npr--2020-09-03--Car Rams Into Black Lives Matter Protesters In New York City's Times Square

Car Rams Into Black Lives Matter Protesters In New York City 's Times Square A car drove into Black Lives Matter protesters in Times Square on Thursday , hitting several people on foot and on bicycles .
Several demonstrators captured the chaotic scene , which occurred at about 5:17 p.m .
ET .
One video posted on Twitter by a user named DataInput shows a dark sedan honking several times before plowing into a crowd of people standing in front of the vehicle .
The car lurches through an intersection , leaving a chorus of screaming people in its wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hogan said the crowd appeared `` rattled '' but that `` most people were able to jump out of the way . ''
At least one person says they were injured in the attack .
The protest is still underway despite a heavy downpour , and hundreds of marchers intend to continue as planned .
New Yorkers streamed into the streets Thursday night following the release of police bodycam footage in which police officers in Rochester , N.Y. , are shown cuffing Daniel Prude , covering his head with a hood known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pinning him to the ground until he lost consciousness .
Prude , who is Black and suffered from mental illness , died a week later from asphyxiation .
The officers were responding to a call from Prude 's brother , who was concerned for his sibling 's safety .
The March incident has sparked another round of Black Lives Matter protests throughout the country , and on Thursday the mayor of Rochester ordered the immediate suspension of the seven officers involved in Prude 's death .
Prude 's family is calling for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder .
In New York City , a group of anti-Black Lives Matter protesters and those wearing MAGA gear confronted groups shouting Daniel Prude 's name along with the names of several other Black people who have died at the hands of police .
Hogan reports that protesters have `` deescalated the situation '' between themselves and Pro-Trump supporters who showed up to counterprotest .
This is a developing story .
Some things reported by the media will later turn out to be wrong .
We will focus on reports from officials and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters who are at the scene .
We will update as the situation develops .

Car Rams Into Black Lives Matter Protesters In New York City's Times Square
Enlarge this image toggle caption Adrian Kraus/AP Adrian Kraus/AP
A car drove into Black Lives Matter protesters in Times Square on Thursday, hitting several people on foot and on bicycles.
Several demonstrators captured the chaotic scene and posted video shortly after 8 p.m. ET.
One video posted on Twitter by a user named DataInput shows a dark sedan honking several times before plowing into a crowd of people standing in front of the vehicle. The car lurches through an intersection, leaving a chorus of screaming people in its wake.
Minutes later, WNYC reporter Gwynne Hogan said the crowd appeared "rattled" but that "most people were able to jump out of the way."
At least one person said they were injured.
The protest was still underway despite a heavy downpour, and hundreds of marchers intended to continue as planned.
New Yorkers streamed into the streets Thursday night following the release of police bodycam footage in which police officers in Rochester, N.Y., are shown cuffing Daniel Prude, covering his head with a hood known as a "spit sock," then pinning him to the ground until he lost consciousness.
Prude, who was Black and suffered from mental illness, died a week later from asphyxiation.
The officers were responding to a call from Prude's brother, who was concerned for his sibling's safety.
The March incident has sparked another round of Black Lives Matter protests throughout the country, and on Thursday the mayor of Rochester ordered the immediate suspension of the seven officers involved in Prude's death.
Prude's family is calling for the officers to be fired and charged with murder.
In New York City, a group of anti-Black Lives Matter protesters and those wearing MAGA gear confronted groups shouting Daniel Prude's name along with the names of several other Black people who have died at the hands of police.
Hogan reports that protesters have "deescalated the situation" between themselves and Pro-Trump supporters who showed up to counterprotest.
This is a developing story. Some things reported by the media will later turn out to be wrong. We will focus on reports from officials and other authorities, credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.


npr--2020-09-03--They Teach Chinese Kids English Online. Now They're Caught In Trump's War On TikTok

They Teach Chinese Kids English Online .
Now They 're Caught In Trump 's War On TikTok Kristie Hunter is a former public school teacher who for the past two years has made most of her money teaching children in China how to speak English online .
`` I 've been a stay-at-home mom with our three children , and as they were getting older , I missed the professional side of my life , '' said Hunter , 42 , who lives in the Columbia , South Carolina area .
`` So this has helped me reconnect with my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works for GOGOKID , a one-on-one English language tutoring service owned by Chinese tech giant , ByteDance , which is the parent company of the hugely popular short-form video app TikTok .
`` I used to think , 'We work for ByteDance , this huge company .
They own TikTok .
That 's pretty cool , right ? '
'' Hunter said .
But now , the cool factor has morphed into something else : the threat of her job disappearing .
President Trump 's Aug. 6 executive order , which was aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just the video-sharing app , but with all of ByteDance 's subsidiaries .
That has thrown the future of Hunter and nearly 4,000 other American teachers contracted to work with GOGOKID into real peril .
`` It 's been a very scary , confusing , highly stressful time , '' Hunter said .
Under Trump 's order targeting TikTok , `` any transaction '' between U.S. citizens and ByteDance would be banned .
Violating the directive could result in a $ 300,000 fine , or even criminal prosecution .
The order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is set to take effect on Sept. 20 .
`` I could be put in jail for teaching a five-year-old how to say hello from across the computer , '' Hunter said .
`` We 've got families that could potentially lose their homes and lose their savings because of this broad stroke of the pen because of this 'national security risk . '
'' Brian Fleming , a former Justice Department lawyer who focused on enforcing economic sanctions , said Trump 's order does not specify what subsidiaries or transactions with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result , he said it is possible that GOGOKID instructors will be impacted .
`` The language of the order is extremely broad , '' Fleming said .
`` It is theoretically possible that it could reach interests that are completely divorced from TikTok , '' he said .
`` From the way it 's written , nothing is off the table , especially with this administration . ''
At the same time , Fleming said since the action was in response to TikTok , the administration could grant a carve-out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a guarantee is far from certain .
He said it would be surprising if Trump officials sought to enforce the order before it is more clearly defined by the Department of Commerce .
`` For teachers , I would n't say it 's a risk-free situation , '' Fleming said .
`` But it 's probably low risk . ''
The Department of Commerce did not return a request for comment .
The Trump administration 's push to ban TikTok in the U.S. is the latest confrontation with China in a long-running standoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , intellectual property and technology .
It has prompted Trump to sign a separate order forcing ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets to an American buyer in 90 days or be banned .
White House officials fear the troves of data TikTok is collecting on Americans could be shared with China 's authoritarian regime and used for espionage or blackmail .
TikTok has forcefully denied this suggestion , saying the company stores data the mobile app collects on Americans on servers in the U.S. and Singapore .
TikTok says its U.S. operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the midst of the U.S. standoff with TikTok , GOGOKID teachers who have come to rely on income from the teaching service are feeling jittery .
`` We 're collateral damage .
It 's frustrating to see this continued battle going on around us , and nobody knows that we exist , '' said GOGOKID teacher Lindsey Jacobs , 40 , who lives east of Oklahoma City .
Jacobs is a Navy veteran and stay-at-home mom raising two children with her husband , who has a job with the federal government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ money she earns from teaching English about 30 hours a week to support her 16-year-old son 's competitive swimming club and occupational therapy for her younger son , who has special needs .
`` If I do n't have that income , how does my son swim ?
How does my youngest son have therapy ? ''
Jacobs said .
A spokeswoman for GOGOKID would not say how the company believes Trump 's executive order will affect teachers in the U.S. '' We are committed to the thousands of teachers that offer global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the spokeswoman said .
`` We recognize the economic value this program brings teachers and the educational impact for students , and we 're taking every possible step to support all involved . ''
For ByteDance , GOGOKID is just one piece of a large and growing investment the company has made in recent years in education technology in China and abroad , said John Lee , a Berlin-based analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies .
`` It 's not surprising to me , since ed tech is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It makes sense that ByteDance , with its large war chest , would be seeking to expand into this area and pre-empt its rivals Tencent and Alibaba . ''
ByteDance , a company valued at $ 100 billion , makes most of its money from Douyin , the Chinese version of TikTok .
But as the coronavirus forced lockdowns and led to widespread remote learning in China , ByteDance doubled down on investments in education .
Meanwhile , TikTok watchers are keeping an eye on another date : Sept. 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the leading contenders to buy the app , has said it is hoping to finish acquisition talks .
It may place a bid by joining forces with WalMart .
The discussions over the future of TikTok 's U.S. operations have been complicated by the Chinese government attempting to intervene .
Last week , China announced new export regulations that restrict how technology involving Chinese-made artificial intelligence can be sold off .
`` The Chinese state media has been hostile to the whole affair , characterizing it as bullying and daylight robbery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been criticism of ByteDance for being too accommodating of foreign powers , specifically the U.S. government , '' he said .
`` Finding a way to slice off different markets is probably going to be the way forward for TikTok 's global operations . ''

They Teach Chinese Kids English Online. Now They're Caught In Trump's War On TikTok
Enlarge this image toggle caption Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images
Kristie Hunter is a former public school teacher who for the past two years has made most of her money teaching children in China how to speak English online.
"I've been a stay-at-home mom with our three children, and as they were getting older, I missed the professional side of my life," said Hunter, 42, who lives in the Columbia, South Carolina area. "So this has helped me reconnect with my career and have flexibility."
Hunter works for GOGOKID, a one-on-one English language tutoring service owned by Chinese tech giant, ByteDance, which is the parent company of the hugely popular short-form video app TikTok.
"I used to think, 'We work for ByteDance, this huge company. They own TikTok. That's pretty cool, right?'" Hunter said.
But now, the cool factor has morphed into something else: the threat of her job disappearing.
President Trump's Aug. 6 executive order, which was aimed at TikTok, outlawed American business with not just the video-sharing app, but with all of ByteDance's subsidiaries.
That has thrown the future of Hunter and nearly 4,000 other American teachers contracted to work with GOGOKID into real peril.
"It's been a very scary, confusing, highly stressful time," Hunter said.
Under Trump's order targeting TikTok, "any transaction" between U.S. citizens and ByteDance would be banned. Violating the directive could result in a $300,000 fine, or even criminal prosecution. The order, which is being legally challenged by TikTok, is set to take effect on Sept. 20.
"I could be put in jail for teaching a five-year-old how to say hello from across the computer," Hunter said. "We've got families that could potentially lose their homes and lose their savings because of this broad stroke of the pen because of this 'national security risk.'"
Brian Fleming, a former Justice Department lawyer who focused on enforcing economic sanctions, said Trump's order does not specify what subsidiaries or transactions with ByteDance will soon be outlawed. As a result, he said it is possible that GOGOKID instructors will be impacted.
"The language of the order is extremely broad," Fleming said. "It is theoretically possible that it could reach interests that are completely divorced from TikTok," he said. "From the way it's written, nothing is off the table, especially with this administration."
At the same time, Fleming said since the action was in response to TikTok, the administration could grant a carve-out for ByteDance services such as GOGOKID, but a guarantee is far from certain. He said it would be surprising if Trump officials sought to enforce the order before it is more clearly defined by the Department of Commerce.
"For teachers, I wouldn't say it's a risk-free situation," Fleming said. "But it's probably low risk."
The Department of Commerce did not return a request for comment.
The Trump administration's push to ban TikTok in the U.S. is the latest confrontation with China in a long-running standoff with the country over issues including trade policy, intellectual property and technology. It has prompted Trump to sign a separate order forcing ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets to an American buyer in 90 days or be banned.
White House officials fear the troves of data TikTok is collecting on Americans could be shared with China's authoritarian regime and used for espionage or blackmail.
TikTok has forcefully denied this suggestion, saying the company stores data the mobile app collects on Americans on servers in the U.S. and Singapore. TikTok says its U.S. operations are closed off from Beijing-based ByteDance.
In the midst of the U.S. standoff with TikTok, GOGOKID teachers who have come to rely on income from the teaching service are feeling jittery.
"We're collateral damage. It's frustrating to see this continued battle going on around us, and nobody knows that we exist," said GOGOKID teacher Lindsey Jacobs, 40, who lives east of Oklahoma City.
Jacobs is a Navy veteran and stay-at-home mom raising two children with her husband, who has a job with the federal government.
She said her family has used the money she earns from teaching English about 30 hours a week to support her 16-year-old son's competitive swimming club and occupational therapy for her younger son, who has special needs.
"If I don't have that income, how does my son swim? How does my youngest son have therapy?" Jacobs said.
A spokeswoman for GOGOKID would not say how the company believes Trump's executive order will affect teachers in the U.S.
"We are committed to the thousands of teachers that offer global learning opportunities through our platform every day," the spokeswoman said. "We recognize the economic value this program brings teachers and the educational impact for students, and we're taking every possible step to support all involved."
For ByteDance, GOGOKID is just one piece of a large and growing investment the company has made in recent years in education technology in China and abroad, said John Lee, a Berlin-based analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies.
"It's not surprising to me, since ed tech is a growing sector in China," Lee said. "It makes sense that ByteDance, with its large war chest, would be seeking to expand into this area and pre-empt its rivals Tencent and Alibaba."
ByteDance, a company valued at $100 billion, makes most of its money from Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. But as the coronavirus forced lockdowns and led to widespread remote learning in China, ByteDance doubled down on investments in education.
Meanwhile, TikTok watchers are keeping an eye on another date: Sept. 15. That's when Microsoft, one of the leading contenders to buy the app, has said it is hoping to finish acquisition talks. It may place a bid by joining forces with WalMart.
The discussions over the future of TikTok's U.S. operations have been complicated by the Chinese government attempting to intervene. Last week, China announced new export regulations that restrict how technology involving Chinese-made artificial intelligence can be sold off.
"The Chinese state media has been hostile to the whole affair, characterizing it as bullying and daylight robbery," Lee said. "There's also been criticism of ByteDance for being too accommodating of foreign powers, specifically the U.S. government," he said. "Finding a way to slice off different markets is probably going to be the way forward for TikTok's global operations."


npr--2020-09-04--New Global Coronavirus Death Forecast Is Chilling — And Controversial

New Global Coronavirus Death Forecast Is Chilling — And Controversial New estimates released this week suggest the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic will reach even greater levels of awfulfulness before 2020 is over : A prominent forecasting team projects that between now and Jan. 1 , the virus will kill an additional 1.9 million people worldwide , pushing the total death toll by year 's end to above 2.8 million .
But other disease specialists are highly skeptical of that forecast , which comes from the University of Washington 's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation or IHME .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's team , Chris Murray , as well as two researchers who are not involved with IHME 's work : Ashish Jha of Brown University and Kalipso Chalkidou of the Imperial College School of Public Health in London .
Here are five takeaways from those interviews : 1 .
The United States could continue to rank among the hardest hit countries .
According to IHME , by year 's end the death toll in the United States will top 410,000 — second only to India 's death total , which is projected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Brazil 's projected 174,000 dead .
Similarly , when it comes to deaths as a share of population , the U.S. is projected to rank eighth .
( The top five in that group are the U.S. Virgin Islands , the Netherlands , Spain , Belgium and Peru . )
And Murray expects that Americans will fuel that trend by relaxing their vigilance in response to the decline in daily new cases since mid-July .
`` Rather than celebrating , we should be planning for what is coming up in the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December we can get up to 30,000 deaths a day at the global level .
So it 's so important for governments to be anticipating this . ''
2 .
Colder weather in northern regions will largely drive the coming surge .
The main driver of the coming surge , says Murray , will be colder weather in the northern hemisphere .
He says the team compared the rates of coronavirus transmission to date in countries in the southern hemisphere , where June through August coincide with winter , and those in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer weather .
`` When you look at the huge epidemics that unfolded in Argentina , despite considerable efforts at lockdowns , the big epidemics that occurred in Chile , the epidemics in Southern Brazil and South Africa '' he says , `` and contrast them with what was happening in the Northern hemisphere , in places with similar social distancing mandates , where things were actually on average , improving — that 's where in the statistical analysis , we see a very strong correlation with seasonality . ''
This analysis does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with greater transmission — for instance , it could be that people spend more time indoors or that the virus survives better in cold air or some combination .
Regardless of the reason , says Murray , because far more people in the world live in the northern hemisphere , the arrival of cold weather there will dramatically increase the number of daily global infections overall .
3 .
These projections could be substantially off .
Ashish Jha , dean of Brown University 's School of Public Health , says he finds IHME @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to the projected 410,000 death toll in the U.S. by Jan. 1 .
`` I think that 's completely unrealistic .
I see no basis for that , '' says Jha .
Among his critiques is that IHME 's team assumes that people who are infected with coronavirus in the coming months will die at the same rates as those who were infected earlier on in the pandemic .
Murray says this is based on the team 's finding that death rates have failed to improve even after advancements in various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have gotten so much better at taking care of sick patients , I think mortality has probably fallen by about 50 % , '' says Jha .
`` The idea that everything we have learned in the last six months , we will have forgotten and that none of the new therapies will make a difference — I do n't know any public health person who can look at this and think this is a credible estimate . ''
4 .
It 's not even clear how many people have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that many countries lack reliable health statistics .
This is particularly true of low- income countries , says Imperial College 's Kalipso Chalkidou — who also directs global health policy at the thinktank , Center for Global Development and is leading an international effort to quantify the wider health impacts of the pandemic .
`` In most countries around the world we really do n't know what people die from , '' says Chalkidou .
And she adds , this means it 's likely that vast numbers of COVID-19 deaths are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the global coronavirus death toll to date already vary substantially .
For instance , IHME estimates that about 910,000 people have died worldwide .
That 's about 44,000 more than is estimated by another prominent team at Johns Hopkins University .
Murray says the difference comes down to adjustments his team has made to make up for what appears to be a significant undercounting of COVID-19 deaths in two countries where the outbreaks have been particularly severe : Ecuador and Peru .
Chalkidou notes that , `` we also do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people 's chances of dying of COVID-19 ] — how many people suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes for instance in Africa . ''
That further complicates efforts to accurately predict the course of the pandemic in the region .
5 .
Getting the forecast right could have political implications .
Jha says his disagreement with IHME 's methodology amounts to much more than a technical debate .
`` The problem here is if we come in at 250,000 or 300,000 dead [ by year 's end ] — which is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be able to do a victory dance and say , 'Look , we were supposed to have 400,000 deaths and because of all the great stuff we did , only 300,000 Americans died . '
'' says Jha .
`` It 's just setting a bar that 's so easy to beat .
And it makes us somehow numb to the actual horrendous outcomes that the United States has had so far . ''

New Global Coronavirus Death Forecast Is Chilling — And Controversial
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New estimates released this week suggest the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic will reach even greater levels of awfulness before 2020 is over: A prominent forecasting team projects that between now and Jan. 1, the virus will kill an additional 1.9 million people worldwide, pushing the total death toll by year's end to above 2.8 million.
But other disease specialists are highly skeptical of that forecast, which comes from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation or IHME. NPR spoke with the head of IHME's team, Chris Murray, as well as two researchers who are not involved with IHME's work: Ashish Jha of Brown University and Kalipso Chalkidou of the Imperial College School of Public Health in London. Here are five takeaways from those interviews:
1. The United States could continue to rank among the hardest hit countries.
According to IHME, by year's end the death toll in the United States will top 410,000 — second only to India's death total, which is projected to reach nearly 660,000, and well ahead of Brazil's projected 174,000 dead. Similarly, when it comes to deaths as a share of population, the U.S. is projected to rank eighth. (The top five in that group are the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Peru.) And Murray expects that Americans will help fuel that trend by easing up on precautions in response to the decline in daily new cases since mid-July. "Rather than celebrating, we should be planning for what is coming up in the fall," he says. "By December we can get up to 30,000 deaths a day at the global level. So it's so important for governments to be anticipating this."
2. Colder weather in northern regions will largely drive the coming surge.
Relaxed vigilance won't be the only factor behind the autumn upswing in cases, says Murray. The major driver will be colder weather in the northern hemisphere. He says the team compared the rates of coronavirus transmission to date in countries in the southern hemisphere, where June through August coincide with winter, and those in the Northern hemisphere, where those months bring summer weather. "When you look at the huge epidemics that unfolded in Argentina, despite considerable efforts at lockdowns, the big epidemics that occurred in Chile, the epidemics in Southern Brazil and South Africa" he says, "and contrast them with what was happening in the Northern hemisphere, in places with similar social distancing mandates, where things were actually on average, improving — that's where in the statistical analysis, we see a very strong correlation with seasonality."
This analysis doesn't speak to why colder weather correlates with greater transmission — for instance, it could be that people spend more time indoors or that the virus survives better in cold air or some combination of those explanations. Regardless of the reason, says Murray, because far more people in the world live in the northern hemisphere, the arrival of cold weather there will dramatically increase the number of daily global infections overall.
3. These projections could be substantially off.
Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health, says he finds IHME's forecast highly implausible — particularly when it comes to the projected 410,000 death toll in the U.S. by Jan. 1. "I think that's completely unrealistic. I see no basis for that," says Jha.
Among his critiques is that IHME's team assumes that people who are infected with coronavirus in the coming months will die at the same rates as those who were infected earlier on in the pandemic. Murray says this is based on the team's finding that death rates have failed to improve even after advancements in various therapies and treatments.
Jha disagrees. "We have gotten so much better at taking care of sick patients, I think mortality has probably fallen by about 50%," says Jha. "The idea that everything we have learned in the last six months, we will have forgotten and that none of the new therapies will make a difference — I don't know any public health person who can look at this and think this is a credible estimate."
4. It's not even clear how many people have already died of COVID-19.
A related challenge is that many countries lack reliable health statistics. This is particularly true of low- income countries, says Imperial College's Kalipso Chalkidou — who also directs global health policy at the thinktank, Center for Global Development and is leading an international effort to quantify the wider health impacts of the pandemic.
"In most countries around the world we really don't know what people die from," says Chalkidou. And she adds, this means it's likely that vast numbers of COVID-19 deaths are going uncounted.
One result is that estimates on the global coronavirus death toll to date already vary substantially. For instance, IHME estimates that about 910,000 people have died worldwide. That's about 44,000 more than is estimated by another prominent team, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Murray says the difference comes down to adjustments IHME's team has made to make up for what appears to be a significant undercounting of COVID-19 deaths in two countries where the outbreaks have been particularly severe: Ecuador and Peru.
Chalkidou notes that, "we also don't have good data on comorbidities [that increase people's chances of dying of COVID-19] — how many people suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes for instance in Africa." That further complicates efforts to accurately predict the course of the pandemic in the region.
5. Getting the forecast right could have political implications.
Jha says his disagreement with IHME's methodology amounts to much more than a technical debate. "The problem here is if we come in at 250,000 or 300,000 dead [by year's end in the United States] — which is still just enormously awful — political leaders are going to be able to do a victory dance and say, 'Look, we were supposed to have 400,000 deaths. And because of all the great stuff we did, only 300,000 Americans died.'" says Jha.
"It's just setting a bar that's so easy to beat, it makes us somehow numb to the actual horrendous outcomes that the United States has had so far."


npr--2020-09-04--High School Football: Beloved Fall Tradition Or Unnecessary Coronavirus Risk?

A semi-full slate of college football games is scheduled for this weekend as a season unfolds ... .anxiously .
Already , two of the five major Division 1 conference have decided not to play this fall because of the coronavirus .
At the same time , high school football is happening in more than 30 states this fall .
And so is a debate over whether it 's right , or reckless , to let teenagers play a game considered high risk for COVID-19 transmission .
With the required tip of the cap to Texas , high school football is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week 's game between Spain Park and Briarwood Christian , outside of Birmingham , could 've been any Friday night game .
Until , of course , this P.A .
announcement : '' For the sake of all our students involved , mask up , social distance and wash your hands .
We certainly thank you ! ''
Many in the stands did mask up .
But overall , the crowd probably would 've gotten a C-minus grade in social distancing .
A Spain Park team official tried to get his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidelines saying , `` six feet .
Six feet apart . ''
`` That 's why I 'm hoarse , 'cause I 'm talking about space out , '' Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney said after his team 's win .
`` We took five charter buses last week to Huntsville so we could space our kids out .
It 's a mess to tell you the truth for coaches , 'cause you 're trying to coach a kid and win games with all that [ coronavirus precautions ] .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done a good job with our kids .
I think we need to be out here . ''
Down in the southeastern part of the state , you 'll never have to convince Mark Rose of the need for football .
He played for the legendary coach Pat Dye at Auburn .
He 's been a high school head coach for 23 years , he 's currently at Russell County High , and was the fifth fastest in Alabama to win 100 games .
So it 's notable when Rose says kids should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I mean it 's flat out child exploitation , '' Rose said .
`` Of course kids want to play .
But we are charged to protect them . ''
Rose says he ca n't , because of a lack of COVID-19 testing .
Kids get tested when they show symptoms .
But in the state high school athletic association 's COVID protocols , there 's not a policy for testing football players , as there is in college and the NFL .
`` [ With ] the NCAA , any school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any high-risk contact sport once per week , is shut down completely , '' Rose said .
`` We have no testing policy .
Our testing policy is wait 'til somebody gets real sick and then go tell the parents to test them . ''
Rose says that 's reckless and dangerous .
`` We 're breaking every rule that every doctor in the world says .
We 're not going face-to-face [ in ] school , yet we 're running players into each other all week , and sending them home untested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want us to go out there and run 'em in , 100 on our sideline and 100 on the other sideline , and all we know is nobody out there has been tested . ''
Rose says an asymptomatic outbreak on his team landed a 33-year-old assistant coach in intensive care for nearly two weeks , and sickened a player 's mother .
The risk of spread is greater , he says , in his rural county where many of his players live in multi-generational homes .
`` We 're sending them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable , and this is a mass social injustice , '' Rose said .
`` I ca n't stand by and watch it .
It 's disproportionately affecting minorities , and not only that , but poor rural folks in Alabama because they got multi-generations in the house .
`` Some of the them folks at the [ Alabama High School Athletic Association – AHSAA ] need to come look some of these people in the eye and see the fear they have and see me telling them to keep their son home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their health .
It 's more important than football . ''
`` I guess what Coach Rose would like to do is have the state or some entity pay for the testing for all the students and the coaches , '' said Ron Ingram , the Assistant Director at the AHSAA .
`` That would be admirable if the funding was there . ''
It 's not – in Alabama or most other states .
Ingram says Alabama acknowledges the risk of football and coronavirus , but believes it can be mitigated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're not going to sit here and lament that we do n't have something , '' Ingram said .
`` We 're going to work with what we have .
And what we have are dedicated , professional teachers , adminstrators , coaches that really want the best for their children , that God graced them with to look after . ''
Ingram adds it still needs to be established whether or not football is the potential spreader Mark Rose fears .
`` Right now , we do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that risk , '' he said .
`` That same teenager [ who plays football ] , if he goes to the local McDonald 's on a Friday night with his friends , that same risk , he still goes back home to the same parents and to the same grandparents . ''
If it 's data they need , it 's coming , says Dr. Michael Shingles .
He 's on a sports medicine committee advising high schools in Michigan , which this week reinstated high school football after earlier cancelling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to have an experiment in the United States right now because there are states that are going to [ play high school football ] and states that are not , '' Dr. Shingles said .
`` And we 're going to find out [ the impact ] , probably in the next couple of months , not from positive tests but from people getting sick and having major issues . ''
Mark Rose in Alabama would rather not have high school football players and their families be `` guinea pigs . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in his school district , but he does for many other coaches who fear losing their jobs if they speak out .
And who fear worse .
`` I got coaching friends coming apart at the seams , '' Rose said , `` worrying about somebody dying every day . ''
Rose was braced for a showdown when he made it clear he would not coach his team tonight , in Russell County 's season-opening game , as a way to protest playing without testing .
But then the virus intervened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive , possibly exposing as many as two dozen teammates .
Practices are shut down .
Tonight 's game is off .
And Rose says it 's uncertain when his Russell County Warriors will play football again .

High School Football: Beloved Fall Tradition Or Unnecessary Coronavirus Risk?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Russell Lewis/NPR Russell Lewis/NPR
A semi-full slate of college football games is scheduled for this weekend as a season unfolds....anxiously.
Already, two of the five major Division 1 conference have decided not to play this fall because of the coronavirus.
At the same time, high school football is happening in more than 30 states this fall. And so is a debate over whether it's right, or reckless, to let teenagers play a game considered high risk for COVID-19 transmission.
Six feet apart
With the required tip of the cap to Texas, high school football is a really big deal in Alabama too.
Last week's game between Spain Park and Briarwood Christian, outside of Birmingham, could've been any Friday night game. Until, of course, this P.A. announcement:
"For the sake of all our students involved, mask up, social distance and wash your hands. We certainly thank you!"
Many in the stands did mask up. But overall, the crowd probably would've gotten a C-minus grade in social distancing.
A Spain Park team official tried to get his players to be better, walking the sidelines saying, "six feet. Six feet apart."
"That's why I'm hoarse, 'cause I'm talking about space out," Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney said after his team's win. "We took five charter buses last week to Huntsville so we could space our kids out. It's a mess to tell you the truth for coaches, 'cause you're trying to coach a kid and win games with all that [coronavirus precautions]. It's tough but I feel like we've done a good job with our kids. I think we need to be out here."
Child exploitation
Down in the southeastern part of the state, you'll never have to convince Mark Rose of the need for football.
He played for the legendary coach Pat Dye at Auburn. He's been a high school head coach for 23 years, he's currently at Russell County High, and was the fifth fastest in Alabama to win 100 games.
So it's notable when Rose says kids shouldn't be playing during a pandemic.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Charesa Danielson Courtesy of Charesa Danielson
"I mean it's flat out child exploitation," Rose said. "Of course kids want to play. But we are charged to protect them."
Rose says he can't, because of a lack of COVID-19 testing. Kids get tested when they show symptoms. But in the state high school athletic association's COVID protocols, there's not a policy for testing football players, as there is in college and the NFL.
"[With] the NCAA, any school that can't test in football or any high-risk contact sport once per week, is shut down completely," Rose said. "We have no testing policy. Our testing policy is wait 'til somebody gets real sick and then go tell the parents to test them."
Rose says that's reckless and dangerous.
"We're breaking every rule that every doctor in the world says. We're not going face-to-face [in] school, yet we're running players into each other all week, and sending them home untested. And then on Friday night, they want us to go out there and run 'em in, 100 on our sideline and 100 on the other sideline, and all we know is nobody out there has been tested."
Rose says an asymptomatic outbreak on his team landed a 33-year-old assistant coach in intensive care for nearly two weeks, and sickened a player's mother. The risk of spread is greater, he says, in his rural county where many of his players live in multi-generational homes.
"We're sending them back into homes with families that're vulnerable, and this is a mass social injustice," Rose said. "I can't stand by and watch it. It's disproportionately affecting minorities, and not only that, but poor rural folks in Alabama because they got multi-generations in the house.
"Some of the them folks at the [Alabama High School Athletic Association – AHSAA] need to come look some of these people in the eye and see the fear they have and see me telling them to keep their son home and work out, because I fear for their health. It's more important than football."
No funding
"I guess what Coach Rose would like to do is have the state or some entity pay for the testing for all the students and the coaches," said Ron Ingram, the Assistant Director at the AHSAA. "That would be admirable if the funding was there."
It's not – in Alabama or most other states. Ingram says Alabama acknowledges the risk of football and coronavirus, but believes it can be mitigated with safety protocols the state does have.
"We're not going to sit here and lament that we don't have something," Ingram said. "We're going to work with what we have. And what we have are dedicated, professional teachers, adminstrators, coaches that really want the best for their children, that God graced them with to look after."
Ingram adds it still needs to be established whether or not football is the potential spreader Mark Rose fears.
"Right now, we don't have enough data to say playing football ups that risk," he said. "That same teenager [who plays football], if he goes to the local McDonald's on a Friday night with his friends, that same risk, he still goes back home to the same parents and to the same grandparents."
An experiment
If it's data they need, it's coming, says Dr. Michael Shingles. He's on a sports medicine committee advising high schools in Michigan, which this week reinstated high school football after earlier cancelling it for the fall.
"We're going to have an experiment in the United States right now because there are states that are going to [play high school football] and states that are not," Dr. Shingles said. "And we're going to find out [the impact], probably in the next couple of months, not from positive tests but from people getting sick and having major issues."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Russell Lewis/NPR Russell Lewis/NPR
Mark Rose in Alabama would rather not have high school football players and their families be "guinea pigs."
Rose says he doesn't speak for officials in his school district, but he does for many other coaches who fear losing their jobs if they speak out. And who fear worse.
"I got coaching friends coming apart at the seams," Rose said, "worrying about somebody dying every day."
Rose was braced for a showdown when he made it clear he would not coach his team tonight, in Russell County's season-opening game, as a way to protest playing without testing.
But then the virus intervened.
This week, one of his players tested positive, possibly exposing as many as two dozen teammates.
Practices are shut down. Tonight's game is off. And Rose says it's uncertain when his Russell County Warriors will play football again.


npr--2020-09-04--Coronavirus FAQ: Is It A Good Idea To Buy An Air Cleaner For My Home?

Coronavirus FAQ : Is It A Good Idea To Buy An Air Cleaner For My Home ?
Remember how hard it was to buy hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes back in March ?
( Not to mention yeast ! )
Not many people were stockpiling portable air cleaners or purifiers back then .
But engineers and doctors say these devices could play an important role in protecting your family from COVID-19 — especially as people start spending more time indoors as outdoor air temperatures fall in the Northern Hemisphere .
`` It 's a relatively easy way to get clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in close contact , '' says Joseph Gardner Allen , an associate professor of exposure assessment science who directs the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health .
`` It 's a simple plug and play solution in that area . ''
( He bought one in March . )
With new attention on the role that aerosolized microdroplets could play in the spread of COVID-19 , should you rush out to buy a portable air cleaner for home use ?
The frustrating short answer is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepted that the coronavirus can move in multiple ways , though less is understood about how each contributes to transmission of the disease .
Those possible transmission methods include short-range airborne particles , ballistic droplets from coughing or sneezing , long-range airborne particles and contaminated surfaces .
Portable air cleaners can limit the spread of the virus via long-range airborne particles by capturing most of those particles in a HEPA filter and cleaning the air at a rate of up to six times per hour .
In a typical home without an air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out about once every two hours through air leakage , often aided by mechanical ventilation systems in newer houses .
So , in the right circumstances , portable air cleaners offer an additional layer of protection .
If you 're living by yourself and you do n't have guests over , it 's not going to add any protection ( against COVID-19 , anyway ... you may want one to combat cat dander or wildfire smoke ) .
But if you occasionally host a family member who works on the front lines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pod for kids , or if your college student returns home after an exposure on campus , the benefits are likely worth the cost .
And if someone in your house gets sick with COVID-19 ?
Definitely worth the investment .
Exactly how much the air cleaners help is somewhat up for debate , but Richard Corsi , dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University , has been running models and testing portable air cleaners that show clear benefits , dropping particle levels significantly in a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have some medical doctors questioned whether portable air cleaners can remove the virus at all ?
They 're simply wrong , Corsi and Allen say .
In fact , they 're wrong in two ways , Allen says .
HEPA filters remove at least 99.97 % of airborne particles with a size of .3 microns — and even more particles of other sizes — whether smaller or bigger .
`` And the virus is never naked in the air , '' he says .
While the virus is about .1 microns in size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of human hair , it 's released into the air embedded in a particle of mucus and saliva , Corsi says .
`` It ca n't survive outside that particle , '' he says .
`` And those particles are easily removed by HEPA filters . ''
Of course , portable air cleaners are not a magic bullet .
They 're an added layer of protection — `` not a substitution for everything else .
And that would not change how much I practice all the other things , '' says Abraar Karan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We know that masks and distancing are both important — but if it 's spread by aerosols , staying 6 feet away from people may not be adequate . ''
To put it in numerical terms : Masks offer at least a 50 % risk reduction , Corsi says .
A personal air cleaner might reduce that another 50 % , for a total risk reduction of 75 % .
Increased ventilation could get the reduction to 85 % or 90 % .
But if you take off the mask , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a HEPA filter and a clean air delivery rate , or CADR , of 300 cubic feet per minute ( not hour ) or better — and not much else , Corsi says .
`` You do n't need any other gadgets , '' he says .
In fact , extra bells and whistles can sometimes produce ozone , so it 's best to keep it simple .
To calculate what size you need for your space , use this tool that Allen helped develop for classrooms — it works equally well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the $ 250 range .
How to use it Again , this will depend on your individual situation .
In general , place the air purifier near the person whose germs you want to avoid ( the bedroom of someone sick with COVID-19 , for example ) .
When Corsi hosted a relative who works in care homes , he and his wife ran a portable air cleaner in their guest room and downstairs — in addition to wearing masks and opening windows .
They added a fan — blowing air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only downside to a personal air cleaner is the cost ( in addition to the upfront cost , there 's the cost of replacement filters and energy to consider ) .
When you 're considering the purchase , think of it as a health care tool , Allen suggests .
And remember that personal air cleaners also remove chemicals , allergens and dust .
For Karan , even without randomized , controlled trials to prove that portable air cleaners help prevent COVID-19 , it 's a simple calculation for most people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this point , the possible benefits outweigh the cost , '' he says .
`` If later the studies prove air purifiers work and it may have had an impact , you do n't want to think , ' I could have gotten it . '
`` Sheila Mulrooney Eldred is a freelance health journalist in Minneapolis .
She 's written about COVID-19 for Medscape , Mpls.St.Paul Magazine , Science News for Students and The Washington Post .
More at sheilaeldred.pressfolios.com .
On Twitter : @ milepostmedia

Coronavirus FAQ: Is It A Good Idea To Buy An Air Cleaner For My Home?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ben de la Cruz/NPR Ben de la Cruz/NPR
Remember how hard it was to buy hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes back in March? (Not to mention yeast!) Not many people were stockpiling portable air cleaners or purifiers back then. But engineers and doctors say these devices could play an important role in protecting your family from COVID-19 — especially as people start spending more time indoors as outdoor air temperatures fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
"It's a relatively easy way to get clean air in a place where people are in close contact," says Joseph Gardner Allen, an associate professor of exposure assessment science who directs the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "It's a simple plug and play solution in that area." (He bought one in March.)
With new attention on the role that aerosolized microdroplets could play in the spread of COVID-19, should you rush out to buy a portable air cleaner for home use?
The frustrating short answer is, "It depends."
It's accepted that the coronavirus can move in multiple ways, though less is understood about how each contributes to transmission of the disease. Those possible transmission methods include short-range airborne particles, ballistic droplets from coughing or sneezing, long-range airborne particles and contaminated surfaces.
Portable air cleaners can limit the spread of the virus via long-range airborne particles by capturing most of those particles in a HEPA filter and cleaning the air at a rate of up to six times per hour. In a typical home without an air cleaner, the air gets fully changed out about once every two hours through air leakage, often aided by mechanical ventilation systems in newer houses.
So, in the right circumstances, portable air cleaners offer an additional layer of protection.
If you're living by yourself and you don't have guests over, it's not going to add any protection (against COVID-19, anyway ... you may want one to combat cat dander or wildfire smoke).
But if you occasionally host a family member who works on the front lines, or if you're planning a learning pod for kids, or if your college student returns home after an exposure on campus, the benefits are likely worth the cost. And if someone in your house gets sick with COVID-19? Definitely worth the investment.
Exactly how much the air cleaners help is somewhat up for debate, but Richard Corsi, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University, has been running models and testing portable air cleaners that show clear benefits, dropping particle levels significantly in a large bedroom in his home.
So why have some medical doctors questioned whether portable air cleaners can remove the virus at all?
They're simply wrong, Corsi and Allen say. In fact, they're wrong in two ways, Allen says. HEPA filters remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of .3 microns — and even more particles of other sizes — whether smaller or bigger.
"And the virus is never naked in the air," he says.
While the virus is about .1 microns in size, or 1/1000th of a cross section of human hair, it's released into the air embedded in a particle of mucus and saliva, Corsi says. "It can't survive outside that particle," he says. "And those particles are easily removed by HEPA filters."
Of course, portable air cleaners are not a magic bullet. They're an added layer of protection — "not a substitution for everything else. And that would not change how much I practice all the other things," says Abraar Karan, a Harvard Medical School physician. "We know that masks and distancing are both important — but if it's spread by aerosols, staying 6 feet away from people may not be adequate."
To put it in numerical terms: Masks offer at least a 50% risk reduction, Corsi says. A personal air cleaner might reduce that another 50%, for a total risk reduction of 75%. Increased ventilation could get the reduction to 85% or 90%. But if you take off the mask, that percentage plummets.
How to buy a portable air cleaner
Look for a unit with a HEPA filter and a clean air delivery rate, or CADR, of 300 cubic feet per minute (not hour) or better — and not much else, Corsi says. "You don't need any other gadgets," he says. In fact, extra bells and whistles can sometimes produce ozone, so it's best to keep it simple. To calculate what size you need for your space, use this tool that Allen helped develop for classrooms — it works equally well for homes, he says. Prices are in the $250 range.
How to use it
Again, this will depend on your individual situation. In general, place the air purifier near the person whose germs you want to avoid (the bedroom of someone sick with COVID-19, for example). When Corsi hosted a relative who works in care homes, he and his wife ran a portable air cleaner in their guest room and downstairs — in addition to wearing masks and opening windows. They added a fan — blowing air outward — to their guest room.
Bottom line
The only downside to a personal air cleaner is the cost (in addition to the upfront cost, there's the cost of replacement filters and energy to consider). When you're considering the purchase, think of it as a health care tool, Allen suggests. And remember that personal air cleaners also remove chemicals, allergens and dust.
For Karan, even without randomized, controlled trials to prove that portable air cleaners help prevent COVID-19, it's a simple calculation for most people who aren't completely isolated.
"At this point, the possible benefits outweigh the cost," he says. "If later the studies prove air purifiers work and it may have had an impact, you don't want to think, 'I could have gotten it.' "
Sheila Mulrooney Eldred is a freelance health journalist in Minneapolis. She's written about COVID-19 for Medscape, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Science News for Students and The Washington Post. More at sheilaeldred.pressfolios.com. On Twitter: @milepostmedia


npr--2020-09-04--Women Lead The Way Against Belarus' Patriarch, Says Svetlana Tikhanovskaya

Women Lead The Way Against Belarus ' Patriarch , Says Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , the unlikely challenger to Belarus ' five-term president , takes issue with being called an opposition leader .
`` OK , first of all , if you do n't mind , would you please not call us 'opposition ' ?
Because we are not the opposition anymore , we are the majority , '' she told NPR in an interview from her exile in Lithuania .
Tikhanovskaya , 37 , was forced to leave Belarus after President Alexander Lukashenko , Europe 's longest-serving leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 presidential election .
Nationwide protests against massive vote rigging erupted , with tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators thronging the capital , Minsk , on the past three weekends .
`` Lukashenko has to understand that the point of no return has already passed , and nothing will be the same as it was , '' Tikhanovskaya said .
`` The people have changed .
The people have woken up . ''
Tikhanovskaya , a political novice , decided to run only after her husband Sergei Tikhanovsky , an anti-government video blogger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is one of a number of imprisoned Belarusian opposition politicians and considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International .
When Lukashenko jailed another candidate , Viktor Babariko , and forced a third , Valery Tsepkalo , into exile , Tikhanovskaya united with their campaigns .
Together with Tsepkalo 's wife Veronika and Babariko 's campaign manager , Maria Kolesnikova , Tikhanovskaya barnstormed across Belarus drawing huge crowds .
`` Maybe Belarusian women were inspired by the example of me and the other two women who found the strength in themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Our women understood that they are leaders as well , and they do n't have to stay in their kitchens and can go and fight for their rights beside their men — and even in front of their men . ''
Women played a pivotal role in carrying on the demonstrations after reports emerged of vicious beatings of protesters in the first days following the election .
Often wearing white and bearing flowers , women formed human chains to protest the violence .
`` Women were the only people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear that they will be beaten because the society is patriarchal , '' said Katia Glod , a nonresident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis .
`` Big numbers of women is something that puts off the riot police in Belarus . ''
Ironically , it was also sexism that led to Tikhanovskaya being allowed to register as a candidate in the first place .
`` They were sure that nobody would support me because it was my husband who was famous , not me .
I was just a housewife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued this election campaign because I understood that I ca n't betray all those people who believed in my husband — and afterwards believed in me . ''
Before the election , Lukashenko , 66 , disparaged the troika of Tikhanovskaya , Tsepkalo and Kolesnikova as `` three unhappy girls . ''
He said only a man could run the country because a woman would be too weak .
And asked in an interview if he would debate Tikhanovskaya , Lukashenko said : `` She 's just cooked a tasty cutlet , maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smells nice .
And now there 's supposed to be a debate about some issues .
What are we talking about ? ''
Lukashenko 's first mistake may have been to underestimate Tikhanovskaya , whose direct , unpretentious style tapped into Belarusians ' desire for change after being ruled by the same man since 1994 .
After the election , Lukashenko made two more mistakes that only brought more people onto the streets , Tikhanovskaya said .
`` People could have believed a result of 53 % for Lukashenko and 46 % for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But everybody knew that 80 % is absolutely bull**** . ''
The European Union has refused to recognize the official election results , and the United States says the vote was neither free nor fair .
Tikhanovskaya said the regime 's second mistake was beating up protesters .
`` Even those people who were apolitical , who maybe even did n't vote or voted for another person , they understood that a crime had been committed against a great amount of people , '' she said .
The violence shocked many Belarusians and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of its leaders either in exile or jail , the Belarusian opposition is splintered and incoherent .
`` It 's actually very rudimentary .
I do n't think they have a strategy yet , '' said analyst Glod , who is based in London .
`` They 're basically now trying to build the opposition from scratch .
And in a country where all these institutions have been absent for 26 years , it 's obviously very hard to do . ''
Tikhanovskaya declined to go into the details of her sudden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying only that she no longer felt safe there .
But from her exile in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius , Tikhanovskaya is isolated from the protesters on the ground as well as from an opposition `` coordination council '' in Minsk set up to start a dialogue with the regime .
The council faces criminal prosecution , and Lukashenko has refused to talk with it .
`` His strategy has worked to crush the opposition — but not public dissent and the protests , '' said Glod .
`` People have been deprived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to self-organize , and now we are seeing these efforts .
If it 's not showing any effect immediately , it might in the medium term . ''
For now , though , Lukashenko still controls the law enforcement agencies .
And his ally , Russian President Vladimir Putin , has pledged to send in reinforcements if `` the situation becomes uncontrollable '' on the streets of Belarus .
When asked about the Kremlin 's influence on events in her country , Tikhanovskaya downplays the threat of an intervention by Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them to interfere in our internal affairs .
It 's only the business of our people and our so-called president .
This is n't about geopolitics , '' she said .
Glod disagrees .
Without Putin 's backing , she said , it 's possible that Lukashenko would already be out of power .
`` Russia certainly is playing a key role , '' Glod said .
`` After the people of Belarus , I would put Russia second in terms of any influence that it has been exerting on the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a struggle to assert itself and harness the political energy on the country 's streets .
But Tikhanovskaya remains optimistic .
She said she hopes to ring in the New Year at home , in Belarus .

Women Lead The Way Against Belarus' Patriarch, Says Svetlana Tikhanovskaya
Enlarge this image toggle caption Misha Friedman/Getty Images Misha Friedman/Getty Images
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the unlikely challenger to Belarus' five-term president, takes issue with being called an opposition leader.
"OK, first of all, if you don't mind, would you please not call us 'opposition'? Because we are not the opposition anymore, we are the majority," she told NPR in an interview from her exile in Lithuania.
Tikhanovskaya, 37, was forced to leave Belarus after President Alexander Lukashenko, Europe's longest-serving leader, declared a landslide victory in the Aug. 9 presidential election. Nationwide protests against massive vote rigging erupted, with tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators thronging the capital, Minsk, on the past three weekends.
"Lukashenko has to understand that the point of no return has already passed, and nothing will be the same as it was," Tikhanovskaya said. "The people have changed. The people have woken up."
Tikhanovskaya, a political novice, decided to run only after her husband Sergei Tikhanovsky, an anti-government video blogger, was barred from registering his candidacy. He is one of a number of imprisoned Belarusian opposition politicians and considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.
When Lukashenko jailed another candidate, Viktor Babariko, and forced a third, Valery Tsepkalo, into exile, Tikhanovskaya united with their campaigns. Together with Tsepkalo's wife Veronika and Babariko's campaign manager, Maria Kolesnikova, Tikhanovskaya barnstormed across Belarus drawing huge crowds.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Arturas Morozovas/Getty Images Arturas Morozovas/Getty Images
"Maybe Belarusian women were inspired by the example of me and the other two women who found the strength in themselves and acted as leaders," Tikhanovskaya said. "Our women understood that they are leaders as well, and they don't have to stay in their kitchens and can go and fight for their rights beside their men — and even in front of their men."
Women played a pivotal role in carrying on the demonstrations after reports emerged of vicious beatings of protesters in the first days following the election. Often wearing white and bearing flowers, women formed human chains to protest the violence.
"Women were the only people who could take to the streets without the fear that they will be beaten because the society is patriarchal," said Katia Glod, a nonresident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. "Big numbers of women is something that puts off the riot police in Belarus."
Ironically, it was also sexism that led to Tikhanovskaya being allowed to register as a candidate in the first place.
"They were sure that nobody would support me because it was my husband who was famous, not me. I was just a housewife," said Tikhanovskaya. "I continued this election campaign because I understood that I can't betray all those people who believed in my husband — and afterwards believed in me."
Before the election, Lukashenko, 66, disparaged the troika of Tikhanovskaya, Tsepkalo and Kolesnikova as "three unhappy girls." He said only a man could run the country because a woman would be too weak. And asked in an interview if he would debate Tikhanovskaya, Lukashenko said: "She's just cooked a tasty cutlet, maybe fed the kids, and the cutlet smells nice. And now there's supposed to be a debate about some issues. What are we talking about?"
Lukashenko's first mistake may have been to underestimate Tikhanovskaya, whose direct, unpretentious style tapped into Belarusians' desire for change after being ruled by the same man since 1994. Tikhanovskaya's main campaign promise was simple to understand: release all political prisoners — including her husband — and hold new, free and fair presidential elections.
After the election, Lukashenko made two more mistakes that only brought more people onto the streets, Tikhanovskaya said.
"People could have believed a result of 53% for Lukashenko and 46% for Tikhanovskaya," she said. "But everybody knew that 80% is absolutely bull****."
The European Union has refused to recognize the official election results, and the United States says the vote was neither free nor fair.
Tikhanovskaya said the regime's second mistake was beating up protesters.
"Even those people who were apolitical, who maybe even didn't vote or voted for another person, they understood that a crime had been committed against a great amount of people," she said.
The violence shocked many Belarusians and fueled even more protests.
Yet with most of its leaders either in exile or jail, the Belarusian opposition is splintered and incoherent.
"It's actually very rudimentary. I don't think they have a strategy yet," said analyst Glod, who is based in London. "They're basically now trying to build the opposition from scratch. And in a country where all these institutions have been absent for 26 years, it's obviously very hard to do."
Tikhanovskaya declined to go into the details of her sudden departure from Belarus after the election, saying only that she no longer felt safe there. But from her exile in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Tikhanovskaya is isolated from the protesters on the ground as well as from an opposition "coordination council" in Minsk set up to start a dialogue with the regime. The council faces criminal prosecution, and Lukashenko has refused to talk with it.
"His strategy has worked to crush the opposition — but not public dissent and the protests," said Glod. "People have been deprived of real politics, of a real chance to self-organize, and now we are seeing these efforts. If it's not showing any effect immediately, it might in the medium term."
For now, though, Lukashenko still controls the law enforcement agencies. And his ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, has pledged to send in reinforcements if "the situation becomes uncontrollable" on the streets of Belarus.
When asked about the Kremlin's influence on events in her country, Tikhanovskaya downplays the threat of an intervention by Russia.
"We don't see any reason for them to interfere in our internal affairs. It's only the business of our people and our so-called president. This isn't about geopolitics," she said.
Glod disagrees. Without Putin's backing, she said, it's possible that Lukashenko would already be out of power.
"Russia certainly is playing a key role," Glod said. "After the people of Belarus, I would put Russia second in terms of any influence that it has been exerting on the situation."
The Belarusian opposition still faces a struggle to assert itself and harness the political energy on the country's streets.
But Tikhanovskaya remains optimistic. She said she hopes to ring in the New Year at home, in Belarus.


npr--2020-09-04--States Prepare For Potential Fall Vaccine Distribution Under Pressure From CDC

States Prepare For Potential Fall Vaccine Distribution Under Pressure From CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently sent guidance to states on how to prepare to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine .
The agency asked for a distribution plan as soon as October and said that vaccination sites should be ready by Nov. 1 .
Those dates caught a lot of people off guard and set off some alarm bells that political pressure was tainting the process .
`` I was obviously concerned because of the politicization that 's going on , '' says Dr. Georges Benjamin , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Trump has suggested a vaccine would be ready before the end of the year `` if we can , maybe before . ''
But Benjamin says , `` We 've got to take a deep breath . ''
He says the CDC 's timeline maybe unrealistic , but it 's not necessarily politically motivated .
`` It is very clear that we need to lean forward to prepare to deliver the vaccine . ''
The tight timeline in the CDC 's guidance did not surprise Molly Howell , the immunization program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there could potentially be a vaccine even as early as fall of 2020 is what we 've been told throughout the pandemic , '' she says .
She says she thinks it 's unlikely that a vaccine candidate will get authorized and be available that soon , but she adds : `` I would rather be prepared and ready to go than not be prepared and have a vaccine that could potentially save lives and prevent disease sitting on a shelf somewhere . ''
There are immunization managers such as Howell across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities who are now pouring over these three detailed CDC planning documents .
One document discusses what an approved vaccine might be like , another offers a checklist of what to plan , and a third runs through several planning scenarios .
The documents were first reported and shared by The New York Times .
`` I applaud the administration for — finally — some forward thinking on something that we need to do , '' Benjamin says .
`` If we had done this kind of activity in January when we saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact tracing and hospitalizations , we would have been well ahead of the curve . ''
He does think the timeline the CDC is setting for states to put together a vaccine distribution plan is `` an issue . ''
As former Maryland health secretary , he says such a plan would likely take him three months .
`` It 's not about just sitting down and writing it on a piece of paper — this is not like it 's a term paper , '' he says .
`` You have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the infrastructure is in your state .
You have to meet with a whole range of people to figure out what their capacities are . ''
`` I know that there 's a press to make these timelines , [ to ] suggest we 're going to have vaccine going out the door to people in October and November , '' Dr. Steven Stack , commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health , said in a press conference in response to a question from NPR .
`` I 've said this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : There will not be a vaccine for virtually everybody this calendar year . ''
Although the CDC guidance was from a federal agency to states , Adriane Casalotti of the National Association of County and City Health Officials says local health officials need to be part of the planning process as well .
`` Local health departments understand the nuances [ of their communities ] — not just county line by county line , but block by block , '' she says .
`` So they 're able to tell you where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are n't , and who lives in those areas and who are the best messengers . ''
A lot will be lost , she says , if local health departments are seen only as delivery points for a vaccine and are n't involved in strategizing .
`` The more expertise that can be at the table in the development process , the more effective the plan will be when it 's time for deployment . ''
The planning is especially challenging for many reasons — including the fact that the coronavirus vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated .
Howell , the North Dakota official , explains that a standard pandemic vaccination plan might include mass vaccination sites .
But in this case , she says , `` We ca n't just have everybody come to one site and congregate and potentially give people COVID at a mass vaccination clinic . ''
Then there are the minimum doses .
In the CDC 's scenario document , `` Vaccine A '' has a minimum order of 1,000 doses .
`` We were under the assumption that the minimum order quantity was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howell says .
`` For us in a rural state , when vaccines are extremely limited , we have to come up with different planning around — if we send 1,000 doses to one area , how are we going to get out smaller quantities to the more rural areas ? ''
The ultra-cold storage requirements described in the CDC 's planning documents present some serious challenges as well , notes Claire Hannan , executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers .
She says just imagine trying to plan for a scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know when you 're going to get the shipment , but it 's got to be used within 24 hours , and it 's coming in a package with 1,000 doses and it 's on dry ice , '' she says .
`` That 's some serious planning right there . ''

States Prepare For Potential Fall Vaccine Distribution Under Pressure From CDC
Enlarge this image toggle caption Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently sent guidance to states on how to prepare to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine. The agency asked for a distribution plan as soon as October and said that vaccination sites should be ready by Nov. 1. Those dates caught a lot of people off guard and set off some alarm bells that political pressure was tainting the process.
"I was obviously concerned because of the politicization that's going on," says Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. President Trump has suggested a vaccine would be ready before the end of the year "if we can, maybe before."
But Benjamin says, "We've got to take a deep breath." He says the CDC's timeline maybe unrealistic, but it's not necessarily politically motivated. "It is very clear that we need to lean forward to prepare to deliver the vaccine."
The tight timeline in the CDC's guidance did not surprise Molly Howell, the immunization program manager for North Dakota.
"That there could potentially be a vaccine even as early as fall of 2020 is what we've been told throughout the pandemic," she says.
She says she thinks it's unlikely that a vaccine candidate will get authorized and be available that soon, but she adds: "I would rather be prepared and ready to go than not be prepared and have a vaccine that could potentially save lives and prevent disease sitting on a shelf somewhere."
There are immunization managers such as Howell across the country and in several territories and large cities who are now poring over these three detailed CDC planning documents. One document discusses what an approved vaccine might be like, another offers a checklist of what to plan, and a third runs through several planning scenarios. The documents were first reported and shared by The New York Times.
"I applaud the administration for — finally — some forward thinking on something that we need to do," Benjamin says. "If we had done this kind of activity in January when we saw this pandemic coming around, testing and contact tracing and hospitalizations, we would have been well ahead of the curve."
He does think the timeline the CDC is setting for states to put together a vaccine distribution plan is "an issue." As former Maryland health secretary, he says such a plan would likely take him three months.
"It's not about just sitting down and writing it on a piece of paper — this is not like it's a term paper," he says. "You have to call people. You have to understand what the infrastructure is in your state. You have to meet with a whole range of people to figure out what their capacities are."
"I know that there's a press to make these timelines, [to] suggest we're going to have vaccine going out the door to people in October and November," Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said in a press conference in response to a question from NPR. "I've said this repeatedly, I'll say it again: There will not be a vaccine for virtually everybody this calendar year."
Although the CDC guidance was from a federal agency to states, Adriane Casalotti of the National Association of County and City Health Officials says local health officials need to be part of the planning process as well.
"Local health departments understand the nuances [of their communities] — not just county line by county line, but block by block," she says. "So they're able to tell you where the providers are, but also where they aren't, and who lives in those areas and who are the best messengers."
A lot will be lost, she says, if local health departments are seen only as delivery points for a vaccine and aren't involved in strategizing. "The more expertise that can be at the table in the development process, the more effective the plan will be when it's time for deployment."
The planning is especially challenging for many reasons — including the fact that the coronavirus vaccines furthest along in clinical trials are extremely complicated.
Howell, the North Dakota official, explains that a standard pandemic vaccination plan might include mass vaccination sites. But in this case, she says, "We can't just have everybody come to one site and congregate and potentially give people COVID at a mass vaccination clinic."
Then there are the minimum doses. In the CDC's scenario document, "Vaccine A" has a minimum order of 1,000 doses. "We were under the assumption that the minimum order quantity was going to be 100 doses," Howell says. "For us in a rural state, when vaccines are extremely limited, we have to come up with different planning around — if we send 1,000 doses to one area, how are we going to get out smaller quantities to the more rural areas?"
The ultra-cold storage requirements described in the CDC's planning documents present some serious challenges as well, notes Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers.
She says just imagine trying to plan for a scenario such as this one: "You don't know when you're going to get the shipment, but it's got to be used within 24 hours, and it's coming in a package with 1,000 doses and it's on dry ice," she says.
"That's some serious planning right there."


npr--2020-09-04--As COVID-19 Cases Rise, Gettysburg College Puts All Students On Lockdown

As COVID-19 Cases Rise , Gettysburg College Puts All Students On Lockdown After a steady rise in coronavirus cases , Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania has restricted students to their dormitories and moved all classes online in a sweeping quarantine that began Tuesday and will last at least through the end of the week .
Gettysburg , which has more than 2,000 students enrolled , is believed to be the first U.S. college to enact such a measure .
Under the current restrictions , students at the private , liberal arts school can leave their residences only to pick up food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bathroom , go to a scheduled appointment for COVID-19 testing or talk to a counselor .
Students are n't allowed to leave their rooms for things like doing laundry , exercising or taking out the trash .
However , students with off-campus jobs are still able to go to those jobs , according to Gettysburg 's website .
All classes and labs are being taught remotely , and any students who do n't comply with the restrictions will be sent home .
The school has not yet responded to an inquiry from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted and how many students might have violated the lockdown since it began earlier this week .
On Twitter , Gettysburg student Charlie Norelli wrote that it was unclear whether students would all be sent home eventually .
The move comes after a marked rise in positive cases since classes began two weeks ago , school officials announced .
Gettysburg 's dean of students , Julie Ramsey , said the college is at an `` inflection point , '' with a trend of positive cases `` connected to certain affinity groups or social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations have been suspended as a result of social gatherings without masks and physical distancing , school officials noted during a town hall meeting on Sunday .
The school newspaper , The Gettysburgian , noted that a sorority and fraternity violated the COVID-19 restrictions during the recruitment period when Greek organizations seek new members .
School officials at the town hall meeting also noted that clusters of infections were emerging at residential facilities , such as the Gettysburg Hotel .
According to the latest figures made public by the school , of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 24 were positive for the coronavirus — a positive rate of nearly 7 % .
The total number of positive cases for Adams County , where the school is located , is 679 as of noon Friday .
Before the quarantine began , students expressed frustration at the school 's response to the crisis during protests and student government meetings .
Some were disappointed that the administration has not been more direct at naming or disciplining groups that have not adhered to mask or social distancing guidelines .
`` The college has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to [ COVID-19 ] , and allowing recruitment to occur despite Greek life 's role as a 'super spreader ' has sent a message to the student body insinuating that these groups are more valuable than others , '' Marisa Balanda , a fourth-year student , told The Gettysburgian .
Others expressed frustration with what they perceive as inaction by the school 's Department of Public Safety .
`` I 've seen DPS pass by parties and big groups of people and not do anything , '' first-year student Jersia Pimente told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and universities have been grappling with how to manage spikes in coronavirus cases as the fall semester resumes , in some cases shifting to online learning or implementing lockdowns , even after mandatory testing .
In Kansas , local health officials reportedly ordered an all-student quarantine at Benedictine College , a small , Catholic , liberal arts school .
But school officials pushed back on the order , which was originally set to begin Thursday night , and are still discussing how to proceed amid a rise in coronavirus cases .

As COVID-19 Cases Rise, Gettysburg College Puts All Students On Lockdown
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images
After a steady rise in coronavirus cases, Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania has restricted students to their dormitories and moved all classes online in a sweeping quarantine that began Tuesday and will last at least through the end of the week.
Gettysburg, which has more than 2,000 students enrolled, is believed to be the first U.S. college to enact such a measure.
Under the current restrictions, students at the private, liberal arts school can leave their residences only to pick up food from designated college dining facilities, use the bathroom, go to a scheduled appointment for COVID-19 testing or talk to a counselor.
Students aren't allowed to leave their rooms for things like doing laundry, exercising or taking out the trash. However, students with off-campus jobs are still able to go to those jobs, according to Gettysburg's website.
All classes and labs are being taught remotely, and any students who don't comply with the restrictions will be sent home.
The school has not yet responded to an inquiry from NPR about when the restrictions might be lifted and how many students might have violated the lockdown since it began earlier this week.
On Twitter, Gettysburg student Charlie Norelli wrote that it was unclear whether students would all be sent home eventually.
The move comes after a marked rise in positive cases since classes began two weeks ago, school officials announced. Gettysburg's dean of students, Julie Ramsey, said the college is at an "inflection point," with a trend of positive cases "connected to certain affinity groups or social gatherings."
At least two Greek organizations have been suspended as a result of social gatherings without masks and physical distancing, school officials noted during a town hall meeting on Sunday.
The school newspaper, The Gettysburgian, noted that a sorority and fraternity violated the COVID-19 restrictions during the recruitment period when Greek organizations seek new members.
School officials at the town hall meeting also noted that clusters of infections were emerging at residential facilities, such as the Gettysburg Hotel.
According to the latest figures made public by the school, of the 347 students tested over a two-day period, 24 were positive for the coronavirus — a positive rate of nearly 7%. The total number of positive cases for Adams County, where the school is located, is 679 as of noon Friday.
Before the quarantine began, students expressed frustration at the school's response to the crisis during protests and student government meetings.
Some were disappointed that the administration has not been more direct at naming or disciplining groups that have not adhered to mask or social distancing guidelines.
"The college has canceled so many other activities in response to [COVID-19], and allowing recruitment to occur despite Greek life's role as a 'super spreader' has sent a message to the student body insinuating that these groups are more valuable than others," Marisa Balanda, a fourth-year student, told The Gettysburgian.
Others expressed frustration with what they perceive as inaction by the school's Department of Public Safety.
"I've seen DPS pass by parties and big groups of people and not do anything," first-year student Jersia Pimente told The Gettysburgian.
Across the U.S., college and universities have been grappling with how to manage spikes in coronavirus cases as the fall semester resumes, in some cases shifting to online learning or implementing lockdowns, even after mandatory testing.
In Kansas, local health officials reportedly ordered an all-student quarantine at Benedictine College, a small, Catholic, liberal arts school. But school officials pushed back on the order, which was originally set to begin Thursday night, and are still discussing how to proceed amid a rise in coronavirus cases.


npr--2020-09-04--'Feels Good Man' Traces Pepe The Frog From Hate Symbol To Democracy Icon

'Feels Good Man ' Traces Pepe The Frog From Hate Symbol To Democracy Icon You 've probably seen him by now — the thin , red lips .
The big , expressive eyes .
The deep green skin .
Sometimes he looks innocent and sweet , like a friend crashing on your couch .
Other times he looks like a smugly grinning jerk .
The thing about Pepe the Frog is that he can be whatever you want him to be — a stoner icon , a symbol of hatred and bigotry , a beacon of democracy .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all these transformations , and follows the frog 's creator , cartoonist Matt Furie , and his at-times futile attempts to try to control something inherently uncontrollable : memes .
The movie attempts to set the record straight and make clear who Pepe is , but functions more as a case study in how we communicate now and the collateral damage that communication leaves behind .
Furie is a meek , soft spoken guy who feels more comfortable alone at a drafting table than at the forefront of online discourse .
Pepe started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small indie comic Boys Club .
One comic in particular featured Pepe urinating with his pants pushed all the way down to his ankles , explaining to his roommate that it `` feels good , man . ''
It was a punchline that became a slogan for a certain carefree lifestyle that thrives in between beers and bong hits .
From there Pepe was excerpted , repeated , excerpted , repeated — each time drifting further away from his original context , and away from Furie 's hands .
`` I did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` says Furie in an interview with NPR .
`` Nobody really knew what the protocol was because it 's all online . ''
There 's not much you can do about anonymous teenagers posting inside jokes online .
And for a long while , it stayed that way — just jokes .
`` It was n't until it got really bad that I stepped up and wanted to try and take a stand , '' says Furie .
The documentary explains in detail how and why it got really bad ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short version is : Pepe started getting so popular with mainstream culture that the original fans of this no-longer `` inside '' joke tried to push the normies away with even edgier versions of Pepes — racist Pepes , homophobic Pepes , anti-semitic Pepes .
This coincided with President Trump 's similarly trolling presidential campaign , and the then-burgeoning `` alt-right '' movement , and all of a sudden Furie saw his own creation end up on the Anti-Defamation League 's list of hate symbols , with the normiest of normies , Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If this all feels a little stupid — that 's all intentional .
Through interviews with journalists and experts on extremism on the Internet , the documentary explores the well-oiled right wing propaganda machine built on bad faith arguments meant to make you feel unsure , and dumb , and ridiculous .
If you go back and look at the plethora of interviews Furie did around the time of the ADL listing , there 's a sense of wishful thinking on Furie 's part : that this is just a phase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever .
He tried working with the ADL and fellow cartoonists to flood the online space with `` positive '' Pepe imagery .
He tried `` killing '' Pepe in one of his comics to wash his hands of it .
Both fundamental misunderstandings of how the Internet works .
But the documentary 's director , Arthur Jones says those were the tools Furie had available to him .
`` Those were his earnest attempts to try to express the true intentions of Pepe as a character , '' says Jones .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pepes run rampant , earnestness does n't count for much .
Lawsuits , on the other hand , do .
The wins Furie collects under his belt in the movie are mostly legal ones , using copyright law to issue take down notices , file suits , etc .
Which he was only able to do through the help of a law firm working pro-bono .
See , cartoons taken out of context are n't new , nor solely relegated to the Internet .
Stroll down any boardwalk and you 'll eventually catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are mostly kept in check through legal actions by people who can afford them .
`` [ Furie ] does n't have this multi-million dollar conglomerate behind him pushing the character and the branding of Pepe , '' says the documentary 's producer Giorgio Angelini .
`` So in that void , the collective consciousness of the Internet creates that brand . ''
And as the Internet has shown time and time again , if you allow its collective consciousness to fill a void , that void will get filled with Nazis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said that the link between Pepe and hatred would last forever .
Pepe showing up at the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019 took the filmmakers by surprise .
Elsewhere , on the popular live streaming platform Twitch , Pepes are thrown around in the chat apolitically , mostly devoid of the problematic baggage he was saddled with four years ago .
But who knows how long this will last .
With another presidential election in just a few months , the meme wars will only continue to heat up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given a long enough time .
Talking to Furie over Zoom , there was a Pepe plushie hanging on a wall over his shoulder .
Furie has at times been sick , defensive and exasperated with Pepe .
But as much as the Internet can separate Pepe from Furie , Furie can never really separate himself from Pepe — and so clearing Pepe 's name is just as important as clearing his own .

'Feels Good Man' Traces Pepe The Frog From Hate Symbol To Democracy Icon
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kurt Keppeler Kurt Keppeler
You've probably seen him by now — the thin, red lips. The big, expressive eyes. The deep green skin. Sometimes he looks innocent and sweet, like a friend crashing on your couch. Other times he looks like a smugly grinning jerk. The thing about Pepe the Frog is that he can be whatever you want him to be — a stoner icon, a symbol of hatred and bigotry, a beacon of democracy.
The new documentary Feels Good Man traces Pepe through all these transformations, and follows the frog's creator, cartoonist Matt Furie, and his at-times futile attempts to try to control something inherently uncontrollable: memes. The movie attempts to set the record straight and make clear who Pepe is, but functions more as a case study in how we communicate now and the collateral damage that communication leaves behind.
Furie is a meek, soft spoken guy who feels more comfortable alone at a drafting table than at the forefront of online discourse. Pepe started as a character in Furie's 2005 small indie comic Boys Club. One comic in particular featured Pepe urinating with his pants pushed all the way down to his ankles, explaining to his roommate that it "feels good, man." It was a punchline that became a slogan for a certain carefree lifestyle that thrives in between beers and bong hits. From there Pepe was excerpted, repeated, excerpted, repeated — each time drifting further away from his original context, and away from Furie's hands.
"I didn't really have the resources to stop it, " says Furie in an interview with NPR. "Nobody really knew what the protocol was because it's all online." There's not much you can do about anonymous teenagers posting inside jokes online. And for a long while, it stayed that way — just jokes.
"It wasn't until it got really bad that I stepped up and wanted to try and take a stand," says Furie.
The documentary explains in detail how and why it got really bad (and it did), but the short version is: Pepe started getting so popular with mainstream culture that the original fans of this no-longer "inside" joke tried to push the normies away with even edgier versions of Pepes — racist Pepes, homophobic Pepes, anti-semitic Pepes. This coincided with President Trump's similarly trolling presidential campaign, and the then-burgeoning "alt-right" movement, and all of a sudden Furie saw his own creation end up on the Anti-Defamation League's list of hate symbols, with the normiest of normies, Hillary Clinton, explaining why Pepe was bad.
If this all feels a little stupid — that's all intentional. Through interviews with journalists and experts on extremism on the Internet, the documentary explores the well-oiled right wing propaganda machine built on bad faith arguments meant to make you feel unsure, and dumb, and ridiculous. If you go back and look at the plethora of interviews Furie did around the time of the ADL listing, there's a sense of wishful thinking on Furie's part: that this is just a phase, Pepe won't be a hate symbol forever. He tried working with the ADL and fellow cartoonists to flood the online space with "positive" Pepe imagery. He tried "killing" Pepe in one of his comics to wash his hands of it. Both fundamental misunderstandings of how the Internet works. But the documentary's director, Arthur Jones says those were the tools Furie had available to him.
"Those were his earnest attempts to try to express the true intentions of Pepe as a character," says Jones.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images
In the corners of the Internet where racist Pepes run rampant, earnestness doesn't count for much. Lawsuits, on the other hand, do. The wins Furie collects under his belt in the movie are mostly legal ones, using copyright law to issue take down notices, file suits, etc. Which he was only able to do through the help of a law firm working pro-bono. See, cartoons taken out of context aren't new, nor solely relegated to the Internet. Stroll down any boardwalk and you'll eventually catch some bootleg Minions merch. But these are mostly kept in check through legal actions by people who can afford them.
"[Furie] doesn't have this multi-million dollar conglomerate behind him pushing the character and the branding of Pepe," says the documentary's producer Giorgio Angelini. "So in that void, the collective consciousness of the Internet creates that brand."
And as the Internet has shown time and time again, if you allow its collective consciousness to fill a void, that void will get filled with Nazis.
But Furie wasn't wholly wrong when he said that the link between Pepe and hatred would last forever. Pepe showing up at the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019 took the filmmakers by surprise. Elsewhere, on the popular live streaming platform Twitch, Pepes are thrown around in the chat apolitically, mostly devoid of the problematic baggage he was saddled with four years ago. But who knows how long this will last. With another presidential election in just a few months, the meme wars will only continue to heat up, and phases do tend to repeat themselves given a long enough time.
Talking to Furie over Zoom, there was a Pepe plushie hanging on a wall over his shoulder. Furie has at times been sick, defensive and exasperated with Pepe. But as much as the Internet can separate Pepe from Furie, Furie can never really separate himself from Pepe — and so clearing Pepe's name is just as important as clearing his own.