npr--2020-10-26--They Work In Several Nursing Homes To Eke Out A Living, And That May Spread The Virus

They Work In Several Nursing Homes To Eke Out A Living , And That May Spread The Virus To make ends meet , Martha Tapia works 64 hours a week at two Orange County , Calif. , nursing homes .
She is one of thousands of certified nursing assistants who perform the intimate and physical work of bathing , dressing and feeding the nation 's fragile elderly .
`` We do everything for them .
Everything you do for yourself , you have to do for the residents , '' Tapia says .
And she 's one of many in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color , who work at more than one facility .
In March , when the coronavirus began racing through nursing homes , the federal government banned visitors .
( That guidance has since been updated . )
But even with the ban , infections kept spreading .
A team of researchers from UCLA and Yale University decided to examine the people who continued to enter nursing homes in that time — the employees .
Keith Chen , a behavioral economist and UCLA professor , says the key question is this : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in this nursing home — what other nursing homes do they work at ? ''
Using location data from 30 million smartphones when the visitor ban was in place helped the scientists `` see '' the movements of people going into and out of nursing homes .
The data showed a lot of nursing home workers are — like Tapia — working at more than one facility .
Chen says the findings suggest that one source of the spread of infections is staff who work in multiple nursing homes .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers are also spending time in other nursing homes , that should be a real red flag , '' Chen says .
The toll on patients and beyond More than 84,000 residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have died from COVID-19 across the U.S. , representing 40 % of all coronavirus fatalities in the country , according to the Kaiser Family Foundation 's most recent analysis .
( Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation . )
In California , the analogous toll is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 % of all coronavirus fatalities in the state .
The UCLA team created maps of movement and found that on average each nursing home is connected to seven others through staff movement .
Limiting nursing home employees to one facility could mean fewer COVID-19 infections — but that would hurt the workforce of people who say they work multiple jobs because of low wages .
After each of her shifts , Tapia worries she 'll bring the coronavirus home to her granddaughter .
She tries to take precautions , including buying N95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not just patients who are at risk .
Nursing home workers such as Tapia are also contracting COVID-19 — in California alone , 153 of them have died since the pandemic began .
At the nursing home she works at in the morning , Tapia gets an N95 mask that she must only use — and reuse — in that facility .
At her other nursing home job , in the afternoons , she gets only a blue surgical mask to wear .
`` They say they can not give us N95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because she works in the `` general area '' where residents have n't tested positive for the coronavirus .
She does n't want to work at multiple nursing homes , but her rent is $ 2,200 a month , and her low pay and limited hours at each nursing home make multiple jobs a necessity .
`` I do n't want to get sick .
But we need to work .
We need to eat , we need to pay rent .
That 's just how it is , '' Tapia says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some areas of the country have a much higher overlap in nursing home staffing than others .
`` There are some facilities in Florida , in New Jersey , where they 're sharing upwards of 50 to 100 workers , '' says UCLA associate professor Elisa Long , who , along with her colleagues , examined data during the federal visitor ban from March to May .
`` This is over an 11-week time period , but that 's a huge number of individuals that are moving between these facilities ; all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
They also found the more shared workers a nursing home has , the more COVID-19 infections among the residents .
`` Not only does it matter how connected your nursing home is , but what really matters is how connected your connections are , '' Long says .
The researchers say they 've informally dubbed these highly connected nursing homes as each state 's `` Kevin Bacon of nursing homes , '' after the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon parlor game .
`` We found that if you 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's likely to spread to the Kevin Bacon of nursing homes in each state , '' Chen says .
The team hopes that local health departments could use similar cellphone data methods as an early warning system .
Using the test results from the `` Kevin Bacon of nursing homes '' as an indicator would be the first step .
`` As soon as you detect an outbreak in one nursing home , you can immediately prioritize those other nursing homes that you know are at increased risk , '' Chen says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most nursing homes in California .
In response to the study , the group says its members ca n't prevent workers such as Tapia from taking jobs elsewhere , and they ca n't pay them more , because California does n't pay them enough through Medicaid reimbursements .
Mike Dark , an attorney with the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform , does n't buy that argument .
He says the state already tried paying nursing homes more in 2006 — and that made them more profitable but not more safe and efficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra funding to pay staff would reach those workers .
`` We know from past experience that money tends to go into the pockets of the executives and administrators who run these places , '' Dark says .
He agrees that health workers such as Tapia should be paid more but cautions against one idea that is being floated in some policy circles : limiting workers to one nursing home .
`` Then you can wind up depriving some of the crucial health care givers that we have in these facilities of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good solution , '' he says .
Instead , he says , regulators need to focus on the basics , especially in the 100 California nursing homes with ongoing outbreaks , since it 's been shown that infection control measures work .
`` Right now there 's poor access to [ personal protective equipment ] .
There 's still erratic compliance with things like hand-washing requirements , '' he says .
`` If we spent more time addressing those key issues , there would be much less concern about spread between facilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ KPCC and LAist.com .
This story is part of NPR 's reporting partnership with KPCC and Kaiser Health News , a nonprofit , editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation .
KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

They Work In Several Nursing Homes To Eke Out A Living, And That May Spread The Virus
Enlarge this image toggle caption SDI Productions/Getty Images SDI Productions/Getty Images
To make ends meet, Martha Tapia works 64 hours a week at two Orange County, Calif., nursing homes. She is one of thousands of certified nursing assistants who perform the intimate and physical work of bathing, dressing and feeding the nation's fragile elderly.
"We do everything for them. Everything you do for yourself, you have to do for the residents," Tapia says.
And she's one of many in that low-paid field, predominantly women of color, who work at more than one facility.
In March, when the coronavirus began racing through nursing homes, the federal government banned visitors. (That guidance has since been updated.) But even with the ban, infections kept spreading. A team of researchers from UCLA and Yale University decided to examine the people who continued to enter nursing homes in that time — the employees.
Keith Chen, a behavioral economist and UCLA professor, says the key question is this: "The people who, we can infer, work in this nursing home — what other nursing homes do they work at?"
Using location data from 30 million smartphones when the visitor ban was in place helped the scientists "see" the movements of people going into and out of nursing homes. The data showed a lot of nursing home workers are — like Tapia — working at more than one facility. Chen says the findings suggest that one source of the spread of infections is staff who work in multiple nursing homes.
"When you learn that over 20 of your workers are also spending time in other nursing homes, that should be a real red flag," Chen says.
The toll on patients and beyond
More than 84,000 residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have died from COVID-19 across the U.S., representing 40% of all coronavirus fatalities in the country, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation's most recent analysis. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)
In California, the analogous toll is more than 5,700 deaths, making up 35% of all coronavirus fatalities in the state.
The UCLA team created maps of movement and found that on average each nursing home is connected to seven others through staff movement. Limiting nursing home employees to one facility could mean fewer COVID-19 infections — but that would hurt the workforce of people who say they work multiple jobs because of low wages.
After each of her shifts, Tapia worries she'll bring the coronavirus home to her granddaughter. She tries to take precautions, including buying N95 masks from nurses. She knows it's not just patients who are at risk. Nursing home workers such as Tapia are also contracting COVID-19 — in California alone, 153 of them have died since the pandemic began.
At the nursing home she works at in the morning, Tapia gets an N95 mask that she must only use — and reuse — in that facility. At her other nursing home job, in the afternoons, she gets only a blue surgical mask to wear.
"They say they cannot give us N95 [masks]," she says, because she works in the "general area" where residents haven't tested positive for the coronavirus.
She doesn't want to work at multiple nursing homes, but her rent is $2,200 a month, and her low pay and limited hours at each nursing home make multiple jobs a necessity.
"I don't want to get sick. But we need to work. We need to eat, we need to pay rent. That's just how it is," Tapia says.
Staff connections equal infections
The UCLA study also found that some areas of the country have a much higher overlap in nursing home staffing than others.
"There are some facilities in Florida, in New Jersey, where they're sharing upwards of 50 to 100 workers," says UCLA associate professor Elisa Long, who, along with her colleagues, examined data during the federal visitor ban from March to May. "This is over an 11-week time period, but that's a huge number of individuals that are moving between these facilities; all of these are potential sources of COVID transmission."
They also found the more shared workers a nursing home has, the more COVID-19 infections among the residents.
"Not only does it matter how connected your nursing home is, but what really matters is how connected your connections are," Long says.
The researchers say they've informally dubbed these highly connected nursing homes as each state's "Kevin Bacon of nursing homes," after the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon parlor game.
"We found that if you're going to see a nursing home outbreak anywhere it's likely to spread to the Kevin Bacon of nursing homes in each state," Chen says.
The team hopes that local health departments could use similar cellphone data methods as an early warning system. Using the test results from the "Kevin Bacon of nursing homes" as an indicator would be the first step.
"As soon as you detect an outbreak in one nursing home, you can immediately prioritize those other nursing homes that you know are at increased risk," Chen says.
Prioritize masks and hand-washing
The California Association of Health Facilities represents most nursing homes in California. In response to the study, the group says its members can't prevent workers such as Tapia from taking jobs elsewhere, and they can't pay them more, because California doesn't pay them enough through Medicaid reimbursements.
Mike Dark, an attorney with the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, doesn't buy that argument. He says the state already tried paying nursing homes more in 2006 — and that made them more profitable but not more safe and efficient. He says he's skeptical that extra funding to pay staff would reach those workers.
"We know from past experience that money tends to go into the pockets of the executives and administrators who run these places," Dark says.
He agrees that health workers such as Tapia should be paid more but cautions against one idea that is being floated in some policy circles: limiting workers to one nursing home.
"Then you can wind up depriving some of the crucial health care givers that we have in these facilities of their livelihoods, which can't be a good solution," he says.
Instead, he says, regulators need to focus on the basics, especially in the 100 California nursing homes with ongoing outbreaks, since it's been shown that infection control measures work.
"Right now there's poor access to [personal protective equipment]. There's still erratic compliance with things like hand-washing requirements," he says. "If we spent more time addressing those key issues, there would be much less concern about spread between facilities."
Jackie Fortiér is health reporter for KPCC and LAist.com. This story is part of NPR's reporting partnership with KPCC and Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


npr--2020-10-26--VMI Superintendent Steps Down Amid Allegations Of 'Structural Racism'

One week after Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam opened an investigation into systemic racism at the Virginia Military Institute , the college 's superintendent has submitted his resignation .
On Friday , `` the Governor 's Chief of Staff conveyed that the Governor and certain legislative leaders had lost confidence in my leadership as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute and desired my resignation , '' retired U.S. Army General J.H .
Binford Peay III , 80 , wrote to the school 's Board of Visitors .
`` Therefore , effective today ...
I hereby resign . ''
Peay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 17 years , told The Washington Post earlier this month that `` there is no place for racism or discrimination at VMI . ''
Black students make up about 8 % of the school 's 1,700 enrollment .
In Northam 's Oct. 19 letter , the governor expressed his `` deep concerns about the clear and appalling culture of ongoing structural racism '' at the school .
`` Black cadets at VMI have long faced repeated instances of racism on campus , including horrifying new revelations of threats about lynching , vicious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professor who spoke fondly of her family 's history in the Ku Klux Klan — to say nothing of inconsistent application of the Institute 's Honor Code . ''
Northam also expressed outrage at the environment in which VMI cadets are educated , which `` honors the Confederacy and celebrates an inaccurate and dangerous 'Lost Cause ' version of Virginia 's history , '' the letter said , adding that Virginians expect universities to `` eschew outdated traditions that glamorize a history rooted in rebellion against the United States . ''
Noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer sufficient '' to fix VMI 's culture , Northam directed an independent , third-party review of the school 's culture and policies .
Northam 's letter was signed by several top state officials , including Lt. Gov .
Justin Fairfax , Attorney General Mark Herring and Eileen Filler-Corn , speaker of the House of Delegates .
The call for an investigation came after reports surfaced that Black cadets continue to experience racism more than 50 years after the institute became the last four-year public college in the state to accept Black students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government threatened to withhold funds from the state if all public schools did n't comply .
A Washington Post investigation this month described an `` atmosphere of hostility and cultural insensitivity '' toward today 's Black cadets , who were said to endure endless racism .
`` I wake up every day wondering , 'Why am I still here ? '
`` 20-year-old William Bunton told The Post .
Racist incidents allegedly included a white professor who reminisced about her father 's membership in the Ku Klux Klan ; a Black freshman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and open hostility toward a Black student who did n't want an image of Confederate Gen. Thomas `` Stonewall '' Jackson incorporated into the design of a class ring .
In response to the state 's call for an investigation , VMI President John Boland argued that `` systemic racism does not exist here and a fair and independent review will find that to be true . ''
Many of the incidents in the Post investigation happened years ago , Boland wrote in his letter to Northam , arguing they `` had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lapse of judgment than they do with the culture of the Institute . ''
The new acting superintendent is Brig .
Gen. Robert `` Bob '' Moreschi , a 16-year member of the VMI faculty , who also is dean of the faculty .
According to a VMI spokesman , Moreschi will be the acting superintendent while the Board of Visitors searches for a replacement .

VMI Superintendent Steps Down Amid Allegations Of 'Structural Racism'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steve Helber/AP Steve Helber/AP
One week after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam opened an investigation into systemic racism at the Virginia Military Institute, the college's superintendent has submitted his resignation.
On Friday, "the Governor's Chief of Staff conveyed that the Governor and certain legislative leaders had lost confidence in my leadership as Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute and desired my resignation," retired U.S. Army General J.H. Binford Peay III, 80, wrote to the school's Board of Visitors. "Therefore, effective today ... I hereby resign."
Peay, who was superintendent of the public college for 17 years, told The Washington Post earlier this month that "there is no place for racism or discrimination at VMI." Black students make up about 8% of the school's 1,700 enrollment.
In Northam's Oct. 19 letter, the governor expressed his "deep concerns about the clear and appalling culture of ongoing structural racism" at the school. "Black cadets at VMI have long faced repeated instances of racism on campus, including horrifying new revelations of threats about lynching, vicious attacks on social media, and even a professor who spoke fondly of her family's history in the Ku Klux Klan — to say nothing of inconsistent application of the Institute's Honor Code."
Northam also expressed outrage at the environment in which VMI cadets are educated, which "honors the Confederacy and celebrates an inaccurate and dangerous 'Lost Cause' version of Virginia's history," the letter said, adding that Virginians expect universities to "eschew outdated traditions that glamorize a history rooted in rebellion against the United States."
Noting that "internal action alone is no longer sufficient" to fix VMI's culture, Northam directed an independent, third-party review of the school's culture and policies. Northam's letter was signed by several top state officials, including Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, Attorney General Mark Herring and Eileen Filler-Corn, speaker of the House of Delegates.
The call for an investigation came after reports surfaced that Black cadets continue to experience racism more than 50 years after the institute became the last four-year public college in the state to accept Black students. That integration only came after the federal government threatened to withhold funds from the state if all public schools didn't comply.
A Washington Post investigation this month described an "atmosphere of hostility and cultural insensitivity" toward today's Black cadets, who were said to endure endless racism. "I wake up every day wondering, 'Why am I still here?' " 20-year-old William Bunton told The Post.
Racist incidents allegedly included a white professor who reminisced about her father's membership in the Ku Klux Klan; a Black freshman threatened with lynching during so-called Hell Week; and open hostility toward a Black student who didn't want an image of Confederate Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson incorporated into the design of a class ring.
In response to the state's call for an investigation, VMI President John Boland argued that "systemic racism does not exist here and a fair and independent review will find that to be true." Many of the incidents in the Post investigation happened years ago, Boland wrote in his letter to Northam, arguing they "had more to do with an individual's lapse of judgment than they do with the culture of the Institute."
The new acting superintendent is Brig. Gen. Robert "Bob" Moreschi, a 16-year member of the VMI faculty, who also is dean of the faculty. According to a VMI spokesman, Moreschi will be the acting superintendent while the Board of Visitors searches for a replacement.


npr--2020-10-26--Uber Fires Drivers Based On 'Racially Biased' Star Rating System, Lawsuit Claims

A former Uber driver in San Diego sued the ride-hailing company on Monday for racial discrimination in how it uses passengers ' reviews to evaluate drivers .
The company relies on a star rating system , which the lawsuit says disproportionately leads to the firing of people who are not white or who speak with accents .
`` Uber has long known that relying on a system that depends on passenger evaluation of drivers is discriminatory , '' wrote the driver 's attorney , Shannon Liss-Riordan , in the federal lawsuit , which was filed in San Francisco and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uber fires drivers if their average ratings drop too low .
The suit aims to represent all minority Uber drivers who have been kicked off the app because of poor star ratings .
It asks the court to order Uber to stop using passenger evaluations when deciding whether to ban drivers from the app .
`` Uber 's use of this system to determine driver terminations constitutes race discrimination , as it is widely recognized that customer evaluations of workers are frequently racially biased .
Indeed , Uber itself has recognized the racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liss-Riordan wrote in the suit .
Uber strongly contests this allegation .
In a statement , the company called the suit `` flimsy , '' arguing that `` ridesharing has greatly reduced bias for both drivers and riders , who now have fairer , more equitable access to work and transportation than ever before . ''
An Uber spokesman would not comment on how passenger star ratings factor into a driver 's termination .
But the spokesman pointed out that when riders give a driver a low rating , the company asks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any role .
The app asks passengers , after completing a ride , to rate their driver on a scale of 1 to 5 .
Uber says this system helps keeps rides safe by identifying problematic drivers .
In the suit , plaintiff Thomas Liu is described as Asian , from Hawaii and speaking with a slight accent .
He claims he was fired in October 2015 after his average star rating fell below 4.6 .
Liu contends that riders gave him bad reviews because of his race .
`` He noticed riders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already accepted the ride and the rider was able to view his picture .
He also experienced riders asking where he was from in an unfriendly way , '' according to the suit .
Before Liu could file the federal lawsuit , he first had to file a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission .
It did not make a determination on his case and dismissed it in August , allowing him to pursue the claim in court .
The suit comes eight days before voters in California will decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A ballot initiative , known as Proposition 22 , carves out an exception to a new state law that would force companies such as Uber to convert its drivers from independent contractors to employees .
Critics of Prop 22 say ride-hailing companies are attempting to avoid providing their drivers benefits such as paid sick leave , unemployment protection and health insurance .
Backers say drivers prefer flexibility over employee status .
App-based companies Uber , Lyft , DoorDash and Instacart have pumped nearly $ 200 million to persuade voters to pass the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for ride-sharing and delivery companies .
Uber and Lyft have threatened to leave California altogether if the measure fails .
Last week , a state appeals court affirmed a lower court ruling that ride-sharing drivers are central to the companies ' business and therefore should be afforded employee benefits .

Uber Fires Drivers Based On 'Racially Biased' Star Rating System, Lawsuit Claims
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
A former Uber driver in San Diego sued the ride-hailing company on Monday for racial discrimination in how it uses passengers' reviews to evaluate drivers.
The company relies on a star rating system, which the lawsuit says disproportionately leads to the firing of people who are not white or who speak with accents.
"Uber has long known that relying on a system that depends on passenger evaluation of drivers is discriminatory," wrote the driver's attorney, Shannon Liss-Riordan, in the federal lawsuit, which was filed in San Francisco and is seeking class-action status. The suit claims Uber fires drivers if their average ratings drop too low.
The suit aims to represent all minority Uber drivers who have been kicked off the app because of poor star ratings. It asks the court to order Uber to stop using passenger evaluations when deciding whether to ban drivers from the app.
"Uber's use of this system to determine driver terminations constitutes race discrimination, as it is widely recognized that customer evaluations of workers are frequently racially biased. Indeed, Uber itself has recognized the racial bias of its own customers," Liss-Riordan wrote in the suit.
Uber strongly contests this allegation. In a statement, the company called the suit "flimsy," arguing that "ridesharing has greatly reduced bias for both drivers and riders, who now have fairer, more equitable access to work and transportation than ever before."
An Uber spokesman would not comment on how passenger star ratings factor into a driver's termination. But the spokesman pointed out that when riders give a driver a low rating, the company asks for more information to determine if bias played any role.
The app asks passengers, after completing a ride, to rate their driver on a scale of 1 to 5. Uber says this system helps keeps rides safe by identifying problematic drivers.
In the suit, plaintiff Thomas Liu is described as Asian, from Hawaii and speaking with a slight accent. He claims he was fired in October 2015 after his average star rating fell below 4.6.
Liu contends that riders gave him bad reviews because of his race.
"He noticed riders [canceling] ride requests after he had already accepted the ride and the rider was able to view his picture. He also experienced riders asking where he was from in an unfriendly way," according to the suit.
Before Liu could file the federal lawsuit, he first had to file a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It did not make a determination on his case and dismissed it in August, allowing him to pursue the claim in court.
The suit comes eight days before voters in California will decide the future of ride-hailing in the state.
A ballot initiative, known as Proposition 22, carves out an exception to a new state law that would force companies such as Uber to convert its drivers from independent contractors to employees.
Critics of Prop 22 say ride-hailing companies are attempting to avoid providing their drivers benefits such as paid sick leave, unemployment protection and health insurance.
Backers say drivers prefer flexibility over employee status. App-based companies Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart have pumped nearly $200 million to persuade voters to pass the proposition that effectively creates a legal loophole for ride-sharing and delivery companies.
Uber and Lyft have threatened to leave California altogether if the measure fails.
Last week, a state appeals court affirmed a lower court ruling that ride-sharing drivers are central to the companies' business and therefore should be afforded employee benefits.


npr--2020-10-26--Water On The Moon: NASA Confirms Water Molecules On Our Neighbor's Sunny Surface

Water On The Moon : NASA Confirms Water Molecules On Our Neighbor 's Sunny Surface NASA has confirmed the presence of water on the moon 's sunlit surface , a breakthrough that suggests the chemical compound that is vital to life on Earth could be distributed across more parts of the lunar surface than the ice that has previously been found in dark and cold areas .
`` We do n't know yet if we can use it as a resource , '' NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said , but he added that learning more about the water is crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The discovery comes from the space agency 's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy , or SOFIA — a modified Boeing 747 that can take its large telescope high into Earth 's atmosphere , at altitudes up to 45,000 feet .
Those heights allow researchers to peer at objects in space with hardly any visual disruptions from water vapor .
The water molecules are in Clavius crater , a large crater in the moon 's southern hemisphere .
To detect the molecules , SOFIA used a special infrared camera that can discern between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that of its close chemical relative hydroxyl , or OH .
`` Data from this location reveal water in concentrations of 100 to 412 parts per million — roughly equivalent to a 12-ounce bottle of water — trapped in a cubic meter of soil spread across the lunar surface , '' NASA said in a release about the discovery .
`` This is not puddles of water but instead water molecules that are so spread apart that they do not form ice or liquid water , '' said Casey Honniball , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovery .
The data confirm what experts have suspected , that water might exist on the moon 's sunny side .
But in recent years , researchers had been able to document only water ice at the moon 's poles and other darker and colder areas .
Experts will now try to figure out exactly how the water came to form and why it persists .
NASA scientists published their findings in the latest issue of Nature Astronomy .
`` Without a thick atmosphere , water on the sunlit lunar surface should just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honniball .
`` Yet somehow we 're seeing it .
Something is generating the water , and something must be trapping it there . ''
There are several possible explanations for the water 's presence , including the possibility that it was delivered to the surface by micrometeorites impacting the moon .
Glass beads from that process could trap water , but the SOFIA instruments can not distinguish between water held inside impact glasses and water trapped between grains and in voids , according to the researchers ' paper .

Water On The Moon: NASA Confirms Water Molecules On Our Neighbor's Sunny Surface
Enlarge this image toggle caption NASA/Screenshot by NPR NASA/Screenshot by NPR
NASA has confirmed the presence of water on the moon's sunlit surface, a breakthrough that suggests the chemical compound that is vital to life on Earth could be distributed across more parts of the lunar surface than the ice that has previously been found in dark and cold areas.
"We don't know yet if we can use it as a resource," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said, but he added that learning more about the water is crucial to U.S. plans to explore the moon.
The discovery comes from the space agency's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA — a modified Boeing 747 that can take its large telescope high into Earth's atmosphere, at altitudes up to 45,000 feet. Those heights allow researchers to peer at objects in space with hardly any visual disruptions from water vapor.
The water molecules are in Clavius crater, a large crater in the moon's southern hemisphere. To detect the molecules, SOFIA used a special infrared camera that can discern between water's specific wavelength of 6.1 microns and that of its close chemical relative hydroxyl, or OH.
"Data from this location reveal water in concentrations of 100 to 412 parts per million — roughly equivalent to a 12-ounce bottle of water — trapped in a cubic meter of soil spread across the lunar surface," NASA said in a release about the discovery.
"This is not puddles of water but instead water molecules that are so spread apart that they do not form ice or liquid water," said Casey Honniball, the lead author of a study about the discovery.
YouTube
The data confirm what experts have suspected, that water might exist on the moon's sunny surface. But in recent years, researchers had been able to document only water ice at the moon's poles and other darker and colder areas.
Experts will now try to figure out exactly how the water came to form and why it persists. NASA scientists published their findings in the latest issue of Nature Astronomy.
"Without a thick atmosphere, water on the sunlit lunar surface should just be lost to space," said Honniball. "Yet somehow we're seeing it. Something is generating the water, and something must be trapping it there."
There are several possible explanations for the water's presence, including the possibility that it was delivered to the surface by micrometeorites impacting the moon. Glass beads from that process could trap water, but the SOFIA instruments cannot distinguish between water held inside impact glasses and water trapped between grains and in voids, according to the researchers' paper.
NPR's Geoff Brumfiel contributed to this report.


npr--2020-10-26--'A Decarbonized Society': Japan Pledges To Be Carbon Neutral By 2050

' A Decarbonized Society ' : Japan Pledges To Be Carbon Neutral By 2050 Japan has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 , joining a growing list of countries aiming to stave off the worst effects of climate change .
The country 's approach will include new solar cells and carbon recycling , Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday , according to Reuters .
Further plans are expected to be announced in the future .
Suga took office last month .
Carbon neutral means balancing carbon emissions by also removing carbon from the atmosphere .
Japan joins the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be carbon neutral in that same timeline .
Japan set its goal a decade sooner than China , which pledged last month to be carbon neutral by 2060 .
`` Responding to climate change is no longer a constraint on economic growth , '' Suga said Monday , according to Reuters .
`` I declare we will aim to realize a decarbonized society . ''
In fact , economic growth has been disconnected from greenhouse gas emissions since at least 2015 , according to the International Energy Agency .
Japan has continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Paris Agreement was signed .
More than 60 other countries have said they 're trying to be carbon neutral by 2050 , according to The New York Times .
Most of these countries are small compared to China , which produces 26 % of the world 's emissions .
Scientists say global net greenhouse emissions need to be eliminated by 2050 to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change .
China is the world 's largest emitter of greenhouse gases .
The United States , the world 's second largest carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become carbon neutral .
It will leave the Paris climate agreement on Nov. 4 and is the only country to withdraw from it .
Under the Paris Agreement , the U.S. said it would cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26 % by 2025 , NPR 's Rebecca Hersher and Jackie Northam reported .
But the country has fallen behind to projected a 17 % cut by 2025 .
The U.S. 's withdrawal put pressure on the E.U.
, Mauro Petriccione , the director general of the European Commission 's Climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview last month .
`` This kind of operation of this magnitude and the resources required ?
Well , without the U.S. it has seriously damaged the international process , '' Petriccione said .
`` There 's no question about it . ''
Reese Oxner is an intern on NPR 's News Desk .

'A Decarbonized Society': Japan Pledges To Be Carbon Neutral By 2050
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
Japan has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050, joining a growing list of countries aiming to stave off the worst effects of climate change.
The country's approach will include new solar cells and carbon recycling, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday, according to Reuters. Further plans are expected to be announced in the future. Suga took office last month.
Carbon neutral means balancing carbon emissions by also removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Japan joins the European Union, which previously said it aims to be carbon neutral in that same timeline. Japan set its goal a decade sooner than China, which pledged last month to be carbon neutral by 2060.
"Responding to climate change is no longer a constraint on economic growth," Suga said Monday, according to Reuters. "I declare we will aim to realize a decarbonized society."
In fact, economic growth has been disconnected from greenhouse gas emissions since at least 2015, according to the International Energy Agency.
Japan has continued to invest in new coal infrastructure since the Paris Agreement was signed.
More than 60 other countries have said they're trying to be carbon neutral by 2050, according to The New York Times.
Most of these countries are small compared to China, which produces 26% of the world's emissions.
Scientists say global net greenhouse emissions need to be eliminated by 2050 to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change.
China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
The United States, the world's second largest carbon emitter, has not made any pledges to become carbon neutral. It will leave the Paris climate agreement on Nov. 4 and is the only country to withdraw from it.
Under the Paris Agreement, the U.S. said it would cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26% by 2025, NPR's Rebecca Hersher and Jackie Northam reported. But the country has fallen behind to projected a 17% cut by 2025.
The U.S.'s withdrawal put pressure on the E.U., Mauro Petriccione, the director general of the European Commission's Climate Change group, said in an NPR interview last month.
"This kind of operation of this magnitude and the resources required? Well, without the U.S. it has seriously damaged the international process," Petriccione said. "There's no question about it."
Reese Oxner is an intern on NPR's News Desk.


npr--2020-10-26--Nagorno-Karabakh: U.S.-Brokered Cease-Fire Falters Soon After It Starts

Nagorno-Karabakh : U.S.-Brokered Cease-Fire Falters Soon After It Starts On Sunday afternoon , President Trump tweeted his congratulations to the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for agreeing to a cease-fire in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region .
`` Many lives will be saved , '' Trump wrote .
The U.S.-brokered truce — the third attempt by outside powers to end hostilities that erupted a month ago — went into effect at 8 a.m. local time on Monday .
But it was n't long before the two sides were accusing each other of violating it .
The conflict dates back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , when ethnic groups across the country were demanding independence .
The Armenians living in Azerbaijan 's Nagorno-Karabakh region prevailed in a bloody war of secession and have been living in legal limbo for the past quarter century : not recognized as an independent state but running their own affairs as if it were one .
Together with Russia and France , the United States co-chairs a diplomatic initiative called the Minsk Group that has been charged with finding a lasting peace , including for the Azerbaijani territory surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which maintains close relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia , has led diplomatic efforts to end the current flareup .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that the new fighting has cost almost 5,000 lives , and that he speaks to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev `` several times a day . ''
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington , D.C. , last Friday , after Democrats criticized the Trump administration for not taking a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephen Biegun , then held additional talks with the two foreign ministers and hammered out the third cease-fire agreement .
The Trump administration has been pushing for diplomatic successes as the presidential election campaign enters its final week .
U.S. negotiators have been trying to extend the New START arms control treaty with Russia before it expires in February .
And last Friday , the White House announced it had brokered an `` historic agreement '' opening economic ties between Sudan and Israel .
Trump 's Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh and `` delegating the diplomacy to Moscow . ''
`` The Trump administration must tell Azerbaijan that it will not tolerate its efforts to impose a military solution to this conflict , '' Biden said in an Oct. 13 statement .
`` It must make clear to Armenia that regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh can not be occupied indefinitely and that credible negotiations on a lasting resolution of the conflict must commence immediately once a cease-fire is concluded . ''
Biden also said the Trump administration must stop `` coddling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose support for Azerbaijan has changed the balance of power in the region .
The Armenian diaspora has helped focus U.S. politicians ' attention on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , which Armenians depict as a struggle for national survival against its hostile neighbors , Azerbaijan and Turkey .
On Sunday , Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff assailed `` Azerbaijan and Turkey 's continued deadly aggression '' and said in a tweet that `` the United States must keep up the pressure on Aliyev and Erdogan to end this war . ''
Schiff represents California 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large Armenian-American population .
On the campaign trail in Londonderry , N.H. , Trump addressed Armenian-Americans , calling Armenians `` incredible people '' who are `` fighting like hell . ''
He said ending the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh would be `` an easy one . ''
In fact , a lasting peace has eluded diplomats from the Minsk Group since the 1990s — and the lack of any prospect for a diplomatic solution is now propelling Azerbaijani military operations .
`` For almost 30 years , the Minsk Group co-chairs have tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conflict , but we have created a new reality , '' Aliyev said in a televised address Monday .
`` We are fed up with these negotiations .
How long can you negotiate ? ''
He warned that half a dozen Turkish F-16 fighters left in Azerbaijan following joint military exercises would be used against any `` outside aggression . ''
In September , Armenia said a Turkish F-16 had shot down one of its warplanes , a claim that Turkey denied .
In an address to Armenians on Monday , Pashinyan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said he has n't given up hope for diplomacy .

Nagorno-Karabakh: U.S.-Brokered Cease-Fire Falters Soon After It Starts
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
On Sunday afternoon, President Trump tweeted his congratulations to the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for agreeing to a cease-fire in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. "Many lives will be saved," Trump wrote.
The U.S.-brokered truce — the third attempt by outside powers to end hostilities that erupted a month ago — went into effect at 8 a.m. local time on Monday. But it wasn't long before the two sides were accusing each other of violating it.
The conflict dates back to the end of the Soviet Union three decades ago, when ethnic groups across the country were demanding independence. The Armenians living in Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region prevailed in a bloody war of secession and have been living in legal limbo for the past quarter century: not recognized as an independent state but running their own affairs as if it were one.
Loading...
Together with Russia and France, the United States co-chairs a diplomatic initiative called the Minsk Group that has been charged with finding a lasting peace, including for the Azerbaijani territory surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh that is held by Armenian forces.
The Kremlin, which maintains close relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia, has led diplomatic efforts to end the current flareup. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that the new fighting has cost almost 5,000 lives, and that he speaks to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "several times a day."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington, D.C., last Friday, after Democrats criticized the Trump administration for not taking a more active role. Pompeo's deputy, Stephen Biegun, then held additional talks with the two foreign ministers and hammered out the third cease-fire agreement.
The Trump administration has been pushing for diplomatic successes as the presidential election campaign enters its final week. U.S. negotiators have been trying to extend the New START arms control treaty with Russia before it expires in February. And last Friday, the White House announced it had brokered an "historic agreement" opening economic ties between Sudan and Israel.
Trump's Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, has slammed the president for his slow response to the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh and "delegating the diplomacy to Moscow."
"The Trump administration must tell Azerbaijan that it will not tolerate its efforts to impose a military solution to this conflict," Biden said in an Oct. 13 statement. "It must make clear to Armenia that regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be occupied indefinitely and that credible negotiations on a lasting resolution of the conflict must commence immediately once a cease-fire is concluded."
Biden also said the Trump administration must stop "coddling" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose support for Azerbaijan has changed the balance of power in the region.
The Armenian diaspora has helped focus U.S. politicians' attention on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which Armenians depict as a struggle for national survival against its hostile neighbors, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
On Sunday, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff assailed "Azerbaijan and Turkey's continued deadly aggression" and said in a tweet that "the United States must keep up the pressure on Aliyev and Erdogan to end this war." Schiff represents California's 28th Congressional district, which has a large Armenian-American population.
On the campaign trail in Londonderry, N.H., Trump addressed Armenian-Americans, calling Armenians "incredible people" who are "fighting like hell." He said ending the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh would be "an easy one."
In fact, a lasting peace has eluded diplomats from the Minsk Group since the 1990s — and the lack of any prospect for a diplomatic solution is now propelling Azerbaijani military operations.
"For almost 30 years, the Minsk Group co-chairs have tried to reconcile Azerbaijan with the process of freezing the conflict, but we have created a new reality," Aliyev said in a televised address Monday. "We are fed up with these negotiations. How long can you negotiate?"
He warned that half a dozen Turkish F-16 fighters left in Azerbaijan following joint military exercises would be used against any "outside aggression." In September, Armenia said a Turkish F-16 had shot down one of its warplanes, a claim that Turkey denied.
In an address to Armenians on Monday, Pashinyan blamed Azerbaijan for violating the cease-fire, but said he hasn't given up hope for diplomacy.


npr--2020-10-27--A CIA Officer Visits Moscow, Returns With Mysterious, Crippling Headaches

During 26 years at the CIA , Marc Polymeropoulos spent a lot of time in rough places , like war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan .
But he never suffered any harm until December 2017 , when he was sound asleep at a Marriott Hotel in Moscow near the U.S. Embassy .
`` I was awoken in the middle of the night , '' recalled Plolymeropoulos , age 51 .
`` I just had incredible vertigo , dizziness .
I wanted to throw up .
The room was spinning .
I could n't even stand up without falling down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He suspected a bad case of food poisoning and carried on with his 10-day trip .
The visit included meetings with senior Russian intelligence officials , a common practice despite the long history of tense relations between the two countries and their spy agencies .
But a second bout hit a few days later .
Polymeropoulos canceled his remaining meetings and felt fortunate to make it back onto a plane to the U.S. At the time , Polymeropoulos was settling into a new , senior position at CIA headquarters .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had become the agency 's no .
2 official for clandestine operations in Europe , including Russia .
But a couple of months after he returned from his Moscow trip , in February 2018 , he began suffering crippling migraines that still plague him constantly .
`` I started this kind of an incredible journey of seeing multiple doctors , multiple MRIs and CT scans and X-rays , '' said Polymeropoulos , whose story was first reported in GQ magazine .
`` Ultimately a neurologist diagnosed me with occipital neuralgia . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head would explain his headaches , though it 's not clear what caused it .
Ploymeropoulos is not alone .
Since 2016 , more than 40 U.S. diplomats who worked at the U.S. Embassy in Havana , Cuba , and more than a dozen at U.S. consulates in China have complained of a range of symptoms that also include balance issues , ringing in their ears and memory loss .
More than a dozen Canadian diplomats who served in Cuba in 2017 reported similar symptoms .
Polymeropoulos is the first to link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a CIA colleague who traveled with him to Moscow in 2017 suffers similar ailments .
In addition , several CIA officers working on Russia issues elsewhere in the world have also been afflicted , he said .
Aside from Polymeropoulos , the others are still at the CIA and have not spoken out .
`` One of whom I know very well and has been really severely affected , '' he said .
Many of the State Department diplomats have been examined at the University of Pennsylvania 's Center for Brain Injury and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Miami and the National Institutes of Health .
The bottom line : doctors say the ailments are real , but they do n't know what 's causing them , and they have not found evidence of traumatic brain injury .
In addition to the medical mystery , there are also political questions about the so-called `` Havana Syndrome . ''
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen , a New Hampshire Democrat , said her office has received complaints from employees who served abroad for the State Department , the Commerce Department and the CIA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , and she wants to know if this is related to political sensitivities in dealing with Cuba , China and Russia .
`` Some of the employees were doubted when they reported their symptoms .
Some were pressured to stay silent .
Some were ostracized and reprimanded for saying they were sick , '' Shaheen said .
`` So I think that is one of the very real questions .
Why were some people treated differently than others ?
Did it have anything to do with our policies in various countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attached to this .
The suggestion somehow is that we did n't protect our officers because of some larger political objective .
That is patently false , '' Pompeo said when asked at a recent press conference .
The State Department commissioned a study last year by the National Academies of Sciences , which handed in the report in early August .
But the findings have not been released , much to the frustration of Dr. David Relman , the Stanford professor who chaired the study .
`` I am quite puzzled and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this long with really , silence , '' Dr. Relman told NPR .
`` We spent a year of pretty hard work addressing some really tough cases and tough problems . ''
Dr. Relman expects the report to be made public , as is the tradition of work done by the academies .
`` A number of people here were grievously harmed and are suffering still .
So I think this is a really important issue , even if we ca n't give you an easy answer , '' he said .
Unproven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few years .
The leading one is that U.S. officials were subjected to some sort of sonic or microwave attacks by foreign governments .
Perhaps the intent was to injure them .
Or maybe the aim was to steal secrets from their phones and computers , and the officials were just collateral damage .
Russia , China and Cuba have all denied any such actions .
With great reluctance , Marc Polymeropoulous retired from the CIA last year at age 50 .
He believes he was attacked during his 2017 visit .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this point , and said his focus is on regaining his health .
`` I just could n't sit at a computer or go to meetings .
The headaches were just too debilitating , '' he said .
Polymeropoulos is a burly , bearded guy who spoke with me on his front porch in northern Virginia .
An American flag hangs out front .
Halloween decorations frame his suburban home .
He stresses that he 's not a disgruntled former employee .
Far from it .
`` I spent 26 years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have dear friends there , '' he said .
`` I was a very successful officer who retired in the senior ranks .
So the idea of talking about this publicly is really difficult for me . ''
Polymeropoulos was examined by the CIA medical staff and then by many private doctors , but the headaches continue to plague him .
After a lengthy back-and-forth with the CIA , he was allowed to enroll in a study at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda , Md .
But it 's just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialized brain treatment across the street from the NIH — at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
Walter Reed is cutting edge when it comes to treating traumatic brain injuries , a testament to its vast experience in dealing with wounded troops from Iraq and Afghanistan .
`` I 've asked ( the CIA ) repeatedly over the last year to send me to Walter Reed , and they have actively rejected this , which to me is is kind of mystifying , '' he said .
The CIA declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said , `` The CIA 's first priority has been and continues to be the welfare of all of our officers . ''
Greg Myre is an NPR national security correspondent .
Follow him @ gregmyre1 .

A CIA Officer Visits Moscow, Returns With Mysterious, Crippling Headaches
toggle caption Courtesy of Marc Polymeropoulos
During 26 years at the CIA, Marc Polymeropoulos spent a lot of time in rough places, like war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But he never suffered any harm until December 2017, when he was sound asleep at a Marriott Hotel in Moscow near the U.S. Embassy.
"I was awoken in the middle of the night," recalled Polymeropoulos, 51. "I just had incredible vertigo, dizziness. I wanted to throw up. The room was spinning. I couldn't even stand up without falling down. I had tinnitus ringing in my ears."
He suspected a bad case of food poisoning and carried on with his 10-day trip. The visit included meetings with senior Russian intelligence officials, a common practice despite the long history of tense relations between the two countries and their spy agencies.
But a second bout hit a few days later. Polymeropoulos canceled his remaining meetings and felt fortunate to make it back onto a plane to the U.S.
At the time, Polymeropoulos was settling into a new, senior position at CIA headquarters. After many years in the Middle East, he had become the agency's No. 2 official for clandestine operations in Europe, including Russia.
But a couple of months after he returned from his Moscow trip, in February 2018, he began suffering crippling migraines that still plague him constantly.
"I started this kind of an incredible journey of seeing multiple doctors, multiple MRIs and CT scans and X-rays," said Polymeropoulos, whose story was first reported in GQ magazine. "Ultimately a neurologist diagnosed me with occipital neuralgia."
This nerve inflammation in the back of the head would explain his headaches, though it's not clear what caused it.
Medical mystery
Polymeropoulos is not alone.
Since 2016, more than 40 U.S. diplomats who worked at the U.S. Embassy in Havana and more than a dozen at U.S. consulates in China have complained of a range of symptoms that also include balance issues, ringing in their ears and memory loss. More than a dozen Canadian diplomats who served in Cuba in 2017 reported similar symptoms.
Polymeropoulos is the first to link his illness to Russia. He says a CIA colleague who traveled with him to Moscow in 2017 suffers similar ailments. In addition, several CIA officers working on Russia issues elsewhere in the world have also been afflicted, he said. Aside from Polymeropoulos, the others are still at the CIA and have not spoken out.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
"One of whom I know very well and has been really severely affected," he said.
Many of the State Department diplomats have been examined at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Brain Injury and Repair, as well as the University of Miami and the National Institutes of Health.
The bottom line: doctors say the ailments are real, but they don't know what's causing them, and they have not found evidence of traumatic brain injury.
Political questions
In addition to the medical mystery, there are also political questions about the so-called Havana Syndrome.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, said her office has received complaints from employees who served abroad for the State Department, the Commerce Department and the CIA.
Some have not been treated well, she said, and she wants to know if this is related to political sensitivities in dealing with Cuba, China and Russia.
"Some of the employees were doubted when they reported their symptoms. Some were pressured to stay silent. Some were ostracized and reprimanded for saying they were sick," Shaheen said. "So I think that is one of the very real questions. Why were some people treated differently than others? Did it have anything to do with our policies in various countries?"
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejects this.
"There were no politics attached to this. The suggestion somehow is that we didn't protect our officers because of some larger political objective. That is patently false," Pompeo said when asked at a recent press conference.
A new report
The State Department commissioned a study last year by the National Academies of Sciences, which handed in the report in early August.
But the findings have not been released, much to the frustration of Dr. David Relman, the Stanford professor who chaired the study.
"I am quite puzzled and and somewhat dismayed that it has been this long with really, silence," Dr. Relman told NPR. "We spent a year of pretty hard work addressing some really tough cases and tough problems."
Dr. Relman expects the report to be made public, as is the tradition of work done by the academies.
"A number of people here were grievously harmed and are suffering still. So I think this is a really important issue, even if we can't give you an easy answer," he said.
Unproven theories have been circulating for the past few years.
The leading one is that U.S. officials were subjected to some sort of sonic or microwave attacks by foreign governments. Perhaps the intent was to injure them. Or maybe the aim was to steal secrets from their phones and computers, and the officials were just collateral damage.
Russia, China and Cuba have all denied any such actions.
Early retirement
With great reluctance, Marc Polymeropoulos retired from the CIA last year at age 50.
He believes he was attacked during his 2017 visit. But he acknowledges that there's no proof at this point, and said his focus is on regaining his health.
"I just couldn't sit at a computer or go to meetings. The headaches were just too debilitating," he said.
Polymeropoulos is a burly, bearded guy who spoke with me on his front porch in northern Virginia. An American flag hangs out front. Halloween decorations frame his suburban home. He stresses that he's not a disgruntled former employee. Far from it.
"I spent 26 years in an organization that I still love. I have dear friends there," he said. "I was a very successful officer who retired in the senior ranks. So the idea of talking about this publicly is really difficult for me."
Polymeropoulos was examined by the CIA medical staff and then by many private doctors, but the headaches continue to plague him. After a lengthy back-and-forth with the CIA, he was allowed to enroll in a study at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. But it's just a study. What he wants is specialized brain treatment across the street from the NIH — at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Walter Reed is cutting-edge when it comes to treating traumatic brain injuries, a testament to its vast experience in dealing with wounded troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I've asked [the CIA] repeatedly over the last year to send me to Walter Reed, and they have actively rejected this, which to me is is kind of mystifying," he said.
The CIA declined to discuss the specifics of his case, but said, "The CIA's first priority has been and continues to be the welfare of all of our officers."
Greg Myre is an NPR national security correspondent. Follow him @gregmyre1.


npr--2020-10-27--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 8 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.
Loading...
Loading...
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.
Loading...
Loading...
This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.


npr--2020-10-27--Coronavirus Maps: How Severe Is Your State's Outbreak?

Coronavirus Maps : How Severe Is Your State 's Outbreak ?
More than 8 million people in the U.S. have had confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 225,000 have died of COVID-19 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 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 over 1,000 per day in mid October .
Explore the map @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures 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 October , California , Florida and Texas surpass 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 .
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases and or update their methodologies .
For example , in early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to reconcile the historical data .
On June 25 , New Jersey included 1,854 previously-unreported probable deaths in its totals , resulting in a spike in the state 's daily death numbers .
On Sept. 2 , Massachusetts changed its methodology for counting probable cases , which lowered its overall case and death numbers .
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 contributed to and Carmel Wroth @ @ @ @

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
Loading...
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.
Loading...
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.
Loading...
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--2020-10-27--U.S. Agency Targets Its Own Journalists' Independence

U.S. Agency Targets Its Own Journalists ' Independence A regulatory `` firewall '' intended to protect Voice of America and its affiliated newsrooms from political interference in their journalism was swept aside late Monday night by the chief executive of the federal agency which oversees the government 's international broadcasters .
Michael Pack , a Trump appointee who assumed leadership of the U.S. Agency for Global Media in June , wrote that he acted to eliminate policies that were `` harmful to the agency and the U.S. national interest . ''
And Pack argued they had interfered with his mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States . ''
Pack has already come under fire for revelations that his senior aides investigated the agency 's journalists for bias against President Trump and pushed for their dismissals and reassignments , in seeming violation of the rules he has now rescinded , effective immediately .
`` I am stunned , '' former Voice of America director Amanda Bennett told NPR early Tuesday morning .
`` It removes the one thing that makes Voice of America distinct from broadcasters of repressive regimes . ''
In addition to VOA , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office of Cuba Broadcasting , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty , Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks .
Collectively , the networks reach more than 350 million people across the world each week .
They historically have demonstrated American pluralism by providing balanced coverage of news events and robust political debate , regardless of how it reflected on current government officials .
The broadcasters are also intended to serve the citizens of nations which do not allow journalists to operate freely .
`` The key to the credibility of any news organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional standards of journalism , '' said David Kligerman , whom Pack suspended as the agency 's general counsel in August .
Kligerman was the chief author of the regulation which Pack just killed .
It was supported by the agency 's bipartisan board , which was dissolved upon Pack 's confirmation .
Kligerman is also among a group of a half-dozen whistleblowers who have come forward to challenge Pack 's actions since he arrived in June .
`` The firewall protects the networks by insulating their editorial decisions from political interference , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what differentiates the Voice of America and the other USAGM-funded networks from the state-sponsored propaganda of Russia , China , Iran and others . ''
Several others who work at the agency told NPR they believe the threat to the VOA 's independence is `` existential . ''
They requested anonymity out of fear of retribution .
Pack has purged USAGM and its broadcasters of top executives whom he believed to be insufficiently loyal .
Pack and a top deputy who handles the press did not respond to questions from NPR shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulation .
It was posted on USAGM 's website , accompanied by a more formal policy statement that spelled out the justification for the decision .
`` By design , [ the broadcasters ' ] purpose and focus is foreign relations and the promotion of American objectives - not simply presenting news or engaging in journalistic expression , '' the statement read .
In the statement , Pack noted he was the agency 's first CEO appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate under a series of reforms intended to streamline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo that the inability to set standards inside the newsroom needlessly complicated his ability to run the agency .
In private-sector newsrooms , including NPR , policies preclude or strongly discourage the involvement of non-news executives in specific news coverage .
NPR CEO John Lansing preceded Pack at the USAGM .
Under NPR 's protocols , Lansing , corporate executives and top news executives do not review coverage of USAGM , including this article , before it is published .
Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. , an attorney for five other suspended executives turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Mr .
Pack 's attempt to repeal the regulation ( which itself is unlawful ) confirms the allegations in our suit , '' Boutrous wrote in a statement .
`` Rather than protecting these cherished media outlets , their independence , and their credibility , Mr .
Pack is trying to break the firewall down brick by brick .
At the very least , Mr .
Pack is now being honest with the public about what he has been doing all along , taunting independent journalism and violating the First Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something of a rear-guard action to protect against the possibility of the new CEO intervening in news coverage .
Pack 's nomination had languished for more than two years but won new life in the spring when the White House attacked the Voice of America for its coverage of COVID-19 in China .
Asserting control in the shadow of big events Pack 's bold move was taken in the dark of night - announced at 10:18 p.m. Eastern Time in a note to all of USAGM 's several thousand employees , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new U.S. Supreme Court justice , and just eight days before Election Day .
Presidential politics have hovered over all of the controversies in Pack 's brief tenure .
He has embraced Trump 's talk of a so-called `` deep state '' thwarting the president 's priorities at USAGM , and Pack echoed White House immigration policies in denying visa extensions for foreign employees .
Pack also instigated investigations of the Urdu language service , the French-to-Africa service and VOA 's White House bureau chief over perceived anti-Trump bias in stories involving Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their wives , as NPR previously revealed .
The chairman and ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee joined forces in denouncing Pack 's investigations .
Pack ignored a subpoena they jointly issued to compel his testimony earlier this fall .
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut announced new legislation to codify the firewall protections more clearly .
In his memo to staff Monday night , Pack offered examples of actions the firewall prevented him from taking .
Among them : `` Enforce consequences for violations of the agency 's legally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prohibits biased reporting ; Issue policies and procedures that require journalists not to advocate political positions . ''
Those concerns have been reflected in the investigations undertaken by Pack 's associates .
An investigative attorney and a senior policy advisor hired by Pack pressured acting VOA director Elez Biberaj to sideline VOA White House bureau chief Steven Herman from campaign coverage over perceived bias .
They said tweets in which Herman referenced statements critical of the president were his own political advocacy , rather than part of a body of work covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the politicians , the politically appointed people , get to now tell the journalists what they can and ca n't do , what they can and ca n't report , what they can and ca n't say , it 's completely contrary to the principles that have governed VOA , '' said Bennett , who resigned along with her deputy the weekend before Pack took control .
She noted VOA had been founded in 1942 during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda with credible news reports , including Allied setbacks as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice during the Cold War , along with its sister networks .
It was codified in a charter drafted in 1960 and signed by President Gerald R. Ford in 1976 , which promised VOA 's news would be `` accurate , objective and comprehensive '' and `` represent America , not any single segment of America society . ''
`` If you looked at the entire body of everything , it all pointed in the same direction , from the origin story on , '' Bennett said .
`` There 's a stack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inches high that all contain essentially the same language and say essentially the same thing - that the newsgathering operation had to be protected from the political interference . ''
On its website , USAGM has posted a list of `` rumors , myths and untruths '' in which , among other things , it defends the firewall .
`` The firewall is critical to ensure that USAGM journalists and editors can make the final decisions on what stories to cover , and how they are covered , '' the page reads .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency 's site still touted the virtues of the `` firewall . ''
But the CEO had swept it away .
Disclosure : This story was reported by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR 's Mark Katkov .
Because of NPR CEO John Lansing 's prior role as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media , no senior news executive or corporate executive at NPR reviewed this story before it was published .

U.S. Agency Targets Its Own Journalists' Independence
Enlarge this image toggle caption Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images
A regulatory "firewall" intended to protect Voice of America and its affiliated newsrooms from political interference in their journalism was swept aside late Monday night by the chief executive of the federal agency which oversees the government's international broadcasters.
Michael Pack, a Trump appointee who assumed leadership of the U.S. Agency for Global Media in June, wrote that he acted to eliminate policies that were "harmful to the agency and the U.S. national interest." And Pack argued they had interfered with his mandate "to support the foreign policy of the United States."
Enlarge this image toggle caption U.S. Agency for Global Media U.S. Agency for Global Media
Pack has already come under fire for revelations that his senior aides investigated the agency's journalists for bias against President Trump and pushed for their dismissals and reassignments, in seeming violation of the rules he has now rescinded, effective immediately.
The move set off a firestorm.
"I am stunned," former Voice of America director Amanda Bennett told NPR early Tuesday morning. "It removes the one thing that makes Voice of America distinct from broadcasters of repressive regimes."
In addition to VOA, the U.S. Agency for Global Media includes the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. Collectively, the networks reach more than 350 million people across the world each week.
They historically have demonstrated American pluralism by providing balanced coverage of news events and robust political debate, regardless of how it reflected on current government officials. The broadcasters are also intended to serve the citizens of nations which do not allow journalists to operate freely.
"The key to the credibility of any news organization is editorial independence and adherence to the professional standards of journalism," said David Kligerman, whom Pack suspended as the agency's general counsel in August.
Kligerman was the chief author of the regulation which Pack just killed. It was supported by the agency's bipartisan board, which was dissolved upon Pack's confirmation. Kligerman is also among a group of a half-dozen whistleblowers who have come forward to challenge Pack's actions since he arrived in June.
"The firewall protects the networks by insulating their editorial decisions from political interference," Kligerman said. "That is what differentiates the Voice of America and the other USAGM-funded networks from the state-sponsored propaganda of Russia, China, Iran and others."
A demoralized staff
Several others who work at the agency told NPR they believe the threat to the VOA's independence is "existential." They requested anonymity out of fear of retribution. Pack has purged USAGM and its broadcasters of top executives whom he believed to be insufficiently loyal.
Pack and a top deputy who handles the press did not respond to questions from NPR shortly after the release of the order rescinding the regulation. It was posted on USAGM's website, accompanied by a more formal policy statement that spelled out the justification for the decision.
"By design, [the broadcasters'] purpose and focus is foreign relations and the promotion of American objectives — not simply presenting news or engaging in journalistic expression," the statement read.
In the statement, Pack noted he was the agency's first CEO appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate under a series of reforms intended to streamline the agency. He said in his memo that the inability to set standards inside the newsroom needlessly complicated his ability to run the agency.
In private-sector newsrooms, including NPR, policies preclude or strongly discourage the involvement of non-news executives in specific news coverage. NPR CEO John Lansing preceded Pack at the USAGM. Under NPR's protocols, Lansing, corporate executives and top news executives do not review coverage of USAGM, including this article, before it is published.
Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., an attorney for five other suspended executives turned whistleblowers, called Pack's moves unconstitutional.
"Mr. Pack's attempt to repeal the regulation (which itself is unlawful) confirms the allegations in our suit," Boutrous wrote in a statement. "Rather than protecting these cherished media outlets, their independence, and their credibility, Mr. Pack is trying to break the firewall down brick by brick. At the very least, Mr. Pack is now being honest with the public about what he has been doing all along, taunting independent journalism and violating the First Amendment."
The regulation was written as something of a rear-guard action to protect against the possibility of the new CEO intervening in news coverage. Pack's nomination had languished for more than two years but won new life in the spring when the White House attacked the Voice of America for its coverage of COVID-19 in China.
Asserting control in the shadow of big events
Pack's bold move was taken in the dark of night — announced at 10:18 p.m. Eastern Time in a note to all of USAGM's several thousand employees, on the same night as the swearing-in of a new U.S. Supreme Court justice, and just eight days before Election Day.
Presidential politics have hovered over all of the controversies in Pack's brief tenure.
He has embraced Trump's talk of a so-called "deep state" thwarting the president's priorities at USAGM, and Pack echoed White House immigration policies in denying visa extensions for foreign employees. Pack also instigated investigations of the Urdu language service, the French-to-Africa service and VOA's White House bureau chief over perceived anti-Trump bias in stories involving Trump, Democratic nominee Joe Biden, or their wives, as NPR previously revealed.
The chairman and ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee joined forces in denouncing Pack's investigations. Pack ignored a subpoena they jointly issued to compel his testimony earlier this fall. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut announced new legislation to codify the firewall protections more clearly.
In his memo to staff Monday night, Pack offered examples of actions the firewall prevented him from taking. Among them: "Enforce consequences for violations of the agency's legally binding charter, which, for instance, prohibits biased reporting; Issue policies and procedures that require journalists not to advocate political positions."
Those concerns have been reflected in the investigations undertaken by Pack's associates.
An investigative attorney and a senior policy advisor hired by Pack pressured acting VOA director Elez Biberaj to sideline VOA White House bureau chief Steven Herman from campaign coverage over perceived bias. They said tweets in which Herman referenced statements critical of the president were his own political advocacy, rather than part of a body of work covering Trump and the campaign.
"When the politicians, the politically appointed people, get to now tell the journalists what they can and can't do, what they can and can't report, what they can and can't say, it's completely contrary to the principles that have governed VOA," said Bennett, who resigned along with her deputy the weekend before Pack took control.
She noted VOA had been founded in 1942 during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda with credible news reports, including Allied setbacks as well as advances. The service followed that practice during the Cold War, along with its sister networks. It was codified in a charter drafted in 1960 and signed by President Gerald Ford in 1976, which promised VOA's news would be "accurate, objective and comprehensive" and "represent America, not any single segment of America society."
"If you looked at the entire body of everything, it all pointed in the same direction, from the origin story on," Bennett said. "There's a stack of stuff, you know, 4 inches high that all contain essentially the same language and say essentially the same thing — that the newsgathering operation had to be protected from the political interference."
On its website, USAGM has posted a list of "rumors, myths and untruths" in which, among other things, it defends the firewall. "The firewall is critical to ensure that USAGM journalists and editors can make the final decisions on what stories to cover, and how they are covered," the page reads.
As of early Tuesday morning, the agency's site still touted the virtues of the "firewall." But the CEO had swept it away.
Disclosure: This story was reported by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR's Mark Katkov. Because of NPR CEO John Lansing's prior role as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, no senior news executive or corporate executive at NPR reviewed this story before it was published.