Coronavirus

College kids attending Brigham Young University-Idaho might have intentionally contracted the coronavirus in order to sell their plasma containing antibodies ... and they're in big trouble if it's true.

The university has launched an investigation into reports of its students deliberately exposing themselves and others to COVID-19 with the hope of getting it, then getting paid for their antibody-rich plasma.

BYU-Idaho says it's "deeply troubled" by the allegations, adding it "condemns this behavior and is actively seeking evidence of any such conduct among our student body."

Students found to have engaged in this COVID-for-cash scheme will be suspended immediately and could be kicked out of school permanently ... according to the university.

It adds ... "The contraction and spread of COVID-19 is not a light matter. Reckless disregard for health and safety will inevitably lead to additional illness and loss of life in our community."

The school also warns that if coronavirus cases in the county and in Idaho continue to trend upward ... it may be forced to go to full-time remote learning.

One of the biggest games of the college football weekend may be in trouble ... because the Florida Gators have paused all activities due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Gators are scheduled to host the defending champ LSU Tigers on Saturday ... but 19 players and staffers have tested positive over the past few days, according to the Independent Florida Alligator.

Florida AD Scott Stricklin released a statement on the decision to halt all activities ... saying it's "out of an abundance of caution."

"Head coach Dan Mullen has been in communication with football players and their parents, and I have had conversations with the Southeastern Conference office, last week's opponent Texas A&M, and this week's opponent LSU."

He continues ... "These circumstances will be re-evaluated by UF Health and the athletic department's sports medicine staff Wednesday."

The news comes on the heels of Mullen calling for the school to allow "The Swamp" to be at full, 90,000-seat capacity when the Tigers come to town ... claiming fans in the crowd was a big factor in the team's loss at Texas A&M last week.

As for the Aggies ... the team has reported zero new cases since facing off against the Gators last weekend.

So far, the LSU game is still on as of Wednesday morning ... but as we all know, that could change quick.

Story developing ...

PGA superstar Dustin Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19 ... forcing the golfer to withdraw from this weekend's PGA tournament in Vegas.

36-year-old Johnson says he experienced symptoms -- and immediately alerted PGA Tour officials so he could be tested.

Obviously, the results came back positive for coronavirus which means he won't participate in the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek golf course this week.

Johnson had been the betting favorite this week over guys like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm.

"Obviously, I am very disappointed," Johnson said ... "I was really looking forward to competing this week, but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible."

"I have already had a few calls with the TOUR’s medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me."

Johnson is the 2nd PGA Tour pro to come down with COVID in the past week -- following Tony Finau, who tested positive during PGA Tour on-site testing protocols while gearing up for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.

Cristiano Ronaldo -- arguably the most famous athlete in the world -- has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Portuguese Football Association.

He's already been sent away from the team so he can self-quarantine at his home.

The PFA issued a statement saying Ronaldo "is doing well, without symptoms." PFA did not say exactly WHEN Ronaldo tested positive.

Ronaldo's teammates were all retested after CR7's positive result -- with no new positives. The rest of the team will continue to train as usual to prep for Wednesday's game against Sweden in Portugal.

What's concerning is a photo Ronaldo posted on social media Monday, showing him crowded around a table with his Portugal teammates.

No one in the photo is wearing a mask or social distancing.

35-year-old Ronaldo played all 90 minutes when Portugal took on France on Sunday in France.

Only 1,000 fans were allowed inside the Stade de France to watch the game. The stadium typically holds around 80,000 people.

Ronaldo also played against Spain last week.

One of the big issues ... medical experts say it can take between 2 and 14 days for someone infected with COVID to show symptoms.

In other words, it's probably not safe to assume his teammates are all out of the woods yet. And, the decision to push forward and practice and play could lead to disaster.

President Trump is on his way to address thousands of his supporters in the flesh and without a mask ... only a few hours after his doctors announced he's tested negative for COVID-19.

Trump boarded Air Force One Monday on his way to a massive rally in Sanford, Florida. The rally will be his first since revealing on October 1 he'd tested positive for the coronavirus.

Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany shared a memo from Trump's physician just after AF1 took off which said Trump had tested negative on consecutive days.

The memo stated the result was derived from a series of lab tests and other data that indicated a "lack of detectable viral replication."

It ends by saying the results have, "informed our medical team's assessment that the President is not infectious to others." The memo does not say when Trump tested negative, but it's good news for all those folks gathered in Florida to greet him.

FL Governor Ron DeSantis is also attending Monday's rally and was spotted without a mask, offering up high fives to the crowd.

Buckle up, America ... 3 weeks to go!

Great news from legendary Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden ... the Hall of Famer says he's "doing great" while receiving treatment for COVID-19.

As we previously reported, the 90-year-old tested positive last week after being hospitalized with a skin infection ... and was readmitted to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare on Tuesday to get care for the virus.

Bowden -- who won 2 national titles with the Seminoles -- gave an update to the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday ... saying he's improving by the day.

"I am sure (God) answered a prayer," Bowden said. "I do feel better. I am doing good. I appreciate everyone's thoughts, I really do."

As for his symptoms, Bowden says they weren't too serious ... and he's now waiting on the results of his most recent test.

"You get fever, you get frustrated, you don't feel good and you wonder if you were able to get up," he said.

"But, now that's behind me. I took another (COVID-19) test ... I can't go home until that's cleared."

Bowden's wife, Ann, told the outlet she's confident the coach can get cleared to leave the hospital soon.

"We are hoping by the end of the week they tell him he can come home," Ann said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci is pushing back on Donald Trump in a big way, calling shenanigans on a new campaign ad that makes it look like the good Doc is endorsing the Prez.

The Trump campaign just released a new ad called "Carefully," in which they describe POTUS recovering from the virus, like so many other Americans are also doing and have already done.

The spot lists Trump's alleged achievements and the screen flashes to a soundbite from a Fauci interview, in which he says "I can't imagine that ... anybody could be doing more." This makes it seem like AF was talking about DT, but that's not the case.

Fauci came out and said the Trump administration used this segment without his permission -- but, more importantly, they took his words out of context. He adds, "In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate."

These comments are actually from an interview he did with FOX News' Mark Levin, in which he praised federal health officials and the Trump administration's coronavirus task force on how they were responding to the pandemic -- which he characterized as "impressive" and "all hands on deck." So, not a Trump compliment ... tangential at best.

Forget leaving room for Jesus at your school dances -- apparently, in Europe, they're turning spacing rules for young couples on their head for COVID ... or on their back, rather.

Check out this video of what's been described as a high school prom in what many are saying must be the Czech Republic (because of the language the MC is using). As you can see, kids are definitely back on campus, and they're even hosting traditional events again.

Thing is, there's nothing traditional about how the students are busting a move -- especially for the slow dance section. They're all back-to-back, locking arms ... and wearing masks. How romantic!!!

Unclear which school this is exactly, but we'll say this ... kudos for creativity, 'cause there's a vast number of ways officials could've rolled out the new dance regulations, and a lot of them probably would've been more restrictive than this. At least here, there's still contact.

Donald Trump says he now has a "protective glow" ... his way of saying he somehow has immunity from coronavirus.

Trump appeared on Maria Bartiromo's FNC show, "Sunday Morning Futures" and said he believes he now has immunity from the virus. He did not say if his tests are now negative for COVID. It's possible his doctors were able to measure the level of COVID in his system and make such a determination, but his doctors have been mum for nearly a week.

The President's planning trips to battleground states on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, starting with Florida. As we reported, he hosted an event Saturday on the South Lawn of the White House.

Trump tried shading Joe Biden on the show, saying, "It seems like I'm immune, so I can go way out of a basement." Fact is ... Biden's been out of his basement for weeks. He's been able to campaign because he's been wearing masks and socially distancing so he didn't get COVID and land in the hospital.

Trump's attitude toward his COVID treatment has alarmed doctors and scientists, who believe he continues to send an incorrect, dangerous message about the perils of COVID. Trump, who called the virus a "blessing from God," has been a terrible patient ... leaving his hospital bed for a drive-by rally, going back to the White House without wearing a mask, working in the Oval Office rather than self-isolating, holding a rally on the South Lawn, and on and on.

Donald Trump went back to the scene of the crime -- AKA a public event at The White House -- to host Black and brown people ... while he's still recovering from COVID-19.

Our COVID-riddled POTUS threw a campaign event Saturday along the South Lawn of the White House, which was meant to cater to supporters of his who are POC ... a group that, statistically speaking, has been unequally infected by the virus -- and often worse.

Trump came out to a terrace-like area with a waiting podium to address the crowd that had formed below -- almost like Mussolini from the balcony ... it seriously had that type of vibe.

Anyway, his remarks were brief -- but it was definitely in the spirit of a traditional Trump rally ... which was an odd scene, considering Trump is usually pretty polished whenever he does White House gigs. Here, it was about as unhinged and off-the-cuff as he might get at a stadium somewhere, except the backdrop of the White House was front and center.

Trump rambled about how his administration had done more for Black and Latino people in this country than probably any president in history -- stuff we've heard him say before -- and he also threw some lines out jabbing at Joe Biden and the "socialist" Democrats. He told his audience -- which were decked out in light blue shirts and red hats -- that they needed to vote the other party to oblivion come Election Day ... which drew cheers from everyone.

He also said he felt great health-wise, and again referred to COVID as the "China virus." Trump went on to promise to eradicate coronavirus all over the world once a vaccine was developed here at home ... something he assured them was right around the corner.

While it's unclear exactly how many people were in attendance -- it's fair to say it was around a few hundred or so. Almost similar to the Amy Coney Barrett event which became a super-spreader event 2 weeks ago to the day. The White House is now riddled with 'rona.

Frankly, today's event was reckless ... even if Trump was far enough from the crowd. No one will be tested, there will be no mandatory mask-wearing and, based on history, there's not likely to be social distancing. Trump did call this a "protest" ... but it's one that could potentially leave people sick or dead -- the White House is a hazard area these days.

The event was organized by ultra-conservative Candace Owens, who launched a "Blexit" campaign urging Black voters to leave the Dems. The theme -- "Remarks to Peaceful Protesters for Law & Order."

Trump will speak from the Truman Balcony. It's unclear if he'll have a face-to-face reception before or after, like he did with the Amy Coney Barrett event.

Although Trump says he feels "perfect" ... there are lots of deep concerns. He clearly still has a cough -- you could hear it when he spoke with Hannity -- and no one at the White House will say if Trump's still testing positive for the virus.  He's also on steroids, which mask symptoms.

Trump is doing everything most doctors say a COVID-positive patient should not be doing. He is not self-isolating, he is exposing himself to an untold number of staff, he is not wearing a mask, he is not resting.

In fairness ... the White House has "instructed" guests to wear masks, but ultimately it seems like it's optional, because the invite goes on to say attendees are "strongly encouraged" to follow CDC guidelines ... including wearing masks and socially distancing. They won't be tested ... just temperature checked.

Although the number of guests are expected to be in the hundreds, 2,000 invitations went out.

Lindsey Vonn is parting ways with her "most prized possessions" from her career ... by auctioning off her iconic ski speed suits ... and it's all for charity!!

The retired skiing superstar's annual fundraiser was put on hold due to COVID-19 ... but that couldn't stop the folks at the Lindsey Vonn Foundation from helping out her cause, so she opened up her closet to raise money instead.

"My jackets, helmets and WINNING RACE SUITS that I never wanted to part ways with will help support young girls and women through our scholarship program for educational and stem programs," Vonn said.

Among the suits include her epic "Captain America" suit, which was made for the U.S. Olympic team in 2017 ... the white and rainbow suit from her 54th World Cup win in 2012 ... and her U.S. Ski team jacket from 2016-2017.

The goal is to raise $200k for the LVF ... which will help provide resources for the youth.

Donald Trump says he feels great and he received special treatment at Walter Reed Hospital ... as he put it -- "It's good to be President."

The President was interviewed on Fox News Channel by Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News contributor who is not part of Trump's medical team.

Trump said he went to the hospital last Friday because he didn't feel strong. He said he didn't have a problem breathing, but failed to mention he got supplemental oxygen twice and had a fever. His own Chief of Staff said Trump's condition was "very concerning."

Trump says he's not taking meds now, but credits what he says is his bounce-back to an experimental drug he got in the hospital ... a drug he says will somehow be available to everyone for free.

He says he listened to his doctors, so incredibly, that seems to suggest the doctors thought it was ok for him to take a drive with 2 members of the Secret Service in a sealed SUV. Trump said he felt it was his obligation to take the ride to see his supporters who hung around for 3 days.

And, wow ... Trump says one thing he learned is that COVID is highly contagious. He didn't know that until now?

Trump did say he got a CT scan to test his lungs. All he said was that there was a little congestion.

President Trump will not square off -- face-to-face, anyway -- as the second debate has been canceled, which could be a win for your eyes and ears ... if it was gonna be anything like the first one.

The Commission on Presidential Debates pulled the plug Friday on the showdown scheduled for Oct. 15 ... after the President complained about the new virtual format, and said he wouldn't go. Of course, the CPD moved to a virtual debate due to Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis.

His reaction to the change was, "I'm not gonna waste my time on a virtual debate. That's not what debating's all about."

POTUS was also ticked off about possibly getting muted by the moderator ... a feature the CPD said it was considering in light of the constant interruptions and name-calling at the first debate.

For what it's worth, Biden's team initially agreed to the new safety protocols but after Trump dug in his heels ... Biden also pulled out. Instead, his team says he'll hold a town hall in Philly, moderated by ABC's George Stephanopoulos.