Daily Archives: June 6, 2020

Six hundred physicians recently signed a letter to President Trump calling for an end to the coronavirus lockdowns. The physicians wrote that, far from protecting public health, the lockdowns are causing exponentially growing negative health consequences for millions of Americans.

Since the lockdowns began, there have been increases in alcoholism, drug abuse, and domestic violence. There has also been an increase in calls to suicide hotlines. This is a direct result of the mass unemployment and limitations on peoples activities resulting from the lockdowns. As long as millions of Americans are sitting at home wondering how to survive until the government says they can go back to work assuming the lockdowns did not drive their employers out of business, there will be more substance abuse and suicides.

At the start of the lockdowns, Americans were told to stay away from emergency rooms and doctors offices to avoid exposure to coronavirus. This has led Americans to neglect their health. US hospitals have seen a 40 percent decline in the number of patients admitted for severe heart attacks since March. Does anyone believe that the coronavirus panic just happened to coincide with a miraculous decline in heart attacks?

Physicians have also become unable to help many stroke victims who coronavirus lockdowns have kept from seeking medical assistance.

Early in the coronavirus panic, hospitals were told to cancel elective procedures to ensure space was available for an expected wave of coronavirus patients. But hospitals were not overwhelmed by coronavirus patients. Beds and other resources were unused.

According to the American Hospital Association, this has cost healthcare providers tens of billions of dollars in lost revenue. Inner-city and rural hospitals that already operate on slim profit margins are especially hard hit by the financial impact of the lockdowns. These hospitals may have to cut back on services. Some may even close. This will make it even more difficult for rural and inner-city Americans to obtain quality, affordable healthcare.

Postponing needed surgeries will have serious consequences. Many patients whose surgeries have been delayed will find that their once easily treatable conditions now require intensive and expensive care.

Some people are forgoing disease management and checkups that could keep them from developing more serious problems. The coronavirus lockdowns have even caused the canceling of chemotherapy treatments.

According to the physicians letter to President Trump, the coronavirus lockdowns are preventing 150,000 Americans a month from finding out they have cancer. Skipped routine cancer screenings mean cancer is not detected in an early stage, when it is most easily treated.

The coronavirus lockdowns have upended the lives of Americans to protect them from a virus with a 0.2 percent fatality rate, with the majority of those fatalities occurring in nursing homes and among people with chronic health conditions. Instead, the rational response would be to protect the vulnerable, and let the rest of the people live their lives. But politicians and government-anointed experts do not respond rationally to a crisis, especially when a panicked reaction can increase their power and prestige.

The lesson of the unnecessary lockdowns is clear: Government bureaucrats and politicians, even the medias beloved Dr. Fauci, must be stripped of the ability to infringe on our liberty and prosperity.

This article was published by RonPaul Institute.

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Ron Paul: Listen To The Doctors, End The Lockdowns - OpEd - Eurasia Review

I have become increasingly cognizant of a tendency of many libertarians to conflate "libertarian" with "antigovernment." There are a variety of groups and movements in the U.S. who hate "the government" for their own reasons, but aren't by any stretch of the imagination libertarian. If you hate the U.S. government because you think is it's controlled by "Zionists" who are trying to destroy European American culture by organizing an alliance of Third World immigrants and native African Americans, you will likely support dramatic cuts in government; but you are not libertarian, because if you thought "your people" were in control, you would happily have a massive, unlibertarian federal government.

Back when Ron Paul's presidential campaign was receiving support from various racist individuals and groups, his campaign's official position was that it welcomed support from *anyone* regardless of ideology, so long as they supported limiting the federal government. That's exactly the mentality I object to.

Libertarians hopping on the "defunding the police" bandwagon once again reminds me of the crucial but neglected distinction between being libertarian (or classical liberal) and being antigovernment. Protection of life, safety, and property is a legitimate function of government. Even Robert Nozick was fine with funding the "night watchman" of the night watchman state.

There are plenty of police reforms that could be enacted from a libertarian perspective that would improve matters. Qualified immunity reform is libertarian. Holding police accountable for misbehavior is libertarian. Reducing the power of police unions is libertarian. Getting rid of overtime and pension abuse is libertarian. Banning no-knock raids is libertarian. Reducing bloated police department bureaucracies is libertarian.

Broader reforms that would reduce the need for police and reduce police/civilian encounters are also libertarian. Getting rid of victimless crimes, especially the drug war, and certain categories of criminal business regulation that should be handled civilly is libertarian. Getting rid of taxes that lead to black markets that in turn lead to police/civilian encounters is libertarian. Abolishing laws that allow local governments to put people in jail for failure to pay civil fines is libertarian. Separating forensic science services from prosecutors' offices is libertarian. Holding prosecutors accountable for misconduct is libertarian. Finding alternatives to prison for certain categories of offenders is libertarian.

By contrast, "defunding the police," if that just means willy-nilly cuts, is not libertarian. This is true especially given that police departments will inevitably follow the "Washington Monument" strategy, in which bureaucracies respond to budget cuts by cutting what is most painful to the voting public. What is very likely to suffer is the legitimate function of the state in preserving people's lives, safety, and property from criminals, while not reforming the system at all nor doing anything about abusive police officers.

If defunding the police means getting rid of the police entirely, without any remote prospect of alternative means of protecting lives, safety, and property suddenly arising in its place (and in the current legal environment, the anarcho-capitalist dream of private protection services replacing police is impossible, even if it were somehow practical), is both crudely antigovernment and stupid.

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Is Defunding the Police Libertarian? Reason.com - Reason

Paul Cebar on the road

FitzGerald's in Berwyn continues its weekly Stay-At-Home Concert Series this weekend with funk artist Paul Cebar of Tomorrow Sound at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6. Cebar will take to the streets in the FitzGerald's pickup truck for a free outdoor performance fans can see from the safety of their front yards or online for free at fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Also, Toronzo Cannon's performance set for last weekend was postponed because of protests in the area. Watch FitzGerald's page for an upcoming date announcement. Donations to support the artists and FitzGerald's staff can be made through Venmo @fitzgeraldsnightclub or PayPal at paypal.me/fitzgeraldsnightclub.

Ron Onesti and Onesti Entertainment present two streaming shows for your home-viewing pleasure this weekend. Episode 3 of the Artists on Lockdown Series features "Hangin' and Bangin' with Carmine & Vinny Appice and special guest Derek Sherinian" conversing directly with Onesti at 6 p.m. Friday, June 5, on the Artists on Lockdown Facebook page at facebook.com/ArtistsOnLockdown. At 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6, catch Chicago's own Piano Man Band playing a streaming set on Facebook at facebook.com/ron.onesti.54.

This week, Side Street Studio Arts' annual Battle of the Bands puts three new artists in the ring for a chance to win the $100 weekly prize and a slot in the Final Round, set for Aug. 8. Visit the virtual battle from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at sidestreetstudioarts.com/battleofthebands to check out a song from this week's candidates -- Splits, The Data Waves and Swimshirt -- and cast your ballot. Votes and a selection from the panel of five judges will determine this week's winner. For details or questions, visit sidestreetstudioarts.com/battleofthebands.

Also, congratulations to last week's winners: Foresight on May 29 and a tie between The Romantic Satire and Homie Stock on May 30. All three winners earned cash prizes and slots in the finals.

Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Email him at bshamie@dailyherald.com, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@thatshamieguy) or Instagram (@chicagosoundcheck). Brian also keeps tabs on the Chicago-area music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.

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Sound check: Paul Cebar on the road, Ron Onesti on the screen - Chicago Daily Herald

The New York Yankees have been blessed with some of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game. One of those players is Ron Blomberg.

Ron Blomberg played for the Yankee from 1969 and 1978 and is one of the most unsung Yankee players. Blomberg is mostly known today as one of the old guys who shows up annually for the Old Timers Day Game. What few remember is the Blomberg is usually recognized as the first designated hitter in baseball. In his ten years being a DH and outfielder for the Yankees, he hit .302. In his first plate appearance as a DH in 1973, he walked with the bases loaded and won the game against the Red Soxs Luis Tiant. The bat he used is in the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum.

Blomberg, now 71 today, he spoke about his hope for a baseball season this year and the Yankee broadcasters he has known for years and calls fiends. He also talks about the admiration he has for the Steinbrenner family.

On a day where we hope baseball is going to start, I want to reach out to the engines that really make the Yankees go. I had an opportunity to have three great broadcasters in Bill White, Frank Messer, and Phil Rizzuto, who all became my dear and best friends in the game of baseball. Phil Rizzuto named me Boomer when I hit a home run off Nolan Ryan that almost hit the faade in right. Holy Cow, hes the Boomer!

Now the Yankees have 3 great ones that I consider to be dear friends in John Sterling, who has been my friend for 40 plus years, and he was at the hospital at Mt Sinai when my son Adam Blomberg was born. John is happy in knowing that my son is now chief anesthesiologist in Miami and in charge of over 4000 doctors.

Michael Kay; I found out 30 years at an Old Timers Day game that I was his favorite player growing up because I was Jewish. Michael Kay, thank you for having me on your show and calling me the Abraham Lincoln of baseball. And of course, Suzyn Waldman, who became my friend in recent years. I respect her and think she is excellent with John Sterling. People should be so grateful that the Yankees put 3 great people in their broadcasting booth.

Some other notable New York Yankee broadcasters are Arch McDonald and J.C. Flippin, who are both before my time. But from the time I became a Yankee fan in 1950, Mel Allen was the man. He broadcast Yankee games from 1939 to 1964 along with Red Barber. Other famous Yankee broadcasters were Jerry Coleman, Joe Garagiola, Bill White, and Bobby Mercer. Today along with John, Michael, and Susan, Ken Singleton, David Cone, Jack Curry, John Flaherty, Bob Lorenz, Meredith Marakovits, Paul ONeill, and Ryan Ruocco hold down the booth. My all-time favorites are Mel Allen, Phil Rizzuto, Bobby Mercer, and Micheal Kay.

One broadcaster that stands out in this writers mind is Al Leiter, the former Mets and Yankee pitcher who is no longer with the broadcast team (he left after the 2018 season). He is now an analyst for the MLB Network. I loved listening to him, his knowledge of the game, and his ability to explain it was captivating. His only fault was he didnt always know when to shut up.

Ron, also spoke about his relationship with the late George M. Steinbrenner and his admiration for the Steinbrenner family:

When I joined the New York Yankees they were owned by CBS. They didnt really care about winning and losing and didnt put any money into the team. When George Steinbrenner bought the team in 1973 he came into the clubhouse and sat down with the team and told us he was going to do whatever it takes to win. He wanted to bring a Yankee championship back to the fans and the city. He personally told me to tell him what I needed to help get that job done.

George was the best owner and best person I ever met in the game. In many respects he was like a second father to me. At the time Jennifer, Hal and Hank were just babies.

I still go back to the stadium often during the season and Jen and Hal would always tell me that their father loved me and that they love me too. George appreciated that I always gave 110% percent.

The Steinbrenner Family are the greatest people and run the greatest organization in the Yankees. Georges goals were to win championships and make the fans proud.

George Steinbrenner belongs in the Hall of Fame!

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New York Yankees: Yankee Ron Blomberg on the Yankee broadcasters and the Steinbrenner family - Empire Sports Media

ASHEVILLE - As of noon June 5, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services tallied 30,777 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide.

NCDHHS counts a total of 966 deaths associated with lab-tested COVID-19 statewide, with 717 hospitalized across the state.

As of about noon June 5, Buncombe County reported 376 total cases and 30deaths.

Most of Buncombe's deaths continue to be in nursing homes, which accounted for at least 30 deaths in the county so far.

Confirmed cases in other Western North Carolina counties, according to state counts:

The Citizen Times is providing this story for free to readers because of the need for information about the coronavirus. We encourage you to further support local journalism bysubscribing.

As interim health director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore spoke June 4 about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Buncombe County, she asked the community to "keep working together" to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Mackenzie Wicker reports on five key points made by Mullendore during the briefing, including the disproportional impact of the virus onblack, indigenous and people of color; a drive to have widespread testing at long-term care facilities; the pandemics impact on emotional and mental health; and more.

More: Coronavirus: 30 deaths in Buncombe, disproportionate infection in people of color and more

From September 2017-September 2018 The Asheville Fire Department responded to 268 lockout calls.(Photo: Citizen Times file photo)

Two Asheville firefighters tested positive for COVID-19 this past week, causing a 12-hour closure for cleaning of the fire stations and trucks, and sending into quarantine firefighters who had come into close contact with those infected, according to fire officials.

Karen Chvez reports that while Asheville Fire Department spokeswoman Kelley Klope said measures are being taken to protect the roughly 280 firefighters from contracting the deadly disease, some firefighters say the department is not doing enough and is not following state guidelines to protect firefighters, who are already risking their lives daily to protect the public.

More: 2 Asheville firefighters in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19

Testing materials loaded on the bed of a pickup remained sterile before nurses and lab tech worked to screen 50 residents for the coronavirus at a June 3 testing event in Spring Creek.(Photo: Paul Moon/The News-Record & Sentinel)

A drive-thru testing event in the Spring Creek community of Madison County screened 50 individuals for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

Paul Moon reports that the free testing event open to anyone, including non-Madison County residents and those showing no symptoms, was the first offered by the Madison County Health Department since the onset of the pandemic.

A second free and open screening event is scheduled for Thursday, June 11 from 6-8 p.m. outside Hot Springs Elementary School.

More: Stepped up testing in Madison County aims to slow asymptomatic spread of COVID-19

Children gather at Splashville fountains at Pack Square to cool off during the summer heat in this file photo.(Photo: Citizen-Times Photo)

Asheville's public pools and popular interactive fountain Splashville will be closed for the summer amid concerns for COVID-19, city officials announced June 5.

This includes the Recreation Park, Malvern Hills Park and Walton Street Park pools as well as Splasheville in Pack Square Park.

"Attempting to operate the pools this season would not be feasible logistically or most importantly from a safety standpoint," the city said in a statement.

More: Asheville pools, Splasheville closed for summer season over coronavirus concerns

The Ingles distribution center covers nearly a mile.(Photo: Courtesy photo)

Question: Ignoring obvious safety issues regarding inhibited breathing and impaired vision, how can Ingles supply employees with a single mask and force them to wear it in a warehouse environment for an entire shift, while the Centers for Disease Control recommends a new mask every time a face-covering becomes wet or soiled?

Answer:"Ingles has taken the initiative to both require and provide face masks for all associates," said Ron Freeman, Ingles Markets chief financial officer. "We also maintain a supply of face masks at our distribution center should an associate arrive at work without a mask or soil a mask while working."

Read further for Answer Man's smart-aleck answer and more details.

More: Answer Man: Ingles warehouse mask policy questioned? Walking rules?

Read or Share this story: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/06/06/coronavirus-what-you-need-know-asheville-wnc-june-6/3162875001/

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Coronavirus: What you need to know in Asheville, WNC June 6 - Citizen Times

It's a Saturday in early June and live major sports haven't happened in like nine years. That means it's the perfect time to rank Redskins jerseys.

There's a twist to this set of rankings, though the threads you're about to see don't even exist. Trippy, right?

While Ron Rivera is changing just about everything about his new franchise, it sure seems like Washington's uniforms aren't getting any sort of update. But that hasn't stopped tons of Twitter usersfrom coming up with some very interesting mock-ups.

So, here's a list of some of the more notable ones that are out there, starting with the worst and working up to the sweetest.

What, you have something better to do this weekend than checkout hypothetical unis? Course you don't. Get to scrolling...

6) Here, the Burgundy and Gold becomes the Gold and Gray/Grey (why does such a boring color have multiple spellings?):

No thanks. Analysis over. Moving on.

5) OK, so the look above is really the only heinous one. The rest, starting with this white-on-white proposal, are all varying levels of fresh:

The white facemask in this mock-up is a subtle yet excellent idea, because white facemasks always work. The simple number with no trim is nice, too.

The problem here, though, is that Dwayne Haskins appears like he's taking snaps for USC and not the Redskins. This is a solid concept, yet one that stillneeds some adjustments to make it top-notch.

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4) The selling point for No. 4 is that it brings back the beloved spear, then puts the beloved spear on a mattehelmet:

The rest is fine, but the helmet on its own is a 24/10.

3) This ensemble delivers, as it gives off some serious Capitals-at-the-2015-Winter-Classic vibes:

Some fans seemed to get upset over the inclusion of some Cowboys-likestars (nothing like getting mad over something that isn't real!), but overall, this is sharp, even though it's not that complex.

2) Bruce Allen was never pro-Color Rush (or pro-winning games), so the Redskins never got close to wearing gold jerseys. If they ever did in the future, however, hopefully they'd be as gorgeous as these:

The DC flag on the shoulders is dope and, yep, so is the white facemask. Unfortunately, thiscreation just barely lost out to the winner of this theoretical list.

1) Here's a uniform that would feel totally new and throwback at the same time:

That helmet? Beautiful. The grey facemask? Nailed it. The gold on the shoulders? Uh-huh. The white numbers with no outline? Yes please.

In all, this is a perfect design, and one that would make every contest more pleasurable to watch. Even the ones that end with mostly visiting fans having a party at FedEx Field.

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Why Cam Newton remains unsigned, according to Ron Rivera - NBCSports.com