CHICAGO — Information that President Donald Trump and first girl Melania Trump had examined optimistic for the coronavirus sparked an explosion of rumors, misinformation and conspiracy theories that littered social media feeds.
By Friday morning, almost 30,000 Twitter customers had retweeted a wide range of conspiracy theories concerning the information, in response to an evaluation by VineSight, a tech firm that tracks on-line misinformation.
The information is ripe for overseas and home web instigators to take advantage of by pushing on-line disinformation concerning the two presidential candidates and opens the door for unwitting individuals to unfold misinformation with out realizing what they’re sharing is fake, consultants say.
Fb stated Friday that it instantly started monitoring misinformation across the president’s prognosis and had began making use of truth checks to some false posts.
Twitter, in the meantime, was monitoring an uptick in “copypasta” campaigns — that are makes an attempt from quite a few Twitter accounts to parrot the identical phrase over and over to inundate customers with messaging — about Trump’s sickness. The social media firm stated it was working to restrict views on these tweets.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— Trump and first girl check optimistic for coronavirus; each have ‘gentle signs’
— Russia experiences greater than 9,000 new circumstances in a day
— Trump’s optimistic prognosis sparks an explosion of rumors and conspiracy theories
— Trump has a number of strikes in opposition to him — age, weight problems, elevated ldl cholesterol and being male — that might put him at better danger of changing into critically ailing from the coronavirus.
— Siblings, grandparents and grownup youngsters of Canadians and everlasting residents are amongst those that will quickly be exempt from COVID-19 border restrictions in Canada.
— There is a rising variety of world leaders who’ve been contaminated with the coronavirus. President Donald Trump joins British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Comply with AP’s pandemic protection at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
MISSION, Kan. — Well being officers in Kansas’ largest county are making it simpler for older college students to move again to class whilst coronavirus outbreaks in faculties and sports activities infect tons of statewide.
Johnson County’s well being division launched new standards Thursday that permit center and excessive schoolers to modify to a hybrid mode by which they go in-person a part of the time and be taught at residence the remaining so long as there are security precautions in place equivalent to masks and day by day signs screenings, The Kansas Metropolis Star experiences. Well being officers beforehand stated that youthful college students might return to school rooms full-time.
The transfer comes because the suburban Kansas Metropolis county averaged 113 new circumstances every day final week, which was the third highest new case depend for the reason that pandemic started, epidemiologist Elizabeth Holzschuh stated. And circumstances have been rising amongst youngsters beneath the age of 19 and displaying up in faculties.
Even with many college students nonetheless studying on-line, 104 of Johnson County’s 169 public faculties, or greater than 60%, have applied at the least one quarantine after a COVID-19 publicity, officers stated.
“We all know there might be circumstances,” Holzschuh advised the board of commissioners at its weekly assembly Thursday. “This isn’t shocking to us. The purpose is to not have that widespread transmission and people circumstances pop up all through the varsity.”
The ultimate determination on whether or not to maneuver from distant to hybrid studying for older college students might be made by the county’s particular person college districts, which have been the main focus of ongoing protests demanding that every one college students be allowed to be taught in individual, 5 days every week.
Statewide, Kansas added 1,362 new confirmed and possible circumstances from Wednesday to Friday, bringing the overall to 61,111. Kansas additionally added 20 extra deaths, elevating the general quantity for the reason that pandemic started to 698. Nonetheless, the variety of coronavirus circumstances is regarded as increased as a result of individuals could be contaminated with out feeling ailing and due to restricted testing early within the pandemic.
ST. LOUIS — As Missouri Gov. Mike Parson continues to recuperate from the coronavirus, his workplace is declining to say what number of members of his workers even have examined optimistic.
Parson’s spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, has not responded to a number of requests for data on workers diseases, the St. Louis Put up-Dispatch reported Friday. Jones didn’t instantly reply to an inquiry from The Related Press.
The choice to not present data on diseases inside the workplace differs from the observe of different state companies which have routinely reported virus circumstances for the reason that pandemic started. For instance, the Missouri Division of Corrections has reported 613 optimistic exams amongst workers for the reason that onset of the pandemic, and the Division of Psychological Well being says 384 employees have examined optimistic, with 4 deaths.
An estimated three dozen individuals work intently with the Republican governor. Parson and his spouse, Teresa, examined optimistic on Sept. 23. Neither has developed critical signs.
Parson’s workplace earlier confirmed quite a lot of staffers on his crew have been in quarantine and dealing from residence after the Parsons’ optimistic exams.
BATON ROUGE, La. — Because the nation processed the information that President Donald Trump has COVID-19, Republicans within the Louisiana Home on Friday backed a package deal of measures aimed toward unraveling the state’s coronavirus restrictions in an ongoing dispute with Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.
The 9 items of laws fluctuate in method. One would overturn Edwards’ coronavirus govt orders for a month. Others would give lawmakers extra capacity to jettison all or a part of future orders — or extensions of current COVID-19 restrictions — the governor needs to enact. One other would require bars and eating places to be handled the identical in emergency orders.
“So as to have oversight, we’ve to have data and a seat on the desk,” stated Rep. Stephen Dwight, a Lake Charles Republican.
The proposals — which received assist largely on party-line votes with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed — transfer subsequent to the Senate for debate. Senators earlier this week unanimously backed a extra modest method that might give lawmakers extra oversight of emergency selections, however no new authority to jettison a governor’s emergency orders.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s self-exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he was hospitalized for about two weeks after diagnosing himself as having the coronavirus.
Thaksin, a 71-year-old billionaire whose most important residence is in Dubai within the United Arab Emirates, found he was contaminated there in late August when he examined himself with a high-tech gadget made by an organization by which he’s an investor, an unofficial spokesman in Bangkok for the Shinawatra household stated Friday. Wim Rungwattanachinda stated Thaksin examined optimistic once more when he went to a hospital, and he was handled for about two weeks earlier than being launched.
Thaksin based a political social gathering after changing into a billionaire within the telecommunications sector, and have become prime minister after profitable a 2001 election. He was reelected in 2005, however the military ousted him in a coup in 2006, after which he confronted a number of costs associated to abuse of energy and corruption. Thaksin claimed the circumstances in opposition to him have been political persecution, and fled Thailand whereas on bail after a conviction on one of many costs for which he was handed three years’ imprisonment. His funding in a UK-based firm that claims on its web site to have rolled out a “speedy, lab-free COVID-19 check,” is only one of a number of enterprise pursuits
MADISON, Wis. — President Donald Trump canceled his two weekend marketing campaign rallies in Wisconsin after testing optimistic for the coronavirus.
In the meantime, Republicans within the battleground state of Wisconsin confirmed no indicators of backing down of their makes an attempt to undo the masks mandate imposed by the Democratic governor.
Wisconsin Republicans, who management the Legislature, filed a movement in assist of a lawsuit that seeks to undo a statewide masks order issued by Gov. Tony Evers. A listening to on the case was scheduled for Monday.
Coronavirus circumstances are surging in Wisconsin, which ranks third nationwide in new circumstances per capita over the previous two weeks, threatening to overwhelm hospitals. Wisconsin has damaged day by day data for brand spanking new circumstances and deaths in latest days. On Tuesday, the state’s chief medical officer stated Wisconsin was in “disaster.”
Evers, together with native well being and elected officers, had urged Trump to rethink the Saturday rallies in Inexperienced Bay and Janesville hours earlier than he examined optimistic. Trump’s rallies sometimes entice 1000’s of individuals, most of whom don’t put on masks regardless of steering from state and federal well being officers that masks are an efficient strategy to gradual the unfold of the virus.
LONDON — The European Medicines Company has began a security evaluate after some sufferers taking the coronavirus drug remdesivir reported critical kidney issues.
The EU regulator says it isn’t clear whether or not remdesivir is inflicting the experiences of “acute kidney damage,” however that the problem “warrants additional investigation.”
Remdesivir was given a conditional advertising and marketing authorization by the EMA on July 3 and can be utilized to deal with individuals older than 12 with extreme COVID-19 who require oxygen remedy. The approval for the drug was fast-tracked with the understanding that extra proof could be submitted after a license was granted
The EMA says the potential drawback of kidney toxicity attributable to remdesivir was evaluated when the conditional approval was given, primarily based mostly on animal research. It famous that kidney accidents could be attributable to different elements, together with diabetes and the coronavirus.
The regulator says suggestions for the usage of remdesivir stay unchanged; docs are already suggested to observe sufferers for kidney issues earlier than beginning remedy and never use the drug in sufferers with identified kidney issues.
LONDON — The pinnacle of the World Well being Group says he needs U.S. President Donald Trump and his spouse Melania a “full and swift restoration” after listening to they have been contaminated with the coronavirus.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the world continues to be reporting about 2 million new circumstances of coronavirus each week. He appealed for international locations to take a position extra in creating obligatory instruments like vaccines, medicine and fast diagnostic exams.
Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s emergencies chief, declined to answer strategies that Trump’s dismissal of quite a few public well being measures aimed toward lowering the unfold of coronavirus, together with mask-wearing and social distancing, might have contributed to his an infection.
He says regardless of the escalating case depend within the U.S., “there is no such thing as a purpose the U.S. can’t management this illness, flip a nook (and) get the illness beneath management.” He famous such an effort would require large work and cash.
DES MOINES — Iowa posted greater than 1,000 new confirmed coronavirus circumstances for the third consecutive day.
State public well being knowledge posted Friday indicated 1,142 new confirmed circumstances up to now 24 hours, with a 90,754 complete of circumstances since March. The state posted 9 further deaths for a complete of 1,367.
Iowa averaged almost 900 circumstances a day up to now week. On Friday, 85 of Iowa’s 99 counties have a positivity price exceeding 5%, the speed at which many public well being consultants suggest measures to gradual the unfold, together with masks carrying and limits on crowd numbers.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has declined to challenge a masks mandate, has largely opened the state for enterprise and insists that faculties should maintain in-class classes.
ATHENS, Greece – Greece hit a brand new report with 460 day by day confirmed infections on Friday.
Complete infections have almost reached 20,000 circumstances. With 5 extra deaths, the general toll has reached 398.
Officers says there’s no want for brand spanking new lockdown measures, supplied the general public obeys current ones.
The infections Friday included 114 circumstances amongst employees at a canning manufacturing facility in northern Greece, which has been closed. Beginning Saturday, guests from Poland and the Czech Republic might be amongst these needing a damaging coronavirus check earlier than touring to Greece.
MILAN — Italy has counted almost 2,500 new coronavirus circumstances for a second straight day.
There’s been greater than 120,000 exams. The southern area of Campania topped the ranks at 392 circumstances, adopted by hard-hit Lombardy at 307.
The Well being Ministry says complete circumstances reached almost 320,000. One other 23 died within the final 24 hours, bringing the confirmed dying toll to 35,941.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Dr. Ashish Jha, a number one infectious ailments knowledgeable, referred to as President Donald Trump’s an infection with the coronavirus “a complete failure” to guard him.
Jha, the brand new dean of Brown College’s Faculty of Public Well being, tweeted Friday: “It is a nightmare. COVID19 is a critical an infection, particularly for somebody who’s older like Mr. Trump. I can’t consider he was contaminated. It is a complete failure by WH crew to guard the President.”
Trump tweeted Friday that he’s quarantining within the White Home, together with spouse Melania, who additionally examined optimistic for the coronavirus.
A White Home official says the president is experiencing “gentle signs.”
Trump has spent a lot of the yr downplaying the specter of a virus, which has killed greater than 207,000 Individuals.
DETROIT — Bus riders have been stranded Friday in Detroit as drivers involved concerning the coronavirus refused to report back to work.
A union official says drivers have been having conflicts with riders about carrying masks and dealing with different challenges.
“Simply since you ask somebody a couple of masks, you’ve obtained to fend on your life,” Glenn Tolbert advised The Detroit Information. “It’s attending to the purpose with COVID and all the opposite pressures … all of this stuff are simply piling up. I’ve obtained individuals quitting every day.”
Detroit buses serve a mean of 85,000 individuals a day.
In March, early within the pandemic, drivers staged a strike over security and the situation of their buses. In response, Detroit eradicated fares, promised extra cleansing and advised riders to enter and exit from the rear door solely. Masks are obligatory.
Detroit’s chief working officer, Hakim Berry, says town is listening to new considerations and dealing to get drivers again on the street.
A driver died of the coronavirus in March, days after posting an indignant video on Fb a couple of coughing passenger.
YAKIMA, Wash. — Two hospital nurses have filed a grievance with the Washington State Division of Well being, saying staffing and sanitation practices are placing sufferers and workers in danger through the pandemic.
The Yakima Herald-Republic experiences Sylvia Keller and Alice Westphal say Virginia Mason Memorial has been dangerously understaffed, leading to nurses working every single day “in anticipation of a catastrophe.”
Virginia Mason Memorial declined remark due to hospital protocol prohibiting touch upon an ongoing investigation. Well being Division spokesperson Kristen Maki confirmed the company acquired the allegations however couldn’t affirm or deny if an investigation was opened.
HONOLULU — The household of a person who died after being contaminated with the coronavirus in a Hawaii veterans’ residence has filed a wrongful dying lawsuit.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported the sons of Chris Drayer filed the lawsuit in opposition to the operator of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans House in Hilo, the place 27 resident have died from the coronavirus.
Noah Bennett-Drayer and Daniel Bennett-Drayer allege their father died on account of substandard care by Utah-based Avalon Well being Care and 4 of its associates. The 70-year-old U.S. Military veteran who served in Vietnam was examined for the coronavirus Aug. 28 and died Sept. 2.
HONOLULU — As much as 100,000 Hawaii residents receiving unemployment advantages are anticipated to obtain $500 meal playing cards to be used in eating places all through the state.
The cash might be distributed by means of the Restaurant Card Program. It is going to distribute $75 million within the type of the debit-style playing cards to individuals who started receiving unemployment advantages after March 25.
This system funded by federal coronavirus aid cash is designed to assist struggling eating places and farmers. Registration isn’t required for the nontransferable playing cards, which might be delivered by mail. The playing cards can solely be utilized in eating places between Oct. 20 and Dec. 15.
Because the state continues to reopen, every island can set its personal guidelines. On Oahu, the state’s most populous, eating places are working as much as 50% capability, with not more than 5 individuals from the identical family per desk. Diners have to make reservations and supply their contact particulars.
BRUSSELS — Talking within the identify of all 27 EU leaders, European Council president Charles Michel wished Donald Trump a immediate restoration after the U.S. president and his spouse examined optimistic for coronavirus.
Talking after a two-day assembly of heads of states and governments from the bloc in Brussels, Michel was requested by a reporter what classes may very well be drawn from Trump’s optimistic check.
“After all, all of us want him a speedy restoration,” Michel stated, “However in fact, personally I can’t give a well being recommendation.”
LONDON — A Scottish Nationwide Get together lawmaker on the U.Ok. Parliament is beneath stress to resign for travelling from London to Glasgow after testing optimistic for the coronavirus.
Margaret Ferrier apologized for breaching virus-related restrictions on journey however is dealing with rising calls to give up. That features calls from her social gathering chief, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The SNP chief Ian Blackford advised BBC Radio Scotland that Ferrier had made a “large error of judgment” and now should “do the proper factor for her constituents.”
The SNP suspended Ferrier from the social gathering on Thursday after studying of the breach.
Individuals in Britain are advised they need to self-isolate if they’ve coronavirus signs and when they’re ready for a check consequence after reporting signs.
PORTLAND, Maine — The median age of people that contract coronavirus within the state of Maine is trending downward.
Maine Middle for Illness Management and Prevention director Nirav Shah says the median age was 51.3 from March by means of the tip of Could. It dipped to 41.4 for the months of June by means of September.
He says the potential causes embrace a rise in financial and social exercise in latest months. Shah says the drop in median age is a motivator to take care of social distancing and take different precautions.
NEW YORK — Amazon says almost 20,000 of its employees have examined optimistic or been presumed optimistic for the virus that causes COVID-19.
Amazon says in a company weblog it examined knowledge from March 1 to Sept. 19 for its 1.37 million employees at Amazon and Entire Meals Market.
It stated it in contrast COVID-19 case charges to the overall inhabitants, as reported by Johns Hopkins College for a similar interval. Based mostly on that evaluation, if the speed amongst Amazon and Entire Meals workers have been the identical as it’s for the overall inhabitants, it estimated it could have seen 33,952 circumstances amongst its workforce.
The corporate says it’s conducting 1000’s of exams a day, which is able to develop to 50,000 exams a day throughout 650 websites by November.
Corporations haven’t any authorized obligation to publicly reveal what number of of their employees have contracted the virus, and few are doing so.
Nonetheless, employers should present a secure working atmosphere, which suggests they need to alert workers if they may have been uncovered to the virus, in response to tips from the Occupational Security and Well being Administration. They’re obligated to maintain monitor of COVID-19 infections contracted on the job, and should report back to OSHA if there’s a hospitalization or dying associated to the illness.
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