San Diego Karen Wants To Sue For Half Of Starbucks Barista's $100K GoFundMe By Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez June 26, 2020 at 4:07 pm. Moises Mendez II is a recent graduate from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. For 18 years we have been exposing Washington lies and untangling media deceit, but now Facebook is drowning us in an ocean of right wing lies. Amber also insisted she was within her rights to call the police on Lenin, but many folks think she's in the wrong about that claim as well. Gilles did not immediately respondto FOX Business' request for comment. She publically shamed the barista. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that from June 15 it will bemandatory for people to wear face coverings on public transport. Learn more. For individuals. No absolutely not," Gilles told News 10 when asked if she owes anyone an apology after last summer's incident. They are real doctors.. When a Starbucks customer attacked a San Diego barista on social media, claiming he refused to serve her because she wasn't wearing a face mask, he received more than $100,000 in GoFundMe. He has also received a positive response to the fundraising effort he established this week since the suit which he characterized Friday as "frivolous" was filed. STARBUCKS TRANSFORMING STORES FOR POST-CORONAVIRUS WORLD: HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT Cowan revealed that he had initially started the GoFundMe because he wanted to give Gutierrez, then a perfect. Gilles claims that the GoFundMe was a violation of her right to publicity, misappropriation of her name and likeness and false light invasion of privacy.She also claims that Matt Cowan made money off of the GoFundMe page. One of the most famous Amber Lynn Gilles from San Diego and she is at it again. (Shutterstock) SAN DIEGO, CA A virtual tip jar has raised thousands for a San Diego. ", "And I do have asthma as well and I do get mask-acne," she added. "I think what this campaign has shown is that there a lot of good people around the world and kindness wins.". Amber is continuing to speak to Media outlets saying she's entitled to some of the money as the viral sensation is bringing her hardship. The employee refused to serve Gilles because she wasnt wearing a mask, which was required because of the ongoing pandemic. We'll send you an email once a week with only the best stuff we put out. 'San Diego Karen' Sues GoFundMe Campaign Creator Over Starbucks Barista Fundraiser 69 By Ed Scarce March 5, 2021 Last summer we brought you the story of Amber Lynn Giles who tried to shame a Starbucks barista after he refused service to her because she wouldn't wear a mask. In less than a week, Cowans GoFundMe page has raised $31,519 of the $50,000 goal. Cowan, who has said he doesn't know the Starbucks employee, wrote on the fundraiser page it was "raising money for Gutierrez for his honorable effort standing his ground when faced with a Karen. He is a freelance journalist based in New York City writing about everything from music to LGBTQ issues. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, However, Gilles insisted she "never threatened him. One document was a pelvic exam from 2015, reporting a probable exophytic fibroid arising from the anterior wall of the uterus measuring 2.9 cm size, and simple 2.5 cm left ovarian cyst., A second was a handwritten note on letterhead from a local chiropractor, reading, Amber has underlying breath conditions that prevent her from wearing a mask or any type of facial covering whatsoever. She also claimed she was fully within her rights to call the police on the harmless Starbucks employee. The pandemic was a litmus test that so many people failed. She's suing to get HIS earnings that were donated to HIM?Okay, gotta read the legal justification they're trying to use on THIS one (I'm guessing ill-gotten gains because she'll claim he defamed her butseriously???). Private businesses do have the right to refuse service and San Diego, specifically, enforces businesses to wear face masks. The "Tips For Lenin" crowdfunding page has reached a staggering $103,943 since it was first posted in late June with other 7,700 donaters all giving a tip to Lenin for having to deal with such an angry customer. Home; About. She publically shamed the barista. Are you really crying cause you had to wear a mask for 10 minutes to get coffee then leave? one commenter wrote. In the suit, Gilles maintains that Cowan's attempt to help Gutierrez after Gilles posted her encounter with him on Facebook last year was a violation of her rights and a misappropriation of her name and image, NBC7 in San Diego reported. A GoFundMe accountnotched more than $100,000 Wednesday for a San Diego Starbucks employee skewered on social mediaby a customer who walked out after the employee asked the customerif she had a mask to wear in the store. Instead of backing down, a friend of Gutierrezs made a GoFundMe to raise money for the man who stood up to an anti-mask Karen. We were getting used to seeing Karens on out social media pages and the pandemic brought about so many more than we were ready to deal with. The GoFundMe, which was created on June 22, has since raised more than $105,000 Credit: GoFundMe Gilles - who has been dubbed Starbucks "Karen" - decided not to follow COVID-19 regulations when she entered the coffee shop last month. 'Karens' Made Up a Fake Government Agency to Get Out of Wearing Face Masks, "Trader Joe's Karen" Has Meltdown After Being Told to Wear a Mask, Internet Sleuths Have Tracked Down Torrance Karen Again. Please contact me if have any questions.. Please enter valid email address to continue. You'll recall her online post about a local barista who asked her to wear a face mask went viral after which he received over $100,000 in tips from a GoFundMe in his honor. She says shes getting death threats. All the money that was raised went to Lenin. both a life-changing blessing and a never-ending headache. Cowan said he believes Gilles is seeking a financial payout for something that he says he has no control over. The GoFundMe quickly raised more than $100,000 for Gutierrez and Gilles felt entitled to some. Now, he finds himself defending himself against defamation charges, which Cowan declined to address specifically because of the pending nature of the case. Fees subject to change. All Rights Reserved. Within a few minutes she came back and asked for my name, she took a photo of me and said Im calling corporate and started cussing some more at everyone and just left, he said. KABC-TV: Starbucks customer Amber Lynn Gilles files lawsuit against GoFundMe creator who raised money for San Diego barista.https://t.co/zk7UyUa1OE. Most of the comments are in defense of Lenin. Gilles' attorney, Michael Harrington, told NBC 7 that his client is seeking a monetary award that has not been specified and will plead according to proof. Gilles has said previously that she is medically exempt from wearing a mask and she previously has gone after a Sprouts Farmers Market, which she also said targeted her for not wearing a mask. Dear Friends and Family, I am reaching out to you tod. Prices for Starbucks items purchased through Uber Eats or DoorDash may be higher than posted in stores or as marked. We were getting used to seeing Karens on out social media pages and the pandemic brought about so many more than we were ready to deal with. A Go Fund Me Page on his behalf is now over $22,000. KABC-TV: . Expert advice, 24/7 Gilles updated her GoFundMe to include a copy of the lawsuit and needs help to redress what she claims to be defamation of character. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. Some people believe that if it does go to court the "frivolous claim" will ultimately backfire in Amber's face. A GoFundMe was set up to reward the young man for his remarkable behavior. The GoFundMe was successful, raising more than $105,000 for him. Gilles told the station she is going to sue for half of Gutierrez's GoFundMe money. Next time, I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption.. Hopefully, she doesnt count on the Internet to back her up as they did for Gutierrez. Lenin Gutierrez GoFundMe. "It has always irked me to see people treat anyone in the hospitality industry with rudeness or disrespect when theyre just doing their job," he said. Gilles claims that the GoFundMe was a violation of her right to publicity, misappropriation of her name and likeness and false light invasion of privacy.She also claims that Matt Cowan made money off of the GoFundMe page. Amber Lynn Gilles complained about the worker in a Facebook post last month, posting a picture of the man in one of the coffee giants San Diego locations who denied her service for not following the countys coronavirus guidelines. I feel like I need the apology, she told KGTV. Residents with a health condition that prevents them from wearing a mask are exempt, according to the policy. Ted's Bio; Fact Sheet; Hoja Informativa Del Ted Fund; Ted Fund Board 2021-22; 2021 Ted Fund Donors; Ted Fund Donors Over the Years. Instead of backing down, a friend of Gutierrez's made a GoFundMe to raise money for the man who stood up to an anti-mask Karen. The woman, Amber Lynn Gilles, posted a photo of the barista, Lenin Gutierrez, with the caption, Meet lenen from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause Im not wearing a mask. "Me and Lenin are flabbergasted,"GoFundMe organizer Matt Cowan told FOX Business Wednesday. She is also averring she will take legal action against GoFundMe founders Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester for "defamation and slander.". In a new GoFundMe page, Cowan calls out the lawsuit. She went so far as to call them sheep. Of course, someone filmed the entire incident, and once it hit social media channels, people began praising Gutierrez for maintaining his composure in the face of the newest Karen.. The Starbucks Karen said she launched her own crowdfunding page, though it doesnt appear on the platform. Giles then posted a photo of the barista to Facebook which read, Meet Lenen (sic) from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause Im not wearing a mask. "At the end of the day, he was just an employee doing his job," Cowan said Friday. a friend of Gutierrez's made a GoFundMe to raise money for the man who stood up to an anti-mask Karen. Tips For Barista Who Dealt With SD "Karen" $27,554 raised of $250 goal Share Donate now Karen Stallman $25 19 mos Anonymous $50 21 mos Katherine M Coonley $25 22 mos Anonymous $25 24 mos Ian Noble $25 24 mos See all See top Alex Beckom is organizing this fundraiser. July 16, 2020 / 2:44 PM At the end of the day, this boils down to: I don't want to see someone else see an injustice happen in the world and not start a collection or a GoFundMe through fear of retribution from someone else.". The California Karen who berated a Starbucks barista online for refusing to serve her without a face mask says she deserves half of the more than $100,000 in donations raised for the employee. The GoFundMe was successful, raising more than $105,000 for him. Ive been discriminated against, Im the one whos sick., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Im a Starbucks barista Weve been out of espresso and dignity for 2 months, I ordered a surprise me drink at Starbucks I got something nasty, Starbucks to serve more luxurious coffees with this shocking ingredient, Ex-Starbucks employee claims this secret menu item was stolen from Asian creators. Last summer, Gilles told a San Diego television station that she does not believe she needs to apologize. Photo / GoFundMe. She defended using a note from a chiropractor for a breathing-related condition because They are dedicated to providing non-invasive personalized care and treatment. Not me thinking automatic sinks are just constantly defective: Black woman says automatic faucet doesnt work for herit works for white paper towel, I started doing this and its been peaceful ever since: Recruiter shares how to deal with toxic co-workers, They just invited you for that reason: Woman says man shed been seeing duped her into paying his and his friends $100 restaurant tab, Same energy as can you check in the back for me? Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. And here's her snotty Facebook post that ended up costing her so much "pain and suffering," and making her a figure of ridicule for thousands of people who would later bombard her with comments, stating the obvious that she's just a horrible human being. Last donation 59m ago. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code. According to the New York Times, Gilles said on Sunday that she wanted the money "because they're using me to get it. But thanks to his steadfastness and Amber Lynn Gilles own ignorance, Gutierrez earned plenty of respect for his professionalism. Amber Lynn Gilles - who slammed the barista for not serving her in a Starbucks in California - wants a portion of the generous donations intended for the employee. I didnt profit off of that at all, Cowan told The Hill. One of the most famous Amber Lynn Gilles from San Diego and she is at it again. A GoFundMe was set up to reward the young man for his remarkable behavior. Thank you. The pandemic was a litmus test that so many people failed. Una mujer de San Diego dijo que debera recibir la mitad de los ms de $100,000 recaudados para un barista de Starbucks que se neg a servirle porque ella no llevaba una m&aacu Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Energy Department report on COVID's origins rekindles ongoing debate. When Starbucks employee Lenin Gutierrez stood up to a customer who refused to wear a mask, he gained a flood of support from sympathetic strangers. She snapped a photo of the young man and continued to verbally assault not only him but other Starbucks customers present as well, calling them "sheep". June 27, 2020 2:55am. She must really love the attention. The latest lawsuit has caught the internets attention. Sign up for our newsletter and receive the coolest updates! I never threatened him. Hear from woman who was denied service at a Clairemont Starbucks for refusing to wear a mask. / CBS News. Thanks for contacting us. A woman has filed a lawsuit again the creator of a GoFundMe campaign that raised tens of thousands of dollars for a Starbucks barista in San Diego who went viral after asking her to mask up. Both Gutierrez and Cowan expressed their gratitude. In the GoFundMe he created to pay for his defense this week, Cowan refers to Gilles as a Karen who unjustly victimized Gutierrez, who was following company guidelines regarding COVID-19 when he refused to serve Gilles. "Not just myself, but defending the right of people to go out there and do what's good. She left angrily when Gutierrez wouldn't take her order. This is a developing story. And I do have asthma as well, and I do get mask-acne. Medical; Memorial; Emergency; Nonprofit; Education All of the money will be given directly to Lenin, who is set to meet with a financial advisor, the GoFundMe states. What he didn't expect was that the funds would surpass his initial goal of $1,000. A man named Matt Cowan created a fundraiser for Gutierrez on GoFundMe. ': Server blasts customers who try to change their party size at the last minute, *First Published: Jun 25, 2020, 5:30 pm CDT, Mom who mocked mask rules in Walmart asks for prayers after COVID-19 diagnosis, This county meeting about masks looks like a Parks and Recreation episode, Karen says her health condition prevents her from wearing maskand then makes things political. #nbc7 & https://t.co/ylvk5rP6Vf pic.twitter.com/gCREw0LR5V, She says she's receiving death threats and claims that she never technically threatened him in her tirade. Lenin Gutierrez, a Starbucks barista who refused to serve a maskless customer. Amber has reportedly launched her own GoFundMe "to redress the defamation and slander used against [her]," but a search on the platform for her specific campaign has come up short. It worked. A Starbucks barista made $49,000 in tips from GoFundMe after going viral for standing up to a San Diego Karen who didn't want to wear a mask. As of Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of donors had raised nearly $9,000 for the Starbucks barista on GoFundMe. The young man was unwilling to compromise on his franchise's rules for not serving shoppers in-store unless they were using face coverings and he got verbally chewed out for his efforts. ", Amber Lynn Gilles wants half of the generous donations intended for a Starbucks employee, The GoFundMe, which was created on June 22, has since raised more than $104,000, Gilles decided not to follow COVID-19 regulations when she entered the coffee shop last month, Amber Lynn Gilles posted Lenin's photo to Facebook on June 22, Starbucks and Pepsi boycotting Facebook over failure to stop hate speech, San Diego Karen who yelled at Starbucks employee who asked her to wear a mask wants half of $100K tip raised for him, 'Wrong-way' driver slams into Seattle freeway protesters, leaving one woman with critical, 'life-threatening' injuries, Epstein victims' lawyer warns Ghislaine Maxwell may kill herself or 'be silenced' to stop her spilling secrets on pals, Spearfisher, 36, mauled to death by shark off coast of Australia, Ohio cop with wife and daughter, 2, 'shot in chest and killed at Home Depot by intoxicated man who then killed himself', 'Explosive' encounter with BigFoot who 'moved like an ape with human characteristics' in Oz bush, Mom of murdered Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen hasn't been told gruesome details of daughter's death, Ghislaine Maxwell and Kevin Spacey sat on Buckingham Palace throne after 'Prince Andrew tour invite', Boss finds super-rare 6,000-year-old horn in his office and nearly sold it on eBay, Tips for Lenin Standing Up To A San Diego Karen. The woman who the internet is now deeming "Starbucks Karen" began cursing at Lenin and threatened his job. She even threatened to sue because she was the real victim. Enjoy ad-free browsing while paying as you go. Everybody is rallying around somebody for doing what theyre supposed to do and trying to protect everyone else. Now, almost a year later, she's filed a lawsuit against Cowan and his company, for defamation and invasion of privacy even though Giles campaign against the Starbucks employee was completely public. Amber Lynn Gilles likes to sue people. #nbc7 & https://t.co/ylvk5rP6Vf pic.twitter.com/gCREw0LR5V, Artie Ojeda (@ArtieNBCSD) June 25, 2020. When Starbucks employee Lenin Gutierrez refused to help a belligerent customer because she wasnt wearing a mask, not even he could have imagined how this now-infamous incident would turn into both a life-changing blessing and a never-ending headache. Gilles attempted to get back at Lenin after he didnt serve her a drink by taking to Facebook and sharing a photo of him. Gilles said the symptoms that prevent her from wearing a mask include shortness of breath, dizziness and "it messes with the heartbeat. The Tips for Lenin GoFundMe page got started and has raised $105,453 from more than 7,000 donors. Ive received numerous messages asking for my side of the story. People are donating in mass to help Cowan while Gilles original GoFundMe page is still active. Meet lenen from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause Im not wearing a mask. Now, Gilles believes Gutierrez is being rewarded for the incident and she says wants half the money. Various media outlets have described Gilles as being "anti-mask," although Gilles says she is the one who is being unfairly treated because of her condition. After receiving the money, he said he intends to use it to further his dance education while establishing a local community dance program to help bring professional instruction to underprivileged children in his area. In a new GoFundMe page, Cowan calls out the lawsuit. A Go Fund Me Page on his behalf is now over $22,000. GoFundMe The California "Karen" who berated a Starbucks barista online for refusing to serve her without a. $103,420 raised of $300,000. Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption, she wrote in the now-deleted post. Despite the fact that Lenin was not only complying with the rules and regulations implemented by his employer, but his county, regardless of how he or any Starbucks customer felt about it, Amber is now threatening to sue the young man if he doesn't hand over a portion of his GoFundMe earnings. SAN DIEGO, CA An Orange County man who started a GoFundMe effort last summer that raised more than $100,000 for a Starbucks barista who refused to serve a San Diego woman not wearing a mask. Throngs of people have flocked to social media to point out to Amber and everyone following the drama that it would be a bad idea for her to try and actually sue Lenin for the money as she has almost zero legal grounds to do so. "Lenin has said that he plans to use some of the money to pursue his dreams of becoming a dancer. If anything is not right, we'll give you a full refund. "Her public post is the one that went viral.". The employee refused to serve Gilles because she wasnt wearing a mask, which was required because of the ongoing pandemic. California Flooring & Design is a flooring company in San Diego. Someone was recording the woman's unbelievable behavior, however, along with the unbelievable composure that Lenin displayed in dealing with the irate woman. She publically shamed the barista. it doesnt escape the realm of possibility that someone(s) could report her lawyer for filing a frivolous claim, not saying to do so just saying its something one could do. Key take away Lynn thinks shes entitled to part of the donations set up for Gutierrez, and plans to sue. However, the campaign is now the root of a lawsuit brought by Giles against Cowan and his company, according to KGTV. In her attempt to get Lenin fired, she helped earn the guy over six figures, and now she's arguing she deserves a taste of that money because it was her behavior that lead to him being paid. Gilles asked for the chiropractor to not be named, and the practitioner declined to discuss Gilles when the outlet reached out for comment. I never threatened him. Hear from woman who was denied service at a Clairemont Starbucks for refusing to wear a mask. #nbc7 & https://t.co/ylvk5rP6Vf pic.twitter.com/gCREw0LR5V, Artie Ojeda (@ArtieNBCSD) June 25, 2020, Even worse, she has threatened to sue not only Lenin but also GoFundMe founders Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester for defamation and slander.. Pardon? All the money that was raised went to Lenin. What do you think? However,he is exploring various charities that he may consider donating too as well. The GoFundMe, titled Tips for Lenin Standing Up To A San Diego Karen and set up by Matt Cowan, was created on June 22 to show support for Starbucks employee Lenin Gutierrez. Instead of backing down, a friend of Gutierrez's made a GoFundMe to raise money for the man who stood up to an anti-mask Karen. Once you click your selected plan a window will open taking you to Admiral, our ad-free partner. Gutierrez recalled that he had first asked if she had a mask with her, he told his Facebook followersdays after the incident. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The GoFundMe page he established this week will go to the retention of a legal firm to fight the lawsuit, he said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The funds started to rapidly rollin last week after the customer, Amber Lynn Gilles,claimed on Facebook that she was refused service by Lenin Gutierrez for not wearing a mask. Please Help Him! Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Before he was about to explain the company's policy, Gilles reportedly cut him off saying she didn't need one andcursed at him before leaving,Gutierrez said. Lenin Gutierrez' story started at a San Diego . We will update as the story develops. What a fn KAREN! One of those strangers started a GoFundMe for Gutierrez that has amassed over $100,000 in virtual tips for the barista. how many kids does jason statham have . Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption,"Gilles wrotealongside an image she had taken ofGutierrez. SD Mesa College Hosting Jumpstart Event for Prospective Students, Smart Streetlights Surveillance Tech + New Virus, Or Cold, Hits SD, Screen You Gut - Save Your Butt 5K Challenge, 'The Great Junk Hunt' Vintage Flea Market 2023: Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California Mid-Winter Fair 2023: Imperial, One Night on The Town - The Marcus Syndicate Dance Band Live, Jazz Evensong 2023: St. Michaels By-The-Sea, Carlsbad. As of the time of this articles writing, the post has over 48,000 shares and 104,000 likes. Please email us at corrections@nglmitu.com, Copyright 2023 Latido Mitu Holdings LLC, all rights reserved. News 10 in San Diego reported that Gilles provided the station with documentation from doctors explaining her condition. The GoFundMe quickly raised more than $100,000 for Gutierrez and Gilles felt entitled to some. Please give a one-time or recurring donation, or buy a year's subscription for an ad-free experience. Photo by Screengrab / GoFundMe A woman who has been dubbed "Starbucks. He said Gilles approached the counter to place an order, and when Gutierrez asked if she had a mask, she told him that she didnt need one. Last year's effort by Cowan, which was titled "Tips For Lenin," went viral and resulted in the collection of $105,000, none of which Gutierrez says he touched, Cowan told Patch. Lenin Gutierrez, a Starbucks barista who refused to serve a maskless customer. I get shortness of breath, dizziness and it messes with the heartbeat, she told the station. One has a sign reading "Karen's Tip Jar" and a handful of masks inside; the other, reading "Lenin's Tip Jar," is filled with cash. Yet, because she was not wearing a mask, the barista, Lenin Gutierrez, refused to serve her. Caitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift. Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption.". People are donating in mass to help Cowan while Gilles original GoFundMe page is still active. She even threatened to sue because she was the real victim. Meet lenen from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause Im not wearing a mask. Starbucks Karen is trying to raise money via GoFundMe to sue Lenon from Starbucks now that he has received over $100k in "tips" from a GoFundMe after she publicly embarrassed him and made defamatory remarks about him on her Facebook. The lawsuit, which was filed last week in San Diego, claims that Cowans effort to help the Starbucks barista last summer has damaged Gilles reputation, hurt her career and even resulted in death threats against her, according to reports. He also explained his side of the story, and said he was abiding by company policy and Gilles had taken his name and photo and said she would take the issue further. Last donation 5m ago. All rights reserved. 'Starbucks Karen' Threatens to Sue Employee for Cut of His $100,000 GoFundMe Money Stephen Sheehan When Starbucks employee Lenin Gutierrez refused to help a belligerent customer because she wasn't wearing a mask, not even he could have imagined how this now-infamous incident would turn into both a life-changing blessing and a never-ending . *** For iPhone users who have made a purchase with the Starbucks mobile app in the past 90 days. Internet Sleuths Have Tracked Down Torrance Karen Again Ironically enough, a screenshot of the original post by the Starbucks Karen, Amber Lynn Gilles, shared to social media is the same one that was used in the GoFundMe campaign. A wildly successful GoFundMe campaign has a 'Karen' looking for her cut. She says shes getting death threats. Lenin was a dance instructor prior to the pandemic suspending classes and took a job at Starbucks to help make ends meet. Thank you all for the love and support. Last year, Gilles went to a Starbucks to order a coffee. The CDC recommends people cover their faces in public when social distancing is difficult to help slow the spread of COVID-19. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, Nationwide COVID-19 outbreak accelerates as Walmart, Kroger implement mandatory mask rules, Flu and COVID combo shots won't be ready this year, FDA official says, White House pushing Congress to pass funding to combat pandemic-related fraud, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak.