buzzfeednews--2020-05-13--Facebook Said It Wouldn't Take Ads For Masks. This Company Ran Them Anyway.

George Michailow was browsing Facebook on April 1 when he saw an ad for a forbidden product — a face mask .
Three weeks earlier , Facebook had banned ads for masks , over price gouging and first responder shortages .
But when Michailow saw the video ad for the “ MediCare Reusable Surgical Mask , ” it seemed legit — and he was desperate .
“ I 'd been asked to get some masks for senior members of my church and I saw an opportunity to get them , ” Michailow , the volunteer treasurer of his Virginia Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour later , he was shown another Facebook video ad for masks .
“ They looked like better-quality masks , ” he said , so Michailow bought three “ AeroShield N95 Masks ” for $ 118.95 .
None of the masks , from either order , ever arrived .
And contrary to what he thought , he didn ’ t buy from two separate US companies .
Instead , PayPal receipts show the purchases came from the same entity : ZestAds , a company registered in Hong Kong with headquarters in Malaysia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ electronics , clothing , and household products from China to sell around the globe using slick and at times misleading Facebook ads .
On its website , ZestAds claims to be one of the top e-commerce companies in Asia .
Since March , the company has made a mockery of Facebook ’ s ban by running ads that dangerously claimed its masks would “ fully protect ” from the virus , cited a fake expert , and falsely listed US companies as behind the ads .
Facebook ’ s inability to enforce its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company ’ s larger failure to police the scammers and shady e-commerce operators who use its powerful ad targeting tools to rip off people at scale .
BuzzFeed News provided Facebook with a list of close to 100 pages linked to ZestAds , as well as examples of mask ads run by the company .
After an investigation , the company said it has banned ZestAds from its platform .
“ We have removed Zest Ads and their network , and sent them a Cease and Desist notice , '' said Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook .
`` We barred several of their accounts and Pages from running ads for violations months ago , and they 've now attempted to sidestep our enforcement by creating new ad accounts , domains and pages .
We will continue to investigate and remove other affiliated entities . ''
ZestAds said last year it paid Facebook more than $ 20 million to run ads for drones , weight loss patches , and security alarms .
They promised high-quality products but rarely delivered on the pledge , if orders ever arrived , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online forums and told BuzzFeed News that what they bought never arrived or barely resembled what was advertised , sharing their complaints about nondelivery , poor quality , overcharging , unauthorized recurring payments , and other dishonest practices dating back to at least 2017 .
Nevertheless , its business seems to have flourished .
A ZestAds employee boasted on his LinkedIn profile that he generated more than $ 50 million in online sales in a single year .
The company , which was founded by Tan Ming Hwa , Lee Meng Han , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , employs roughly 100 people at its Kuala Lumpur headquarters , with others working out of an office in Taipei , Taiwan .
And it ’ s largely thanks to Facebook .
A recent ZestAds job posting described the company as focused `` mainly in Facebook Advertising . ''
ZestAds cofounder Tan Ming Hwa declined an interview , but defended the company in a statement .
“ Our attention has been drawn to spurious allegations making the rounds online and on social media regarding the company ’ s online sales that aim to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its management , ” it read , adding that the company had 50 of people working in customer service , and that its “ collaboration with Paypal reassures customers of their eligibility for a ‘ full refund if an order isn ’ t as significantly described , or doesn ’ t arrive at your doorstep.
’ ” As the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the globe in March , ZestAds began producing Facebook ads for masks to capitalize on the panic , according to an employee who requested anonymity to speak freely about the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 30 different Facebook video ads for masks , targeting the United States .
“ Since it is corona time , most of the [ video ads ] that [ we ] push are for face masks , ” said the employee .
They expressed surprise that so many Americans found the ads convincing .
“ The question that really baffles our minds is how Americans can actually believe the prices , ” they asked .
“ Stop buying face masks now !
” warned the video ad placed on March 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The ad continued with a slew of false claims , such as saying the “ C.D.C Surgeon General ” warned that normal face masks wouldn ’ t help stop the spread of the coronavirus .
There is no CDC Surgeon General , and if there were , such a suggestion would fly in the face of the scientific consensus that masks work .
The ad hawked the `` N95 BreathPro mask , '' which it falsely called the “ only face mask in the world that can fully protect you from bacteria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask 's creator was “ Advanced Materials Professor ” Hiroshi Mikitani , described as the largest surgical mask manufacturer in Japan .
No such person exists , although Hiroshi Mikitani is the name of the billionaire Japanese founder and CEO of e-commerce site Rakuten .
The online store that the ad and the page promoted , happysharings.com , is one of roughly 200 ZestAds stores and related pages identified by BuzzFeed News .
Ads like the one for the N95 BreathPro convinced Michailow and others to buy masks .
“ I 'm a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do due diligence , ” he said , noting that the ad he saw promised “ PayPal Buyer Protection.
” ( A PayPal spokesperson declined to comment on this . )
After waiting weeks for his masks with no sign of them , Michailow searched online for more information about ZestAds , the company listed on both his PayPal receipts .
He found posts in a Facebook group for people who say they were scammed , and saw hundreds more on websites such as complaintsboard.com , paypal-community.com , and scampulse.com .
One angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people about the company .
Like Michailow , people said they made the purchase from online stores with strange URLs , like lifelyessence.com , gadget-leaks.com , or trinityvibe.com .
But no matter what the URL was , when the payment was processed , the PayPal receipt listed ZestAds .
Randy Smith is one of those customers .
The Round Rock , Texas , foster father works with a nonprofit that places young people in homes after they ’ re released from juvenile detention .
He bought four masks .
“ I wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and use over again to keep safe , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
“ I got on Facebook and I saw repeated ads for this mask and clicked on it .
I figured if it 's on Facebook and I 'm paying through PayPal , it must be legitimate.
” He paid $ 169.89 for 4 masks and 10 replacement filters .
They never arrived .
“ Every person I have talked to , every complaint that I have seen , it 's a Facebook ad that people saw , ” Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ZestAds in April after seeing “ a very slick , nice ad ” on Facebook .
She ’ s been caring for her 99-year-old mother in Massachusetts since the lockdown began and needed a mask to protect herself while running errands .
Jane , who asked not to be named to protect her privacy , said it was hard for her to get approved to run Facebook ads for local political groups , yet ZestAds was easily able to easily reach her with mask ads .
“ I had to go through hell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Misleading ads are part of ZestAds ’ strategy .
In an ad for a weight loss patch , the company made false claims about real American police officers , including that one had accidentally killed a child .
`` This is not me and I do not support or endorse this product , '' wrote the actual police officer on Facebook after he noticed that his image was being used .
Facebook removed the ad on May 12 as part of its enforcement against ZestAds .
ZestAds also subverted Facebook ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multiple Facebook pages linked to ZestAds falsely listed real companies as their “ Confirmed Page Owner.
” For example , the “ Dontgoout ” page that advertised the N95 BreathPro listed its owner as Gamber-Johnson , a supplier of communications systems accessories in Stevens Point , Wisconsin .
“ It ’ s not us , our name was not verified , and the page is not under our control , ” Gamber-Johnson CEO Brian Wagner told BuzzFeed News .
Scott Frederick , the vice president of marketing of Logistics Plus Supply Chain Solutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News his company was unaware that the name of its subsidiary was listed as the owner of a page called “ Logistics Plus 04.
” “ It looks like somebody was trying to imitate us in some way , ” he said .
Other companies falsely listed as the owners of ZestAds-controlled pages include a defunct Washington state photography studio , a Czech auto sales website , a food market in Massachusetts , and a Singapore company that allegedly ran a multilevel marketing scam in India years ago .
The mask ad on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for almost two months until BuzzFeed News asked Facebook about it .
It was removed as part of the social network ’ s action against ZestAds .
Other companies that ZestAds worked with have begun to move against it as well .
On May 8 , in response to questions from BuzzFeed News , a Shopify spokesperson said the company was removing ZestAds stores over what it said are violations of its acceptable use policy .
“ False or deceptive promotion of listed products and price gouging are violations of Shopify ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make commerce better for everyone , ” the spokesperson told BuzzFeed News .
A PayPal spokesperson said it was aware of customer complaints about ZestAds but declined to comment on the company .
“ We are aware of challenges that many merchants are experiencing during these unprecedented times .
Our teams are actively monitoring the situation and working tirelessly to protect our customers against substandard or fraudulent sales activity , ” the statement said .
“ PayPal takes these matters seriously , and we encourage customers who have an unsatisfactory transaction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PayPal account or to contact Customer Service directly.
” While ZestAds ’ Facebook e-commerce operation and Shopify stores appear to be at least temporarily shut down , those who say they were suckered into ordering masks don ’ t expect to ever receive them — or to get refunds from the company .
Some people , like Michailow , were able to get a refund through their credit card companies .
Many customers said PayPal was unhelpful .
Smith said he ’ s in touch with other victims and with lawyers to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit against ZestAds or platforms like Facebook and PayPal .
Michailow has one clear takeaway from the experience : “ I ’ ll never buy anything from a Facebook ad again.
” ●

George Michailow was browsing Facebook on April 1 when he saw an ad for a forbidden product — a face mask.
Three weeks earlier, Facebook had banned ads for masks, over price gouging and first responder shortages. But when Michailow saw the video ad for the “MediCare Reusable Surgical Mask,” it seemed legit — and he was desperate.
“I'd been asked to get some masks for senior members of my church and I saw an opportunity to get them,” Michailow, the volunteer treasurer of his Virginia Beach church, told BuzzFeed News.
He bought 10 for $227.90.
An hour later, he was shown another Facebook video ad for masks. “They looked like better-quality masks,” he said, so Michailow bought three “AeroShield N95 Masks” for $118.95.
None of the masks, from either order, ever arrived. And contrary to what he thought, he didn’t buy from two separate US companies. Instead, PayPal receipts show the purchases came from the same entity: ZestAds, a company registered in Hong Kong with headquarters in Malaysia.
Founded in 2015, ZestAds sources cheap electronics, clothing, and household products from China to sell around the globe using slick and at times misleading Facebook ads. On its website, ZestAds claims to be one of the top e-commerce companies in Asia.
Since March, the company has made a mockery of Facebook’s ban by running ads that dangerously claimed its masks would “fully protect” from the virus, cited a fake expert, and falsely listed US companies as behind the ads.
Facebook’s inability to enforce its mask ad ban is a symptom of the company’s larger failure to police the scammers and shady e-commerce operators who use its powerful ad targeting tools to rip off people at scale.
BuzzFeed News provided Facebook with a list of close to 100 pages linked to ZestAds, as well as examples of mask ads run by the company. After an investigation, the company said it has banned ZestAds from its platform.
“We have removed Zest Ads and their network, and sent them a Cease and Desist notice," said Rob Leathern, director of product management at Facebook. "We barred several of their accounts and Pages from running ads for violations months ago, and they've now attempted to sidestep our enforcement by creating new ad accounts, domains and pages. We will continue to investigate and remove other affiliated entities."


buzzfeednews--2020-03-19--Tesla Said It Is Pausing Operations At Two Factories Because Of The Coronavirus

Electric automobile manufacturer Tesla Motors will temporarily suspend operations at two factories in California and New York in response to the public health crisis associated with the coronavirus pandemic .
In an announcement on Thursday , Tesla said it would close its 10,000-employee factory in Fremont , California , its main car assembly hub in the United States , by the end of the day on Monday , March 23 .
The company said it would also suspend production at its factory in Buffalo , New York , where Tesla manufactures solar panels and charging equipment for its Supercharger network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its CEO Elon Musk defied a shelter-in-place order issued by Alameda County in response to the coronavirus that required residents to stay at home and nonessential businesses to close .
While there was initial confusion about whether Tesla ’ s car manufacturing operations were considered essential — a designation reserved for grocery stores , pharmacies , and gas stations — the county deemed the Fremont factory not essential on Tuesday evening .
In internal statements , Tesla ’ s executives said there had been confusion in its communications with various officials at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Despite taking all known health precautions , continued operations in certain locations has caused challenges for our employees , their families and our suppliers , ” the company said in its announcement .
“ As such , we have decided to temporarily suspend production at our factory in Fremont.
“ The company said the four days before the factory ’ s closure will allow for “ an orderly shutdown.
” Sgt .
Ray Kelly , a spokesperson for the Alameda County Sheriff ’ s Department , would not comment on whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until it officially closes , but called the negotiations “ a long few days.
” On Wednesday , Kelly had told BuzzFeed News that Tesla had agreed to reduce the amount of workers at the Fremont factory , and that Tesla ’ s continued building of automobiles was a violation of the county ’ s order .
More city and county officials met with Tesla on Thursday , ultimately leading to the company ’ s decision to temporarily close the factory .
Tesla did not immediately respond to comment .
Musk had previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dumb ” and spent part of Wednesday night and Thursday morning debating with people on Twitter whether or not his company could manufacture breathing ventilators that are needed to help coronavirus patients .
As Tesla made its announcement on Thursday afternoon , its CEO cast doubt on the predicted severity of the pandemic and spread misinformation on Twitter about who was susceptible to the disease .
Tesla said basic operations will continue at the Fremont location , allowing the company to “ to support our vehicle and energy service operations and charging infrastructure.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Buffalo facility , while the “ Tesla Gigafactory ” in Sparks , Nevada , which develops batteries , will remain open .
“ In many locations , we are in the process of implementing ‘ touchless deliveries ’ so customers can continue to take delivery of their vehicle in a seamless and safe way , ” the company said in its statement .
Employees at the Fremont factory , who had their temperatures taken at work on Wednesday and were required to wear masks , were partially confused by the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees would be paid through Monday and that they would be provided with “ paid leave during suspended operations.
” When asked what that means , one worker at the Fremont factory said that “ none of us are really sure , ” but said that `` some money is better than none . ''
That person , who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their job , said they keep showing up for work until the facility is closed .
“ As far as I know , we are building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” they said .
The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .

Electric automobile manufacturer Tesla Motors will temporarily suspend operations at two factories in California and New York in response to the public health crisis associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
In an announcement on Thursday, Tesla said it would close its 10,000-employee factory in Fremont, California, its main car assembly hub in the United States, by the end of the day on Monday, March 23. The company said it would also suspend production at its factory in Buffalo, New York, where Tesla manufactures solar panels and charging equipment for its Supercharger network.
The move comes after Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk defied a shelter-in-place order issued by Alameda County in response to the coronavirus that required residents to stay at home and nonessential businesses to close. While there was initial confusion about whether Tesla’s car manufacturing operations were considered essential — a designation reserved for grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations — the county deemed the Fremont factory not essential on Tuesday evening. In internal statements, Tesla’s executives said there had been confusion in its communications with various officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
“Despite taking all known health precautions, continued operations in certain locations has caused challenges for our employees, their families and our suppliers,” the company said in its announcement. “As such, we have decided to temporarily suspend production at our factory in Fremont.“
The company said the four days before the factory’s closure will allow for “an orderly shutdown.” Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesperson for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, would not comment on whether the company would continue to make cars until it officially closes, but called the negotiations “a long few days.”
On Wednesday, Kelly had told BuzzFeed News that Tesla had agreed to reduce the amount of workers at the Fremont factory, and that Tesla’s continued building of automobiles was a violation of the county’s order. More city and county officials met with Tesla on Thursday, ultimately leading to the company’s decision to temporarily close the factory.
Tesla did not immediately respond to comment.
Musk had previously said that “the coronavirus panic is dumb” and spent part of Wednesday night and Thursday morning debating with people on Twitter whether or not his company could manufacture breathing ventilators that are needed to help coronavirus patients. As Tesla made its announcement on Thursday afternoon, its CEO cast doubt on the predicted severity of the pandemic and spread misinformation on Twitter about who was susceptible to the disease.
Tesla said basic operations will continue at the Fremont location, allowing the company to “to support our vehicle and energy service operations and charging infrastructure.” Service and parts operations will continue at the Buffalo facility, while the “Tesla Gigafactory” in Sparks, Nevada, which develops batteries, will remain open.
“In many locations, we are in the process of implementing ‘touchless deliveries’ so customers can continue to take delivery of their vehicle in a seamless and safe way,” the company said in its statement.
Employees at the Fremont factory, who had their temperatures taken at work on Wednesday and were required to wear masks, were partially confused by the decision. An internal email noted that hourly employees would be paid through Monday and that they would be provided with “paid leave during suspended operations.”
When asked what that means, one worker at the Fremont factory said that “none of us are really sure,” but said that "some money is better than none." That person, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their job, said they keep showing up for work until the facility is closed.
“As far as I know, we are building cars until the end of the week,” they said.
The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus. To help keep this news free, become a member and sign up for our newsletter, Outbreak Today.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-03--“I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This”: Doctors Without Enough Ventilators Are Being Told Whom To Save

“I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This”: Doctors Without Enough Ventilators Are Being Told Whom To Save During The Coronavirus Pandemic

A ventilator and other hospital equipment is seen in an emergency field hospital to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic in Central Park on March 31 in New York .
The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
WASHINGTON — At the top of the list for ventilators : patients with just one failing organ .
And then there are the others .
Doctors with patients who are unresponsive to standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irreversible low blood pressure , or any other condition that would result in immediate mortality are instructed not to put them on ventilators during the coronavirus pandemic .
As the coronavirus wreaks havoc across the nation , doctors who shoulder much of the crisis are left with devastating life or death decisions .
BuzzFeed News reviewed documents from a New York City public hospital in line with previous reporting from the New York Times that lay out “ policy enhancements ” for doctors at hospitals across the nation on how to prioritize helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the disease caused by the coronavirus , as medical supplies run low .
At least one New York City public hospital sent specific guidelines for doctors on who should receive ventilators in light of the shortages — a harrowing task left to physicians on the front lines .
“ I watched like three people die on Saturday — nothing we can do .
Zero .
You feel defeated , ” one city doctor who works at a public hospital with similar guidelines told BuzzFeed News .
“ You feel drained.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were afraid of losing their job should they be identified .
“ There ’ s a list about six [ types of ] patients that do not get put on a vent .
‘ It makes no sense , they ’ re going to die soon anyway , so let them die ’ — like that ’ s the crazy thought process .
This shit hurts , ” they said .
During the coronavirus crisis , the steady tone of a heart monitor that signals health officials need to intervene immediately might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which most of us recognize only from episodes of Grey ’ s Anatomy , is now the backdrop for health care officials navigating a hospital ’ s intensive care unit .
“ Normally in the real world , you never let that happen so you never really see that .
That ’ s how it was on Saturday .
You saw the heart rate go down , the blood pressure go down , the oxygen go down and then everything just flatlines and stops .
Literally , we looked at each other and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Nothing , ’ ” the doctor recalled .
“ And then guess what ?
We ’ re so morbid .
We ’ re so jaded .
Guess what ’ s the first thing we think of [ when a patient dies ] ?
‘ Oh shit , we got a new ventilator , let ’ s get somebody on the ventilator !
’ ” Doctors , like the one interviewed by BuzzFeed News , are having to reckon with their decisions .
Many times that reality only hits at home , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them quarantining from the rest of their family members .
“ When I went home , I was like , what the fuck ?
I ordered another patient to go on a ventilator when a man just died !
” “ I ’ ve never seen anything like this in my life .
... Never.
” New York City has become the epicenter of the pandemic .
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University , there are 92,743 cases in New York state and 2,473 deaths at the time of this post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City .
The crisis is taking a toll on the city ’ s health care system , especially as it relates to ventilators and protective equipment for health care professionals .
Ventilators , the doctor explained , are the safest way to assist patients with COVID-19 , as other treatments create more aerosols and could contaminate the hospital .
“ It ’ s scary and it ’ s tough , ” the doctor said .
“ I think what ’ s scary is that the resources are missing .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re out here talking about recycling masks .
... Now we ’ re using the same one all day .
We ’ re using the same gown all day .
You don ’ t really have the time to change , you ’ re just running from one patient to the next , one patient to the next , one patient to the next.
” And then there ’ s the pace at which the disease ravages each victim .
“ Literally , I went out to the visiting area — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk to the daughter .
[ The ] mom is doing fine , her numbers are OK , we ’ re just going to watch her and we ’ re going to see , ” they said .
Within six minutes of the update , the doctor had to provide another update : “ I had to intubate your mother.
” It happened a second time , to a different patient , on the same day .
“ I go out to tell the husband ‘ OK , everything looks good.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop , we have to intubate her .
...
The crazy thing is how fast people go down and die .
Literally , like you walk out and go to the bathroom and pee and come back and you ’ re running around and your patient is dying.
” “ The other day I felt defeated .
The patient came in on a code .
We looked at each other .
The patient had to die .
There was nothing we could do.
” Any feelings of guilt were upended by the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had to tell EMS they had no ventilators .
EMS said they had nowhere else to go .
The patient died .
On March 26 , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo approved ventilator splitting , in which hospitals could use a single machine to treat two patients .
But the idea is controversial and was condemned by several medical associations , calling the practice unsafe “ because it can not be done safely with current equipment.
” The Trump administration , in an open letter Tuesday , called for hospitals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should only be considered “ as an absolute last result.
” New York City Health and Hospitals , which runs the city ’ s public hospitals , said it is not going to implement ventilator splitting .
`` We are not implementing ventilation triage .
Our commitment is to ensure every patient is treated individually and receives the care they need , ” spokesperson Christopher Miller told BuzzFeed News .
For doctors , the burden friends and family take on amid the crisis does not go unnoticed , some of whom unknowingly say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they bring them into the hospital .
On March 18 , the city suspended all hospital visiting hours except to those who are medically essential to the patient ’ s care or visiting a woman in labor or someone in an imminent end-of-life situation .
“ You know what ’ s sad too from a provider 's standpoint ?
You know what it is to bring — let ’ s say — your mom , your wife , your husband , a significant other to the ER , as soon as we take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t come in.
’ We come back , maybe two hours later to say they ’ re not doing well , we have to intubate them .
And then maybe two , three weeks later [ we ] tell [ them ] they died and they did not see their family through that whole time because they can ’ t come in .
”

WASHINGTON — At the top of the list for ventilators: patients with just one failing organ. And then there are the others. Doctors with patients who are unresponsive to standard measures, have severe burns, have irreversible low blood pressure, or any other condition that would result in immediate mortality are instructed not to put them on ventilators during the coronavirus pandemic.
As the coronavirus wreaks havoc across the nation, doctors who shoulder much of the crisis are left with devastating life or death decisions.
BuzzFeed News reviewed documents from a New York City public hospital in line with previous reporting from the New York Times that lay out “policy enhancements” for doctors at hospitals across the nation on how to prioritize helping patients who are sick because of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, as medical supplies run low. At least one New York City public hospital sent specific guidelines for doctors on who should receive ventilators in light of the shortages — a harrowing task left to physicians on the front lines.
“I watched like three people die on Saturday — nothing we can do. Zero. You feel defeated,” one city doctor who works at a public hospital with similar guidelines told BuzzFeed News. “You feel drained.”
The doctor asked to remain anonymous, as they were afraid of losing their job should they be identified.
“There’s a list about six [types of] patients that do not get put on a vent. ‘It makes no sense, they’re going to die soon anyway, so let them die’ — like that’s the crazy thought process. This shit hurts,” they said.
During the coronavirus crisis, the steady tone of a heart monitor that signals health officials need to intervene immediately might go unanswered. Somehow that sound, which most of us recognize only from episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, is now the backdrop for health care officials navigating a hospital’s intensive care unit.
“Normally in the real world, you never let that happen so you never really see that. That’s how it was on Saturday. You saw the heart rate go down, the blood pressure go down, the oxygen go down and then everything just flatlines and stops. Literally, we looked at each other and said ‘what else can we do? Nothing,’” the doctor recalled.
“And then guess what? We’re so morbid. We’re so jaded. Guess what’s the first thing we think of [when a patient dies]? ‘Oh shit, we got a new ventilator, let’s get somebody on the ventilator!’”
Doctors, like the one interviewed by BuzzFeed News, are having to reckon with their decisions. Many times that reality only hits at home, when they’re alone, many of them quarantining from the rest of their family members. “When I went home, I was like, what the fuck? I ordered another patient to go on a ventilator when a man just died!”
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. ... Never.”
New York City has become the epicenter of the pandemic. According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, there are 92,743 cases in New York state and 2,473 deaths at the time of this post, with many of them coming from New York City. The crisis is taking a toll on the city’s health care system, especially as it relates to ventilators and protective equipment for health care professionals. Ventilators, the doctor explained, are the safest way to assist patients with COVID-19, as other treatments create more aerosols and could contaminate the hospital.
“It’s scary and it’s tough,” the doctor said. “I think what’s scary is that the resources are missing. This is the richest country in the world and they’re out here talking about recycling masks. ... Now we’re using the same one all day. We’re using the same gown all day. You don’t really have the time to change, you’re just running from one patient to the next, one patient to the next, one patient to the next.”
And then there’s the pace at which the disease ravages each victim.
“Literally, I went out to the visiting area — because visitors aren’t allowed — to talk to the daughter. [The] mom is doing fine, her numbers are OK, we’re just going to watch her and we’re going to see,” they said. Within six minutes of the update, the doctor had to provide another update: “I had to intubate your mother.”
It’s “that fast. That fast,” thye said.
It happened a second time, to a different patient, on the same day.
“I go out to tell the husband ‘OK, everything looks good.’ I go back in, oxygen levels drop, we have to intubate her. ... The crazy thing is how fast people go down and die. Literally, like you walk out and go to the bathroom and pee and come back and you’re running around and your patient is dying.”
“The other day I felt defeated. The patient came in on a code. We looked at each other. The patient had to die. There was nothing we could do.” Any feelings of guilt were upended by the next patient to come through the doors when they had to tell EMS they had no ventilators. EMS said they had nowhere else to go. The patient died.
On March 26, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved ventilator splitting, in which hospitals could use a single machine to treat two patients. But the idea is controversial and was condemned by several medical associations, calling the practice unsafe “because it cannot be done safely with current equipment.” The Trump administration, in an open letter Tuesday, called for hospitals to share ventilators with guidelines that the method should only be considered “as an absolute last result.”
New York City Health and Hospitals, which runs the city’s public hospitals, said it is not going to implement ventilator splitting. "We are not implementing ventilation triage. Our commitment is to ensure every patient is treated individually and receives the care they need,” spokesperson Christopher Miller told BuzzFeed News.
For doctors, the burden friends and family take on amid the crisis does not go unnoticed, some of whom unknowingly say goodbye to their loved ones the minute they bring them into the hospital. On March 18, the city suspended all hospital visiting hours except to those who are medically essential to the patient’s care or visiting a woman in labor or someone in an imminent end-of-life situation.
“You know what’s sad too from a provider's standpoint? You know what it is to bring — let’s say — your mom, your wife, your husband, a significant other to the ER, as soon as we take them we say, ‘you can’t come in.’ We come back, maybe two hours later to say they’re not doing well, we have to intubate them. And then maybe two, three weeks later [we] tell [them] they died and they did not see their family through that whole time because they can’t come in.”
“I mean, it’s like a Twilight Zone movie.”


buzzfeednews--2020-03-19--Hairstylists And Barbers Are Grappling With Whether To Stop Cutting Hair During The Coronavirus Outb

Hairstylists And Barbers Are Grappling With Whether To Stop Cutting Hair During The Coronavirus Outbreak

`` We can ’ t practice social distancing when we do hair , '' Marsden , a hairstylist in Irvine , California , told BuzzFeed News .
`` It just is n't possible . ''
Even though local health officials had n't mandated any restrictions on hair salons , that nagging feeling that Marsden needed to do more to protect herself and her clients — and help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus — had grown to outweigh her concerns about being able to financially support her family .
Joanne Marsden knew Tuesday would be her last day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter Outbreak Today .
Coronavirus In The Workplace : BuzzFeed News looks at how companies and employees are handling the coronavirus pandemic .
Hairstylists and salon owners who spoke to BuzzFeed News described how difficult it has been for them and others in the industry to decide whether to stay open .
Some are choosing to continue operating until their state or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and doing what they can to maintain a clean workplace .
Others have chosen to shut down now out of concern that they could be contributing to the spread of the disease .
`` Our industry in general has felt a little bit left out because we are n't getting mandates from government — state or federal officials , '' said April Markley , 39 , a hairstylist in Denver .
`` We have n't been given specific instructions to close , but , I mean , from what everyone ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ] , like , prime spreadable areas . ''
As officials across the US order restrictions on bars , restaurants , gyms , and other businesses to stifle the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , hairstylists and barbers in many cases are having to decide for themselves whether to continue operating their businesses .
For those that close , it 's a decision that will cut off their only source of income for what could be weeks or months to come .
`` As [ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ’ re working , '' said Russell Cordeiro , a hairstylist and barber at Art + Autonomy SoHo Salon in New York City .
`` There is no such thing as sick days .
There is no such thing as vacation days . ''
Cordeiro said that initially his salon was waiting for the government to mandate they close — New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has not specifically ordered hair or nail establishments to cease operations .
But on Monday , the owners and stylists collectively decided to close the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The idea was ... let 's squeeze in as much as we can before they made an announcement , but I feel like the moral aspect came into play before that , '' he said .
As of Thursday , more than 11,000 people in the US have tested positive for COVID-19 , and more than 100 people have died .
Experts believe the number of people infected is likely much higher due to a lack of sufficient testing .
To help stymie the spread of the disease , local , state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others outside of their household and working from home if possible .
Still , some salon owners are continuing to cut and style clients ' hair because of financial concerns or out of the belief that closing is n't necessary to protect public health until their local government orders it .
`` People are still going to the grocery store .
You ca n't disinfect everything that 's there .
They 're still allowing restaurants to service the public only through delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread , '' said hairstylist Selima Peterson , who owns a salon in New Haven , Connecticut .
Peterson said if her county health department orders her to close , she will .
Until then , she is continuing to see clients , spacing out their appointments so they do n't overlap , and disinfecting all equipment and physical spaces after each visit .
`` Rain , sleet , snow — we are out working , '' she said .
`` This virus is not going to stop me , and if my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be there . ''
After Peterson spoke with BuzzFeed News Thursday morning , Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont signed an executive order mandating that hair salons , tattoo parlors , and other cosmetic businesses in the state cease operations .
Peterson said she would abide by the order .
In the San Francisco Bay Area , health officials took the drastic step Monday of ordering all residents to shelter in place for at least three weeks and mandating the closure of all nonessential businesses — including beauty salons .
It was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her business , House of Colours , in San Jose on Monday , though she said she probably would have shut down anyway .
`` Eventually I probably would have because the numbers are just freaking skyrocketing , '' Kan , 29 , told BuzzFeed News .
In the meantime , Kan said , she has some money saved to help her get by for a little while , and her landlord gave her an extension to pay the salon 's April rent .
But she is n't sure how long she 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if she 's unable to work for a longer period of time .
Like several other stylists who spoke with BuzzFeed News , Kan is an independent contractor and is n't currently eligible for unemployment benefits .
`` Financially , I mean , I 'm definitely going to get a really big hit , '' she said .

"As [a] hairstylist/barber, you only make money if you’re working," said Russell Cordeiro, a hairstylist and barber at Art + Autonomy SoHo Salon in New York City. "There is no such thing as sick days. There is no such thing as vacation days."
Cordeiro said that initially his salon was waiting for the government to mandate they close — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not specifically ordered hair or nail establishments to cease operations. But on Monday, the owners and stylists collectively decided to close the shop on a week-to-week basis.
"The idea was ... let's squeeze in as much as we can before they made an announcement, but I feel like the moral aspect came into play before that," he said.
As of Thursday, more than 11,000 people in the US have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 100 people have died. Experts believe the number of people infected is likely much higher due to a lack of sufficient testing.
To help stymie the spread of the disease, local, state, and federal officials are urging people to practice social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others outside of their household and working from home if possible.
Still, some salon owners are continuing to cut and style clients' hair because of financial concerns or out of the belief that closing isn't necessary to protect public health until their local government orders it.
"People are still going to the grocery store. You can't disinfect everything that's there. They're still allowing restaurants to service the public only through delivery and takeout. It still can be spread," said hairstylist Selima Peterson, who owns a salon in New Haven, Connecticut.
Peterson said if her county health department orders her to close, she will. Until then, she is continuing to see clients, spacing out their appointments so they don't overlap, and disinfecting all equipment and physical spaces after each visit.
"Rain, sleet, snow — we are out working," she said. "This virus is not going to stop me, and if my clients need me, I'm going to be there."
After Peterson spoke with BuzzFeed News Thursday morning, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order mandating that hair salons, tattoo parlors, and other cosmetic businesses in the state cease operations. Peterson said she would abide by the order.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, health officials took the drastic step Monday of ordering all residents to shelter in place for at least three weeks and mandating the closure of all nonessential businesses — including beauty salons.
It was that order that forced Caroline Kan to close her business, House of Colours, in San Jose on Monday, though she said she probably would have shut down anyway.
"Eventually I probably would have because the numbers are just freaking skyrocketing," Kan, 29, told BuzzFeed News.
In the meantime, Kan said, she has some money saved to help her get by for a little while, and her landlord gave her an extension to pay the salon's April rent. But she isn't sure how long she'll be able to keep her business afloat if she's unable to work for a longer period of time.
Like several other stylists who spoke with BuzzFeed News, Kan is an independent contractor and isn't currently eligible for unemployment benefits.
"Financially, I mean, I'm definitely going to get a really big hit," she said.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-30--Sen. Kamala Harris Is Introducing A Bill To Address The Racial Disparity In Coronavirus Cases And De

Sen. Kamala Harris Is Introducing A Bill To Address The Racial Disparity In Coronavirus Cases And Deaths

BuzzFeed News has reporters across five continents bringing you trustworthy stories about the impact of the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
WASHINGTON — Sen. Kamala Harris will introduce , on Monday , legislation to create a task force to address the racial disparity plaguing communities of color amid the coronavirus global pandemic .
The COVID-19 Racial Disparities Task Force Act , which BuzzFeed News received in advance , would require the director of Secretary of Health and Human Services , Alex Azar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts and community leaders to gather data and provide recommendations on the coronavirus response in communities of color who have been disproportionately affected by the disease .
Harris ’ s proposal comes after BuzzFeed News reported that the coronavirus has killed black Americans at outsize rates throughout the US .
Insufficient housing , high-risk jobs , and poor health — all a result of longstanding inequalities — contribute to the disparity , experts say .
In New York City , which has become the epicenter of the global pandemic , black and Hispanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths in , according to state data .
The disparity also exists in other metropolitan areas , including in Chicago , Milwaukee , and Louisiana .
“ The disproportionate impact is no doubt a reflection of persistent income disparities , lower access to health care , and generations of environmental injustice that make communities of color more vulnerable to the virus , ” Harris told BuzzFeed News in a statement .
The task force would provide weekly reports to Congress and the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) on the distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color including ventilators , personal protection equipment , testing supplies , and vaccines .
The task force would also advise federal agencies on disbursing money from the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( CARES ) Act , which includes funding for small businesses and education grants for states .
Sens .
Cory Booker , Michael Bennet , Bernie Sanders , Sheldon Whitehouse , Sherrod Brown , and Tina Smith will sponsor the bill .
`` Early reports overwhelmingly show that COVID-19 is disproportionately infecting and killing minorities across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And sadly — but not surprisingly — what we ’ re seeing reflects long-standing inequities in our health care and economic systems.
” Harris ’ s bill also calls on the CDC to publish more detailed race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 as it relates to hospitalizations , ventilation , and mortality rates .
The CDC agreed to publish race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 cases , after members of Congress , across both parties , sent letters asking them to do so , but has subsequently released incomplete statistics .
The task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local and federal governments who disagree on how to distribute pandemic funding .
On Monday , a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration could not give relief funds to for-profit native corporations that were meant to help tribal communities .
Rep. Robin Kelly , who represents parts of Chicago , is introducing the same legislation in the House .
“ It ’ s critical that we examine these disparities at the highest possible levels of our government and develop solutions to address , reduce , and end them , ” Kelly told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fundamentally , we need this analysis to give us hard , in-your-face proof of what we ’ ve known for generations to drive policy change.
” The Senate is scheduled to return to session on May 4 .
The House had planned to return to Washington as well , but reversed course on Tuesday and postponed resuming regularly scheduled congressional workdays so it ’ s unclear when the bill would be considered .
“ These inequities will be exacerbated if the federal government fails to provide a tailored response to the unique needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON — Sen. Kamala Harris will introduce, on Monday, legislation to create a task force to address the racial disparity plaguing communities of color amid the coronavirus global pandemic.
The COVID-19 Racial Disparities Task Force Act, which BuzzFeed News received in advance, would require the director of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, to create a panel of health care experts and community leaders to gather data and provide recommendations on the coronavirus response in communities of color who have been disproportionately affected by the disease.
Harris’s proposal comes after BuzzFeed News reported that the coronavirus has killed black Americans at outsize rates throughout the US. Insufficient housing, high-risk jobs, and poor health — all a result of longstanding inequalities — contribute to the disparity, experts say.
In New York City, which has become the epicenter of the global pandemic, black and Hispanic people account for more than 60% of deaths in, according to state data. The disparity also exists in other metropolitan areas, including in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Louisiana.
“The disproportionate impact is no doubt a reflection of persistent income disparities, lower access to health care, and generations of environmental injustice that make communities of color more vulnerable to the virus,” Harris told BuzzFeed News in a statement.
The task force would provide weekly reports to Congress and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the distribution of COVID-19 resources throughout the hardest-hit communities of color including ventilators, personal protection equipment, testing supplies, and vaccines.
The task force would also advise federal agencies on disbursing money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes funding for small businesses and education grants for states.
Sens. Cory Booker, Michael Bennet, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse, Sherrod Brown, and Tina Smith will sponsor the bill.
"Early reports overwhelmingly show that COVID-19 is disproportionately infecting and killing minorities across the nation,” Harris said. “And sadly — but not surprisingly — what we’re seeing reflects long-standing inequities in our health care and economic systems.”
Harris’s bill also calls on the CDC to publish more detailed race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 as it relates to hospitalizations, ventilation, and mortality rates.
The CDC agreed to publish race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 cases, after members of Congress, across both parties, sent letters asking them to do so, but has subsequently released incomplete statistics.
The task force could help to settle disputes between local and federal governments who disagree on how to distribute pandemic funding. On Monday, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration could not give relief funds to for-profit native corporations that were meant to help tribal communities.
Rep. Robin Kelly, who represents parts of Chicago, is introducing the same legislation in the House.
“It’s critical that we examine these disparities at the highest possible levels of our government and develop solutions to address, reduce, and end them,” Kelly told BuzzFeed News in a statement. “Fundamentally, we need this analysis to give us hard, in-your-face proof of what we’ve known for generations to drive policy change.”
The Senate is scheduled to return to session on May 4. The House had planned to return to Washington as well, but reversed course on Tuesday and postponed resuming regularly scheduled congressional workdays so it’s unclear when the bill would be considered.
“These inequities will be exacerbated if the federal government fails to provide a tailored response to the unique needs of these communities,” said Harris.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-30--Two Men In One Family Died Of The Coronavirus. Their Struggles To Get Tested Were A Nightmare.

The Fowler family 's experience has driven home just how much black people are being affected by the coronavirus outbreak .
The first time Gary Fowler went to the hospital with coronavirus symptoms , he was denied a test .
He went down his list of symptoms and told employees at Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe , Detroit , that his 76-year-old dad , David , was currently on a ventilator with COVID-19 at Henry Ford Hospital 12 miles away .
Still , staff told Gary , 56 , he did n't fit the criteria to get tested .
Five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get tested at Detroit Receiving Hospital and was asked to go to Henry Ford instead .
At Henry Ford , they took down his symptoms but still didn ’ t test him .
Instead , he was instructed him to act as if he was infected : rest , self-isolate , and take Tylenol for his fever .
He didn ’ t get any better .
Days later on April 6 , close to midnight , David died from COVID-19 .
At 6:30 a.m. the next morning , Gary died at home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ told BuzzFeed News that the hospital has closely followed CDC guidelines on testing priority , `` whereby patients who are currently admitted and health care workers experiencing symptoms are among those receiving top priority for testing . ''
But Gary 's son , Keith Gambrell , said his dad , a diabetic who was showing COVID-19 symptoms , should have been considered a priority .
`` It 's like a slap and a spit in the face .
My dad should have been tested , ” Gambrell told BuzzFeed News .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of a priority since he 's a high-risk candidate to be dead from this virus .
But they just pushed him out the door , like he was n't shit . ''
Public health experts have said that testing does not usually change the course of treatment for a patient with mild symptoms .
But had his dad been tested instead of being turned away repeatedly , Gambrell believes he might have been a higher priority in the hospital system with a positive diagnosis and perhaps would have survived .
The day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was already having shortness of breath , had a fever of 102 in the evening .
Gambrell rushed her to Beaumont in Grosse Pointe .
Her temperature had reached 103 .
Gambrell said the hospital told Cheryl , 55 , they couldn ’ t admit her and advised her to isolate at home and take Tylenol for her fever — the same thing his dad was told at Henry Ford Hospital the week before he died .
On top of grieving for the two men , the family has struggled to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Lack of testing has been a longstanding issue in the US , but as black Americans , the Fowlers have also had to navigate a system in which their pain and distress aren ’ t always taken seriously — a system where implicit biases carry life-and-death consequences .
“ Basically , they sent her home to die , ” Gambrell said about his mom being denied testing and care .
So he brought his mom to Henry Ford , where they tested her for the coronavirus .
Three hours later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not respond to a request for comment .
But Gambrell believes that if they had taken the advice from that hospital to go home , his mom wouldn ’ t be alive today .
“ I was not going to give up on her .
I was going to find a hospital , I was going to cause a scene , get arrested — whatever it took to get my mom admitted to a hospital , ” he said .
Henry Ford released Cheryl after a few days .
Then , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been her and Gary 's 25th anniversary , she was rushed back to the hospital .
Doctors found blood clots in her lungs the next day .
The rest of the Fowler family has since gotten tested .
Thanks to a referral from their cousin Karen Whitsett , a Michigan state representative who herself has recovered from COVID-19 , Gambrell , his son , his son ’ s mother , his brothers Troy and Ross Fowler , his sister Paris McCray , and his niece Logan all received tests .
A day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 symptoms and went to Henry Ford .
Gambrell said the doctors performed a CT scan and an X-ray on Ross , then told him there ’ s “ no trace of the virus ” in his system , but that he likely has pneumonia .
They sent him home with the now-familiar orders to self-isolate and take Tylenol .
Five days later , the family got their test results back — Ross , Troy , and Gambrell had tested positive for the virus .
They were glad they had confirmation now but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Ross they found no trace of the coronavirus in his body .
“ Henry Ford straight up said he didn ’ t have it and sent him home , ” said Gambrell .
The American College of Radiology has cautioned that X-rays and CT scans alone can not diagnose COVID-19 .
Ross and Cheryl are now in recovery and doing much better , according to the family .
But Gambrell said he catches his mom crying over Gary and her father-in-law .
The family is `` heartbroken '' over the sudden deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have started a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses .
`` It 's like a nightmare .
I wake up and still think my dad and granddad are here , '' Gambrell said .
The Fowlers ’ experience with the health care system has been frustrating and confounding — and illustrative of the experiences among many black Americans who are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus but still lack access to testing .
Michigan has particularly striking coronavirus statistics .
State data shows that black residents make up 32 % of confirmed COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite being only 14.1 % of the state population .
The racial disparity in coronavirus cases has been especially notable in Detroit , where the health care system has been strained to its limit and many health care workers have contracted the virus .
Gambrell said he did not expect it to be so hard for his family to seek care , but their experience has driven home just how much black people are bearing the brunt of a catastrophe the government was unprepared for .
`` I 'm pretty sure they been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the black community like this .
So why weren ’ t we better prepared as a country ? ''
he said .
`` Just seeing it affect us is crazy .
It 's mind-blowing .
But I kinda know why — we ’ re being pushed home to die . ''

Henry Ford Health System spokesperson Brenda Craig told BuzzFeed News that the hospital has closely followed CDC guidelines on testing priority, "whereby patients who are currently admitted and health care workers experiencing symptoms are among those receiving top priority for testing."
But Gary's son, Keith Gambrell, said his dad, a diabetic who was showing COVID-19 symptoms, should have been considered a priority.
"It's like a slap and a spit in the face. My dad should have been tested,” Gambrell told BuzzFeed News. "I just feel like he should have been more of a priority since he's a high-risk candidate to be dead from this virus. But they just pushed him out the door, like he wasn't shit."
Public health experts have said that testing does not usually change the course of treatment for a patient with mild symptoms. But had his dad been tested instead of being turned away repeatedly, Gambrell believes he might have been a higher priority in the hospital system with a positive diagnosis and perhaps would have survived.
The day Gary died, his wife Cheryl, who was already having shortness of breath, had a fever of 102 in the evening. Gambrell rushed her to Beaumont in Grosse Pointe. Her temperature had reached 103. Gambrell said the hospital told Cheryl, 55, they couldn’t admit her and advised her to isolate at home and take Tylenol for her fever — the same thing his dad was told at Henry Ford Hospital the week before he died.
On top of grieving for the two men, the family has struggled to get their sick family members tested for the coronavirus. Lack of testing has been a longstanding issue in the US, but as black Americans, the Fowlers have also had to navigate a system in which their pain and distress aren’t always taken seriously — a system where implicit biases carry life-and-death consequences.
“Basically, they sent her home to die,” Gambrell said about his mom being denied testing and care. So he brought his mom to Henry Ford, where they tested her for the coronavirus. Three hours later, it came back positive.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-14--Amazon Fired An Employee Involved In Workplace Organizing In Minnesota, Sources Say

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
As the coronavirus pandemic puts a spotlight on working conditions inside Amazon warehouses , the company fired at least one warehouse employee in Minnesota last week who was involved in labor organizing at one of its fulfillment centers there , according to two workers and other sources .
The fired worker , Bashir Mohamed , said that in addition to organizing workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had begun pushing for more rigorous cleaning and other measures to protect against the transmission of the coronavirus .
Mohamed , who worked at the warehouse for three years , said he believes that his workplace advocacy is why he was fired .
Amazon , however , told him that he was terminated because he refused to speak to his supervisor .
Mohamed did not deny that allegation , although he accused his supervisor of treating him unfairly .
A second employee at the Minnesota Amazon facility also told BuzzFeed News that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with walkouts and production slowdowns over the last year , in some cases by selectively reprimanding them for failing to comply with social distancing protocols at work during the pandemic .
That worker , who was also involved in organizing , said he was written up for such an infraction last week .
He did not deny violating the social distance rules but said crowded warehouses make it hard to avoid .
He said he fears he may also soon be fired .
Regarding Mohamed 's firing , an Amazon spokesperson said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest and recognize their legal right to do so ; however , these rights do not provide blanket immunity against bad actions , particularly those that endanger the health , well-being or safety of their colleagues .
This individual was terminated as a result of progressive disciplinary action for inappropriate language , behavior , and violating social distancing guidelines.
” The move comes just two weeks after the company came under fire for terminating New York–based worker Chris Smalls , who was involved with a walkout at a Staten Island warehouse to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
When Smalls was fired , Amazon said he had violated its policies by entering the fulfillment center , despite being placed in quarantine by the company due to potential exposure to the coronavirus .
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio both called for investigations into Smalls ' termination last month .
If you 're someone who is seeing the impact of the coronavirus firsthand , we ’ d like to hear from you .
Reach out to us via one of our tip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa , two Seattle-based employees who were leaders of the Amazon Employees for Climate Justice group , the Washington Post first reported late Tuesday .
Both had also been outspoken supporters for safer conditions for Amazon warehouse workers , most recently during the coronavirus pandemic .
Regarding Cunningham and Costa , Amazon said , “ We support every employee ’ s right to criticize their employer ’ s working conditions , but that does not come with blanket immunity against any and all internal policies .
We terminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

As the coronavirus pandemic puts a spotlight on working conditions inside Amazon warehouses, the company fired at least one warehouse employee in Minnesota last week who was involved in labor organizing at one of its fulfillment centers there, according to two workers and other sources.
The fired worker, Bashir Mohamed, said that in addition to organizing workers to advocate for better working conditions, he had begun pushing for more rigorous cleaning and other measures to protect against the transmission of the coronavirus. Mohamed, who worked at the warehouse for three years, said he believes that his workplace advocacy is why he was fired.
Amazon, however, told him that he was terminated because he refused to speak to his supervisor. Mohamed did not deny that allegation, although he accused his supervisor of treating him unfairly.
A second employee at the Minnesota Amazon facility also told BuzzFeed News that he believed Amazon was targeting workers involved with walkouts and production slowdowns over the last year, in some cases by selectively reprimanding them for failing to comply with social distancing protocols at work during the pandemic. That worker, who was also involved in organizing, said he was written up for such an infraction last week.
He did not deny violating the social distance rules but said crowded warehouses make it hard to avoid. He said he fears he may also soon be fired.
Regarding Mohamed's firing, an Amazon spokesperson said, “We respect the rights of employees to protest and recognize their legal right to do so; however, these rights do not provide blanket immunity against bad actions, particularly those that endanger the health, well-being or safety of their colleagues. This individual was terminated as a result of progressive disciplinary action for inappropriate language, behavior, and violating social distancing guidelines.”
The move comes just two weeks after the company came under fire for terminating New York–based worker Chris Smalls, who was involved with a walkout at a Staten Island warehouse to protest alleged unsafe working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.
When Smalls was fired, Amazon said he had violated its policies by entering the fulfillment center, despite being placed in quarantine by the company due to potential exposure to the coronavirus. New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio both called for investigations into Smalls' termination last month.
If you're someone who is seeing the impact of the coronavirus firsthand, we’d like to hear from you. Reach out to us via one of our tip line channels.
Amazon last week also fired Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, two Seattle-based employees who were leaders of the Amazon Employees for Climate Justice group, the Washington Post first reported late Tuesday. Both had also been outspoken supporters for safer conditions for Amazon warehouse workers, most recently during the coronavirus pandemic.
Regarding Cunningham and Costa, Amazon said, “We support every employee’s right to criticize their employer’s working conditions, but that does not come with blanket immunity against any and all internal policies. We terminated these employees for repeatedly violating internal policies.”


buzzfeednews--2020-04-20--These 4 States Are Reopening Businesses Over The Next Two Weeks As The Coronavirus Pandemic Continue

These 4 States Are Reopening Businesses Over The Next Two Weeks As The Coronavirus Pandemic Continues

Governors in several states said they 're eager to restart their local economies , even as new cases of COVID-19 are reported .
Gov .
Brian Kemp announced Monday that gyms , hair salons , and other businesses can reopen Friday in Georgia — one of several states easing restrictions over the next two weeks after being shut down to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Citing increased testing and the approval of health officials , Kemp said gyms , fitness centers , bowling alleys , body art studios , barbershops , hair salons , and other beauty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they adhere to social distancing guidelines and meet other safety standards .
Dine-in restaurants , theaters , and private social clubs will be allowed to reopen starting Monday .
`` I see the terrible impact of COVID-19 on public health as well as the pocketbook , '' Kemp said during a press briefing .
Still , he said that it will not be `` business as usual '' for those businesses that are allowed to resume operations in the coming days .
Employers will have to screen workers for fever and respiratory symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 6 feet , and , `` if appropriate , '' require staff to wear gloves and masks , Kemp said .
He added that bars , nightclubs , amusement parks , and live performance venues will remain closed , though state officials will continue to evaluate case data and confer with public health experts to determine the best plan for those establishments .
`` By taking this measured action , we will get Georgians back to work safely without undermining the progress that we have all made in the battle against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision comes days after President Trump unveiled guidelines for how states can start to reopen in phases , provided testing shows that new cases of COVID-19 are down .
In addition to Georgia , the governors of Texas , Tennessee , and South Carolina have also announced plans to allow some businesses to open their doors in the next couple weeks .
On Monday , Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee said he would not be extending the state 's stay-at-home order , which expires April 30 , and that some businesses will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
The vast majority of businesses in 89 counties will be permitted to resume operations on May 1 , Lee said .
`` For the good of our state , social distancing must continue , but our economic shutdown can not , '' Lee said .
In South Carolina , Gov .
Henry McMaster issued an executive order to reopen public beaches and allow some retail businesses — such as furniture stores , florists , flea markets , and department stores — to reopen beginning Monday as long as they follow social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of customers inside to five people per 1,000 square feet of retail space .
And last week , Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott announced plans to allow some retail businesses to reopen this Friday , though he said schools would stay closed for the rest of the academic year .
`` We have demonstrated that we can corral the coronavirus , '' Abbott said , according to the Texas Tribune .
But even as the governors said they were following the White House criteria in making their decision to proceed with a phased-reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually seeing a declining trajectory of new cases of COVID-19 , even though social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders have helped flatten the curve .
Under the president 's guidelines , states should also see a decline in reports of symptoms that might represent undiagnosed COVID-19 for 14 days , and hospitals should have enough capacity to handle cases without operating in crisis mode as well as a “ robust testing program ” for health care workers .
In Georgia , other leaders questioned Kemp ’ s decision to reopen some businesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
`` I am extremely concerned about the announcement the governor made , ” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in an interview with ABC News .
“ I hope that he 's right and I 'm wrong because if he 's wrong then more people will die . ''
Stacey Abrams , a former state representative who ran against Kemp for governor in 2018 as the Democratic nominee , called the decision to reopen `` dangerously incompetent '' on Twitter .
Still , governors said the data they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on track to meet the criteria to begin reopening their states .
`` For 17 consecutive days in Tennessee , we have seen only single-digit percentage increases in the number of cases in our state , '' Lee said .
He added that the state 's hospitalization rate has consistently been lower than national averages , and as of Monday , the number of people who have recovered from COVID-19 in Tennessee was higher than the number of active cases .
`` It ’ s a very encouraging slow to the movement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee said .
Even as some parts of these states begin to resume operations , officials said it will remain critical that residents continue to follow social distancing protocols — even though they may no longer be required to stay home all the time .
`` The mandate to stay apart — the personal mandate — it will be lifted as a mandate , but it will not be lifted as something that is necessary , '' Lee said .

Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday that gyms, hair salons, and other businesses can reopen Friday in Georgia — one of several states easing restrictions over the next two weeks after being shut down to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Citing increased testing and the approval of health officials, Kemp said gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbershops, hair salons, and other beauty parlors can resume operations as long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines and meet other safety standards. Dine-in restaurants, theaters, and private social clubs will be allowed to reopen starting Monday.
"I see the terrible impact of COVID-19 on public health as well as the pocketbook," Kemp said during a press briefing.
Still, he said that it will not be "business as usual" for those businesses that are allowed to resume operations in the coming days. Employers will have to screen workers for fever and respiratory symptoms, increase sanitation, separate workstations by at least 6 feet, and, "if appropriate," require staff to wear gloves and masks, Kemp said.
He added that bars, nightclubs, amusement parks, and live performance venues will remain closed, though state officials will continue to evaluate case data and confer with public health experts to determine the best plan for those establishments.
"By taking this measured action, we will get Georgians back to work safely without undermining the progress that we have all made in the battle against COVID-19," Kemp said.


buzzfeednews--2020-03-27--The $2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid Bill Has Passed The House And Been Signed Into Law

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi talks with reporters as she arrives at the Capitol on March 27 .
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`` I came here to make sure our republic does n't die by unanimous consent in an empty chamber , and I request a recorded vote , '' Massie said on the House floor .
The House had passed the bill by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan that would have allowed members to stay home .
However , Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie , who opposed the bill , attempted to force a full recorded vote .
President Trump signed the bill into law at a White House ceremony at around 5 p.m. Friday .
The House of Representatives passed a historic $ 2 trillion coronavirus aid bill Friday afternoon , approving hundreds of billions in support to businesses and $ 1,200 cash payments to most people who live in the US .
For his plan to work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House — at least 216 members — were not present .
But hundreds of members had already traveled from across the country to the Capitol to block his procedural move .
They gathered into the House chamber keeping as much distance between themselves as possible .
With a majority of members present , Massie 's attempt failed .
The bill was passed through the House on a voice vote .
The Senate previously passed the aid package Wednesday 96–0 .
Massie tweeted that party leaders were blocking a recorded vote `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACCOUNTABILITY . ''
He took heat from members of both parties , and President Trump went on Twitter to denounce Massie as “ a third rate Grandstander ” and “ a disaster for America.
” Trump called for Massie to be kicked out of the Republican Party .
The bill authorizes direct payments of $ 1,200 to every US resident with a Social Security number who makes up to $ 75,000 per year .
Those who make more than that will see smaller checks , and the payments are phased out entirely for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also give $ 500 for every child in the household .
Other provisions include $ 500 billion in loans to distressed businesses , $ 350 billion for small businesses to retain employees , $ 100 billion for hospitals , and $ 600 per week in unemployment insurance for laid-off workers , on top of state benefits , for up to four months .
Party leaders celebrated passing the legislation but simultaneously said they expect more aid will be needed as a nationwide shutdown continues for an unknown amount of time .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until April 20 .
Other key parts of the bill include : • A tax credit of up to $ 10,000 for wages paid by businesses hit hard by the coronavirus , to incentivize keeping staff on the payroll • None More than $ 3 billion in emergency funding for childcare • None Funding for states to immediately begin paying out unemployment benefits when someone is laid off • None Allowing employers ( but not employees ) to defer paying their share of Social Security tax on wages ; that tax would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years • None $ 16 billion to acquire ventilators and other medical equipment • None $ 4 billion for homeless assistance ( although SNAP , the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps , was not expanded in the bill )

For his plan to work, Massie needed to show that a majority of the House — at least 216 members — were not present. But hundreds of members had already traveled from across the country to the Capitol to block his procedural move. They gathered into the House chamber keeping as much distance between themselves as possible.
With a majority of members present, Massie's attempt failed. The bill was passed through the House on a voice vote. The Senate previously passed the aid package Wednesday 96–0.
Massie tweeted that party leaders were blocking a recorded vote "just to insulate members of Congress from ACCOUNTABILITY." He took heat from members of both parties, and President Trump went on Twitter to denounce Massie as “a third rate Grandstander” and “a disaster for America.” Trump called for Massie to be kicked out of the Republican Party.
The bill authorizes direct payments of $1,200 to every US resident with a Social Security number who makes up to $75,000 per year. Those who make more than that will see smaller checks, and the payments are phased out entirely for incomes over $99,000. The government will also give $500 for every child in the household.
Other provisions include $500 billion in loans to distressed businesses, $350 billion for small businesses to retain employees, $100 billion for hospitals, and $600 per week in unemployment insurance for laid-off workers, on top of state benefits, for up to four months.
Party leaders celebrated passing the legislation but simultaneously said they expect more aid will be needed as a nationwide shutdown continues for an unknown amount of time. The Senate is scheduled to be in recess until April 20.
Other key parts of the bill include:


buzzfeednews--2020-04-16--If You Interacted With A Coronavirus Hoax On Facebook, You'll Soon Get An Alert

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Facebook will alert people who have liked , shared , reacted to , or commented on harmful misinformation about the coronavirus on its platform over the next few weeks , the company announced on Thursday .
Facebook users who have interacted with misinformation that the company has removed from its platform will receive messages in their News Feed that will direct them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization and other credible information .
“ We want to connect people who may have interacted with harmful misinformation about the virus from authoritative sources in case they see or hear these claims again off of Facebook , ” wrote Guy Rosen , the company ’ s vice president for integrity , in a blog post .
Facebook , however , will not tell users what piece of misinformation they interacted with or what was wrong with it .
Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company had removed hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus that fact-checkers had declared misinformation , including myths and hoaxes that said drinking bleach could help prevent COVID-19 or that social distancing was ineffective .
`` If a piece of content contains harmful misinformation that could lead to imminent physical harm , then we 'll take it down , '' he wrote in a post .
Facebook has also added a new section that includes fact-checked articles from the company ’ s fact-checking partners that are currently available for people in the US .
In addition , the company released some new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus in its blog post .
The company said it displayed warnings on 40 million COVID-19-related posts in March based on 4,000 articles by its fact-checking partners .
“ When people saw those warning labels , 95 % of the time they did not go on to view the original content , ” Rosen wrote .
Social media companies have struggled to combat misinformation about the coronavirus ever since the outbreak began .
Hoaxes and myths claiming to cure the coronavirus and blaming religious minorities for spreading the disease have thrived on platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the last few months .
Earlier this month , WhatsApp , the popular instant messaging app owned by Facebook , announced that it was imposing stricter limits on forwarded messages , a popular way for coronavirus misinformation to spread among its 2 billion users .

Facebook will alert people who have liked, shared, reacted to, or commented on harmful misinformation about the coronavirus on its platform over the next few weeks, the company announced on Thursday.
Facebook users who have interacted with misinformation that the company has removed from its platform will receive messages in their News Feed that will direct them to COVID-19 myths debunked by the World Health Organization and other credible information.
“We want to connect people who may have interacted with harmful misinformation about the virus from authoritative sources in case they see or hear these claims again off of Facebook,” wrote Guy Rosen, the company’s vice president for integrity, in a blog post.
Facebook, however, will not tell users what piece of misinformation they interacted with or what was wrong with it.
Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company had removed hundreds of thousands of pieces of content related to the virus that fact-checkers had declared misinformation, including myths and hoaxes that said drinking bleach could help prevent COVID-19 or that social distancing was ineffective.
"If a piece of content contains harmful misinformation that could lead to imminent physical harm, then we'll take it down," he wrote in a post.
Facebook has also added a new section that includes fact-checked articles from the company’s fact-checking partners that are currently available for people in the US.
In addition, the company released some new data about combating misinformation related to the coronavirus in its blog post. The company said it displayed warnings on 40 million COVID-19-related posts in March based on 4,000 articles by its fact-checking partners. “When people saw those warning labels, 95% of the time they did not go on to view the original content,” Rosen wrote.
Social media companies have struggled to combat misinformation about the coronavirus ever since the outbreak began. Hoaxes and myths claiming to cure the coronavirus and blaming religious minorities for spreading the disease have thrived on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for the last few months.
Earlier this month, WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging app owned by Facebook, announced that it was imposing stricter limits on forwarded messages, a popular way for coronavirus misinformation to spread among its 2 billion users.


buzzfeednews--2020-04-16--The College Fix Was Founded To Fight Culture Wars On Campus, But Its Biggest Hit Is About The Corona

The College Fix Was Founded To Fight Culture Wars On Campus, But Its Biggest Hit Is About The Coronavirus

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To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
A website with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos ’ s son on its board of directors published a viral article that claims the coronavirus would be “ exterminated ” if lockdowns were lifted .
On April 7 , the College Fix , a news and opinion website that normally publishes stories about politics and college life , ran a story titled “ Epidemiologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Lockdowns Were Lifted.
” The most popular story ever published by the College Fix , it received over 1.7 million Facebook likes , shares , and comments , according to social media tracking tool BuzzSumo .
The article cited an academic arguing for “ herd immunity , ” the idea that ending the lockdowns will result in people becoming immune to the virus after contracting it , which is heavily contested by epidemiologists .
The College Fix is a conservative publication featuring both student and nonstudent writers based in Hillsdale , Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Press Association .
Rick DeVos , the son of Betsy DeVos , sits on the Fix ’ s board .
The DeVos family has a long history of funding conservative causes with its vast fortune .
According to Fortune magazine , Betsy DeVos ’ s family , including her husband and children , is worth about $ 2 billion .
Written by assistant editor Daniel Payne , the College Fix ’ s story featured quotes from a YouTube interview with Knut Wittkowski published by UK-based video company Journeyman Pictures .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , saying “ there are no more new cases in China and in South Korea , ” contradicting publicly available statistics .
The College Fix described Wittkowski as a “ veteran scholar of epidemiology ” and previously the head of the department of biostatistics , epidemiology , and research design at Rockefeller University in New York .
Although Wittkowski did hold that position at Rockefeller , the university has sought to distance itself from the scientist .
On April 13 , Rockefeller University released a public statement saying although he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had never held the title of professor and that his views on herd immunity did not represent the institution .
`` Dr. Wittkowski was head of biostatistics , epidemiology , and research design in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at Rockefeller University , '' a university spokesperson told BuzzFeed News .
`` That group was not an academic department , however .
Unusual among its peers , the university does not have academic departments , in fact .
Dr. Wittkowski was employed at Rockefeller from 1998 to 2018 . ''
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College Fix to argue against extending lockdowns despite the main source ’ s contested science .
The story first made the rounds in Facebook groups aimed at conservative audiences before breaking out of the closed online spaces and into more mainstream ones .
Its biggest Facebook boost came from Mark Levin , a conservative radio host whose show gets syndicated by Fox News .
“ I am not 'discouraging social distancing ' ( breaking the law ) , ” Wittkowski told BuzzFeed News in an email .
“ I 'm asking people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives .
These are two very different things.
” In both the article and the video , Wittkowski said that schools should be reopened while the elderly and at-risk people should be isolated .
However , coronavirus victims have included young people and children .
Daniel Payne , the author of the article , said the College Fix didn ’ t identify Wittkowski as a professor and used the same credentials as what he stated in the video .
Payne ’ s story was a news article , and the associate editor told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have a wider editorial stance on social distancing .
“ Our editors regularly write columns on the site expressing different viewpoints on varying higher ed topics , but those opinions do not constitute a unified editorial standpoint , ” he told BuzzFeed News .
Dr. Aaron Glatt , the chair of the department of medicine and hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau , told BuzzFeed News that Wittkowski was essentially advocating for more people to die from COVID-19 .
“ In multiple studies now , we 've seen that when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximizing social distancing — you can impact the number of people who will get COVID and flatten the curve , decrease the number of new cases , decreasing significantly morbidity and mortality , ” Glatt said .
“ The danger is that many , many people will die if we just let nature take its course .
That 's the problem .
We do n't want people to die.
” The story featuring Wittkowski is one of several stories the College Fix has published that argue for the pandemic lockdown to end .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted angrily about college students not following lockdown procedures .

A website with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s son on its board of directors published a viral article that claims the coronavirus would be “exterminated” if lockdowns were lifted.
On April 7, the College Fix, a news and opinion website that normally publishes stories about politics and college life, ran a story titled “Epidemiologist: Coronavirus Could Be ‘Exterminated’ If Lockdowns Were Lifted.” The most popular story ever published by the College Fix, it received over 1.7 million Facebook likes, shares, and comments, according to social media tracking tool BuzzSumo.
The article cited an academic arguing for “herd immunity,” the idea that ending the lockdowns will result in people becoming immune to the virus after contracting it, which is heavily contested by epidemiologists.
The College Fix is a conservative publication featuring both student and nonstudent writers based in Hillsdale, Michigan, and overseen by the nonprofit Student Free Press Association. Rick DeVos, the son of Betsy DeVos, sits on the Fix’s board.
The DeVos family has a long history of funding conservative causes with its vast fortune. According to Fortune magazine, Betsy DeVos’s family, including her husband and children, is worth about $2 billion.
Written by assistant editor Daniel Payne, the College Fix’s story featured quotes from a YouTube interview with Knut Wittkowski published by UK-based video company Journeyman Pictures. In the video, Wittkowski misstated basic facts about the pandemic, saying “there are no more new cases in China and in South Korea,” contradicting publicly available statistics.
The College Fix described Wittkowski as a “veteran scholar of epidemiology” and previously the head of the department of biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design at Rockefeller University in New York. Although Wittkowski did hold that position at Rockefeller, the university has sought to distance itself from the scientist. On April 13, Rockefeller University released a public statement saying although he was previously employed by the university, Wittkowski had never held the title of professor and that his views on herd immunity did not represent the institution.
"Dr. Wittkowski was head of biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at Rockefeller University," a university spokesperson told BuzzFeed News. "That group was not an academic department, however. Unusual among its peers, the university does not have academic departments, in fact. Dr. Wittkowski was employed at Rockefeller from 1998 to 2018."
Many other publications are using articles from the College Fix to argue against extending lockdowns despite the main source’s contested science. The story first made the rounds in Facebook groups aimed at conservative audiences before breaking out of the closed online spaces and into more mainstream ones. Its biggest Facebook boost came from Mark Levin, a conservative radio host whose show gets syndicated by Fox News.
“I am not 'discouraging social distancing' (breaking the law),” Wittkowski told BuzzFeed News in an email. “I'm asking people to discuss the policy decisions made with their representatives. These are two very different things.”
In both the article and the video, Wittkowski said that schools should be reopened while the elderly and at-risk people should be isolated. However, coronavirus victims have included young people and children.
Daniel Payne, the author of the article, said the College Fix didn’t identify Wittkowski as a professor and used the same credentials as what he stated in the video. Payne’s story was a news article, and the associate editor told BuzzFeed News that the College Fix does not have a wider editorial stance on social distancing.
“Our editors regularly write columns on the site expressing different viewpoints on varying higher ed topics, but those opinions do not constitute a unified editorial standpoint,” he told BuzzFeed News.
Dr. Aaron Glatt, the chair of the department of medicine and hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau, told BuzzFeed News that Wittkowski was essentially advocating for more people to die from COVID-19.
“In multiple studies now, we've seen that when you restrict social proximity — what we call maximizing social distancing — you can impact the number of people who will get COVID and flatten the curve, decrease the number of new cases, decreasing significantly morbidity and mortality,” Glatt said.
“The danger is that many, many people will die if we just let nature take its course. That's the problem. We don't want people to die.”
The story featuring Wittkowski is one of several stories the College Fix has published that argue for the pandemic lockdown to end. Rick DeVos himself, however, has tweeted angrily about college students not following lockdown procedures.