npr--2020-03-07--As The World Struggles To Contain Coronavirus, Scientists Race To Develop Vaccine

As The World Struggles To Contain Coronavirus , Scientists Race To Develop Vaccine Scientists are racing to create a vaccine to protect people against the new strain of the coronavirus .
But while researchers are making fast progress , a vaccine is probably more than a year away .
As the world struggles to try to contain the coronavirus , scientists are racing to develop one of medicine 's most powerful weapons , a vaccine .
NPR health correspondent Rob Stein joins us .
Rob , thanks so much for being with us .
SIMON : A few times this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine is closer than it really is .
Where are we really ?
STEIN : Yeah .
So there are a bunch of vaccines in the pipeline already .
In fact , doctors are about to start injecting at least one of them into people very soon within the next few weeks to see , first of all , if it 's safe .
That 's a vaccine that was developed by the National Institutes of Health in record time , actually .
I just talked with Lisa Jackson about this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Research Institute .
And she 's in charge of testing this vaccine in people for the first time .
LISA JACKSON : You know , we found out about this new virus in January .
And now , you know , we have vaccine supply to conduct a trial in March .
And that 's unprecedented .
That is so rapid .
SIMON : So , Rob , do we know how this vaccine works ?
STEIN : Yeah .
So , you know , we 're used to thinking about vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we 're fighting - you know , from weakened or dead versions of the virus .
But this vaccine is nothing like that .
It 's made out of genetic code .
And that code tells cells in the body to make a protein - it 's called a spike protein - that this coronavirus uses to infect our bodies .
The idea is that this will set off kind of an alarm in our immune systems to crank out antibodies so we 're ready to fight off this virus if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far , it looks like it 's working , at least in experiments where they injected it into mice .
So Jackson has already started recruiting dozens of volunteers in Seattle to be the first people to get it to , first , start to see if it 's safe .
SIMON : Now , that sounds promising , but there 's a distance to go , is n't there ?
STEIN : Yes , yes .
I 'm sorry to say that it 's not going to be ready anytime soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this .
JACKSON : We 're working as fast as possible because we 're faced with this crisis .
But , you know , we 're not going to have a vaccine for a year and a half .
SIMON : As we report every day , people are getting sick now .
Why does it take a year and a half ?
STEIN : So it just takes time to make a totally new vaccine like this .
Even if it looks like it 's safe , doctors have to then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure that 's the case .
You know , remember ; this is something you 're going to be giving to healthy people - potentially millions of healthy people , many of whom may never actually catch the virus or get very sick .
So even a small risk could end up doing a lot of harm .
Here 's Nelson Michael of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research .
He talked about this a couple days ago at a briefing at the Pentagon , which is also trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You , at first , do n't want to do harm , right ?
And so part of the hesitation to say , oh , we can get a vaccine quickly , is you need to make sure that it 's really safe .
If you test the vaccine on a thousand people but 1 in 10,000 people are going to have something terrible that happens , you may end up doing mass vaccination campaigns with a vaccine that could cause a significant amount of problems .
STEIN : So , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people to make sure it 's safe and make sure it actually works .
So all that takes time .
SIMON : And is it likely , Rob , that they could develop a vaccine that could avoid this virus recurring yearly ?
STEIN : You know , so a vaccine - it certainly would be a powerful tool to try to get this outbreak under control .
Unfortunately , a vaccine wo n't come in time to prevent this from coming back next winter if it turns out to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the flu .
But if it does come roaring back or is just still around , a vaccine may at least be far enough along to try to push forward with the testing .
SIMON : So what is the point if it 's going to take that long to have one ?
STEIN : Well , you know , if we 're lucky , we could get this current outbreak under control or it might kind of peter out on its own over the spring and the summer , but maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next winter like the flu .
Or it could , you know , peter out , but then another nasty coronavirus could erupt down the road .
So whatever happens , public health experts say we should be ready with a vaccine .
Here 's Lisa Jackson again .
JACKSON : If nothing else , even if it completely goes away and that 's the last we ever see of this particular virus , you know , the phenomena that led to this virus is going to happen again as this nexus of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the jump in certain viruses that have circulated in animals into humans , so we need to be more prepared .
SIMON : NPR 's health correspondent Rob Stein , thanks so much .

As The World Struggles To Contain Coronavirus, Scientists Race To Develop Vaccine
Scientists are racing to create a vaccine to protect people against the new strain of the coronavirus. But while researchers are making fast progress, a vaccine is probably more than a year away.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
As the world struggles to try to contain the coronavirus, scientists are racing to develop one of medicine's most powerful weapons, a vaccine. NPR health correspondent Rob Stein joins us. Rob, thanks so much for being with us.
ROB STEIN, BYLINE: My pleasure, Scott.
SIMON: A few times this week, President Trump said wrongly that a vaccine is closer than it really is. Where are we really?
STEIN: Yeah. So there are a bunch of vaccines in the pipeline already. In fact, doctors are about to start injecting at least one of them into people very soon within the next few weeks to see, first of all, if it's safe. That's a vaccine that was developed by the National Institutes of Health in record time, actually. I just talked with Lisa Jackson about this. She's at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. And she's in charge of testing this vaccine in people for the first time.
LISA JACKSON: You know, we found out about this new virus in January. And now, you know, we have vaccine supply to conduct a trial in March. And that's unprecedented. That is so rapid.
SIMON: So, Rob, do we know how this vaccine works?
STEIN: Yeah. So, you know, we're used to thinking about vaccines being made out of the actual virus that we're fighting - you know, from weakened or dead versions of the virus. But this vaccine is nothing like that. It's made out of genetic code. And that code tells cells in the body to make a protein - it's called a spike protein - that this coronavirus uses to infect our bodies. The idea is that this will set off kind of an alarm in our immune systems to crank out antibodies so we're ready to fight off this virus if we're ever exposed to it. And so far, it looks like it's working, at least in experiments where they injected it into mice. So Jackson has already started recruiting dozens of volunteers in Seattle to be the first people to get it to, first, start to see if it's safe.
SIMON: Now, that sounds promising, but there's a distance to go, isn't there?
STEIN: Yes, yes. I'm sorry to say that it's not going to be ready anytime soon. Here's Lisa Jackson again talking about this.
JACKSON: We're working as fast as possible because we're faced with this crisis. But, you know, we're not going to have a vaccine for a year and a half.
SIMON: As we report every day, people are getting sick now. Why does it take a year and a half?
STEIN: So it just takes time to make a totally new vaccine like this. Even if it looks like it's safe, doctors have to then test it in a lot more people to make sure that's the case. You know, remember; this is something you're going to be giving to healthy people - potentially millions of healthy people, many of whom may never actually catch the virus or get very sick. So even a small risk could end up doing a lot of harm. Here's Nelson Michael of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He talked about this a couple days ago at a briefing at the Pentagon, which is also trying to make a vaccine.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
NELSON MICHAEL: You, at first, don't want to do harm, right? And so part of the hesitation to say, oh, we can get a vaccine quickly, is you need to make sure that it's really safe. If you test the vaccine on a thousand people but 1 in 10,000 people are going to have something terrible that happens, you may end up doing mass vaccination campaigns with a vaccine that could cause a significant amount of problems.
STEIN: So, you know, you have to test it on thousands of people to make sure it's safe and make sure it actually works. So all that takes time.
SIMON: And is it likely, Rob, that they could develop a vaccine that could avoid this virus recurring yearly?
STEIN: You know, so a vaccine - it certainly would be a powerful tool to try to get this outbreak under control. Unfortunately, a vaccine won't come in time to prevent this from coming back next winter if it turns out to have a seasonal pattern, you know, like the flu. But if it does come roaring back or is just still around, a vaccine may at least be far enough along to try to push forward with the testing.
SIMON: So what is the point if it's going to take that long to have one?
STEIN: Well, you know, if we're lucky, we could get this current outbreak under control or it might kind of peter out on its own over the spring and the summer, but maybe not. And it might come back next winter like the flu. Or it could, you know, peter out, but then another nasty coronavirus could erupt down the road. So whatever happens, public health experts say we should be ready with a vaccine. Here's Lisa Jackson again.
JACKSON: If nothing else, even if it completely goes away and that's the last we ever see of this particular virus, you know, the phenomena that led to this virus is going to happen again as this nexus of, you know, animals and humans and the jump in certain viruses that have circulated in animals into humans, so we need to be more prepared.
SIMON: NPR's health correspondent Rob Stein, thanks so much.
STEIN: You bet, Scott.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-07--What Airlines Are Doing To Help Alleviate Your Coronavirus Concerns

What Airlines Are Doing To Help Alleviate Your Coronavirus Concerns With worries over the spread of coronovirus , what should you consider when boarding a crowded airplane ?
We tell you what airlines are doing to address concerns and how you can minimize your risk .
Fears over the spread of the coronavirus have led to a slump in air travel as businesses restrict employee travel , trade shows and conferences are cancelled , families reconsider vacation plans .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of contracting the virus on an airplane is relatively low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports from Chicago , travelers can take steps to further reduce their risk .
DAVID SCHAPER , BYLINE : Airport terminals have all kinds of potentially germy surfaces .
That kiosk touch screen where you check in - I mean , who used that last ?
- those trays at security that you put your laptop , shoes and phone in .
And then there 's the plane itself .
TAMMY LEVENT : I look like a complete freak when I 'm on an airplane ... LEVENT : ... Because I pull out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seat in front of me , my hand rests , my seatbelt and the headrest behind me and my tray every time I travel .
SCHAPER : The airlines themselves say they 're wiping down those surfaces more often , too , as they try to reassure passengers that their planes are clean and safe .
Charlie Hobart is a spokesman for United Airlines .
CHARLIE HOBART : The cleaning procedures for international and domestic aircraft include a wipe-down of the hard surfaces touched by customers .
We use a special cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SCHAPER : And Hobart says if a passenger or crew member ends up with a confirmed case of COVID-19 , that aircraft immediately undergoes a deeper cleaning .
HOBART : And that includes washing the ceilings and the overhead bins , scrubbing the interior , disinfecting the entire aircraft .
SCHAPER : Health experts say it 's highly unlikely that the surfaces inside the plane will get you sick .
But what about the air ?
SARA NELSON : The idea that circulated air or the air vents is increasing the likelihood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is not correct at all .
SCHAPER : Sara Nelson is president of the Association of Flight Attendants .
Contrary to popular belief , planes do not just recirculate the same old dirty air .
They 're constantly pumping in fresh air that is cleaned by high-efficiency filters .
So the air on planes is actually cleaner than the air in many homes and offices .
The greatest risk , health officials say , comes from other people .
And Nelson points out that on airplanes , with ever-shrinking seats , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So ... NELSON : If you are sick , you need to stay home .
SCHAPER : And if you are not sick , you can minimize your risk by following the CDC 's advice to properly wash your hands , use hand sanitizer , do n't touch your face , and hope that no carrier of the virus sneezes on you .
At Chicago 's O'Hare Airport , many of those who are still traveling do n't seem to worry about the coronavirus .
CHERISE EDMONDS : You know what ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forty-nine-year-old Cherise Edmonds is returning from a business trip to Vancouver .
EDMONDS : I mean , I 'm concerned .
But if something 's going to happen to me , it 's going to happen ( laughter ) .
SCHAPER : Thirty-one-year-old consultant Alvin Tan says he 's a bit concerned .
But he has to travel for work .
ALVIN TAN : It is what it is .
There 's no point panicking .
And , I mean , personally , at home , I have , like , enough supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So pretty good right there .
SCHAPER : OK .
But why does he have two weeks ' worth of supplies at home ?
TAN : Be prepared for a zombie apocalypse .
I think that 's more dangerous ( laughter ) .
SCHAPER : At times like this , it helps to have a sense of humor .
David Schaper , NPR News , Chicago .

What Airlines Are Doing To Help Alleviate Your Coronavirus Concerns
With worries over the spread of coronavirus, what should you consider when boarding a crowded airplane? We tell you what airlines are doing to address concerns and how you can minimize your risk.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Fears over the spread of the coronavirus have led to a slump in air travel as businesses restrict employee travel, trade shows and conferences are cancelled, families reconsider vacation plans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of contracting the virus on an airplane is relatively low. And as NPR's David Schaper reports from Chicago, travelers can take steps to further reduce their risk.
DAVID SCHAPER, BYLINE: Airport terminals have all kinds of potentially germy surfaces. That kiosk touch screen where you check in - I mean, who used that last? - those trays at security that you put your laptop, shoes and phone in. And then there's the plane itself.
TAMMY LEVENT: I look like a complete freak when I'm on an airplane...
SCHAPER: Travel agent Tammy Levent is CEO of Elite Travel.
LEVENT: ...Because I pull out my Clorox wipes. I wipe down the seat in front of me, my hand rests, my seatbelt and the headrest behind me and my tray every time I travel.
SCHAPER: The airlines themselves say they're wiping down those surfaces more often, too, as they try to reassure passengers that their planes are clean and safe. Charlie Hobart is a spokesman for United Airlines.
CHARLIE HOBART: The cleaning procedures for international and domestic aircraft include a wipe-down of the hard surfaces touched by customers. We use a special cleaning solution that also includes a special disinfectant.
SCHAPER: And Hobart says if a passenger or crew member ends up with a confirmed case of COVID-19, that aircraft immediately undergoes a deeper cleaning.
HOBART: And that includes washing the ceilings and the overhead bins, scrubbing the interior, disinfecting the entire aircraft.
SCHAPER: Health experts say it's highly unlikely that the surfaces inside the plane will get you sick. But what about the air?
SARA NELSON: The idea that circulated air or the air vents is increasing the likelihood of getting this disease is false. That is not correct at all.
SCHAPER: Sara Nelson is president of the Association of Flight Attendants. Contrary to popular belief, planes do not just recirculate the same old dirty air. They're constantly pumping in fresh air that is cleaned by high-efficiency filters. So the air on planes is actually cleaner than the air in many homes and offices. The greatest risk, health officials say, comes from other people. And Nelson points out that on airplanes, with ever-shrinking seats, people sit very close to one another. So...
NELSON: If you are sick, you need to stay home.
SCHAPER: And if you are not sick, you can minimize your risk by following the CDC's advice to properly wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, don't touch your face, and hope that no carrier of the virus sneezes on you. At Chicago's O'Hare Airport, many of those who are still traveling don't seem to worry about the coronavirus.
CHERISE EDMONDS: You know what? I just trust in God.
SCHAPER: Forty-nine-year-old Cherise Edmonds is returning from a business trip to Vancouver.
EDMONDS: I mean, I'm concerned. But if something's going to happen to me, it's going to happen (laughter).
SCHAPER: Thirty-one-year-old consultant Alvin Tan says he's a bit concerned. But he has to travel for work.
ALVIN TAN: It is what it is. There's no point panicking. And, I mean, personally, at home, I have, like, enough supplies to survive two weeks of quarantine. So pretty good right there.
SCHAPER: OK. But why does he have two weeks' worth of supplies at home?
TAN: Be prepared for a zombie apocalypse. I think that's more dangerous (laughter).
SCHAPER: At times like this, it helps to have a sense of humor. David Schaper, NPR News, Chicago.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-08--PHOTOS: In A Coronavirus Crisis, Delivery Workers Can Be A Lifeline

PHOTOS : In A Coronavirus Crisis , Delivery Workers Can Be A Lifeline Wuhan , the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China , has been in lockdown mode for weeks .
But its delivery workers , zipping through empty streets on their motorcycles and scooters , are still very much on the move .
To avoid transmission of the virus , people have been told to stay at home and limit time outdoors .
As a result , when they need food or other necessities , many of them turn to delivery workers , who put themselves at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with dozens of customers , some of whom are sick , and handling multiple packages a day .
The food deliveries include fresh fruit and vegetables , dry goods like instant noodles and some treats , too — like waffles .
In addition , hospitals are depending on the couriers to bring medical supplies .
Delivery companies are struggling to keep up .
In a press conference in February , the department of commerce director of Hubei province , Qin Jun , said that in a single day , e-commerce companies received 22,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tons of necessities .
JD Logistics , one of the country 's largest courier companies , says they are looking to hire 20,000 warehouse workers , couriers and drivers to help with deliveries during the outbreak .
JD hires men and women , and a recent ad said it pays between $ 721 to $ 1,400 a month .
A prize-winning international photojournalist who lives in Wuhan has captured scenes of the couriers in action .
The photographer asked not to be named because of concerns of being targeted by the government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up their grueling schedule — they typically work 8 to 12 hour days — he wrote in an email to NPR : `` Couriers are ants .
Nothing can stop them . ''

PHOTOS: In A Coronavirus Crisis, Delivery Workers Can Be A Lifeline
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stringer/for NPR Stringer/for NPR
Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China, has been in lockdown mode for weeks. But its delivery workers, zipping through empty streets on their motorcycles and scooters, are still very much on the move.
To avoid transmission of the virus, people have been told to stay at home and limit time outdoors. As a result, when they need food or other necessities, many of them turn to delivery workers, who put themselves at risk of exposure to the virus by interacting with dozens of customers, some of whom are sick, and handling multiple packages a day.
The food deliveries include fresh fruit and vegetables, dry goods like instant noodles and some treats, too — like waffles.
In addition, hospitals are depending on the couriers to bring medical supplies.
Delivery companies are struggling to keep up. In a press conference in February, the department of commerce director of Hubei province, Qin Jun, said that in a single day, e-commerce companies received 22,000 orders in the province and delivered 1,337 tons of necessities. JD Logistics, one of the country's largest courier companies, says they are looking to hire 20,000 warehouse workers, couriers and drivers to help with deliveries during the outbreak. JD hires men and women, and a recent ad said it pays between $721 to $1,400 a month.
A prize-winning international photojournalist who lives in Wuhan has captured scenes of the couriers in action. The photographer asked not to be named because of concerns of being targeted by the government.
Asked how the couriers manage to keep up their grueling schedule — they typically work 8 to 12 hour days — he wrote in an email to NPR: "Couriers are ants. Nothing can stop them."
toggle caption Stringer/for NPR
toggle caption Stringer/for NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stringer/for NPR Stringer/for NPR
toggle caption Stringer/for NPR
toggle caption Stringer/for NPR
toggle caption Stringer/for NPR
toggle caption Stringer/for NPR
toggle caption Stringer/for NPR


npr--2020-03-08--Trump Campaign Makes Pitch To Black Neighborhoods. Will It Connect?

Trump Campaign Makes Pitch To Black Neighborhoods .
Will It Connect ?
President Trump has been spending a lot of time this year talking about his record on criminal justice reform , low black unemployment and support for historically black colleges .
It 's part of his re-election campaign 's quest to peel off some support from one of Democrats ' most loyal constituencies — black voters — particularly in battleground states like Wisconsin , where the race in November may be tight .
So that 's why his campaign is focusing on cities like Milwaukee for what it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , the initiative held a panel discussion there , at the state Republican party 's first-ever field office in Milwaukee , in a predominantly African American neighborhood .
About 50 people gathered in the storefront location to hear speakers talk about what it is like to be black Republicans in a country where the vast majority of black people are Democrats .
They told their personal stories about converting to the Republican party .
Cecilia Johnson described receiving a `` verbal beat-down '' from her African American co-workers after she told them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A lot of people just looked at it as a betrayal of my blackness , '' said Johnson , now a political activist based in Kansas City , Mo .
She rejects the accusation : `` You 're not going to tell me that I hate my mama , that 's what you not going to do . ''
The campaign has plans to open field offices in 15 cities , including Milwaukee , Philadelphia and Detroit , as a part of its Black Voices for Trump effort .
Making more African Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of the goals of these events as the campaign tries to reach new voters .
But at the Milwaukee meeting , many of the people in the room seemed to be politically connected , rather than local residents curious about backing Trump .
The new field office also has not received much of a warm welcome to the neighborhood .
It was vandalized shortly after it opened .
And shortly before the event began , a black man walked in and shouted expletives about Trump , before being quickly escorted out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retake Wisconsin , too — and are focused on making sure black voters turn out .
The progressive group Black Leaders Organizing for Communities , or BLOC , has been knocking on doors and talking to thousands of people in the city since 2017 to get residents involved in the political process .
Angela Lang , the executive director of BLOC , said having Republicans set up shop does change the dynamic in the area .
But she said she thinks it 's too late to have much impact .
`` You ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when the election is in November and assume that people are just going to automatically come out and vote for you , '' Lang said in an interview .
Canvassers for Lang 's group do not bring up Trump when they knock on doors , but when residents do talk about the president , Lang says it 's not positive .
`` He 'll come up and people are angry , like people will proactively bring him up and are angry , '' Lang said .
For Trump , making inroads with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He won only 8 % of the African-American vote in 2016 and he remains deeply unpopular .
But in crucial states like Wisconsin , even a small bump could make a difference .
And while Trump talks about the policies he feels have helped African Americans , he also spends a lot of time slamming Democratic opponents .
`` The Democrats cater to them a month before the elections and then they leave and they do n't do a damn thing for them .
But , we 've worked hard , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Critics argue that one of Trump 's goals may be to actually lower black turn out in general by bashing the Democratic party .
Trump supporters have said his message on the economy could resonate with black men .
It also helps if a person has friends or family who are Republican .
That 's the case with Quinn Taylor , who attended the Black Voices for Trump event in Milwaukee .
Taylor , 39 , helps run a popular local Facebook group called The Whole Milwaukee # 1 , which promotes black-owned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former President Barack Obama , but he sat out the 2016 election because he was not a fan of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton , or Trump .
He now considers himself an independent , but has become more interested in the Republican party because of his friendship with Orlando Owens , a black Republican running for the state legislature in Wisconsin .
Taylor says he likes that Republicans focus on entrepreneurship and the importance of faith .
But , he has serious misgivings about Trump .
`` I do n't like a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't like that he 's kind of thin-skinned , always has to react .
I do n't like how he treat women .
I do n't like the racial comments that he made , '' Taylor said .
He 's not alone .
More than 8 in 10 black Americans say they believe Trump is a racist , according to a Washington Post/Ipsos poll .
Taylor says he 's still open to voting for Republicans , but he 's not yet sold on the party .
`` Supporting the Republican Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` That 's the decision that I 'm really stuck on .
Can I really make that commitment ?
Can I really make that change ? ''
NPR 's Lexie Schapitl , Maya Gandhi and Meredith Roaten contributed to this story

Trump Campaign Makes Pitch To Black Neighborhoods. Will It Connect?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
President Trump has been spending a lot of time this year talking about his record on criminal justice reform, a low black unemployment rate and his support for historically black colleges.
It's part of his re-election campaign's quest to peel off some support from one of Democrats' most loyal constituencies — black voters — particularly in battleground states like Wisconsin, where the race in November may be tight.
So that's why his campaign is focusing on cities like Milwaukee for what it is calling Black Voices for Trump. Last weekend, the initiative held a panel discussion there, at the state Republican party's first-ever field office in Milwaukee, in a predominantly African American neighborhood.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Maayan Silver/NPR Maayan Silver/NPR
About 50 people gathered in the storefront location to hear speakers talk about what it is like to be black Republicans in a country where the vast majority of black people are Democrats.
They told their personal stories about converting to the Republican Party. Cecilia Johnson described receiving a "verbal beat-down" from her African American coworkers after she told them she had become a Republican.
"A lot of people just looked at it as a betrayal of my blackness," said Johnson, now a political activist based in Kansas City, Mo. She rejects the accusation: "You're not going to tell me that I hate my mama, that's what you not going to do."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Maayan SIlver/NPR Maayan SIlver/NPR
The campaign has plans to open field offices in 15 cities, including Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Detroit, as a part of its Black Voices for Trump effort.
Making more African Americans comfortable with the Republican Party and Trump is one of the goals of these events as the campaign tries to reach new voters.
But at the Milwaukee meeting, many of the people in the room seemed to be politically connected, rather than local residents curious about backing Trump.
The new field office also has not received much of a warm welcome to the neighborhood. It was vandalized shortly after it opened.
And shortly before the event began, a black man walked in and shouted expletives about Trump, before being quickly escorted out.
Meanwhile, Democrats are determined to retake Wisconsin, too — and are focused on making sure black voters turn out. The progressive group Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, or BLOC, has been knocking on doors and talking to thousands of people in the city since 2017 to get residents involved in the political process.
Angela Lang, the executive director of BLOC, said having Republicans set up shop does change the dynamic in the area. But she said she thinks it's too late to have much impact.
"You can't set up shop in almost March, when the election is in November, and assume that people are just going to automatically come out and vote for you," Lang said in an interview.
Canvassers for Lang's group do not bring up Trump when they knock on doors, but when residents do talk about the president, Lang says it's not positive.
"He'll come up and people are angry, like people will proactively bring him up and are angry," Lang said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
For Trump, making inroads with black voters won't be easy. He won only 8% of the African American vote in 2016 and he remains deeply unpopular. But in crucial states like Wisconsin, even a small bump could make a difference.
And while Trump talks about the policies he feels have helped African Americans, he also spends a lot of time slamming Democratic opponents.
"The Democrats cater to them a month before the elections and then they leave and they don't do a damn thing for them. But, we've worked hard," Trump said on Fox News last week.
Critics argue that one of Trump's goals may be to actually lower black turnout in general by bashing the Democratic Party.
Trump supporters have said his message on the economy could resonate with black men. It also helps if a person has friends or family who are Republican.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ayesha Rascoe/NPR Ayesha Rascoe/NPR
That's the case with Quinn Taylor, who attended the Black Voices for Trump event in Milwaukee. Taylor, 39, helps run a popular local Facebook group called The Whole Milwaukee #1, which promotes black-owned businesses and political candidates.
Taylor supported former President Barack Obama, but he sat out the 2016 election because he was not a fan of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, or Trump.
He now considers himself an independent, but has become more interested in the Republican Party because of his friendship with Orlando Owens, a black Republican running for the state legislature in Wisconsin.
Taylor says he likes that Republicans focus on entrepreneurship and the importance of faith. But he has serious misgivings about Trump.
"I don't like a lot of the comments that he makes. I don't like that he's kind of thin-skinned, always has to react. I don't like how he treat women. I don't like the racial comments that he made," Taylor said.
He's not alone. More than 8 in 10 black Americans say they believe Trump is a racist, according to a Washington Post/Ipsos poll.
Taylor says he's still open to voting for Republicans, but he's not yet sold on the party.
"Supporting the Republican Party fully means supporting Trump," Taylor said. "That's the decision that I'm really stuck on. Can I really make that commitment? Can I really make that change?"
NPR's Lexie Schapitl, Maya Gandhi and Meredith Roaten contributed to this story.


npr--2020-03-08--Capitol Hill Installs Precautions, Contingency Plans For Coronavirus Outbreak

These are no ordinary times for Congress .
There are fewer handshakes .
Purell hand sanitizer dispensers are posted outside the Senate and House chambers .
Staffers are preparing plans to work remotely if there 's a sudden closure .
Welcome to a post-coronavirus world for the U.S. Capitol as it weighs developments from the spreading outbreak against its daily operations .
`` The leadership of the Capitol is always concerned about the security of the Capitol , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday .
`` And now it is coming down more in terms of ... health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million or more people visit the U.S. Capitol Building , and of those , an estimated 60 percent visit between the months of March and July , according to the Architect of the Capitol , the federal agency that oversees its operations .
And as is tradition on weekends and other recess periods , lawmakers regularly travel back and forth to their home districts , including areas now considered hot spots in the growing outbreak .
This past week , Pelosi invited the `` Big Four '' congressional leaders to meet behind closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health at the Capitol .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy took part in the sometimes classified meeting .
Among the topics , officials addressed personal hygiene and contingency plans for Capitol building staffers to work from home if there 's a closure , said Pelosi , D-Calif. For now , lawmakers and staff are say there are n't any disruptions to daily operations .
`` We are reviewing policies to protect both the health of those who work here and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Ky. , told reporters .
`` And if we have more announcements to make we 'll let you know . ''
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy is a gastroenterologist and is known for always having hand sanitizer on hand .
He 's impressed with the supply available for U.S. Capitol visitors .
For now , he ca n't see a closure happening .
`` I would imagine if it ever comes to the nation 's capital in a big way , they would do more .
But again you have to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` So there is going to be an appropriate escalation in response to scientific evidence . ''
Lawmakers are attending regular briefings on the state of the coronavirus outbreak .
Members and staff are also receiving guidance on precautions to take now and plans to make for later if a coronavirus outbreak reaches Capitol Hill .
Lawmakers and staffers said there have n't been any discussions of shutting down public galleries or limiting tours .
The focus remains on precautions and keeping Congress open .
Missouri Republican Sen. Roy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Administration Committee , said he 's been in touch with key Capitol officials to ensure that 's the plan for now .
`` Generally we do the same thing if there 's a flu outbreak , which is encourage people to take care of themselves , '' he said .
`` If there is some kind of pandemic , we have a plan , but we have no thought that that plan is anywhere in the foreseeable future . ''
The advice to members and staff is a familiar tune now : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you are ill , wipe down surfaces and cover coughs or sneezes .
But they 're also hearing extra emphasis on limiting physical contact with visitors .
Last week , Dr. Brian Monahan , the attending physician for Congress , briefed the Democratic caucus on best health practices , said New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries .
Monahan suggested `` we minimize contact with individuals as feasible .
We are still working through the question of transmissibility .
To the extent that there are some unknowns , we all have to proceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House leadership and California Democrat Zoe Rep. Lofgren , who chairs the House Administration Committee , are weighing potential next steps if the illness continues to spread , Jeffries noted .
Pelosi said she hopes the message for boosting best health practices reaches visitors to the U.S. Capitol Building .
She said screening all visitors ' temperatures before they enter is not an option .
`` We are a place where many people come , especially at this time of the year , in the spring , '' Pelosi said .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that our visitors , our press , our staff and our members take the precautions necessary or in their own lives , wherever they do live , but especially when they come to a place like this , where many people come together . ''
But staff are also preparing for the potential of congressional closures .
For example , they 're ensuring that technology is up to date if they have to suddenly work from home .
`` God forbid , but in case there is a need , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` we ca n't vote from home . ''
It 's a key concern , especially after Congress approved an estimated $ 8 billion emergency funding package to fight the novel coronavirus last week .
`` I think we 're going to be developing good habits as we go forward , '' Pelosi said , later adding , `` but we 'll be ready should something come along , but ... what we mostly do is pray . ''

Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Paul Gosar Self-Quarantine After Coronavirus Exposure At CPAC
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Updated at 10:57 p.m. ET
These are no ordinary times for Congress.
There are fewer handshakes. Purell hand sanitizer dispensers are posted outside the Senate and House chambers. Staffers are preparing plans to work remotely if there's a sudden closure.
Welcome to a post-coronavirus world for the U.S. Capitol as it weighs developments from the spreading outbreak against its daily operations.
"The leadership of the Capitol is always concerned about the security of the Capitol," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday. "And now it is coming down more in terms of ... health security."
On Sunday, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz became the first lawmaker to make the decision to self-quarantine, saying he may have been personally exposed to the virus. Cruz said he would remain at his Texas home for the next week after he briefly interacted with a person who later tested positive for COVID-19 at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February. But Cruz said he had no symptoms and said health officials believe his risk of contracting the virus was low.
Later Sunday, Rep. Paul Gosar said he and three of his senior staff members opted to self-quarantine as a "proactive and cautious" measure after recalling his own interactions with the CPAC attendee who had contracted the virus. Gosar said neither he nor his staff members showed symptoms.
Each year, 3 million or more people visit the U.S. Capitol Building, and of those, an estimated 60 percent visit between the months of March and July, according to the Architect of the Capitol, the federal agency that oversees its operations. And as is tradition on weekends and other recess periods, lawmakers regularly travel back and forth to their home districts, including areas now considered hot spots in the growing outbreak.
Reviewing policies, making plans
This past week, Pelosi invited the "Big Four" congressional leaders to meet behind closed doors with officials who oversee safety and health at the Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy took part in the sometimes classified meeting.
Among the topics, officials addressed personal hygiene and contingency plans for Capitol building staffers to work from home if there's a closure, said Pelosi, D-Calif.
For now, lawmakers and staff are say there aren't any disruptions to daily operations.
"We are reviewing policies to protect both the health of those who work here and those who visit here," McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters. "And if we have more announcements to make we'll let you know."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tom Brenner/Reuters Tom Brenner/Reuters
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy is a gastroenterologist and is known for always having hand sanitizer on hand. He's impressed with the supply available for U.S. Capitol visitors. For now, he can't see a closure happening.
"I would imagine if it ever comes to the nation's capital in a big way, they would do more. But again you have to have a state of graduated effects, right?" he said. "So there is going to be an appropriate escalation in response to scientific evidence."
Lawmakers are attending regular briefings on the state of the coronavirus outbreak. Members and staff are also receiving guidance on precautions to take now and plans to make for later if a coronavirus outbreak reaches Capitol Hill.
Lawmakers and staffers said there haven't been any discussions of shutting down public galleries or limiting tours. The focus remains on precautions and keeping Congress open.
Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, who chairs the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, said he's been in touch with key Capitol officials to ensure that's the plan for now.
"Generally we do the same thing if there's a flu outbreak, which is encourage people to take care of themselves," he said. "If there is some kind of pandemic, we have a plan, but we have no thought that that plan is anywhere in the foreseeable future."
Minimize contact
The advice to members and staff is a familiar tune now: ensure vigorous hand washing, stay home if you are ill, wipe down surfaces and cover coughs or sneezes. But they're also hearing extra emphasis on limiting physical contact with visitors.
Last week, Dr. Brian Monahan, the attending physician for Congress, briefed the Democratic caucus on best health practices, said New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
Monahan suggested "we minimize contact with individuals as feasible. We are still working through the question of transmissibility. To the extent that there are some unknowns, we all have to proceed with caution," Jeffries said.
House leadership and California Democrat Zoe Rep. Lofgren, who chairs the House Administration Committee, are weighing potential next steps if the illness continues to spread, Jeffries noted.
Pelosi said she hopes the message for boosting best health practices reaches visitors to the U.S. Capitol Building. She said screening all visitors' temperatures before they enter is not an option.
"We are a place where many people come, especially at this time of the year, in the spring," Pelosi said. "So what we want to do is to make sure that our visitors, our press, our staff and our members take the precautions necessary or in their own lives, wherever they do live, but especially when they come to a place like this, where many people come together."
But staff are also preparing for the potential of congressional closures. For example, they're ensuring that technology is up to date if they have to suddenly work from home.
"God forbid, but in case there is a need," Pelosi said. But, she noted, "we can't vote from home."
It's a key concern, especially after Congress approved an estimated $8 billion emergency funding package to fight the novel coronavirus last week.
"I think we're going to be developing good habits as we go forward," Pelosi said, later adding, "but we'll be ready should something come along, but ... what we mostly do is pray."


npr--2020-03-07--Coronavirus: Italy Imposes Quarantine On 16 Million; U.S. Sees 1st East Coast Deaths

Updated Sunday at 6:03 a.m .
ET The government of Italy has imposed a lockdown on its northern region , restricting the movement of more than 16 million people , as it fights to control the coronavirus outbreak there .
The lockdown affects the entire Lombardy region , along with its capital Milan , as well as the city of Venice .
The area includes about a quarter of Italy 's population .
The Italian Civil Protection Agency reported a total of 5,883 COVID-19 cases as of Saturday evening , with 233 deaths from the illness .
Italy 's action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus in the United States , including the first confirmed case in the nation 's capital .
To this point , the West Coast has borne the brunt of coronavirus in the U.S. , with the bulk of confirmed cases so far reported in California and Washington state .
But that 's likely to change soon , with reports of cases now in Florida , New York and the Washington , D.C. , area .
On Friday , health authorities in Florida said two COVID-19 patients in the state have died , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first deaths linked to the disease on the East Coast .
One of the patients lived in the district of Rep. Matt Gaetz , who drew criticism from colleagues earlier this week for `` making light '' of coronavirus when he wore a massive gas mask to a House floor vote on measures to combat the epidemic .
`` Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time , '' the Republican congressman tweeted late Friday , adding : `` I 'm confident our community will continue to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be no further contractions of the virus in Northwest Florida . ''
The state has confirmed more than a dozen cases so far — the largest cluster on the East Coast outside of New York , which has reported several dozen cases of its own .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Saturday , after officials learned of new cases in New York City and Westchester County .
`` We are aggressively testing , following up leads , because we want to find as many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them out of circulation , '' Cuomo said at a media briefing midday Saturday .
Elsewhere on the East Coast , Washington , D.C. , confirmed a `` presumptive case '' of the virus in a man in his 50s with no history of international travel , Mayor Muriel Bowser said Saturday evening .
The city also said it was looking into the case of one person who spent time in D.C. and tested positive later in Maryland .
That came roughly an hour after the Pentagon confirmed a U.S. Marine at Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia , tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from overseas .
Off the coast of California , thousands of passengers were confined to the Grand Princess cruise ship near San Francisco after 21 people aboard tested positive for the virus .
On Saturday , Vice President Pence said the government was tracking an additional cruise ship that may have shared crew members with the Grand Princess or the Diamond Princess , another ship that faced quarantine in Japan in February after passengers tested positive .
All told , the number of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 — 19 of whom have died , mostly in Washington state .
At least 14 people who died were associated with one nursing home near Seattle , according to the public health department of Seattle and King County .
Health authorities in Washington say they have confirmed 102 cases of the coronavirus in the state .
As of late Saturday afternoon , the total tally of confirmed cases worldwide stood at more than 105,000 , some 3,500 of whom have died from the disease .
The vast majority of those cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , the outbreak 's epicenter , but the number of new cases there has been declining lately — while the virus has taken root in South Korea , Iran and Italy and has reached dozens of countries .
Back in the U.S. , schools and companies have announced a spate of measures to mitigate spread of the virus .
Stanford University in California and the University of Washington and Seattle University , which boast tens of thousands of students among them , said Friday they are canceling in-person classes through the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Amtrak , on the East Coast , said that because it is `` experiencing some reduced demand , '' it plans to halt its nonstop Acela train service between New York and Washington , D.C. , beginning Tuesday and continuing through late May .
Texas has reported just a half-dozen confirmed cases , none of which have been found in Austin — but that fact did not dissuade the city 's mayor , Steve Adler , from preemptively canceling South by Southwest , the city 's signature music , film and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported cases in Austin , but certainly the longer we can stay that way , the better off we are .
It 's inevitable that it 's coming here as to all other cities , but delay is better , '' Adler told NPR 's Weekend Edition on Saturday .
The event drew more than 400,000 visitors to the city last year .
Adler acknowledged that its cancellation this year , just a week before its scheduled opening , is `` very tough and truly heartbreaking '' for the performers and vendors who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event customarily brings .
`` We 're going to have to mitigate that as best we can as a community , be as resilient as we can , '' he said .
`` We just ultimately did n't have a choice because the focus needed to be on doing what was necessary to best keep the city safe . ''
Eyes are also trained on another signature event expected later this month : March Madness .
So far , the NCAA has made no major changes to the massively popular ( and lucrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in earnest March 19 .
`` I do n't think anything is off the table at this point , '' ESPN 's Michele Steele told NPR on Saturday .
`` The NCAA says they 're just monitoring the situation , and that there 's too much that they do n't know .
So their health advisory board just is not recommending them to cancel games or fan participation .
So it 's just wait and see at this point . ''
In a memo to teams Friday , the NBA reportedly warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans in the stands — a proposal that some players , including LeBron James , are resisting .
`` Nah , that 's impossible , '' James told reporters Friday .
`` I ai n't playing .
If I ai n't got the fans in the crowd , that 's what I play for .
I play for my teammates .
I play for the fans .
That 's what it 's all about .
If I show up to an arena , and there ai n't no fans in there ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could do what they want to do . ''
More than 2 million test kits to be shipped by Monday That 's the headline from the media briefing held Saturday by federal health authorities .
Stephen Hahn , commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration , said he believes officials will have the capacity to ship out 2.1 million test kits by Monday .
`` That translates into [ the fact that ] approximately 850,000 patients could be tested , '' Hahn explained to reporters , adding that the actual capacity will depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement came as several outlets have reported on federal officials ' tardiness and troubles in rolling out test kits to local doctors and public health experts .
During the same briefing , Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar attempted to delicately correct President Trump , who told reporters Friday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that `` anybody who wants a test gets a test . ''
`` He 's using a shorthand , '' Azar said , explaining that what the president `` meant to say '' is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless a doctor or a public health official prescribes a test . ''
Hotel used for quarantined patients collapses in China A five-story hotel in the city of Quanzhou collapsed on Saturday evening , trapping at least 70 people amid the rubble , according to The People 's Daily , an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party .
The paper reports that about 40 people have been rescued so far from the building , which had been used as a quarantine location for people suspected of having COVID-19 .
It remains unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People who wish to see Pope Francis lead prayers in St. Peter 's Square , a weekly event that regularly draws tens of thousands of worshippers , will need to content themselves with viewing him remotely on Sunday .
The Holy See Press Office announced Saturday that the pontiff will lead the prayer from the Library of the Apostolic Palace — rather than from his usual window overlooking the square — and will livestream the proceedings online rather than encourage visitors to gather at the Vatican .
Officials say they will be carrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar fashion .
`` These decisions are necessary in order to avoid the risk of the spread of COVID-19 , '' said the Holy See , noting that the move was done at the request of Italian authorities .
The Vatican recently announced its first confirmed patient , while Italy has seen the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside Asia , with more than 5,800 total confirmed cases reported as of Saturday — a leap of more than 1,000 since the day before .
Nearly 50 of those patients died in a span of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to local authorities .
Perhaps the most prominent of the newly confirmed patients is Nicola Zingaretti , the leader of Italy 's Democratic Party , which is part of the country 's governing coalition .
Zingaretti revealed his diagnosis in a video posted Saturday to Facebook . ''
I am well , '' he explained , according to an Associated Press translation , `` so it was decided I will be isolated at home . ''
A member of the U.S. Navy is also among the patients recently diagnosed with COVID-19 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sailor , who is stationed in Naples , represents the `` first positive case of a U.S. service member in Europe . ''

Coronavirus: Italy Imposes Quarantine On 16 Million; U.S. Sees 1st East Coast Deaths
Enlarge this image toggle caption Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 6:03 a.m. ET Sunday
The government of Italy has imposed mass restrictions across its northern region, limiting the movement of more than 16 million people, as it fights to control the coronavirus outbreak there.
The measure affects the entire Lombardy region, along with its capital, Milan, as well as the city of Venice. The area includes about a quarter of Italy's population.
The Italian Civil Protection Department reported a total of 5,883 COVID-19 cases as of Saturday evening, with 233 deaths from the illness.
Italy's action followed another day of increasing cases of the coronavirus in the United States.
To this point, the West Coast has borne the brunt of coronavirus in the U.S., with the bulk of confirmed cases so far reported in California and Washington state. But that's likely to change soon, with reports of cases now in Florida, New York and the Washington, D.C., area.
On Friday, health authorities in Florida said two COVID-19 patients in the state had died in what are believed to be the first deaths linked to the disease on the East Coast. One of the patients lived in the district of Rep. Matt Gaetz, who drew criticism from colleagues last week for "making light" of the coronavirus when he wore a massive gas mask to a House floor vote on measures to combat the epidemic.
"Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time," the Republican congressman tweeted late Friday, adding: "I'm confident our community will continue to remain vigilant in combating this disease and pray there will be no further contractions of the virus in Northwest Florida."
The state has confirmed more than a dozen cases so far — the largest cluster on the East Coast outside of New York, which has reported several dozen cases of its own. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Saturday, after officials learned of new cases in New York City and Westchester County.
"We are aggressively testing, following up leads, because we want to find as many people who test positive so we can get them out of circulation," Cuomo said at a media briefing midday Saturday.
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Dee Delgado/Getty Images David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
Elsewhere on the East Coast, Washington, D.C., confirmed a "presumptive case" of the virus in a man in his 50s with no history of international travel, Mayor Muriel Bowser said Saturday evening. The city also said it was looking into the case of one person who spent time in D.C. and tested positive later in Maryland. That came roughly an hour after the Defense Department confirmed that a U.S. Marine at Fort Belvoir, just outside Washington in Northern Virginia, tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from overseas.
Off the coast of California, thousands of passengers were confined to the Grand Princess cruise ship near San Francisco after 21 people aboard tested positive for the virus. On Saturday, Vice President Pence said the government was tracking an additional cruise ship that may have shared crew members with the Grand Princess or the Diamond Princess, another ship that faced quarantine in Japan in February after passengers tested positive.
All told, the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. is well over 300 — 19 of whom have died, mostly in Washington state. At least 14 people who died were associated with one nursing home near Seattle, according to the public health department of Seattle and King County. Health authorities in Washington say they have confirmed 102 cases of the coronavirus in the state.
As of late Saturday afternoon, the total tally of confirmed cases worldwide stood at more than 105,000, some 3,500 of whom have died from the disease.
The vast majority of those cases have been reported in Hubei province in mainland China, the outbreak's epicenter, but the number of new cases there has been declining lately — while the virus has taken root in South Korea, Iran and Italy and has reached dozens of countries.
Back in the U.S., schools and companies have announced a spate of measures to mitigate spread of the virus. Stanford University in California, as well as the University of Washington and Seattle University, which boast tens of thousands of students among them, said Friday that they are canceling in-person classes through the end of their respective quarters later this month.
And Amtrak, on the East Coast, said that because it is "experiencing some reduced demand," it plans to halt its nonstop Acela train service between New York and Washington, D.C., beginning Tuesday and continuing through late May.
Texas has reported just a half-dozen confirmed cases, none of which has been found in Austin — but that fact did not dissuade the city's mayor, Steve Adler, from preemptively canceling South by Southwest, the city's signature music, film and technology event.
"We have no reported cases in Austin, but certainly the longer we can stay that way, the better off we are. It's inevitable that it's coming here as to all other cities, but delay is better," Adler told NPR's Weekend Edition on Saturday.
The event drew more than 400,000 visitors to the city last year. Adler acknowledged that its cancellation this year, just a week before its scheduled opening, is "very tough and truly heartbreaking" for the performers and vendors who had been depending on the business that the event customarily brings.
"We're going to have to mitigate that as best we can as a community, be as resilient as we can," he said. "We just ultimately didn't have a choice, because the focus needed to be on doing what was necessary to best keep the city safe."
Eyes are also trained on another signature event expected later this month: March Madness. So far, the NCAA has made no major changes to the massively popular (and lucrative) men's basketball tournament, which begins in earnest March 19.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Terrance Williams/AP Terrance Williams/AP
"I don't think anything is off the table at this point," ESPN's Michele Steele told NPR on Saturday. "The NCAA says they're just monitoring the situation and that there's too much that they don't know. So their health advisory board just is not recommending them to cancel games or fan participation. So it's just wait and see at this point."
In a memo to teams Friday, the NBA reportedly warned that they should prepare to play games without fans in the stands — a proposal that some players, including LeBron James, are resisting.
"Nah, that's impossible," James told reporters Friday. "I ain't playing. If I ain't got the fans in the crowd, that's what I play for. I play for my teammates. I play for the fans. That's what it's all about. If I show up to an arena and there ain't no fans in there? I ain't playing. So, they could do what they want to do."
More than 2 million test kits to be shipped by Monday
That's the headline from the media briefing held Saturday by federal health authorities. Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said he believes officials will have the capacity to ship out 2.1 million test kits by Monday.
"That translates into [the fact that] approximately 850,000 patients could be tested," Hahn explained to reporters, adding that the actual capacity will depend on local health care providers.
The announcement came as several outlets have reported on federal officials' tardiness and troubles in rolling out test kits to local doctors and public health experts.
During the same briefing, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar attempted to delicately correct President Trump, who told reporters Friday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that "anybody who wants a test gets a test."
"He's using a shorthand," Azar said, explaining that what the president "meant to say" is that "you may not get a test unless a doctor or a public health official prescribes a test."
Hotel used for quarantined patients collapses in China
A five-story hotel in the city of Quanzhou collapsed on Saturday evening, trapping at least 70 people amid the rubble, according to The People's Daily, an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party. The paper reports that about 40 people have been rescued so far from the building, which had been used as a quarantine location for people suspected of having COVID-19.
It remains unclear what caused the building to fall.
The Vatican cancels in-person Sunday gathering
People who wished to see Pope Francis lead prayers at St. Peter's Square, a weekly event that regularly draws tens of thousands of worshippers, had to content themselves with viewing him remotely on Sunday.
The Holy See Press Office announced Saturday that the pontiff would lead the prayer from the library of the Apostolic Palace — rather than from his usual window overlooking the square — and would livestream the proceedings online rather than encourage visitors to gather at the Vatican. Officials say they will be carrying out his general audience on Wednesday in a similar fashion.
"These decisions are necessary in order to avoid the risk of the spread of COVID-19," said the Holy See, noting that the move was done at the request of Italian authorities.
The Vatican recently announced its first confirmed patient, while Italy has seen the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside Asia, with more than 5,800 total confirmed cases reported as of Saturday — a leap of more than 1,000 since the day before. Nearly 50 of those patients died in a span of about 24 hours earlier this week, according to local authorities.
Perhaps the most prominent of the newly confirmed patients is Nicola Zingaretti, the leader of Italy's Democratic Party, which is part of the country's governing coalition. Zingaretti revealed his diagnosis in a video posted Saturday to Facebook.
''I am well," he explained, according to an Associated Press translation, "so it was decided I will be isolated at home.''
A member of the U.S. Navy is also among the patients recently diagnosed with COVID-19 in Italy. U.S. European Command said the sailor, who is stationed in Naples, represents the "first positive case of a U.S. service member in Europe."
NPR's James Doubek contributed to this story.


npr--2020-03-08--Seattle Health Care System Offers Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing For Workers

Employees of the University of Washington 's UW Medicine system , can now get tested for coronavirus without leaving their cars .
The system 's medical center in northwest Seattle has turned a hospital garage lot into a drive-through clinic that can test a person every five minutes .
They typically get results within a day or so .
But the idea involves more than convenience .
It 's also about safety .
`` Because of the way this virus could be spread , we want to make sure there 's good ventilation , '' says Dr. Seth Cohen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UW Medical Center Northwest .
Coronavirus has already caused at least 17 deaths in the Seattle area and infected at least 83 people .
So staff have placed three medical tents on the first floor of the center 's multilevel garage , which is not enclosed .
Signs and orange cones funnel vehicles to the testing site .
On the clinic 's first morning of operation , a cold breeze was blowing through the structure .
Cohen described it as `` excellent airflow that you can feel . ''
When workers first drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nakahara , a nurse who usually works at the University 's Hall Health Center .
`` I 'm going to have you pull up , '' she tells the driver .
`` Do n't get out of your car . ''
For now , the drive-through clinic is limited to health care workers in the university 's health care system .
And they need to have a fever , dry cough , or other symptoms of COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus .
`` If they had symptoms , they would go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Nakahara says .
`` And then if the screeners thought it sounded like it was a possibility of coronavirus , then they were given an appointment today . ''
The next stop at the testing clinic is in front of the three white medical tents .
Jeff Gates , a nurse at the medical center , approaches each car .
Like Nakahara , he 's in full personal protective gear , including a clear plastic face mask .
`` Hello , my name is Jeff , '' he tells the driver .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your swabs today . ''
Gates prepares to take two swabs through the open window , one each nostril .
`` I 'm going to have you lean your head back just a little bit , try not to move on me , '' Gates says as inserts the first swab .
`` Sorry , I know that 's uncomfortable . ''
Gates takes the samples he 's collected and seals them in plastic tubes .
They 'll be processed by a lab a few miles away .
`` We 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B , RSV , as well as COVID-19 , '' Gates tells the driver .
`` We 'll get results back as soon as possible . ''
`` Thank you , '' he adds .
`` I hope you feel better soon . ''
Then it 's time for Gates to put on fresh protective gear and get ready for the next arrival .
`` It 's been going great , '' he says .
`` Very smooth .
We 've had probably seven people come through this morning . ''
The traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next few days .
For now , the clinic will continue to focus on health care workers because they will be essential if the coronavirus continues to spread in the Seattle area .
`` We want to make sure that if our staff test negative we get them back to work as soon as we can , '' Cohen says .
`` But if they test positive we want to keep them out of the workforce to make sure they 're not going on to infect other staff or patients . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing to first-responders who may have been exposed .
The university also expects to work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide coronavirus testing kits that patients can use at home .
Home testing would be `` fantastic , '' Cohen says .
But home kits rely on swabs that do n't go nearly as far into the nasal passages as the ones testing clinics use .
So scientists still need to verify that the home kits wo n't miss any infections , Cohen says .
As results from wider testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information should help public health officials assess the current outbreak .
`` It will definitely give us a clue as to whether COVID has other epicenters within Seattle , including other institutions , '' he says .
So far , the drive through tests have found lots of flu , and a few cases of coronavirus , Cohen says .

Seattle Health Care System Offers Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing For Workers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jon Hamilton/NPR Jon Hamilton/NPR
Employees of the University of Washington's UW Medicine system can now get tested for coronavirus without leaving their cars.
The system's medical center in northwest Seattle has turned a hospital garage lot into a drive-through clinic that can test a person every five minutes. They typically get results within a day or so.
But the idea involves more than convenience. It's also about safety.
"Because of the way this virus could be spread, we want to make sure there's good ventilation," says Dr. Seth Cohen, who runs the infectious disease clinic at UW Medical Center Northwest.
Coronavirus has already caused at least 17 deaths in the Seattle area and infected at least 83 people.
So staff have placed three medical tents on the first floor of the center's multilevel garage, which is not enclosed. Signs and orange cones funnel vehicles to the testing site.
On the clinic's first morning of operation, a cold breeze was blowing through the structure. Cohen described it as "excellent airflow that you can feel."
When workers first drive in, they're greeted by Jan Nakahara, a nurse who usually works at the University's Hall Health Center.
"I'm going to have you pull up," she tells the driver. "Don't get out of your car."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jon Hamilton/NPR Jon Hamilton/NPR
For now, the drive-through clinic is limited to health care workers in the university's health care system. And they need to have a fever, dry cough, or other symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
"If they had symptoms, they would go and fill out a survey online," Nakahara says. "And then if the screeners thought it sounded like it was a possibility of coronavirus, then they were given an appointment today."
The next stop at the testing clinic is in front of the three white medical tents.
Jeff Gates, a nurse at the medical center, approaches each car. Like Nakahara, he's in full personal protective gear, including a clear plastic face mask.
"Hello, my name is Jeff," he tells the driver. "We're going to be doing your swabs today."
Gates prepares to take two swabs through the open window, one from each nostril.
"I'm going to have you lean your head back just a little bit, try not to move on me," Gates says and inserts the first swab. "Sorry, I know that's uncomfortable."
Gates takes the samples he's collected and seals them in plastic tubes. They'll be processed by a lab a few miles away.
"We're going to be testing for both influenza A and B, RSV, as well as COVID-19," Gates tells the driver. "We'll get results back as soon as possible."
"Thank you," he adds. "I hope you feel better soon."
Then it's time for Gates to put on fresh protective gear and get ready for the next arrival.
"It's been going great," he says. "Very smooth. We've had probably seven people come through this morning."
The traffic here is expected to increase dramatically in the next few days.
For now, the clinic will continue to focus on health care workers because they will be essential if the coronavirus continues to spread in the Seattle area.
"We want to make sure that if our staff test negative we get them back to work as soon as we can," Cohen says. "But if they test positive we want to keep them out of the workforce to make sure they're not going on to infect other staff or patients."
The medical center plans to extend in-car testing to first responders who may have been exposed.
The university also expects to work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide coronavirus testing kits that patients can use at home.
Home testing would be "fantastic," Cohen says.
But home kits rely on swabs that don't go nearly as far into the nasal passages as the ones testing clinics use. So scientists still need to verify that the home kits won't miss any infections, Cohen says.
As results from wider testing come in, Cohen says, the information should help public health officials assess the current outbreak.
"It will definitely give us a clue as to whether COVID has other epicenters within Seattle, including other institutions," he says.
So far, the drive-through tests have found lots of flu and a few cases of coronavirus, Cohen says.


npr--2020-03-08--Saudi Arabia Stuns World With Massive Discount In Oil Sold To Asia, Europe And U.S.

Saudi Arabia Stuns World With Massive Discount In Oil Sold To Asia , Europe And U.S. Oil prices dropped dramatically after Saudi Arabia announced a stunning discount in oil prices — of $ 6 to $ 8 per barrel — to its customers in Asia , the United States and Europe .
Benchmark Brent crude oil futures dove 30 % in early trading Sunday night before recovering somewhat to a drop of 22 % .
Saudi Arabia , the world 's second-largest producer , this weekend also said it will actually boost oil production instead of cutting it to stem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in policy from just two days ago .
The benchmark Brent oil price already plunged 9.4 % , to $ 45.27 per barrel , on Friday .
The drop came after Saudi Arabia , the rest of OPEC and Russia failed to agree on production cuts to combat falling prices due to fears that the coronavirus epidemic will halt world economic growth .
Oil prices are down more than 30 % this year .
U.S. consumers are likely to see lower prices at the gas pump , but American oil producers — who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hurt by the oil price slide .
Economies from China to Italy have ground to a halt as quarantines shut down factories and demand for products and services craters .
Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members sought to cut production to shore up oil prices .
But the once-powerful cartel can no longer move markets alone .
It needs the support of Russia , which is not an OPEC member but has recently been coordinating with the organization .
Yet Russia has resisted calls for production cuts .
On Friday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its allies announced no new reductions and did n't even commit to extending current cuts .
So , Saudi Arabia is doing an about face .
If it ca n't get the price back up , it 's going to drive the price way down .
It 's offering to cut the oil price for the U.S. market by $ 7 per barrel , to Europe by $ 8 and Asia by $ 6 .
Paired with Saudi Arabia 's ability to rapidly increase production — flooding the market with cheap crude — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price of oil down for everyone .
Low oil prices are bad for Saudi Arabia 's budget — and the price of the Saudi oil company Aramco 's stock tumbled below its initial public offering price on Sunday .
But , because Saudi Arabia 's production costs are the lowest in the world , lower prices can hit other producers harder .
Russia seems to be the target of this price war .
But as Saudi Arabia tries to grab market share with bargain-basement prices , American oil and gas producers , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain .
And even with ample supply and low production costs , Saudi Arabia is not guaranteed to come out on top in a prolonged face-off with Russia – especially if fears of a pandemic keep planes grounded and cars in driveways no matter how cheap crude oil gets .
`` They 're cutting prices , they 're going to increase production .
But it 's not clear they 're going to have buyers for that oil , '' says Ellen Wald , an energy markets analyst and the author of Saudi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they may not have the wherewithal and the will and the toughness to withstand a price war and a production war with Russia . ''
Still , lower fuel prices will offer some relief to the airline industry which is feeling the strains of the coronavirus crisis , with travel cancellations leading to flight cuts .

Oil Prices, Stocks Plunge After Saudi Arabia Stuns World With Massive Discounts
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nick Oxford/Reuters Nick Oxford/Reuters
Updated at 10:52 p.m. ET
Oil prices and stock indexes were in freefall Sunday after Saudi Arabia announced a stunning discount in oil prices — of $6 to $8 per barrel — to its customers in Asia, the United States and Europe.
Benchmark Brent crude oil futures dove 30% — the steepest drop since the Gulf War in 1991 — in early trading Sunday night before recovering slightly to a drop of 24%. The benchmark Brent crude oil price fell below $34 per barrel.
The oil price shocks reverberated throughout financial markets. Dow futures dropped more than 1,000 points, S&P 500 futures hit their limits after tumbling 5%, and the key 10-year Treasury note yield fell below 0.5%, a record low.
Saudi Arabia, the world's second-largest producer, this weekend said it will actually boost oil production instead of cutting it to stem falling prices, in a dramatic reversal in policy.
Late last week, Saudi Arabia, the rest of OPEC and Russia failed to agree on production cuts to combat falling prices because of fears that the coronavirus epidemic will halt world economic growth. Oil prices were down more than 30% this year before Sunday's collapse.
U.S. consumers are likely to see lower prices at the gas pump, but American oil producers — who lead the world in output — could be hurt by the oil price slide.
Economies from China to Italy have ground to a halt as quarantines shut down factories and demand for products and services craters.
Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members sought to cut production to shore up oil prices. But the once-powerful cartel can no longer move markets alone. It needs the support of Russia, which is not an OPEC member but has recently been coordinating with the organization.
Yet Russia has resisted calls for production cuts. On Friday, the talks ended in failure. OPEC and its allies announced no new reductions and didn't even commit to extending current cuts.
So, Saudi Arabia is doing an about-face. If it can't get the price back up, it's going to drive the price way down. It's offering to cut the oil price for the U.S. market by $7 per barrel, to Europe by $8 and Asia by $6. Paired with Saudi Arabia's ability to rapidly increase production — flooding the market with cheap crude — those unilateral price cuts will push the price of oil down for everyone.
Low oil prices are bad for Saudi Arabia's budget, and the price of the Saudi oil company Aramco's stock tumbled below its initial public offering price on Sunday. But, because Saudi Arabia's production costs are the lowest in the world, lower prices can hit other producers harder.
Russia seems to be the target of this price war. But as Saudi Arabia tries to grab market share with bargain-basement prices, American oil and gas producers, including the fracking industry, will also feel pain.
And even with ample supply and low production costs, Saudi Arabia is not guaranteed to come out on top in a prolonged face-off with Russia — especially if fears of a pandemic keep planes grounded and cars in driveways no matter how cheap crude oil gets.
"They're cutting prices, they're going to increase production. But it's not clear they're going to have buyers for that oil," says Ellen Wald, an energy markets analyst and the author of Saudi, Inc. "It's entirely possible that they may not have the wherewithal and the will and the toughness to withstand a price war and a production war with Russia."
Still, lower fuel prices will offer some relief to the airline industry, which is feeling the strains of the coronavirus crisis, with travel cancellations leading to flight cuts.


npr--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Italy Orders Massive Shutdown; Cruise Ship Gets OK To Dock In California

Coronavirus : Italy Orders Massive Shutdown ; Cruise Ship Gets OK To Dock In California As the novel coronavirus reached a global milestone , topping 100,000 cases across more than 100 countries over the weekend , Italy is imposing an extraordinary lockdown on about a quarter of its population and restricting public activities throughout the entire country .
The quarantine includes the cities of Milan and Venice , as well as the entire northern region of Lombardy , Italy 's financial heart .
It affects more than 16 million people in coronavirus hotbed areas and is scheduled to remain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the move after confirmed cases in Italy spiked over the weekend .
By Sunday , more than 7,300 people had been sickened and 366 had died — an uptick of 133 dead from the day before .
`` There will be a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory , '' Conte said .
`` Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs , exceptional cases and health issues . ''
In addition to the lockdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down on transmission includes temporarily shutting down all movie theaters , museums and other cultural sites throughout the country .
Sporting events are closed to the public .
People may dine out at restaurants , drink in bars , exercise in gyms and shop in stores , but only if managers guarantee that patrons remain just over 3 feet apart .
`` In case of violation , the activity will be suspended , '' the government said in a statement .
Pope Francis on Sunday delivered his weekly Angelus blessing via video screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Square stood several feet apart .
Italy , home of the highest number of cases outside of China , South Korea and Iran , is taking its lead from China , where the virus emerged late last year in the provincial capital of Wuhan .
Beijing has placed tens of millions of people under lockdown in what it called an all-out `` people 's war '' against the spread of the disease that has already infected more than 80,000 , the vast majority of the global total .
In the U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the largest domestic outbreaks has occurred , are considering measures to limit the spread of the virus .
`` We are looking to determine whether mandatory measures are required , '' Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee told Face the Nation .
Those requirements would include social distancing and `` reducing the number of social activities that are going on , '' Inslee said .
At least 136 cases have been diagnosed in Washington with 18 people dead .
Most fatalities are connected to Life Care Center , a nursing home in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next steps are `` particularly to protect our vulnerable populations , and our nursing homes and the like . ''
Nationwide , infections have steadily ticked up , with reports of cases reaching 400 across at least 19 states , but widespread problems in testing have hindered effective diagnosis .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the Trump administration 's coronavirus task force , says he is not encouraged as he learns more about the outbreak 's scope in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not encouraging because we 're seeing community spread , '' Fauci told Meet the Press .
He admitted to delays in coronavirus testing , adding there were `` some missteps with regard to the test and some technical aspects to it . ''
But he said the process is accelerating , with 1.1 million coronavirus tests already sent out , with an additional 400,000 planned by Monday and about 4 million by the end of next week .
Even though Fauci maintains `` the overall risk in the country of getting infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act now to protect themselves .
`` If you 're a person with an underlying condition and you are particularly an elderly person with an underlying condition , you need to think twice about getting on a plane , on a long trip , and not only think twice , just do n't get on a cruise ship , '' Fauci said .
In California , a cruise ship , which has lingered in limbo for days off the coast after a former passenger who died of the virus is believed to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being allowed to dock .
`` Grand Princess will proceed to the Port of Oakland on Sunday to begin disembarking guests who require acute medical treatment and hospitalization , '' the cruise line tweeted .
Among the 3,000 people on board , others will be allowed to disembark on Monday .
They face testing and quarantine at military bases in California , Texas and Georgia .
At a news conference Sunday , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said authorities identified 12 people on board as positive for COVID-19 , but said that number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive across California .
But that number could rise with more than 10,000 people across the state being monitored .
On Saturday , Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington , D.C. , announced the first presumptive positive coronavirus case in the nation 's capital .
Another person tested positive who attended the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) conference in suburban Maryland late last month .
But President Trump is remaining upbeat in his coronavirus messaging .
Asked if he was concerned about the encroaching virus , Trump said Saturday from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I 'm not concerned at all .
No , I 'm not .
We 've done a great job . ''
As more cases crop up in the U.S. military , the Army is restricting travel for soldiers and their families to and from South Korea , where cases have topped 7,000 , the highest number outside of mainland China .
The Army is also restricting movements for employees in hotspots in Italy , after a U.S. Navy sailor there tested positive on Friday .
And a Pentagon spokesman announced Saturday a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tested positive for COVID-19 , after returning from overseas .

Coronavirus: Italy Orders Massive Shutdown; Cruise Ship Gets OK To Dock In California
Enlarge this image toggle caption Claudio Furlan/AP Claudio Furlan/AP
Updated at 6:06 p.m. ET
As the novel coronavirus reached a global milestone, topping 100,000 cases across more than 100 countries over the weekend, Italy has imposed extraordinary restrictions on about a quarter of its population and limited public activities throughout the entire country.
The quarantine includes the cities of Milan and Venice, as well as the entire northern region of Lombardy, Italy's financial heart. It affects more than 16 million people in coronavirus hotbed areas and is scheduled to remain in effect until at least April 3.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the move after confirmed cases in Italy spiked over the weekend. By Sunday, more than 7,300 people had been sickened and 366 had died — an uptick of 133 dead from the day before.
"There will be a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory," Conte said. "Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs, exceptional cases and health issues."
In addition to the quarantine, Italy's cordon sanitaire effort to tamp down on transmission includes temporarily shutting down all movie theaters, museums and other cultural sites throughout the country. Sporting events are closed to the public.
People may dine out at restaurants, drink in bars, exercise in gyms and shop in stores, but only if managers guarantee that patrons remain just over 3 feet apart. "In case of violation, the activity will be suspended," the government said in a statement.
Pope Francis on Sunday delivered his weekly Angelus blessing via video screen, while the faithful in St. Peter's Square stood several feet apart.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Medichini/AP Andrew Medichini/AP
Italy, home of the highest number of cases outside of China, South Korea and Iran, is taking its lead from China, where the virus emerged late last year in the provincial capital of Wuhan. Beijing has placed tens of millions of people under lockdown in what it called an all-out "people's war" against the spread of the disease that has already infected more than 80,000, the vast majority of the global total.
In the U.S., officials in Washington state, where one of the largest domestic outbreaks has occurred, are considering measures to limit the spread of the virus.
"We are looking to determine whether mandatory measures are required," Washington Gov. Jay Inslee told Face the Nation. Those requirements would include social distancing and "reducing the number of social activities that are going on," Inslee said.
At least 136 cases have been diagnosed in Washington with 18 people dead. Most fatalities are connected to Life Care Center, a nursing home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.
Inslee said the next steps are "particularly to protect our vulnerable populations, and our nursing homes and the like."
Nationwide, infections have steadily ticked up, with reports of cases reaching 400 across at least 19 states, but widespread problems in testing have hindered effective diagnosis.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the Trump administration's coronavirus task force, says he is not encouraged as he learns more about the outbreak's scope in the U.S.
"Unfortunately, that better sense is not encouraging because we're seeing community spread," Fauci told Meet the Press.
He admitted to delays in coronavirus testing, adding there were "some missteps with regard to the test and some technical aspects to it." But he said the process is accelerating, with 1.1 million coronavirus tests already sent out, with an additional 400,000 planned by Monday and about 4 million by the end of next week.
Even though Fauci maintains "the overall risk in the country of getting infected is low," vulnerable people can act now to protect themselves.
"If you're a person with an underlying condition and you are particularly an elderly person with an underlying condition, you need to think twice about getting on a plane, on a long trip, and not only think twice, just don't get on a cruise ship," Fauci said.
In California, a cruise ship, which has lingered in limbo for days off the coast after a former passenger who died of the virus is believed to have spread infections on board, is finally being allowed to dock.
"Grand Princess will proceed to the Port of Oakland on Sunday to begin disembarking guests who require acute medical treatment and hospitalization," the cruise line tweeted.
Among the 3,000 people on board, others will be allowed to disembark on Monday. They face testing and quarantine at military bases in California, Texas and Georgia.
At a news conference Sunday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said authorities identified 12 people on board as positive for COVID-19, but said that number remains fluid.
He said 114 people have tested positive across California. But that number could rise with more than 10,000 people across the state being monitored.
On Saturday, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., announced the first presumptive positive coronavirus case in the nation's capital. Another person tested positive who attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) conference in suburban Maryland late last month.
But President Trump is remaining upbeat in his coronavirus messaging. Asked if he was concerned about the encroaching virus, Trump said Saturday from Palm Beach, Fla., "No, I'm not concerned at all. No, I'm not. We've done a great job."
As more cases crop up in the U.S. military, the Army is restricting travel for soldiers and their families to and from South Korea, where cases have topped 7,000, the highest number outside of mainland China.
The Army is also restricting movements for employees in hotspots in Italy, after a U.S. Navy sailor there tested positive on Friday.
And a Pentagon spokesman announced Saturday a Marine assigned to Fort Belvoir, Va., tested positive for COVID-19, after returning from overseas.