npr--2020-05-14--FDA Cautions About Accuracy Of Widely Used Abbott Coronavirus Test

FDA Cautions About Accuracy Of Widely Used Abbott Coronavirus Test The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning the public about the reliability of a widely used rapid test for the coronavirus .
The test , made by Abbott Laboratories , has been linked with inaccurate results which could falsely reassure patients that they are not infected with the virus .
The Trump Administration has promoted the test as a key factor in controlling the epidemic in the U.S. and is used for the daily testing that is going on at the White House .
As first reported on NPR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of every 100 tests may produce falsely negative results .
A subsequent study released this week indicated that the test could be missing as many as 48 % of infections .
The FDA issued the alert on the Abbott test `` in the spirit of transparency , '' and said in a press release , it 's investigating whether the false-negative results could be connected to the type of swab used during the rapid test , or the material the samples are being stored in when they 're transported .
It also cautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not consistent with a patient 's clinical signs and symptoms or necessary for patient management should be confirmed with another test . ''
`` We are still evaluating the information about inaccurate results and are in direct communications with Abbott about this important issue , '' said Tim Stenzel , director of the FDA 's Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health .
`` We will continue to study the data available and are working with the company to create additional mechanisms for studying the test .
The Abbott rapid test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 cases , according to Stenzel , though negative results may need to go through a secondary process to be confirmed .
The FDA has received 15 `` adverse event reports '' about the test indicating patients are receiving inaccurate results , according to the press release .
The FDA will continue to monitor data on the test and work with Abbott , which has agreed to conduct post-market studies on their rapid test .
The studies will include at minimum 150 people who have previously tested positive for coronavirus , and take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release said .
Abbot 's share price dropped more than 3 % during after-hours trading on Thursday .
( Abbott Laboratories is among NPR 's financial supporters . )
The company told NPR in late April that any problems with the test could stem from samples being stored in a special solution known as viral transport media before being tested , instead of being inserted directly into the company 's testing machine .
As a result , the company recently instructed users to avoid using the solution and to only test samples put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Abbot has continued to defend the accuracy of the test , and pointed to other studies that have found it is as accurate as any other tests being used .
Precise , timely testing has been a major challenge in the coronavirus pandemic .
Beyond issues with accuracy of rapid tests , there have also been issues certifying antibody tests – those that can detect if someone has been infected with COVID-19 in the past .

FDA Cautions About Accuracy Of Widely Used Abbott Coronavirus Test
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carlos Osorio/AP Carlos Osorio/AP
Updated at 11:16 p.m. ET
The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning the public about the reliability of a widely used rapid test for the coronavirus. The test, made by Abbott Laboratories, has been linked with inaccurate results that could falsely reassure patients that they are not infected with the virus.
The Trump administration has promoted the test as a key factor in controlling the epidemic in the U.S., and it's used for daily testing at the White House.
As first reported on NPR, as many as 15 to 20 out of every 100 tests may produce falsely negative results. A study released this week indicated that the test could be missing as many as 48% of infections.
The FDA issued the alert on the Abbott test "in the spirit of transparency." In a press release, the agency said it's investigating whether the false-negative results could be connected to the type of swab used in the test or the material the samples are stored in for transport.
It also cautions that "any negative test results that are not consistent with a patient's clinical signs and symptoms or necessary for patient management should be confirmed with another test."
"We are still evaluating the information about inaccurate results and are in direct communications with Abbott about this important issue," said Dr. Tim Stenzel, director of the FDA's Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health. "We will continue to study the data available and are working with the company to create additional mechanisms for studying the test."
The Abbott rapid test can still be used to identify positive COVID-19 cases, according to Stenzel, though negative results may need to go through a secondary process to be confirmed.
The FDA has received 15 "adverse event reports" about the test that indicate patients are receiving inaccurate results, according to the press release.
The FDA will continue to monitor data on the test and work with Abbott, which has agreed to conduct post-market studies on their rapid test. The studies will include at minimum 150 people who have previously tested positive for coronavirus and will take place in clinical settings, the FDA release said.
Abbott's share price dropped more than 3% during after-hours trading on Thursday. (Abbott Laboratories is among NPR's financial supporters.)
The company told NPR in late April that any problems with the test could stem from samples being stored in a special solution known as viral transport media before being tested, instead of being inserted directly into the company's testing machine. As a result, the company recently instructed users to avoid using the solution and to only test samples put directly into the machine.
In addition, Abbott has continued to defend the accuracy of the test, and pointed to other studies that have found it is as accurate as any other test being used.
Precise, timely testing has been a major challenge in the coronavirus pandemic. Beyond issues with the accuracy of rapid tests, there have also been problems certifying antibody tests — those that can detect if someone has been infected with COVID-19 in the past.


npr--2020-05-15--With Historic Vote, House Will Allow Proxy Voting, Remote Hearings During Pandemic

With Historic Vote , House Will Allow Proxy Voting , Remote Hearings During Pandemic For the first time in its history , the Democratic-led House approved rule changes that will allow members to vote by proxy and hold hearings remotely during the coronavirus pandemic .
For weeks , lawmakers debated the proposal as the pandemic worsened and forced the House to extend its recess as public health risks were assessed .
House Democrats installed the new rules on a largely party line vote of 217 to 189 over Republican arguments that the move bucks the chamber 's institutional history and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member can vote on behalf of 10 others who ca n't travel to Washington , D.C .
Committees can also hold hearings and markups through video conference .
Currently , the House can only hold informal briefings remotely , but unlike the Senate , they ca n't hold a formal hearing with a member or witness attending remotely .
Now , the Chief Administrative Officer will designate software panels can use to conduct the hearings , or in addition , markups or depositions .
`` I do n't suggest these changes lightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our best work in person and side by side , '' Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern , D-Mass.
, who has steered the effort , said on the House floor .
`` But we must temporarily embrace technology during this unprecedented time . ''
The House signed off on the plan on the same day it was considering a $ 3 trillion Democratic proposal for new coronavirus relief .
Many members donned masks and voted under new social distancing requirements that stretched regular votes into to a several hours long affair .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way the House votes since it installed its system to allow electronic voting on the House floor in 1973 .
The chamber 's regular business has largely came to a halt since mid-March , and has since only held a handful of votes related to coronavirus legislation .
The chamber 's meeting of the 430 members and support staff have proved particularly problematic as a result of previous outbreaks .
House Democrats were slated to vote on the new rules last month , but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pulled the measure abruptly with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a bipartisan task force failed to reach a final agreement after meeting over several weeks .
`` We can continue to work in a safe and effective manner without overturning 230 years of constitutional and legislative tradition , '' House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said ahead of the vote .
GOP leaders urged members of their conference to vote no .
Friday 's measure also lays the groundwork for tech-based remote voting .
It directs the House Administration Committee to conduct a study , certify the new electronic voting plan and test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a matter of months to a year or more .
Past attempts at remote voting have faced fierce opposition .
Several years after 9/11 , the House finally approved a lower threshold of floor quorums — a required number of present members — during national emergencies .

With Historic Vote, House Will Allow Proxy Voting, Remote Hearings During Pandemic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Erin Scott/Reuters Erin Scott/Reuters
For the first time in its history, the Democratic-led House approved rule changes that will allow members to vote by proxy and hold hearings remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.
For weeks, lawmakers debated the proposal as the pandemic worsened and forced the House to extend its recess as public health risks were assessed.
House Democrats installed the new rules on a largely party line vote of 217 to 189 over Republican arguments that the move bucks the chamber's institutional history and sets a dangerous precedent.
Now, a member can vote on behalf of 10 others who can't travel to Washington, D.C. Committees can also hold hearings and markups through video conference.
Currently, the House can only hold informal briefings remotely, but unlike the Senate, they can't hold a formal hearing with a member or witness attending remotely. Now, the Chief Administrative Officer will designate software panels can use to conduct the hearings, or in addition, markups or depositions.
"I don't suggest these changes lightly, I still believe that we do our best work in person and side by side," Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., who has steered the effort, said on the House floor. "But we must temporarily embrace technology during this unprecedented time."
The House signed off on the plan on the same day it was considering a $3 trillion Democratic proposal for new coronavirus relief. Many members donned masks and voted under new social distancing requirements that stretched regular votes into to a several hours long affair.
This is the most significant change to the way the House votes since it installed its system to allow electronic voting on the House floor in 1973.
The chamber's regular business has largely came to a halt since mid-March, and has since only held a handful of votes related to coronavirus legislation. The chamber's meeting of the 430 members and support staff have proved particularly problematic as a result of previous outbreaks.
House Democrats were slated to vote on the new rules last month, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pulled the measure abruptly with hopes of gaining Republican support. However, a bipartisan task force failed to reach a final agreement after meeting over several weeks.
"We can continue to work in a safe and effective manner without overturning 230 years of constitutional and legislative tradition," House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said ahead of the vote. GOP leaders urged members of their conference to vote no.
Friday's measure also lays the groundwork for tech-based remote voting. It directs the House Administration Committee to conduct a study, certify the new electronic voting plan and test it out. It could be installed in a matter of months to a year or more.
Past attempts at remote voting have faced fierce opposition. Several years after 9/11, the House finally approved a lower threshold of floor quorums — a required number of present members — during national emergencies.


npr--2020-05-15--'Us Vs. Them' In A Pandemic: Researchers Warn Divisions Could Get Dangerous

'Us Vs .
Them ' In A Pandemic : Researchers Warn Divisions Could Get Dangerous As the pandemic moves from public health crisis to partisan flashpoint , the debate over the coronavirus response in the U.S. is becoming increasingly nasty – and , in some cases , violent .
It 's not just the clusters of gun-toting protesters at state capitols .
In sporadic incidents across the country , disputes over emergency measures have turned into shootings , fistfights and beatings .
Stories abound of intimidation over masking .
And armed right-wing groups have threatened contract tracers and people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violating health orders .
Researchers who study the links between polarization and violence stress that these incidents are still rare and extreme reactions ; polls show that the majority of Americans support and are abiding by distancing measures .
But there are fears that the pandemic — especially landing in an election year — has the potential to inflame divisions to dangerous levels if left unchecked .
`` If we do n't intervene as a nation , as citizens , to begin to correct this identity-based polarization , then the erosion of democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's the threat of potential social unrest , '' said Tim Phillips , head of the Boston-based nonprofit Beyond Conflict , which tracks polarization and supports peace efforts around the world .
Researchers cite leadership as a key factor in the struggle against polarization .
But President Trump draws support through identity politics and has signaled repeatedly that he 'll play to his base even in a national health emergency .
Take , for example , Trump 's refusal to wear a mask despite the advice of his own health authorities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump has said , with little elaboration , that donning a mask would `` send the wrong message . ''
Rachel Kleinfeld , who studies polarization and violence at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , said the president 's decision not to mask is calculated .
`` Trump recognizes that by talking about masking in a certain way , he can play on an identity , '' Kleinfeld said .
`` And it 's an identity of virility versus fear , an identity of urban versus rural , an identity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being hit by the virus , and he can do all those things by triggering something that was not polarizing before , which is whether or not you wear a mask in public . ''
Polling shows that masking brings the starkest partisan breakdown of any protective measure : 76 % of Democrats say they wear a mask when leaving home , compared to 59 % of Republicans , according to a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
Phillips said Beyond Conflict , in conjunction with the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that show Americans are indeed polarized , just not as badly as they think .
He said news coverage and social media have led to both sides imagining deeper divisions than actually exist — a point to remember , he said , when looking at scenes of pandemic-related violence .
`` When we see the armed militia in Michigan , when we see people sort of defying the police – not just mayors and governors – to open up their stores or open up other locations , we tend to think that that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they must all think that way , '' Phillips said .
`` And yet there 's polling in the last two weeks , last week , in the United States that across the Republican-Democratic divide , the majority of Americans recognize that there 's a public health crisis and we have to do something about it . ''

'Us Vs. Them' In A Pandemic: Researchers Warn Divisions Could Get Dangerous
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Sancya/AP Paul Sancya/AP
As the pandemic moves from public health crisis to partisan flashpoint, the debate over the coronavirus response in the U.S. is becoming increasingly nasty – and, in some cases, violent.
It's not just the clusters of gun-toting protesters at state capitols. In sporadic incidents across the country, disputes over emergency measures have turned into shootings, fistfights and beatings. Stories abound of intimidation over masking. And armed right-wing groups have threatened contact tracers and people who they say "snitch" on neighbors and businesses violating health orders.
Researchers who study the links between polarization and violence stress that these incidents are still rare and extreme reactions; polls show that the majority of Americans support and are abiding by distancing measures. But there are fears that the pandemic — especially landing in an election year — has the potential to inflame divisions to dangerous levels if left unchecked.
"If we don't intervene as a nation, as citizens, to begin to correct this identity-based polarization, then the erosion of democratic norms will go even further. And that's the threat of potential social unrest," said Tim Phillips, head of the Boston-based nonprofit Beyond Conflict, which tracks polarization and supports peace efforts around the world.
Researchers cite leadership as a key factor in the struggle against polarization. But President Trump draws support through identity politics and has signaled repeatedly that he'll play to his base even in a national health emergency. Take, for example, Trump's refusal to wear a mask despite the advice of his own health authorities and recent coronavirus infections among White House staffers.
Trump has said, with little elaboration, that donning a mask would "send the wrong message." Rachel Kleinfeld, who studies polarization and violence at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the president's decision not to wear a mask is calculated.
"Trump recognizes that by talking about masking in a certain way, he can play on an identity," Kleinfeld said. "And it's an identity of virility versus fear, an identity of urban versus rural, an identity of race, even, given who's being hit by the virus, and he can do all those things by triggering something that was not polarizing before, which is whether or not you wear a mask in public."
Polling shows that masking brings the starkest partisan breakdown of any protective measure: 76% of Democrats say they wear a mask when leaving home, compared with 59% of Republicans, according to a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Phillips said Beyond Conflict, in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania, will soon release findings that show Americans are indeed polarized, just not as badly as they think. He said news coverage and social media have led to both sides imagining deeper divisions than actually exist — a point to remember, he said, when looking at scenes of pandemic-related violence.
"When we see the armed militia in Michigan, when we see people sort of defying the police — not just mayors and governors — to open up their stores or open up other locations, we tend to think that that's representative of the other side, that they must all think that way," Phillips said.
"And yet there's polling in the last two weeks, last week, in the United States that across the Republican-Democratic divide, the majority of Americans recognize that there's a public health crisis and we have to do something about it."


npr--2020-05-15--J.C. Penney Files For Bankruptcy As Lockdowns Take Their Toll

J.C. Penney Files For Bankruptcy As Lockdowns Take Their Toll In its 118-year history , J.C. Penney has gone from a Wyoming-based dry-goods store to being a key pillar of the American mall .
But like many malls across the country , J.C. Penney has been struggling for some time .
The coronavirus lockdowns finally took the department store over the brink .
The company said Friday that it 's filing for bankruptcy and plans to close some of its stores `` in phases , '' the timing and scale of which will be disclosed `` in coming weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely not the last — retailer whose existing problems led them into bankruptcy during the pandemic , as clothes shopping has fallen off a cliff and the U.S. economy careens into a recession .
In April , clothing purchases dove 79 % amid a record 16.4 % drop in overall retail sales .
Preppy retailer J.Crew and luxury department store Neiman Marcus were the first to turn to Chapter 11 proceedings to renegotiate their debt loads amid the coronavirus .
Sears , J.C. Penney 's historic rival , went into bankruptcy in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget , J.C. Penney was once described by a New York Times critic as the `` perennially square department store . ''
It has been caught in a years-long cycle of financial losses , ever searching for an identity and a popularity boost .
The retailer currently has some 850 store locations and 90,000 employees .
In a statement , CEO Jill Soltau said the company hopes to emerge from bankruptcy as a leaner , smaller operation .
`` Implementing this financial restructuring plan through a court-supervised process is the best path to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 100-year history to serve our customers for decades to come , '' she said .
Indeed , J.C. Penney began 2020 with hopes of yet another turnaround .
Under Soltau , the company appeared on track with the latest revival plan .
The retailer pinned some of its hopes on new negotiations with suppliers and landlords and the latest store redesign , with space for workouts , haircuts and coffee breaks .
The company also ditched appliances — yet again — and even dipped its toes into selling used clothes .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's plans as it forced malls and nonessential stores to shut for weeks .
Already facing declining sales , the company in April missed a $ 12 million interest payment on its amassed debt .
Founded in 1902 by a man with an unlikely name of James Cash Penney , J.C. Penney has lived through many cycles of headlines about its looming demise — and promises of a revival .
In the 1980s , J.C. Penney cut an ill-fated but revolutionary deal for high-end superstar Halston to design affordable fashions for the masses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominated with a massive catalog operation and became one of the early stores to begin selling on the Internet .
In the mid-2000s , it struck a formative partnership with cosmetics company Sephora .
In the 2010s , J.C. Penney taught one of retail 's biggest cautionary tales with the high-fanfare hire of Apple 's retail chief Ron Johnson as CEO .
Johnson promised J.C. Penney a radical transformation with an appeal to younger shoppers .
But his aggressively fast changes — which included abolishing discounts and sales — alienated loyal shoppers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its more recent history of store closures , job cuts and more recalibrations has helped turn venerable J.C. Penney into a penny stock .
Since January , the company 's shares have been valued at less than $ 1 .

J.C. Penney Files For Bankruptcy As Lockdowns Take Their Toll
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
In its 118-year history, J.C. Penney has gone from a Wyoming-based dry-goods store to being a key pillar of the American mall.
But like many malls across the country, J.C. Penney has been struggling for some time. The coronavirus lockdowns finally took the department store over the brink. The company said Friday that it's filing for bankruptcy and plans to close some of its stores "in phases," the timing and scale of which will be disclosed "in coming weeks."
It's the latest — and likely not the last — retailer whose existing problems led them into bankruptcy during the pandemic, as clothes shopping has fallen off a cliff and the U.S. economy careens into a recession. In April, clothing purchases dove 79% amid a record 16.4% drop in overall retail sales.
Preppy retailer J.Crew and luxury department store Neiman Marcus were the first to turn to Chapter 11 proceedings to renegotiate their debt loads amid the coronavirus. Sears, J.C. Penney's historic rival, went into bankruptcy in 2018.
Promising fashion and housewares on a budget, J.C. Penney was once described by a New York Times critic as the "perennially square department store." It has been caught in a years-long cycle of financial losses, ever searching for an identity and a popularity boost.
The retailer currently has some 850 store locations and 90,000 employees. In a statement, CEO Jill Soltau said the company hopes to emerge from bankruptcy as a leaner, smaller operation.
"Implementing this financial restructuring plan through a court-supervised process is the best path to ensure that JCPenney will build on its over 100-year history to serve our customers for decades to come," she said.
Indeed, J.C. Penney began 2020 with hopes of yet another turnaround.
Business How Malls Are Trying To Recover After The Coronavirus Shutdowns How Malls Are Trying To Recover After The Coronavirus Shutdowns Listen · 3:51 3:51
Under Soltau, the company appeared on track with the latest revival plan. The retailer pinned some of its hopes on new negotiations with suppliers and landlords and the latest store redesign, with space for workouts, haircuts and coffee breaks. The company also ditched appliances — yet again — and even dipped its toes into selling used clothes.
But the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted J.C. Penney's plans as it forced malls and nonessential stores to shut for weeks. Already facing declining sales, the company in April missed a $12 million interest payment on its amassed debt.
Founded in 1902 by a man with an unlikely name of James Cash Penney, J.C. Penney has lived through many cycles of headlines about its looming demise — and promises of a revival.
In the 1980s, J.C. Penney cut an ill-fated but revolutionary deal for high-end superstar Halston to design affordable fashions for the masses. In the 1990s, J.C. Penney dominated with a massive catalog operation and became one of the early stores to begin selling on the Internet. In the mid-2000s, it struck a formative partnership with cosmetics company Sephora.
In the 2010s, J.C. Penney taught one of retail's biggest cautionary tales with the high-fanfare hire of Apple's retail chief Ron Johnson as CEO. Johnson promised J.C. Penney a radical transformation with an appeal to younger shoppers. But his aggressively fast changes — which included abolishing discounts and sales — alienated loyal shoppers, costing J.C. Penney nearly $1 billion.
Its more recent history of store closures, job cuts and more recalibrations has helped turn venerable J.C. Penney into a penny stock. Since January, the company's shares have been valued at less than $1.


npr--2020-05-15--From Medical School To Fighting COVID-19 On The Front Lines At Bellevue Hospital

From Medical School To Fighting COVID-19 On The Front Lines At Bellevue Hospital Dr. Gabrielle Mayer took her Hippocratic oath during a virtual graduation ceremony last month .
Just three days later , she was a resident at Bellevue Hospital in New York City .
Now , almost six weeks into her residency , she says she 's been inspired by `` seeing the medical community as a whole rally around the patients who needed us the most . ''
Mayer is one of 52 fourth-year students at New York University 's Grossman School of Medicine who graduated early to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide relief for hospital staff stretched thin because of the health crisis .
Medical students at other schools have similarly graduated and deployed early to begin residencies and help on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Knowing that my community was in need and that the health care workers that I 'd soon to be joining were strained already ... was a big motivation to go into the hospital , '' she told NPR last month the day before she graduated .
She had been set to start her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began on April 6 .
The toughest part so far , Mayer says , is that families ca n't visit loved ones at the hospital .
She 's been giving daily updates to patients ' family members by phone .
`` But I know my calls , even if well-intentioned , ca n't replace the feeling of holding your mother 's hand as she goes through a large illness or a big moment in her life with her health , '' she told NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly on Friday .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the suffering is n't just physical .
There 's also a component of it that 's emotional . ''
Some patients she 's been caring for have died , Mayer says , and there have also been both `` great stories though of success '' and some small but profound moments .
She remembers she found a cellphone charger for one patient , who was then able to call family for the first time in three weeks .
The patient thanked her profusely , with eyes filled with tears .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of these human moments of connection and how even as the medical challenges overwhelm us ... seeing someone for their humanity is just as important , '' Mayer says .
Listen to the All Things Considered conversation here .

From Medical School To Fighting COVID-19 On The Front Lines At Bellevue Hospital
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gabrielle Mayer Gabrielle Mayer
Dr. Gabrielle Mayer took her Hippocratic oath during a virtual graduation ceremony last month. Just three days later, she was a resident at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.
Now, almost six weeks into her residency, she says she's been inspired by "seeing the medical community as a whole rally around the patients who needed us the most."
Mayer is one of 52 fourth-year students at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine who graduated early to help patients sick with COVID-19 — and to provide relief for hospital staff stretched thin because of the health crisis. Medical students at other schools have similarly graduated and deployed early to begin residencies and help on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Knowing that my community was in need and that the health care workers that I'd soon to be joining were strained already ... was a big motivation to go into the hospital," she told NPR last month the day before she graduated.
She had been set to start her residency in July. Instead, she began on April 6.
The toughest part so far, Mayer says, is that families can't visit loved ones at the hospital. She's been giving daily updates to patients' family members by phone.
"But I know my calls, even if well-intentioned, can't replace the feeling of holding your mother's hand as she goes through a large illness or a big moment in her life with her health," she told NPR's Mary Louise Kelly on Friday. "So I'm aware of the ways in which the suffering isn't just physical. There's also a component of it that's emotional."
Some patients she's been caring for have died, Mayer says, and there have also been both "great stories though of success" and some small but profound moments. She remembers she found a cellphone charger for one patient, who was then able to call family for the first time in three weeks. The patient thanked her profusely, with eyes filled with tears.
"I think it made me really remember the importance of these human moments of connection and how even as the medical challenges overwhelm us ... seeing someone for their humanity is just as important," Mayer says.
Listen to the All Things Considered conversation here.


npr--2020-05-15--Lawyer For Arbery Shooting Suspect: 'This Is Not Some Sort Of Hate Crime'

Lawyer For Arbery Shooting Suspect : 'This Is Not Some Sort Of Hate Crime' Attorneys for one of the shooting suspects in the Ahmaud Arbery case said they believe they have uncovered enough information to convince a judge to free their client before the start of his murder trial .
`` We do .
We do , '' Franklin Hogue , one of the lawyers for Gregory McMichael said Friday when asked if he thought they had enough evidence to get him out of jail .
`` We have to convince a judge to set him a bond , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Macon , Ga. `` A tall order for a judge to set a bond in any murder case , but let alone one that 's gotten a lot of attention like this one . ''
He provided no details on what that information could be .
Gregory McMichael , 64 and his son Travis McMichael , 34 , who are both white , have been held without bond since their arrest last week for the Feb. 23 killing of Arbery .
They are both charged with murder and aggravated assault .
Arbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 25-year-old black man as a modern-day lynching , arguing he was doing nothing but jogging in a Brunswick , Ga.-area neighborhood when he was confronted by the McMichaels and shot to death .
Georgia is one of four states that has no hate crime law .
Earlier this week the U.S. Department of Justice said it was `` assessing all of the evidence '' and will make a determination if federal hate crime charges should be filed .
The McMichaels ' lawyers disagreed such charges should be brought , while also acknowledging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Hogue added that while the killing appears to bear a resemblance `` to elements that feed into the despicable and violent history of racism '' in the U.S. , the facts of this case `` can not be shoehorned into a narrative that 's being told so far . ''
`` Greg McMichael did not commit murder .
Greg McMichael is not a party to the crime of murder , '' Hogue said .
`` This is not some sort of hate crime fueled by racism . ''
After going 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Arbery 's death accelerated after cell phone video that appears to show him being killed was released earlier this month and went viral .
Attorney Laura Hogue , who is married to Franklin Hogue and is also defending Gregory McMichael , said during the press conference that not all the facts have been made public and there are other recordings of the shooting .
As Georgia Public Broadcasting 's Emily Jones reports , lawyers for the younger McMichael made a similar argument during a media briefing Thursday .
`` Travis has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocence follows him from now throughout the course of this trial , '' attorney Jason Sheffield said .
The McMichael 's told police they thought Arbery was a burglary suspect and that 's why they pursued him in their truck , armed , wanting to speak with him .
It was only after an altercation with Arbery , that Travis McMichael opened fire , according to the report given to the Glynn County Police Department .
Recently-released surveillance footage shows Arbery at a construction site on the day of his death .
Lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday acknowledging Arbery is in captured in at least one video .
`` We have reviewed a number of videos released by the attorney for the owner of the home under construction .
We are able to confirm that Ahmaud Arbery appeared in one video , however we are unable to confirm that he appeared in any other videos , '' the attorneys for Arbery 's parents said in a joint statement .
The lawyers add that there were frequently people at the construction site .
They also said they confirmed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , according the statement , the homeowner said all Arbery did was take `` a drink of water from the working sinks . ''
`` Ahmaud Arbery seems to be the only one who was presumed to be a criminal and ultimately the only one murdered based on that assumption , '' the Arbery family attorneys said .
According to the police report , the McMichaels each had firearms , the father with a .357 Magnum handgun , the son with a shotgun .
The autopsy report released by the Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of multiple shotgun wounds . ''
On Monday , Georgia 's Attorney General Christopher Carr named Joyette Holmes , the first black woman to serve as the district attorney of the Cobb County Judicial Circuit , as lead prosecutor in the case .
Carr has also requested both the DOJ , and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation look into the first two district attorneys ' handling of the Arbery case .

Lawyer For Arbery Shooting Suspect: 'This Is Not Some Sort Of Hate Crime'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Glynn County Detention Center via AP Glynn County Detention Center via AP
Attorneys for one of the shooting suspects in the Ahmaud Arbery case said they believe they have uncovered enough information to convince a judge to free their client before the start of his murder trial.
"We do. We do," Franklin Hogue, one of the lawyers for Gregory McMichael said Friday when asked if he thought they had enough evidence to get him out of jail.
"We have to convince a judge to set him a bond," Hogue said, during a press conference in Macon, Ga. "A tall order for a judge to set a bond in any murder case, but let alone one that's gotten a lot of attention like this one."
He provided no details on what that information could be.
Gregory McMichael, 64 and his son Travis McMichael, 34, who are both white, have been held without bond since their arrest last week for the Feb. 23 killing of Arbery. They are both charged with murder and aggravated assault.
Arbery's family has framed the death of the 25-year-old black man as a modern-day lynching, arguing he was doing nothing but jogging in a Brunswick, Ga.-area neighborhood when he was confronted by the McMichaels and shot to death.
Georgia is one of four states that has no hate crime law.
Earlier this week the U.S. Department of Justice said it was "assessing all of the evidence" and will make a determination if federal hate crime charges should be filed.
The McMichaels' lawyers disagreed such charges should be brought, while also acknowledging Arbery's killing was a "tragedy."
Hogue added that while the killing appears to bear a resemblance "to elements that feed into the despicable and violent history of racism" in the U.S., the facts of this case "can not be shoehorned into a narrative that's being told so far."
"Greg McMichael did not commit murder. Greg McMichael is not a party to the crime of murder," Hogue said. "This is not some sort of hate crime fueled by racism."
After going 10 weeks without an arrest, the investigation into Arbery's death accelerated after cell phone video that appears to show him being killed was released earlier this month and went viral.
Attorney Laura Hogue, who is married to Franklin Hogue and is also defending Gregory McMichael, said during the press conference that not all the facts have been made public and there are other recordings of the shooting.
As Georgia Public Broadcasting's Emily Jones reports, lawyers for the younger McMichael made a similar argument during a media briefing Thursday.
"Travis has a presumption of innocence, that presumption of innocence follows him from now throughout the course of this trial," attorney Jason Sheffield said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ron Harris/AP Ron Harris/AP
Surveillance video of Arbery at construction site
The McMichael's told police they thought Arbery was a burglary suspect and that's why they pursued him in their truck, armed, wanting to speak with him.
It was only after an altercation with Arbery, that Travis McMichael opened fire, according to the report given to the Glynn County Police Department.
Recently-released surveillance footage shows Arbery at a construction site on the day of his death.
Lawyers for Arbery's family issued a statement Friday acknowledging Arbery is in captured in at least one video.
"We have reviewed a number of videos released by the attorney for the owner of the home under construction. We are able to confirm that Ahmaud Arbery appeared in one video, however we are unable to confirm that he appeared in any other videos," the attorneys for Arbery's parents said in a joint statement.
The lawyers add that there were frequently people at the construction site. They also said they confirmed with the homeowner nothing was damaged or burglarized. In fact, according the statement, the homeowner said all Arbery did was take "a drink of water from the working sinks."
"Ahmaud Arbery seems to be the only one who was presumed to be a criminal and ultimately the only one murdered based on that assumption," the Arbery family attorneys said.
According to the police report, the McMichaels each had firearms, the father with a .357 Magnum handgun, the son with a shotgun. The autopsy report released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation concluded Arbery "died of multiple shotgun wounds."
On Monday, Georgia's Attorney General Christopher Carr named Joyette Holmes, the first black woman to serve as the district attorney of the Cobb County Judicial Circuit, as lead prosecutor in the case.
Carr has also requested both the DOJ, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation look into the first two district attorneys' handling of the Arbery case.


npr--2020-05-15--Brazil's Health Minister Resigns Amid Turmoil Over Pandemic Response

Brazil 's health minister has resigned after only weeks on the job and amid turmoil over the country 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Dr. Nelson Teich was appointed to the post last month following the firing of his predecessor , who had clashed with Brazil 's president , Jair Bolsonaro , over how to address the coronavirus in Latin America 's most populated nation .
Bolsonaro has opposed many social isolation measures , and has pushing to restart the economy even as the outbreak there shows little signs of abating .
Teich , much like his predecessor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health concerns .
The president and his health minister have also disagreed over giving anti-malarial drugs such as chloroquine to COVID-19 patients — an unproven idea also controversially floated by U.S. President Trump , who Bolsonaro is a fervent admirer of .
Most recently , Bolsonaro appeared to surprise Teich with a decree opening up hairdressers and beauty salons .
Teich 's resignation comes in the midst of a political crisis for Brazil 's right-wing leader .
Last month , Bolsonaro 's justice minister resigned .
Sérgio Moro , formerly a celebrated judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that led to the arrest of a number of politicians .
Bolsonaro had selected Teich to head the health ministry after firing Luiz Henrique Mandetta in April .
Mandetta had sided with governors who wanted stricter restrictions in their areas to prevent the spread of the virus .
So far , at least 14,000 people in Brazil have died from coronavirus , according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University .

Brazil's Health Minister Resigns Amid Turmoil Over Pandemic Response
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eraldo Peres/AP Eraldo Peres/AP
Brazil's health minister has resigned after only weeks on the job and amid turmoil over the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Nelson Teich was appointed to the post last month following the firing of his predecessor, who had clashed with Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, over how to address the coronavirus in Latin America's most populated nation.
Bolsonaro has opposed many social isolation measures, and has pushing to restart the economy even as the outbreak there shows little signs of abating. Teich, much like his predecessor, has expressed reservations to reopening due to health concerns.
The president and his health minister have also disagreed over giving anti-malarial drugs such as chloroquine to COVID-19 patients — an unproven idea also controversially floated by U.S. President Trump, who Bolsonaro is a fervent admirer of.
Most recently, Bolsonaro appeared to surprise Teich with a decree opening up hairdressers and beauty salons.
Teich's resignation comes in the midst of a political crisis for Brazil's right-wing leader. Last month, Bolsonaro's justice minister resigned. Sérgio Moro, formerly a celebrated judge, had led a major anti-corruption drive that led to the arrest of a number of politicians.
Bolsonaro had selected Teich to head the health ministry after firing Luiz Henrique Mandetta in April. Mandetta had sided with governors who wanted stricter restrictions in their areas to prevent the spread of the virus.
So far, at least 14,000 people in Brazil have died from coronavirus, according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University.


npr--2020-05-15--Police Back Off From Social Distancing Enforcement

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced police will no longer require people to wear masks in public , unless the absence of a mask presents a `` serious danger . ''
The decision is part of a `` reset '' of the NYPD 's enforcement of emergency rules during the pandemic , following a number of controversial encounters between officers and members of the public , some of them caught on video .
The most recent was a confrontation between officers and a woman in a subway station , over whether she was wearing her mask properly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blasio says police will continue to enforce rules against large gatherings , because he says it 's a matter of `` saving lives . ''
Advocacy groups have complained that the NYPD 's social distancing enforcement has been unfair and even racist , because about ninety percent of the people arrested in encounters related to social distancing enforcement have been black or Hispanic .
`` The NYPD should n't be thrown at this particular pandemic — at this health problem , '' says David Galarza , a volunteer with a police watchdog group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only leads to more criminalization and violence against our people , people of color . ''
The city has pushed back on the racism charge , pointing out that in nearly a million police encounters with the public over social distancing , only a few dozen people have been arrested , and usually for unrelated infractions .
Earlier this week , the mayor said the role of police in the pandemic had become an `` ideological issue , '' but he insisted officers should remain `` part of the equation . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we are doing , '' he said .
`` Because we can not have a situation where social distancing comes unglued because there 's no enforcement . ''
But it 's not just left-of-center activists calling for police to back off ; online , conservative groups are circulating the video of a Port of Seattle police officer named Greg Anderson , sitting in his patrol car , in uniform , calling on his fellow officers not to enforce `` tyrannical orders against the people . ''
`` Every time time I look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people arrested or cited for going to church , for traveling on the roadways , for going surfing , '' he says in the video .
`` What you 're doing is you 're widening the gap between public trust and law enforcement officers . ''
The Port of Seattle has put Anderson on paid administrative leave while it investigates him for violating its social media policy .
Police departments are worried about getting caught in the political cross-fire over social distancing .
Texas governor Greg Abbott recently went on Fox News to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state for enforcing the state 's emergency rules too aggressively .
`` In Houston , they were issuing fines and potential jail time for anybody who refused to wear a mask , '' he said .
The Houston police department says it never issued any fines and made no arrests related to masks , and Chief Art Acevedo accused the governor of `` hypocrisy , '' saying Abbott was trying to score political points with his conservative base at the expense of the police .
`` The men and women in blue do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in politics than in public safety , '' Acevedo told NPR .
He says enforcing the governor 's emergency order will not be a `` law enforcement priority '' for his department .
Sue Rahr , a former sheriff who runs the police academy in Washington state , says public health enforcement is an awkward assignment for police , especially in the current political environment .
`` Clearly , the public is not united on what should be done in the community to keep people safe from the virus , '' she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do get trapped in the middle . ''
One solution may be to move officers back from the front lines of enforcement .
In Florida , the city of Clearwater is using civilian `` ambassadors '' to roam the beaches remind the public to keep social distance , while the police hang back .
Police chief Dan Slaughter says the intention is to put communication ahead of enforcement .
`` All that communication is to avoid the officer having to get involved in something that we would quite honesty wish we would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
It 's an approach being tried in New York , too .
Despite Mayor de Blasio 's insistence that the NYPD stay in the mix , he says the city is also preparing to send out about 2,300 civilian ambassadors to remind New Yorkers to keep their distance , as the weather warms up .

Police Back Off From Social Distancing Enforcement
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stefan Jeremiah/Reuters Stefan Jeremiah/Reuters
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced police will no longer require people to wear masks in public, unless the absence of a mask presents a "serious danger."
The decision is part of a "reset" of the NYPD's enforcement of emergency rules during the pandemic, following a number of controversial encounters between officers and members of the public, some of them caught on video. The most recent was a confrontation between officers and a woman in a subway station, over whether she was wearing her mask properly.
At the same time, de Blasio says police will continue to enforce rules against large gatherings, because he says it's a matter of "saving lives."
Advocacy groups have complained that the NYPD's social distancing enforcement has been unfair and even racist, because about ninety percent of the people arrested in encounters related to social distancing enforcement have been black or Hispanic.
NYC Mayor's Office YouTube
"The NYPD shouldn't be thrown at this particular pandemic — at this health problem," says David Galarza, a volunteer with a police watchdog group called the Justice Committee. "It only leads to more criminalization and violence against our people, people of color."
The city has pushed back on the racism charge, pointing out that in nearly a million police encounters with the public over social distancing, only a few dozen people have been arrested, and usually for unrelated infractions.
Earlier this week, the mayor said the role of police in the pandemic had become an "ideological issue," but he insisted officers should remain "part of the equation."
"That is my decision, that's what we are doing," he said. "Because we cannot have a situation where social distancing comes unglued because there's no enforcement."
But it's not just left-of-center activists calling for police to back off; online, conservative groups are circulating the video of a Port of Seattle police officer named Greg Anderson, sitting in his patrol car, in uniform, calling on his fellow officers not to enforce "tyrannical orders against the people."
"Every time time I look to the internet, I'm seeing people arrested or cited for going to church, for traveling on the roadways, for going surfing," he says in the video. "What you're doing is you're widening the gap between public trust and law enforcement officers."
The Port of Seattle has put Anderson on paid administrative leave while it investigates him for violating its social media policy.
Police departments are worried about getting caught in the political cross-fire over social distancing. Texas governor Greg Abbott recently went on Fox News to criticize big city police departments in his state for enforcing the state's emergency rules too aggressively.
"In Houston, they were issuing fines and potential jail time for anybody who refused to wear a mask," he said.
The Houston police department says it never issued any fines and made no arrests related to masks, and Chief Art Acevedo accused the governor of "hypocrisy," saying Abbott was trying to score political points with his conservative base at the expense of the police.
"The men and women in blue don't need leaders who are more interested in politics than in public safety," Acevedo told NPR. He says enforcing the governor's emergency order will not be a "law enforcement priority" for his department.
Sue Rahr, a former sheriff who runs the police academy in Washington state, says public health enforcement is an awkward assignment for police, especially in the current political environment.
"Clearly, the public is not united on what should be done in the community to keep people safe from the virus," she says. "And so the cops really do get trapped in the middle."
One solution may be to move officers back from the front lines of enforcement. In Florida, the city of Clearwater is using civilian "ambassadors" to roam the beaches remind the public to keep social distance, while the police hang back. Police chief Dan Slaughter says the intention is to put communication ahead of enforcement.
"All that communication is to avoid the officer having to get involved in something that we would quite honesty wish we would not have to be involved in," he says.
It's an approach being tried in New York, too. Despite Mayor de Blasio's insistence that the NYPD stay in the mix, he says the city is also preparing to send out about 2,300 civilian ambassadors to remind New Yorkers to keep their distance, as the weather warms up.


npr--2020-05-15--Shower Curtains — And Rubber Duckies — Help One Restaurant Reopen

Shower Curtains — And Rubber Duckies — Help One Restaurant Reopen There 's a new drink on the menu at the Twisted Citrus , and it matches some new drapery .
The Rubber Duckie Mimosa , a concoction of champagne and blue rasberry lemonade with a classic yellow rubber duck floating on top , was inspired by the North Canton , Ohio breakfast joint 's method of protecting its patrons from the spread of COVID-19 : shower curtains .
In a statement , Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that restaurants in the state can open next week .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said that establishments would either have to have patrons stay six feet apart or be separated by a barrier .
`` Like most breakfast restaurants , we 're pretty small , '' says Twisted Citrus owner Kim Shapiro .
`` We 've got tight seating , so it would n't have made financial sense for us to reopen 6 feet apart . ''
So she started looking at barriers as an option .
`` I 'm from South Florida originally , and if you 've ever been to a beachfront restaurant when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of clear curtain , '' Shapiro says .
`` So I realized , like , wait a minute .
We can use shower curtains . ''
Shapiro said that workers will replace and clean each shower curtain after a party is finished with their meal .
The curtain rods are hung from the ceiling with fishing wire .
Now the restaurant , which usually seats 80 , will be open to seating as many as 60 people .
Other establishments across the world are taking similarly unorthodox approaches to reopening with proper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up its patio to patrons who were willing to put on hats with foam noodles extending out from them to encourage distance .
One fine-dining restaurant outside of Washington D.C. will open with 50 percent seating — the other 50 percent of its tables will be taken up by mannequins dressed in 1940 's era attire .
As for how long the setup in North Canton will be needed , Shapiro says she hopes to get back to normal , but is unsure what will come next without a vaccine .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 45 day solution , '' she says .
`` There seems to be an appetite for some phasing in of services ... We 've had a ton of people say they ca n't wait to come in , come for breakfast . ''

Shower Curtains — And Rubber Duckies — Help One Restaurant Reopen
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Kim Shapiro Courtesy of Kim Shapiro
There's a new drink on the menu at the Twisted Citrus, and it matches some new drapery.
The Rubber Duckie Mimosa, a concoction of champagne and blue rasberry lemonade with a classic yellow rubber duck floating on top, was inspired by the North Canton, Ohio breakfast joint's method of protecting its patrons from the spread of COVID-19: shower curtains.
In a statement, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said that restaurants in the state can open next week. He didn't put a limit on occupancy, but said that establishments would either have to have patrons stay six feet apart or be separated by a barrier.
"Like most breakfast restaurants, we're pretty small," says Twisted Citrus owner Kim Shapiro. "We've got tight seating, so it wouldn't have made financial sense for us to reopen 6 feet apart."
So she started looking at barriers as an option.
"I'm from South Florida originally, and if you've ever been to a beachfront restaurant when it rains, they put down this sort of clear curtain," Shapiro says. "So I realized, like, wait a minute. We can use shower curtains."
Shapiro said that workers will replace and clean each shower curtain after a party is finished with their meal. The curtain rods are hung from the ceiling with fishing wire.
Now the restaurant, which usually seats 80, will be open to seating as many as 60 people.
Other establishments across the world are taking similarly unorthodox approaches to reopening with proper distance.
A cafe in Germany opened up its patio to patrons who were willing to put on hats with foam noodles extending out from them to encourage distance.
One fine-dining restaurant outside of Washington D.C. will open with 50 percent seating — the other 50 percent of its tables will be taken up by mannequins dressed in 1940's era attire.
As for how long the setup in North Canton will be needed, Shapiro says she hopes to get back to normal, but is unsure what will come next without a vaccine.
"I'm hopeful that this is a 30 to 45 day solution," she says. "There seems to be an appetite for some phasing in of services ... We've had a ton of people say they can't wait to come in, come for breakfast."


npr--2020-05-15--Trump, Unveiling Space Force Flag, Touts What He Calls New 'Super-Duper Missile'

Trump , Unveiling Space Force Flag , Touts What He Calls New 'Super-Duper Missile' President Trump held an Oval Office ceremony Friday to sign the 2020 Armed Forces Day Proclamation and unveil the official flag of the Space Force , the newest military branch .
Standing alongside senior leaders of the military , Trump called the unfurling a `` very special moment . ''
`` We 've worked very hard on this and it 's so important from a defensive standpoint , from an offensive standpoint , from every standpoint there is , '' Trump said .
The flag design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force , which was approved by the president in January .
It sparked some Star Trek fan outrage for what some people have called its similarity to a logo in the science fiction franchise .
According to the White House , the dark blue and white of the flag is meant to represent the `` vast recesses of outer space '' and includes a elliptical orbit with three large stars meant to symbolize the branch 's purpose : `` organizing , training and equipping '' Space Force troopers , in the language of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created in part to protect strategic American space infrastructure , including communications , navigation and spy satellites , from adversaries such as Russia and China .
`` As you know , China , Russia , perhaps others , started off a lot sooner than us , '' Trump said .
`` We should have started this a long time ago , but we 've made up for it in spades .
We have developed some of the most incredible weapons anyone 's ever seen .
And it 's moving along very rapidly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new weapon that could attack at such a high speed it would overwhelm an enemy 's defenses .
`` We have , I call it the 'super-duper missile . '
And I heard the other night [ it 's ] 17 times faster than what they have right now , '' Trump said .
It was n't immediately clear what missile the president was describing , but the U.S. and other advanced powers are known to be developing new hypersonic weapons , designed to race at many times the speed of sound .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Esper , who praised the president for his efforts to push the new organization within the Defense Department .
`` With the establishment of Space Force and establishment of Space Command , the United States is now doing what it needs to do to protect our assets in space and ensure that space remains the heavens by which we not only protect America , but we sustain our economy , we sustain our commercial capabilities , we sustain Americans ' way of life , '' Esper said .
Trump officially created Space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Armed Services , in December .
It 's the first new military service since the Air Force was created in 1947 .

Trump, Unveiling Space Force Flag, Touts What He Calls New 'Super-Duper Missile'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump held an Oval Office ceremony Friday to sign the 2020 Armed Forces Day Proclamation and unveil the official flag of the Space Force, the newest military branch.
Standing alongside senior leaders of the military, Trump called the unfurling a "very special moment."
"We've worked very hard on this and it's so important from a defensive standpoint, from an offensive standpoint, from every standpoint there is," Trump said.
The flag design comes from the seal of the Space Force, which was approved by the president in January. It sparked some Star Trek fan outrage for what some people have called its similarity to a logo in the science fiction franchise.
According to the White House, the dark blue and white of the flag is meant to represent the "vast recesses of outer space" and includes a elliptical orbit with three large stars meant to symbolize the branch's purpose: "organizing, training and equipping" Space Force troopers, in the language of the Pentagon.
The Space Force was created in part to protect strategic American space infrastructure, including communications, navigation and spy satellites, from adversaries such as Russia and China.
"As you know, China, Russia, perhaps others, started off a lot sooner than us," Trump said. "We should have started this a long time ago, but we've made up for it in spades. We have developed some of the most incredible weapons anyone's ever seen. And it's moving along very rapidly."
Trump teased what he called a new weapon that could attack at such a high speed it would overwhelm an enemy's defenses.
"We have, I call it the 'super-duper missile.' And I heard the other night [it's] 17 times faster than what they have right now," Trump said.
It wasn't immediately clear what missile the president was describing, but the U.S. and other advanced powers are known to be developing new hypersonic weapons, designed to race at many times the speed of sound.
Trump was joined by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who praised the president for his efforts to push the new organization within the Defense Department.
"With the establishment of Space Force and establishment of Space Command, the United States is now doing what it needs to do to protect our assets in space and ensure that space remains the heavens by which we not only protect America, but we sustain our economy, we sustain our commercial capabilities, we sustain Americans' way of life," Esper said.
Trump officially created Space Force, the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Services, in December. It's the first new military service since the Air Force was created in 1947.


npr--2020-05-15--Congressman Who Introduced Emmett Till Antilynching Act Comments On The Arbery Case

Congressman Who Introduced Emmett Till Antilynching Act Comments On The Arbery Case Emmett Till forever changed the history of the United States when his story — the story of a 14 year old African-American boy lynched in Mississippi — made national news in 1955 .
After his death , Till became an icon , forcing forward the civil rights movement .
But lynching is still not a federal crime in the United States – something that Rep. Bobby Rush ( D-Ill. ) wants to change .
Rush introduced the Emmett Till Anti Lynching Act in the House , where it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging in Georgia .
Rush 's bill notes that nearly 200 anti-lynching bills were introduced to the Congress during the first half of the 20th century — a period that coincides with peak lynchings during the Jim Crow era .
Rush , Georgia born , says the death of Emmett Till was the catalyst for his mother 's decision to leave the South and for him to get involved in social justice work .
He says that tragically , the death of Ahmaud Arbery carries painful parallels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those parallels in an interview Friday with NPR 's All Things Considered .
Here are excerpts from that conversation .
On whether Ahmaud Arbery 's death would qualify as a lynching under his legislation I 'm absolutely certain that Mr. Arbery 's killing would fall within the total jurisdiction , description , purpose and spirit of the bill that passed the house .
On what Emmett Till 's death meant to him Emmett 's death meant so much to me and to a whole generation of people .
My generation , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significantly shaped by the brutal murder of Emmett Till and the courage of his mother to keep his casket open ... That really created the impetus for the Civil Rights movement that changed the nation .
The major lie that was told back then really has a strong connection — an unbroken connection to the lie that the father and son [ who were arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault ] told in the Ahmaud Arbery case .
...
This is an uninterrupted lie that extends from the lips of Emmett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder even to this present day .
The spirt of trying to get away with murder and to express racist motivation and intent to kill an innocent person just because of the color of their skin .
On the frustrations of having to pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act for both past and present cases I 'm 73-years-old now and I must have been nine or 10 when Emmett was killed , alight .
But the question that I have in my heart and in my spirit is when is this going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of the federal law ?
On how the law could affect the handling of the Ahmaud Arbery case It would give the Justice Department not just a violation of a hate crime statue to charge the offenders with .
But , to me , to be identified as a `` lyncher '' in America , it says something about your character .
You will never ever be able to live that down .
That 's a mark on you and your family .
Being a murderer is one thing .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be someone who is a lyncher , being a part of a lynching mob .
Oh my lord , how low can you go .
You ca n't get any lower than that .

Congressman Who Introduced Emmett Till Antilynching Act Comments On The Arbery Case
Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/Associated Press Susan Walsh/Associated Press
Emmett Till forever changed the history of the United States when his story — the story of a 14 year old African-American boy lynched in Mississippi — made national news in 1955. After his death, Till became an icon, forcing forward the civil rights movement.
But lynching is still not a federal crime in the United States – something that Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) wants to change. Rush introduced the Emmett Till Anti Lynching Act in the House, where it passed in February, the same month that Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging in Georgia.
Rush's bill notes that nearly 200 anti-lynching bills were introduced to the Congress during the first half of the 20th century — a period that coincides with peak lynchings during the Jim Crow era.
Rush, Georgia born, says the death of Emmett Till was the catalyst for his mother's decision to leave the South and for him to get involved in social justice work. He says that tragically, the death of Ahmaud Arbery carries painful parallels to the Till case.
Rush spoke of those parallels in an interview Friday with NPR's All Things Considered. Here are excerpts from that conversation.
Interview Highlights
On whether Ahmaud Arbery's death would qualify as a lynching under his legislation
I'm absolutely certain that Mr. Arbery's killing would fall within the total jurisdiction, description, purpose and spirit of the bill that passed the house.
On what Emmett Till's death meant to him
Emmett's death meant so much to me and to a whole generation of people. My generation, as a matter of fact, was really significantly shaped by the brutal murder of Emmett Till and the courage of his mother to keep his casket open ... That really created the impetus for the Civil Rights movement that changed the nation.
The major lie that was told back then really has a strong connection — an unbroken connection to the lie that the father and son [who were arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault] told in the Ahmaud Arbery case.
... This is an uninterrupted lie that extends from the lips of Emmett's murders back then to Arbery's murder even to this present day. The spirt of trying to get away with murder and to express racist motivation and intent to kill an innocent person just because of the color of their skin.
On the frustrations of having to pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act for both past and present cases
I'm 73-years-old now and I must have been nine or 10 when Emmett was killed, alight. But the question that I have in my heart and in my spirit is when is this going to end? When will it be a violation of the federal law?
On how the law could affect the handling of the Ahmaud Arbery case
It would give the Justice Department not just a violation of a hate crime statue to charge the offenders with. But, to me, to be identified as a "lyncher" in America, it says something about your character. You will never ever be able to live that down. That's a mark on you and your family. Being a murderer is one thing. That's abhorrent in any civil society. But to be someone who is a lyncher, being a part of a lynching mob. Oh my lord, how low can you go. You can't get any lower than that.


npr--2020-05-15--In The Midwest, Reopening Looks Different State By State, Even City By City

In The Midwest , Reopening Looks Different State By State , Even City By City One month ago , the White House announced principles for reopening the country .
Soon after , governors who felt they were n't getting enough federal guidance banded together to coordinate regional reopening plans .
Michigan 's Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , for example , told NPR last month that she 'd been in regular contact with the governors of Illinois , Minnesota , Wisconsin and Ohio .
`` We know that COVID-19 does n't respect party lines and it does n't respect state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got to share our best information and move strategically together whenever possible , '' she said on All Things Considered .
Now , many of those national and regional plans seem to have evaporated .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put out guidance Thursday , but those are just recommendations .
As a result , many businesses and customers are navigating a convoluted jumble of rules that change as you cross city , county and state lines .
The patchwork is most pronounced in the center of the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Go Out' Ed Brownell owns about a dozen Spin pizzerias around Kansas City .
Within the same metropolitan area , some are in the state of Kansas , others in Missouri .
`` The rules up to this point have changed , sometimes day to day , but certainly week to week , '' says Brownell .
`` They either extend the close orders or they change what they 're requiring us to do to reopen , so that 's been very difficult to navigate . ''
Brownell says Kansas City , Mo.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ open at 50 % capacity .
Now , the governor has allowed much of Missouri to reopen , but the Kansas City mayor has enacted what he calls a `` 10-10-10 rule . ''
That means Brownell can allow either 10 people into a location at a time , or 10 % of the restaurant 's total capacity .
If customers are in the building for more than 10 minutes , he is required to log their name and contact information for contact tracing .
`` That 's probably the most onerous , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ municipalities ) are requiring 25 % capacity , some of them are 50 % capacity , and then , gloves and masks and then marks on your floor to make sure the guests do n't come within 6 feet of each other . ''
Two of Brownell 's restaurants just opened again on Monday , but not many people showed up for lunch .
He has 500 employees .
If things do n't pick up soon , he 's afraid for them and the future of his business .
`` People need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate and take the proper precautions , '' Brownell says .
`` But I think keeping our head in the sand is not going to do us much good long term .
There wo n't be much to come out to if we keep this going long . ''
Lora Moore has a different perspective .
In Indiana , she and her husband own MDG salon studio and the Black Orchid barber lounge .
The two locations are a short drive from each other .
But there 's a catch : One 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other just over the border in Carmel .
Carmel has a Republican mayor , and salons and barbershops there are open — as in much of Indiana .
Indianapolis has a Democratic mayor , and the outbreak is worse there , so he 's keeping salons and barbershops closed .
Moore has decided not to reopen either location .
`` Is opening this soon just to turn a quick buck or two , is it really worth it ?
And the answer at the end of the day was no , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So we pushed our date back to June 1 and there are many salons that followed suit .
We 're really proud of that movement . ''
Moore says the lack of clear guidance has put business owners in a tough spot .
On Monday , many barber shops in Carmel were open and full all day .
`` From the beginning , we were like , someone give us some direction here , '' she says .
`` And it 's been pretty cloudy , but we 're doing our best to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners and customers , this patchwork feels arbitrary and unscientific .
Becky Olsen of Plymouth , Mich. , decided she 's going to talk her 2-year-old golden retriever Finn across the border for a haircut .
So Olsen is going to drive 45 minutes from Michigan — where groomers are closed — to one in Toledo , Ohio , which is open .
`` The grooming salon we 're going to ... told us they 've had a ton of people from Michigan call them , '' she says .
`` They 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groomed because they ca n't get them done here in Michigan . ''
Olsen says she thinks it 's safe to do what she 's doing , noting that people are going to places like the grocery store and hardware stores .
`` Bringing my dog to the groomers ... if there is a drop-off , someone is picking up the dog from my car , very limited contact , they 're going to do the service and bring the dog back to my car , I feel that is very safe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all going to Ohio , '' she says .
`` I just feel bad that my groomer 's going to lose money from me going to another place . ''
'When Were We Ever Considered ? '
COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people of color .
And Orlando Watson believes the policymakers rushing to reopen the economy are not listening to African Americans like him .
Watson owns a St. Louis restaurant called Prime 55 .
He has cancer , which has compromised his immune system , so he 's especially careful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Louis , restaurants remain closed .
Watson does n't know what he 's going to do when the time comes to reopen , which could be as soon as next week .
`` I 've been real cautious and reluctant to get out , '' he says as he spray-painted patio furniture he hopes to use when his restaurant reopens .
`` This is probably my third time getting out during this whole time , minus going to the doctor . ''
Watson says he 's avoided people and characterizes this as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him .
He says policymakers at the state level who have decided to reopen Missouri are n't acting with the African American community in mind .
`` When were we ever considered when policies were made ? ''
Watson says .
`` I think that at the end of the day , money is going to outweigh safety .
There 's going to be casualties behind this country not having a better plan in place and really attacking this from day one . ''
Missouri 's Republican governor , Mike Parson told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to reopening makes sense when you look at where people are getting sick and dying .
`` What we did here in the St. Louis region , we knew that we needed to put resources up there — mobile testing sites — but that 's not happening in rural areas of the state , '' he said on All Things Considered .
`` And those cases are not there , and they have n't been there . ''
But many policymakers feel that a public health challenge of this magnitude should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a Democrat , and mayor of Louisville , Ky. , where many businesses are still closed .
Across the Ohio River , much of Indiana is open for business — even though , Fischer says , the case rates and death rates are about four times that of Kentucky while Indiana 's population is just 50 % more .
`` There 's no question [ reopening ] is not nearly as aligned as what it should be , '' he says .
Fischer says that 's a problem happening all over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's a bi-state issue , it 's more of a national issue , '' Fischer says .
`` Ideally , we would have a national policy here so that we 're all singing in concert .
... We realize that 's not the case .
Cities and states are on their own , so we 're building that capacity from the ground up .
I think we 're doing a good job from what we have to work with , but it 's too bad we could n't have a more aligned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's my frustration . ''
There are experiments happening all over the country right now .
The stakes are high .
There is no precedent .
And it will be weeks , or months , until the results are known .

In The Midwest, Reopening Looks Different State By State, Even City By City
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jason Whitman/NurPhoto via Getty Images Jason Whitman/NurPhoto via Getty Images
One month ago, the White House announced principles for reopening the country. Soon after, governors who felt they weren't getting enough federal guidance banded together to coordinate regional reopening plans.
Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, for example, told NPR last month that she'd been in regular contact with the governors of Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio.
"We know that COVID-19 doesn't respect party lines and it doesn't respect state lines, and that's why we've got to share our best information and move strategically together whenever possible," she said on All Things Considered.
Now, many of those national and regional plans seem to have evaporated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put out guidance Thursday, but those are just recommendations. As a result, many businesses and customers are navigating a convoluted jumble of rules that change as you cross city, county and state lines.
The patchwork is most pronounced in the center of the country.
'People Need To Have The Courage To Go Out'
Ed Brownell owns about a dozen Spin pizzerias around Kansas City. Within the same metropolitan area, some are in the state of Kansas, others in Missouri.
"The rules up to this point have changed, sometimes day to day, but certainly week to week," says Brownell. "They either extend the close orders or they change what they're requiring us to do to reopen, so that's been very difficult to navigate."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ed Brownell Ed Brownell
Brownell says Kansas City, Mo., originally planned to allow eateries to open at 50% capacity. Now, the governor has allowed much of Missouri to reopen, but the Kansas City mayor has enacted what he calls a "10-10-10 rule." That means Brownell can allow either 10 people into a location at a time, or 10% of the restaurant's total capacity. If customers are in the building for more than 10 minutes, he is required to log their name and contact information for contact tracing.
"That's probably the most onerous," Brownell says. "Some (municipalities) are requiring 25% capacity, some of them are 50% capacity, and then, gloves and masks and then marks on your floor to make sure the guests don't come within 6 feet of each other."
Two of Brownell's restaurants just opened again on Monday, but not many people showed up for lunch. He has 500 employees. If things don't pick up soon, he's afraid for them and the future of his business.
"People need to have the courage to go out and participate and take the proper precautions," Brownell says. "But I think keeping our head in the sand is not going to do us much good long term. There won't be much to come out to if we keep this going long."
Is 'Turning A Quick Buck' Worth The Risk?
Lora Moore has a different perspective. In Indiana, she and her husband own MDG salon studio and the Black Orchid barber lounge. The two locations are a short drive from each other.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chasey Bardach Photography Chasey Bardach Photography
But there's a catch: One's in the city of Indianapolis, the other just over the border in Carmel.
Carmel has a Republican mayor, and salons and barbershops there are open — as in much of Indiana. Indianapolis has a Democratic mayor, and the outbreak is worse there, so he's keeping salons and barbershops closed. Moore has decided not to reopen either location.
"Is opening this soon just to turn a quick buck or two, is it really worth it? And the answer at the end of the day was no, it's not," Moore says. "So we pushed our date back to June 1 and there are many salons that followed suit. We're really proud of that movement."
Moore says the lack of clear guidance has put business owners in a tough spot. On Monday, many barber shops in Carmel were open and full all day.
"From the beginning, we were like, someone give us some direction here," she says. "And it's been pretty cloudy, but we're doing our best to navigate that."
Crossing State Lines For Services
To many business owners and customers, this patchwork feels arbitrary and unscientific.
Becky Olsen of Plymouth, Mich., decided she's going to talk her 2-year-old golden retriever Finn across the border for a haircut.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Becky Olsen Becky Olsen
So Olsen is going to drive 45 minutes from Michigan — where groomers are closed — to one in Toledo, Ohio, which is open.
"The grooming salon we're going to ... told us they've had a ton of people from Michigan call them," she says. "They're bringing their animals down there to be groomed because they can't get them done here in Michigan."
Olsen says she thinks it's safe to do what she's doing, noting that people are going to places like the grocery store and hardware stores.
"Bringing my dog to the groomers ... if there is a drop-off, someone is picking up the dog from my car, very limited contact, they're going to do the service and bring the dog back to my car, I feel that is very safe and secure and I don't feel bad at all going to Ohio," she says. "I just feel bad that my groomer's going to lose money from me going to another place."
'When Were We Ever Considered?'
COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people of color. And Orlando Watson believes the policymakers rushing to reopen the economy are not listening to African Americans like him.
Watson owns a St. Louis restaurant called Prime 55. He has cancer, which has compromised his immune system, so he's especially careful.
Most of Missouri is open. In St. Louis, restaurants remain closed.
Watson doesn't know what he's going to do when the time comes to reopen, which could be as soon as next week.
"I've been real cautious and reluctant to get out," he says as he spray-painted patio furniture he hopes to use when his restaurant reopens. "This is probably my third time getting out during this whole time, minus going to the doctor."
Watson says he's avoided people and characterizes this as a time of "extreme anxiety" for him.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Orlando Watson Orlando Watson
He says policymakers at the state level who have decided to reopen Missouri aren't acting with the African American community in mind.
"When were we ever considered when policies were made?" Watson says. "I think that at the end of the day, money is going to outweigh safety. There's going to be casualties behind this country not having a better plan in place and really attacking this from day one."
Missouri's Republican governor, Mike Parson told NPR last month this "phased approach" to reopening makes sense when you look at where people are getting sick and dying.
"What we did here in the St. Louis region, we knew that we needed to put resources up there — mobile testing sites — but that's not happening in rural areas of the state," he said on All Things Considered. "And those cases are not there, and they haven't been there."
Frustration At Lack Of National Policy
But many policymakers feel that a public health challenge of this magnitude should have a cohesive national strategy.
Greg Fischer is a Democrat, and mayor of Louisville, Ky., where many businesses are still closed. Across the Ohio River, much of Indiana is open for business — even though, Fischer says, the case rates and death rates are about four times that of Kentucky while Indiana's population is just 50% more.
"There's no question [reopening] is not nearly as aligned as what it should be," he says.
Fischer says that's a problem happening all over the country.
"I don't think it's a bi-state issue, it's more of a national issue," Fischer says. "Ideally, we would have a national policy here so that we're all singing in concert. ... We realize that's not the case. Cities and states are on their own, so we're building that capacity from the ground up. I think we're doing a good job from what we have to work with, but it's too bad we couldn't have a more aligned national strategy around this. ... That's my frustration."
There are experiments happening all over the country right now. The stakes are high. There is no precedent. And it will be weeks, or months, until the results are known.


npr--2020-05-15--For This Walmart Employee, An Angry Customer Was The Last Straw

For This Walmart Employee , An Angry Customer Was The Last Straw Cynthia Murray has worked at a Walmart store in Maryland for nearly 20 years , most of them as a fitting room associate .
Her 64th birthday was fast approaching when the coronavirus pandemic hit and Walmart workers were suddenly `` essential . ''
Murray started worrying about her health and wondered if she should keep working every time she looked at customers who came into the store .
`` You could see it in customers ' faces — the panic , '' she says .
`` Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our customers are awesome , ... they appreciated us being there .
...
But you could see the panic , and it 's really eerie . ''
Murray 's daughter too worried about her mother getting sick from being around so many customers and advised her to stay home .
But Murray kept telling herself she had bills and rent coming due .
The store had cut back her hours in recent years , making it harder to accumulate enough paid time off – she says it takes her more than a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick time .
But one angry customer put her over the edge .
She says the man shouted and demanded access to the fitting rooms , which have been shut as Walmart tries to limit the spread of the virus .
The next day , Murray went on unpaid leave .
`` I just really felt uncomfortable , '' she says .
`` Whether I get paid or not , I 'll just have to suffer whatever consequences . ''
Editor 's note : Walmart is among NPR 's financial supporters .
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recession .

For This Walmart Employee, An Angry Customer Was The Last Straw
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chuck Kennedy/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Chuck Kennedy/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Updated on May 17 at 10:55 a.m. ET
Cynthia Murray has worked at a Walmart store in Maryland for nearly 20 years, most of them as a fitting room associate.
Her 64th birthday was fast approaching when the coronavirus pandemic hit and Walmart workers were suddenly "essential." Murray started worrying about her health and wondered whether she should keep working every time she looked at customers who came into the store.
"You could see it in customers' faces — the panic," she says. "Don't get me wrong, some of our customers are awesome ... they appreciated us being there. ... But you could see the panic, and it's really eerie."
FACES OF THE CORONAVIRUS RECESSION Jobs lost. Businesses in peril. Meetings gone virtual. Faces Of The Coronavirus Recession offers snapshots of working Americans whose lives have been upended by the pandemic.
Murray's daughter, too, worried about her mother getting sick from being around so many customers and advised her to stay home. But Murray kept telling herself she had bills and rent coming due. Murray, who's part of the labor group United for Respect, says the store had cut back her hours in recent years, making it harder to accumulate paid time off – she says it takes her more than a week of work to earn one hour of sick time.
But one angry customer put her over the edge. She says the man shouted and demanded access to the fitting rooms, which have been shut as Walmart tries to limit the spread of the virus. The next day, Murray went on unpaid leave.
"I just really felt uncomfortable," she says. "Whether I get paid or not, I'll just have to suffer whatever consequences."
Editor's note: Walmart is among NPR's financial supporters.
Read more stories in Faces Of The Coronavirus Recession.