Sam Panda was visiting Myrtle Beach over the weekend when a woman reportedly called the cops on Panda over her bikini.
According to Panda, who posted a video of her being detained by police in the allegedly “offensive” bathing suit on Facebook, the woman who she suspects complained about her was also with a child.
In the video, Panda and two friends, one of whom is filming, ask the police what the exact penal code Panda’s bikini is in a violation of. The video was taken as Panda was being handcuffed on the beach, so it’s unclear what happened in the prior conversation between Panda and the police that led to her being handcuffed.
The cops tell the three friends that they have to come to their car in order for them to explain how Panda’s bikini is “illegal.”
“[It] shall be unlawful for anybody to be in the nude on any public beach, beach access, public waters or any public property in view of the public,” one officer reads from a booklet.
“I’m not nude,” Panda replies in the video.
“You’re in a thong,” the other officer explains.
“You put me in handcuffs for being in a thong?” Panda says.
When Panda and one of her friends asked if they could just go home instead of standing around the cars with Panda in handcuffs, an officer said no because they had already called for backup.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department told TMZ that they were simply responding to a complaint of two women “who were wearing thong bikinis and a see-through top that were dancing and soliciting videos on the beach.”
Eventually, Panda and her friends were released without charges. Panda’s 20-minute Facebook video of the ordeal has over 375,000 views.
“That’s completely ludicrous,” one person commented. “Sorry you have to deal with this.”
Can you get the coronavirus from secondhand smoke?
Secondhand smoke isn’t believed to directly spread the virus, experts say, but infected smokers may blow droplets carrying the virus when they exhale.
Being able to smell the smoke might be a red flag that you’re standing too close to the smoker. The respiratory droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze are believed to be the main way the virus spreads. And people also exhale those droplets when smoking, as well as when they're vaping.
“Not only are they potentially spreading virus by not wearing a mask, they are blowing those droplets to the people around them to potentially get infected,” says Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association.
You should steer clear of secondhand smoke regardless. Breathing in secondhand smoke from cigarettes can cause various health problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In April, a group of experts suggested that a second, more severe wave of coronavirus infections in the fall was the likeliest of three future scenarios.
But now one of those experts says "there are no waves." Instead, he characterizes the pandemic as "a forest fire" that just keeps burning.
The coronavirus is not seasonal like the flu — at least not yet. The WHO expects the pandemic to be "one big wave."
US experts scrambled in the spring to predict what the future of the pandemic might look like. Many predicted that the coronavirus — like the seasonal flu — would retreat in the summer before roaring back in a second, more severe wave come fall.
But epidemiologists are now eschewing that idea.
"There's no evidence there's going to be a decrease in cases, a trough," epidemiologist Michael Osterholm told Business Insider. "It's just going to keep burning hot, kind of like a forest fire looking for human wood to burn."
Osterholm helped write an April report that outlined what a second wave in the fall might look like. At the time, he pegged it as the likeliest of three possible scenarios.
"But now we see there are no waves," he said.
Instead, according to World Health Organization spokesperson Margaret Harris, the pandemic is probably "going to be one big wave."
'Peaks and valleys in different locations at different times'
Osterholm works as director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) in Minnesota. The second-wave scenario the group described in April was in part based on the trajectories of the 1918 Spanish influenza and 2009 H1N1 flu pandemics.
A graphic showing the CIDRAP group's three scenarios for future coronavirus waves.
Ruobing Su/Business Insider
Another scenario in the report suggested that the first wave of COVID-19 infections may be followed by a cycle of slightly lower peaks and valleys throughout the summer and beyond. The third scenario involved a "slow burn" of ongoing transmission and new cases following the spring peak in infections.
But reality hasn't aligned with any of those scenarios.
"In April, we were still looking at at whether this was a pandemic where we'd see true waves — where you see big increase in cases and then a trough and then a second, bigger wave for reasons completely beyond human behavior— which has historically happened with other influenza pandemics," Osterholm said.
Instead, he added, the pandemic is more like "one long-term fire" — so we're in the middle of "a fast burn scenario with peaks and valleys in different locations at different times."
This virus is not seasonal — yet
Residents wait to be tested in Hanoi, Vietnam on July 31, 2020.
Getty
Respiratory viruses like the flu are seasonal because cooler temperatures help harden a protective gel-like coating that surrounds the virus. A stronger shell ensures it can survive long enough to travel from one person to the next, whereas that sheath dries out faster in warmer temperatures.
Like the flu, the new coronavirus spreads via droplets that people emit when coughing, sneezing, or talking, and both viruses can be transmitted even when infected people show no symptoms.
Those similarities made past flu pandemics a worthy model for early comparisons, especially the 1918 Spanish flu, which infected 500 million people. But the coronavirus isn't seasonal like its viral brethren.
"People are still thinking about seasons. What we all need to get our heads around is this is a new virus," Harris said last week.
"Even though it's a respiratory virus, and even though respiratory viruses in the past did tend to do this, you know, different seasonal waves, this one is behaving differently," she added.
Two masked beachgoers lounge in the sun.
Getty
There's a reason the coronavirus is unaffected by the seasons, according to Rachel Baker, a researcher at Princeton's Environmental Institute: "We're at the start of pandemic, when a new virus is emerging into a population that hasn't had it before. So a lack of population immunity becomes a key driver of spread, and climate doesn't really matter very much at first," she previously told Business Insider.
Her recent research, published in May, showed that warm weather only curbs a virus' spread after a large chunk of the population becomes immune or resistant to infection.
It's possible, however, that the coronavirus will "settle into that classic seasonal pattern with a peak in winter months" after about two to three years, Baker said — after a vaccine is developed and distributed.
People over six feet tall are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with the coronavirus, the results of a new survey reveal.
The global team of researchers, including experts from the University of Manchester and Open University, surveyed 2,000 people in the country, as well as the U.S., to determine whether their personal attributes, work and living practices might play a role in transmission, The Telegraph reported.
The results found that taller people are at a higher risk, which researchers say suggests that the contagion is spreading through the air — because height would not be a factor if the virus was only contractible through droplets, according to the report.
“The results of this survey in terms of associations between height and diagnosis suggest downward droplet transmission is not the only transmission mechanism and aerosol transmission is possible,” Professor Evan Kontopantelis, of the University of Manchester, told the outlet.
“This has been suggested by other studies, but our method of confirmation is novel,” he added.
“Though social distancing is still important because transmission by droplets is still likely to occur, it does suggest that mask-wearing may be just as — if not more — effective in prevention. But also, air purification in interior spaces should be further explored.”
Droplets are larger than aerosols and are thought to travel relatively short distances and plummet from the air, according to the report. But aerosols, which can build up in poorly ventilated areas, are carried by air currents.
The study also found that using a shared kitchen or accommodation played a large role — especially in the U.S., where those circumstances made the chances of contracting the bug 3.5 times as high.
If you live in Minneapolis, you might want to reconsider that. Because your city government’s idea of robbery prevention is heavy on the “robbery” and light on “prevention.”
I guess this shouldn’t be a shock since Minneapolis wants to get rid of their police department.
After a rash of robberies and carjackings in the Third Precinct, city “leaders” sent out a letter to precinct residents telling them “We want those who live and work here to be safe!”
And their idea of maintaining your safety is with these helpful robbery prevention tips that, interestingly enough, don’t sound very “preventy” to me.
“Be prepared to give up your cell phone and purse/wallet.”
“Do not argue or fight with the criminal. Do as they say.”
In what universe could this be construed as robbery prevention? How is giving the robber everything he wants “preventing” robbery? Seems to me a cooperative population will only further embolden criminals to commit more robberies. Wouldn’t you say?
Why not just tell their victimized citizenry, “In order to prevent being robbed, voluntarily turn over your valuables. That way it isn’t a ‘robbery’ but a voluntary transfer of goods.”
“Have keys already in your hand as you approach your car” … that way the criminal can more easily take them from you and make his getaway in your own vehicle.
“When you call 911” … which of course you can’t do because you helpfully gave your cell phone to the person who just robbed you.
Yeah, great robbery “prevention” suggestions there, you morons.
You know what would be a great robbery prevention idea?
Instead of dismantling the Minneapolis Police Department, increase the number of police in high crime precincts.
But no! They won’t do that. They’ve already committed to abolishing law enforcement.
Isn’t this always the way Democrats operate? First they implement a “plan” that causes a huge problem. Then, instead of correcting the problem by reversing course, they suggest a “solution” that will only make the problem worse.
And when anyone points that out to them, their response is “But we can’t go back! We’ve made so much progress!”
There’s a reason crime is on the rise in Minneapolis, and it isn’t because residents aren’t cooperating enough with the criminals. It’s because Minneapolis city leaders have put criminals and lawlessness before law and order.
The blame can be placed squarely at the feet of the same city leaders who are now telling you that surrendering to criminals is a form of robbery “prevention.”
I guess they figure that since the city itself has surrendered to the criminals, you should too.
But don’t worry, Minneapolis residents. Your city council members are safe from these robbers and carjackers who are terrorizing you. They, unlike you, have private security paid for by the very taxpayers who are now being told to surrender to the criminals calling the shots on the streets in Minneapolis.
The most hilarious part of this letter is how it ends:
“To Protect With Courage To Serve With Compassion”
Courage? Really?
Near as I can figure, the only people who are feeling courageous right about now are those who want to commit crime against Minneapolis residents.
And the only “Compassion” these city leaders have is for the criminals.
Law abiding residents? Meh. You guys are on your own.
Here are my helpful robbery “prevention” tips for you folks living in Minneapolis.
Buy a gun.
And move the hell out of Minneapolis because the criminals won.
The CDC report found that attendees had engaged in a myriad of indoor and outdoor activities, including "daily vigorous singing and cheering"
A coronavirus outbreak at a Georgia sleepaway camp in June infected hundreds with the coronavirus, renewing fears about children contracting the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
YMCA Camp High Harbour at Lake Burton required certain preventative measures-- including masks for counselors-- but was forced to close just days after reopening due to the outbreak, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Out of 344 campers and staff tested for the virus, 260 came back positive in the weeks following its closure, including 168 children.
"These findings demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 spread efficiently in a youth-centric overnight setting, resulting in high attack rates among persons in all age groups, despite efforts by camp officials to implement most recommended strategies to prevent transmission," the CDC report on Friday said.
The camp held an orientation for 138 trainees and 120 staff members in mid-June before they were joined by 363 campers and three senior staff members on June 21. Two days later, a teenage staffer went home sick with chills. The staffer tested positive the next day, which is when the camp started sending campers home.
The CDC report found that attendees had engaged in a myriad of indoor and outdoor activities, including "daily vigorous singing and cheering." Windows and doors were opened to increase ventilation in buildings, although cloth masks were not required for campers.
"Relatively large cohorts sleeping in the same cabin and engaging in regular singing and cheering likely contributed to transmission," the CDC added. "Use of cloth masks, which has been shown to reduce the risk for infection, was not universal."
At least 74 percent of attendees had symptoms that included fever, headache, and sore throat. Of the children that tested positive, 51 were between the ages of 6 to 10. 180 attendees that tested positive were among those aged 11-17 years, while 27 were aged 18-21 years.
The CDC added that their report demonstrates that children of all ages are susceptible to COVID-19 infection and "contrary to early reports, might play an important role in transmission."
Gov. Brian Kemp had allowed day camps to open for the summer as part of Georgia's reopening plan, according to the paper. An executive order in May would later allow overnight camps to operate under certain guidelines.
Authorities have killed more than 1 million minks at breeding farms in Spain and the Netherlands as a precaution after outbreaks of the coronavirus were discovered there.
The outbreaks among the minks on farms in both countries likely started with infected workers, although officials aren’t certain. But it also is “plausible” that some workers later caught the virus back from the minks, the Dutch government and a researcher said, and scientists are exploring whether that was the case and how much of a threat such a spread might be.
FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2015, file photo, a mink sniffs the air as he surveys the river beach in search of food, in meadow near the village of Khatenchitsy, northwest of Minsk, Belarus. Coronavirus outbreaks at mink farms in Spain and the Netherlands have scientists digging into how the animals got infected and if they can spread it to people. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)
The outbreak at the Spanish mink farm near La Puebla de Valverde, a village of 500 people, was discovered after seven of the 14 employees, including the owner, tested positive in late May, said JoaquÃn Olona, regional chief of agriculture and environment. Two other employees got infected even after the operation was shut down.
More than 92,000 minks were ordered killed at the farm in the Aragon region of northeastern Spain, with nine out of 10 animals estimated to have contracted the virus.
After the Dutch outbreaks began in April, Wim van der Poel, a veterinarian professor who studies viruses at Wageningen University and Research, determined that the virus strain in the animals was similar to the one circulating among humans.
“We assumed it was possible that it would be transmitted back to people again,” the virus expert said, and that’s what appeared to have happened with at least two of the infected workers.
Richard Ostfeld, a researcher at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y., said that if confirmed, these would be the first known instances of animal-to-human transmission.
“With the evidence for farmed mink-to-human transmission, we definitely need to be concerned with the potential for domesticated animals that are infected to pass on their infection to us,” Ostfeld said in an email to The Associated Press.
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2012, file photo, minks look out of a cage at a fur farm in the village of Litusovo, northeast of Minsk, Belarus. Coronavirus outbreaks at mink farms in Spain and the Netherlands have scientists digging into how the animals got infected and if they can spread it to people. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)
More than 1.1 million minks have been killed on 26 Dutch farms that recorded outbreaks, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. The government announced Thursday that minks at a 27th farm also were infected and would be killed.
The Netherlands, which has some 160 mink farms, is the world’s fourth-biggest producer of the prized fur after Denmark, China and Poland, according to Wim Verhagen, director of the Dutch Federation of Fur Farmers. Spain has 38 active mink breeding operations, most of them in northwestern Galicia.
Both Spain and the Netherlands have tightened hygiene protocols at mink farms and banned transportation of the animals and visits to the buildings where they are kept.
China, which produces about a third of the mink fur market, and the United States have not reported any virus outbreaks in minks or in animals at other farms.
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2012, file photo, minks look out of a cage at a fur farm in the village of Litusovo, northeast of Minsk, Belarus. Coronavirus outbreaks at mink farms in Spain and the Netherlands have scientists digging into how the animals got infected and if they can spread it to people. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says some coronaviruses that infect animals can be spread to humans and then spread between people, but it adds that this is rare.
Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health are studying the transmission of the virus between animals and people. Several universities and research institutes also are examining the issue.
The WHO has noted that the transmission on the mink breeding farms could have happened both ways. But WHO’s Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said at a news conference last month that such transmission was “very limited.”
“This gives us some clues about which animals may be susceptible to infection and this will help us as we learn more about the potential animal reservoir of [the virus],” she said, referring to cases in the Netherlands and Denmark, another major producer of mink fur.
