US intel: Coronavirus 'not manmade or genetically modified;' still studying lab theory

WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that the new coronavirus was “not manmade or genetically modified" but say they are still examining whether the origins of the pandemic trace to contact with infected animals or an accident at a Chinese lab.The statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the clearinghouse for the web of U.S. spy agencies, comes as President Donald Trump and his allies have touted the as-yet-unproven theory that an infectious disease lab in Wuhan, the epicenter of the Chinese outbreak, was the source of the global pandemic, which has killed more than 220,000 people worldwide.In recent days, the Trump administration has sharpened its rhetoric on China, accusing the geopolitical foe and vital trading partner of failing to act swiftly enough to sound the alarm to the world about the outbreak or to stop the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.The new statement says, “The Intelligence Community also concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the COVID-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified.""The IC will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan.”President Trump addressed the theory earlier this month, saying, “More and more, we’re hearing the story." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added, “The mere fact that we don’t know the answers — that China hasn’t shared the answers — I think is very, very telling.”Pompeo also pressed China to let outside experts into the lab “so that we can determine precisely where this virus began.”While President Trump and Pompeo have made public statements speculating about the lab, a U.S. intelligence official disputed the notion that there was any pressure on agencies to bolster a particular theory.

Arizona beer distributor dumps thousands of kegs due to low demand during pandemic

MESA, Ariz. -- At Crescent Crown Distributing, they are having to empty thousands and thousands of kegs because that beer is now spoiling.All because big venues and restaurants aren’t open due to the coronavirus pandemic.Joe Cotroneo, general manager at Crescent Crown Distributing, says they were at their peak inventory for kegs when all of this hit in March.Think spring training, many tourists and plenty more visiting the valley but because many of those events were cancelled, that beer wasn’t used.So now, it's spoiling and they say they will have to throw away at least 20,000 kegs and expect more after that.On top of that, usually their drivers pick up empty kegs and now they are picking up full ones of spoiling beer.Cotroneo says they are doing only 3% to 4% of what they usually do on that front."We picked up just under a million dollars already in beer that we will need to destroy and unfortunately there is an amount equal to that depending on when we can open again," Cotroneo said.The good news is they say the grocery and liquor stores have increased their need for the products so that is helping them make up for the kegs lost.In a Wednesday news conference, Arizona Gov.

Fauci warns states against 'tempting' a coronavirus rebound

WASHINGTON — The nation's top infectious disease expert said Thursday that new cases of the coronavirus are a certainty as states begin to roll back restrictions.

30 million have sought US jobless aid since virus hit

WASHINGTON  — More than 3.8 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week as the U.S. economy slid further into a crisis that is becoming the most devastating since the 1930s.Roughly 30.3 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the six weeks since the coronavirus outbreak began forcing millions of employers to close their doors and slash their workforces.

Nursing home staff cheers after 94-year-old Holocaust survivor beats coronavirus

HANOVER, N.J. -- A 94-year-old Holocaust survivor was greeted with cheers and the red-carpet treatment as he was released from quarantine after beating COVID-19.Staff at CareOne at Hanover nursing home in New Jersey applauded and rang the bell as Jack Holzberg walked out of the facility on Tuesday.Holzberg's granddaughter Erica Wasserman was one of several family members there with balloons and signs, saying his discharge represented “a moment of hope and light during this hard time.”“As a Holocaust survivor, he personifies strength and positivity," she added. "We are beyond grateful to everyone who cared for him, and we can’t wait for the day when we can all celebrate together.”The New York Post reported that Holzberg was diagnosed with COVID-19 in mid-April and treated at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, before he was moved to the nursing home in New Jersey to quarantine until he was healthy enough to return home.

2 Georgia men drank cleaning products to fight COVID-19

ATLANTA --  Two Georgia men were hospitalized after drinking cleaning products hoping to prevent a coronavirus infection, officials said.Georgia Poison Control Director Gaylord Lopez told FOX 5 that one man drank bleach and the other ingested a mixture of household cleaners, beer, medication, and mouthwash over the weekend.Lopez says both Atlanta men, who have a history of mental health issues, have been discharged after psychiatric observation and are expected to be okay.During a White House briefing last Thursday, President Donald Trump inquired whether ingesting disinfectants could treat the coronavirus.

Human remains found in U-Haul trucks outside Brooklyn funeral home

BROOKLYN, N.Y. --  Police were called to a Brooklyn neighborhood Wednesday after a funeral home overwhelmed by the coronavirus resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented trucks, and a passerby complained about the smell, officials said.The bodies were found inside vehicles parked on Utica Avenue in the Flatlands section on Wednesday afternoon.

European economy suffers record drop amid pandemic

FRANKFURT, Germany — The European economy shrank by a record 3.8% in the first quarter as business activity from hotels and restaurants to construction and manufacturing was frozen by shutdowns aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.The drop in the 19-country eurozone was the biggest since statistics began in 1995 and sharper than the plunge in the midst of the global financial crisis in the first quarter of 2009 after the bankruptcy of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers.The drop compares to a 4.8% contraction in the U.S. during the first quarter as the shock from the outbreak hits economies around the world.Unemployment rose only slightly, however, even amid the massive shutdowns that idled everything from florists to factories.

6,636 positive cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, 311 deaths; 3K+ recovered, 66K+ negative

MILWAUKEE — Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Wednesday, April 29 reported 6,520 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 1,489 (23%) requiring hospitalization.

DHS identifies 100+ facility-based coronavirus outbreaks in SE WI; specific locations not revealed

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services on Wednesday, April 29 unveiled a new dashboard tracking COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, workplaces and health care facilities -- showing 187 facility-based outbreaks in the state -- most of them in southeast Wisconsin.

'It did not work:' Advocate, vet treated with hydroxychloroquine before death due to COVID-19

MILWAUKEE -- George Matthews, a Milwaukee advocate and Army veteran, will be laid to rest Thursday, April 30, after passing away at the age of 67 as a result of complications of COVID-19.The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way veterans are honored when they die.

Menards, Costco to require customers to wear face masks while shopping: 'There's no reason not to'

MILWAUKEE -- Wearing a mask is a simple way to protect store employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.Eau Claire-based retailer Menards is now requiring its customers to wear a mask while inside the store.

Neighbors use fence to create makeshift bar counter amid coronavirus pandemic

QUEENSLAND, Australia -- Neighbors in Australia found a fun way to quench their thirst and still abide by social distancing guidelines.On Cumberland Drive in Varsity Lakes, Queensland, neighbors transformed the fence separating their domiciles into an “iso-bar” on April 25.