North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alaska all saw new daily highs in confirmed cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, while Florida’s caseload came in just below the prior day’s record high.
The recent surge in cases, most pronounced in southern and western states, has alarmed public health officials, who urged caution ahead of a July 4th holiday weekend that in normal times would feature big gatherings of families and friends.
North Carolina reported 951 hospitalizations and 2,099 cases, marking a new record for the first time in three weeks.
“Highest new case count, highest hospitalizations, highest percent positive since end of April. Please be cautious this holiday weekend,†Betsy Tilson, North Carolina state health director, wrote on Twitter about Friday’s figures.
Despite the jump in infections, the daily death rate in the United States has remained relatively flat, a reflection of the growing proportion of positive tests among younger people who tend to be healthier and less prone to severe outcomes.
However, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned that the impact on fatalities from the recent surge, which started in mid-June, had yet to be seen. “Deaths lag at least two weeks and can lag even more,†he told “Fox & Friends†on Friday.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis appointed state Attorney General Phil Weiser to investigate the death of Elijah McClain’s death, a 23-year-old Black man who died in police custody.
USA TODAY
Three officers have been fired and another recently resigned over photos taken at a memorial for Elijah McClain last year, a visibly shaken Aurora, Colorado, Police Department Interim Chief Vanessa Wilson announced Friday.Â
Wilson called the photos “disturbing.” A photo released by the police department shows three smiling officers, one appearing to put another officer in a chokehold — a restraint which was used on McClain before he died.Â
Wilson said the photos were sent to other officers, including Jason Rosenblatt, who was one of the white officers who stopped McClain — a 23-year-old Black man who died in police custody last year.Â
Rosenblatt replied “HaHa” when he received the photo, Wilson said.Â
Rosenblatt was among three officers who were fired. Also terminated: Erica Marrero and Kyle Dittrich, who were in the photos. Jaron Jones, who reenacted the chokehold in the photo, resigned on Tuesday, Wilson said.
Another officer who was sent the photo but deleted it was not fired, Wilson said.
Resigning was the right thing to do, Wilson said, calling the officer’s conduct a “despicable act … you have embarrassed law enforcement yet again.”
The officers in the photo indicated during the course of the investigation the photo was meant to “cheer up a friend,” Wilson said. Another photo taken at the memorial featuring the three officers was also released in which the smiling officers did not reenact the chokehold.
“We are ashamed, we are sickened, and we are angry,†Wilson said. The officers may not have committed a crime, but the photographs are “a crime against humanity and decency,†she added.
Although the photos were taken last fall, Wilson said in a statement she was made aware of the photos on June 25 through a complaint from another officer. An investigation was quickly launched.
The Aurora Police Association, the union for officers, called the firings “a rush to judgment.†It said on Facebook that the investigation took nine days, while a standard internal affairs case takes months.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday appointed a special prosecutor to re-examine the case following intense public pressure and an online petition that garnered more than 3 million signatures.
“The fact that three on-duty, in-uniform police officers thought that it was appropriate to reenact the murder, jokingly, shows that the department is rotten to the core,†said Mari Newman, the McClain family’s lawyer who saw the photos before they were publicly released. Elijah’s mother, Sheneen McClain, also saw them.
McClain died in August in police custody. The incident occurred after the Aurora Police Department received a call of a “suspicious man” wearing a ski mask, according to a news release. Officers arrived and tried to stop McClain, who they said was “actively resisting” and trying to grab one of their guns. They wrestled him to the ground and put him in a carotid hold, applying pressure around his neck, restricting blood flow to the brain.
McClain briefly went unconscious. The fire department and paramedics were called to assist and injected McClain with ketamine to sedate him.
In more than three hours of body camera footage of the arrest, McClain is held down on the ground, vomiting, sobbing and saying, “I can’t breathe.”
An officer tells McClain, “If you keep messing around, I’m going to bring my dog out, and he’s going to dog bite you.”
McClain was loaded into an ambulance where a paramedic determined he was not breathing and did not have a pulse.
He was declared brain dead three days later and was removed from life support Aug. 30.
Adams County district attorney Dave Young’s office declined to file criminal charges in November, but in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks, there has been renewed interest in McClain’s case.
An autopsy was unable to determine whether his death was an accident, due to natural causes or a homicide. The Adams County coroner’s office report listed several contributing factors, including the combination of intense physical exertion and a narrow left coronary artery.
Video shows McClain telling officers: “Let go of me. I am an introvert. Please respect the boundaries that I am speaking.â€â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹
Contributing: N’dea Yancey-Bragg​​​​​​​ and Ryan Miller; The Associated Press
Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/07/03/elijah-mcclain-death-officers-fired-over-photo-reenacting-chokehold/5373748002/
This year, the National Park Service said it was taking extra safety precautions on the National Mall, installing more than 100 hand-washing stations throughout the area, up from 15 last year. Officials also said they had 300,000 cloth facial coverings on hand to distribute.
“We are committed to providing the American people with a safe and spectacular celebration of our nation’s birthday in Washington D.C., which will honor our military with music, flyovers and fireworks,†a spokesman for the park service said. “We are doing so consistent with our mission and historical practices, and we hope everyone enjoys the day’s festivities.â€
The president’s political opponents, however, said the celebrations were about one person, only: the president himself.
“Donald Trump is seeking to aggrandize himself and divide our nation at yet another rally,†said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Mr. Biden. “Joe Biden believes the presidency is about serving the American people — whereas Donald Trump only exploits it to serve himself.â€
On Friday, Mr. Trump spent the day at his golf course in Sterling, Va., before he departed for South Dakota, and White House officials said they had no safety concerns about the trip.
But the virus has already shown it can infiltrate the administration, and the White House has experienced the dangers of staging large gatherings as the pandemic rages. Vice President Mike Pence postponed a planned trip this week to Arizona after Secret Service agents set to accompany him tested positive for the coronavirus or showed symptoms. And at least eight campaign staff members who helped plan Mr. Trump’s indoor rally last month in Tulsa, Okla., have tested positive, either before the rally or after attending.
Before the president left for South Dakota on Friday, Trump campaign aides were circulating on social a doctored image of Mount Rushmore, featuring Mr. Trump’s face carved into the stone next to some of the nation’s most revered presidents.
UK manufacturers are to export surplus medical ventilators after they produced 14,000 to treat coronavirus patients only to find that most were not needed.
Boris Johnson hailed the success of the “ventilator challengeâ€, which began in mid-March when he urged British industry to help produce up to 30,000 of the devices amid fears that NHS supplies could be overwhelmed.
“Thanks to these efforts, everyone who needed a ventilator has had access to one, and the NHS has the vital machines it needs to continue providing life-saving support against this deadly virus,†he said.
Official figures show that occupancy of medical ventilator beds reached a peak of 3,301 in April, indicating that demand peaked at less than half of the UK’s pre-pandemic capacity of nearly 9,000.
The prime minister called for 30,000 machines after early scientific modelling based on data from China indicated that vast numbers would be needed to treat Covid-19 patients.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, later revised the target down to 18,000. But social distancing measures and a realisation among doctors that less invasive methods of ventilation were preferable meant NHS capacity was never stretched.
The Cabinet Office said on Friday that production on ventilator projects had stopped and that the leading model, produced by the specialist firm Penlon, had received approval for export.
Four different devices were approved for production during the effort, boosting the UK’s supply to 25,000.
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The Cabinet Office said independent testing had shown that a further four designs, including the CoVent made by Dyson, could have been used.
Dr Tom Clutton-Brock, the director of the medical devices testing and evaluation centre, which tested the devices, said: “Designing, manufacturing and testing ventilators usually takes years. So it’s outstanding the progress which has been made in a space of months.
“Having tested all of these devices, it’s impressive that several new models met the regulator’s requirements. These models would all have been clinically usable as pandemic ventilators and could have supported large numbers of critically ill patients.â€
Temperature: Partly cloudy in the north-east in the morning with fog in places along the escarpment and southern Highveld at first, otherwise fine and cool but warm over the Lowveld.
The expected UVB Sunburn Index: –
Limpopo:
Temperature: Partly cloudy in the east at first with morning fog in places along the escarpment and central parts of the province, otherwise fine and cool.
The expected UVB Sunburn Index: –
North-West Province:
Temperature: Fine and cool.
The expected UVB Sunburn Index: –
Free State:
Temperature: Fine and cool but wendy over van Reenen’s Pass..
The expected UVB Sunburn Index: –
Northern Cape:
Temperature: Morning fog along the coast, otherwise fine and cool to warm with morning frost over southern high ground.
Wind: The wind along the coast will be Moderate to fresh south-easterly.
The expected UVB Sunburn Index: –
Western Cape:
Temperature: Partly cloudy to cloudy over the extreme south west otherwise fine and cool with high level cloud at times.
Wind: The wind along the coast will be Light south westerly north of Cape Columbine ,otherwise moderate to fresh north westerly to westerly but strong at times in the afternoon.
The expected UVB Sunburn Index: Low.
Eastern Cape:
The Western half – Temperature: Fine and cool.
The Western Half – Wind: The wind along the coast will be light and variable in the morning otherwise moderate south westerly.
The Eastern half – Temperature: Fine and cool.
The Eastern half – Wind: The wind along the coast will be Light north westerly becoming light to moderate south westerly by afternoon.
The expected UVB Sunburn Index: –
Kwazulu-Natal:
Temperature: Partly cloudy with morning fog patches in places over the interior, otherwise fine and cool but warm in places in the east.
Wind: The wind along the coast will be Gentle south-easterly in the north, otherwise moderate to fresh northerly to north-easterly.
Man – despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments – owes his existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains. — Anonymous
TODAY’S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
Character is doing what is right when no one is looking. — J.C. Watts
TODAY’S WISDOM FROM AROUND THE WORLD:
Judge not the horse by his saddle. — Chinese Proverb
TODAY’S CHINESE PROVERB:
Constancy of purpose achieves the impossible.
FOR THOSE OF US BORN ON THIS DAY:
Happy Birthday! The months ahead are likely to start with a welcome surge in your cash flow. Stick with the tried and trusted when it comes to big ideas in order to solve a work or school problem. July is the month where you can afford to be creative. Don’t be too harsh or critical if someone close confides in you in October, but December is the month where you might need to be quite clear about what you expect and don’t expect! January is likely to be a flirty month, but romantic matters in February might require some give and take. March is a fabulous month, with travel very well aspected, but don’t turn your back on a fabulous opportunity at this time. The start of the year could bring in confusing feelings over someone close, but by September you’ll know exactly where you stand with this person!
Famous people born on your birthday include:Â Ann Landers, Abigail Van Buren, George Steinbrenner, Eva Marie Saint, Andrea Gabriel, Geraldo Rivera, Dear Abby, Neil Simon, Louis Armstrong
CELEBRITY GOSSIP:
There have many comments about Taylor Swift’s approach to dating and whether her latest entanglement is a genuine romance or a conscious media friendly decision. The planets tell us that the relationship is actually genuine!
ARIES DAILY HOROSCOPE | Mar 21 – Apr 19
It’s a day where you may give in to a slightly emotional vibe, by trying to please others. This could extend into a level of extravagance in a way that could lead to minor concerns later in the week. It may be a very good idea to set strict limits from budgets to schedules from the start!
Today’s Numbers:  3, 17, 22, 27, 32, 45
TAURUS DAILY HOROSCOPE| Apr 20 – May 20
The new moon highlights relationships, but do bear in mind that a highly emotional vibe earlier in the day could cause a minor conflict over very little. If you do get it wrong, then a nice gesture may be in order. Specifically: someone else may need to have more of a say and/or more input!
Today’s Numbers:  4, 8, 13, 26, 35, 48
GEMINI DAILY HOROSCOPE| May 21 – Jun 20
Incoming news may hint at changes, but on a day where you’re not quite ready to respond in the way that you should. In addition; sensitivity levels may be fairly unpredictable. It may help to resist the temptation to look backwards instead of forwards, particularly when it comes to something forgotten!
Today’s Numbers: 1, 19, 24, 28, 33, 47
CANCER DAILY HOROSCOPE| Jun 21 – Jul 22
Thanks to a highly emotional undercurrent you may well be a little unreceptive to romantic gestures. Singles in particular could miss subtle signs of someone’s interest. Whether you’re single or attached, it may be quite difficult to recapture the mood if you’re a little too distant!
Today’s Numbers:   7, 12, 20, 29, 35, 43
LEO DAILY HOROSCOPE| Jul 23 – Aug 22
Change is in the air, but possibly on a day where all you can do is store it for now. Something you glean could change your attitude when it comes to a particular person or specific event. It’s certainly a day to pay attention, since incoming information is likely to bubble up at some point!
Today’s Numbers: 1, 18, 19, 24, 36, 40
VIRGO DAILY HOROSCOPE| Aug 23 – Sep 22
The incisive vibes may bring a little intensity to the day, but there are definite advantages. You’ll be more receptive to the sensitive undercurrent and therefore you’ll be far more able to reverse a verbal blunder, should it occur. The main downside to this is a tendency to assume a little too much before it’s been agreed!
Today’s Numbers: 7, 15, 23, 32, 38, 46
LIBRA DAILY HOROSCOPE| Sep 23 – Oct 22
It may not be a wildly fun day, but it could be a very warm day, if you can overcome a tendency to be a little unpredictable with others. That said; it may not be the best idea to leave someone hanging on indefinitely for an answer or response, particularly if it is work- related!
Today’s Numbers:9, 14, 17, 28, 33, 49
SCORPIO DAILY HOROSCOPE| Oct 23 – Nov 21
It’s certainly a day where emotions will overrule logic. You may well receive news that you have been waiting for. Alternatively; an ongoing plan may reach the next stage. However; all that said; you may not actually be as objective as you think. Your expectations may require a slight tweak!
Today’s Numbers:4, 11, 20, 26, 35, 42
SAGITTARIUS DAILY HOROSCOPE| Nov 22 – Dec 21
Communications have the capacity to be muddled and unclear, so be careful what you say and how you approach what you may hear. While you may feel tempted to react bluntly, bear in mind that an entirely separate matter could be the root cause of your low-level dissatisfaction!
Today’s Numbers: 7, 13, 28, 31, 38, 46
CAPRICORN DAILY HOROSCOPE| Dec 22 – Jan 19
Communications are likely to slightly awry, and unusually for a down- to-earth type, you’re likely to be in a rather intense mood. There’s definitely the capacity to solidify relationships in general. Don’t be surprised if someone close turns to you for comfort, but they may not be ready to hear practical suggestions yet!
Today’s Numbers:9, 14, 26, 33, 37, 45
AQUARIUS DAILY HOROSCOPE| Jan 20 – Feb 18
There’s a direct and unmistakable choice between sensible actions and over-the-top-responses today. There’s a possible moment of confusion in a verbal exchange, which should ease after tomorrow, so do avoid making a rash decision that you might regret at a later date!
Today’s Numbers:4, 11, 23, 38, 42, 47
PISCES DAILY HOROSCOPE| Feb 19 – Mar 20
The emotional undertones of the new moon may well actually assist good decisions. There is one minor note of caution: don’t let the lack of immediate results put you off from taking the plunge. As with several other signs; it’ll be a good strategy to listen to what is being said!
Seven officers have been injured after police interrupted an unlicensed music event in west London.
olice were called to White City on Friday evening following reports of a number of people gathered at an estate.
A number of items were thrown at police when they attempted to engage the group, forcing the officers to retreat.
Officers trained to deal with public disorder then arrived on the scene to disperse the group and were met with further hostility and violence, police said.
A Dispersal Zone has been authorised in the area while a section 60 order is also now in place.
Officers have tonight responded to reports of an unlicensed music event in #HammersmithandFulham.
Specially trained public order offences attended after police were met with hostility from attendees.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 3, 2020
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said seven officers had sustained injuries as a result of the clashes.
“Officers have responded to residents complaining about a large gathering, noise, anti-social behaviour and violence,†he said.
“These gatherings are illegal and also pose a risk to public health.
“The violence shown towards officers this evening was totally unacceptable and we will not tolerate it in any form. Officers encountered bricks and other missiles being thrown at them.
“Our robust police response demonstrated that we will police incidents like these firmly and stop those intent on causing harm or disruption to our communities.â€
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