npr--2020-10-10--Trump's Doctor Says He's No Longer A 'Transmission Risk'

President Trump is no longer contagious and is safe to discontinue isolating , his doctor said Saturday evening , nine days after testing positive for the coronavirus .
`` This evening I am happy to report that in addition to the President meeting the CDC criteria for the safe discontinuation of isolation , this morning 's COVID PCR sample demonstrates , by currently recognized standards , he is no longer considered a transmission risk to others , '' White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a memo .
`` Now at day 10 from symptom onset , fever-free for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved , the assortment of advanced diagnostic tests obtained reveal there is no longer evidence of actively replicating virus , '' Conley added , stopping short of saying that Trump had tested negative for the coronavirus .
He also did not say whether the president was still exhibiting symptoms .
The news comes hours after Trump delivered remarks at his first public event since testing positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 1 .
The Saturday appearance left public health experts questioning the timing so soon after his diagnosis and hospitalization .
From the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathered at the South Lawn for what was billed as a `` peaceful protest for law and order . ''
Often deviating from prepared remarks , Trump hit on his standard campaign rhetoric and political attacks before a mostly masked crowd of several hundred that largely disregarded social distancing .
The president relitigated recent debate performances , mentioned immigration , called his political opponents `` radical left '' and attacked Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
`` The other day in the debate , Biden could n't even use the words 'law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump said the politics of what he called the `` radical socialist left '' were alienating Latino and Black voters .
`` Black and Latino Americans are rejecting the radical socialist left and they 're embracing our pro-jobs , pro-worker , pro-police — we want law and order .
We have to have law and order , '' Trump said .
During his speech , Trump only briefly mentioned health and his COVID-19 diagnosis .
He did tell the crowd he `` was feeling great '' and thanked supporters for their prayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had COVID-19 .
On Thursday , Dr. Conley had said that he anticipated `` the president 's safe return to public engagements '' by Saturday .
The White House said this week that it would update when the president had tested negative for the coronavirus .
But by Saturday evening , no such announcement had come .
More than two dozen coronavirus cases have been tied to the White House or people who spent time with Trump .
Trump plans to attend a campaign rally in Florida on Monday .

Trump's Doctor Says He's No Longer A 'Transmission Risk'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Updated at 10:05 p.m. ET
President Trump is no longer contagious and is safe to discontinue isolating, his doctor said Saturday evening, nine days after testing positive for the coronavirus.
"This evening I am happy to report that in addition to the President meeting the CDC criteria for the safe discontinuation of isolation, this morning's COVID PCR sample demonstrates, by currently recognized standards, he is no longer considered a transmission risk to others," White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a memo.
"Now at day 10 from symptom onset, fever-free for well over 24 hours and all symptoms improved, the assortment of advanced diagnostic tests obtained reveal there is no longer evidence of actively replicating virus," Conley added, stopping short of saying that Trump had tested negative for the coronavirus. He also did not say whether the president was still exhibiting symptoms.
The news comes hours after Trump delivered remarks at his first public event since testing positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 1. The Saturday appearance left public health experts questioning the timing so soon after his diagnosis and hospitalization.
From the White House balcony, Trump addressed supporters gathered at the South Lawn for what was billed as a "peaceful protest for law and order."
Often deviating from prepared remarks, Trump hit on his standard campaign rhetoric and political attacks before a mostly masked crowd of several hundred that largely disregarded social distancing.
The president relitigated recent debate performances, mentioned immigration, called his political opponents "radical left" and attacked Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
"The other day in the debate, Biden couldn't even use the words 'law enforcement,' " Trump told the crowd.
Trump said the politics of what he called the "radical socialist left" were alienating Latino and Black voters.
"Black and Latino Americans are rejecting the radical socialist left and they're embracing our pro-jobs, pro-worker, pro-police — we want law and order. We have to have law and order," Trump said.
During his speech, Trump only briefly mentioned health and his COVID-19 diagnosis. He did tell the crowd he "was feeling great" and thanked supporters for their prayers but did not say whether he still had COVID-19.
On Thursday, Dr. Conley had said that he anticipated "the president's safe return to public engagements" by Saturday.
The White House said this week that it would update when the president had tested negative for the coronavirus. But by Saturday evening, no such announcement had come.
More than two dozen coronavirus cases have been tied to the White House or people who spent time with Trump.
Trump plans to attend a campaign rally in Florida on Monday.


npr--2020-10-10--Biden's Test In Michigan: Winning Over Black And Brown Voters Disillusioned In 2016

Biden 's Test In Michigan : Winning Over Black And Brown Voters Disillusioned In 2016 Michael Coleman did n't vote in the 2016 presidential election .
But this year , on a chilly fall day around lunchtime , the 69-year-old came to the Detroit Department of Elections to hand-deliver his ballot roughly a month before Election Day .
He said he did n't want to take the risk of it getting lost in the mail .
`` I do n't like neither one of them , but I voted for Biden , you know , '' Coleman said , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's not good .
He wo n't denounce white supremacists ; he has disbanded the pandemic team , '' Coleman added .
`` I 'm not real political , but for lack of a better word , he 's an a**hole . ''
Coleman did n't love his choices in 2016 , and he does n't love them this year either .
But he 's adamant President Trump needs to go .
If that means voting for Joe Biden , he 'll do it .
Democrats ' so-called `` blue wall '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a victory in Michigan by 10,704 votes .
It was the first time the state elected a Republican for president since George H.W .
Bush in 1988 .
Turnout in Detroit 's solidly Democratic Wayne County fell with roughly 34,000 fewer voters in 2016 compared with in 2012 .
Some Democratic Black and brown voters like Coleman did n't like their options that year , so they either voted third party or stayed home .
And this was n't unique to Wayne County — Milwaukee County in Wisconsin , another state narrowly carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But after seeing Trump in power for nearly four years , activists and voters say politics feels more perilous .
COVID-19 has hit communities like Detroit particularly hard ; a disproportionate number of Black voters have lost a relative or known someone personally diagnosed with COVID-19 .
For them , the 2020 election is a referendum on the president 's response to a crisis that has already claimed the lives of more than 213,000 Americans .
The disillusionment some voters felt in 2016 has been replaced with outright anger directed at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of people did n't like Hillary Clinton .
Let 's be honest , '' said Ken Whittaker with the Michigan People 's Campaign , a progressive group that endorsed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primaries but then decided to back Biden this summer .
`` I 'm not gon na say everybody likes Joe Biden , but there is a much better understanding that progress does n't always mean running 10 blocks forward .
Sometimes progress is stopping your slide going 20 blocks backwards . ''
In the last presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school English teacher in Dearborn , Mich. , voted third party .
`` This year feels different ; it feels like there 's more at stake , '' Chami said .
`` There 's a possibility that I 'll vote for Biden .
And that possibility of voting for Clinton did not exist in 2016 I 'll tell you . ''
Chami is torn between voting for Biden and leaving the top of the ticket blank .
`` The only reason I 'm even considering an establishment Democrat is because the current president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Chami said , after a day of teaching virtual school .
But she 's suspect of Democrats ' foreign policy writ large , and she thinks Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris , have shown unrelenting support for Israel despite what she views as its deeply problematic behavior toward Palestinians .
As a teacher in the era of COVID-19 , issues like public education and health care are also important to her .
`` I feel like Donald Trump and his movement are trying to kind of tear down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She worries that four more years of a Trump administration could be devastating for domestic issues that matter to her .
But as a progressive who wants universal health care and a reassessment of the United States ' foreign policy , she 's also worried that a Biden presidency pushes those conversations aside .
`` My concern is that if Joe Biden becomes president , people are going to be so relieved that we 're rid of Donald Trump that they 're going to say , 'OK , that 's it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , we are back to status quo , ' `` Chami explained .
Her concerns are common among progressive voters , who say Trump is a symptom of the social and political unrest in the country , rather than the cause .
`` Honestly , if [ Trump ] won again , then there would be no resistance to a progressive candidate next time , '' said Michael Cushman , a Detroit resident and former organizer for Barack Obama 's campaign who voted third party in 2016 .
Getting voters to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Chami and Cushman into concrete Biden voters .
The question is how they do that .
Whittaker believes one viable tactic is relational organizing , a strategy his group first championed in 2018 , in which volunteers contact friends and family , rather than strangers .
`` If you 're getting cold calls from an organization , you tend to ignore it , but if it 's your daughter or your husband or your wife , uncle , auntie that 's saying this issue is concerning to me , you 're more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His goal for the Michigan People 's Campaign this year is to tap into a network of 100,000 people through family and friend connections .
Cushman acknowledged that family pressure played a role in his decision to ultimately fill out his mail-in ballot for Biden .
`` Me and my father have been having this generational debate for a long time , '' said Cushman .
`` He believes that we need the safest choice , which is Biden ... so between that and my aunties , you know , we talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Cushman , like Chami , is n't a fan of Biden 's policies .
He says his politics are much more closely aligned to someone like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
`` People may be uncertain , people may not be sure about Biden per se .
But they damn sure do n't want Trump , '' said Branden Snyder , executive director of Detroit Action , a group focused on building political power among low-income Black and brown people in the city .
Snyder previously worked as the youth vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Objectively , the energy 's different , '' he said .
Still there are skeptics .
El Jay Parker , a 33-year-old autoworker , reluctantly voted for Clinton in 2016 , but this year , he 's leaning toward leaving the top of the ballot empty .
`` I know that people are terrified of Trump , but I do n't feel like being a little bit better than Trump is good enough for me , '' Parker said .
The Democratic presidential nominee is not as progressive as Parker would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal justice reform .
Neither was Clinton , he admits , but he felt like when she was pressured from the left , she was willing to move , whether or not she genuinely agreed .
`` With Biden , throughout his campaign , with town halls and interactions with people , he does n't seem like he 's going to budge , '' said Parker .
He was turned off seeing the former vice president spar with a couple of voters during the primaries .
`` Any time that he 's challenged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm not the guy for you .
Go vote for someone else , ' `` said Parker .
`` If you 're running for president and you want my vote and you 're not willing to listen to my concerns , then why do I owe you my vote , regardless if there 's Trump there or not ? ''

Biden's Test In Michigan: Winning Over Black And Brown Voters Disillusioned In 2016
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Michael Coleman didn't vote in the 2016 presidential election. But this year, on a chilly fall day around lunchtime, the 69-year-old came to the Detroit Department of Elections to hand-deliver his ballot roughly a month before Election Day. He said he didn't want to take the risk of it getting lost in the mail.
"I don't like neither one of them, but I voted for Biden, you know," Coleman said, his voice trailing off.
"Trump — he's not good. He won't denounce white supremacists; he has disbanded the pandemic team," Coleman added. "I'm not real political, but for lack of a better word, he's an a**hole."
Coleman didn't love his choices in 2016, and he doesn't love them this year either. But he's adamant President Trump needs to go. If that means voting for Joe Biden, he'll do it.
Democrats' so-called "blue wall" crumbled in 2016 as Trump eked out a victory in Michigan by 10,704 votes. It was the first time the state elected a Republican for president since George H.W. Bush in 1988.
Turnout in Detroit's solidly Democratic Wayne County fell with roughly 34,000 fewer voters in 2016 compared with in 2012. Some Democratic Black and brown voters like Coleman didn't like their options that year, so they either voted third party or stayed home. And this wasn't unique to Wayne County — Milwaukee County in Wisconsin, another state narrowly carried by Trump, tells a similar story.
But after seeing Trump in power for nearly four years, activists and voters say politics feels more perilous. COVID-19 has hit communities like Detroit particularly hard; a disproportionate number of Black voters have lost a relative or known someone personally diagnosed with COVID-19. For them, the 2020 election is a referendum on the president's response to a crisis that has already claimed the lives of more than 213,000 Americans. The disillusionment some voters felt in 2016 has been replaced with outright anger directed at the president and his administration.
"A lot of people didn't like Hillary Clinton. Let's be honest," said Ken Whittaker with the Michigan People's Campaign, a progressive group that endorsed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primaries but then decided to back Biden this summer. "I'm not gonna say everybody likes Joe Biden, but there is a much better understanding that progress doesn't always mean running 10 blocks forward. Sometimes progress is stopping your slide going 20 blocks backwards."
"This year feels different"
In the last presidential election, Zeinab Chami, a 36-year-old high school English teacher in Dearborn, Mich., voted third party.
"This year feels different; it feels like there's more at stake," Chami said. "There's a possibility that I'll vote for Biden. And that possibility of voting for Clinton did not exist in 2016 I'll tell you."
Chami is torn between voting for Biden and leaving the top of the ticket blank.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Asma Khalid/NPR Asma Khalid/NPR
"The only reason I'm even considering an establishment Democrat is because the current president is such a morally repugnant person," Chami said, after a day of teaching virtual school.
But she's suspect of Democrats' foreign policy writ large, and she thinks Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, have shown unrelenting support for Israel despite what she views as its deeply problematic behavior toward Palestinians.
As a teacher in the era of COVID-19, issues like public education and health care are also important to her.
"I feel like Donald Trump and his movement are trying to kind of tear down the social safety net," she said.
She worries that four more years of a Trump administration could be devastating for domestic issues that matter to her. But as a progressive who wants universal health care and a reassessment of the United States' foreign policy, she's also worried that a Biden presidency pushes those conversations aside.
"My concern is that if Joe Biden becomes president, people are going to be so relieved that we're rid of Donald Trump that they're going to say, 'OK, that's it, no more change is needed in this country, we are back to status quo,' " Chami explained.
Her concerns are common among progressive voters, who say Trump is a symptom of the social and political unrest in the country, rather than the cause.
"Honestly, if [Trump] won again, then there would be no resistance to a progressive candidate next time," said Michael Cushman, a Detroit resident and former organizer for Barack Obama's campaign who voted third party in 2016.
Getting voters to turn out
Democrats are desperate to turn people like Chami and Cushman into concrete Biden voters. The question is how they do that.
Whittaker believes one viable tactic is relational organizing, a strategy his group first championed in 2018, in which volunteers contact friends and family, rather than strangers.
"If you're getting cold calls from an organization, you tend to ignore it, but if it's your daughter or your husband or your wife, uncle, auntie that's saying this issue is concerning to me, you're more likely to engage," said Whittaker.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Asma Khalid/NPR Asma Khalid/NPR
His goal for the Michigan People's Campaign this year is to tap into a network of 100,000 people through family and friend connections.
Cushman acknowledged that family pressure played a role in his decision to ultimately fill out his mail-in ballot for Biden.
"Me and my father have been having this generational debate for a long time," said Cushman. "He believes that we need the safest choice, which is Biden ... so between that and my aunties, you know, we talk about politics all the time."
But Cushman, like Chami, isn't a fan of Biden's policies. He says his politics are much more closely aligned to someone like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
"People may be uncertain, people may not be sure about Biden per se. But they damn sure don't want Trump," said Branden Snyder, executive director of Detroit Action, a group focused on building political power among low-income Black and brown people in the city. Snyder previously worked as the youth vote director for the Clinton campaign in Michigan.
"Objectively, the energy's different," he said.
The unconvinced
Still there are skeptics. El Jay Parker, a 33-year-old autoworker, reluctantly voted for Clinton in 2016, but this year, he's leaning toward leaving the top of the ballot empty.
"I know that people are terrified of Trump, but I don't feel like being a little bit better than Trump is good enough for me," Parker said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Asma Khalid/NPR Asma Khalid/NPR
The Democratic presidential nominee is not as progressive as Parker would like on issues of health care and criminal justice reform. Neither was Clinton, he admits, but he felt like when she was pressured from the left, she was willing to move, whether or not she genuinely agreed.
"With Biden, throughout his campaign, with town halls and interactions with people, he doesn't seem like he's going to budge," said Parker. He was turned off seeing the former vice president spar with a couple of voters during the primaries.
"Any time that he's challenged, he just tells you, 'I'm not the guy for you. Go vote for someone else,' " said Parker. "If you're running for president and you want my vote and you're not willing to listen to my concerns, then why do I owe you my vote, regardless if there's Trump there or not?"


npr--2020-10-11--Trump's Doctor Says There's No 'Actively Replicating Virus' — So Is He COVID-19-Free?

Trump 's Doctor Says There 's No 'Actively Replicating Virus ' — So Is He COVID-19-Free ?
Ask an infectious disease doctor whether the president still has coronavirus , and you quickly realize that `` having '' the virus is a concept that exists more among laypeople than doctors .
`` We try to avoid that question , '' says Dr. Amesh Adalja , senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center of Health Security .
`` It becomes much harder to explain to people , well why is the test positive when you 're saying he 's not contagious ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's not viable virus . ''
Dr. Sean Conley , the physician to the president , said Saturday that the president was `` no longer a transmission risk to others , '' and that there was `` no longer evidence of actively replicating virus . ''
But in reporting on the letter , several media outlets noted that Conley did n't say the president had tested negative for COVID-19 , raising concern among some experts .
So does the president have coronavirus or not ?
`` It 's not surprising to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter , '' Adalja tells NPR .
`` It makes sense to me because I do this all this time . ''
Adalja , who has treated several dozen coronavirus patients , says he would n't characterize the president as still having coronavirus .
`` He 's recovered from COVID-19 , '' Adalja says .
There may be `` remnants of coronaviral debris '' present , but `` that does not correlate with , or confer , infectiousness or contagiousness to other people . ''
`` I think it 's hard sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I explain : 'Yes , your test is still positive , but no , you 're not contagious anymore , ' `` Adalja added .
`` That 's sometimes hard to tell patients .
That 's sometimes hard to tell family members , it 's hard to tell employers .
...
So that 's why many of us have gotten away from the testing strategy in mild to moderate patients , because it puts you in this conundrum , and you ca n't convince people . ''
In fact , infectious disease doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention no longer recommends using test results to determine whether it 's safe for a patient to stop self-isolating .
Some level of positive test results can persist for many weeks following infection , even if a person can no longer transmit SARS-CoV-2 , says Dr. Helen Boucher , chief of the infectious diseases department at Tufts Medical Center .
`` This is the basis of the CDC 's time-based removal from isolation , '' Boucher says .
`` Testing positive for viral particles does not imply infectiousness . ''
Studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spans from 1-2 days before onset of symptoms , until 7-8 days after .
That 's the basis of the CDC 's recommendation that patients with mild cases self-isolate for 10 days after symptoms begin .
For more serious cases , the CDC recommends up to 20 days of isolation .
Conley 's letter noted that the president 's test results showed decreasing viral loads , and increasing `` cycle threshold times '' — which is often seen in recovering patients , Boucher says .
Conley also indicated that Trump had been fever-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and all of his symptoms had `` improved '' — implying that Trump still does have some symptoms of the virus .
`` That is not surprising because it sometimes takes weeks or even longer for all symptoms of COVID-19 to completely resolve , '' says Dr. Rajesh Gandhi , an infectious diseases physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School .
`` With each passing day , however , it becomes less likely that his symptoms will worsen . ''
Trump 's doctor also said that testing had indicated `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very sophisticated test that looks for infectious virus being shed by the patient , Adalja said .
Given Trump 's improving test results , several doctors NPR consulted said Trump is likely out of the woods at this point .
`` I think he 's pretty much in the clear , '' Adalja said .
`` We were worried more about that around day 6 or 7 of illness , and I think he 's passed through that pretty well . ''
But not every doctor is so certain .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says Dr. Ashish Jha , dean of Brown University 's School of Public Health .
`` I think the president is more or less coming out of that window where things could get worse , but we 've definitely seen people 10 , 12 days out after the infection getting quite sick , '' Jha told NPR 's Lulu Garcia-Navarro on Weekend Edition .
`` And obviously , we hope that does n't happen for the president .
So we 're not quite out of that window yet . ''
Experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump be monitored , especially since he previously required oxygen — an indication that Trump had more than just a mild case .
`` I and my colleagues watch all of our COVID patients until they are fully better ; this can take weeks to months , '' Boucher says .
`` It 's important to remember that we 're only 8-9 months in with this new disease and have much to learn . ''

Trump's Doctor Says There's No 'Actively Replicating Virus' — So Is He COVID-19-Free?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Samuel Corum/Getty Images Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Ask an infectious disease doctor whether the president still has coronavirus, and you quickly realize that "having" the virus is a concept that exists more among laypeople than doctors.
"We try to avoid that question," says Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center of Health Security. "It becomes much harder to explain to people, well why is the test positive when you're saying he's not contagious? It's because, that far out, it's not viable virus."
Dr. Sean Conley, the physician to the president, said Saturday that the president was "no longer a transmission risk to others," and that there was "no longer evidence of actively replicating virus." But in reporting on the letter, several media outlets noted that Conley didn't say the president had tested negative for COVID-19, raising concern among some experts.
So does the president have coronavirus or not?
"It's not surprising to me that people are having difficulty interpreting the letter," Adalja tells NPR. "It makes sense to me because I do this all this time."
Adalja, who has treated several dozen coronavirus patients, says he wouldn't characterize the president as still having coronavirus. "He's recovered from COVID-19," Adalja says. There may be "remnants of coronaviral debris" present, but "that does not correlate with, or confer, infectiousness or contagiousness to other people."
"I think it's hard sometimes, even with my patients, when I explain: 'Yes, your test is still positive, but no, you're not contagious anymore,' " Adalja added. "That's sometimes hard to tell patients. That's sometimes hard to tell family members, it's hard to tell employers. ... So that's why many of us have gotten away from the testing strategy in mild to moderate patients, because it puts you in this conundrum, and you can't convince people."
In fact, infectious disease doctors tell NPR, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer recommends using test results to determine whether it's safe for a patient to stop self-isolating.
Some level of positive test results can persist for many weeks following infection, even if a person can no longer transmit SARS-CoV-2, says Dr. Helen Boucher, chief of the infectious diseases department at Tufts Medical Center.
"This is the basis of the CDC's time-based removal from isolation," Boucher says. "Testing positive for viral particles does not imply infectiousness."
Studies show that a patient's contagious period spans from 1-2 days before onset of symptoms, until 7-8 days after. That's the basis of the CDC's recommendation that patients with mild cases self-isolate for 10 days after symptoms begin. For more serious cases, the CDC recommends up to 20 days of isolation.
Conley's letter noted that the president's test results showed decreasing viral loads, and increasing "cycle threshold times" — which is often seen in recovering patients, Boucher says.
Conley also indicated that Trump had been fever-free for "well over 24 hours," and all of his symptoms had "improved" — implying that Trump still does have some symptoms of the virus.
"That is not surprising because it sometimes takes weeks or even longer for all symptoms of COVID-19 to completely resolve," says Dr. Rajesh Gandhi, an infectious diseases physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. "With each passing day, however, it becomes less likely that his symptoms will worsen."
Trump's doctor also said that testing had indicated "undetectable subgenomic mRNA." That's a very sophisticated test that looks for infectious virus being shed by the patient, Adalja said.
Given Trump's improving test results, several doctors NPR consulted said Trump is likely out of the woods at this point. "I think he's pretty much in the clear," Adalja said. "We were worried more about that around day 6 or 7 of illness, and I think he's passed through that pretty well."
But not every doctor is so certain. "This note by Dr. Conley was really cryptic," says Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health.
"I think the president is more or less coming out of that window where things could get worse, but we've definitely seen people 10, 12 days out after the infection getting quite sick," Jha told NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro on Weekend Edition. "And obviously, we hope that doesn't happen for the president. So we're not quite out of that window yet."
Experts agree that it's still important that Trump be monitored, especially since he previously required oxygen — an indication that Trump had more than just a mild case.
"I and my colleagues watch all of our COVID patients until they are fully better; this can take weeks to months," Boucher says. "It's important to remember that we're only 8-9 months in with this new disease and have much to learn."


npr--2020-10-11--Biden Campaign Continues To Deflect On Court-Packing

Biden Campaign Continues To Deflect On Court-Packing Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden argues that taking a stance now on whether , as president , he would seek to increase the number of Supreme Court justices would play right into the hands of President Trump .
`` [ Trump ] always wants [ you to ] take the eye off the ball , change the subject .
I 'm not going to play his game , '' Biden told a local Las Vegas news station over the weekend .
On Thursday , Biden was asked the same thing by reporters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over .
It 's a great question , and I do n't blame you for asking it , but you know the moment I answer that question , the headline in every one of your papers will be about that . ''
But it 's becoming increasingly clear that simply dismissing the issue with a `` wait and see '' response does n't mean the question disappears from the campaign .
If anything , it has just added fuel to the political fire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and center during the Sunday talk shows , with Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska calling Biden 's non-answer `` grotesque '' on Fox News Sunday .
`` He 's refusing to answer about whether he 's going to pack the Supreme Court , upending 150 years of our judicial standards , '' GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told CBS ' Face The Nation .
Democrats have fired back in a variety of ways .
When pressed on the issue during the vice presidential debate , Biden 's running mate , California Sen. Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they types of appointees Trump has made to the federal bench , calling some `` not competent '' and `` purely ideological . ''
She also took issue with their lack of diversity .
`` Of the 50 people who President Trump appointed to the Court of Appeals for lifetime appointments , not one is Black , '' Harris added .
Also on Fox News Sunday , Delaware Sen. Chris Coons , a close Biden ally , said the rushed way in which Republicans are trying to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` constitutes court-packing . ''
Typically , court-packing refers to expanding a court 's seats , and then confirming judges for those seats .
Biden 's deputy campaign manager , Kate Bedingfield , told CNN 's Jake Tapper on Sunday that the `` intention '' of the constitutional process is at the heart of the issue .
`` The American people are being denied their opportunity to have a say in who gets this lifetime appointment to the court , '' she said , referring to Republicans ' efforts to confirm Barrett just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But as Tapper pointed out , Biden 's labeling of GOP attempts to advance Barrett 's confirmation as `` unconstitutional '' is false , since there 's nothing in the Constitution that prohibits the Senate from moving forward on a president 's nomination .
Biden himself said as much during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 1983 , where he denounced President Franklin Delano Roosevelt 's efforts expand the court .
`` Roosevelt clearly had the right to send to the United States Senate ... a proposal to pack the court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was totally within his right to do that .
He violated no law , he was legalistically absolutely correct , but it was a bonehead idea .
It was a terrible , terrible mistake to make , and it put in question , for an entire decade , the independence of the most significant body : the Supreme Court of the United States of America . ''
It 's a stance he felt comfortable repeating as recently as the primary season , when he once again rejected the idea during a debate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not get into court packing , '' Biden said in October .
`` We add three justices .
Next time around , we lose control , they add three justices .
We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all . ''
But questions surrounding potential expansion of the highest court in the land ignited shortly after Ginsburg 's death , with Republicans ' quick plans to move ahead with a nominee so soon before the election , even though they denied a hearing to Merrick Garland , then-President Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Mitch McConnell set the precedent .
No Supreme Court vacancies filled in an election year , '' Sen. Ed Markey , D-Mass.
, wrote in September .
`` If he violates it , when Democrats control the Senate in the next Congress , we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court . ''
The Republican majority leader quickly made it clear Trump 's nomination would move forward , reversing the precedent he set in 2016 .
( McConnell says this year is different , because Republicans control both the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversal sparked outrage in the Democratic Party , with progressives entreating Biden to consider expanding the court if he wins in November , and Democrats take the Senate .

Biden Campaign Continues To Deflect On Court-Packing
Enlarge this image toggle caption Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden argues that taking a stance now on whether, as president, he would seek to increase the number of Supreme Court justices would play right into the hands of President Trump.
"[Trump] always wants [you to] take the eye off the ball, change the subject. I'm not going to play his game," Biden told a local Las Vegas news station over the weekend.
On Thursday, Biden was asked the same thing by reporters in Arizona: "[Voters will] know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over. It's a great question, and I don't blame you for asking it, but you know the moment I answer that question, the headline in every one of your papers will be about that."
But it's becoming increasingly clear that simply dismissing the issue with a "wait and see" response doesn't mean the question disappears from the campaign.
If anything, it has just added fuel to the political fire in recent days.
The issue was front and center during the Sunday talk shows, with Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska calling Biden's non-answer "grotesque" on Fox News Sunday.
"He's refusing to answer about whether he's going to pack the Supreme Court, upending 150 years of our judicial standards," GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel told CBS' Face The Nation.
Democrats have fired back in a variety of ways.
When pressed on the issue during the vice presidential debate, Biden's running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, instead shifted to talking about they types of appointees Trump has made to the federal bench, calling some "not competent" and "purely ideological."
She also took issue with their lack of diversity.
"Of the 50 people who President Trump appointed to the Court of Appeals for lifetime appointments, not one is Black," Harris added.
Also on Fox News Sunday, Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, a close Biden ally, said the rushed way in which Republicans are trying to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court prior to the election "constitutes court-packing."
Typically, court-packing refers to expanding a court's seats, and then confirming judges for those seats.
Biden's deputy campaign manager, Kate Bedingfield, told CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday that the "intention" of the constitutional process is at the heart of the issue.
"The American people are being denied their opportunity to have a say in who gets this lifetime appointment to the court," she said, referring to Republicans' efforts to confirm Barrett just weeks after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died.
But as Tapper pointed out, Biden's labeling of GOP attempts to advance Barrett's confirmation as "unconstitutional" is false, since there's nothing in the Constitution that prohibits the Senate from moving forward on a president's nomination.
Biden himself said as much during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 1983, where he denounced President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's efforts expand the court.
YouTube
"Roosevelt clearly had the right to send to the United States Senate ... a proposal to pack the court," Biden said then. "It was totally within his right to do that. He violated no law, he was legalistically absolutely correct, but it was a bonehead idea. It was a terrible, terrible mistake to make, and it put in question, for an entire decade, the independence of the most significant body: the Supreme Court of the United States of America."
It's a stance he felt comfortable repeating as recently as the primary season, when he once again rejected the idea during a debate, citing future Republican retaliation.
"I would not get into court packing," Biden said in October. "We add three justices. Next time around, we lose control, they add three justices. We begin to lose any credibility the court has at all."
But questions surrounding potential expansion of the highest court in the land ignited shortly after Ginsburg's death, with Republicans' quick plans to move ahead with a nominee so soon before the election, even though they denied a hearing to Merrick Garland, then-President Barack Obama's nominee, in 2016.
"Mitch McConnell set the precedent. No Supreme Court vacancies filled in an election year," Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., wrote in September. "If he violates it, when Democrats control the Senate in the next Congress, we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court."
The Republican majority leader quickly made it clear Trump's nomination would move forward, reversing the precedent he set in 2016. (McConnell says this year is different, because Republicans control both the Senate and the White House.)
His reversal sparked outrage in the Democratic Party, with progressives entreating Biden to consider expanding the court if he wins in November, and Democrats take the Senate.


npr--2020-10-11--1 Person Dead In Shooting That Followed Day Of Far-Right, Far-Left Rallies In Denver

1 Person Dead In Shooting That Followed Day Of Far-Right , Far-Left Rallies In Denver One person was killed and another man is in police custody after a fatal shooting in Denver on Saturday that occurred toward the end of dueling rallies by activists on the far right and the far left .
The Denver Police Department said it had taken a private security guard into custody in connection with the shooting .
On Sunday , the department identified the suspect as 30-year-old Matthew Dolloff .
He has not been formally charged .
A local news channel , 9News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pinkerton security firm as a guard to accompany staff covering the protest .
Contracting private security to protect reporters and producers at protests has been a practice at the outlet for several months , 9News said .
The shooting took place near the Denver Art Museum when competing far-left and far-right protests were winding down nearby .
Activists from the far left were in the area for a Black Lives Matter Anti-Fascist Soup Drive organized by the Denver Communists , the Colorado Socialist Revolution and other groups , according to Colorado Public Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was billed as a Patriot Muster organized by John `` Tig '' Tiegen , founder of the United American Defense Force group , CPR reported .
Until the shooting , the protesters mainly chanted and yelled at each other , separated by police , The Denver Post reported .
Video of the incident posted to social media showed the shooting victim involved in a tense dispute with a man wearing a Black Guns Matter T-shirt .
The video shows the victim stepping away from the man , and then seconds later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Denver Post staffer was at the scene of the fatal confrontation , the newspaper reported .
Photos from the Post show the shooting victim spraying what appears to be a Mace-like substance at an unidentified man pointing a gun at him just before he is shot .
Two guns and Mace were found at the scene , said Joe Montoya , the division chief of investigation at the Denver Police Department .
The police have camera footage of the shooting and are investigating , Montoya said .
The police later tweeted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The victim has not been identified .
Other shootings by civilians have happened at protests surrounding police and racial injustice in the past several months .
An Illinois teen is facing homicide charges in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Kenosha , Wis. , in August .
Michael Reinoehl , who identified as an antifa supporter , was killed by police after expressing responsibility for the fatal shooting of a right-wing protester in Portland , Ore. , in September .

1 Person Dead In Shooting That Followed Day Of Far-Right, Far-Left Rallies In Denver
Enlarge this image toggle caption Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
One person was killed and another man is in police custody after a fatal shooting in Denver on Saturday that occurred toward the end of dueling rallies by activists on the far right and the far left.
The Denver Police Department said it had taken a private security guard into custody in connection with the shooting. On Sunday, the department identified the suspect as 30-year-old Matthew Dolloff. He has not been formally charged.
A local news channel, 9News, said it had contracted Dolloff through the Pinkerton security firm as a guard to accompany staff covering the protest. Contracting private security to protect reporters and producers at protests has been a practice at the outlet for several months, 9News said.
The shooting took place near the Denver Art Museum when competing far-left and far-right protests were winding down nearby. Activists from the far left were in the area for a Black Lives Matter Anti-Fascist Soup Drive organized by the Denver Communists, the Colorado Socialist Revolution and other groups, according to Colorado Public Radio. The right-wing demonstrators had gathered for what was billed as a Patriot Muster organized by John "Tig" Tiegen, founder of the United American Defense Force group, CPR reported.
Until the shooting, the protesters mainly chanted and yelled at each other, separated by police, The Denver Post reported. Video of the incident posted to social media showed the shooting victim involved in a tense dispute with a man wearing a Black Guns Matter T-shirt.
The video shows the victim stepping away from the man, and then seconds later, he is shot by another person.
A Denver Post staffer was at the scene of the fatal confrontation, the newspaper reported. Photos from the Post show the shooting victim spraying what appears to be a Mace-like substance at an unidentified man pointing a gun at him just before he is shot.
Two guns and Mace were found at the scene, said Joe Montoya, the division chief of investigation at the Denver Police Department. The police have camera footage of the shooting and are investigating, Montoya said.
The police later tweeted that the suspect is not linked to antifa. The victim has not been identified.
Other shootings by civilians have happened at protests surrounding police and racial injustice in the past several months. An Illinois teen is facing homicide charges in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Kenosha, Wis., in August. Michael Reinoehl, who identified as an antifa supporter, was killed by police after expressing responsibility for the fatal shooting of a right-wing protester in Portland, Ore., in September.


npr--2020-10-11--Jack White Gives A Thrilling Performance On 'SNL' — On 2 Days' Notice

Jack White Gives A Thrilling Performance On 'SNL ' — On 2 Days ' Notice This week 's Saturday Night Live musical guest was supposed to be Morgan Wallen , before the country singer got himself disinvited .
On Friday morning , SNL creator Lorne Michaels announced that Jack White — whose best-known band , The White Stripes , releases a greatest-hits album in December — would show up to perform in Wallen 's place .
Though we 're only two episodes into Season 46 , it 's hard to imagine that White 's turn wo n't come out near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rank SNL 's 2020-21 musical guests .
Unencumbered by new material to promote , White cranked out a few scorching career highlights , including 2014 's solo hit `` Lazaretto '' — which he performed with a guitar designed for him by the late Eddie Van Halen — and uncorked a fantastic medley .
That medley fused unexpected pieces in remarkable ways , kicking off with `` Do n't Hurt Yourself '' — the song he co-wrote and performed on Beyoncé 's Lemonade — before shifting into a version of The White Stripes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorporated lyrics from Blind Willie Johnson 's `` Jesus Is Coming Soon . ''
So , on two days ' notice , we got an Eddie Van Halen tribute , Beyoncé , The White Stripes , a Jack White solo song and Blind Willie Johnson .
Not bad !
It was the sort of performance SNL could stand to showcase more often : a veteran star without much to promote or prove , popping by with the sole objective of putting on the best show humanly possible .

Jack White Gives A Thrilling Performance On 'SNL' — On 2 Days' Notice
toggle caption YouTube Screenshot by NPR
This week's Saturday Night Live musical guest was supposed to be Morgan Wallen, before the country singer got himself disinvited. On Friday morning, SNL creator Lorne Michaels announced that Jack White — whose best-known band, The White Stripes, releases a greatest-hits album in December — would show up to perform in Wallen's place.
Though we're only two episodes into Season 46, it's hard to imagine that White's turn won't come out near the top when it's time to rank SNL's 2020-21 musical guests. Unencumbered by new material to promote, White cranked out a few scorching career highlights, including 2014's solo hit "Lazaretto" — which he performed with a guitar designed for him by the late Eddie Van Halen — and uncorked a fantastic medley.
YouTube
That medley fused unexpected pieces in remarkable ways, kicking off with "Don't Hurt Yourself" — the song he co-wrote and performed on Beyoncé's Lemonade — before shifting into a version of The White Stripes' "Ball and Biscuit" that incorporated lyrics from Blind Willie Johnson's "Jesus Is Coming Soon." So, on two days' notice, we got an Eddie Van Halen tribute, Beyoncé, The White Stripes, a Jack White solo song and Blind Willie Johnson. Not bad!
YouTube
It was the sort of performance SNL could stand to showcase more often: a veteran star without much to promote or prove, popping by with the sole objective of putting on the best show humanly possible.


npr--2020-10-11--READ: Amy Coney Barrett's Opening Statement In Her Confirmation Hearing

Judge Amy Coney Barrett says `` the policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political @ @ @ @ @ courts .
That 's from her opening statement she 's set to deliver in front @ @ @ @ @ when her Supreme Court confirmation hearing begins Monday .
NPR obtained the opening statement on @ @ @ @ @ with the hearing preparations who was not authorized to speak on the record .
Barrett @ @ @ @ @ has been hyper-partisan .
Republicans are aiming to confirm Barrett before Election Day .
If @ @ @ @ @ solidify a 6-3 conservative majority on the high court .

READ: Amy Coney Barrett's Opening Statement In Her Confirmation Hearing
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stefani Reynolds/Pool/Getty Images Stefani Reynolds/Pool/Getty Images
Judge Amy Coney Barrett says "the policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches," not the courts.
That's from her opening statement she's set to deliver in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee when her Supreme Court confirmation hearing begins Monday.
NPR obtained the opening statement on Sunday from a source familiar with the hearing preparations who was not authorized to speak on the record.
Barrett's nomination by President Trump has been hyper-partisan. Republicans are aiming to confirm Barrett before Election Day. If confirmed, her presence would solidify a 6-3 conservative majority on the high court.
Read her prepared remarks below.
Chairman Graham, Ranking Member Feinstein, and Members of the Committee: I am honored and humbled to appear before you as a nominee for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
I thank the President for entrusting me with this profound responsibility, as well as for the graciousness that he and the First Lady have shown my family throughout this process.
I thank Senator Young for introducing me, as he did at my hearing to serve on the Seventh Circuit. I thank Senator Braun for his generous support. And I am especially grateful to former Dean Patty O'Hara of Notre Dame Law School. She hired me as a professor nearly 20 years ago and has been a mentor, colleague, and friend ever since.
I thank the Members of this Committee—and your other colleagues in the Senate—who have taken the time to meet with me since my nomination. It has been a privilege to meet you.
As I said when I was nominated to serve as a Justice, I am used to being in a group of nine—my family. Nothing is more important to me, and I am so proud to have them behind me.
My husband Jesse and I have been married for 21 years. He has been a selfless and wonderful partner at every step along the way. I once asked my sister, "Why do people say marriage is hard? I think it's easy." She said, "Maybe you should ask Jesse if he agrees." I decided not to take her advice. I know that I am far luckier in love than I deserve.
Jesse and I are parents to seven wonderful children. Emma is a sophomore in college who just might follow her parents into a career in the law. Vivian came to us from Haiti. When she arrived, she was so weak that we were told she might never walk or talk normally. She now deadlifts as much as the male athletes at our gym, and I assure you that she has no trouble talking. Tess is 16, and while she shares her parents' love for the liberal arts, she also has a math gene that seems to have skipped her parents' generation. John Peter joined us shortly after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and Jesse, who brought him home, still describes the shock on JP's face when he got off the plane in wintertime Chicago. Once that shock wore off, JP 2 assumed the happy-go-lucky attitude that is still his signature trait. Liam is smart, strong, and kind, and to our delight, he still loves watching movies with Mom and Dad. Ten-year-old Juliet is already pursuing her goal of becoming an author by writing multiple essays and short stories, including one she recently submitted for publication. And our youngest—Benjamin, who has Down Syndrome—is the unanimous favorite of the family.
My own siblings are here, some in the hearing room and some nearby. Carrie, Megan, Eileen, Amanda, Vivian, and Michael are my oldest and dearest friends. We've seen each other through both the happy and hard parts of life, and I am so grateful that they are with me now.
My parents, Mike and Linda Coney, are watching from their New Orleans home. My father was a lawyer and my mother was a teacher, which explains how I ended up as a law professor. More important, my parents modeled for me and my six siblings a life of service, principle, faith, and love. I remember preparing for a grade-school spelling bee against a boy in my class. To boost my confidence, Dad sang, "Anything boys can do, girls can do better." At least as I remember it, I spelled my way to victory.
I received similar encouragement from the devoted teachers at St. Mary's Dominican, my all-girls high school in New Orleans. When I went to college, it never occurred to me that anyone would consider girls to be less capable than boys. My freshman year, I took a literature class filled with upperclassmen English majors. When I did my first presentation—on Breakfast at Tiffany's—I feared I had failed. But my professor filled me with confidence, became a mentor, and—when I graduated with a degree in English—gave me Truman Capote's collected works.
Although I considered graduate studies in English, I decided my passion for words was better suited to deciphering statutes than novels. I was fortunate to have wonderful legal mentors—in particular, the judges for whom I clerked. The legendary Judge Laurence Silberman of the D.C. Circuit gave me my first job in the law and continues to teach me today. He was by my side during my Seventh Circuit hearing and investiture, and he is cheering me on from his living room now.
I also clerked for Justice Scalia, and like many law students, I felt like I knew the justice before I ever met him, because I had read so many of his colorful, accessible opinions. More than the style of his writing, though, it was the content of Justice Scalia's reasoning that shaped me. His judicial philosophy was straightforward: A judge must apply the law as written, not as the judge wishes it 3 were. Sometimes that approach meant reaching results that he did not like. But as he put it in one of his best known opinions, that is what it means to say we have a government of laws, not of men.
Justice Scalia taught me more than just law. He was devoted to his family, resolute in his beliefs, and fearless of criticism. And as I embarked on my own legal career, I resolved to maintain that same perspective. There is a tendency in our profession to treat the practice of law as all-consuming, while losing sight of everything else. But that makes for a shallow and unfulfilling life. I worked hard as a lawyer and a professor; I owed that to my clients, my students, and myself. But I never let the law define my identity or crowd out the rest of my life.
A similar principle applies to the role of courts. Courts have a vital responsibility to enforce the rule of law, which is critical to a free society. But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life. The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the People. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try.
That is the approach I have strived to follow as a judge on the Seventh Circuit. In every case, I have carefully considered the arguments presented by the parties, discussed the issues with my colleagues on the court, and done my utmost to reach the result required by the law, whatever my own preferences might be. I try to remain mindful that, while my court decides thousands of cases a year, each case is the most important one to the parties involved. After all, cases are not like statutes, which are often named for their authors. Cases are named for the parties who stand to gain or lose in the real world, often through their liberty or livelihood.
When I write an opinion resolving a case, I read every word from the perspective of the losing party. I ask myself how would I view the decision if one of my children was the party I was ruling against: Even though I would not like the result, would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in the law? That is the standard I set for myself in every case, and it is the standard I will follow as long as I am a judge on any court.
When the President offered this nomination, I was deeply honored. But it was not a position I had sought out, and I thought carefully before accepting. The confirmation process—and the work of serving on the Court if I am confirmed— requires sacrifices, particularly from my family. I chose to accept the nomination because I believe deeply in the rule of law and the place of the Supreme Court in our 4 Nation. I believe Americans of all backgrounds deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written. And I believe I can serve my country by playing that role.
I come before this Committee with humility about the responsibility I have been asked to undertake, and with appreciation for those who came before me. I was nine years old when Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman to sit in this seat. She was a model of grace and dignity throughout her distinguished tenure on the Court. When I was 21 years old and just beginning my career, Ruth Bader Ginsburg sat in this seat. She told the Committee, "What has become of me could only happen in America." I have been nominated to fill Justice Ginsburg's seat, but no one will ever take her place. I will be forever grateful for the path she marked and the life she led.
If confirmed, it would be the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside the Chief Justice and seven Associate Justices. I admire them all and would consider each a valued colleague. And I might bring a few new perspectives to the bench. As the President noted when he announced my nomination, I would be the first mother of school-age children to serve on the Court. I would be the first Justice to join the Court from the Seventh Circuit in 45 years. And I would be the only sitting Justice who didn't attend law school at Harvard or Yale. I am confident that Notre Dame will hold its own, and maybe I could even teach them a thing or two about football.
As a final note, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the many Americans from all walks of life who have reached out with messages of support over the course of my nomination. I believe in the power of prayer, and it has been uplifting to hear that so many people are praying for me. I look forward to answering the Committee's questions over the coming days. And if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, I pledge to faithfully and impartially discharge my duties to the American people as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Thank you.


npr--2020-10-11--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak On Sept. 28 , the world marked a tragic milestone : 1 million deaths from COVID-19 .
That 's according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University .
And public health experts believe the actual toll – the recorded deaths plus the unrecorded deaths – is much higher .
While the number of cases has slowed in many countries that were hit hard early on by coronavirus , the number of new cases continues to increase .
Since early July , new daily cases averaged over 200,000 worldwide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January .
At over 7 million cases , the United States leads the world 's COVID-19 crisis .
In late spring and early summer , new COVID-19 cases were largely driven by cases in the Americas .
While the U.S. has consistently had the most new daily cases of coronavirus in the region , Brazil 's new daily cases increased rapidly between May and August .
However , in September , several countries that had previously flattened their curve saw a resurgence in cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , daily case counts have risen swiftly since June , without signs of slowing down .
Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time .
The first chart compares each continent to each other , while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region .
To compare country outbreaks , the chart below graphs trend lines for average new daily cases and deaths against each country 's totals to date .
This type of visualization highlights a state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In countries like Israel , which is seeing a second wave of case growth after an initial wave in April , the line forms a V-shape , as the initially bent curve spikes upwards again .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on @ @ @ @ @

Coronavirus world map: We've now passed the 600 million mark for infections
Editor's note: This page is no longer being updated. The last update was Sept. 5, 2022. For current data about COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world, Johns Hopkins University and Our World in Data are useful resources.
In late January 2020 only a few dozen COVID-19 infections had been identified outside of China. A year later, the world tallied its first 100 million cases. It took the globe just 7 more months to pass the 200 million mark— then another 5 months to hit 300 million, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Now the virus has spread to every corner of the globe and has been blamed for more than 6 million deaths.
The United States, India and Brazil in that order have had the most COVID cases and the three nations collectively account for almost half of all recorded infections so far in the pandemic.
Explore the chart below to find a country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January 2020.
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Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time. The first chart compares each continent to each other, while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region.
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This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.


npr--2020-10-11--Coronavirus Maps: How Severe Is Your State's Outbreak?

Coronavirus Maps : How Severe Is Your State 's Outbreak ?
More than 7 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the coronavirus and more than 210,000 have died .
Tens of thousands of new cases are reported daily nationwide .
In the graphics below , explore the trends in your state .
View the data via a heat map ( immediately below ) , curve charts , a table of state-by-state trends over four weeks , or a map of total cases and deaths .
The map above shows the risk of infection in each state based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These color-coded risk levels were developed by a consortium of researchers and public health experts .
The group advises states in the red category to issue stay-home orders .
Orange states may need to consider stay-home orders , along with increased testing and contact tracing .
Yellow states need to keep up social distancing and mask usage , and both yellow and green states should continue testing and contact tracing .
To compare state outbreaks , the chart above graphs trend lines for average new daily cases and deaths against each state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visualization highlights a state 's daily growth or decline relative to the overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In New York , the curve rose sharply before reaching over 170,000 total cases in April .
Since then , new cases have fallen from about 10,000 per day in mid-April to under 800 per day in late September .
Explore the map above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the country for both new confirmed cases and reported deaths from COVID-19 .
New York was the original epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. As of mid August , California , Florida and Texas have surpassed New York for total cases to date , though New York still has the highest death total .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
To show trends , the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state , week over week for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in shades of red have growing outbreaks ; those in shades of green , are declining .
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local media reports .
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies .
This may result in occasional data discrepancies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolves anomalies and updates its feeds .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships .
In early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in the state 's daily numbers until the JHU team was able to reconcile the historical data .
On June 25 , New Jersey included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , resulting in a spike in the state 's daily death numbers .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn contributed to and Carmel Wroth edited this story .

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
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Note: This page was last updated on Feb. 1, 2023. It will no longer be updated. For current data on COVID cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Feb. 1, there have been more than 101 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. and more than 1 million people have died of COVID-19. In the graphics below, explore the trends in your state.
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The above charts show average new cases per 100,000 people for each state over the last 12 months.
Note: Actual cases may be substantially higher, since many who test positive with at-home tests don't report their cases.
For additional data about COVID-19 in the U.S, including cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
To show trends, the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state, week over week for the last 28 days. States marked in shades of red have growing outbreaks; those in shades of green, are declining.
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Methodology
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the World Health Organization; national, state and local government health departments; 1point3acres; and local media reports.
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies. This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds. There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department's website. Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships.
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases, process testing backlogs or update their methodologies. The JHU team maintains a list of such changes.
This story was originally published on March 16, 2020. Elena Renken was a co-author on that version. Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story. Carmel Wroth edited this story.


npr--2020-10-11--'Courts Are Not Designed To Solve Every Problem,' Barrett To Say In Opening Statement

'Courts Are Not Designed To Solve Every Problem , ' Barrett To Say In Opening Statement Judge Amy Coney Barrett is set to give a glimpse of her judicial philosophy as her Supreme Court confirmation hearing begins in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday .
`` Courts have a vital responsibility to enforce the rule of law , which is critical to a free society , '' Barrett is set to say in her opening statement .
`` But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life .
The policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the People .
The public should not expect courts to do so , and courts should not try . ''
NPR obtained the opening statement from a source familiar with the hearing preparations who was not authorized to speak on the record .
Barrett , who is President Trump 's pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court , also plans to detail in her opening statement her link to the late Justice Antonin Scalia , for whom she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion resolving a case , I read every word from the perspective of the losing party , '' Barrett will say in her statement .
`` I ask myself how would I view the decision if one of my children was the party I was ruling against : Even though I would not like the result , would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in the law ?
That is the standard I set for myself in every case , and it is the standard I will follow as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any court . ''
The confirmation hearing is moving ahead under exceedingly unusual circumstances , with Election Day looming and a coronavirus outbreak still roiling Washington .
Republicans are aiming to stick to a tight and closely choreographed timeline that would allow Barrett to join the court before Election Day on Nov. 3 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has been adamant that the Judiciary Committee hearing should proceed despite three Republican senators , including two members of the committee , testing positive for the coronavirus .
The committee members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the White House Rose Garden to announce Barrett 's nomination .
That event has been at the nexus of the ongoing spread of the coronavirus in GOP political circles .
McConnell has said that the committee is capable of holding hearings that are part virtual and part in person and that the development will not prevent Barrett 's confirmation .
The Republican leader did postpone floor votes for two weeks after the news of the outbreak .
`` We will be voting on the nominee , you know , very soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Hugh Hewitt 's radio show .
`` I have n't picked an exact point to bring the nomination up , but it 's front and center for the American people . ''
The committee plans to allow members to appear either in person or virtually and has drastically reduced the number of people allowed in the hearing room .
Barrett 's family will be seated as a pod , press access will be pared down and hygiene stations with masks , gloves and sanitizer will be accessible throughout the room , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been enough to assuage protests from Democrats , who say the hearings should be halted .
They are calling for committee-wide testing and in-person hearings for a nominee who is chosen by whoever wins the election in November .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , has accused Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , of barreling ahead with the confirmation even as committee members Mike Lee , R-Utah , and Thom Tillis , R-N.C. , have been diagnosed with COVID-19 .
`` Moving forward with the committee process when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 is irresponsible and dangerous , but doing so without requiring all members to be tested before a hearing in accordance with CDC best practices would be intentionally reckless , '' Schumer said in a statement .
`` If Chairman Graham does n't require testing , it may make some wonder if he just does n't want to know the results . ''
Republicans have rejected those calls and are moving ahead with the ambitious schedule that leaves little room for error .
Republican leaders have known since shortly after Barrett was nominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
The lack of drama over the potential outcome of a final vote on the Senate floor opens opportunities for both parties to use the hearings as part of a final pitch to voters who are deciding the outcome of both the presidential election and Senate races that could shift the balance of power in Washington for several years .
For Republicans , the four days of hearings will be an opportunity to highlight Barrett 's legal career , conservative judicial philosophy and close connection with Scalia .
They also plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to several aides familiar with the committee .
Outside groups have rushed to help both parties build not only a case for Barrett but also a political argument to the public .
Groups like the Article III Project , which was created to defend Trump 's judicial nominees , have been holding press calls , writing opinion pieces and appearing on TV to advocate for Barrett .
`` Wrapped within the whole political moment of a presidential election and a Supreme Court confirmation is the very question of , what do we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like ? ''
said Ian Prior , a senior counselor for the group .
`` The Senate is really the place where there 's going to be the most to gain or to lose based on how those hearings go , how people conduct themselves in those hearings , especially when you 're talking about in the middle of a presidential election . ''
Four Republicans on the Senate committee are running for reelection , many in races that have tightened in recent weeks .
Graham , Tillis , Texas ' John Cornyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ballot in their home states .
Democrats hope to use the nationally televised hearings to their advantage , according to several Democratic aides .
Democrats have few options for slowing the nomination or preventing a vote on the Senate floor .
However , the hearings create a national stage for members of the Judiciary Committee to make a final pitch to voters .
For Democrats , that means talking first and foremost about health care .
They say Barrett could be the key vote for GOP attempts to overturn the Affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to be argued before the court on Nov. 10 , one week after Election Day .
Democrats say Barrett was chosen specifically on the belief that she would dismantle the health care law .
Sen. Chris Coons , D-Del.
, told reporters on a call last week that he has already raised those concerns with Barrett and plans to do so again during the hearing .
`` I just wanted her to hear directly from me that what I 'm most concerned about is that in the middle of a pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general are trying to overturn the Affordable Care Act and its protections , '' Coons said .
`` The ACA is not just on the docket of the Supreme Court — it 's on the ballot in the fall . ''
Democrats also plan to focus on Barrett 's stance on abortion .
That has become a tricky subject as Republicans accuse Democrats of attacking Barrett for her conservative Catholic faith , not her judicial philosophy .
Republicans , from McConnell to committee members , have spent the past several weeks accusing Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholicism and Barrett 's faith .
They point to questions Sen. Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif. , asked Barrett during her confirmation hearings in 2017 when she was before the committee for her current post on the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
At the time , Feinstein said , `` The dogma lives loudly within '' Barrett .
Democrats have vowed to avoid discussions of faith with Barrett in recent weeks , but Republicans have focused intently on the issue .
Committee members like Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats for a `` smear campaign '' against Barrett .
But Democrats call the religion discussion an attempt at a political trap that they have vowed to avoid .

'Courts Are Not Designed To Solve Every Problem,' Barrett To Say In Opening Statement
Enlarge this image toggle caption Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Updated at 12:50 p.m. ET
Judge Amy Coney Barrett is set to give a glimpse of her judicial philosophy as her Supreme Court confirmation hearing begins in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
"Courts have a vital responsibility to enforce the rule of law, which is critical to a free society," Barrett is set to say in her opening statement. "But courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life. The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the People. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try."
NPR obtained the opening statement from a source familiar with the hearing preparations who was not authorized to speak on the record.
Barrett, who is President Trump's pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, also plans to detail in her opening statement her link to the late Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom she clerked.
"When I write an opinion resolving a case, I read every word from the perspective of the losing party," Barrett will say in her statement. "I ask myself how would I view the decision if one of my children was the party I was ruling against: Even though I would not like the result, would I understand that the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in the law? That is the standard I set for myself in every case, and it is the standard I will follow as long as I am a judge on any court."
Voting "very soon"
The confirmation hearing is moving ahead under exceedingly unusual circumstances, with Election Day looming and a coronavirus outbreak still roiling Washington.
Republicans are aiming to stick to a tight and closely choreographed timeline that would allow Barrett to join the court before Election Day on Nov. 3.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has been adamant that the Judiciary Committee hearing should proceed despite three Republican senators, including two members of the committee, testing positive for the coronavirus.
The committee members were among those who attended an event in the White House Rose Garden to announce Barrett's nomination. That event has been at the nexus of the ongoing spread of the coronavirus in GOP political circles.
McConnell has said that the committee is capable of holding hearings that are part virtual and part in person and that the development will not prevent Barrett's confirmation. The Republican leader did postpone floor votes for two weeks after the news of the outbreak.
"We will be voting on the nominee, you know, very soon," McConnell said in a recent appearance on Hugh Hewitt's radio show. "I haven't picked an exact point to bring the nomination up, but it's front and center for the American people."
Confirmation in a pandemic
The committee plans to allow members to appear either in person or virtually and has drastically reduced the number of people allowed in the hearing room. Barrett's family will be seated as a pod, press access will be pared down and hygiene stations with masks, gloves and sanitizer will be accessible throughout the room, according to committee aides.
Those protections have not been enough to assuage protests from Democrats, who say the hearings should be halted. They are calling for committee-wide testing and in-person hearings for a nominee who is chosen by whoever wins the election in November.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has accused Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., of barreling ahead with the confirmation even as committee members Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
"Moving forward with the committee process when three Senators have recently tested positive for Covid-19 is irresponsible and dangerous, but doing so without requiring all members to be tested before a hearing in accordance with CDC best practices would be intentionally reckless," Schumer said in a statement. "If Chairman Graham doesn't require testing, it may make some wonder if he just doesn't want to know the results."
Republicans have rejected those calls and are moving ahead with the ambitious schedule that leaves little room for error.
Election politics in the hearing room
Republican leaders have known since shortly after Barrett was nominated that they have the votes to confirm her.
The lack of drama over the potential outcome of a final vote on the Senate floor opens opportunities for both parties to use the hearings as part of a final pitch to voters who are deciding the outcome of both the presidential election and Senate races that could shift the balance of power in Washington for several years.
For Republicans, the four days of hearings will be an opportunity to highlight Barrett's legal career, conservative judicial philosophy and close connection with Scalia. They also plan to draw out political attacks from Democrats, according to several aides familiar with the committee.
Outside groups have rushed to help both parties build not only a case for Barrett but also a political argument to the public. Groups like the Article III Project, which was created to defend Trump's judicial nominees, have been holding press calls, writing opinion pieces and appearing on TV to advocate for Barrett.
"Wrapped within the whole political moment of a presidential election and a Supreme Court confirmation is the very question of, what do we want our structure of government to look like?" said Ian Prior, a senior counselor for the group. "The Senate is really the place where there's going to be the most to gain or to lose based on how those hearings go, how people conduct themselves in those hearings, especially when you're talking about in the middle of a presidential election."
Four Republicans on the Senate committee are running for reelection, many in races that have tightened in recent weeks. Graham, Tillis, Texas' John Cornyn and Iowa's Joni Ernst are all on the ballot in their home states. Democrats hope to use the nationally televised hearings to their advantage, according to several Democratic aides.
Democrats have few options for slowing the nomination or preventing a vote on the Senate floor. However, the hearings create a national stage for members of the Judiciary Committee to make a final pitch to voters.
For Democrats, that means talking first and foremost about health care. They say Barrett could be the key vote for GOP attempts to overturn the Affordable Care Act in a case that is scheduled to be argued before the court on Nov. 10, one week after Election Day.
Democrats say Barrett was chosen specifically on the belief that she would dismantle the health care law. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., told reporters on a call last week that he has already raised those concerns with Barrett and plans to do so again during the hearing.
"I just wanted her to hear directly from me that what I'm most concerned about is that in the middle of a pandemic, President Trump and 18 Republican state attorneys general are trying to overturn the Affordable Care Act and its protections," Coons said. "The ACA is not just on the docket of the Supreme Court — it's on the ballot in the fall."
Faith and judicial decisions
Democrats also plan to focus on Barrett's stance on abortion. That has become a tricky subject as Republicans accuse Democrats of attacking Barrett for her conservative Catholic faith, not her judicial philosophy.
Republicans, from McConnell to committee members, have spent the past several weeks accusing Democrats of religious bigotry in how they discuss Catholicism and Barrett's faith. They point to questions Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., asked Barrett during her confirmation hearings in 2017 when she was before the committee for her current post on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. At the time, Feinstein said, "The dogma lives loudly within" Barrett.
Democrats have vowed to avoid discussions of faith with Barrett in recent weeks, but Republicans have focused intently on the issue. Committee members like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, have been on cable news and Twitter denouncing Democrats for a "smear campaign" against Barrett.
But Democrats call the religion discussion an attempt at a political trap that they have vowed to avoid.


npr--2020-10-11--TikTok Sensation: Meet The Idaho Potato Worker Who Sent Fleetwood Mac Sales Soaring

TikTok Sensation : Meet The Idaho Potato Worker Who Sent Fleetwood Mac Sales Soaring Nathan Apodaca 's truck had already logged some 320,000 miles .
One morning last month , it could n't go a mile more .
The truck broke down on a highway in Idaho Falls , Idaho , about 2 miles from the potato warehouse where Apodaca has worked for nearly two decades .
Luckily , he had a skateboard in his truck , along with a bottle of Ocean Spray 's Cran-Raspberry juice .
`` I was just sitting there , and I 'm like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit here and wait for nobody to pull some jumper cables , ' `` Apodaca told NPR.
`` ' I 'm not gon na flag anyone down . '
So I grab my juice , grab my longboard , started heading to work . ''
The story could have ended there .
As many know by now , it did n't .
As Apodaca rolled down a hill , he casually turned on his TikTok account , @ 420doggface208 , and created a video that would make a cultural sensation of his fairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
`` When I heard 'Dreams , ' that 's when I figured , 'OK , this is it , ' `` said Apodaca , a 37-year-old father of two .
After the video took off , that 1977 hit single , `` Dreams '' by Fleetwood Mac , catapulted back on the charts , tripling in sales .
The band also reported its best week ever on streaming .
This was n't Apodaca 's first TikTok video .
He has been making them for about two years , mostly on lunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first turned onto the app at the urging of his teenage daughter .
In the video that launched him into Internet fame , you see him wearing a gray hoodie — juice bottle in hand .
He gives a cool-guy `` what 's up ? ''
nod to the screen .
Then he turns his head around to check traffic , revealing a feather tattoo , which honors his Native American mother .
`` I could n't hear nothing when I was looking around for the cars , because the wind was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned and the wind cut out is when I caught the part where she gets the vocals , '' he said , referencing the end of the video , when he lip-syncs Stevie Nicks ' lyrics .
And he was done .
He put the phone in his pocket , went to the potato warehouse , punched in and nearly forgot about it .
`` I almost did n't post it , but I was like , 'Let 's post it and see what it does within an hour , ' `` Apodaca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TikTok , the video gathered some 100,000 views .
It now has more than 35 million .
It has been crowned with meme status .
According to figures from TikTok , 134,000 tribute videos have been made , inspired by Apodaca , totaling almost a half-billion views .
The lieutenant governor of Montana , Mike Cooney , did a tribute , as did comedian Jimmy Fallon — and endless others .
Mick Fleetwood , the legendary band 's drummer , was so touched that he recorded his own version on a skateboard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spontaneous .
It was heartfelt .
It was fun , and God knows we need some of that right now , '' Fleetwood told NPR from his home in Maui , Hawaii .
`` To some extent , it was a lovely accident , '' Fleetwood said .
`` It could have been any song , but it was ours .
For us bunch in Fleetwood Mac , the inspiring thing was that it was just so off the wall .
Did we expect it ?
No .
Are we happy and delighted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a video chat recently .
Why did Apodaca 's video resonate so much right now ?
Who knows ?
But he thinks it has something to do with the moment of pure delight that he captured , giving everyone a brief escape from turbulent times .
`` There 's just too much chaos right now , '' he said .
`` Everybody just needed something to relax to and vibe out with , '' Apodaca said .
And so far , he has gotten more out of it than just millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new truck in the appropriate color of cranberry red .
It was delivered to him packed full of jugs of the brand 's juice .
Fan donations have poured in .
He will put them toward a down payment on a home .
Right now , he 's living in an RV in Idaho Falls , where he does n't even have running water .
To shower and use a bathroom , he goes to his brother 's house nearby .
He still has the potato warehouse job .
There is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : a publicist .
Unsure how enduring his moment in the TikTok limelight will be , he 's taking a couple of weeks off to see .
`` Just a week or two , '' he said .
`` But I told my boss I 'll be back probably sooner . ''

TikTok Sensation: Meet The Idaho Potato Worker Who Sent Fleetwood Mac Sales Soaring
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ocean Spray Ocean Spray
Nathan Apodaca's truck had already logged some 320,000 miles. One morning last month, it couldn't go a mile more. The truck broke down on a highway in Idaho Falls, Idaho, about 2 miles from the potato warehouse where Apodaca has worked for nearly two decades.
Luckily, he had a skateboard in his truck, along with a bottle of Ocean Spray's Cran-Raspberry juice.
"I was just sitting there, and I'm like, 'OK, I'm not gonna sit here and wait for nobody to pull some jumper cables,' " Apodaca told NPR. " 'I'm not gonna flag anyone down.' So I grab my juice, grab my longboard, started heading to work."
The story could have ended there. As many know by now, it didn't.
As Apodaca rolled down a hill, he casually turned on his TikTok account, @420doggface208, and created a video that would make a cultural sensation of his fairly prosaic, if resourceful, commute to work.
When I heard 'Dreams,' that's when I figured, 'OK, this is it,' " said Apodaca, a 37-year-old father of two. After the video took off, that 1977 hit single, "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac, catapulted back on the charts, tripling in sales. The band also reported its best week ever on streaming.
This wasn't Apodaca's first TikTok video. He has been making them for about two years, mostly on lunch breaks at his factory job. He was first turned onto the app at the urging of his teenage daughter.
In the video that launched him into Internet fame, you see him wearing a gray hoodie — juice bottle in hand. He gives a cool-guy "what's up?" nod to the screen. Then he turns his head around to check traffic, revealing a feather tattoo, which honors his Native American mother.
"I couldn't hear nothing when I was looking around for the cars, because the wind was in my ears. So when I turned and the wind cut out is when I caught the part where she gets the vocals," he said, referencing the end of the video, when he lip-syncs Stevie Nicks' lyrics.
And he was done. He put the phone in his pocket, went to the potato warehouse, punched in and nearly forgot about it.
"I almost didn't post it, but I was like, 'Let's post it and see what it does within an hour,' " Apodaca said.
In its first hour on TikTok, the video gathered some 100,000 views. It now has more than 35 million. It has been crowned with meme status. According to figures from TikTok, 134,000 tribute videos have been made, inspired by Apodaca, totaling almost a half-billion views.
The lieutenant governor of Montana, Mike Cooney, did a tribute, as did comedian Jimmy Fallon — and endless others.
Mick Fleetwood, the legendary band's drummer, was so touched that he recorded his own version on a skateboard, juice in hand.
"It was spontaneous. It was heartfelt. It was fun, and God knows we need some of that right now," Fleetwood told NPR from his home in Maui, Hawaii.
"To some extent, it was a lovely accident," Fleetwood said. "It could have been any song, but it was ours. For us bunch in Fleetwood Mac, the inspiring thing was that it was just so off the wall. Did we expect it? No. Are we happy and delighted? Absolutely."
The two met for a video chat recently.
Why did Apodaca's video resonate so much right now? Who knows? But he thinks it has something to do with the moment of pure delight that he captured, giving everyone a brief escape from turbulent times.
"There's just too much chaos right now," he said. "Everybody just needed something to relax to and vibe out with," Apodaca said.
And so far, he has gotten more out of it than just millions of TikTok views.
Ocean Spray bought him a new truck in the appropriate color of cranberry red. It was delivered to him packed full of jugs of the brand's juice.
Fan donations have poured in. He will put them toward a down payment on a home. Right now, he's living in an RV in Idaho Falls, where he doesn't even have running water. To shower and use a bathroom, he goes to his brother's house nearby.
He still has the potato warehouse job. There is, however, something new in his life: a publicist. Unsure how enduring his moment in the TikTok limelight will be, he's taking a couple of weeks off to see.
"Just a week or two," he said. "But I told my boss I'll be back probably sooner."