The Kansas Department of Health released the state's latest coronavirus numbers on Tuesday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here for</a> additional details

The Kansas Department of Health released the state's latest coronavirus numbers on Tuesday.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here for</a> additional details<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586883932549.png" alt="" />
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KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the burglary of a gun store and have two suspects in custody.

On April 4, deputies and investigators were dispatched to USA Gun Bunker in Cherryvale for a report of a burglary of the gun store, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

Deputies and Investigators worked diligently, following the evidence and interviewing multiple individuals. Due to the nature of the items stolen, deputies requested assistance from The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives)

At this point in the investigation multiple firearms have been recovered and two arrests have been made, according to Wade.

Arron Blake, 34, of rural Cherryvale is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; burglary, theft, possession of narcotics and traffic in contraband in a correctional facility and is also being held on a felony warrant stemming from another case. He remains in custody.

Alexis Hoesmam, 28, of Cherryvale, was being held on requested charges that include aiding and abetting burglary and theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586809280224.png" alt="Hoesmam / photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Hoesmam / photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the burglary of a gun store and have two suspects in custody.On April 4, deputies and investigators were dispatched to USA Gun Bunker in Cherryvale for a report of a burglary of the gun store, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.Deputies and Investigators worked diligently, following the evidence and interviewing multiple individuals. Due to the nature of the items stolen, deputies requested assistance from The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives)At this point in the investigation multiple firearms have been recovered and two arrests have been made, according to Wade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586809338901.png" alt="Blake / Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Blake / Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>Arron Blake, 34, of rural Cherryvale is being held on requested charges of&nbsp; burglary, theft, possession of narcotics and traffic in contraband in a correctional facility and is also being held on a felony warrant stemming from another case. He remains in custody.Alexis Hoesmam, 28, of Cherryvale, was being held on requested charges that include aiding and abetting burglary and theft.

ATF helps in arrests after burglary of Kan. gun store

Demand is shifting more to supermarkets now that restaurant business is curtailed

MANHATTAN – On a recent Thursday evening, Kansas State University hosted a meeting of more than 100 people. That’s not unusual, but this time because of the pandemic sweeping the country, the gathering was held&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/news/recent-videos/ongoing-effects-livestock-markets-covid-19-pandemic">online</a>&nbsp;rather than in person, and focused on what COVID-19 means for livestock producers.

So far, it’s meant falling cattle and hog prices linked to shifting demand and changes in the supply chain, said Glynn Tonsor, K-State Research and Extension agricultural economics professor and extension livestock market specialist.

He spoke to participants via a new series of online gatherings, each focused on a different aspect of how COVID-19 is impacting agriculture.

“Everybody, not just the ag and livestock sector, is adjusting to many things for the first time in their life in many ways. The (meat) supply chain is taxed and that shows up in the marketplace and even analysts and folks like me are taxed, so we’re doing our best,” Tonsor said.

He noted that CME cattle and hog futures prices for April delivery have fallen 20% to 40% since January 11 when the first death from COVID-19 was reported in China.

Live cattle futures for April delivery, for example fell 26%, from $127.96 per hundredweight (cwt) on Jan. 10 to $94.28 on April 9. Hog futures plummeted 42% from $74.13 per cwt to $42.90.

Cattle and hog futures for October delivery have also been down, Tonsor said, but not as significantly, indicating there is optimism the agricultural sector will make adjustments between April and October.

To help provide a view into how the global pandemic is affecting the cattle industry, Tonsor authored the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-meat-demand-monitor-survey-data/meat-demand-monitor-covid19">Cattle Industry’s COVID-19 Economic Damage Assessment</a>.

U.S. meat demand is good during stronger economic times and weaker during poor economic times, he said, noting that beef demand, in particular is “extra sensitive” to the macroeconomic environment, and it’s become more so over time.&nbsp;

“That is particularly worrisome because most folks who are macroeconomists think we have a weaker macroeconomic environment today than we did two months ago,” he said. “It’s pretty hard to argue that point.”

He noted that meat demand is shifting, from foodservice to grocery demand. Prior to the pandemic, strong demand from institutional customers – hotels, restaurants and schools helped drive prices. With schools across the country closed and restaurants reducing operations to curbside or delivery only, demand has lessened for higher-priced meat cuts typically sought by restaurants but increased for meat products typically bought in grocery stores, such as ground beef.

The difficulty he said, is “we raise whole animals and we produce a lot of different products. Some of those products traditionally go primarily through foodservice and some go largely&nbsp;&nbsp;through retail.&nbsp;

“When we have a shock where one of those channels, in this case foodservice, is closed off, it creates challenges to repurpose parts of the animal,” he said.

He gave the example of bacon, most of which typically goes through foodservice channels to restaurants, rather than to consumers’ tables via grocery stories. Bacon is currently “stacking up” without that traditional primary outlet, which is a factor weighing on pork prices.

Tonsor launched a resource in February called the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-meat-demand-monitor-survey-data/meat-demand-monitor-covid19">Monthly Meat Demand Monitor</a>&nbsp;to help industry participants monitor consumer preferences, views and demand for meat. The tool is supported by checkoff funding from the beef and pork industries.&nbsp;

He noted that the temporary closure of several meat packing plants linked to COVID-19 is creating a bottleneck in the livestock supply chain.

“I think the industry is doing the best it can to deal with that, but it’s not surprising that this week we’ve had some unfortunate developments that are leading to slowdowns and temporary pauses in running some of our plants,” Tonsor said.&nbsp;

While no one plant represents more than 7% of national capacity, he said, the challenge is that no one knows how many plants the virus will affect and for how long.

After crunching numbers for various beef cuts over the past several weeks, Tonsor said “In aggregate, I think demand for beef is down, even though we’ve had a run on ground beef.”

Because there are so many unknowns about the pandemic, it’s unclear what the ultimate effect will be on the livestock market, Tonsor said. He and Iowa State University agricultural economist Lee Schulz estimate, however, that 20% less utilization of meat packing plants (because of COVID-19) would result in a 27% reduction in fed cattle prices and a 36% reduction in market hog prices.

Tonsor noted that the Livestock Marketing Information Center or LMIC on April 3 projected 2020 prices to be down because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but its projections were more optimistic than the futures market suggests. However, those projections likely have changed given news of temporary plant closures since those estimates came out.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Markets often operate like a pendulum, Tonsor said, but added that it’s premature to say markets have hit their bottom from the pandemic.

Longer term, he believes market disruptions will squeeze out some independent producers who did not have price protection in place and may also have an impact on how price reporting and price discovery occur.

“Populism” was already growing before the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. and around the world,” he said, “with people questioning the role of globalization. Certainly during COVID we have ramped up this discussion and action to improve domestic security, whether that’s on food, medical supplies or other supplies, there’s definitely a lot of effort in that space.”

If the current trend away from globalization of markets continues, he said, it will mean less international trade: “That would not be good for the U.S. ag sector. To support the size of the industry in the U.S. we need to sustain a presence in a global world.”

Relationships, whether personal or financial may be more important now than ever, he said. He encouraged producers to reach out to their lenders, plus those they buy from or sell products to.

“I have full faith that we will adjust,” Tonsor said. “The U.S. is going to remain a very large ag producer. I’m not doomsday to that level. I have concerns that we’re in the midst of lots of shocks, but at the end of the day in the aggregate, I remain optimistic for the industry and for society as a whole.”

A recording of the session is available&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/news/recent-videos/ongoing-effects-livestock-markets-covid-19-pandemic">online</a>. More information about how COVID-19 is affecting agriculture and about agricultural economics in general is available on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/news/recent-videos/ongoing-effects-livestock-markets-covid-19-pandemic">agmanager.info</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586869713367.png" alt="K-State Research &amp; Extension photo" />
 <figcaption>K-State Research &amp; Extension photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Demand is shifting more to supermarkets now that restaurant business is curtailed</h2>K-State Research &amp; ExtensionMANHATTAN – On a recent Thursday evening, Kansas State University hosted a meeting of more than 100 people. That’s not unusual, but this time because of the pandemic sweeping the country, the gathering was held&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/news/recent-videos/ongoing-effects-livestock-markets-covid-19-pandemic">online</a>&nbsp;rather than in person, and focused on what COVID-19 means for livestock producers.So far, it’s meant falling cattle and hog prices linked to shifting demand and changes in the supply chain, said Glynn Tonsor, K-State Research and Extension agricultural economics professor and extension livestock market specialist.He spoke to participants via a new series of online gatherings, each focused on a different aspect of how COVID-19 is impacting agriculture.“Everybody, not just the ag and livestock sector, is adjusting to many things for the first time in their life in many ways. The (meat) supply chain is taxed and that shows up in the marketplace and even analysts and folks like me are taxed, so we’re doing our best,” Tonsor said.He noted that CME cattle and hog futures prices for April delivery have fallen 20% to 40% since January 11 when the first death from COVID-19 was reported in China.Live cattle futures for April delivery, for example fell 26%, from $127.96 per hundredweight (cwt) on Jan. 10 to $94.28 on April 9. Hog futures plummeted 42% from $74.13 per cwt to $42.90.Cattle and hog futures for October delivery have also been down, Tonsor said, but not as significantly, indicating there is optimism the agricultural sector will make adjustments between April and October.To help provide a view into how the global pandemic is affecting the cattle industry, Tonsor authored the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-meat-demand-monitor-survey-data/meat-demand-monitor-covid19">Cattle Industry’s COVID-19 Economic Damage Assessment</a>.U.S. meat demand is good during stronger economic times and weaker during poor economic times, he said, noting that beef demand, in particular is “extra sensitive” to the macroeconomic environment, and it’s become more so over time.&nbsp;“That is particularly worrisome because most folks who are macroeconomists think we have a weaker macroeconomic environment today than we did two months ago,” he said. “It’s pretty hard to argue that point.”He noted that meat demand is shifting, from foodservice to grocery demand. Prior to the pandemic, strong demand from institutional customers – hotels, restaurants and schools helped drive prices. With schools across the country closed and restaurants reducing operations to curbside or delivery only, demand has lessened for higher-priced meat cuts typically sought by restaurants but increased for meat products typically bought in grocery stores, such as ground beef.The difficulty he said, is “we raise whole animals and we produce a lot of different products. Some of those products traditionally go primarily through foodservice and some go largely&nbsp;&nbsp;through retail.&nbsp;“When we have a shock where one of those channels, in this case foodservice, is closed off, it creates challenges to repurpose parts of the animal,” he said.He gave the example of bacon, most of which typically goes through foodservice channels to restaurants, rather than to consumers’ tables via grocery stories. Bacon is currently “stacking up” without that traditional primary outlet, which is a factor weighing on pork prices.Tonsor launched a resource in February called the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-meat-demand-monitor-survey-data/meat-demand-monitor-covid19">Monthly Meat Demand Monitor</a>&nbsp;to help industry participants monitor consumer preferences, views and demand for meat. The tool is supported by checkoff funding from the beef and pork industries.&nbsp;He noted that the temporary closure of several meat packing plants linked to COVID-19 is creating a bottleneck in the livestock supply chain.“I think the industry is doing the best it can to deal with that, but it’s not surprising that this week we’ve had some unfortunate developments that are leading to slowdowns and temporary pauses in running some of our plants,” Tonsor said.&nbsp;While no one plant represents more than 7% of national capacity, he said, the challenge is that no one knows how many plants the virus will affect and for how long.After crunching numbers for various beef cuts over the past several weeks, Tonsor said “In aggregate, I think demand for beef is down, even though we’ve had a run on ground beef.”Because there are so many unknowns about the pandemic, it’s unclear what the ultimate effect will be on the livestock market, Tonsor said. He and Iowa State University agricultural economist Lee Schulz estimate, however, that 20% less utilization of meat packing plants (because of COVID-19) would result in a 27% reduction in fed cattle prices and a 36% reduction in market hog prices.Tonsor noted that the Livestock Marketing Information Center or LMIC on April 3 projected 2020 prices to be down because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but its projections were more optimistic than the futures market suggests. However, those projections likely have changed given news of temporary plant closures since those estimates came out.&nbsp;&nbsp;Markets often operate like a pendulum, Tonsor said, but added that it’s premature to say markets have hit their bottom from the pandemic.Longer term, he believes market disruptions will squeeze out some independent producers who did not have price protection in place and may also have an impact on how price reporting and price discovery occur.“Populism” was already growing before the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. and around the world,” he said, “with people questioning the role of globalization. Certainly during COVID we have ramped up this discussion and action to improve domestic security, whether that’s on food, medical supplies or other supplies, there’s definitely a lot of effort in that space.”If the current trend away from globalization of markets continues, he said, it will mean less international trade: “That would not be good for the U.S. ag sector. To support the size of the industry in the U.S. we need to sustain a presence in a global world.”Relationships, whether personal or financial may be more important now than ever, he said. He encouraged producers to reach out to their lenders, plus those they buy from or sell products to.“I have full faith that we will adjust,” Tonsor said. “The U.S. is going to remain a very large ag producer. I’m not doomsday to that level. I have concerns that we’re in the midst of lots of shocks, but at the end of the day in the aggregate, I remain optimistic for the industry and for society as a whole.”A recording of the session is available&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/news/recent-videos/ongoing-effects-livestock-markets-covid-19-pandemic">online</a>. More information about how COVID-19 is affecting agriculture and about agricultural economics in general is available on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/news/recent-videos/ongoing-effects-livestock-markets-covid-19-pandemic">agmanager.info</a>.

Livestock prices drop 20%-40% since early COVID-19 news

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas felon accused in last month's murder of his girlfriend and her 8-year-old daughter made his first court appearance Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

Lopez is charged with capital murder for the shooting deaths of 24- year-old Mickayla Sorell and her 8-year-old daughter, Natalya Sorrell.&nbsp; He is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and aggravated assault.

He is being held on a bond of one-million dollars in the murder case.  He was also charged with two probation violations. The cases are from 2017 and 2018.  His bond on each of the probation violations is $250,000, according to the district attorney's office.

On Monday, March 31, officers responded to the call of a welfare check at a residence in the 4500 block of South Walnut, after Sorell did not report to work. Upon arrival, officers located both victims deceased inside the residence.

Police on the scene of the murder investigation photo courtesy KWCH

The investigation revealed that the shootings took place on Saturday, March 28.&nbsp; Lopez was identified as the suspect in the case and was subsequently charged by the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office on April 3.&nbsp; 

On April 9, police followed up on information that Lopez was at the home of family members, according to officer Kevin Wheeler. Police were able to arrest him without incident at a residence in the 4600 block of South Gold in Wichita, according to Wheeler.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586604705468.png" alt="Lopez photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Lopez photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas felon accused in last month's murder of his girlfriend and her 8-year-old daughter made his first court appearance Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;Lopez is charged with capital murder for the shooting deaths of 24- year-old Mickayla Sorell and her 8-year-old daughter, Natalya Sorrell.&nbsp; He is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and aggravated assault.He is being held on a bond of one-million dollars in the murder case. He was also charged with two probation violations. The cases are from 2017 and 2018. His bond on each of the probation violations is $250,000, according to the district attorney's office.On Monday, March 31, officers responded to the call of a welfare check at a residence in the 4500 block of South Walnut, after Sorell did not report to work. Upon arrival, officers located both victims deceased inside the residence.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585662112788.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Police on the scene of the murder investigation photo courtesy KWCHThe investigation revealed that the shootings took place on Saturday, March 28.&nbsp; Lopez was identified as the suspect in the case and was subsequently charged by the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office on April 3.&nbsp; On April 9, police followed up on information that Lopez was at the home of family members, according to officer Kevin Wheeler. Police were able to arrest him without incident at a residence in the 4600 block of South Gold in Wichita, according to Wheeler.

Kan. man charged in murder of girlfriend, child makes court appearance

FINNEY COUNTY — A store in southwest Kansas has been linked to numerous cases of coronavirus, according to the Finney County Health Department.

On Monday, the agency reported that people who shopped at Tienda Variedades Candy, 107 North Jennie Barker Road in Garden City between March 16-30 may have been exposed to the virus and multiple who shopped there since have since become ill and tested positive for the virus.

Authorities notified the store and it has been closed since March 30, according to the health department. The store is being cleaned as outlined by CDC and KDHE guidelines.

The health department asked that anyone who shopped at the store between March 16-30 and are experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and or smell to contact them, call the local coronavirus hotline 316-272-3600 to be appropriately screened.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586859604884.png" alt="Image courtesy Tienda Variedades Candy in Garden City" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Tienda Variedades Candy in Garden City</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY — A store in southwest Kansas has been linked to numerous cases of coronavirus, according to the Finney County Health Department.On Monday, the agency reported that people who shopped at Tienda Variedades Candy, 107 North Jennie Barker Road in Garden City between March 16-30 may have been exposed to the virus and multiple who shopped there since have since become ill and tested positive for the virus.Authorities notified the store and it has been closed since March 30, according to the health department. The store is being cleaned as outlined by CDC and KDHE guidelines.The health department asked that anyone who shopped at the store between March 16-30 and are experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and or smell to contact them, call the local coronavirus hotline 316-272-3600 to be appropriately screened.

SW Kansas store linked to multiple coronavirus cases

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made an arrest

Just after 11:00 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the area of W. 21st&nbsp;Street and Ridge in Wichita to assist in looking for a green GMC Sierra that was stolen from an apartment complex, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Officers were also looking for a tan Chevrolet Silverado that was possibly involved with the auto theft as well as vehicle burglaries reported earlier in the morning.

An officer spotted the tan truck at West 2nd&nbsp;Street and Young and initiated a traffic stop.&nbsp; 

The driver later identied as 30-year-old Cody Scrimsher failed to stop, and a vehicle pursuit ensued.&nbsp; The pursuit was terminated in the 1900 block of West Second due to Scrimsher's erratic driving.&nbsp; 

Scrimsher ultimately stopped the truck at West 2nd&nbsp;Street and North Handley Street and ran from the vehicle. Police were able to apprehended him after a brief foot pursuit.

The investigation revealed that Scrimsher was involved in a vehicle burglary in the 500 block of N. Tyler, where a GPS was stolen.&nbsp; Additionally, Scrimsher has previously been arrested and convicted of charges that include criminal possession of a firearm, aggravated weapons violation, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, and driving while suspended, according to Davidson.

He is being held on requested charges of felony evade and elude, burglary and theft, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586791137614.png" alt="Scrimsher photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Scrimsher photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made an arrestJust after 11:00 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the area of W. 21st&nbsp;Street and Ridge in Wichita to assist in looking for a green GMC Sierra that was stolen from an apartment complex, according to officer Charley Davidson.Officers were also looking for a tan Chevrolet Silverado that was possibly involved with the auto theft as well as vehicle burglaries reported earlier in the morning.An officer spotted the tan truck at West 2nd&nbsp;Street and Young and initiated a traffic stop.&nbsp; The driver later identied as 30-year-old Cody Scrimsher failed to stop, and a vehicle pursuit ensued.&nbsp; The pursuit was terminated in the 1900 block of West Second due to Scrimsher's erratic driving.&nbsp; Scrimsher ultimately stopped the truck at West 2nd&nbsp;Street and North Handley Street and ran from the vehicle. Police were able to apprehended him after a brief foot pursuit.The investigation revealed that Scrimsher was involved in a vehicle burglary in the 500 block of N. Tyler, where a GPS was stolen.&nbsp; Additionally, Scrimsher has previously been arrested and convicted of charges that include criminal possession of a firearm, aggravated weapons violation, criminal possession of a weapon, theft, and driving while suspended, according to Davidson.He is being held on requested charges of felony evade and elude, burglary and theft, according to Davidson.

Police catch Kansas felon for alleged pickup theft

NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak has fueled attempts to ban abortions in some states, but providers where the procedure remains available report increased demand, often from women distraught over economic stress and health concerns linked to the pandemic.

“The calls we’ve been getting are frantic,” said Julie Burkhart, who manages clinics in Wichita,&nbsp;Kansas, and&nbsp;Oklahoma&nbsp;City. “We’ve seen more women coming sooner than they would have because they’re scared they won’t be able to access the services later.”

Some clinics are seeing patients who traveled hundreds of miles from states such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas">Texas</a>, which has banned abortions during much of the pandemic on grounds they are nonessential.

Dr. Allison Cowett of Family Planning Associates in Chicago said one recent patient was a teen who drove from Texas with her mother. In Atlanta, Dr. Marissa Lapedis said her clinic accommodated a woman who received her initial abortion consultation in Texas but flew to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/georgia">Georgia</a>&nbsp;when the Texas ban postponed a second visit to receive the abortion pill.

An influx of women from Texas contributed to the upsurge of abortions at Burkhart’s clinic in Wichita. She said it performed 252 abortions in March, up from 90 in March 2019.

Dr. Jen Villavicencio, an abortion provider in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan">Michigan</a>, predicts that demand for abortions will continue to increase during the pandemic.

“I hear it in my patient’s voices and questions daily,” she said via email. “They're worried about how they will make their rent, feed their family, access a ventilator if the need arises.”

The pandemic has prompted Planned Parenthood, the national’s largest abortion provider, to make adjustments.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-york">New York</a>&nbsp;City, the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., Planned Parenthood has modified medication abortion procedures to minimize travel and potential COVID-19 exposure for patients and staff.

Dr. Meera Shah is chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, which serves New York’s northern suburbs. She says her staff is expanding telemedicine as they see an uptick in patients seeking abortions, often convinced that “having a child right now isn’t best for them.”

“We provided a medication abortion to an EMT while she was sitting in her ambulance,” Shah said. “We provided abortion care to a mother who was at home with her children running around behind her.”

Dr. Anne Davis, an OB-GYN at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, said all services at her hospital are under stress and COVID-19 patients are numerous. In most cases, her team refers women seeking abortions to non-hospital clinics.

She cited one patient who had wanted to be pregnant but requested an abortion when it became clear her medical condition would require multiple hospital visits. Davis said the woman had received comparable treatment during her first pregnancy but decided this time that the hospital wouldn’t be as safe.

One of the biggest challenges in counseling pregnant women, is uncertainty, Davis said.

“We don’t know enough about this to say it’s going to be fine — your pregnancy will proceed in usual fashion and there will be no impact from COVID-19,” she said. “They want us to say it will be all right. We have to say, ‘We don’t know.’”

At Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois">Illinois</a>, close to Saint Louis, deputy director Alison Dreith says women are now less likely to change their minds once they schedule an abortion. Normally, 50% go through with it; amid the pandemic, the rate is 85%.

Hope Clinic staff member Hannah Dismer said one couple decided to terminate a pregnancy they had planned. The wife worried that giving birth at a hospital might expose her to the coronavirus and create risk for the child they have.

“It hit me really hard that she and her husband had to make that difficult decision,” Dismer said.

Another concern is that abortion bans will force some women into continuing with high-risk pregnancies.

“Without services, very sick babies will be born and families forced to watch them suffer who would, in other times, have made a different decision,” said Dr. Maryl Sackeim, a Chicago-based OB-GYN.

The push for new bans has added urgency to a campaign providing information about relatively safe options for do-it-yourself abortions.

Already, many abortions are induced at home with a two-drug combination, under the guidance of a health professional. Advocacy groups say home abortions using one of the drugs — misoprostol — can be done without professional oversight.

Misoprostol is available only by prescription in the U.S. but is available online from some countries where it sells over the counter.

Attorney Jill E. Adams, executive director of If/When/How, supports that option and urges prosecutors not to target women who use this method.

“More people will need abortions during this pandemic,” she said. “Targeting people who end their pregnancies at home is wrong as a matter of law and dangerous as a matter of public health.”

Amid debate about whether abortion is an essential service, anti-abortion protesters have mobilized outside numerous clinics — in some cases triggering confrontations with police over whether they’re violating social-distancing rules. In&nbsp;North Carolina, eight of about 50 protesters were arrested April 4 after refusing to disperse outside a clinic in Charlotte.

Even as many businesses close temporarily, anti-abortion pregnancy centers remain open.&nbsp;Virginia-based Care Net, which oversees about 1,100 centers, evoked the pandemic in a fundraising appeal, noting that unplanned pregnancies may rise during isolation and “our centers need to find creative ways to serve these parents and empower them to choose life.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak has fueled attempts to ban abortions in some states, but providers where the procedure remains available report increased demand, often from women distraught over economic stress and health concerns linked to the pandemic.“The calls we’ve been getting are frantic,” said Julie Burkhart, who manages clinics in Wichita,&nbsp;Kansas, and&nbsp;Oklahoma&nbsp;City. “We’ve seen more women coming sooner than they would have because they’re scared they won’t be able to access the services later.”Some clinics are seeing patients who traveled hundreds of miles from states such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas">Texas</a>, which has banned abortions during much of the pandemic on grounds they are nonessential.Dr. Allison Cowett of Family Planning Associates in Chicago said one recent patient was a teen who drove from Texas with her mother. In Atlanta, Dr. Marissa Lapedis said her clinic accommodated a woman who received her initial abortion consultation in Texas but flew to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/georgia">Georgia</a>&nbsp;when the Texas ban postponed a second visit to receive the abortion pill.An influx of women from Texas contributed to the upsurge of abortions at Burkhart’s clinic in Wichita. She said it performed 252 abortions in March, up from 90 in March 2019.Dr. Jen Villavicencio, an abortion provider in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/michigan">Michigan</a>, predicts that demand for abortions will continue to increase during the pandemic.“I hear it in my patient’s voices and questions daily,” she said via email. “They're worried about how they will make their rent, feed their family, access a ventilator if the need arises.”The pandemic has prompted Planned Parenthood, the national’s largest abortion provider, to make adjustments.In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-york">New York</a>&nbsp;City, the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., Planned Parenthood has modified medication abortion procedures to minimize travel and potential COVID-19 exposure for patients and staff.Dr. Meera Shah is chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, which serves New York’s northern suburbs. She says her staff is expanding telemedicine as they see an uptick in patients seeking abortions, often convinced that “having a child right now isn’t best for them.”“We provided a medication abortion to an EMT while she was sitting in her ambulance,” Shah said. “We provided abortion care to a mother who was at home with her children running around behind her.”Dr. Anne Davis, an OB-GYN at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, said all services at her hospital are under stress and COVID-19 patients are numerous. In most cases, her team refers women seeking abortions to non-hospital clinics.She cited one patient who had wanted to be pregnant but requested an abortion when it became clear her medical condition would require multiple hospital visits. Davis said the woman had received comparable treatment during her first pregnancy but decided this time that the hospital wouldn’t be as safe.One of the biggest challenges in counseling pregnant women, is uncertainty, Davis said.“We don’t know enough about this to say it’s going to be fine — your pregnancy will proceed in usual fashion and there will be no impact from COVID-19,” she said. “They want us to say it will be all right. We have to say, ‘We don’t know.’”At Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois">Illinois</a>, close to Saint Louis, deputy director Alison Dreith says women are now less likely to change their minds once they schedule an abortion. Normally, 50% go through with it; amid the pandemic, the rate is 85%.Hope Clinic staff member Hannah Dismer said one couple decided to terminate a pregnancy they had planned. The wife worried that giving birth at a hospital might expose her to the coronavirus and create risk for the child they have.“It hit me really hard that she and her husband had to make that difficult decision,” Dismer said.Another concern is that abortion bans will force some women into continuing with high-risk pregnancies.“Without services, very sick babies will be born and families forced to watch them suffer who would, in other times, have made a different decision,” said Dr. Maryl Sackeim, a Chicago-based OB-GYN.The push for new bans has added urgency to a campaign providing information about relatively safe options for do-it-yourself abortions.Already, many abortions are induced at home with a two-drug combination, under the guidance of a health professional. Advocacy groups say home abortions using one of the drugs — misoprostol — can be done without professional oversight.Misoprostol is available only by prescription in the U.S. but is available online from some countries where it sells over the counter.Attorney Jill E. Adams, executive director of If/When/How, supports that option and urges prosecutors not to target women who use this method.“More people will need abortions during this pandemic,” she said. “Targeting people who end their pregnancies at home is wrong as a matter of law and dangerous as a matter of public health.”Amid debate about whether abortion is an essential service, anti-abortion protesters have mobilized outside numerous clinics — in some cases triggering confrontations with police over whether they’re violating social-distancing rules. In&nbsp;North Carolina, eight of about 50 protesters were arrested April 4 after refusing to disperse outside a clinic in Charlotte.Even as many businesses close temporarily, anti-abortion pregnancy centers remain open.&nbsp;Virginia-based Care Net, which oversees about 1,100 centers, evoked the pandemic in a fundraising appeal, noting that unplanned pregnancies may rise during isolation and “our centers need to find creative ways to serve these parents and empower them to choose life.”___

Abortion clinics: Pandemic boosts demand, heightens stress

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday used the daily White House briefing to air a taxpayer-funded promotional video praising his own handling of the coronavirus outbreak and slamming his critics and the press.

In a highly unusual move at a briefing meant to inform Americans about the pandemic, the lights in the briefing room dimmed for a video running more than 3 minutes that was a montage of officials offering laudatory comments about the president and of Trump discussing his steps to contain the virus.

“Everything we did was right,” Trump said, complaining at length about negative press coverage. He said of the video, “I’ve think I’ve educated a lot of people as to the press.”

It amounted to a telling demonstration of the president’ growing defensiveness in the face of criticism that the administration should have acted more aggressively and sooner to combat the virus.

Trump also gave Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, a turn at the lectern to defend the president’s response to the crisis. Fauci’s conciliatory remarks came one day after Trump had reacted negatively to the doctor’s comments Sunday about the administration’s handling of the pandemic. Trump on Sunday retweeted a posting that included the hashtag “FireFauci.”

The president sought to persuade the public to look past his comments playing down the threat of the virus and to dismiss comments, including those by Fauci, that more could have been done. He also said he had no plans to fire Fauci.

On Sunday, Fauci was asked if the U.S. could have saved lives by acting sooner. He responded that “obviously, you could logically say that if you had a process that was ongoing and you started mitigation earlier, you could have saved lives. Obviously, no one is going to deny that. But what goes into those kinds of decisions is complicated.”

Trump responded by reposting a tweet that referenced Fauci’s comments and included the line, “Time to #FireFauci,” raising alarms that Trump might consider trying to oust the doctor. Fauci, 79, has served in both Democratic and Republican administrations and has emerged as one of the most recognizable and trusted faces of the federal government’s response.

Fauci said Monday that Trump followed his recommendations to contain the spread of the coronavirus and that the two men were on the same page. He sought to clarify his previous comments, saying that “hypothetical questions sometimes can get you into some difficulty” and that he did not intend to imply “maybe somehow something was at fault here.”

Trump said the video was produced in-house by his social media director, Dan Scavino, and others at taxpayer expense. He said he directed them make the video to keep the press “honest.”

The video juxtaposed early media reports on the virus with a selective account of his administration’s handling of the pandemic, along with praise from some of the nation’s governors, who have been outspoken with their concerns about the pace of the federal response.

Trump acted March 16 to recommend nationwide social distancing measures to slow the spread of the virus, but had spent much of February and early March suggesting the outbreak was well under control and would swiftly pass.

His administration also waited until March to make widespread purchases of protective supplies and needed ventilators. Those were critical days that experts and even some administration officials acknowledged represented a missed opportunity to get ahead of the virus.

Trump defended the pace of his response, saying he couldn’t have issued guidelines that would have had dire economic consequences until the virus began spreading rapidly in the U.S.

“We did the right thing and our timing was very good,” Trump said. The pandemic has infected more than 580,000 Americans and killed more than 23,500 in the U.S.

Fauci said he and Dr. Deborah Birx, who is leading the White House coronavirus response, went to the president twice to discuss strong social distancing guidelines that have led to a dramatic economic shutdown. He said Trump gave his assent both times.

Fauci said that when he and Birx recommended that the country needed another 30 days of social distancing after the initial 15 days: “Obviously, there were people who had a problem with that because of the potential secondary effects. Nonetheless, at that time, the president went with the health recommendation.”

He bristled when asked if he was trying to clarify his comments voluntarily.

“Everything I do is voluntary,” Fauci said with his hands up in the air. “Please, don’t even imply that.”

Asked what mistakes had been made, Fauci focused only on what he personally could have done differently to fight what he called his “worst nightmare.”

“Maybe I should have really tried to delve into that a little bit more,” he said of initial reports out of China that the virus was slow to spread among humans, which later proved to be catastrophically wrong.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586815130190.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and President Trump during Monday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and President Trump during Monday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday used the daily White House briefing to air a taxpayer-funded promotional video praising his own handling of the coronavirus outbreak and slamming his critics and the press.In a highly unusual move at a briefing meant to inform Americans about the pandemic, the lights in the briefing room dimmed for a video running more than 3 minutes that was a montage of officials offering laudatory comments about the president and of Trump discussing his steps to contain the virus.“Everything we did was right,” Trump said, complaining at length about negative press coverage. He said of the video, “I’ve think I’ve educated a lot of people as to the press.”It amounted to a telling demonstration of the president’ growing defensiveness in the face of criticism that the administration should have acted more aggressively and sooner to combat the virus.Trump also gave Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, a turn at the lectern to defend the president’s response to the crisis. Fauci’s conciliatory remarks came one day after Trump had reacted negatively to the doctor’s comments Sunday about the administration’s handling of the pandemic. Trump on Sunday retweeted a posting that included the hashtag “FireFauci.”The president sought to persuade the public to look past his comments playing down the threat of the virus and to dismiss comments, including those by Fauci, that more could have been done. He also said he had no plans to fire Fauci.On Sunday, Fauci was asked if the U.S. could have saved lives by acting sooner. He responded that “obviously, you could logically say that if you had a process that was ongoing and you started mitigation earlier, you could have saved lives. Obviously, no one is going to deny that. But what goes into those kinds of decisions is complicated.”Trump responded by reposting a tweet that referenced Fauci’s comments and included the line, “Time to #FireFauci,” raising alarms that Trump might consider trying to oust the doctor. Fauci, 79, has served in both Democratic and Republican administrations and has emerged as one of the most recognizable and trusted faces of the federal government’s response.Fauci said Monday that Trump followed his recommendations to contain the spread of the coronavirus and that the two men were on the same page. He sought to clarify his previous comments, saying that “hypothetical questions sometimes can get you into some difficulty” and that he did not intend to imply “maybe somehow something was at fault here.”Trump said the video was produced in-house by his social media director, Dan Scavino, and others at taxpayer expense. He said he directed them make the video to keep the press “honest.”The video juxtaposed early media reports on the virus with a selective account of his administration’s handling of the pandemic, along with praise from some of the nation’s governors, who have been outspoken with their concerns about the pace of the federal response.Trump acted March 16 to recommend nationwide social distancing measures to slow the spread of the virus, but had spent much of February and early March suggesting the outbreak was well under control and would swiftly pass.His administration also waited until March to make widespread purchases of protective supplies and needed ventilators. Those were critical days that experts and even some administration officials acknowledged represented a missed opportunity to get ahead of the virus.Trump defended the pace of his response, saying he couldn’t have issued guidelines that would have had dire economic consequences until the virus began spreading rapidly in the U.S.“We did the right thing and our timing was very good,” Trump said. The pandemic has infected more than 580,000 Americans and killed more than 23,500 in the U.S.Fauci said he and Dr. Deborah Birx, who is leading the White House coronavirus response, went to the president twice to discuss strong social distancing guidelines that have led to a dramatic economic shutdown. He said Trump gave his assent both times.Fauci said that when he and Birx recommended that the country needed another 30 days of social distancing after the initial 15 days: “Obviously, there were people who had a problem with that because of the potential secondary effects. Nonetheless, at that time, the president went with the health recommendation.”He bristled when asked if he was trying to clarify his comments voluntarily.“Everything I do is voluntary,” Fauci said with his hands up in the air. “Please, don’t even imply that.”Asked what mistakes had been made, Fauci focused only on what he personally could have done differently to fight what he called his “worst nightmare.”“Maybe I should have really tried to delve into that a little bit more,” he said of initial reports out of China that the virus was slow to spread among humans, which later proved to be catastrophically wrong.

Fauci, President Trump on same page in coronavirus battle

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend burglary and have made an arrest.

Just before 4:30 a.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a prowler call in the 7800 block of SW Valencia Road, according to deputy Abigail Christian 

The caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked in the driveway and heard a tapping on the window. Deputies arrived and located a woman identified as Theresa M. Miller, 35, of Topeka. 

Deputies arrested Miller on requested charges of burglary and theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586724711971.png" alt="Miller photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Miller photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend burglary and have made an arrest.Just before 4:30 a.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a prowler call in the 7800 block of SW Valencia Road, according to deputy Abigail Christian The caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked in the driveway and heard a tapping on the window. Deputies arrived and located a woman identified as Theresa M. Miller, 35, of Topeka. Deputies arrested Miller on requested charges of burglary and theft.

Kan. homeowner heard suspect tapping on window 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged with first-degree murder for a fatal shooting near a library.

Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said that 27-year-old Overland Park resident Dvonte Brown was charged in the killing of Micah Babick, a 29-year-old from Prairie Village.

Babick was shot and killed Wednesday in an Overland Park parking lot by the Johnson County Central Resources Library.

Police arrested Brown for the killing on Saturday. The district attorney’s office said Brown’s bail was set at $1 million.

The victim’s brother witnessed the shooting, police said.

Court records didn’t list a lawyer for Brown as of Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586808920381.png" alt="Brown photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged with first-degree murder for a fatal shooting near a library.Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said that 27-year-old Overland Park resident Dvonte Brown was charged in the killing of Micah Babick, a 29-year-old from Prairie Village.Babick was shot and killed Wednesday in an Overland Park parking lot by the Johnson County Central Resources Library.Police arrested Brown for the killing on Saturday. The district attorney’s office said Brown’s bail was set at $1 million.The victim’s brother witnessed the shooting, police said.Court records didn’t list a lawyer for Brown as of Monday.

Kan. man held on $1M bond for fatal weekend shooting

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Charlene Gulliford at the Gandy Dancer never figured there would come a day when the Michigan restaurant known for its steaks and seafood would sell toilet paper and cartons of eggs, but the coronavirus has restaurants in survival mode.

The popular restaurant in Ann Arbor now doubles as a grocery store, offering staples such milk and bread in addition to meats and fish from its own pantry — and yes, even paper towels and the ever-elusive toilet paper. Sales began two weeks ago and the Gandy Dancer has found an income source to make up for some of its lost dine-in business, while also filling a need since traditional grocers are struggling to keep up with demand.

“A lot of people are saying they’re happy to support us, but a lot of people are saying, ‘Thank you for helping us,’” said Gulliford, the restaurant’s general manager.

The idea is catching on nationwide. Stay-at-home and social distancing orders meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 have put restaurant dining on hold, forcing many to close and leaving others barely surviving. From large chains to mom-and-pop eateries, restaurants are increasingly turning to grocery sales.

Panera this week launched Panera Grocery, offering not only the St. Louis-based chain’s popular breads, bagels and sweets but items such as milk, eggs and fresh produce that its 2,100 U.S. stores normally use to make meals. Grocery items can be delivered or picked up.

Subway is selling groceries at 250 of its stores in five states -- California, Connecticut, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington. Potbelly Sandwich Shop franchises launched Potbelly Pantry, offering mostly foods that the chain uses to make its sandwiches, such as meats, cheeses and breads.

Panera’s vice president of wellness and food policy, Sara Burnett, said the decision to sell groceries is a reaction to “the unprecedented crisis our country’s going through right now.” She wouldn’t disclose how much the pandemic has cost Panera, but she said 30 percent of its business typically comes from in-restaurant dining, “and that obviously is completely gone.”

The National Restaurant Association says the industry has lost 3 million jobs and $25 billion in sales since March 1. Spokeswoman Vanessa Sink said 3% of restaurants have closed permanently and another 11% expect to do so by the end of the month.

The move to grocery sales has been swift. Panera would typically spend months on a new business proposal, doing research, conducting surveys and opening test markets. Not this time. Panera Grocery went from an idea to launch in two weeks, Burnett said.

Grocery items sold by restaurants vary greatly. Some offer mostly the types of things already in their pantries, such as meats, vegetables, fruit, cheese, milk and eggs. Others, like the Gandy Dancer, offer a much broader selection.

Union Loafers in St. Louis is opting for quality, even if it means a higher price. The restaurant began selling locally produced goods such as eggs, milk, jams and meats on March 31. Co-owner Sean Netzer said patrons don’t mind the higher price — most items are selling out daily.

The chain restaurants, which buy in extraordinary bulk, can afford to sell at a lower cost. Subway and Panera Grocery prices are comparable to grocery store prices, the companies said.

Gulliford said the Gandy Dancer’s prices are more than competitive and can even be cheaper than the grocery store’s. For example, six lemons sell for $1 and potatoes are $1 per pound, she said.

Many of the restaurants-turned-grocery stores are offering “contact-free” service in which the customer place orders by phone or online and the goods are delivered straight to the trunk or backseat of the car. Gulliford said the elderly, who are at a higher risk of serious illness or death from the coronavirus, are especially appreciative of being able to avoid going into stores.

Restaurant operators aren’t sure if grocery sales will continue once the pandemic passes. Panera sees this as “kind of a tipping point to see what our customers need,” Burnett said.

Gulliford said the future is especially difficult to predict during this unprecedented time.

“It just really depends on what the new normal is,” she said.

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Charlene Gulliford at the Gandy Dancer never figured there would come a day when the Michigan restaurant known for its steaks and seafood would sell toilet paper and cartons of eggs, but the coronavirus has restaurants in survival mode.The popular restaurant in Ann Arbor now doubles as a grocery store, offering staples such milk and bread in addition to meats and fish from its own pantry — and yes, even paper towels and the ever-elusive toilet paper. Sales began two weeks ago and the Gandy Dancer has found an income source to make up for some of its lost dine-in business, while also filling a need since traditional grocers are struggling to keep up with demand.“A lot of people are saying they’re happy to support us, but a lot of people are saying, ‘Thank you for helping us,’” said Gulliford, the restaurant’s general manager.The idea is catching on nationwide. Stay-at-home and social distancing orders meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 have put restaurant dining on hold, forcing many to close and leaving others barely surviving. From large chains to mom-and-pop eateries, restaurants are increasingly turning to grocery sales.Panera this week launched Panera Grocery, offering not only the St. Louis-based chain’s popular breads, bagels and sweets but items such as milk, eggs and fresh produce that its 2,100 U.S. stores normally use to make meals. Grocery items can be delivered or picked up.Subway is selling groceries at 250 of its stores in five states -- California, Connecticut, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington. Potbelly Sandwich Shop franchises launched Potbelly Pantry, offering mostly foods that the chain uses to make its sandwiches, such as meats, cheeses and breads.Panera’s vice president of wellness and food policy, Sara Burnett, said the decision to sell groceries is a reaction to “the unprecedented crisis our country’s going through right now.” She wouldn’t disclose how much the pandemic has cost Panera, but she said 30 percent of its business typically comes from in-restaurant dining, “and that obviously is completely gone.”The National Restaurant Association says the industry has lost 3 million jobs and $25 billion in sales since March 1. Spokeswoman Vanessa Sink said 3% of restaurants have closed permanently and another 11% expect to do so by the end of the month.The move to grocery sales has been swift. Panera would typically spend months on a new business proposal, doing research, conducting surveys and opening test markets. Not this time. Panera Grocery went from an idea to launch in two weeks, Burnett said.Grocery items sold by restaurants vary greatly. Some offer mostly the types of things already in their pantries, such as meats, vegetables, fruit, cheese, milk and eggs. Others, like the Gandy Dancer, offer a much broader selection.Union Loafers in St. Louis is opting for quality, even if it means a higher price. The restaurant began selling locally produced goods such as eggs, milk, jams and meats on March 31. Co-owner Sean Netzer said patrons don’t mind the higher price — most items are selling out daily.The chain restaurants, which buy in extraordinary bulk, can afford to sell at a lower cost. Subway and Panera Grocery prices are comparable to grocery store prices, the companies said.Gulliford said the Gandy Dancer’s prices are more than competitive and can even be cheaper than the grocery store’s. For example, six lemons sell for $1 and potatoes are $1 per pound, she said.Many of the restaurants-turned-grocery stores are offering “contact-free” service in which the customer place orders by phone or online and the goods are delivered straight to the trunk or backseat of the car. Gulliford said the elderly, who are at a higher risk of serious illness or death from the coronavirus, are especially appreciative of being able to avoid going into stores.Restaurant operators aren’t sure if grocery sales will continue once the pandemic passes. Panera sees this as “kind of a tipping point to see what our customers need,” Burnett said.Gulliford said the future is especially difficult to predict during this unprecedented time.“It just really depends on what the new normal is,” she said.

US restaurants turn to grocery sales to help offset losses

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blood tests for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>could play a key role in deciding whether millions of Americans can safely return to work and school. But public health officials warn that the current “Wild West” of unregulated tests is creating confusion that could ultimately slow the path to recovery.

More than 70 companies have signed up to sell so-called antibody tests in recent weeks, according to U.S. regulators. Governments around the world hope that the rapid tests, which typically use a finger-prick of blood on a test strip, could soon ease public restrictions by identifying people who have previously had the virus and have developed some immunity to it.

But key questions remain: How accurate are the tests, how much protection is needed and how long will that protection last.

The blood tests are different from the nasal swab-based tests currently used to diagnose active COVID-19 infections. Instead, the tests look for blood proteins called antibodies, which the body produces days or weeks after fighting an infection. The same approach is used for HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease, lupus and many other diseases.

Because of the relative simplicity of the technology, the Food and Drug Administration decided to waive initial review of the tests as part of its emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Right now, the tests are most useful for researchers studying how the virus has spread through the U.S. population. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-begins-study-quantify-undetected-cases-coronavirus-infection" target="_blank">government</a>&nbsp;said Friday it has started testing 10,000 volunteers. The White House has not outlined a broader plan for testing and how the results might be used.

With almost no FDA oversight of the tests, “Right now it’s a wild west show out there,” said Eric Blank of the Association for Public Health Laboratories. “It really has created a mess that’s going to take a while to clean up.”

“In the meantime, you’ve got a lot of companies marketing a lot of stuff and nobody has any idea of how good it is,” he said.

Members of Blank’s group, which represents state and local lab officials, have urged the FDA to revisit its lax approach toward the tests. That approach essentially allows companies to launch as long as they notify the agency and include disclaimers. Companies are supposed to state that their tests have not been FDA-approved and cannot rule out whether someone is currently infected.

Last week, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement that the agency will “take appropriate action” against companies making false claims or selling inaccurate tests.

During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Hahn expressed “concern” that tests being sold “may not be as accurate as we’d like them to be.”

“What we don’t want are wildly inaccurate tests,” he said. “That’s going to be much worse, having wildly inaccurate tests than having no test.”

Dr. Allison Rakeman of New York City’s Public Health Laboratory says some local hospitals are assuming the tests, which are listed on FDA’s website, “have been vetted, when they have not.”

The danger of faulty testing, Rakeman says, is that people will mistakenly conclude that they are immune or are no longer spreading the virus.

“Then somebody goes home and kisses their 90-year-old grandmother,” said Rakeman. “You don’t want to give someone a false sense of security.”

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

For many infections, antibody levels above a certain threshold indicate that the person’s immune system has successfully fought off the virus and is likely protected from reinfection. For COVID-19, it’s not yet clear what level of antibodies render patients immune or how long immunity might last.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that both legitimate companies and fraudulent operators appear to be selling the kits. Distinguishing between the two can be a challenge.

Officials in Laredo, Texas, reported this month that some 2,500 antibody tests set for use at a local drive-thru testing site were likely frauds. City officials had ordered what they were told were “FDA-approved COVID-19 rapid tests,” from a local clinic. But when they checked the test’s accuracy, it fell well below the range promised, the city said in a statement.

Examples of U.S. companies skirting the rules appear online and in emails sent to hospitals.

Promotional emails sent to hospitals and reviewed by The Associated Press failed to include required disclaimers. Some kits sold on websites promote themselves as “FDA-approved” for home testing. The agency has not yet approved any COVID-19 home test. The blood tests have to processed by a lab.

“If you see them on the internet, do not buy them until we can give you a test that’s reliable for all Americans,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, at a recent briefing.

20/20 BioResponse is one of dozens of U.S. companies selling the tests to hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices. The Rockville, Maryland-based company imports the tests from a Chinese manufacturer but CEO Jonathan Cohen says his company independently confirmed its performance in 60 U.S. patients. He estimates the company has shipped 10,000 tests and has had to limit orders due to demand.

He said antibody tests are not a “panacea but they’re not garbage either.”

Cohen called them “a tool in the toolbox that will have some value along with other tests.”

The company’s test is registered on the FDA website and includes all the required disclaimers.

To date, the FDA has only authorized one COVID-19 antibody test from North Carolina diagnostics company Cellex. The agency used its emergency powers, meaning a formal review is still needed.

The White House has also tried to temper expectations for the tests, while still promising that millions will soon be available.

Dr. Brett Giroir, the federal health official overseeing U.S. testing, told reporters a week ago that the FDA and other agencies are working to confirm the accuracy of the antibody tests.

“We’re going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you you’re likely immune from the disease ... the test really said that,” Giroir said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blood tests for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>could play a key role in deciding whether millions of Americans can safely return to work and school. But public health officials warn that the current “Wild West” of unregulated tests is creating confusion that could ultimately slow the path to recovery.More than 70 companies have signed up to sell so-called antibody tests in recent weeks, according to U.S. regulators. Governments around the world hope that the rapid tests, which typically use a finger-prick of blood on a test strip, could soon ease public restrictions by identifying people who have previously had the virus and have developed some immunity to it.But key questions remain: How accurate are the tests, how much protection is needed and how long will that protection last.The blood tests are different from the nasal swab-based tests currently used to diagnose active COVID-19 infections. Instead, the tests look for blood proteins called antibodies, which the body produces days or weeks after fighting an infection. The same approach is used for HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease, lupus and many other diseases.Because of the relative simplicity of the technology, the Food and Drug Administration decided to waive initial review of the tests as part of its emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.Right now, the tests are most useful for researchers studying how the virus has spread through the U.S. population. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-begins-study-quantify-undetected-cases-coronavirus-infection" target="_blank">government</a>&nbsp;said Friday it has started testing 10,000 volunteers. The White House has not outlined a broader plan for testing and how the results might be used.With almost no FDA oversight of the tests, “Right now it’s a wild west show out there,” said Eric Blank of the Association for Public Health Laboratories. “It really has created a mess that’s going to take a while to clean up.”“In the meantime, you’ve got a lot of companies marketing a lot of stuff and nobody has any idea of how good it is,” he said.Members of Blank’s group, which represents state and local lab officials, have urged the FDA to revisit its lax approach toward the tests. That approach essentially allows companies to launch as long as they notify the agency and include disclaimers. Companies are supposed to state that their tests have not been FDA-approved and cannot rule out whether someone is currently infected.Last week, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement that the agency will “take appropriate action” against companies making false claims or selling inaccurate tests.During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Hahn expressed “concern” that tests being sold “may not be as accurate as we’d like them to be.”“What we don’t want are wildly inaccurate tests,” he said. “That’s going to be much worse, having wildly inaccurate tests than having no test.”Dr. Allison Rakeman of New York City’s Public Health Laboratory says some local hospitals are assuming the tests, which are listed on FDA’s website, “have been vetted, when they have not.”The danger of faulty testing, Rakeman says, is that people will mistakenly conclude that they are immune or are no longer spreading the virus.“Then somebody goes home and kisses their 90-year-old grandmother,” said Rakeman. “You don’t want to give someone a false sense of security.”For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.For many infections, antibody levels above a certain threshold indicate that the person’s immune system has successfully fought off the virus and is likely protected from reinfection. For COVID-19, it’s not yet clear what level of antibodies render patients immune or how long immunity might last.Adding to the confusion is the fact that both legitimate companies and fraudulent operators appear to be selling the kits. Distinguishing between the two can be a challenge.Officials in Laredo, Texas, reported this month that some 2,500 antibody tests set for use at a local drive-thru testing site were likely frauds. City officials had ordered what they were told were “FDA-approved COVID-19 rapid tests,” from a local clinic. But when they checked the test’s accuracy, it fell well below the range promised, the city said in a statement.Examples of U.S. companies skirting the rules appear online and in emails sent to hospitals.Promotional emails sent to hospitals and reviewed by The Associated Press failed to include required disclaimers. Some kits sold on websites promote themselves as “FDA-approved” for home testing. The agency has not yet approved any COVID-19 home test. The blood tests have to processed by a lab.“If you see them on the internet, do not buy them until we can give you a test that’s reliable for all Americans,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, at a recent briefing.20/20 BioResponse is one of dozens of U.S. companies selling the tests to hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices. The Rockville, Maryland-based company imports the tests from a Chinese manufacturer but CEO Jonathan Cohen says his company independently confirmed its performance in 60 U.S. patients. He estimates the company has shipped 10,000 tests and has had to limit orders due to demand.He said antibody tests are not a “panacea but they’re not garbage either.”Cohen called them “a tool in the toolbox that will have some value along with other tests.”The company’s test is registered on the FDA website and includes all the required disclaimers.To date, the FDA has only authorized one COVID-19 antibody test from North Carolina diagnostics company Cellex. The agency used its emergency powers, meaning a formal review is still needed.The White House has also tried to temper expectations for the tests, while still promising that millions will soon be available.Dr. Brett Giroir, the federal health official overseeing U.S. testing, told reporters a week ago that the FDA and other agencies are working to confirm the accuracy of the antibody tests.“We’re going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you you’re likely immune from the disease ... the test really said that,” Giroir said.

Fears of 'Wild West' as COVID-19 blood tests hit the market

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak at a Kansas City area rehabilitation facility has now claimed 12 lives and sickened nearly 100 other residents and staff members.

Health officials in Wyandotte County&nbsp;said Monday&nbsp;that the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation of Kansas City has 90 residents who tested positive and 20 staff. Five of the residents are hospitalized.

Janell Friesen, a spokeswoman for the county health department, said she she didn’t anticipate a surge in new cases there because most of the testing has been completed. The newest numbers are unchanged from Sunday, when positive cases rose by 18. She said staff is investigating how COVID-19 spread in the center.

Nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities have been particularly hard hit by the outbreak nationwide because they serve a vulnerable population that is in need of extensive hands-on care.

Riverbend said in a statement posted on its website that about 90% of patients are responding positively to care and that it is making palliative and supportive care available to those residents whose “overall course has not been as encouraging despite the efforts of our clinical team.”

Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew Monday to 1,376, up 39 from Sunday. The number of deaths increased by six to 62.

The Kansas Department of Corrections said Monday that the sickened also include one resident of a Wichita work release facility. Corrections officials also are dealing with an outbreak at the Lansing Correction Facility.

Meanwhile, Kansas State University announced Monday that summer classes will move online with significantly reduced fees in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The university previously moved spring classes online.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586610504976.png" alt="Cars lined up for virus testing -photo courtesy Johnson County Department of Health" />
 <figcaption>Cars lined up for virus testing -photo courtesy Johnson County Department of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak at a Kansas City area rehabilitation facility has now claimed 12 lives and sickened nearly 100 other residents and staff members.Health officials in Wyandotte County&nbsp;said Monday&nbsp;that the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation of Kansas City has 90 residents who tested positive and 20 staff. Five of the residents are hospitalized.Janell Friesen, a spokeswoman for the county health department, said she she didn’t anticipate a surge in new cases there because most of the testing has been completed. The newest numbers are unchanged from Sunday, when positive cases rose by 18. She said staff is investigating how COVID-19 spread in the center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586610467450.png" alt="Drive up virus testing photo courtesy Johnson County Department of Health" />
 <figcaption>Drive up virus testing photo courtesy Johnson County Department of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>Nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities have been particularly hard hit by the outbreak nationwide because they serve a vulnerable population that is in need of extensive hands-on care.Riverbend said in a statement posted on its website that about 90% of patients are responding positively to care and that it is making palliative and supportive care available to those residents whose “overall course has not been as encouraging despite the efforts of our clinical team.”Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew Monday to 1,376, up 39 from Sunday. The number of deaths increased by six to 62.The Kansas Department of Corrections said Monday that the sickened also include one resident of a Wichita work release facility. Corrections officials also are dealing with an outbreak at the Lansing Correction Facility.Meanwhile, Kansas State University announced Monday that summer classes will move online with significantly reduced fees in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The university previously moved spring classes online.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

Coronavirus deaths at Kansas rehab facility increase to 12

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman discussed a variety of issues concerning the coronavirus pandemic during their Monday news conference.

The governor mentioned unemployment claims that are up by 3,400 percent and claims through the state web site are up 6,833 percent.

She also announced an <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/executive-order-no-20-22/">executive order</a> extending temporary relief from some rules and regulations for motor carriers assisting with coronavirus relief.&nbsp;

Dr. Norman discussed the increase of just 39 positive virus cases in Kansas from Sunday&nbsp; to Monday. He reported the KDHE is&nbsp; monitoring 23 virus outbreaks including 12 in long term care facilities, 2 in group living homes, 3 in private businesses and 5 among religious gatherings in addition to the outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility where there are 37 cases including 17 inmates and 20 members of the staff.

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman discussed a variety of issues concerning the coronavirus pandemic during their Monday news conference.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F617785919081375%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The governor mentioned unemployment claims that are up by 3,400 percent and claims through the state web site are up 6,833 percent.She also announced an <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/executive-order-no-20-22/">executive order</a> extending temporary relief from some rules and regulations for motor carriers assisting with coronavirus relief.&nbsp;Dr. Norman discussed the increase of just 39 positive virus cases in Kansas from Sunday&nbsp; to Monday. He reported the KDHE is&nbsp; monitoring 23 virus outbreaks including 12 in long term care facilities, 2 in group living homes, 3 in private businesses and 5 among religious gatherings in addition to the outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility where there are 37 cases including 17 inmates and 20 members of the staff.