State Rep. Ford: Illinois 'Dropped the Ball' on Contact Tracing - WTTW News

Contact tracing is supposed to be one of the primary ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s original Restore Illinois reopening plan called for “contact tracing and monitoring within 24 hours of diagnosis for more than 90% of cases” in each Illinois region before entering phase four; the entire state moved on to the less restrictive fourth phase last Friday. 

Thanks to our sponsors:

The state’s Restore Illinois metrics show no indication of whether the contact tracing target was met. 

But state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, said after “bragging” about Illinois’ robust contract tracing efforts, the Pritzker administration has “dropped the ball.”

“When the governor made this huge announcement about how there’s going to be investments, we’ve (the Black Caucus) been trying to work with the governor’s office, even to help them with the planning. And you know it’s been real crickets. We have not heard anything from the governor’s office about how they’re going to roll this plan out,” Ford said. “And unfortunately the Black community I think is going to suffer from this.”

Pritzker’s spokeswoman referred WTTW News to the governor’s remarks about contact tracing last Thursday.

“We continue to build up our contact tracing capacities, including new hires that have increased the ranks of contact tracers by 20% since June 1 for a total of 550 active contact tracers across the state. Two hundred-fifty new tracers have been identified and will join their ranks over the few weeks as we continue to scale up our operation, including new technology to multiply their effectiveness,” Pritzker said. “All 97 of Illinois’ local health departments have applied for funding support totaling $230 million to increase contact tracing. That money is on its way out the door with final disbursement coming in the next few weeks.”

Contact tracing as a strategy isn’t new to the coronavirus; it’s something local health departments have always done for communicable disease measles and sexually transmitted diseases, said co-leader and senior medical director of the Cook County Department of Public Health Dr. Rachel Rubin.

But the sheer number of COVID-19 cases and the virus’s rapid spread has made it a challenge, such that Rubin said Cook County had focused on the most high-risk, vulnerable populations.

Cook County is in the process of ramping up its efforts, and announced in mid-June its plans to spent $40 million in federal and state funding to hire contact tracers within the coming months, with a focus on hiring people from Black and Brown communities most affected by COVID-19.

“So that we can begin to be able to touch base with every new case that comes across our desk, and contact that individual who is positive and find out who they have been in contact with, to keep the case in isolation and to keep the contacts in quarantine, so that we won’t have that next surge, or that next surge won’t be as steep or as high,” Rubin said.

Chicago on Tuesday announced that the city chose the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to spend $56 million in state and federal funds to hire 600 contract tracers, including through partnerships with community organizations also focused on disproportionally impacted communities.

In a call with reporters on Tuesday, Chicago’s public health director, Dr. Allison Arwady, said the city is currently assigning every case of a Chicago resident testing positive, such that every COVID-19 patient is called by someone from the city within 24 hours.

Those initial, sensitive conversations will continue to be made by public health employees.

But she said contract tracers will be able to do the work of reaching out to the networks that each COVID-19 patient may have interacted with.

Arwady said such calls can be difficult, but she encouraged patients to respond.

“If you do get a call, and a positive result … stopping the threat of COVID in Chicago is depending on you being forthcoming,” she said.

Health care officials stress that none of the information collected through contact tracing is shared, including with other government agencies.

Part of the delay in contact tracing comes from having to train people for the work.

The College of DuPage on Monday began a four-week contract tracing certification course, which covers everything from privacy to the basics of diseases like SARS and MERS, interviewing skills and data entry.

Contact tracing calls, she said, could take anywhere from 30 or 45 minutes, maybe longer.

Kathy Cabai, who developed the program, said local health departments have already reached out, seeking to potentially hire the course graduates.

Cabai said that after government cuts to public health programs, the pandemic has shown the need to invest in them – and in training for things like contact tracing.

“We as a country need to start looking at, what do we need to work on? We need to have resources,” she said.

Follow Amanda Vinicky on Twitter: @AmandaVinicky

---

Thanks to our sponsors:

Thanks to our sponsors:

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"ball" - Google News
July 01, 2020 at 09:23AM
https://ift.tt/2ZsMCt5

State Rep. Ford: Illinois 'Dropped the Ball' on Contact Tracing - WTTW News
"ball" - Google News
https://ift.tt/39CKzGV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Trump-backed five-term Republican lawmaker loses primary to far-right challenger - CNN

bolaboladulu.blogspot.com

"3rd District Republicans have decided who they want to run against the Democrats this November," Rep. Scott Tipton said in a statement Tuesday evening. "I want to congratulate Lauren Boebert and wish her and her supporters well."

Tipton was widely believed to be the front runner in the race before Tuesday evening.

"Congressman @ScottRTipton is a great supporter of the #MAGA Agenda! He fights for your #2A rights and the Border Wall," the President tweeted on Monday. "Scott is working hard for Colorado and has my Complete and Total Endorsement! #CO03."

But Boebert, a political newcomer, was able to gain meaningful support in the state as she positioned herself as a candidate more aligned with Trump's agenda. The President congratulated her on "a really great win" in a Tuesday evening tweet.

Boebert's website states she "believes in personal freedom, citizen rights, and upholding the Constitution of the United States."

"There is a battle for the heart and soul of our country that I intend on helping win," Boebert says in a statement on her website. "I'm running for Congress to stand up for our conservative values, address our current representatives' failed promises, and put far-left Democrats back in their place."

Her win Tuesday night was met with instant criticism from Democrats who pointed to comments she made where she appeared to sympathize with QAnon, a pro-Trump deep-state conspiracy theory.

During an interview on the internet show "Steel Truth" in May, Boebert said she was "very familiar with" the conspiracy.

QAnon, she said, "is only motivating and encouraging and bringing people together, stronger, and if this is real, then it could be really great for our country."

The conspiracy incorporates everything from "Pizzagate" to "false flag" mass shootings to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It has claimed, for example, that Trump was not under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller but was instead working with him to go after leading Democrats and other elites, whom proponents of the theory allege are involved in pedophilia rings.

It has been described as a "counter-narrative" to the actual reality of Trump's presidency.

Cheri Bustos, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Tuesday evening "Washington Republicans should immediately disavow Lauren Boebert and her extremist, dangerous conspiracy theories."

Bustos added that "Democrats are well positioned to compete and win this seat."

Boebert's win also marks the latest instance of a Trump-endorsed candidate losing their GOP primary.

Earlier this month Madison Cawthorn, a 24-year-old political newcomer, defeated Trump's endorsed candidate Lynda Bennett in the North Carolina GOP congressional primary for the seat vacated by the President's chief of staff, Mark Meadows.

This story has been updated with additional developments Wednesday.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"five" - Google News
July 01, 2020 at 12:12PM
https://ift.tt/31BjgLF

Trump-backed five-term Republican lawmaker loses primary to far-right challenger - CNN
"five" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YnPDf8
https://ift.tt/2SxXq6o

Ball Aerospace wins NOAA weather instruments study contracts - SpaceNews

SAN FRANCISCO — Ball Aerospace won four National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contracts worth a combined $2.32 million for weather satellite and instrument design studies.

In announcing the awards June 30, Boulder, Colorado-based Ball also described a fifth initiative with L3Harris Technologies of Melbourne, Florida, and PlanetiQ of Golden, Colorado, called Joint LEO Sounding Mission Study. The companies plan to evaluate the weather-gathering capability of small satellites equipped with Ball microwave instruments, L3Harris infrared sounders and PlanetiQ global navigation satellite system radio occultation receivers.

For the Joint LEO Sounding Mission Study, Ball will assess whether all the instruments could be integrated on Ball small satellites. Ball also will consider whether commercial launch options that would allow NOAA to take delivery of the small satellites in orbit, according to a June 30 news release.

“Operational weather satellites are a critical part of the nation’s infrastructure, playing a key role in keeping the public safe and the economy strong by enabling forecasters to predict and reduce the impacts of extreme weather events,” Makenzie Lystrup, Ball Aerospace Civil Space vice president and general manager, said in a statement. “Through close coordination with the broader weather community, Ball developed a series of innovative technology and mission solutions to meet NOAA’s most critical space-based observational needs in an affordable and sustainable way. These studies are a continuation of this effort.”

The four study contracts awarded to Ball are:

• Auroral Imager in Tundra – Ball is working with Computational Physics Inc. of Springfield, Virginia, to compare cost and performance of promising strategies for a dedicated auroral imager operating in a highly elliptical Tundra orbit.
• Ball Operational Weather Instrument Evolution (BOWIE) Microwave – Ball will evaluate the baseline design of an instrument about half the size of microwave instruments on current polar-orbiting weather satellites. For the six-month study, Lexington, Massachusetts-based Atmospheric and Environmental Research, a Verisk business, will assist in analysis of the instrument design and performance.
• BOWIE Compact Hyperspectral Infrared Observations – Ball will investigate technology and performance tradeoffs for a hyperspectral infrared sounding instrument designed for small satellites in geostationary orbit.
• BOWIE Low-Earth Orbit IR Sounder – Ball will explore compact instrument designs to meet NOAA’s atmospheric vertical temperature and moisture profiling requirements. Through the study, Ball will also lay out technological options for addressing cost versus performance tradeoffs for infrared sounders for low-Earth orbit.

Ball built the NASA-NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite, launched in 2011, and the first Joint Polar Satellite System spacecraft launched in 2017. Ball also is manufacturing the Weather System Follow-On satellite for the U.S. Space Force and Ball won a contract June 25 to build, integrate and operate NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On satellite destined for Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1.

NOAA is awarding a series of contracts to evaluate new instruments, spacecraft, business models and mission concepts for the space-based architecture to succeed the Joint Polar Satellite System and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R series.

As of June 30, NOAA had awarded more than $13.5 million to 15 companies for 25 studies, according to the U.S. government website beta.SAM.gov.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"ball" - Google News
July 01, 2020 at 08:21AM
https://ift.tt/3eMjmUE

Ball Aerospace wins NOAA weather instruments study contracts - SpaceNews
"ball" - Google News
https://ift.tt/39CKzGV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Five players Warriors realistically could target in trade - Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

bolaboladulu.blogspot.com

The Warriors have by all accounts decided to make the most of the years remaining on the contracts of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. Translation: Even with all three into their 30s, they remain focused on the immediate.

Ideally, though, they’ll spend the next four months addressing both the present and the future.

Which means it is likely that general manager Bob Myers and his lieutenants -- holding a top-five pick in the Oct. 16 NBA draft -- will make at least one trade over the next three-plus months.

The Warriors will need to be creative, which they have been. They also must be financially flexible, which they definitely are, according to league sources.

Assessing the needs of the Warriors, we identify five players that qualify as attractive targets worthy of considering through a trade that would have to involve their $17.18 million trade exception (with an Oct. 24 deadline) and/or their first-round pick.

The Warriors will go into the 2020-21 season with positional needs to shore up their depth if they intend to make a run at the title. If Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are healthy next season, the front office will have to mix and match with what they already have filling out the roster, with the new additions they can bring in on limited money. 

At their disposal, the Warriors will only have the taxpayer midlevel exception and minimum contracts to hand out to unrestricted free agents. So what areas do they need to address the roster? 

One particular area could be their backup guards. As of now, the only replacements behind Curry on the roster are young, unproven players in Ky Bowman and Jordan Poole. While the Warriors will have a very hard time replacing the role of Shaun Livingston any time soon, it would be beneficial to at least have one veteran to spell Curry.

As for backing up Thompson, the Warriors have a nice piece in Damion Lee, and a young, mostly unknown player in Mychal Mulder. Adding depth to go with Lee to be Thompson's understudy could be essential given the severity of the injury that Klay is recovering from. 

Here is a list of unrestricted veteran guards that the Warriors could eye to fill their guard depth.

Editor's note: Twice a week during this sports hiatus, we'll answer questions that Bay Area sports fans long have debated in "Ever Wonder?"  This installment: Where did Don Nelson's 'Nellie Ball' offensive strategy come from?

Some of the most successful teams in Warriors history had one big thing in common: “Nellie Ball.”

The offensive fast-paced run-and-gun offense was developed by legendary head coach Don Nelson. He wanted to implement this way of play to speed up the pace of the game, after spending hours wanting to learn anything and everything about the game of basketball.

“It was amazing to listen to him talk basketball,” NBC Sports Bay Area Warriors analyst Garry St. Jean said.

Nelson learned from the best in Red Auerbach, who coached Nelson as a player and who loved this brand of basketball. He would be pestered by Nelson in the forms of questions and quandaries in what would ultimately turn into a “dictionary” of basketball, as Nelson explained in a 2016 article on The Players' Tribune.

When it was Nellie’s time to coach, he noticed he had a lot of smaller, great pieces to work with. That meant he was able to have his best players on the court all at the same time -- all while the squad was in the best shape across the league. 

And nobody could figure it out.

But that’s why he ultimately became the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, with 1,335 wins over 31 seasons.

Check out the entire story in the video atop this page.

More from "Ever Wonder"

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"five" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 12:35PM
https://ift.tt/31ujKmM

Five players Warriors realistically could target in trade - Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
"five" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YnPDf8
https://ift.tt/2SxXq6o

Five inmates at the Weber County jail have coronavirus - Salt Lake Tribune

bolaboladulu.blogspot.com

The coronavirus is continuing to spread throughout Utah’s county jails, with Weber County officials reporting that five inmates and one employee have tested positive for the virus.

Officials believe that the virus first entered the jail after a federal inmate from Nevada was transferred to Weber County. The jail has contracts to hold both federal inmates and those arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Lt. Josh Marigoni said Tuesday that the federal inmate had a cough, but he reported to medical officials that it was a chronic cough due to a medical condition. He was placed in a receiving unit, not in an isolation or quarantine unit. Four days later, the inmate asked to be seen by medical professionals because his cough had worsened.

He was tested for COVID-19 then and separated from the other inmates.

"Our medical contractor as well as our staff members have been amazing through this pandemic and these trying times," he said. "We are doing everything we can to keep our staff, the inmates, and the community safe."

Bronson Dean, who is incarcerated at the Weber County jail, told The Salt Lake Tribune in an email that he is in a unit that was exposed and is on lockdown. He was upset that jail officials did not keep the federal inmate separate and believes he has gotten others sick.

“It’s simply not possible to practice social distancing in here,” Dean wrote, “where we eat, sleep and live in tight quarters with each other at all times. Many of us feel that the system is playing Russian roulette with our lives to keep a bed filled that they get paid for.”

The Utah State Prison has had three confirmed cases at its Draper facility. It reported Tuesday that 14 of its prisoners who are held at the Washington County jail through a contract with the state have also tested positive — a number that is concerning to the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah.

The ACLU sued the prison and county jails in early March over how they were responding to the coronavirus outbreak, but the Utah Supreme Court tossed the lawsuit. The organization has continued to express concern that prison officials aren’t doing enough to ensure that those inmates being housed in county jails are being kept safe and that proper precautions are being taken to stop the coronavirus from entering jail walls.

Article continues below

“Many county jails in Utah are unable to individually quarantine prisoners in the event of an outbreak, a key measure in stopping the spread in congregate facilities,” said Sara Wolovick, an ACLU Equal Justice Works fellow. “We also receive repeated complaints that corrections officers at some jails rarely wear masks even after evidence shows that mask-wearing significantly slows the spread of the virus.”

Utah jailers in April defended how they were handling the coronavirus pandemic in a response to the ACLU-led lawsuit, saying they’ve increased cleanings, promoted social distancing and created space to quarantine inmates who have been exposed. They also noted that inmate population numbers were at historic lows.

Prison officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"five" - Google News
July 01, 2020 at 04:32AM
https://ift.tt/2AhAgeG

Five inmates at the Weber County jail have coronavirus - Salt Lake Tribune
"five" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YnPDf8
https://ift.tt/2SxXq6o

In Milford, they aim to 'safely play ball again' this summer. Here's how - CT Insider

MILFORD — Play ball!

Those words so many have longed to hear all spring finally will ring out.

Yes, youth baseball and softball games will return to the playing fields beginning July 1.

Milford Little League and Junior Major Leagues will play shortened seasons with guidelines in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Games for the Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth Divisions in the JML will be starting July 1.

MLL will begin playing games July 6, with Aug. 29 the final day of the season. There will be no standings or city playoffs.

“We are fortunate to have great families that send their players to us,” said Mike Liebelt, president of MLL. “We will field 56 teams from ages 4 to 13 years old. This summer, some have chosen because of the pandemic to take a step back, but others are either returning to baseball or trying Little League for the first time.”

Junior Major, a local affiliate of Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth and PONY Baseball organizations, will begin play July 2.

“My Rookie League team plays Thursday and I know Minors start Thursday as well behind the library,” JML Vice President Chris Smithauser said. “It is good to get out and coach the kids. We know all the guidelines to keep everyone safe. Even the younger kids are doing a good job, although we must instill it with them every time.”

Junior Major League Inc. was established in 1955 and incorporated in 1958.

“Everything has been checked off,” Smithauser said. “We are going to do our best to let the players play, be safe, and have fun. Parents are happy to get the kids back out. We’re looking to run through the fall season as well. There are talks of wanting to have states, but there is nothing definitive. It is great to safely play ball again.”

MLL coaches in the various divisions met safely prior to the June 17 Phase 2 reopening date set by Gov. Ned Lamont. Teams were drafted.

“Game play will be casual, with a strong focus on learning and allowing players to experience all positions,” Liebelt said. “The city of Milford is a great baseball town supporting two leagues, not only Milford Little League but Cal Ripken as well. They take care of fields at schools for practices.”

The Pirates from the MLL Farm Division (ages 9-10) held practice at Ralph Clarkson Field on Saturday.

“The kids are enjoying it. They are excited to be back on the field,” manager Pat Fallon said.

“We know all the guidelines and are ready to roll. For the kids it is business as usual, just starting the season laterm,” Fallon said. “We draft new kids each year. My coaches Mayur (Doshi), Al (DiStasi) and I are just getting to know them. We’ve had one other practice and hit in the batting cage once. We are looking forward to a new season.”

District 4 Play

District Administrator Denis Haley said that for baseball and softball, 8-10 and 9-11 All-Stars will be at the district level starting the week of Sept. 1 and ending by Oct. 4. Baseball and softball 10-12 All-Stars will go through a state championship beginning Aug. 30 or Sept. 1 and there will be no play on Labor Day weekend, he said. Sections will start Sept. 9, state championship weekend is Oct. 1-4. There will be no Junior Regional tournament, he said.

Mll Rule Book

T-Ball: There will be one game a week and all games will be held on Saturday mornings with possibly one practice per week.

Coach Pitch: Players in this division can expect up to two games a week with at least one practice and/or batting practice a week.

Farms: Players in this division can expect two games a week with at least one practice and one batting practice a week.

Majors: Players in this division can expect two games a week with at least one practice and one batting practice a week.

Intermediate/Juniors: Players in this division can expect multiple games a week and possibly double-headers on weekends with practices and batting practices on off days.

All Stars: Milford Little League is working with CT District 4 to explore all All-Star Team opportunities for players. This will likely include District play at the 10U, 11U and 12U levels. This may also include play beyond the district up to the state championship level for 12U only. CT District 4, as always, will likely also hold its Seabreeze tournament for the 8U, 10U, 11U and 12U levels.

Also, all coaches, umpires and other volunteers who interact with players on the field during practices and games must wear face coverings when not able to easily maintain a 6-foot distance from other coaches, players and umpires. Gloves shall be worn if handling shared player equipment, players equipment or cleaning apparatus/materials.

All players must bring their own bat, glove and helmet. The exception is a shared catcher’s equipment, which will be disinfected between use.

Players are not permitted to huddle at any time during practices or games. There is no spitting, sunflower seed eating or no gum chewing, there will be no team snacks and players should bring their own water. No handshakes, high-fives or physical body contact is allowed. It is recommended that parents send players with some form of hand sanitizer during practices and games. Hand sanitizer will be provided in common areas.

Players are not required to use face covering during play but can wear it at parent/player preference. Players shall wear a face covering when not on the field of play or engaged in practice.

All coaches, volunteers and umpires must complete a daily health self-screening to check for symptoms. If any symptoms are present the individual must refrain from being present for league activities and follow local health guidelines.

All balls (game balls and practice balls) shall be disinfected before and after each practice or game. Each team shall have a new volunteer role assigned to a parent to monitor compliance with these guidelines during practices and games.

Games will be scheduled with at least a 30-minute buffer to prevent overlap of participants and allow time to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces and equipment.

Also: Dugouts are to be used only by coaches and players who are next to bat; players otherwise will sit on the bleachers outside the field or in in a player-supplied chair and it is important for coaches to ensure bleachers are marked for 6-foot distances or players’ chairs are placed at 6-foot distances when not on the field of play. Dugouts are to be thoroughly cleaned before and after each use.

One umpire per game will be used and will be positioned appropriately distanced behind the mound.

No catchers will be used for the T-Ball Division or the Coach Pitch Division. A coach will be positioned against the backstop to retrieve baseballs or move bats to safe area after an at-bat.

Game spectators are required to bring and wear face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth unless doing so would be contrary to his or her safety due to health condition. Spectators must maintain 6-foot social distancing at all times.

All commonly used surfaces such as, but not limited to, dugout areas, benches, bleachers, door handles to concession areas, field houses and concession area counter tops will be disinfected/sanitized before and after events by coaches/volunteers. Bathrooms will be sanitized/disinfected before and after each game.

william.bloxsom@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @blox354

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"ball" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 05:00PM
https://ift.tt/2AnoiAo

In Milford, they aim to 'safely play ball again' this summer. Here's how - CT Insider
"ball" - Google News
https://ift.tt/39CKzGV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Report: Indiana tourism needs state help - Ball State University News

It only took a few months, but COVID-19 has damaged Indiana’s tourism, vacation, and hospitality sectors to the point where strong government intervention is necessary, says a new policy report from Ball State University.

“The Recovery After COVID-19: Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality Industries of Indiana,” a report by Craig Webster and Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis, management faculty in Ball State’s Miller College of Business, found that these sectors have come to a near complete standstill during the first half of the year due to the pandemic.

They cite the World Travel & Tourism Council’s report that the pandemic caused over 100 million job losses in these areas of across the globe.

“The estimates for the losses of jobs in the sector are substantial for many reasons,” Webster said. “There is little to be done in terms of moving to virtual tourism that can benefit the labor that works in bricks and mortar tourism and hospitality establishments. So, while software engineers, accountants, and university professors can easily move their operations to their home offices, many in tourism and hospitality do not have that option.

“Also, because of health risks, travel has been curtailed. In addition, travel, tourism, and hospitality suffer from the issue of perishability. While a shoe manufacturer, for example, may stockpile finished products, hoping that a boom will occur later to sell the finished goods, hospitality and tourism products cannot be treated in the same way. A lost night in a hotel room cannot be sold the following day.”

Their research found that 2018 data on tourism suggests that one in 23 Indiana workers is employed through the various hospitality industries. The same data also shows that the Indiana tourism industry directly supported more than 152,000 jobs in Indiana in 2018 and that if tourism did not exist in Indiana, each Indiana household would have to pay around $566 more in sales and local taxes to keep the current level of tax receipts.

Despite not being in a major hub of international tourism, Indiana’s travel, tourism, and hospitality industries are important to the state’s economy, providing significant revenues, the report noted.

“The economic recovery for the industry in Indiana will require a strong governmental response, funneling funds into improving the tourism infrastructure and ensuring visitors in Indiana that they will be safe to travel to and in Indiana,” Webster said.

The report offers a number of coordinated policies with the state government taking the lead:

• funding of market research for the industry
• coordination of policies across the state for the industry
• training workers and encouraging workers to return to the industry
• developing a state-level recovery strategy

Webster said the pandemic of 2020 will likely have significant and lasting effect upon government and the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry for years to come.

But the crisis provides an opportunity to rebrand, he said.

“Many places will have a chance to have a fresh start,” Webster aid. “This is an opportunity for Indiana to rebrand itself in any way that it wants; however, timing is key. Those destinations that recovered from major cataclysms used the period as a time to rebrand themselves, taking advantage of the opportunity and communicating this to the general public and potential visitors.

“Even in the state of Indiana, there is a precedence for this. In 2015, Visit Indy rebranded Indianapolis as a welcoming place in the wake of the controversy over discrimination and religious freedom. A notion that Indianapolis is a safe place will resonate well with many. In addition, the promotion of local venues and sites of interest will be important, since visitors will likely not want to take airplanes in the near future, preferring to stay in their automobiles to reduce health risks to themselves.”

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"ball" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 09:22PM
https://ift.tt/3idcVfv

Report: Indiana tourism needs state help - Ball State University News
"ball" - Google News
https://ift.tt/39CKzGV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Ball Corp (BLL) to Launch Aluminum Cups at Retail Stores - Yahoo Finance

Ball Corporation BLL has entered into a partnership with Blue Ocean Innovative Solutions to unveil its exclusive Ball Aluminum Cup at Walmart Inc. WMT and Sam's Club stores across the United States.

Blue Ocean is the provider of leading omnichannel solutions focused on various services, including sales, marketing, category analytics, e-commerce solutions and supply chain excellence. Customers’ rising demand for sustainable cup solutions and Blue Ocean's expertise in this industry will enable Ball Corporation to directly offer the Ball Aluminum Cups to customers.

In September 2019, Ball Corporation rolled out its first infinitely-recyclable Ball Aluminum Cups in the United States in response to the increasing consumer preference for sustainable products as an alternative to plastic cups. These aluminum cups can be recycled an infinite number of times without losing the quality. The cups’ lightweight, sturdy and cool-to-touch nature offers consumers a better beverage drinking experience. In fact, these cups offer more sustainable packaging options for retailers, entertainment venues and concessionaires.

The company is largely investing in aluminum packaging production to bank on the rising demand for aluminum cans, bottles and cups. Ball Corporation is also focused on improving operational efficiencies, sustainability benefits and ramping-up the previously-announced line additions, speed-ups and greenfield-plant expansions. Ball Corporation’s recently-launched infinity bottle will provide sustainable solution for personal care products, as consumers are now shifting from small- to mid-sized plastic containers at hotels and stores. The company expects its aluminum beverage can and cup projects to add at least 8 billion units of capacity by the end of 2021.

The company witnessed significant beverage-can demand on the coronavirus outbreak in North America. Higher demand for at-home consumption is anticipated to continue in the foreseeable future.

Throughout 2020, the Beverage packaging, North and Central America segment is expected to benefit from new customer contracts, operational efficiency, strong demand for aluminum beverage packaging, while the Beverage Packaging, EMEA segment will gain on customers’ growing preference for cans for traditional and non-traditional beverages, strong growth for energy drinks and higher at-home consumption. The company’s cost-cutting actions will also bolster its margins.

The company maintains its expectation to deliver long-term diluted earnings per share growth of at least 10-15% beyond 2020 and achieve EVA (economic value added) dollars growth of 4-8% per year.

Price Performance

Ball Corporation’s shares have gained 5.8% over the six months, as against the industry’s loss of 1.5%.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Ball Corporation currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the Industrial Products sector are Lakeland Industries, Inc. LAKE and Broadwind Energy, Inc. BWEN. While Lakeland Industries sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Broadwind Energy carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Lakeland Industries has a projected earnings growth rate of 127.8% for fiscal 2020. The company’s shares have appreciated 44.1% in the past three months.

Broadwind Energy has an expected earnings growth rate of 174% for the current year. The stock has gained 6% over the past three months.

Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation

Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.

A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.

See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
Ball Corporation (BLL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Lakeland Industries, Inc. (LAKE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Broadwind Energy, Inc. (BWEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"ball" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 08:35PM
https://ift.tt/2Vz1Knv

Ball Corp (BLL) to Launch Aluminum Cups at Retail Stores - Yahoo Finance
"ball" - Google News
https://ift.tt/39CKzGV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Nightfood Secures Distribution in Central Market With Stores in the Five Largest Cities in Texas: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio - GlobeNewswire

bolaboladulu.blogspot.com

Tarrytown, NY, June 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Nightfood, Inc. (OTCQB: NGTF), the better-for-you snack company targeting the $50 billion consumers spend on nighttime snacks, is excited to announce that Nightfood has secured distribution in upscale chain Central Market, with locations in the five largest cities in Texas.

A gourmet grocery chain owned by San Antonio-based H-E-B, Central Market’s open, serpentine-flow, full view European-style layout offers a completely new food shopping experience.

“Rolling into Texas with Central Market is a fantastic development for us,” remarked Sean Folkson, Nightfood’s CEO.  “This is a top-tier upscale chain that brings us to not only each of the five largest cities in Texas, but also adds five of the fifteen most populous cities in the country, according to census data.”

The Nightfood website hosts an online supermarket product request form, and Texas has consistently been one of the top five requested states, along with New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and California.

Central Market is the first Nightfood supermarket partner to take on all eight flavors produced to date.  Nightfood is expected to be set on shelf in all stores during the week of June 29, 2020.

Management believes having distribution in these heavily populated areas will help word of the brand spread, especially within the pregnancy community.  Significant national media coverage is expected in coming months with Nightfood’s marketing and publicity initiatives targeting the pregnant consumer, and the launch of the newest Nightfood flavor, Pickles For Two.

“Along with the potential for distribution in New York metro coming shortly, these new distribution points bring us local to millions more people in densely populated areas,” added Folkson.  “Central Market is an iconic and influential ten store chain that serves a tremendous number of consumers.  Adding retail distribution in so many of the largest cities in the country can accelerate growth through word-of-mouth and our footprint on social media, and allow us to get more impact from any big publicity hits we might secure.”

Nightfood ice cream is expected to retail at $4.99 in all Central Market locations.

About Nightfood Holdings:

Nightfood Holdings, Inc. (OTC: NGTF), owns Nightfood, Inc. and MJ Munchies, Inc. 

Nightfood has expanded distribution for its ice cream into major divisions of the two largest supermarket chains in the United States: Kroger (Harris Teeter), and Albertsons Companies (Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s and Star Markets), as well as Lowe’s Foods Rouses Markets, and other independent retailers.  

Nightfood won the 2019 Product of the Year award in the ice cream category in a Kantar survey of over 40,000 consumers.  Nightfood was also named Best New Ice Cream in the 2019 World Dairy Innovation Awards.

Nightfood has been endorsed as the Official Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association and is the recommended ice cream for pregnant women.  There are approximately 3,000,000 pregnant women in the United States at any given time, and ice cream is the single most-widely reported pregnancy craving.  With more calcium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, and protein, less sugar and a lower glycemic profile than regular ice cream, Nightfood has been identified as a better choice for expectant mothers. 

Nightfood is not just for pregnant women.  Over 80% of Americans snack regularly at night, resulting in an estimated 700M+ nighttime snack occasions weekly, and an annual spend on night snacks of over $50 billion dollars, the majority of it on options that are understood to be both unhealthy, and disruptive to sleep quality.  

Scientific research indicates these unhealthy nighttime cravings are driven by human biology.  Willpower is also weakest at night, contributing to unhealthy night snacking behavior, and the majority of night snackers report feeling both guilty and out-of-control when it comes to their nighttime snacking.

Because unhealthy night snacking is believed to be biologically driven, and not a trend or a fad, management believes the category of nighttime-specific nutrition, which Nightfood is pioneering, will be a billion-dollar category. 

MJ Munchies, Inc. was formed in 2018 as a new, wholly owned subsidiary of Nightfood Holdings, Inc. to capitalize on legally compliant opportunities in the CBD and marijuana edibles and related spaces.  The Company is seeking licensing opportunities to market such products under the brand name “Half-Baked”, for which they’ve successfully secured trademark rights.  

Questions can be directed to investors@Nightfood.com

Management also encourages Nightfood shareholders to connect with the Company via these methods:

E-mail: By signing up at ir.nightfood.com, investors can receive updates of filings and news releases in their inbox.

Telegram: There is now a live, interactive Telegram group which interested parties can join to reach team members and discuss Nightfood. Ask questions, learn more about the company and discuss future prospects. Join the Telegram Group Here: https://t.me/NightfoodHoldings

YouTube: The company has established a new YouTube series which will feature weekly videos with team members, insights into latest industry developments, and provide a behind the scenes look at the latest company developments.  Click here to subscribe to Nightfood’s YouTube channel.

Forward Looking Statements: 

This current press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to, any products sold or cash flow from operations. 

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with distribution and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact:
Tim Sullivan
media@Nightfood.com
732-816-0239

Investor Contact:
Stuart Smith
investors@Nightfood.com
888-888-6444, x3

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"five" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 07:00PM
https://ift.tt/2YM3BqZ

Nightfood Secures Distribution in Central Market With Stores in the Five Largest Cities in Texas: Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio - GlobeNewswire
"five" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YnPDf8
https://ift.tt/2SxXq6o

Let It Fly 101: Passing & Ball Movement with Austin Shaver - Longwood Athletics

Let It Fly 101: Passing & Ball Movement with Austin Shaver

Men's Basketball / 6/30/2020 9:16:00 AM

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Episode two of Longwood men's basketball's "Let It Fly 101" film breakdown series features assistant coach Austin Shaver discussing the importance of passing and ball movement in the Lancer offense. 

Building on head coach Griff Aldrich's breakdown of floor spacing in Episode 1, Shaver takes viewers through a series of clips to look at the Xs and Os of the Longwood offense and how moving the ball creates shot opportunities. The Lancers aim to connect on 275 passes per game, and last season that approach allowed Longwood to hit the second-most three-pointers in the Big South. 

Every episode of the "Let It Fly 101" series will take a look at an important element of Longwood basketball's on-court strategy and identity. Future episodes will include player movement, defensive schemes, transition and fast breaks, and more. Stay tuned for the latest installments leading up to the Lancers' 2020-21 season. 

#GoWood

Print Friendly Version

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"ball" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 08:34PM
https://ift.tt/2Bo3nxv

Let It Fly 101: Passing & Ball Movement with Austin Shaver - Longwood Athletics
"ball" - Google News
https://ift.tt/39CKzGV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Five credit card benefits you probably have but don't know about - MarketWatch

Why were critics so quick to label Lonzo Ball a bust with the Lakers? - ClutchPoints

Ever since Lonzo Ball was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, basketball fans already had one question imprinted on their minds: is he going to be a bust or will he deliver?

To be fair, this question has yet to be answered because Ball has lots of years left to play. But in his two seasons donning the Lakers uniform, after almost every game — win or lose — haters would lambast Ball as a major draft bust.

Why was this so? Was Lonzo really that bad? Or did the circumstances around him breed this type of tension? Let’s look at the possible reasons why critics were so quick to label Lonzo Ball as a bust during his time with the Lakers.

LaVar Ball

The biggest and most obvious reason behind the hype around Lonzo Bal was his father, LaVar Ball. The outspoken and gregarious Ball patriarch appeared in many interviews before and after Ball was selected second overall. In these interviews, he basically said his family would take over the basketball world, and his eldest son Lonzo would be the one to start the ball rolling.

It is true that Ball performed extremely well during his high school days and in his lone year at UCLA. Lonzo built his resume through his own merits. With or without LaVar’s antics, Lonzo was always slated to be a lottery pick. But LaVar’s continuous and relentless yapping made it appear as if Ball was the second coming of Michael Jordan or even greater. But the fact of the matter is that Lonzo — like most top prospects — needed time to develop, and still does. Not everyone is born a star right away.

The mere fact that he was drafted by the Lakers

The Lakers are one of the most illustrious sports organizations in the world. They have had a number of legends like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal, just to name a few. While it’s often a blessing to be a member of the Lakers, for Lonzo Ball, it became more of a curse.

To recall, Magic Johnson — arguably the greatest point guard of all time — was the Lakers’ president of basketball operations during the time they picked Ball. This fact alone added a layer of hype around the young gun. Also, note that the 2017-18 season was the second year of the post-Kobe era. The Lakers had been beefing up their squad through the draft.

But Lakers fans have always set the bar high for the team. A few years of rebuilding is okay. But this can’t go on for five, six, seven seasons. Lakers fans want to win, and they want to win now. For some reason, all of this pressure was placed on Ball — a young gun who had all the talent in the world but who, at the same time, was still learning the ropes of professional basketball and life in general.

Awkward jumper

Analysts have broken down the various weaknesses of Lonzo Ball’s game early on. Some pointed out his indecisiveness, immaturity, and recklessness. These analysts made solid arguments by actually dissecting how Ball displayed these flaws.

But for casual NBA fans, the first thing they notice is Ball’s awkward slingshot jump shot. Though he has tweaked it now and has also improved his shooting percentage in the process, fans back then constantly slammed and made fun of Ball’s funky shot. This gave haters a bone to pick. For the critics, it didn’t matter if Ball filled up the stat sheet and displayed extraordinary court vision. For them, Ball’s jump shot looked broken and was a reason why he was considered a bust.

Outshined by Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma was the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. That is 25 picks later than Lonzo Ball — a much more touted prospect. As such, it was understandable that there wasn’t much buzz surrounding Kuzma upon his entry into the league. All eyes were on Ball, as well as Brandon Ingram, whom the Lakers selected as their second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

But right from the get-go, even in the Summer League, everyone quickly took notice of Kuzma. He easily filled up the stat sheet, played like a veteran, and at the end of the season, was crowned NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Overall, it was a good sign for the Lakers. They proved they had that keen eye for unknown talent. But for Ball, it once again gave his doubters a bone to pick. They were happy for Kuzma. But Ball — as the second overall pick of the draft — should’ve been doing way better than a non-lottery pick.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"ball" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 07:29PM
https://ift.tt/3eLAJoB

Why were critics so quick to label Lonzo Ball a bust with the Lakers? - ClutchPoints
"ball" - Google News
https://ift.tt/39CKzGV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, And The New Orleans Pelicans Offensive Evolution - Forbes

Five northside locations to host informative health popups this week - LebTown

bolaboladulu.blogspot.com
4 min readPosted June 30, 2020

A three-day pop-up event will be held this week to address the healthcare needs of the county’s Latino population.

With a focus on the northside of Lebanon city, specifically in the 17046 ZIP code, the Healthy You pop-up series will take place at five locations over three consecutive days, from Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding at 2 p.m.

“The Healthy You pop-up series is multiple events, at multiple locations simultaneously,” said George Fernandez, CEO of marketing firm Latino Connection. “We wanted our outreach to be in places where people feel most comfortable. Places like grocery stores, health stores and other places they visit.”

While the event will address various health concerns, there is special focus on providing information about COVID-19, according to Nicole Maurer, Executive Director of the Community Health Council of Lebanon County. While this particular pop-up series is geared toward the Latino community, healthcare outreach in other demographic groups is still ongoing, Maurer added.

Read More: Researchers, advocates tackle COVID-19’s disproportionate toll on Latino community

“We know anecdotally that our Latino community, in particular the 17046 ZIP code, has been impacted by the coronavirus, so we’ve been doing outreach events since the start of the pandemic,” Maurer said. “We’ve been really focusing on getting information out to the community, [as well as] masks [and] hand sanitizer. But also the ability to speak to a community healthcare provider in person has been very important to us.”

The free event series is a continuation of the outreach that’s been happening since the virus struck the United States in mid-March, Maurer added.

“The purpose is to do more outreach and to check in with people and ask them, ‘How are you doing? Do you need anything? How can we help?'” said Maurer.

The COVID-19 portion of the outreach will highlight where people can go to get tested in Lebanon County, what it means to be diagnosed asymptotic versus symptomatic, the importance of wearing a mask in public places, and other measures people can take to help protect themselves from this insidious disease, noted Maurer.

Read More: Unanimous support for mask wearing from Lebanon County congressional reps, but local GOP officials hold back

Fernandez said the virus has hit the Latino population especially hard, given certain existing, underlying health issues within that demographic.

“Latinos in Pennsylvania are the number-one disproportionately affected community as it relates to diabetes and obesity, and it starts with our kids and it starts with our teenagers,” Fernandez said. “And that really boils down to the fact of not having healthy nutrition at home. Latinos tend to cook with a lot of fats and a lot of oils, and portion plates — we don’t use portion plates — and we tend to oversell ourselves in the carbohydrates. Those two conditions, diabetes and obesity, are really what the virus looks for in people — those people with compromised immune systems.”

Other health-related information will be available, and healthcare workers from eight healthcare systems will speak individually with attendees about their overall well-being and their health concerns.

“We are really doing outreach around summer health and really talking to people about getting back to regular wellness care,” Mauer said. “We know that during the pandemic people have been avoiding normal care in regard to other illnesses that they have, whether it be diabetes or heart disease, or just general check-ins with their physician, pediatric visits, and things like that.”

Read More: WellSpan, VA urge public to prioritize mental and physical health

There will be information about summer health and eating healthy portions of food. The healthcare partners will also have information about establishing, or returning to, a healthcare routine, benefits of the Women, Infant, Children (WIC) program, and why individuals should be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Fernandez said a goal of the Healthy You pop-up series is to proactively pursue delivering important healthcare information to people in a safe environment.

Latino Connection and the county health council agency will implement procedures to ensure pop-up guests are not exposed to COVID-19, including, among other things, hosting the rain-or-shine event at outdoor locations since the likelihood of it spreading are much lower in that type of setting.

“Latino Connection is following Centers for Disease Control-recommended guidelines. This is why we are targeting five or six locations and having it over several days, so that not too many people are congregating at the same time at the same location,” Fernandez said. “We’re also placing foot mats, which are physical-distancing stickers, so people can be at a safe distance. And all of our team members will be using masks.”

Here is a list of the five participating locations:

• Ceballos Bakery
  381 N 9th St.
  Lebanon, PA 17046
• The Bridges at Church Street
  950 Church St.
  Lebanon, PA 17046
• Ideal Food Basket
  640 N 7th St.
  Lebanon, PA 17046
• Edwin Mini Mart
  200 Lehman St.
  Lebanon, PA 17046
• Latin American Super Market
  429 N 9th St.
  Lebanon, PA 17046

Both Fernandez and Maurer expressed gratitude for the support the Healthy You pop-up series has received from local organizations and city officials.

Eight to 10 healthcare providers are expected to participate, according to Maurer.

“One thing that is really important is the number of healthcare providers we have partnering on this project,” she said. “In fact, all of the outreaches we’ve had over the last few months have really included all of our healthcare providers in the county, which I think is just wonderful.”

“As far as Latino Connection is concerned, that’s our goal — to bring organizations together because together we are stronger,” Fernandez said. “When multiple organizations come together to reach one common goal, the results are much, much bigger. Latino Connection is happy to be a catalyst to bring these organizations together in the community and connect the resources that exist out there.”

---

Do you know a piece of Lebanon County news we should be covering? Reach our newsroom using the form below.

Give the gift of local journalism.
If you are thankful for what LebTown brings to the community, consider joining our cause as a member. Members get an inside look at our publishing schedule each week, plus invites to our members-only Facebook group and happy hours.

Sign up for an annual membership using the link below, and we’ll give you a free LebTown mug at the next happy hour.

Learn more and join now here.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"five" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 05:24PM
https://ift.tt/3eMOovA

Five northside locations to host informative health popups this week - LebTown
"five" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YnPDf8
https://ift.tt/2SxXq6o

Cubs to stick with five-man rotation, Bryzzo atop of order - Comcast SportsNet Chicago

bolaboladulu.blogspot.com

Cubs manager David Ross said Monday that a championship this year would mean as much as any other year.

“If they’re passing out a trophy, I want it,” he said.

And he will have earned it. And then some. In fact, if Major League Baseball is passing out trophies at the end of October, Ross should certainly get one — along with Kris Bryant, Javy Baez, Paul Goldschmidt, Tim Anderson, Max Scherzer, Tommy La Stella and everybody else in baseball.

MORE: Cubs manager David Ross: 'If they’re passing out a trophy, I want it'

Because if baseball pulls off this micro-season of 60 games and a month of playoffs, it will take every star, bench player and assistant trainer of every team — every bit of 3 1/2 months of the best behavior of every team’s weakest link in its self-discipline chain — to produce the viable, sustained season that will produce a 2020 trophy.

Doom and gloom? Or aspirations worthy of ants and rubber trees?

Click to download the MyTeams App for the latest Cubs news and analysis.

Either way, it’s all but impossible to ignore how sharply the challenges have increased just in the last week or two as COVID-19 has raged in record numbers of new cases across Florida, Texas and Arizona — home to five of MLB’s 30 teams and a disproportionate number of players from all over the league.

And why completing the season would be such an accomplishment.

At least four players on Monday reportedly opted out of playing at all, many over COVID-19-related concerns, but at least one — two-time All-Star Ian Desmond of the Rockies — for an overlay of heartfelt, heartbreaking reasons that include not only the pandemic but also emotions related to the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis and the systemic racism in baseball from its league hierarchy down through its clubhouses.

As players travel this week from — and in many cases to — some of the hottest hot spots for COVID-19 in the country, it is increasingly clear that the health challenges alone make pandemic baseball look more daunting than the NBA’s bubble-wrapped playoffs.

“Certainly as this plan has been moving forward, obviously you watch the news and read and you see that cases are spiking up in some of the states that we have a lot of baseball teams and a lot of players reside there,” Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. “And that’s something that we had concerns about.”

Intake testing across the league has barely started, and the Phillies already began with at least 12 reported coronavirus cases among its players and staff two weeks ago; a handful of other MLB players since then, including Rockies star Charlie Blackmon, were reportedly infected; and on Monday the Cubs reported that two “Tier 1” staffers (those allowed closest contact with players) won’t start with the team on time this week because of recent positive tests.

“We’re hopeful that all the protocols can keep guys safe once they’re here. Some will come down to testing and strict protocols, and then some of it’s going to come down to behavior,” Hoyer said. 

“There’s going to be positive tests. There’s no way around that. We have too many players in the league. … But we have to do everything we possibly can to avoid the kind of outbreaks that have happened in certain states right now.”

MORE: Cubs, MLB brace for positive COVID-19 tests as Summer Camp rosters submitted

Players and big-league staff appear to be going in with eyes wide open to the risks, and unlike, say, college football players they have a strong union representing their interests and the freedom to opt out, with support of peers and, said Hoyer, teams.

Ross and Hoyer emphasized plans for constant messaging about the new and uncomfortable safety protocols players must adhere to for best results — from mask requirements and distancing to bans on spitting and high-fives.

“Trust” when it comes to guidelines for best practices away from the field — in both encouraged and required form — is crucial to preventing one player or staffer on one team from potentially igniting an outbreak that debilitates the league.

“I’m trying to approach this whole situation as optimistically as I possibly can,” Hoyer said when asked about doubts that a season can actually be completed. “I think there’s going to be challenges ahead of us. I don’t think there’s any question about that. You’d be naive to think there won’t be moments of difficulty.

“But at the same time when you read through the manual and you realize how many scientists and doctors have weighed in and how thorough they’re trying to be with the testing protocols, I think we’re going to have baseball on the field really soon, and I think we should all be excited about that. And I certainly hope nothing derails it.”

Ross is certainly right about one thing: A championship this season will be as meaningful as in any other year, for all of those challenges.

Under the circumstances, it might prove the greatest group achievement in baseball history by the time a World Series were to be played.

And that’s why everyone in the game should get a trophy if they pull this off. Call it a participation trophy if you want — but call it as deserved and earned as any trophy ever awarded by a baseball commissioner.

And even this commissioner can call it what he wants — as long as this time he at least calls it a piece of mettle.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CUBS TALK PODCAST FOR FREE.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"five" - Google News
June 30, 2020 at 08:04AM
https://ift.tt/2VukrsD

Cubs to stick with five-man rotation, Bryzzo atop of order - Comcast SportsNet Chicago
"five" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YnPDf8
https://ift.tt/2SxXq6o