npr--2020-01-28--The Essence Of The Senate Impeachment Trial In 2 Videos

The Essence Of The Senate Impeachment Trial In 2 Videos Opening arguments for both sides in the Trump impeachment trial ended on Tuesday .
The trial is n't over , but the core argument in each side 's case is clear .
The Democratic impeachment managers and President Trump 's defense team each had 24 hours over three days to lay out their arguments .
( Learn more about the trial process here . )
The Democrats charge Trump , who was impeached last month by the House of Representatives , with abusing the power of the presidency and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merit conviction and removal from office .
Trump 's lawyers maintain the president 's innocence and argue that none of Trump 's actions rise to the level of impeachment .
These clips show the leaders of each side , explaining the essence of their arguments : On Tuesday the leader of Trump 's team , Pat Cipollone , argued that if senators vote to remove Trump from office , they would deny Americans ' right to choose their president .
`` Why tear up their ballots ? ''
he asked senators .
Watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final day of his remarks , last Friday , lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff declared Trump a `` threat to the integrity of our democracy , '' who puts his own interests over the nation 's .
Watch a clip of his remarks .
The senators , who act as jurors in the trial , will now consider these arguments , among others , as they decide on their next steps .

The Essence Of The Senate Impeachment Trial In 2 Videos
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dana Verkouteren/AP Dana Verkouteren/AP
Opening arguments for both sides in the Trump impeachment trial ended on Tuesday. The trial isn't over, but the core argument in each side's case is clear.
The Democratic impeachment managers and President Trump's defense team each had 24 hours over three days to lay out their arguments. (Learn more about the trial process here.)
The Democrats charge Trump, who was impeached last month by the House of Representatives, with abusing the power of the presidency and with obstructing Congress — and that his actions merit conviction and removal from office. Trump's lawyers maintain the president's innocence and argue that none of Trump's actions rise to the level of impeachment.
These clips show the leaders of each side, explaining the essence of their arguments:
White House counsel Pat Cipollone
On Tuesday the leader of Trump's team, Pat Cipollone, argued that if senators vote to remove Trump from office, they would deny Americans' right to choose their president. "Why tear up their ballots?" he asked senators. Watch a clip of his remarks.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.
On the final day of his remarks, last Friday, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff declared Trump a "threat to the integrity of our democracy," who puts his own interests over the nation's. Watch a clip of his remarks.
The senators, who act as jurors in the trial, will now consider these arguments, among others, as they decide on their next steps.
The trial continues Wednesday.


npr--2020-01-28--Public Health Efforts Step Up Around The World As Coronavirus Cases Rise

Public Health Efforts Step Up Around The World As Coronavirus Cases Rise Public health officials around the world worked to respond to the fast-growing outbreak of the new coronavirus from China on Tuesday .
The World Health Organization announced that it would send international health experts to China to help understand the outbreak and guide the response .
In Beijing , WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with China 's President Xi Jinping .
`` Stopping the spread of this virus both in China and globally is WHO 's highest priority , '' said Dr. Tedros .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking this outbreak , '' he added , praising Chinese officials for sharing data and information about the virus .
The death toll from the illness has now topped 100 , up from six a week ago .
Total confirmed cases nearly doubled overnight — from 2,835 on Monday , to 4,515 on Tuesday .
More than half of the confirmed cases are in Hubei , the central Chinese province where the outbreak originated in early December in Wuhan , a city of 11 million .
But new cases continue to emerge around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more than a dozen countries to confirm cases of the coronavirus within their borders — they 've found four cases .
German health officials say they have evidence of human-to-human transmission .
This week , the U.S. , along with Japan , South Korea and the EU will start evacuating residents from Wuhan .
The U.S. State Department , citing `` restricted transportation and overwhelmed hospitals in Wuhan '' in a statement to NPR , chartered a flight to bring consulate employees and some residents back to the U.S .
The flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry around 240 people and refuel in Alaska before arriving in California .
The CDC also expanded airport screenings for the coronavirus from five to twenty airports , and intensified their travel guidance , advising Americans to avoid all nonessential travel to China .
Health officials in mainland China are urgently trying to halt the spread of the virus .
The Chinese government added three days to the Lunar New Year holiday — now ending February 2 — delaying travel and the return to daily life .
`` What they 're trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission , '' says Dr. Louise-Marie Dembry , an epidemiologist at Yale who worked on infection prevention in China after SARS .
Some 50 million people remain quarantined within Wuhan and other nearby cities .
But in a press conference Sunday , Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang said that some 5 million people left the city before the quarantine was implemented on January 23 , reports the South China Morning Post .
In addition , neighboring countries are restricting travel from China , adding to China 's internal efforts to quarantine potentially exposed citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossings , and Malaysia has stopped issuing visas to visitors from China 's Hubei province .
Hong Kong 's government announced they 've taken steps to reduce the flow of mainland visitors to Hong Kong by halting permits , canceling group tours and banning anyone who recently visited Hubei province .
The efforts , while extensive , leave borders with China porous .
At a press conference , Hong Kong 's leader Carrie Lam said it was necessary to allow Hong Kong residents abroad to return home .
`` I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complete closure of the boundary control points , '' she said .
Hong Kong also announced Tuesday that it is closing museums , libraries and sports centers until further notice to prevent the coronavirus from spreading .
The government is encouraging people to work from home .
As of Tuesday , eight cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Hong Kong .

Public Health Efforts Step Up Around The World As Coronavirus Cases Rise
Enlarge this image toggle caption Xiong Qi/AP Xiong Qi/AP
Updated at 8:20 p.m. ET
Public health officials around the world were responding to the fast-growing outbreak of the new coronavirus, as officials in China, at the epidemic's epicenter, announced that the number of cases there had reached nearly 6,000.
The World Health Organization announced that it would send international health experts to China to help understand the outbreak and guide the response.
In Beijing, the WHO's director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Stopping the spread of this virus both in China and globally is WHO's highest priority," said Tedros. "We appreciate the seriousness with which China is taking this outbreak," he added, praising Chinese officials for sharing data and information about the virus.
The death toll from the illness has now topped 130, up from six a week ago. Total confirmed cases have more than doubled in the past few days — from 2,835 on Monday to 5,974 on Wednesday local time. The largest portion of the confirmed cases are in Hubei, the central Chinese province where the outbreak originated in early December in Wuhan, a city of 11 million.
But new cases continue to emerge around the world. Germany was the latest of more than a dozen countries to confirm cases of the coronavirus within their borders — it has found four cases. German health officials say they have evidence of human-to-human transmission.
This week, the U.S., along with Japan, South Korea and the European Union, will start evacuating residents from Wuhan.
The U.S. State Department, citing "restricted transportation and overwhelmed hospitals in Wuhan" in a statement to NPR, chartered a flight to bring consulate employees and some residents back to the United States. The flight, planned for Wednesday, is expected to carry around 240 people and refuel in Alaska before arriving in California.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also expanded airport screenings for the coronavirus from five to 20 airports and intensified its travel guidance, advising Americans to avoid all nonessential travel to China.
Health officials in mainland China are urgently trying to halt the spread of the virus. The Chinese government added three days to the Lunar New Year holiday — now ending Feb. 2 — delaying travel and the return to daily life.
"What they're trying to do is to slow down person-to-person transmission," says Dr. Louise-Marie Dembry, an epidemiologist at Yale University who worked on infection prevention in China after SARS.
Some 50 million people remain quarantined within Wuhan and other nearby cities. But in a news conference Sunday, Wuhan Mayor Zhou Xianwang said that some 5 million people left the city before the quarantine was implemented on Jan. 23, reports the South China Morning Post.
In addition, neighboring countries are restricting travel from China, adding to China's internal efforts to quarantine potentially exposed citizens. Mongolia tightened restrictions at its border crossings, and Malaysia has stopped issuing visas to visitors from Hubei province.
Hong Kong's government announced that it has taken steps to reduce the flow of mainland visitors to Hong Kong by halting permits, canceling group tours and banning anyone who recently visited Hubei. The efforts, while extensive, leave borders with China porous.
At a news conference, Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, said it was necessary to allow Hong Kong residents abroad to return home. "I don't think it is very meaningful to talk about a complete closure of the boundary control points," she said.
Hong Kong also announced Tuesday that it is closing museums, libraries and sports centers until further notice to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. The government is encouraging people to work from home. As of Wednesday local time, eight cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Hong Kong.


npr--2020-01-28--Impeachment Recap: As Defense Rests, Focus Shifts To Witnesses Fight

The admission of new witnesses into President Trump 's impeachment trial began to look less likely on Tuesday as defense attorneys and the White House signaled opposition in hopes of persuading Republicans to block them .
Lawyer Jay Sekulow called the claims in John Bolton 's forthcoming book `` inadmissible '' as he delivered closing arguments and separately , White House aides reportedly began warning senators that a legal fight over witnesses could drag on for months .
Democrats have continued the calls they 've made all along for new witnesses , including Bolton and others , but it remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's wishes and join with all the Democrats to vote to authorize new testimony .
The Senate is expected to reach that crossroads on Friday .
If the chamber voted to admit witnesses , that would begin a new sub-debate over which ones and under which conditions they might appear .
If the chamber does not vote to admit them , it could move onto a vote as to Trump 's guilt with respect to the two articles of impeachment .
The Republican-controlled chamber is expected to permit Trump to keep his office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are scheduled to spend Wednesday and Thursday submitting written questions for the House impeachment managers and Trump 's lawyers .
So if the door is n't shut to new testimony , it also was n't clear how the Senate might get from the state of play on Tuesday to a clear picture about the votes within the Republican conference given the increased show of displeasure from Trump 's camp .
One borderline senators , Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , told reporters on Tuesday that discussion was still ongoing about Bolton 's testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're going to learn more , '' she said .
A close ally of Trump 's Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , told reporters that he 'd had enough of impeachment and that he was contented with the idea of moving on with the evidentiary record as it stands .
Graham also said that if Democrats open the door to admitting witnesses , they might not like where that leads .
Graham said he was sure there are 51 Republican votes today to call former Vice President Joe Biden , his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom Graham suggested might embarrass Democrats .
So be it , riposted Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , later in the day : `` They can call who they want . ''
The minority leader has ruled out the idea of a partisan trade in which , for example , Republicans would call Hunter Biden if Democrats may call Bolton .
Schumer said if there are to be witnesses there must be a full-scale effort to bring in witnesses and their documents and support what he called a real trial for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and others he says can verify Democrats ' allegations in the articles of impeachment .
He appealed to Republicans to make that happen .
`` All we need is four who rise to the occasion , '' he said .
`` Let the chips fall where they may .
Get the truth . ''
The negotiations over witnesses followed even after the end of closing statements by Trump 's defense team , which elected not to use several of the hours it still had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsel Pat Cipollone said that he and his colleagues considered their case proved and that they did not consider it a difficult problem for senators to unravel .
`` All you need in this case is the Constitution and your common sense , '' he said .
His summation followed a longer recapitulation by Trump 's personal lawyer , Sekulow , which included his declaration that Bolton 's evidence was `` inadmissible '' but also the assertion that , even if it were accurate and admitted , it would n't matter .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lawyers argued , he released military assistance for Ukraine before the expiration of the fiscal year and nothing alleged was illegal or even improper , Sekulow argued .
`` There 's no violation of the law .
There 's no violation of the constitution .
There 's a disagreement over policy decisions , '' he said .
That 's what elections are for , he argued , like the one this November in which voters must decide whether to reward or punish Trump for his actions — not the Senate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the actions in the Ukraine affair , the attorney said , they 'll not only spurn voters but also weaken the presidency forever by making every subsequent chief executive subject to what defense lawyers said would be the equivalent of a partisan vote of no confidence , like that used in parliamentary systems .
In the Trump defense team 's telling , the Democrats ' impeachment case boils down to partisan animus and a disagreement with the president over his foreign policy .
`` If that becomes the new normal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be paralyzed the moment they are elected , before they can even take the oath of office , '' Sekulow said .
`` The bar for impeachment can not be set this low . ''

Impeachment Recap: As Defense Rests, Focus Shifts To Witnesses Fight
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Wilson/Getty Images Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The admission of new witnesses into President Trump's impeachment trial began to look less likely on Tuesday as defense attorneys and the White House signaled opposition in hopes of persuading Republicans to block them.
Lawyer Jay Sekulow called the claims in John Bolton's forthcoming book "inadmissible" as he delivered closing arguments and separately, White House aides reportedly began warning senators that a legal fight over witnesses could drag on for months.
Democrats have continued the calls they've made all along for new witnesses, including Bolton and others, but it remained unclear whether four Republicans might spurn Trump's wishes and join with all the Democrats to vote to authorize new testimony.
The Senate is expected to reach that crossroads on Friday.
If the chamber voted to admit witnesses, that would begin a new sub-debate over which ones and under which conditions they might appear.
If the chamber does not vote to admit them, it could move onto a vote as to Trump's guilt with respect to the two articles of impeachment. The Republican-controlled chamber is expected to permit Trump to keep his office.
Between now and then, senators are scheduled to spend Wednesday and Thursday submitting written questions for the House impeachment managers and Trump's lawyers.
So if the door isn't shut to new testimony, it also wasn't clear how the Senate might get from the state of play on Tuesday to a clear picture about the votes within the Republican conference given the increased show of displeasure from Trump's camp.
Horse trading, arm twisting, log rolling
One borderline senators, Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, told reporters on Tuesday that discussion was still ongoing about Bolton's testimony.
"We'll figure out how we're going to learn more," she said.
A close ally of Trump's Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters that he'd had enough of impeachment and that he was contented with the idea of moving on with the evidentiary record as it stands.
Graham also said that if Democrats open the door to admitting witnesses, they might not like where that leads.
Graham said he was sure there are 51 Republican votes today to call former Vice President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, and other prospective witnesses whom Graham suggested might embarrass Democrats.
So be it, riposted Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., later in the day: "They can call who they want."
The minority leader has ruled out the idea of a partisan trade in which, for example, Republicans would call Hunter Biden if Democrats may call Bolton.
Schumer said if there are to be witnesses there must be a full-scale effort to bring in witnesses and their documents and support what he called a real trial for Trump.
Schumer wants to hear from Bolton, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and others he says can verify Democrats' allegations in the articles of impeachment. He appealed to Republicans to make that happen.
"All we need is four who rise to the occasion," he said. "Let the chips fall where they may. Get the truth."
Closing statements
The negotiations over witnesses followed even after the end of closing statements by Trump's defense team, which elected not to use several of the hours it still had available under the rules.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone said that he and his colleagues considered their case proved and that they did not consider it a difficult problem for senators to unravel.
"All you need in this case is the Constitution and your common sense," he said.
His summation followed a longer recapitulation by Trump's personal lawyer, Sekulow, which included his declaration that Bolton's evidence was "inadmissible" but also the assertion that, even if it were accurate and admitted, it wouldn't matter.
Trump's authority over foreign affairs is significant, the lawyers argued, he released military assistance for Ukraine before the expiration of the fiscal year and nothing alleged was illegal or even improper, Sekulow argued.
"There's no violation of the law. There's no violation of the constitution. There's a disagreement over policy decisions," he said.
That's what elections are for, he argued, like the one this November in which voters must decide whether to reward or punish Trump for his actions — not the Senate, Sekulow argued.
If members remove Trump based on the actions in the Ukraine affair, the attorney said, they'll not only spurn voters but also weaken the presidency forever by making every subsequent chief executive subject to what defense lawyers said would be the equivalent of a partisan vote of no confidence, like that used in parliamentary systems.
"Danger!" Sekulow blared. "Danger! Danger!"
In the Trump defense team's telling, the Democrats' impeachment case boils down to partisan animus and a disagreement with the president over his foreign policy.
"If that becomes the new normal, future presidents — Democrats and Republicans — will be paralyzed the moment they are elected, before they can even take the oath of office," Sekulow said. "The bar for impeachment cannot be set this low."


npr--2020-01-28--Powerful Earthquake Strikes Caribbean, But No Reports Of Injuries Or Damage

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Caribbean , But No Reports Of Injuries Or Damage A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Jamaica , Cuba and the Caymans on Tuesday , startling people as far away as Miami and prompting official tsunami alerts for a large area of the Caribbean that were later withdrawn .
The quake , initially reported as 7.3-magnitude before being upgraded , was centered 86 miles northwest of Montego Bay , Jamaica , and 87 miles west-southwest of Niquero , Cuba , at a depth of just 6 miles , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries , but social media was flooded with posts of photos and video from people documenting the event .
In the Cayman Islands , video showed damaged streets and sinkholes opened up by the violent shaking .
A tsunami alert was issued for a wide swath of the Caribbean .
However , it was later cancelled .
Knolly Moses , an ad executive in Jamaica told NPR that the quake was long and strong , with the walls of his office rippling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ put the fear of God into many people today , '' he said .
In the Cayman Islands videos on social media show sinkholes and damage to streets .
Skyscrapers in downtown Miami were evacuated .
The Associated Press reports that the quake was felt strongly in the Cuban city of Santiago .
`` We were all sitting and we felt the chairs move , '' Belkis Guerrero , who works in a Catholic cultural center in the center of Santiago , told the AP .
`` We heard the noise of everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no apparent damage in the city .
`` It felt very strong but it does n't look like anything happened , '' she told the news agency .

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Caribbean, But No Reports Of Injuries Or Damage
Enlarge this image toggle caption Realvision.com via Reuters Realvision.com via Reuters
Updated at 9:45 p.m. ET
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Jamaica, Cuba and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday, startling people as far away as Miami and prompting official tsunami alerts for a large area of the Caribbean that were later withdrawn.
The quake, initially reported as 7.3 magnitude before being upgraded, was centered 86 miles northwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica, and 87 miles west-southwest of Niquero, Cuba, at a depth of just 6 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at 2:10 p.m. ET.
There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries, but social media was flooded with photos and video from people documenting the event. In the Cayman Islands, video showed damaged streets and sinkholes opened up by the violent shaking.
A tsunami alert was issued for a wide swath of the Caribbean. However, it was later canceled.
Knolly Moses, an ad executive in Jamaica, told NPR that the quake was long and strong, with the walls of his office rippling.
"This one was serious. It put the fear of God into many people today," he said.
LOS DAÑOS PROVOCADOS POR EL #SISMO DE 7.7
Agujeros aparecen en la Isla Caimán luego del fuerte terremoto entre #Jamaica y #Cuba pic.twitter.com/4mGMQafHVm — Telemar Noticias (@TelemarNoticias) January 28, 2020
In the Cayman Islands, where there was a strong 6.1 magnitude aftershock, videos on social media showed sinkholes and damage to streets. Skyscrapers in downtown Miami were evacuated.
The Associated Press reports that the quake was felt strongly in the Cuban city of Santiago.
"We were all sitting and we felt the chairs move," Belkis Guerrero, who works in a Catholic cultural center in the center of Santiago, told AP. "We heard the noise of everything moving around."
She said there was no apparent damage in the city. "It felt very strong but it doesn't look like anything happened," she told the news agency.
The quake was also felt in Mexico's Quintana Roo state, where Cancun is located, Gov. Carlos Joaquín González told AP.


npr--2020-01-28--Must-Know Vocab For Wuhan Coronavirus: From Droplets To Zoonotic

Must-Know Vocab For Wuhan Coronavirus : From Droplets To Zoonotic The world is being flooded with perhaps unfamiliar words and phrases in coverage of the newly discovered coronavirus — starting with the very word `` coronavirus . ''
( see below for definition ) .
It 's useful to understand relevant medical terms during a time of health crisis , says Melissa Nolan , a medical doctor and a professor of epidemiology at Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina .
`` When you educate people , they 're not as afraid .
And they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Nolan , who worked as a disease investigator at Texas Children 's Hospital during the H1N1 outbreak in 2009 , along with epidemiologist Peter Krause of the Yale School of Public Health , helped identify and define some of the key terms related to the new infectious disease .
Coronavirus : This term refers to a category of viruses that can cause fever , breathing difficulties , pneumonia and diarrhea .
Some are potentially fatal .
Others can cause a certain percentage of common colds .
The name comes from the Latin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crown .
Under a microscope , these viruses are characterized by circles with spikes ending in little blobs .
Coronaviruses originate in animals — like camels , civets and bats — and are usually not transmissible to humans .
But occasionally a coronavirus mutates and can pass from animals to humans and then from human to human , as was the case with the SARS ( severe acute respiratory syndrome ) epidemic in the early 2000s .
Novel coronavirus : A coronavirus strain that has not been previously identified , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , is novel because it is a new respiratory virus that was first identified in Wuhan , China , in December 2019 .
Epidemic : A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease in a particular geographic area , beyond the number health officials typically expect .
An increase that occurs in a relatively small geographic area or among a small group of people may be called an `` outbreak . ''
For example , the CDC calls HIV/AIDS , which affects 1.2 million people in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrast , the CDC called two cases of sickness from drinking raw milk ( listeriosis ) in the United States an `` outbreak . ''
Pandemic : An epidemic spanning many countries and/or several continents .
The difference between an outbreak , an epidemic and a pandemic can be murky and depends on the opinions of scientists and health officials .
Emerging disease : A disease that occurs in the population of a certain geographic region for the first time , or a disease that 's been present at low levels in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the number of cases reported .
Animal-human interface : The points of contact between animals and humans — when people cut down forests and set up dwellings where forest animals are still prevalent , for example .
Some types of diseases spread from animals to humans at this interface .
( Note : In all these definitions `` animal '' refers to nonhuman animals . )
Reservoir : An animal , plant or environment in which a disease can persist for long periods of time .
For example , some bats serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread the disease by biting humans .
Zoonotic : Any disease that spreads from animals to people .
The animals can range from tiny ticks to lumbering cattle .
Transmission : How a disease is transferred .
This happens in different ways .
There 's direct transmission — person-to-person contact and droplet spread ( see definitions below ) .
And there 's indirect transmission , for example , consuming contaminated food and water , getting bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito or tick or breathing in a microbe carried by dust .
Person-to-person contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one person to another .
This can happen in many ways – by kissing , touching , having sex , exchanging bodily fluids , sneezing or coughing .
Droplet : The spray produced by sneezing , coughing or even talking .
`` Have you ever seen that kind of classic picture of a kid coughing and the amount of droplets coming out ? ''
says Nolan .
`` It 's aerosolized particles from your lungs being respired '' — that is , breathed out .
Droplets can spread disease when an infected person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lands on a nearby person 's mouth , nose or eyes .
It can also spread when a person touches a body part or a surface with infected droplets , then touches their face .
Isolation : Separating infected and sick individuals from healthy individuals .
Hospitals commonly put sick patients in isolation to prevent the spread of disease .
Quarantine : The separation or restriction of movement of individuals who appear to be healthy but may have been exposed to an infectious disease to see if they become sick .
The length @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period for the disease .
During the Ebola outbreak , for example , it was 21 days .
Contact tracing : Identifying people who may have come into contact with a person infected with a disease during .
`` Once you know what the incubation period is – the time that you 're exposed to the virus to the time you develop symptoms – you ask the infected person and say , who have you been in personal close contact with in that time period ? ''
says Nolan .
Screening : A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a disease — often by taking their temperature and then asking questions about symptoms if the temperature is high .
It might be as simple as `` Do you have a cough '' says Nolan .
Reproductive rate : Also called the R , pronounced `` R naught , '' the term refers to a number that indicates the infectiousness of a virus or a pathogen in a particular location .
`` For every one person infected , how many others will be infected ? ''
says Nolan .
So for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease in one geographic area is 11 , that 's the average number of expected secondary cases caused by a single infected person .
`` Really , it 's an indication of how quickly something could spread , '' she adds .
Are there any terms you 've heard in coverage of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak that you 'd like to see defined ?
Email them to us with the subject line `` Wuhan coronavirus vocabulary '' at goatsandsoda @ npr.org and we may include them in an update of this story .

Must-Know Vocab For COVID-19: From Droplets To Zoonotic
Enlarge this image Angela Hsieh for NPR Angela Hsieh for NPR
Updated on Feb. 14 at 12:37 p.m ET
The world is being flooded with perhaps unfamiliar words and phrases in coverage of COVID-19, the newly discovered coronavirus — starting with the very word "coronavirus." (see below for definition).
It's useful to understand relevant medical terms during a time of health crisis, says Melissa Nolan, a medical doctor and a professor of epidemiology at Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. "When you educate people, they're not as afraid. And they can understand what their personal risk is."
Nolan, who worked as a disease investigator at Texas Children's Hospital during the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, along with epidemiologist Peter Krause of the Yale School of Public Health, helped identify and define some of the key terms related to the new infectious disease.
Coronavirus: This term refers to a category of viruses that can cause fever, breathing difficulties, pneumonia and diarrhea. Some are potentially fatal. Others can cause a certain percentage of common colds. The name comes from the Latin word "corona," which means crown. Under a microscope, these viruses are characterized by circles with spikes ending in little blobs.
Coronaviruses originate in animals — like camels, civets and bats — and are usually not transmissible to humans. But occasionally a coronavirus mutates and can pass from animals to humans and then from human to human, as was the case with the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic in the early 2000s.
Novel coronavirus: A coronavirus strain that has not been previously identified, according to the CDC. COVID-19, for example, is novel because it is a new respiratory virus that was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
Epidemic: A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease in a particular geographic area, beyond the number health officials typically expect. An increase that occurs in a relatively small geographic area or among a small group of people may be called an "outbreak."
For example, the CDC calls HIV/AIDS, which affects 1.2 million people in the United States, an "epidemic." By contrast, the CDC called two cases of sickness from drinking raw milk (listeriosis) in the United States an "outbreak."
Pandemic: An epidemic spanning many countries and/or several continents. The difference between an outbreak, an epidemic and a pandemic can be murky and depends on the opinions of scientists and health officials.
Emerging disease: A disease that occurs in the population of a certain geographic region for the first time, or a disease that's been present at low levels in a region but then rapidly reaches new peaks in the number of cases reported.
Animal-human interface: The points of contact between animals and humans — when people cut down forests and set up dwellings where forest animals are still prevalent, for example. Some types of diseases spread from animals to humans at this interface. (Note: In all these definitions "animal" refers to nonhuman animals.)
Reservoir: An animal, plant or environment in which a disease can persist for long periods of time. For example, some bats serve as a reservoir for rabies and can spread the disease by biting humans.
Zoonotic: Any disease that spreads from animals to people. The animals can range from tiny ticks to lumbering cattle.
Transmission: How a disease is transferred. This happens in different ways. There's direct transmission — person-to-person contact and droplet spread (see definitions below). And there's indirect transmission, for example, consuming contaminated food and water, getting bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito or tick or breathing in a microbe carried by dust.
Person-to-person contact: How a disease might spread from one person to another. This can happen in many ways – by kissing, touching, having sex, exchanging bodily fluids, sneezing or coughing.
Droplet: The spray produced by sneezing, coughing or even talking. "Have you ever seen that kind of classic picture of a kid coughing and the amount of droplets coming out?" says Nolan. "It's aerosolized particles from your lungs being respired" — that is, breathed out.
Droplets can spread disease when an infected person coughs or sneezes — and the spray lands on a nearby person's mouth, nose or eyes. It can also spread when a person touches a body part or a surface with infected droplets, then touches their face.
Shed: A general term that has a couple of meanings in epidemiology. It could refer to viral particles being released from the host cell where they replicated — or from the person transmitting the virus to others.
Incubation period: The time from a person's exposure to a pathogen to the time symptoms are developed. "This is important clinically," says Nolan. "It helps inform how long a person should be isolated to prevent spread of infection."
Isolation: Separating infected and sick individuals from healthy individuals. Hospitals commonly put sick patients in isolation to prevent the spread of disease.
Quarantine: The separation or restriction of movement of individuals who appear to be healthy but may have been exposed to an infectious disease to see if they become sick. The length of the quarantine depends on the incubation period for the disease. During the Ebola outbreak, for example, it was 21 days.
Contact tracing: Identifying people who may have come into contact with a person infected with a disease during . "Once you know what the incubation period is – the time that you're exposed to the virus to the time you develop symptoms – you ask the infected person and say, who have you been in personal close contact with in that time period?" says Nolan.
Screening: A health check to see whether a person has a disease — often by taking their temperature and then asking questions about symptoms if the temperature is high. It might be as simple as "Do you have a cough" says Nolan.
PCR test: A diagnostic test that detects viral particles in blood or bodily fluids. Through a process called PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, small amounts of pathogen DNA are amplified — or copied --- to sufficient levels for detection. Studies of isolated pieces of DNA are nearly impossible without PCR amplification.
Reproductive rate: Also called the R 0 , pronounced "R naught," the term refers to a number that indicates the infectiousness of a virus or a pathogen in a particular location. "For every one person infected, how many others will be infected?" says Nolan. For COVID-19, the R 0 is currently estimated at 2.2, which means that's the average number of expected secondary cases caused by a single infected person.
"Really, it's an indication of how quickly something could spread," she adds.
Superspreader: A person infected with a pathogen who transmits infection to an unusually large number of people. The term was first used during the SARS epidemic, to describe one individual who transmitted the virus to at least eight people. The R 0 for SARS was estimated to be around 3.
Virologists who researched superspreaders during the MERS outbreak said there are several reasons why these events, as they're called, emerge. Sometimes the virus mutates to become more contagious. Or some people just make more virus in their lungs.
According to a paper in The New England Journal of Medicine, "Super-spreading events have not yet been identified," for the new coronavirus, "but they could become a feature as the epidemic progresses."
Are there any terms you've heard in coverage of COVID-19 that you'd like to see defined? Email them to us with the subject line "Wuhan coronavirus vocabulary" at goatsandsoda@npr.org and we may include them in an update of this story.


npr--2020-01-28--NPR Seeks 'Clarification' From State Department About Reporter Dropped From Trip

NPR Seeks 'Clarification ' From State Department About Reporter Dropped From Trip NPR is asking the State Department to explain its decision to deny an NPR reporter press credentials to travel with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on an upcoming trip to Europe , NPR President and CEO John Lansing announced Tuesday .
`` We have sought clarification from the State Department regarding Michele Kelemen being dropped '' from the trip , Lansing wrote in an email to employees .
He added , `` We have also asked what it means for future trips . ''
Saying the State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to communicate , Lansing added , `` Our SVP of News Nancy Barnes and I are now sending the attached letter to the State Department demanding answers . ''
NPR will continue to pursue the issue , Lansing said , adding that access to people in power is fundamental to `` the role of journalism in America . ''
Last week , Pompeo became upset when questioned about Ukraine by NPR host Mary Louise Kelly .
After the interview was cut off , Kelly was called to Pompeo 's private living room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to find Ukraine on a map .
Lansing concluded his note to NPR staff by acknowledging the support the network has received : '' Over the past several days , listeners far and wide have taken the time to write to us with praise for Mary Louise , Michele , and your collective work .
They want us to keep going and not give up .
I can tell them and all of you , that we are committed to supporting the great journalism and ethical values of NPR News . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of events and asked the State Department to explain its justification for barring Kelemen .
Earlier Tuesday , President Trump waded into the controversy between Pompeo and NPR , appearing to publicly praise the secretary for berating Kelly and for denying Kelemen 's credentials .
NPR diplomacy correspondent Michele Kelemen was barred from joining Pompeo 's trip , days after he publicly accused NPR host Mary Louise Kelly of lying to him about the topic of the interview and the episode following it .
Pompeo has said Kelly had agreed to discuss only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support that assertion .
Kelly says she confirmed with Pompeo 's press secretary that she intended to ask Pompeo about both Iran and Ukraine , a country that is key to Trump 's impeachment trial .
Kelly has produced emails that reflect those conversations .
At a White House event that touted his administration 's long-awaited Mideast peace plan , Trump acknowledged the teams that worked on the plan , and his mention of Pompeo 's name touched off a prolonged round of applause .
After the crowd 's ovation , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Wow , that 's impressive .
That was very impressive , Mike .
That reporter could n't have done too good a job on you yesterday . ''
As many in his audience laughed , Trump added , `` Think you did a good job on her , actually . ''
The reference appeared to be about Pompeo 's yelling at Kelly and subsequent statement calling her a liar .
Some in the crowd then applauded as Trump continued , `` That 's good , thank you , Mike .
Great .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Are you running for Senate ?
I guess the answer 's no , after that , huh ? ''
It was not clear whether the president was referring to Pompeo 's interactions with NPR reporters or to the warm applause he received .
Kelemen had been slated to cover the secretary 's trip as the radio pool reporter , a position that rotates among journalists from different news organizations covering the State Department .
After Kelemen was denied a spot on Pompeo 's plane , NPR 's Lansing said via Twitter on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR newsroom , which has some of the most respected , truthful , factual , professional and ethical journalists in the United States . ''
He added , `` Our mission is to serve the American public by seeking and reporting the truth . ''
The State Department 's action against Kelemen prompted a protest from the State Department Correspondents ' Association .
`` Michele is a consummate professional who has covered the State Department for nearly two decades .
We respectfully ask the State Department to reconsider and allow Michele to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said the association 's president Shaun Tandon , in a statement on Monday .
`` The State Department press corps has a long tradition of accompanying secretaries of state on their travels and we find it unacceptable to punish an individual member of our association , '' Tandon added .
Noting that in the past , the State Department has `` courageously defended journalists around the world through statements under its seal , '' Tandon said , `` We are committed to do our part to preserve a respectful , professional relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The White House Correspondents ' Association also issued a statement Tuesday supporting Kelemen and NPR .
`` The State Department 's apparent attempt to take punitive action against a news outlet for its reporting is outrageous and contrary to American values , '' said the association 's president , Jonathan Karl .
`` The WHCA calls on the State Department to reverse this ill-conceived decision .
We stand with our colleagues at NPR and the State Department Correspondents ' Association . ''
In his contentious interview with NPR on Friday , Pompeo had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she asked the secretary whether he owes an apology to Marie Yovanovitch , the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine .
A Pompeo aide cut off their discussion .
The All Things Considered host was then summoned to the secretary 's private living room .
`` He shouted at me for about the same amount of time as the [ 9-minute ] interview itself had lasted , '' Kelly told her co-host Ari Shapiro .
`` He was not happy to have been questioned about Ukraine .
He asked , 'Do you think Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the F-word in that sentence and many others . ''
Kelly continued , `` He asked if I could find Ukraine on a map ; I said yes .
He called out for his aides to bring him a map of the world with no writing , no countries marked .
I pointed to Ukraine .
He put the map away .
He said , 'People will hear about this . '
`` In email conversations with Pompeo 's staff on the eve of the interview , Kelly mentioned two potential topics : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the discussion , she also wanted to talk about Ukraine , Kelly told Pompeo aide Katie Martin , a deputy assistant secretary who has worked in media relations .
`` I am indeed just back from Tehran and plan to start there .
Also Ukraine , '' Kelly told Martin in a Jan. 23 email .
She added , `` I never agree to take anything off the table . ''
Martin responds , `` Totally understand you want to ask other topics but just hoping we can stick to that topic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the interview . ''
Kelly then replied in part , `` My plan is to start on Iran and , yes , to spend a healthy portion of the interview there .
Iran has been my focus of late as well . ''
On Saturday , Pompeo issued a statement accusing Kelly of violating `` the basic rules of journalism and decency . ''
NPR 's SVP for news , Barnes , responded to Pompeo 's statement by stating , `` Mary Louise Kelly has always conducted herself with the utmost integrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

NPR Seeks 'Clarification' From State Department About Reporter Dropped From Trip
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Updated at 8:30 p.m. ET
NPR is asking the State Department to explain its decision to deny an NPR reporter press credentials to travel with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on an upcoming trip to Europe, NPR President and CEO John Lansing announced Tuesday.
"We have sought clarification from the State Department regarding Michele Kelemen being dropped" from the trip, Lansing wrote in an email to employees. He added, "We have also asked what it means for future trips."
Saying the State Department has not responded to NPR's initial attempts to communicate, Lansing added, "Our SVP of News Nancy Barnes and I are now sending the attached letter to the State Department demanding answers."
NPR will continue to pursue the issue, Lansing said, adding that access to people in power is fundamental to "the role of journalism in America."
Last week, Pompeo became upset when questioned about Ukraine by NPR host Mary Louise Kelly. After the interview was cut off, Kelly was called to Pompeo's private living room where he cursed at her and challenged her to find Ukraine on a map.
Lansing concluded his note to NPR staff by acknowledging the support the network has received: "Over the past several days, listeners far and wide have taken the time to write to us with praise for Mary Louise, Michele, and your collective work. They want us to keep going and not give up. I can tell them and all of you, that we are committed to supporting the great journalism and ethical values of NPR News."
The letter laid out NPR's version of events and asked the State Department to explain its justification for barring Kelemen.
Earlier Tuesday, President Trump waded into the controversy between Pompeo and NPR, appearing to publicly praise the secretary for berating Kelly and for denying Kelemen's credentials.
Kelemen, NPR's diplomacy correspondent, was barred from joining Pompeo's trip, days after he publicly accused Kelly of lying to him about the topic of the interview and the episode following it.
Pompeo has said Kelly had agreed to discuss only Iran but has not offered any evidence to support that assertion. Kelly says she confirmed with Pompeo's press secretary that she intended to ask Pompeo about both Iran and Ukraine, a country that is key to Trump's impeachment trial. Kelly has produced emails that reflect those conversations.
YouTube
At a White House event that touted his administration's long-awaited Mideast peace plan, Trump acknowledged the teams that worked on the plan, and his mention of Pompeo's name touched off a prolonged round of applause.
After the crowd's ovation, the president smiled as he told Pompeo, "Wow, that's impressive. That was very impressive, Mike. That reporter couldn't have done too good a job on you yesterday."
As many in his audience laughed, Trump added, "Think you did a good job on her, actually."
The reference appeared to be about Pompeo's yelling at Kelly and subsequent statement calling her a liar.
Some in the crowd then applauded as Trump continued, "That's good, thank you, Mike. Great."
Trump then asked Pompeo, "Are you running for Senate? I guess the answer's no, after that, huh?"
It was not clear whether the president was referring to Pompeo's interactions with NPR reporters or to the warm applause he received.
Kelemen had been slated to cover the secretary's trip as the radio pool reporter, a position that rotates among journalists from different news organizations covering the State Department.
After Kelemen was denied a spot on Pompeo's plane, NPR's Lansing said via Twitter on Tuesday morning, "I stand behind the NPR newsroom, which has some of the most respected, truthful, factual, professional and ethical journalists in the United States."
He added, "Our mission is to serve the American public by seeking and reporting the truth."
The State Department's action against Kelemen prompted a protest from the State Department Correspondents' Association.
"Michele is a consummate professional who has covered the State Department for nearly two decades. We respectfully ask the State Department to reconsider and allow Michele to travel on the plane for this trip," said the association's president Shaun Tandon, in a statement on Monday.
"The State Department press corps has a long tradition of accompanying secretaries of state on their travels and we find it unacceptable to punish an individual member of our association," Tandon added.
Noting that in the past, the State Department has "courageously defended journalists around the world through statements under its seal," Tandon said, "We are committed to do our part to preserve a respectful, professional relationship with the institution we cover."
The White House Correspondents' Association also issued a statement Tuesday supporting Kelemen and NPR.
"The State Department's apparent attempt to take punitive action against a news outlet for its reporting is outrageous and contrary to American values," said the association's president, Jonathan Karl. "The WHCA calls on the State Department to reverse this ill-conceived decision. We stand with our colleagues at NPR and the State Department Correspondents' Association."
In his contentious interview with NPR on Friday, Pompeo had spoken to Kelly first about Iran before she asked the secretary whether he owes an apology to Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. A Pompeo aide cut off their discussion. The All Things Considered host was then summoned to the secretary's private living room.
"He shouted at me for about the same amount of time as the [9-minute] interview itself had lasted," Kelly told her co-host Ari Shapiro. "He was not happy to have been questioned about Ukraine. He asked, 'Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?' He used the F-word in that sentence and many others."
Kelly continued, "He asked if I could find Ukraine on a map; I said yes. He called out for his aides to bring him a map of the world with no writing, no countries marked. I pointed to Ukraine. He put the map away. He said, 'People will hear about this.' "
In email conversations with Pompeo's staff on the eve of the interview, Kelly mentioned two potential topics: While Iran would be a big part of the discussion, she also wanted to talk about Ukraine, Kelly told Pompeo aide Katie Martin, a deputy assistant secretary who has worked in media relations.
"I am indeed just back from Tehran and plan to start there. Also Ukraine," Kelly told Martin in a Jan. 23 email. She added, "I never agree to take anything off the table."
Martin responds, "Totally understand you want to ask other topics but just hoping we can stick to that topic [Iran] for a healthy portion of the interview."
Kelly then replied in part, "My plan is to start on Iran and, yes, to spend a healthy portion of the interview there. Iran has been my focus of late as well."
On Saturday, Pompeo issued a statement accusing Kelly of violating "the basic rules of journalism and decency."
NPR's SVP for news, Barnes, responded to Pompeo's statement by stating, "Mary Louise Kelly has always conducted herself with the utmost integrity, and we stand behind this report."
In an opinion piece published in The New York Times on Tuesday, Kelly defended her actions in the interview with Pompeo. She wrote that "people in positions of power — people charged with steering the foreign policy of entire nations — [need to] be held to account."
"The stakes are too high for their impulses and decisions not to be examined in as thoughtful and rigorous an interview as is possible," she said.
"Journalists don't sit down with senior government officials in the service of scoring political points," Kelly added. "We do it in the service of asking tough questions, on behalf of our fellow citizens. And then sharing the answers — or lack thereof — with the world."


npr--2020-01-28--Due To New California Law, Uber Allows Some Drivers To Set Their Own Rates

Due To New California Law , Uber Allows Some Drivers To Set Their Own Rates Uber is testing a new feature in California that allows some drivers to set their own rates .
The move comes in response to a new state law that requires more companies to convert their contract workers to employees , which means offering them benefits and added protections .
Companies including Uber , Lyft and delivery app Postmates argue that doing so would upend their business model and eliminate the flexibility inherent to the gig economy .
Uber is currently testing a feature at airports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara that allows drivers to increase fares in 10 % increments , up to five times the base rate .
Riders are then matched with the lowest fare .
In the coming days , Uber says it will also allow drivers to decrease their prices below the base rate and opt out of surge pricing .
It 's part of an effort to give drivers more control — and bolster the argument that they 're truly contractors rather than employees .
The company acknowledges the experiment could have unexpected consequences .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect a level of consistency in prices that could change as a result of this , '' said Daniel Danker , head of driver product at Uber .
`` And this does add some meaningful complexity to the driver 's experience that gives them even more control on how their earnings work . ''
Nar Bustamante , a traveler at Sacramento International Airport returning from Las Vegas , said he read about the new pricing experiment before landing .
`` I think it opens up the road to many misinterpretations between rider and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't really know what the normal rate is .
It did n't say : 'Here 's what the normal rate would be . '
So , I 'm curious to see where this particular ride ends up . ''
Drivers in Sacramento appear to be split on the new feature .
Adnan Badaoui , who has been driving for Uber for four years , began using it last week .
He says even a small rate increase can add up for drivers .
`` It 's not that much difference my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to us , as a driver , '' he said .
But driver Kim Beaver has n't had much luck .
When the feature launched , she set her fare 50 % higher than the base rate and waited for an hour without any activity .
`` It 's just going to be chaos and frustrating for people , '' Beaver said .
`` You 'll be waiting an hour to two hours to God knows how long . ''
Gig companies continue to negotiate with state officials , seeking relief from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convert many contract workers to employees .
But Francis J. Mootz III , professor of law at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento , says efforts like Uber 's new pricing feature may not be enough to convince lawmakers .
`` Two or three years ago , if Uber and Lyft and other ride-share companies had really tried to restructure in a way to give workers true independence , true entrepreneurial opportunities , it might 've been different , '' Mootz said .

Due To New California Law, Uber Allows Some Drivers To Set Their Own Rates
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Rodd/Capital Public Radio Scott Rodd/Capital Public Radio
Uber is testing a new feature in California that allows some drivers to set their own rates.
The move comes in response to a new state law that requires more companies to convert their contract workers to employees, which means offering them benefits and added protections. Companies including Uber, Lyft and delivery app Postmates argue that doing so would upend their business model and eliminate the flexibility inherent to the gig economy.
Uber is currently testing a feature at airports in Sacramento, Palm Springs and Santa Barbara that allows drivers to increase fares in 10% increments, up to five times the base rate. Riders are then matched with the lowest fare.
In the coming days, Uber says it will also allow drivers to decrease their prices below the base rate and opt out of surge pricing. It's part of an effort to give drivers more control — and bolster the argument that they're truly contractors rather than employees.
The company acknowledges the experiment could have unexpected consequences.
"It could create more volatility for riders who expect a level of consistency in prices that could change as a result of this," said Daniel Danker, head of driver product at Uber. "And this does add some meaningful complexity to the driver's experience that gives them even more control on how their earnings work."
Driver and rider confusion
Nar Bustamante, a traveler at Sacramento International Airport returning from Las Vegas, said he read about the new pricing experiment before landing.
"I think it opens up the road to many misinterpretations between rider and driver," he said. "I don't really know what the normal rate is. It didn't say: 'Here's what the normal rate would be.' So, I'm curious to see where this particular ride ends up."
Drivers in Sacramento appear to be split on the new feature.
Adnan Badaoui, who has been driving for Uber for four years, began using it last week. He says even a small rate increase can add up for drivers.
"It's not that much difference my friend, but it makes a difference to us, as a driver," he said.
Technology Uber To Pay $4.4 Million To Employees Who Were Sexually Harassed At Work Uber To Pay $4.4 Million To Employees Who Were Sexually Harassed At Work Listen · 3:44 3:44
But driver Kim Beaver hasn't had much luck. When the feature launched, she set her fare 50% higher than the base rate and waited for an hour without any activity.
"It's just going to be chaos and frustrating for people," Beaver said. "You'll be waiting an hour to two hours to God knows how long."
Gig companies continue to negotiate with state officials, seeking relief from the new labor law that requires companies to convert many contract workers to employees.
But Francis J. Mootz III, professor of law at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, says efforts like Uber's new pricing feature may not be enough to convince lawmakers.
"Two or three years ago, if Uber and Lyft and other ride-share companies had really tried to restructure in a way to give workers true independence, true entrepreneurial opportunities, it might've been different," Mootz said.


npr--2020-01-28--Black Hockey Players Celebrated In NHL's Mobile History Museum

Not even Gary Bettman knew the name of the first black hockey player in the National Hockey League when he became league commissioner in 1993 .
Bettman has since hired Willie O'Ree , who broke the NHL 's color barrier when he skated for the Boston Bruins in 1958 , as a league ambassador , part of what the league is doing to make its game more diverse .
The NHL was the last major U.S. sports league to integrate and still the whitest .
Just 92 other black hockey players have followed O'Ree onto NHL teams .
This season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league 's 775 or so players are black .
That compares to 70 % of pro football players and a 41 % diversity mark in Major League Baseball .
The NHL is taking steps to highlight the history of black athletes in the game , trying to create more interest in hockey among minorities while continuing to respond to racial incidents .
Bettman told the story of learning about O'Ree and later bringing him back into the league during the All-Star Game weekend in St. Louis .
`` Bringing more people with different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as a game and , frankly , as a business to the game , stronger , '' Bettman said during a diversity-in-hockey panel discussion at a Boys and Girls Club in the mostly black suburbs north of St. Louis .
Parked outside was the league 's newish black hockey history mobile museum .
The shiny tractor-trailer is painted with images of several black players .
On the inside , visitors can view the jersey O'Ree wore in his first game , and try to answer some trivia .
Black players in hockey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part of the game .
In 2017-2018 season Washington 's Devante Smith-Pelly was heckled by fans while sitting in the penalty box in Chicago .
Former player Jamal Mayers says it 's gotten easier to speak out about racism .
`` I think that I tolerated a lot of things to be quite honest that I think that I just assumed that 's the way it is .
But I do n't believe that 's the way it has to be , '' said Mayers , who spoke to NPR following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward Akim Aliu , who was born in Nigeria , shared stories of hearing racial epithets and enduring blackface while in the minor leagues .
In response , Bettman announced mandatory diversity training for the league and set up a whistleblower hotline .
`` If there are inappropriate acts and incidents , they 're going to be addressed and punished , '' Bettman said .
`` But more important than punishment is education , and training and counseling so that people understand what 's right and what 's wrong . ''
The NHL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHL cities for the second winter in an effort to put a spotlight on its black players .
On the day of the All-Star Game , it was parked next to a small outdoor rink a few blocks from the Enterprise Center in downtown St. Louis .
Inside the narrow trailer lined with photos and memorabilia , Anthony Duclair , one of two black players on this year 's All-Star team , got a private tour along with some other players .
The museum tells the history of the Coloured Hockey League of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nova Scotia and highlights the contributions by those black players , such as the slapshot and butterfly goalie stance .
The players a chance to autograph their pictures on a wall representing every black player in the league .
`` Even for myself , you know , I did n't really know a bunch of these guys until today , so we 're all learning together , '' Duclair said .
Once the museum opened to the public , Trey Hobson was among those who wandered in .
Hobson , 22 , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs at private and suburban high schools .
`` I 'd be going out and see them playing hockey , like ' I really wan na play hockey , ' '' he said .
Hobson , a self-described huge Blues hockey fan , said he only knew of one black player before going through the museum .
Later , Karon Jones came with his grandparents .
Jones , who 's 8 , said he prefers football over hockey .
He 's tried skating once but said it 's hard .
He read aloud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , getting help with pronouncing `` Bruins . ''
`` I learned that famous black hockey players helped others and worked as a team , '' he said .
After inching their way to the end of the museum and down the steps at the back of the trailer , his grandparents rented him a pair of skates at the outdoor rink so he could give skating another try .

Black Hockey Players Celebrated In NHL's Mobile History Museum
Enlarge this image toggle caption B Bennett/Getty Images B Bennett/Getty Images
Not even Gary Bettman knew the name of the first black hockey player in the National Hockey League when he became league commissioner in 1993.
Bettman has since hired Willie O'Ree, who broke the NHL's color barrier when he skated for the Boston Bruins in 1958, as a league ambassador, part of what the league is doing to make its game more diverse.
Sports Canadians, Increasingly Diverse, Wonder If Hockey Can Shift To Match Canadians, Increasingly Diverse, Wonder If Hockey Can Shift To Match Listen · 3:37 3:37
The NHL was the last major U.S. sports league to integrate and still the whitest. Just 92 other black hockey players have followed O'Ree onto NHL teams. This season, just over 2% of the league's 775 or so players are black. That compares to 70% of pro football players and a 41% diversity mark in Major League Baseball.
The NHL is taking steps to highlight the history of black athletes in the game, trying to create more interest in hockey among minorities while continuing to respond to racial incidents.
Bettman told the story of learning about O'Ree and later bringing him back into the league during the All-Star Game weekend in St. Louis.
"Bringing more people with different backgrounds into the game just makes us, as a game and, frankly, as a business to the game, stronger," Bettman said during a diversity-in-hockey panel discussion at a Boys and Girls Club in the mostly black suburbs north of St. Louis.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Presley Ann/Getty Images Presley Ann/Getty Images
Parked outside was the league's newish black hockey history mobile museum. The shiny tractor-trailer is painted with images of several black players. On the inside, visitors can view the jersey O'Ree wore in his first game, and try to answer some trivia.
Black players in hockey say racial taunts by fans are still a part of the game. In 2017-2018 season Washington's Devante Smith-Pelly was heckled by fans while sitting in the penalty box in Chicago. Former player Jamal Mayers says it's gotten easier to speak out about racism.
"I think that I tolerated a lot of things to be quite honest that I think that I just assumed that's the way it is. But I don't believe that's the way it has to be," said Mayers, who spoke to NPR following the panel.
Last fall, former NHL forward Akim Aliu, who was born in Nigeria, shared stories of hearing racial epithets and enduring blackface while in the minor leagues. In response, Bettman announced mandatory diversity training for the league and set up a whistleblower hotline.
"If there are inappropriate acts and incidents, they're going to be addressed and punished," Bettman said. "But more important than punishment is education, and training and counseling so that people understand what's right and what's wrong."
The NHL is driving its mobile history museum to NHL cities for the second winter in an effort to put a spotlight on its black players. On the day of the All-Star Game, it was parked next to a small outdoor rink a few blocks from the Enterprise Center in downtown St. Louis.
Inside the narrow trailer lined with photos and memorabilia, Anthony Duclair, one of two black players on this year's All-Star team, got a private tour along with some other players.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ryan Delaney/St. Louis Public Radio Ryan Delaney/St. Louis Public Radio
The museum tells the history of the Coloured Hockey League of the Maritimes that formed in 1895 in Nova Scotia and highlights the contributions by those black players, such as the slapshot and butterfly goalie stance.
The players a chance to autograph their pictures on a wall representing every black player in the league.
"Even for myself, you know, I didn't really know a bunch of these guys until today, so we're all learning together," Duclair said.
Once the museum opened to the public, Trey Hobson was among those who wandered in. Hobson, 22, said he grew up jealous of the hockey programs at private and suburban high schools.
"I'd be going out and see them playing hockey, like 'I really wanna play hockey,'" he said.
Hobson, a self-described huge Blues hockey fan, said he only knew of one black player before going through the museum.
Later, Karon Jones came with his grandparents. Jones, who's 8, said he prefers football over hockey. He's tried skating once but said it's hard.
He read aloud much of the museum for his family, getting help with pronouncing "Bruins."
"I learned that famous black hockey players helped others and worked as a team," he said.
After inching their way to the end of the museum and down the steps at the back of the trailer, his grandparents rented him a pair of skates at the outdoor rink so he could give skating another try.


npr--2020-01-28--Acclaimed Harvard Scientist Is Arrested, Accused Of Lying About Ties To China

Acclaimed Harvard Scientist Is Arrested , Accused Of Lying About Ties To China Charles Lieber , the chair of Harvard University 's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , has been arrested and criminally charged with making `` false , fictitious and fraudulent statements '' to the U.S. Defense Department about his ties to a Chinese government program to recruit foreign scientists and researchers .
The Justice Department says Lieber , 60 , lied about his contact with the Chinese program known as the Thousand Talents Plan , which the U.S. has previously flagged as a serious intelligence concern .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a lucrative contract he signed with China 's Wuhan University of Technology .
In an affidavit unsealed Tuesday , FBI Special Agent Robert Plumb said Lieber , who led a Harvard research group focusing on nanoscience , had established a research lab at the Wuhan university — apparently unbeknownst to Harvard .
In response to the charges against Lieber , Harvard said in a statement to NPR : `` The charges brought by the U.S. government against Professor Lieber are extremely serious .
Harvard is cooperating with federal authorities , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiating its own review of the alleged misconduct .
Professor Lieber has been placed on indefinite administrative leave . ''
The arrangement between Lieber and the Chinese institution spanned `` significant '' periods of time between at least 2012 and 2017 , according to the affidavit .
It says the deal called for Lieber to be paid up to $ 50,000 a month , in addition to $ 150,000 per year `` for living and personal expenses . ''
`` Lieber was also awarded more than $ 1.5 million by WUT and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conduct research at WUT , '' the document states .
For a large part of the time frame in question , Lieber was also the principal investigator on at least six U.S. Defense Department research grants , with a cumulative value of more than $ 8 million , according to the affidavit .
It also says he was the principal investigator on more than $ 10 million in grants funded by the National Institutes of Health .
`` These grants require the disclosure of significant foreign financial conflicts of interest , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entities , '' the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Massachusetts said in a statement announcing the charges against Lieber .
In interviews with Defense Department investigators in 2018 and 2019 , Lieber said that while he had heard of the Thousand Talents Plan , he had never been asked to be part of it , according to the affidavit .
Lieber 's email correspondence suggests he signed a three-year agreement and employment contract with WUT in 2012 .
`` Lieber was obligated to work for WUT 'not less than nine months a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultivating young teachers and Ph.D. students , organizing international conference [ s ] , applying for patents and publishing articles in the name of ' WUT , '' the U.S. Attorney 's Office said .
On its website , the Lieber Research Group at Harvard says its work is meant `` to push scientific boundaries in biology and medicine . ''
Lieber 's work ranged from looking for new ways to produce nanoscale materials to researching areas nanoelectronic sensors and developing `` cyborg tissue '' that would integrate nanoelectronic devices into synthetic tissue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest faculty honor on Lieber , naming him a University Professor – a title he shared with only 25 other faculty members , as The Harvard Gazette reported .
But the acclaimed academic is now barred from the university 's campus .
An arrest warrant for Lieber was issued Monday .
The U.S. Attorney 's Office case against him initially was sealed after being filed in federal court ; a court order lifted that seal Tuesday morning .
U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that China 's ambitious Thousand Talents program could put a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
`` The worry is that China might be eroding America 's technology advantage — not just by support for research , but also by theft of scientific ideas and corporate espionage , '' as NPR 's Joe Palca reported in 2018 .
John Demers , assistant attorney general for national security and head of the Justice Department 's China Initiative , said in a statement that the charges against Lieber `` illustrate the serious and persistent threat of China 's efforts to steal intellectual property and research from our nation 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American universities , while maintaining the open and collaborative research and learning environment that has made them the best in the world , should take this threat seriously and continue to take actions to confront it , including ensuring transparency in their programs ' funding sources and their professors ' commitments , and having secure physical and internet security for their sensitive research . ''
The case against Lieber was one of three announced Tuesday by the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Boston that officials say illustrate the threat of Chinese economic espionage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently in China , is charged with one count each of `` visa fraud , making false statements , acting as an agent of a foreign government and conspiracy . ''
She had been working at Boston University and is accused of lying about her position as a lieutenant in the Chinese military .
Zaosong Zheng , 30 , was arrested last month at Boston 's Logan International Airport and is charged with allegedly attempting to smuggle vials of biological materials and other research materials stolen from U.S labs .
Zheng , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been indicted on that charge along with a count of making false statements .
Lieber earned his doctorate in chemistry from Stanford University in 1985 .
Before he joined Harvard in 1991 , his academic career included stops at the California Institute of Technology and Columbia University .

Acclaimed Harvard Scientist Is Arrested, Accused Of Lying About Ties To China
Enlarge this image toggle caption U.S. Attorney's Office/Screenshot by NPR U.S. Attorney's Office/Screenshot by NPR
Updated at 3:20 p.m. ET
Charles Lieber, the chair of Harvard University's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, has been arrested and criminally charged with making "false, fictitious and fraudulent statements" to the U.S. Defense Department about his ties to a Chinese government program to recruit foreign scientists and researchers.
The Justice Department says Lieber, 60, lied about his contact with the Chinese program known as the Thousand Talents Plan, which the U.S. has previously flagged as a serious intelligence concern. He also is accused of lying about about a lucrative contract he signed with China's Wuhan University of Technology.
In an affidavit unsealed Tuesday, FBI Special Agent Robert Plumb said Lieber, who led a Harvard research group focusing on nanoscience, had established a research lab at the Wuhan university — apparently unbeknownst to Harvard.
In response to the charges against Lieber, Harvard said in a statement to NPR: "The charges brought by the U.S. government against Professor Lieber are extremely serious. Harvard is cooperating with federal authorities, including the National Institutes of Health, and is initiating its own review of the alleged misconduct. Professor Lieber has been placed on indefinite administrative leave."
The arrangement between Lieber and the Chinese institution spanned "significant" periods of time between at least 2012 and 2017, according to the affidavit. It says the deal called for Lieber to be paid up to $50,000 a month, in addition to $150,000 per year "for living and personal expenses."
"Lieber was also awarded more than $1.5 million by WUT and the Chinese government to establish a research lab and conduct research at WUT," the document states.
For a large part of the time frame in question, Lieber was also the principal investigator on at least six U.S. Defense Department research grants, with a cumulative value of more than $8 million, according to the affidavit. It also says he was the principal investigator on more than $10 million in grants funded by the National Institutes of Health.
"These grants require the disclosure of significant foreign financial conflicts of interest, including financial support from foreign governments or foreign entities," the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts said in a statement announcing the charges against Lieber.
In interviews with Defense Department investigators in 2018 and 2019, Lieber said that while he had heard of the Thousand Talents Plan, he had never been asked to be part of it, according to the affidavit. Lieber's email correspondence suggests he signed a three-year agreement and employment contract with WUT in 2012.
"Lieber was obligated to work for WUT 'not less than nine months a year' by 'declaring international cooperation projects, cultivating young teachers and Ph.D. students, organizing international conference[s], applying for patents and publishing articles in the name of' WUT," the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
On its website, the Lieber Research Group at Harvard says its work is meant "to push scientific boundaries in biology and medicine."
Lieber's work ranged from looking for new ways to produce nanoscale materials to researching areas nanoelectronic sensors and developing "cyborg tissue" that would integrate nanoelectronic devices into synthetic tissue.
In 2017, Harvard bestowed its highest faculty honor on Lieber, naming him a University Professor – a title he shared with only 25 other faculty members, as The Harvard Gazette reported. But the acclaimed academic is now barred from the university's campus.
An arrest warrant for Lieber was issued Monday. The U.S. Attorney's Office case against him initially was sealed after being filed in federal court; a court order lifted that seal Tuesday morning.
U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that China's ambitious Thousand Talents program could put a wide range of U.S. scientific interests at risk.
"The worry is that China might be eroding America's technology advantage — not just by support for research, but also by theft of scientific ideas and corporate espionage," as NPR's Joe Palca reported in 2018.
John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security and head of the Justice Department's China Initiative, said in a statement that the charges against Lieber "illustrate the serious and persistent threat of China's efforts to steal intellectual property and research from our nation's universities."
He added, "American universities, while maintaining the open and collaborative research and learning environment that has made them the best in the world, should take this threat seriously and continue to take actions to confront it, including ensuring transparency in their programs' funding sources and their professors' commitments, and having secure physical and internet security for their sensitive research."
The case against Lieber was one of three announced Tuesday by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston that officials say illustrate the threat of Chinese economic espionage.
Yanqing Ye, 29, who is currently in China, is charged with one count each of "visa fraud, making false statements, acting as an agent of a foreign government and conspiracy." She had been working at Boston University and is accused of lying about her position as a lieutenant in the Chinese military.
Zaosong Zheng, 30, was arrested last month at Boston's Logan International Airport and is charged with allegedly attempting to smuggle vials of biological materials and other research materials stolen from U.S labs. Zheng, who was a a Harvard-sponsored cancer researcher, has been indicted on that charge along with a count of making false statements.
Lieber earned his doctorate in chemistry from Stanford University in 1985. Before he joined Harvard in 1991, his academic career included stops at the California Institute of Technology and Columbia University.


npr--2020-01-28--2020 Presidential Candidates: Which Democrats Are Running

The Democratic presidential field started out as the most diverse ever , and the largest in at least 40 years @ @ @ @ @ down .
Below are the Democrats who are still in the running to try and @ @ @ @ @ well as the candidates who have dropped out of the primary : Do n't see @ @ @ @ @ here .
This story was originally published on Jan. 31 , 2019 .

2020 Presidential Candidates: Tracking Which Democrats Ran
The Democratic presidential field started out as the most diverse ever, and the largest in at least 40 years. It's since winnowed down to one: former Vice President Joe Biden.
Below are also the candidates who have dropped out of the primary:
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
This story was originally published on Jan. 31, 2019.
Edited by NPR's Arnie Seipel


npr--2020-01-28--As China's Coronavirus Cases Rise, U.S. Agencies Map Out Domestic Containment Plans

As China 's Coronavirus Cases Rise , U.S .
Agencies Map Out Domestic Containment Plans China has reported a large surge of cases of the novel coronavirus — upping its count from under 3,000 to over 4,500 as of Tuesday morning .
More than 100 deaths have been reported .
It is spreading rapidly in many provinces , and sporadic cases have now been reported in 18 other locations outside of China , including Australia , France and Canada .
In the United States , the case count remains at five — all people who had recently returned from Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference Tuesday , top U.S. health officials reiterated that the disease — while serious — is not currently a threat to ordinary Americans .
`` At this point , Americans should not worry for their own safety , '' said Alex Azar , health and human services secretary , at the press briefing Tuesday .
While risk to most Americans remains low , Dr. Nancy Messonnier , the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , noted that `` risk is dependent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers or others who know they have been in contact with a person exposed to the virus should take precautions .
The federal government continues to adjust its approach to preventing the disease from taking hold in the U.S. On Monday night , the CDC and the State Department announced that a travel advisory recommending that Americans avoid travel to China when at all possible .
Airport screening is also being expanded from five airports to 20 , with the goal of screening all passengers returning from China and letting people know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they get home .
The CDC is conducting contact investigations of people known to have been in contact with the five patients with confirmed infections , monitoring them for symptoms and testing them if concerning symptoms emerge .
Officials at the CDC are eager to get into China in order to help scientists there answer key questions — such as whether the virus can spread from people who do n't show any symptoms of illness .
Azar said at the news conference that he had been pressing his counterpart in China for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been answered , at least to a certain extent .
On Tuesday , the World Health Organization announced that it had the green light to send outside experts to China .
It was not immediately clear whether that will include scientists from the CDC .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , explained that federal agencies are taking a three-pronged approach to respond to the novel coronavirus : developing and improving diagnostic tests , investigating experimental antiviral drugs , and working to develop a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that the virus can spread from someone who is not showing any symptoms , there would be some changes in the public health response .
Similar coronaviruses from past outbreaks — severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome — did not spread in the absence of symptoms , but that does n't mean the new one will behave the same way .
Viruses such as measles and influenza can be spread from people who are n't showing signs of disease .
`` Even if there is some asymptomatic transmission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any type , asymptomatic transmission has never been the driver of outbreaks , '' Fauci said .
`` The driver of outbreaks has always been a symptomatic person . ''
You can contact NPR science correspondent Richard Harris at rharris @ npr.org .

As China's Coronavirus Cases Rise, U.S. Agencies Map Out Domestic Containment Plans
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick Semansky/AP Patrick Semansky/AP
China has reported a large surge of cases of the novel coronavirus — upping its count from under 3,000 to over 4,500 as of Tuesday morning. More than 100 deaths have been reported. It is spreading rapidly in many provinces, and sporadic cases have now been reported in 18 other locations outside of China, including Australia, France and Canada.
In the United States, the case count remains at five — all people who had recently returned from Wuhan, China. And at a news conference Tuesday, top U.S. health officials reiterated that the disease — while serious — is not currently a threat to ordinary Americans.
"At this point, Americans should not worry for their own safety," said Alex Azar, health and human services secretary, at the press briefing Tuesday.
While risk to most Americans remains low, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted that "risk is dependent on exposure" and that health care workers or others who know they have been in contact with a person exposed to the virus should take precautions.
The federal government continues to adjust its approach to preventing the disease from taking hold in the U.S. On Monday night, the CDC and the State Department announced that a travel advisory recommending that Americans avoid travel to China when at all possible.
Airport screening is also being expanded from five airports to 20, with the goal of screening all passengers returning from China and letting people know what they should do if they fall ill after they get home.
The CDC is conducting contact investigations of people known to have been in contact with the five patients with confirmed infections, monitoring them for symptoms and testing them if concerning symptoms emerge.
Officials at the CDC are eager to get into China in order to help scientists there answer key questions — such as whether the virus can spread from people who don't show any symptoms of illness. Azar said at the news conference that he had been pressing his counterpart in China for permission to send investigators.
That plea has been answered, at least to a certain extent. On Tuesday, the World Health Organization announced that it had the green light to send outside experts to China. It was not immediately clear whether that will include scientists from the CDC.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, explained that federal agencies are taking a three-pronged approach to respond to the novel coronavirus: developing and improving diagnostic tests, investigating experimental antiviral drugs, and working to develop a vaccine.
He said if it turns out that the virus can spread from someone who is not showing any symptoms, there would be some changes in the public health response. Similar coronaviruses from past outbreaks — severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome — did not spread in the absence of symptoms, but that doesn't mean the new one will behave the same way. Viruses such as measles and influenza can be spread from people who aren't showing signs of disease.
"Even if there is some asymptomatic transmission, in all the history of respiratory-borne viruses of any type, asymptomatic transmission has never been the driver of outbreaks," Fauci said. "The driver of outbreaks has always been a symptomatic person."
You can contact NPR science correspondent Richard Harris at rharris@npr.org.


npr--2020-01-28--I Can't Work With You! How Political Fights Leave Workplaces Divided

I Ca n't Work With You !
How Political Fights Leave Workplaces Divided A few months ago , a skirmish broke out on the factory floor of a clothing maker in Portland , Ore .
It had received an order to make T-shirts for the Trump presidential campaign — but some people refused to work on the project .
The conscientious objectors were allowed to opt out , says Darcey McAllister , who handles human resources for her small- and medium-size business clients .
`` But then those same people were harassing the people who were actually working on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'And so the manager called me and was like , 'What do I do ? '
`` McAllister told him to remind protesting workers that there was a business to run and to stop heckling their coworkers .
On factory floors and work sites and in clusters of cubicles , political divisions are playing out as real-life work drama .
Such disputes are not only more common , but they 're also more contentious , especially amid an impeachment trial and the lead-up to the November presidential election .
According to a recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management , 42 % of U.S. workers have had political disagreements at work .
And the resulting strife feeds an undercurrent of workplace stress .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
Employees ca n't focus , the pace of work slows , and trust is broken .
Some workers feel unwelcome or even discriminated against .
That 's especially true if they 're in the political minority in their workplace .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
`` The people who are Trump supporters probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will get verbally attacked or questioned to the point that it would make them feel uncomfortable , '' McAllister says .
`` I do absolutely have that sense that that 's true in Portland . ''
What 's more , she expects it to get worse : `` I know as we get closer to November 2020 , it 's going to become more and more of a problem . ''
That leaves people like Beth Kloetzer in a bind .
Kloetzer supervises a Wilmington , Del.
, library — typically a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace .
The 30-person staff is supposed to offer unbiased help finding information .
`` We 're like Switzerland ; you know , we 're neutral , '' Kloetzer says .
Except that has not been the reality .
Personal politics have redrawn allegiances and roiled tensions among staff members .
Kloetzer — a Democrat — says , at times , it 's difficult to avoid getting sucked into talking about the political events of the day , at work and online .
`` Actually , I have a colleague that I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was like , ' I ca n't see this , ' `` Kloetzer says .
She blocks angry posts from her news feed from both sides .
Such comments reveal her coworkers ' political leanings , which range from conservative Trump supporters to nonsupporters , to liberals and a few in between .
`` I wonder sometimes : Do people feel this strongly or is it just that they 're driven to feel that way because that 's the mood ? ''
Kloetzer says .
It has calmed down a bit recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged her staff to read memoirs written by people on opposing sides , including Hillbilly Elegy , by conservative author J.D .
Vance , and Born a Crime , by liberal comedian Trevor Noah .
`` Reading about people of different views , you grab hold of the things that you can relate to , '' Kloetzer says .
`` It might not change your opinion overall , but it might give you a greater understanding of why everyone does n't agree . ''
Some , like Brian Melehan , seek refuge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days he worries a slip of the tongue could cost him business .
`` I do n't want to make anybody mad ; it makes me kind of walk on eggshells , '' he says .
Melehan 's family runs a residential construction firm in Lisle , Ill .
He describes his views as to the left of the Republican-leaning majority in his community .
Politics was once safe fodder for chitchat , he says , but now he avoids the subject altogether — especially with clients .
That never used to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever felt like I was in fear that my political viewpoint would somehow prevent people from wanting to hire me because they do n't like what I think , '' he says .
Melehan says he thinks healthy debate is necessary for democracy and hopes tensions will eventually ease .
`` Division sells , '' he says .
`` It is something that people can get behind for a brief period of time , but eventually we all have to work with each other . ''

I Can't Work With You! How Political Fights Leave Workplaces Divided
Enlarge this image toggle caption John M Lund Photography Inc/Getty Images John M Lund Photography Inc/Getty Images
A few months ago, a skirmish broke out on the factory floor of a clothing maker in Portland, Ore. It had received an order to make T-shirts for the Trump presidential campaign — but some people refused to work on the project.
The conscientious objectors were allowed to opt out, says Darcey McAllister, who handles human resources for her small- and medium-size business clients.
"But then those same people were harassing the people who were actually working on the project," she says. "'And so the manager called me and was like, 'What do I do?' "
McAllister told him to remind protesting workers that there was a business to run and to stop heckling their coworkers.
On factory floors and work sites and in clusters of cubicles, political divisions are playing out as real-life work drama. Such disputes are not only more common, but they're also more contentious, especially amid an impeachment trial and the lead-up to the November presidential election.
According to a recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 42% of U.S. workers have had political disagreements at work. And the resulting strife feeds an undercurrent of workplace stress.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
Employees can't focus, the pace of work slows, and trust is broken. Some workers feel unwelcome or even discriminated against. That's especially true if they're in the political minority in their workplace.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
"The people who are Trump supporters probably keep a low profile for fear that they will get verbally attacked or questioned to the point that it would make them feel uncomfortable," McAllister says. "I do absolutely have that sense that that's true in Portland."
What's more, she expects it to get worse: "I know as we get closer to November 2020, it's going to become more and more of a problem."
toggle caption Courtesy of Teresa Reed
That leaves people like Beth Kloetzer in a bind. Kloetzer supervises a Wilmington, Del., library — typically a quiet environment for reading or researching in peace. The 30-person staff is supposed to offer unbiased help finding information.
"We're like Switzerland; you know, we're neutral," Kloetzer says.
Except that has not been the reality. Personal politics have redrawn allegiances and roiled tensions among staff members. Kloetzer — a Democrat — says, at times, it's difficult to avoid getting sucked into talking about the political events of the day, at work and online.
"Actually, I have a colleague that I just block her on social media because I was like, 'I can't see this,' " Kloetzer says.
She blocks angry posts from her news feed from both sides. Such comments reveal her coworkers' political leanings, which range from conservative Trump supporters to nonsupporters, to liberals and a few in between.
"I wonder sometimes: Do people feel this strongly or is it just that they're driven to feel that way because that's the mood?" Kloetzer says.
It has calmed down a bit recently, she says, perhaps because she has urged her staff to read memoirs written by people on opposing sides, including Hillbilly Elegy, by conservative author J.D. Vance, and Born a Crime, by liberal comedian Trevor Noah.
"Reading about people of different views, you grab hold of the things that you can relate to," Kloetzer says. "It might not change your opinion overall, but it might give you a greater understanding of why everyone doesn't agree."
Some, like Brian Melehan, seek refuge in silence. Politics feels so personal these days he worries a slip of the tongue could cost him business. "I don't want to make anybody mad; it makes me kind of walk on eggshells," he says.
Melehan's family runs a residential construction firm in Lisle, Ill. He describes his views as to the left of the Republican-leaning majority in his community. Politics was once safe fodder for chitchat, he says, but now he avoids the subject altogether — especially with clients. That never used to be the case.
"I never, ever felt like I was in fear that my political viewpoint would somehow prevent people from wanting to hire me because they don't like what I think," he says.
Melehan says he thinks healthy debate is necessary for democracy and hopes tensions will eventually ease.
"Division sells," he says. "It is something that people can get behind for a brief period of time, but eventually we all have to work with each other."