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Health

Music competition within the Netherlands results in over 1,000 Covid infections

Music festival in the Netherlands leads to over 1,000 Covid infections

Members of the public walk at Vondelpark in Amsterdam on a sunny day on March 30, 2021.

EVERT ELZINGA | AFP | Getty Images

A festival in the Netherlands shocked officials after 1,000 coronavirus infections were linked to the event despite requiring an “entry test”.

The Verknipt outdoor festival, which took place in Utrecht at the beginning of July, was attended by 20,000 people over two days. Each participant had to show a QR code stating that they had been vaccinated, had recently had a Covid infection or had a negative Covid test.

The organizers insisted that the event was carefully planned and controlled, but despite this, 1,050 people who attended the festival have since tested positive for Covid, according to the Utrecht Regional Health Authority.

“We can’t say that all these people infected themselves at the festival, it could also be that they got infected on the trip to the festival or the evening before the festival or an after party. re (the cases) are all connected to the festival, but we cannot 100% say that they were infected at the festival, “said Lennart van Trigt, a spokesman for the Utrecht Health Department (GGD).

Nonetheless, he said the number of cases was “pretty staggering” and could increase slightly in the coming days.

The event highlighted problems with the “entry test,” added van Trigt, which allowed people to take Covid tests up to 40 hours before the event, which opened up the possibility of contracting Covid in the meantime.

“We have now found out that this deadline is too long. We should have had 24 hours [period], that would be much better because in 40 hours people can do a lot of things like visit friends and go to bars and clubs. So in a 24-hour period, people can do fewer things and it’s safer, “he said.

Another problem was that people in the Netherlands could get a Covid pass for the festival immediately after vaccination, while in reality it takes several weeks for immunity to build up after a Covid vaccination.

“We were a little too happy with the trigger,” said Van Trigt, noting that there were lessons to be learned from.

The mayor of Utrecht, Sharon Dijksma, was particularly condemned while attending the ill-fated festival.

The Netherlands has seen a staggering increase in Covid cases in recent weeks, especially after lifting bar and club restrictions in late June and subsequently increasing Covid among younger people.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his Health Minister Hugo de Jonge apologized on Monday, saying the government made a “misjudgment” of lifting restrictions too early.

De Jonge also apologized for his “Dansen met Janssen” (“Dancing with Janssen”) campaign, which promoted the unique Janssen Covid vaccine to young people so that they could go out to party.

After the government admitted that “the coronavirus infection rate in the Netherlands has increased much faster than expected since the society was almost completely reopened on June 26,” the government announced last Friday that nightclubs and live performances would be at least until August 13th to be closed again.

The country’s “R” number is now 2.17, meaning any person with Covid-19 is likely to infect at least two other people.

An additional 10,492 cases were reported in the country on Wednesday, more than the average number of daily cases (8,395) over the past seven days. The majority of new cases affect people between the ages of 20 and 29 years.

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Politics

Britney Spears’s Case Leads Senators to Query Conservatorships

Britney Spears’s Case Leads Senators to Question Conservatorships

Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey are calling on federal agencies to step up oversight of the country’s conservatory systems after pop star Britney Spears testified that she was molested under her conservatory government.

The Senators wrote to Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health, and Merrick Garland, Attorney General, calling for more data on conservatories in the United States and how their agencies interact with state programs within the next two weeks. The move could signal the start of a legislative effort to reform the system.

“MS. The Spears case highlighted long-standing concerns of attorneys who have highlighted the potential for financial and civil rights violations by those under guardianship or supervision,” wrote Ms. Warren of Massachusetts and Mr. Casey of Pennsylvania.

The senators also highlighted previous efforts to study and reform the conservatory system that they felt had fallen short.

Ms. Warren, in a separate statement, described a system with “longstanding loopholes that can deprive people of their fundamental rights”.

“Both HHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have previously provided federal support for guardianship reforms and established national coverage regarding older Americans,” she said. “But the lack of federal data on the diffusion of conservatories and guardians of all kinds has made policy changes difficult.”

The National Center for State Courts estimates that there are 1.3 million active conservatories in the United States that oversee assets of at least $ 50 billion, but the group notes that the estimate is based on a “handful” of states which provide reasonably reliable data on conservatories. Each state maintains its own system of conservatories, and data collection varies widely from state to state.

In particular, the senators pointed to a lack of data on the potential for discrimination in the care system on the basis of “race and ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and type of disability of persons subject to guardianship”.

This assessment is supported by independent government agencies who have studied conservatories. A 2016 report by the Government Accountability Office found that “the extent of abuse of the elderly by guardians is unknown at the national level”. The National Disability Council said in 2018 that it “cannot say for sure whether guardianship is a growing trend or whether its popularity is decreasing,” adding that the lack of data makes it difficult to recommend policy changes.

Ms. Spears told a judge in Los Angeles last week that she was drugged, forced to work against her will and prevented from removing a contraceptive during her 13-year conservatory career.

On Thursday, an asset management firm that would become co-restorers of Ms. Spears’ estate requested to withdraw from the agreement. In its inquiry to the court, the company said it had been told that Ms. Spears’ conservatory activity was voluntary.

James P. Spears, Ms. Spears’ father who oversees the singer’s finances, called for an investigation into her claims. His attorneys have requested an evidence hearing and questioned the actions of both Ms. Spears’ current personal curator, who replaced Mr. Spears in the position in 2019, and her court-appointed attorney.

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Business

NBA union government leads talks to assist gamers earn more money from NFTs

NBA union executive leads talks to help players make more money from NFTs

Joi Garner, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of THINK450, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the National Basketball Players Association.

Source: Joi Garner

The National Basketball Association and its players union will soon benefit from the rise of the NFTs, and union officer Joi Garner leads one side of the discussion.

The league and the National Basketball Players Association are negotiating with Dapper Labs to rerun a 2019 license agreement. Dapper is the creator of the popular NFT brand, NBA Top Shot. Garner is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Think450, the licensing and marketing arm of NBPA. She said the renewal talks piqued the players’ interest.

“It’s probably the most requested license agreement [among players]”Garner told CNBC.

Garner, who is the negotiator for NBPA deals discussions, was unable to reveal details of the discussions with Dapper for privacy reasons. But she said the union would maximize player value as NFTs grew in popularity.

The NBA licenses clips to Dapper Labs, which they digitize and convert into a limited number of NFTs to increase the scarcity of their top shot product. Some NFTs offer highlights in different angles and digital graphics. And many of the NFTs are sold out.

In licensing agreements, leagues and unions usually receive a percentage of revenue from the sale of an intellectual property company’s product. And it’s not uncommon for a stake to be included in deals either.

In 2017, the NBA granted players their naming, image, and likeness rights so that the NBPA could also coordinate rights money. As a result, companies must enter into dual agreements with the NBA and NBPA in licensing deals.

According to a report on blockchain news site CoinDesk, Dapper Labs is worth more than $ 7.5 billion after a recent fundraiser. In a February CNBC article, the company said NBA Top Shot products generated over $ 230 million in revenue.

With these figures, the NBPA gets a good overview of the income generated. Garner joked that she needs to get this agreement right, adding the union-hired technical advisors to provide input on the future of the NFTs.

“The pressure on this deal ensures we are getting the greatest possible value for the players,” said Garner. “What we don’t want is to take out jewelry insurance” or take less money now for a product that will generate more in the future.

Aim for $ 200 million

Against the background of contract negotiations, Garner joined the NBPA in 2018 under Think450 President Payne Brown. The unit was created to increase sales for players who take advantage of licensing and marketing agreements. Most recently, Garner has signed union agreements with companies like Kia and DoorDash.

The Think450 unit is slated to generate $ 200 million over the next few years, and Garner will play a major role.

“The goal for Payne when he joined us in 2018 was that he wanted to double sales in five years. That’s a big goal, but he hasn’t forgotten, and neither have I,” said Garner .

Garner said NBPA is reviewing content distribution offers for three projects, including a documentary covering Vince Carter’s final season and the 2020 pandemic season. This documentary features behind-the-scenes footage of the NBA’s NBA campus by a production team from Pop stars Beyonce were filmed.

“This story we’re finalizing is about to hit the market,” Garner said, adding that the film project will be finalized with the April 2021 ruling in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, convicted of the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.

Garner is also monitoring the CBD sector for licensing deals, but added that the NBPA would need to consult the NBA as products could contain marijuana, which is still banned nationwide, although states are allowed to legalize it.

She said the Think450 will be in “hyper-growth mode” for the remainder of 2021. However, before it looks to the future, completing the renewal with Top Shot is a top priority.

“Confusing that wouldn’t do me any good,” said Garner. “Everyone is watching. I think the industry is also watching how this works and whether NFTs will stay here.”

Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of the murder of George Floyd.

Categories
Health

Pause in Vaccinations Results in Canceled Appointments Throughout States

Pause in Vaccinations Leads to Canceled Appointments Across States

The Albany County Health Department in New York said it would be providing doses of Pfizer for a Johnson & Johnson clinic at a local university on Tuesday. The Detroit Chief Public Health Officer said people who had appointments for a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a city-operated location will be able to keep their time and receive a Pfizer or Moderna shot. And New Hampshire officials who had planned to use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in clinics and for patients in the home country on Tuesday said they would work to find Pfizer or Moderna doses instead.

Updated

April 13, 2021, 10:49 p.m. ET

“This news is not going to slow New Hampshire down,” Governor Chris Sununu said in a statement. “While the federal government has taken a brief hiatus on the J&J vaccine, the state is already working with our partners to ensure they have alternative care of Pfizer or Moderna to continue their efforts today.”

But in some places there was no immediate alternative. In Aurora, Illinois, a mass vaccination clinic scheduled for Tuesday was canceled, leaving 1,000 patients without an appointment. In Riverside County, California, mobile clinics that planned to vaccinate about 400 people in less populous areas on Tuesday have been canceled. And in rural Jefferson County, southeast Iowa, a last-minute Johnson & Johnson clinic aimed at manufacturing workers was scrapped.

“It was so heartbreaking for me,” said Christine Estle, the county nurse, who said she and her colleagues had encouraged the approximately 140 planned people to make appointments at local pharmacies or hospitals.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has long been considered key to the country’s vaccination effort because, unlike the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer therapies, it requires only one shot and is easier to store. In cities across the country, public health experts had begun using the vaccine in places where reluctance to get one shot – let alone two – is great.

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Updated March 29, 2021

The latest on how the pandemic is changing education.

“I just want to do whatever I can to ensure that the people who have signed up for appointments still come to them with Pfizer or Moderna,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, the Chicago public health commissioner, feared the hiatus would undermine vaccine confidence and that she had already heard from skeptical patients asking if the other shots were safe.

Dr. Arwady said her department used the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to reach people who would otherwise be unlikely to find one, by offering it in workplaces, churches and even along bus routes.

Categories
Business

On-line procuring results in pressure at Port of Los Angeles

Online shopping leads to strain at Port of Los Angeles

The number of shipments delivered through the country’s busiest container port complex in Los Angeles has increased significantly from the first half, driven by a recovery in business and a change in consumer habits.

Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said during an appearance on CNBC on Monday that cargo volume increased 50% in the second half of 2020 after arriving at the docks in the first six months of the year, and that loaded ships often anchor at sea waiting for a dock to open.

“It’s all the change in the American consumer,” Seroka said on Power Lunch. “We don’t buy services, we buy goods.”

The surge in shipments has put a strain on the seaport supply chain, which is managed by the Los Angeles Port Authority. It’s a stark contrast to spring, when volume plummeted as the coronavirus pandemic plunged the global economy into recession.

With retailers seeing a surge in online ordering and e-commerce in the world of stay-at-home, it has created long delays in unloading ships at ports across the country and a lack of desired storage space.

Seroka said the port expects demand to surge. The Port of Southern California has been the busiest container port in North America for the past two decades, welcoming 17% of all US cargo.

In November, the Port of Los Angeles saw 890,000 shipments, equivalent to 20 feet, passing through its facilities, up 22% from the same month last year, partly due to vacation orders. Imports from Asia are at a record level, announced the port authority. Meanwhile, exports at the port have declined in 23 of the last 25 months, partly due to trade policy with China.

“In addition to trade policy, it is the strength of the US dollar that makes our goods a bit more than would otherwise be the case for competing nations in the same product categories,” Seroka said. “And right now the most amazing statistic is that we are sending back twice as many empty boxes as we are American exports through our docks.”

Monthly cargo volumes averaged 930,000 units in 20 foot units since August, which Seroka called “unusual” at the end of the year. The activity is expected to last several months.

Seroka said the port has been focusing on digitization to streamline shipping schedules and logistics.

“The port is tense,” he said.

Categories
Business

Marvel Girl 1984 opening weekend results in fast-tracked third movie

'Wonder Woman 1984' reviews: What critics are saying

Gal Gadot plays Wonder Woman in “Wonder Woman 1984”.

Warner bros.

“Wonder Woman 1984” hit theaters on Christmas Day, securing the highest box office opening of any domestic film since the coronavirus pandemic crippled the entertainment industry in mid-March.

On Sunday, Warner Bros. announced that the film was worth $ 16.7 million in the United States and Canada. “Wonder Woman 1984” was one of the first major Hollywood blockbusters to be released in theaters and streaming on the same day.

Simultaneous release should accommodate a limited number of open theaters, limited seating capacity, and a broad public that continues to be afraid of returning to theaters.

Warner & Bros. mom AT&T said Sunday that nearly half of HBO Max subscribers saw “Wonder Woman 1984” on Christmas Day. Retail subscribers are those who purchase the streaming service directly, not through a cable or other streaming subscription.

As of October, HBO Max had around 3.6 million direct retail customers. It is unclear how many additional subscribers the company gained prior to the release of Wonder Woman 1984 on the platform.

“Wonder Woman 1984 broke records in the first 24 hours of service and exceeded our expectations for all major ad and subscriber metrics. The interest and momentum we’re seeing suggest this is likely well beyond the weekend will continue, “said Andy Forssell, executive vice president and general manager of WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer division. “In these very difficult times, it was nice to give families the opportunity to enjoy this uplifting movie at home where going to the theater wasn’t an option.”

The movie’s box office hit prompted the studio to accelerate a third installment in the Wonder Woman franchise, the company said. It’s written and directed by Patty Jenkins, who directed the previous two films and made it clear to the New York Times last week that she wouldn’t be returning to the franchise if a theatrical model wasn’t possible for the film.

At the beginning of the weekend, analysts weren’t sure the film could top the nearly $ 10 million that “The Croods: A New Age” had secured on the opening weekend during Thanksgiving. There were concerns that HBO Max audience numbers could be grossly cannibalizing ticket sales.

Despite the gross grossing, fans and critics are concerned about Warner Bros.’s DC Extended Universe.

A week before its US debut, Wonder Woman 1984 had a rating of 88% “Fresh” out of 92 reviews on the Rotten Tomatoes review page. As of Sunday afternoon, that score dropped from 285 ratings to 65%.

While the film’s star, Gal Gadot, received widespread acclaim, the film itself has been condemned for its poor story, plot inconsistencies, and inferior CGI.

For comparison, the first Wonder Woman movie released in 2017 scored 93%, the highest of any movie in the DC Extended Universe. Private watch parties and large format screens like IMAX and Dolby were the most popular way for moviegoers to see the latest movie over the vacation weekend, the company said.

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC. NBCUniversal owns Dreamworks Animation, the studio behind The Croods: A New Age, and Rotten Tomatoes.

Correction: Warner Bros. mom AT&T said Sunday that nearly half of HBO Max subscribers saw “Wonder Woman 1984” on Christmas Day.

Categories
World News

Investigators taking a look at greater than 500 leads in Nashville bombing, officers say

Investigators looking at more than 500 leads in Nashville bombing, officials say

Debris lies on the street near an explosion site in the Second and Commerce area of ​​Nashville, Tennessee, the United States, on December 25, 2020.

Elliott Anderson | via Reuters

Investigators received more than 500 tips about the Christmas morning explosion in Nashville, but failed to establish the bomber’s identity, officials said on Saturday afternoon.

Local law enforcement agencies are working with federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to investigate the explosion site, which includes dozens of companies across the city.

“This is where we are in this investigation. We continue to follow every lead we have, and we will continue to do so until we find out what happened,” said Don Cochran, the US attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

The explosion in downtown Nashville early Christmas morning shattered the windows and shut down communications. Authorities said they believe the explosion was intentional and came from a motor home parked on the street.

According to the FBI, the RV arrived in the area just after 1 a.m. local time, and the explosion occurred around 5:30 a.m. A warning to residents in the area to evacuate from the RV before the explosion.

Doug Korneski, the FBI’s special agent in charge of the Memphis Field Office, said Saturday there was no evidence of an ongoing bomb threat in the area. When asked about reports that investigators have identified a person of interest to the case, Korneski said the investigation was still examining several people.

NBC News reported, citing several senior law enforcement officers, that investigators in connection with the bombing ransacked the home of 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner. A Google Streetview image of Warner’s Antioch, Tennessee address shows a RV that matches the description of the vehicle that exploded Friday morning.

Metro Nashville police chief John Drake said Friday that there were no known deaths from the explosion, although police were testing tissue found at the scene to see if it could be human remains, according to NBC News. Korneski said investigators are still examining the tissue.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper has imposed a curfew on part of downtown, which will last until Sunday afternoon. Federal regulators briefly suspended flights into the city on Friday as the investigation began.

Social media users reported problems with phone and internet services in Nashville after the explosion. AT&T announced on Saturday morning that portable cellular sites will be deployed in the area to quickly restore coverage.