless said a $1 order of “Cuomo Chips” (as one punchy pub started offering) is “consistent with the guidance — but you have to be seated.”
Coronavirus cases continue to drop in the state, with the number of people hospitalized on Friday hitting its lowest mark since March 18. Not even 1 percent of COVID-19 tests are coming back positive.
But the economy is still stung, with a 15.7 percent unemployment rate last month — 20.4 percent in the Big Apple. Focus your royal eyes on that, governor.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Andrew Cuomo’s COVID-19 tall tales

Andrew Cuomo’s COVID-19 tall tales

Gov .
Andrew Cuomo must have a short memory — either that or he ’ s just trying to distract attention from his administration ’ s deadly coronavirus failures by criticizing President Trump ’ s many lifesaving actions .
During a recent press conference , Cuomo took yet another cheap shot at Trump , arguing that the president ’ s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was somehow worse than the infamous Watergate scandal .
“ You look at the facts , the facts clearly demonstrate Trump was wrong from Day One , and New Yorkers have been right from Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem is that Cuomo has been resoundingly — and tragically — wrong about the pandemic himself .
And unlike the Trump “ scandal ” that exists only within Cuomo ’ s imagination , Cuomo ’ s failure of leadership has been very real .
More people have died of COVID-19 in New York than in any other state — at least 6,000 of them in our nursing homes .
That is not something to be proud of .
On March 25 , Cuomo ’ s Department of Health issued a mandate forcing New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a move that alarmed infectious-disease experts nationwide .
“ If you introduce 4,500 people sick with a potentially lethal disease into a vulnerable and notoriously imperfectly monitored population , people are apt to die , ” said Dr. Charles Branas , chairman of the Epidemiology Department at Columbia ’ s Mailman School of Public Health .
The executive director of the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine , Christopher Laxton , also sharply condemned Cuomo for failing to consult clinical experts prior to implementing the policy .
After blistering criticism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health Web site , but it took almost two months for Cuomo to officially revise the deadly order .
By that point , the damage had already been done .
Many New York nursing homes had become breeding grounds for the virus , which turned out to be particularly dangerous to the elderly and infirm — exactly the sort of people who reside in nursing homes .
The Department of Health has now published its own report defending the March 25 order , but my colleagues and I are preparing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent probe into the Cuomo administration ’ s mandate to make sure we get the full , unvarnished truth .
The people of New York , nursing-home staff and the families of coronavirus victims deserve real answers from their governor — not deflection and partisan sniping .
Meanwhile , in contrast to Cuomo , President Trump has gone above and beyond to help New York win its battle against the virus , providing federal assistance whenever we needed it most .
For instance , the White House deployed a Navy hospital ship , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo himself admitted “ not only brought comfort but also saved lives ” in New York City .
At the president ’ s direction , the Army Corps of Engineers worked closely with state authorities to convert the Javits Convention Center and Westchester County Center into dedicated COVID-19 hospitals .
Trump also secured thousands of ventilators for New York ( that we ultimately , fortunately , did not need ) and millions of items of personal protective equipment for our first responders and health-care workers .
Our heroes were unable to rely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they were able to count on Trump .
Not long ago , the New York governor openly praised the president ’ s response to the pandemic , cheering that Trump “ delivered for New York ” and that “ by and large [ his strategy ] has worked.
” After the outbreak of the pandemic , I was careful not to pass early judgment against our elected leaders and their handling of the coronavirus .
The loss of people ’ s lives should never become a partisan issue , but Cuomo has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on politicizing this virus , even as it has already killed more than 32,000 of our fellow New Yorkers .
Cuomo ’ s desperate attempts to shift blame for his own failures onto the federal government must not distract us from the facts : New Yorkers must hold Gov .
Cuomo and his administration accountable for their deadly failures .
Kevin Byrne represents the 94th Assembly District , including portions of Westchester and Putnam counties , and serves as the ranking minority member of the Assembly Health Committee .

Gov. Andrew Cuomo must have a short memory — either that or he’s just trying to distract attention from his administration’s deadly coronavirus failures by criticizing President Trump’s many lifesaving actions.
During a recent press conference, Cuomo took yet another cheap shot at Trump, arguing that the president’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was somehow worse than the infamous Watergate scandal.
“You look at the facts, the facts clearly demonstrate Trump was wrong from Day One, and New Yorkers have been right from Day One,” Cuomo bragged.
The problem is that Cuomo has been resoundingly — and tragically — wrong about the pandemic himself. And unlike the Trump “scandal” that exists only within Cuomo’s imagination, Cuomo’s failure of leadership has been very real. More people have died of COVID-19 in New York than in any other state — at least 6,000 of them in our nursing homes. That is not something to be proud of.
On March 25, Cuomo’s Department of Health issued a mandate forcing New York nursing homes to admit coronavirus patients — a move that alarmed infectious-disease experts nationwide.
“If you introduce 4,500 people sick with a potentially lethal disease into a vulnerable and notoriously imperfectly monitored population, people are apt to die,” said Dr. Charles Branas, chairman of the Epidemiology Department at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health.
The executive director of the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, Christopher Laxton, also sharply condemned Cuomo for failing to consult clinical experts prior to implementing the policy.
After blistering criticism, the controversial mandate mysteriously disappeared from the Department of Health Web site, but it took almost two months for Cuomo to officially revise the deadly order. By that point, the damage had already been done. Many New York nursing homes had become breeding grounds for the virus, which turned out to be particularly dangerous to the elderly and infirm — exactly the sort of people who reside in nursing homes.
The Department of Health has now published its own report defending the March 25 order, but my colleagues and I are preparing for a public hearing and calling for an independent probe into the Cuomo administration’s mandate to make sure we get the full, unvarnished truth.
The people of New York, nursing-home staff and the families of coronavirus victims deserve real answers from their governor — not deflection and partisan sniping.
Meanwhile, in contrast to Cuomo, President Trump has gone above and beyond to help New York win its battle against the virus, providing federal assistance whenever we needed it most. For instance, the White House deployed a Navy hospital ship, USNS Comfort, to Manhattan, which Cuomo himself admitted “not only brought comfort but also saved lives” in New York City.
At the president’s direction, the Army Corps of Engineers worked closely with state authorities to convert the Javits Convention Center and Westchester County Center into dedicated COVID-19 hospitals.
Trump also secured thousands of ventilators for New York (that we ultimately, fortunately, did not need) and millions of items of personal protective equipment for our first responders and health-care workers. Our heroes were unable to rely on Cuomo or Mayor Bill de Blasio, but they were able to count on Trump.
Not long ago, the New York governor openly praised the president’s response to the pandemic, cheering that Trump “delivered for New York” and that “by and large [his strategy] has worked.”
After the outbreak of the pandemic, I was careful not to pass early judgment against our elected leaders and their handling of the coronavirus. The loss of people’s lives should never become a partisan issue, but Cuomo has made it clear that he is all-in on politicizing this virus, even as it has already killed more than 32,000 of our fellow New Yorkers.
Cuomo’s desperate attempts to shift blame for his own failures onto the federal government must not distract us from the facts: New Yorkers must hold Gov. Cuomo and his administration accountable for their deadly failures.
Kevin Byrne represents the 94th Assembly District, including portions of Westchester and Putnam counties, and serves as the ranking minority member of the Assembly Health Committee.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Mets’ Jacob deGrom plan doesn’t include Yankees tune-up

Jacob deGrom ’ s pursuit of his scheduled Opening Day start won ’ t include an exhibition tune-up against the Yankees .
The Mets ace , who was removed from his last start in an intrasquad scrimmage after only one inning because of back discomfort , threw 17 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and indicated he felt strong physically , according to manager Luis Rojas .
But the plan now is for deGrom to pitch in a simulated game Sunday instead of starting at Yankee Stadium , as originally planned .
Rick Porcello is scheduled to start against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corey Oswalt will start in deGrom ’ s place Sunday .
DeGrom will likely throw 50-60 pitches in his simulated game .
Rojas would like to have him in position to throw 85 pitches in the Mets ’ opener against the Braves on Friday .
“ He felt very loose [ Friday ] , so basically stayed on the same words that he ’ s used the last couple of days as far as saying it was tightness and with the treatment it got looser , ” Rojas said .
“ Today it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The same feeling as throwing the ball as usual.
” Yoenis Cespedes is expected to play in both exhibition games this weekend .
Rojas indicated he may use Cespedes as the DH on Saturday and then start him in left field the following night at Yankee Stadium .
It would be a test for Cespedes , who is attempting to show he ’ s mobile enough to be a consideration for outfield duties in addition to DH this season .
Submit your Mets questions here to be answered in an upcoming Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big gap , so if he ’ s moving around and taking a first step off the bat , if he can play left there and get challenged with a few plays that will say a lot to us , ” Rojas said .
“ That is something we haven ’ t seen yet in our games as much , it ’ s been fungo drills and different drills like that , but we want to see it in games too to get a better feel .
“ But every day he seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the bases just making turns , cutting angles , so he ’ s done his homework as far as the progression and doing what he has to with the performance staff.
” Jed Lowrie ’ s running ability is still a concern to team officials with less than a week before Opening Day .
Though Lowrie has participated in intrasquad scrimmages this week , he doesn ’ t appear to be a lock for the 30-man roster .
Lowrie missed almost all of last season with various ailments and has been wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have seen Jed ’ s progression in games , his at-bats , able to go out there and play second and third [ base ] , ” Rojas said .
“ Some of the challenges he ’ s had is running the bases and we still want to see that progression ramp up .
”

Jacob deGrom’s pursuit of his scheduled Opening Day start won’t include an exhibition tune-up against the Yankees.
The Mets ace, who was removed from his last start in an intrasquad scrimmage after only one inning because of back discomfort, threw 17 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and indicated he felt strong physically, according to manager Luis Rojas.
But the plan now is for deGrom to pitch in a simulated game Sunday instead of starting at Yankee Stadium, as originally planned.
Rick Porcello is scheduled to start against the Yankees on Saturday at Citi Field. Corey Oswalt will start in deGrom’s place Sunday.
DeGrom will likely throw 50-60 pitches in his simulated game. Rojas would like to have him in position to throw 85 pitches in the Mets’ opener against the Braves on Friday.
“He felt very loose [Friday], so basically stayed on the same words that he’s used the last couple of days as far as saying it was tightness and with the treatment it got looser,” Rojas said. “Today it felt like a regular side for him. The same feeling as throwing the ball as usual.”
Yoenis Cespedes is expected to play in both exhibition games this weekend. Rojas indicated he may use Cespedes as the DH on Saturday and then start him in left field the following night at Yankee Stadium.
It would be a test for Cespedes, who is attempting to show he’s mobile enough to be a consideration for outfield duties in addition to DH this season.
Submit your Mets questions here to be answered in an upcoming Post mailbag
“Yankee Stadium has got the big gap, so if he’s moving around and taking a first step off the bat, if he can play left there and get challenged with a few plays that will say a lot to us,” Rojas said. “That is something we haven’t seen yet in our games as much, it’s been fungo drills and different drills like that, but we want to see it in games too to get a better feel.
“But every day he seems to move better. We see him on the bases just making turns, cutting angles, so he’s done his homework as far as the progression and doing what he has to with the performance staff.”
Jed Lowrie’s running ability is still a concern to team officials with less than a week before Opening Day. Though Lowrie has participated in intrasquad scrimmages this week, he doesn’t appear to be a lock for the 30-man roster. Lowrie missed almost all of last season with various ailments and has been wearing a leg brace in camp.
“We have seen Jed’s progression in games, his at-bats, able to go out there and play second and third [base],” Rojas said. “Some of the challenges he’s had is running the bases and we still want to see that progression ramp up.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Joe Biden’s low-key campaign is all about hoping President Trump defeats himself

After he has repeatedly survived the unsurvivable , we are supposed ...

The Biden campaign has been lucky most of all, but it’s also been smart — at least smart enough.
To go, as Joe Biden did, from left for dead to sweeping to the nomination and quickly thereafter emerging as the favorite in November is a run of success that would be the envy of any national politician.
It’s easy to consider this a mere accident given the weakness of Biden’s opponents, first a socialist in the Democratic primaries who had a ceiling on his support and now an incumbent president whose ratings have sagged.
The Biden team certainly isn’t going to rewrite any campaign playbooks or dazzle anyone with its brilliance, but it has avoided serious mistakes and demonstrated an understanding of the basic political terrain and its candidate’s strengths.
It hasn’t asked Biden to do anything out of his comfort zone or beyond his capabilities and has been content for President Trump to dominate all the attention, so long as Trump is not advancing his own cause, and often setting it back, with all the airtime and headlines.
Above all, the campaign has avoided the most politically perilous ideological excesses throughout. This has required some discipline, given how influential woke Twitter is on the left.
Biden’s theory of the Democratic Party, even if it seemed doubtful at the outset, proved correct — that the center of gravity of the party was still with, as he put it, Obama-Biden Democrats rather than with the avowed socialists and social-justice warriors.
Biden hewed to this line when other candidates went the other way. It might seem obvious that endorsing “Medicare for All,” which involves yanking away the private health insurance of more than 100 million Americans, is foolish and politically indefensible, but several candidates in the Democratic race did it anyway.
He’s steered clear of other pitfalls since locking up the nomination. He’s said he wouldn’t ban fracking. He didn’t endorse defunding the police. He defended the statues of America’s founders.
He’s indisputably slid left. This has been his M.O. his entire career — to stay smack in the middle of whatever is the consensus position of the Democratic Party at any given time. He’s running on the leftmost platform of any Democratic nominee in a couple of generations but has tried to soften the edges as much as possible.
As a general matter, nothing he’s said has made much of an impression one way or the other. His campaign knows that it benefits if the election is a referendum on Trump — and is acting accordingly.
On the other hand, Trump should know that it hurts him if the election is a referendum on him — yet persists in making it one anyway. Why should Biden try to take the mic from Trump if the president is using it to feud with Bubba Wallace and Anthony Fauci?
Not only do these diversions do nothing to dent Biden, they serve to validate the former vice president’s case that the country needs a return to normalcy.
Still, nothing is decided in July. Events took a hand earlier this year in turning a political tailwind for Trump into a stiff headwind. Something unforeseeable could change the dynamic yet again, and better economic conditions could improve the overall atmosphere.
Biden’s record and agenda give Trump targets to shoot at, and he should obviously take every opportunity to make the election, to the extent he can, about the radicalism of the Democratic Party.
Finally, there’s the fact that Biden is an unsteady performer at best. The strictures around COVID-19 have relieved him of the rigors of the typical presidential campaign, but he’s going to have to emerge to participate in a debate or debates in the fall, and no one can rule out some catastrophic failure.
So Trump can’t be counted out. But the Biden campaign is canny enough that it isn’t going to make it easy for him.
Twitter: @RichLowry


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--‘Hanna’ star Mireille Enos does her own brutal fight scenes

Mireille Enos took matters into her own hands ( and fists ) for her brutal fight scenes on “ Hanna.
” “ I do my own stunts , ” says Enos , 44 , who portrays Marissa Weigler , the rogue CIA operative allied with Hanna ( Esme Creed-Miles ) in Season 2 of the Amazon drama , just renewed for a third season .
“ They have an incredible stunt team , these amazing women I was training with , and they were teaching me the fights and giving me meticulous notes , ” she says .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to do it “ I study martial arts myself and it ’ s a perpetual training course … keeping those skills honed , ” she says .
“ I do tae kwon do , which is different from the [ fight scenes ] style of the show … so before we started filming I spent a couple of weeks meeting with [ the stunt team ] two or three times a week to establish the movements .
“ As the scripts arrived , we would address how the fight scenes were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure I was up to speed.
” Weigler spends much of the season bruised , bloodied and stitched up as she and Hanna attempt to infiltrate — and destroy — UTRAX , the black-bag CIA operation tasked with turning young women into cold-blooded assassins with specific targets .
It ’ s headed by Weigler ’ s nominal boss , John Carmichael ( Dylan McDermott ) ; when the season begins , he ’ s unsure where Marissa ’ s loyalties lie .
That ’ s soon made crystal-clear .
“ At the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating a cover story for herself , to keep herself clean in the eyes of the CIA , ” Enos says .
“ That might have been the end of the story , except that Carmichael shows up with inside information about UTRAX and is trying to pull her back in .
I think it becomes clear pretty quickly to Marissa that she just feels the need to protect Hanna if that ’ s possible .
“ Hanna asks her , ‘ Why are you helping me ?
’ and she says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I think that ’ s true , ” she says .
“ It ’ s mysterious , even to Marissa , but she ’ s hit some wall where she can not be a part of Janna ’ s destruction.
” In the Season 2 finale ( no spoilers ! )
, Marissa makes it clear what ’ s in store for next season as she and Hanna continue their mission .
“ We definitely built an ending that was optimistic , ” Enos says .
“ I ’ m glad it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ about another season ] but with the pandemic , everything is up in the air .
“ For Amazon to go ahead and renew the show is really a comfort .
”

Mireille Enos took matters into her own hands (and fists) for her brutal fight scenes on “Hanna.”
“I do my own stunts,” says Enos, 44, who portrays Marissa Weigler, the rogue CIA operative allied with Hanna (Esme Creed-Miles) in Season 2 of the Amazon drama, just renewed for a third season.
“They have an incredible stunt team, these amazing women I was training with, and they were teaching me the fights and giving me meticulous notes,” she says. “But everything was in my grasp so I was able to do it
“I study martial arts myself and it’s a perpetual training course … keeping those skills honed,” she says. “I do tae kwon do, which is different from the [fight scenes] style of the show … so before we started filming I spent a couple of weeks meeting with [the stunt team] two or three times a week to establish the movements.
“As the scripts arrived, we would address how the fight scenes were choreographed and rehearse them separately to make sure I was up to speed.”
Weigler spends much of the season bruised, bloodied and stitched up as she and Hanna attempt to infiltrate — and destroy — UTRAX, the black-bag CIA operation tasked with turning young women into cold-blooded assassins with specific targets. It’s headed by Weigler’s nominal boss, John Carmichael (Dylan McDermott); when the season begins, he’s unsure where Marissa’s loyalties lie. That’s soon made crystal-clear.
“At the beginning of Season 2 [Marissa] is creating a cover story for herself, to keep herself clean in the eyes of the CIA,” Enos says. “That might have been the end of the story, except that Carmichael shows up with inside information about UTRAX and is trying to pull her back in. I think it becomes clear pretty quickly to Marissa that she just feels the need to protect Hanna if that’s possible.
“Hanna asks her, ‘Why are you helping me?’ and she says, ‘I don’t know.’ And I think that’s true,” she says. “It’s mysterious, even to Marissa, but she’s hit some wall where she cannot be a part of Janna’s destruction.”
In the Season 2 finale (no spoilers!), Marissa makes it clear what’s in store for next season as she and Hanna continue their mission.
“We definitely built an ending that was optimistic,” Enos says. “I’m glad it worked out. We did feel optimistic [about another season] but with the pandemic, everything is up in the air.
“For Amazon to go ahead and renew the show is really a comfort.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Tiger Woods hangs on to make Memorial cut: ‘Aging isn’t fun’

DUBLIN , Ohio — Tiger Woods left himself hanging on the precipice of making the wrong kind of history on Friday .
Woods , 44 , had never missed a cut in the 17 times he ’ s played Jack Nicklaus ’ Memorial Tournament , an event he ’ s won five times and finished out of the top 25 only three times .
After posting a 4-over-par 76 in Friday ’ s second round , though , Woods found himself having to wait out the afternoon to see if he was going to make his 18th consecutive cut at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competed his round , he stood at 3-over par for the tournament and was one shot out of the cut , which would proceed to fluctuate all afternoon from 2-over to 3-over before finally settling at 3-over .
That meant Woods lived to play another two rounds this weekend — albeit 12 shots out of the lead shared by Tony Finau and Ryan Palmer at 9-under .
Woods , who began his round on the 10th hole , stood on the tee at the par-5 seventh hole ( his 16th hole of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like he was a goner for the weekend — a rare Friday-afternoon trunk slam for him .
But he birdied Nos .
7 and 8 , where he made a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-3 , to scratch back to 3-over and within touching range of making the cut .
That Woods , who shot a 1-under 71 in Thursday ’ s opening round thanks to a birdie on 18 ( his final hole ) , was even in jeopardy of missing the cut was a surprise considering he birdied No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ At that moment , it looked like he was poised to make a run up the leaderboard and vault himself into contention .
Instead , he went the other way , carding bogeys on Nos .
13 , 15 and 17 and then a double on No .
10 and bogeys on Nos .
2 and 6 before he rallied with those birdies on 7 and 8 .
Woods , who missed the fairway on No .
9 , his final hole , and was forced to make a 7-foot par-save putt just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to play the weekend .
It was clear , particularly on his back nine , that Woods ’ balky back was bothering him as he kept missing tee shots to the right while releasing his right hand from the club on the follow-through .
“ I wasn ’ t quite moving as well as I ’ d like and couldn ’ t quite turn back and couldn ’ t quite clear , ’ ’ Woods said .
“ It was a bit of a struggle .
It started this morning during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite as good as I ’ d like .
“ Aging is not fun .
Early on in my career , I thought it was fantastic because I was getting better and better and better , and now I ’ m just trying to hold on.
’ ’ Woods ’ physical struggles on Friday came one day after he was asked if , after not having played a tournament in five months , he was concerned about the quick turnaround playing the second round .
His answer : “ No , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last few months .
I ’ ve gotten ready for this.
’ ’ Woods , however , indicated on Friday that he never really knows what he ’ s going to get from his body from day-to-day when he wakes up in the morning .
“ The last four or five years have been difficult as I ’ ve gone through [ back ] procedures and have tried to come back , ’ ’ he said .
“ It ’ s going to happen more times than not .
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as I used to have when I was training hard and running and all that stuff .
Granted , I ’ m a lot older now , so things change , they evolve .
Energy , you try to suck it up as best you can and get through it.
’ ’ Rory McIlroy , who along with Brooks Koepka was grouped with Woods the past two days , said after the round that he could see Woods laboring as the day went on .
“ He looked pretty good starting off , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we made the turn , he hit a couple fairway wood shots off the tee that he sort of quit on , ’ ’ McIlroy said .
“ It looked a little bit that way — that he wasn ’ t quite moving as well .
But he battled really well .
He made those two birdies coming in and a good save on 9 .
Hopefully that ’ s enough for him to be around for the weekend.
’ ’ He will be .
How his back will feel when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s guess .

DUBLIN, Ohio — Tiger Woods left himself hanging on the precipice of making the wrong kind of history on Friday.
Woods, 44, had never missed a cut in the 17 times he’s played Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament, an event he’s won five times and finished out of the top 25 only three times.
After posting a 4-over-par 76 in Friday’s second round, though, Woods found himself having to wait out the afternoon to see if he was going to make his 18th consecutive cut at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
When Woods competed his round, he stood at 3-over for the tournament and was one shot out of the cut, which would proceed to fluctuate all afternoon from 2-over to 3-over before finally settling at 3-over. That meant Woods lived to play another two rounds this weekend — albeit 12 shots out of the lead shared by Tony Finau and Ryan Palmer at 9-under. But Woods, whose balky back started to act up on the back nine, struggled.
“Aging is not fun,” Woods said. “Early on in my career, I thought it was fantastic because I was getting better and better and better, and now I’m just trying to hold on.’’
Woods, who began his round on the 10th hole, stood on the tee at the par-5 seventh hole (his 16th hole of the day) at 5-over and looking like he was a goner for the weekend — a rare Friday-afternoon trunk slam for him.
But he birdied Nos. 7 and 8, where he made a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-3, to scratch back to 3-over and within touching range of making the cut.
That Woods, who shot a 1-under 71 in Thursday’s opening round thanks to a birdie on 18 (his final hole), was even in jeopardy of missing the cut was a surprise considering he birdied No. 12 to get to 2-under par.
At that moment, it looked like he was poised to make a run up the leaderboard and vault himself into contention. Instead, he went the other way, carding bogeys on Nos. 13, 15 and 17 and then a double on No. 10 and bogeys on Nos. 2 and 6 before he rallied with those birdies on 7 and 8.
Woods, who missed the fairway on No. 9, his final hole, and was forced to make a 7-foot par-save putt just to stay at 3-over and give himself a chance to play the weekend.
It was clear in the second part of the round that Woods’ back was bothering him as he kept missing tee shots to the right while releasing his right hand from the club on the follow-through.
“I wasn’t quite moving as well as I’d like and couldn’t quite turn back and couldn’t quite clear,’’ Woods said. “It was a bit of a struggle. It started this morning during the warm-up. It wasn’t quite as good as I’d like.”
Woods’ physical struggles on Friday came one day after he was asked if, after not having played a tournament in five months, he was concerned about the quick turnaround playing the second round. His answer: “No, I’ve felt good about my training over the last few months. I’ve gotten ready for this.’’
Woods, however, indicated on Friday that he never really knows what he’s going to get from his body from day-to-day when he wakes up in the morning.
“The last four or five years have been difficult as I’ve gone through [back] procedures and have tried to come back,’’ he said. “It’s going to happen more times than not. I don’t have the same type of stamina as I used to have when I was training hard and running and all that stuff. Granted, I’m a lot older now, so things change, they evolve. Energy, you try to suck it up as best you can and get through it.’’
Rory McIlroy, who along with Brooks Koepka was grouped with Woods the past two days, said after the round that he could see Woods laboring as the day went on.
“He looked pretty good starting off, and then you could sort of tell when we made the turn, he hit a couple fairway wood shots off the tee that he sort of quit on,’’ McIlroy said. “It looked a little bit that way — that he wasn’t quite moving as well. But he battled really well. He made those two birdies coming in and a good save on 9. Hopefully that’s enough for him to be around for the weekend.’’
He will be. How his back will feel when he wakes on Saturday morning is anyone’s guess.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Bill de Blasio’s hopeless ‘violence interrupters’ cure for NYC’s soaring crime

It ’ s an anti-crime wave .
Gun violence exploded across the city ...

Every day in the city is marked by shootings, many deadly. Murders are up 23 percent this year, and the pace of shootings appears to be accelerating: Almost 400 people have been shot since Memorial Day.
To hear Mayor Bill de Blasio, though, you’d think things are going great. He brags almost daily about how New York is the “safest big city in America,” a description that’s steadily less true.
One wonders if the mayor is trolling the city, laughing up his sleeve as he performs what would resemble a successful chief executive’s lame-duck victory lap, if things weren’t unraveling so disastrously.
The NYPD’s anti-crime unit, which was focused singularly on disrupting gangs and getting guns off the street, was disbanded last month, and the city’s gangbangers have flourished in the new climate of freedom for thuggery and violence.
In response, the mayor has recommitted the city to supporting “violence interrupters” — local community groups that claim to be able to “Cure Violence” by quashing beefs and settling disputes before they flare out of control.
In Harlem last week, the mayor praised Iesha Sekou, the leader of Street Corner Resources, who planned an operation to “occupy the corners” to keep the neighborhood safe.
De Blasio stressed that “this city has put millions and millions of dollars into building up the Cure Violence Movement and the Crisis Management System, and it is really money well spent because we are going to the root of the problem. We are trying to create community solutions. You can police in some very effective ways, but that is not the same as addressing the root causes.”
OK, so why is there so much violence breaking out in precisely the areas where “millions and millions of dollars” have been spent to address “root causes,” at precisely the same time decriminalization, decarceration and anti-policing policies were launched?
“Oftentimes,” Sekou explained, “we have to go in the dark at night and have deep conversations about what’s really going on.” But you need to do “whatever is necessary to save the life,” she added. “Sometimes you have to grab a kid up once in a while and put them in the van and just say, look, you’re not getting out.”
“Some things are orthodox,” Sekou explained, “and sometimes you have to use some unorthodox moves, because it’s really, at the end of the day, about saving the life.”
“Grabbing a kid up” and locking him in a van or subjecting him to “unorthodox moves” might, in fact, be just the thing some truculent youths need to set them straight. I don’t condemn community-based “tough love,” though one suspects similar tactics by the NYPD would trigger lawsuits, protests and firings.
Another “Cure Violence” practitioner, Ife Charles, told the story of a young woman named Faith, who’d been “out in the streets years ago.” Over the course of a decade and many long conversations, Charles worked to get Faith out of a life of crime.
“I remember,” said Charles, when “she had her first child and she said to me, I’m not ready yet, because you can force someone to [do] something, and then they revert back quickly.” Eventually, Faith decided to turn her life around, and she is now a Cure Violence practitioner herself.
Tales of redemption are great. But young moms like Faith are not the source of most of the city’s violence. And if it really takes 10 years to turn someone away from a life of serious crime, then one must ask if that’s a successful outcome, given the millions of dollars spent on violence “interruption.”
Indeed, the science behind “curing violence” is thin and based largely on a metaphor. Because violence is sometimes described as “contagious” or an “epidemic,” why not treat it as a public-health problem?
But real contagious diseases have biological causes that can be identified and treated. They are actually less complex than dysfunctional human behavior, which is much harder to model.
The one proven method of reducing street crime is proactive policing, which New York practiced to great effect for two decades, cutting homicides 90 percent. Now that we are unwinding all that progress, let’s hope a few people are still in key positions to repair de Blasio’s grave errors.
Seth Barron is associate editor of City Journal. Twitter: @SethBarronNYC


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--‘Agents of SHIELD’ star Elizabeth Henstridge steps behind the camera to direct

“ Marvel ’ s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
” star Elizabeth Henstridge makes her directing debut in Wednesday ’ s episode , “ As I Have Always Been.
” In the episode , Daisy ( Chloe Bennett ) and Coulson ( Clark Gregg ) relive several failed attempts to save the team aboard their aircraft , the Zephyr , caught in an endless time loop .
“ Acting was my gateway into the industry … and with being lucky enough to be an actor on ‘ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
’ for so long , I got to the point where I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like I should push myself a little bit , ” says the British-born Henstridge , 32 .
“ It took me a second to admit to myself that [ directing is ] something I really wanted , ” she says .
“ It requires confidence and a willingness to step forward and say , ‘ I want to do this.
’ This episode was different than we ’ d ever done before , because of how the story is structured…it was definitely a steep learning curve.
” “ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
, ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is set in a world of superheroes and follows the agents of the titular peace-keeping spy agency dealing with various threats .
This season , they ’ ve been trying to prevent nefarious robotic beings called Chronicom hunters from erasing them from existence .
Henstridge plays cool-headed team member Jemma Simmons , one of the top science experts .
Her husband , Leopold Fitz ( Iain De Caestecker ) , has been on an offscreen mission this season — and Henstridge says viewers will learn a little more about that in Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point we will hear directly from Fitz and what he is doing , ” she says .
“ I think that will be a relief to some fans.
” Henstridge says she prepared for her new role behind the camera in several different ways .
“ I loved ‘ Russian Doll ’ … and I watched it again , ” she says .
“ I feel like they crafted that so beautifully .
And I watched ‘ Groundhog Day ’ and ‘ The Day after Tomorrow ’ and a bunch of the famous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The main thing with a time loop [ plotline ] is that you have to find a way to make it fast-paced and interesting , because you ’ re coming back to the same set a lot of the time , ” she says .
“ As a director , it ’ s a brilliant challenge to have.
” And , she says , Wednesday ’ s episode focuses on the two co-stars she ’ s particularly close to off-camera , Bennett and Gregg — so directing them was more of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chloe and Clark ] have both been huge supporters of me trying to direct , and to have them at the center of the episode was incredible , ” she says .
“ I kind of got the best episode to direct.
” As the series nears its conclusion , with only five episodes remaining ( there ’ s no finale date yet ) , Henstridge teases an emotional sendoff .
“ It was such a gift for the writers to be able to know that this would be our last season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that there ’ s some really sad bits but really joyful bits , ” she says .
“ I couldn ’ t imagine how they would end it in a way that I would feel happy with , but I love how we leave the show .
“ All good things must come to an end , but I think the writers did an incredible job …figuring out how we get to that point .
”

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” star Elizabeth Henstridge makes her directing debut in Wednesday’s episode, “As I Have Always Been.”
In the episode, Daisy (Chloe Bennett) and Coulson (Clark Gregg) relive several failed attempts to save the team aboard their aircraft, the Zephyr, caught in an endless time loop.
“Acting was my gateway into the industry … and with being lucky enough to be an actor on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ for so long, I got to the point where I felt quite comfortable and sort of felt like I should push myself a little bit,” says the British-born Henstridge, 32.
“It took me a second to admit to myself that [directing is] something I really wanted,” she says. “It requires confidence and a willingness to step forward and say, ‘I want to do this.’ This episode was different than we’d ever done before, because of how the story is structured…it was definitely a steep learning curve.”
“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” now in its seventh and final season, is set in a world of superheroes and follows the agents of the titular peace-keeping spy agency dealing with various threats. This season, they’ve been trying to prevent nefarious robotic beings called Chronicom hunters from erasing them from existence.
Henstridge plays cool-headed team member Jemma Simmons, one of the top science experts. Her husband, Leopold Fitz (Iain De Caestecker), has been on an offscreen mission this season — and Henstridge says viewers will learn a little more about that in Wednesday’s episode.
“At some point we will hear directly from Fitz and what he is doing,” she says. “I think that will be a relief to some fans.”
Henstridge says she prepared for her new role behind the camera in several different ways.
“I loved ‘Russian Doll’ … and I watched it again,” she says. “I feel like they crafted that so beautifully. And I watched ‘Groundhog Day’ and ‘The Day after Tomorrow’ and a bunch of the famous [movies] just to prepare.
“The main thing with a time loop [plotline] is that you have to find a way to make it fast-paced and interesting, because you’re coming back to the same set a lot of the time,” she says. “As a director, it’s a brilliant challenge to have.”
And, she says, Wednesday’s episode focuses on the two co-stars she’s particularly close to off-camera, Bennett and Gregg — so directing them was more of a treat than a task.
“[Chloe and Clark] have both been huge supporters of me trying to direct, and to have them at the center of the episode was incredible,” she says. “I kind of got the best episode to direct.”
As the series nears its conclusion, with only five episodes remaining (there’s no finale date yet), Henstridge teases an emotional sendoff.
“It was such a gift for the writers to be able to know that this would be our last season, and so it’s written in a way that there’s some really sad bits but really joyful bits,” she says. “I couldn’t imagine how they would end it in a way that I would feel happy with, but I love how we leave the show.
“All good things must come to an end, but I think the writers did an incredible job …figuring out how we get to that point.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Probe finds NYC’s hospital system cost lives because it wasn’t ready for COVID-19

Of the more than 3,500 people in the city who ...

Unpreparedness and disorganization at the city’s 11 public hospitals cost lives during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report by Comptroller Scott Stringer.
“This review found that NYC Health + Hospitals, and the larger system within which it has operated during the pandemic, faced an unprecedented situation for which no one was fully prepared. The lack of preparedness forced all players to improvise responses, sometimes successfully, sometimes not — but inevitably at a cost in human lives,” Stringer wrote Friday to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who had ordered the review on March 29.
The virus has killed over 23,000 city residents since March.
“Several deficiencies were noted, including inadequate access to needed supplies and equipment, a lack of systems and procedures for managing patient loads across hospitals, and insufficient protocols for deploying staff,” Stringer wrote.
Stringer said the findings were preliminary, and he expects to issue a fuller report after receiving additional documents from the city.
The initial review found that despite several planning exercises, city hospitals didn’t stockpile enough personal protective equipment or ventilators because of limited capacity and funds.
The probe also concludes that the public health system was too slow to expand hospital beds and transfer staff as the number of coronavirus patients surged.
“At the outset of the crisis, the existing systems were not equipped to handle the need and volume,” Stringer said.
H+H also took too long to centralize the procurement and distribution of personal protective gear, he wrote.
The hospital system eventually streamlined both processes. The federal government complicated the situation with “insufficient and conflicting guidance,” Stringer said.
Lastly, Stringer’s report urged local officials to “address the underlying inequities in access to health care that both directly resulted in a disproportionately high death toll among the city’s most vulnerable populations.”
“As of mid-May, the age-adjusted death rate was twice as high for Black and Hispanic New Yorkers than for the City’s white and Asian population. H+H’s outsized role in providing care to these vulnerable City residents most severely impacted by COVID-19 is frustrated by its lack of resources and financing,” Stringer wrote.
H+H spokeswoman Stephanie M. Guzmán defended the agency’s performance.
“Throughout this crisis, we acted as a system, coordinating across facilities and with our central office. Lives were saved across our city at the virus’s peak thanks to the heroic efforts of our staff, who tripled and quadrupled, ICU capacity, surged resources and personnel, and even came to the aid of our city’s private hospitals in their times of dire needs,” Guzmán said.
A rep for Cuomo applauded Stringer for the investigation and promised to review the findings.
“We commend the comptroller for undertaking this effort, we will review these preliminary findings, and look forward to his final conclusions,” Cuomo aide Rich Azzopardi told The Post.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--TLC’s ‘sMothered’ sneak peek: A daughter plays the spying game

TLC ’ s hit reality series “ sMothered , ” co-produced by The Post , follows several mother-daughter duos with @ @ @ @ @ , now in its penultimate episode , has introduced several new pairs , including Mary @ @ @ @ @ together and bond over plastic surgery — even though Brittani is only 19 .
There @ @ @ @ @ Alena , who do activities together so often that Alena still doesn ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ though she ’ s 21 , because Marcia drives for her .
Which brings us @ @ @ @ @ Sarah .
Because of Laurie ’ s myriad health issues , including diabetes and kidney @ @ @ @ @ acts like the parent in the relationship .
Her boyfriend , Miguel , often gets @ @ @ @ @ which have included driving an hour away to check on her mom in the middle @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t answer her phone .
In this episode , Sarah takes “ mothering @ @ @ @ @ too far .

TLC’s hit reality series “sMothered,” co-produced by The Post, follows several mother-daughter duos with serious bonds.
Season 2, now in its penultimate episode, has introduced several new pairs, including Mary and Brittani, who shower together and bond over plastic surgery — even though Brittani is only 19. There’s also Marcia and Alena, who do activities together so often that Alena still doesn’t know how to drive, even though she’s 21, because Marcia drives for her.
Which brings us to Florida duo Laurie and Sarah. Because of Laurie’s myriad health issues, including diabetes and kidney problems, 25-year-old daughter Sarah acts like the parent in the relationship. Her boyfriend, Miguel, often gets exasperated by her antics, which have included driving an hour away to check on her mom in the middle of the night when Laurie doesn’t answer her phone. In this episode, Sarah takes “mothering” her mom a step too far.
Check out this sneak preview.
“sMothered” airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on TLC.


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Yankees’ Clint Frazier unfazed by mask-pledge critics

Clint Frazier was widely praised for saying he would wear a mask during games throughout the regular season in an attempt to not just protect himself , but those around him .
But because this is 2020 , he also drew criticism from some .
“ It was interesting , ” Frazier said Friday of the reaction .
“ I got a lot of positive feedback and I got a lot of negative feedback , as well , just from wearing the mask.
” Asked about the negative feedback , Frazier said “ it was social media stuff .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Frazier said he was unfazed by the simple-minded comments .
“ It ’ s all good , ’ ’ Frazier said .
“ Everybody is entitled to their own opinion , but with the situation we ’ re in , with how fragile this virus is for some people , I ’ m not too worried about the negative feedback because moving forward , I think it ’ s the right thing to do , to protect myself and others around me .
We want to win the World Series and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy.
” As for the praise he got , Frazier will take it , but isn ’ t putting much into it .
“ As far as the maturity thing goes , I don ’ t really put much thought into that , ’ ’ Frazier said .
“ There are a lot of people who ’ ve said things about me that don ’ t really even know me .
It doesn ’ t really affect me , but if they think I ’ m growing up , I guess that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been limited for some of spring training 2.0 by plantar fasciitis and he ’ s unsure of how he will fit in once the season begins .
“ I think it ’ s pretty natural to let your mind wander to those areas , but something I ’ ve learned the last couple of years is stop trying to play GM , ’ ’ Frazier said .
“ I have a role .
I don ’ t know what that role is.
” Aaron Boone said he is pleased the Yankees will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Nationals Park in Washington after there was concern the series would need to be moved due to local coronavirus regulations .
According to local guidelines , players , coaches and staff would have to quarantine for 14 days if they were exposed to the coronavirus .
Since spring training 2.0 started on July 3 , eight Nationals players and one coach have had to enter the city ’ s mandatory 14-day quarantine .
Submit your Yankees questions here to be answered in an upcoming Post mailbag The team was looking at two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — their Single-A stadium in Fredericksburg , Va. and their spring training facility in West Palm Beach , Fla .
He talked to GM Brian Cashman on Thursday and found out they would be heading to Washington , after all .
“ It sounded like they worked through whatever issues they were having , ’ ’ Boone said .
“ It sounds like it ’ s all systems go down there , which is good to hear.
” Boone said Mike King will start Saturday ’ s exhibition game against the Mets at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chad Green , Tommy Kahnle and Adam Ottavino also will see action .
Jordan Montgomery is scheduled to start Sunday ’ s game against the Mets in The Bronx , followed by Jonathan Loaisiga .

Clint Frazier was widely praised for saying he would wear a mask during games throughout the regular season in an attempt to not just protect himself, but those around him.
But because this is 2020, he also drew criticism.
“It was interesting,” Frazier said Friday of the reaction. “I got a lot of positive feedback and I got a lot of negative feedback, as well, just from wearing the mask.”
Asked about the negative feedback, Frazier said, “It was social media stuff. I got called a sheep by some people.”
Frazier said he was unfazed by the simple-minded comments.
“It’s all good,’’ Frazier said. “Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but with the situation we’re in, with how fragile this virus is for some people, I’m not too worried about the negative feedback because moving forward, I think it’s the right thing to do, to protect myself and others around me. We want to win the World Series and the way to do that is to be healthy.”
As for the praise he got, Frazier will take it, but isn’t putting much into it.
“As far as the maturity thing goes, I don’t really put much thought into that,’’ Frazier said. “There are a lot of people who’ve said things about me that don’t really even know me. It doesn’t really affect me, but if they think I’m growing up, I guess that’s a positive right now.”
Frazier has been limited for some of spring training 2.0 by plantar fasciitis and he’s unsure of how he’ll fit in once the season begins.
“I think it’s pretty natural to let your mind wander to those areas, but something I’ve learned the last couple of years is stop trying to play GM,’’ Frazier said. “I have a role. I don’t know what that role is.”
Aaron Boone is pleased the Yankees will be able to open their season Thursday at Nationals Park after there was concern the series would need to be moved out of Washington due to local coronavirus regulations.
According to local guidelines, players, coaches and staff would have to quarantine for 14 days if they were exposed to the coronavirus. Since spring training 2.0 started on July 3, eight Nationals players and one coach have had to enter the city’s mandatory 14-day quarantine.
The team was looking at two possible venues to play the 2020 season — its Class-A stadium in Fredericksburg, Va. and its spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Submit your Yankees questions here to be answered in an upcoming Post mailbag
“I didn’t put a lot into it,’’ Boone said Friday.
He talked to GM Brian Cashman Thursday and found out they would be heading to Washington, after all.
“It sounded like they worked through whatever issues they were having,’’ Boone said. “It sounds like it’s all systems go down there, which is good to hear.”
There was piped-in crowd noise during Friday’s intrasquad game at the Stadium and it was greeted with lukewarm reviews.
“Early in the day, I really didn’t like it,’’ Boone said. “It sounded like we were trying to tune an AM radio to find a station and couldn’t find it. I felt better about it during the game. It felt a little bit more natural.”
Gerrit Cole started the game and said: “It’s not the same. It kind of sounds the same if you’re in the zone and not paying attention. Yankee fans sound a lot better than that manufactured sound. The general energy of people in the stands was not there. There was a moment or two of it being normal. I wasn’t catching myself saying, ‘This crowd noise is brutal.’ I didn’t mind it. I liked it better than the music.”
Boone said not all of his players would go to Citi Field for Saturday’s exhibition game against the Mets. He counted Friday as a scrimmage and said most of the regulars would play three of those four games through Monday. Mike King will start Saturday with Zack Britton, Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle and Adam Ottavino also seeing action. Jordan Montgomery is scheduled to start Sunday’s game against the Mets in The Bronx, followed by Jonathan Loaisiga.
Cole said he was adjusting to the new protocols instituted due to COVID-19, but at least one still needs some tinkering.
“We have to work out the rosin-bag situation,’’ Cole said. “At one point, we had three or four out there [near the mound] and someone is gonna trip on one.”


newyorkpost--2020-07-17--Critics of NJ’s COVID-19 rules can ‘go down to Georgia’, says Gov. Phil Murphy

Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp is suing the mayor of Atlanta ...

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivered a blunt message Friday to critics whining about his coronavirus restrictions — go to Georgia where cases are spiking and the governor has banned mask requirements.
“If you don’t like our leadership here, why don’t you go down to Georgia, and see how that feels,” Murphy said during his daily coronavirus briefing, NJ.com reported.
“We need responsible leadership. Suing communities that [are] requiring face coverings, it’s unfathomable,” the Democratic governor said, referring to his Peach State counterpart’s move to reverse local mask requirements.
Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp said he was suing Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms — who has tested positive for coronavirus herself — over the city’s mandate that people wear masks.
Kemp argues the measures violate his emergency orders.
“This lawsuit is on behalf of the Atlanta business owners and their hardworking employees who are struggling to survive during these difficult times,” tweeted Kemp, a staunch ally of President Trump.
”These men and women are doing their very best to put food on the table for their families while local elected officials shutter businesses and undermine economic growth.”
Bottoms fired back on Twitter.
“3104 Georgians have died and I and my family are amongst the 106k who have tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, I have been sued by @GovKemp for a mask mandate,” she wrote.
Murphy was ripped last week by some Republicans for mandating that New Jersey residents and visitors wear masks outdoors in public when social distancing wasn’t possible.
Masks have been required indoors in public for months.
New Jersey, once a coronavirus hotspot, has seen more than 15,000 deaths related to COVID-19 — second in the nation behind New York.
But the numbers dropped substantially and have remained stable in recent weeks.