npr--2020-04-16--Roger Stone Won't Get New Trial, Judge Rules After Disputes

Roger Stone Wo n't Get New Trial , Judge Rules After Disputes A federal judge has denied Roger Stone 's bid for a new trial , rejecting his claims that alleged misconduct and political bias on the part of the jury foreperson tainted the proceedings .
The ruling Thursday from Judge Amy Berman Jackson comes almost two months after she sentenced Stone , the longtime Republican operative and friend of President Trump , to more than three years in federal prison .
In his bid for a new trial , Stone alleged that the jury foreperson was biased against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to hide those sentiments .
He also alleged that the foreperson engaged in misconduct during deliberations .
She said she considered the foreperson 's answers during jury selection , as well as statements during a public hearing in February during which the foreperson and two other jurors testified .
Taking all of that into account , Jackson said she finds that the foreperson did not lie during jury selection nor engage in misconduct during the trial .
`` Therefore , the Court concludes in its discretion that the defense has not presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wrote , `` nor has it supplied any reason to believe that there has been ' a serious miscarriage of justice . '
'' With his motion for a new trial now thrown out , Stone is expected file an appeal of his conviction .
He has 14 days to do so .
A jury found Stone guilty in November of obstruction , witness tampering and lying to Congress .
The charges , which were brought as part of the Russia investigation , relate to Stone 's attempts to hide his efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and find out what the group intended to do with thousands of hacked Democratic emails .
Jackson 's order says Stone must surrender to serve his sentence at the institution designated by Bureau of Prisons no sooner than 14 days from today 's ruling .
It is unclear whether Stone will be allowed to remain free on bail while his expected appeal is pending .
Trump has repeatedly criticized the Russia investigation and said he believes Stone has been treated unfairly by prosecutors and Judge Jackson .
That has fueled speculation that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence .
When asked about that possibility , Trump has reiterated that he thinks Stone is a victim but says he has n't made a call on a pardon because he wanted to allow the legal process to play out .

Roger Stone Won't Get New Trial, Judge Rules After Disputes
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dana Verkouteren/AP Dana Verkouteren/AP
Updated at 7:22 p.m.
A federal judge has denied Roger Stone's bid for a new trial, rejecting his claims that alleged misconduct and political bias on the part of the jury foreperson tainted the proceedings.
The ruling Thursday from Judge Amy Berman Jackson comes almost two months after she sentenced Stone, the longtime Republican operative and friend of President Trump, to more than three years in federal prison.
In his bid for a new trial, Stone alleged that the jury foreperson was biased against him, and lied during jury selection in order to hide those sentiments. He also alleged that the foreperson engaged in misconduct during deliberations.
In her 81-page ruling, Judge Jackson disagreed.
She said she considered the foreperson's answers during jury selection, as well as statements during a public hearing in February during which the foreperson and two other jurors testified. Taking all of that into account, Jackson said she finds that the foreperson did not lie during jury selection nor engage in misconduct during the trial.
"Therefore, the Court concludes in its discretion that the defense has not presented grounds for a new trial," she wrote, "nor has it supplied any reason to believe that there has been 'a serious miscarriage of justice.'"
With his motion for a new trial now thrown out, Stone is expected file an appeal of his conviction. He has 14 days to do so.
A jury found Stone guilty in November of obstruction, witness tampering and lying to Congress.
The charges, which were brought as part of the Russia investigation, relate to Stone's attempts to hide his efforts to contact WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign and find out what the group intended to do with thousands of hacked Democratic emails.
Jackson's order says Stone must surrender to serve his sentence at the institution designated by Bureau of Prisons no sooner than 14 days from today's ruling. It is unclear whether Stone will be allowed to remain free on bail while his expected appeal is pending.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the Russia investigation and said he believes Stone has been treated unfairly by prosecutors and Judge Jackson. That has fueled speculation that the president might pardon Stone or commute his sentence.
When asked about that possibility, Trump has reiterated that he thinks Stone is a victim but says he hasn't made a call on a pardon because he wanted to allow the legal process to play out.


npr--2020-04-16--Navy Not Ruling Out Reinstating USS Roosevelt Skipper Who Complained About Coronavirus

Navy Not Ruling Out Reinstating USS Roosevelt Skipper Who Complained About Coronavirus Top U.S. defense officials are not ruling out restoring Navy Capt .
Brett Crozier to his former command of the coronavirus-sidelined aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt .
Crozier was abruptly removed from that post on April 3 after going outside of his chain of command and emailing an impassioned plea for a more decisive response to the outbreak .
Such a reinstatement of a sacked warship skipper would be without precedent in the Navy .
There have been numerous calls by congressional Democrats to have Crozier , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus , put back in command of the Roosevelt .
On Thursday , Defense Secretary Mark Esper was asked about a New York Times report that the Navy is looking into reinstating Crozier .
`` I 've got to keep an open mind with regard to everything , '' Esper said of such a reversal of the Navy 's action on NBC 's Today show .
`` We 've got to take this one step at a time , let the investigation within the Navy conclude itself , if you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it up , and we 'll take things as they can , and we 'll make very reasoned opinions and judgments as this progresses . ''
Crozier was removed from his command by then-acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly before an investigation of the captain 's actions had been completed , a highly unusual move in the military .
Modly then resigned following a storm of criticism for a profanity-laced speech he delivered aboard the Roosevelt defending his firing of Crozier while calling the deposed skipper `` naive '' and `` stupid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crozier prior to the investigation 's conclusion had been opposed by both Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday , according to officials quoted by the New York Times , which added that Modly , `` believing that [ President ] Trump wanted him fired , ignored them . ''
The probe into Crozier 's actions was led by Adm. Robert Burke , the Navy 's second-ranking officer .
Members of the Roosevelt 's crew told the Times Burke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical officer , who had been pushing for a more decisive response to the viral outbreak , and labeled him a `` failed leader . ''
`` I am taking no options off the table as I review that investigation , '' said Gilday , the Navy 's top uniformed official , in a conference call with reporters last week .
`` I think that 's my responsibility — to approach it in a way that 's with due diligence to make sure that it 's completely fair and as unbiased as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told NBC that the report of the investigation had been completed late last week and that he expected it would eventually be sent to him after first being reviewed by the Navy .
`` Adm. Gilday has received , and is reviewing the preliminary Inquiry , '' Cmdr .
Nate Christensen , Gilday 's spokesman , said in a statement Wednesday .
`` It will take time for the report to be reviewed and endorsed by Adm. Gilday .
No final decisions have been made . ''
The Roosevelt is currently docked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was its skipper prior to Crozier , has been placed back in command on an interim basis .
About 4,000 of the ship 's 4,865 sailors are undergoing quarantine on shore in Guam .
One of the crew died of COVID-19 on April 13 .
On Thursday , the Navy identified the ship 's first fatality in the outbreak as Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr , 41 , of Fort Smith , Ark .
Five other sailors have been hospitalized , one in critical condition .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus .
`` What 's disconcerting is a majority of those — 350 plus — are asymptomatic , '' Esper said on NBC .
`` So it has revealed a new dynamic of this virus — that it can be carried by normal , healthy people who have no idea whatsoever that they 're carrying it . ''
Meanwhile , efforts to thoroughly sanitize the Roosevelt continue , an operation that a Navy publication says crew members have dubbed `` bleach-a-palooza . ''
`` The team 's mission is to fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chad Hollinger , the ship 's weapons officer , is quoted as telling the Navy .
`` To complete the mission we are going to clean this ship from top-to-bottom and forward-to-aft to create a clean zone for everyone coming back to the ship , so we can get back to business . ''
Esper , for his part , insisted on NBC that the Roosevelt could resume its mission immediately if that were necessary .
`` The key is getting her back to sea , '' Esper said .
`` This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get it behind us , and I 'm sure the TR will be back to sea soon , performing its important wartime mission . ''

Navy Not Ruling Out Reinstating USS Roosevelt Skipper Who Complained About Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Seaman Apprentice Nicholas Huynh/AP Seaman Apprentice Nicholas Huynh/AP
Top U.S. defense officials are not ruling out restoring Navy Capt. Brett Crozier to his former command of the coronavirus-sidelined aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Crozier was abruptly removed from that post on April 3 after going outside of his chain of command and emailing an impassioned plea for a more decisive response to the outbreak.
Such a reinstatement of a sacked warship skipper would be without precedent in the Navy. There have been numerous calls by congressional Democrats to have Crozier, who remains in isolation in Guam after testing positive for coronavirus, put back in command of the Roosevelt.
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper was asked about a New York Times report that the Navy is looking into reinstating Crozier.
"I've got to keep an open mind with regard to everything," Esper said of such a reversal of the Navy's action on NBC's Today show. "We've got to take this one step at a time, let the investigation within the Navy conclude itself, if you will, at it — as they brief it up, and we'll take things as they can, and we'll make very reasoned opinions and judgments as this progresses."
Crozier was removed from his command by then-acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly before an investigation of the captain's actions had been completed, a highly unusual move in the military. Modly then resigned following a storm of criticism for a profanity-laced speech he delivered aboard the Roosevelt defending his firing of Crozier while calling the deposed skipper "naive" and "stupid."
Modly's decision to remove Crozier prior to the investigation's conclusion had been opposed by both Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday, according to officials quoted by the New York Times, which added that Modly, "believing that [President] Trump wanted him fired, ignored them."
The probe into Crozier's actions was led by Adm. Robert Burke, the Navy's second-ranking officer. Members of the Roosevelt's crew told the Times Burke had earlier called the ship's chief medical officer, who had been pushing for a more decisive response to the viral outbreak, and labeled him a "failed leader."
"I am taking no options off the table as I review that investigation," said Gilday, the Navy's top uniformed official, in a conference call with reporters last week. "I think that's my responsibility — to approach it in a way that's with due diligence to make sure that it's completely fair and as unbiased as I can possibly make it."
Esper told NBC that the report of the investigation had been completed late last week and that he expected it would eventually be sent to him after first being reviewed by the Navy.
"Adm. Gilday has received, and is reviewing the preliminary Inquiry," Cmdr. Nate Christensen, Gilday's spokesman, said in a statement Wednesday. "It will take time for the report to be reviewed and endorsed by Adm. Gilday. No final decisions have been made."
The Roosevelt is currently docked in Guam and Capt. Carlos Sardiello, who was its skipper prior to Crozier, has been placed back in command on an interim basis.
About 4,000 of the ship's 4,865 sailors are undergoing quarantine on shore in Guam.
One of the crew died of COVID-19 on April 13. On Thursday, the Navy identified the ship's first fatality in the outbreak as Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr, 41, of Fort Smith, Ark. Five other sailors have been hospitalized, one in critical condition.
More than 650 of the crew have tested positive for the coronavirus. "What's disconcerting is a majority of those — 350 plus — are asymptomatic," Esper said on NBC. "So it has revealed a new dynamic of this virus — that it can be carried by normal, healthy people who have no idea whatsoever that they're carrying it."
Meanwhile, efforts to thoroughly sanitize the Roosevelt continue, an operation that a Navy publication says crew members have dubbed "bleach-a-palooza."
"The team's mission is to fully sanitize the ship," Cmdr. Chad Hollinger, the ship's weapons officer, is quoted as telling the Navy. "To complete the mission we are going to clean this ship from top-to-bottom and forward-to-aft to create a clean zone for everyone coming back to the ship, so we can get back to business."
Esper, for his part, insisted on NBC that the Roosevelt could resume its mission immediately if that were necessary.
"The key is getting her back to sea," Esper said. "This was a special case. We're going to get it behind us, and I'm sure the TR will be back to sea soon, performing its important wartime mission."


npr--2020-04-16--'The Beekeeper Of Aleppo' Wins 2020 Aspen Words Literary Prize

Christy Lefteri grew up in the shadow of trauma .
Her parents fled Cyprus after the Turkish invasion in 1974 , and though the Cypriot refugees eventually made it to the United Kingdom , they could n't help but bring their pain with them .
`` When my dad finally got to the U.K. , my grandma said she did n't recognize him and he had 'blood in his eyes , ' `` Lefteri recalls .
`` I do n't know if his eyes were bloodshot — or if she saw something in his eyes that she did n't recognize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aspen Words Literary Prize on Thursday , which , in partnership with NPR , awards $ 35,000 for illuminating a `` vital contemporary issue '' in fiction .
Her winning novel , The Beekeeper of Aleppo , traces the path of a pair of refugees whose lives have been shattered by the years-long war in Syria , and who have little hope to guide them but a cousin who awaits them in the U.K. Lefteri beat out a shortlist of finalists that also included Nicole Dennis-Benn , Valeria Luiselli , Bryan Washington and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she adds her name to a list of Aspen winners that features Mohsin Hamid and Tayari Jones .
And she tells NPR that her win has not just brought her joy , though there certainly has been joy .
She has also felt a seeping kind of sadness since she learned in private last week , remembering the refugees who inspired her novel — not just her parents , but also the people whom she met several years ago in Athens , where she says she volunteered at a refugee support center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get on a plane and come back to London whenever I wanted .
But those people that I met — those wonderful people were stuck in Athens , and they did n't know where they were going to end up , '' says Lefteri , who was raised and is based in the U.K. `` I think winning this award is so exciting , it 's such a wonderful thing , and at the same time , it reminds me of those things that I feel so passionately about that need to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the idea of the prize .
First awarded in 2018 by Aspen Words , a nonprofit literary center with the Aspen Institute , the prize seeks to recognize fiction writers who do n't shy from the messy — often painful — realities of the world .
In this year 's crop of finalists , for instance , writers grappled with the effects of poverty , racial injustice , American immigration policy and the opioid crisis in the U.S .
But there was something about Lefteri 's work , ultimately , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We see wars on our screens and cross paths with the survivors in new lives in our neighborhoods , but we do n't see them , '' Esmeralda Santiago , who served on the prize jury , said in her citation .
`` Lefteri brings us closer so we can , without fear . ''
The notion of distance is a salient one .
Lefteri says the attempt to bridge the distance she felt from the Syrian refugees whose voices inspired her novel was a constant struggle for her in composing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beginning work on the book , for instance , she turned repeatedly to her Arabic tutor , Ibrahim , a native of Aleppo himself , for guidance on a physical layout of a city that continued war prevented her from visiting herself .
And her sense of persistent distance , in space and time , in empathy and emotion , from her father 's buried memories and the physical danger of Syria , helped drive her desire to compose the book .
`` Even though I know the pain that my parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's still confined to a different time .
I think sometimes we get so accustomed to thinking that danger exists elsewhere , that other people are going to suffer , '' she says .
`` I have n't lived through a war , so I could n't possibly know enough about it , but I tried to put myself in the shoes of those characters as much as I could , '' she adds , `` so that there was n't that kind of distance between the reader and the suffering of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreams . ''

'The Beekeeper Of Aleppo' Wins 2020 Aspen Words Literary Prize
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Aspen Words Literary Prize Courtesy of the Aspen Words Literary Prize
Christy Lefteri grew up in the shadow of trauma. Her parents fled Cyprus after the Turkish invasion in 1974, and though the Cypriot refugees eventually made it to the United Kingdom, they couldn't help but bring their pain with them.
"When my dad finally got to the U.K., my grandma said she didn't recognize him and he had 'blood in his eyes,' " Lefteri recalls. "I don't know if his eyes were bloodshot — or if she saw something in his eyes that she didn't recognize."
Lefteri won the third annual Aspen Words Literary Prize on Thursday, which, in partnership with NPR, awards $35,000 for illuminating a "vital contemporary issue" in fiction. Her winning novel, The Beekeeper of Aleppo, traces the path of a pair of refugees whose lives have been shattered by the years-long war in Syria, and who have little hope to guide them but a cousin who awaits them in the U.K.
Lefteri beat out a shortlist of finalists that also included Nicole Dennis-Benn, Valeria Luiselli, Bryan Washington and Brian Allen Carr. By doing so, she adds her name to a list of Aspen winners that features Mohsin Hamid and Tayari Jones.
And she tells NPR that her win has not just brought her joy, though there certainly has been joy. She has also felt a seeping kind of sadness since she learned in private last week, remembering the refugees who inspired her novel — not just her parents, but also the people whom she met several years ago in Athens, where she says she volunteered at a refugee support center.
"I knew that I could get on a plane and come back to London whenever I wanted. But those people that I met — those wonderful people were stuck in Athens, and they didn't know where they were going to end up," says Lefteri, who was raised and is based in the U.K. "I think winning this award is so exciting, it's such a wonderful thing, and at the same time, it reminds me of those things that I feel so passionately about that need to change in the world."
That's part of the idea of the prize. First awarded in 2018 by Aspen Words, a nonprofit literary center with the Aspen Institute, the prize seeks to recognize fiction writers who don't shy from the messy — often painful — realities of the world. In this year's crop of finalists, for instance, writers grappled with the effects of poverty, racial injustice, American immigration policy and the opioid crisis in the U.S.
But there was something about Lefteri's work, ultimately, that set it apart in judges' eyes. "We see wars on our screens and cross paths with the survivors in new lives in our neighborhoods, but we don't see them," Esmeralda Santiago, who served on the prize jury, said in her citation. "Lefteri brings us closer so we can, without fear."
The notion of distance is a salient one.
Lefteri says the attempt to bridge the distance she felt from the Syrian refugees whose voices inspired her novel was a constant struggle for her in composing it. After returning from the center and beginning work on the book, for instance, she turned repeatedly to her Arabic tutor, Ibrahim, a native of Aleppo himself, for guidance on a physical layout of a city that continued war prevented her from visiting herself.
And her sense of persistent distance, in space and time, in empathy and emotion, from her father's buried memories and the physical danger of Syria, helped drive her desire to compose the book.
"Even though I know the pain that my parents went through, somehow in my mind it's still confined to a different time. I think sometimes we get so accustomed to thinking that danger exists elsewhere, that other people are going to suffer," she says.
"I haven't lived through a war, so I couldn't possibly know enough about it, but I tried to put myself in the shoes of those characters as much as I could," she adds, "so that there wasn't that kind of distance between the reader and the suffering of these people, their hopes and their dreams."


npr--2020-04-16--Brooklyn Nurses Demand More Gear, Saying Colleagues Have Succumbed To COVID-19

Brooklyn Nurses Demand More Gear , Saying Colleagues Have Succumbed To COVID-19 Nurses at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn are demanding more protective equipment for themselves and their colleagues amid what they say is a string of employee deaths there .
`` They have to do better , in order to save lives , '' said Ada Brown , a certified nurse 's assistant who has worked at the 300-bed hospital in East Flatbush for five years .
`` The nurses are dying out .
The CNAs , dying out .
Everybody 's dying out . ''
While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for information about employee deaths , the nurses said they have been collecting the names of their dead co-workers by word of mouth .
They said at least five colleagues have died : a young surgeon , a nurse 's assistant , a clerk , a security guard , someone who worked in the supply room .
Several more workers are hospitalized , they said .
Kingsbrook is a private hospital that serves the area 's low-income residents , including many who are black and of Caribbean descent .
The hospital 's management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are no official statistics on how many health care workers have gotten sick or died from COVID-19 across the region .
While some city agencies have released numbers for their employees , the city 's hospital system has not .
The state health department , which oversees private hospitals like Kingsbrook , said it is not tracking deaths by occupation .
The city reports 26 employee deaths at its public hospitals .
`` There 's announcements from the schools system about education workers who died , there 's announcements from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died , '' said nurse Julie Keefe , who has worked at Kingsbrook on and off since 2012 .
`` But about health care workers , there 's a bit of feeling that no one 's really tracking the deaths . ''
Several other private hospitals did not immediately respond to requests for numbers of employees who have died from COVID-19 .
But a spokesman for Northwell Health , which runs 23 hospitals across the region , said that organization has had five employees die from COVID-19 — the same number workers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York State Nurses Association has reported that a handful of its members have died from COVID-19 in recent weeks .
But the group does not have an overall count of how many health care workers and hospital employees have died , officials said .
Nurses who gathered in protest outside Kingsbrook earlier this week said a shortage of protective gear at their hospital is in part to blame for the deaths there .
They said they 're given a disposable face shield and are told told to use it for a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they said , even if it rips .
Some nurses said they have used trash bags to cover holes in their gowns .
One woman said she was wearing a rain slicker because she could n't find a gown .
`` The politicians keep on trying to say we 're okay , '' Keefe said .
`` We 're speaking for everyone to say , 'It 's not better , it 's still not okay . '
'' Access to personal protective gear for health care workers is an ongoing issue nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City 's Mount Sinai Health System have faced shortages of protective gear , as hospitals all over the country and the globe compete for supplies .
While large hospital chains may have purchasing departments and high-powered contacts — at NewYork-Presbyterian , a trustee reportedly chartered a plane to China to find face masks — smaller community hospitals may only have one person to handle all purchasing , the nurses union said .
Kingsbrook became part of the One Brooklyn Health system in 2017 , as part of an effort to restructure and revive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The New York State Nurses Association has been flagging hospitals across the city with equipment shortages when it hears of them , with pop-up rallies at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center , Lincoln hospital and Jacobi Medical Center in recent days .
Other health officials have confidence in the system .
`` I believe that the protective gear is going to be in sufficient supply , '' said Kenneth Raske , president and CEO of the Greater New York Hospital Association , who is helping coordinate New York 's response to the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in policy that allows health care workers to request N95 masks .
`` If a physician or nurse or respiratory therapist or any caregiver on the front line who 's providing care to COVID-positive patients ... if they want a new N95 , they will get it . ''
But the nurses gathered outside Kingsbrook this week were worried about more than just N95 masks .
The chanting crowd quieted as Arlene Meertens , 52 , a patient care technician , spoke up .
Her voice quivered with fear and anger , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's eyes every time she leaves for work , and how they check on her during the night to make sure she 's still breathing .
`` If we are continuously working without the proper gear that we need , we will all die .
So who will take care of the patients ? ''
Meertens asked .
`` Protect us .
That 's all we are asking .
Give us what we need so we can survive . ''

Brooklyn Nurses Demand More Gear, Saying Colleagues Have Succumbed To COVID-19
Enlarge this image toggle caption Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Nurses at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn are demanding more protective equipment for themselves and their colleagues amid what they say is a string of employee deaths there.
"They have to do better, in order to save lives," said Ada Brown, a certified nurse's assistant who has worked at the 300-bed hospital in East Flatbush for five years. "The nurses are dying out. The CNAs, dying out. Everybody's dying out."
While the hospital did not respond to a request for information about employee deaths, the nurses said they have been collecting the names of their dead co-workers by word of mouth. They said at least five colleagues have died: a young surgeon, a nurse's assistant, a clerk, a security guard, someone who worked in the supply room. Several more workers are hospitalized, they said.
Kingsbrook is a private hospital that serves the area's low-income residents, including many who are black and of Caribbean descent. The hospital's management did not return repeated requests for comment.
Health Care Brooklyn Hospital Workers Protest, Demanding Equipment To Prevent More Staff Deaths Brooklyn Hospital Workers Protest, Demanding Equipment To Prevent More Staff Deaths Listen · 3:15 3:15
There are no official statistics on how many health care workers have gotten sick or died from COVID-19 across the region. While some city agencies have released numbers for their employees, the city's hospital system has not. The state health department, which oversees private hospitals like Kingsbrook, said it is not tracking deaths by occupation. The city reports 26 employee deaths at its public hospitals.
"There's announcements from the schools system about education workers who died, there's announcements from the transit authority about transit workers who have died," said nurse Julie Keefe, who has worked at Kingsbrook on and off since 2012. "But about health care workers, there's a bit of feeling that no one's really tracking the deaths."
Several other private hospitals did not immediately respond to requests for numbers of employees who have died from COVID-19. But a spokesman for Northwell Health, which runs 23 hospitals across the region, said that organization has had five employees die from COVID-19 — the same number workers are reporting at Kingsbrook hospital alone.
The New York State Nurses Association has reported that a handful of its members have died from COVID-19 in recent weeks. But the group does not have an overall count of how many health care workers and hospital employees have died, officials said.
Nurses who gathered in protest outside Kingsbrook earlier this week said a shortage of protective gear at their hospital is in part to blame for the deaths there. They said they're given a disposable face shield and are told told to use it for a month. They get one gown per day, they said, even if it rips. Some nurses said they have used trash bags to cover holes in their gowns. One woman said she was wearing a rain slicker because she couldn't find a gown.
"The politicians keep on trying to say we're okay," Keefe said. "We're speaking for everyone to say, 'It's not better, it's still not okay.'"
Access to personal protective gear for health care workers is an ongoing issue nationwide. Even prestigious institutions like New York City's Mount Sinai Health System have faced shortages of protective gear, as hospitals all over the country and the globe compete for supplies.
While large hospital chains may have purchasing departments and high-powered contacts — at NewYork-Presbyterian, a trustee reportedly chartered a plane to China to find face masks — smaller community hospitals may only have one person to handle all purchasing, the nurses union said. Kingsbrook became part of the One Brooklyn Health system in 2017, as part of an effort to restructure and revive several financially struggling hospitals in the borough.
The New York State Nurses Association has been flagging hospitals across the city with equipment shortages when it hears of them, with pop-up rallies at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Lincoln hospital and Jacobi Medical Center in recent days.
Other health officials have confidence in the system. "I believe that the protective gear is going to be in sufficient supply," said Kenneth Raske, president and CEO of the Greater New York Hospital Association, who is helping coordinate New York's response to the outbreak.
He pointed to a recent change in policy that allows health care workers to request N95 masks. "If a physician or nurse or respiratory therapist or any caregiver on the front line who's providing care to COVID-positive patients ... if they want a new N95, they will get it."
But the nurses gathered outside Kingsbrook this week were worried about more than just N95 masks. The chanting crowd quieted as Arlene Meertens, 52, a patient care technician, spoke up. Her voice quivered with fear and anger, as she described the terror in her children's eyes every time she leaves for work, and how they check on her during the night to make sure she's still breathing.
"If we are continuously working without the proper gear that we need, we will all die. So who will take care of the patients?" Meertens asked. "Protect us. That's all we are asking. Give us what we need so we can survive."


npr--2020-04-16--READ: White House Guidelines To States For Reopening

President Trump spoke to governors Thursday , outlining recommendations for states to reopen based on several factors .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ of three phases for states to begin easing social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders , @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines obtained by NPR 's Tamara Keith .
The guidelines come after a number @ @ @ @ @ work together to restart their respective economies .
Trump and the coronavirus task force are @ @ @ @ @ afternoon at the White House .

READ: White House Guidelines To States For Reopening
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump spoke to governors Thursday, outlining recommendations for states to reopen based on several factors.
The Trump administration has shared a guideline of three phases for states to begin easing social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders, according to a copy of the guidelines obtained by NPR's Tamara Keith.
The guidelines come after a number of governors formed coalitions to work together to restart their respective economies. Trump and the coronavirus task force are speaking about the guidelines Thursday afternoon at the White House.
Read the guidelines here.


npr--2020-04-16--Tony Award-Winning Actor Brian Dennehy Has Died At The Age Of 81

Tony Award-Winning Actor Brian Dennehy Has Died At The Age Of 81 Brian Dennehy could go from viciously intimidating on film to weak and weary on stage .
The actor died yesterday of cardiac arrest .
His family says his death was not related to COVID-19 .
He was 81 years old .
Dennehy had a vast and varied body of work .
On screen he was known for his roles in First Blood , Cocoon , and Tommy Boy .
In theater , he earned wide acclaim for his depiction of the beleagured Willy Loman in the 1999 Broadway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Salesman .
That performance earned him one of his two Best Actor Tony Awards .
He earned the other in 2003 for his portrayal of family patriarch James Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill 's Long Days Journey into Night .
Brian Manion Dennehy was born in Bridgeport , Connecticut , on July 9 , 1938 , and grew up on Long Island , New York .
He was tall and broad-chested and played football in high school , but was also in love with theater .
As an Irish Catholic , he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself in acting until he saw Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront .
`` For the first time when I saw that picture , I realized there were people in the business who looked like me , and who sounded like me .
And who came from places I came from '' he said in an interview with WHYY 's Fresh Air in 1999 .
`` Before that time , acting was like ballet — something I could appreciate but never consider myself a part of . ''
On stage , Dennehy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago theater scene .
His two Tony-award winning performances began at the famed Goodman Theatre , where he also performed in Samuel Beckett 's Krapp 's Last Tape .
On Broadway , his credits include Translations , Love Letters , and Inherit the Wind .
Earlier in his career , Dennehy was n't picky about his roles — and he was n't shy about it either .
`` I had kids , '' he said in the Fresh Air interview .
`` I had kids who were ready to go to college , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — which I did not resent — to make sure they had good educations . ''
Dennhey said his wide range of roles on television , where he acted in everything from Dynasty to M*A*S*H to Just Shoot Me , helped him become a more efficient actor .
Dennehy worked all throughout his life , most recently appearing in the television series The Blacklist , as well the upcoming independent film Driveways .

Tony Award-Winning Actor Brian Dennehy Has Died At The Age Of 81
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mike Piscitelli /Dennehy Family Mike Piscitelli /Dennehy Family
Brian Dennehy could go from viciously intimidating on film to weak and weary on stage. The actor died yesterday of cardiac arrest. His family says his death was not related to COVID-19. He was 81 years old.
Dennehy had a vast and varied body of work. On screen he was known for his roles in First Blood, Cocoon, and Tommy Boy. In theater, he earned wide acclaim for his depiction of the beleagured Willy Loman in the 1999 Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. That performance earned him one of his two Best Actor Tony Awards. He earned the other in 2003 for his portrayal of family patriarch James Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill's Long Days Journey into Night.
Brian Manion Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on July 9, 1938, and grew up on Long Island, New York. He was tall and broad-chested and played football in high school, but was also in love with theater. As an Irish Catholic, he didn't see much of a future for himself in acting until he saw Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront. "For the first time when I saw that picture, I realized there were people in the business who looked like me, and who sounded like me. And who came from places I came from" he said in an interview with WHYY's Fresh Air in 1999. "Before that time, acting was like ballet — something I could appreciate but never consider myself a part of."
On stage, Dennehy was a revered actor, particularly in the Chicago theater scene. His two Tony-award winning performances began at the famed Goodman Theatre, where he also performed in Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape. On Broadway, his credits include Translations, Love Letters, and Inherit the Wind.
Earlier in his career, Dennehy wasn't picky about his roles — and he wasn't shy about it either. "I had kids," he said in the Fresh Air interview. "I had kids who were ready to go to college, and I knew I had the responsibility — which I did not resent — to make sure they had good educations." Dennhey said his wide range of roles on television, where he acted in everything from Dynasty to M*A*S*H to Just Shoot Me, helped him become a more efficient actor. Dennehy worked all throughout his life, most recently appearing in the television series The Blacklist, as well the upcoming independent film Driveways.


npr--2020-04-16--White House Unveils Coronavirus Guidelines On Path To Reopening The Country

White House Unveils Coronavirus Guidelines On Path To Reopening The Country The White House unveiled guidelines on Thursday it said the nation can use to plot a course out of the coronavirus disaster and toward something like normal .
Trump also spoke via teleconference with the governors of the 50 states earlier Thursday to outline his plan for the way they 'll proceed with re-opening and normalization .
Trump has said he believes many states could begin to re-open even before the federal guidelines for social distancing and mitigation expire on May 1 , citing what he says are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some places .
Trump said the nation has suffered greatly but he believes the peak of the pandemic has passed and so the time has come to prepare to get back to business .
`` To preserve the health of our citizens we must also preserve the health and functioning of our economy , '' Trump said .
Trump told the governors they 'd be able to re-open before May 1 if they wish — but he said he would n't lean on them about what to decide .
`` Every state is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's new guidelines about normalization , which were obtained by NPR from a source who received them from the White House , contemplate a series of practices to bring people out of their homes again into workplaces and public places , albeit without time requirements .
Trump said Thursday there have been no new coronavirus cases in the last seven days in more than 850 counties , or roughly 30 % of the country .
The White House 's phased strategy is contingent upon states having data about case levels , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare workers , and the ability to trace the contacts of those infected .
States can decide on a county-by-county approach , the 18-page document says .
Employers should be able to do temperature checks and contact tracing , the guidelines say .
The guidelines suggest three phases for states to reopen , with progressively relaxed levels of social distancing .
Each phase would require a 14-day period of a `` downward trajectory '' of cases to advance to the next one .
Phase One states or regions would have social distancing guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 , maximized physical distance , working from home when possible , the closures of schools and bars and so on .
`` Strict physical distancing protocols '' would be ordered for places such as restaurants , theaters , sporting venues , churches and gyms .
Vulnerable people would be urged to stay home .
Phase Two states and regions that show no signs of a rebound could expand gatherings to 50 people and resume non-essential travel .
Working from home would still be encouraged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with `` diminished standing-room occupancy . ''
Vulnerable people still would be urged to stay home .
Phase Three states and regions could expand guidance so that vulnerable individuals could go out in public .
Visits to hospitals and nursing homes could resume .
The full guidelines documents are available here .
The gates and the checkpoints Dr. Deborah Birx , a top physician advising the White House on the pandemic response , said the guidelines did not include timelines so that local officials and governors could progress through them at their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the data that they have , community by community , to set those timelines , '' Birx said .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , another top physician on the administration task force , said the program is designed to permit states to move through what he called `` gates , '' assess their caseloads , and then move ahead again .
`` There are multiple checkpoints of safety here , '' he said .
Fauci said one major criteria for advancement will be the numbers of cases .
If a state has an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and Trump also has acknowledged that a major boomerang in infections could require the re-imposition of social distancing and other countermeasures .
Birx said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be relying on its existing surveillance practices for `` influenza-like illnesses , '' which will be attuned to look for coronavirus , and fielding more new tests even for asymptomatic people to get better fidelity about the pervasiveness of the virus .
Eventually antibody tests and more capacity for diagnosis testing also will reveal the prevalence of the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that COVID-19 could become a seasonal affliction like the flu , which could mean more infections later this year .
Public health officials , however , hope that if that 's so the response will be more robust because of work that has begun now , including on tests , therapeutic medications and , eventually , a vaccine .
Trump 's eagerness to reopen the United States is spurred by the economic paralysis caused by social distancing and other countermeasures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
Orders to stay at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , brick-and-mortar retailers , the travel industry and the energy sector are reeling ; tens of millions of Americans are out of work .
A relief program to help small businesses already has run out of money .
Everyday life , meanwhile , has been badly jangled .
Roughly half of the public school students in the United States have been home for weeks and wo n't return this academic year .
Even so , the crisis did not deliver an end to partisanship .
Trump 's earlier claims about the power he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions in managing the disaster have brought criticism from some of them and some of his traditional political foes in Congress .
Some governors and critics argue that essential elements necessary for a responsible re-opening — especially the testing capacity they say is needed to assure that a return to normalcy wo n't just bring an echo spike of infections — are n't yet in place .
At least one governor on the call , Democrat Jay Inslee of Washington , said that the president 's push to return to the status quo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that he sounded like he was hopeful for just ... do n't exist in the criteria that the plan actually calls for , '' Inslee told NPR on Thursday .
Inslee 's state was an early hotbed for the virus and has been under a stay at home order since March 23 .
`` The tenor of the president 's comments do not seem to match the hard reality that is somewhat recognized in the plan .
And there seems to be some discord there , '' Inslee said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreams . ''
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos told shareholders in a letter on Thursday that he believes the world does n't yet have the capacity to test at the magnitude necessary to assure a safe return to business as before .
Groups of states on the West Coast , in the Midwest and along the East Coast have formed consortia to decide for themselves how they 'll re-open in view of their interconnections .
Trump , who earlier complained that such efforts amounted to a `` mutiny , '' said on Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` harmonize their efforts '' as the pandemic ebbs .

White House Unveils Coronavirus Guidelines On Path To Reopening The Country
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Updated at 7:21 p.m. ET
The White House unveiled guidelines on Thursday it said the nation can use to plot a course out of the coronavirus disaster and toward something like normal.
Trump also spoke via teleconference with the governors of the 50 states earlier Thursday to outline his plan for the way they'll proceed with re-opening and normalization.
Trump has said he believes many states could begin to re-open even before the federal guidelines for social distancing and mitigation expire on May 1, citing what he says are the low numbers of cases or deaths in some places.
Trump said the nation has suffered greatly but he believes the peak of the pandemic has passed and so the time has come to prepare to get back to business.
"To preserve the health of our citizens we must also preserve the health and functioning of our economy," Trump said.
Trump told the governors they'd be able to re-open before May 1 if they wish — but he said he wouldn't lean on them about what to decide.
"Every state is very different," he said.
Trump's new guidelines about normalization, which were obtained by NPR from a source who received them from the White House, contemplate a series of practices to bring people out of their homes again into workplaces and public places, albeit without time requirements.
Trump said Thursday there have been no new coronavirus cases in the last seven days in more than 850 counties, or roughly 30% of the country.
Phased approach
The White House's phased strategy is contingent upon states having data about case levels, the capacity to treat all patients and test healthcare workers, and the ability to trace the contacts of those infected. States can decide on a county-by-county approach, the 18-page document says.
Employers should be able to do temperature checks and contact tracing, the guidelines say.
The guidelines suggest three phases for states to reopen, with progressively relaxed levels of social distancing. Each phase would require a 14-day period of a "downward trajectory" of cases to advance to the next one.
Phase One states or regions would have social distancing guidelines similar to those in place now — a prohibition on gatherings of more than 10, maximized physical distance, working from home when possible, the closures of schools and bars and so on. "Strict physical distancing protocols" would be ordered for places such as restaurants, theaters, sporting venues, churches and gyms. Vulnerable people would be urged to stay home.
Phase Two states and regions that show no signs of a rebound could expand gatherings to 50 people and resume non-essential travel. Working from home would still be encouraged. Schools could reopen and bars could operate with "diminished standing-room occupancy." Vulnerable people still would be urged to stay home.
Phase Three states and regions could expand guidance so that vulnerable individuals could go out in public. Visits to hospitals and nursing homes could resume.
The full guidelines documents are available here.
The gates and the checkpoints
Dr. Deborah Birx, a top physician advising the White House on the pandemic response, said the guidelines did not include timelines so that local officials and governors could progress through them at their own pace.
"We want governors, with the data that they have, community by community, to set those timelines," Birx said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, another top physician on the administration task force, said the program is designed to permit states to move through what he called "gates," assess their caseloads, and then move ahead again.
"There are multiple checkpoints of safety here," he said.
Fauci said one major criteria for advancement will be the numbers of cases. If a state has an echo spike, its progress would stop — and Trump also has acknowledged that a major boomerang in infections could require the re-imposition of social distancing and other countermeasures.
Birx said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be relying on its existing surveillance practices for "influenza-like illnesses," which will be attuned to look for coronavirus, and fielding more new tests even for asymptomatic people to get better fidelity about the pervasiveness of the virus.
Eventually antibody tests and more capacity for diagnosis testing also will reveal the prevalence of the coronavirus, Fauci said.
But Fauci also warned that COVID-19 could become a seasonal affliction like the flu, which could mean more infections later this year.
Public health officials, however, hope that if that's so the response will be more robust because of work that has begun now, including on tests, therapeutic medications and, eventually, a vaccine.
Eagerness for normalcy
Trump's eagerness to reopen the United States is spurred by the economic paralysis caused by social distancing and other countermeasures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Orders to stay at home and avoid groups mean that restaurants, brick-and-mortar retailers, the travel industry and the energy sector are reeling; tens of millions of Americans are out of work. A relief program to help small businesses already has run out of money.
Everyday life, meanwhile, has been badly jangled. Roughly half of the public school students in the United States have been home for weeks and won't return this academic year.
Loading...
Even so, the crisis did not deliver an end to partisanship.
Trump's earlier claims about the power he said he could exercise over governors' decisions in managing the disaster have brought criticism from some of them and some of his traditional political foes in Congress.
Some governors and critics argue that essential elements necessary for a responsible re-opening — especially the testing capacity they say is needed to assure that a return to normalcy won't just bring an echo spike of infections — aren't yet in place.
At least one governor on the call, Democrat Jay Inslee of Washington, said that the president's push to return to the status quo seems premature.
"Some of the things that he sounded like he was hopeful for just ... don't exist in the criteria that the plan actually calls for," Inslee told NPR on Thursday.
Inslee's state was an early hotbed for the virus and has been under a stay at home order since March 23.
"The tenor of the president's comments do not seem to match the hard reality that is somewhat recognized in the plan. And there seems to be some discord there," Inslee said. "We're making decisions on data, not dreams."
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos told shareholders in a letter on Thursday that he believes the world doesn't yet have the capacity to test at the magnitude necessary to assure a safe return to business as before.
Groups of states on the West Coast, in the Midwest and along the East Coast have formed consortia to decide for themselves how they'll re-open in view of their interconnections.
Trump, who earlier complained that such efforts amounted to a "mutiny," said on Thursday that he now wants to encourage states to "harmonize their efforts" as the pandemic ebbs.
NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith contributed to this report.


npr--2020-04-16--Compensation Fund Takes Shape For Jeffrey Epstein's Accusers

The structure of a compensation fund for victims of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein now rests with the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands , where Epstein had a home .
U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George went to court in January to block the executors of Epstein 's estate from setting up a fund to compensate his alleged victims .
Dozens of women have accused Epstein of sexually abusing them at his estates in Palm Beach , Fla. , and in the Virgin Islands .
Epstein owned two islands in the U.S. territory and lived in a lavish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants an expert on child sex abuse , Marci Hamilton , to play a key role in administering the fund .
Hamilton is a child protection advocate who was recommended by attorneys representing Epstein 's victims .
The attorney general also objects to a proposed requirement that victims who receive compensation must sign a release preventing them from suing others who may have participated in Epstein 's alleged sex trafficking .
Lawyers for the Epstein estate want a more limited role for Hamilton .
And they say the release would preserve more money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein associates , those people would likely turn and sue the estate .
That could drag out proceedings and draw down funds , estate lawyers say .
Epstein was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges when he was found dead in his jail cell last year in what was ruled a suicide .
A decade earlier , a secret plea deal allowed him to avoid federal sex trafficking charges by pleading guilty to state charges that allowed him to serve just 13 months in jail , with lenient work release terms .
Epstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plea deal overturned , but a federal appeals court in Atlanta this week rejected their bid .
In the Virgin Islands , after months of discussions about the compensation fund , the attorney general and Epstein estate lawyers said they were unable to come to an agreement .
Both parties are asking the court to rule on how the fund to compensate victims should be set up and administered .

Compensation Fund Takes Shape For Jeffrey Epstein's Accusers
The structure of a compensation fund for victims of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein now rests with the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, where Epstein had a home.
U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George went to court in January to block the executors of Epstein's estate from setting up a fund to compensate his alleged victims. Dozens of women have accused Epstein of sexually abusing them at his estates in Palm Beach, Fla., and in the Virgin Islands. Epstein owned two islands in the U.S. territory and lived in a lavish estate on one of them.
George wants an expert on child sex abuse, Marci Hamilton, to play a key role in administering the fund. Hamilton is a child protection advocate who was recommended by attorneys representing Epstein's victims. The attorney general also objects to a proposed requirement that victims who receive compensation must sign a release preventing them from suing others who may have participated in Epstein's alleged sex trafficking.
Lawyers for the Epstein estate want a more limited role for Hamilton. And they say the release would preserve more money for victims because if victims sue former Epstein associates, those people would likely turn and sue the estate. That could drag out proceedings and draw down funds, estate lawyers say.
Epstein was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges when he was found dead in his jail cell last year in what was ruled a suicide. A decade earlier, a secret plea deal allowed him to avoid federal sex trafficking charges by pleading guilty to state charges that allowed him to serve just 13 months in jail, with lenient work release terms. Epstein's accusers have been trying to have the plea deal overturned, but a federal appeals court in Atlanta this week rejected their bid.
In the Virgin Islands, after months of discussions about the compensation fund, the attorney general and Epstein estate lawyers said they were unable to come to an agreement. Both parties are asking the court to rule on how the fund to compensate victims should be set up and administered.


npr--2020-04-16--Another Horse Dies At Santa Anita Race Track, The 11th Since Late December

Another Horse Dies At Santa Anita Race Track , The 11th Since Late December The racehorse M C Hamster was injured during a three-furlong workout along the dirt track at Santa Anita Park this week , fracturing a front left ankle .
She was later euthanized .
In a vacuum , this would be a sad event .
But given the Arcadia , Calif. , racetrack 's recent history , the four-year-old filly 's death becomes all the more appalling .
M C Hamster 's death is the 11th horse fatality at the track since racing began in late December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The news service also reports the injury happened on just the second day of training has been allowed at the track since last week because of rain .
As NPR has reported there were at least 49 equine deaths at the prominent Southern California racetrack between July 2018 and June 2019 .
Of those the vast majority of them , 39 , were disastrous breakdowns while training or in the midst of a race .
Messages left by NPR for Santa Anita officials were not immediately answered .
An email and phone message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M C Hamster have not yet been returned .
Santa Anita has been closed for racing since March 27 , following a directive from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department , citing the coronavirus .
The facility was permitted to remain open for training if weather permitted , the Los Angeles Times reports .
The paper also notes that M C Hamster 's last race was a fifth-place finish at Turf Paradise in Arizona on Feb. 24 .
`` Since that race , she worked twice at Turf Paradise and was moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four furlongs March 30 and had the second fastest time of 63 horses at that distance .
On Wednesday , her time of 35.20 seconds was the fastest of 35 horses going three furlongs , '' the LA Times said .
The paper also said track officials are scheduled to meet with the local Health Department over the weekend to see about reopening the track for racing , but without fans .
The L.A. District Attorney 's office in December issued a 17-page report on the horse deaths at Santa Anita .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the track and to identify preexisting conditions in racehorses .
But ultimately the D.A .
's office found no wrongdoing on the part track officials .
`` After a thorough investigation and review of the evidence , the District Attorney 's Task Force did not find evidence of criminal animal cruelty or unlawful conduct relating to the equine fatalities at Santa Anita Park , '' the report .

Another Horse Dies At Santa Anita Race Track, The 11th Since Late December
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark J. Terrill/AP Mark J. Terrill/AP
The racehorse M C Hamster was injured during a three-furlong workout along the dirt track at Santa Anita Park this week, fracturing a front left ankle. She was later euthanized.
In a vacuum, this would be a sad event.
But given the Arcadia, Calif., racetrack's recent history, the four-year-old filly's death becomes all the more appalling.
M C Hamster's death is the 11th horse fatality at the track since racing began in late December, according to the Associated Press. The news service also reports the injury happened on just the second day of training has been allowed at the track since last week because of rain.
As NPR has reported there were at least 49 equine deaths at the prominent Southern California racetrack between July 2018 and June 2019. Of those the vast majority of them, 39, were disastrous breakdowns while training or in the midst of a race.
Messages left by NPR for Santa Anita officials were not immediately answered. An email and phone message left at Hansen Racing, which trained M C Hamster have not yet been returned.
Santa Anita has been closed for racing since March 27, following a directive from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, citing the coronavirus.
The facility was permitted to remain open for training if weather permitted, the Los Angeles Times reports. The paper also notes that M C Hamster's last race was a fifth-place finish at Turf Paradise in Arizona on Feb. 24.
"Since that race, she worked twice at Turf Paradise and was moved to Santa Anita, where she worked four furlongs March 30 and had the second fastest time of 63 horses at that distance. On Wednesday, her time of 35.20 seconds was the fastest of 35 horses going three furlongs," the LA Times said.
The paper also said track officials are scheduled to meet with the local Health Department over the weekend to see about reopening the track for racing, but without fans.
The L.A. District Attorney's office in December issued a 17-page report on the horse deaths at Santa Anita. It made dozens of recommendations to improve safety at the track and to identify preexisting conditions in racehorses.
But ultimately the D.A.'s office found no wrongdoing on the part track officials.
"After a thorough investigation and review of the evidence, the District Attorney's Task Force did not find evidence of criminal animal cruelty or unlawful conduct relating to the equine fatalities at Santa Anita Park," the report.


npr--2020-04-17--Cathay Pacific To Cut U.S. Cabin Crew As COVID-19 Grounds Most Of Its Flights

Cathay Pacific To Cut U.S. Cabin Crew As COVID-19 Grounds Most Of Its Flights Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways will lay off dozens of U.S. cabin crew and other staff members in a cost-saving move aimed at shoring up its bottom line as its planes sit idle amid a sharp decrease in demand caused by the coronavirus .
The airline said Friday that it would cut 286 staff jobs located in New York , San Francisco and Los Angeles .
`` As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which has virtually halted global travel , Cathay Pacific has made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew bases , '' an airline spokeswoman said .
It follows a similar move last month to close its Vancouver , Canada , base and eliminate 147 jobs there .
In recent weeks , Cathay has been flying at just 3 % of its normal capacity , trimming back all but its primary destinations : Beijing , Los Angeles , Singapore , Sydney , Tokyo and Vancouver .
Sara Nelson , president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA , which represents Cathay in the U.S. , said the union was `` devastated '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the South China Morning Post , said the union `` will be working to achieve severance and continued health care for as long as possible . ''
Cathay managed to bounce back after facing a similar crisis during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) outbreak that swept through Hong Kong and southern China in 2003 .
This time , however , the economic damage from the latest virus is proving much more substantial and longer lasting .
For the airline , the hit from COVID-19 also comes on top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent anti-government protests that have frequently brought the city to a standstill and forced many travelers to reconsider the Chinese territory as a suitable destination .
Last year , Cathay fired dozens of employees who had openly expressed sympathy with the protesters or joined in the protests themselves and the company 's CEO stepped down amid criticism from Beijing .

Cathay Pacific To Cut U.S. Cabin Crew As COVID-19 Grounds Most Of Its Flights
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kin Cheung/AP Kin Cheung/AP
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways will lay off dozens of U.S. cabin crew and other staff members in a cost-saving move aimed at shoring up its bottom line as its planes sit idle amid a sharp decrease in demand caused by the coronavirus.
The airline said Friday that it would cut 286 staff jobs located in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
"As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which has virtually halted global travel, Cathay Pacific has made the difficult decision to close its US cabin crew bases," an airline spokeswoman said.
It follows a similar move last month to close its Vancouver, Canada, base and eliminate 147 jobs there.
In recent weeks, Cathay has been flying at just 3% of its normal capacity, trimming back all but its primary destinations: Beijing, Los Angeles, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Vancouver.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents Cathay in the U.S., said the union was "devastated" by the layoffs.
Nelson, quoted in the South China Morning Post, said the union "will be working to achieve severance and continued health care for as long as possible."
Cathay managed to bounce back after facing a similar crisis during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak that swept through Hong Kong and southern China in 2003. This time, however, the economic damage from the latest virus is proving much more substantial and longer-lasting.
For the airline, the hit from COVID-19 comes on top of another blow: the sometimes violent anti-government protests that have frequently brought Hong Kong to a standstill and forced many travelers to reconsider the Chinese territory as a suitable destination.
Last year, Cathay fired dozens of employees who had openly expressed sympathy with the protesters or joined in the protests themselves, and the company's CEO stepped down amid criticism from Beijing.


npr--2020-04-17--Michelle Obama May Stay 'Above The Fray' As She Returns To Political Life

Michelle Obama May Stay 'Above The Fray ' As She Returns To Political Life On a recent Saturday night , tens of thousands of people joined a nine-hour virtual dance party on Instagram Live that was hosted by DJ D-Nice .
Some familiar big names have been dropping into what he calls `` Club Quarantine , '' like John Legend , Joe Biden and Mark Zuckerberg .
But it was the appearance of former first lady Michelle Obama that seemed to have a big impact .
`` Oh my gosh .
Michelle Obama 's in here , '' D-Nice exclaimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a brief stop .
`` Yo , I swear , I do n't even know who to play right now .
My mind 's completely blown . ''
That moment , which reverberated across social media as millions of Americans are sheltering at home , was a reminder of the power and popularity of Michelle Obama , who is stepping back into politics as she promotes her own voting initiative .
Last week , Obama announced her support for greater access to voting by mail , early in-person voting and online voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps for this moment . ''
`` Americans should never have to choose between making their voices heard and keeping themselves and their families safe , '' she said in a statement released by When We All Vote , the group she launched in 2018 .
Though the group is nonpartisan , the effort is Obama 's most high-profile political activity since leaving the White House in early 2017 .
And her announcement comes with the issue elevated after the controversy over Wisconsin holding a vote this month under a statewide order for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also expressing outspoken opposition to mail-in voting .
On Monday , Obama will kick off a virtual `` couch party '' for When We All Vote , encouraging participants to register to vote and learn how to cast their ballots in upcoming elections .
During the group 's first couch party , hosted by D-Nice , the group says it reached more than 400,000 eligible voters .
`` I think that at this moment she 's going to focus on When We All Vote , '' said Susan Sher , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her chief of staff at the beginning of President Barack Obama 's administration .
`` Particularly in light of the COVID-19 virus — and everyone saw those pictures of people in Wisconsin who were risking their own safety and health in order to vote — I think it 's even more important , and she appreciates how important it is to the actual election . ''
While Obama 's current work is focused on voter turnout , she remains one of the most sought-after surrogates on the campaign trail , with sky-high approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Michelle Obama is one of the most popular women in the country , '' said Christine Matthews , who is a Republican pollster .
`` Every first lady or former first lady has a partisan aspect to their popularity .
But Michelle Obama is actually fairly popular among Republican women . ''
When and whether she will be a regular surrogate in 2020 on behalf of former Vice President Joe Biden remains unknown .
Her husband , former President Barack Obama , endorsed Biden this week .
While those close to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' supports Biden 's campaign , she has not yet come off the sidelines , though an eventual endorsement is anticipated .
Sher said that she assumes Obama is n't `` thinking about it like a politician '' but that `` it 's clear she supports him and will support him . ''
`` Whatever she does , she will be above the fray , '' said Sher .
`` That is n't to say that she is n't supporting Vice President Biden .
She obviously is , but she will do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do it in a way that is positive . ''
Obama has spoken openly about her attempts to persuade her husband not to seek the presidency and was once reluctant to engage in partisan politics .
But even in those early days , she forged a connection with voters .
Stephanie Cutter , a Democratic strategist who advised Michelle Obama , recalled the nickname that Barack Obama 's aides had for her during his 2008 campaign : the closer .
`` She was the real motivator for people to come out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that 's a key role that she plays in elections , '' Cutter said .
`` She knows how to inspire and motivate and relate with the people she 's speaking with . ''
John Brabender , a veteran Republican strategist , said that `` suburban women in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan '' could be one of the defined audiences , along with black voters , that Obama could target in this election .
`` We do know that the president 's campaign is making a very aggressive effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Brabender said .
`` And there have been some positive signs for the president that he 's overperforming among African Americans versus previous [ GOP ] presidential candidates .
And so I think that 's an audience that certainly the Democrats are going to want Michelle Obama to spend some time talking to . ''
During President Obama 's time in office , Michelle Obama kept a limited political schedule , appearing at political events only when she believed her presence could have a big impact .
`` Everything she did , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , 'Why is this a good use of my time ? '
`` said Tina Tchen , the president of Time 's Up Now , who previously served as Michelle Obama 's chief of staff .
`` And it was always a challenge to make sure it was something she was personally , authentically passionate about .
If it was n't , she would n't say it .
If it 's not something she believed in , that 's not something she would go out and say .
And I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that about her . ''
Obama was a breakout star of the 2016 campaign and one of the most popular surrogates lending her credibility and reputation for authenticity to candidate Hillary Clinton 's cause , though Obama has never had much affection for the campaign trail .
Her explicitly political appearances have been limited in scope , to the dismay of some Democrats .
But she has been in the public eye , on her own terms .
She packed arenas with throngs of fans as she promoted her memoir , Becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has made a number of high-profile speeches and appearances .
`` The kind of surrogacy that Michelle Obama brings is unprecedented .
People do n't see her as a political figure — they see her as a beloved former first lady who they completely relate with , '' said Cutter .
Obama is also a larger-than-life presence on social media , with more than 37 million followers on Instagram , which could make her a potentially desirable — and effective — surrogate as campaigning and advocacy work have largely moved online .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I laugh about that because I can remember being in the White House where we were n't sure Twitter was something the first lady of the United States ought to be on , back in the beginning of the platform , `` said Tchen , who is now on the board of When We All Vote .
Aimee Allison , the founder of She the People , an organization dedicated to mobilizing women of color , said that Obama 's `` encouragement of high voter turnout '' is more valuable than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , so important and such a respected , trusted voice for Democrats across the whole spectrum , '' Allison said , adding that voter mobilization could be critical for Democrats looking to close the gap in key battleground states .

Michelle Obama May Stay 'Above The Fray' As She Returns To Political Life
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vincent Thian/AP Vincent Thian/AP
On a recent Saturday night, tens of thousands of people joined a nine-hour virtual dance party on Instagram Live that was hosted by DJ D-Nice. Some familiar big names have been dropping into what he calls "Club Quarantine," like John Legend, Joe Biden and Mark Zuckerberg.
But it was the appearance of former first lady Michelle Obama that seemed to have a big impact.
"Oh my gosh. Michelle Obama's in here," D-Nice exclaimed as Obama's appearance brought the music to a brief stop. "Yo, I swear, I don't even know who to play right now. My mind's completely blown."
That moment, which reverberated across social media as millions of Americans are sheltering at home, was a reminder of the power and popularity of Michelle Obama, who is stepping back into politics as she promotes her own voting initiative.
Last week, Obama announced her support for greater access to voting by mail, early in-person voting and online voter registration, calling these options "critical steps for this moment."
"Americans should never have to choose between making their voices heard and keeping themselves and their families safe," she said in a statement released by When We All Vote, the group she launched in 2018.
Though the group is nonpartisan, the effort is Obama's most high-profile political activity since leaving the White House in early 2017. And her announcement comes with the issue elevated after the controversy over Wisconsin holding a vote this month under a statewide order for residents to stay home. President Trump is also expressing outspoken opposition to mail-in voting.
On Monday, Obama will kick off a virtual "couch party" for When We All Vote, encouraging participants to register to vote and learn how to cast their ballots in upcoming elections. During the group's first couch party, hosted by D-Nice, the group says it reached more than 400,000 eligible voters.
"I think that at this moment she's going to focus on When We All Vote," said Susan Sher, who has known Obama for decades and served as her chief of staff at the beginning of President Barack Obama's administration. "Particularly in light of the COVID-19 virus — and everyone saw those pictures of people in Wisconsin who were risking their own safety and health in order to vote — I think it's even more important, and she appreciates how important it is to the actual election."
While Obama's current work is focused on voter turnout, she remains one of the most sought-after surrogates on the campaign trail, with sky-high approval ratings that cut across party lines.
"Michelle Obama is one of the most popular women in the country," said Christine Matthews, who is a Republican pollster. "Every first lady or former first lady has a partisan aspect to their popularity. But Michelle Obama is actually fairly popular among Republican women."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jacquelyn Martin/AP Jacquelyn Martin/AP
When and whether she will be a regular surrogate in 2020 on behalf of former Vice President Joe Biden remains unknown. Her husband, former President Barack Obama, endorsed Biden this week. While those close to her say that Michelle Obama "of course" supports Biden's campaign, she has not yet come off the sidelines, though an eventual endorsement is anticipated.
Sher said that she assumes Obama isn't "thinking about it like a politician" but that "it's clear she supports him and will support him."
"Whatever she does, she will be above the fray," said Sher. "That isn't to say that she isn't supporting Vice President Biden. She obviously is, but she will do it — and I know her — she will do it in a way that is positive."
Obama has spoken openly about her attempts to persuade her husband not to seek the presidency and was once reluctant to engage in partisan politics. But even in those early days, she forged a connection with voters.
Stephanie Cutter, a Democratic strategist who advised Michelle Obama, recalled the nickname that Barack Obama's aides had for her during his 2008 campaign: the closer.
"She was the real motivator for people to come out and caucus in Iowa for Barack Obama, and that's a key role that she plays in elections," Cutter said. "She knows how to inspire and motivate and relate with the people she's speaking with."
John Brabender, a veteran Republican strategist, said that "suburban women in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan" could be one of the defined audiences, along with black voters, that Obama could target in this election.
"We do know that the president's campaign is making a very aggressive effort to get a historic African American vote," Brabender said. "And there have been some positive signs for the president that he's overperforming among African Americans versus previous [GOP] presidential candidates. And so I think that's an audience that certainly the Democrats are going to want Michelle Obama to spend some time talking to."
During President Obama's time in office, Michelle Obama kept a limited political schedule, appearing at political events only when she believed her presence could have a big impact.
"Everything she did, she challenged us as her staff to say, 'Why is this a good use of my time?' " said Tina Tchen, the president of Time's Up Now, who previously served as Michelle Obama's chief of staff. "And it was always a challenge to make sure it was something she was personally, authentically passionate about. If it wasn't, she wouldn't say it. If it's not something she believed in, that's not something she would go out and say. And I think the American people responded to that — they know that about her."
Obama was a breakout star of the 2016 campaign and one of the most popular surrogates lending her credibility and reputation for authenticity to candidate Hillary Clinton's cause, though Obama has never had much affection for the campaign trail. Her explicitly political appearances have been limited in scope, to the dismay of some Democrats.
But she has been in the public eye, on her own terms. She packed arenas with throngs of fans as she promoted her memoir, Becoming, which was released in 2018, and has made a number of high-profile speeches and appearances.
"The kind of surrogacy that Michelle Obama brings is unprecedented. People don't see her as a political figure — they see her as a beloved former first lady who they completely relate with," said Cutter.
Obama is also a larger-than-life presence on social media, with more than 37 million followers on Instagram, which could make her a potentially desirable — and effective — surrogate as campaigning and advocacy work have largely moved online.
"She has been a huge presence, and I laugh about that because I can remember being in the White House where we weren't sure Twitter was something the first lady of the United States ought to be on, back in the beginning of the platform, " said Tchen, who is now on the board of When We All Vote.
Aimee Allison, the founder of She the People, an organization dedicated to mobilizing women of color, said that Obama's "encouragement of high voter turnout" is more valuable than any one endorsement.
"She's so, so important and such a respected, trusted voice for Democrats across the whole spectrum," Allison said, adding that voter mobilization could be critical for Democrats looking to close the gap in key battleground states.


npr--2020-04-17--After Recovering From COVID-19, Some Detroit Health Care Workers Are Back On The Job

After Recovering From COVID-19 , Some Detroit Health Care Workers Are Back On The Job Cyndi Engelhardt woke up at 5 a.m. one day last month , and laying there in bed she just knew it .
She was sick .
She 'd had some chest congestion the night before .
Now her muscles ached .
So in those dark early hours , she got up to take her temperature : 102 degrees .
`` And I went back to my bed , and I just put my head in my hands and I was just crying .
And I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help everybody when I 'm stuck at home ? '
`` said Engelhardt , an assistant clinical manager at an intensive care unit in Detroit 's Henry Ford Hospital .
`` It just makes you feel like you 're helpless . ''
Part of Engelhardt 's job is caring for other nurses — including putting together the massive monthly shift schedule .
And just then , they needed her more than ever .
Over the last few days , their unit had been filling up with COVID-19 patients .
Engelhardt had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff as much personal protective equipment as the hospital could find .
Now , alone in her home , she reached out to her manager .
`` The first thing I said was , ' I 'm so , so , so sorry .
But I think I may have COVID . '
`` Two days later , a test confirmed it : She was positive .
Dr. Lamont Jones is vice chair of the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital .
And he started having symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wright-Jones , got sick .
They drove together to get tested , and her results came back first : positive .
So they brought their daughters , ages 10 and 14 , into the room and broke the news .
`` We had a real discussion about that their mom had tested positive , that I had gotten tested .
And it 's likely that I would be positive , and what it meant for them .
They likely were or eventually would be positive , '' he said .
`` So it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of my daughters did start crying afterwards because she had been reading everything in the news about people coming down with COVID-19 and that people were dying from it . ''
When Jones ' test came back positive as well , he joined a growing club : health care workers in the metro Detroit area who have contracted COVID-19 .
Nobody knows how many , exactly , because some health systems are n't sharing or collecting that data .
But more than 2,600 health care workers in the area either have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 or have tested positive for the coronavirus .
From an office job to the COVID-19 unit In the meantime , hundreds of people like Heather Haener-Svoboda have been redeployed .
`` It 's a hospital I 've never been at , on a unit I 've never been on , on a shift that I 'd never work , '' she said .
Haener-Svoboda spent the last few years at an office job as a quality and safety administrator at Beaumont Health .
Prior to that , she 'd been an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started surveying the staff about possible redeployments — asking which hospital they 'd prefer work at , what shifts they could do and what kind of care they felt most comfortable doing — she was upfront : She had n't done that kind of patient care in 20 years .
`` But we all felt like , 'We 're nurses .
We 're reading to step up to the plate .
The people of metro Detroit need us , ' `` Haener-Svoboda said .
`` So I think everybody is out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're pretty brave . ''
Now she 's working overnight shifts in the unit where COVID-19 patients are sent after they 've left the ICU .
`` And they 're so helpless and they 're so scared , '' she said .
`` And you really just feel for them .
And we 're doing the best we can to take care of them and keep them comforted and encourage them , and holding their hand .
And you just really feel like you 're doing something important . ''
Guilt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially important in a city and a state that are among those hit hard by the virus .
At least seven health care workers in Michigan have died , including Lisa Ewald .
She was a nurse at Henry Ford Hospital , where Engelhardt works .
`` You see that and you just think , 'Why was I OK ? '
`` Engelhardt said .
`` I had some survivor 's guilt with that . ''
Like the majority of health care workers who have contracted COVID-19 , Engelhardt has recovered .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home , she returned to work .
`` There 's a little bit of feeling guilty that I was n't here , because there are all these people that are fighting for their lives , '' she said .
`` And I was home with , like , this mild cold in my eyes .
And I do n't deserve to be recognized like they do .
They 're working hard , and I was n't working hard .
I was on this COVID vacation , '' she added .
Jones and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though Wright-Jones is still experiencing some shortness of breath .
Since so many of his surgeries have been postponed , Jones has volunteered to clean and disinfect hospital rooms and work in the emergency room .
He says in some ways , having COVID-19 has actually been an asset .
Because he presumes he 's likely immune , he 's taking over some of the higher-risk procedures for his colleagues .
`` And so to some degree , it made us feel like we could be more helpful , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing has come out of her illness — it has given her co-workers a visible reminder that there is hope .
`` They saw a lot of hurt , '' she said .
`` You know , these patients being alone [ when they died ] . ''
So when her colleagues see her back at work — healthy , energetic and ready to help again — it gives them some relief , she said .
She 's their proof that contracting the virus `` does n't [ have to ] mean death @ @

After Recovering From COVID-19, Some Detroit Health Care Workers Are Back On The Job
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
Cyndi Engelhardt woke up at 5 a.m. one day last month, and laying there in bed she just knew it. She was sick.
She'd had some chest congestion the night before. Now her muscles ached. So in those dark early hours, she got up to take her temperature: 102 degrees.
"And I went back to my bed, and I just put my head in my hands and I was just crying. And I was thinking, 'How am I supposed to help everybody when I'm stuck at home?' " said Engelhardt, an assistant clinical manager at an intensive care unit in Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital. "It just makes you feel like you're helpless."
Part of Engelhardt's job is caring for other nurses — including putting together the massive monthly shift schedule. And just then, they needed her more than ever. Over the last few days, their unit had been filling up with COVID-19 patients. Engelhardt had been scrambling to help reorganize and get the staff as much personal protective equipment as the hospital could find.
Now, alone in her home, she reached out to her manager.
"The first thing I said was, 'I'm so, so, so sorry. But I think I may have COVID.' "
Two days later, a test confirmed it: She was positive.
A growing club
Dr. Lamont Jones is vice chair of the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital. And he started having symptoms shortly after his wife, Dr. Teniesha Wright-Jones, got sick. They drove together to get tested, and her results came back first: positive.
So they brought their daughters, ages 10 and 14, into the room and broke the news.
Health Care In Detroit, Over 2,600 Health Care Workers Have Gotten Sick From The Coronavirus In Detroit, Over 2,600 Health Care Workers Have Gotten Sick From The Coronavirus Listen · 3:33 3:33
"We had a real discussion about that their mom had tested positive, that I had gotten tested. And it's likely that I would be positive, and what it meant for them. They likely were or eventually would be positive," he said. "So it was a pretty real conversation. And one of my daughters did start crying afterwards because she had been reading everything in the news about people coming down with COVID-19 and that people were dying from it."
When Jones' test came back positive as well, he joined a growing club: health care workers in the metro Detroit area who have contracted COVID-19.
Nobody knows how many, exactly, because some health systems aren't sharing or collecting that data.
But more than 2,600 health care workers in the area either have been out sick with symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 or have tested positive for the coronavirus.
From an office job to the COVID-19 unit
In the meantime, hundreds of people like Heather Haener-Svoboda have been redeployed.
"It's a hospital I've never been at, on a unit I've never been on, on a shift that I'd never work," she said. Haener-Svoboda spent the last few years at an office job as a quality and safety administrator at Beaumont Health. Prior to that, she'd been an operating room nurse.
When her employer started surveying the staff about possible redeployments — asking which hospital they'd prefer work at, what shifts they could do and what kind of care they felt most comfortable doing — she was upfront: She hadn't done that kind of patient care in 20 years.
"But we all felt like, 'We're nurses. We're ready to step up to the plate. The people of metro Detroit need us,' " Haener-Svoboda said. "So I think everybody is out of their comfort zone. But everybody is realizing they're pretty brave."
Now she's working overnight shifts in the unit where COVID-19 patients are sent after they've left the ICU.
"And they're so helpless and they're so scared," she said. "And you really just feel for them. And we're doing the best we can to take care of them and keep them comforted and encourage them, and holding their hand. And you just really feel like you're doing something important."
Guilt, hope and wanting to help
It's especially important in a city and a state that are among those hit hard by the virus.
At least seven health care workers in Michigan have died, including Lisa Ewald. She was a nurse at Henry Ford Hospital, where Engelhardt works.
"You see that and you just think, 'Why was I OK?' " Engelhardt said. "I had some survivor's guilt with that."
Like the majority of health care workers who have contracted COVID-19, Engelhardt has recovered. And after 14 long, frustrating days stuck at home, she returned to work.
"There's a little bit of feeling guilty that I wasn't here, because there are all these people that are fighting for their lives," she said. "And I was home with, like, this mild cold in my eyes. And I don't deserve to be recognized like they do. They're working hard, and I wasn't working hard. I was on this COVID vacation," she added.
Jones and his wife have also returned to work, even though Wright-Jones is still experiencing some shortness of breath.
Since so many of his surgeries have been postponed, Jones has volunteered to clean and disinfect hospital rooms and work in the emergency room.
He says in some ways, having COVID-19 has actually been an asset. Because he presumes he's likely immune, he's taking over some of the higher-risk procedures for his colleagues.
"And so to some degree, it made us feel like we could be more helpful," he said.
Engelhardt also said one good thing has come out of her illness — it has given her co-workers a visible reminder that there is hope.
"They saw a lot of hurt," she said. "You know, these patients being alone [when they died]." So when her colleagues see her back at work — healthy, energetic and ready to help again — it gives them some relief, she said. She's their proof that contracting the virus "doesn't [have to] mean death."