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Protests could cause catastrophic setback for controlling coronavirus, experts say

"If you were out protesting last night, you probably need to go get a COVID test this week," said the mayor of Atlanta.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/protests-could-accelerate-spread-coronavirus-public-health-experts-say-n1220551

Within the last few days, careful social distancing has been overturned by demonstrations against social injustice — as thousands of Americans congregate in cities across the country protesting the death of George Floyd.

The large gatherings, infectious disease experts said, could cause a catastrophic setback for controlling COVID-19 in the U.S. as cities and states try to reopen.

On Sunday, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former chief of the Food and Drug Administration warned that the U.S. "isn't through this epidemic" yet. "Chains of transmission will have become lit from these gatherings,“ Gottlieb told CBS News' "Face the Nation."

Andy Ngô

Samuel Tate Berry, who is listed as a 24-year-old female, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. Police say she launched projectiles at them.

She's been released. #PortlandRiots

https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1270527380134617088

Driver claiming self-defense in Capitol Hill protest shooting has ties to police

https://komonews.com/news/local/driver-claiming-self-defense-in-capitol-hill-protest-shooting-has-ties-to-police

The gunman who investigators said shot a protester outside a Seattle police station has his own ties to law enforcement.

Nikolas Fernandez has a brother who is a police officer at the East Precinct. However, according to court testimony it doesn't appear Fernandez was trying to reach him before he faced-off with demonstrators. Instead, a lawyer for Fernandez said his client was headed to work but took a wrong turn.

The shooting happened Sunday night and was captured on video by several eye witnesses. In the footage, crowds can be seen scrambling away as a car raced up Pine Street to where a massive demonstration was underway.

One man rushed up and reached through the window to grab the steering wheel. That's when investigators said Nikolas Fernandez, the driver, opened fire.

A neighbor who didn't want to be identified said he's known Fernandez and his wife for a couple of years and is shocked the man next door is now in jail.

“Really helpful people,” the neighbor said. “It's really shocking. I mean I know he would defend himself but he's not out there causing trouble like that."

At his bail hearing on Monday, Fernandez's court-appointed attorney claimed self-defense. Jesse Dubow said his client was driving to his job as a security guard at Niketown and got turned around, then found himself surrounded by a large crowd.

“Mr. Fernandez was on his way to work and got caught going the wrong way down a one-way street and in the chaos, sort of panicked," Dubow said.

After shooting a protester, investigators said Fernadez jumped out of his car and walked over to a line of police where he surrendered.

In a court filing, the arresting officer wrote, “Fernandez said his brother works here at this precinct, and he does not want to do anything to shame him."

Fernandez remains in jail with bail set at $150,000. He is scheduled to go before a judge on Wednesday and could be charged with felony assault.