SALINE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Saturday in Salina.

A 2001 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Jahdiel Mercado, 37, of Salina, was northbound in the 2600 Block of Centennial Road at a high rate of speed, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp;

The motorcycle struck the curb and a left turn sign at Derussy Road.

Mercado was ejected from the motorcycle. EMS transported him to a Wichita hospital where died. Mercado was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Alcohol and speed were contributing factors in the accident, according to Forrester.

SALINE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Saturday in Salina.A 2001 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Jahdiel Mercado, 37, of Salina, was northbound in the 2600 Block of Centennial Road at a high rate of speed, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp;The motorcycle struck the curb and a left turn sign at Derussy Road.Mercado was ejected from the motorcycle. EMS transported him to a Wichita hospital where died. Mercado was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Alcohol and speed were contributing factors in the accident, according to Forrester.

Police: Alcohol, speed a factor in fatal Kan. motorcycle crash

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attack on a grocery store security guard and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 2:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shoplifting call involving a disturbance at the Aldi, 105 SW 29th Street in Topeka, according to Sgt. Matt Danielson.

 Upon their arrival, officers learned that an armed security guard had been stabbed during the commission of a theft. That security guard was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Search efforts for the suspect began quickly into the investigation. The suspect was identified as 47-year-old&nbsp; Travis Huffstutler. Police later located him at the Econo Lodge in the 2000 block of SW Topeka Blvd, according to Danielson.

 A search warrant was served at that location and police found evidence of the crimes. Officers arrested and transported&nbsp; Huffstutler to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, and Theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587379504915.png" alt="Huffstutler" />
 <figcaption>Huffstutler</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attack on a grocery store security guard and have a suspect in custody.Just after 2:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shoplifting call involving a disturbance at the Aldi, 105 SW 29th Street in Topeka, according to Sgt. Matt Danielson. Upon their arrival, officers learned that an armed security guard had been stabbed during the commission of a theft. That security guard was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.Search efforts for the suspect began quickly into the investigation. The suspect was identified as 47-year-old&nbsp; Travis Huffstutler. Police later located him at the Econo Lodge in the 2000 block of SW Topeka Blvd, according to Danielson. A search warrant was served at that location and police found evidence of the crimes. Officers arrested and transported&nbsp; Huffstutler to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, and Theft.

Police: Kansas grocery store security guard stabbed

GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization chief warned Monday that “the worst is yet ahead of us” in the coronavirus outbreak, reviving the alarm just as many countries ease restrictive measures aimed at reducing its spread.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus didn’t specify why he believes the outbreak that has infected some 2.5 million people and killed over 166,000 could get worse. He and others, however, have previously pointed to the likely future spread of the illness through Africa, where health systems are far less developed.

“Trust us. The worst is yet ahead of us,” Tedros told reporters from WHO headquarters in Geneva. “Let’s prevent this tragedy. It’s a virus that many people still don’t understand.”

Some Asian and European governments have gradually eased or started relaxing “lockdown” measures like quarantines, school and business closures and restrictions on public gatherings, citing a decline in the growth of COVID-19 case counts and deaths.

Tedros and his agency have been on the defensive after President Donald Trump of the United States — the WHO’s biggest single donor — last week ordered a halt to U.S. funding for the agency, alleging that it botched the early response to the outbreak.

Among other things, Trump insisted WHO had failed to adequately share “in a timely and transparent” way information about the outbreak after it erupted in China late last year.

Tedros said: “There is no secret in WHO because keeping things confidential or secret is dangerous. It’s a health issue.”

“This virus is dangerous. It exploits cracks between us when we have differences,” he said.

Tedros said U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staffers have been seconded to work with his agency, suggesting that was a sign of WHO’s transparency.

“Having CDC staff (at WHO) means there is nothing hidden from the U.S. from Day One” Tedros said. “Our CDC colleagues also know that we give information immediately to anyone.”

In one of his starkest comparisons yet, the U.N. health agency chief also alluded to the so-called Spanish flu more than a century ago, saying the coronavirus has a “very dangerous combination ... like the 1918 flu that killed up to 100 million people.”

Tedros called the illness “Public Enemy No. 1,” and said: “We have been warning from Day One: This is a devil that everybody should fight.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587401715959.png" alt="General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during Monday's virus press conference" />
 <figcaption>General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during Monday's virus press conference</figcaption>
 </figure>GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization chief warned Monday that “the worst is yet ahead of us” in the coronavirus outbreak, reviving the alarm just as many countries ease restrictive measures aimed at reducing its spread.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus didn’t specify why he believes the outbreak that has infected some 2.5 million people and killed over 166,000 could get worse. He and others, however, have previously pointed to the likely future spread of the illness through Africa, where health systems are far less developed.“Trust us. The worst is yet ahead of us,” Tedros told reporters from WHO headquarters in Geneva. “Let’s prevent this tragedy. It’s a virus that many people still don’t understand.”Some Asian and European governments have gradually eased or started relaxing “lockdown” measures like quarantines, school and business closures and restrictions on public gatherings, citing a decline in the growth of COVID-19 case counts and deaths.Tedros and his agency have been on the defensive after President Donald Trump of the United States — the WHO’s biggest single donor — last week ordered a halt to U.S. funding for the agency, alleging that it botched the early response to the outbreak.Among other things, Trump insisted WHO had failed to adequately share “in a timely and transparent” way information about the outbreak after it erupted in China late last year.Tedros said: “There is no secret in WHO because keeping things confidential or secret is dangerous. It’s a health issue.”“This virus is dangerous. It exploits cracks between us when we have differences,” he said.Tedros said U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staffers have been seconded to work with his agency, suggesting that was a sign of WHO’s transparency.“Having CDC staff (at WHO) means there is nothing hidden from the U.S. from Day One” Tedros said. “Our CDC colleagues also know that we give information immediately to anyone.”In one of his starkest comparisons yet, the U.N. health agency chief also alluded to the so-called Spanish flu more than a century ago, saying the coronavirus has a “very dangerous combination ... like the 1918 flu that killed up to 100 million people.”Tedros called the illness “Public Enemy No. 1,” and said: “We have been warning from Day One: This is a devil that everybody should fight.”___

WHO chief says worst of virus outbreak yet to come

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A growing protest movement against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus reached Kansas City Monday, with between 75 and 100 people attending a rally to demand that the orders be lifted.

The event near the city's Country Club Plaza followed similar protests that began across the country last week, with some drawing much larger crowds.

Some people stood nearby the protesters in medical garb to support the orders, which require people to stay home except for essential business and ban gatherings of more than 10 people.

The protesters waved signs and U.S. flags and yelled their belief that the orders are unnecessary, are damaging the economy and violate the rights of U.S. citizens.

Another protest that had urged people to show up at City Hall and disrupt traffic and business there fizzled, with fewer than a dozen people showing up.

Government and health officials argue that the orders are necessary to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Kansas City Mayor Quenton Lucas announced last week that he was extending the city’s stay-at-home order until May 15.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has issued a stay-at-home order through May 3 but he said last week the state plans to take steps to begin reopening its economy the next day.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A growing national movement against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus was scheduled to arrive Kansas City this week.

Protests were held Monday in Kansas City and and are planned Tuesday in Jefferson City.

The protesters contend the stay-at-home orders are unnecessary and are seriously damaging the economy.

Government and health officials argue orders asking people to stay home except for essential business and to maintain social distancing are necessary to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

As of Monday morning, Missouri has recorded 199 deaths and 5,807 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering,

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A growing protest movement against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus reached Kansas City Monday, with between 75 and 100 people attending a rally to demand that the orders be lifted.The event near the city's Country Club Plaza followed similar protests that began across the country last week, with some drawing much larger crowds.Some people stood nearby the protesters in medical garb to support the orders, which require people to stay home except for essential business and ban gatherings of more than 10 people.The protesters waved signs and U.S. flags and yelled their belief that the orders are unnecessary, are damaging the economy and violate the rights of U.S. citizens.Another protest that had urged people to show up at City Hall and disrupt traffic and business there fizzled, with fewer than a dozen people showing up.Government and health officials argue that the orders are necessary to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.Kansas City Mayor Quenton Lucas announced last week that he was extending the city’s stay-at-home order until May 15.Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has issued a stay-at-home order through May 3 but he said last week the state plans to take steps to begin reopening its economy the next day.----------KANSAS CITY (AP) — A growing national movement against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus was scheduled to arrive Kansas City this week.Protests were held Monday in Kansas City and and are planned Tuesday in Jefferson City.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kansas City protest <a href="https://t.co/UqZgLmIL6J">pic.twitter.com/UqZgLmIL6J</a>&mdash; Dave Matt (@davematt88) <a href="https://twitter.com/davematt88/status/1252304121215975425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The protesters contend the stay-at-home orders are unnecessary and are seriously damaging the economy.Government and health officials argue orders asking people to stay home except for essential business and to maintain social distancing are necessary to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.Kansas City Mayor Quenton Lucas announced last week that he was extending the city’s stay-at-home order until May 15.Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has issued a stay-at-home order through May 3 but he said last week the state plans to take steps to begin reopening its economy the next day.As of Monday morning, Missouri has recorded 199 deaths and 5,807 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering,

Protests against Stay-At-Home orders in Kansas City

The Amber Alert issued for 2 boys abducted in Nebraska has was cancelled late Monday morning, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

The boys are safe and the suspect identified as Tanner Joel Leichleiter, 30, was apprehended during a traffic stop at 71st Street South and Ridge Road in Wichita, according to Sgt. Tim Myers, with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department.&nbsp;

Kansas issued an Amber Alert for two children abducted from Tekamah near Eastern Nebraska.

The Tekamah Police Department is looking children who were last seen at Tekamah and are believed to be in danger. The children's name are Marco De La Garza and&nbsp;and Isaac De La Garza.

Marco is a 7 year old boy, with Brown hair and was last seen wearing T-shirt and shorts.

The children may be in the company of 30-year-old Tanner Joel Leicheiter, described as 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair. They may be traveling in a White 2009 Ford Expedition Ne 31F325 that was last seen heading in an unknown direction.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Marco De La Garza, please call 911 or contact Tekamah Police Department at&nbsp;<a href="tel:+14023741500">402-374-1500</a>&nbsp;immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587431905539.png" alt="Tanner Joel Leichleiter -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Tanner Joel Leichleiter -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>The Amber Alert issued for 2 boys abducted in Nebraska has was cancelled late Monday morning, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.The boys are safe and the suspect identified as Tanner Joel Leichleiter, 30, was apprehended during a traffic stop at 71st Street South and Ridge Road in Wichita, according to Sgt. Tim Myers, with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587392749188.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Marco De La Garza" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Marco De La Garza</figcaption>
 </figure>---------Kansas issued an Amber Alert for two children abducted from Tekamah near Eastern Nebraska.The Tekamah Police Department is looking children who were last seen at Tekamah and are believed to be in danger. The children's name are Marco De La Garza and&nbsp;and Isaac De La Garza.Marco is a 7 year old boy, with Brown hair and was last seen wearing T-shirt and shorts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587393068606.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Isaac De La GarzaIsaac is a 4 year old boy.The children may be in the company of 30-year-old Tanner Joel Leicheiter, described as 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair. They may be traveling in a White 2009 Ford Expedition Ne 31F325 that was last seen heading in an unknown direction.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587392820004.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Tanner Joel LeicheiterIf you have any information on the whereabouts of Marco De La Garza, please call 911 or contact Tekamah Police Department at&nbsp;<a href="tel:+14023741500">402-374-1500</a>&nbsp;immediately.

Update: 2 boys safe, Amber Alert suspect arrested in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman in connection with a murder.

Just before 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a larceny that had just occurred at the QuikTrip in the 700 block of South Broadway in&nbsp; Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. A suspect later identified as 22-year-old Jessica Sanders, had attempted to steal items from the business.

An officer located Sanders walking in the area of Orme and Market.&nbsp; As he approached her in his vehicle, he observed Sanders fire a single shot into the ground from a handgun.&nbsp; The officer identified himself and gave her verbal instructions to stop.&nbsp; Sanders ignored the officer and continued to walk away from him and she entered&nbsp; a home in the 800 block of South Market.

As officers worked to contact Sanders inside the home, they observed a man inside the home deceased with a gunshot wound to his upper body.&nbsp; Investigators are working to confirm his identity.

The WPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was sent to the location to assist with the investigation. &nbsp;After several hours, utilizing time, distance, and communication, officers had Sanders exit the home, and she was arrested without further incident.

The investigation revealed Sanders had previously shot the man one time inside the home, causing his fatal injuries.&nbsp; Officers also recovered a handgun inside the house.&nbsp; Additionally, during the investigation, Sanders continually exhibited very erratic behavior, possibly induced by the use of illegal narcotics, according to Davidson.

Sanders is being held on a requested charge of 2nd-degree murder.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Police say an armed woman in her 20s has been arrested after a standoff in a Wichita home where the body of a man was found by officers. 

The standoff began around noon Sunday when officers were sent to a convenience store for a report of a woman&nbsp; suspected of robbing it. 

Police Capt. Windell Nicholson says responding officers spotted the woman later identified as 22-year-old Jessica Sanders, according to Sedgwick County arrest records, at a nearby intersection holding a gun, then heard a gunshot and saw Sanders run into a home. 

Several hours later, Sanders came out of the house and was arrested. Inside, police say they found a man in his 60s dead from injuries to his upper body.

Sanders is being held for <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20042351">2nd degree murder, </a>according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587386282797.png" alt="Sanders photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sanders photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman in connection with a murder.Just before 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a larceny that had just occurred at the QuikTrip in the 700 block of South Broadway in&nbsp; Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. A suspect later identified as 22-year-old Jessica Sanders, had attempted to steal items from the business.An officer located Sanders walking in the area of Orme and Market.&nbsp; As he approached her in his vehicle, he observed Sanders fire a single shot into the ground from a handgun.&nbsp; The officer identified himself and gave her verbal instructions to stop.&nbsp; Sanders ignored the officer and continued to walk away from him and she entered&nbsp; a home in the 800 block of South Market.As officers worked to contact Sanders inside the home, they observed a man inside the home deceased with a gunshot wound to his upper body.&nbsp; Investigators are working to confirm his identity.The WPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was sent to the location to assist with the investigation. &nbsp;After several hours, utilizing time, distance, and communication, officers had Sanders exit the home, and she was arrested without further incident.The investigation revealed Sanders had previously shot the man one time inside the home, causing his fatal injuries.&nbsp; Officers also recovered a handgun inside the house.&nbsp; Additionally, during the investigation, Sanders continually exhibited very erratic behavior, possibly induced by the use of illegal narcotics, according to Davidson.Sanders is being held on a requested charge of 2nd-degree murder.---------SEDGWICK COUNTY— Police say an armed woman in her 20s has been arrested after a standoff in a Wichita home where the body of a man was found by officers. The standoff began around noon Sunday when officers were sent to a convenience store for a report of a woman&nbsp; suspected of robbing it. Police Capt. Windell Nicholson says responding officers spotted the woman later identified as 22-year-old Jessica Sanders, according to Sedgwick County arrest records, at a nearby intersection holding a gun, then heard a gunshot and saw Sanders run into a home. Several hours later, Sanders came out of the house and was arrested. Inside, police say they found a man in his 60s dead from injuries to his upper body.Sanders is being held for <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20042351">2nd degree murder, </a>according to online jail records.-

Update: Woman arrested at Kan. home where body found

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has received more personal protective equipment and supplies to expand COVID-19 testing in communities with meat processing plants.

Gov. Laura Kelly announced Monday that the federal supplies will go to Finney, Ford and Seward counties in southwest Kansas and Lyon County in the east-central part of the state.

As of Monday, 336 people in those counties were infected with the coronavirus out of 1,986 statewide. The state has had 100 COVID-19-related deaths.

Cargill, Tyson Fresh Meats and National Beef have said employees at their processing plants tested positive. Kansas Department of Health and Environment is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track clusters connected to the processing plants.

Controlling the outbreaks is crucial: Plants in southwest Kansas account for 25 to 30% of beef processing in the country.

“You can see what’s happened in other states. I mean, you’ve got&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/26bf8fc20f2873d9701fd2ea95f87be4">South Dakota and Iowa</a>&nbsp;and I believe others,” Kelly told the Associated Press. “It would be a disaster if we had to shut down, so we’re trying to do everything that we can to keep those plants online.”

The facilities also have taken steps to improve safety, including staff health screenings, enhanced sanitation and social distancing.

Dr. Drew Miller, a family physician in Lakin in southwest Kansas, said that while the plants are trying to protect workers, an increase in cases in the region area is tied for now to the industry. Miller’s hospital in Kearny County sees patients from surrounding counties and he is a member of its four-person COVID-19 medical team.

“Meat-packing plants are essential, so people still have to go to work there,” he said. “There’s a lot of people working in a relatively confined area.”

The Kansas Chamber of Commerce released a plan Sunday for reopening the economy. It calls for allowing nonessential businesses to open if they are able to do things such as boost cleaning of common areas, provide flexible time off for sick employees and establish employee temperature monitoring.

The health status of geographic regions should be taken into consideration, according to the organization, and the most vulnerable people should be afforded specific protections.

Kelly said last week that she hopes to outline a plan for reopening the economy by the end of this week.

“We will just have to alter our behavior and our practices as we’re reopening the economy and maintain different kinds of health strategies until that vaccine is discovered, manufactured and distributed,” Kelly said.

The state saw the number of confirmed cases jump Monday by 137, or 7.4%. The number of COVID-19-related deaths rose by eight, or 8.7%.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587399671977.png" alt="Testing site at the Finney County Fairgrounds -photo Garden City Community College" />
 <figcaption>Testing site at the Finney County Fairgrounds -photo Garden City Community College</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has received more personal protective equipment and supplies to expand COVID-19 testing in communities with meat processing plants.Gov. Laura Kelly announced Monday that the federal supplies will go to Finney, Ford and Seward counties in southwest Kansas and Lyon County in the east-central part of the state.As of Monday, 336 people in those counties were infected with the coronavirus out of 1,986 statewide. The state has had 100 COVID-19-related deaths.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587410889962.png" alt="During the governor's Monday press briefing, Kanas Ag Secretary Mike Beam addressed the outbreak of the virus at Kansas meat packing plants" />
 <figcaption>During the governor's Monday press briefing, Kanas Ag Secretary Mike Beam addressed the outbreak of the virus at Kansas meat packing plants</figcaption>
 </figure>Cargill, Tyson Fresh Meats and National Beef have said employees at their processing plants tested positive. Kansas Department of Health and Environment is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track clusters connected to the processing plants.Controlling the outbreaks is crucial: Plants in southwest Kansas account for 25 to 30% of beef processing in the country.“You can see what’s happened in other states. I mean, you’ve got&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/26bf8fc20f2873d9701fd2ea95f87be4">South Dakota and Iowa</a>&nbsp;and I believe others,” Kelly told the Associated Press. “It would be a disaster if we had to shut down, so we’re trying to do everything that we can to keep those plants online.”The facilities also have taken steps to improve safety, including staff health screenings, enhanced sanitation and social distancing.Dr. Drew Miller, a family physician in Lakin in southwest Kansas, said that while the plants are trying to protect workers, an increase in cases in the region area is tied for now to the industry. Miller’s hospital in Kearny County sees patients from surrounding counties and he is a member of its four-person COVID-19 medical team.“Meat-packing plants are essential, so people still have to go to work there,” he said. “There’s a lot of people working in a relatively confined area.”REOPENING THE ECONOMYThe Kansas Chamber of Commerce released a plan Sunday for reopening the economy. It calls for allowing nonessential businesses to open if they are able to do things such as boost cleaning of common areas, provide flexible time off for sick employees and establish employee temperature monitoring.The health status of geographic regions should be taken into consideration, according to the organization, and the most vulnerable people should be afforded specific protections.Kelly said last week that she hopes to outline a plan for reopening the economy by the end of this week.“We will just have to alter our behavior and our practices as we’re reopening the economy and maintain different kinds of health strategies until that vaccine is discovered, manufactured and distributed,” Kelly said.NEW NUMBERSThe state saw the number of confirmed cases jump Monday by 137, or 7.4%. The number of COVID-19-related deaths rose by eight, or 8.7%.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.____

Kansas works to boost virus testing in meat processing towns

TOPEKA — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Chief Dr. Lee Norman discussed the state's battle with coronavirus during their Monday afternoon press conference.

During her opening remarks, Governor Kelly mentioned the state now has 100 deaths from coronavirus. She said that following her conference call last week that included President Trump., Kansas received additional ppe and testing supplies.

Kansas Ag Secretary Mike Beam also attended Monday's briefing and addressed the outbreak of coronavirus at meat processing plants in Kansas.

TOPEKA — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Chief Dr. Lee Norman discussed the state's battle with coronavirus during their Monday afternoon press conference.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F521688092071137%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>During her opening remarks, Governor Kelly mentioned the state now has 100 deaths from coronavirus. She said that following her conference call last week that included President Trump., Kansas received additional ppe and testing supplies.Kansas Ag Secretary Mike Beam also attended Monday's briefing and addressed the outbreak of coronavirus at meat processing plants in Kansas.

🎥 Kan. Gov., KDHE Secretary update fight against virus

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices plunged below zero on Monday as demand for energy collapses amid the coronavirus pandemic and traders didn't want to get stuck owning crude oil with nowhere to store it. 

A barrel of benchmark U.S. oil for May delivery fell to negative $3.70 per barrel. While the foray into negative territory was largely due to technical reasons, prices for other oil contracts also plummeted as storage facilities for crude come close to hitting their limits. 

The S&amp;P 500 was down 0.9%, giving up some of its big gains following its first back-to-back weekly gain since February.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574099609456.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices plunged below zero on Monday as demand for energy collapses amid the coronavirus pandemic and traders didn't want to get stuck owning crude oil with nowhere to store it. A barrel of benchmark U.S. oil for May delivery fell to negative $3.70 per barrel. While the foray into negative territory was largely due to technical reasons, prices for other oil contracts also plummeted as storage facilities for crude come close to hitting their limits. The S&amp;P 500 was down 0.9%, giving up some of its big gains following its first back-to-back weekly gain since February.

Oil price goes negative as demand collapses

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a car stolen in Salina Saturday morning was involved in a two-vehicle accident early Sunday morning in Topeka.

A&nbsp; 43-year-old Salina woman told police that she had an argument with a male subject she had picked up in Manhattan who had been staying with her since April 13, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The man left and allegedly took the woman's 2008 Dodge Caliber, valued at $5,000.

The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) reported that at 8:46 a.m. Sunday, a 2008 Dodge Caliber driven by a 40-year-old&nbsp; Brooke Aaron McLaughlin&nbsp; was involved in a two-vehicle accident in Topeka during a pursuit by law enforcement. 

According to the KHP, McLaughlin was fleeing from law enforcement southbound on Southeast Adams Street when he ran a red light at Southeast 37th Street and was struck on the driver's side by a 2002 Toyota Camry Solara that was westbound on Southeast 37th Street.

According to the KHP report, McLaughlin complained of pain and was transported a hospital in Topeka.&nbsp;

The driver of the Camry Solara, a 59-year-old woman from Topeka, complained of pain and was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital, according to the KHP.&nbsp;

According to Shawnee County Department of Corrections booking information, McLaughlin was arrested on requested charges of Aggravated battery, Felony possession of stolen property, Felony criminal damage to property, Registered offender obstructing apprehension of prosecution, Fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, Reckless driving, Failure to yield at a stop or yield sign, Vehicle displaying plate not assigned, Driving while suspended and Violation of the governor's proclamation

&nbsp;McLaughlin was also wanted by the Kansas Department of Corrections for a parole violation, according to Forester.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587399195298.jpeg" alt="Brooke Aaron McLaughlin has previous convictions for theft, battery of an officer and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Brooke Aaron McLaughlin has previous convictions for theft, battery of an officer and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a car stolen in Salina Saturday morning was involved in a two-vehicle accident early Sunday morning in Topeka. A&nbsp; 43-year-old Salina woman told police that she had an argument with a male subject she had picked up in Manhattan who had been staying with her since April 13, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The man left and allegedly took the woman's 2008 Dodge Caliber, valued at $5,000.The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) reported that at 8:46 a.m. Sunday, a 2008 Dodge Caliber driven by a 40-year-old&nbsp; Brooke Aaron McLaughlin&nbsp; was involved in a two-vehicle accident in Topeka during a pursuit by law enforcement. According to the KHP, McLaughlin was fleeing from law enforcement southbound on Southeast Adams Street when he ran a red light at Southeast 37th Street and was struck on the driver's side by a 2002 Toyota Camry Solara that was westbound on Southeast 37th Street.According to the KHP report, McLaughlin complained of pain and was transported a hospital in Topeka.&nbsp;The driver of the Camry Solara, a 59-year-old woman from Topeka, complained of pain and was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital, according to the KHP.&nbsp;According to Shawnee County Department of Corrections booking information, McLaughlin was arrested on requested charges of Aggravated battery, Felony possession of stolen property, Felony criminal damage to property, Registered offender obstructing apprehension of prosecution, Fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, Reckless driving, Failure to yield at a stop or yield sign, Vehicle displaying plate not assigned, Driving while suspended and Violation of the governor's proclamation&nbsp;McLaughlin was also wanted by the Kansas Department of Corrections for a parole violation, according to Forester.

Kan. felon captured after crash in stolen car

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 137&nbsp; to&nbsp; a total of 1,986, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 137&nbsp; to&nbsp; a total of 1,986, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.Statewide virus deaths increased to 100.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587402664031.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — School administrators across America are trying to re-imagine classrooms — and the prospect of reopening schools — in the era of social distancing.

Will there be staggered start times? Will students be asked to wear face coverings? Will class sizes be cut in half? What about school assemblies and sports and school buses and lunchtime?

With the majority of schools nationwide shut down, educators are scrambling to plan for the future after a chaotic few weeks that, for many districts, included closing all schools, deciding whether to waive assessment tests and whether and how to do distance learning. Next comes the important question of when schools can safely re-open.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out a few possible scenarios this week for reopening the state’s public schools to 6 million students, saying the timeline was still unclear but when students do eventually return things will look radically different.

“We need to get our kids back to school,” Newsom said. “And we need to do it in a safe way.”

The biggest challenge for schools is how to continue physical distancing among children and adults to ensure that “kids aren’t going to school, getting infected and then infecting grandma and grandpa,” Newsom said.

That could mean requiring schools to stagger schedules, with some students arriving in the morning and the rest in the afternoon. Officials will be rethinking gym class, recess, school assemblies and all scenarios where students gather in large groups, he said. State officials, educators and unions will discuss those ideas and other possibilities for safe schooling in the coming weeks and months.

Robert Hull, president and chief executive of the National Association of State Boards of Education, said administrators across the country are asking not how, but if, schools will reopen in the fall, and planning for any number of scenarios.

Everything is being considered, he said, from masks and gloves to cutting class sizes and adding portable classrooms. Officials also are weighing the virus’s impact on how school buildings and buses are cleaned, how to protect custodial staff, how food is prepared and how health care is delivered.

“Everybody says we hope we return to normal,” Hull said. “It’s not going to return to normal anytime soon because the new normal is going to be different.”

For the moment, many districts are focused on trying to get through the school year while keeping an eye on what might happen in the fall.

“You’re making battle plans,” Hull said. Schools need to plan for a variety of possibilities: What if the virus is contained? What if the curve is flattened but there are still infections in the community? What if a new wave is starting? Schools need “not just Plan A and Plan B, but it maybe Plan C and Plan D.”

Newsom said he won’t loosen California’s mandatory, stay-at-home order until hospitalizations, particularly those in intensive care units, “flatten and start to decline.” And he said the state needs more testing, treatment and the ability for businesses, schools and childcare facilities to continue the physical distancing that has come to dominate public life. He said he would revisit the question of easing restrictions in two weeks.

Similar conversations are taking place at state school boards across the country. The issue is on Idaho’s agenda Thursday, and several other states, including Arkansas and Mississippi, are starting to have the discussion, Hull said.

Issues of equity loom, including how to measure what students are learning and how to help those who have fallen behind. Many of the association’s members are discussing what to do this summer and contemplating whether to extend the school year to offer summer learning, Hull said.

When students do return to school in California’s rural Mariposa County, they will likely have to follow the same check-in procedure that local government employees do now, county Health Officer Eric Sergienko said. Before coming in each day, government employees answer a series of screening questions in a smart phone app with a checklist of symptoms. If they answer “yes” to any questions they have to stay home, and then get a follow-up call from a health officer.

“We would do the same thing for school,” Sergienko said. “If any (students) had symptoms, then we would exclude them from school.”

Education funding cutbacks have already led to teacher shortages in California and made campus nurses rare, raising questions about how officials might cope with extended days and ensure kids are healthy, said Tony Wold, associate superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District, which includes 55 schools.

“We can’t just build new schools overnight. Even if the state gives us more money, where will the teachers come from?” said Wold, listing the ways schools are not built for social distancing. In his district near San Francisco, schools already stagger lunchtimes and put 8 to 10 kids at each table. Gym classes can have upwards of 50 students, and there are no empty, unused classrooms.

He said some schools will likely extend virtual learning into the fall or possibly figure out a rotation mixing online learning and classroom education.

“We’re trying to reinvent how to do our business in a way we never did it before,” Wold said. “This is probably the most Herculean challenge I have ever seen in public education.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1564764567432.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — School administrators across America are trying to re-imagine classrooms — and the prospect of reopening schools — in the era of social distancing.Will there be staggered start times? Will students be asked to wear face coverings? Will class sizes be cut in half? What about school assemblies and sports and school buses and lunchtime?With the majority of schools nationwide shut down, educators are scrambling to plan for the future after a chaotic few weeks that, for many districts, included closing all schools, deciding whether to waive assessment tests and whether and how to do distance learning. Next comes the important question of when schools can safely re-open.California Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out a few possible scenarios this week for reopening the state’s public schools to 6 million students, saying the timeline was still unclear but when students do eventually return things will look radically different.“We need to get our kids back to school,” Newsom said. “And we need to do it in a safe way.”The biggest challenge for schools is how to continue physical distancing among children and adults to ensure that “kids aren’t going to school, getting infected and then infecting grandma and grandpa,” Newsom said.That could mean requiring schools to stagger schedules, with some students arriving in the morning and the rest in the afternoon. Officials will be rethinking gym class, recess, school assemblies and all scenarios where students gather in large groups, he said. State officials, educators and unions will discuss those ideas and other possibilities for safe schooling in the coming weeks and months.Robert Hull, president and chief executive of the National Association of State Boards of Education, said administrators across the country are asking not how, but if, schools will reopen in the fall, and planning for any number of scenarios.Everything is being considered, he said, from masks and gloves to cutting class sizes and adding portable classrooms. Officials also are weighing the virus’s impact on how school buildings and buses are cleaned, how to protect custodial staff, how food is prepared and how health care is delivered.“Everybody says we hope we return to normal,” Hull said. “It’s not going to return to normal anytime soon because the new normal is going to be different.”For the moment, many districts are focused on trying to get through the school year while keeping an eye on what might happen in the fall.“You’re making battle plans,” Hull said. Schools need to plan for a variety of possibilities: What if the virus is contained? What if the curve is flattened but there are still infections in the community? What if a new wave is starting? Schools need “not just Plan A and Plan B, but it maybe Plan C and Plan D.”Newsom said he won’t loosen California’s mandatory, stay-at-home order until hospitalizations, particularly those in intensive care units, “flatten and start to decline.” And he said the state needs more testing, treatment and the ability for businesses, schools and childcare facilities to continue the physical distancing that has come to dominate public life. He said he would revisit the question of easing restrictions in two weeks.Similar conversations are taking place at state school boards across the country. The issue is on Idaho’s agenda Thursday, and several other states, including Arkansas and Mississippi, are starting to have the discussion, Hull said.Issues of equity loom, including how to measure what students are learning and how to help those who have fallen behind. Many of the association’s members are discussing what to do this summer and contemplating whether to extend the school year to offer summer learning, Hull said.When students do return to school in California’s rural Mariposa County, they will likely have to follow the same check-in procedure that local government employees do now, county Health Officer Eric Sergienko said. Before coming in each day, government employees answer a series of screening questions in a smart phone app with a checklist of symptoms. If they answer “yes” to any questions they have to stay home, and then get a follow-up call from a health officer.“We would do the same thing for school,” Sergienko said. “If any (students) had symptoms, then we would exclude them from school.”Education funding cutbacks have already led to teacher shortages in California and made campus nurses rare, raising questions about how officials might cope with extended days and ensure kids are healthy, said Tony Wold, associate superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District, which includes 55 schools.“We can’t just build new schools overnight. Even if the state gives us more money, where will the teachers come from?” said Wold, listing the ways schools are not built for social distancing. In his district near San Francisco, schools already stagger lunchtimes and put 8 to 10 kids at each table. Gym classes can have upwards of 50 students, and there are no empty, unused classrooms.He said some schools will likely extend virtual learning into the fall or possibly figure out a rotation mixing online learning and classroom education.“We’re trying to reinvent how to do our business in a way we never did it before,” Wold said. “This is probably the most Herculean challenge I have ever seen in public education.”___

American schools may look radically different as they reopen

TOPEKA – The Kansas Rural Center (KRC) has been listening and responding to questions, mostly from farmers and community leaders working quickly to respond to the new realities of the pandemic. Like many, KRC has responded virtually moving meetings, resources, and communicating information <a href="http://kansasruralcenter.org.">exclusively online,</a> according to a media release.

One tool KRC has curated is a webpage with an extensive list of COVID -19 guidance, resources, and FAQ’s specifically for farmers, ranchers, food businesses, and communities responding to the pandemic. It can be found at <a href="http://kansasruralcenter.org/covid19-guidance/">kansasruralcenter.org/covid19-guidance</a>.

A few key takeaways are that producers are still ready and willing to get safe food to Kansans despite opening season of farmers markets being delayed or tentatively closed. 

 Farmers need to know that it’s still okay to sell products to consumers, all following best practices for public safety, of course. There are more and more resources becoming available by state and national agencies and organizations to help both farmers and consumers make shifts in access to food and markets.   

Among the resources KRC lists, the FAQ page tackles questions addressing how the shelter in place orders affect mobility and markets for farmers, grants and loans available to farms and small businesses, and how to purchase locally grown food from farmers. 

  Here in Kansas, organizations and agencies have created new COVID-19 resources such as best practices for farmers markets on the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s website and produce safety resources and webinars from K-State Extension. 

 Many farmers are pivoting to online sales and many resources have become available on how to make that shift and the tools to do it.   

Navigating the CARES Act aid options available specifically for farmers has so far proven confusing and overwhelming however many resources are becoming available to help clarify the options and processes.

   Farm Commons, a nonprofit that provides resources and services on farm law has provided several resources on farm eligibility and guidance on CARES Act aid provisions like the Paycheck Protection Program.  Farmers' Legal Action Group just released a “Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief” which focuses on how these various programs can provide relief to farmers.  All of these resources and more are linked on KRC’s COVID-19 resource pages.  

KRC is updating the <a href="http://kansasruralcenter.org.">webpage </a>everyday with new and updated information and resources. For questions or comments on what may be helpful to farms and communities amid the pandemic please reach out to KRC at info@kansasruralcenter.org or 866-579-5469.

For more information, visit <a href="https://kansasruralcenter.org/">kansasruralcenter.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587390815901.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – The Kansas Rural Center (KRC) has been listening and responding to questions, mostly from farmers and community leaders working quickly to respond to the new realities of the pandemic. Like many, KRC has responded virtually moving meetings, resources, and communicating information <a href="http://kansasruralcenter.org.">exclusively online,</a> according to a media release. One tool KRC has curated is a webpage with an extensive list of COVID -19 guidance, resources, and FAQ’s specifically for farmers, ranchers, food businesses, and communities responding to the pandemic. It can be found at <a href="http://kansasruralcenter.org/covid19-guidance/">kansasruralcenter.org/covid19-guidance</a>. A few key takeaways are that producers are still ready and willing to get safe food to Kansans despite opening season of farmers markets being delayed or tentatively closed. Farmers need to know that it’s still okay to sell products to consumers, all following best practices for public safety, of course. There are more and more resources becoming available by state and national agencies and organizations to help both farmers and consumers make shifts in access to food and markets. Among the resources KRC lists, the FAQ page tackles questions addressing how the shelter in place orders affect mobility and markets for farmers, grants and loans available to farms and small businesses, and how to purchase locally grown food from farmers. Here in Kansas, organizations and agencies have created new COVID-19 resources such as best practices for farmers markets on the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s website and produce safety resources and webinars from K-State Extension. Many farmers are pivoting to online sales and many resources have become available on how to make that shift and the tools to do it. Navigating the CARES Act aid options available specifically for farmers has so far proven confusing and overwhelming however many resources are becoming available to help clarify the options and processes. Farm Commons, a nonprofit that provides resources and services on farm law has provided several resources on farm eligibility and guidance on CARES Act aid provisions like the Paycheck Protection Program. Farmers' Legal Action Group just released a “Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief” which focuses on how these various programs can provide relief to farmers. All of these resources and more are linked on KRC’s COVID-19 resource pages. KRC is updating the <a href="http://kansasruralcenter.org.">webpage </a>everyday with new and updated information and resources. For questions or comments on what may be helpful to farms and communities amid the pandemic please reach out to KRC at info@kansasruralcenter.org or 866-579-5469. For more information, visit <a href="https://kansasruralcenter.org/">kansasruralcenter.org</a>.

KRC providing COVID-19 resources for farmers, ranchers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration and Congress are nearing an agreement on an aid package of up to $450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dded8ead64598a3893f4046bbe857d2e">run out of money&nbsp;</a>and add funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing.

President Donald Trump said Sunday, “We're getting close to a deal.”

Along with the small business boost, Trump said the negotiators were looking at "helping our hospitals," particularly hard-hit rural health care providers.

A deal could be announced Monday, the president said at a White House briefing.

With small-business owners reeling during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;outbreak that has shuttered much economic activity, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said earlier Sunday he was hopeful of a deal that could pass Congress quickly and get the Small Business Administration program back up by midweek.

“I think we’re very close to a deal today. I’m hopeful that we can get that done,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he believed a deal could be reached late Sunday or early Monday. “We still have a few more details to deal with,” he said.

The Senate is scheduled for a pro forma session Monday, but no vote has been set.

The House announced it could meet as soon as Wednesday for a recorded vote on the pending package, according to a schedule update from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Under the emerging deal there would be $300 billion for small-business payroll program, and $50 billion would be available for small business disaster fund. Additionally, it would bring $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing, according to those involved in the talks

On a conference call Sunday afternoon that included Trump, Mnuchin and Republican senators, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., indicated the only remaining item for discussion involved the money for testing, according to a Senate GOP leadership aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private call.

Under the emerging deal, the government’s Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses would get roughly $300 billion, according to Mnuchin. The program has been swamped by companies applying for loans and reached its appropriations limit last Thursday after approving nearly 1.7 million loans. That left thousands of small businesses in limbo as they sought help. An additional $50 billion in the evolving deal would go for disaster loans.

About $75 billion would go to U.S. hospitals, for those straining under a ballooning coronavirus caseload as well as those struggling to stay financially afloat after suspending elective surgeries during the pandemic. About $25 billion would be added for COVID-19 testing, something states have said was urgently needed. The money for hospitals and testing were priorities sought by congressional Democrats.

But additional aid to state and local governments would be left out, Mnuchin said. Democrats have been keen to boost funding to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered, but the issue threatened to provoke fights between large, high-tax states like California and New York and smaller states more typically run by Republicans.

“The president is willing to consider that in the next bill, but wants to get this over the finish line with a focus on small businesses, hospitals and testing,” Mnuchin said.

He said he’s been in touch with GOP leaders including McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and all are “on board with the same plan.” On the Sunday call with senators, Mnuchin and McConnell reiterated that money for state and local governments as well as food stamps would not be included in the package, according to the GOP aide.

“I’m hopeful that we can reach an agreement, that the Senate can pass this tomorrow, and that the House can take it up on Tuesday, and, Wednesday, we’d be back up and running,” Mnuchin said earlier in his TV interview.

Schumer said Democrats would insist on aid for state and local governments. They had submitted a compromise offer Friday that would provide $150 billion for states as well as cities, counties and towns based on need. ‪Key swing states for Trump in the November presidential election — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin — would receive billions in new aid under the proposal, according to a senior Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of private negotiations.

“We are pushing hard,” Schumer said. “We don’t want our police, our firefighters, our EMTs, our bus drivers — this is not an abstract issue. We don’t want them fired.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., predicted an agreement would be reached “soon.”

“I am pleased to report that we have been engaged in bipartisan negotiations on our interim legislation, and our progress is encouraging,” she said in a letter late Saturday to Democratic colleagues.

Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who leads the National Governors’ Association, said he and other governors believe that aid for state and local government is “desperately needed,'' but that it may not be an issue worth fighting over for now.

“I don’t think the deal is finalized yet,” he said. “But, look, we do not want to hold up funding to these small businesses. And we hope that the Democrats and the Republicans in the Senate can come together in a bipartisan way and get something moving for the American people."

Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said states needed money from the federal government to ramp up testing, and he blasted legislation that wouldn’t provide it.

“You have the president saying 15 times, ‘It’s up to the governors, it’s up to the governors, it’s up to the governors,'" he said. "And then they’re going to pass a piece of legislation that gives you know what to states: zero, zilch, nada, niente. Whatever language you want to say it, nothing. But then how are the states supposed to do this?”

The SBA loans, based on a company’s payroll costs, offer owners forgiveness if they retain workers or rehire those who have been laid off. The law provides for forgiveness for companies in any industry — even businesses like hedge funds and law firms. There’s a limit of $100,000 on the amount of employees’ compensation that can be considered when loan forgiveness is calculated.

While they wait, owners who are shut down or who’ve lost revenue have expressed unease about the longer-term impact the virus outbreak will have on their companies.

“There’s great pain out there,” said Suzanne Clark, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Every hour and day that goes by without this assistance is really hurting them.”

Mnuchin, Schumer and Hogan appeared on CNN's “State of the Union," and Clark spoke on CBS' “Face the Nation.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587378698890.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin doing television interviews on Sunday-image courtesy Dept. of Treasury" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin doing television interviews on Sunday-image courtesy Dept. of Treasury</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration and Congress are nearing an agreement on an aid package of up to $450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dded8ead64598a3893f4046bbe857d2e">run out of money&nbsp;</a>and add funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing.President Donald Trump said Sunday, “We're getting close to a deal.”Along with the small business boost, Trump said the negotiators were looking at "helping our hospitals," particularly hard-hit rural health care providers.A deal could be announced Monday, the president said at a White House briefing.With small-business owners reeling during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus</a>&nbsp;outbreak that has shuttered much economic activity, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said earlier Sunday he was hopeful of a deal that could pass Congress quickly and get the Small Business Administration program back up by midweek.“I think we’re very close to a deal today. I’m hopeful that we can get that done,” he said.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he believed a deal could be reached late Sunday or early Monday. “We still have a few more details to deal with,” he said.The Senate is scheduled for a pro forma session Monday, but no vote has been set.The House announced it could meet as soon as Wednesday for a recorded vote on the pending package, according to a schedule update from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.Under the emerging deal there would be $300 billion for small-business payroll program, and $50 billion would be available for small business disaster fund. Additionally, it would bring $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing, according to those involved in the talksOn a conference call Sunday afternoon that included Trump, Mnuchin and Republican senators, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., indicated the only remaining item for discussion involved the money for testing, according to a Senate GOP leadership aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private call.Under the emerging deal, the government’s Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses would get roughly $300 billion, according to Mnuchin. The program has been swamped by companies applying for loans and reached its appropriations limit last Thursday after approving nearly 1.7 million loans. That left thousands of small businesses in limbo as they sought help. An additional $50 billion in the evolving deal would go for disaster loans.About $75 billion would go to U.S. hospitals, for those straining under a ballooning coronavirus caseload as well as those struggling to stay financially afloat after suspending elective surgeries during the pandemic. About $25 billion would be added for COVID-19 testing, something states have said was urgently needed. The money for hospitals and testing were priorities sought by congressional Democrats.But additional aid to state and local governments would be left out, Mnuchin said. Democrats have been keen to boost funding to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered, but the issue threatened to provoke fights between large, high-tax states like California and New York and smaller states more typically run by Republicans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587378513189.png" alt="President Trump answers questions during Sunday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answers questions during Sunday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>“The president is willing to consider that in the next bill, but wants to get this over the finish line with a focus on small businesses, hospitals and testing,” Mnuchin said.He said he’s been in touch with GOP leaders including McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and all are “on board with the same plan.” On the Sunday call with senators, Mnuchin and McConnell reiterated that money for state and local governments as well as food stamps would not be included in the package, according to the GOP aide.“I’m hopeful that we can reach an agreement, that the Senate can pass this tomorrow, and that the House can take it up on Tuesday, and, Wednesday, we’d be back up and running,” Mnuchin said earlier in his TV interview.Schumer said Democrats would insist on aid for state and local governments. They had submitted a compromise offer Friday that would provide $150 billion for states as well as cities, counties and towns based on need. ‪Key swing states for Trump in the November presidential election — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin — would receive billions in new aid under the proposal, according to a senior Democratic aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of private negotiations.“We are pushing hard,” Schumer said. “We don’t want our police, our firefighters, our EMTs, our bus drivers — this is not an abstract issue. We don’t want them fired.”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., predicted an agreement would be reached “soon.”“I am pleased to report that we have been engaged in bipartisan negotiations on our interim legislation, and our progress is encouraging,” she said in a letter late Saturday to Democratic colleagues.Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who leads the National Governors’ Association, said he and other governors believe that aid for state and local government is “desperately needed,'' but that it may not be an issue worth fighting over for now.“I don’t think the deal is finalized yet,” he said. “But, look, we do not want to hold up funding to these small businesses. And we hope that the Democrats and the Republicans in the Senate can come together in a bipartisan way and get something moving for the American people."Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said states needed money from the federal government to ramp up testing, and he blasted legislation that wouldn’t provide it.“You have the president saying 15 times, ‘It’s up to the governors, it’s up to the governors, it’s up to the governors,'" he said. "And then they’re going to pass a piece of legislation that gives you know what to states: zero, zilch, nada, niente. Whatever language you want to say it, nothing. But then how are the states supposed to do this?”The SBA loans, based on a company’s payroll costs, offer owners forgiveness if they retain workers or rehire those who have been laid off. The law provides for forgiveness for companies in any industry — even businesses like hedge funds and law firms. There’s a limit of $100,000 on the amount of employees’ compensation that can be considered when loan forgiveness is calculated.While they wait, owners who are shut down or who’ve lost revenue have expressed unease about the longer-term impact the virus outbreak will have on their companies.“There’s great pain out there,” said Suzanne Clark, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Every hour and day that goes by without this assistance is really hurting them.”Mnuchin, Schumer and Hogan appeared on CNN's “State of the Union," and Clark spoke on CBS' “Face the Nation.”

Evolving virus aid package offers billions for hospitals, testing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cameron Karosis usually strives to protect his personal information. But a scary bout of COVID-19 that began last month with headaches and fevers, progressed to breathing problems and led to a hospital visit has now left him eager to disclose as much as possible to help halt the virus’ spread.

Karosis has already shared personal details with Massachusetts health investigators. And if he was asked to comply with a disease-tracking phone app that monitored his whereabouts but didn’t publicly reveal his name and Cambridge street address, he said he’d do that, too.

“I’m sick and I’m under a quarantine -- hold me accountable for it,” the 27-year-old software salesman said. “You have the potential to kill other people.”

As countries around the world edge toward ending lockdowns and restarting their economies and societies, citizens are being more closely monitored, in nations rich and poor, authoritarian and free.

New systems to track who is infected and who isn’t, and where they’ve been, have been created or extended in China, South Korea and Singapore. And a range of other surveillance systems – some utilizing GPS location data, some gathering medical data – have been debated or piloted in Israel, Germany, the U.K., Italy and elsewhere.

The challenge: achieving the tricky balance between limiting the spread of disease and allowing people freedom to move outside their homes.

Whether the prospect on the table is “immunity passports” or cellphone-based tracking apps, the aim is to protect public health. But experts say it’s also important to avoid a slippery-slope scenario where data collected to minimize the spread of disease is stored indefinitely, available without limits to law enforcement or susceptible to hackers.

“We need to build necessary guardrails for civil liberties,” said Jake Laperruque, a lawyer at the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight in Washington. “If new data is being collected for public health purposes, it should only be used for public health purposes.”

Right now, there is no single official plan for reopening the United States, where the constitutional system gives states responsibility for maintaining public safety and where deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise steeply.

Scientists believe that the hundreds of thousands of people who already have recovered from the virus worldwide are likely to have some immunity to future infection, but they aren’t sure for how long. To ensure new cases don’t overwhelm hospital capacity, any plans to relax lockdowns will include provisions to track infections.

“The virus is not going away – if we all just come out on a certain date, it will spread widely again,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, an infectious disease expert and former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “That means we need to think carefully about how and when we come out.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s top disease expert, said the administration has looked at the idea of issuing certificates of immunity to people whose blood tests reveal they have developed antibodies to fight the virus, among other possible plans. Yet they haven’t concluded that approach would be effective, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/46ee40035d500c4190489aea0adb126b">told</a>&nbsp;The Associated Press on Tuesday.

“I know people are anxious to say, ‘Well, we’ll give you a passport that says you’re antibody-positive, you can go to work and you’re protected.’ The worst possibility that would happen is if we’re actually wrong about that” and those people get infected.

Meanwhile, public health agencies from Massachusetts to the city of San Francisco have hired a surge of people to run “contact tracing” teams. Their mission is to identify anyone who has recently been in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, then encourage those people to get tested and perhaps isolate themselves. These meetings can be sensitive and require training, and support, to pull off effectively.

Aiming to take the tracing approach to a new scale are tech giants Apple and Google, which are jointly working to build smartphone technology that alerts users if they shared a park bench or grocery store aisle with a stranger later found to be infected with the virus.

Unlike the more invasive location-tracking methods attempted by some governments, the Apple-Google approach uses Bluetooth beacons to detect physical proximity and encrypted keys to maintain people’s anonymity. The companies say they’re building the software for public health departments only, on the condition that they won’t make use of them mandatory.

In addition to developing the technology, experts warn that the implications of deploying such devices need to be carefully considered. Who will collect and verify the data? How long will it be held? Will enough people use a voluntary app for it to be helpful?

“We know from history that ‘emergency measures’ too often last long beyond their initial expiry date,” said Deborah Brown, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch.

She also noted that systems that monitor cellphone location or GPS data reveal more than just where someone has recently been. “Your contacts and associations can be gleaned, potentially your religious or political beliefs,” she said -- for instance, if you’ve visited a church or mosque.

Susan Landau, a cybersecurity professor at Tufts University, said she has doubts about the effectiveness of relying on smartphone-based approaches, even if the apps are carefully designed to protect individual privacy.

“My real concern about the whole thing is I think it’s being oversold,” she said. “Does it reduce spread? I don’t doubt that. Does it enable us to eliminate social distancing? No, not as long as there’s a high portion of people who are asymptomatic.”

Collecting data should complement, but not substitute for, well-managed public health interventions, said Deborah Seligsohn, a political scientist at Villanova University.

It’s one thing to merely send a phone alert that someone exposed to a COVID-19 case should self-isolate for 14 days. It’s another to have government workers bring them groceries or other essentials to make that quarantine period possible if someone would otherwise have trouble complying, she said.

After the various lockdowns lift, it’s not clear how readily Americans will submit to tracking efforts.

Cameron Karosis had his mind changed by contracting the virus, but many others are still wrestling with the prospect of how far they’d be willing to go.

“Personally, I would not be thrilled to be forced into downloading an app, mostly because I don’t love the idea of Silicon Valley knowing even more about me than they already do,” said Maura Cunningham, a writer in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “But I’d probably give in on that pretty quickly if it were made a widespread prerequisite for getting back to normal activity at some point in the future. I’d definitely resist a blood test — that just feels too intrusive.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1570046351883.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Cameron Karosis usually strives to protect his personal information. But a scary bout of COVID-19 that began last month with headaches and fevers, progressed to breathing problems and led to a hospital visit has now left him eager to disclose as much as possible to help halt the virus’ spread.Karosis has already shared personal details with Massachusetts health investigators. And if he was asked to comply with a disease-tracking phone app that monitored his whereabouts but didn’t publicly reveal his name and Cambridge street address, he said he’d do that, too.“I’m sick and I’m under a quarantine -- hold me accountable for it,” the 27-year-old software salesman said. “You have the potential to kill other people.”As countries around the world edge toward ending lockdowns and restarting their economies and societies, citizens are being more closely monitored, in nations rich and poor, authoritarian and free.New systems to track who is infected and who isn’t, and where they’ve been, have been created or extended in China, South Korea and Singapore. And a range of other surveillance systems – some utilizing GPS location data, some gathering medical data – have been debated or piloted in Israel, Germany, the U.K., Italy and elsewhere.The challenge: achieving the tricky balance between limiting the spread of disease and allowing people freedom to move outside their homes.Whether the prospect on the table is “immunity passports” or cellphone-based tracking apps, the aim is to protect public health. But experts say it’s also important to avoid a slippery-slope scenario where data collected to minimize the spread of disease is stored indefinitely, available without limits to law enforcement or susceptible to hackers.“We need to build necessary guardrails for civil liberties,” said Jake Laperruque, a lawyer at the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight in Washington. “If new data is being collected for public health purposes, it should only be used for public health purposes.”Right now, there is no single official plan for reopening the United States, where the constitutional system gives states responsibility for maintaining public safety and where deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise steeply.Scientists believe that the hundreds of thousands of people who already have recovered from the virus worldwide are likely to have some immunity to future infection, but they aren’t sure for how long. To ensure new cases don’t overwhelm hospital capacity, any plans to relax lockdowns will include provisions to track infections.“The virus is not going away – if we all just come out on a certain date, it will spread widely again,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, an infectious disease expert and former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “That means we need to think carefully about how and when we come out.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586816593346.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci listens to President Trump during Friday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -White House image" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci listens to President Trump during Friday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s top disease expert, said the administration has looked at the idea of issuing certificates of immunity to people whose blood tests reveal they have developed antibodies to fight the virus, among other possible plans. Yet they haven’t concluded that approach would be effective, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/46ee40035d500c4190489aea0adb126b">told</a>&nbsp;The Associated Press on Tuesday.“I know people are anxious to say, ‘Well, we’ll give you a passport that says you’re antibody-positive, you can go to work and you’re protected.’ The worst possibility that would happen is if we’re actually wrong about that” and those people get infected.Meanwhile, public health agencies from Massachusetts to the city of San Francisco have hired a surge of people to run “contact tracing” teams. Their mission is to identify anyone who has recently been in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, then encourage those people to get tested and perhaps isolate themselves. These meetings can be sensitive and require training, and support, to pull off effectively.Aiming to take the tracing approach to a new scale are tech giants Apple and Google, which are jointly working to build smartphone technology that alerts users if they shared a park bench or grocery store aisle with a stranger later found to be infected with the virus.Unlike the more invasive location-tracking methods attempted by some governments, the Apple-Google approach uses Bluetooth beacons to detect physical proximity and encrypted keys to maintain people’s anonymity. The companies say they’re building the software for public health departments only, on the condition that they won’t make use of them mandatory.In addition to developing the technology, experts warn that the implications of deploying such devices need to be carefully considered. Who will collect and verify the data? How long will it be held? Will enough people use a voluntary app for it to be helpful?“We know from history that ‘emergency measures’ too often last long beyond their initial expiry date,” said Deborah Brown, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch.She also noted that systems that monitor cellphone location or GPS data reveal more than just where someone has recently been. “Your contacts and associations can be gleaned, potentially your religious or political beliefs,” she said -- for instance, if you’ve visited a church or mosque.Susan Landau, a cybersecurity professor at Tufts University, said she has doubts about the effectiveness of relying on smartphone-based approaches, even if the apps are carefully designed to protect individual privacy.“My real concern about the whole thing is I think it’s being oversold,” she said. “Does it reduce spread? I don’t doubt that. Does it enable us to eliminate social distancing? No, not as long as there’s a high portion of people who are asymptomatic.”Collecting data should complement, but not substitute for, well-managed public health interventions, said Deborah Seligsohn, a political scientist at Villanova University.It’s one thing to merely send a phone alert that someone exposed to a COVID-19 case should self-isolate for 14 days. It’s another to have government workers bring them groceries or other essentials to make that quarantine period possible if someone would otherwise have trouble complying, she said.After the various lockdowns lift, it’s not clear how readily Americans will submit to tracking efforts.Cameron Karosis had his mind changed by contracting the virus, but many others are still wrestling with the prospect of how far they’d be willing to go.“Personally, I would not be thrilled to be forced into downloading an app, mostly because I don’t love the idea of Silicon Valley knowing even more about me than they already do,” said Maura Cunningham, a writer in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “But I’d probably give in on that pretty quickly if it were made a widespread prerequisite for getting back to normal activity at some point in the future. I’d definitely resist a blood test — that just feels too intrusive.”