npr--2020-05-26--Twitter Points Users To Fact Checks Of Trump Tweets For The First Time

Twitter Points Users To Fact Checks Of Trump Tweets For The First Time Twitter has placed a fact-checking warning on a tweet issued by President Trump in which he claims without evidence that mail-in ballots are fraudulent .
Twitter 's move on Tuesday marks the first time the technology company has sanctioned Trump as criticism mounts about how the president has amplified misinformation to more than 80 million followers on the social media platform .
Twitter spokesman Trenton Kennedy told NPR that while the tweet about mail-in voting does not violate Twitter 's rules since `` it does not directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' it does contain `` misleading information about the voting process , specifically mail-in ballots . ''
The action is the latest confrontation between Washington and Silicon Valley with a presidential election just months away .
Brad Parscale , Trump 's 2020 campaign manager , suggested Twitter was attempting to impinge on the president 's free speech rights and accused the company of being anti-Trump .
`` We always knew that Silicon Valley would pull out all the stops to obstruct and interfere with President Trump getting his message through to voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biased fake news media 'fact checkers ' is only a smoke screen Twitter is using to try to lend their obvious political tactics some false credibility .
There are many reasons the Trump campaign pulled all our advertising from Twitter months ago , and their clear political bias is one of them . ''
Earlier this month , Twitter announced a move to combat the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus .
Twitter said it will place labels on misleading or disputed information about the virus `` regardless of who the speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complained that it has placed Trump above its attempts to enforce rules aimed at making the platform more civil .
Tuesday 's action allowing users to `` get the facts '' about what Trump was tweeting comes just as the social media platform faces criticism for its inaction on a tweet Trump sent advancing a groundless conspiracy theory about the death of an ex-staffer of Joe Scarborough , a former congressman who is now a television host on MSNBC and frequent Trump target .
On Twitter , Trump pushed the baseless theory that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was found dead in Scarborough 's congressional office in Fort Walton Beach , Fla. , in July 2001 .
`` There has been a constant barrage of falsehoods , half-truths innuendo and conspiracy theories since the day she died , '' widower Timothy J. Klausutis wrote last week to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey .
`` ... Because of this , I have struggled to move forward with my life . ''
He went on to ask Dorsey : `` My request is simple : Please delete these tweets , '' Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tweet advancing the false conspiracy theory about the death of Klausutis ' wife , who had an undiagnosed heart condition , passed out and hit her head on her desk when she fell .
Dorsey never directly replied to the widower 's letter .
But in a statement , Kennedy , the Twitter spokesman , said the tweets about Scarborough do not violate company policies .
`` We 've drawn lines for certain issue areas , including civic integrity and voting , '' Kennedy said .
`` However , as we said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been working to expand existing product features and policies so we can more effectively address things like this going forward , and we hope to have those changes in place shortly . ''
Twitter , which has some 330 million users , has had a longstanding practice of exempting world leaders from its content rules under a `` newsworthiness '' exemption .
But the pandemic has caused it to revamp its policies .
Twitter officials now say posts by any user , even world leaders , are subject to carrying warning labels , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content runs afoul of the guidance of leading public health agencies .
And it has made good on that promise by deleting tweets by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro .
Bolsonaro praised the use of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and called for an end to social distancing .
And Maduro promoted a `` natural brew '' to remedy those infected with COVID-19 .
Twitter said such posts violated its policies , but the company has never deleted a tweet by Trump .

Twitter Places Fact-Checking Warning On Trump Tweet For 1st Time
Updated at 9:59 p.m. ET
Twitter has placed a fact-checking warning on a pair of tweets issued by President Trump in which he claims without evidence that mail-in ballots are fraudulent.
Twitter's move on Tuesday marks the first time the technology company has sanctioned Trump as criticism mounts about how the president has amplified misinformation to more than 80 million followers on the social media platform.
Trump responded by accusing Twitter of stifling free speech.
Twitter spokesman Trenton Kennedy told NPR that while the tweet about mail-in voting does not violate Twitter's rules since "it does not directly try to dissuade people from voting," it does contain "misleading information about the voting process, specifically mail-in ballots."
The action is the latest confrontation between Washington and Silicon Valley with a presidential election just months away.
Brad Parscale, Trump's 2020 campaign manager, suggested Twitter was attempting to impinge on the president's free speech rights and accused the company of being anti-Trump.
"We always knew that Silicon Valley would pull out all the stops to obstruct and interfere with President Trump getting his message through to voters," Parscale said. "Partnering with the biased fake news media 'fact checkers' is only a smoke screen Twitter is using to try to lend their obvious political tactics some false credibility. There are many reasons the Trump campaign pulled all our advertising from Twitter months ago, and their clear political bias is one of them."
Earlier this month, Twitter announced a move to combat the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus. Twitter said it will place labels on misleading or disputed information about the virus "regardless of who the speaker is."
Critics of Twitter have complained that it has placed Trump above its attempts to enforce rules aimed at making the platform more civil.
Tuesday's action allowing users to "get the facts" about what Trump was tweeting comes just as the social media platform faces criticism for its inaction on a tweet Trump sent advancing a groundless conspiracy theory about the death of an ex-staffer of Joe Scarborough, a former congressman who is now a television host on MSNBC and frequent Trump target.
On Twitter, Trump pushed the baseless theory that Scarborough killed Lori Kaye Klausutis, 28, who was found dead in Scarborough's congressional office in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in July 2001.
"There has been a constant barrage of falsehoods, half-truths innuendo and conspiracy theories since the day she died," widower Timothy J. Klausutis wrote last week to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. "... Because of this, I have struggled to move forward with my life."
He went on to ask Dorsey: "My request is simple: Please delete these tweets,"
Despite the plea, Twitter has not removed the tweet advancing the false conspiracy theory about the death of Klausutis' wife, who had an undiagnosed heart condition, passed out and hit her head on her desk when she fell. Dorsey never directly replied to the widower's letter.
But in a statement, Kennedy, the Twitter spokesman, said the tweets about Scarborough do not violate company policies.
"We've drawn lines for certain issue areas, including civic integrity and voting," Kennedy said. "However, as we said on the Scarborough tweets, we've been working to expand existing product features and policies so we can more effectively address things like this going forward, and we hope to have those changes in place shortly."
The president's comments about Scarborough have also been posted to Facebook, which has 2.6 billion users.
In a statement, a Facebook spokesperson said the company does not remove "political speech" just because it may be seen as offensive, "as this content understandably is to the family of Lori Klausutis and others."
The Facebook spokesperson added that: "Speech from candidates and heads of state is among the most scrutinized content on our platform, which helps ensure people are held accountable for their words."
Twitter, which has some 330 million users, has had a longstanding practice of exempting world leaders from its content rules under a "newsworthiness" exemption. But the pandemic has caused it to revamp its policies.
Twitter officials now say posts by any user, even world leaders, are subject to carrying warning labels, or being removed altogether, if the content runs afoul of the guidance of leading public health agencies.
And it has made good on that promise by deleting tweets by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Bolsonaro praised the use of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and called for an end to social distancing. And Maduro promoted a "natural brew" to remedy those infected with COVID-19.
Twitter said such posts violated its policies, but the company has never deleted a tweet by Trump.
NPR's Shannon Bond contributed to this report.


npr--2020-05-26--Muslim Comics Gather Over Zoom To Celebrate Eid With Jokes And Joy

Muslim Comics Gather Over Zoom To Celebrate Eid With Jokes And Joy Performing on a Facebook livestream , Salma Hindy began her stand-up routine by giving a shout-out to everyone in the audience who was following the guidelines to keep the coronavirus at bay , such as washing hands regularly , covering one 's face and keeping a respectful distance from others .
Though , as a Muslim , she found these habits a tad familiar .
`` You call it coronavirus , I call it sharia law ! ''
said Hindy , referring to the set of principles Muslims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of 40 performers taking part in The Socially Distant Eid Comedy Night , an event hosted by the Concordia Forum , a networking organization for Muslim influencers and changemakers .
The goal was to give Muslims around the world some comic relief as they do the unprecedented : celebrate Ramadan and Eid in isolation at home , with fewer family members and friends than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic .
A holy month typically observed by attending daily prayers at the mosque and dinner parties to break the dawn-to-dusk fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to behold this year , as was Eid al-Fitr , the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan .
The stand-up comedians come from different occupations and backgrounds , including award-winning performers based in South Africa and the U.K. Their show was livestreamed on May 24 , Eid day for many countries .
The event is available to watch on the Concordia Forum 's Facebook page until Wednesday at 5 p.m .
ET .
Muddassar Ahmed , organizer of the event and chair of the Concordia Forum , put together the comedy special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday .
`` For the hour or two that people tune in I hope it lifts people 's spirits and helps them take their mind off things , '' says Ahmed .
Each comedian did a 3-minute set , poking fun at themselves and making jokes about Muslim stereotypes .
Hindy 's act revolved around dealing with the coronavirus as a Muslim daughter of immigrants .
She mentioned the new degree a lot of parents seem to have gained during the pandemic — a PhD from WhatsApp University .
`` In WhatsApp University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Hindy , referring to the habit of some Muslim parents to forward myths and unproven coronavirus cures on WhatsApp , a social messaging app especially popular among immigrants as well as in many countries around the world .
Yaaseen Barnes , a South African stand-up comedian and one of several hosts for the evening , found some pros in celebrating Eid under quarantine .
He joked that he no longer had to deal with the issue of praying next to someone who occasionally releases smelly burps of the food they just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break the daily fast .
`` This is why [ Zoom ] is great , because you do n't need to be in the burp , '' said Barnes , who is known as the `` king of one-liners '' by the stand-up community in South Africa .
Barnes was delighted to take part in the event and described it as a combination of what he loves : making others laugh and helping people .
He hoped he could create a sense of community for those celebrating without family .
`` Maybe we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make everyone feel a little bit at home , '' said Barnes .
And it was n't the only virtual event on the holy month calendar .
Imam Suhaib Webb , a resident scholar at the Islamic Center at New York University , says that throughout Ramadan , the internet was chock-full of more spiritual-oriented events and gatherings than anyone could attend — a way of keeping the communal spirit alive .
ICNYU held virtual events for both iftar and suhoor , the meal before the fast , as well as online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Webb believes that , despite the lack of in-person interaction , the online events actually gave people more options to participate in the community aspect of Ramadan and Eid .
`` It 's ironic because , though we 're limited in our physical engagement due to the pandemic , we are unlimited in the [ virtual ] events and things we can participate in , '' says Webb , referring to the countries that restricted physical gatherings .
The virtual comedy show indeed brought many people across nations together , with an estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahmed , throughout the two-hour event .
The social media responses were overwhelming positive , with one writer calling the show `` top-tier comedy . ''
And even though I was covering this event as a reporter for NPR , I could n't help but agree .
I 'm a Muslim American , and the jokes and online community generated by the comedy special — while no match for the traditional in-person events — gave us back a little bit of the Eid feeling we were missing this year .
Hafsa Quraishi is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business , politics and issues affecting Muslim Americans .

Muslim Comics Gather Over Zoom To Celebrate Eid With Jokes And Joy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Facebook/ Screengrabs by NPR Facebook/ Screengrabs by NPR
Performing on a Facebook livestream, Salma Hindy began her stand-up routine by giving a shout-out to everyone in the audience who was following the guidelines to keep the coronavirus at bay, such as washing hands regularly, covering one's face and keeping a respectful distance from others. Though, as a Muslim, she found these habits a tad familiar.
"You call it coronavirus, I call it sharia law!" said Hindy, referring to the set of principles Muslims abide by.
The Canadian Muslim comedian was one of 40 performers taking part in The Socially Distant Eid Comedy Night, an event hosted by the Concordia Forum, a networking organization for Muslim influencers and changemakers. The goal was to give Muslims around the world some comic relief as they do the unprecedented: celebrate Ramadan and Eid in isolation at home, with fewer family members and friends than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A holy month typically observed by attending daily prayers at the mosque and dinner parties to break the dawn-to-dusk fast, Ramadan was indeed a different sight to behold this year, as was Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
The stand-up comedians come from different occupations and backgrounds, including award-winning performers based in South Africa and the U.K. Their show was livestreamed on May 24, Eid day for many countries. The event is available to watch on the Concordia Forum's Facebook page until Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET.
Muddassar Ahmed, organizer of the event and chair of the Concordia Forum, put together the comedy special during the week leading up to the holiday.
"For the hour or two that people tune in I hope it lifts people's spirits and helps them take their mind off things," says Ahmed.
Each comedian did a 3-minute set, poking fun at themselves and making jokes about Muslim stereotypes.
Hindy's act revolved around dealing with the coronavirus as a Muslim daughter of immigrants. She mentioned the new degree a lot of parents seem to have gained during the pandemic — a PhD from WhatsApp University.
"In WhatsApp University, absolutely no fact-checking is allowed," said Hindy, referring to the habit of some Muslim parents to forward myths and unproven coronavirus cures on WhatsApp, a social messaging app especially popular among immigrants as well as in many countries around the world.
Yaaseen Barnes, a South African stand-up comedian and one of several hosts for the evening, found some pros in celebrating Eid under quarantine. He joked that he no longer had to deal with the issue of praying next to someone who occasionally releases smelly burps of the food they just ate at iftar, the meal to break the daily fast.
"This is why [Zoom] is great, because you don't need to be in the burp," said Barnes, who is known as the "king of one-liners" by the stand-up community in South Africa.
Barnes was delighted to take part in the event and described it as a combination of what he loves: making others laugh and helping people. He hoped he could create a sense of community for those celebrating without family.
"Maybe we can give you something to laugh about and make everyone feel a little bit at home," said Barnes.
And it wasn't the only virtual event on the holy month calendar. Imam Suhaib Webb, a resident scholar at the Islamic Center at New York University, says that throughout Ramadan, the internet was chock-full of more spiritual-oriented events and gatherings than anyone could attend — a way of keeping the communal spirit alive.
ICNYU held virtual events for both iftar and suhoor, the meal before the fast, as well as online lectures about the blessings of Ramadan. Webb believes that, despite the lack of in-person interaction, the online events actually gave people more options to participate in the community aspect of Ramadan and Eid.
"It's ironic because, though we're limited in our physical engagement due to the pandemic, we are unlimited in the [virtual] events and things we can participate in," says Webb, referring to the countries that restricted physical gatherings.
The virtual comedy show indeed brought many people across nations together, with an estimated 5,000 people tuning in, according to Ahmed, throughout the two-hour event. The social media responses were overwhelming positive, with one writer calling the show "top-tier comedy."
And even though I was covering this event as a reporter for NPR, I couldn't help but agree. I'm a Muslim American, and the jokes and online community generated by the comedy special — while no match for the traditional in-person events — gave us back a little bit of the Eid feeling we were missing this year.
Hafsa Quraishi is a Muslim American reporter who focuses on business, politics and issues affecting Muslim Americans.


npr--2020-05-26--Feds Arrest 'The Mask Man,' New York Pharmacist Accused Of Profiteering On N95 Masks

Feds Arrest 'The Mask Man , ' New York Pharmacist Accused Of Profiteering On N95 Masks A licensed pharmacist in New York bought up thousands of rare N95 masks and sold them at much higher prices during the COVID-19 pandemic , federal authorities said Tuesday , announcing the arrest of Richard Schirripa , aka `` the Mask Man , '' on charges that include violating the Defense Production Act .
Schirripa is accused of charging up to $ 25 per mask – often selling them out of his car .
Schirripa is accused of buying about $ 200,000 worth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling thousands of them `` at severely inflated prices during both late March and April 2020 , '' according to a criminal complaint that was recently unsealed .
The time frame coincides with the wave of coronavirus cases that came crashing into New York as the pandemic arrived in the U.S. in full force .
`` I feel like a drug dealer standing out here , '' Schirripa , 66 , allegedly said in early April as he was recorded selling 16 boxes of N95 masks to a customer on a Manhattan street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale took place near Madison Avenue Pharmacy , just east of Central Park – a business Schirripa had recently shut down .
But rather than arriving through official channels , the masks had come from `` the black market , '' Schirripa allegedly said .
He is accused of selling most of the protective gear out of the trunk of his Audi .
Schirripa `` said that he normally buys the surgical grade masks for $ 20 per box and sells them for $ 40 , but he said he had purchased these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the criminal complaint said .
`` We 're in a time of emergency and shortage , '' Schirripa allegedly told an undercover agent during a phone call that was recorded .
The scarcity and vital need for N95 masks – which have been in such short supply that some medical professionals have been forced to improvise devices to protect themselves – justified their high price , Schirripa allegedly said .
`` As alleged , Richard Schirripa exploited an unprecedented crisis to engage in profiteering , '' Geoffrey S. Berman , U.S. attorney for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement Tuesday .
Several agencies , from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S .
Postal Inspection Service to the Drug Enforcement Administration , played roles in the case against Schirripa .
Agents recovered some 6,660 masks from Schirripa 's house in Long Island , his apartment in New York City and his car , according to the complaint .
The complaint said Schirripa told investigators who interviewed him at his house that `` others had nicknamed him 'the Mask Man . '
`` Schirripa allegedly began hoarding N95 masks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to do so after President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act in late March , making it illegal to engage in hoarding or price gouging of personal protective equipment such as N95 masks .
His customers spanned eight states and included several doctors , a nursing home , a funeral home and a drugstore , according to court documents .
Authorities were able to learn details about Schirripa 's sales because he kept invoices for each transaction — paperwork that apparently used the name of his recently closed pharmacy , the complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrelated charges stemming from an earlier investigation into his pharmacy – especially the disposition of thousands of doses of strong opiates , including fentanyl , oxycodone and morphine sulfate , when he closed his business and sold its assets .
Early this year , Schirripa sent a letter to the DEA in which he said that as part of his pharmacy 's closure he had transferred , sold or destroyed all controlled substances that the business had held .
`` In fact , he had thousands of pills/patches in his downstairs safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of a search of Schirripa 's home in early April .
When Schirripa spoke to federal agents last month , he acknowledged he should have destroyed the drugs in his home , according to the complaint .
On Tuesday , he turned himself over to federal custody and was to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang in Manhattan federal court .
The complaint accuses Schirripa of causing Medicare and Medicaid to be billed for controlled substances when he allegedly used customers ' personal data to fabricate prescriptions for the drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the complaint said , investigators found prescription bottles with more than two dozen different names on the labels .
Based on that inquiry , the pharmacist is accused of health care fraud and identity theft .
If Schirripa is convicted of all the charges against him , he could face a prison sentence of more than 30 years .
That includes a count of health care fraud , which carries a maximum 20-year sentence .

Feds Arrest 'The Mask Man,' New York Pharmacist Accused Of Profiteering On N95 Masks
A licensed pharmacist in New York bought up thousands of rare N95 masks and sold them at much higher prices during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal authorities said Tuesday, announcing the arrest of Richard Schirripa, aka "the Mask Man," on charges that include violating the Defense Production Act. Schirripa is accused of charging up to $25 per mask – often selling them out of his car.
Schirripa is accused of buying about $200,000 worth of N95 masks between February and April and selling thousands of them "at severely inflated prices during both late March and April 2020," according to a criminal complaint that was recently unsealed. The time frame coincides with the wave of coronavirus cases that came crashing into New York as the pandemic arrived in the U.S. in full force.
"I feel like a drug dealer standing out here," Schirripa, 66, allegedly said in early April as he was recorded selling 16 boxes of N95 masks to a customer on a Manhattan street, according to the complaint.
The sale took place near Madison Avenue Pharmacy, just east of Central Park – a business Schirripa had recently shut down. But rather than arriving through official channels, the masks had come from "the black market," Schirripa allegedly said. He is accused of selling most of the protective gear out of the trunk of his Audi.
Schirripa "said that he normally buys the surgical grade masks for $20 per box and sells them for $40, but he said he had purchased these for $400 per box," the criminal complaint said.
"We're in a time of emergency and shortage," Schirripa allegedly told an undercover agent during a phone call that was recorded. The scarcity and vital need for N95 masks – which have been in such short supply that some medical professionals have been forced to improvise devices to protect themselves – justified their high price, Schirripa allegedly said.
"As alleged, Richard Schirripa exploited an unprecedented crisis to engage in profiteering," Geoffrey S. Berman, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement Tuesday. Several agencies, from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to the Drug Enforcement Administration, played roles in the case against Schirripa.
Agents recovered some 6,660 masks from Schirripa's house in Long Island, his apartment in New York City and his car, according to the complaint.
The complaint said Schirripa told investigators who interviewed him at his house that "others had nicknamed him 'the Mask Man.' "
Schirripa allegedly began hoarding N95 masks in February — and the authorities said he continued to do so after President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act in late March, making it illegal to engage in hoarding or price gouging of personal protective equipment such as N95 masks.
His customers spanned eight states and included several doctors, a nursing home, a funeral home and a drugstore, according to court documents. Authorities were able to learn details about Schirripa's sales because he kept invoices for each transaction — paperwork that apparently used the name of his recently closed pharmacy, the complaint said.
Schirripa faces other serious but unrelated charges stemming from an earlier investigation into his pharmacy – especially the disposition of thousands of doses of strong opiates, including fentanyl, oxycodone and morphine sulfate, when he closed his business and sold its assets.
Early this year, Schirripa sent a letter to the DEA in which he said that as part of his pharmacy's closure he had transferred, sold or destroyed all controlled substances that the business had held.
"In fact, he had thousands of pills/patches in his downstairs safe," the complaint said, describing the results of a search of Schirripa's home in early April.
When Schirripa spoke to federal agents last month, he acknowledged he should have destroyed the drugs in his home, according to the complaint. On Tuesday, he turned himself over to federal custody and was to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang in Manhattan federal court.
The complaint accuses Schirripa of causing Medicare and Medicaid to be billed for controlled substances when he allegedly used customers' personal data to fabricate prescriptions for the drugs. During the search of his home, the complaint said, investigators found prescription bottles with more than two dozen different names on the labels.
Based on that inquiry, the pharmacist is accused of health care fraud and identity theft.
If Schirripa is convicted of all the charges against him, he could face a prison sentence of more than 30 years. That includes a count of health care fraud, which carries a maximum 20-year sentence.


npr--2020-05-26--4 Police Officers Fired After A Black Man Dies In Minneapolis Police Custody

The mayor of Minneapolis says four Minneapolis Police Department officers involved in the death of a black man in police custody have been terminated .
The FBI is investigating the incident .
A 10-minute video widely circulated on social media and referenced by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey shows a police officer using his knee to pin the man 's neck to the ground for multiple minutes .
The man has been identified as George Floyd by the mayor and by Benjamin Crump , a prominent civil rights attorney who says he has been retained by Floyd 's family .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and says , `` I can not breathe , '' while the officer continues to push down on the man 's neck with his knee .
Floyd appears to become unresponsive after he has been pinned to the ground for several minutes .
Bystanders plead with police to check Floyd for a pulse .
`` He 's not even resisting arrest right now , bro , '' one person is heard telling police .
Eventually , police and first responders are shown moving the still-unresponsive , handcuffed man onto a stretcher .
Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter that `` the lack of humanity in this disturbing video is sickening . ''
MPD spokesperson Garrett Parten declined to comment to NPR on the authenticity of the video .
The MPD said in a statement that an altercation occurred in South Minneapolis on Monday evening .
It said officers responded to a report of forgery in progress .
The police department said a suspect was sitting on top of his car and appeared to be under the influence when police ordered him to step away from the vehicle .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resisted officers . ''
`` Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress .
Officers called for an ambulance , '' the department said .
`` He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance where he died a short time later . ''
Police said that no weapons were used by the officers or the man during the encounter .
The FBI and Minnesota 's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are now investigating the incident , which could include potential civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
`` I 've been trying to find the words to describe what happened , '' Frey said .
`` All I can come back to is that he should not have died .
What we saw was horrible — completely and utterly messed up .
This man 's life matters . ''
`` Being black in America should not be a death sentence , '' Frey said .
`` For five minutes , we watched as a white officer pressed his knee to the neck of a black man .
... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you are supposed to help .
This officer failed in the most basic human sense . ''
Walz , the governor , vowed to find answers and `` seek justice , '' Minnesota Public Radio reported .
Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo noted at the news conference that the officers involved were wearing body cameras .
`` Our community continues to be traumatized again , and again and again , '' Minneapolis City Councilwoman Andrea Jenkins said in a statement to local TV station KARE .
`` We must demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the police officer involved to be held accountable for what happened , citing circumstances similar to those in the death of Eric Garner in 2014 .
Garner also famously said he could n't breathe as he was being apprehended by police in New York .
`` We are incensed that nearly six years after Eric Garner uttered ' I ca n't breathe ' as he was killed by the New York Police Department , police officers still do n't seem to have learned to listen to a person 's call for help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a release .
`` The police must be held accountable for this use of deadly force , that may also violate the department 's own policy . ''
Nearly four years ago , another police department in the area faced criticism for an incident in which an officer killed black motorist Philando Castile .
NPR has reached out to Minnesota 's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI ; neither responded immediately .

4 Police Officers Fired After A Black Man Dies In Minneapolis Police Custody
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 10:35 p.m. ET
The mayor of Minneapolis says four Minneapolis Police Department officers involved in the death of a black man in police custody have been terminated. The FBI is investigating the incident.
After the firings were announced, a crowd several blocks long marched from the site of the killing to the city's Third Precinct police building, according to The Star Tribune.
The glass door to the precinct entrance was smashed to pieces during the demonstration.
"Shortly before 8 p.m. [CT], police clad in riot gear were firing tear gas and sandbags at the protesters, who were throwing water bottles at them in what appeared to be a standoff," the newspaper said.
A 10-minute video widely circulated on social media and referenced by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey shows a police officer using his knee to pin the man's neck to the ground for multiple minutes.
The man has been identified as George Floyd by the mayor and by Benjamin Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney who says he has been retained by Floyd's family.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steve Karnowski/AP Steve Karnowski/AP
In the video, Floyd repeatedly cries out and says, "I cannot breathe," while the officer continues to push down on the man's neck with his knee.
Floyd appears to become unresponsive after he has been pinned to the ground for several minutes. Bystanders plead with police to check Floyd for a pulse.
"He's not even resisting arrest right now, bro," one person is heard telling police.
Eventually, police and first responders are shown moving the still-unresponsive, handcuffed man onto a stretcher.
Minnesota's governor, Tim Walz, wrote on Twitter that "the lack of humanity in this disturbing video is sickening." MPD spokesperson Garrett Parten declined to comment to NPR on the authenticity of the video.
The MPD said in a statement that an altercation occurred in South Minneapolis on Monday evening. It said officers responded to a report of forgery in progress. The police department said a suspect was sitting on top of his car and appeared to be under the influence when police ordered him to step away from the vehicle. According to the statement, he "physically resisted officers."
"Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. Officers called for an ambulance," the department said. "He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance where he died a short time later."
Police said that no weapons were used by the officers or the man during the encounter.
The FBI and Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are now investigating the incident, which could include potential civil rights violations, Frey told reporters on Tuesday morning.
"I've been trying to find the words to describe what happened," Frey said. "All I can come back to is that he should not have died. What we saw was horrible — completely and utterly messed up. This man's life matters."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images
"Being black in America should not be a death sentence," Frey said. "For five minutes, we watched as a white officer pressed his knee to the neck of a black man. ... When you hear someone calling for help, you are supposed to help. This officer failed in the most basic human sense."
Walz, the governor, vowed to find answers and "seek justice," Minnesota Public Radio reported.
Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo noted at the news conference that the officers involved were wearing body cameras.
"Our community continues to be traumatized again, and again and again," Minneapolis City Councilwoman Andrea Jenkins said in a statement to local TV station KARE. "We must demand answers."
Amnesty International USA called for the police officer involved to be held accountable for what happened, citing circumstances similar to those in the death of Eric Garner in 2014. Garner also famously said he couldn't breathe as he was being apprehended by police in New York.
"We are incensed that nearly six years after Eric Garner uttered 'I can't breathe' as he was killed by the New York Police Department, police officers still don't seem to have learned to listen to a person's call for help," Amnesty's Kristina Roth said in a release. "The police must be held accountable for this use of deadly force, that may also violate the department's own policy."
Nearly four years ago, another police department in the area faced criticism for an incident in which an officer killed black motorist Philando Castile.
NPR has reached out to Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI; neither responded immediately.


npr--2020-05-26--Nearing 100,000 COVID-19 Deaths, U.S. Is Still 'Early In This Outbreak'

Nearing 100,000 COVID-19 Deaths , U.S. Is Still 'Early In This Outbreak' The bleak milestone the U.S. is about to hit — 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 — is far above the number of deaths seen from the pandemic in any other country .
So far , the impact of the coronavirus has been felt unevenly , striking certain cities and regions and particular segments of society much harder than others .
To get a sense of how that may change , and where in the course of the epidemic the U.S. is right now , NPR 's Morning Edition host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jha , director of the Harvard Global Health Institute and professor of health policy at the Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health .
Their conversation has been edited for length and clarity .
As you look at this number looming now , what are you reflecting on ?
Well , a couple of things .
First of all , it is a solemn moment to reflect on the idea that about 100,000 Americans have died — mostly just in the last two months .
The speed with which this has happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've had very little opportunity to mourn all those losses because most of us have been shut down .
And I 've been thinking about where we go into the future and fall and reminding myself and others that we 're early in this outbreak .
We 're not anywhere near done .
The U.S. ... has had more deaths than any country in the world .
Do you think that the country is absorbing the significance of these numbers ?
I think for a majority of Americans , this does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been concentrated in [ a ] few places .
Obviously , New York has been hit very hard , and some other places like Seattle , Chicago — some of the big cities .
And so people who do n't live in those areas may not be absorbing it .
But the nature of this pandemic is that it starts and kind of accelerates in big cities , but then it moves out into the suburbs and into the rural areas .
So , by the time we 're done with this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it much more up close and personal .
That 's what I worry about — that it should n't have to take that for people to really understand how tragic this is and how calamitous in many ways this is .
Q : We 're coming out of Memorial Day weekend , and we saw many regulations relaxed in many parts of the country .
As you were watching that , what are you predicting in terms of what we could see by the end of summer ?
If you look at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most models have been relatively accurate — a few of them have been too optimistic .
But then , if you sort of look at the models of models — the ones that really sort of combine it all and put it together and make projections — the projections are that we 're probably going to see 70,000 to 100,000 deaths between now and the end of the summer .
While the pace will slow down , because we are doing some amount of social distancing and testing is ramping up — we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot more sickness and , unfortunately , a lot more deaths in the upcoming months .
Q : There 's been talk of a seasonal aspect to this .
Whatever happens over the summer , do we face even more deaths as we head later in the year ?
Yes .
I 'm hoping that the models of the summer of an additional 70,000 to 100,000 deaths are too pessimistic .
And they may be , because we may get a seasonal benefit because of the summer : People are outside more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasonal benefit of the summer is what will almost surely be a pretty tough fall and winter with a surge of cases — a wave that might be bigger than the wave we just went through .
And we 've got to prepare for that , because we ca n't be caught flat-footed the way we were this time around .
Q : What can we do to prepare ?
We 're seeing so many states relax restrictions right now .
Is it a matter of potentially putting those restrictions back in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are there other things we could be doing ?
There are two things that I would say .
First of all , people ca n't be locked down for the rest of this pandemic .
I understand that people need to get out , and being outside is a good thing .
But we have to maintain a certain amount of social distancing .
I think mask wearing is really important .
The only other tool we have in our toolbox is a really robust testing , tracing , isolation program .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is that South Korea and Germany have been able to do much , much better ?
They have had a really aggressive testing , tracing , isolation program .
We know that works .
It allows us to kind of have more of our lives back without the number of deaths that we 've suffered .
So I really think that still remains — and should remain — one of our priority areas .
Q : The federal government 's new strategic testing plan calls on states to take a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you see that as the best approach ?
I think this is a real missed opportunity and very unfortunate in many ways , because while states have a critical role to play , testing capacity and testing supply chains are national and international .
We do n't want 50 states competing .
We want a federal strategy that helps states .
And I 'm worried that we 're just not getting that from the federal government .

Nearing 100,000 COVID-19 Deaths, U.S. Is Still 'Early In This Outbreak'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The bleak milestone the U.S. is about to hit — 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 — is far above the number of deaths seen from the pandemic in any other country.
So far, the impact of the coronavirus has been felt unevenly, striking certain cities and regions and particular segments of society much harder than others.
To get a sense of how that may change, and where in the course of the epidemic the U.S. is right now, NPR's Morning Edition host David Greene spoke Tuesday with Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute and professor of health policy at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Their conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
As you look at this number looming now, what are you reflecting on?
Well, a couple of things. First of all, it is a solemn moment to reflect on the idea that about 100,000 Americans have died — mostly just in the last two months. The speed with which this has happened is really devastating. Of course, we've had very little opportunity to mourn all those losses because most of us have been shut down. And I've been thinking about where we go into the future and fall and reminding myself and others that we're early in this outbreak. We're not anywhere near done.
The U.S. ... has had more deaths than any country in the world. Do you think that the country is absorbing the significance of these numbers?
I think for a majority of Americans, this doesn't quite feel real because the deaths have been concentrated in [a] few places. Obviously, New York has been hit very hard, and some other places like Seattle, Chicago — some of the big cities. And so people who don't live in those areas may not be absorbing it.
But the nature of this pandemic is that it starts and kind of accelerates in big cities, but then it moves out into the suburbs and into the rural areas. So, by the time we're done with this, I think every American will have felt it much more up close and personal. That's what I worry about — that it shouldn't have to take that for people to really understand how tragic this is and how calamitous in many ways this is.
Q: We're coming out of Memorial Day weekend, and we saw many regulations relaxed in many parts of the country. As you were watching that, what are you predicting in terms of what we could see by the end of summer?
If you look at all of the models out there — and most models have been relatively accurate — a few of them have been too optimistic. But then, if you sort of look at the models of models — the ones that really sort of combine it all and put it together and make projections — the projections are that we're probably going to see 70,000 to 100,000 deaths between now and the end of the summer.
While the pace will slow down, because we are doing some amount of social distancing and testing is ramping up — we're going to, unfortunately, see a lot more sickness and, unfortunately, a lot more deaths in the upcoming months.
Q: There's been talk of a seasonal aspect to this. Whatever happens over the summer, do we face even more deaths as we head later in the year?
Yes. I'm hoping that the models of the summer of an additional 70,000 to 100,000 deaths are too pessimistic. And they may be, because we may get a seasonal benefit because of the summer: People are outside more.
But the flip side of the seasonal benefit of the summer is what will almost surely be a pretty tough fall and winter with a surge of cases — a wave that might be bigger than the wave we just went through. And we've got to prepare for that, because we can't be caught flat-footed the way we were this time around.
Q: What can we do to prepare? We're seeing so many states relax restrictions right now. Is it a matter of potentially putting those restrictions back in place where they need to be? Or are there other things we could be doing?
There are two things that I would say. First of all, people can't be locked down for the rest of this pandemic. I understand that people need to get out, and being outside is a good thing. But we have to maintain a certain amount of social distancing. I think mask wearing is really important.
The only other tool we have in our toolbox is a really robust testing, tracing, isolation program. You know, if you think about how it is that South Korea and Germany have been able to do much, much better? They have had a really aggressive testing, tracing, isolation program. We know that works. It allows us to kind of have more of our lives back without the number of deaths that we've suffered. So I really think that still remains — and should remain — one of our priority areas.
Q: The federal government's new strategic testing plan calls on states to take a lot of the responsibility for testing. ... Do you see that as the best approach?
I think this is a real missed opportunity and very unfortunate in many ways, because while states have a critical role to play, testing capacity and testing supply chains are national and international.
We don't want 50 states competing. We want a federal strategy that helps states. And I'm worried that we're just not getting that from the federal government.


npr--2020-05-26--Mayor Of Montgomery, Ala.: 'We Have Not Won The Battle With COVID-19 Yet'

Mayor Of Montgomery , Ala. : 'We Have Not Won The Battle With COVID-19 Yet' The number of new coronavirus cases has been going up in Alabama even as the state 's governor relaxes restrictions .
Last week 's number of new cases was up from the week before .
Of the more than 15,000 confirmed cases across the state , about one-third have been confirmed within the last 14 days .
In Montgomery County , which includes the state capital of Montgomery , there are 1,332 cases .
Almost half of those were reported in the last two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been flagged as a potential COVID-19 `` hot spot '' and that its health system 's capacity to manage the crisis has hit unsustainable levels .
Reed spoke with NPR 's David Greene on Morning Edition about the situation in the city .
Here is an excerpt of the interview : What are you hearing from hospitals in terms of what they need most in this moment ?
Right now , what I 'm hearing is that they 're looking for us to sound the alarm and to let people know we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , and that we are in a health crisis and that they 're running short on PPE .
They 're running short , obviously , on beds and that the staffs are physically and emotionally spent .
So we have to do our part as leaders in the community to make sure we get the public to understand this is not over .
We have not won the battle with COVID-19 yet .
And we have to continue some of the things that we were doing just a couple of months ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when in public and practicing all of these sanitary guidelines that have been handed down by the CDC .
Have you been seeing people in the city social distancing , wearing masks ?
Are residents taking those precautions ?
I think some are .
I think some have decided that the pandemic is over and they 're ready to get back to their normal way of doing things and they are willing to take the risk .
Unfortunately , it 's not just themselves that they put at risk when they do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their friends , family , colleagues at risk , and certainly our first responders and those medical professionals who are also doing just a great job and have been over the last couple of months .
Is there something that makes your city more vulnerable ?
Where do you think the spike is coming from right now ?
We ca n't point to any one particular place or flashpoint , if you will .
I think what makes us vulnerable is the fact that we 're the regional health care center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that come from as far away as 90 , 100 miles to our health care system .
So we 're getting people from everywhere .
And certainly I think here Montgomery , we 've had people who , again , have relaxed their approach and have relaxed their practices and are n't adhering to social guidelines anymore .
Listen to the full interview here .

Mayor Of Montgomery, Ala.: 'We Have Not Won The Battle With COVID-19 Yet'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Taylor Hill/Getty Images Taylor Hill/Getty Images
The number of new coronavirus cases has been going up in Alabama even as the state's governor relaxes restrictions.
Last week's number of new cases was up from the week before. Of the more than 15,000 confirmed cases across the state, about one-third have been confirmed within the last 14 days.
In Montgomery County, which includes the state capital of Montgomery, there are 1,332 cases. Almost half of those were reported in the last two weeks.
Mayor Steven Reed says the city has been flagged as a potential COVID-19 "hot spot" and that its health system's capacity to manage the crisis has hit unsustainable levels.
Reed spoke with NPR's David Greene on Morning Edition about the situation in the city. Here is an excerpt of the interview:
What are you hearing from hospitals in terms of what they need most in this moment?
Right now, what I'm hearing is that they're looking for us to sound the alarm and to let people know we're still in the middle of a pandemic, and that we are in a health crisis and that they're running short on PPE. They're running short, obviously, on beds and that the staffs are physically and emotionally spent.
So we have to do our part as leaders in the community to make sure we get the public to understand this is not over. We have not won the battle with COVID-19 yet. And we have to continue some of the things that we were doing just a couple of months ago by staying at home, wearing masks when in public and practicing all of these sanitary guidelines that have been handed down by the CDC.
Have you been seeing people in the city social distancing, wearing masks? Are residents taking those precautions?
I think some are. I think some have decided that the pandemic is over and they're ready to get back to their normal way of doing things and they are willing to take the risk. Unfortunately, it's not just themselves that they put at risk when they do that. They put members of the public, their friends, family, colleagues at risk, and certainly our first responders and those medical professionals who are also doing just a great job and have been over the last couple of months.
Is there something that makes your city more vulnerable? Where do you think the spike is coming from right now?
We can't point to any one particular place or flashpoint, if you will. I think what makes us vulnerable is the fact that we're the regional health care center for central Alabama. And so we have people that come from as far away as 90, 100 miles to our health care system. So we're getting people from everywhere.
And certainly I think here Montgomery, we've had people who, again, have relaxed their approach and have relaxed their practices and aren't adhering to social guidelines anymore.
Listen to the full interview here.


npr--2020-05-26--With Oil Collapse, A Geologist Struggles For Prospects; She's 'Just A Little Lost'

With Oil Collapse , A Geologist Struggles For Prospects ; She 's 'Just A Little Lost' Geologist Keri Belcher had a moment of relief earlier this year .
Her employer , a medium-sized oil and gas company , had a round of layoffs — and she made it through .
She still had a job .
Then came the coronavirus and the complete collapse in oil prices .
This time around , she was laid off .
`` It was kind of unfortunate , too , because I just re-signed my apartment lease , '' the Houston resident said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven weeks of waiting , still had n't received a single check .
She 's applied for jobs , with no luck .
She 's looking for someone to take over the lease on that apartment .
And like many other people stuck inside , she 's taken up new hobbies — like drawing and baking bread .
`` I got a nice crunchy crust the other day , '' she says .
`` Very exciting . ''
What comes next ?
She 's not sure .
Her career was just getting off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expecting the oil and gas industry to go on a hiring spree any time soon .
Besides , it 's a boom-and-bust industry even in the best of times .
`` I 'm just wondering to myself , do I really want to go through this five years from now or another 10 years from now ? ''
she asks .
`` So — I do n't know . ''
Maybe a complete career switch is in order .
Even if it means less time outdoors , which is what attracted her to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what else could she do with her oil and gas experience and a master 's degree in geology ?
Data analytics , perhaps ?
She 's discovered she 's not the only one asking that question .
`` I guess I 'm just a little lost , '' she says .
Read more stories in Faces Of The Coronavirus Recession .

With Oil Collapse, A Geologist Struggles For Prospects; She's 'Just A Little Lost'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Peter Flaig Peter Flaig
Geologist Keri Belcher had a moment of relief earlier this year. Her employer, a medium-sized oil and gas company, had a round of layoffs — and she made it through. She still had a job.
Then came the coronavirus and the complete collapse in oil prices. This time around, she was laid off.
"It was kind of unfortunate, too, because I just re-signed my apartment lease," the Houston resident said.
Belcher applied for unemployment, and after seven weeks of waiting, still hadn't received a single check. She's applied for jobs, with no luck. She's looking for someone to take over the lease on that apartment.
FACES OF THE CORONAVIRUS RECESSION Jobs lost. Businesses in peril. Meetings gone virtual. Faces Of The Coronavirus Recession offers snapshots of working lives upended by the pandemic.
And like many other people stuck inside, she's taken up new hobbies — like drawing and baking bread. "I got a nice crunchy crust the other day," she says. "Very exciting."
What comes next? She's not sure. Her career was just getting off the ground, and she's not expecting the oil and gas industry to go on a hiring spree any time soon. Besides, it's a boom-and-bust industry even in the best of times.
"I'm just wondering to myself, do I really want to go through this five years from now or another 10 years from now?" she asks. "So — I don't know."
Maybe a complete career switch is in order. Even if it means less time outdoors, which is what attracted her to geology in the first place. But what else could she do with her oil and gas experience and a master's degree in geology? Data analytics, perhaps? She's discovered she's not the only one asking that question.
"I guess I'm just a little lost," she says.
Read more stories in Faces Of The Coronavirus Recession.


npr--2020-05-26--ER Visit For COVID-19 Symptoms Stuck Man With A $3,278 Bill

From late March into April , Timothy Regan had severe coughing fits several times a day that often left him out of breath .
He had a periodic low-grade fever too .
Wondering if he had COVID-19 , Regan called a nurse hotline run by Denver Health , a large public health system in his city .
A nurse listened to him describe his symptoms and told him to immediately go to the hospital system 's urgent care facility .
When he arrived at Denver Health — where the emergency room and urgent care facility sit side by side at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directed him to the ER after he noted chest pain as one of his symptoms .
Regan was seen quickly and given a chest X-ray and electrocardiogram , known as an EKG , to check his lungs and heart .
Both were normal .
A doctor prescribed an inhaler to help his breathing and told him he might have bronchitis .
The doctor advised that he had to presume he had COVID-19 and must quarantine at home for two weeks .
At the time , on April 3 , Denver Health reserved COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after arriving at the hospital , Regan was back home .
His longest wait was for his inhaler prescription to be filled .
Regan was n't concerned about just his own health .
His wife , Elissa , who is expecting their second child in August , and their 1-year-old son , Finn , also felt sick with symptoms like those of COVID-19 in April .
`` Nothing terrible but enough to make me worry , '' he said .
Regan , who is an estimator for a construction firm , worked from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantined .
( Construction in Colorado and many states has been considered an essential business and has continued to operate . )
Regan said he was worried about taking a day off and losing his job .
`` I was thinking I had to make all the money I could in case we all had to be hospitalized , '' he said .
`` All I could do was keep working in hopes that everything would be OK. '' Within a couple of weeks , the whole family indeed was OK. `` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then the bill came .
The patient : Timothy Regan , 40 , an estimator for a construction company .
The family has health insurance through Elissa 's job at a nonprofit in Denver .
Total bill : Denver Health billed Regan $ 3,278 for the ER visit .
His insurer paid $ 1,042 , leaving him with $ 2,236 to pay based on his $ 3,500 in-network deductible .
The biggest part of the bill was the $ 2,921 general ER fee .
Medical service : Regan was evaluated in the emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe cough , fever and chest pain .
He was given several tests to check his heart and lungs , prescribed an inhaler and sent home .
What gives : When patients use hospital emergency rooms — even for short visits with few tests — it 's not unusual for them to get billed thousands of dollars no matter how minor the treatment received .
Hospitals say the high fees come from having to staff the ER with specialists 24 hours a day and keep lifesaving equipment up to date .
Denver Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Level 4 — the second highest and second most expensive — on a 5-point scale .
The other items on his bill were $ 225 for the EKG , $ 126 for the chest X-ray and $ 6 for his albuterol inhaler , a medication that provides quick relief for breathing problems .
The Regans knew they had a high deductible , and they try to avoid unnecessarily using the ER .
But with physician offices not seeing patients with COVID-19 symptoms in April , Timothy said he had little choice when Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and then to its ER .
`` I felt bad , but I had been dealing with it for a while , '' he said .
Elissa said they were trying hard to do everything by the book , including using a health provider in their plan 's network .
`` We did not anticipate being hit with such a huge bill for the visit , '' Elissa said .
`` We had intentionally called the nurse 's line trying to be responsible , but that did not work . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting tested and evaluated for COVID-19 , UnitedHealthcare is one of many insurers that announced it will waive cost sharing for COVID-19 testing-related visits and treatment .
But it is not clear how many people who had COVID-19 symptoms but who did not get tested when tests were in short supply have been billed as the Regans were .
Resolution : A Denver Health spokesperson said Regan was not tested for COVID-19 because he was not admitted and did not have risk factors such as diabetes , heart disease or asthma .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he was not tested for the virus .
The medical center has since expanded its testing capacity , the spokesperson said .
UnitedHealthcare officials reviewed Regan 's case at the request of Kaiser Health News .
Based on Regan 's symptoms and the tests performed , Denver Health should have billed them using a COVID-19 billing code , an insurer spokesperson said .
`` We reprocessed Mr. Regan 's original claims after reviewing the services that he received , '' a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said .
`` All cost share for that visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they were thrilled with UHC 's decision .
`` That is wonderful news , '' Elissa said upon hearing from a KHN reporter that UHC would waive their costs .
`` We are very thankful .
It is a huge relief . ''
The takeaway : The Regans said they initially found no satisfaction in calling the hospital or the insurer to resolve their dispute — but it was the right thing to do .
`` He 's definitely not alone , '' said Sabrina Corlette , a research professor at Georgetown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The takeaway here is both the provider as well as insurance company are still on a learning curve with respect to this virus and how to bill and pay for it . ''
Corlette said Timothy should not have second-guessed his decision to use the Denver Health ER when directed there by a nurse .
That , too , was the right call .
Insurers ' move to waive costs associated with COVID-19 testing and related treatment is vital to stem the outbreak — but it works only if patients can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large bill , she said .
`` It 's a critical piece of the public health strategy to beat this disease , '' Corlette said .
To help with billing , she said , patients could ask their provider to note on their medical chart when they seek care for a possible case of COVID-19 .
But it 's not patients ' responsibility to make sure providers use the right billing code , she said .
Patients need to know they have rights to appeal costs to their insurer .
They can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits department and state insurance department .
Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by Kaiser Health News and NPR that dissects and explains medical bills .
Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us ?
Tell us about it !

ER Visit For COVID-19 Symptoms Stuck Man With A $3,278 Bill
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ethan Welty for KHN Ethan Welty for KHN
From late March into April, Timothy Regan had severe coughing fits several times a day that often left him out of breath. He had a periodic low-grade fever too.
Wondering if he had COVID-19, Regan called a nurse hotline run by Denver Health, a large public health system in his city. A nurse listened to him describe his symptoms and told him to immediately go to the hospital system's urgent care facility.
When he arrived at Denver Health — where the emergency room and urgent care facility sit side by side at its main location downtown — a nurse directed him to the ER after he noted chest pain as one of his symptoms.
Regan was seen quickly and given a chest X-ray and electrocardiogram, known as an EKG, to check his lungs and heart. Both were normal.
A doctor prescribed an inhaler to help his breathing and told him he might have bronchitis. The doctor advised that he had to presume he had COVID-19 and must quarantine at home for two weeks.
At the time, on April 3, Denver Health reserved COVID-19 tests for sicker patients. Two hours after arriving at the hospital, Regan was back home. His longest wait was for his inhaler prescription to be filled.
Share your medical billing story Do you have a medical bill you'd like us to investigate? You can tell us about it and submit it here.
Regan wasn't concerned about just his own health. His wife, Elissa, who is expecting their second child in August, and their 1-year-old son, Finn, also felt sick with symptoms like those of COVID-19 in April. "Nothing terrible but enough to make me worry," he said.
Regan, who is an estimator for a construction firm, worked from home throughout his sickness — including while quarantined. (Construction in Colorado and many states has been considered an essential business and has continued to operate.) Regan said he was worried about taking a day off and losing his job.
"I was thinking I had to make all the money I could in case we all had to be hospitalized," he said. "All I could do was keep working in hopes that everything would be OK."
Within a couple of weeks, the whole family indeed was OK. "We got lucky," Elissa said.
Then the bill came.
The patient: Timothy Regan, 40, an estimator for a construction company. The family has health insurance through Elissa's job at a nonprofit in Denver.
Total bill: Denver Health billed Regan $3,278 for the ER visit. His insurer paid $1,042, leaving him with $2,236 to pay based on his $3,500 in-network deductible. The biggest part of the bill was the $2,921 general ER fee.
Service provider: Denver Health, a large public health system
Medical service: Regan was evaluated in the emergency room for COVID-19-like symptoms, including a severe cough, fever and chest pain. He was given several tests to check his heart and lungs, prescribed an inhaler and sent home.
What gives: When patients use hospital emergency rooms — even for short visits with few tests — it's not unusual for them to get billed thousands of dollars no matter how minor the treatment received. Hospitals say the high fees come from having to staff the ER with specialists 24 hours a day and keep lifesaving equipment up to date.
Denver Health coded Timothy's ER visit as a Level 4 — the second highest and second most expensive — on a 5-point scale. The other items on his bill were $225 for the EKG, $126 for the chest X-ray and $6 for his albuterol inhaler, a medication that provides quick relief for breathing problems.
The Regans knew they had a high deductible, and they try to avoid unnecessarily using the ER. But with physician offices not seeing patients with COVID-19 symptoms in April, Timothy said he had little choice when Denver Health directed him first to its urgent care and then to its ER. "I felt bad, but I had been dealing with it for a while," he said.
Elissa said they were trying hard to do everything by the book, including using a health provider in their plan's network.
"We did not anticipate being hit with such a huge bill for the visit," Elissa said. "We had intentionally called the nurse's line trying to be responsible, but that did not work."
In an effort to remove barriers to people getting tested and evaluated for COVID-19, UnitedHealthcare is one of many insurers that announced it will waive cost sharing for COVID-19 testing-related visits and treatment. But it is not clear how many people who had COVID-19 symptoms but who did not get tested when tests were in short supply have been billed as the Regans were.
Resolution: A Denver Health spokesperson said Regan was not tested for COVID-19 because he was not admitted and did not have risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease or asthma. He was not billed as a COVID-19 patient because he was not tested for the virus. The medical center has since expanded its testing capacity, the spokesperson said.
UnitedHealthcare officials reviewed Regan's case at the request of Kaiser Health News. Based on Regan's symptoms and the tests performed, Denver Health should have billed them using a COVID-19 billing code, an insurer spokesperson said. "We reprocessed Mr. Regan's original claims after reviewing the services that he received," a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson said. "All cost share for that visit has been waived."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ethan Welty for KHN Ethan Welty for KHN
The Regans said they were thrilled with UHC's decision.
"That is wonderful news," Elissa said upon hearing from a KHN reporter that UHC would waive their costs. "We are very thankful. It is a huge relief."
The takeaway: The Regans said they initially found no satisfaction in calling the hospital or the insurer to resolve their dispute — but it was the right thing to do.
"He's definitely not alone," said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. "The takeaway here is both the provider as well as insurance company are still on a learning curve with respect to this virus and how to bill and pay for it."
Corlette said Timothy should not have second-guessed his decision to use the Denver Health ER when directed there by a nurse. That, too, was the right call.
Insurers' move to waive costs associated with COVID-19 testing and related treatment is vital to stem the outbreak — but it works only if patients can trust they won't get stuck with a large bill, she said. "It's a critical piece of the public health strategy to beat this disease," Corlette said.
To help with billing, she said, patients could ask their provider to note on their medical chart when they seek care for a possible case of COVID-19. But it's not patients' responsibility to make sure providers use the right billing code, she said. Patients need to know they have rights to appeal costs to their insurer. They can also seek assistance from their employer's benefits department and state insurance department.
Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by Kaiser Health News and NPR that dissects and explains medical bills. Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us? Tell us about it!


npr--2020-05-26--Unlikely Allies Band Together In Laredo To Oppose The Border Wall

Unlikely Allies Band Together In Laredo To Oppose The Border Wall The federal government is planning to put 69 miles of its massive border wall along the river in Texas ' Webb and Zapata counties .
When it became clear that the imposing barrier would plow through the center of the proud city of Laredo , a remarkably diverse coalition of wall-haters assembled to fight it .
Folks in black `` No Border Wall '' T-shirts marched in the streets earlier this year .
They share their movement with sedate bankers in starched , white shirts and gray suits who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a beautiful river , a historic river that is an amenity for our city , '' said Dennis Nixon , chairman of the International Bank of Commerce , headquartered in Laredo .
`` It 's disheartening .
Would you want a wall on the Potomac or a wall on the East River in New York City ? ''
Other members of the growing anti-wall coalition are outraged property owners .
Tony Medina is a 72-year-old retired land surveyor with a small tract upriver from Laredo that the feds want .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the ticks and rattlesnakes , and he lets fishermen launch their flatboats to haul in the big Rio Grande catfish .
With only three acres , he thinks his property would be effectively covered up by the wall and its 150-foot-wide enforcement zone — as wide as a four-lane highway .
`` I do n't think we have a national emergency here on the Mexican border .
People are n't flooding across the border , I have n't seen it in my lifetime , '' Medina said , his voice rising with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is just trying to appease and energize his racist base with this promise of a border wall . ''
Downriver , outside the historic town of San Ygnacio , Elsa Hull , a state water quality monitor , lives on a remote plot with her two daughters .
The government wants her three acres , too , for the wall , which will have stadium lights installed every 150 feet .
`` One of the things we like to do out here , I have a telescope and we like to observe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` And the bright lights will wash out our night sky , no more Milky Way .
There 's so many reasons that this wall is just a horrible idea . ''
Medina and Hull are among some 250 private landowners along the river in Webb and Zapata counties whose land the government is condemning through its powers of eminent domain .
They will ultimately be offered a monetary sum , which they can appeal .
Customs and Border Protection says more than half of the property owners who 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Entry papers to allow surveyors onto their land , and a quarter of them have refused .
The largest landowner to refuse the government is the City of Laredo .
The Justice Department has sued the city to get access to 983 acres of city-owned riverfront .
In its response , the city maintains the wall is illegal because when Congress appropriated the funding it did not specify that the structure would be built in Webb County .
That issue is pending before a local federal judge .
Many Laredoans are offended that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across a golf course , a riverside park and an orphanage .
And it would symbolically sever Laredo from its sister city , Nuevo Laredo , Mexico , with whom it maintains deep cultural and familial ties .
`` It 's an insult to us and to our neighbors to the south , '' said City Councilman Mercurio Martinez III , who traces his lineage back to ranchers who settled on a Spanish land grant .
`` Laredo has always been unique .
We were once the capital of the Republic of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas became its own country and they could n't defend us , '' he said , noting that this month was Laredo 's 265th birthday .
The city 's first choice is to block construction of a 30-foot wall .
`` But as a last resort there 's always a Plan A and a Plan B , '' said Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz .
Plan B is that if the wall is coming anyway `` make lemonade out of lemons , '' he said .
There are discussions ongoing with CBP to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of an ugly levee wall topped with steel bollards .
The structure would stop illegal crossers , supposedly hold back seasonal floods , and function as a promenade .
`` It would be more easy on the eyes .
It would be aesthetically pleasing .
In this world , you got ta make choices sometimes , especially when you 're pinned down and they got you beat , '' the mayor said with a chuckle .
`` We 're doing the best we can with the situation we confront ourselves with .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is open to constructing a mile-long bulkhead , but the other 68 miles of steel fencing would continue as planned .
An Alabama construction company has been selected to build the first 14 miles at a cost of $ 20 million a mile .
`` The Laredo Sector is an area of high illegal activity , with over 21,000 illegal alien apprehensions and over 19,000 pounds of drugs seized this fiscal year to date , '' according to CBP .
The agency asserts the wall system `` will improve Laredo Sector 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border crossings and drug and human smuggling .
This is what baffles locals .
CBP 's own figures show that apprehensions in the Laredo Sector have been among the lowest on the southwest border , consistently , for more than two decades .
Moreover , the Drug Enforcement Administration says the vast majority of illegal narcotics are smuggled in vehicles crossing international bridges , not by backpackers trekking through the bush .
`` We live across from Nuevo Laredo which is one of the most dangerous cities in northern Mexico , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's part of the anti-wall movement .
`` And Laredo is one of the safest cities in America and we do n't have a border wall .
So where is the problem ? ''
CBP says construction wo n't begin until early 2021 .
With that in mind , opponents are still working on Plan A — hold off the bulldozers until after the presidential election .
The area 's democratic representative , Henry Cuellar , is urging his constituents to stonewall the feds .
`` Do not give 'em entry .
Delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Washington DC office .
`` And hopefully by November we 'll have a new person at the White House . ''
The new president and his new CBP commissioner would , presumably , halt wall construction , Cuellar said .
Among the handful of Laredoans who support Trump but oppose his wall , there is a Plan C. In this scenario , if Trump wins perhaps he could be convinced that he no longer has to pander to his base and he would abandon his `` big , beautiful '' border wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mind , '' said Dennis Nixon , the bank chairman .
He contributed $ 7,700 to the president 's 2016 campaign and a pro-Trump PAC , and he 's hoping for a second Trump term .
`` When you spend some time really looking at the issue and maybe take it out of the political arena when he 's not running for reelection again , time changes things .
People do learn .
People do evolve , '' he said .
The anti-wall coalition is looking for anything to keep Laredo connected @ @ @ @ @

Unlikely Allies Band Together In Laredo To Oppose The Border Wall
Enlarge this image toggle caption Suzanne Cordeiro / AFP via Getty Images Suzanne Cordeiro / AFP via Getty Images
The federal government is planning to put 69 miles of its massive border wall along the river in Texas' Webb and Zapata counties. When it became clear that the imposing barrier would plow through the center of the proud city of Laredo, a remarkably diverse coalition of wall-haters assembled to fight it.
Folks in black "No Border Wall" T-shirts marched in the streets earlier this year. They share their movement with sedate bankers in starched, white shirts and gray suits who are just as passionate.
"Here we have a beautiful river, a historic river that is an amenity for our city," said Dennis Nixon, chairman of the International Bank of Commerce, headquartered in Laredo. "It's disheartening. Would you want a wall on the Potomac or a wall on the East River in New York City?"
Other members of the growing anti-wall coalition are outraged property owners.
Tony Medina is a 72-year-old retired land surveyor with a small tract upriver from Laredo that the feds want. He goes out there to enjoy nature, amid the ticks and rattlesnakes, and he lets fishermen launch their flatboats to haul in the big Rio Grande catfish. With only three acres, he thinks his property would be effectively covered up by the wall and its 150-foot-wide enforcement zone — as wide as a four-lane highway.
"I don't think we have a national emergency here on the Mexican border. People aren't flooding across the border, I haven't seen it in my lifetime," Medina said, his voice rising with anger. "I think Donald Trump is just trying to appease and energize his racist base with this promise of a border wall."
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Burnett/NPR John Burnett/NPR
Downriver, outside the historic town of San Ygnacio, Elsa Hull, a state water quality monitor, lives on a remote plot with her two daughters. The government wants her three acres, too, for the wall, which will have stadium lights installed every 150 feet.
"One of the things we like to do out here, I have a telescope and we like to observe the night sky, meteor showers," she said. "And the bright lights will wash out our night sky, no more Milky Way. There's so many reasons that this wall is just a horrible idea."
Medina and Hull are among some 250 private landowners along the river in Webb and Zapata counties whose land the government is condemning through its powers of eminent domain. They will ultimately be offered a monetary sum, which they can appeal. Customs and Border Protection says more than half of the property owners who've been contacted have voluntarily signed Rights of Entry papers to allow surveyors onto their land, and a quarter of them have refused.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Burnett/NPR John Burnett/NPR
The largest landowner to refuse the government is the City of Laredo.
The Justice Department has sued the city to get access to 983 acres of city-owned riverfront. In its response, the city maintains the wall is illegal because when Congress appropriated the funding it did not specify that the structure would be built in Webb County. That issue is pending before a local federal judge.
Many Laredoans are offended that the steel and concrete barrier would cut across a golf course, a riverside park and an orphanage. And it would symbolically sever Laredo from its sister city, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, with whom it maintains deep cultural and familial ties.
"It's an insult to us and to our neighbors to the south," said City Councilman Mercurio Martinez III, who traces his lineage back to ranchers who settled on a Spanish land grant.
"Laredo has always been unique. We were once the capital of the Republic of the Rio Grande. We split off when Texas became its own country and they couldn't defend us," he said, noting that this month was Laredo's 265th birthday.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Burnett/NPR John Burnett/NPR
The city's first choice is to block construction of a 30-foot wall.
"But as a last resort there's always a Plan A and a Plan B," said Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz. Plan B is that if the wall is coming anyway "make lemonade out of lemons," he said.
There are discussions ongoing with CBP to build a concrete riverwalk, or bulkhead, instead of an ugly levee wall topped with steel bollards. The structure would stop illegal crossers, supposedly hold back seasonal floods, and function as a promenade.
"It would be more easy on the eyes. It would be aesthetically pleasing. In this world, you gotta make choices sometimes, especially when you're pinned down and they got you beat," the mayor said with a chuckle. "We're doing the best we can with the situation we confront ourselves with."
The agency confirmed to NPR that it is open to constructing a mile-long bulkhead, but the other 68 miles of steel fencing would continue as planned.
An Alabama construction company has been selected to build the first 14 miles at a cost of $20 million a mile.
"The Laredo Sector is an area of high illegal activity, with over 21,000 illegal alien apprehensions and over 19,000 pounds of drugs seized this fiscal year to date," according to CBP. The agency asserts the wall system "will improve Laredo Sector's ability to impede and deny" illegal border crossings and drug and human smuggling.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Suzanne Cordeiro / AFP via Getty Images Suzanne Cordeiro / AFP via Getty Images
This is what baffles locals.
CBP's own figures show that apprehensions in the Laredo Sector have been among the lowest on the southwest border, consistently, for more than two decades.
Moreover, the Drug Enforcement Administration says the vast majority of illegal narcotics are smuggled in vehicles crossing international bridges, not by backpackers trekking through the bush.
"We live across from Nuevo Laredo which is one of the most dangerous cities in northern Mexico," said Carlos Flores, a local lawyer who's part of the anti-wall movement. "And Laredo is one of the safest cities in America and we don't have a border wall. So where is the problem?"
CBP says construction won't begin until early 2021. With that in mind, opponents are still working on Plan A — hold off the bulldozers until after the presidential election.
The area's democratic representative, Henry Cuellar, is urging his constituents to stonewall the feds.
"Do not give 'em entry. Delay the process," he said from his Washington DC office. "And hopefully by November we'll have a new person at the White House." The new president and his new CBP commissioner would, presumably, halt wall construction, Cuellar said.
Among the handful of Laredoans who support Trump but oppose his wall, there is a Plan C.
In this scenario, if Trump wins perhaps he could be convinced that he no longer has to pander to his base and he would abandon his "big, beautiful" border wall.
"I want him to change his mind," said Dennis Nixon, the bank chairman. He contributed $7,700 to the president's 2016 campaign and a pro-Trump PAC, and he's hoping for a second Trump term.
"When you spend some time really looking at the issue and maybe take it out of the political arena when he's not running for reelection again, time changes things. People do learn. People do evolve," he said.
The anti-wall coalition is looking for anything to keep Laredo connected to its storied river.