npr--2020-03-19--'No Plans' To Change Republican, Democratic Conventions For Now

'No Plans ' To Change Republican , Democratic Conventions For Now This summer 's Republican and Democratic conventions are still on , and organizers have no plans to change them at this point , despite fears of prolonged closings and disruptions to American life due to the novel coronavirus , officials from both parties said .
There are no talks of canceling the Democratic National Convention , Communications Director Xochitl Hinojosa said .
Tatum Gibson , press secretary for the 2020 Republican National Convention , similarly said the Republican convention is still on , but that organizers are working closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see if changes are needed and to `` ensure every necessary precaution is taken into account . ''
`` We prioritize the health and safety of delegates , media , guests , community members and staff , and we have full faith and confidence in the administration 's aggressive actions to address COVID-19 , '' Gibson said .
Both parties say they are taking guidance from health officials and the Secret Service .
`` There 's a lot of uncertainty around the virus , '' said Hinojosa , whose party is more urgently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin July 13 in Milwaukee .
`` No one knows how long it will last .
... We are taking things day-to-day at this point and as the Secret Service and health professionals give guidance , we 'll take that guidance . ''
The Republicans ' convention is a month later , scheduled to begin Aug. 24 in Charlotte .
The DNC is also facing a big challenge in the current presidential primary race , as a number of states have changed or postponed their primaries and their delegate selection processes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in those changes to the party 's rules .
Hinojosa confirmed that no one within the DNC or the team working on the convention in Milwaukee has tested positive for the coronavirus .
So work is continuing with the full convention team in Milwaukee .
`` No one knows what 's going to happen in July , so we 're just not there yet , '' Hinojosa said .
`` We will monitor it , and if in a few weeks , it looks bad , we will make contingency plans .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this goes . ''

'No Plans' To Change Republican, Democratic Conventions For Now
This summer's Republican and Democratic conventions are still on, and organizers have no plans to change them at this point, despite fears of prolonged closings and disruptions to American life due to the novel coronavirus, officials from both parties said.
There are no talks of canceling the Democratic National Convention, Communications Director Xochitl Hinojosa said.
Tatum Gibson, press secretary for the 2020 Republican National Convention, similarly said the Republican convention is still on, but that organizers are working closely with officials and monitoring the situation to see if changes are needed and to "ensure every necessary precaution is taken into account."
"We prioritize the health and safety of delegates, media, guests, community members and staff, and we have full faith and confidence in the administration's aggressive actions to address COVID-19," Gibson said.
Both parties say they are taking guidance from health officials and the Secret Service.
"There's a lot of uncertainty around the virus," said Hinojosa, whose party is more urgently affected because the convention is slated to begin July 13 in Milwaukee. "No one knows how long it will last. ... We are taking things day-to-day at this point and as the Secret Service and health professionals give guidance, we'll take that guidance."
The Republicans' convention is a month later, scheduled to begin Aug. 24 in Charlotte.
The DNC is also facing a big challenge in the current presidential primary race, as a number of states have changed or postponed their primaries and their delegate selection processes. The party is working with states on fitting in those changes to the party's rules.
Hinojosa confirmed that no one within the DNC or the team working on the convention in Milwaukee has tested positive for the coronavirus. So work is continuing with the full convention team in Milwaukee.
"No one knows what's going to happen in July, so we're just not there yet," Hinojosa said. "We will monitor it, and if in a few weeks, it looks bad, we will make contingency plans. At the moment, no one knows where this goes."


npr--2020-03-19--People With Mild Symptoms Can Spread Coronavirus, European Researchers Warn

People infected with the coronavirus can spread it easily , even if they 're not yet experiencing severe symptoms of the disease , according to virologists watching the pandemic unfold in Europe .
`` In this infection , we see very high levels of virus in the upper airway , in the nose and throat , '' says Marion Koopmans , head of the department of virus science at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam , Netherlands , who is involved with that nation 's public health response to the outbreak .
Those high levels of the virus mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment you start to sneeze , you start to cough , '' she says .
This emerging picture of the disease may help to explain why the coronavirus appears to be spreading so rapidly .
Research from China shows it can take five or even 10 days for the first symptoms to emerge .
Those in the very early stages of the disease continue to move through public places , unaware of the potential risk they pose .
Even when symptoms start , they can be vague , similar to the cold and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some may never experience symptoms at all .
`` That makes the policy of case finding and containment very challenging , '' Koopmans says .
Koopmans says that the revelation came for her while trying to conduct disease surveillance in the Netherlands .
Like many countries , the Netherlands initially screened patients with a history of foreign travel .
But when a handful of untraceable cases appeared within the country , her team shifted strategies and began to test health care workers in the hospitals where the cases were reported .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and already highly infectious .
`` People can have really mild complaints , just a cough , just a sore throat , and already have a lot of virus [ in their system ] , '' she says .
Alfredo Garzino-Demo , a virologist based at the University of Maryland and affiliated with the University of Padua in Italy , says this characteristic , while not uncommon among viruses , makes this disease extremely hard to contain .
`` Many diseases have a window period in which you do n't have symptoms but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he says .
`` But this one is particularly serious . ''
The evolving view helps explain why countries are having to resort to such extreme social distancing measures to contain the spread of the disease .
It also highlights the need for broad testing of the general population , says Marie-Paule Kieny , director of research at Inserm , a French organization dedicated to the study of public health .
Without broad testing , `` we ca n't look at the community and say what percentage of the people have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
That information is crucial in determining how best to deploy economically crippling social distancing measures .
`` The European countries are not testing properly , '' she says .
`` I think it 's not better in the U.S. , by the way . ''
Broad surveillance of the general population will be key to controlling subsequent waves of the disease , she warns , especially as draconian social distancing measures are loosened .
The emerging science of the coronavirus is not all bad news , however .
Garzino-Demo points to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that appears to show that the virus does not cause reinfections .
That 's in line with what 's known about other less deadly coronaviruses , but the initial finding is still reassuring , he says .
Koopmans says that based on other such diseases , mild reinfection may sometimes happen , but most people will experience the worst of it the first time around .
And regarding the concern that the virus could mutate , Koopmans says that genetic analysis by her lab shows that the virus is not mutating much and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more harmful .
`` There 's no real obvious changes that would be of concern , '' she says .
Despite the deep crisis faced by the world 's public health systems , the scientists believe that the pandemic will eventually pass .
Health care workers will do their best to handle the surges in illness , scientists will rush toward treatments and vaccines , and governments will try to support those in need .
`` There is a lot of generosity .
People are really working hard to make this thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Garzino-Demo says .
`` We are going to win this war . ''

People With Mild Symptoms Can Spread Coronavirus, European Researchers Warn
Enlarge this image toggle caption Yuriko Nakao/Getty Images Yuriko Nakao/Getty Images
People infected with the coronavirus can spread it easily, even if they're not yet experiencing severe symptoms of the disease, according to virologists watching the pandemic unfold in Europe.
"In this infection, we see very high levels of virus in the upper airway, in the nose and throat," says Marion Koopmans, head of the department of virus science at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, who is involved with that nation's public health response to the outbreak. Those high levels of the virus mean that the coronavirus can infect others "the moment you start to sneeze, you start to cough," she says.
This emerging picture of the disease may help to explain why the coronavirus appears to be spreading so rapidly. Research from China shows it can take five or even 10 days for the first symptoms to emerge. Those in the very early stages of the disease continue to move through public places, unaware of the potential risk they pose. Even when symptoms start, they can be vague, similar to the cold and flu. Other studies from China show that some may never experience symptoms at all. "That makes the policy of case finding and containment very challenging," Koopmans says.
Koopmans says that the revelation came for her while trying to conduct disease surveillance in the Netherlands. Like many countries, the Netherlands initially screened patients with a history of foreign travel. But when a handful of untraceable cases appeared within the country, her team shifted strategies and began to test health care workers in the hospitals where the cases were reported. They found that many were mildly ill — and already highly infectious.
"People can have really mild complaints, just a cough, just a sore throat, and already have a lot of virus [in their system]," she says.
Alfredo Garzino-Demo, a virologist based at the University of Maryland and affiliated with the University of Padua in Italy, says this characteristic, while not uncommon among viruses, makes this disease extremely hard to contain. "Many diseases have a window period in which you don't have symptoms but you are still able to transmit," he says. "But this one is particularly serious."
The evolving view helps explain why countries are having to resort to such extreme social distancing measures to contain the spread of the disease. It also highlights the need for broad testing of the general population, says Marie-Paule Kieny, director of research at Inserm, a French organization dedicated to the study of public health.
Without broad testing, "we can't look at the community and say what percentage of the people have had contact with the virus," she says. That information is crucial in determining how best to deploy economically crippling social distancing measures.
"The European countries are not testing properly," she says. "I think it's not better in the U.S., by the way."
Broad surveillance of the general population will be key to controlling subsequent waves of the disease, she warns, especially as draconian social distancing measures are loosened.
The emerging science of the coronavirus is not all bad news, however. Garzino-Demo points to new, not-yet-peer-reviewed research in rhesus macaques that appears to show that the virus does not cause reinfections. That's in line with what's known about other less deadly coronaviruses, but the initial finding is still reassuring, he says. Koopmans says that based on other such diseases, mild reinfection may sometimes happen, but most people will experience the worst of it the first time around.
And regarding the concern that the virus could mutate, Koopmans says that genetic analysis by her lab shows that the virus is not mutating much and not in ways that would make it even more harmful. "There's no real obvious changes that would be of concern," she says.
Despite the deep crisis faced by the world's public health systems, the scientists believe that the pandemic will eventually pass. Health care workers will do their best to handle the surges in illness, scientists will rush toward treatments and vaccines, and governments will try to support those in need.
"There is a lot of generosity. People are really working hard to make this thing go away, doing their part," Garzino-Demo says. "We are going to win this war."


npr--2020-03-19--VA Secretary Wilkie: 'We Are The Surge Force'

VA Secretary Wilkie : 'We Are The Surge Force' In an interview with NPR News , Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie said the VA stands ready to back up the nation 's health care system , but has not yet been asked to deploy resources by the Department of Health and Human Services .
`` We have been preparing for what has been coming for a while now , '' Wilkie said .
`` In war and in case of natural disaster or an epidemic , we are the surge force . ''
The VA is the largest health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 170 medical centers .
The department has three better known missions : veterans ' health care , benefits and national cemeteries .
The `` fourth mission '' is as an emergency back-up health system during a disaster or pandemic .
VA has permanent staff who plan and train for emergencies — they pitched in to help after recent hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Texas , and even the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida .
The coronavirus is clearly its biggest challenge ever .
During a discussion with governors about the coronavirus pandemic response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request to activate the `` fourth mission . ''
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards said his state 's medical facilities might be overwhelmed in a week .
He asked to be able to send some patients to a VA hospital .
The president said he would work to approve that request .
Wilkie says VA was among the first in the U.S. to put coronavirus screenings in place at hospitals and to shut its assisted living homes to visitors .
VA also began to prepare staff for the health emergency last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide , and calling for volunteers to be deployed across the country in an emergency .
While the department may be ahead of the rest of government in preparing for the crisis , VA suffers from the same national shortage of nurses and doctors as the American private health care sector .
And despite an emergency cache of medical supplies , a joint letter issued by employee unions representing VA health care workers warned that VA was n't prepared .
Four VA frontline staff in four different states told NPR they fear an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as masks , gowns and special gear used with ventilators .
They all asked to withhold their names in order to speak freely .
`` We 've been popping smoke , '' said one , using the military term for sending a distress signal .
`` Do whatever you can to get us more . ''
Secretary Wilkie said he 's confident VA would be prepared .
`` The arrangements that we 've made on the masks side and also on the testing side – we 're in a very good place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in what Wilkie has to say .
On Wednesday , the House Committee on Veterans ' Affairs sent a letter signed by 29 Democrats and Republicans that asked for more information about VA 's preparations .
`` As this public health emergency evolves almost hourly , Congress must be informed so it can act immediately to protect the health and safety of veterans who may be at significant risk during this pandemic , '' the letter said , listing a set of metrics to be reported daily or weekly to Congress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the VA system as well as the number of tests available .

VA Secretary Wilkie: 'We Are The Surge Force'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
In an interview with NPR News, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie said the VA stands ready to back up the nation's health care system, but has not yet been asked to deploy resources by the Department of Health and Human Services.
"We have been preparing for what has been coming for a while now," Wilkie said. "In war and in case of natural disaster or an epidemic, we are the surge force."
The VA is the largest health care system in the country, with 170 medical centers. The department has three better known missions: veterans' health care, benefits and national cemeteries. The "fourth mission" is as an emergency back-up health system during a disaster or pandemic. VA has permanent staff who plan and train for emergencies — they pitched in to help after recent hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Texas, and even the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida. The coronavirus is clearly its biggest challenge ever.
During a discussion with governors about the coronavirus pandemic response, President Donald Trump did get one request to activate the "fourth mission." Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said his state's medical facilities might be overwhelmed in a week. He asked to be able to send some patients to a VA hospital. The president said he would work to approve that request.
Wilkie says VA was among the first in the U.S. to put coronavirus screenings in place at hospitals and to shut its assisted living homes to visitors. VA also began to prepare staff for the health emergency last month, setting up 19 emergency operations centers nationwide, and calling for volunteers to be deployed across the country in an emergency.
While the department may be ahead of the rest of government in preparing for the crisis, VA suffers from the same national shortage of nurses and doctors as the American private health care sector. And despite an emergency cache of medical supplies, a joint letter issued by employee unions representing VA health care workers warned that VA wasn't prepared.
Four VA frontline staff in four different states told NPR they fear an impending shortage of personal protection equipment such as masks, gowns and special gear used with ventilators. They all asked to withhold their names in order to speak freely.
"We've been popping smoke," said one, using the military term for sending a distress signal. "Do whatever you can to get us more."
Secretary Wilkie said he's confident VA would be prepared.
"The arrangements that we've made on the masks side and also on the testing side – we're in a very good place," he said.
Congress is also interested in what Wilkie has to say. On Wednesday, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs sent a letter signed by 29 Democrats and Republicans that asked for more information about VA's preparations.
"As this public health emergency evolves almost hourly, Congress must be informed so it can act immediately to protect the health and safety of veterans who may be at significant risk during this pandemic," the letter said, listing a set of metrics to be reported daily or weekly to Congress, including the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients within the VA system as well as the number of tests available.


npr--2020-03-19--Norwegian Jewel Cruise Turned Away From Port — Again

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Turned Away From Port — Again The Norwegian Jewel set out from Australia late last month on a jaunt through the South Pacific .
Now , just one day from its journey 's original end date , the cruise ship has found itself turned away from multiple ports , and its more than 2,000 passengers are beginning to fear there may not be an end in sight .
On Wednesday , after the ship had already been turned away by Fiji , New Zealand and French Polynesia , the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced that passengers would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , according to the announcement , passengers on the Norwegian Jewel and the Maasdam — another cruise ship seeking a port — would only be allowed to refuel and restock food supplies .
There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus aboard either the Norwegian Jewel , operated by Norwegian Cruise Line , or the Holland America Line 's Maasdam .
`` The health and safety of all people in Hawaii is always at the forefront of operational decisions , '' department Director Jade Butay said in the statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and directed towards containing the spread of COVID-19 .
Allowing more than 2,500 passengers and crew to disembark will further strain these resources . ''
That leaves passengers wondering when — and where — they 'll manage to make it to solid land again .
Jay Martinez , who is aboard the Norwegian Jewel , said passengers had to learn the disappointing news from the department 's website — not their own crew .
`` It 's been a roller coaster of emotions in the last 72 hours or so , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like there was a plan in motion , '' Martinez tells NPR .
`` Now that this news continues to circulate internally among guests , there 's a lot of anxiety about , you know , 'What am I going to do when my medication runs out ? '
'How long is this going to last ? '
'Where are they taking us to next ? '
`` The pair of ships are not the only ones to find themselves still seeking port .
More than a dozen cruises around the world remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disembark .

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Turned Away From Port — Again
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
The Norwegian Jewel set out from Australia late last month on a jaunt through the South Pacific. Now, just one day from its journey's original end date, the cruise ship has found itself turned away from multiple ports, and its more than 2,000 passengers are beginning to fear there may not be an end in sight.
On Wednesday, after the ship had already been turned away by Fiji, New Zealand and French Polynesia, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced that passengers would not be allowed to disembark in Honolulu. Instead, according to the announcement, passengers on the Norwegian Jewel and the Maasdam — another cruise ship seeking a port — would only be allowed to refuel and restock food supplies.
There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus aboard either the Norwegian Jewel, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, or the Holland America Line's Maasdam.
Business Norwegian Jewel Passengers Stuck At Sea, Loved Ones Ashore In Limbo Norwegian Jewel Passengers Stuck At Sea, Loved Ones Ashore In Limbo Listen · 3:30 3:30
"The health and safety of all people in Hawaii is always at the forefront of operational decisions," department Director Jade Butay said in the statement. "Presently, all state resources are focused and directed towards containing the spread of COVID-19. Allowing more than 2,500 passengers and crew to disembark will further strain these resources."
That leaves passengers wondering when — and where — they'll manage to make it to solid land again. Jay Martinez, who is aboard the Norwegian Jewel, said passengers had to learn the disappointing news from the department's website — not their own crew.
"It's been a roller coaster of emotions in the last 72 hours or so, I think people were finally relieved that it sounded like there was a plan in motion," Martinez tells NPR. "Now that this news continues to circulate internally among guests, there's a lot of anxiety about, you know, 'What am I going to do when my medication runs out?' 'How long is this going to last?' 'Where are they taking us to next?' "
The pair of ships are not the only ones to find themselves still seeking port. More than a dozen cruises around the world remain on the water and without a place to disembark.


npr--2020-03-19--State Department Tells U.S. Citizens Not To Travel Abroad

State Department Tells U.S. Citizens Not To Travel Abroad The State Department has issued its most serious travel warning yet in light of the coronavirus crisis .
On Thursday , it instructed U.S. citizens not to travel internationally .
The Level 4 travel advisory also calls on U.S. citizens who live in the U.S. but are currently overseas to `` arrange for immediate return to the United States , unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period . ''
`` U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel , '' the warning reads .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your travel plans may be severely disrupted , and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe . ''
On Saturday , the State Department said that U.S. personnel and their family members who are at high risk if exposed to COVID-19 may return to the U.S .
It warned that the decision could limit services for U.S. citizens at some U.S. embassies and consulates .
Many countries have heavily restricted travel across their borders as cases of the coronavirus spread around the world .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. is temporarily closing its border with Canada to nonessential traffic .
The European Union has also announced that it is imposing a 30-day entry ban on nonessential travel for non-EU citizens .

State Department Tells U.S. Citizens Not To Travel Abroad
Enlarge this image toggle caption Austin Boschen/AP Austin Boschen/AP
The State Department has issued its most serious travel warning yet in light of the coronavirus crisis. On Thursday, it instructed U.S. citizens not to travel internationally.
The Level 4 travel advisory also calls on U.S. citizens who live in the U.S. but are currently overseas to "arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period."
"U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel," the warning reads. "If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe."
On Saturday, the State Department said that U.S. personnel and their family members who are at high risk if exposed to COVID-19 may return to the U.S. It warned that the decision could limit services for U.S. citizens at some U.S. embassies and consulates.
Many countries have heavily restricted travel across their borders as cases of the coronavirus spread around the world. On Wednesday, President Trump announced that the U.S. is temporarily closing its border with Canada to nonessential traffic.
The European Union has also announced that it is imposing a 30-day entry ban on nonessential travel for non-EU citizens.


npr--2020-03-19--Coronavirus Fears Derail Friday Prayers For Muslims Across The World

Coronavirus Fears Derail Friday Prayers For Muslims Across The World Come Friday , few places will show the effects of the coronavirus more vividly than mosques across the world — not so much for what will be there , as what wo n't : Friday prayers have been curtailed or outright suspended in more than a dozen majority-Muslim countries across the world .
The list of countries to close mosques to mass gatherings or issue widespread bans includes Turkey and Lebanon , Iraq and Egypt , Jordan and Malaysia — along with a growing collection of others .
`` Islam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human life in danger , '' Ali Erbaş , head of religious affairs in Turkey , said earlier this week , citing the example of the Prophet Muhammad .
`` Until the danger for the contagion disappears , prayers in congregations will be suspended , '' he added .
`` Instead of Friday prayer , [ Muslims ] can continue the noon prayer at their own homes . ''
In Saudi Arabia , meanwhile , the country 's highest religious body recommended the closure of mosques to Friday prayers across the kingdom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mosques in Mecca and Medina .
The suspension is in place `` until further notice , '' according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency .
The decision to suspend prayers was not universal , however .
In Indonesia , the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world , authorities are allowing group prayers to proceed at what 's believed to be the largest mosque in Southeast Asia , the massive Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta .
Though authorities say they are taking precautions : The mosque 's interior has been sprayed with disinfectants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will not provide prayer mats as usual .
The country 's highest religious authority , the Indonesian Ulema Council , also issued a nationwide ruling allowing Muslims to temporarily skip Friday prayers in regions where the virus has spread `` uncontrollably . ''

Coronavirus Fears Derail Friday Prayers For Muslims Across The World
Enlarge this image toggle caption Yasin Akgul/AFP via Getty Images Yasin Akgul/AFP via Getty Images
Come Friday, few places will show the effects of the coronavirus more vividly than mosques across the world — not so much for what will be there, as what won't: Friday prayers have been curtailed or outright suspended in more than a dozen majority-Muslim countries across the world.
The list of countries to close mosques to mass gatherings or issue widespread bans includes Turkey and Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt, Jordan and Malaysia — along with a growing collection of others.
Countries with major curtailment of Friday prayers: Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Kuwait and Malaysia.
"Islam doesn't permit practices that would put human life in danger," Ali Erbaş, head of religious affairs in Turkey, said earlier this week, citing the example of the Prophet Muhammad.
"Until the danger for the contagion disappears, prayers in congregations will be suspended," he added. "Instead of Friday prayer, [Muslims] can continue the noon prayer at their own homes."
In Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, the country's highest religious body recommended the closure of mosques to Friday prayers across the kingdom, with the exception of the two grand mosques in Mecca and Medina. The suspension is in place "until further notice," according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency.
The decision to suspend prayers was not universal, however. In Indonesia, the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world, authorities are allowing group prayers to proceed at what's believed to be the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, the massive Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.
Though authorities say they are taking precautions: The mosque's interior has been sprayed with disinfectants, and the Jakarta Post reports that officials there will not provide prayer mats as usual.
The country's highest religious authority, the Indonesian Ulema Council, also issued a nationwide ruling allowing Muslims to temporarily skip Friday prayers in regions where the virus has spread "uncontrollably."


npr--2020-03-19--Automakers Might Retool To Make Ventilators

U.S. automakers are assessing whether they can convert their plants to manufacture critical medical equipment , like ventilators , that will be in short supply as the coronavirus pandemic spreads .
The federal government has the authority to compel manufacturers to produce such equipment under a law invoked by President Trump on Wednesday .
It 's not clear how long it would take for the car companies to reinvent themselves as massive medical suppliers , but Ford and General Motors have been in discussions with the White House about the possibility .
The United Kingdom has also asked automakers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for essential medical equipment .
`` We are currently doing an internal study to understand the needs and capabilities and how we maybe able to help during this crisis , '' Jeannine Ginivan , a GM spokeswoman , told NPR .
Rachel McCleery , a Ford spokeswoman , said the company `` stands ready to help the [ Trump ] administration in any way we can , including the possibility of producing ventilators and other equipment . ''
She said Ford has had preliminary talks with the U.S. and U.K. governments `` looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we all pull together to help the country weather this crisis and come out the other side stronger than ever . ''
Ford , GM and Fiat Chrysler are shutting down their North American plants to protect workers from the spread of the coronavirus .
Plants will not reopen until the end of March at the earliest .
Elon Musk , the CEO of Tesla , has also indicated interest in producing ventilators , while warning the switch ca n't happen `` instantly . ''

Automakers Might Retool To Make Ventilators
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bill Pugliano/Getty Images Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
Updated at 3:32 p.m. ET
U.S. automakers are assessing whether they can convert their plants to manufacture critical medical equipment, like ventilators, that will be in short supply as the coronavirus pandemic spreads.
The federal government has the authority to compel manufacturers to produce such equipment under a law invoked by President Trump on Wednesday.
It's not clear how long it would take for the car companies to reinvent themselves as massive medical suppliers, but Ford and General Motors have been in discussions with the White House about the possibility. The United Kingdom has also asked automakers and other manufacturers to help meet the need for essential medical equipment.
"We are currently doing an internal study to understand the needs and capabilities and how we maybe able to help during this crisis," Jeannine Ginivan, a GM spokeswoman, told NPR.
Rachel McCleery, a Ford spokeswoman, said the company "stands ready to help the [Trump] administration in any way we can, including the possibility of producing ventilators and other equipment."
She said Ford has had preliminary talks with the U.S. and U.K. governments "looking into the feasibility. It's vital that we all pull together to help the country weather this crisis and come out the other side stronger than ever."
Ford, GM and Fiat Chrysler are shutting down their North American plants to protect workers from the spread of the coronavirus. Plants will not reopen until the end of March at the earliest.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has also indicated interest in producing ventilators, while warning the switch can't happen "instantly."


npr--2020-03-19--Eastern Orthodox Church To Halt Services Until End Of March

Eastern Orthodox Church To Halt Services Until End Of March The spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians around the world has ordered churches to halt services and rites until the end of March .
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I asked parishioners to stay home for their own safety and the safety of others .
`` This trial , too , shall pass , '' the patriarch said in a televised statement .
`` The clouds will clear , and the Sun of Righteousness will eliminate the deadly effect of the virus .
But our lives will have changed forever . ''
Churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Monasteries are allowed to keep holding services for monks but religious visitors wo n't be permitted entry .
The halt in church services comes during the run-up to Eastern Orthodox Easter on April 19 , the most important time of the year for the Orthodox Christian church .
The church resisted scaling back services for weeks , even as the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic and insisted on social distancing to prevent its rapid spread .
Epidemiologists raised the alarm about church rituals such as communion , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a chalice of blessed wine and give it to parishioners .
COVID-19 can spread through saliva .
Church faithful tend to be elderly so they 're also the most vulnerable .
In Greece , where the church is especially powerful politically , the church council insisted until earlier this week that `` faithful of all ages know that coming to receive the holy communion , even in the middle of a pandemic , is ... a potent manifestation of love . ''
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave a televised address on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to scientists . ''
A few days later , the government suspended services in all churches of any denomination in the country until at least the end of this month .

Eastern Orthodox Church To Halt Services Until End Of March
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nikolaos Manginas/AP Nikolaos Manginas/AP
The spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians around the world has ordered churches to halt services and rites until the end of March. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I asked parishioners to stay home for their own safety and the safety of others.
"This trial, too, shall pass," the patriarch said in a televised statement. "The clouds will clear, and the Sun of Righteousness will eliminate the deadly effect of the virus. But our lives will have changed forever."
Churches will remain open only for private prayers. Monasteries are allowed to keep holding services for monks but religious visitors won't be permitted entry.
The halt in church services comes during the run-up to Eastern Orthodox Easter on April 19, the most important time of the year for the Orthodox Christian church.
The church resisted scaling back services for weeks, even as the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic and insisted on social distancing to prevent its rapid spread. Epidemiologists raised the alarm about church rituals such as communion, in which a church priest dips a shared spoon into a chalice of blessed wine and give it to parishioners. COVID-19 can spread through saliva. Church faithful tend to be elderly so they're also the most vulnerable.
In Greece, where the church is especially powerful politically, the church council insisted until earlier this week that "faithful of all ages know that coming to receive the holy communion, even in the middle of a pandemic, is... a potent manifestation of love."
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave a televised address on March 11 telling Greeks to "listen to scientists." A few days later, the government suspended services in all churches of any denomination in the country until at least the end of this month.


npr--2020-03-20--Seattle Nurses Scrounge For Masks To Stay Safe On Pandemic's Front Lines

Seattle Nurses Scrounge For Masks To Stay Safe On Pandemic 's Front Lines Across Washington 's health care system , as the caseload of coronavirus patients grows , masks and other personal protective equipment are in short supply — and nurses are resorting to workarounds to try to stay safe .
Wendy Shaw , a charge nurse for an emergency room in Seattle , says her hospital and others have locked up critical equipment like masks and respirators to ensure they do n't run out .
Shaw is the de facto gatekeeper , and is now required to run through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a mask : `` What are you using it for ?
What patient ?
What 's the procedure ? ''
`` I have become a `` jailer '' in a sense of these masks , '' she says .
`` We now have to learn how to work with less , and how to be good stewards of the resources that we have , '' says Shaw .
For Shaw , there 's a very personal stress driving her to be careful .
She has Type 1 diabetes , and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her high risk for complications if she were to be infected .
`` I am cleaning like I have never cleaned before .
I am hyper aware of what I touch , who has brushed up against me , '' says Shaw .
`` We think about this all the time .
Every day I wake up without a fever or a cough is a win for me . ''
At some hospitals , nurses and doctors say they are being told that contrary to standard protocol of disposal after single use , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their N95 masks .
Meanwhile , office staff at the corporate headquarters of Providence St. Joseph Health , have opened an ad-hoc workshop where they are assembling masks and face shields on their own , to bolster resources .
`` At any given time , we are days away from running out of personal protective equipment , '' says Melissa Tizon with Providence St. Joseph Health .
Tizon says they have already delivered 500 face shields to Providence-affiliated hospitals in Seattle and Everett , Wash. , and plan to start sewing masks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even crowd-sourcing masks .
Bobbie Habdas , an ICU nurse at Swedish Medical Center , another local hospital system , took to Facebook asking for help from her community .
`` I never thought that we 'd necessarily be doing this , '' says Habdas .
Her post gained lots of attention , and she has now collected more than a hundred masks to share with co-workers .
`` Honestly , it shocked me and it really touched me , it 's extremely appreciated , '' she says .
The outpouring was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses have to scrounge for supplies , in addition to their regular duties .
`` There is a huge feeling of panic , not only externally , but also internally within the hospital , '' says Habdas .
She says spending time looking for supplies during her shift does n't help with the stress of responding to the coronavirus pandemic .
Patients are already dying from the disease in the region , with at least 74 COVID-19 deaths recorded as of Thursday afternoon .
Sally Watkins , executive director of the Washington State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to make do with less .
`` They are not being protected at the level that they should be , '' says Watkins .
Watkins hopes the region will get more supplies from the federal stockpile soon .
After 39 years as an intensive care nurse , Mary Mills has dealt with other infectious disease crises , but her hospital 's response to the coronavirus outbreak feels different .
She remembers helping to intubate HIV patients in the early days of the AIDS crisis , when there was still a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Everybody was on the same page , '' Mills recalls .
`` There was clear communication . ''
Mills works at one of the five hospitals run by Swedish Medical Center in the Seattle area .
`` I hate to say I do n't feel particularly supported now , '' she says .
Like many health care workers , Mills feels frustrated because the guidance on when to use personal protective equipment or PPE , keeps shifting , sometimes daily .
`` What they decide I need , in terms of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability of product , rather than the science , '' Mills says .
`` This is super contagious , we can spread it to our kids , our parents and grandparents , '' she adds .
Mills believes that hospital managers have not been taking nurses ' concerns seriously enough , especially when it came to aggressively testing patients and staff in the early days of the outbreak .
She says two nurses she works with have already become sick with what seemed to be COVID-19 .
`` One went out with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classic five symptoms , '' Mills says .
`` On the eighth day they finally agreed to have her tested for COVID-19 . ''
Mills says this type of response only erodes nurses ' trust in hospital leadership , harming a relationship which is critical as the entire Seattle-area health care workforce is called upon to care for an increasing number of patients with the disease .
Health care workers being exposed to coronavirus is a central concern throughout the region .
Multiple hospitals in the Seattle area have reported cases among staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor in Kirkland was hospitalized after being infected .
Dr. Chris Dale , chief quality officer for Swedish , says his hospital system is very focused on caregiver safety .
`` We can not effectively provide safe care for patients if our caregivers first are n't safe , '' says Dale .
The hospital just launched pop-up clinics where staff and patients can get tested .
He says that testing around Washington has improved significantly as more labs have come online in recent days .
Currently , results are coming back within three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to earlier when it took a week .
He says the number of Swedish Medical Center health care workers who have contracted COVID-19 remains `` low , '' but did not give specific numbers .
`` With this extraordinary pandemic , and the squeeze that we are seeing on supplies , we need to balance both supply and the very real need to keep caregivers safe , '' says Dale .
Swedish follows the World Health Organization guidance when treating patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 , he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic at a time when they were already locked in a divisive labor dispute , related to staffing levels .
In January , thousands of health care workers from their union went on a three-day strike , unrelated to the coronavirus crisis .
The nurses contend that chronic understaffing inside the hospitals can negatively affect patient safety .
Dale says Swedish has recently hired about 300 temporary nurses , called travel nurses , and are actively recruiting more .
But Mills still worries there wo n't be enough nurses to handle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just about physical beds or ventilators , '' says Mills .
`` A room and a ventilator do n't mean anything if you do n't have a nurse . ''
Mills says she hopes management starts dealing with all these urgent issues .
After decades in the ICU , she says her number one commitment is to her patients .
Already , she 's treated some who have COVID-19 as they die in isolation — sometimes with no family members there in-person .
The hospital 's policy currently does not allow any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though the hospital said it makes exceptions `` in extreme circumstances . ''
`` The tragedy of not having family there to support the super sick ... .
you feel a greater burden to deliver some form of compassion to these people who are totally isolated , '' says Mills .
`` The only people there are the ICU nurses . ''

Seattle Nurses Scrounge For Masks To Stay Safe On Pandemic's Front Lines
Enlarge this image toggle caption Will Stone/for NPR Will Stone/for NPR
Across Washington's health care system, as the caseload of coronavirus patients grows, masks and other personal protective equipment are in short supply — and nurses are resorting to workarounds to try to stay safe.
Wendy Shaw, a charge nurse for an emergency room in Seattle, says her hospital and others have locked up critical equipment like masks and respirators to ensure they don't run out.
Shaw is the de facto gatekeeper, and is now required to run through a list of questions when anyone comes to get a mask: "What are you using it for? What patient? What's the procedure?"
"I have become a "jailer" in a sense of these masks," she says.
"We now have to learn how to work with less, and how to be good stewards of the resources that we have," says Shaw.
For Shaw, there's a very personal stress driving her to be careful. She has Type 1 diabetes, and so does her young son, which makes her high risk for complications if she were to be infected.
"I am cleaning like I have never cleaned before. I am hyper aware of what I touch, who has brushed up against me," says Shaw. "We think about this all the time. Every day I wake up without a fever or a cough is a win for me."
At some hospitals, nurses and doctors say they are being told that contrary to standard protocol of disposal after single use, they should try to clean and reuse their N95 masks.
Meanwhile, office staff at the corporate headquarters of Providence St. Joseph Health, have opened an ad-hoc workshop where they are assembling masks and face shields on their own, to bolster resources.
toggle caption David Solheim/Providence St. Joseph Health
"At any given time, we are days away from running out of personal protective equipment," says Melissa Tizon with Providence St. Joseph Health.
Tizon says they have already delivered 500 face shields to Providence-affiliated hospitals in Seattle and Everett, Wash., and plan to start sewing masks in the coming days.
Some nurses are even crowd-sourcing masks.
Bobbie Habdas, an ICU nurse at Swedish Medical Center, took to Facebook asking for help from her community.
"I never thought that we'd necessarily be doing this," says Habdas.
Her post gained lots of attention, and she has now collected more than a hundred masks to share with co-workers.
"Honestly, it shocked me and it really touched me, it's extremely appreciated," she says.
The outpouring was a bright spot, but Habdas wonders why nurses have to scrounge for supplies, in addition to their regular duties.
"There is a huge feeling of panic, not only externally, but also internally within the hospital," says Habdas.
She says spending time looking for supplies during her shift doesn't help with the stress of responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Patients are already dying from the disease in the region, with at least 74 COVID-19 deaths recorded as of Thursday afternoon.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Will Stone/for NPR Will Stone/for NPR
Sally Watkins, executive director of the Washington State Nurses Association, says nurses are being forced to make do with less.
"They are not being protected at the level that they should be," says Watkins.
Watkins hopes the region will get more supplies from the federal stockpile soon.
Communications breakdowns
After 39 years as an intensive care nurse, Mary Mills has dealt with other infectious disease crises, but her hospital's response to the coronavirus outbreak feels different.
She remembers helping to intubate HIV patients in the early days of the AIDS crisis, when there was still a lot of fear and unknowns about that illness.
"Everybody was on the same page," Mills recalls. "There was clear communication."
Mills works at one of the five hospitals run by Swedish Medical Center in the Seattle area. "I hate to say I don't feel particularly supported now," she says.
Like many health care workers, Mills feels frustrated because the guidance on when to use personal protective equipment or PPE, keeps shifting, sometimes daily. "What they decide I need, in terms of my safety, is being changed based on availability of product, rather than the science," Mills says.
"This is super contagious, we can spread it to our kids, our parents and grandparents," she adds.
Worries about health care worker exposure
Mills believes that hospital managers have not been taking nurses' concerns seriously enough, especially when it came to aggressively testing patients and staff in the early days of the outbreak.
She says two nurses she works with have already become sick with what seemed to be COVID-19.
"One went out with a cough and a fever, all the classic five symptoms," Mills says. "On the eighth day they finally agreed to have her tested for COVID-19."
Mills says this type of response only erodes nurses' trust in hospital leadership, harming a relationship which is critical as the entire Seattle-area health care workforce is called upon to care for an increasing number of patients with the disease.
Health care workers being exposed to coronavirus is a central concern throughout the region.
Multiple hospitals in the Seattle area have reported cases among staff at their facilities.
An emergency room doctor in Kirkland was hospitalized after being infected.
Dr. Chris Dale, chief quality officer for Swedish, says his hospital system is very focused on caregiver safety.
"We cannot effectively provide safe care for patients if our caregivers first aren't safe," says Dale.
The hospital just launched pop-up clinics where staff and patients can get tested. He says that testing around Washington has improved significantly as more labs have come online in recent days. Currently, results are coming back within three to four days, he says, compared to earlier when it took a week.
He says the number of Swedish Medical Center health care workers who have contracted COVID-19 remains "low," but did not give specific numbers.
"With this extraordinary pandemic, and the squeeze that we are seeing on supplies, we need to balance both supply and the very real need to keep caregivers safe," says Dale.
Swedish follows the World Health Organization guidance when treating patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, he says.
Staffing issues
Nurses from Swedish Medical Center began confronting this pandemic at a time when they were already locked in a divisive labor dispute, related to staffing levels.
In January, thousands of health care workers from their union went on a three-day strike, unrelated to the coronavirus crisis. The nurses contend that chronic understaffing inside the hospitals can negatively affect patient safety.
Dale says Swedish has recently hired about 300 temporary nurses, called travel nurses, and are actively recruiting more.
But Mills still worries there won't be enough nurses to handle the surge in patients.
"It is not just about physical beds or ventilators," says Mills. "A room and a ventilator don't mean anything if you don't have a nurse."
Mills says she hopes management starts dealing with all these urgent issues.
After decades in the ICU, she says her number one commitment is to her patients.
Already, she's treated some who have COVID-19 as they die in isolation — sometimes with no family members there in-person.
The hospital's policy currently does not allow any visitors to COVID-19 patients for safety reasons, though the hospital said it makes exceptions "in extreme circumstances."
"The tragedy of not having family there to support the super sick.... you feel a greater burden to deliver some form of compassion to these people who are totally isolated," says Mills. "The only people there are the ICU nurses."
This story was produced in partnership with Kaiser Health News. Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation.


npr--2020-03-20--With College Sports Shut Down, NCAA Hopes To Give Senior Athletes A 2nd Chance

With College Sports Shut Down , NCAA Hopes To Give Senior Athletes A 2nd Chance Katie Hoeg dreamed about this season of lacrosse .
She 's a senior attacker for the University of North Carolina women 's team .
This month , Hoeg became UNC 's all-time leading scorer in a win over Northwestern .
While she was proud of the record , it was n't the dream .
Winning a national championship was .
It was a reasonable goal , considering North Carolina made it to the Division 1 women 's lacrosse Final Four the last two seasons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were off to a good start .
6-0 .
Undefeated .
That 's the day Hoeg and her teammates read the NCAA tweet announcing every sport was done .
`` I was actually with a bunch of teammates , '' Hoeg says , `` and we read it together . ''
She says they wanted to be angry .
`` We really wanted to be angry at a specific person , or anything , '' Hoeg says , `` But we knew that there 's nothing to be angry about .
Like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have to do our part .
We understand that the health of not only us and everyone around us , but this country , is the main priority .
This obviously stinks for us and our season , but we completely understand . ''
Very quickly though , Hoeg says she thought about a different ending .
One she could control .
`` I was talking about it with another senior on my team and we [ said ] , if we were given the chance to come back would you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at each other and we were like , absolutely !
There 's no way we can just end it on these terms . ''
It supports so-called eligibility relief , and is discussing how to extend careers for Division 1 senior athletes in spring and winter sports .
Meaning all those basketball players currently missing out on March Madness .
Division 2 and 3 spring sport athletes already have been granted relief .
`` For the NCAA , having seen them dug in on so many other basic issues over the years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been relatively responsive , '' says Ramogi Huma , a long-time activist for college athlete rights .
Hammering out the details of that response will be challenging .
It 's why the NCAA has n't yet formally announced its plan for Division 1 eligibility relief .
There 's the thorny issue of money .
As in , which schools could pay an extra year of athletic scholarships ?
`` If you start looking at the numbers of the incoming [ athletes ] who are going to get room and board , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] allowed to stay another year , it could be a financial crunch for some of the colleges . ''
`` Some colleges wo n't miss a beat , '' he says , `` but others probably would .
Maybe it 's time for some of the colleges with more money to step up and maybe make a pool of money available . ''
Another challenge is dealing with team roster limits .
More players potentially could be fighting for starting positions or playing time .
University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incoming baseball player thought the stud center fielder in front of them was going to graduate and move on , '' Whitman said , `` and that spot was going to be there for them to try and compete for , and all of a sudden that stud center fielder 's coming back , that changes that internal dynamic . ''
`` That [ issue ] probably is not something we can deal with legislatively , '' Whitman added .
Indeed , coaches might be on their own having to wrestle with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and universities might want to draw on the model of high school sports .
`` One possibility [ for colleges ] is thinking about having a JV team , along with a varsity team , '' Huma says , noting colleges usually have one team .
`` [ this would guarantee ] players have opportunities to actually compete .
But those are tough decisions .
It might be different from one school to the next . ''
While the NCAA explores how to meet these challenges , senior athletes suddenly are contemplating their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that might be hard to change .
Katie Hoeg says she 's lucky .
She was planning a gap year before starting dental school , teaching and coaching lacrosse at a Tennessee high school .
Her employer supports her return to college .
`` He was very kind and gracious and understanding of the whole situation , '' she says .
Hoeg says she 's been on a full athletic scholarship at North Carolina , and is hoping that 's extended along with her extra eligibility .
If it 's not ?
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk [ about ] with my parents , '' Hoeg says .
`` But we kind of said this has been my dream , this is something I 've worked my whole life for , and that we 're going to try to make it work no matter what their ruling [ on scholarships ] is . ''
For now , Hoeg is home with her family during the coronavirus outbreak .
She 's trying to stay inside as much as possible , `` doing our part for the health of communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's still training , with her three younger siblings , `` like I 'm about to play next week . ''
`` We 're fortunate enough to have some gym equipment in our basement , '' Hoeg says , `` I also go for runs and [ we ] go to a local field to do lacrosse drills by ourselves .
Our small group of three or four . ''
Preparing Hoeg for what she hopes is another chance at a dream season .

With College Sports Shut Down, NCAA Hopes To Give Senior Athletes A 2nd Chance
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeffrey Camarati/University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Athletics Jeffrey Camarati/University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Athletics
Normally, right now, much of this country would be consumed by March Madness.
Of course, nothing is normal and college basketball was shut down like so many other parts of society because of the coronavirus outbreak. And it's not just the men's and women's Division 1 tournaments. Last week the NCAA shut down all winter and spring sports.
But there's a plan to give athletes another chance to finish college careers cut short.
A championship dream
Katie Hoeg dreamed about this season of lacrosse.
She is a senior attacker for the University of North Carolina women's team. This month, Hoeg became UNC's all-time leading scorer in a win over Northwestern. While she was proud of the record, it wasn't the dream. Winning a national championship was. It was a reasonable goal, considering North Carolina made it to the Division 1 women's lacrosse Final Four the last two seasons. This season, the number-one-ranked Tarheels were off to a good start. 6-0. Undefeated.
Until last Thursday.
That's the day Hoeg and her teammates read the NCAA tweet announcing every sport was done.
"I was actually with a bunch of teammates," Hoeg says, "and we read it together." She says they wanted to be angry.
"We wanted to be angry at a specific person, or anything," Hoeg says, "But we knew there was nothing to be angry about. Like, this was completely out of our control. We have to do our part. We understand that the health of not only us and everyone around us, but this country, is the main priority. This obviously stinks for us and our season, but we completely understand."
Very quickly though, Hoeg says she thought about a different ending. One she could control.
"I was talking about it with another senior on my team and we [said], if we were given the chance to come back, would you come back? And we both looked at each other and we were, like, absolutely! There's no way we can just end it on these terms."
Eligibility relief
The NCAA agrees.
It supports so-called eligibility relief, and is discussing how to extend careers for Division 1 senior athletes in spring and winter sports too. Meaning all those basketball players currently missing out on March Madness.
Division 2 and 3 spring-sport athletes already have been granted relief.
Even NCAA critics applaud the moves.
"For the NCAA, having seen them dug in on so many other basic issues over the years, I think for this issue they've been relatively responsive," says Ramogi Huma, a longtime activist for college athlete rights.
Hammering out the details of that response will be challenging. It is why the NCAA hasn't yet formally announced its plan for Division 1 eligibility relief.
There's the thorny issue of money. As in, which schools could pay an extra year of athletic scholarships?
"If you start looking at the numbers of the incoming [athletes] who are going to get room and board," says Huma, "And the [athletes] allowed to stay another year, it could be a financial crunch for some of the colleges."
"Some won't miss a beat," he says, "but others probably would. Maybe it's time for some of the colleges with more money to step up and maybe make a pool of money available."
Another challenge is dealing with team roster limits.
More players potentially could be fighting for starting positions or playing time.
University of Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman spoke about that recently.
"If an incoming baseball player thought the stud centerfielder in front of them was going to graduate and move on," Whitman said, "and that spot was going to be there for them to try and compete for, and all of a sudden that stud centerfielder's coming back, that changes that internal dynamic."
"That [issue] probably is not something we can deal with legislatively," Whitman added.
Indeed, coaches might be on their own having to wrestle with that team by team.
Huma says colleges and universities might want to draw on the model of high school sports.
"One possibility [for colleges] is thinking about having a JV team, along with a varsity team," Huma says, noting colleges usually have one team. "[This would guarantee] players have opportunities to actually compete. But those are tough decisions. It might be different from one school to the next."
Preparing for another chance
While the NCAA explores how to meet these challenges, senior athletes suddenly are contemplating their possible do-overs.
Some have post-graduate plans that might be hard to change. Katie Hoeg says she's lucky. She was planning a gap year before starting dental school, and with the job she'd lined up for the year — teaching and coaching lacrosse at a Tennessee high school — her employer supports her return to college.
"He was very kind and gracious and understanding of the whole situation," she says.
Hoeg says she has been on a full athletic scholarship at North Carolina, and is hoping that is extended along with her extra eligibility.
If it's not?
"That's definitely something I'll have to talk [about] with my parents," Hoeg says. "But we kind of said this has been my dream, this is something I've worked my whole life for, and that we're going to try to make it work no matter what their ruling [on scholarships] is."
For now, Hoeg is home with her family during the coronavirus outbreak. She's trying to stay inside as much as possible, "doing our part for the health of communities," she says.
But she is still training, with her three younger siblings, "like I'm about to play next week."
"We're fortunate enough to have some gym equipment in our basement," Hoeg says, "I also go for runs and [we] go to a local field to do lacrosse drills by ourselves. Our small group of three or four."
Preparing Hoeg for what she hopes is another chance at a dream season.


npr--2020-03-20--There Goes The Bride: Coronavirus Is Hitting The Wedding Industry

There Goes The Bride : Coronavirus Is Hitting The Wedding Industry Cities across the U.S. are clamping down on large gatherings , and the CDC is recommending no more than 10 to a meeting — leading to disappointment for a lot of brides and grooms .
Thu Nguyen and Allen Gross stopped at the county courthouse in San Antonio on Monday to pick up their marriage license .
I caught up with them right afterward and — given the current pandemic — stood as far away as my microphone would allow .
They did get the license , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be .
`` I admittedly almost cried when we got our marriage license , because I do n't know whether or not it 's going to happen , '' Nguyen says .
Her mother lives in Houston , where Nguyen and Gross are scheduled to marry in two weeks in a Catholic ceremony .
At each Mass , her mother has been monitoring how the church will handle the situation .
`` I talked to my mom last night '' Nguyen says , `` and she texted me this morning . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fly , and many members are elderly .
Gross says they 've already had 20 cancellations .
`` To be safe , we know we have a lot of people traveling — they have to get on the plane .
And , you know , our elderly relatives too .
So it 's really about safety . ''
Nguyen and Gross had been planning for a year , but in the end , the decision was made for them .
A few hours after their interview , the county barred gatherings larger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and TJ Skrodzki are videoconferencing with their wedding planner , Jordan Maney , about next steps after they postponed their wedding .
`` Do you still want to keep that within 2020 ? ''
Maney asks .
Elizarraras answers , `` I mean , it 's hard because we do n't know how long this is going to last .
So we can say May , and if by April if it does n't look any better , we 're still in the same s***** boat . ''
The couple may still lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maney says vendors are being flexible .
There 's the venue , florists , caterers , insurance , many other details to iron out .
And to keep it in 2020 , Elizarraras and Skrodzki may need to book on an off day like a Thursday or Friday .
They are n't crazy about this idea , but in the end they just want to be married .
They agree to reconnect with the wedding planner in a few days .
`` Glad we have a planner though , '' says Skrodzki .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the vendors ourselves ? ''
Elizarraras asks .
`` In tears .
No . ''
Cellist Christina Trongone is warming up for practice at her home in San Antonio .
She 's one of many depending in part on weddings for their livelihoods — she books musicians and performs at about 200 weddings a year .
If this persists , it will hurt .
`` Well , that can definitely be several hundreds of dollars lost .
It 's definitely troublesome , because that 's money we use for paying bills .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 2 million weddings last year .
Those numbers are cratering in real time .
Groom-to-be TJ Skrodzki struggles to keep perspective : `` Obviously , we have to take care of everybody and we have to think of ourselves as a society , but it 's hard to not be a little selfish about this event being canceled . ''
Weddings are not just about couples , of course .
It 's going to be a while before anyone — the planners , the musicians or the families — can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edited for radio by Ted Robbins and adapted for the Web by Petra Mayer .

There Goes The Bride: Coronavirus Is Hitting The Wedding Industry
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Flahive Paul Flahive
Cities across the U.S. are clamping down on large gatherings, and the CDC is recommending no more than 10 to a meeting — leading to disappointment for a lot of brides and grooms.
Thu Nguyen and Allen Gross stopped at the county courthouse in San Antonio on Monday to pick up their marriage license. I caught up with them right afterward and — given the current pandemic — stood as far away as my microphone would allow. They did get the license, but the moment isn't as happy as it could be.
"I admittedly almost cried when we got our marriage license, because I don't know whether or not it's going to happen," Nguyen says. Her mother lives in Houston, where Nguyen and Gross are scheduled to marry in two weeks in a Catholic ceremony. At each Mass, her mother has been monitoring how the church will handle the situation. "I talked to my mom last night" Nguyen says, "and she texted me this morning."
Most of their families would need to fly, and many members are elderly. Gross says they've already had 20 cancellations. "To be safe, we know we have a lot of people traveling — they have to get on the plane. And, you know, our elderly relatives too. So it's really about safety."
Nguyen and Gross had been planning for a year, but in the end, the decision was made for them. A few hours after their interview, the county barred gatherings larger than 10 people.
Meanwhile, Jessica Elizarraras and TJ Skrodzki are videoconferencing with their wedding planner, Jordan Maney, about next steps after they postponed their wedding.
"Do you still want to keep that within 2020?" Maney asks.
Elizarraras answers, "I mean, it's hard because we don't know how long this is going to last. So we can say May, and if by April if it doesn't look any better, we're still in the same s***** boat."
toggle caption Paul Flahive
The couple may still lose deposits because of the rescheduling, but Maney says vendors are being flexible. There's the venue, florists, caterers, insurance, many other details to iron out. And to keep it in 2020, Elizarraras and Skrodzki may need to book on an off day like a Thursday or Friday. They aren't crazy about this idea, but in the end they just want to be married. They agree to reconnect with the wedding planner in a few days.
"That was a lot," Elizarraras groans.
"Glad we have a planner though," says Skrodzki.
"Can you imagine trying to call all the vendors ourselves?" Elizarraras asks. "In tears. No."
Cellist Christina Trongone is warming up for practice at her home in San Antonio. She's one of many depending in part on weddings for their livelihoods — she books musicians and performs at about 200 weddings a year. If this persists, it will hurt.
"Well, that can definitely be several hundreds of dollars lost. It's definitely troublesome, because that's money we use for paying bills."
Americans spent $54 billion on more than 2 million weddings last year. Those numbers are cratering in real time. Groom-to-be TJ Skrodzki struggles to keep perspective: "Obviously, we have to take care of everybody and we have to think of ourselves as a society, but it's hard to not be a little selfish about this event being canceled."
Weddings are not just about couples, of course. It's going to be a while before anyone — the planners, the musicians or the families — can get together to celebrate.
This story was edited for radio by Ted Robbins and adapted for the Web by Petra Mayer.


npr--2020-03-20--FBI Adjusts To Persevere Through Pandemic As Much Of America Shuts Down

FBI Adjusts To Persevere Through Pandemic As Much Of America Shuts Down Conducting more witness interviews over the phone .
Staggering work hours to keep physical distance from co-workers .
Wearing protective masks and gloves when executing search warrants or making arrests .
Those are just some of the ways in which the FBI is adjusting to the coronavirus outbreak and the sweeping changes it has imposed on all facets of American life .
The bureau 's headquarters in Washington issued a memo to all employees this week that spelled out how the agency will adapt to the new reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as are training and conferences through the end of April .
The FBI does extensive contingency planning , but the COVID-19 pandemic is unique , one bureau official told NPR .
`` We 're living in a new world now .
This is uncharted territory for all of us , '' said the official , who asked not to be identified talking about the FBI 's internal arrangements .
`` Some of this — we 're writing the playbook as we go . ''
That playbook includes encouraging employees who can to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold meetings via teleconference as much as is practicable .
`` The bureau has rolled out unprecedented flexibility , allowing us to work varied hours and varied days in various locations , '' said FBI Special Agent Brian O'Hare , president of the FBI Agents Association , in an interview with NPR .
`` Medical experts have said that 's one of the best ways to ensure a healthier organization is to have that social distancing , and that 's exactly what the FBI is doing .
Many FBI employees are teleworking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bureau 's 56 field offices around the country and other facilities are staggering their shifts or coming in during off hours when fewer people will be there .
Others are rearranging their schedules to come in on weekends .
`` So what you end up having is people not working with somebody on their left side and somebody on their right side throughout the day , but maybe you 're the only person there for a period of time , '' O'Hare said .
`` And when you leave , somebody else is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you were . ''
That sort of flexibility and staggered schedule is particularly important for agents and analysts working on national security issues , such as counterintelligence and counterterrorism investigations .
Much of that work involves classified information and ca n't be done remotely because it has to be done in a secure space protected from outside snooping .
The bureau employs about 35,000 people around the world .
The COVID-19 outbreak already has prompted federal courts around the country to sharply curtail their operations .
Trials have been postponed .
Judges are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by phone or video-link as much as possible .
In some districts , grand juries , which hand up indictments , have temporarily suspended work .
But the work of the FBI does not stop .
On Thursday , for example , agents arrested a Pakistani doctor , 28-year-old Muhammad Masood , at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for allegedly attempting to travel to Syria to fight for the Islamic State .
Masood allegedly altered his travel plans because Jordan closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` The cases still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still have to prepare for indictment , '' O'Hare said .
`` When you indict may be delayed based on the courts , but it 's just a matter of when and not if . ''
Because of that , special agents are taking steps to try to minimize their potential exposure to the virus as they conduct their investigations .
Witness interviews , which agents prefer to conduct in person when possible , will often now be done by phone , O'Hare said .
But for people whose actions are under scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still likely to ask questions face-to-face .
Executing search warrants and making arrests , of course , are still `` going to take place the old-fashioned way '' but with some adjustments , according to O'Hare .
`` I think what you 'll see is agents adding a layer of protection so that they 're not at risk when they 're going into a home that they 're not familiar with , '' he said .
Agents already protect themselves in a variety of ways when executing search warrants or making arrests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a new level that is n't often involved in our work . ''
`` I think you 're just going to see an additional layer of protection and gloves and surgical masks or other type of breathing mask is going to be kind of the norm for a while , '' he said .
In his role as president of the FBI Agents Association , a union that represents more than 14,000 current and former special agents , O'Hare did field concerns when the outbreak began .
But he says agents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure to the virus as much from going to the grocery store as they do in their jobs .
`` Work is only part of our exposure risk , '' he said .
`` We 're going to come through this and we 're going to be on the other side .
And it 'll be work as usual and life as usual .
And I think that 's the focus we have to maintain .
It 's just a matter of getting through it and moving on . ''

FBI Adjusts To Persevere Through Pandemic As Much Of America Shuts Down
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Conducting more witness interviews over the phone. Staggering work hours to keep physical distance from co-workers. Wearing protective masks and gloves when executing search warrants or making arrests.
Those are just some of the ways in which the FBI is adjusting to the coronavirus outbreak and the sweeping changes it has imposed on all facets of American life.
The bureau's headquarters in Washington issued a memo to all employees this week that spelled out how the agency will adapt to the new reality.
All non-essential domestic travel is canceled, as are training and conferences through the end of April.
The FBI does extensive contingency planning, but the COVID-19 pandemic is unique, one bureau official told NPR.
"We're living in a new world now. This is uncharted territory for all of us," said the official, who asked not to be identified talking about the FBI's internal arrangements. "Some of this — we're writing the playbook as we go."
Flexible feds
That playbook includes encouraging employees who can to work from home, and for everyone to hold meetings via teleconference as much as is practicable.
"The bureau has rolled out unprecedented flexibility, allowing us to work varied hours and varied days in various locations," said FBI Special Agent Brian O'Hare, president of the FBI Agents Association, in an interview with NPR.
"Medical experts have said that's one of the best ways to ensure a healthier organization is to have that social distancing, and that's exactly what the FBI is doing.
Many FBI employees are teleworking. Those who are traveling into the bureau's 56 field offices around the country and other facilities are staggering their shifts or coming in during off hours when fewer people will be there. Others are rearranging their schedules to come in on weekends.
"So what you end up having is people not working with somebody on their left side and somebody on their right side throughout the day, but maybe you're the only person there for a period of time," O'Hare said. "And when you leave, somebody else is coming in to sit next to where you were."
That sort of flexibility and staggered schedule is particularly important for agents and analysts working on national security issues, such as counterintelligence and counterterrorism investigations.
Much of that work involves classified information and can't be done remotely because it has to be done in a secure space protected from outside snooping. The bureau employs about 35,000 people around the world.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cedar Attanasio/AP Cedar Attanasio/AP
Big disruptions to justice and law enforcement
The COVID-19 outbreak already has prompted federal courts around the country to sharply curtail their operations.
Trials have been postponed. Judges are encouraged to hold status conferences and hearings by phone or video-link as much as possible. In some districts, grand juries, which hand up indictments, have temporarily suspended work.
But the work of the FBI does not stop.
On Thursday, for example, agents arrested a Pakistani doctor, 28-year-old Muhammad Masood, at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for allegedly attempting to travel to Syria to fight for the Islamic State.
Masood allegedly altered his travel plans because Jordan closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The cases still have to be investigated, and you still have to prepare for indictment," O'Hare said. "When you indict may be delayed based on the courts, but it's just a matter of when and not if."
Because of that, special agents are taking steps to try to minimize their potential exposure to the virus as they conduct their investigations.
Witness interviews, which agents prefer to conduct in person when possible, will often now be done by phone, O'Hare said. But for people whose actions are under scrutiny by a grand jury, agents are still likely to ask questions face-to-face.
Executing search warrants and making arrests, of course, are still "going to take place the old-fashioned way" but with some adjustments, according to O'Hare.
"I think what you'll see is agents adding a layer of protection so that they're not at risk when they're going into a home that they're not familiar with," he said.
Agents already protect themselves in a variety of ways when executing search warrants or making arrests, but protecting against an invisible virus "is a new level that isn't often involved in our work."
"I think you're just going to see an additional layer of protection and gloves and surgical masks or other type of breathing mask is going to be kind of the norm for a while," he said.
In his role as president of the FBI Agents Association, which represents more than 14,000 current and former special agents, O'Hare did field concerns when the outbreak began.
But he says agents are mindful that they face a risk of exposure to the virus as much from going to the grocery store as they do in their jobs.
"Work is only part of our exposure risk," he said. "We're going to come through this and we're going to be on the other side. And it'll be work as usual and life as usual. And I think that's the focus we have to maintain. It's just a matter of getting through it and moving on."


npr--2020-03-20--Trump Administration Seeks $46 Billion For Agencies To Deal With The Coronavirus

Trump Administration Seeks $ 46 Billion For Agencies To Deal With The Coronavirus Aside from the financial assistance the Trump administration and Congress are considering for individuals , small business and corporations , the federal government itself could be the beneficiary of a huge injection of money if lawmakers and the White House agree to it .
The administration has requested a $ 45.8 billion package of assistance that includes funding for a wide array of agencies and programs , from Amtrak to the Veterans Administration , and for needs ranging from disinfecting buildings and airports , to protective clothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for increased telework by federal employees .
In a letter accompanying the request , White House Office of Management acting director Russell Vought said the money is necessary , because agencies are incurring `` unanticipated costs '' as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic .
`` With the pandemic growing , resource needs have also grown , '' he wrote .
Some of the biggest recipients would include : The Pentagon would receive $ 8.3 billion `` to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 to United States servicemembers , their dependents , and DOD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus on strategic mission readiness ; and support national response efforts .
The department is asking for $ 100 million to help `` both K-12 and post-secondary schools respond to unforeseen emergencies , in response to coronavirus .
These funds could help clean and disinfect affected schools , and assist in counseling and distance learning/online learning costs . ''
In addition , the department is seeking $ 40 million to cover the anticipated increase in `` loan servicing costs due to student loan repayment relief changes , including the reduction of interest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective March 13 , and provide funding to support communications and outreach efforts to education borrowers on their options and choices during this time of uncertainty . ''
Another $ 10 million would be used to add the bandwidth as well as phones and tablets to allow some `` 5,000 staff to work remotely simultaneously ... to support maximum telework . ''
The department would receive $ 21 million `` for additional information technology requirements and telework support , also including increased cybersecurity costs . ''
The FDA is seeking $ 80 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including mitigating drug shortages and pre- and postmarket work on vaccines and therapies . ''
The CDC would receive $ 3.415 billion to among other things , `` support lab capacity at the State , local , and CDC levels ; comprehensive COVID response and preparedness efforts ( including support for State and local preparedness efforts ) ; and additional funding for the Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund .
Public Health Service The Department of Health and Human Services would get $ 5.277 billion , much of which would go to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines , therapeutics , and diagnostics .
It also would support procurement of supplies for the Strategic National Stockpile , emergency medical management and field operations , pandemic forecasting and situational awareness and activities related to emergency workforce modernization and telehealth infrastructure , in response to coronavirus . ''
TSA is requesting $ 153 million for among other things , `` increased airport sanitation costs ( $ 54 million ) , which include increased cleaning of airport surface areas to ensure suitable sanitization and decrease the spread of the disease .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment needed for TSA personnel , '' several of whom have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Customs and Border Protection The administration wants $ 567 million `` to fund up to nine migrant quarantine facilities along the Southwest border , including repurposed soft-sided facilities originally used for the migrant surge in 2019 . ''
The money would also be used for medical support for migrants , as well as money for personal protective equipment for CBP staff .
Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE is seeking $ 249 million `` to convert four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southwest border and provide for enhanced sanitation and janitorial services . ''
In addition , the money would allow ICE to increase the number of detained migrants monitored with the Alternatives to Detention Program .
This would allow ICE to minimize the risk of further exposure to detainees and prevent transmission within the detention system .
FEMA would receive $ 2 billion for its Disaster Relief Fund account .
It 's the account that 's used for helping states and local government with the costs of cleaning up from hurricanes and tornadoes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` support potentially all 56 States and Territories for COVID-19 response efforts , including for direct Federal assistance , temporary facilities , commodities , equipment , and emergency operations costs .
The Department estimates that this level funding would be sufficient for this purpose along with ongoing and future emergencies . ''
In addition , FEMA is requesting $ 47 million for `` expanded conference bridge capabilities , cybersecurity , and virtual private networks ; cleaning costs at FEMA headquarters ; and six months worth of personal protective equipment needed for FEMA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 million `` to focus assistance on unsheltered homeless persons , and address increased needs at homeless shelters .
The money would also be available for short-term rental assistance , utility assistance and motel vouchers .
Waivers would also be sought to make money available for `` eviction-related needs . ''
The administration is seeking $ 73 million for the Peace Corps to cover the costs of evacuating more than 6,000 volunteers and 177 U.S. employees from Peace Corps posts worldwide .
Federal Railroad Administration The Trump administration seeks a total of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amtrak .
Half of that would be for the passenger rail line 's operations in the Northeast corridor between Washington D.C and Boston , and half for it 's operations in the rest of the country .
Veterans Administration The VA would receive the largest chunk of the requested assistance : • $ 13.1 billion was requested to cover health care treatment costs , testing kits , temporary intensive care unit bed conversion and expansion , and personal protective equipment .
• $ 2.1 billion more would go to fund veteran 's health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100 million `` would enable VHA 's Office of Emergency Management to manage the on-going response to coronavirus without risking degradation to other emergency preparedness requirements . ''
• $ 175 million to upgrade all VA medical centers to the current Federal Protective Service standards in response to coronavirus .
• $ 1.2 billion `` to support the agency 's quick shift to using telehealth and technology to both deliver healthcare services in response to coronavirus , and mitigate the risk of virus transmission .
This shift would require up-front investment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of simultaneous telehealth appointments and upgrade associated bandwidth for employees and healthcare providers . ''
The administration requests $ 37 million `` to clean and disinfect thousands of facilities and provide assistance to over 400 Tribes '' in response to the coronavirus . ''
In addition , the Bureau of Indian Education would receive $ 19 million for its ' facilities .
The SSA would get $ 50 million for equipment to allow employees to telework .
Most Social Security Administration field offices are closed to the public but many employees must still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to service customers from home .
Internal Revenue Service The Trump administration wants $ 241 million for the IRS , to allow it to `` improve taxpayer services for the extended filing season and new tax credit questions , provide taxpayers with new forms and information online for new credits , implement a manual process for the proposed paid leave tax credit , and enhance IRS information technology capacity to respond and interact with taxpayers . ''

Trump Administration Seeks $46 Billion For Agencies To Deal With The Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/Pool/Getty Images Evan Vucci/Pool/Getty Images
Aside from the financial assistance the Trump administration and Congress are considering for individuals, small business and corporations, the federal government itself could be the beneficiary of a huge injection of money if lawmakers and the White House agree to it.
The administration has requested a $45.8 billion package of assistance that includes funding for a wide array of agencies and programs, from Amtrak to the Veterans Administration, and for needs ranging from disinfecting buildings and airports, to protective clothing for federal workers and tablets to allow for increased telework by federal employees.
In a letter accompanying the request, White House Office of Management acting director Russell Vought said the money is necessary, because agencies are incurring "unanticipated costs" as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic. "With the pandemic growing, resource needs have also grown," he wrote.
Some of the biggest recipients would include:
Department of Defense
The Pentagon would receive $8.3 billion "to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 to United States servicemembers, their dependents, and DOD civilians; minimize the impacts of the virus on strategic mission readiness; and support national response efforts.
Department of Education
The department is asking for $100 million to help "both K-12 and post-secondary schools respond to unforeseen emergencies, in response to coronavirus. These funds could help clean and disinfect affected schools, and assist in counseling and distance learning/online learning costs."
In addition, the department is seeking $40 million to cover the anticipated increase in "loan servicing costs due to student loan repayment relief changes, including the reduction of interest to 0% on all Federally-held student loans effective March 13, and provide funding to support communications and outreach efforts to education borrowers on their options and choices during
this time of uncertainty."
Another $10 million would be used to add the bandwidth as well as phones and tablets to allow some "5,000 staff to work remotely simultaneously ... to support maximum telework."
Department of Energy
The department would receive $21 million "for additional information technology requirements and telework support, also including increased cybersecurity costs."
Food and Drug Administration
The FDA is seeking $80 million "to support operational and response needs including mitigating drug shortages and pre- and postmarket work on vaccines and therapies."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC would receive $3.415 billion to among other things, "support lab capacity at the State, local, and CDC levels; comprehensive COVID response and preparedness efforts (including support for State and local preparedness efforts); and additional funding for the Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund.
Public Health Service
The Department of Health and Human Services would get $5.277 billion, much of which would go to "to support the development and manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. It also would support procurement of supplies for the Strategic National Stockpile, emergency medical management and field operations, pandemic forecasting and situational awareness and activities related to emergency workforce modernization and telehealth infrastructure, in response to coronavirus."
Transportation Security Administration
TSA is requesting $153 million for among other things, "increased airport sanitation costs ($54 million), which include increased cleaning of airport surface areas to ensure suitable sanitization and decrease the spread of the disease. It also wants $53 million for personal protective equipment needed for TSA personnel," several of whom have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Customs and Border Protection
The administration wants $567 million "to fund up to nine migrant quarantine facilities along the Southwest border, including repurposed soft-sided facilities originally used for the migrant surge in 2019." The money would also be used for medical support for migrants, as well as money for personal protective equipment for CBP staff.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
ICE is seeking $249 million "to convert four facilities into dedicated quarantine facilities along the Southwest border and provide for enhanced sanitation and janitorial services." In addition, the money would allow ICE to increase the number of detained migrants monitored with the Alternatives to Detention Program. This would allow ICE to minimize the risk of further exposure to detainees and prevent transmission within the detention system.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA would receive $2 billion for its Disaster Relief Fund account. It's the account that's used for helping states and local government with the costs of cleaning up from hurricanes and tornadoes. The administration wants to use the fund to "support potentially all 56 States and Territories for COVID-19 response efforts, including for direct Federal assistance, temporary facilities, commodities, equipment, and emergency operations costs. The Department estimates that this level funding would be sufficient for this purpose along with ongoing and future emergencies."
In addition, FEMA is requesting $47 million for "expanded conference
bridge capabilities, cybersecurity, and virtual private networks; cleaning costs at FEMA headquarters; and six months worth of personal protective equipment needed for FEMA personnel."
Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD would receive $400 million "to focus assistance on unsheltered homeless persons, and address increased needs at homeless shelters. The money would also be available for short-term rental assistance, utility assistance and motel vouchers. Waivers would also be sought to make money available for "eviction-related needs."
Peace Corps
The administration is seeking $73 million for the Peace Corps to cover the costs of evacuating more than 6,000 volunteers and 177 U.S. employees from Peace Corps posts worldwide.
Federal Railroad Administration
The Trump administration seeks a total of $500 million for lost operating revenue for Amtrak. Half of that would be for the passenger rail line's operations in the Northeast corridor between Washington D.C and Boston, and half for it's operations in the rest of the country.
Veterans Administration
The VA would receive the largest chunk of the requested assistance:
$13.1 billion was requested to cover health care treatment costs, testing kits, temporary intensive care unit bed conversion and expansion, and personal protective equipment.
$2.1 billion more would go to fund veteran's health care treatment outside VA facilities.
$100 million "would enable VHA's Office of Emergency Management to manage the on-going response to coronavirus without risking degradation to other emergency preparedness requirements."
$175 million to upgrade all VA medical centers to the current Federal Protective Service standards in response to coronavirus.
$1.2 billion "to support the agency's quick shift to using telehealth and technology to both deliver healthcare services in response to coronavirus, and mitigate the risk of virus transmission. This shift would require up-front investment in Information Technology resources to support increased use of simultaneous telehealth appointments and upgrade associated bandwidth for
employees and healthcare providers."
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The administration requests $37 million "to clean and disinfect thousands of facilities and provide assistance to over 400 Tribes" in response to the coronavirus." In addition, the Bureau of Indian Education would receive $19 million for its' facilities.
Social Security Administration
The SSA would get $50 million for equipment to allow employees to telework. Most Social Security Administration field offices are closed to the public but many employees must still report to work. This would allow them to service customers from home.
Internal Revenue Service
The Trump administration wants $241 million for the IRS, to allow it to "improve taxpayer services for the extended filing season and new tax credit questions, provide taxpayers with new forms and information online for new credits, implement a manual process for the proposed paid leave tax credit, and enhance IRS information technology capacity to respond and interact with taxpayers."