npr--2020-01-24--Impeachment Trial Messaging Operation Targets Audiences Outside Senate Chamber

Rep Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , the lead House impeachment manager said Wednesday that `` We 're trying this case to two juries : the Senate and the American people . ''
It 's not just the prosecutors who are approaching the Senate trial as having two distinct audiences .
Both the managers and the president 's defense team have set up messaging operations to repeat their cases for and against impeachment .
They know senators are required to listen in the chamber .
But the public is also digesting the arguments and catching up on what they missed when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on air on their favorite press outlets .
Both sides recognize they have limited opportunities to insert themselves into the regular and fast-moving press reports .
Most outlets are carrying wall-to-wall coverage of the extended debate on the Senate floor .
But every time there is a short recess or dinner break the teams head straight to Senate studio upstairs for press conferences or the stakeout camera set up in the Capitol basement to weigh in on the latest developments .
To those listening to what are typically back-to-back assessments from Republicans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are watching completely different trials .
Getting the message out to multiple outlets Before the trial session day begins around 1 p.m .
ET each day the action outside the Senate chamber and on cable news is in full swing .
News programs feature interviews with House impeachment managers and House Republicans who were added to the president 's defense team .
While they are n't designated to be part of the team with Senate floor privileges , this group of roughly half a dozen lawmakers are a regular presence in the hallways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Jim Jordan pushed back on Schiff 's presentation Thursday on NPR 's Here and Now .
He took issue — as he did during the House hearings — with the Democrats ' case that the president leveraged security assistance to Ukraine to extract a commitment that the government would investigate his political rival .
`` It never happened .
So this idea that , that somehow there was a quid pro quo , to have a quid pro quo something has to happen .
They never made the announcement , they never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised to start an investigation and guess what , they got the meeting with the president , they got the money , and they got the phone call ... the Democrats just do n't want to look at the facts , '' Jordan argued .
It 's not just traditional news channels where lawmakers are pitching their case – Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings , one of the House managers , appeared on `` the View , '' a popular talk show aimed at women on Wednesday .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his proposed amendments to allow additional witnesses or documents during the lengthy debate on the rules earlier this week .
He 's not allowed to talk on the Senate floor during the trial , but he holds regular pre-session press conferences to stress what he believes are the key points of the prosecutors .
Schumer also makes regular appeals to the small group of Senate Republicans who are considering whether they will break from their leaders and vote with Democrats to subpoena witnesses who declined to appear as part of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton .
`` Every day more and more of the public is watching , '' Schumer said Thursday .
He pointed to a new public opinion poll that showed support for additional witnesses and documents .
He predicted the coverage of the arguments `` will have an effect on Senators . ''
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey joined Schumer on Thursday to stress what he saw as the most compelling evidence , pointing to some of the video clips the managers used to showcase witness testimony from the House hearings .
He called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` compelling , '' and maintained `` you can see the power of this case and how disturbing it is . ''
But so far there 's little evidence that the Democrats ' efforts are having much impact on the small group of moderate Senate Republicans who have expressed some openness to hearing from witnesses .
The president 's defense team is n't slated to start presenting their case opposing impeachment until Saturday .
But Jay Sekulow , President Trump 's private attorney and a member of the defense team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaks .
He 's been rebutting some of the managers ' arguments and giving tidbits about his own legal strategy — saying he plans to outline his case in `` two parts . ''
During most of his stops at the camera where reporters congregate and throw him questions , he maintains Schiff and his team have n't revealed any new information .
He predicted on Thursday after almost two full days of arguments : `` I am confident that whether it is Saturday or Monday or Tuesday that the case will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions in and around the Senate chamber make it difficult for reporters to get access to the moderate Senate Republicans like Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who could be part of some sort of deal on possible witnesses .
They are keeping their opinions about the arguments mostly to themselves .
But other Senate Republicans who are reliable defenders of the president regularly come out to weigh in what they are hearing on the Senate floor .
The most frequent complaint so far is that they keep hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` My frustration is the American people are getting half the story at this point , '' Oklahoma GOP Sen. James Lankford said , sounding impatient to get to the next phase of the trial .
Vice President Mike Pence is also part of the messaging effort .
He did an interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network and made the case that even those Senate Republicans who might be undecided on their votes in the trial will be convinced the president did nothing wrong .
`` They 'll see this partisan impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not even a crime that is alleged , let alone a high crime or misdemeanor or treason or bribery and they 'll reject this , these two articles and acquit the president and allow our country to focus back on the issues that matter most and frankly , focus on the election that is just 10 months away , '' Pence told CBN 's David Brody .
Republican senators also know that President Trump is watching the coverage of the Senate trial .
One of his closest allies — South Carolina Sen. Lindsey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message through reporters covering the debate on Thursday .
Asked about the president considering appearing at the trial in person , Graham replied , `` he has n't told me whether or not he wants to come .
But in case you 're listening , do n't come . ''

Impeachment Trial Messaging Operation Targets Audiences Outside Senate Chamber
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jose Luis Magana/AP Jose Luis Magana/AP
Rep Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the lead House impeachment manager, said Wednesday, "We're trying this case to two juries: the Senate and the American people."
It's not just the prosecutors who are approaching the Senate trial as having two distinct audiences.
Both the managers and the president's defense team have set up messaging operations to repeat their cases for and against impeachment. They know senators are required to listen in the chamber. But the public is also digesting the arguments and catching up on what they missed when they tune in to press coverage online and on air on their favorite media outlets.
Both sides recognize they have limited opportunities to insert themselves into the regular and fast-moving press reports. Most outlets are carrying wall-to-wall coverage of the extended debate on the Senate floor. But every time there is a short recess or dinner break, the teams head straight to the Senate studio upstairs for press conferences or the stakeout camera set up in the Capitol basement to weigh in on the latest developments.
To those listening to what are typically back-to-back assessments from Republicans and Democrats, it can feel as though they are watching completely different trials.
Getting the message out to multiple outlets
Before the trial session day begins around 1 p.m. ET each day, the action outside the Senate chamber and on cable news is in full swing.
News programs feature interviews with House impeachment managers and House Republicans who were added to the president's defense team. While they aren't designated to be part of the team with Senate floor privileges, this group of roughly half a dozen lawmakers is a regular presence in the hallways and on news programs.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, pushed back on Schiff's presentation Thursday on NPR's Here and Now. He took issue — as he did during the House hearings — with the Democrats' case that the president leveraged security assistance to Ukraine to extract a commitment that the government would investigate his political rival.
"It never happened. So this idea that, that somehow there was a quid pro quo, to have a quid pro quo something has to happen. They never made the announcement, they never started an investigation, and they never promised to start an investigation and guess what, they got the meeting with the president, they got the money, and they got the phone call ... the Democrats just don't want to look at the facts," Jordan argued.
It's not just traditional news channels where lawmakers are pitching their case – Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings, one of the House managers, appeared on The View, a popular talk show aimed at women, on Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., failed to get any of his proposed amendments to allow additional witnesses or documents during the lengthy debate on the rules earlier this week. He's not allowed to talk on the Senate floor during the trial, but he holds regular pre-session press conferences to stress what he believes are the key points of the prosecutors.
Schumer also makes regular appeals to the small group of Senate Republicans who are considering whether they will break from their leaders and vote with Democrats to subpoena witnesses, such as former national security adviser John Bolton, who declined to appear as part of the House investigation.
"Every day, more and more of the public is watching," Schumer said Thursday. He pointed to a new public opinion poll that showed support for additional witnesses and documents. He predicted the coverage of the arguments "will have an effect on senators."
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., joined Schumer on Thursday to stress what he saw as the most compelling evidence, pointing to some of the video clips the managers used to showcase witness testimony from the House hearings. He called the record from the managers "substantial" and "compelling" and maintained that "you can see the power of this case and how disturbing it is."
But so far there's little evidence that the Democrats' efforts are having much impact on the small group of moderate Senate Republicans who have expressed some openness to hearing from witnesses.
Defense team rebutting prosecutors ahead of their formal presentations
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Wilson/Getty Images Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The president's defense team isn't slated to start presenting its case opposing impeachment until Saturday. But Jay Sekulow, President Trump's private attorney and a member of the defense team, has been a leading public voice during breaks. He's been rebutting some of the managers' arguments and giving tidbits about his own legal strategy — saying he plans to outline his case in "two parts."
During most of his stops at the camera where reporters congregate and throw him questions, he maintains that Schiff and his team haven't revealed any new information. He predicted on Thursday after almost two full days of arguments: "I am confident that whether it is Saturday or Monday or Tuesday that the case will be made defending the president."
Press restrictions in and around the Senate chamber make it difficult for reporters to get access to the moderate Senate Republicans like Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who could be part of some sort of deal on possible witnesses. They are keeping their opinions about the arguments mostly to themselves.
But other Senate Republicans who are reliable defenders of the president regularly come out to weigh in on what they are hearing on the Senate floor.
The most frequent complaint so far is that they keep hearing the same stories over and over again.
"My frustration is the American people are getting half the story at this point," Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said, sounding impatient to get to the next phase of the trial.
Vice President Pence is also part of the messaging effort. He did an interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network and made the case that even those Senate Republicans who might be undecided on their votes in the trial will be convinced the president did nothing wrong.
"They'll see this partisan impeachment for what it is. There's not even a crime that is alleged, let alone a high crime or misdemeanor or treason or bribery and they'll reject this, these two articles and acquit the president and allow our country to focus back on the issues that matter most and frankly, focus on the election that is just 10 months away," Pence told CBN's David Brody.
Republican senators also know that President Trump is watching the coverage of the Senate trial. One of his closest allies — South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham — took the opportunity to relay a message through reporters covering the debate on Thursday.
Asked about the president considering appearing at the trial in person, Graham replied, "He hasn't told me whether or not he wants to come. But in case you're listening, don't come."
Lexie Schapitl contributed to this report.


npr--2020-01-24--President Trump To Face Friendly Crowd At March For Life

President Trump To Face Friendly Crowd At March For Life When thousands of anti-abortion rights activists march in Washington , D.C. , on Friday , President Trump will be there .
It 's the first time a sitting president will address the March for Life , an annual event organized decades ago in response to the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide .
Trump will face a friendly audience at a key moment — with his impeachment trial underway , and just months to go before the 2020 election .
The president has leaned in to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently praising `` the evangelicals '' who comprise a key portion of his base , and courting anti-abortion rights groups like the Susan B. Anthony List .
That group 's president , Marjorie Dannenfelser , called Trump 's appearance at the march `` a moment of celebration for the pro-life movement . ''
In an interview with NPR , she said it 's a reminder of how far Trump has come in the minds of some conservatives who were initially skeptical because of his past support for abortion rights .
`` Everyone doubted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He stated what he believed .
There were doubts all over — I mean , I was one of them , '' Dannenfelser said .
`` ...
So he 's actually become the person that he says he is . ''
Dannenfelser said she is pleased with Trump 's appointment of conservative federal judges — most notably to the Supreme Court .
Just this week the Trump administration signed off on federal funding for a family planning program in Texas that excludes groups like Planned Parenthood that provide abortion services .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but everyone in that crowd needs reminding what 's at stake this coming election , '' Dannenfelser said .
`` ...
It wo n't be a cajoling and a persuasion moment ; it will be a momentum moment . ''
On Wednesday , Trump retweeted a post by the March for Life , adding , `` See you on Friday ... big crowd ! ''
Trump 's appearance is n't entirely unprecedented : two years ago , he spoke live via video feed from the White House Rose Garden , telling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , born and unborn , because you believe that every life is sacred , that every child is a precious gift from God . ''
Other Republican presidents — Ronald Reagan and the Bushes — have addressed the crowd remotely , via phone call or prepared statement .
Some observers have speculated that such a move allowed those presidents to court anti-abortion voters without subjecting themselves to a photo-op in front of the crowd , out of fear of turning off more moderate voters .
Reproductive rights groups are using the moment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to abortion rights .
NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue issued a statement calling Trump 's decision to appear at the March for Life an `` act of desperation . ''
In an interview with NPR , Planned Parenthood 's acting president and CEO , Alexis McGill Johnson , said Trump 's appearance at the event is `` no surprise '' given his policy record .
`` This is just confirmation that we have a sitting president of the United States who is determined to do whatever he can to end people 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson said .
Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate see much at stake in the 2020 election .
After Trump 's address , activists at the rally will march from the National Mall to the U.S. Supreme Court — where just weeks from now , the court is set to take up its first major abortion case since Trump 's two conservatives nominees , Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh , joined the bench .
Those two justices alone have moved the court to the right , setting up the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eroded .
And whoever is elected in November may have the opportunity to name at least one more justice to the court .

President Trump Faces Friendly Crowd At March For Life
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jose Luis Magana/AP Jose Luis Magana/AP
Updated at 4:45 p.m. ET
As thousands of anti-abortion rights activists prepared to march in Washington, D.C., on Friday, President Trump was there to rally his base.
"They are coming after me, because I am fighting for you," Trump told the crowd, without directly mentioning the impeachment trial underway in the Senate. "And we are fighting for those who have no voice."
"And we will win," Trump added, "because we know how to win."
National Abortion Rights Opponents Descend Upon Washington For March For Life Rally Abortion Rights Opponents Descend Upon Washington For March For Life Rally Listen · 3:50 3:50
It was the first time a sitting president delivered an address in person at the March for Life, an annual event organized decades ago in response to the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
Trump's appearance before thousands of mostly supportive anti-abortion rights activists comes at a key moment — during the impeachment trial, and just months to go before the 2020 election.
Trump has leaned in to his connection to religious and social conservatives, frequently praising "the evangelicals" who make up a key portion of his base and courting anti-abortion rights groups such as the Susan B. Anthony List.
At the march, that group's president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, made an explicit plea for support for Trump, calling the 2020 election "the most consequential election of our lifetimes for the cause of the unborn."
"We have seen historic gains under this President. You heard what his heart his and what his track record is," Dannefelser said.
She added, "But now it's time to go for the win," calling for the overturning of Roe v. Wade and for passage of federal legislation restricting abortion.
In an interview with NPR ahead of the march, Dannenfelser called Trump's appearance at the march "a moment of celebration for the pro-life movement." She said it's a reminder of how far Trump has come in the minds of some conservatives who were initially skeptical because of his past support for abortion rights.
"Everyone doubted where he was on the abortion issue. He stated what he believed. There were doubts all over — I mean, I was one of them," Dannenfelser said. "So he's actually become the person that he says he is."
Dannenfelser said she is pleased with Trump's appointment of conservative federal judges — most notably to the Supreme Court. Just this week, the Trump administration signed off on federal funding for a family planning program in Texas that excludes groups like Planned Parenthood that provide abortion services.
"No one in that crowd needs persuading, but everyone in that crowd needs reminding what's at stake this coming election," Dannenfelser said. "It won't be a cajoling and a persuasion moment; it will be a momentum moment."
Several marchers told NPR that while they have had some misgivings about Trump, they are pleased with his record on issues including abortion.
"He's a little rough around the edges, but he stands for the things that I believe in, and that's why I voted for him," said Ermida Arocho of Chicago.
June Matson, who runs a crisis pregnancy center in Granby, Colorado where women are counseled against abortion, alluded to Trump's history of once expressing support for abortions rights.
"Whether he was pro-life before or not, it doesn't really matter, because he has continued to prove that he will vote pro-life," Matson said.
Trump's appearance wasn't entirely unprecedented: Two years ago, he spoke live via video feed from the White House Rose Garden, telling that marchers, "you love every child, born and unborn, because you believe that every life is sacred, that every child is a precious gift from God."
Other Republican presidents — Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush — have addressed the crowd remotely, via phone call or prepared statement. Some observers have speculated that such a move allowed those presidents to court anti-abortion rights voters without subjecting themselves to a photo-op in front of the crowd, out of fear of turning off more moderate voters.
The Trump administration took the occasion to announce an action aimed at appealing to anti-abortion voters; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told California that a law requiring insurance companies to include abortion coverage in all healthcare plans violates federal law, and gave the state 30 days to rescind it.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on twitter that the president is "sowing division for cheap political gain," and pledged to fight to preserve the law.
Reproductive rights groups are using Trump's appearance at the March for Life to remind their supporters of his opposition to abortion rights. NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue issued a statement calling Trump's decision to appear at the March for Life an "act of desperation."
In an interview with NPR, Planned Parenthood's acting president and CEO, Alexis McGill Johnson, said Trump's appearance at the event is "no surprise" given his policy record.
"This is just confirmation that we have a sitting president of the United States who is determined to do whatever he can to end people's ability to access abortion," McGill Johnson said.
Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate see much at stake in the 2020 election. After Trump's address, activists at the rally will march from the National Mall to the U.S. Supreme Court — where just weeks from now, the court is set to take up its first major abortion case since Trump's two conservatives nominees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, joined the bench.
Those two justices alone have moved the court to the right, setting up the possibility that Roe could be overturned or substantially eroded. And whoever is elected in November may have the opportunity to name at least one more justice to the court.


npr--2020-01-24--China Hurriedly Building Quarantine Center In Effort To Contain Wuhan Virus

China Hurriedly Building Quarantine Center In Effort To Contain Wuhan Virus Updated at 6 a.m .
ET Construction workers in China were scrambling to build a makeshift quarantine and treatment facility on the outskirts of Wuhan , the epicenter of a rapidly spreading new viral pneumonia that has killed 26 people and infected 876 others in the country .
Taking a page from the plan Beijing developed to combat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 17 years ago , hundreds of workers were being paid up to three times their normal wage ( as much as $ 173 per day ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , local officials were quoted as saying .
The urgency comes as authorities deal with a newly discovered coronavirus , known as 2019-nCoV , that originated in Wuhan , a city of 11 million located in central China .
Since then , it has spread throughout the country , with several cases emerging in other parts of Asia and one in the U.S .
The facility , going up in the Caidian district in Wuhan 's west , will occupy 25,000 square meters and accommodate 1,000 beds , the Communist Party 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar quarantine center was hurriedly constructed in Beijing 's Changping district in April 2003 in an effort to contain the SARS epidemic .
Wuhan , the capital of Hubei province , and seven other cities in the province , have been placed under a soft quarantine , with public transport shut down ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations on Saturday , when traditionally hundreds of millions of Chinese travel to family gatherings .
Officials have also closed public gathering places , such as movie theaters and internet cafes in some cities .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , the World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that while WHO 's assessment is that the outbreak represents a `` high risk '' regionally and globally , it is `` too early '' to declare it an international health concern .
`` Make no mistake , though , this is an emergency in China , '' he said .
`` But it has not yet become a global health emergency .
It may yet become one . ''
Shanghai on Friday raised its public health alert level to 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing , Hubei , Hunan , Zhejiang , Anhui and Guangdong provinces .
Beijing officials announced the cancellation of large public events in the capital , including traditional temple fairs associated with the Lunar New Year .
They 've also closed many tourist destinations , such as the Forbidden City .
Shanghai Disneyland announced on its website that it will close indefinitely beginning Saturday .
In Hebei province , which straddles Beijing , officials reported the death of an 80-year-old man , who had previously lived in Wuhan , and had tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first known death from the new strain outside of Hubei .
Outside of China , Thailand has reported four cases , Singapore three , with Japan , Vietnam and South Korea each reporting two .
Like the U.S. , Taiwan has reported one case .
In response to the spread of the virus , airports worldwide have stepped up screening of passengers arriving from China , conducting temperature checks that would indicate fever and looking for other symptoms , including cough and difficulty breathing .
Older people and those with underlying health conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
In other developments , the State Council , China 's cabinet , has taken direct control of response measures .
Also on Friday , the Ministry of Science and Technology appointed Zhong Nanshan , a key figure in the country 's response to SARS , to head a group of scientists to develop a `` joint prevention and control working mechanism '' to control the virus .

China Hurriedly Building Quarantine Center In Effort To Contain Wuhan Virus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Reuters Reuters
Updated at 6:35 p.m. ET
Construction workers in China were scrambling to build a makeshift quarantine and treatment facility on the outskirts of Wuhan, the epicenter of a rapidly spreading new viral pneumonia that has killed 41 people and infected more than 1,000 others in the country.
Construction of the special hospital with a capacity of 1,000 beds for patients with #nCoV2019 has begun in Wuhan, according to the model of the hospital built in seven days in Beijing to deal with #SARS in 2003. The construction is scheduled to be completed by February 3. pic.twitter.com/MtVgIG0liC — People's Daily, China (@PDChina) January 24, 2020
Taking a page from the plan Beijing developed to combat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 17 years ago, hundreds of workers were being paid up to three times their normal wage (as much as $173 per day) to get the center built in under a week, local officials were quoted as saying.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Xiao Yijiu/AP Xiao Yijiu/AP
The urgency comes as authorities deal with a newly discovered coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, that originated in Wuhan, a city of 11 million located in central China. Since then, it has spread throughout the country, with several cases emerging in other parts of Asia, two in France and two in the U.S.
The Chinese disease prevention authority Friday released electron microscopic images and information of the first novel #coronavirus that Chinese experts had discovered. pic.twitter.com/EchRakBv0z — People's Daily, China (@PDChina) January 24, 2020
The facility, going up in the Caidian district in Wuhan's west, will occupy 25,000 square meters and accommodate 1,000 beds, the Communist Party's official People's Daily reports.
A similar quarantine center was hurriedly constructed in Beijing's Changping district in April 2003 in an effort to contain the SARS epidemic.
Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, and seven other cities in the province, have been placed under a soft quarantine, with public transport shut down ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations on Saturday, when traditionally hundreds of millions of Chinese travel to family gatherings. Officials have also closed public gathering places, such as movie theaters and internet cafes in some cities.
Speaking at a news conference in Geneva on Thursday, the World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that while WHO's assessment is that the outbreak represents a "high risk" regionally and globally, it is "too early" to declare it an international health concern.
"Make no mistake, though, this is an emergency in China," he said. "But it has not yet become a global health emergency. It may yet become one."
Shanghai on Friday raised its public health alert level to 1, the highest, following similar moves by Beijing, Hubei, Hunan, Zhejiang, Anhui and Guangdong provinces.
Beijing officials announced the cancellation of large public events in the capital, including traditional temple fairs associated with the Lunar New Year. They've also closed many tourist destinations, such as the Forbidden City. Shanghai Disneyland announced on its website that it will close indefinitely beginning Saturday.
In Hebei province, which straddles Beijing, officials reported the death of an 80-year-old man, who had previously lived in Wuhan, and had tested positive for the virus. His was the first known death from the new strain outside of Hubei.
Outside of China, Thailand has reported four cases, Singapore three, with Japan, Vietnam and South Korea each reporting two. Like the U.S., Taiwan has reported one case.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images
In response to the spread of the virus, airports worldwide have stepped up screening of passengers arriving from China, conducting temperature checks that would indicate fever and looking for other symptoms, including cough and difficulty breathing. Older people and those with underlying health conditions are considered the most vulnerable to the virus.
In other developments, the State Council, China's cabinet, has taken direct control of response measures. Also on Friday, the Ministry of Science and Technology appointed Zhong Nanshan, a key figure in the country's response to SARS, to head a group of scientists to develop a "joint prevention and control working mechanism" to control the virus.


npr--2020-01-24--Protector Of N.H. Primary Claims 'You Can't Hack This Pencil,' But Worries Persist

Protector Of N.H. Primary Claims 'You Ca n't Hack This Pencil , ' But Worries Persist Amidst fears about cybersecurity and the spread of disinformation , New Hampshire 's first-in-the-nation presidential primary — along with the guardian of that tradition - is under scrutiny like never before .
New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner , the nation 's longest serving elections chief , has long projected confidence about the security of his state 's elections .
In the fall of 2016 , as national security officials were warning state elections offices to `` be vigilant and seek cybersecurity assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — saying New Hampshire did n't need the extra help .
`` We have a system that , we do n't have to be concerned that it 's going to be something different this time because of some imaginary foreign element out there or something that might be interfering with this election , '' said Gardner , who has been secretary of state since 1976 , at the time .
But Gardner 's approach to election security was called into question by both of the opponents who tried to unseat him as Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ultimately won by only a handful of votes .
Since then , some have continued to worry that Gardner 's office was too slow to acknowledge the scale of the problem — too focused on the parts of the system that are hard to tamper with , and not enough on other , more complex vulnerabilities .
`` New Hampshire is a top tier target as a first in the nation primary state , '' said Democratic state Sen. Jon Morgan , who also works for the cybersecurity company that recently discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company at the center of the ongoing impeachment case .
`` We need to be taking that much more seriously than we are . ''
Since 2016 , Gardner continued to downplay the risk facing New Hampshire .
When asked about election security at a meeting of the state 's Ballot Law Commission a few months before the 2018 midterms , he had a simple response .
`` You want to know about being hacked ?
You see this pencil here ? ''
Gardner said , holding up a writing instrument for emphasis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you and see if you can hack this pencil ?
We have this pencil .
This is how people vote in this state .
And you ca n't hack this pencil . ''
And in many ways , there are reasons to be confident about New Hampshire 's election security .
While other states have to worry about tampering with electronic voting machines , online registration and other election technology , New Hampshire voters register and cast ballots on paper , in pencil — or pen — and in person .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head to the polls for the primary on February 11 .
But according to Gardner 's counterpart at New Hampshire 's Department of Information Technology , Commissioner Denis Goulet , that 's not all the state has to worry about .
`` I 've said this to the Secretary of State , I think our biggest risk is n't in the sense that the election results could be affected , because it would be really hard to do that , '' Goulet said .
`` But what could happen is undermining the confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at least as bad . ''
Ahead of its closely watched presidential primary in February , New Hampshire 's IT and elections teams have been collaborating more closely , and the Secretary of State 's office has stepped up its election security measures on several fronts : investing in new software to protect its voter database , more cybersecurity training for local pollworkers and programs to monitor the so-called `` dark web '' for looming hacking threats .
At the same time , New Hampshire election officials have turned down more hands-on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instead contracting with private vendors to perform security tests .
`` We want to make sure that we 're the ones that are responsible for our elections , '' Gardner 's Deputy Secretary of State Dave Scanlan said .
`` I think we have a healthy distrust of outside agencies trying to get access to our databases to perform certain functions . ''
Morgan , the state senator and cybersecurity consultant , says his biggest concern is that hackers might target what amounts to the front lines of New Hampshire 's elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ransomware attacks , or trying to scam a local pollworker into giving up access to the state 's voter files .
While the state elections office has significantly expanded its cybersecurity training for local pollworkers in the last few years , that training is n't mandatory .
Some pollworkers are also preparing for the upcoming primary on computers with expired security protections .
The New Hampshire Secretary of State got $ 3.1 million dollars from the federal government in 2018 to help make these kinds of improvements , but most of its spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment expenses at the state level .
While state elections officials have warned cities and towns that they need to patch up their election security protections , it has n't provided any financial support to help offset the costs of those local upgrades .
If there is a security breach , Scanlan says the state has backups in place to make sure the election still proceeds .
Local voter lists are backed up on a daily basis leading up to the vote .
If someone shows up to the polls to find their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ register on Election Day .
If a ballot counting machine breaks down , a regular occurrence since the model New Hampshire uses is no longer on the market , the results can be tallied by hand — and already are in many towns .
`` We 're confident that we 're going to conduct an election on February 11th regardless of what else might happen , '' Scanlan said .
`` And I say that with the understanding that we have to be vigilant and that any electronic system can be targeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safeguard used by more than three dozen other states : post-election audits .
Audits are widely viewed as a simple way to instill confidence in elections by verifying the accuracy of the outcome .
But Gardner has opposed past efforts to bring the practice to the Granite State , and has fought local voting activists — like Deborah Sumner — who have pushed for more transparency in the ballot counting process .
`` I know this is heresy , '' Sumner said .
`` I would rather we gave up the New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to trust in New Hampshire . ''
The way Sumner sees it , the case for post-election audits is only strengthened because of the national spotlight on New Hampshire races — not just in the primary , but also the general elections .
In 2016 , the race for president and U.S. Senate were decided by less than one percent .

Protector Of N.H. Primary Claims 'You Can't Hack This Pencil,' But Worries Persist
Enlarge this image toggle caption Elise Amendola/AP Elise Amendola/AP
Amidst fears about cybersecurity and the spread of disinformation, New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary — along with the guardian of that tradition - is under scrutiny like never before.
New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner, the nation's longest serving elections chief, has long projected confidence about the security of his state's elections. In the fall of 2016, as national security officials were warning state elections offices to "be vigilant and seek cybersecurity assistance" from federal partners, Gardner declined — saying New Hampshire didn't need the extra help.
"We have a system that, we don't have to be concerned that it's going to be something different this time because of some imaginary foreign element out there or something that might be interfering with this election," said Gardner, who has been secretary of state since 1976, at the time.
But Gardner's approach to election security was called into question by both of the opponents who tried to unseat him as Secretary of State in 2018, a race he ultimately won by only a handful of votes.
Since then, some have continued to worry that Gardner's office was too slow to acknowledge the scale of the problem — too focused on the parts of the system that are hard to tamper with, and not enough on other, more complex vulnerabilities.
"New Hampshire is a top tier target as a first in the nation primary state," said Democratic state Sen. Jon Morgan, who also works for the cybersecurity company that recently discovered a major Russian hack into the Ukrainian company at the center of the ongoing impeachment case. "We need to be taking that much more seriously than we are."
Since 2016, Gardner continued to downplay the risk facing New Hampshire. When asked about election security at a meeting of the state's Ballot Law Commission a few months before the 2018 midterms, he had a simple response.
"You want to know about being hacked? You see this pencil here?" Gardner said, holding up a writing instrument for emphasis. "Want me to give it to you and see if you can hack this pencil? We have this pencil. This is how people vote in this state. And you can't hack this pencil."
And in many ways, there are reasons to be confident about New Hampshire's election security.
While other states have to worry about tampering with electronic voting machines, online registration and other election technology, with few exceptions, New Hampshire voters register and cast ballots on paper, in pencil — or pen — and in person. That will still be the case when voters head to the polls for the primary on February 11.
Disinformation, soft targets
But according to Gardner's counterpart at New Hampshire's Department of Information Technology, Commissioner Denis Goulet, that's not all the state has to worry about.
"I've said this to the Secretary of State, I think our biggest risk isn't in the sense that the election results could be affected, because it would be really hard to do that," Goulet said. "But what could happen is undermining the confidence of the system, which I think is at least as bad."
Ahead of its closely watched presidential primary in February, New Hampshire's IT and elections teams have been collaborating more closely, and the Secretary of State's office has stepped up its election security measures on several fronts: investing in new software to protect its voter database, more cybersecurity training for local pollworkers and programs to monitor the so-called "dark web" for looming hacking threats.
At the same time, New Hampshire election officials have turned down more hands-on cybersecurity help from federal and state agencies, instead contracting with private vendors to perform security tests.
"We want to make sure that we're the ones that are responsible for our elections," Gardner's Deputy Secretary of State Dave Scanlan said. "I think we have a healthy distrust of outside agencies trying to get access to our databases to perform certain functions."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ryan McBride/AFP via Getty Images Ryan McBride/AFP via Getty Images
Morgan, the state senator and cybersecurity consultant, says his biggest concern is that hackers might target what amounts to the front lines of New Hampshire's elections: holding cities or towns hostage with ransomware attacks, or trying to scam a local pollworker into giving up access to the state's voter files.
While the state elections office has significantly expanded its cybersecurity training for local pollworkers in the last few years, that training isn't mandatory. Some pollworkers are also preparing for the upcoming primary on computers with expired security protections.
The New Hampshire Secretary of State got $3.1 million dollars from the federal government in 2018 to help make these kinds of improvements, but most of its spending so far has gone toward security and equipment expenses at the state level. While state elections officials have warned cities and towns that they need to patch up their election security protections, it hasn't provided any financial support to help offset the costs of those local upgrades.
Backups but no audits
If there is a security breach, Scanlan says the state has backups in place to make sure the election still proceeds.
Local voter lists are backed up on a daily basis leading up to the vote. If someone shows up to the polls to find their registration is missing, they can still register on Election Day. If a ballot counting machine breaks down, a regular occurrence since the model New Hampshire uses is no longer on the market, the results can be tallied by hand — and already are in many towns.
"We're confident that we're going to conduct an election on February 11th regardless of what else might happen," Scanlan said. "And I say that with the understanding that we have to be vigilant and that any electronic system can be targeted."
New Hampshire also lacks one election safeguard used by more than three dozen other states: post-election audits. Audits are widely viewed as a simple way to instill confidence in elections by verifying the accuracy of the outcome.
But Gardner has opposed past efforts to bring the practice to the Granite State, and has fought local voting activists — like Deborah Sumner — who have pushed for more transparency in the ballot counting process.
"I know this is heresy," Sumner said. "I would rather we gave up the New Hampshire primary and had elections we have reason to trust in New Hampshire."
The way Sumner sees it, the case for post-election audits is only strengthened because of the national spotlight on New Hampshire races — not just in the primary, but also the general elections. In 2016, the race for president and U.S. Senate were decided by less than one percent.


npr--2020-01-24--Wuhan Coronavirus 101: What We Do — And Don't — Know About A Newly Identified Disease

Wuhan Coronavirus 101 : What We Do — And Do n't — Know About A Newly Identified Disease A new strain of virus that appears to have originated in China is spreading rapidly and crossing borders .
There are hundreds of confirmed cases and at least 17 reported deaths .
Here 's what we know so far about this virus , as reported by NPR 's daily science podcast Short Wave .
What kind of disease is this ?
The outbreak is caused by a coronavirus .
Common human coronaviruses cause mild to moderate upper respiratory symptoms , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause pneumonia and death .
The name for this kind of virus comes from the crownlike spikes it has on its surface — `` corona '' is Latin for `` crown . ''
This strain of the virus is called 2019-nCoV for now , which is short for `` 2019 novel coronavirus . ''
It 's only the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause severe symptoms in humans .
The other two are MERS and SARS .
Where did it come from ?
Coronaviruses originate in animals — like camels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually not transmissible to humans .
But occasionally a coronavirus mutates and can pass from animals to humans and then from human to human , as was the case with the SARS epidemic in the early 2000s .
( SARS stands for `` severe acute respiratory syndrome . ''
) China 's National Health Commission has confirmed that 15 health care workers have become infected , indicating that the virus can spread from human to human .
The first known cases in December 2019 were traced to an animal market in the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have come from contact with live animals that were infected .
The market has since been closed .
Wuhan is a major logistics and transportation hub .
It lies about 500 miles west of Shanghai and is home to more than 11 million people .
What are the symptoms ?
The virus causes fever as well as respiratory symptoms : dry cough , difficulty breathing .
It can also cause diarrhea and body aches .
Symptoms in severe cases include pneumonia , kidney failure and even death , according to the World Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be screened for Wuhan coronavirus ?
The symptoms of this infection might appear the same as those for a cold or flu , but at this time the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's guidelines for health care providers suggest screening only people who have recently traveled to Wuhan or who have had close prolonged contact with a 2019-nCoV-infected person .
The CDC can confirm the virus with a diagnostic test that it developed based on the genetic sequence of the virus that Chinese health officials obtained and made publicly available on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming infected ?
The World Health Organization 's Emergency Committee on the coronavirus said in a Jan. 22 news conference that nearly three-quarters of cases have been in people over age 40 and that `` cases who died — many had significant underlying conditions '' like cardiovascular disease and diabetes .
But there are confirmed cases in otherwise healthy , young individuals .
What treatments are recommended for this virus ?
There are no virus-specific treatments for 2019-nCoV .
The CDC suggests supportive care to manage and relieve symptoms .
There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What are the affected countries and regions ?
Within mainland China , 571 confirmed cases have been reported in 25 provinces .
The first U.S. case was reported on Tuesday : A Seattle-area man traveled to China and began experiencing symptoms a few days after he returned home to Washington state on Jan. 15 .
Public health officials are now referring to the man as `` healthy . ''
The China Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that additional isolated cases have been identified in Hong Kong , Japan , Macao , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How does it spread ?
Health officials believe the virus can be passed from person to person via exchange of fluids from the respiratory tract , but they still do n't know precisely how .
The respiratory route seems likely because clusters of cases have been observed within families , whose members have had prolonged close contact with an infected person .
There is no evidence yet that the virus can spread from one person to another to another multiple times — the way that a disease like the flu spreads — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are watching for .
How serious is this ?
This virus is `` highly infectious , '' according to China 's Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control .
But the agency does not consider the disease to be as virulent as the one that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003 .
The risk to the general American public is `` low , '' according to the CDC : Most cases have been found in China , and so far international spread seems limited .
What is being done to contain the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down transportation to and from Wuhan by bus , subway , ferry , airplane and train , according to Chinese state media .
The travel ban comes just days before the biggest holiday on the Chinese calendar : Lunar New Year .
Hundreds of millions of people travel every year during this holiday season , which begins Jan. 25 and extends into February .
Airports around the world , including five in the U.S. , have implemented screening procedures for passengers arriving from affected areas .
The CDC is recommending that travelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agency encourages individuals traveling to areas of China outside of Wuhan to `` practice usual precautions '' at this time , which is its lowest level of caution .
Where can I get the latest information ?
NPR will continue to report on the outbreak .
The CDC is maintaining a traveler 's health notice .
The World Health Organization has a website for outbreak news .
The China Center for Disease Control and Prevention has an epidemic tracker .

Coronavirus 101: What We Do — And Don't — Know About The Outbreak Of COVID-19
Updated Feb. 19, 11:00 a.m. ET
A new disease first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and now called COVID-19, continues to spread, primarily in China but cases have also appeared in some two dozen other countries.
Here's what we know so far about this virus, as reported by NPR's daily science podcast Short Wave.
Short Wave New discoveries, everyday mysteries and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, every weekday. Short Wave is science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Subscribe to the podcast, and follow @NPRScience on Twitter.
What kind of disease is this?
The outbreak is caused by a coronavirus. Common human coronaviruses cause mild to moderate upper respiratory symptoms, including the common cold, while more severe types can cause pneumonia and death. The name for this kind of virus comes from the crownlike spikes it has on its surface — "corona" is Latin for "crown."
This strain of the virus was initially called 2019-nCoV for now, which is short for "2019 novel coronavirus." On Feb. 11, the World Health Organization gave an official name to the disease it causes: COVID-19. It's only the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause severe symptoms in humans. The other two are MERS and SARS.
Where did it come from?
Coronaviruses originate in animals — like camels, civets and bats — and are usually not transmissible to humans. But occasionally a coronavirus mutates and can pass from animals to humans and then from human to human, as was the case with the SARS epidemic in the early 2000s. (SARS stands for "severe acute respiratory syndrome.") China's National Health Commission confirmed that 15 health care workers have become infected, indicating that the virus can spread from human to human.
Most, but not all, of the first known cases in December 2019 were traced to an animal market in the Chinese city of Wuhan and are believed to have come from contact with live animals that were infected. The market has since been closed. Wuhan is a major logistics and transportation hub. It lies about 500 miles west of Shanghai and is home to more than 11 million people.
What are the symptoms? What does this illness feel like?
Early symptoms include fever and dry cough. Some people also experience fatigue, headaches and, less frequently, diarrhea. Shortness of breath can develop about 5 days in.
About 80 percent of cases so far seem to be mild, according to the World Health Organization. "Mild" seems to run the gamut from cold-like symptoms to that flu-like feeling of being hit by a train. Doctors say that patients with this range of symptoms should rest and drink plenty of fluids and self-isolate to avoid infecting others but don't necessarily require hospitalization.
They should, however, make sure to check in with their doctor, especially if they take a turn for the worse. About 20 percent of cases are more severe and require hospitalization. Symptoms in severe cases include pneumonia (which makes it harder to breathe) and kidney failure. The disease can be fatal.
Should someone with a fever be screened for Wuhan coronavirus?
The symptoms of this infection might appear the same as those for a cold or flu, but at this time the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for health care providers suggest screening only people who have recently traveled to Wuhan or who have had close prolonged contact with an infected person. The CDC can confirm the virus with a diagnostic test that it developed based on the genetic sequence of the virus that Chinese health officials obtained and made publicly available on Jan. 12.
Who is at risk of becoming infected?
The World Health Organization's Emergency Committee on the coronavirus said in a Jan. 22 news conference that nearly three-quarters of cases have been in people over age 40 and that "cases who died — many had significant underlying conditions" like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. But there are confirmed cases in otherwise healthy, young individuals.
What treatments are recommended for this virus?
There are no virus-specific treatments for COVID-19. The CDC suggests supportive care to manage and relieve symptoms. Researchers are testing existing antiviral drugs to see if they have an impact on this new coronavirus. There is no approved vaccine available for this virus.
What are the affected countries and regions?
To date, at least 20 countries or places have confirmed cases. At least 430 other cases have been identified in places outside China, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Fifteen U.S. cases have been reported to date. The first U.S. case was reported on Jan. 21, in a man who traveled to China and began experiencing symptoms a few days after returning home to Seattle on Jan. 15. The second case, a woman in Chicago, was confirmed Jan. 24. The sixth confirmed case, reported at the end of January, marked the first instance of human-to-human transmission of the disease in the U.S.; a woman who had recently traveled to China spread the virus to her husband when she returned to Chicago.
How does it spread?
Health officials believe the virus can be passed from person to person via exchange of fluids from the respiratory tract, but they still don't know precisely how. The respiratory route seems likely because clusters of cases have been observed within families, whose members have had prolonged close contact with an infected person. There is emerging evidence in Wuhan that the virus can spread from one person to another to another multiple times — the way that a disease like the flu spreads. That's something that global health officials are watching for in international cases.
How serious is this?
This virus is "highly infectious," according to China's Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control. But the agency does not consider the disease to be as virulent as the one that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003. The risk to the general American public is "low," according to the CDC: Most cases have been found in China, and so far international spread seems limited.
What is being done to contain the spread of the outbreak?
Government officials in China have temporarily shut down transportation to and from Wuhan by bus, subway, ferry, airplane and train, according to Chinese state media. At least 12 other Chinese cities have limited travel as well. The travel ban came just days before the biggest holiday on the Chinese calendar: Lunar New Year. Hundreds of millions of people travel every year during this holiday season, starting Jan. 25 and extending into February.
Airports around the world, including in the U.S., have implemented screening procedures for passengers arriving from affected areas. On Jan. 28, the U.S. announced a total of 20 airports will begin screening passengers from China.
On Jan. 27, the CDC and the U.S. state department recommended that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China.
Have we reached peak coronavirus?
It's too early to tell, scientists say. The main question is, has the transmission rate gone down?
A model built by researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, based on publicly available numbers from China's government, shows that the number of new cases outside of Hubei province has started to decline.
But the quality of a model's predictions depends on how well the available data reflects reality. Has the method for confirming cases been consistent over time? Is there an ample supply of test kits so every suspected case is tested? These are open questions.
Meanwhile, on Feb. 13, Hubei province expanded its criteria for identifying new coronavirus infections to include patients who exhibit all the symptoms of COVID-19 but have either not been tested or tested negative for the virus itself. That caused a dramatic spike in reported cases at the epicenter of the disease
Where can I get the latest information?
NPR will continue to report on the outbreak. The CDC is maintaining a traveler's health notice. The World Health Organization has a website for outbreak news. The China Center for Disease Control and Prevention has an epidemic tracker.


npr--2020-01-24--U.S. Won't Hand Over Wife Of American Diplomat Wanted In Fatal U.K. Car Crash

U.S. Wo n't Hand Over Wife Of American Diplomat Wanted In Fatal U.K .
Car Crash Updated at 5:30 a.m .
ET The State Department has rejected a request from London to hand over a U.S. diplomat 's wife who fled the U.K. last year after she was involved in a head-on car crash that killed a young British man .
According to local police , Anne Sacoolas was driving on the wrong side of the road when she hit 19-year-old Harry Dunn , riding a motorbike , on Aug. 27 in Northamptonshire , in central England .
A State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` tragic '' accident , said Sacoolas had `` immunity from criminal jurisdiction . ''
`` If the United States were to grant the U.K. 's extradition request , it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and would set an extraordinarily troubling precedent , '' the spokesperson said in a statement .
`` The United States has a history of close law enforcement cooperation with the United Kingdom , and we value that relationship , '' the statement said .
`` The United States government again expresses its sincere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the loss of their son . ''
On Friday , Dominic Raab , Britain 's foreign secretary , said he had spoken by phone with U.S .
Ambassador Woody Johnson , to express his government 's `` disappointment about this decision . ''
`` We feel this amounts to a denial of justice , and we believe Anne Sacoolas should return to the U.K. , '' Raab said .
`` We are now urgently considering our options . ''
Sacoolas , whose husband reportedly worked at Royal Air Force base Croughton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crash .
She returned to the U.S. in October after reportedly telling police that she had no plans in the near future to leave the country .
After she arrived in the U.S. , officials in Washington rejected an official request from London to extradite Sacoolas on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving .
The parents of the victim , Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn , met President Trump in the Oval Office on Oct. 15 , but declined an offer to meet with Sacoolas , who was waiting in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversy in Britain , where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he does not think `` that it can be right to use the process of diplomatic immunity for this type of purpose . ''
Ahead of an Oct. 9 phone call with Johnson , Trump was photographed carrying a briefing paper marked `` secret '' which indicated that if the prime minister raised the subject of Sacoolas , the president was to tell him that `` the spouse of the U.S. Government employee will not return to the United Kingdom . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reconsider the U.S. position so the individual involved can return to the U.K. , cooperate with police and allow Harry 's family to receive justice , '' Johnson 's office said in an emailed statement about the call , according to Bloomberg News .
`` The president said he was fully aware of the case and deeply saddened by what has happened , and he expressed his condolences to Harry 's parents .
The leaders agreed to work together to find a way forward as soon as possible . ''
British media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accident Sacoolas had recently arrived in the country , leading to speculation that she may have been unaccustomed to driving on the left , as is the custom in Britain .
`` The woman was driving on the wrong side of the road , '' the president said a day after his October phone call with Johnson .
`` And that can happen , you know .
Those are the opposite roads .
That happens .
I wo n't say it ever happened to me , but it did . ''

U.S. Won't Hand Over American Diplomat's Wife Wanted In Fatal U.K. Car Crash
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Matthews/AP Andrew Matthews/AP
Updated at 5:30 a.m. ET
The State Department has rejected a request from London to hand over a U.S. diplomat's wife who fled the U.K. last year after she was involved in a head-on car crash that killed a young British man.
According to local police, Anne Sacoolas was driving on the wrong side of the road when she hit 19-year-old Harry Dunn, riding a motorbike, on Aug. 27 in Northamptonshire, in central England.
A State Department spokesperson, who called it a "tragic" accident, said Sacoolas had "immunity from criminal jurisdiction."
"If the United States were to grant the U.K.'s extradition request, it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and would set an extraordinarily troubling precedent," the spokesperson said in a statement.
"The United States has a history of close law enforcement cooperation with the United Kingdom, and we value that relationship," the statement said. "The United States government again expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Dunn family for the loss of their son."
On Friday, Dominic Raab, Britain's foreign secretary, said he had spoken by phone with U.S. Ambassador Woody Johnson, to express his government's "disappointment about this decision."
"We feel this amounts to a denial of justice, and we believe Anne Sacoolas should return to the U.K.," Raab said. "We are now urgently considering our options."
Sacoolas, whose husband reportedly worked at Royal Air Force base Croughton, was 42 at the time of the crash. She returned to the U.S. in October after reportedly telling police that she had no plans in the near future to leave the country.
After she arrived in the U.S., officials in Washington rejected an official request from London to extradite Sacoolas on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Craig Ruttle/AP Craig Ruttle/AP
The parents of the victim, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, met President Trump in the Oval Office on Oct. 15, but declined an offer to meet with Sacoolas, who was waiting in a nearby room.
The case has sparked controversy in Britain, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he does not think "that it can be right to use the process of diplomatic immunity for this type of purpose."
Ahead of an Oct. 9 phone call with Johnson, Trump was photographed carrying a briefing paper marked "secret" which indicated that if the prime minister raised the subject of Sacoolas, the president was to tell him that "the spouse of the U.S. Government employee will not return to the United Kingdom."
"The prime minister urged the president to reconsider the U.S. position so the individual involved can return to the U.K., cooperate with police and allow Harry's family to receive justice," Johnson's office said in an emailed statement about the call, according to Bloomberg News. "The president said he was fully aware of the case and deeply saddened by what has happened, and he expressed his condolences to Harry's parents. The leaders agreed to work together to find a way forward as soon as possible."
British media reported that at the time of the accident Sacoolas had recently arrived in the country, leading to speculation that she may have been unaccustomed to driving on the left, as is the custom in Britain.
"The woman was driving on the wrong side of the road," the president said a day after his October phone call with Johnson. "And that can happen, you know. Those are the opposite roads. That happens. I won't say it ever happened to me, but it did."


npr--2020-01-23--Psychologist Who Helped Create Interrogation Methods Says CIA May Have Gone Too Far

Psychologist Who Helped Create Interrogation Methods Says CIA May Have Gone Too Far A man accused of helping finance the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was subjected to `` excessive '' abuse at the hands of CIA interrogators who used him as a training tool for employees learning the agency 's torture techniques .
That 's according to testimony Thursday from a psychologist who helped design the torture program .
James Mitchell , who co-owned a company that was paid $ 80 million by the U.S. government to develop what the CIA called `` enhanced interrogation techniques , '' said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructional aide for student interrogators .
Al-Baluchi , the 42-year-old nephew of alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed , is facing criminal charges in the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terror attacks .
During a May 2003 interrogation at a secret overseas CIA prison in Afghanistan known as a `` black site , '' al-Baluchi was slammed into a wall , doused with water and slapped multiple times in the face and stomach , according to an unclassified CIA document presented in court .
He was also put in stress positions — forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using only his forehead and also to kneel backwards to an extreme degree — for nearly an hour .
Before his interrogation , al-Baluchi was kept in a `` standing sleep deprivation position '' for about a day , and afterward he was returned to his cell naked and again placed in a standing sleep deprivation position , where he remained until his next interrogation the following day , the document shows .
He was also denied solid food and given a cold-water bath afterward .
According to CIA records , the interrogation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. military court at Guantanamo in a pretrial hearing for al-Baluchi and other Sept. 11 defendants , Mitchell affirmed claims by al-Baluchi 's attorneys that CIA employees used the experience to earn certification in the agency 's `` enhanced interrogation techniques . ''
The employees were already `` qualified '' in the techniques but needed more hands-on training to become `` certified , '' according to Alka Pradhan , one of al-Baluchi 's defense lawyers .
She said six to eight CIA employees took part in al-Baluchi 's interrogation session .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student doing on-the job training . ''
Another said that before al-Baluchi 's interrogation , he had felt he was falling behind `` because he needed to practice interrogation techniques . ''
Others said they were `` trying to learn what they were doing and how to apply coercion . ''
That 's according to a classified CIA report , portions of which defense attorneys were permitted by the government to read in open court .
Asked by al-Baluchi 's lead attorney , James Connell , if it is customary for people learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitchell — a former interrogation trainer — replied : `` We had them practice on themselves , '' not on prisoners .
Added Mitchell : `` It looks like they used your client as a training prop . ''
Noting that al-Baluchi 's interrogation included `` one round of walling , '' Connell asked Mitchell : `` How do you know one round of walling did n't last an hour-and-a-half ? ''
Of the 20 `` facial slaps '' al-Baluchi was subjected to , Mitchell said : `` To me , that seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mitchell , who personally waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammad , added that `` in my most contentious time with KSM , he was looking at me like he wanted to cut my head off and I slapped him three times and he stopped glaring . ''
Al-Baluchi is accused of helping finance the Sept. 11 hijackers .
Also known as Abd al Aziz Ali , he was captured in 2003 and has been held at Guantanamo since 2006 .
The case is not scheduled to go to trial until January 2021 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as attorneys debate various legal issues that must be resolved before a trial can begin .
During his testimony this week , Mitchell defiantly defended his role in the CIA 's torture program , emphasizing the climate of fear in the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks and the concern that another catastrophic event was imminent .
Given those circumstances , he said , the government was willing to do whatever was necessary to prevent that , even if it resulted in `` the temporary discomfort of terrorists who had voluntarily taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitchell also testified that he came to believe the CIA 's torture techniques had gone too far and verged on breaking the law .
He said some interrogators used his methods in abusive and unauthorized ways , prompting him to try to quit .
But he said CIA officials told him he had `` lost his spine '' and would be at fault if another mass casualty occurred .
`` The implication was that if we were n't willing to carry their water , they would send someone else who would do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they may be harsher than we were . ''
Mitchell continued working for the CIA , although the agency eventually cut ties with him and canceled his contract in 2009 as public outrage over the torture program mounted .
Mitchell 's testimony is expected to continue next week , and his former business partner , Bruce Jessen , will testify after him .

CIA Used Prisoner As 'Training Prop' For Torture, Psychologist Testifies
A man accused of helping finance the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was subjected to "excessive" abuse at the hands of CIA interrogators who used him as a training tool for employees learning the agency's torture techniques.
That's according to testimony Thursday from a psychologist who helped design the torture program. James Mitchell, who co-owned a company that was paid $80 million by the U.S. government to develop what the CIA called "enhanced interrogation techniques," said the prisoner, Ammar al-Baluchi, became an instructional aide for student interrogators.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Janet Hamlin, Pool/AP Janet Hamlin, Pool/AP
Al-Baluchi, the 42-year-old nephew of alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, is facing criminal charges in the terror attacks.
During a May 2003 interrogation at a secret overseas CIA prison in Afghanistan known as a "black site," al-Baluchi was slammed into a wall, doused with water and slapped multiple times in the face and stomach, according to an unclassified CIA document presented in court. He was also put in stress positions — forced to lean at an angle against a wall using only his forehead and also to kneel backwards to an extreme degree — for nearly an hour.
Before his interrogation, al-Baluchi was kept in a "standing sleep deprivation position" for about a day, and afterward he was returned to his cell naked and again placed in a standing sleep deprivation position, where he remained until his next interrogation the following day, the document shows. He was also denied solid food and given a cold-water bath afterward.
According to CIA records, the interrogation provided little new information.
Testifying at the U.S. military court at Guantanamo in a pretrial hearing for al-Baluchi and other Sept. 11 defendants, Mitchell affirmed claims by al-Baluchi's attorneys that CIA employees used the experience to earn certification in the agency's "enhanced interrogation techniques."
The employees were already "qualified" in the techniques but needed more hands-on training to become "certified," according to Alka Pradhan, one of al-Baluchi's defense lawyers. She said six to eight CIA employees took part in al-Baluchi's interrogation session.
One employee "explained his role as a student doing on-the job training." Another said that before al-Baluchi's interrogation, he had felt he was falling behind "because he needed to practice interrogation techniques." Others said they were "trying to learn what they were doing and how to apply coercion." That's according to a classified CIA report, portions of which defense attorneys were permitted by the government to read in open court.
Asked by al-Baluchi's lead attorney, James Connell, if it is customary for people learning interrogation methods to practice on detainees, Mitchell — a former interrogation trainer — replied: "We had them practice on themselves," not on prisoners.
Added Mitchell: "It looks like they used your client as a training prop."
Noting that al-Baluchi's interrogation included "one round of walling," Connell asked Mitchell: "How do you know one round of walling didn't last an hour-and-a-half?"
"I don't," Mitchell replied.
Of the 20 "facial slaps" al-Baluchi was subjected to, Mitchell said: "To me, that seems excessive."
To underscore his point, Mitchell, who personally waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, added that "in my most contentious time with KSM, he was looking at me like he wanted to cut my head off and I slapped him three times and he stopped glaring."
Al-Baluchi is accused of helping finance the Sept. 11 hijackers. Also known as Abd al Aziz Ali, he was captured in 2003 and has been held at Guantanamo since 2006.
The case is not scheduled to go to trial until January 2021, but pretrial hearings have been happening for years as attorneys debate various legal issues that must be resolved before a trial can begin.
During his testimony this week, Mitchell defiantly defended his role in the CIA's torture program, emphasizing the climate of fear in the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks and the concern that another catastrophic event was imminent. Given those circumstances, he said, the government was willing to do whatever was necessary to prevent that, even if it resulted in "the temporary discomfort of terrorists who had voluntarily taken up war against us."
Yet Mitchell also testified that he came to believe the CIA's torture techniques had gone too far and verged on breaking the law. He said some interrogators used his methods in abusive and unauthorized ways, prompting him to try to quit. But he said CIA officials told him he had "lost his spine" and would be at fault if another mass casualty occurred.
"The implication was that if we weren't willing to carry their water, they would send someone else who would do it," Mitchell said, "and they may be harsher than we were."
Mitchell continued working for the CIA, although the agency eventually cut ties with him and canceled his contract in 2009 as public outrage over the torture program mounted.
Mitchell's testimony is expected to continue next week, and his former business partner, Bruce Jessen, will testify after him.


npr--2020-01-23--Fidget Spinners, Pacing, Note-Taking: Staying Awake In The Senate Chamber

Around dinnertime on Tuesday , just about four hours into the impeachment trial of President Trump , Sen. Jim Risch , R-Idaho , did not look enthralled by House Democrats ' presentations .
In fact , he looked the opposite .
Eyes closed , he was slumped over and appeared to be snoozing .
Sen .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y. , reportedly also dozed off briefly before jolting back awake .
The sleepy interludes demonstrate a struggle many senators are fighting against during the trial 's marathon sessions : resisting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiring days test stamina and patience .
`` It 's constitutionally difficult for senators to be quiet and sit that long .
It 's not how we 're built , '' Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , told reporters on Thursday .
Under the trial 's strict rules , the elected body must be engaged from the session 's start to finish with arguments about Trump 's now-familiar pressure campaign on Ukraine .
Every day , the Senate 's sergeant-at-arms kicks off the day with a decorous reminder of the hush-hush guidelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalty .
`` Here ye !
Here ye !
Here ye !
All persons are commanded to keep silent , on pain of imprisonment , '' the sergeant-at-arms declares .
Indeed , they are not supposed to talk to each other .
Senators are not allowed to pass notes .
Snacks are banned ( but water and milk is OK ) .
Cell phones and other devices are to be stored in a cubby outside of the chamber .
Senators must attend the long trial sessions six days a week .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the chamber , a point creating stress from some senators .
`` I drink coﬀee from the minute I wake up until bedtime , '' Sen. Kevin Cramer , R-N.D. , told the Wall Street Journal .
`` So my biggest challenge is to drink enough coﬀee to stay awake , but not drink so much that I , you know , that I 'm , ah , uncomfortable in the chamber . ''
Under-caffeinated senators are devising creative ways to pass the time .
On Thursday , Sen. Richard Burr , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fidget spinners , a hand toy for restless children .
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina wrote large notes on his notebook and then tilted them up toward his Senate colleague , Sen. John Barrasso , R-Wyo .
Other senators needing to stretch their legs or craving a break , whether mental or otherwise , strolled the cloakroom for brief respite .
After pacing back and forth in the back of the chamber , Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. , told the Washington Post that movement helps him stay mentally stimulated , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not take offense to his frenetic habit .
`` It actually helps me think and stay focused , frankly , on what 's going on , '' Booker said .
Senators voted on Tuesday to shorten the days from 12-hours to 8-hours , but the sessions were still managing to test fortitude and patience , especially since , for most senators , the arguments are not likely to change their position .
A nearly party-line vote on the two articles of impeachment is expected , meaning the replay of arguments and testimony from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to budge any opinions .
`` The subject matter is something we 've all heard , '' Sen. Mike Braun , R-Ind.
, said to reporters .
After a nearly nine-hour day on Wednesday , Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , one of the lead prosecutors of the impeachment case , acknowledged that being a juror during the long days is no easy feat .
Presenting hours upon hours of arguments , he said , is also tiring .
`` It was an exhausting day for us , certainly .
But we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those that are required to sit and listen , it is a much more difficult task , '' Schiff said .
Made even more uncomfortable , Sen. Cornyn said Thursday , when the chamber 's chairs are less than ergonomic .
`` They 're not particularly built for comfort , I will tell you that , '' Cornyn said .
`` I keep sort of sliding out of it . ''
NPR 's Brakkton Booker , Lexie Schapitl and Kelsey Snell contributed to this report .

Fidget Spinners, Pacing, Note-Taking: Staying Awake In The Senate Chamber
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dana Verkouteren/AP Dana Verkouteren/AP
Around dinnertime on Tuesday, just about four hours into the impeachment trial of President Trump, Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, did not look enthralled by House Democrats' presentations. In fact, he looked the opposite. Eyes closed, he was slumped over and appeared to be snoozing.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., reportedly also dozed off briefly before jolting back awake.
The sleepy interludes demonstrate a struggle many senators are fighting during the trial's marathon sessions: resisting the urge to nod off as the tiring days test stamina and patience.
"It's constitutionally difficult for senators to be quiet and sit that long. It's not how we're built," Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters on Thursday.
Under the trial's strict rules, the elected body must be engaged from the sessions start to finish with arguments revolving around accusations the Trump held up military aid and put off a meeting with the president of Ukraine in an effort to try to get an investigation into political rival former Vice President Joe Biden and his son.
Every day, the Senate's sergeant-at-arms kicks off the session with a decorous reminder of the hush-hush guidelines, noting how violators could face a stiff penalty.
"Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment," the sergeant-at-arms declares.
Indeed, they are not supposed to talk to one another. Senators are also not allowed to pass notes. Snacks are banned (but water and milk is OK). Cellphones and other devices are to be stored in a cubby outside of the chamber. Senators must attend the long trial sessions six days a week. And the whole time, coffee is not permitted into the chamber, a point creating stress from some senators.
"I drink coﬀee from the minute I wake up until bedtime," Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told The Wall Street Journal. "So my biggest challenge is to drink enough coﬀee to stay awake, but not drink so much that I, you know, that I'm, ah, uncomfortable in the chamber."
Undercaffeinated senators are devising creative ways to pass the time.
On Thursday, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., provided weary senators with colorful fidget spinners, a handheld toy for restless children.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., was spotted reading a book.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina wrote large notes on his notebook and then tilted them up toward his Senate colleague, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., let out a big yawn.
Other senators needing to stretch their legs or craving a break, whether mental or otherwise, strolled to the cloakroom for brief respite.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., told The Washington Post that pacing in the back of the chamber helps him stay mentally stimulated and that he hoped the House managers do not take offense to his frenetic habit.
"It actually helps me think and stay focused, frankly, on what's going on," Booker said.
Senators voted on Tuesday to allow the 24 hours of opening arguments to be spread over three days instead of two, but the sessions were still managing to test fortitude and patience, especially because, for most senators, the arguments are not likely to change their position.
A nearly party-line vote on the two articles of impeachment is expected, meaning the replay of arguments and testimony from the House impeachment inquiry is not likely to budge any opinions.
"The subject matter is something we've all heard," Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., said to reporters.
After a nearly nine-hour day on Wednesday, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the lead House impeachment manager, acknowledged that staying engaged during the long days is no easy feat. Presenting hours upon hours of arguments, he said, is also tiring.
"It was an exhausting day for us, certainly. But we have adrenaline going through our veins. And for those that are required to sit and listen, it is a much more difficult task," Schiff said.
It is made even more uncomfortable, Cornyn said Thursday, when the chamber's chairs are less than ergonomic.
"They're not particularly built for comfort, I will tell you that," Cornyn said. "I keep sort of sliding out of it."
NPR's Brakkton Booker, Lexie Schapitl and Kelsey Snell contributed to this report.


npr--2020-01-23--China Halts Transportation Out Of Wuhan To Contain Coronavirus. Could It Backfire?

China Halts Transportation Out Of Wuhan To Contain Coronavirus .
Could It Backfire ?
Just a few months ago , Tom Inglesby helped gather top officials from governments , businesses and health organizations around the world to play a kind of war game .
`` It was a scenario looking at global consequences of a major new epidemic , '' says Inglesby , who directs the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University .
The simulation they devised , he adds , has turned out to be `` shockingly '' similar to the outbreak that is now unfolding in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pathogen involved : a coronavirus .
Many of the officials who participated in the exercise are also among those now at the forefront of responding to the current outbreak , including the director of China 's Center for Disease Control and Prevention .
But one development that Inglesby says they did not anticipate was a massive transportation shutdown like the one that China has now imposed on Wuhan , the city where the new virus first emerged .
In a bid to halt further spread of the virus , Chinese authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights out of Wuhan .
Officials have also announced similar restrictions in several other cities .
`` We did n't even contemplate the possibility of a quarantine on this scale because it has n't really happened before , '' says Inglesby .
`` It 's just such a departure from how we 've been thinking about public health interventions . ''
Indeed , the move was so unusual that its announcement on Wednesday threw a wrench into the work of a committee of experts convened by the World Health Organization .
The panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak should be declared an international emergency .
News of the transportation shutdown reached the panel just as members were about to render their judgment .
They decided to defer a decision until they could get more information .
`` We wanted to know if these measures taken in Wuhan were the result of some new evolution [ in the virus ' spread ] that we had not been made aware of , '' the panel 's chair , Didier Houssin , explained at a news conference in Geneva on Thursday .
Ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reassure the committee that there had not been a change in the outbreak 's trajectory .
For now , most of the 830 confirmed cases are occurring within families or in health workers who 've had close contact with a sick person .
In other words , officials are not observing the kind of spread you get with a virus like the flu , with people passing it on to strangers on , say , subways , or during other passing encounters .
Largely for that reason , the WHO 's director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has decided against declaring an international emergency for now .
Yet speaking at that same news conference , Tedros subtly signaled that the transportation shutdown is not the type of move the WHO would recommend .
While `` China is a sovereign nation with the autonomy to take steps it believes in its interests , '' said Tedros , the WHO 's role is to provide `` rational and science-based '' recommendations .
He added that he hoped the transportation shutdown would be `` short in duration . ''
Other health experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's really unwise , '' says Lawrence Gostin , director of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center .
He cites the practical challenges and potential human rights violations involved with effectively locking down a city of 11 million people .
Then there 's the fact that the virus has already spread well beyond Wuhan — suggesting that the transportation shutdown amounts to closing the stable door after the horse has bolted .
But worst of all , says Gostin , `` there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could actually backfire very badly . ''
People could easily start to see the government as oppressing them , sowing fear and mistrust , he says .
`` The most important thing in public health is not to drive the population underground and make them fearful , '' says Gostin .
`` You want them to cooperate .
You want them to report their symptoms .
You want them to believe that the government is there to help them and not to violate their rights .
It 's very , very difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trust of the population . ''
Several recent smaller-scale quarantines have produced precisely that result , says Jeremy Konyndyk , a senior fellow at the Washington , D.C. , think tank Center for Global Development .
`` A very recent example of this is during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014 , '' says Konyndyk .
In Liberia and Sierra Leone , officials attempted to prevent people from leaving several neighborhoods and small localities .
`` People tried to flee the quarantine .
And that actually then made things worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invisible from view . ''
Konyndyk , who served as head of international disaster response in the administration of President Barack Obama , says it remains to be seen whether China 's transportation shutdown will prove as heavy-handed , punitive and unproductive .
Still he agrees with Gostin that the most effective approach is likely to be a far more laborious method .
As Gostin puts it : `` You need to go into communities where people have been infected .
Isolate all cases .
Then do contact tracing so that we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
That 's what ultimately ended other recent disease outbreaks , says Gostin .
And that 's what 's going to put an end to this one .

China Halts Transportation Out Of Wuhan To Contain Coronavirus. Could It Backfire?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Barcroft Media via Getty Images Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Just a few months ago, Tom Inglesby helped gather top officials from governments, businesses and health organizations around the world to play a kind of war game.
"It was a scenario looking at global consequences of a major new epidemic," says Inglesby, who directs the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University.
The simulation they devised, he adds, has turned out to be "shockingly" similar to the outbreak that is now unfolding in China — right down to the type of pathogen involved: a coronavirus. Many of the officials who participated in the exercise are also among those now at the forefront of responding to the current outbreak, including the director of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
But one development that Inglesby says they did not anticipate was a massive transportation shutdown like the one that China has now imposed on Wuhan, the city where the new virus first emerged.
In a bid to halt further spread of the virus, Chinese authorities have suspended subways, buses, trains and flights out of Wuhan. Officials have also announced similar restrictions in several other cities.
"We didn't even contemplate the possibility of a quarantine on this scale because it hasn't really happened before," says Inglesby. "It's just such a departure from how we've been thinking about public health interventions."
Indeed, the move was so unusual that its announcement on Wednesday threw a wrench into the work of a committee of experts convened by the World Health Organization. The panel was charged with advising on whether the outbreak should be declared an international emergency. News of the transportation shutdown reached the panel just as members were about to render their judgment. They decided to defer a decision until they could get more information.
"We wanted to know if these measures taken in Wuhan were the result of some new evolution [in the virus' spread] that we had not been made aware of," the panel's chair, Didier Houssin, explained at a news conference in Geneva on Thursday.
Ultimately, he added, China was able to reassure the committee that there had not been a change in the outbreak's trajectory. For now, most of the 830 confirmed cases are occurring within families or in health workers who've had close contact with a sick person. In other words, officials are not observing the kind of spread you get with a virus like the flu, with people passing it on to strangers on, say, subways, or during other passing encounters.
Largely for that reason, the WHO's director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says he has decided against declaring an international emergency for now.
Yet speaking at that same news conference, Tedros subtly signaled that the transportation shutdown is not the type of move the WHO would recommend.
While "China is a sovereign nation with the autonomy to take steps it believes in its interests," said Tedros, the WHO's role is to provide "rational and science-based" recommendations. He added that he hoped the transportation shutdown would be "short in duration."
Other health experts have been less diplomatic.
"I think it's really unwise," says Lawrence Gostin, director of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center.
He cites the practical challenges and potential human rights violations involved with effectively locking down a city of 11 million people.
Then there's the fact that the virus has already spread well beyond Wuhan — suggesting that the transportation shutdown amounts to closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
But worst of all, says Gostin, "there's very good reason to believe that it could actually backfire very badly."
People could easily start to see the government as oppressing them, sowing fear and mistrust, he says.
"The most important thing in public health is not to drive the population underground and make them fearful," says Gostin. "You want them to cooperate. You want them to report their symptoms. You want them to believe that the government is there to help them and not to violate their rights. It's very, very difficult to control an epidemic once you've lost the trust of the population."
Several recent smaller-scale quarantines have produced precisely that result, says Jeremy Konyndyk, a senior fellow at the Washington, D.C., think tank Center for Global Development.
"A very recent example of this is during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014," says Konyndyk. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, officials attempted to prevent people from leaving several neighborhoods and small localities. "People tried to flee the quarantine. And that actually then made things worse because it meant that cases were then invisible from view."
Konyndyk, who served as head of international disaster response in the administration of President Barack Obama, says it remains to be seen whether China's transportation shutdown will prove as heavy-handed, punitive and unproductive.
Still he agrees with Gostin that the most effective approach is likely to be a far more laborious method.
As Gostin puts it: "You need to go into communities where people have been infected. Isolate all cases. Then do contact tracing so that we know every single person that has been exposed."
That's what ultimately ended other recent disease outbreaks, says Gostin.
And that's what's going to put an end to this one.