Posts Categorized: news

0

Crowds line up in Atlanta to buy Air Jordan 5 retro sneakers

Photo may have been deleted

Twitter.com/@CharlieGileNBC

Some things are more important than buying essentials, such as food with a $1,200 stimulus check.

On the first day after the coronavirus lockdown was lifted in Georgia, an estimated 300 people lined up outside a shoe store in Atlanta to be the first to purchase a pair of Air Jordans.

Shoppers formed 2 lines outside the store in southwest Atlanta to buy the new Air Jordan 5 "Fire Red" sneakers. Some wore face masks, according to 11Alive News.

Photo may have been deleted

Teenagers and adults stood patiently in line outside Jimmy Jazz's shoe store at Greenbriar Mall, according to NBC producer Charlie Gile.

"Here's what it looked like as Jimmy Jazz's doors opened at Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta. Everyone I talked to was in line for a new Air Jordan 5 that sold out online," Gile tweeted on Saturday.

Atlantans took advantage of the warm weather to sunbathe in parks and at Lake Lanier's man-made beach north of Atlanta. Others gathered at Piedmont Park in midtown to watch the famous U.S. Air Force Thunder Birds and Navy's Blue Angels put on an air show overhead.

Few people in the crowd complied with the coronavirus social distancing guidelines.

Gov. Brian Kemp, who lifted the lockdown restrictions on Friday, urged the crowds to maintain a safe distance.

"Stay at least six feet from other people, do not gather in groups, stay out of crowded places, and avoid mass gatherings," a press statement from Kemp's office said.

0

Bill Gates Plans to Roll Out COVID-19 Vaccines in 9 Months; 7 Billion Doses

Photo may have been deleted

Bill Gates says your life will not return to normal until you are inoculated against Covid-19 with his vaccine.

In a new blog post last week, Gates explained everything you need to know about his Covid-19 vaccine.

In March, Gates stepped down from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway to personally oversee his vaccination program.

In cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) world governments, and pharmaceutical companies, the 64-year-old Microsoft founder plans to roll out 7 billion doses of his vaccine -- enough to vaccinate nearly every man, woman and child on the planet.

New factories will be built to develop and distribute the vaccines to the world. The vaccination effort is funded in part by a $250 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates is determined to vaccinate the world. He said health care workers would be inoculated first, followed by poor people in low income countries, because they have less access to healthcare.

"Realistically, if we're going to return to normal, we need to develop a safe, effective vaccine. We need to make billions of doses, we need to get them out to every part of the world, and we need all of this to happen as quickly as possible."

And to make sure future generations are vaccinated, the billionaire philanthropist said his vaccines will become a routine part of newborn immunizations.

To confirm that everyone in the world is immunized, Gates proposes invisible ink tattoos or even an implantable chip that will track people who received the vaccines.

The chip would submit someone's updated health and vaccination data into a centralized COV-ID database that will also contain their voter ID information and criminal history.

You could lose your job if you decided not to take the shot or be chipped. As one Redditor explained: "They're going to pressure corporations to require their employees have it."

The vaccine only needs to be 60% effective or usable, Gates says. The vaccine is being fast-tracked and Gates is optimistic that a safe and effective vaccine will be available within 9 months to two years.

Since Gates published his post on Thursday, hundreds of comments from skeptics have been deleted. But a few sarcastic comments remain:

"I am sure Bill has the best interests of everyone at heart and can understand the importance of building confidence through a very public injection of his whole family in a ceremony which will be independently verified, followed by injecting all of the billionaires, leaders of industry and politicians because it is very important that they be protected from infection first."

0

Georgia’s Shelter-in-Place Order Expires at Midnight Tonight

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Governor Brian Kemp signed an Executive Order canceling his shelter-in-place order, effective at midnight tonight (April 30).

"Tonight at 11:59 p.m., the statewide shelter in place order for most Georgians will expire. However, moving forward, I am urging Georgians to continue to stay home whenever possible. I want to thank the people of our great state who heeded public health advice, afforded us time to bolster our healthcare infrastructure, and flattened the curve. We were successful in these efforts, but the fight is far from over."

Kemp urged businesses that decide to open to "operate with strict social distancing and sanitation rules to keep customers and employees safe through May 13, 2020."

Gov. Kemp also signed an order requiring the medically fragile and elderly to continue to shelter in place through June 12.

"Together, we will defeat this virus and emerge stronger. Thank you, and God Bless," he concluded.

0

Coronavirus Study: People Over 50 Should Be Quarantined and FINED If They Can’t Prove Their Age

Stock photo: Imgorthand/Getty Images

Experts say people younger than age 50 should be allowed to leave their homes amid the coronavirus lockdowns.

People over 50 should be quarantined in their homes or face fines if they can't prove their age while out and about.

A Warwick University study found that a "rolling age-release strategy" was the best option to ease the quarantine restrictions and allow people to return to work.

The strategy is based on the high percentage of deaths among coronavirus victims older than 50. The study's author wrote that police should be given powers to fine people if they can't prove their age.

The study, based on Chinese data, said adults over 50 would be allowed out of their homes when a vaccine becomes available next year.

"Our risk graphs... show very clearly that younger people are at far less risk of dying from COVID-19 than older citizens," said Andrew Oswald, a professor at Warwick.

"Any lockdown release policy that does not design itself around this "Age gradient" in human coronavirus risk will have dangerous consequences," he said.

0

Newly engaged lesbian couple goes missing in NC

Photo may have been deleted

Wilmington PD

Police in North Carolina are asking for the public's help to find a missing lesbian couple who recently got engaged after moving in together.

Stephanie Mayorga, 27, and Paige Escalera, 25, disappeared shortly after moving in together. They have not been seen since April 15, the Wilmington Police Department said Monday.

The women recently became engaged though they haven't known each other long, Escalera's sister Stevie Jenkins told Oxygen.com.

She said one of the women left her cell phone behind on her bed. The couple's new roommate found the phone.

"They had only lived there a week or so before they went missing," Jenkins told Oxygen.com. "As I have been contacting her close friends, I have found that every single one of them had been blocked from her social media over the last week or two.

"It is normal for family to not hear from her, but not her closest friends. As I spoke with Stephanie's friends, they say it isn't normal at all that they don't hear from Stephanie."

Jenkins said Mayorga's phone had been cut off on April 15 -- the same day they vanished.

"Her boss says he tried calling her when she never showed the next morning."

Jenkins said her sister has had her share of troubles but said "she is an amazing person and has always pulled out making the right choices."

Police believe the women may be traveling in a dark grey Dodge Dart with South Carolina tags.

0

Calif. Gov. Newsom Set to Close ALL Beaches, State Parks

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to close all beaches and state parks in response to crowded beaches in Orange County.

Newsom is expected to make the announcement Thursday, according to NBCLA. The governor lashed out at images of sunbathers crowding Southern California beaches in his news conference on Monday.

The order will go into effect on Friday, May 1, and there is no indication how long the beaches and parks will be closed.

Thomas O'Neill/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Thousands of sunbathers have gathered at beaches and parks in violation of Newsom's shelter-in-place orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

About 80,000 people crowded the sandy shores of Newport Beach from Friday to Sunday, leading to an emergency city council meeting, NBCLA reported.

On Tuesday, the Newport Beach City Council voted against a proposal that would have shut down the city's beaches for the next three weekends.

Some California law enforcement officials have said they will not enforce Newsom's restrictive shelter-in-place order, as they believe it is a violation of Constitutional rights.

Democratic government officials have been overly aggressive in their response to the coronavirus, particularly since the public now believes the pandemic is not as deadly as health officials claimed it would be.

Many say the death tolls have been padded with non-Covid-19-related deaths.

Some state officials have removed hundreds of people from Covid-19 death counts after coroners and physicians complained about irregularities.

Many Americans believe the coronavirus has been politicized by Democrats who are desperate to put mail-in ballots in the hands of every American.

0

Mike Pence refuses to wear mask during a tour of Mayo Clinic, renewing speculation that the White House has Covid-19 vaccine

Photo may have been deleted

Screen grab: YouTube/PBS

Vice President Mike Pence declined to wear a face mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic, disregarding the famous Minnesota clinic's face mask policy.

News footage shows a maskless Pence surrounded by Mayo Clinic staffers wearing masks. After the tour, the Mayo Clinic tweeted that Pence was informed of the masking policy prior to his arrival. That tweet has since been deleted.

Pence's refusal to don a mask renewed public speculation that a Covid-19 vaccine exists. But Pence explained to reporters that he and President Trump are regularly tested for the coronavirus.

"As Vice President of the United States I'm tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis," he said, "and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus. And since I don't have the coronavirus, I thought it'd be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible health care personnel, and look them in the eye and say thank you."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised the public to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. But President Trump declared the CDC suggestion is not mandatory and that he would not wear a mask.

COVID-19 causes mild symptoms or no symptoms in most healthy adults. The virus causes acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and potentially fatal pneumonia among the elderly, particularly those with chronic illnesses such as respiratory and heart problems, HIV/AIDS, obesity, and smokers.
 

Copyright Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the photograph(s) used in this post. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" of photographs for purposes such as parody, criticism, commentary, news reporting, education, and research.

0

Video shows California cop PUNCH Black boy repeatedly

Photo may have been deleted

Screen grab: YouTube.com

A Rancho Cordova Police officer is under fire for punching a 14-year-old boy after the cop "lost sight" of an adult during a suspected drug transaction.

Cell phone video shows the cop slamming the teenager into the pavement, then punching him repeatedly in the head while pinning the youngster to the ground.

The police department released a statement identifying the officer in the video as a "Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Officer... who was proactively patrolling the area of Mills Station Road and Mather Field Road. The deputy was in the area due to complaints from citizens about hand-to-hand sales of alcohol, tobacco and drugs to minors."

The department said the use of force on a juvenile was warranted because the boy resisted arrest.

"It's important to put video footage into context, especially in relation to a use of force incident. In this case, the deputy saw what he believed to be a hand-to-hand exchange between an adult and juvenile. As the deputy turned around, he lost sight of the adult, who left the area. When the deputy approached the juvenile, the juvenile was uncooperative and refused to give the deputy basic information. He told the deputy he was 18 years old. Having reasonable suspicion that criminal activity was occurring, the deputy attempted to detain the juvenile so he could conduct further investigation. The juvenile became physically resistive at that time, causing the deputy to lose control of his handcuffs, with landed several feet away. The deputy attempted to maintain control of the juvenile without his handcuffs and while alone waiting for his partners to arrive and assist him."

California is still under restrictive lockdown orders amid the coronavirus pandemic. Package stores in certain neighborhoods are closed, forcing residents to purchase essential items such as food and alcohol from street level dealers.

0

Latino community calls for police chief’s resignation after police kill unarmed Hispanic man (Video)

Photo may have been deleted

Screen grab: Instagram

Austin officials are "disturbed" by a video that shows an unarmed Hispanic man fatally shot by police while he attempted to flee in his car.

The incident occurred on Friday in Austin, Texas.

In cell phone video of the incident, Mike Ramos, 42, is seen standing next to a white car with his hands up while surrounded by armed police officers. Ramos refused an officer's order to walk towards them. "I don't got no f*cking gun, dawg," Ramos said.

Ramos jumped into the car when an officer fired a bean bag at him. Other officers opened fire when Ramos attempted to drive away. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler was disturbed by what he saw in the video.

"Mike Ramos does not appear to threaten but ends up dead," said Adler. "There's got to be a better way. I'm very disturbed."

He continued: "The use of force is the most potent and irreversible of a police officer's tools and requires trust between officers and the communities they protect."

Adler said the incident would be investigated transparently and information made available to the public.

A Hispanic community group called for Austin Police Chief Brian Manley's resignation.
 

0

Atlanta radio host apologizes for saying Black NFL draft pick is a gang member

Photo may have been deleted

Monica Matthews, a Caucasian talk radio host on Atlanta's 95.5 WSB-FM, apologized on Twitter for claiming Denver Broncos draft pick Jerry Jeudy was in a gang.

Matthews was among a record 55 million viewers who tuned in to watch the 2020 virtual NFL draft. The Broncos picked Jeudy 15th overall.

Jeudy, who is Black, wears a Star of David on a gold pendant around his neck. The jewelry is commonly worn by members of the Jewish faith. But Jeudy is not Jewish.

The former Alabama star wide receiver explained to reporters that he wears the piece because his friends nicknamed him "Jew," which sounds similar to the "Jeu" in his last name. He said he didn't wear the piece to be offensive to Jewish people.

In a tweet, Matthews suggested that Jeudy was a member of the Gangster Disciples, a notorious street gang that uses an altered Star of David as their logo.

Matthews retweeted Georgia gang investigator Ray Haim's post suggesting Jeudy's Star of David is a gang symbol. Haim advised his followers to "Always look for gang identifiers... I had no idea this football player was Jewish." #gangcrisis."

Photo may have been deleted

Screengrab: Roll Tide Wire

Matthews captioned her tweet, "Wow. Never ends. #criminalgangs @NFL."

Her tweets have since been deleted, but not before her followers screenshot the tweets.

Twitter activist Tariq Nasheed referred to Matthews as a "white supremacist."

In response to angry followers who accused her of racism, Matthews tweeted: "Why is it so hard to believe gangbangers come in all sizes incl military, police, teachers? I'm going to leave it there."

Less than 24 hours later, Matthews apologized profusely to Jeudy in a video explaining why she jumped to conclusions based on a piece of jewelry.

She claimed she consulted with a "trusted source" (Ray Haim), and did no further research before defaming Jeudy on Twitter.

Matthews congratulated Jeudy on being drafted and she wished him good luck on his future career in the NFL.

0

2 Georgia Men Drink Disinfectant to Combat Coronavirus

Richard Villalon/Getty Images

According to the Georgia Poison Control Center, two men drank household cleaning products to combat the coronavirus. It isn't clear if the men were infected with the virus.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports both men have a history of psychiatric problems and are expected to recover.

The poison center's director, Gaylord Lopez, said it isn't clear if the men drank disinfectant after President Trump famously wondered aloud if disinfectant can be used internally to fight the virus.

Trump made the remarks in jest during a White House press briefing last Thursday. The President later said he "can't imagine why" there are increasing reports of people drinking disinfectants.

The AJC reported that at least two other people in Georgia were treated for consuming household cleaners to combat the virus prior to Trump's remarks.

Tap water contains just enough chlorine to kill microbes in municipal city water, making it safe for public consumption. Chlorine is the main ingredient in bleach.

0

Chicago Police Cite Owner of Building Where 1,000 People Attended House Party

Chris Sweda-Pool via Getty Images

Chicago police followed through on their threat to cite the building owner where a house party was attended by an estimated 1,000 young people amid the Covid-19 lockdown on Saturday.

According to TMZ.com, city officials levied fines against the property owner, and also cited her for disorderly conduct for violating the city's stay-at-home order.

The amount of the fines will be determined at a later date, as the courthouse is closed during the lockdown.

A city alderman said the property owner is now "on notice".

The adult child of the owner reportedly had keys to the building and disabled the alarm to hold the party, which was advertised on social media.

Photo may have been deleted

Screengrab: YouTube.com

Chicago police busted up the party and a similar event nearby. No arrests were made at either location.

Cell phone videos from both parties show hundreds of young folk commingling in close proximity in violation of social distancing rules.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, reacted angrily to the video footage on Monday, saying those responsible for throwing the party would be held accountable.

"What happened in that scene was just foolish and reckless," Lightfoot said. "There's got to be a level of personal responsibility for that. Millennials aren't children."
 

0

Top ER Doc Commits Suicide After Contracting COVID-19

Photo may have been deleted

Photo by New York Post

A top emergency room doctor who worked on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in Manhattan took her own life after contracting the virus.

Dr. Lorna Breen was the head of the emergency department at a Manhattan hospital when she contracted Covid-19 after spending hectic days working in the ER.

Breen, 49, died Sunday at her family home in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she'd been staying while recuperating from the disease.

Breen's father, Philip Breen, said his daughter fell ill with the virus while on the job, but she attempted to return to work after only a week and a half of recuperating.

The hospital ordered her to return home, and her family brought her back to Virginia, where she shot herself in the head with a gun belonging to her retired NYPD dad.

"She was truly in the trenches on the front line," Philip Breen told the Times.

"Make sure she's praised as a hero," he added. "She's a casualty just as much as anyone else who has died."

Philip said his daughter did not have a history of psychological problems.

0

Jemele Hill Calls Out New England Patriots’ Draft Pick Over White Supremacist Tattoo

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

New England draft pick Justin Rohrwasser denies he is a white supremacist or that a tattoo on his left arm is a white supremacist logo.

Rohrwasser said he got the tattoo inked when he was 14. The tattoo is of the Roman numeral 3 surrounded by a ring of stars. It is the logo of a right-wing organization called "Three Percenters."

He also has the phrase "Don't tread on me" tatted on his left forearm. The phrase is associated with conservative groups such as the Tea Party.

Looking back, he says he wished he had done more research into the tattoo. He agreed to cover it up when he's on the field.

"It's not something I ever want to represent, so it will be covered."

That wasn't good enough for sports journalist and Twitter activist Jemele Hill who called the NFL kicker out on Twitter.com.

Hill took to Twitter to complain about the tattoo, saying: "Patriots kicker is a white supremacist. My bad, he tends to like white supremacist things. Carry on, nothing to see here."

0

Doctors give men Estrogen to boost their immune systems as more men die from Covid-19 than women

Vadym Petrochenko/Getty Images

U.S. doctors have started prescribing hormone replacement therapy for men after learning that men are more likely to die from Covid-19 than women.

The coronavirus that causes Covid-19 uses ACE2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) as a pathway to enter human cells. ACE2 is expressed in the lungs, kidneys, and testicles.

Doctors are hoping estrogen will help protect men from the virus. Estrogen is naturally present in the blood of both sexes, but women have much higher levels of the sex hormone than men for the purpose of reproduction and carrying a baby to term.

According to the NY Times, two clinical trials are currently underway to determine whether dosing men with female sex hormones will protect them from the virus.

Last week, doctors on Long Island started treating male Covid-19 patients with Estradiol to boost their immune systems.

Los Angeles doctors will begin treating Covid-19 patients next week, according to the Times.

"There's a striking difference between the number of men and women in the intensive care unit, and men are clearly doing worse," said Dr. Sara Ghandehari, a pulmonologist at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

She said 75 percent of Cedars-Sinai's Covid-19 patients on ventilators are men.

Dr. Ghandehari said pregnant women, who have high levels of estrogen and progesterone, tend to have mild symptoms.