npr--2020-12-24--Correctional Facilities Are COVID-19 Hot Spots. Why Don't They Get Vaccine Priority?

Correctional Facilities Are COVID-19 Hot Spots .
Why Do n't They Get Vaccine Priority ?
The equation for COVID-19 hot spots has been clear since the earliest days of the pandemic : Take facilities where people live in close quarters , then add conditions that make it hard to take preventive measures such as wearing personal protective equipment or keeping socially distant .
Major outbreaks in nursing homes this spring shocked the nation .
Now , residents of those facilities are among the first in line for the vaccine .
Similar conditions plague the nation 's jails , prisons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 2.3 million people incarcerated in the U.S. are nearly five times as likely to test positive for the coronavirus as Americans generally and nearly three times as likely to die , after adjusting for age and sex .
But the question of when inmates will receive the vaccine remains wide open .
Experts say that 's because the states and agencies that control distribution face political pressure from a general public that has historically been unsympathetic to the health of incarcerated people .
`` In terms of public health risks and priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health assessment and response , '' says Dr. Thomas Inglesby , director of Johns Hopkins ' Center for Health Security .
`` All the conditions that we think about in terms of trying to control COVID , they 're all moving in the wrong direction in these facilities .
They are basically the perfect conditions for superspreading events . ''
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , the panel of doctors and health officials whose recommendations shape official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance , already recognizes that jails , prisons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long recommended that corrections officers be in the second priority group , after only health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities .
But the ACIP has been silent on the subject of incarcerated people themselves , even as the panel voted on Dec. 20 to recommend enlarging the third priority group to encompass more than one-third of Americans , including lower-risk essential workers such as bank tellers and construction workers and people of any age with certain underlying health conditions , a broad list that could include smokers .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wondering when it will be their turn .
`` We should all imagine what it would be like if one of our family members was in a correctional facility , '' says Inglesby .
`` Do we think that that person should be exposed to the risk of COVID at much higher levels than they would be outside of that facility ?
Do they deserve that just because they were put in that facility for a period of time ? ''
In 2015 , Robbie Dennis was arrested after an off-duty police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car just outside New Orleans .
According to court documents , a search of the car turned up less than half an ounce of marijuana , a fifth of an ounce of crack and a loaded handgun .
Dennis ultimately pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and ended up with a five-year sentence .
In March of this year , Dennis was transferred to the Louisiana State Penitentiary , known as Angola .
By that time , he had about five months left until his release , with his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
All he had to do was survive the coronavirus .
The state had reported its first confirmed case of the virus about a week earlier .
When he arrived , Dennis was put into two weeks of quarantine in near-solitary confinement , locked in a cell 23 hours a day .
Inmates often dread isolation .
But Dennis , who had been following the news , embraced it .
`` I felt like I was in the safest place possible , '' he says .
`` I told my wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better position to be here than to be out there moving around in the general population . '
'' After quarantine , Dennis says he had to share space with hundreds of other people , sleeping head-to-head on beds just 3 feet apart .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first recommended that Americans wear masks on April 3 ; prisoners at Angola did n't receive them until June or July , Dennis says .
Even then , many inmates eschewed them out of fear of being strangled .
At least 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to state officials .
Three staff members have died .
These numbers represent more than half the deaths in their respective categories among all of Louisiana 's prisons .
`` Just because you have a life sentence do n't mean you sentenced to death , '' Dennis says .
`` Vectors of disease '' that reach beyond the razor wire Jails , prisons and detention centers across the U.S. are , at their core , built to house many people in confined spaces .
Dozens of lawsuits filed this year have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shudder : dozens , if not hundreds , of inmates sharing communal spaces , sleeping just feet apart ; jails and prisons over capacity ; delays in isolating symptomatic inmates ; a lack of protective gear as basic as masks , soap and hand sanitizer .
Most of the nation 's largest outbreaks have occurred at correctional facilities .
According to The New York Times , more than 70 correctional facilities have logged more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 .
Three — California state facilities in Avenal and Corcoran , and the Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 3,000 cases each .
Compare that to meatpacking plants , which also have been hot spots for the spread of the coronavirus : Just two have had more than 1,000 cases .
`` Prisons are vectors of disease , as are jails , '' says Pamela Metzger , director of the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center at Southern Methodist University 's law school .
`` They are filled with people who enter with preexisting health conditions , many of which may be undiagnosed .
You have cramped living conditions with exceptionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many places .
You have limited access to medical care . ''
The virus does n't stop at the razor wire .
When loved ones visit inmates , when workers go home each day or when people get released , an outbreak at a prison or jail can easily escape .
Researchers have documented spikes in communities near incarceration facilities .
Now that the FDA has authorized emergency use of two COVID-19 vaccines , the CDC has begun to issue guidance about who should receive them first .
But each state and federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about who gets vaccinated when .
Though there 's broad agreement among scientists that incarcerated people are at increased risk and therefore should get the vaccine early , the politics of such a decision are a different matter .
In October , Colorado released a draft vaccine distribution proposal that prioritized incarcerated people .
Inmates would be vaccinated after front-line health care workers , at the same time as front-line essential workers , but before healthy older adults .
A conservative backlash characterized the draft policy as ensuring `` convicted murders will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News host put it .
`` There 's no way it 's going to prisoners before it goes to people who have n't committed any crimes .
That 's obvious , '' Polis said with a laugh at a press conference on Dec. 1 .
In the distribution proposal submitted to the CDC a few days later , the state placed correctional staff in the high-priority group , but not inmates .
`` What you have is , on the one hand , a really urgent public health need to prioritize both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Sharon Dolovich , director of the UCLA Prison Law and Policy Program .
`` On the other hand , you have at least four decades of tough-on-crime rhetoric which has primed the American public to think of people in custody as somehow less than human and less deserving . ''
So far , only seven states have followed public health officials ' advice to specifically prioritize incarcerated people so they can be among the earliest groups to be vaccinated , according to the nonprofit research group Prison Policy Initiative .
About 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an approach shared by the federal Bureau of Prisons .
Public health experts , and some corrections staff themselves , say that strategy does n't make sense if the goal is to reduce infection rates and deaths .
`` I think the priority level would be the same , '' says Byron Osborn , president of the Michigan Corrections Organization , the union of corrections staff in Michigan .
`` I do n't necessarily think the staff should get it before the prisoners or vice versa . ''
Michigan experienced a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the state 's prison system is still reeling .
At the Chippewa Correctional Facility where Osborn works , more than 1,000 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus along with 99 staff members , according to state officials .
More than 500 of those cases are still considered active .
Michigan has placed correctional staff in its second-highest vaccine tier .
But it , and about a dozen other states , do not include incarcerated people in any phase of their vaccine distribution plans .
And six states do n't specify incarcerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Anybody who 's been paying attention to the outbreaks in the correctional system in Michigan for the past several months realizes this has been a significant disruption to the operation of these correctional facilities , '' Osborn says .
`` I ca n't believe anybody would not be able to rationalize that those two groups of people would be in that second tier of people that are being provided the vaccine . ''
For now , with such limited quantities of vaccine doses , incarcerated people and their loved ones are playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are constantly in flux as the CDC continues to update its guidance .
In August , Robbie Dennis was released from prison in Louisiana .
His wife picked him up .
The thing he wanted most was to go home and hug his five sons for the first time in years .
But he knew the coronavirus had rampaged through Angola , and he 'd never received a test .
`` I felt like it was a must because I did n't know my own fate being released , '' he recalls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not being tested and knowing my fate coming home — was to bring that virus home to my family and friends that was waiting on me to get out of prison . ''
It took him four days to get the result .
It was negative .
Then he went home and hugged his kids .

Correctional Facilities Are COVID-19 Hot Spots. Why Don't They Get Vaccine Priority?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Julie Dermansky for NPR Julie Dermansky for NPR
The equation for COVID-19 hot spots has been clear since the earliest days of the pandemic: Take facilities where people live in close quarters, then add conditions that make it hard to take preventive measures such as wearing personal protective equipment or keeping socially distant.
Major outbreaks in nursing homes this spring shocked the nation. Now, residents of those facilities are among the first in line for the vaccine.
Similar conditions plague the nation's jails, prisons and detention centers, where outbreaks continue. The 2.3 million people incarcerated in the U.S. are nearly five times as likely to test positive for the coronavirus as Americans generally and nearly three times as likely to die, after adjusting for age and sex.
But the question of when inmates will receive the vaccine remains wide open. Experts say that's because the states and agencies that control distribution face political pressure from a general public that has historically been unsympathetic to the health of incarcerated people.
"In terms of public health risks and priorities, I think this is straightforward public health assessment and response," says Dr. Thomas Inglesby, director of Johns Hopkins' Center for Health Security. "All the conditions that we think about in terms of trying to control COVID, they're all moving in the wrong direction in these facilities. They are basically the perfect conditions for superspreading events."
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the panel of doctors and health officials whose recommendations shape official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, already recognizes that jails, prisons and detention centers are dangerous: They've long recommended that corrections officers be in the second priority group, after only health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
But the ACIP has been silent on the subject of incarcerated people themselves, even as the panel voted on Dec. 20 to recommend enlarging the third priority group to encompass more than one-third of Americans, including lower-risk essential workers such as bank tellers and construction workers and people of any age with certain underlying health conditions, a broad list that could include smokers. That's left inmates — and their advocates — wondering when it will be their turn.
"We should all imagine what it would be like if one of our family members was in a correctional facility," says Inglesby. "Do we think that that person should be exposed to the risk of COVID at much higher levels than they would be outside of that facility? Do they deserve that just because they were put in that facility for a period of time?"
A life sentence shouldn't mean you're "sentenced to death"
Enlarge this image toggle caption Julie Dermansky for NPR Julie Dermansky for NPR
In 2015, Robbie Dennis was arrested after an off-duty police officer saw him rolling a joint in his car just outside New Orleans. According to court documents, a search of the car turned up less than half an ounce of marijuana, a fifth of an ounce of crack and a loaded handgun. Dennis ultimately pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and ended up with a five-year sentence.
In March of this year, Dennis was transferred to the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola. By that time, he had about five months left until his release, with his wife and five sons waiting for him at home.
All he had to do was survive the coronavirus.
The state had reported its first confirmed case of the virus about a week earlier.
When he arrived, Dennis was put into two weeks of quarantine in near-solitary confinement, locked in a cell 23 hours a day.
Inmates often dread isolation. But Dennis, who had been following the news, embraced it.
toggle caption Patrick Semansky/AP
"I felt like I was in the safest place possible," he says. "I told my wife, 'I think I'm in a better position to be here than to be out there moving around in the general population.'"
After quarantine, Dennis says he had to share space with hundreds of other people, sleeping head-to-head on beds just 3 feet apart. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first recommended that Americans wear masks on April 3; prisoners at Angola didn't receive them until June or July, Dennis says. Even then, many inmates eschewed them out of fear of being strangled.
At least 16 prisoners have died of COVID-19 at Angola, according to state officials. Three staff members have died. These numbers represent more than half the deaths in their respective categories among all of Louisiana's prisons.
"Just because you have a life sentence don't mean you sentenced to death," Dennis says.
"Vectors of disease" that reach beyond the razor wire
Jails, prisons and detention centers across the U.S. are, at their core, built to house many people in confined spaces. Dozens of lawsuits filed this year have detailed conditions that would make an epidemiologist shudder: dozens, if not hundreds, of inmates sharing communal spaces, sleeping just feet apart; jails and prisons over capacity; delays in isolating symptomatic inmates; a lack of protective gear as basic as masks, soap and hand sanitizer.
Most of the nation's largest outbreaks have occurred at correctional facilities. According to The New York Times, more than 70 correctional facilities have logged more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19. Three — California state facilities in Avenal and Corcoran, and the Harris County jail in Houston — have experienced more than 3,000 cases each.
Compare that to meatpacking plants, which also have been hot spots for the spread of the coronavirus: Just two have had more than 1,000 cases.
"Prisons are vectors of disease, as are jails," says Pamela Metzger, director of the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center at Southern Methodist University's law school. "They are filled with people who enter with preexisting health conditions, many of which may be undiagnosed. You have cramped living conditions with exceptionally poor nutrition. Ventilation is problematic in many places. You have limited access to medical care."
The virus doesn't stop at the razor wire. When loved ones visit inmates, when workers go home each day or when people get released, an outbreak at a prison or jail can easily escape. Researchers have documented spikes in communities near incarceration facilities.
Public health advice clashes with public opinion
Now that the FDA has authorized emergency use of two COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC has begun to issue guidance about who should receive them first. But each state and federal agency will ultimately make its own decisions about who gets vaccinated when.
Though there's broad agreement among scientists that incarcerated people are at increased risk and therefore should get the vaccine early, the politics of such a decision are a different matter.
In October, Colorado released a draft vaccine distribution proposal that prioritized incarcerated people. Inmates would be vaccinated after front-line health care workers, at the same time as front-line essential workers, but before healthy older adults.
A conservative backlash characterized the draft policy as ensuring "convicted murders will get immunized before grandma," as one Fox News host put it.
Afterward, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, backtracked.
"There's no way it's going to prisoners before it goes to people who haven't committed any crimes. That's obvious," Polis said with a laugh at a press conference on Dec. 1.
In the distribution proposal submitted to the CDC a few days later, the state placed correctional staff in the high-priority group, but not inmates.
"What you have is, on the one hand, a really urgent public health need to prioritize both corrections staff and incarcerated people," says Sharon Dolovich, director of the UCLA Prison Law and Policy Program. "On the other hand, you have at least four decades of tough-on-crime rhetoric which has primed the American public to think of people in custody as somehow less than human and less deserving."
So far, only seven states have followed public health officials' advice to specifically prioritize incarcerated people so they can be among the earliest groups to be vaccinated, according to the nonprofit research group Prison Policy Initiative.
About 20 states are prioritizing corrections staff before inmates, an approach shared by the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Public health experts, and some corrections staff themselves, say that strategy doesn't make sense if the goal is to reduce infection rates and deaths.
Loading...
"I think the priority level would be the same," says Byron Osborn, president of the Michigan Corrections Organization, the union of corrections staff in Michigan. "I don't necessarily think the staff should get it before the prisoners or vice versa."
Michigan experienced a huge spike in coronavirus cases this fall, and the state's prison system is still reeling. At the Chippewa Correctional Facility where Osborn works, more than 1,000 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus along with 99 staff members, according to state officials. More than 500 of those cases are still considered active.
Michigan has placed correctional staff in its second-highest vaccine tier. But it, and about a dozen other states, do not include incarcerated people in any phase of their vaccine distribution plans. And six states don't specify incarcerated people or correctional staff at all.
"Anybody who's been paying attention to the outbreaks in the correctional system in Michigan for the past several months realizes this has been a significant disruption to the operation of these correctional facilities," Osborn says. "I can't believe anybody would not be able to rationalize that those two groups of people would be in that second tier of people that are being provided the vaccine."
A test, and a reunion
For now, with such limited quantities of vaccine doses, incarcerated people and their loved ones are playing a waiting game. States' plans are constantly in flux as the CDC continues to update its guidance.
In August, Robbie Dennis was released from prison in Louisiana. His wife picked him up. The thing he wanted most was to go home and hug his five sons for the first time in years.
But he knew the coronavirus had rampaged through Angola, and he'd never received a test.
"I felt like it was a must because I didn't know my own fate being released," he recalls. "I was fearful that — me not being tested and knowing my fate coming home — was to bring that virus home to my family and friends that was waiting on me to get out of prison."
It took him four days to get the result. It was negative. Then he went home and hugged his kids.
Jolie Myers edited the audio story. Maureen Pao edited the Web story.


npr--2020-12-24--'All Is Not Calm': Congress Scrambles After Trump Blasts COVID-19 Relief Package

'All Is Not Calm ' : Congress Scrambles After Trump Blasts COVID-19 Relief Package With millions of Americans waiting for desperately needed economic aid , a massive relief package remains in limbo as President Trump weighs whether to sign it into law .
On Thursday morning , House Republicans blocked a last-minute move by Democrats to increase direct payments , an effort to capitalize on Trump 's comments that the relief payments in the newly passed legislation should be increased from $ 600 to $ 2,000 .
In turn , House Democrats blocked a dueling unanimous consent request brought by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section of the omnibus bill .
This Christmas showdown was teed up by Trump 's comments in a video he released Tuesday evening on Twitter , where he heavily criticized the relief package Congress passed on Monday .
He slammed the legislation on a variety of fronts , including his complaint that too much money was being allocated to foreign aid and that the direct payments of $ 600 for qualifying Americans was too low .
Instead , he argued the figure should be boosted to $ 2,000 per person or $ 4,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had argued for months against higher direct payments .
In a letter to House Republicans Wednesday night , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , accused Democrats of having `` selective hearing '' for only heeding Trump 's call for increasing stimulus payments for Americans but not for reducing expenditures on international aid .
That aid is part of a larger spending package for fiscal year 2021 that is attached to the COVID-19 relief bill .
`` They have conveniently ignored the concerns expressed by the President , and shared by our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how our tax dollars are spent overseas while so many of our neighbors at home are struggling to make ends meet , '' the letter said .
In a statement Thursday morning , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , vowed House members will return on Monday to hold a recorded vote on a stand-alone bill to increase economic impact payments to $ 2,000 .
`` Today , on Christmas Eve morning , House Republicans cruelly deprived the American people of the $ 2,000 that the President agreed to support , '' Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious about the $ 2,000 direct payments , he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction . ''
In the meantime , the combined coronavirus aid and spending bill hangs in the balance .
In a press conference following the House session , Rep. Debbie Dingell , D-Mich. , who presided over the morning 's session , was adamant that Trump should sign the legislation before him immediately and not veto it as he implied he might do .
`` It is Christmas Eve .
But it is not a silent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For too many , nothing is bright .
And for too many , they are not sleeping peacefully , '' she said .
`` I 've been talking to people who are scared they 're going to be kicked out from their homes during the Christmas holidays and still might be if we do n't sign this bill .
A father who called me two weeks ago and he said to me he had told his child that Santa Claus could n't come this year but he wanted to be able to feed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Was this bill perfect ?
No , but it was a down payment on getting COVID relief to the people of this country . ''
Congress ' bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed Monday after months of heated negotiations and included more than $ 900 billion in aid for individuals and small businesses .
Speaking to reporters Thursday , Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, said he is opposed to renegotiating the foreign aid component of legislation .
`` It took us a long time to get to where we are .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mistake , '' he said .
Should Trump veto the legislation , Congress has the ability to override his veto with an additional vote .
If Trump does not sign the package by Monday , a current stopgap funding measure will run out , and the government would go into a shutdown .

'All Is Not Calm': Congress Scrambles After Trump Blasts COVID-19 Relief Package
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Updated at 3:55 p.m. ET
With millions of Americans waiting for desperately needed economic aid, a massive relief package remains in limbo as President Trump weighs whether to sign it into law.
On Thursday morning, House Republicans blocked a last-minute move by Democrats to increase direct payments, an effort to capitalize on Trump's comments that the relief payments in the newly passed legislation should be increased from $600 to $2,000.
In turn, House Democrats blocked a dueling unanimous consent request brought by Republicans that would revisit the foreign aid section of the omnibus bill.
This Christmas showdown was teed up by Trump's comments in a video he released Tuesday evening on Twitter, where he heavily criticized the relief package Congress passed on Monday.
He slammed the legislation on a variety of fronts, including his complaint that too much money was being allocated to foreign aid and that the direct payments of $600 for qualifying Americans was too low. Instead, he argued the figure should be boosted to $2,000 per person or $4,000 per couple — even though Republican negotiators had argued for months against higher direct payments.
In a letter to House Republicans Wednesday night, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., accused Democrats of having "selective hearing" for only heeding Trump's call for increasing stimulus payments for Americans but not for reducing expenditures on international aid. That aid is part of a larger spending package for fiscal year 2021 that is attached to the COVID-19 relief bill.
"They have conveniently ignored the concerns expressed by the President, and shared by our constituents, that we ought to reexamine how our tax dollars are spent overseas while so many of our neighbors at home are struggling to make ends meet," the letter said.
In a statement Thursday morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., vowed House members will return on Monday to hold a recorded vote on a stand-alone bill to increase economic impact payments to $2,000.
"Today, on Christmas Eve morning, House Republicans cruelly deprived the American people of the $2,000 that the President agreed to support," Pelosi wrote. "If the President is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction."
In the meantime, the combined coronavirus aid and spending bill hangs in the balance.
In a press conference following the House session, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., who presided over the morning's session, was adamant that Trump should sign the legislation before him immediately and not veto it as he implied he might do.
"It is Christmas Eve. But it is not a silent night. All is not calm. For too many, nothing is bright. And for too many, they are not sleeping peacefully," she said.
"I've been talking to people who are scared they're going to be kicked out from their homes during the Christmas holidays and still might be if we don't sign this bill. A father who called me two weeks ago and he said to me he had told his child that Santa Claus couldn't come this year but he wanted to be able to feed her for Christmas."
Dingell added: "Was this bill perfect? No, but it was a down payment on getting COVID relief to the people of this country."
Congress' bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed Monday after months of heated negotiations and included more than $900 billion in aid for individuals and small businesses.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said he is opposed to renegotiating the foreign aid component of legislation.
"It took us a long time to get to where we are. I think reopening that bill would be a mistake," he said.
Should Trump veto the legislation, Congress has the ability to override his veto with an additional vote. If Trump does not sign the package by Monday, a current stopgap funding measure will run out, and the government would go into a shutdown.


npr--2020-12-24--For Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me ... Hand Sanitizer, Because It's 2020

For Christmas , My True Love Gave To Me ... Hand Sanitizer , Because It 's 2020 On the first day of Christmas , my true love gave to me ... hand sanitizer , a spray can of Lysol , a big box of TP and a cleaning gizmo for keys and phones .
All year , cleaning products have been flying off the shelves — now , they 're flying straight into Christmas stockings and wrapping paper .
Holiday-season sales of sanitizing wipes and sprays have doubled this year , according to Nielsen .
Sales of hand sanitizer have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , 'Oh , yeah , remember back in 2020 , when we all had a bottle of scented hand sanitizer in our stockings ? '
`` says Charles Kopec , a neuroscience researcher from New Jersey who 's also gifting his wife 's parents a UV-light box to help keep their cellphones a bit cleaner .
Whether as a joke or something serious and practical — or both — coronavirus essentials make for no-brainer holiday presents .
Fancy soaps and face masks !
Bedazzled face shields !
Little bottles with hooks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a retired forensic accountant from California , is a longtime home-necessities gifting proponent , and her family has been giving pandemic-themed gifts all year .
For her daughter 's birthday , Lopez assembled a basket of lockdown-survival aids , including Clorox cleaning spray , some money on a gift card , two candy-filled wine glasses and a bottle of wine .
Her daughter replicated this basket for her friends for the holidays , adding also toilet paper and jigsaw puzzles .
Gifts of sanitation tend to be an add-on to other items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dose of pandemic reality on top of regular gifts .
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse , categories selling particularly well are electronics , home furnishings and athleisure clothes .
On a recent run to Costco just outside Washington , D.C. , banking analyst Ritesh Ranjan spotted a 2020 unicorn : a five pack of Clorox wipes .
He remembered friends mentioning they had trouble finding them .
`` Hopefully it 'll remind them of the conversation we have had about it , and hopefully it helps , '' Ranjan said .
But later he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wipes that are so rare these days : `` Did [ I ] steer the product away from someone who would need it much more urgently ? ''
he pondered .
`` After I bought this one , I decided I 'm not going to buy any more of these for gifts . ''
Kathleen Murray , a teacher from Virginia Beach , Va. , also never expected to be gifting cleaning products for the holidays .
But she came across some holiday-themed hand sanitizers , with scents like vanilla and Christmas cookies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It at least cheers you up , '' she said .
`` You have to use it regardless .
But if it smells like gingerbread , I 'd rather use that . ''
The sanitizers went into her Advent calendars for family members , as little daily gifts alongside candy , festive face masks and other pandemic essentials .
Asked if all these sanitation-themed gifts felt just a little bit sad , she laughed .
`` I guess a bit sad , '' Murray said .
`` But also like — if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to give them safety .
I would love to be able to give them all the vaccine , but you obviously ca n't do that .
It 's the closest thing to safety that you can give them . ''

For Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me ... Hand Sanitizer, Because It's 2020
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nicholas Murray Nicholas Murray
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... hand sanitizer, a spray can of Lysol, a big box of TP and a cleaning gizmo for keys and phones.
All year, cleaning products have been flying off the shelves — now, they're flying straight into Christmas stockings and wrapping paper. Holiday-season sales of sanitizing wipes and sprays have doubled this year, according to Nielsen. Sales of hand sanitizer have more than quadrupled.
"You can say, 'Oh, yeah, remember back in 2020, when we all had a bottle of scented hand sanitizer in our stockings?' " says Charles Kopec, a neuroscience researcher from New Jersey who's also gifting his wife's parents a UV-light box to help keep their cellphones a bit cleaner.
Whether as a joke or something serious and practical — or both — coronavirus essentials make for no-brainer holiday presents. Fancy soaps and face masks! Bedazzled face shields! Little bottles with hooks for sanitizing on the go!
toggle caption Juliet Tablerion
Mary Lopez, a retired forensic accountant from California, is a longtime home-necessities gifting proponent, and her family has been giving pandemic-themed gifts all year.
For her daughter's birthday, Lopez assembled a basket of lockdown-survival aids, including Clorox cleaning spray, some money on a gift card, two candy-filled wine glasses and a bottle of wine. Her daughter replicated this basket for her friends for the holidays, adding also toilet paper and jigsaw puzzles.
Gifts of sanitation tend to be an add-on to other items people are exchanging this year — a dose of pandemic reality on top of regular gifts. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, categories selling particularly well are electronics, home furnishings and athleisure clothes.
On a recent run to Costco just outside Washington, D.C., banking analyst Ritesh Ranjan spotted a 2020 unicorn: a five pack of Clorox wipes. He remembered friends mentioning they had trouble finding them. "Hopefully it'll remind them of the conversation we have had about it, and hopefully it helps," Ranjan said.
But later he felt a bit guilty for snatching those wipes that are so rare these days: "Did [I] steer the product away from someone who would need it much more urgently?" he pondered. "After I bought this one, I decided I'm not going to buy any more of these for gifts."
Kathleen Murray, a teacher from Virginia Beach, Va., also never expected to be gifting cleaning products for the holidays. But she came across some holiday-themed hand sanitizers, with scents like vanilla and Christmas cookies, and couldn't resist.
"It at least cheers you up," she said. "You have to use it regardless. But if it smells like gingerbread, I'd rather use that."
The sanitizers went into her Advent calendars for family members, as little daily gifts alongside candy, festive face masks and other pandemic essentials. Asked if all these sanitation-themed gifts felt just a little bit sad, she laughed.
"I guess a bit sad," Murray said. "But also like — if you could give anyone a gift, you want to give them safety. I would love to be able to give them all the vaccine, but you obviously can't do that. It's the closest thing to safety that you can give them."


npr--2020-12-24--'Time To Leave Brexit Behind': EU And U.K. Agree To Last-Minute Trade Deal

'Time To Leave Brexit Behind ' : EU And U.K. Agree To Last-Minute Trade Deal With the clock ticking down , the United Kingdom and the European Union finally agreed to a free trade deal a week before the Brexit transition period ends and 4 1/2 years since Britons voted in a landmark referendum to leave the EU .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the agreement as a way for the country 's businesses to continue to have tariff-free and quota-free access to the massive EU market while delivering on the promise of the 2016 Brexit campaign .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws and our destiny , '' said Johnson , speaking from No .
10 Downing Street .
`` British laws will be made solely by the British Parliament .
... We will be able to set our own standards . ''
Even as he was effectively completing the final steps in Britain 's divorce from the EU , Johnson tried to present their future relationship in a warm light .
`` We will be your friend , your ally , your supporter , '' he said .
In Brussels , European Commission President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said she is usually joyful at the end of negotiations , but in this case , she felt relief .
And , she suggested , some sadness .
`` Parting is such sweet sorrow , '' said von der Leyen , quoting Britain 's most famous author .
`` To all Europeans , '' she added , `` it is time to leave Brexit behind , our future is made in Europe . ''
The two sides were able to reach agreement by resolving a difficult dispute over the EU 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson said the U.K. share of fish would rise from half of the catch today to two-thirds after more than five years .
Fish account for less than 1 % of the British economy , but played an outsize role in negotiations .
The powerful 2016 slogan of `` take back control '' from the EU , applied not just to laws , but also fishing waters .
The U.K. and the EU also found agreement on what 's known as the `` level playing field '' — adherence to regulations on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidies that ensure businesses in one country , in this case the U.K. , do n't enjoy an unfair advantage over those in the EU .
The deal averts a worst-case divorce that would have hurt the EU economy but damaged the British economy even more .
Had the U.K. walked away from the EU single market of nearly 450 million consumers empty-handed , the country could have lost more than 8 % of growth in per capita income over the next decade , according to The UK in a Changing Europe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A so-called no-deal Brexit also threatened to engulf British ports in regulatory and customs chaos at the turn of the year .
The U.K. got a glimpse of what that could look like last weekend when France closed the border after a coronavirus variant that scientists believe is much more infectious spread throughout London and southeastern England .
The border closure caught the British government off guard and stranded thousands of trucks around the Port of Dover .
France reopened the border Wednesday , but said that travelers and truckers — most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English Channel unless they tested negative for the coronavirus .
The new trade deal is what is known as a hard Brexit , meaning the British and EU economies will no longer have the close regulatory alignment they 've enjoyed for decades .
Economists say that even with the deal , Britain 's per capita income will be 6.4 % lower over the next decade than it would 've been if the U.K. had remained part of the EU .
Johnson insists that leaving the EU will benefit the U.K. in the long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain to negotiate independent free trade deals with other major economies , such as the United States and China , unencumbered by the bureaucracy , regulations and collective decision-making in Brussels , where the union is headquartered .
Being part of the European Union has meant U.K. companies could trade smoothly with Europe without tariffs or customs checks as if they were inside the same country .
But one price of membership had been that EU citizens were allowed to live and work visa-free inside the U.K .
It was amid anxiety over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 and voted to leave the EU .
The U.K. has spent most of this year in a transition period , which ends Dec. 31 .
Disruptions and backups at ports are could well follow as customs controls and new processes come into force at EU borders .
To minimize delays , the British government has told U.K. truckers that they will have to obtain a permit to enter the county of Kent , home to the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel on the channel .
The deal still requires approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The European Parliament is expected to approve the deal retroactively next month .
But this agreement begins to draw to a close one of the most tumultuous chapters in contemporary British history .
Brexit toppled two prime ministers — David Cameron and Theresa May — caused chaos in the U.K. Parliament and weakened the country 's economy as well as its standing in the world .
After decades in the European Union , which was designed to promote peace and prosperity after two world wars , the island nation of nearly 67 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many political analysts are skeptical of the move and view it as one of the greatest self-inflicted wounds by a major democracy in many years .
The repercussions may be far from over .
Scotland voted against Brexit and many Scots feel they are being torn out of the EU against their will .
Brexit and the British government 's mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic has fueled support for Scottish independence .
`` There is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us , '' tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's time to chart our own future as an independent , European nation . ''
The ultimate timing of the end of the Brexit saga is especially bad .
The U.K. continues to grapple with the pandemic , which has killed more than 69,000 people — one of Europe 's highest death tolls .
Gross domestic product in Britain is expected to fall by 11 % this year .
That would be the largest drop since the Great Frost of 1709 , when temperatures plunged in large parts of Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people in France and devastating economies .

'Time To Leave Brexit Behind': EU And U.K. Agree To Last-Minute Trade Deal
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Updated at 3:20 p.m. ET
With the clock ticking down, the United Kingdom and the European Union finally agreed to a free trade deal a week before the Brexit transition period ends and 4 1/2 years since Britons voted in a landmark referendum to leave the EU.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the agreement as a way for the country's businesses to continue to have tariff-free and quota-free access to the massive EU market while delivering on the promise of the 2016 Brexit campaign.
"We've taken back control of our laws and our destiny," said Johnson, speaking from No. 10 Downing Street. "British laws will be made solely by the British Parliament. ... We will be able to set our own standards."
Even as he was effectively completing the final steps in Britain's divorce from the EU, Johnson tried to present their future relationship in a warm light. "We will be your friend, your ally, your supporter," he said.
In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was more reflective. She said she is usually joyful at the end of negotiations, but in this case, she felt relief. And, she suggested, some sadness.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Francisco Seco/AP Francisco Seco/AP
"Parting is such sweet sorrow," said von der Leyen, quoting Britain's most famous author. "To all Europeans," she added, "it is time to leave Brexit behind, our future is made in Europe."
The two sides were able to reach agreement by resolving a difficult dispute over the EU's continued access to British fishing waters. Johnson said the U.K. share of fish would rise from half of the catch today to two-thirds after more than five years.
Fish account for less than 1% of the British economy, but played an outsize role in negotiations. The powerful 2016 slogan of "take back control" from the EU, applied not just to laws, but also fishing waters.
The U.K. and the EU also found agreement on what's known as the "level playing field" — adherence to regulations on the environment, workers' rights and state subsidies that ensure businesses in one country, in this case the U.K., don't enjoy an unfair advantage over those in the EU.
The deal averts a worst-case divorce that would have hurt the EU economy but damaged the British economy even more. Had the U.K. walked away from the EU single market of nearly 450 million consumers empty-handed, the country could have lost more than 8% of growth in per capita income over the next decade, according to The UK in a Changing Europe, a leading group of academic researchers. A so-called no-deal Brexit also threatened to engulf British ports in regulatory and customs chaos at the turn of the year.
The U.K. got a glimpse of what that could look like last weekend when France closed the border after a coronavirus variant that scientists believe is much more infectious spread throughout London and southeastern England. The border closure caught the British government off guard and stranded thousands of trucks around the Port of Dover. France reopened the border Wednesday, but said that travelers and truckers — most of them European — could not cross the English Channel unless they tested negative for the coronavirus.
The new trade deal is what is known as a hard Brexit, meaning the British and EU economies will no longer have the close regulatory alignment they've enjoyed for decades. Economists say that even with the deal, Britain's per capita income will be 6.4% lower over the next decade than it would've been if the U.K. had remained part of the EU.
Johnson insists that leaving the EU will benefit the U.K. in the long run. He says it will allow Britain to negotiate independent free trade deals with other major economies, such as the United States and China, unencumbered by the bureaucracy, regulations and collective decision-making in Brussels, where the union is headquartered.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Grover/AP Paul Grover/AP
Being part of the European Union has meant U.K. companies could trade smoothly with Europe without tariffs or customs checks as if they were inside the same country. But one price of membership had been that EU citizens were allowed to live and work visa-free inside the U.K. It was amid anxiety over migration that British voters stunned the world in 2016 and voted to leave the EU.
The U.K. has spent most of this year in a transition period, which ends Dec. 31. Disruptions and backups at ports are could well follow as customs controls and new processes come into force at EU borders.
To minimize delays, the British government has told U.K. truckers that they will have to obtain a permit to enter the county of Kent, home to the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel on the channel.
The deal still requires approval by the British Parliament next week. The European Parliament is expected to approve the deal retroactively next month. But this agreement begins to draw to a close one of the most tumultuous chapters in contemporary British history.
Brexit toppled two prime ministers — David Cameron and Theresa May — caused chaos in the U.K. Parliament and weakened the country's economy as well as its standing in the world. After decades in the European Union, which was designed to promote peace and prosperity after two world wars, the island nation of nearly 67 million people will strike out on its own. Many political analysts are skeptical of the move and view it as one of the greatest self-inflicted wounds by a major democracy in many years.
The repercussions may be far from over. Scotland voted against Brexit and many Scots feel they are being torn out of the EU against their will. Brexit and the British government's mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic has fueled support for Scottish independence.
"There is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us," tweeted Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Thursday. "It's time to chart our own future as an independent, European nation."
The ultimate timing of the end of the Brexit saga is especially bad. The U.K. continues to grapple with the pandemic, which has killed more than 69,000 people — one of Europe's highest death tolls. Gross domestic product in Britain is expected to fall by 11% this year. That would be the largest drop since the Great Frost of 1709, when temperatures plunged in large parts of Europe, destroying crops, killing hundreds of thousands of people in France and devastating economies.


npr--2020-12-25--'We Feel Safe': Americans Keep Visiting Mexico Despite Pandemic Risks

'We Feel Safe ' : Americans Keep Visiting Mexico Despite Pandemic Risks U.S. tourists are n't welcome in most countries around the world because of the high number of coronavirus cases surging in the United States .
But at least one country is keeping its borders open : Mexico .
And many Americans , keen to escape the cold or lockdowns , are flocking to its stunning beaches .
On a recent weekend in Cabo San Lucas , one of Mexico 's top tourist destinations , Sharlea Watkins and her friends downed beers at a restaurant overlooking the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here — it 's beautiful , '' said Watkins , pointing to the huge yachts and fishing boats dotting the crystal blue harbor .
`` And it 's warm , '' she added .
Back in Boise , Idaho , where all the friends live , it has been in the 30s .
And the months indoors have been tough .
In Los Cabos , which includes the sister cities of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo , it 's a different story .
`` There 's no restrictions .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
Mexico has the fourth-highest death total from COVID-19 in the world and is experiencing a surge in infections and hospitalizations in the capital and its surrounding suburbs .
Despite that and fast-rising case numbers in other countries like the United States , Mexico does n't require travelers to show proof of a negative coronavirus test or to quarantine upon arrival .
So when two of Watkins ' friends decided to tie the knot and wedding venues at home were closed because of the pandemic , the group went south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who builds homes in Boise , was performing the nuptials .
`` I 'm an ordained minister , ordained through the Internet , '' he said , drawing raucous laughter from all the friends .
He said he had the couple jot down their vows at the bar and they 'd read the vows once out on a rented boat beside Los Cabos ' signature landmark rock-arch formation .
Tourism officials are cheering the return of tourists , especially those from the United States .
Figures for October , the last month available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans arrived in Mexico by plane .
Early on in the pandemic , in late March , Los Cabos shut down entirely .
With nearly 80 % of jobs in the region dependent on tourism , the losses were huge .
According to Mexico 's National Institute of Statistics and Geography , tourism lost more jobs than any other industry .
Nearly a third of all businesses in Baja California Sur , the state where Los Cabos is located , closed down .
And a warning in late November by the U.S. Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against travel to Mexico seemed to threaten even greater job loss .
There have also been news reports that American tourists could have contributed to coronavirus outbreaks in Mexico .
But Los Cabos officials insist they have instituted tough safety protocols , which they tout in ads running on several travel websites .
In one example , an announcer declares that `` before you visit , get to know the rules in Los Cabos , '' with a frame highlighting mask-wearing that shows a woman snorkeling among fish .
Another frame plugs self-distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lone surfer in vast blue waters .
The state 's tourism secretary , Luis Humberto Araiza , says safety really does come first .
Hotels and restaurants are limited to 50 % capacity , visitors ' temperatures are taken before entering any stores and masks are mandatory .
Police and inspectors monitor the situation , he insists .
Eric Santillán , director of Los Cabos ' civil protection agency , says his agency has sanctioned several hotels and at least eight restaurants for exceeding capacity limits .
Just this month , he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hefty fine totaling about $ 4,000 .
But he admits that with just six inspectors per shift , it 's tough to patrol much of Los Cabos ' resorts and restaurants .
Officials are also helping pay for widespread testing of industry employees , making the state second only to Mexico City for coronavirus testing , says Araiza .
`` We are n't invincible .
Sure you can get infected , but the risk here is much less than in other places , '' he says .
And indeed , virus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradually lift restriction measures in June .
Dr. Enrique Hernández , a trauma specialist in Los Cabos , got COVID-19 back then and says he saw many colleagues die .
`` It 's frustrating seeing tourists and locals alike being irresponsible and not wearing masks now , '' he said .
Throughout the country and especially in Mexico City , hospitals are reaching capacity and deaths are on the rise .
Regardless , Marta Zurita hopes travelers keep coming .
She was recently selling handicrafts at an outdoor holiday bazaar and owns a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year was brutal .
It was n't until the last few weeks that she began to see reservations picking up .
`` We almost called it quits and shut down , '' she says .

'We Feel Safe': Americans Keep Visiting Mexico Despite Pandemic Risks
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alfredo Martinez/Getty Images Alfredo Martinez/Getty Images
U.S. tourists aren't welcome in most countries around the world because of the high number of coronavirus cases surging in the United States. But at least one country is keeping its borders open: Mexico. And many Americans, keen to escape the cold or lockdowns, are flocking to its stunning beaches.
On a recent weekend in Cabo San Lucas, one of Mexico's top tourist destinations, Sharlea Watkins and her friends downed beers at a restaurant overlooking the city's marina.
"Look at it out here — it's beautiful," said Watkins, pointing to the huge yachts and fishing boats dotting the crystal blue harbor.
"And it's warm," she added. Back in Boise, Idaho, where all the friends live, it has been in the 30s. And the months indoors have been tough.
In Los Cabos, which includes the sister cities of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, it's a different story. "There's no restrictions. It's beautiful. We feel safe," she said.
Mexico has the fourth-highest death total from COVID-19 in the world and is experiencing a surge in infections and hospitalizations in the capital and its surrounding suburbs. Despite that and fast-rising case numbers in other countries like the United States, Mexico doesn't require travelers to show proof of a negative coronavirus test or to quarantine upon arrival.
So when two of Watkins' friends decided to tie the knot and wedding venues at home were closed because of the pandemic, the group went south of the border.
Steve Edwards, who builds homes in Boise, was performing the nuptials. "I'm an ordained minister, ordained through the Internet," he said, drawing raucous laughter from all the friends. He said he had the couple jot down their vows at the bar and they'd read the vows once out on a rented boat beside Los Cabos' signature landmark rock-arch formation.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dean Treml/Red Bull via Getty Images Dean Treml/Red Bull via Getty Images
Tourism officials are cheering the return of tourists, especially those from the United States. Figures for October, the last month available, show that nearly half a million Americans arrived in Mexico by plane.
Early on in the pandemic, in late March, Los Cabos shut down entirely. With nearly 80% of jobs in the region dependent on tourism, the losses were huge.
According to Mexico's National Institute of Statistics and Geography, tourism lost more jobs than any other industry. Nearly a third of all businesses in Baja California Sur, the state where Los Cabos is located, closed down.
And a warning in late November by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advising Americans against travel to Mexico seemed to threaten even greater job loss.
There have also been news reports that American tourists could have contributed to coronavirus outbreaks in Mexico.
But Los Cabos officials insist they have instituted tough safety protocols, which they tout in ads running on several travel websites. In one example, an announcer declares that "before you visit, get to know the rules in Los Cabos," with a frame highlighting mask-wearing that shows a woman snorkeling among fish. Another frame plugs self-distancing rules with an enticing scene of a lone surfer in vast blue waters.
The state's tourism secretary, Luis Humberto Araiza, says safety really does come first. Hotels and restaurants are limited to 50% capacity, visitors' temperatures are taken before entering any stores and masks are mandatory. Police and inspectors monitor the situation, he insists.
Eric Santillán, director of Los Cabos' civil protection agency, says his agency has sanctioned several hotels and at least eight restaurants for exceeding capacity limits. Just this month, he says, one event hall was slapped with a hefty fine totaling about $4,000. But he admits that with just six inspectors per shift, it's tough to patrol much of Los Cabos' resorts and restaurants.
Officials are also helping pay for widespread testing of industry employees, making the state second only to Mexico City for coronavirus testing, says Araiza.
"We aren't invincible. Sure you can get infected, but the risk here is much less than in other places," he says.
And indeed, virus cases did spike there after authorities began to gradually lift restriction measures in June.
Dr. Enrique Hernández, a trauma specialist in Los Cabos, got COVID-19 back then and says he saw many colleagues die.
"It's frustrating seeing tourists and locals alike being irresponsible and not wearing masks now," he said.
Throughout the country and especially in Mexico City, hospitals are reaching capacity and deaths are on the rise.
Regardless, Marta Zurita hopes travelers keep coming. She was recently selling handicrafts at an outdoor holiday bazaar and owns a local steakhouse. She says the lockdown earlier this year was brutal. It wasn't until the last few weeks that she began to see reservations picking up.
"We almost called it quits and shut down," she says.


npr--2020-12-25--Fishermen Team Up With Food Banks To Help Hungry Families

Fishermen Team Up With Food Banks To Help Hungry Families As the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard in the spring , fishermen watched their markets dry up .
Restaurants and cafeterias — normally major fish buyers — closed or cut back orders significantly .
Fishermen were n't sure if they were going to get paid for what they brought to the dock .
Meanwhile as people lost jobs , food banks started to see an unprecedented demand for services .
Things were getting desperate , with long lines for food assistance in many states .
Out of these dual crises , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance programs across the country have started connecting with local fishermen to stock up on local seafood , many for the first time .
And the arrangement seems to be helping the fishermen , the economy and those in need of healthy food .
In Massachusetts , the Greater Boston Food Bank , which serves more than 500,000 food-insecure people with its 600-plus network partners , was looking for ideas .
According to Catherine D'Amato , president and CEO , the network usually keeps four or five weeks of food on hand in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and by `` late May ... we found ourselves below one week of inventory and going down rapidly , '' she says .
That 's because the food bank normally distributes about 1 million pounds of food a week , and that became 2 1/2 million pounds of food a week , D'Amato says .
While Congress and the states have boosted funding for food banks , and increased donations of fresh produce , meat , dairy and shelf-stable products during the pandemic , it has n't been enough .
`` For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to work with organizations in the fishing industry , '' D'Amato says .
But it 's complicated .
Fishermen catch a lot of big fish , and food banks who might take it need the products to be cut small and easy to use for clients .
It also has to be fish they know and recognize .
The barriers have been too high in many places to make it work .
But this spring , the state department of agriculture connected the food bank with some grant makers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entities .
They talked to some local fishermen about developing a traditional New England haddock chowder .
Haddock is plentiful in Cape Cod Bay , but it 's not in high demand because it 's rather small and does n't fillet well , according to the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen 's Alliance .
In other words , it 's perfect for chowder .
The grants paid fishermen for their catch and provided seed money for a local manufacturer to process , freeze and deliver the chowder to food banks in family-size servings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a nutrient-rich recipe and to date , we 've received 48,000 pounds .
And now we have started to purchase the product , '' D'Amato says .
`` It 's very tasty and popular . ''
Studies have shown eating just one or two servings of seafood a week can reduce the risk of coronary death by up to 36 % .
And preliminary research into the omega-3 fatty acids found in many types of fish can help treat or protect against age-related cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer 's disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish has also been shown to reduce asthma symptoms in city kids exposed to pollution .
But many people are not sure how to cook fresh seafood , and it can be expensive if you 're on a budget .
That may be why many feeding programs have n't handled a lot of fresh fish .
`` We have handled , you know , your typical fish sticks or fish made with a breading on it , '' D'Amato says — which she says is not necessarily the healthiest option .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it 's easy — just heat and serve .
`` Consumers are used to red meat , poultry in every shape and form .
Pork is sort of further down the list .
We do offer items like tofu .
...
But fish has been a missing component , '' she says .
The chowder , branded as `` Small Boats , Big Taste , '' is helping to feed families and keep fishermen fishing in Massachusetts .
The fishermen hope to sell it in retail stores in the next year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and expand into new seafood products for her clients this winter .
In other parts of the country , local fishermen hurt by COVID-19 are getting to work supplying food banks , too .
Paul Parker is the founder of Catch Together , a nonprofit organization that works with small-scale fishermen to connect the local fishing industry with the local community .
Catch Together provided some of the grants for the chowder project and others around the country .
When the pandemic hit , `` Our first round of funding was to just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their leadership were able to continue their typical programming in 2020 , '' he says .
That means things like fisheries management and keeping consumer markets open .
`` The second phase of our work was to begin doing outreach to commercial fishing organizations and to food banks around the country and try to learn about places where we could help provide fishermen fair wages to go fishing while simultaneously providing great , healthy food for people that needed it , '' Parker says .
Catch Together set out to support up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Americans in need this year .
It 's led to innovative programs that are putting local shrimp in Mississippi food banks and getting sockeye salmon to the needy in Alaska .
Catch Together also gave a $ 53,000 grant to the Commercial Fisherman of Santa Barbara .
The fishermen worked with community partners this summer to get 7,000 pounds of flash-frozen Pacific rockfish , yellowtail , grenadier , white sea bass and black cod fillets into their local food bank .
It was a hit , and they plan to expand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish to soup kitchens as the pandemic continues , says Mike Nelson , the Commercial Fisherman of Santa Barbara 's program officer .
While COVID-19 has caused a lot of hardships , it 's also created new opportunities for fishermen .
The food bank partnership is one part of it .
For fisherman Paul Teall , when his usual restaurant buyers in Los Angeles stopped buying this fall because the county restricted restaurant business to takeout only , selling directly to consumers at a small seafood market on the dock in Santa Barbara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Teall is a longtime Santa Barbara fisherman who sells a variety of seafood native to West Coast waters , including rock crabs and a large sea snail called Kellet 's whelk .
The seafood market has been open to the public for about 30 years .
Once the pandemic started , people who had never come to the market before started showing up , saying they did n't want to risk shopping in grocery stores , Teall says .
`` We 've seen the sales spike — maybe double .
So I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buying in the open air , '' Teall says .
Joseph and Melissa Garrigan of Garrigan Seafood Co. say business has been better at the market lately , too .
They sell giant spider crabs and California spiny lobsters among other things .
The pandemic has `` actually been good for us .
... [ A ] lot of people are coming out and going , 'Wow , I did n't know this [ market ] was here . '
And we feel like the community knows we 're here now , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put up plastic film barriers between themselves and customers , and there 's a cleaning and filleting station .
Everyone at the market has to wear a face covering .
`` We 're doing everything we can to keep the customers safe and provide them with fresh food , '' Teall says .

Fishermen Team Up With Food Banks To Help Hungry Families
Enlarge this image toggle caption April Fulton for NPR April Fulton for NPR
As the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard in the spring, fishermen watched their markets dry up. Restaurants and cafeterias — normally major fish buyers — closed or cut back orders significantly. Fishermen weren't sure if they were going to get paid for what they brought to the dock.
Meanwhile as people lost jobs, food banks started to see an unprecedented demand for services. Things were getting desperate, with long lines for food assistance in many states.
Out of these dual crises, a new idea was born. Food assistance programs across the country have started connecting with local fishermen to stock up on local seafood, many for the first time. And the arrangement seems to be helping the fishermen, the economy and those in need of healthy food.
In Massachusetts, the Greater Boston Food Bank, which serves more than 500,000 food-insecure people with its 600-plus network partners, was looking for ideas.
According to Catherine D'Amato, president and CEO, the network usually keeps four or five weeks of food on hand in case of emergencies.
The pandemic hit, and by "late May ... we found ourselves below one week of inventory and going down rapidly," she says. That's because the food bank normally distributes about 1 million pounds of food a week, and that became 2 1/2 million pounds of food a week, D'Amato says.
While Congress and the states have boosted funding for food banks, and increased donations of fresh produce, meat, dairy and shelf-stable products during the pandemic, it hasn't been enough.
"For many years, we have been wanting to be able to work with organizations in the fishing industry," D'Amato says. But it's complicated. Fishermen catch a lot of big fish, and food banks who might take it need the products to be cut small and easy to use for clients. It also has to be fish they know and recognize.
The barriers have been too high in many places to make it work.
But this spring, the state department of agriculture connected the food bank with some grant makers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other entities. They talked to some local fishermen about developing a traditional New England haddock chowder.
Haddock is plentiful in Cape Cod Bay, but it's not in high demand because it's rather small and doesn't fillet well, according to the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance. In other words, it's perfect for chowder.
The grants paid fishermen for their catch and provided seed money for a local manufacturer to process, freeze and deliver the chowder to food banks in family-size servings.
"We worked with the manufacturer to create a nutrient-rich recipe and to date, we've received 48,000 pounds. And now we have started to purchase the product," D'Amato says. "It's very tasty and popular."
Studies have shown eating just one or two servings of seafood a week can reduce the risk of coronary death by up to 36%. And preliminary research into the omega-3 fatty acids found in many types of fish can help treat or protect against age-related cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Eating more of certain kinds of fish has also been shown to reduce asthma symptoms in city kids exposed to pollution.
But many people are not sure how to cook fresh seafood, and it can be expensive if you're on a budget. That may be why many feeding programs haven't handled a lot of fresh fish.
"We have handled, you know, your typical fish sticks or fish made with a breading on it," D'Amato says — which she says is not necessarily the healthiest option.
But the new chowder is chock-full of vegetables, and it's easy — just heat and serve.
"Consumers are used to red meat, poultry in every shape and form. Pork is sort of further down the list. We do offer items like tofu. ... But fish has been a missing component," she says.
The chowder, branded as "Small Boats, Big Taste," is helping to feed families and keep fishermen fishing in Massachusetts. The fishermen hope to sell it in retail stores in the next year, and D'Amato hopes to purchase more chowder and expand into new seafood products for her clients this winter.
In other parts of the country, local fishermen hurt by COVID-19 are getting to work supplying food banks, too.
Paul Parker is the founder of Catch Together, a nonprofit organization that works with small-scale fishermen to connect the local fishing industry with the local community. Catch Together provided some of the grants for the chowder project and others around the country.
When the pandemic hit, "Our first round of funding was to just make sure that small-scale fishing organizations and their leadership were able to continue their typical programming in 2020," he says. That means things like fisheries management and keeping consumer markets open.
"The second phase of our work was to begin doing outreach to commercial fishing organizations and to food banks around the country and try to learn about places where we could help provide fishermen fair wages to go fishing while simultaneously providing great, healthy food for people that needed it," Parker says.
Enlarge this image toggle caption April Fulton for NPR April Fulton for NPR
Catch Together set out to support up to 10,000 fishermen to provide food for 1 million Americans in need this year. It's led to innovative programs that are putting local shrimp in Mississippi food banks and getting sockeye salmon to the needy in Alaska.
Catch Together also gave a $53,000 grant to the Commercial Fisherman of Santa Barbara. The fishermen worked with community partners this summer to get 7,000 pounds of flash-frozen Pacific rockfish, yellowtail, grenadier, white sea bass and black cod fillets into their local food bank.
It was a hit, and they plan to expand the offerings this winter to include bringing fresh fish to soup kitchens as the pandemic continues, says Mike Nelson, the Commercial Fisherman of Santa Barbara's program officer.
While COVID-19 has caused a lot of hardships, it's also created new opportunities for fishermen. The food bank partnership is one part of it.
For fisherman Paul Teall, when his usual restaurant buyers in Los Angeles stopped buying this fall because the county restricted restaurant business to takeout only, selling directly to consumers at a small seafood market on the dock in Santa Barbara suddenly became a lot more important.
Teall is a longtime Santa Barbara fisherman who sells a variety of seafood native to West Coast waters, including rock crabs and a large sea snail called Kellet's whelk.
The seafood market has been open to the public for about 30 years. Once the pandemic started, people who had never come to the market before started showing up, saying they didn't want to risk shopping in grocery stores, Teall says.
"We've seen the sales spike — maybe double. So I think a lot more people are feeling comfortable buying in the open air," Teall says.
Enlarge this image toggle caption April Fulton for NPR April Fulton for NPR
Joseph and Melissa Garrigan of Garrigan Seafood Co. say business has been better at the market lately, too. They sell giant spider crabs and California spiny lobsters among other things.
The pandemic has "actually been good for us. ... [A] lot of people are coming out and going, 'Wow, I didn't know this [market] was here.' And we feel like the community knows we're here now," Joseph Garrigan says.
The fishermen recently put up plastic film barriers between themselves and customers, and there's a cleaning and filleting station. Everyone at the market has to wear a face covering.
"We're doing everything we can to keep the customers safe and provide them with fresh food," Teall says.


npr--2020-12-25--Hank Adams, The 'Most Important Indian,' Dies At 77

Hank Adams , The 'Most Important Indian , ' Dies At 77 Native American civil rights advocate Hank Adams died at the age of 77 this week .
Once referred to as the `` most important Indian '' by Native American rights advocate and author Vine Deloria Jr. , Adams was central to the fight to uphold tribal treaty rights during the 1960s and 1970s .
`` An indispensable leader , and essential follower and a brilliant strategist , he shaped more Native American civil , human and treaty rights policies than most people even know are important or why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in its announcement of Adams ' death .
Adams was a Assiniboine-Sioux and a member of the Franks Landing Indian Community .
He died at St. Peter 's hospital in Olympia , Wash. on Dec. 21 .
According to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian , Adams was born on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana and raised on the Quinault Reservation in Washington State .
In 1963 , Adams joined the National Indian Youth Council and began focusing on tribal treaty rights -- just as the issue was sparking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments .
In the mid-1800 's , the U.S. entered into a series of treaties with tribes in what is now the state of Washington .
Those treaties contained language reserving the tribes ' right to fish `` in common with the citizens of the Territory . ''
Native American communities believed those fishing rights gave tribes the ability to supersede any state regulation .
But sports fisherman , local governments , and some state courts argued their fishing rules should apply to the Native American community .
In the 1960s , Northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize their tribal fishing rights as the treaties dictated .
Adams is most well-known for his work protesting state fishing regulations throughout the 1960s and 1970s .
During the Pacific Northwest Fish Wars , Adams was shot and landed in jail several times for protesting .
He also served as a close advisor to several tribal leaders in the Northwest during that struggle .
The battle of treaty rights and tribal sovereignty eventually reached a federal district court in Washington state .
It was ultimately decided by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Adams directly represented tribal fishing people during the trial in 1974 .
In a win for tribal communities , the federal appeals court affirmed in its opinion called the Boldt Decision that Native Americans generally retained hunting and fishing rights in their historic territories according to previously negotiated treaties .
Adams was active in the American Indian Movement , a grassroots movement focused on addressing systemic issues of poverty and inequality for Native Americans .
He joined the group 's Trail of Broken Treaties march across the country in 1972 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Indian Affairs offices in Washington , D.C .
He helped resolve that occupation as well as one involving hundreds of people at Wounded Knee a year later .
During negotiations over the occupation at the Bureau of Indian Affairs , Adams drafted the `` 20 Points , '' a statement viewed as essential in the history of treaty rights , according to the Museum of the American Indian .
Until his death , he continued to advocate for Native young people 's education on treaty rights and for their participation in their @ @ @ @

Hank Adams, The 'Most Important Indian,' Dies At 77
Enlarge this image toggle caption Anonymous/AP Anonymous/AP
Native American civil rights advocate Hank Adams died at the age of 77 this week.
Once referred to as the "most important Indian" by Native American rights advocate and author Vine Deloria Jr., Adams was central to the fight to uphold tribal treaty rights during the 1960s and 1970s.
"An indispensable leader, and essential follower and a brilliant strategist, he shaped more Native American civil, human and treaty rights policies than most people even know are important or why," the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission said in its announcement of Adams' death.
Adams was a Assiniboine-Sioux and a member of the Franks Landing Indian Community. He died at St. Peter's hospital in Olympia, Wash. on Dec. 21.
Fight over treaty rights
According to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Adams was born on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana and raised on the Quinault Reservation in Washington State.
In 1963, Adams joined the National Indian Youth Council and began focusing on tribal treaty rights--just as the issue was sparking conflicts between Native American communities and local governments.
In the mid-1800's, the U.S. entered into a series of treaties with tribes in what is now the state of Washington. Those treaties contained language reserving the tribes' right to fish "in common with the citizens of the Territory."
Native American communities believed those fishing rights gave tribes the ability to supersede any state regulation. But sports fisherman, local governments, and some state courts argued their fishing rules should apply to the Native American community. In the 1960s, Northwest tribes called on the federal government to recognize their tribal fishing rights as the treaties dictated.
Adams is most well-known for his work protesting state fishing regulations throughout the 1960s and 1970s. During the Pacific Northwest Fish Wars, Adams was shot and landed in jail several times for protesting. He also served as a close advisor to several tribal leaders in the Northwest during that struggle.
The battle of treaty rights and tribal sovereignty eventually reached a federal district court in Washington state. It was ultimately decided by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals with the case, U.S. v. Washington. Adams directly represented tribal fishing people during the trial in 1974.
In a win for tribal communities, the federal appeals court affirmed in its opinion called the Boldt Decision that Native Americans generally retained hunting and fishing rights in their historic territories according to previously negotiated treaties.
Other progressive acts
Adams was active in the American Indian Movement, a grassroots movement focused on addressing systemic issues of poverty and inequality for Native Americans. He joined the group's Trail of Broken Treaties march across the country in 1972. The protest ended with participants occupying the Bureau of Indian Affairs offices in Washington, D.C. He helped resolve that occupation as well as one involving hundreds of people at Wounded Knee a year later.
During negotiations over the occupation at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Adams drafted the "20 Points," a statement viewed as essential in the history of treaty rights, according to the Museum of the American Indian.
Until his death, he continued to advocate for Native young people's education on treaty rights and for their participation in their community's affairs.


npr--2020-12-25--U.S. Now Requires All U.K. Travelers To Have A Negative Coronavirus Test

U.S. Now Requires All U.K. Travelers To Have A Negative Coronavirus Test The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that all travelers coming from the United Kingdom must present a negative coronavirus test no more than 72 hours before taking a flight to the U.S .
The new mandate comes after a new variant of the coronavirus spread across England .
So far , the new variant , which contains 17 mutations , appears more transmissible and harder to control .
England reported a new record of confirmed COVID-19 cases , now reaching more than 2.1 million cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University .
This move by the CDC falls short of an all-out ban to U.K. travelers that other countries , including Canada and many European nations , have implemented following news of the variant 's outbreak .
This decision follows an executive order signed by President Trump on March 14 that suspended the entry of foreign nationals who visited the U.K. in the previous 14 days .
That reduced air travel between the two countries to about 90 % .
`` This additional testing requirement will fortify our protection of the American public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure responsible international travel , '' the CDC said in a statement .
Under these new rules , passengers must get a viral test that can detect current infections within three days of their flight .
Travelers must then provide airlines with documentation of their results .
The CDC order is set to be signed Christmas Day , and will become effective Dec. 28 .
The CDC 's actions establish a nationwide standard on testing requirements for U.K. travelers .
Prior to the agency 's mandate , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delta to require negative COVID-19 tests before a departure to the U.S .

U.S. Now Requires All U.K. Travelers To Have A Negative Coronavirus Test
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images Mario Tama/Getty Images
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that all travelers coming from the United Kingdom must present a negative coronavirus test no more than 72 hours before taking a flight to the U.S.
The new mandate comes after a new variant of the coronavirus spread across England. So far, the new variant, which contains 17 mutations, appears more transmissible and harder to control. England reported a new record of confirmed COVID-19 cases, now reaching more than 2.1 million cases on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
This move by the CDC falls short of an all-out ban to U.K. travelers that other countries, including Canada and many European nations, have implemented following news of the variant's outbreak.
This decision follows an executive order signed by President Trump on March 14 that suspended the entry of foreign nationals who visited the U.K. in the previous 14 days. That reduced air travel between the two countries to about 90%.
"This additional testing requirement will fortify our protection of the American public to improve their health and safety and ensure responsible international travel," the CDC said in a statement.
Under these new rules, passengers must get a viral test that can detect current infections within three days of their flight. Travelers must then provide airlines with documentation of their results. The CDC order is set to be signed Christmas Day, and will become effective Dec. 28.
The CDC's actions establish a nationwide standard on testing requirements for U.K. travelers. Prior to the agency's mandate, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo pressed Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Delta to require negative COVID-19 tests before a departure to the U.S.


npr--2020-12-24--Man Charged With Killing Journalist Daniel Pearl Ordered Released By Pakistan Court

A provincial court in Pakistan ordered the release of a man charged with the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl , the latest twist in the court case concerning Pearl 's abduction and gruesome killing nearly two decades ago .
In an order issued Thursday , the Sindh High Court in Karachi said Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh , a British national , must be released from government detention by Dec. 27 .
In April the same court partially overturned Sheikh 's conviction and death sentence for the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Pearl in the southern port city .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidnapping Sheikh , and ordered him released from jail for time served .
Another three accomplices had their convictions overturned completely and were also ordered released .
The government convinced the court to keep the men in detention pending their appeal .
Faiz Shah , prosecutor general for Sindh province , said he would again try to prevent Sheikh 's release , following the latest court order .
The court 's decision earlier this year to overturn the rulings shocked the U.S. government , journalist advocacy groups and Pearl 's family and friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and friends were blindsided , '' said Asra Nomani , a family friend of the Pearls .
She spoke to NPR after Sheikh 's conviction was overturned .
In a statement issued Thursday on Twitter , the U.S. State Department said it was `` deeply concerned '' about the court 's decision `` to release multiple terrorists responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl . ''
`` We continue to stand with the Pearl family through this extremely difficult process , '' the statement said .
At the time of his death , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street Journal .
He had been reporting on the connections between Pakistani religious militants and the so-called shoe bomber Richard Reid , when he went missing in January 2002 .
Sheikh was convicted of masterminding Pearl 's kidnapping by luring him to a meeting in Karachi , Pakistan 's largest city and commercial capital .
The manner of Pearl 's death was a portent of how Islamist extremists would use cinematic violence against innocents in subsequent years .
A videotape of Pearl answering his captors ' questions , followed by his beheading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General in Karachi and posted on the Internet .
It identified Pearl as a Jew and was explicitly anti-Semitic .
In 2007 , Khalid Sheikh Mohammed , alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks in the United States , told a U.S. military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , that he had decapitated Pearl .
The Pakistani government and Pearl 's family are separately appealing the decision to release Sheikh in the country 's Supreme Court .
The next hearing is expected on January 5 .
In the order , the Sindh High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men would not be allowed to leave the country until the court had ruled on the case .
But the court also directed that none of the men `` be placed under preventative detention , '' it wrote , `` without the prior permission of the court . ''

Man Charged With Killing Journalist Daniel Pearl Ordered Released By Pakistan Court
Enlarge this image toggle caption Getty Images/Getty Images Getty Images/Getty Images
A provincial court in Pakistan ordered the release of a man charged with the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl, the latest twist in the court case concerning Pearl's abduction and gruesome killing nearly two decades ago.
In an order issued Thursday, the Sindh High Court in Karachi said Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a British national, must be released from government detention by Dec. 27.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Zia Mazhar/AP Zia Mazhar/AP
In April the same court partially overturned Sheikh's conviction and death sentence for the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Pearl in the southern port city. The court said Sheikh was guilty of only kidnapping Sheikh, and ordered him released from jail for time served. Another three accomplices had their convictions overturned completely and were also ordered released.
The government convinced the court to keep the men in detention pending their appeal. Faiz Shah, prosecutor general for Sindh province, said he would again try to prevent Sheikh's release, following the latest court order.
The court's decision earlier this year to overturn the rulings shocked the U.S. government, journalist advocacy groups and Pearl's family and friends.
"All of Danny's family and friends were blindsided," said Asra Nomani, a family friend of the Pearls. She spoke to NPR after Sheikh's conviction was overturned.
In a statement issued Thursday on Twitter, the U.S. State Department said it was "deeply concerned" about the court's decision "to release multiple terrorists responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl."
"We continue to stand with the Pearl family through this extremely difficult process," the statement said.
At the time of his death, Pearl was a foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. He had been reporting on the connections between Pakistani religious militants and the so-called shoe bomber Richard Reid, when he went missing in January 2002. Sheikh was convicted of masterminding Pearl's kidnapping by luring him to a meeting in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and commercial capital.
The manner of Pearl's death was a portent of how Islamist extremists would use cinematic violence against innocents in subsequent years. A videotape of Pearl answering his captors' questions, followed by his beheading, was sent to the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi and posted on the Internet. It identified Pearl as a Jew and was explicitly anti-Semitic.
In 2007, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks in the United States, told a U.S. military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that he had decapitated Pearl.
The Pakistani government and Pearl's family are separately appealing the decision to release Sheikh in the country's Supreme Court. The next hearing is expected on January 5.
In the order, the Sindh High Court said Sheikh and the three other men would not be allowed to leave the country until the court had ruled on the case. But the court also directed that none of the men "be placed under preventative detention," it wrote, "without the prior permission of the court."