npr--2020-05-15--Coronavirus FAQs: How Risky Is It To Fly? Is There Any Way To Reduce The Risks?

Coronavirus FAQs : How Risky Is It To Fly ?
Is There Any Way To Reduce The Risks ?
Each week we answer pressing coronavirus questions .
For this week 's installment , we 're focusing on flying .
We 'd like to hear what you 're curious about .
Email us at goatsandsoda @ npr.org with the subject line : `` Weekly Coronavirus Questions . ''
Since the coronavirus began its spread around the world , the number of people flying has nosedived .
In the U.S. , for example , the number of flyers has dropped more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
TSA screened 234,928 travelers on Thursday , compared with 2,611,324 people on the same weekday a year earlier .
With some countries and states are starting to allow businesses to reopen and lifting stay-at-home orders , people are wondering about the risks of flying .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance urges avoiding travel as much as possible , `` especially if your trip is not essential ... .
Do n't travel if you are sick or travel with someone who is sick . ''
Travel increases your chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
Dr. Mark Gendreau , chief medical officer at Beverly Hospital in Massachusetts and a professor of emergency medicine at Tufts University , agrees : Even as some restrictions start to lift , he believes that it 's still not a great time to take a flight for , say , a beach vacation .
`` If you 're going for a vacation , it might be a good idea to postpone it for a little longer and by a little longer I would say another couple of months .
We still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity out there , '' he says .
Here are answers to some of the commonly asked questions about flying .
What do I need to think about before making a decision to fly — or not ?
Determine whether the trip is necessary — and worth the risk and hassle .
`` It 's up to individual travelers to decide what is really urgent and necessary , '' says Dr. Henry Wu , a professor of infectious disease medicine at Emory University and director of its TravelWell Center .
`` While traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around people from all over the world , whether on the plane or at the airport .
There will always be some risk at this point , and it 's going to be very difficult to determine how high . ''
He says personal protective measures like face coverings , hand hygiene and keeping social distance all help to reduce the transmission rate of the virus — but cautions that these measures do n't eliminate risk entirely .
To determine whether it 's smart to fly , suggests Wu , start with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your age and whether or not you have risk factors for severe complications . ''
Second , evaluate the importance of the trip .
In certain instances – say if you want to visit a dying family member or greet a new grandchild – you may feel strongly that you should go .
Other situations may be discretionary .
Third , evaluate your own tolerance for risk and inconvenience .
Some states and countries require a 14-day quarantine period for arriving visitors – Hawaii , for example , requires all arriving plane passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days after arriving and monitor their health , with a possible $ 5,000 fine or year in prison for violators .
The CDC continues to advise a 14-day quarantine when you get home from international travel .
`` I think everyone has to sort of do a little soul-searching to see what their risk tolerance is and the importance of the trip and their ability to take protective measures , '' Wu says .
How stressful will it be ?
Airplanes are confined spaces .
Someone seated near you on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — which could cause you anxiety .
Make sure you are prepared for the mental stress of an environment that is not fully within your control during a global pandemic .
The last time this reporter flew was in early March .
It was not a relaxing experience : I was crammed in a full plane , highly aware of any stray cough or sneeze ( including my own ) and with no way to know if someone sitting near me might be carrying the virus .
It was a relief to land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a confined space like an airplane comes down to three factors : the duration of your exposure , your proximity to the source of the exposure and how infectious that source is .
While there 's no way to eliminate that risk , there are steps you can take to reduce your chance of picking up an illness on board .
If I do fly , do I need to wear a mask ?
While there 's still much that is n't known about COVID-19 , the virus is believed to spread primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person coughs or sneezes , according to the CDC .
Masks can protect you from spraying your fellow passengers with droplets if you cough or sneeze and can also protect your mouth and nose from the droplets of others .
All major U.S. airlines , and some overseas , now require employees and passengers to wear face coverings during flights except when eating or drinking .
Very young children are exempted as are those with medical conditions that prevent wearing a face covering .
Your mask should cover your nose and mouth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Be sure your hands are clean when putting the mask on and taking it off , and always wash or sanitize your hands after removing your mask .
Can you practice social distancing on a plane ?
As airlines have cut flights , some planes in recent weeks have been quite full .
After an outcry from the public , airlines are now taking steps to promise travelers they 'll have more space : Many do not seating passengers in middle seats on any flights , and if space allows , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long Newman flew on American from Chicago to Charleston , W.Va. in late April .
On her flight from Chicago to Charlotte , `` Everyone had their own row , and they put an empty row in between people . ''
But the situation was more haphazard on her next flight , aboard a smaller plane from Charlotte to Charleston : `` When we boarded , there was a flight attendant that just said , 'You can sit wherever you want . ''
Newman and her two family members family took a seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind them , spurring Newman and her family to move elsewhere .
Wu says it 's easier to stay spread apart now , with fewer people flying , but that will be more challenging if and when travel picks up .
United Airlines says that beginning next week until the end of June , it will aim to inform passengers 24 hours before departure if their flight will be more than 70 % full .
Customers can opt to rebook on a different flight or receive a travel credit .
People sitting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contact with other passengers and crew members as they walk down the aisle or take something out of the overhead bins .
`` If it 's a crowded flight , '' Gendreau says , `` you ca n't go up those aisles without accidentally touching someone who 's just seated there . ''
Those passengers by the window are also less likely to get up during the flight to use the bathroom or move around – activities that can also expose you to other people and surfaces .
Gendreau says in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go for a window or middle seat instead of an aisle .
Wu 's pick ?
`` Wherever is the most distant from others . ''
Do I need to bring hand sanitizer ?
And when should I use it ?
`` Hand gel : do n't leave home without it , '' says Gendreau .
He says the germiest places on airplanes are often the bathroom faucet handle , the slider that locks the lavatory door and the magazine pockets and tray tables .
If you use the lavatory , use sanitizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your seat , to remove germs from surfaces like the door lock .
Wu says it 's important to stay aware of what you 're touching : `` If you touch anything that may not be clean , which is virtually everything that 's not on yourself , be mindful of that , '' he says , and sanitize your hands when needed .
He says that in general , it 's not a bad idea to carry around a pen to touch elevator buttons and the like , instead of using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be aware that you 're carrying around a dirty pen .
Should I do any pre-emptive wiping ?
Wipe down surfaces in your area .
Airlines have stepped up their cleaning procedures of aircraft cabins , disinfecting them with fogging machines that spray disinfectant .
Staff come through again with cleaning supplies to clean cabin surfaces like seat belts , window shades , tray tables and seat-back screens .
Your airline might provide disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer as you board , but you may want to bring your own in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flown since the arrival of COVID-19 , but he was already in habit of bringing wipes and sanitizer gel .
`` I 'd just clean my seat back tray , my gasper [ air vent ] , my seat belt .
Then I 'd wipe down where the magazine stuff was , '' he said .
`` Then I 'd dispose of that wipe , take out my gel and sanitize my hands . ''
When you use hand sanitizer , use several drops and rub for at least 20 seconds .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hands , put on your mask and adjust it so it 's comfortable — and then leave it alone .
`` If I 've got an itchy eye or something , it 's my forearm that 's getting it unless I sanitize my hand , '' says Gendreau .
`` The good news is that airline aircraft air circulation is very good , '' says Wu , `` and it is constantly being filtered and circulated . ''
Most aircraft used by U.S. airlines use high-efficiency particulate air ( HEPA ) filtration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97 % of dust , pollen , mold , bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns , '' the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says .
`` Particles that are larger or smaller are trapped with even higher efficiency . ''
The CDC says , `` Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes , most viruses and other germs do not spread easily . ''
But those air filters are not going to protect you from a sneeze that lands right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be my individual row , as well as the two rows in front and back — that 's roughly your six-foot radius , '' Wu says .
`` Even if the air is well-circulated and filtered , if somebody is just really coughing or sneezing within vicinity , it certainly does increase the chance of some exposure or contamination of the area around you . ''
What preventive measures can I take if someone starts coughing or sneezing a lot ?
If someone is hacking nearby , hopefully they 're wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you , you might want to move seats if possible .
If you ca n't , Gendreau says , try to convert your mask into one that seals more tightly against your face .
He suggests a technique demonstrated by a former Apple engineer , in which three rubber bands are stretched over top of a mask to create a seal over the mouth and nose .
Gendreau would also reach up and turn on the adjustable air duct above your head , known as a gasper .
He recommends turning it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so the air current is directed slightly in front of your face .
He says that by turning the gasper on , you might be able to add some turbulence to the air in your space .
Modeling studies have shown , he says , that opening the gasper for additional air flow `` does create some extra turbulence in your personal air space and that might create enough turbulence where the particle does n't sort of land on your mask or on your arm . ''

Coronavirus FAQs: How Risky Is It To Fly? Is There Any Way To Reduce The Risks?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paula Bronstein/Getty Images Paula Bronstein/Getty Images
Each week we answer pressing coronavirus questions. For this week's installment, we're focusing on flying.
We'd like to hear what you're curious about. Email us at goatsandsoda@npr.org with the subject line: "Weekly Coronavirus Questions."
Since the coronavirus began its spread around the world, the number of people flying has nosedived. In the U.S., for example, the number of flyers has dropped more than 90% since the beginning of March. TSA screened 234,928 travelers on Thursday, compared with 2,611,324 people on the same weekday a year earlier.
With some countries and states are starting to allow businesses to reopen and lifting stay-at-home orders, people are wondering about the risks of flying.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance urges avoiding travel as much as possible, "especially if your trip is not essential .... Don't travel if you are sick or travel with someone who is sick." Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19, the CDC states.
Dr. Mark Gendreau, chief medical officer at Beverly Hospital in Massachusetts and a professor of emergency medicine at Tufts University, agrees: Even as some restrictions start to lift, he believes that it's still not a great time to take a flight for, say, a beach vacation.
"If you're going for a vacation, it might be a good idea to postpone it for a little longer and by a little longer I would say another couple of months. We still have a lot of [viral] activity out there," he says.
Here are answers to some of the commonly asked questions about flying.
What do I need to think about before making a decision to fly — or not?
Determine whether the trip is necessary — and worth the risk and hassle.
"It's up to individual travelers to decide what is really urgent and necessary," says Dr. Henry Wu, a professor of infectious disease medicine at Emory University and director of its TravelWell Center. "While traveling in an aircraft, you may be around people from all over the world, whether on the plane or at the airport. There will always be some risk at this point, and it's going to be very difficult to determine how high."
He says personal protective measures like face coverings, hand hygiene and keeping social distance all help to reduce the transmission rate of the virus — but cautions that these measures don't eliminate risk entirely.
To determine whether it's smart to fly, suggests Wu, start with a self-assessment: "Your medical background, your age and whether or not you have risk factors for severe complications."
Second, evaluate the importance of the trip. In certain instances – say if you want to visit a dying family member or greet a new grandchild – you may feel strongly that you should go. Other situations may be discretionary.
Third, evaluate your own tolerance for risk and inconvenience. Some states and countries require a 14-day quarantine period for arriving visitors – Hawaii, for example, requires all arriving plane passengers to stay home or in their lodging for 14 days after arriving and monitor their health, with a possible $5,000 fine or year in prison for violators.
The CDC continues to advise a 14-day quarantine when you get home from international travel.
"I think everyone has to sort of do a little soul-searching to see what their risk tolerance is and the importance of the trip and their ability to take protective measures," Wu says.
How stressful will it be?
Airplanes are confined spaces. Someone seated near you on the plane could start sneezing or coughing uncontrollably — which could cause you anxiety. Make sure you are prepared for the mental stress of an environment that is not fully within your control during a global pandemic.
The last time this reporter flew was in early March. It was not a relaxing experience: I was crammed in a full plane, highly aware of any stray cough or sneeze (including my own) and with no way to know if someone sitting near me might be carrying the virus. It was a relief to land.
Gendreau says that your risk within a confined space like an airplane comes down to three factors: the duration of your exposure, your proximity to the source of the exposure and how infectious that source is.
While there's no way to eliminate that risk, there are steps you can take to reduce your chance of picking up an illness on board.
If I do fly, do I need to wear a mask?
While there's still much that isn't known about COVID-19, the virus is believed to spread primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC. Masks can protect you from spraying your fellow passengers with droplets if you cough or sneeze and can also protect your mouth and nose from the droplets of others.
All major U.S. airlines, and some overseas, now require employees and passengers to wear face coverings during flights except when eating or drinking. Very young children are exempted as are those with medical conditions that prevent wearing a face covering.
Your mask should cover your nose and mouth and not be too loose, Wu says. Be sure your hands are clean when putting the mask on and taking it off, and always wash or sanitize your hands after removing your mask.
Can you practice social distancing on a plane?
As airlines have cut flights, some planes in recent weeks have been quite full. After an outcry from the public, airlines are now taking steps to promise travelers they'll have more space: Many do not seating passengers in middle seats on any flights, and if space allows, are seating passengers every other row. Bethany Long Newman flew on American from Chicago to Charleston, W.Va. in late April. On her flight from Chicago to Charlotte, "Everyone had their own row, and they put an empty row in between people."
But the situation was more haphazard on her next flight, aboard a smaller plane from Charlotte to Charleston: "When we boarded, there was a flight attendant that just said, 'You can sit wherever you want." Newman and her two family members family took a seat, but then someone sat down directly behind them, spurring Newman and her family to move elsewhere.
That's smart.
Wu says it's easier to stay spread apart now, with fewer people flying, but that will be more challenging if and when travel picks up.
United Airlines says that beginning next week until the end of June, it will aim to inform passengers 24 hours before departure if their flight will be more than 70% full. Customers can opt to rebook on a different flight or receive a travel credit.
What's the safest seat to select?
People sitting on the aisle are more likely to be in contact with other passengers and crew members as they walk down the aisle or take something out of the overhead bins.
"If it's a crowded flight," Gendreau says, "you can't go up those aisles without accidentally touching someone who's just seated there."
Those passengers by the window are also less likely to get up during the flight to use the bathroom or move around – activities that can also expose you to other people and surfaces.
Gendreau says in this era of not-so-crowded flights, he'd go for a window or middle seat instead of an aisle.
Wu's pick? "Wherever is the most distant from others."
Do I need to bring hand sanitizer? And when should I use it?
"Hand gel: don't leave home without it," says Gendreau. He says the germiest places on airplanes are often the bathroom faucet handle, the slider that locks the lavatory door and the magazine pockets and tray tables.
If you use the lavatory, use sanitizer gel on your hands after you return to your seat, to remove germs from surfaces like the door lock.
Wu says it's important to stay aware of what you're touching: "If you touch anything that may not be clean, which is virtually everything that's not on yourself, be mindful of that," he says, and sanitize your hands when needed.
He says that in general, it's not a bad idea to carry around a pen to touch elevator buttons and the like, instead of using your fingers. Though then you need to be aware that you're carrying around a dirty pen.
Should I do any pre-emptive wiping?
Wipe down surfaces in your area.
Airlines have stepped up their cleaning procedures of aircraft cabins, disinfecting them with fogging machines that spray disinfectant. Staff come through again with cleaning supplies to clean cabin surfaces like seat belts, window shades, tray tables and seat-back screens.
Your airline might provide disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer as you board, but you may want to bring your own in case it doesn't. Gendreau hasn't flown since the arrival of COVID-19, but he was already in habit of bringing wipes and sanitizer gel.
"I'd just clean my seat back tray, my gasper [air vent], my seat belt. Then I'd wipe down where the magazine stuff was," he said. "Then I'd dispose of that wipe, take out my gel and sanitize my hands."
When you use hand sanitizer, use several drops and rub for at least 20 seconds.
What if my face gets itchy?
Don't touch it.
Sanitize your hands, put on your mask and adjust it so it's comfortable — and then leave it alone.
"If I've got an itchy eye or something, it's my forearm that's getting it unless I sanitize my hand," says Gendreau.
How effective are cabin air filters?
"The good news is that airline aircraft air circulation is very good," says Wu, "and it is constantly being filtered and circulated."
Most aircraft used by U.S. airlines use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems. "This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says. "Particles that are larger or smaller are trapped with even higher efficiency."
The CDC says, "Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily."
But those air filters are not going to protect you from a sneeze that lands right on you.
"My main concern would be my individual row, as well as the two rows in front and back — that's roughly your six-foot radius," Wu says. "Even if the air is well-circulated and filtered, if somebody is just really coughing or sneezing within vicinity, it certainly does increase the chance of some exposure or contamination of the area around you."
What preventive measures can I take if someone starts coughing or sneezing a lot?
If someone is hacking nearby, hopefully they're wearing a mask. If they're sitting close to you, you might want to move seats if possible.
If you can't, Gendreau says, try to convert your mask into one that seals more tightly against your face. He suggests a technique demonstrated by a former Apple engineer, in which three rubber bands are stretched over top of a mask to create a seal over the mouth and nose.
Gendreau would also reach up and turn on the adjustable air duct above your head, known as a gasper. He recommends turning it to a medium flow and angling it so the air current is directed slightly in front of your face. He says that by turning the gasper on, you might be able to add some turbulence to the air in your space. Modeling studies have shown, he says, that opening the gasper for additional air flow "does create some extra turbulence in your personal air space and that might create enough turbulence where the particle doesn't sort of land on your mask or on your arm."


npr--2020-05-15--IOC Will Devote $800 Million To Postponed Tokyo Olympics, COVID-19 Costs

The International Olympic Committee plans to spend up to $ 800 million to help cover costs for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics Games and other expenses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic .
So far , the organization is providing few details about how the money will be spent , saying the situation is constantly changing .
The Tokyo Olympics , which are now set to begin in July 2021 , pose an unprecedented challenge to the international Olympics movement , organizers in Japan and thousands of athletes around the world .
And it will be an expensive problem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The IOC has to organize postponed Olympic Games for the first time ever , and has to help its stakeholders come through this global crisis , '' IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement about the plan .
Of the $ 800 million sum , $ 650 million will go toward the costs of putting on the Tokyo Games a year later than planned .
Bach called the remaining $ 150 million an `` aid package '' for the Olympic movement , with the money going to international sporting federations , national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whom have lost income due to the global suspension of sports .
The IOC announced the financial plan after Bach hosted an online meeting of the IOC 's executive board from Lausanne , Switzerland .
Friday afternoon , Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said the IOC had not given him any details regarding how it arrived at the figure — or where the money will go .
`` As to why it 's $ 650 million , you will have to ask the IOC , '' Muto said , according to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To the question of how is this $ 650 million to be spent , this is not clear at this point either . ''
Both the IOC and Tokyo organizers say the summer games will likely face budget cuts , as they absorb the costs of putting on a massive global sporting event one year later than planned .
`` It is unclear how much the additional expenses will total .
But some estimates show they could amount to several billion dollars , '' Japan 's NHK News reports .
Japan is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-of-emergency orders in most of its prefectures because of the coronavirus , even as it prepares for a possible second wave of infections .
In terms of COVID-19 cases , Japan ranks outside the top 30 countries , with a little over 16,000 confirmed cases .
Around 700 people have died from the disease in Japan , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .

IOC Will Devote $800 Million To Postponed Tokyo Olympics, COVID-19 Costs
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
The International Olympic Committee plans to spend up to $800 million to help cover costs for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics Games and other expenses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the organization is providing few details about how the money will be spent, saying the situation is constantly changing.
The Tokyo Olympics, which are now set to begin in July 2021, pose an unprecedented challenge to the international Olympics movement, organizers in Japan and thousands of athletes around the world. And it will be an expensive problem to solve, Olympics officials say.
"The IOC has to organize postponed Olympic Games for the first time ever, and has to help its stakeholders come through this global crisis," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement about the plan.
Of the $800 million sum, $650 million will go toward the costs of putting on the Tokyo Games a year later than planned. Bach called the remaining $150 million an "aid package" for the Olympic movement, with the money going to international sporting federations, national Olympic committees, and athletes — all of whom have lost income due to the global suspension of sports.
The IOC announced the financial plan after Bach hosted an online meeting of the IOC's executive board from Lausanne, Switzerland.
Friday afternoon, Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said the IOC had not given him any details regarding how it arrived at the figure — or where the money will go.
"As to why it's $650 million, you will have to ask the IOC," Muto said, according to The Japan Times. He later added, "To the question of how is this $650 million to be spent, this is not clear at this point either."
Both the IOC and Tokyo organizers say the summer games will likely face budget cuts, as they absorb the costs of putting on a massive global sporting event one year later than planned.
"It is unclear how much the additional expenses will total. But some estimates show they could amount to several billion dollars," Japan's NHK News reports.
Japan is currently in the process of lifting special state-of-emergency orders in most of its prefectures because of the coronavirus, even as it prepares for a possible second wave of infections.
In terms of COVID-19 cases, Japan ranks outside the top 30 countries, with a little over 16,000 confirmed cases. Around 700 people have died from the disease in Japan, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.


npr--2020-05-15--Surrogate-Born Babies Wait In Ukraine Amid Coronavirus Travel Restrictions

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the global business of surrogate birthing , leaving many infants and their new parents thousands of miles apart .
In Ukraine , the company BioTexCom , which runs a human reproduction center in Kyiv , brought attention to the issue when it released a video showing dozens of babies in rows of cots , apparently waiting for their parents to collect them .
`` We 're doing our best for all the parents of children who are born or are waiting for delivery soon , '' BioTexCom lawyer Denis Herman says in the video .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents to pick them up in the country , about half of them at BioTexCom 's facilities , the Ukrainian Parliament 's human rights commissioner , Lyudmila Denisova , told The Associated Press .
The numbers could rise to the thousands , she said , if coronavirus travel restrictions are extended .
Ukraine 's surrogate system came to a sudden stop when its government imposed a ban on foreigners entering in March as part of its attempts to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
Many parents could n't leave their home countries , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from neighboring Belarus , which has only limited travel restrictions despite the global pandemic .
Amid a growing public outcry , the Foreign Ministry says it is trying to work out a deal with other governments to allow parents to enter the country and pick up their infants .
Ukraine has a large , and legal , surrogacy industry that grew as Ukrainian woman , trying to make money amid the country 's economic struggles , turned to carrying babies to term for foreign would-be parents .
While the Health Ministry does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts estimate there are between 2,000 and2,500 surrogate births in Ukraine each year .
The Ukrainian surrogate mothers can expect to earn $ 15,000- $ 17,000 — with the companies receiving twice that from clients who hail from the United States , Europe and elsewhere .

Surrogate-Born Babies Wait In Ukraine Amid Coronavirus Travel Restrictions
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gleb Garanich/Reuters Gleb Garanich/Reuters
The coronavirus pandemic has hit the global business of surrogate birthing, leaving many infants and their new parents thousands of miles apart.
In Ukraine, the company BioTexCom, which runs a human reproduction center in Kyiv, brought attention to the issue when it released a video showing dozens of babies in rows of cots, apparently waiting for their parents to collect them.
"We're doing our best for all the parents of children who are born or are waiting for delivery soon," BioTexCom lawyer Denis Herman says in the video.
About 100 surrogate babies are waiting for parents to pick them up in the country, about half of them at BioTexCom's facilities, the Ukrainian Parliament's human rights commissioner, Lyudmila Denisova, told The Associated Press. The numbers could rise to the thousands, she said, if coronavirus travel restrictions are extended.
Ukraine's surrogate system came to a sudden stop when its government imposed a ban on foreigners entering in March as part of its attempts to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Many parents couldn't leave their home countries, while others have reportedly resorted to entering Ukraine from neighboring Belarus, which has only limited travel restrictions despite the global pandemic.
Amid a growing public outcry, the Foreign Ministry says it is trying to work out a deal with other governments to allow parents to enter the country and pick up their infants.
Ukraine has a large, and legal, surrogacy industry that grew as Ukrainian woman, trying to make money amid the country's economic struggles, turned to carrying babies to term for foreign would-be parents.
While the Health Ministry doesn't provide data on surrogate births, independent experts estimate there are between 2,000 and2,500 surrogate births in Ukraine each year. The Ukrainian surrogate mothers can expect to earn $15,000-$17,000 — with the companies receiving twice that from clients who hail from the United States, Europe and elsewhere.


npr--2020-05-16--Maine's Seasonal Businesses Feeling Economic Effects Of The Coronavirus

Maine has seen one of the country 's lowest rates of hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19 , and the lowest in the entire Northeast .
But its economy relies heavily on summer visitors — many from states where the virus is still rampant .
With Memorial Day approaching , tourism businesses are worried summer may be over before it has begun .
In the historic seaside summertime playground of Old Orchard Beach , it 's spruce-up time .
Workers are starting to open up the fry shacks , pizza parlors , and the town 's many low-rise hotels .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raksmey Yi and owner Ken Lafayette also have something else to worry about : the coronavirus .
As lawnmowers and leaf blowers buzzed around them , they discussed set-up strategies that could help with social distancing .
`` So we 're keeping some of the pools closed , we 're not opening all of our pools , '' Lafayette said .
`` It 's about the social distancing on the pool deck . ''
They will tell people `` you ca n't sit on the deck , only swim , in and out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a laugh .
But when Yi suggests that those who want to sunbathe should head to the beach , Lafayette points out another concern : for now , at least , it 's a `` walking beach '' where people must keep moving or face a possible citation .
Such are the new concepts of the COVID-19 era that Maine 's tourism leaders have to contend with .
In March , Lafayette took a significant loan to buy a new property , based on its long history of repeat customers from Canada .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ border indefinitely .
Lafayette said sending back deposits has become almost a full-time job , and he 's lost bookings worth at least half a million dollars .
`` So I almost feel like a failure , '' he said .
`` My brother will tell me it 's not my fault , my wife tells me it 's not my fault .
But [ with ] all the optics and gauges that I use , it 's just demoralizing . ''
And it 's discouraging as well for the 80-plus seasonal workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospects are now uncertain .
Tourists spend more than $ 6 billion a year here , supporting about one in seven jobs .
The cascade of economic effects is being felt up and down the coast and far inland too , in an area called `` The Forks , '' for instance , at the confluence of two major rivers where Suzie Hockmeyer pioneered the state 's whitewater rafting industry back in the 1970s .
`` We 're looking right down the gun barrel like a lot of people are , '' Hockmeyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Outdoors , should be ramping up for the season now — opening up the inn , cabins , campgrounds , restaurant and brewery .
More than 100 workers make a buck here at the height of most seasons , with some 10,000 visitors taking on the rapids .
But the inn is empty and the rafts are still in storage .
Hockmeyer 's trying to figure out how to maintain social distancing through all her operations , including on the water .
`` A boat is 16-feet-long , and it has four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So if you kept people in the same household in the first few thwarts , you 'd probably get almost a 6-foot distance between the guide and the people out front .
It 's possible we 'll have to put a mask on the guide . ''
If they even get the chance , that is .
Commercial lodging in Maine is mostly shut down , except for essential workers .
That changes next month , but visitors from out-of-state will have to quarantine in place for two weeks before doing anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourists would be willing to take that on , and the policy 's led to thousands of cancellations .
Leaders are begging state officials to modify or lift the restriction .
Heather Johnson , Maine 's commissioner of economic development , said the state is working with industry to design a multi-pronged strategy , including expanded testing for the virus , that could change the structure of the quarantine requirement .
Much depends on the pandemic 's progress in hard-hit Massachusetts , perhaps the single biggest contributor to Maine 's tourist population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ think an economy can thrive without robust public health protections .
`` I do n't think there 's an either-or proposition here , '' she said .
`` I think this will be a multi-layered response , and will take communities , industry and local leadership , which we 're seeing a lot of . ''
Johnson adds that recent research shows tourists planning future travel are looking for experiences that include outdoors `` assets '' in areas where there is space and strong safety practices .
That portends well for the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We think that lines up really well with the Maine brand , '' she said .
But , she adds , '' we are not giving up on summer . ''
Some businesses have though .
One theme park in southern Maine said it wo n't reopen until next year , some restaurants say the same , and a few have already announced they will close permanently .
Meantime , tourist towns like Old Orchard are experimenting with ways to meet the needs of the day : closing streets to cut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinating beach openings so no one area gets overwhelmed , creating new cleaning regimes for all-important public restrooms .
On a recent day , Rocco Ferraiuolo was selling pizza as usual at his high-profile takeout shop on the town 's main drag .
`` The world is crazy now , who was suspecting this ? ''
he asked , wearing a mask and gloves as he floured and shaped pizza rounds .
He said he 's worried about making the rent .
But he has some hope too .
`` You know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing , masks , the gloves , this and that , everybody can work , '' Ferraiuolo said .
`` Everywhere , you know ?
In every shop . ''
Another restaurant owner said it 's not time to think outside of the box anymore ; it 's time for a whole new box .

Maine's Seasonal Businesses Feeling Economic Effects Of The Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Fred Bever/Maine Public Radio Fred Bever/Maine Public Radio
Maine has seen one of the country's lowest rates of hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19, and the lowest in the entire Northeast.
But its economy relies heavily on summer visitors — many from states where the virus is still rampant. With Memorial Day approaching, tourism businesses are worried summer may be over before it has begun.
In the historic seaside summertime playground of Old Orchard Beach, it's spruce-up time. Workers are starting to open up the fry shacks, pizza parlors, and the town's many low-rise hotels.
At the Waves Oceanfront resort, workers like Raksmey Yi and owner Ken Lafayette also have something else to worry about: the coronavirus. As lawnmowers and leaf blowers buzzed around them, they discussed set-up strategies that could help with social distancing.
"So we're keeping some of the pools closed, we're not opening all of our pools," Lafayette said. "It's about the social distancing on the pool deck."
They will tell people "you can't sit on the deck, only swim, in and out," Yi said, which drew a laugh.
But when Yi suggests that those who want to sunbathe should head to the beach, Lafayette points out another concern: for now, at least, it's a "walking beach" where people must keep moving or face a possible citation.
Such are the new concepts of the COVID-19 era that Maine's tourism leaders have to contend with.
In March, Lafayette took a significant loan to buy a new property, based on its long history of repeat customers from Canada. But now President Trump has sealed the border indefinitely.
National How The Coronavirus Pandemic Might Affect States With Big Tourism Economies How The Coronavirus Pandemic Might Affect States With Big Tourism Economies Listen · 7:58 7:58
Lafayette said sending back deposits has become almost a full-time job, and he's lost bookings worth at least half a million dollars.
"So I almost feel like a failure," he said. "My brother will tell me it's not my fault, my wife tells me it's not my fault. But [with] all the optics and gauges that I use, it's just demoralizing."
And it's discouraging as well for the 80-plus seasonal workers he'd planned for, whose job prospects are now uncertain. Tourists spend more than $6 billion a year here, supporting about one in seven jobs.
The cascade of economic effects is being felt up and down the coast and far inland too, in an area called "The Forks," for instance, at the confluence of two major rivers where Suzie Hockmeyer pioneered the state's whitewater rafting industry back in the 1970s.
"We're looking right down the gun barrel like a lot of people are," Hockmeyer said.
Her river adventure resort, Northern Outdoors, should be ramping up for the season now — opening up the inn, cabins, campgrounds, restaurant and brewery. More than 100 workers make a buck here at the height of most seasons, with some 10,000 visitors taking on the rapids.
But the inn is empty and the rafts are still in storage. Hockmeyer's trying to figure out how to maintain social distancing through all her operations, including on the water.
"A boat is 16-feet-long, and it has four different thwarts," she said. "So if you kept people in the same household in the first few thwarts, you'd probably get almost a 6-foot distance between the guide and the people out front. It's possible we'll have to put a mask on the guide."
If they even get the chance, that is.
Commercial lodging in Maine is mostly shut down, except for essential workers. That changes next month, but visitors from out-of-state will have to quarantine in place for two weeks before doing anything else.
National Maine Governor Conveys Impact Of Coronavirus On Employment In Her State Maine Governor Conveys Impact Of Coronavirus On Employment In Her State Listen · 5:26 5:26
The hospitality industry said few tourists would be willing to take that on, and the policy's led to thousands of cancellations. Leaders are begging state officials to modify or lift the restriction.
Heather Johnson, Maine's commissioner of economic development, said the state is working with industry to design a multi-pronged strategy, including expanded testing for the virus, that could change the structure of the quarantine requirement.
Much depends on the pandemic's progress in hard-hit Massachusetts, perhaps the single biggest contributor to Maine's tourist population. Johnson said it's a mistake to think an economy can thrive without robust public health protections.
"I don't think there's an either-or proposition here," she said. "I think this will be a multi-layered response, and will take communities, industry and local leadership, which we're seeing a lot of."
Johnson adds that recent research shows tourists planning future travel are looking for experiences that include outdoors "assets" in areas where there is space and strong safety practices. That portends well for the fall and next summer, she said.
"We think that lines up really well with the Maine brand," she said. But, she adds,"we are not giving up on summer."
Some businesses have though. One theme park in southern Maine said it won't reopen until next year, some restaurants say the same, and a few have already announced they will close permanently.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Fred Bever/Maine Public Radio Fred Bever/Maine Public Radio
Meantime, tourist towns like Old Orchard are experimenting with ways to meet the needs of the day: closing streets to cut down on the density of sidewalk crowds, coordinating beach openings so no one area gets overwhelmed, creating new cleaning regimes for all-important public restrooms.
On a recent day, Rocco Ferraiuolo was selling pizza as usual at his high-profile takeout shop on the town's main drag.
"The world is crazy now, who was suspecting this?" he asked, wearing a mask and gloves as he floured and shaped pizza rounds. He said he's worried about making the rent. But he has some hope too.
"You know, I think if everybody does the right thing, masks, the gloves, this and that, everybody can work,"Ferraiuolo said. "Everywhere, you know? In every shop."
Another restaurant owner said it's not time to think outside of the box anymore; it's time for a whole new box.


npr--2020-05-16--For Some, Zoom Bar And Bat Mitzvahs Highlight 'Most Meaningful And Memorable Moments'

For Some , Zoom Bar And Bat Mitzvahs Highlight 'Most Meaningful And Memorable Moments' As Gabe Silverman chants his Torah portion , he 's intensely focused on every word .
It 's the culmination of months of study and the high point of his Bar Mitzvah service .
The same is true for almost every 12- or 13-year-old celebrating a bar or bat mitzvah .
`` For the Torah service , I was very nervous about , like , losing my place , '' Gabe said .
`` It 's so big and all the letters look the same , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open on a table in his family 's living room and positioned in front of a computer camera .
Gabe is sheltering at home with his parents and younger brother and this is the first Zoom mitzvah for Temple Shir Tikva , a congregation located 20 miles west of Boston .
May and June are popular months for bar and bat mitzvahs and many congregations schedule the Jewish coming-of-age ritual two to three years in advance .
It takes time to learn Torah portions and prayers and to book venues and caterers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , congregations are reimagining the ceremony and bringing it online .
For family and friends watching Gabe 's Zoom bar mitzvah , Gabe and the Torah occupy a central square flanked by Shir Tikva 's rabbis and cantor .
Rabbi Danny Burkeman calls upon a few family members .
They temporarily appear on screen for aliyot -- blessings over the Torah reading .
Gabe 's grandmother Helaine Silverman is honored with the first of the aliyot .
Before Helaine begins , Burkeman reminds her to switch on her camera and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his synagogue 's main sanctuary .
He 's doing double duty , making sure the ceremony follows tradition and monitoring all the technology involved .
`` Our aim was to create for them as much as possible a digital bar mitzvah experience , '' Burkeman said .
`` And we use the word digital because it was n't virtual .
There was nothing virtual about it .
It was real . ''
The Silvermans thought about postponing until the end of the year , but two weeks before the big day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the original date .
At that point , the most pressing question became : What elements of the bar mitzvah mattered most ?
Gabe wanted to read from an actual Torah , not the sheets of paper he used for practice .
Two days before his bar mitzvah , Burkeman made a special delivery .
`` Rabbi Danny just came to our driveway with the Torah seatbelted in the front seat , '' Gabe recalled .
`` It was wrapped up , seatbelted , and then he handed it off to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as soon as Gabe finishes reading from that Torah , he looks at his parents , smiles and noticeably exhales .
For him , the toughest part is over .
Soon the entire service concludes .
Then , Burkeman exhales .
`` I felt really good that we 'd been able to give him an experience , '' Burkeman said .
`` And you could see in his face and in the face of his family that this was meaningful for them . ''
After the ceremony , family and friends turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave and hold up congratulatory signs and shout `` Mazel Tov ! ''
Reflecting on the bar mitzvah , Gabe 's mom Erica is happy with the whole online event , but she knows it 's not for everyone .
`` I 'm very compassionate for people who are making the other decision to postpone and do it in person , '' she said .
`` But for us , in that moment , it was the right decision .
It was more special because of the circumstances . ''
As she talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband Scott .
The Torah is still there , a couple feet away on the dining room table .
She glances over at the scroll and adds , `` I feel very complete by what we experienced . ''
Erica and Scott wonder if they 'll need to celebrate with a big bar mitzvah party when family and friends can gather again .
And Gabe ?
`` I hope that we can have a party , '' he said .
`` But I can do without . ''
The pandemic has made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the place where the most meaningful and memorable moments happen .

For Some, Zoom Bar And Bat Mitzvahs Highlight 'Most Meaningful And Memorable Moments'
Enlarge this image toggle caption The Silvermans The Silvermans
As Gabe Silverman chants his Torah portion, he's intensely focused on every word. It's the culmination of months of study and the high point of his Bar Mitzvah service. The same is true for almost every 12- or 13-year-old celebrating a bar or bat mitzvah.
"For the Torah service, I was very nervous about, like, losing my place," Gabe said. "It's so big and all the letters look the same, basically."
The Torah is rolled open on a table in his family's living room and positioned in front of a computer camera. Gabe is sheltering at home with his parents and younger brother and this is the first Zoom mitzvah for Temple Shir Tikva, a congregation located 20 miles west of Boston.
National Pandemic Inspires Creative Way To Fill Needs, Cantor At LA Synagogue Says Pandemic Inspires Creative Way To Fill Needs, Cantor At LA Synagogue Says Listen · 2:24 2:24
May and June are popular months for bar and bat mitzvahs and many congregations schedule the Jewish coming-of-age ritual two to three years in advance. It takes time to learn Torah portions and prayers and to book venues and caterers for the celebration afterwards.
That makes postponing tough.
Now, during the coronavirus pandemic, congregations are reimagining the ceremony and bringing it online.
For family and friends watching Gabe's Zoom bar mitzvah, Gabe and the Torah occupy a central square flanked by Shir Tikva's rabbis and cantor.
Rabbi Danny Burkeman calls upon a few family members. They temporarily appear on screen for aliyot -- blessings over the Torah reading. Gabe's grandmother Helaine Silverman is honored with the first of the aliyot. Before Helaine begins, Burkeman reminds her to switch on her camera and unmute.
Burkeman leads the service remotely from his synagogue's main sanctuary. He's doing double duty, making sure the ceremony follows tradition and monitoring all the technology involved.
"Our aim was to create for them as much as possible a digital bar mitzvah experience," Burkeman said. "And we use the word digital because it wasn't virtual. There was nothing virtual about it. It was real."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Erica Silverman Erica Silverman
The Silvermans thought about postponing until the end of the year, but two weeks before the big day, they decided to go forward on Zoom on the original date. At that point, the most pressing question became: What elements of the bar mitzvah mattered most?
Gabe wanted to read from an actual Torah, not the sheets of paper he used for practice. Two days before his bar mitzvah, Burkeman made a special delivery.
Arts & Life Actors, Singers Raise Money For CDC Charity With Virtual Seder Actors, Singers Raise Money For CDC Charity With Virtual Seder Listen · 3:31 3:31
"Rabbi Danny just came to our driveway with the Torah seatbelted in the front seat," Gabe recalled. "It was wrapped up, seatbelted, and then he handed it off to my dad."
At his bar mitzvah, as soon as Gabe finishes reading from that Torah, he looks at his parents, smiles and noticeably exhales. For him, the toughest part is over.
Soon the entire service concludes. Then, Burkeman exhales.
"I felt really good that we'd been able to give him an experience," Burkeman said. "And you could see in his face and in the face of his family that this was meaningful for them."
Enlarge this image toggle caption The Silvermans The Silvermans
After the ceremony, family and friends turn on their cameras and unmute. They wave and hold up congratulatory signs and shout "Mazel Tov!"
Reflecting on the bar mitzvah, Gabe's mom Erica is happy with the whole online event, but she knows it's not for everyone.
"I'm very compassionate for people who are making the other decision to postpone and do it in person," she said. "But for us, in that moment, it was the right decision. It was more special because of the circumstances."
As she talks, Erica sits next to Gabe and her husband Scott. The Torah is still there, a couple feet away on the dining room table.
She glances over at the scroll and adds, "I feel very complete by what we experienced."
Erica and Scott wonder if they'll need to celebrate with a big bar mitzvah party when family and friends can gather again. And Gabe?
"I hope that we can have a party," he said. "But I can do without."
The pandemic has made the service — the actual religious ritual — the place where the most meaningful and memorable moments happen.


npr--2020-05-16--President Trump Pushes To Open Paused Sports Leagues

Last month , President Trump said something a lot of sports fans can relate to .
`` You get tired of looking at 9-year-old baseball games , and playoff games that took place 12 years ago . ''
With the NBA and NHL seasons suspended , and Major League Baseball hitting pause mid-spring training , fans initially flocked to the classic games that ESPN and other sports networks resorted to re-airing to fill their schedules amid the coronavirus pandemic .
As time has gone on , the sports world has grown increasingly antsy for live competition .
As Major League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the players union , many baseball fans have been waking up early to follow the Korea Baseball Organization , which recently resumed play in empty stadiums .
ESPN has resorted to airing live coverage of the beanbag game cornhole .
The NFL has announced a fall schedule , but given no specifics about whether it expects to have fans in the seats .
But President Trump has gone beyond the typical sports fan 's laments .
He 's circled back , again and again , in appearance after appearance , to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to have our sports leagues open .
You want to watch sports .
It 's important , '' Trump said in April .
`` We miss sports .
We miss everything .
We want to get back . ''
The president has held multiple calls with sports commissioners to encourage them to resume play , and several with ties to professional sports are among those the president has asked to weigh in on how to reopen the economy .
`` He knows the American people are yearning for the things we used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big one of them , '' said Ari Fleischer .
He now works in sports communications , but was White House press secretary on September 11 , 2001 , when terror attacks stopped sports and everything else .
Fleischer said even with everything else they had to confront and plan for , senior White House staff paid close attention to when and how sports resumed play in mid-September .
`` The president was personally very cognizant of the signal it would send to the American people : that we 're back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives , put your fears aside , as soon as sports returned , '' said Fleischer , adding that `` America without sports was like a heart that does n't pump . ''
Indeed , the return of baseball provided New York City — and the country at large — that fall .
First , catcher Mike Piazza powered the Mets to a comeback win over their nemesis , the Atlanta Braves , with a late-inning home run at the first game back in Shea Stadium .
Then , the Yankees marched to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comeback , including two of the most iconic moments in Derek Jeter 's career : a mind-bending defensive bushplay against the Oakland A 's that became known as `` The Flip , '' and an extra-inning home run in the World Series .
President Bush himself provided one of the most memorable sports images in 2001 , when he threw out the first pitch from the Yankee Stadium mound before Game 3 of the World Series .
But as strange at it seems , it was easier to protect against terrorism than it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very nature of a large gathering is dangerous , no matter what precautions are taken .
That 's why officials from Dr. Anthony Fauci on down have warned that pro sports are n't advisable any time soon , especially with fans in the seats .
`` Safety , for the player and for the fans , trumps everything , '' Fauci , the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , told the New York Times last month .
`` If you ca n't guarantee safety , then unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bullet and say , 'we may have to go without this sport for this season . ''
`` The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best , until we get to herd immunity and until we get to a vaccine , '' California Gov .
Gavin Newsom recently said , in response to questions about whether play can resume this year .
If baseball begins play this summer — league officials are currently in talks with the players union — it would be in empty stadiums .
That 's how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league , Bundesliga , are proceeding .
That 's not what the president is pushing for , though .
`` When Alabama has a football game against LSU , I do n't want 20,000 people in the stands with seven empty seats in between everybody , '' he recently told ABC News .
`` I want 110,000 people like they got . ''
`` I hope we can do that soon , '' said Trump , who in recent days has begun downplaying the importance of both pervasive testing to resuming normal life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Americans back to work , businesses back open , and families and friends able to support their favorite teams .
The President is hopeful that sports will be able to return quickly and safely at all levels . ''
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement to NPR .
`` As our resilient country defeats coronavirus , we are confident that sports will continue to strengthen and unite all Americans . ''
Still , even the sports world is n't united around the concept of resuming games .
Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his concerns about safety .
He recently told The Athletic 's Starkville podcast that he 's also worried about the message games would send .
`` You know , look , these guys are playing baseball , and sports are back .
So everything has returned to normal , '' he envisioned many fans thinking .
`` And then all of the sudden we break social distancing measures and we stop home quarantine too soon .
And then it spikes again and it gets out of control . ''
In that sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again mirroring the broader culture — showing increasing divides on how to proceed in a pandemic that shows no signs of ending soon .

President Trump Pushes To Open Paused Sports Leagues
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/AFP via Getty Images Tasos Katopodis/AFP via Getty Images
Last month, President Trump said something a lot of sports fans can relate to.
"You get tired of looking at nine-year-old baseball games, and playoff games that took place 12 years ago," he said.
With the NBA and NHL seasons suspended, and Major League Baseball hitting pause mid-spring training, fans initially flocked to the classic games that ESPN and other sports networks resorted to re-airing to fill their schedules amid the coronavirus pandemic.
As time has gone on, the sports world has grown increasingly antsy for live competition. As the MLB negotiates a partial, fan-less season with the players union, many baseball fans have been waking up early to follow the Korea Baseball Organization, which recently resumed play in empty stadiums. ESPN has resorted to airing live coverage of the beanbag game cornhole. The NFL has announced a fall schedule, but given no specifics about whether it expects to have fans in the seats.
But Trump has gone beyond the typical sports fan's laments. He's circled back, again and again, in appearance after appearance, to the idea of resuming play. "We want to have our sports leagues open. You want to watch sports. It's important," Trump said in April. "We miss sports. We miss everything. We want to get back."
The president has held multiple calls with sports commissioners to encourage them to resume play, and several with ties to professional sports are among those the president has asked to weigh in on how to reopen the economy.
"He knows the American people are yearning for the things we used to take for granted, sports being a big one of them," said Ari Fleischer. He now works in sports communications, but was White House press secretary on Sept. 11, 2001, when terror attacks stopped sports and everything else.
Fleischer said even with everything else they had to confront and plan for, senior White House staff paid close attention to when and how sports resumed play in mid-September.
"The president was personally very cognizant of the signal it would send to the American people: that we're back on our feet, you can resume your lives, put your fears aside, as soon as sports returned," said Fleischer, adding that "America without sports was like a heart that doesn't pump."
Indeed, the return of baseball provided New York City — and the country at large — that signal that fall. First, catcher Mike Piazza powered the Mets to a comeback win over their nemesis, the Atlanta Braves, with a late-inning home run at the first game back in Shea Stadium.
Then, the Yankees marched to their fourth-straight World Series with comeback after comeback, including two of the most iconic moments in Derek Jeter's career: a mind-bending defensive play against the Oakland A's that became known as "The Flip," and an extra-inning home run in the World Series.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
President Bush himself provided one of the most memorable sports images in 2001, when he threw out the first pitch from the Yankee Stadium mound before Game 3 of the World Series.
But as strange at it seems, it was easier to protect against terrorism than it is to protect against a virus: the very nature of a large gathering is dangerous, no matter what precautions are taken.
That's why officials from Dr. Anthony Fauci on down have warned that pro sports aren't advisable any time soon, especially with fans in the seats. "Safety, for the player and for the fans, trumps everything," Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the New York Times last month."If you can't guarantee safety, then unfortunately you're going to have to bite the bullet and say, 'We may have to go without this sport for this season.' "
"The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best, until we get to herd immunity and until we get to a vaccine," California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently said, in response to questions about whether play can resume this year.
If baseball begins play this summer — league officials are currently in talks with the players union — it would be in empty stadiums. That's how the Korea Baseball Organization and Germany's soccer league, Bundesliga, are proceeding.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images
That's not what the president is pushing for, though. "When Alabama has a football game against LSU, I don't want 20,000 people in the stands with seven empty seats in between everybody," he recently told ABC News. "I want 110,000 people like they got."
"I hope we can do that soon," said Trump, who in recent days has begun downplaying the importance of both pervasive testing to resuming normal life.
"President Trump is eager to see Americans back to work, businesses back open, and families and friends able to support their favorite teams. The President is hopeful that sports will be able to return quickly and safely at all levels." White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement to NPR. "As our resilient country defeats coronavirus, we are confident that sports will continue to strengthen and unite all Americans."
Still, even the sports world isn't united around the concept of resuming games.
Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle has been outspoken on his concerns about safety. He recently told The Athletic's Starkville podcast that he's also worried about the message games would send. "You know, look, these guys are playing baseball, and sports are back. So everything has returned to normal," he envisioned many fans thinking. "And then all of the sudden we break social distancing measures and we stop home quarantine too soon. And then it spikes again and it gets out of control."
In that sense, instead of uniting, sports is once again mirroring the broader culture — showing increasing divides on how to proceed in a pandemic that shows no signs of ending soon.


npr--2020-05-16--Veterans See Caregivers As Even More Crucial In The COVID-19 Era

Veterans See Caregivers As Even More Crucial In The COVID-19 Era Macabre news of bodies stacked in a makeshift morgue .
Federal emergency teams swooping in to take control of state veterans homes where the coronavirus has killed scores .
For veterans , getting care in their own homes has gone from a preference to a matter of survival .
`` It 's definitely scary , '' says Rob Grier .
His father , Robert Grier Sr. , served in Korea and Vietnam , and Rob says if he were n't taking care of him , his dad would probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The VA has been good to them over the years , Rob says , especially when his father got lung cancer .
`` We were just blessed to have a great team at the VA during his care for that , `` he says , `` but still , a pre-existing condition , that 's not good for COVID . ''
Grier wants to keep taking care of his dad , but he 's not sure he can without help from the VA caregiver program , which is not yet open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has helped caregivers with a stipend , but only for Iraq and Afghanistan vets .
In 2018 the VA MISSION Act promised to expand to veterans of Korea and Vietnam , and eventually all veterans who need it .
But who needs it ?
The VA finally announced its highly technical answer to that question in March after a two-year wait .
Anyone with at least a 70 % disability rating from the VA can apply .
It 's now available to veterans disabled by illness , not just injury .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer and other diseases linked to the defoliant Agent Orange .
VA says this will significantly expand the program .
Veterans advocates had a mixed reaction to the 56 pages of newly proposed rules .
`` This looks to me like a significant restriction of eligibility for the program , '' said Bob Carey , a navy vet with the Independence Fund .
Carey says under the rules , vets qualify if they need help with one basic activity like eating or bathing , but only if they need help every single time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the program has to be doing all the vet 's care and supervision , or they do n't qualify .
Carey says he 's afraid rules like that will keep thousands of deserving vets out .
`` We and other ( Veterans Service Organizations ) have been pushing for a long time for fundamental reforms to the caregiver program , and none of those were addressed , '' Carey says .
Among their requested changes was a permanent designation for catastrophically injured vets , so they do n't have to check in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've been missing the same three limbs since June 26 , 1965 , '' says Dennis Joyner , who lost his legs and one arm to a landmine in Vietnam .
He 'd like to be able to get his wife Donna on to the new expanded caregiver program .
After taking care of him for decades , she finally had to quit her full time job in 2008 .
`` I gave up my job , my pension .
It 's just everything that snowballed from that , '' she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you 're a caregiver .
I might be getting older , but I 'm doing probably more than ever . ''
The Joyners got excited in 2018 when Congress voted to expand the caregiver program to include Vietnam-era vets .
`` They passed it , the president signed it .
I 'm thinking wow , I 'm ready to go file , '' Dennis Joyner says .
`` Well , talk about taking the wind out of your sail — it 's been a couple years now . ''
Joyner is pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still ca n't apply - the VA estimates that the new IT system to run the caregiver program wo n't be ready until later summer or early fall .
The VA is not starting this process with a great foundation of trust — the current caregiver program was administered inconsistently , and the now the new one has kept older vets waiting — some have died since the law passed in 2018 .
`` Delay , deny , until they die , '' says Rick Weidman , with Vietnam Veterans of America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated . ''
He says VA should n't need a new IT system to see that a triple amputee like Joyner needs a caregiver .
But the VA and many in congress have agreed that getting the system to work well is just as urgent as getting it done soon .
`` When you expand to a very different population the challenges grow exponentially , '' says Meg Kabat , the former director of the caregiver program , now with Atlas Research .
Kabat says it 's crucial for the VA to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expansion .
`` If I 'm the caregiver of a veteran , I have to have a sense of whether we 're going to qualify even before we apply .
To do that VA has to make it crystal clear , more black and white , '' Kabat says .
`` It 's a trade-off , though .
The result of that may be that some veterans who were in the program previously may no longer meet that criteria . ''

COVID-19 Hits Veterans Homes, VA Says New Home-Care Program Still Months Off.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Rob Grier Courtesy of Rob Grier
Macabre news of bodies stacked in a makeshift morgue. Federal emergency teams swooping in to take control of state veterans homes where the coronavirus has killed scores. For veterans, getting care in their own homes has gone from a preference to a matter of survival.
"It's definitely scary," says Rob Grier.
His father, Robert Grier Sr., served in Korea and Vietnam, and Rob says if he weren't taking care of him, his dad would probably need to be in a nursing home. The VA has been good to them over the years, Rob says, especially when his father got lung cancer.
"We were just blessed to have a great team at the VA during his care for that, "he says, "but still, a pre-existing condition, that's not good for COVID."
Grier wants to keep taking care of his dad, but he's not sure he can without help from the VA caregiver program, which is not yet open to older veterans.
Since 2011 the VA has helped caregivers with a stipend, but only for Iraq and Afghanistan vets. In 2018 the VA MISSION Act promised to expand to veterans of Korea and Vietnam, and eventually all veterans who need it.
But who needs it? The VA finally announced its highly technical answer to that question in March after a two-year wait. Anyone with at least a 70% disability rating from the VA can apply. It's now available to veterans disabled by illness, not just injury. That's particularly important to Vietnam vets suffering from cancer and other diseases linked to the defoliant Agent Orange.
VA says this will significantly expand the program. Veterans advocates had a mixed reaction to the 56 pages of newly proposed rules.
"This looks to me like a significant restriction of eligibility for the program," said Bob Carey, a navy vet with the Independence Fund.
Carey says under the rules, vets qualify if they need help with one basic activity like eating or bathing, but only if they need help every single time they do it. And the caregiver in the program has to be doing all the vet's care and supervision, or they don't qualify. Carey says he's afraid rules like that will keep thousands of deserving vets out.
"We and other (Veterans Service Organizations) have been pushing for a long time for fundamental reforms to the caregiver program, and none of those were addressed," Carey says.
National VA Says It's Getting More Masks For Staff; Workers Say They're Still Unsafe VA Says It's Getting More Masks For Staff; Workers Say They're Still Unsafe Listen · 3:41 3:41
Among their requested changes was a permanent designation for catastrophically injured vets, so they don't have to check in yearly to reconfirm their status.
"I've been missing the same three limbs since June 26, 1965," says Dennis Joyner, who lost his legs and one arm to a landmine in Vietnam. He'd like to be able to get his wife Donna on to the new expanded caregiver program. After taking care of him for decades, she finally had to quit her full time job in 2008.
"I gave up my job, my pension. It's just everything that snowballed from that," she says. "You take on a lot when you're a caregiver. I might be getting older, but I'm doing probably more than ever."
The Joyners got excited in 2018 when Congress voted to expand the caregiver program to include Vietnam-era vets.
"They passed it, the president signed it. I'm thinking wow, I'm ready to go file," Dennis Joyner says. "Well, talk about taking the wind out of your sail — it's been a couple years now."
Joyner is pretty sure he'll qualify, but he still can't apply - the VA estimates that the new IT system to run the caregiver program won't be ready until later summer or early fall. The VA is not starting this process with a great foundation of trust — the current caregiver program was administered inconsistently, and the now the new one has kept older vets waiting — some have died since the law passed in 2018.
"Delay, deny, until they die," says Rick Weidman, with Vietnam Veterans of America. "It shouldn't have been this complicated."
He says VA shouldn't need a new IT system to see that a triple amputee like Joyner needs a caregiver. But the VA and many in congress have agreed that getting the system to work well is just as urgent as getting it done soon.
"When you expand to a very different population the challenges grow exponentially," says Meg Kabat, the former director of the caregiver program, now with Atlas Research.
Kabat says it's crucial for the VA to be transparent in how it implements the caregiver expansion.
"If I'm the caregiver of a veteran, I have to have a sense of whether we're going to qualify even before we apply. To do that VA has to make it crystal clear, more black and white," Kabat says. "It's a trade-off, though. The result of that may be that some veterans who were in the program previously may no longer meet that criteria."


npr--2020-05-16--My Bedside Manner Got Worse During The Pandemic. Here's How I Improved

My Bedside Manner Got Worse During The Pandemic .
Here 's How I Improved '' Come in , '' Ms. H calls out .
I step into her room triple-protected — wearing my N95 mask , a surgical mask and an eye shield .
I introduce myself as her doctor , my voice barely audible among the chorus of loud alarms blaring from a hospital monitor .
It 's signaling that her IV infusion has finished .
I tune out the sounds — I hear them all the time — but I can tell that she is frustrated .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I glance at the monitor and quickly press `` silence , '' giving her momentary relief from the noise .
In a momentary lapse , I hold out my hand for a handshake , then pull it back .
`` How are you doing ? ''
I ask instead .
The pain medications are not working very well , she tells me .
I frown , but my downturned mouth is hidden beneath my three masks .
All she can see are my eyes , and even then , she sees them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms. H had come to our hospital in bad shape .
She had significant bleeding inside her abdomen , requiring my colleagues to perform emergency life-saving surgery .
Many patients do not survive what she 's gone through , and I 'm relieved just to see her alive .
Still , I 'm also upset to see her in so much pain .
`` Hang in there , '' I tell her as I leave .
It feels as if I 'm talking to myself as much as to her .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early stages of our medical training , we are taught about the importance of bedside manners .
Eye contact .
Smile .
Perhaps a handshake or a pat on the shoulder .
These gestures can be as simple as sitting in a veteran 's room for an extra five minutes to listen to World War II stories .
Or listening with a young cancer patient to a song by our shared favorite band .
Or clutching a sick patient 's shoulder and reassuring him that he will see his three daughters again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It gives them some semblance of normalcy in an otherwise difficult period in their lives .
Selfishly , that human connection also helps us — the doctors , nurses and other health care providers — deal with the often frustrating nature of our stressful jobs .
Since the start of the pandemic , our bedside interactions have had to be radically different .
Against our instincts , and in order to protect our patients and colleagues , we tend to spend only the necessary amount of time in our patients ' rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep some distance .
I have stopped holding my patients ' hands .
I now try to minimize small talk .
No more whimsical conversational detours .
Our interactions now are more direct and short .
I have , more than once , felt guilty for how quickly I 've left a patient 's room .
This guilt is worsened , knowing that patients in hospitals do n't have family and friends with them now either .
Doctors are supposed to be there for our patients , but it 's become harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand why these changes are needed .
As I move through several hospital floors , I could unwittingly transmit the virus if I 'm infected and do n't know it .
I 'm relatively young and healthy , so if I get the disease , I will likely recover .
But what about my patients ?
Some have compromised immune systems .
Most are elderly and have more than one high-risk medical condition .
I could never forgive myself if I gave one of my patients COVID-19 .
As always , we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to preserve the bedside manners that can help our patients heal , our words matter more than ever .
`` I am here for you . ''
`` I want you to know that I will do everything I can to make you better . ''
`` What can I do to make you more comfortable ? ''
`` Did what I just talked about make sense ?
Did you want me to repeat anything ? ''
I have relied on these words in recent times .
And it works .
Patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort , and it paves the way for good rapport .
Beyond what we say , there are other ways to maintain good bedside manners .
I have started showing my ID badge — which has my picture — to every patient I meet , so they know what I really look like .
I have become mindful of leaving the room more ergonomically helpful for my patients than when I entered — such as moving the call bell or the bedside table within their reach .
Some of my colleagues have started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they walk by throughout the day — just to check in on them more often .
Most patients say these changes make a difference .
It 's certainly made a difference for Ms. H. The day after my first visit , I stand outside her closed door , putting on protective gear , and place my ear a few inches from the door before entering .
No alarms this time .
She invites me in — and looks a lot better .
She finally got some sleep , Ms. H tells me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasted better .
I instantly relate , letting out a laugh .
She seems to be in good spirits .
`` Thank you , doctor , for what you are doing , '' she says as I get ready to step out .
I look up to see her smiling .
I smile back .
`` You just made my day , Ms. H , so thank you , '' I tell her .
As I close the door behind me , I , too , am feeling more optimistic .
Together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its forced estrangement , day by day .
Soon enough , everything will be OK. Dr. Shahdabul Faraz is a resident physician in the Department of Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center , a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School .
He 'll also start studies at Harvard Business School in the fall .
His writings have appeared in `` The New York Times '' , CNN and New York 's `` Daily News . ''

My Bedside Manner Got Worse During The Pandemic. Here's How I Improved
Enlarge this image Cornelia Li for NPR Cornelia Li for NPR
Knock knock.
"Come in," Ms. H calls out.
I step into her room triple-protected — wearing my N95 mask, a surgical mask and an eye shield. I introduce myself as her doctor, my voice barely audible among the chorus of loud alarms blaring from a hospital monitor. It's signaling that her IV infusion has finished.
I tune out the sounds — I hear them all the time — but I can tell that she is frustrated. She's not getting any sleep or rest. I glance at the monitor and quickly press "silence," giving her momentary relief from the noise.
In a momentary lapse, I hold out my hand for a handshake, then pull it back. "How are you doing?" I ask instead. The pain medications are not working very well, she tells me. I frown, but my downturned mouth is hidden beneath my three masks. All she can see are my eyes, and even then, she sees them through the glare of the protective shield.
Ms. H had come to our hospital in bad shape. She had significant bleeding inside her abdomen, requiring my colleagues to perform emergency life-saving surgery. Many patients do not survive what she's gone through, and I'm relieved just to see her alive. Still, I'm also upset to see her in so much pain.
"Hang in there," I tell her as I leave. It feels as if I'm talking to myself as much as to her.
The encounter was frustrating. From the very early stages of our medical training, we are taught about the importance of bedside manners. Eye contact. Smile. Perhaps a handshake or a pat on the shoulder.
These gestures can be as simple as sitting in a veteran's room for an extra five minutes to listen to World War II stories. Or listening with a young cancer patient to a song by our shared favorite band. Or clutching a sick patient's shoulder and reassuring him that he will see his three daughters again.
These gestures acknowledge a patient's humanity. It gives them some semblance of normalcy in an otherwise difficult period in their lives. Selfishly, that human connection also helps us — the doctors, nurses and other health care providers — deal with the often frustrating nature of our stressful jobs.
Since the start of the pandemic, our bedside interactions have had to be radically different. Against our instincts, and in order to protect our patients and colleagues, we tend to spend only the necessary amount of time in our patients' rooms. And once inside, we try to keep some distance. I have stopped holding my patients' hands. I now try to minimize small talk. No more whimsical conversational detours.
Our interactions now are more direct and short. I have, more than once, felt guilty for how quickly I've left a patient's room. This guilt is worsened, knowing that patients in hospitals don't have family and friends with them now either. Doctors are supposed to be there for our patients, but it's become harder than ever in recent months.
I understand why these changes are needed. As I move through several hospital floors, I could unwittingly transmit the virus if I'm infected and don't know it. I'm relatively young and healthy, so if I get the disease, I will likely recover. But what about my patients? Some have compromised immune systems. Most are elderly and have more than one high-risk medical condition. I could never forgive myself if I gave one of my patients COVID-19.
So I am excessively careful.
As always, we must adapt during tough times. If we want to preserve the bedside manners that can help our patients heal, our words matter more than ever.
"I am here for you."
"I want you to know that I will do everything I can to make you better."
"What can I do to make you more comfortable?"
"Did what I just talked about make sense? Did you want me to repeat anything?"
I have relied on these words in recent times. And it works. Patients, almost universally, appreciate the extra effort, and it paves the way for good rapport.
Beyond what we say, there are other ways to maintain good bedside manners. I have started showing my ID badge — which has my picture — to every patient I meet, so they know what I really look like. I have become mindful of leaving the room more ergonomically helpful for my patients than when I entered — such as moving the call bell or the bedside table within their reach.
Some of my colleagues have started pausing to call into patient rooms as they walk by throughout the day — just to check in on them more often. Most patients say these changes make a difference.
It's certainly made a difference for Ms. H. The day after my first visit, I stand outside her closed door, putting on protective gear, and place my ear a few inches from the door before entering. No alarms this time.
Knock knock.
She invites me in — and looks a lot better. She finally got some sleep, Ms. H tells me, but she wishes that the hospital food tasted better. I instantly relate, letting out a laugh. She seems to be in good spirits.
"Thank you, doctor, for what you are doing," she says as I get ready to step out. I look up to see her smiling. I smile back.
"You just made my day, Ms. H, so thank you," I tell her. As I close the door behind me, I, too, am feeling more optimistic. Together, we are getting through this pandemic and its forced estrangement, day by day. Soon enough, everything will be OK.
Dr. Shahdabul Faraz is a resident physician in the Department of Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He'll also start studies at Harvard Business School in the fall. His writings have appeared in "The New York Times", CNN and New York's "Daily News."


npr--2020-05-16--Trump Removes State Department Inspector General Steve Linick

President Trump is ousting State Department Inspector General , Steve Linick , extending a string of administration firings of government watchdogs .
The president sent notice of Linick 's removal , effective in 30 days , to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday .
A State Department spokesperson offered no reason for the change , but issued a statement confirming that Linick will be replaced by Ambassador Stephen Akard , who currently directs the department 's Office of Foreign Missions .
Pelosi warned of a `` dangerous pattern of retaliation against patriotic public servants . ''
Linick had been on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued reports criticizing some Trump appointees of retaliating against career public servants .
Democrats expressed outrage at his firing .
The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , Eliot Engel , D-N.Y. , accused President Trump of taking the action to protect Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
`` I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo , '' Engel said .
`` Mr. Linick 's firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but promised to press the State Department for answers .
A Democratic aide on Capitol Hill elaborated that `` the OIG was looking into the Secretary 's misuse of a political appointee at the Department to perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs .
Pompeo . ''
In recent weeks , the president also removed Michael Atkinson as inspector general of the Intelligence Community , as well as Glenn Fine , who had been named to oversee the federal government 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .

Trump Removes State Department Inspector General Steve Linick
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 5:36 p.m. ET
President Trump is ousting State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, extending a string of administration firings of government watchdogs.
The president sent notice of Linick's removal, effective in 30 days, to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday. A State Department spokesperson offered no reason for the change but issued a statement confirming that Linick will be replaced by Ambassador Stephen Akard, who currently directs the department's Office of Foreign Missions.
A White House official speaking on background Saturday said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recommended the move, "and President Trump agreed."
In a statement late Friday, Pelosi warned of a "dangerous pattern of retaliation against patriotic public servants."
Linick had been on the job since 2013 and had recently issued reports criticizing some Trump appointees of retaliating against career public servants.
Democrats expressed outrage at his firing. The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., accused Trump of taking the action in order to protect Pompeo.
"I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo," Engel said. "Mr. Linick's firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation."
Engel did not offer further detail but promised to press the State Department for answers.
A Democratic aide on Capitol Hill elaborated that the inspector general's office "was looking into the secretary's misuse of a political appointee at the Department to perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs. Pompeo."
In recent weeks, the president also removed Michael Atkinson as inspector general of the intelligence community, as well as Glenn Fine, who had been named to oversee the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic.


npr--2020-05-15--As Nursing Homes Report More COVID-19 Deaths, More Governors Order Universal Testing

As Nursing Homes Report More COVID-19 Deaths , More Governors Order Universal Testing With the coronavirus hitting long-term care facilities especially hard , a growing number of state leaders are mandating universal testing of all nursing home residents and staff .
States including New York , Arizona , Texas , New Jersey , Delaware , West Virginia , Pennsylvania , and South Dakota are developing and implementing plans to test residents and workers at long-term care facilities .
Many announced these initiatives the week of May 11 , as new state data and calls from the federal government stressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recent data shows that in most states , long-term care facility deaths account for at least a third of total COVID-19 fatalities .
West Virginia became the first state to require universal testing , through an executive order issued April 17 .
Allison Adler , the director of communications at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources , tells NPR over email that all testing of nursing homes has been completed .
She adds that the mandated testing identified the first cases of COVID-19 at 28 facilities statewide , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified cases .
For most states , the process of distributing test supplies and recording results remains in the early stages , and mandates and methods vary from state to state .
Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee announced plans on April 29 to test nursing homes and care facilities , saying he expected the effort to take several weeks .
A tenet of Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz 's five-point plan for long-term care facilities is expanding testing to symptomatic residents and staff , `` as well as facility-wide testing when a case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms . ''
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott directed state health officials to implement a plan to test 100 % of nursing home residents and staff .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has issued an executive order mandating nursing homes and adult care facilities test all personnel twice a week and report positive cases promptly .
In Pennsylvania , the state Department of Health announced a universal testing strategy for nursing home staff and residents , while Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey announced a partnership with private-sector labs to conduct testing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states like New York and Delaware , individual facilities can create their own implementation protocols .
Jill Fredel , communications director at Delaware Health and Social Services , says the state is distributing resources for facilities to use at their discretion , with no definitive timeline for completing the first round .
Delaware Governor John Carney announced a plan for universal testing on May 5 , and exactly one week later the Division of Public Health had sent 5,000 rapid test kits and 10,000 nasal swab test collection kits to facilities .
Fredel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand more '' in the coming days .
She also notes that testing is voluntary , meaning individuals can opt out .
Fredel emphasizes that as long as there are negative test results , people will have to keep being tested .
She says the state will continue to supply facilities with repeat testing kits on an ongoing basis .
The CDC has issued guidelines for retesting , and several states have announced plans for continuous testing .
In New Jersey , all long-term care facilities are ordered to implement testing by May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
South Dakota is embarking on a mass testing plan for nursing homes beginning May 18 , and once the first round is complete , the state will continue with random testing .
Some states are taking additional measures to protect these populations .
Rules in Florida , New York and Pennsylvania require hospitals to test all individuals being discharged from hospitals to nursing homes , and retain or transfer them accordingly .
Massachusetts is expanding testing at long-term care facilities , and Illinois has tested all residents and employees of its four @ @ @ @

As Nursing Homes Report More COVID-19 Deaths, More Governors Order Universal Testing
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nati Harnik/AP Nati Harnik/AP
With the coronavirus hitting long-term care facilities especially hard, a growing number of state leaders are mandating universal testing of all nursing home residents and staff.
States including New York, Arizona, Texas, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota are developing and implementing plans to test residents and workers at long-term care facilities. Many announced these initiatives the week of May 11, as new state data and calls from the federal government stressed the need for more robust testing efforts. Recent data shows that in most states, long-term care facility deaths account for at least a third of total COVID-19 fatalities.
West Virginia became the first state to require universal testing, through an executive order issued April 17. Allison Adler, the director of communications at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, tells NPR over email that all testing of nursing homes has been completed. She adds that the mandated testing identified the first cases of COVID-19 at 28 facilities statewide, and that 70% of facilities have had no identified cases.
For most states, the process of distributing test supplies and recording results remains in the early stages, and mandates and methods vary from state to state.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced plans on April 29 to test nursing homes and care facilities, saying he expected the effort to take several weeks. A tenet of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's five-point plan for long-term care facilities is expanding testing to symptomatic residents and staff, "as well as facility-wide testing when a case is confirmed or when multiple people develop symptoms."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed state health officials to implement a plan to test 100% of nursing home residents and staff. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued an executive order mandating nursing homes and adult care facilities test all personnel twice a week and report positive cases promptly.
In Pennsylvania, the state Department of Health announced a universal testing strategy for nursing home staff and residents, while Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced a partnership with private-sector labs to conduct testing at the state's 147 facilities.
In states like New York and Delaware, individual facilities can create their own implementation protocols. Jill Fredel, communications director at Delaware Health and Social Services, says the state is distributing resources for facilities to use at their discretion, with no definitive timeline for completing the first round.
Delaware Governor John Carney announced a plan for universal testing on May 5, and exactly one week later the Division of Public Health had sent 5,000 rapid test kits and 10,000 nasal swab test collection kits to facilities. Fredel says it expects to distribute "several thousand more" in the coming days. She also notes that testing is voluntary, meaning individuals can opt out.
Fredel emphasizes that as long as there are negative test results, people will have to keep being tested. She says the state will continue to supply facilities with repeat testing kits on an ongoing basis.
The CDC has issued guidelines for retesting, and several states have announced plans for continuous testing. In New Jersey, all long-term care facilities are ordered to implement testing by May 26 and retest individuals with negative results. South Dakota is embarking on a mass testing plan for nursing homes beginning May 18, and once the first round is complete, the state will continue with random testing.
Some states are taking additional measures to protect these populations. Rules in Florida, New York and Pennsylvania require hospitals to test all individuals being discharged from hospitals to nursing homes, and retain or transfer them accordingly. Massachusetts is expanding testing at long-term care facilities, and Illinois has tested all residents and employees of its four veterans' homes.