A25 U.S. NEWS Wednesday 15 July 2020 Wait ‘til next year: Giving up on 2020, looking toward 2021

Continued from Front having a microwedding June 6. As they did their first There was a months-long look, a massive Black Lives moment where the world Matter demonstration ar- was on pause, causing rived at Philadelphia’s Lo- many to dig into existential gan Square. Photos of the questions: What is my pur- couple holding hands, fists pose? Where do I belong? raised, with thousands of That’s what Dikobe found people surrounding them himself doing as he quaran- went viral. tined in his small New York “We were really just a sym- apartment contemplating bol of the things the world his future — both personal needs more of, especi- and professional. Would ally in 2020,” Perkins says. he ever perform on stage “There’s a pandemic and again, or would he have to all of the changes and the retire before an opportunity things that we’re hearing arrived? The more he consi- and seeing, people need dered it, the more he found hope. People need love. himself thinking: “2020 is not And people need unity.” canceled, actually. It’s an While Gordon says he awakening.” knows they were lucky, he Leslie Dwight, a 23-year-old has advice for others plan- writer, wondered the same A sign reads "Cancel Plans Not Humanity" Tuesday, April 14, 2020, in Los Angeles. ning milestones: Take a thing in a poem she wrote Associated Press breath, think about what’s that was endlessly shared “The only opportunity to ted to be. We believe in the their planned 2020 nuptials really important and find on social media about reset is next spring. Every- power of change and pro- to next year, but only 7% the special. Deborah Se- a week after the May 25 thing else we’re doing this mise ourselves: “This is our have canceled their wed- rani, a psychologist in the death of George Floyd at year is going to be drained year,” as one reveler pro- ding? Weddings are diffe- New York City area, said the hands of Minneapolis of significance because claimed just after the ball rent from holidays in that, hope has disappointed police. “2020 isn’t cance- they don’t have the pro- dropped in Times Square. for many, it is an event that many this year but will help led, but rather, the most per sequence.” It’s like Some people admit defeat only happens once. Thus us endure the pandemic important year of them all,” when Hamlet declares that by January’s end, while an even greater emphasis and thrive. “Hope,” she she wrote. “time is out of joint,” Pat- other ambitions continue on making it special. says, “requires us to look at But why do we even say terson says. How do we for a few more months. In Like millions of other cou- the present situation and things like “2020 is cance- measure a year — a ques- April, many start focusing ples planning to get mar- regard it for what it is, and led” and “New year, new tion about the passage of on summer. By November, ried this summer, Kerry plan for its betterment.” me”? Experts who study time that has a whole song most have thrown in the to- Anne Perkins and Michael No one knows what 2021 human behavior say the devoted to it in the Broad- wel, vowing that the upco- Gordon were devastated will bring. Nobody knows human desire to pin failu- way musical “Rent”? With ming year is actually their as March slouched into what the “new normal” res, hopes and dreams on seasons, milestones, rituals, year. April. They realized they will look like. Will there be a period of time like a ca- events. So when a year But that hope never fully would have to cancel their wedding ceremonies fea- lendar year has primitive is stripped of all of those dies out. It just gets recali- dream wedding on Memo- turing every person a cou- roots connected to our at- moments, people feel lost brated and refocused on rial Day weekend, which ple has ever met, packed tachment to routine. and put hope in the future a new target and soars marked five years since the stadiums, concert venues “Because we missed our to manage expectations, again. “Hope,” the poet Philadelphia couple first with thousands of people spring, summer isn’t really psychologists and social Emily Dickinson wrote, “is met. “Every day felt heavier crooning the same tune? summer because it only scientists say. Every ca- the thing with feathers.” and heavier and heavier,” Will the now-2021 Summer comes after a complete lendar year brings a cycle If not for hope, why would Perkins recalls, saying she Olympics happen? Will spring,” says Stuart Pat- of hope. January is when data show that most of had frequent breakdowns awards shows be back? terson, chairperson of the we’ll finally commit to our the 6,253 respondents to and couldn’t bring herself Will we even care? Shimer Great Books School diet, quit smoking, become a recent WeddingWire to officially cancel the There are no clear answers. at North Central College. the person we always wan- survey have postponed wedding. They wound up But there is hope.q What is contact tracing, and how does it work with COVID-19? By The Associated Press But the process isn't easy. late, monitor themselves for What is contact tracing, After a person tests posi- symptoms and get tested if and how does it work with tive for the virus, a contact needed. COVID-19? The goal of tracer would get in touch For those showing symp- contact tracing is to alert with the person and at- toms, the tracing process people who may have tempt to determine where would start all over again. been exposed to someone they have been and who Contact tracing is done in with the coronavirus, and they were around. The fo- a variety of ways around prevent them from spread- cus is on close contacts, the world. But a common In this Wednesday, May 13, 2020, file photo, Maria Fernanda ing it to others. Health ex- or people who were within issue is that determining works on contact tracing at the Florida Department of Health perts say contact tracing is 6 feet of the infected per- who a person has been in Miami-Dade County, during the coronavirus pandemic, in key to containing the virus son for at least 10 minutes around can get harder as Doral, Fla. Associated Press and allowing places to re- or so. Those people would gatherings with friends and open more safely. then be asked to self-iso- family resume, and as bars, restaurants and other plac- es start reopening. q A26 Wednesday 15 July 2020 U.S. NEWS Trump administration rescinds rule on foreign students

By COLLIN BINKLEY but at least seven other AP Education Writer federal suits had been filed BOSTON (AP) — Facing by universities and states eight federal lawsuits and opposing the rule. opposition from hundreds Harvard and MIT argued of universities, the Trump that immigration officials vi- administration on Tuesday olated procedural rules by rescinded a rule that would issuing the guidance with- have required international out justification and with- students to transfer or leave out allowing the public to the country if their schools respond. They also argued held classes entirely online that the policy contradict- because of the pandemic. ed ICE's March 13 directive The decision was an- telling schools that existing nounced at the start of a limits on online education hearing in a federal law- would be suspended "for suit in Boston brought by the duration of the emer- Harvard University and the gency." Massachusetts Institute of The suit noted that Trump's Technology. U.S. District national emergency dec- Judge Allison Burroughs In this Aug. 13, 2019, file photo, pedestrians walk through the gates of Harvard Yard at Harvard laration has not been re- University in Cambridge, Mass. said federal immigration Associated Press scinded and that virus authorities agreed to pull cases are spiking in some the July 6 directive and "re- bling to reassess their plans or leave the country volun- The policy drew sharp back- regions. turn to the status quo." for the fall in light of the tarily. lash from higher education Immigration officials, how- A lawyer representing the policy. Immigration officials issued institutions, with more than ever, argued that they told Department of Homeland Under the policy, interna- the policy last week, revers- 200 signing court briefs sup- colleges all along that any Security and U.S. Immigra- tional students in the U.S. ing earlier guidance from porting the challenge by guidance prompted by the tion and Customs Enforce- would have been forbid- March 13 telling colleges Harvard and MIT. Colleges pandemic was subject to ment said only that the den from taking all their that limits around online said the policy would put change. They said the rule judge's characterization courses online this fall. education would be sus- students' safety at risk and was consistent with existing was correct. New visas would not have pended during the pan- hurt schools financially. law barring international The announcement brings been issued to students at demic. University leaders Many schools rely on tuition students from taking class- relief to thousands of for- schools planning to provide believed the rule was part from international students, es entirely online. Federal eign students who had all classes online, which in- of President Donald Trump's and some stood to lose mil- officials said they were pro- been at risk of being de- cludes Harvard. Students effort to pressure the na- lions of dollars in revenue if viding leniency by allowing ported from the country, already in the U.S. would tion's schools and colleges the rule had taken hold. students to keep their visas along with hundreds of uni- have faced deportation if to reopen this fall even as Harvard and MIT were the even if they study online versities that were scram- they didn't transfer schools new virus cases rise. first to contest the policy, from abroad.q Campaign brewing to get Hindu god Brahma off popular beer zilian brewery now owned of a scantily clad woman phone interview. Hindus by Anheuser-Busch InBev, to promote the beers. are a tiny minority in Brazil, whose massive lineup of "Anheuser-Busch InBev where the Brahma brand 500 brands includes Bud- should not be in the busi- is "very important to the weiser, Bud Light, Corona ness of religious appro- culture of the country," he and Stella Artois. Beers sold priation, sacrilege and added. The name offends under the Brahma name ridiculing entire communi- regardless of its origins, Zed include a lager, a double ties," the coalition said in a said. "The stated history malt, a wheat beer and a statement, calling on the behind the name does chocolate stout. company to "prove that not reduce the pain of "It is the right time to fix an it cares about communi- the Hindu devotees when old wrong — the trivializ- ties by renaming its Brah- they see their creator god ing of the faith of our Hin- ma beer."But Lucas Rossi, on alcohol cans," he said. du brothers and sisters for head of communications Zed, who is based in Ne- Brahma beer is displayed at a bar that's open for deliveries about 132 years," coalition for Anheuser-Busch InBev's vada and is the president only amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, spokesperson Rajan Zed Latin America subsidiary, of the Universal Society July 14, 2020. Associated Press told The Associated Press said Tuesday the beers of Hinduism, has cam- on Tuesday. were named in tribute to paigned against what he By WILLIAM J. KOLE includes representatives Lord Brahma, the god of Joseph Bramah — an Eng- considers the misuse of Associated Press of the Christian, Jewish, creation in Hinduism, is a lishman who invented the Eastern religious imagery An interfaith coalition is Buddhist, Hindu and Jain highly revered figure who draft pump valve — and for commercial purposes pressing the world's larg- religions, is calling on Bel- should be worshiped in not for the Hindu deity. The for several years. In 2019, est brewer to remove the gium-based brewing giant temples or home shrines, spelling was changed, he he extracted an apol- name of a Hindu god from Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/ "not misused as a 'toasting said, to make the name ogy from a Virginia brew- a popular beer that dates NV to rename its Brahma tool,'" Zed said. work better in the Portu- ery that brewed a beer to the late 1800s — a dis- line, a favorite in Brazil. He said the coalition also guese language. named for another Hindu pute the beermaker in- Brahma was first produced objects to what it calls "We deeply respect all re- deity, saying that associat- sists is a case of mistaken in 1888 by Companhia "raunchy" marketing of the ligions, faiths and their his- ing Lord Hanuman with al- identity. The group, which Cervejaria Brahma, a Bra- brand by using the image tories," Rossi said in a tele- cohol was disrespectful.q A27 WORLD NEWS Wednesday 15 July 2020 - border fighting escalates; 16 killed

By AVET DEMOURIAN day accused Azerbaijan of Associated Press provoking the clashes and YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — warned that it would "bear Armenia and Azerbaijan responsibility for the unpre- forces fought Tuesday with dictable consequences." heavy artillery and drones, Azerbaijani President Ilhan leaving at least 16 people Aliyev denounced what killed on both sides, includ- he described as "another ing an Azerbaijani general, provocation of Armenia" in the worst outbreak of and vowed to protect hostilities in years. Azerbaijan's national terri- Skirmishes on the volatile tory. border between the two , which has close South Caucasus nations ethnic and cultural ties began Sunday. Azerbai- with Azerbaijan, has voiced jan said it has lost 11 ser- strong support to in vicemen and one civilian the conflict. in three days of fighting, The United States and Rus- and Armenia said four of its sia, which co-chair the troops were killed Tuesday. Minsk group of the Orga- The two neighbors in the nization for Security and South Caucasus have Cooperation in Europe that been locked in conflict has tried to negotiate a over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian soldiers take their position on the front line in Tavush region, Armenia, Tuesday, July 14, settlement of the Nagorno- a region of Azerbaijan that 2020. Karabakh conflict, have has been under the control Associated Press condemned the violence of ethnic Armenian forces and called for restraint. backed by Armenia since blamed each other for Stepanyan said that one on Facebook where she Russian Foreign Minister Ser- a war there ended in 1994. starting the fighting and of Azerbaijani drones was posted images of the Azer- gey Lavrov had separate International efforts to set- said that sporadic shelling downed. baijani artillery around the calls with his counterparts tle the conflict have stalled. has continued. Stepanyan also charged village. in Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenian and Azerbai- Azerbaijan's Defense Minis- that the Azerbaijani military The Azerbaijani military de- on Monday to call for an jani forces have frequently try said two senior officers, used civilians as shields, nied losing a drone and in immediate ceasefire. engaged in clashes. The Maj. Gen. placing artillery close to the turn claimed that its forces U.N. Secretary-General current skirmishes appear and Col. , village of Dondar Gushchu shot down an Armenian Antonio Guterres also ex- to mark the most serious were killed in fighting Tues- in the about drone and destroyed an pressed worry. His spokes- spike in hostilities since 2016 day along with five other 10 kilometers (six miles) from Armenian artillery system man, Stéphane Dujarric, when scores were killed in servicemen. the border. along with its crew. said in a statement that the four days of fighting. Armenian officials claimed "The Azerbaijani side has As hostilities continued, Ar- U.N. chief "urges an imme- The latest incident began that Azerbaijani drones surrounded its own popu- menia also accused Azer- diate end to the fighting Sunday when Armenian launched an attack on the lation with artillery batter- baijan of launching cyber- and calls on all involved and Azerbaijani troops ex- Tuvush province town of ies, making them a target, attacks on Armenian gov- to take immediate steps changed fire in the north- Berd, targeting civilian in- and then complained that ernment websites. to deescalate the situation ern section of their border. frastructure. Defense Minis- the Armenian forces fired Armenian Prime Minister and refrain from provoca- Officials in both countries try spokeswoman Shushan in that direction," she said Nikol Pashinyan on Mon- tive rhetoric."q Canada, U.S. poised to extend border restrictions to Aug. 21

By ROB GILLIES Canadian Prime Minister reopening. The U.S. has Associated Press Justin Trudeau said this more confirmed cases and TORONTO (AP) — The U.S. week that a decision on deaths from COVID-19 than and Canada are poised the border would be an- any country in the world to extend their agreement nounced later this week. while Canada has flat- to keep their shared bor- "We're going to continue to tened the epidemic curve. der closed to non-essential work hard to keep Cana- "We've done a good job travel to Aug. 21, but a final dians safe and to keep our of flattening the curve. confirmation has not been economies flowing, and We have an average of given, a person familiar we will have more to say about 300 cases per day. with the matter said Tues- later," Trudeau said. In the U.S. they have about day. Mexican Foreign Affairs 60,000 cases per day," said The agreement would like- Secretary Marcelo Eb- Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's ly extend the closure by rard said on Friday that an Deputy Chief Public Health another 30 days. The offi- opening between the U.S. Officer. cial was not authorized to and Mexico "wouldn't be Njoo suggested the border speak publicly ahead of an prudent right now," given could reopen if Canada announcement this week, that coronavirus cases in and the U.S. had a simi- A Canada-U.S. border marker stands in Surrey, British Columbia, as people gather at Peace Arch Historical State Park in Blaine, and spoke on condition of "the states of the southern lar situation in the number Wash., Sunday, July 5, 2020. anonymity. The restrictions United States, California, of cases and the ability to Associated Press were announced on March New Mexico, Arizona and contact trace. "They don't 18 and were extended in Texas, are on the rise." have a good handle or take some time ... It's more and months, or a month or April, May and June. Most Canadians fear a control," he said. "It will a matter of several weeks so as opposed to days."q A28 Wednesday 15 July 2020 WORLD NEWS Brazil sacks official after soaring June deforestation data

By DAVID BILLER and that it kept climbing. Mar- MAURICIO SAVARESE cio Astrini, the executive- Associated Press secretary of the Brazilian RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Bra- Climate Observatory, a zil's government on Mon- coalition of civil society day fired an official at the groups, alleged that the national space agency government has previously Inpe whose department made clear its desire to in- is responsible for satellite tervene in Inpe. monitoring of the Amazon "The removal of Lubia rainforest, just three days Vinhas could be an indi- after the release of June cation that the plan was deforestation data reflect- never abandoned. This is ed a continued increase in happening as deforesta- degradation. tion accelerates, when the Lubia Vinhas was the gen- administration needs to eral-coordinator of Brazil- stop threats of divestment," ian space agency Inpe's Astrini said in a statement. Earth Observation Institute, Suely Vaz, former head which is an umbrella for di- of environment regula- visions that monitor the Am- tor IBAMA, said before the azon and panels to debate release of the June data climate change with civil that the army isn't using society organizations. In this Sept. 2, 2019 file photo, logs are stacked at a lumber mill surrounded by recently charred the technical planning and It's unclear whether the re- and deforested fields near Porto Velho, Rondonia state, Brazil. intelligence required, nor Associated Press moval of Vinhas from her are they trained in such position was connected cy last year. President Jair georeferencing database. ardship just ahead of the methods to stop defores- to the data. Her subordi- Bolsonaro is a critic of envi- Inpe figures published on so-called burning season, tation. She added that it nate who heads the divi- ronmentalists and defends Friday showed 400 square during which landholders costs more than $10 million sion directly overseeing fostering more economic miles (1,034 square kilome- use fire to clear brush and per month for the army to satellite monitoring of Ama- development in the Ama- ters) of deforestation in the forest. operate in the Amazon zon deforestation remains zon, which many adversar- Amazon in June, a new re- That includes asset manag- -- more than half what IB- employed. Inpe said in a ies see as a nod to illegal cord the month since data ers who say they are assess- AMA spends on oversight in statement posted to its miners and loggers. started being gathered in ing whether to divest from a year. In the midst of the website Monday night that Vinhas was picked in 2018 2015. Brazil and last week spoke international outcry over the change was part of a for a four-year but Science Total deforestation in the with the environment minis- the Amazon fires in August, shake-up at the agency to and Technology Minister Brazilian Amazon from ter and Vice President Gen. Bolsonaro accused the improve synergies. Marcos Pontes decided to January to June was 1,890 Hamilton Mourão, . then-head of Brazil's space Still, the timing of the dis- remove her after 2 years square miles (3,069 square Bolsonaro also put the research institute, Ricardo missal -- coming on the and 3 months on the job. kilometers), up 25% from Army in charge of efforts to Galvão, of manipulating heels of June data -- drew Inpe said in its statement the same six-month period curb deforestation in May satellite deforestation data an outcry from environ- that Vinhas' former depart- last year. after last year's fires pushed in order to undermine his mentalists who claim it may ment will be merged with Outside observers are destruction to the highest administration. Galvão be an echo of a high-pro- others, and she will oversee keeping close tabs on Bra- level in 11 years. publicly countered the file firing at the same agen- implementation of a new zil's environmental stew- Yet data from Inpe show claims, and was fired.q Brazil sacks official after soaring June deforestation data

is responsible for satellite lite monitoring of Ama- illegal miners and loggers. monitoring of the Amazon zon deforestation remains Vinhas was picked in 2018 rainforest, just three days employed. Inpe said in a for a four-year but Science after the release of June statement posted to its and Technology Minister deforestation data reflect- website Monday night that Marcos Pontes decided to ed a continued increase in the change was part of a remove her after 2 years degradation. shake-up at the agency to and 3 months on the job. Lubia Vinhas was the gen- improve synergies. Inpe said in its statement eral-coordinator of Brazil- Still, the timing of the dis- that Vinhas' former depart- ian space agency Inpe's missal -- coming on the ment will be merged with Earth Observation Institute, heels of June data -- drew others, and she will over- which is an umbrella for an outcry from environ- see implementation of a divisions that monitor the mentalists who claim it new georeferencing data- Amazon and panels to de- may be an echo of a high- base. In this Sept. 2, 2019 file photo, logs are stacked at a lumber bate climate change with profile firing at the same Inpe figures published on mill surrounded by recently charred and deforested fields near civil society organizations. agency last year. President Friday showed 400 square Porto Velho, Rondonia state, Brazil. It's unclear whether the re- Jair Bolsonaro is a critic of miles (1,034 square kilome- Associated Press moval of Vinhas from her environmentalists and de- ters) of deforestation in the By DAVID BILLER and MAU- zil's government on Mon- position was connected to fends fostering more eco- Amazon in June, a new re- RICIO SAVARESE day fired an official at the the data. Her subordinate nomic development in the cord the month since data Associated Press national space agency who heads the division Amazon, which many ad- started being gathered in RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Bra- Inpe whose department directly overseeing satel- versaries see as a nod to 2015.q A29 BUSINESS Wednesday 15 July 2020 Millennial Money: Is it OK to never have a credit card?

By SARA RATHNER of Nerd- average increase of about Wallet 13 points," says Rod Griffin, Thanks to quick online ap- senior director of consumer plications and, in some education and advocacy cases, instant approval, for Experian. "People with credit cards make it as easy thin credit files, with fewer to build your credit history than five credit accounts, as it is to make purchases. are reporting an average But they can also make it increase of 19 points on easy to fall into debt if you their FICO 8 scores." (There struggle to pay on time or are many FICO score ver- tend to spend more than sions; FICO 8 is among the you have. most widely used in ap- As a result, some people proval decisions.) regard credit cards with The catch? Not all lenders skepticism: 17% of U.S. use Experian or the scor- adults don't have one, ac- ing models affected by Ex- cording to a 2019 Federal perian Boost when making Reserve report. lending decisions. q No financial product is one-size-fits-all, and it's OK if credit cards aren't for you. There are other ways to es- tablish credit — and keep This Aug. 11, 2019 file photo shows Visa credit cards in New Orleans. your credit scores high — Associated Press that don't involve a credit tion focused on helping for- water, power, etc. — don't nitely can harm your credit. card. mer offenders find financial generally have a direct ef- PUT OTHER GOOD PAYMENT BE DILIGENT ABOUT LOAN and professional success fect on your credit reports, HISTORIES AND HABITS TO PAYMENTS after prison. He adds that but that doesn't mean WORK If you're already making "student loans are often they're not important to Speaking of utility and cell on-time payments on an the way that many adults your overall financial phone bills: While these on- installment loan, like a stu- begin building their credit." health. time payments traditionally dent loan, your efforts are No student loan in your "You must maintain im- aren't factored into credit making a difference. Loan name? A credit-builder peccable nontraditional reports, tradition is chang- payments are reported loan from a bank or credit credit," says Roslyn Lash, an ing. Experian Boost offers to credit bureaus, so over union may be an option. accredited financial coun- a free way to add positive time, this can build your With this loan, the lender selor, author of "The 7 Fruits bill payment information for credit history. deposits a preset amount of Budgeting" and founder those kinds of expenses to "Student loans are often into a savings account, of FinCoach Consulting in your Experian credit report. the easiest loans to qual- and you make monthly Winston-Salem, North Car- To participate in Experian ify for, especially when payments until the deposit olina. Boost, you must create an you are very young," says is repaid. Skipping out on things like account through Experian. Adam Sanders, director of PAY OTHER BILLS ON TIME utility and cell phone bills "Two out of three consum- Successful Release, a Phil- Other bills that you pay on could send those accounts ers see an improvement in adelphia-based organiza- time each month — cable, into collections, which defi- their credit scores, with an Amazon unveils shopping cart that knows what you’re buying By JOSEPH PISANI checkout lines. The online AP Retail Writer shopping giant opened a NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon cashier-less supermarket in has a new cure for long Seattle that uses cameras supermarket lines: a smart and sensors in the ceiling to shopping cart. The cart, track what shoppers grab which Amazon unveiled and charge them as they on Tuesday, uses cameras, leave. Amazon.com Inc. sensors and a scale to au- also has roughly 25 cashier- In a photo provided by Amazon, the company's smart shopping tomatically detect what less convenience stores cart is seen in spring 2020 in Los Angeles. shoppers drop in. It keeps a with similar technology. Associated Press tally and then charges their The cart, called Amazon Amazon account when Dash Cart, will first show up any lines. In the future, it are already making similar they leave the store. No at a new Los Angeles super- could be used at Amazon's smart shopping carts that cashier is needed. market Amazon is opening Whole Foods grocery chain are being tested in stores, It's the latest attempt by later this year. The store will or other stores, if Amazon but many require scanning Amazon to shake up the have cashiers, but Ama- sells the technology, but groceries before dropping supermarket industry and zon said it wanted to give there are no plans for either them in. There's no scan- offer a solution to long shoppers a way to bypass right now. Several startups ning on the Amazon cart.q A30 Wednesday 15 July 2020 FEATURE Subways sparkle, but does cleaning decrease COVID-19 risk?

By DAVID PORTER be if you could continu- Associated Press ously decontaminate the NEW YORK (AP) — Mass air throughout the course transit systems around the of the day." world have taken unprec- That possibility may be on edented — and expensive the horizon. A 2018 study — steps to curb the spread and another published of the coronavirus, includ- this month, both of which ing New York shutting down Brenner contributed to, its subways overnight and concluded that low levels testing powerful ultraviolet of a certain type of ultra- lamps to disinfect seats, violet light, called far-UVC poles and floors. light, can be circulated The cleaning measures continuously in an en- produced something closed space and kill some commuters have not forms of human coronavi- seen in a while, or possibly rus as effectively as con- ever: thousands of freshly ventional UV light — with- scrubbed cars that look, out the harmful effects to feel and even smell clean. human eyes and skin. But experts say those steps Far-UVC light could of- solve only part of the prob- fer a whole new level of lem, and transit officials are protection for passengers studying more advanced A contractor uses an electrostatic sprayer to disinfect subway cars at the 96th Street station to and transit employees, if it methods that might some- control the spread of COVID-19, Thursday, July 2, 2020, in New York. is also found to be effec- Associated Press day automatically disinfect tive against the virus that transit systems around the the pandemic. Combined causes COVID-19. The MTA clock. with plummeting revenues is exploring using the tech- The Moscow Metro and at its toll bridges and tun- nology on its subways. a public bus company nels, the MTA has projected The MTA is already testing in Shanghai have experi- the pandemic will cost the a different form of UV light mented with germ-killing agency more than $10 bil- to disinfect subway cars, ultraviolet light. Agencies lion through next year. The but it can only be done at in Hungary and the Czech cleaning program will wind station yards when the cars Republic have tried using up costing hundreds of mil- are out of service because ozone gas as a disinfec- lions of dollars over what of the harmful effect on hu- tant. The public transit sys- the MTA would normally mans. The limited pilot pro- tem in Dallas tested a "dry spend, Chairman Pat Foye gram costs about $1 million. fogging" system, and Hong said this past spring. Officials have not said how Kong used a robot that Is it worth the price? A sur- much it would cost to ex- sprays a hydrogen perox- vey of 1,000 mass transit pand to the whole system. ide solution, according to a In this March 11, 2020, file photo, members of the media attend riders conducted by New Chicago Transit Authority survey by international en- a news conference as a robot sprays hydrogen peroxide during York-based advocacy officials are waiting for the gineering and professional a demonstration in a train carriage in Hong Kong. group Tri-State Transporta- results of New York's pilot services firm WSP. Associated Press tion Campaign found that program to see if the light In Chicago, rail cars are and could be nowhere," protect us the most, hav- cleaning topped a list of is an option for their transit cleaned every day before said Robyn Gershon, a clin- ing that control among actions people wanted be- system. starting service and are ical professor of epidemiol- ourselves," Gershon said. "I fore they would feel com- Fred Maxik, whose compa- prowled at night by crews ogy at New York University. think the rest of it is really fortable riding mass transit ny, Healthe, makes far-UVC wearing backpack-style Cleaning a train car at a more the illusion, and that's again. "But to what extent light systems that are being electrostatic sprayers that maintenance yard over- not a small thing because it are we now overspending, used in office buildings and cover all interior surfaces night — or even several plays with our psyches." or veering too far into secu- schools, cautioned that far- with disinfectant. times during the day, as Patrick Warren, the MTA's rity theater?" Executive Di- UVC light is not necessarily All that cleaning does cut New York's Metropolitan chief safety officer, said rector Nick Sifuentes asked a panacea for anxious sub- the threat of catching the Transportation Authority the authority's aggressive recently. way riders. virus, experts say, but the does — might not help the cleaning and disinfect- Dr. David Brenner, director "No technology we have benefits are limited. transit employee or passen- ing began at a time when of the Center for Radiologi- today is going to be per- The virus transmits predomi- ger stuck in close quarters health officials were warn- cal Research at Columbia fect. It's going to have to nantly through droplets in with a coughing person. ing that the virus could eas- University Irving Medical be used in conjunction with the air — it's "everywhere Wearing a face mask "will ily be transmitted from hard Center, has assisted the other good behaviors," he surfaces — guidance that MTA on its UV light pilot said. "But I think this is the has since evolved to place program. He called the best of what we've got." more emphasis on airborne cleaning "not an ideal solu- Warren called far-UVC "a transmission. tion, but it's a solution that is great innovation" but add- "As goes the science, so available." ed that the logistical chal- goes what we are doing," "I think it does increase the lenges of installing it across Warren said. public safety because in- a century-old subway sys- New York's subway system stead of having a continu- tem are formidable. He normally serves more than 5 ous buildup of the virus, you would not speculate on million riders a day, but rid- are going back to zero ev- what the agency's clean- ership plunged more than ery day," Brenner said. "A ing efforts might look like a 90 percent at the height of much better solution would year from now.q A31 local Wednesday 15 July 2020

“It was like revisiting Aruba when I wrote the book”

CROMER, CANADA — Bon- usually use a few real busi- that has intrigued him more nie Lawrence is the author nesses (always in a fictional than any other. Megan has of the book ‘Aruba Heat’ way); places that I have reluctantly agreed to a trip that has been released re- visited and loved. I'm trying to Aruba. She suspects cently. “We visited Aruba in to inspire my readers to visit that her casual boyfriend is February (our third trip). We the locations I write about.” about to propose marriage are truly in love with the tiny and she knows that she'll island. It was like revisit- Aruba Heat synopsis have to turn him down. ing Aruba when I wrote the Ryan Jensen loves being a Despite her misgivings, she book and it took my mind cop in Aruba, with the job finds herself packing for the off everything else going reflecting the laidback atti- trip. on in the world.” tude of the island. The slow Roxy, a tattoo artist from pace that he is used to is New York and her friends Although it usually takes shaken when one woman are off to Aruba for a girl's her about five months to is attacked, and another getaway. Roxy is con- write a book, this one only ends up dead. His anxi- cerned that being in such took a month since she ety on high alert, he races close quarters with the was in lockdown with very to protect the island that other two might lead to little else to do. “My books he loves and the woman her biggest secret being

revealed and she's wor- ried about how her friends About the author might react. All that is Lawrence resides in the forgotten when tragedy prairies in Canada, with strikes. Anthony Bellamo, a her husband. Although suspected crime boss has she has always enjoyed bowed to pressure from his writing, her creative wife to take her and their juices were ramped up daughters to Aruba for a after a trip to the Big Is- vacation. Unfortunately for land of Hawaii. “I pub- him, his mistress has found lished my first book, 'Big out about the trip and is in- Island', in 2012 and have sisting that he takes her as since written 13 more. well. He reluctantly agrees All my books have been and he is left wonder- inspired from my travels. ing how he will juggle the I have a series based two women. The trip gets in Maui, a series based even more complicated in Florida, a couple of for Anthony when one of books based in Canada his employees becomes a and my newest series, suspect in a murder case, 'The Caribbean series dragging the whole family (first book in this series is into the limelight when they based in Dominican Re- prefer to stay in the shad- public and the second in ows. The race is on to find a Aruba...third, which I'm killer before someone else currently writing, is in Cu- dies. racao)”. q A32 Wednesday 15 July 2020 local A perfect day

ORANJESTAD — Aruba Today collected some things to do BEYOND the beach. Yes, we know. Aruba, located 15 miles north of Venezuela in the warm waters of the southern Caribbean, is home to beautiful white-sand beaches, 82-de- gree days, and thus ideal for the perfect beach day. But we are also blessed with some of the warmest people in the world and our island is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles across, with a total area of 70 square miles. Bit more to discover than the white stretch on the coastline we say. Let’s mention some of these hidden gems.

The Lighthouse No, you would not think of this as a hidden gem. The California Lighthouse is actually one of the most known highlights in Aruba and many re- peated guests most probably took the ride up- hill already. But, there is a significant change to this tower. Since September 2016 you can climb the top. In 2015 Foundation Monument Funds started the restoration of the California Lighthouse. The project finished in September 2016 and the Lighthouse is now open for visi- tors to enjoy the beautiful view from the top. The construction of the California Lighthouse started in 1915. The name ‘California’ came from a vessel of the West India Company and Pacific Steamship Co. called ‘California’ that shipwrecked in the area in 1891. Therefore they came up with the idea of building a light- house that could indicate the island’s eastern tip to ships with its light. www.arubalighthouse. com will give you more information.

Kayak in the mangroves Mangel Halto at Savaneta is definitely a place not to miss out on. The beautiful beach with the natural mangroves is simply a beauty, but if you are into a more active way to enjoy the nature: take a kayak. While you are do- ing some workout -as it might get a little windy and rough-, you will see the island from a dif- ferent perspective. You can even make a stop to do some snorkeling at the reef. Its fun, it’s healthy and for sure something else. There are several companies that offer kayak tours, we had good experience with The Shack Kayak Tours Aruba, find them on Facebook.

Nature calls The Arikok National park is worth the ride. We love the hikes that are guided by the park’s rangers whose job is to maintain trails and pro- tect natural resources. The flora and fauna are beautiful and the historical sites tell you about the island’s indigenous roots. If you are not up to walking, you can drive through the park, one way or another this park is a great place to spend an entire day. Cruising through the landscape you end up at some of the most stunning beaches like Dos Playa or Daimara Beach. In total the park consists of 7907 acres protected nature with a richness of animals living in it. The Aruban whiptail lizard (cododo), Aruban cat eye snake (santanero) and endangered rattle snake (cascabel) are just some of them, you can also admire these close in the park’s Visitors’ Center. For more in- formation, visit the website www.arubanation- alpark.org. q