A25 U.S. NEWS Monday 31 August 2020 Protester killed in Portland as mayor, Trump trade blame

Continued from Front wins in November and Black Lives Matter protests another night of violence. that’s the governor and pointed to Portland as a and many have ended Trump earlier Sunday ap- that’s local law enforce- Why don’t we try that for a cautionary tale for what with vandalism to fede- peared to be encoura- ment, to do their job to change?” would be in store for Ame- ral and city property, in- ging his supporters to move address any violent ac- The testy news conference ricans. cluding police precincts, into Portland in the wake tivity that is occurring in followed a chaotic and vo- Police have released lit- a county jail, the federal of the shooting. After the their streets,” Wolf told CBS’ latile 24 hours in Portland tle information and Chief courthouse and City Hall. In shooting, the president “Face the Nation.” that began when a cara- Chuck Lovell said Sunday July, Trump sent more than shared a video of his sup- Wolf said the federal go- van of about 600 vehicles that investigators are still 100 federal agents from the porters driving into Portland vernment was prepared packed with Trump suppor- gathering evidence, in- U.S. Department of Home- and called those in Satur- to send agents to Portland ters drove through Portland cluding surveillance video land Security to safeguard day’s caravan “GREAT PA- and other cities to protect and was met with counter- from area businesses. Ear- federal property — a move TRIOTS!” federal buildings and assist protesters. Skirmishes broke lier Sunday, the agency that instead reinvigorated Wheeler begged those police.Lovell and Whee- out between the groups released a plea for any in- the protests. Thousands of who wanted to come to ler said they had no plans and, about 15 minutes after formation related to the kil- people clashed with the fe- Portland to “seek retribu- to request National Guard the caravan left the city, a ling, including videos, pho- deral agents each night for tion” to stay away. troops but the city is seeking supporter of the right-wing tos or eyewitness accounts. two weeks, turning a two- “If you’re from out of town assistance from the sheriff’s group Patriot Prayer was fa- Joey Gibson, head of Pa- block area of the city into and you’re reading some- department and Oregon tally shot. triot Prayer, told The Asso- what felt like a war zone thing on social media — if State Police. It wasn’t clear if the shooting ciated Press the man who each night as agents lob- you’re reading any facts Wheeler, who is running for was related to the clashes was shot to death Saturday bed tear gas canisters and on social media — they’re a second term, also rejec- between Trump suppor- night was a supporter of his pepper spray at the crowds probably wrong becau- ted a call for his resignation ters and counterprotesters group and a “good friend,” and some protesters tossed se we don’t have all the made Sunday by a coaliti- in Portland, which has be- although he did not iden- fireworks at the agents and facts yet,” Wheeler said. on of civil rights and protest come a flashpoint in the tify him. Patriot Prayer is shined lasers in their eyes. “They are still assembling groups. He has come un- national Black Lives Mat- based in Washington state Those agents withdrew the facts. This is not the der fire from some in Port- ter protests since George and was founded in 2016. July 31 but smaller nightly time to get hotheaded be- land for criticizing violent Floyd was killed in May and Since early 2017, its suppor- protests have continued in cause you read something demonstrators and saying an increasing centerpiece ters have been periodically pockets of the city. More on Twitter that some guy they were helping Trump in Trump’s law-and-order coming to Portland to hold than 600 people have made up in his mother’s with his reelection cam- re-election campaign the- rallies for Trump, ratcheting been arrested since late basement.” paign. The mayor, who is me. up tensions in the liberal city May. Acting Homeland Security also the police commissio- Trump and other speakers long before the national On Sunday, Portland au- Secretary Chad Wolf bla- ner, has also been faulted at last week’s Republican outrage over Floyd’s death thorities urged people to med local officials for fai- for letting Portland police National Convention evo- sparked more than three stay away from the down- ling “to protect their com- use tear gas on multiple oc- ked a violent, dystopian months of protests here. town as they try to de-esca- munities.” casions and has been nick- future if Democratic presi- Portland has seen nearly late tensions and braced “I’m asking Portland offi- named “Tear Gas Teddy” dential hopeful Joe Biden 100 consecutive nights of for what promised to be cials, so that’s the mayor, by some protesters.q

Key air monitors offline after Laura hits Louisiana gas hub

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER tion on the state of the air as 15 feet (4.5 meters). Associated Press Writer is typical. With dozens of An electrical outage that Hazardous emissions petroleum, petrochemical deprived hundreds of from a chlorine plant fire, and other industrial sites, thousands of people of abruptly shuttered oil and Louisiana is home to com- power and is expected to gas refineries and still-to- munities with some of the last weeks has knocked of- be assessed plant dam- nation’s highest cancer fline the state’s stationary age are seeping into the risks, according to Environ- air monitors in the storm- air after Hurricane Laura, mental Protection Agency battered communities. regulators say, but some rankings. Oil and gas facilities that key state and federal In the Lake Charles area, the U.S. Department of En- monitors to alert the pub- with refineries, a major ergy says account for 13% lic of air dangers remain natural gas project and of U.S. refinery capacity offline in Louisiana. other industrial sites, resi- shut down as a precaution While the chlorine fire dents “generally don’t get along an industrialized was being monitored as any information except roughly 60-mile stretch A chemical fire burns at a facility during the aftermath of a potential health threat, what the industry puts from Port Arthur, Texas, to Hurricane Laura Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, near Lake Charles, Louisiana environmental out,” said Carla Chrisco, a Lake Charles before the La. Associated Press. spokesman Greg Langley Lake Charles lawyer who hurricane. says he knows of no other evacuated the city before The abrupt shutdowns, swimming pool chemi- were not high enough to major industrial health risks Laura. and eventual restarts, for cals in Westlake, part of warrant evacuation, of- from the storm in the state. The area was among the hurricanes typically mean the larger Lake Charles ficials said, although resi- He said restoring power hardest hit Thursday. Laura the emission of up to mil- area, since Thursday has dents of the industrial area and water was a bigger struck parts of the Texas- lions of pounds of ad- on a few occasions sent around the plant were un- priority. Louisiana coast with up to ditional cancer-causing enough chlorine into der orders to shelter inside But some Louisiana resi- 150-mph (240 kph) winds soot, heavy metals and the air to be detected their homes for days after dents and environmental and a storm surge that other hazards from refinery by emergency workers’ Laura’s landfall. advocates say the lack of Louisiana Gov. John Bel smokestacks. hand-held monitors, Lang- solid government informa- Edwards said rose as high A fire at a plant making ley said. Chlorine levels Continued on Page 26 A26 Monday 31 August 2020 U.S. NEWS Key air monitors offline after Laura hits Louisiana gas hub

Continued from Page 25 to be some spills,” Langley Texas made a formal re- tractors had left the area of vigilance over industrial said Saturday. “We’re still quest for air-monitoring the chlorine plant fire, said threats to the public, even With debris clogging roads, in the process of assessing help through the Federal Langley, the Louisiana envi- in the best of times. industry still is assessing that. I don’t know of any- Emergency Management ronmental spokesman. An Louisiana’s response since damage along the Texas- thing personally that’s ma- Agency, Hewitt said. As a environmental consulting Laura “sounds like it’s Louisiana coast. No word jor.” result, EPA has sent a bus- firm would continue to do about what it usually is. Not of any major industrial Texas has requested the mounted mobile lab to the all air monitoring, he said. robust is putting it kindly,” threat other than the chlo- EPA’s help overall looking Houston-area to start moni- State officials also would said Anne Rolfes in New Or- rine plant fire had emerged for any so-far undiscovered toring and assessing air for be flying over the dam- leans, founder of the Loui- by three days after Laura. hazardous air releases after any hazardous emission aged area to look for obvi- siana Bucket Brigade, an After Hurricane Harvey hit the hurricane, but Louisi- levels, he said. ous leaks, sheens, wayward environmental group. Houston in 2017, confirma- ana, with the exception of “Information will be pro- metal drums and any other People are worried about tion of more than a hun- the chlorine plant fire, has vided to the public as it signs of industrial threats, the possibility of toxic re- dred toxic spills into the air, not, EPA spokesman James becomes available which Langley said. “We have a leases from the storm, land and water took days, Hewitt said. follows our standard proce- lot of experience in hurri- Rolfes said. But over the weeks and months to be- “EPA stands ready to assist dures,” he said. cane response, looking for years, she said, Louisiana come public, and many states and local govern- A spokeswoman for the that,” he said. residents have come to were never investigated. ments who need help, and Louisiana governor did not But some environmental have “tremendously low “In a storm of this magni- have already done so fol- immediately respond to and public health advo- expectations, for these in- tude, there’s going to be lowing Hurricane Laura,” requests for comment Sun- cates single out Louisiana stitutions that are supposed some leaks, there’s going Hewitt said in an email. day. By Saturday, EPA con- for what they say is too lax to be protecting us.”q United says it will drop widely scorned ticket-change fees

ics say, they far exceed airlines' costs of changing or canceling tickets with a few keystrokes. Fees on checked bags and ticket changes gained widespread use during an industry downturn in 2008. Since then, airlines have added fees on seats with more legroom, priority boarding and other ame- nities. They contributed to a highly profitable run that lasted for a decade, bro- ken only by the pandemic. Now airlines are slashing flights and shrinking work forces to cope with the travel slump. The United CEO acknowl- edged that airlines facing tough times have often In this June 25, 2020, file photo, rows of United Airlines check-in counters at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago are unoccupied "made difficult decisions to amid the coronavirus pandemic. survive, sometimes at the Associated Press. expense of customer ser- By DAVID KOENIG AP Air- noted that it has waived ers who pay the lowest lost a combined $10 billion vice." Kirby said United is lines Writer change fees for travel af- fares, called "basic econo- from April through June. looking to serve customers United Airlines says it lis- fected by the virus through my," can also change tick- Airlines shared $25 billion in better this time. tened to customers and the year's end. American ets free because of the ex- federal payroll aid under Since 2010, Chicago-based is dropping an unpopular did not immediately re- tended waiver announced pandemic relief legislation United has scooped up $200 fee for most people spond to a request for com- Sunday. And starting in and are lobbying for $25 nearly $6.5 billion in change who change a ticket for ment. Southwest Airlines January, it will let customers billion more. fees. Last year, it took in travel within the United does not charge change fly standby for free on other United has warned 36,000 $625 million, third behind States. fees, a policy which its CEO flights the same day as their employees that they could Delta and American, ac- "When we hear from cus- says has helped it gain booked flight. be furloughed in October. cording to Transportation tomers about where we more business. The moves come as United It received $5 billion in tax- Department figures. can improve, getting rid United said that it eliminat- and other airlines try des- payer money to keep work- In Washington, several law- of fees is often the top re- ed change fees for people perately to lure people ers on the payroll through makers have launched pe- quest," United CEO Scott who buy a standard or pre- back to flying despite the September. riodic campaigns to outlaw Kirby said in a video posted mium economy ticket for ongoing coronavirus pan- Consumer groups have change fees. In 2018, the Sunday. U.S. travel. demic. U.S. air travel has long complained about Senate approved a bill to United's move will put pres- United also said that it will recovered modestly since the array of fees that air- prohibit "unreasonable" sure on American Airlines extend a broad waiver of April, but passenger traffic lines impose for things that fees for changing or can- and Delta Air Lines to drop change fees — including remains down about 70% were once part of the fare. celing tickets, but the mea- their change fees, also $200 for international travel — from a year ago. Change fees draw par- sure was scuttled in nego- on domestic travel. Delta through Dec. 31. Custom- The four largest U.S. airlines ticular scorn because, crit- tiations with the House. q A27 WORLD NEWS Monday 31 August 2020 Lebanon’s powerhouse Hezbollah hit by backlash after blast

By SARAH EL DEEB Associ- several. Gunmen reported- ated Press ly opened fire over religious BEIRUT (AP) — Sara Jaafar banners raised by Hezbol- joined a group of political lah supporters. activists gathered on Aug. "There is no god but God, 4 to discuss strategies to and Nasrallah is the enemy challenge Lebanon's en- of God," mourners chanted trenched rulers when their at a funeral of one of the building was shaken and killed. the windows blasted out Following the explosion, by the giant explosion that Hezbollah made some in- rocked Beirut. ternal changes, part of a She took cover from the fly- shift inward after the na- ing debris, thoughts rushing tionwide protests and its re- through her head of past ceding role in Syria's war, an political assassinations in official with the group said. Lebanon. Her immediate The group's security chief reaction was that Hezbol- was given a bigger port- lah, the militant group that folio and the head of an dominates power here, agency that coordinates was targeting the dissi- with allies was replaced. dents' meeting. In this June 28, 2020 file photo, Hezbollah and Amal supporters wave Hezbollah and Iranian flags Media operations are also The blast was in fact at the as they shout slogans against Israel and U.S. during a protest in the southern suburb of Beirut, changing, the official said, port of Beirut, caused by a Lebanon. speaking on condition of stockpile of ammonium ni- Associated Press. anonymity to confirm me- trate stored there for years. accused Hezbollah of stor- It developed its power and To deflect criticism, Nasral- dia reports. So far, it appears to be a ing weapons at the port, a resources as a resistance lah addressed supporters After the blast, Jaafar and result of longtime govern- claim it denies. Hezbollah's movement against Israel several times, denying Hez- other victims demanded ment mismanagement. political rivals seized the and became virtually a bollah had anything to do an international investiga- No direct connection to opportunity to fan hostilities state within a state, head- with the port explosion. tion. "We lost our homes, Hezbollah has emerged in against it and its allies. ing a powerful military force He made thinly veiled our kids, our fathers and the explosion that wreaked Social media posts mocked and a welfare network for warnings to critics. In an our city. We lost every- destruction across the Nasrallah's speeches. One its Shiite supporters. Aug. 14 speech, Nasrallah thing," she said in an angry city and killed at least 190 noted how the U.S. kill- Hezbollah remains Leba- warned repeatedly against speech at a gathering near people. Theories abound ing of Iranian commander non's only armed force pushing Lebanon toward the port. about what triggered the Qassim Soleimani in Iraq in outside the military. It con- civil war. He urged sup- Her apartment in a land- explosion, including even a January prompted Nasral- trols the borders and plays porters to "hold onto their mark building nearby was possible Israeli strike against lah to weep and threaten a crucial role in Iranian- anger" over criticism, hint- devastated by the blast. Hezbollah. revenge — while in his first backed wars in the region, ing it would be unleashed An architect, Jaafar is con- Jaafar's initial reaction re- speech following the blast, like Syria's. against opponents. sidering leaving the de- flected the fear Hezbollah he was smiling and calm. In 2005, an explosion killed In Hezbollah's stronghold in struction as a reminder of has instilled among many "There is a paradox there former Prime Minister Rafik the Beirut suburb Dahiyeh, how it all went wrong. Lebanese and the power it with Hezbollah. They have Hariri and changed Leba- supporters saw the explo- Active since the October has succeeded in project- never been more power- non's political course. The sion as a conspiracy to protests, Jaafar is frustrated ing over the past decade. ful politically and militarily. bombing, blamed on He- weaken Lebanon and the by the small turnout in ral- For many, the Iran-backed But they have never faced zbollah, sent nearly a mil- group. lies since the blast but rec- Hezbollah now stands at such an array of challeng- lion people into the streets, "We had two places to ognizes an outpouring of the top of Lebanon's sec- es as well," said Nicholas forcing Hezbollah's ally Syr- bring money and assis- public anger is only one tarian-based system of Blanford, a Beirut-based ia to end its occupation of tance from: the port and requisite for change. She, power — and so is complic- Hezbollah expert. Lebanon. the airport. Something had like many in Lebanon, sees it in the corruption many The season of discontent After that, Hezbollah be- to happen somewhere so her country's political crisis blame for the port disaster against Hezbollah comes gan seeping into the sys- that the siege (on Leba- as a product of rivalry be- and for driving the country as Lebanese suffer under tem — from having a hand- non) is tightened and so tween Hezbollah's patron, into near bankruptcy. an economic crash that ful of Parliament members that these people rise Iran, and the U.S. and Gulf "Who controls most of ev- has driven nearly half of the to becoming Lebanon's against their rulers," said Is- states. Only a resolution erything?" asked Jaafar, population into poverty. most powerful political fac- sam Kaeen, a 42-year-old to that conflict will force a secular Shiite. Hezbollah Rather than push for reform, tion. coffee shop owner. change, she said. and its ally, President Mi- critics say, Hezbollah has Hezbollah and its allies Mohammed Abi Shakra, "I understand why they chel Aoun, "are the people stood by its political allies formed the last Cabinet. Its who owns a women's wear exist. They filled the gap in charge. ... They bear the who resist change. It also failures came to be seen as shop, said an Israeli attack where the state failed," said responsibility." denied support to nation- Hezbollah's, Blanford said. on the port can't be ruled Jaafar. But "we want a real In the wake of the blast, wide protests that erupted And they were many: The out. "This is a conspiracy nation, a real country," she Hezbollah has come under in October demanding government failed to en- against the Lebanese peo- said. "This is a jungle." unprecedented public crit- the end of the dysfunc- act reforms, stem the finan- ple to make them poor, to Jaafar said protest activists icism and its role in Leba- tional political structure. cial meltdown or reach a incite civil war," he said. are realizing they must work nese politics under intense U.S. sanctions against Iran rescue package with the Meanwhile, social tensions with allies within the system scrutiny. and Hezbollah made things International Monetary are on the rise. Opponents for change — push for ear- Cardboard effigies of Hez- harder. Fund. It finally resigned af- of Hezbollah clashed twice ly elections and challenge bollah's leader, Hassan Nas- For years, Hezbollah main- ter the explosion. with the group's support- Hezbollah and its allies in rallah, and other politicians tained a clean reputation Hezbollah plays a signifi- ers, including a gunfight Parliament. were hanged on nooses at and distance from Leba- cant role in forming the on Thursday that killed two "We won't get rid of them in a rally after the blast. Some non's political elite. new government. bystanders and wounded one election," she said. q A28 Monday 31 August 2020 WORLD NEWS Huge protest on Belarus leader's birthday demands he resign

By YURAS KARMANAU As- about her security, gave sociated Press a withering acknowledge- KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Tens ment of the birthday. of thousands of demonstra- "I wish him to overcome his tors rallied Sunday in the fears, look truth in the eye, Belarusian capital of Minsk listen to the voice of the to begin the fourth week of people and go away," she daily protests demanding told The Associated Press that the country's authori- by telephone from the Lith- tarian president resign. uanian capital of Vilnius. The protests began after Lukashenko has consis- an Aug. 9 presidential elec- tently blamed Western tion that protesters say was countries for encouraging rigged but that election of- the protests and contends ficials say gave President that NATO is repositioning Alexander Lukashenko a forces along Belarus' west- sixth term in office. ern border with the aim of Protesters initially tried to intervening in the unrest, a gather at Independence claim the alliance strongly Square in Minsk, but barri- denies. ers and riot police blocked On Sunday, the Belarusian it off. They then streamed Defense Ministry said it was down one of the capital's conducting military exer- main avenues, past hulk- A woman kneels in front of a riot police line as they block Belarusian opposition supporters rally in cises in the Grodno region, ing olive-green prisoner the center of Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. near the borders of Poland Associated Press. transport vehicles. Police and Lithuania, simulating detained some marchers no official figures on the to put down largest, most will send in security help if defending against an inva- and forced them into the crowd size, but some op- sustained wave of protests asked. But Russia has ap- sion. transports. position sources claimed it yet in this Eastern European peared hesitant to get Belarus on Saturday Police said 125 people exceeded 100,000. nation of 9.5 million people. involved deeply in the Be- cracked down hard on for- were arrested, but Ales Bi- The widespread protests He has refused to rerun the larus unrest. eign news media that have lyatsky of the Viasna hu- arose after the election election, which both the Putin and Lukashenko talk- been covering the protests, man rights organization that officials say gave Presi- European Union and the ed by phone on Sunday, deporting at least four Rus- said more than 200 were dent Alexander Lukashen- have said but a Kremlin statement sian journalists, including detained. ko a landslide 80% win over was not free or fair, and gave few details of the two from The Associated The marchers, chanting his main challenger, Sviat- also refused offers to help conversation, other than Press. "Freedom!" and "Resign!" lana Tsikhanouskaya, a for- mediate the situation from noting that Putin congratu- The government also re- eventually reached the mer teacher and the wife Baltic nations. lated the Belarusian leader voked the accreditation outskirts of the presiden- of a popular jailed blogger. Lukashenko says he has on his 66th birthday. of many Belarusian journal- tial palace, which was Lukashenko, in office since reached an agreement Tsikhanouskaya, who fled ists working for foreign new blocked off by shield-bear- 1994, has been defiant with Russian President to Lithuania after the elec- agencies, including jour- ing riot police. There were but beleaguered, unable Vladimir Putin that Russia tion because of concerns nalists working for AP.q China’s top diplomat dismisses European rights concerns global health and eco- and training center now. security that specifically nomic crisis. They all have found jobs." suited Hong Kong's situ- Speaking in Paris on Sun- The Chinese government ation." The law is seen by day, Wang repeated the has detained an estimat- many as Beijing's boldest claim that all those sent ed 1 million or more mem- move yet to break down to re-education centers bers of ethnic Turkic mi- legal barriers between the in Xinjiang have been re- norities in Xinjiang, holding semi-autonomous terri- leased and placed in em- them in internment camps tory of Hong Kong and the ployment -- even as rights and prisons where they are mainland's authoritarian groups and families report subjected to ideological Communist Party system. on continuing detentions discipline, forced to de- Wang called both issues of the region's Uighur Mus- nounce their religion and internal Chinese affairs lims and the loss of con- language and physically and said foreign powers tact with loved ones. abused. China has long shouldn't interfere. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi greets the audience prior a "The rights of all trainees in suspected the Uighurs, At a meeting Friday with press conference at the Institute for International Relations in the education and train- who are mostly Muslim, of Wang, French President Paris, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. ing program, though their harboring separatist ten- Emmanuel Macron ex- Associated Press. minds have been en- dencies because of their pressed "his strong con- PARIS (AP) — China's for- ing against interference in croached by terrorism and distinct culture, language cern about the situation in eign minister defended Chinese affairs. extremism, have been fully and religion. Hong Kong, and around detention camps in Xinji- Foreign Minister Wang Yi is guaranteed," he told a Asked about Hong Kong's human rights, notably the ang and Hong Kong's new on his first European tour conference at the French security law, Wang said, Uighurs, and the need for security law on Sunday, since the virus pandemic Institute of International "We certainly couldn't sit China to respect its inter- brushing off human rights erupted, seeking to re- Relations. "Now all of them idly by and let the chaos national commitments," concerns by European vive trade and relations have graduated, there is go on, so we enacted a according to Macron's countries and caution- strained by the resulting no one in the education law maintaining national office.q A29 HEALTH Monday 31 August 2020 Fad or future? Telehealth expansion eyed beyond pandemic

By RICARDO ALONSO- the shutdown. ZALDIVAR Associated Press —increase access for peo- WASHINGTON (AP) — Tele- ple living in remote com- health is a bit of American munities, in low-income ingenuity that seems to urban areas and even have paid off in the coro- nursing homes. Medicare's navirus pandemic. Medi- research shows low-in- care temporarily waived come beneficiaries have restrictions predating the had similar patterns of us- smartphone era and now ing telehealth for primary there's a push to make tele- care as program enrollees medicine widely available overall. in the future. —improve coordination Consultations via tablets, of care for people with laptops and phones linked chronic health conditions, patients and doctors when a goal that requires patient society shut down in ear- and persistent monitoring. ly spring. Telehealth visits Chronic care accounts for dropped with the reopen- most program spending. q ing, but they're still far more common than before. Permanently expanding access will involve striking In this Aug. 24, 2020, photo Jean Grady smiles as she poses at her home in Westford, Vt. Grady a balance between costs wears an insulin pump to help manage her diabetes. and quality, dealing with Associated Press. privacy concerns and po- hadn't tried telehealth. and downloading telecon- with the goals of better tential fraud, and figuring The poll found 27% of older ference software. She says outcomes and better pa- out how telehealth can adults who had not had she would do some future tient experiences, at a reach marginalized pa- a telemedicine visit were visits by video, but not all. lower cost," said Alexander, tients, including people concerned about priva- For example, people with R-Tenn. with mental health prob- cy, compared with 17% of diabetes need periodic That's a tall order. lems. those who tried it. blood tests, and their feet Payment will be a sticky ob- "I don't think it is ever going Those who tried telehealth must be checked for signs stacle. For now, Medicare is to replace in-person visits, weren't completely sold. of circulatory problems. paying clinicians on par for because sometimes a doc- About 4 in 5 were con- Still, quite a few follow-ups virtual and in-person visits. tor needs to put hands on cerned the doctor couldn't "could be done very effi- "Policymakers seems to be a patient," said Seema Ver- physically examine them, ciently and be just as use- in a rush to pass legislation, ma, head of the Centers and 64% worried the qual- ful to the physician and but I think it is worth taking for Medicare and Medic- ity wasn't as good. myself as going in and see- a little more time," said Ju- aid and the Trump adminis- "After the initial excitement, ing them in person," Grady liette Cubanski, a Medicare tration's leading advocate in the afterglow, patients said. expert with the nonpartisan for telehealth. realize 'I can't get my vac- Many private insurance Kaiser Family Foundation. Caveats aside, "it's almost cine,' or 'You can't see this plans, including those in "Fraud is one big area that a modern-day house call," thing in the back of my Medicare Advantage, of- policymakers need to be she added. throat over the computer,' fer some level of telemedi- cognizant of." In the depths of the coro- " said Dr. Gary LeRoy of cine coverage. Fraud-busters agree. navirus shutdown, tele- Dayton, Ohio, a primary But traditional Medicare Telehealth is so new that health accounted for more care doctor and president has restricted it to rural resi- "we don't have at this point than 40% of primary care of the American Academy dents, who generally had a real sense of where the visits for patients with tra- of Family Physicians. to travel to specially desig- huge risks lie," said Andrew ditional Medicare, up from For Medicare beneficiary nated sites to connect. VanLandingham, a senior a tiny 0.1% sliver before the Jean Grady of Westford, Under the coronavirus pub- lawyer with the Health and public health emergency. Vermont, telemedicine lic health emergency, the Human Services inspector As the government's flag- was a relief. She needed administration temporarily general's office. "We are ship health care program, a checkup required by waived Medicare's restric- sort of in an experimental Medicare covers more Medicare to continue re- tions so enrollees anywhere phase." than 60 million people, in- ceiving supplies for her could use telemedicine. Despite the risks, advocates cluding those age 65 and wearable insulin pump. Be- Patients could connect see opportunities. older, and younger dis- ing in a high risk group for from home. Making such Expanded Medicare tele- abled people. COVID-19, Grady worried changes permanent would health could: A recent poll of older adults about potential exposure require legislation from —help move the nation by the University of Michi- in a doctor's waiting room, Congress, but there's bipar- closer to a long-sought gan Institute for Healthcare and even more about los- tisan interest. goal of treating mental Policy & Innovation found ing her diabetes supplies Sen. Lamar Alexander, health the same as physi- that more than 7 in 10 are if she missed Medicare's chairman of the Senate cal conditions. interested in using tele- checkup deadline. Health, Education, Labor Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., health for follow-ups with "I would have had to go and Pensions Committee, wants to use telemedicine their doctor, and nearly 2 back to taking insulin by sy- says he'd like to see broad- as a springboard to im- out of 3 feel comfortable ringe," she said. er access, without breaking prove mental health care. with video conferences. Grady prepared for the vir- the bank. IQVIA data shows 60% of But privacy was an issue, tual visit by calling her cli- "Our job should be to en- psychiatric consults took especially for those who nician's tech department sure that change is done place by telehealth during A30 Monday 31 August 2020 People & Arts Chadwick Boseman’s death leaves saddening mark on rough 2020

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant. Rep. John Lewis. And now, Chadwick Bose- man. So far, 2020 has been marred with bad news and tragedy with the deaths of several popular Black icons including Bryant, Lewis and recently Boseman, who died Friday. All three were viewed as leaders in their respective fields of sports, politics and film — places where people, particularly in the Black community, have often looked for in- spiration during a year of racial tension and protests against the police brutality of unarmed Black people. But for many, the loss of another major figure such as Boseman is taking a toll. The actor, who starred in the blockbuster superhero Marvel film "Black Panther," shockingly died at the age of 43 in his home in Los This July 21, 2014 file photo shows actor Chadwick Boseman posing for a portrait in New York. Angeles after he privately Associated Press. battled colon cancer for U.S. Supreme Court Justice ron James. And his ability to Milwaukee Bucks player Gi- "Our ancestors had to go four years. Thurgood Marshall. Bose- be "transcendent" on that annis Antetokounmpo said, through so, so much. And "These are pillars in our man's family said he en- stage brought a comic adding that Boseman left yet, we're still here. We are community," Rev. Al Sharp- dured "countless surgeries book character to life for "so much behind." nowhere where we need ton said. "In times of insta- and chemotherapy" while many in the Black commu- "It's a lot to unpack," said to be, but we are always bility, you depend on pil- portraying King T'Challa nity. Oklahoma City Thunder making progress and mov- lars. It's bad enough when of Wakanda in the Oscar- "Even though we knew that guard Chris Paul. "Chad- ing ahead." there's a storm outside and nominated "Black Panther," it was like a fictional story, wick was a special guy. I Gil Robertson, the co- you hear the lightning and a film that proved a person it actually felt real. It actu- think everyone took it hard, founder and president of thunder. It gets worse when of color could lead in a ally felt like we finally had especially the Black com- the African American Film the pillars that you're build- successful superhero film. our Black superhero and munity. Critics Association, said ing and standing on (are) "For him to pass at this time nobody could touch us. So That was one of our black Black people are at a criti- shaking. It's like they're when we are dispropor- to lose that, it's sad in our superheroes. I think 'Black cal crossroads of their sur- chipping away at our foun- tionately affected by COV- community," James said, Panther' was something vival in America. dation. The very building ID and have all of these at- lamenting on the loss of so powerful, for myself "We're getting it from all is shaking down, because tacks by law enforcement, "the Black Panther and the along with my kids to see sides of the fort," Robertson the things that undergird and him being the symbol Black Mamba in the same a superhero that looks like said. "We're losing these and protect us from the bringing us to Wakanda, it's year." them and the way that he strong men. These men storms are being removed." just a blow," Sharpton said. In January, Bryant died in played it with such class who operated with a level Sharpton called Boseman "To hear that our superhero a helicopter crash involv- and elegance. That was of integrity. an important pillar that who projected a positive ing eight others including tough." A level of authenticity. I humanized several Black light was now gone, it was his 13-year-old daughter, Activist Martin Luther King find all of this alarming. I historical trailblazers in his a gut blow." Gianna. Lewis died in July III called Boseman's death hope that our community roles — including color- Boseman was elevated after being diagnosed with another "great loss." But he can really come together. line breaking star to a stage that many pancreatic cancer last encourages people not to ... Not just for one cause. Jackie Robinson, legend- Black actors don't get the year. lose hope even in a year of Just to make a consistent ary singer James Brown and chance to occupy, said Other notable deaths this tumult. effort to rehabilitate our the first African American Los Angeles Lakers star LeB- year include actress Naya "We could easily say 'Oh community."q Rivera, civil rights leader my God. This is the most C.T. Vivian and music ex- terrible year that existed.' ecutive Andre Harrell. But I choose not to say "The year 2020 has been up that," said the son of the and down for everybody," Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

[email protected] A31 local Monday 31 August 2020

Baseball player : a hero in

By Erik Neuteboom other good look at him, back from a nature photo ORANJESTAD — In the story excitedly nudged my wife safari, and saw some very below, two worlds come and said "That's Xander serious baseball players together in a beautiful way: Bogaerts, from the Boston playing on a small base- my world as a boy in the Red Sox, I'm going to ask ball field near us, maybe who falls un- him if he is!" I walked up to 2-3 miles from our house. der the spell of baseball in him, he gave me a friendly I decided to take a look, the 1970s and later even look, I asked him, and with and to my surprise, Xander sees a game in American a smile he confirmed my Bogaerts was there, prac- professional baseball in suspicion. We had a nice ticing fanatically in such Canada in 1999 (between chat, I told him that I have a typical "baseball cage". the Toronto Blue Jays and been a baseball fan since I As it turned out, the oth- Cleveland Indians), and was 10 because my cousin er two men were his twin my world in Aruba since was a pitcher for ADO and brother Jair and a cousin. the end of October 2017, later the Dutch national Jair first played with Xan- where I as a baseball fan team. And that I have be- der at Boston Red Sox and discover how important come a fan of Boston Red then with Chicago Cubs (in baseball is in Aruba, and Sox since he started play- 2012) but never in the for- how proud they are of their ing there as a pro in 2013, mer, so he quickly switched Aruban top baseball player and immediately won the to "representative in the Xander Bogaerts who won World Series in the first year. sports world", with Xander the World Series twice with He said he was thrilled that as a brother he had many Boston Red Sox, and with the Arubans here are so connections. That cousin the Netherlands became proud of him, and he sees played at Atlanta Braves, world champion in 2011! people wearing Boston but not at the highest level Red Sox caps and t-shirts either, so Xander was the In January 2018 I had a everywhere. I thanked him only one. It was nice to special meeting, in the for the conversation, a mo- see how relaxed the three visitor center of the Aruba ment later I saw Xander family members interacted National Park. A few times with a lady (his sister San- with each other, but with I saw a tall, dark-hued and dra?) driving away in an a Xander who practiced athletically built man in his open jeep, he saw me tak- his 'swing' very fanatically twenties walking around, ing a picture and waved in between. I was allowed with a towel around his happily to the lens, without to take some pictures and head like a turban. At one any doubt sympathetic. wished them good luck.. point he sat down across the street from where my Family practice Down to earth wife and I were. I took an- A month later I was driving Again a month later I saw Xander walking at that sports field, he was head- ing towards the nearby sports / fitness center. He looked relaxed so I went up to him and he recognized me. I told him that in Aruba I like to take pictures of the shoco (the unique Aruban burrowing owl). That ap- pealed to him because he said he saw them often of the most appreciated puffed up and simply walk when he was growing up young players in the high- on with headphones when as a little boy in San Nico- est American professional young fans want an auto- las, in the south of Aruba. I baseball league. He really is graph, scandalous! Xander showed him some photos a star. Xander makes many also does a lot for the youth right away, he thought they millions (through a lucrative in Aruba, he has donated were very beautiful. It was 6-year contract), but he re- money in his hometown so special for me to be in mains very "down-to-earth", San Nicolas for a beautiful this place, far from the busy absolutely no fancy talk or baseball field for the youth, outside world, on an almost arrogance. How different which also bears his name. deserted sports field, com- from some young Dutch pletely relaxed with one footballers who are often Continued on Page 32 A32 Monday 31 August 2020 local

Baseball player Xander Bogaerts: a hero in Aruba

and as 3rd baseman (as Xander, who extended his including Jose Abreu and the youngest player ever contract for six years in April Yuli Gurriel. It happened in to hit a triple in the World 2019, based on a plan of the pouring rain in Pana- Series!) and in 2018 (as the management to keep ma, the result became 2-1, the only player in the 2013 the Boston Red Sox at the for the first time the Neth- team). He won the Silver top with him as central erlands was world cham- Slugger Award three times man for years to come. But pion in baseball (and so far in the American League for despite the poor play of the only time), because of his performance with the Boston Red Sox (with fail- this he was even honored baseball bat. In 2016 he was ing pitchers and defining by the governor in Aruba invited to the prestigious batters out of form, such as Knight in de Orde van MLB All Star Team for the as Rafael Devers and JD Oranje Nassau. first time (the best players of Martinez), Xander contin- the National and American ues to profile himself as a The season for Boston ends League play against each top player, with both strong in October and Xander will Continued from Page 31 diploma. Although she other mid-season), a huge play with the glove and then spend a few months’ knew her son was always honor! In addition, sports the bat. In games where vacation in Aruba with his The story begins fond of baseball (he prac- commentators at ESPN and the others fail, he hits home family in San Nicolas. Since It is also a special story how ticed in the yard with a Fox Sport regularly call "The runs, catches balls beauti- I have lived in Aruba, I have Xander (born October 1, club against a rubber truck X-Man" 1 of the best hitters, fully, or throws balls perfect- met Xander several times, 1992) ended up with the tire to get more power), and 1 of the most talented ly from difficult positions to and that also applies to Boston Red Sox. What I've and everyone thought he "shortstops", a very impor- fellow players to make an my wife, who has arranged heard is that the Boston was talented early on, she tant position on the field. important "out". Because something with Xander for scouts were in Aruba and was strict about that, and Xander was always a fan things are going so badly me twice behind my back: liked Jair when they saw rightly so, how many failed of the legendary shortstop with the Boston Red Sox an original Boston Red Sox him play. However, Jair said baseball adventures lead Derek Jeter (of the New and the money is coming shirt with signature, and she they should go and see his to a bad future without a York Yankees), so he also in less due to the corona has a t shirt from the 2018 brother Xander. Unfortu- good college diploma. wears number 2. And Xan- woes, there is currently talk World Series (gift from a nately Xander had been in der also regularly shows of a transfer from Xander friend) embellished with a bed for a while with chick- Derek Jeter the 'Derek Jeter jump': he to a top club, the name of signature and piece of text en pox and a high fever. There were already Aru- jumps up while throwing the Los Angeles Dodgers is from Xander, those were Boston scouts then decid- bans who played in Major the ball, to be able to use mentioned, also because very nice surprises! The fun- ed to wait until Xander was League Baseball (MLB), the more power. there his ex-team player ny thing is that at the be- fit, he made a big impres- highest American profes- and good friend Mookie ginning of this year Xander sion and they went to see sional baseball league: Eu- Transfer in the pipeline? Betts went last year. I'm cu- said to an acquaintance Xander's mother (his father gene Kingsale, Calvin Mad- After Xander won the World rious, it would be a shame of us (who lives close to had left the family early) uro, Sidney Ponson and Series with Boston Red Sox for Boston Red Sox, but to that baseball field and has to sign a contract. Mother Radhames Dijkhoff, and for the second time in 2018, be honest, it's a nice new known him for years): "Mi no agreed, but on the condi- Chadwick Tromp recently the performance of Boston challenge for him. How- a wak e pareja", meaning tion that Xander finished made his debut with the Red Sox is unfortunately ever, Xander will always "I have not seen that Dutch his school (Colegio Aruba- San Francisco Giants. But very disappointing: in the keep Boston in his heart, couple". So that's us, we no). He was only 16 when Xander is by far the most 2019 season a hopeless where he grew up and had missed each other this he signed that contract in successful Aruban at the third place (so no Play Offs won beautiful prizes. And year and Xander had no- 2009. Mother Sandra has moment, with an impres- for the winner of the World let's not forget, in 2011 Xan- ticed that. That is very spe- always raised her children sive record for someone of Series!) and in 2020 Boston der won the world title with cial about this acclaimed with good standards and only 27 years old. He won is even desolate at the bot- the Dutch national team Aruban baseball hero, and values, so they go with a the World Series twice, in tom, with far more losses against the ever-powerful it says a lot how sympathet- 'backpack' into society, his debut year in 2013, still than games won, so again Cuba, which played with ic and down to earth the and that included a school wearing shirt number 72 no Play Offs. This is sad for a series of MLB top players, man is.q