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Franklin & Weinstein: Americans’ health big reason for high COVID death rate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

For the past three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, and will continue to demonstrate in the future, that America is one of the unhealthiest countries in the industrialized world. Critics on the right and left harp on how the pandemic was handled, but in fact the dismal outcomes in the U.S. do not reflect management of the crisis so much as our underlying health as a country.With the caveat that the actual figures from China are unknown, in the past three years, the U.S. is the only country in the world that has suffered more than 1 million deaths from COVID-19. The U.S. death total exceeds that of every other country, except Brazil, by more than half a million. Even when normalized for population, the U.S. per capita death rate is just outside the top 10 in the world and rising steadily.This is not the result of the policies of President Donald Trump or President Joe Biden. Nor does the explanation for the high number of U.S. deaths lie in an abnormally high case total...

The road less taken leads to delights of Denmark

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

Paris, Rome, New York, Venice: According to data from Virtuoso, a global network of travel advisers, the most-booked cities for 2023 contain few surprises.One great option — Denmark — ranks nowhere on the list. That’s a selling point in itself, say the country’s tourism officials. To wit: Its latest tourism marketing campaign, which kicked off on March 6, includes animated versions of the New York’s Statue of Liberty and the Mona Lisa telling travelers that standing in line for hours to see them “isn’t exactly the most exciting way to spend your holiday.”“We’re not a destination with a lot of big iconic attractions; we don’t have an Eiffel Tower or a Chinese Wall,” says Dennis Englund, U.S. and U.K. market director for Visit Denmark. “What makes Denmark more interesting is often in the very small things.”Even in Copenhagen, a city as beautiful as any among its continental neighbors and boasting culinary prowess to spare, some of the most memorable experiences come in small packages....

How to prepare yourself when a layoff is in the works

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

Q. I’ve been told that I’m getting laid off and “the meeting” will happen sometime next week. I’ve also heard there’s a lengthy document to sign; the grapevine says I won’t be able to sue or anything and nothing can be negotiated, not even severance. What should I do to prepare for this meeting?A. First, I’m sorry to hear about the upcoming layoff. They’re never fun and even if you didn’t like your job, it’s still a grieving process.It’s great that you’re mentally preparing for the meeting. Do you know the end date? You may want to bring a notepad and pen into the meeting to take notes. Your boss and/or someone from HR will probably be there in person to document it. They may pressure you to sign paperwork, but you may want to have an employment attorney eyeball it before you sign anything right then and there. For instance, you may have signed a noncompete clause that indicated you can’t work for a ...

Nets snap losing skid in style by blowing out the Heat in Miami in must-win for playoff seeding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

It was a game the Nets had to have.And they flew down to South Beach and took it.The stakes were greater Saturday night at FTX Arena than they’ve been at any point this season: Win and leapfrog the Miami Heat in the standings for sole ownership of the Eastern Conference’s final guaranteed playoff seed.Lose and the gap between the Nets and Heat would widen, moving Brooklyn closer to a sudden-death play-in tournament reality no playoff hopeful wants to live.And after five straight losses, including four in a row at home, the Nets secured a signature victory in a 129-100 romp over the Heat on Saturday. It marked both the largest margin of victory and the most points scored against the Heat in franchise history.The Nets have swept the Heat in the season series, 4-0.It was a critical victory because the worst of the Nets’ hellacious post-All-Star break schedule has passed — save for the season finale at home against a championship-contending Philadelphia 76ers tea...

Dear Abby: Engaged woman thrown by man’s reappearance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

Dear Abby: I recently got engaged to a man I’ve been seeing long distance for about a year. Then, out of the blue, an old military friend/crush called me and told me he has been thinking a lot about me and is working on himself. He apologized for the times he ghosted me because he couldn’t handle relationships.We talked for two and half hours, and it was like we were back to our deployment and inseparable. It brought feelings I have never had before, but it also brought confusion and conflict. I love my fiance. He’s a great man, and a single parent. I don’t know what to say to the old flame. Can you help? — Confused in the WestDear Confused: Tell the old flame you accept his apology for the multiple times he ghosted you and wish him luck in his self-improvement project, but explain that you are now engaged to a wonderful man. That said, you should not rush into marriage with anyone until you have doused this old flame and are confident in your decision....

Farm system shows promise

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

For the first time in about half a decade, the Red Sox farm system is veering into abundant territory.The kindest evaluation came from Baseball America, which ranks Boston No. 10 this year.While the pitching depth is somewhat of a mixed bag, with Keith Law questioning whether there’s a single legitimate starting pitcher on the entire farm, the infield talent is indisputable. The organization’s Top 30 is chock-full, with 16 infielders and two catching prospects.The one who knocksIn terms of talent and proximity to big-league readiness if there’s just “one to watch,” it’s Ceddanne Rafaela.The infielder-turned-outfielder broke out in a big way in 2022, when he moved from shortstop and became a defensive sensation in Double-A Portland. The organization’s 2022 Minor League Defensive Player of the Year evokes memories of Mookie Betts, who made a similar change at the same level almost a decade ago.The 22-year-old from Curacao could very well be Bo...

Crews continue to sift through Deep South tornado wreckage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

Search and recovery crews on Sunday resumed the daunting task of digging through the debris of flattened and battered homes, commercial buildings and municipal offices after hundreds of people were displaced by a deadly tornado that ripped through the Mississippi Delta, one of the poorest regions of the U.S. At least 25 people were killed and dozens of others were injured in Mississippi as the massive storm ripped through several towns on its hour-long path Friday night. One man was killed after his trailer home flipped several times in Alabama.The twister flattened entire blocks, obliterated houses, ripped a steeple off a church and toppled a municipal water tower. Even with recovery just starting, the National Weather Service warned of a risk of more severe weather Sunday — including high winds, large hail and possible tornadoes — in eastern Louisiana, south central Mississippi and south central Alabama. Based on early data, the tornado received a preliminary EF-4 rating, the Nati...

Amber Alert discontinued for child abduction south of Fort Worth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Public Safety discontinued an Amber Alert regarding a child abduction, originally issued Saturday morning, around 11 p.m. Saturday.In the initial alert, the Everman Police Department said it was searching for Noel Rodriguez-Alverez, a 6-year-old Hispanic boy with black hair and brown eyes.Law enforcement officials said they believed the child to be in grave or immediate danger. The current status of the child is not currently known.In connection to the abduction, police are looking for 37-year-old Cindy Cecilia Rodriguez-Singh, a 5’00” Hispanic woman weighing 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eye. Police also said she has tattoos across her chest.DPS said the suspect was last seen in Everman, Texas, and was driving a gray 2012 Chevrolet Silverado bearing Texas license plate number PLS7091.Anyone with information regarding this abduction should call the Everman Police Department at 817-293-2923.

Rapids rescue point at Austin FC as Kévin Cabral opens scoring account for Colorado in tie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

Down a goal and eagerly looking for an equalizer despite a slew of chances, Colorado needed a calm head Saturday night in Austin.It came in the form of a pair of late-game substitutes in Michael Barrios and Kévin Cabral. The Frenchman scored a crucial 85th-minute game-tying goal as the Rapids earned a point against Austin FC in a 1-1 tie.“I thought (our tenacity) was excellent,” Rapids head coach Robin Fraser said postgame. “I thought our commitment to sprint, whether to close things down or to run behind was excellent. I thought our choices of how we wanted to play out and our positioning was good. The play was good, but the question (about tenacity) is a valid one, because without tenacity, you don’t see the that level of play.”Colorado (0-3-2, 2 points) was the better side on the night finishing with 19 shots, eight on target and four from inside the 18-yard box, and likely would’ve scored more if it weren’t for Austin FC goalkeeper Brad ...

Denver airport CEO Phil Washington, Biden’s pick to lead FAA, withdraws amid shaky Senate support

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:12:30 GMT

WILMINGTON, Del. — President Joe Biden’s choice to run the Federal Aviation Administration has withdrawn his nomination, a setback for the administration that comes after Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington appeared to lack enough support in the closely divided Senate. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed Washington’s withdrawal in a tweet Saturday night, calling him “an excellent nominee” and blaming undeserved and partisan attacks.The FAA needs a confirmed Administrator, and Phil Washington’s transportation & military experience made him an excellent nominee. The partisan attacks and procedural obstruction he has faced are undeserved, but I respect his decision to withdraw and am grateful for his service.— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 26, 2023Republicans were united in opposition to Washington, calling him unqualified because of limited aviation experience. Democrats and allied independents still might have pushed the...