npr--2020-03-17--Ships, Planes And Other Spots Are Getting A 'Deep Clean.' What's That Mean?

Ships , Planes And Other Spots Are Getting A 'Deep Clean . '
What 's That Mean ?
The Diamond Princess cruise ship .
A Georgetown church in Washington , D.C. A Latin American restaurant in Raleigh , N.C. A hotel in Oklahoma City .
Two Broadway theaters in New York City .
All announced that they 've undergone a `` deep clean '' in recent weeks after discovering that a person infected with the novel coronavirus had been there .
That 's just the tip of a tall stack of businesses and consumer gathering spots that say they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus is not that different from disinfecting for other viruses , like those that cause the flu or a common cold , industries are tailoring the cleaning in keeping with what makes sense for them .
Public health officials suggest a few common steps can be used by both businesses and individual households : increasing the frequency of cleanings , using disinfectant products that federal officials say are effective , cleaning `` high-touch '' spots and making hand sanitizer readily available .
But there is no universal protocol for a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or commercial spaces to eradicate the coronavirus .
Ridding it from smooth surfaces is easier than getting it out of upholstery or carpeting , for instance .
And the key to blunting the spread of COVID-19 hinges on good hygiene practices , and a recognition that minimizing the amount of virus spreading in the community is the goal .
`` No cleaning protocol is perfect , '' says Benjamin Lopman , an associate professor of epidemiology at Emory University in Atlanta .
But combining cleaning with other public health initiatives , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will act in concert , hopefully , in reducing the transmission of the coronavirus . ''
Deep cleaning is not a scientific concept and likely means something different to individual businesses or consumers .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines for community facilities that have had people with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
It recommends that `` high-touch '' surfaces be disinfected daily .
But not all forms of infection control are the same .
Disinfectants kill or inactivate germs on a surface .
Cleaning can remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though because all coronaviruses are encased in fatty envelopes , there is good reason to think that the same soaps that break down grease can puncture that outer envelope and inactivate the coronavirus , too .
So that 's good news .
Sanitizing refers to lowering the number of infectious agents to a safe level through cleaning or disinfecting an area .
The Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of registered cleaning products that work against hardier germs and are presumed to be good options to fight the novel virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology .
`` This virus is actually very sensitive to all the common cleaning and disinfecting agents out there , so that 's the good news , '' Hoffmann says .
Businesses , governmental entities and other groups are responding in different ways .
Delta Airlines , for example , now uses foggers to spray a mist of disinfectant on surfaces throughout the cabin on all trans-Pacific flights arriving in the U.S. and flights from Italy landing in certain American airports .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website says , to trans-Atlantic flights coming from areas with reported cases of COVID-19 .
Other airlines note similar procedures .
Southwest Airlines has said it now uses a hospital-grade disinfectant throughout the plane during overnight cleaning instead of its former practice of using that only in select areas like the restroom .
The Carnival Corp. , which runs Carnival Cruise Lines , Holland America Line , Princess Cruises and others , says it is suspending cruises through April 9 .
The company says it has amped up efforts to clean ships , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , napkins , towels and tablecloths are washed and using `` electro-static applications through specialized machines '' for deep cleanings to be conducted at night .
Many schools are shutting their doors to students , and also promising to clean their facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
A spokesperson for the American Hospital Association says that while frequent cleaning is standard , hospitals are giving special attention to `` high-touch surfaces such as in-room phones , TV/nurse calls , light switches and cords , handles , drawer pulls , bed rails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sound Transit , which runs a regional public transportation service in the Seattle-Tacoma , Washington , metropolitan area , has increased the number of times it cleans its vehicles , a spokesperson says .
The transportation service also says it will be limiting the `` hand-to-hand , close '' interactions between fare enforcement officers and passengers .
Bay Area Rapid Transit , a regional rail system in the San Francisco Bay Area , is installing hand sanitizer dispensers at each of its 48 stations , the general manager said in a recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties announced Monday they are implementing a `` shelter in place '' advisory for the next three weeks , BART says it plans to continue regular service , while increasing disinfecting on the trains and allowing for riders to maintain social distancing on platforms and in train cars .
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority the system that services the Washington , D.C. , area , has stepped up cleaning and cut back train service as part of its pandemic response .
On Monday , the city 's mayor suspended table seating in restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if they have n't yet closed , are notifying members that they are cleaning handles and flat surfaces in common areas , moving equipment and workstations to create more space among clients and adding time to classes to ensure that every piece of equipment that is touched is wiped down after use .
Even Lime , an electric scooter rental company , sent an email to customers suggesting they consider disinfecting scooter handles before riding .
The company also noted on its website that it has increased the number of times the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cleaning may need to be geared to specific surfaces , Lopman says .
What research is available suggests the coronavirus can live on surfaces from a few hours to a few days .
Though CDC also notes that `` transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented . ''
Instead , the agency says , `` spread from person-to-person with these viruses happens most frequently among close contacts ( within about 6 feet ) . ''
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit , editorially independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

Ships, Planes And Other Spots Are Getting A 'Deep Clean.' What's That Mean?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images Mario Tama/Getty Images
The Diamond Princess cruise ship. A Georgetown church in Washington, D.C. A Latin American restaurant in Raleigh, N.C. A hotel in Oklahoma City. Two Broadway theaters in New York City.
All announced that they've undergone a "deep clean" in recent weeks after discovering that a person infected with the novel coronavirus had been there.
That's just the tip of a tall stack of businesses and consumer gathering spots that say they are stepping up cleaning protocols.
While cleaning for the coronavirus is not that different from disinfecting for other viruses, like those that cause the flu or a common cold, industries are tailoring the cleaning in keeping with what makes sense for them. Public health officials suggest a few common steps can be used by both businesses and individual households: increasing the frequency of cleanings, using disinfectant products that federal officials say are effective, cleaning "high-touch" spots and making hand sanitizer readily available.
But there is no universal protocol for a "deep clean" of highly trafficked public or commercial spaces to eradicate the coronavirus. Ridding it from smooth surfaces is easier than getting it out of upholstery or carpeting, for instance. And the key to blunting the spread of COVID-19 hinges on good hygiene practices, and a recognition that minimizing the amount of virus spreading in the community is the goal.
Cleaning up with disinfecting products this week? Remember to never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser--it can create dangerous, toxic fumes! More important info from @CDCgov: https://t.co/ffDi0nbArR #NPPW20 #PreventPoison #PoisonHelp pic.twitter.com/Vb5dpmbrKR — CDC Environment (@CDCEnvironment) March 16, 2020
"No cleaning protocol is perfect," says Benjamin Lopman, an associate professor of epidemiology at Emory University in Atlanta. But combining cleaning with other public health initiatives, such as social distancing, he says, "will act in concert, hopefully, in reducing the transmission of the coronavirus."
Deep cleaning is not a scientific concept and likely means something different to individual businesses or consumers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines for community facilities that have had people with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. It recommends that "high-touch" surfaces be disinfected daily.
But not all forms of infection control are the same. Disinfectants kill or inactivate germs on a surface. Cleaning can remove ― but not necessarily inactivate — viruses, though because all coronaviruses are encased in fatty envelopes, there is good reason to think that the same soaps that break down grease can puncture that outer envelope and inactivate the coronavirus, too. So that's good news.
Sanitizing refers to lowering the number of infectious agents to a safe level through cleaning or disinfecting an area.
The Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of registered cleaning products that work against hardier germs and are presumed to be good options to fight the novel virus, says Karen Hoffmann, the immediate past president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
"This virus is actually very sensitive to all the common cleaning and disinfecting agents out there, so that's the good news," Hoffmann says.
EPA has released an expanded list of nearly 200 products, including 40 new products that went through the agency’s expedited review process, that are effective for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel #coronavirus that causes #COVID-19. More: https://t.co/gtgmfVFqq3 — U.S. EPA (@EPA) March 13, 2020
Businesses, governmental entities and other groups are responding in different ways.
Delta Airlines, for example, now uses foggers to spray a mist of disinfectant on surfaces throughout the cabin on all trans-Pacific flights arriving in the U.S. and flights from Italy landing in certain American airports. It plans to extend the procedure, its website says, to trans-Atlantic flights coming from areas with reported cases of COVID-19.
Other airlines note similar procedures. Southwest Airlines has said it now uses a hospital-grade disinfectant throughout the plane during overnight cleaning instead of its former practice of using that only in select areas like the restroom.
The Carnival Corp., which runs Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and others, says it is suspending cruises through April 9. The company says it has amped up efforts to clean ships, including increasing the temperature at which bedding, napkins, towels and tablecloths are washed and using "electro-static applications through specialized machines" for deep cleanings to be conducted at night.
Many schools are shutting their doors to students, and also promising to clean their facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
A spokesperson for the American Hospital Association says that while frequent cleaning is standard, hospitals are giving special attention to "high-touch surfaces such as in-room phones, TV/nurse calls, light switches and cords, handles, drawer pulls, bed rails, tray tables and bathroom fixtures."
Sound Transit, which runs a regional public transportation service in the Seattle-Tacoma, Washington, metropolitan area, has increased the number of times it cleans its vehicles, a spokesperson says. The transportation service also says it will be limiting the "hand-to-hand, close" interactions between fare enforcement officers and passengers.
Bay Area Rapid Transit, a regional rail system in the San Francisco Bay Area, is installing hand sanitizer dispensers at each of its 48 stations, the general manager said in a recent board meeting. While six Bay Area counties announced Monday they are implementing a "shelter in place" advisory for the next three weeks, BART says it plans to continue regular service, while increasing disinfecting on the trains and allowing for riders to maintain social distancing on platforms and in train cars.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority the system that services the Washington, D.C., area, has stepped up cleaning and cut back train service as part of its pandemic response. On Monday, the city's mayor suspended table seating in restaurants and bars.
Gyms and workout classes, if they haven't yet closed, are notifying members that they are cleaning handles and flat surfaces in common areas, moving equipment and workstations to create more space among clients and adding time to classes to ensure that every piece of equipment that is touched is wiped down after use.
Even Lime, an electric scooter rental company, sent an email to customers suggesting they consider disinfecting scooter handles before riding. The company also noted on its website that it has increased the number of times the scooters are professionally disinfected and cleaned.
Cleaning may need to be geared to specific surfaces, Lopman says.
What research is available suggests the coronavirus can live on surfaces from a few hours to a few days. Though CDC also notes that "transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented." Instead, the agency says, "spread from person-to-person with these viruses happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet)."
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


npr--2020-03-17--How To Be Alone, But Not Lonely, Despite The Coronavirus

How To Be Alone , But Not Lonely , Despite The Coronavirus As a writer , Lily Burana already spends a lot of time working alone at home , about an hour outside New York City .
And as an extrovert , Burana says she relies on her social network to balance out the lonely hours .
`` It 's really hard , because at the end of the day , I look forward to shutting my laptop and taking my daughter to a playground , or going shopping , or meeting a friend at a museum , or having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And all of those things have to be tabled for now , out of a sense of obligation to not turn myself into an accidental vector . ''
Social distancing is an important way to slow down the spread of the new coronavirus .
But for many Americans , like Burana , keeping distance from other people — especially during a time of stress and uncertainty — can feel isolating and lonely .
Burana said she 's healthy as far as she knows , but she has been voluntarily cutting out almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her part to slow the contagion .
She 's relying on social media more than usual to feel connected .
`` It helps me maintain some kind of lifeline , '' she said .
`` I do n't know how people in TB sanitariums did it , because you could n't just hop on twitter and complain about how alone you were then . ''
Loneliness is n't such a big concern for Kevin Barthauer , a chef from Noblesville , Ind.
, who lives with his wife and five boys .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to being at home together .
But social isolation is taking a toll , as they skip events like church services and extracurricular activities , Barthauer said .
`` The 6-year-old and the 9-year-old have some sort of mutual destruction pact — they 're gon na kill each other , I think , '' he joked .
So they 're coping by organizing family game and movie nights at home .
`` We watch episodes of 'Star Trek ' together , '' Barthauer said .
`` Luckily we do enjoy being a family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it can be challenging . ''
Emily Newell and her husband are adjusting to working from home in Portland , Maine .
She 's used to spending her days with students and colleagues at the University of Southern Maine , where she teaches sport management .
But now , classes are being moved online .
`` It feels kind of isolating and a little bit scary , '' Newell said .
`` I do n't think we were overly nervous about it initially , but as stuff is kind of starting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that weird realization of like , 'Oh crap , we might just be us and our cats in our apartment for awhile . '
'' With her parents hundreds of miles away in Ohio , Newell says the prospect of not being able to travel to be with them feels isolating , too .
`` I mean , my mom will probably be annoyed ; I 'll probably call my mom a lot , '' Newell said , laughing .
Newell said she 's also coping by reading , and staying in touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schaff , working remotely is n't a new experience ; he started that about a year ago after following his wife from Los Angeles to the Bay Area for work .
He said it was difficult at first .
`` But I guess my lesson ... over the last few months is that being socially distant does n't mean being socially separated , '' Schaff said .
Schaff , who works on strategy and development for the Los Angeles Times , said he 's learned to prioritize staying connected virtually .
In recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to friends who are new to working remotely because of the coronavirus , scheduling video chats and online meetings over morning coffee .
`` I think the more we can kind of bring what we love about offline gathering — and hopefully we 'll get back to [ that ] fairly soon – if we can bring that online to some extent , that will help us during this hopefully short time , '' Schaff said .
Staying virtually connected is an important strategy for fighting social isolation , said Ashwin Vasan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a New York City-based charity that works to reduce the effects of isolation on people with mental illness .
`` Call that friend you have n't spoken to in years ; call your mother , as they say , '' he advises .
Vasan suggests talking with loved ones about how the experience is feeling — and reframing the way we think about this period of isolation .
`` By distancing yourself , you 're contributing to a societal act — a collective action — that is not only protecting yourself , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And so if we can see some community in that , and see some connectedness in that , I hope that 's a motivating and aspirational way of looking at something that is inherently difficult . ''

How To Be Alone, But Not Lonely, Despite The Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nicolo Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images Nicolo Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
As a writer, Lily Burana already spends a lot of time working alone at home, about an hour outside New York City. And as an extrovert, Burana says she relies on her social network to balance out the lonely hours.
"It's really hard, because at the end of the day, I look forward to shutting my laptop and taking my daughter to a playground, or going shopping, or meeting a friend at a museum, or having a coffee," Burana said. "And all of those things have to be tabled for now, out of a sense of obligation to not turn myself into an accidental vector."
Social distancing is an important way to slow down the spread of the new coronavirus. But for many Americans, like Burana, keeping distance from other people — especially during a time of stress and uncertainty — can feel isolating and lonely.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lily Burana Lily Burana
Burana said she's healthy as far as she knows, but she has been voluntarily cutting out almost all social activities to do her part to slow the contagion. She's relying on social media more than usual to feel connected.
"It helps me maintain some kind of lifeline," she said. "I don't know how people in TB sanitariums did it, because you couldn't just hop on Twitter and complain about how alone you were then."
Loneliness isn't such a big concern for Kevin Barthauer, a chef from Noblesville, Ind., who lives with his wife and five boys. They homeschool, so the family is used to being at home together.
But social isolation is taking a toll as they skip events such as church services and extracurricular activities, Barthauer said.
Mental Health How Are Wuhan Residents Coping Mentally After 7 Weeks Of Quarantine? How Are Wuhan Residents Coping Mentally After 7 Weeks Of Quarantine? Listen · 3:34 3:34
"The 6-year-old and the 9-year-old have some sort of mutual destruction pact — they're gonna kill each other, I think," he joked.
So they're coping by organizing family game and movie nights at home.
"We watch episodes of Star Trek together," Barthauer said. "Luckily we do enjoy being a family together, so that's nice – but it can be challenging."
Emily Newell and her husband are adjusting to working from home in Portland, Maine. She's used to spending her days with students and colleagues at the University of Southern Maine, where she teaches sports management. But now, classes are being moved online.
"It feels kind of isolating and a little bit scary," Newell said. "I don't think we were overly nervous about it initially, but as stuff is kind of starting to shut down ... it's kind of that weird realization of like, 'Oh crap, we might just be us and our cats in our apartment for awhile.' "
With her parents hundreds of miles away in Ohio, Newell says the prospect of not being able to travel to be with them feels isolating, too.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Dori Barthauer Courtesy of Dori Barthauer
"I mean, my mom will probably be annoyed; I'll probably call my mom a lot," Newell said, laughing.
Newell said she's also coping by reading and staying in touch with her students online.
For Clint Schaff, working remotely isn't a new experience; he started that about a year ago after following his wife from Los Angeles to the Bay Area for work. He said it was difficult at first.
"But I guess my lesson ... over the last few months is that being socially distant doesn't mean being socially separated," Schaff said.
Schaff, who works on strategy and development for the Los Angeles Times, said he's learned to prioritize staying connected virtually. In recent days, he has been reaching out to friends who are new to working remotely because of the coronavirus, scheduling video chats and online meetings over morning coffee.
"I think the more we can kind of bring what we love about offline gathering — and hopefully we'll get back to [that] fairly soon — if we can bring that online to some extent, that will help us during this hopefully short time," Schaff said.
Staying virtually connected is an important strategy for fighting social isolation, said Ashwin Vasan, president and CEO of Fountain House, a New York City-based charity that works to reduce the effects of isolation on people with mental illness.
"Call that friend you haven't spoken to in years; call your mother, as they say," he advises.
Vasan suggests talking with loved ones about how the experience is feeling — and reframing the way we think about this period of isolation.
"By distancing yourself, you're contributing to a societal act — a collective action — that is not only protecting yourself, but protecting others," Vasan said. "And so if we can see some community in that, and see some connectedness in that, I hope that's a motivating and aspirational way of looking at something that is inherently difficult."


npr--2020-03-16--Ohio Officials Spar Over Whether To Postpone Its Primary Due To Coronavirus

Ohio Officials Spar Over Whether To Postpone Its Primary Due To Coronavirus Ohio 's attempt to postpone Tuesday 's primary election due to the coronavirus outbreak is in doubt hours before polls are set to open .
On Monday evening , a state judge blocked the state 's attempts , saying the 11th-hour effort would set a `` terrible precedent . ''
Not long after , Gov .
Mike DeWine announced that Ohio Health Director Amy Acton would order the polls closed as a health emergency .
`` [ T ] o conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus , '' DeWine said on Twitter .
Secretary of State Frank LaRose followed up with guidance to all county boards of elections in Ohio that they `` must post notice on their websites , social media , at the board of elections , and at polling places that in-person voting for the March 17 , 2020 Presidential Primary Election is suspended . ''
Earlier in the day , DeWine and Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced they wanted to postpone in-person voting until June 2 .
Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois , still plan to hold their primaries on Tuesday .
Ohio 's announcement came at roughly the same time that President Trump was laying out new guidelines for Americans that include avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people for the rest of the month .
In a joint statement after the court 's decision , DeWine and LaRose said that the public health warnings to limit gatherings means `` it simply is n't possible to hold an election tomorrow that will be considered legitimate by Ohioans . ''
With hours to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites , it 's not clear whether the Ohio election will go forward .
Unlike many states , Ohio 's governor and secretary of state do n't have the power to delay the election on their own .
Instead , with the approval of both political parties , they supported a lawsuit filed by people who believe they 're vulnerable to the virus and did not plan to contest the suit .
`` People should not have to choose between their rights and their health , '' said DeWine earlier in the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also supported the decision , including the League of Women Voters and the Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law .
Also on Monday , Kentucky postponed its May 19 primary to June 23 .
Unlike Ohio , Kentucky state law allows the secretary of state and governor to jointly decide to change the date of an election due to a declared state of emergency .
In a statement , LaRose said the sudden announcement less than 24 hours before the election was made after `` new information '' about the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommend that all Ohioans age 65 and older to self-quarantine .
Under the plan he is proposing , absentee voting would be allowed to continue until June 2 , and all votes that have already been cast would be counted as normal .
President Trump said Monday that he thought postponing the primaries was `` unnecessary '' but also said the decision was ultimately up to the respective states .
Former Vice President Joe Biden 's campaign said in a statement , `` we will follow the guidance offered by state public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their populations are looked after while encouraging participation in our democracy . ''
If a court allows Ohio 's proposed delay , the state will become the fourth state to postpone its primary due to the coronavirus .
Louisiana announced late last week it would push its April primary to June , while Georgia announced over the weekend that its March 24 primary would be moved to May .
Separately , Alabama is considering postponing its March 31 U.S. Senate primary runoff .
`` In retrospect , it may be that we view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Charles Stewart , an elections expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology .
`` On the other hand , it could be that we view the delays as being overreaches .
We just do n't know at this point . ''

Ohio Primary Postponed At Last Minute Due To Coronavirus After Legal Struggle
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gene J. Puskar/AP Gene J. Puskar/AP
Updated at 9:05 a.m. ET Tuesday
After intense legal wrangling, Ohio postponed its Tuesday primary election just hours before polls were set to open.
Early Tuesday morning, the state Supreme Court denied a judge's attempt to let the primary continue after Gov. Mike DeWine had asked the court to delay the primary until June 2 because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Late Monday evening, DeWine sought to bypass the judge by announcing that Ohio Health Director Amy Acton would order the polls closed as a health emergency.
Three other states — Arizona, Florida and Illinois — are still holding primaries on Tuesday.
"We've had to make a lot of tough decisions over the past few weeks, but everything we've done has been about saving lives," DeWine tweeted Tuesday morning. "If we don't take these actions now, it'll be too late. This is quite literally a matter of life and death."
Secretary of State Frank LaRose had issued guidance to all county boards of elections in Ohio on Monday that they "must post notice on their websites, social media, at the board of elections, and at polling places that in-person voting for the March 17, 2020 Presidential Primary Election is suspended."
"During my service overseas, I've witnessed people risking their lives to cast a ballot," LaRose told NPR on Monday night. "I've walked in the footsteps of heroes on the streets of Selma, Ala., where people had to fight for the right to vote. Elections are something I don't take lightly. The only thing in the world that I think that takes precedent over conducting this free and fair election is the health and safety of Ohioans."
Ohio's initial announcement came at roughly the same time that President Trump was laying out new guidelines for Americans that include avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people for the rest of the month.
In a joint statement, DeWine and LaRose said Monday that the public health warnings to limit gatherings means "it simply isn't possible to hold an election tomorrow that will be considered legitimate by Ohioans."
Unlike many states, Ohio's governor and secretary of state don't have the power to delay the election on their own. Instead, with the approval of both political parties, they supported a lawsuit filed by people who believe they're vulnerable to the virus and did not plan to contest the suit.
"People should not have to choose between their rights and their health," DeWine said.
A number of voting-rights advocacy groups also supported the decision, including the League of Women Voters and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
Also on Monday, Kentucky postponed its May 19 primary to June 23. Unlike Ohio, Kentucky state law allows the secretary of state and governor to jointly decide to change the date of an election due to a declared state of emergency.
A potential "lifesaver"
In a statement on Monday, LaRose said the sudden announcement less than 24 hours before the election was made after "new information" about the virus led the Ohio Department of Health to recommend that all Ohioans age 65 and older self-quarantine.
Under the plan he is proposing, absentee voting would be allowed to continue until June 2, and all votes that have already been cast would be counted as normal.
President Trump said Monday that he thought postponing the primaries was "unnecessary" but also said the decision was ultimately up to the respective states.
Former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign said in a statement, "We will follow the guidance offered by state public health officials for how to best ensure that their populations are looked after while encouraging participation in our democracy."
Ohio is now the fourth state to postpone its primary because of the coronavirus. Louisiana announced late last week that it would push its April primary to June, while Georgia announced over the weekend that its March 24 primary would be moved to May. Separately, Alabama is considering postponing its March 31 U.S. Senate primary runoff.
"In retrospect, it may be that we view these delays as being lifesavers," said Charles Stewart, an elections expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "On the other hand, it could be that we view the delays as being overreaches. We just don't know at this point."


npr--2020-03-17--Coronavirus Triple Duty: Working, Parenting, And Teaching From Home

Like so many other parents around the country , I was transitioning to full-time remote work last week while preparing to support my family through a crisis .
That 's when my 10-year-old son , Kenzo , came home with a large , Ziploc bag full of school supplies .
It included an iPad with various apps to enable him to attend class virtually , where his teacher will take attendance at 8 a.m .
Tiny icons representing his teacher and classmates will appear in the corner of the screen .
She can address the class , hear students respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to make it as real as possible — as school-like as possible , '' Kenzo explains .
It 's not yet clear , he says , how a student can raise their hand to be called upon .
`` She has n't explained that to us . ''
This is one of the most novel — and disruptive — things about life in pandemic culture : parents and children are forced to adjust to a new rhythm of school and work at home .
Remote learning is a brave new world for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered with little warning .
And like me , parents everywhere are grappling with remote school while trying to work remotely .
( To say nothing of the challenges for parents whose work requires them to be physically present and now must find child care . )
Some schools are sending kids home with devices , workbooks and other resources — but many others may not .
Either way , parents are left with a dual challenge : managing new ways of working , while not allowing their kids to disappear into social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
Jennifer Hertrich 's school district in Seattle was one of the first to cancel classes , so now she has some experience managing remote work and school under one roof .
`` It 's interesting , a lot of what we do for work is also mirrored in the experience for my child .
Having things like a schedule is very important , '' says Hertirch , an account manager for office furnishings company Steelcase .
She sets multiple alarms during the day to keep everyone on task , which enables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Web meetings .
`` I was having some live sessions in the morning from about 9:30 to 10:30 , and then I could get my son going on some assignments , '' she says .
She carved her home into zones to avoid talking over each other 's calls .
She has a home office , her 8-year-old has set up shop in the living room , and her husband occupies the basement .
There are some benefits to life like this , Hertirch says : They enjoy lunch and dinner together as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held up so far .
But then late last week Washington state canceled school for an additional month .
Now , things are n't looking so great , Hertirch says .
`` When it was 14 days , you can kind of take it day by day , '' she says , but six weeks really starts to have an impact on everyone 's life .
To minimize disruption to childrens ' education , keep a strict schedule and a list of goals to meet , says Michael Rich , director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boston Children 's Hospital .
That will keep expectations clear , and prevent kids from spending endless hours on TikTok or watching senseless shows .
Not all streaming video is bad , says Rich , a father of two out-of-school teenagers .
In fact , there is an opportunity to see classic films , or delve into areas of the child 's personal interest .
`` We could look at this as an opportunity to do a little independent study , '' Rich says .
But that will require parents to curate appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize they can not do it all : parent , work and teach all at once .
So recognize that challenges , and plenty of distractions and interruptions will occur when there is no separation between work and home and school .
`` We 're not going to be very good at parenting them if we 're constantly frustrated that they 're interrupting us , '' Rich says .
`` And we do need to be able to parent and guide them and frankly , to model self-discipline and focus because they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than they will from what we tell them . ''
In other words , as parents learn to remote work , their children will also learn — by example .

Coronavirus Triple Duty: Working, Parenting, And Teaching From Home
Enlarge this image toggle caption Artur Debat/Getty Images Artur Debat/Getty Images
Like so many other parents around the country, I was transitioning to full-time remote work last week while preparing to support my family through a crisis.
That's when my 10-year-old son, Kenzo, came home with a large, Ziploc bag full of school supplies.
It included an iPad with various apps to enable him to attend class virtually, where his teacher will take attendance at 8 a.m. Tiny icons representing his teacher and classmates will appear in the corner of the screen. She can address the class, hear students respond and track their assignments.
"They try to make it as real as possible — as school-like as possible," Kenzo explains. It's not yet clear, he says, how a student can raise their hand to be called upon. "She hasn't explained that to us."
This is one of the most novel — and disruptive — things about life in pandemic culture: parents and children are forced to adjust to a new rhythm of school and work at home.
Remote learning is a brave new world for both of us — one we've entered with little warning. And like me, parents everywhere are grappling with remote school while trying to work remotely. (To say nothing of the challenges for parents whose work requires them to be physically present and now must find child care.)
Some schools are sending kids home with devices, workbooks and other resources — but many others may not. Either way, parents are left with a dual challenge: managing new ways of working, while not allowing their kids to disappear into social media and video games for weeks or months.
Jennifer Hertrich's school district in Seattle was one of the first to cancel classes, so now she has some experience managing remote work and school under one roof.
"It's interesting, a lot of what we do for work is also mirrored in the experience for my child. Having things like a schedule is very important," says Hertirch, an account manager for office furnishings company Steelcase. She sets multiple alarms during the day to keep everyone on task, which enables her to schedule her own calls and Web meetings.
"I was having some live sessions in the morning from about 9:30 to 10:30, and then I could get my son going on some assignments," she says.
She carved her home into zones to avoid talking over each other's calls. She has a home office, her 8-year-old has set up shop in the living room, and her husband occupies the basement.
There are some benefits to life like this, Hertirch says: They enjoy lunch and dinner together as a family; morale and Wi-Fi have held up so far.
But then late last week Washington state canceled school for an additional month. Now, things aren't looking so great, Hertirch says.
"When it was 14 days, you can kind of take it day by day," she says, but six weeks really starts to have an impact on everyone's life.
To minimize disruption to childrens' education, keep a strict schedule and a list of goals to meet, says Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Boston Children's Hospital.
That will keep expectations clear, and prevent kids from spending endless hours on TikTok or watching senseless shows.
Not all streaming video is bad, says Rich, a father of two out-of-school teenagers. In fact, there is an opportunity to see classic films, or delve into areas of the child's personal interest. "We could look at this as an opportunity to do a little independent study," Rich says.
But that will require parents to curate appropriate content, so it's important parents recognize they cannot do it all: parent, work and teach all at once.
So recognize that challenges, and plenty of distractions and interruptions will occur when there is no separation between work and home and school.
"We're not going to be very good at parenting them if we're constantly frustrated that they're interrupting us," Rich says. "And we do need to be able to parent and guide them and frankly, to model self-discipline and focus because they're going to learn from that much more than they will from what we tell them."
In other words, as parents learn to remote work, their children will also learn — by example.


npr--2020-03-17--Self-Isolation Orders Pit Civil Liberties Against Public Good In Coronavirus Pandemic

When local health officers issued simultaneous orders on March 16 for all residents of seven counties in the San Francisco Bay area to `` shelter at their place of residence , '' Arnab Mukherjea thought it was `` a bit draconian '' for him as well as his wife and two young children .
`` Let 's be honest , this is pain , but a little bit of pain right now may be worth it , '' said the California State University , East Bay professor of health sciences and resident of Contra Costa county , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If we do this correctly , it will indeed get us faster to those things that are highly prioritized in our day-to-day lives , particularly for those who are in vulnerable communities . ''
But one of the nation 's top quarantine experts says the San Francisco area orders are likely to be challenged in court and judges will have to balance individual civil liberties and constitutional rights against the need to protect public health .
`` There 's no question that if you 've been exposed to the virus , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be a quarantine order and that it could be enforced by law , '' says Georgetown University Law School 's Lawrence Gostin , director of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law .
`` But once you start getting into what might colloquially be called an en masse quarantine or a lockdown where government will actually aggressively enforce it , then you 're getting into territory that implicates the most fundamental constitutional rights and the right to freedom of movement , the right to freedom of travel . ''
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who assert such freedoms in the midst of a fear-inducing pandemic — especially when such persons have been found to be infectious .
In Kentucky , sheriff 's deputies last weekend surrounded the home of a 53-year-old man who refused to self-isolate after testing positive for the coranavirus .
`` We 're going to be out here 24/7 for two weeks , '' Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa told The Kentucky Standard while standing outside the man 's residence .
`` It 's a step I hoped I would never have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at a news conference shortly thereafter , `` but we ca n't allow one person who we know has this virus to refuse to protect their neighbors . ''
Under Kentucky law , the state health and family services department is authorized to issue and enforce quarantines if it believes `` that there is a probability that any infectious or contagious disease will invade this state . ''
Georgetown 's Gostin says the case of the Kentucky man differs significantly from the San Francisco shelter-in-place orders .
`` If you have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known to pose a risk to the public , it should be enforceable by law , by the civil penalty , criminal penalty or literally police presence and not allow you to leave your home .
That 's justified , '' says Gostin .
`` What is n't justified necessarily is to do that en masse , to have a complete lockdown . ''
Authorities have been ordering persons into isolation when they were suspected of carrying infectious diseases since at least the 14th century .
Ships at that time approaching the Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to anchor offshore for 40 days ; `` quarantine '' is derived from quaranta , the word for 40 in Italian .
The coronavirus pandemic has also led to a kind of reverse quarantine , in which institutions with vulnerable residents such as nursing homes bar outside visitors — including family members — from entering to minimize the risk of infection .
`` Prior to this crisis , we had rarely seen these kinds of group orders imposed , '' says American University 's Washington College of Law professor and leading quarantine expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise the same level of constitutional concerns as mandatory orders applicable to everyone in an entire geographic area , including many who are unlikely to have yet been exposed . ''
Even while he 's on board with the Bay Area 's 21-day shelter-in-place order , which allows people to leave their homes only for `` essential '' activities , public health professor Mukherjea worries the public 's compliance could wane as the days go by .
`` I think if the government is not transparent about what is happening with our local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case counts , '' says Mukherjea , `` you may see that the average person says , 'my day-to-day life is affected so dramatically , but nothing good is happening , why bother ? '
`` American University 's Wiley says if compliance with orders confining people to their homes is not voluntary , there could be major problems .
`` I 'm certain that the health authorities behind this order are very much hoping not to enter a situation where there are mass arrests and people crowding the local jails , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Gostin , who wrote the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , is for authorities to strongly recommend self-isolation for large populations but not have to enforce it .
`` The first thing we want in this coronavirus response is to keep our head — not to be disproportionate , not to be draconian , but to gain the public 's trust , '' says Gostin .
`` And once you lose the public 's trust , once you cross a line that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be on the losing side of this battle . ''

Self-Isolation Orders Pit Civil Liberties Against Public Good In Coronavirus Pandemic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bruce Schreiner/AP Bruce Schreiner/AP
When local health officers issued simultaneous orders on March 16 for all residents of seven counties in the San Francisco Bay area to "shelter at their place of residence," Arnab Mukherjea thought it was "a bit draconian" for him as well as his wife and two young children.
"Let's be honest, this is pain, but a little bit of pain right now may be worth it," said the California State University, East Bay professor of health sciences and resident of Contra Costa county, one of the jurisdictions affected by the stay-at-home edicts.
"If we do this correctly, it will indeed get us faster to those things that are highly prioritized in our day-to-day lives, particularly for those who are in vulnerable communities."
But one of the nation's top quarantine experts says the San Francisco area orders are likely to be challenged in court and judges will have to balance individual civil liberties and constitutional rights against the need to protect public health.
"There's no question that if you've been exposed to the virus, but not showing currently symptoms, that there could be a quarantine order and that it could be enforced by law," says Georgetown University Law School's Lawrence Gostin, director of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law.
"But once you start getting into what might colloquially be called an en masse quarantine or a lockdown where government will actually aggressively enforce it, then you're getting into territory that implicates the most fundamental constitutional rights and the right to freedom of movement, the right to freedom of travel."
There is likely to be little tolerance for those who assert such freedoms in the midst of a fear-inducing pandemic — especially when such persons have been found to be infectious.
In Kentucky, sheriff's deputies last weekend surrounded the home of a 53-year-old man who refused to self-isolate after testing positive for the coranavirus.
"We're going to be out here 24/7 for two weeks," Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa told The Kentucky Standard while standing outside the man's residence.
"It's a step I hoped I would never have to take," Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference shortly thereafter, "but we can't allow one person who we know has this virus to refuse to protect their neighbors."
Under Kentucky law, the state health and family services department is authorized to issue and enforce quarantines if it believes "that there is a probability that any infectious or contagious disease will invade this state."
Georgetown's Gostin says the case of the Kentucky man differs significantly from the San Francisco shelter-in-place orders.
"If you have a lawful quarantine order for somebody who is known to pose a risk to the public, it should be enforceable by law, by the civil penalty, criminal penalty or literally police presence and not allow you to leave your home. That's justified," says Gostin. "What isn't justified necessarily is to do that en masse, to have a complete lockdown."
Authorities have been ordering persons into isolation when they were suspected of carrying infectious diseases since at least the 14th century.
Ships at that time approaching the Italian city of Venice from abroad were required to anchor offshore for 40 days; "quarantine" is derived from quaranta, the word for 40 in Italian.
The coronavirus pandemic has also led to a kind of reverse quarantine, in which institutions with vulnerable residents such as nursing homes bar outside visitors — including family members — from entering to minimize the risk of infection.
"Prior to this crisis, we had rarely seen these kinds of group orders imposed," says American University's Washington College of Law professor and leading quarantine expert Lindsay Wiley. "They don't raise the same level of constitutional concerns as mandatory orders applicable to everyone in an entire geographic area, including many who are unlikely to have yet been exposed."
Even while he's on board with the Bay Area's 21-day shelter-in-place order, which allows people to leave their homes only for "essential" activities, public health professor Mukherjea worries the public's compliance could wane as the days go by.
"I think if the government is not transparent about what is happening with our local [conavirus] numbers in terms of case counts," says Mukherjea, "you may see that the average person says, 'my day-to-day life is affected so dramatically, but nothing good is happening, why bother?' "
American University's Wiley says if compliance with orders confining people to their homes is not voluntary, there could be major problems.
"I'm certain that the health authorities behind this order are very much hoping not to enter a situation where there are mass arrests and people crowding the local jails," she says.
The key for Georgetown's Gostin, who wrote the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is for authorities to strongly recommend self-isolation for large populations but not have to enforce it.
"The first thing we want in this coronavirus response is to keep our head — not to be disproportionate, not to be draconian, but to gain the public's trust," says Gostin. "And once you lose the public's trust, once you cross a line that the public thinks is too far, we will be on the losing side of this battle."


npr--2020-03-17--Oregon Police Remind Residents: Don't Call 911 If You Run Out Of Toilet Paper

Oregon Police Remind Residents : Do n't Call 911 If You Run Out Of Toilet Paper The coronavirus has not been kind to supplies of toilet paper .
Along with the obvious items , such as hand sanitizer and other disinfectants , the rolls of tissue have been increasingly hard to find at local markets , as people stock up to hunker down during the global pandemic .
But please , for goodness ' sake , do n't panic if you run out .
That , at least , is the earnest request of the police department in Newport , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we even have to post this .
Do not call 9-1-1 just because you ran out of toilet paper , '' the department told residents in a reminder posted to Facebook last weekend .
`` You will survive without our assistance . ''
Store shelves may not be flush with the two-ply right now , exactly — but police warned that , whatever folks may think , they can not assist with this particular need .
Instead , they helpfully offered some alternatives gleaned from the annals of human history — improvised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pages torn from old magazines .
`` Seamen used old rope and anchor lines soaked in salt water .
Ancient Romans used a sea sponge on a stick , also soaked in salt water , '' they suggested .
`` We are a coastal town .
We have an abundance of salt water available .
Sea shells were also used . ''
For what it 's worth , some consumers appear to be ahead of them .
Bidet makers have told multiple media outlets that they 've seen sales of their bottom washers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press reports that others , such as one enterprising man in Southern California , have come up with novel ways to meet the demand — such as a street-corner toilet paper exchange .
Newport police ended their public service announcement with some soothing words .
`` This too shall pass , '' they said .
`` Just do n't call 9-1-1 .
We can not bring you toilet paper . ''

Oregon Police Remind Residents: Don't Call 911 If You Run Out Of Toilet Paper
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
The coronavirus has not been kind to supplies of toilet paper. Along with the obvious items, such as hand sanitizer and other disinfectants, the rolls of tissue have been increasingly hard to find at local markets, as people stock up to hunker down during the global pandemic.
But please, for goodness' sake, don't panic if you run out.
That, at least, is the earnest request of the police department in Newport, Ore.
"It's hard to believe that we even have to post this. Do not call 9-1-1 just because you ran out of toilet paper," the department told residents in a reminder posted to Facebook last weekend. "You will survive without our assistance."
Store shelves may not be flush with the two-ply right now, exactly — but police warned that, whatever folks may think, they cannot assist with this particular need. Instead, they helpfully offered some alternatives gleaned from the annals of human history — improvised instruments such as dried corn cobs and pages torn from old magazines.
"Seamen used old rope and anchor lines soaked in salt water. Ancient Romans used a sea sponge on a stick, also soaked in salt water," they suggested. "We are a coastal town. We have an abundance of salt water available. Sea shells were also used."
For what it's worth, some consumers appear to be ahead of them.
Bidet makers have told multiple media outlets that they've seen sales of their bottom washers skyrocket in recent weeks. The Associated Press reports that others, such as one enterprising man in Southern California, have come up with novel ways to meet the demand — such as a street-corner toilet paper exchange.
Newport police ended their public service announcement with some soothing words.
"This too shall pass," they said. "Just don't call 9-1-1. We cannot bring you toilet paper."


npr--2020-03-17--My Hand-Washing Song: Readers Offer Lyrics For A 20-Second Scrub

Yes , washing your hands provides excellent protection against coronavirus ( and other pathogens ) .
But you do need to scrub with soap for 20 seconds to remove those pathogens .
That 's what the Centers for Disease Control , the World Health Organization and many hand-washing experts recommend .
Twenty seconds is a long time when you 're standing at a sink .
The common advice is to wash as long as it takes to sing the `` Happy Birthday '' song twice or the ABC song .
If you do n't rocket through the lyrics , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Yet after you 've sung `` Happy Birthday , '' oh , say , 337 times in one day , perhaps you might want some alternatives .
We asked our readers what they 're singing ( or saying ) .
Dozens chimed in .
Here are some of their responses .
`` Personally I always sing Beyonce 's `` Love on Top '' chorus – who does n't need a little more Queen Bey in their life ? ''
writes public librarian Molly Price .
Her department at the Ashe County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of social media posts and posters ( to hang in bathrooms ) that encourage handwashing and offer musical options .
She says the most popular post features Dolly Parton and the chorus to `` Jolene , '' which should take you to the 20 second mark : '' Jolene , Jolene , Jolene , Jolene , I 'm begging of you please do n't take my man .
Jolene , Jolene , Jolene , Jolene .
Please do n't take him just because you can . ''
Triage nurse Phillip Flavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times : `` We will , we will rock you ( rock you ) . ''
Sometimes , he says , he changes it to `` We will , we will wash you . ''
For those whose gaze turns heavenward , Jody Brkich suggests `` Twinkle , twinkle little star '' twice .
Or perhaps adding one of the obscure verses that offer a glimmer of hope : `` When the blazing sun is gone , when he nothing shines upon , then you show your little light , twinkle , twinkle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's hard to resist this `` Twinkle '' rewrite submitted by Erika Perzan : `` Twinkle , twinkle little star .
Look how clean my two hands are .
Around my wrists and between my thumbs , lace my fingers , I 'm almost done .
Twinkle , twinkle little star .
Look how clean my two hands are ! ''
Do n't call me on your phona .
There 's no way you are messing I 'm healthy as can be !
!
Lugarda Cappetta suggests humming the wordless final Jeopardy theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually , 10 more seconds ca n't hurt !
Fans of Backstreet Boys , like Karina Calderon , are opting for : Shape of My Heart : '' Looking back on the things I 've done .
I was trying to be someone .
I played my part , kept you in the dark .
Now let me show you the shape of my heart . ''
D.L .
Preece says that kids might enjoy a round ( actually two ) of `` Row , row , row your boat . ''
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` row , row '' and devote it to `` scratching my palms '' to dislodge pathogens under then ails .
Sherry Kohn agrees with this song choice , which she learned about as a nursing student at Columbia University .
The late , great Prince gets a shout-out from Lisa Radov : `` Raspberry Beret .
She wore a raspberry beret , the kind that you get at a secondhand store .
Raspberry beret , and if it was warm she would n't wear much more .
Raspberry beret .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uplift , Linda Gabriel , an occupational therapist , sings the first verse of `` This Little Light of Mine . ''
`` It helps me focus on feeling positive through the day , '' she writes .
Singing is n't the only solution .
Susan Hollier suggests reciting the Lord 's Prayer twice .
And if you 'd like to convert a personal favorite song into a hand-washing accompaniment , try this hand-washing lyrics generator .
Type in the song and artist and if it 's in the database , you 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lyrics to go along with each step .
I tried one of my all-time favorites , `` Respect , '' as sung by Aretha Franklin , and ca n't wait to start washing .
But maybe I will change up the lyrics a little .
The picture of a person putting hands under a spigot is printed over the opening line from `` Respect '' — `` What you want , baby I got it . ''
But it 's more like , `` What you got , baby I want it !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't essential .
The hamster in the video below seems like a highly motivated scrubber .

My Hand-Washing Song: Readers Offer Lyrics For A 20-Second Scrub
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
Yes, washing your hands provides excellent protection against coronavirus (and other pathogens).
But you do need to scrub with soap for 20 seconds to remove those pathogens. That's what the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and many hand-washing experts recommend.
Twenty seconds is a long time when you're standing at a sink. The common advice is to wash as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice or the ABC song. If you don't rocket through the lyrics, you should get about 20 seconds of scrub time.
Yet after you've sung "Happy Birthday," oh, say, 337 times in one day, perhaps you might want some alternatives. We asked our readers what they're singing (or saying). Dozens chimed in. Here are some of their responses.
"Personally I always sing Beyonce's "Love on Top" chorus – who doesn't need a little more Queen Bey in their life?" writes public librarian Molly Price. Her department at the Ashe County Public Library, Adult Services, created a series of social media posts and posters (to hang in bathrooms) that encourage handwashing and offer musical options. She says the most popular post features Dolly Parton and the chorus to "Jolene," which should take you to the 20 second mark:
"Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, I'm begging of you please don't take my man. Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene. Please don't take him just because you can."
Triage nurse Phillip Flavin goes for a line from Queen three times: "We will, we will rock you (rock you)." Sometimes, he says, he changes it to "We will, we will wash you."
For those whose gaze turns heavenward, Jody Brkich suggests "Twinkle, twinkle little star" twice. Or perhaps adding one of the obscure verses that offer a glimmer of hope: "When the blazing sun is gone, when he nothing shines upon, then you show your little light, twinkle, twinkle, all the night."
It's hard to resist this "Twinkle" rewrite submitted by Erika Perzan: "Twinkle, twinkle little star. Look how clean my two hands are. Around my wrists and between my thumbs, lace my fingers, I'm almost done. Twinkle, twinkle little star. Look how clean my two hands are!"
Preschool director Annely Carver wrote a rap:
Corona, Corona,
Don't call me on your phona.
I'm washing, I'm cleansing
There's no way you are messing
With me-with me!
I'm healthy as can be!!
Corona, Corona
Stay-away-from-me!!!
Lugarda Cappetta suggests humming the wordless final Jeopardy theme song, which is 30 seconds but actually, 10 more seconds can't hurt!
Fans of Backstreet Boys, like Karina Calderon, are opting for: Shape of My Heart:
"Looking back on the things I've done. I was trying to be someone. I played my part, kept you in the dark. Now let me show you the shape of my heart."
D.L. Preece says that kids might enjoy a round (actually two) of "Row, row, row your boat." And maybe you'll add a third round of "row, row" and devote it to "scratching my palms" to dislodge pathogens under then ails. Sherry Kohn agrees with this song choice, which she learned about as a nursing student at Columbia University.
The late, great Prince gets a shout-out from Lisa Radov: "Raspberry Beret. She wore a raspberry beret, the kind that you get at a secondhand store. Raspberry beret, and if it was warm she wouldn't wear much more. Raspberry beret. I think I love her."
For uplift, Linda Gabriel, an occupational therapist, sings the first verse of "This Little Light of Mine." "It helps me focus on feeling positive through the day," she writes.
Singing isn't the only solution. Susan Hollier suggests reciting the Lord's Prayer twice.
And if you'd like to convert a personal favorite song into a hand-washing accompaniment, try this hand-washing lyrics generator. Type in the song and artist and if it's in the database, you'll get a series of hand-washing steps with lyrics to go along with each step. I tried one of my all-time favorites, "Respect," as sung by Aretha Franklin, and can't wait to start washing.
But maybe I will change up the lyrics a little. The picture of a person putting hands under a spigot is printed over the opening line from "Respect" — "What you want, baby I got it." But it's more like, "What you got, baby I want it!"
Then again, maybe music isn't essential. The hamster in the video below seems like a highly motivated scrubber.


npr--2020-03-17--Former Rep. Duncan Hunter Gets 11 Months In Prison For Misusing Campaign Funds

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter Gets 11 Months In Prison For Misusing Campaign Funds Former Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter has been sentenced to 11 months in federal prison for corruption charges stemming from the illegal misuse of hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds .
Hunter , who represented one of the few solidly red districts in California beginning in 2009 , resigned his seat in January .
Just weeks before , he plead guilty to a single count of unlawfully using campaign funds , just one of 60 counts he and his wife , Margaret , faced , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is a rapid fall for a man with seemingly bright political fortunes .
The ex-Marine succeeded his father , also named Duncan Hunter , the former chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee .
The younger Hunter , who served in the Iraq war , was also an early supporter of President Trump .
Hunter 's political prospects grew dim after the federal charges were unsealed , alleging he dipped into his campaign account and spent more than $ 250,000 on items including dining out with friends , airlines tickets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members and even on a family pet .
In a move that proved just how vulnerable Hunter had become , former Republican Rep. Darrell Issa said in September he was seeking his congressional seat .
Issa referred to the then-embattled congressman as a `` friend and a colleague '' at his campaign announcement .
As NPR reported in December , Hunter had initially denied all the charges and his attorneys said prosecutors were attempting to unfairly embarrass him .
He originally stated he was planning to fight the charges , but later reversed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's important not to have a public trial for three reasons , and those three reasons are my kids , '' Hunter told local television station KUSI in San Diego in December .
`` Whatever my time in custody is , I will take that hit , '' Hunter said , adding , `` My only hope is that the judge does not sentence my wife to jail .
I think my kids need a mom in the home . ''
Margaret Hunter agreed to a plea deal last summer that required her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents against the former congressman suggest prosecutors believed he had multiple extramarital affairs .
According to the Los Angeles Times , Margaret Hunter is scheduled to be sentenced April 7 .
While the judge ordered the former congressman to surrender May 29 to begin serving his sentence .

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter Gets 11 Months In Prison For Misusing Campaign Funds
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gregory Bull/AP Gregory Bull/AP
Former Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter has been sentenced to 11 months in federal prison for corruption charges stemming from the illegal misuse of hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds.
Hunter, who represented one of the few solidly red districts in California beginning in 2009, resigned his seat in January. Just weeks before, he plead guilty to a single count of unlawfully using campaign funds, just one of 60 counts he and his wife, Margaret, faced, according to an August 2018 federal indictment.
This is a rapid fall for a man with seemingly bright political fortunes. The ex-Marine succeeded his father, also named Duncan Hunter, the former chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee. The younger Hunter, who served in the Iraq war, was also an early supporter of President Trump.
Hunter's political prospects grew dim after the federal charges were unsealed, alleging he dipped into his campaign account and spent more than $250,000 on items including dining out with friends, airlines tickets, hotel rooms, birthday parties for family members and even on a family pet.
In a move that proved just how vulnerable Hunter had become, former Republican Rep. Darrell Issa said in September he was seeking his congressional seat. Issa referred to the then-embattled congressman as a "friend and a colleague" at his campaign announcement.
As NPR reported in December, Hunter had initially denied all the charges and his attorneys said prosecutors were attempting to unfairly embarrass him. He originally stated he was planning to fight the charges, but later reversed course and pleaded guilty.
"It's important not to have a public trial for three reasons, and those three reasons are my kids," Hunter told local television station KUSI in San Diego in December.
"Whatever my time in custody is, I will take that hit," Hunter said, adding, "My only hope is that the judge does not sentence my wife to jail. I think my kids need a mom in the home."
Margaret Hunter agreed to a plea deal last summer that required her to testify against her husband. Court documents against the former congressman suggest prosecutors believed he had multiple extramarital affairs.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Margaret Hunter is scheduled to be sentenced April 7. While the judge ordered the former congressman to surrender May 29 to begin serving his sentence.


npr--2020-03-17--New Analysis Suggests Months of Social Distancing May Be Needed To Stop Virus

New Analysis Suggests Months of Social Distancing May Be Needed To Stop Virus The United States is facing a grim dilemma : either effectively shut down society for months to prevent transmission of the coronavirus , or see health care systems overwhelmed by people needing treatment for severe infections .
That 's the conclusion of a influential new analysis by a well-respected group at Imperial College London that does computer simulations of outbreaks .
Its findings put policy makers in a bind as they think about how to move forward in the weeks ahead , when there 's no vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home message of that Imperial College model is that in order to keep from overwhelming the health care system with severe cases , we are going to have to have very tight controls in place on transmission through social distancing .
And those controls are going to be so tight that they will be economically and socially very damaging , '' says Marc Lipsitch , an expert on infectious disease modeling at Harvard University .
`` There 's no really good option that does n't involve at least one of those two problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fact , both could happen if we are n't very careful about how we manage things . ''
Predictions from models like this one appear to have had a major impact on top officials ' decision to recommend that all Americans avoid groups of 10 or more people , stay away from bars and restaurants , and not travel unnecessarily .
`` We had new information coming out from a model , and what had the biggest impact in the model is social distancing : small groups , not going in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deborah Birx , who serves as the coronavirus response coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force , as the White House announced the recommendations on Monday .
On Tuesday , however , President Trump said his task force had looked at a variety of models .
There was no particular model , he said , that prompted him to move forward on the new social distancing recommendations .
`` This is where we were going , this is what we had in mind , '' President Trump said .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble is , according to the Imperial College model , it 's not clear what steps should come after this one .
The researchers predicted that if the United States did absolutely nothing to mitigate the spread of coronavirus , approximately 2.2 million people would die .
The researchers then looked at the effect of different combinations of interventions — including home isolation of infected people , home quarantine for all household members of infected people , social distancing for all ages , and social distancing by those over the age of 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively modest restriction on social activity .
It combined home isolation of cases , home quarantine for household members , and social distancing for only those over 70 .
This approach cut deaths in half and reduced peak healthcare demand by two-thirds , they found .
However , it still resulted in many deaths and overwhelmed intensive care units .
The simulation showed that the surge capacity of hospitals would be exceeded by at least 8-fold .
Even if all patients were treated , the U. S. would see more than 1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers of deaths low and keeping health care systems functioning required social distancing for the entire population , over a long period of time .
`` It is likely such measures — most notably , large scale social distancing — will need to be in place for many months , perhaps until a vaccine becomes available , '' researcher Neil Ferguson said in a written statement provided by the college .
`` The effects on countries and the world will be profound . ''
The researchers suggest that by closely monitoring trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lift the public health measures temporarily , but then re-instate them if numbers of cases began to rise .
`` It 's a good summary of where we are and the choices we have , '' says Cecile Viboud , an infectious disease modeler at the National Institutes of Health .
`` Like every modeling study , it has a lot of uncertainty . ''
In the weeks ahead , the experience of China and South Korea could help show how slowly relaxing social distancing requirements might affect the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebounds that might stress the health care system .
`` We could learn a lot from that .
I 'm very hopeful about the South Korean situation and experience , '' Viboud says , noting that South Korea is testing a lot and isolating people with the virus and their contacts .
`` There 's limited social distancing . ''
In the meantime , social distancing in the U. S. is buying time for hospitals to increase their capacity and for labs to ramp up diagnostic testing .
It 's also giving policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new approaches to the crisis that would get them out of the current bind .

New Analysis Suggests Months Of Social Distancing May Be Needed To Stop Virus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gabriela Bhaskar/Bloomberg via Getty Images Gabriela Bhaskar/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The United States is facing a grim dilemma: either effectively shut down society for months to prevent transmission of the coronavirus or see health care systems overwhelmed by people needing treatment for severe infections.
That's the conclusion of a influential new analysis by a well-respected group at Imperial College London that does computer simulations of outbreaks.
Its findings put policymakers in a bind as they think about how to move forward in the weeks ahead when there's no vaccine or proven treatment.
"The take-home message of that Imperial College model is that in order to keep from overwhelming the health care system with severe cases, we are going to have to have very tight controls in place on transmission through social distancing. And those controls are going to be so tight that they will be economically and socially very damaging," says Marc Lipsitch, an expert on infectious disease modeling at Harvard University.
"There's no really good option that doesn't involve at least one of those two problems," he added. "And in fact, both could happen if we aren't very careful about how we manage things."
Predictions from models like this one appear to have had a major impact on top officials' decision to recommend that all Americans avoid groups of 10 or more people, stay away from bars and restaurants, and not travel unnecessarily.
"We had new information coming out from a model, and what had the biggest impact in the model is social distancing: small groups, not going in public in large groups," said Dr. Deborah Birx, who serves as the coronavirus response coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, as the White House announced the recommendations on Monday.
On Tuesday, however, President Trump said his task force had looked at a variety of models. There was no particular model, he said, that prompted him to move forward on the new social distancing recommendations.
"This is where we were going, this is what we had in mind," Trump said. "This is the next logical step."
The trouble is, according to the Imperial College model, it's not clear what steps should come after this one.
The researchers predicted that if the United States did absolutely nothing to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, about 2.2 million people would die.
The researchers then looked at the effect of different combinations of interventions — including home isolation of infected people, home quarantine for all household members of infected people, social distancing for all ages, and social distancing by those over the age of 70.
One option they considered was a relatively modest restriction on social activity. It combined home isolation of cases, home quarantine for household members, and social distancing for only those over 70. This approach cut deaths in half and reduced peak health care demand by two-thirds, they found.
However, it still resulted in many deaths and overwhelmed intensive care units. The simulation showed that the surge capacity of hospitals would be exceeded by at least eightfold. Even if all patients were treated, the U.S. would see more than 1 million deaths.
In the model, keeping the numbers of deaths low and keeping health care systems functioning required social distancing for the entire population, over a long period of time.
"It is likely such measures — most notably, large-scale social distancing — will need to be in place for many months, perhaps until a vaccine becomes available," researcher Neil Ferguson said in a written statement provided by the college. "The effects on countries and the world will be profound."
The researchers suggest that by closely monitoring trends in infections, it might be possible to lift the public health measures temporarily, but then reinstate them if numbers of cases began to rise.
"It's a good summary of where we are and the choices we have," says Cécile Viboud, who does infectious disease modeling at the National Institutes of Health. "Like every modeling study, it has a lot of uncertainty."
In the weeks ahead, the experience of China and South Korea could help show how slowly relaxing social distancing requirements might affect the spread of the disease and whether it leads to rebounds that might stress the health care system.
"We could learn a lot from that. I'm very hopeful about the South Korean situation and experience," Viboud says, noting that South Korea is testing a lot and isolating people with the virus and their contacts. "There's limited social distancing."
In the meantime, social distancing in the U.S. is buying time for hospitals to increase their capacity and for labs to ramp up diagnostic testing. It's also giving policymakers an opportunity to try to think of new approaches to the crisis that would get them out of the current bind.


npr--2020-03-17--Social Distancing Leads To Blood Shortage

Public health officials encourage `` social distancing '' now but they also worry it is leading to a shortage of donated blood .
The American Red Cross , which supplies about 40 % of the nation 's blood , says donor drives across the country have been cancelled `` at an alarming rate '' and the organization now faces a `` severe blood shortage . ''
`` In really good times we may have five days of inventory available for our hospital clients and now we 're running at a day or day-and-a-half in some cases , '' says Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Red Cross .
As of Tuesday , the Red Cross says about 2,700 blood drives had been canceled because of concerns about people gathering at workplaces , college campuses and schools — all places where drives typically take place .
The organization estimates that 's resulted in 86,000 fewer blood donations because 80 % of the blood it collects comes from drives held at these locations .
At the University City Science Center in Philadelphia a blood drive scheduled for Wednesday was canceled when the center shut down and staff began working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had to cancel the blood drive but given the CDC , state and city guidelines for social distancing compounded by the fact that we are n't set up to provide this service in an area that is properly portioned off , we made the tough decision to cancel tomorrow 's drive , '' says Tracy Brala , vice president of Ecosystem Development .
The center urged donors to contact the Red Cross to find another place to donate blood .
The organization does have its own locations that remain open but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill the gaps .
Hrouda says the Red Cross currently is shipping out more blood than it 's bringing in , so it 's begun shipping less than hospitals order .
`` As of this week we 've started shorting all our hospital customers to 75 % of what they 've requested and we 'll evaluate pretty quickly if we need to take that down to 50 % , '' says Hrouda .
That has health officials raising the alarm and calling for donors .
`` To ensure an adequate blood supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donate blood , '' says Dr. Peter Marks , director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 's ( FDA ) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research .
The FDA regulates blood centers .
Marks says he 's aware some people might be concerned about donating blood in the age of COVID-19 .
`` Blood donation centers are a very safe place to be .
People take precautions to make sure those centers are spotless clean and that people who are sick do n't enter them , '' Marks says .
The Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place , including checking the temperature of staff and donors before they enter a drive location .
Hand sanitizer is provided and used throughout the donation process .
Beds are spaced in accordance with social distancing guidelines .
And even more attention is given to disinfecting surfaces and equipment .
Hrouda says type O-negative blood is nearly always in short supply because it can be used in transfusions for any blood type .
But right now he says there 's a shortage of all blood types .

Social Distancing Leads To Blood Shortage
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Public health officials encourage "social distancing" now but they also worry it is leading to a shortage of donated blood.
The American Red Cross, which supplies about 40% of the nation's blood, says donor drives across the country have been cancelled "at an alarming rate" and the organization now faces a "severe blood shortage."
"In really good times we may have five days of inventory available for our hospital clients and now we're running at a day or day-and-a-half in some cases," says Chris Hrouda, president of Biomedical Services for the Red Cross.
As of Tuesday, the Red Cross says about 2,700 blood drives had been canceled because of concerns about people gathering at workplaces, college campuses and schools — all places where drives typically take place. The organization estimates that's resulted in 86,000 fewer blood donations because 80% of the blood it collects comes from drives held at these locations.
At the University City Science Center in Philadelphia a blood drive scheduled for Wednesday was canceled when the center shut down and staff began working remotely.
"We're disappointed to have had to cancel the blood drive but given the CDC, state and city guidelines for social distancing compounded by the fact that we aren't set up to provide this service in an area that is properly portioned off, we made the tough decision to cancel tomorrow's drive," says Tracy Brala, vice president of Ecosystem Development.
The center urged donors to contact the Red Cross to find another place to donate blood. The organization does have its own locations that remain open but they can't expand their operations quickly enough to fill the gaps.
Hrouda says the Red Cross currently is shipping out more blood than it's bringing in, so it's begun shipping less than hospitals order.
"As of this week we've started shorting all our hospital customers to 75% of what they've requested and we'll evaluate pretty quickly if we need to take that down to 50%," says Hrouda.
That has health officials raising the alarm and calling for donors.
"To ensure an adequate blood supply we need people to come out and donate blood," says Dr. Peter Marks, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. The FDA regulates blood centers.
Marks says he's aware some people might be concerned about donating blood in the age of COVID-19.
"Blood donation centers are a very safe place to be. People take precautions to make sure those centers are spotless clean and that people who are sick don't enter them," Marks says.
The Red Cross says it has put new measures in place, including checking the temperature of staff and donors before they enter a drive location. Hand sanitizer is provided and used throughout the donation process. Beds are spaced in accordance with social distancing guidelines. And even more attention is given to disinfecting surfaces and equipment.
Hrouda says type O-negative blood is nearly always in short supply because it can be used in transfusions for any blood type. But right now he says there's a shortage of all blood types.


npr--2020-03-17--Internet Traffic Surges As Companies And Schools Send People Home

More people are shifting to the digital world as life outside the home is put on hold .
That 's putting a lot of pressure on companies to keep connections up when all their employees are trying to telework at the same time .
It 's also posing challenges for Internet video conferencing services .
In South Korea and Italy in recent weeks , people stuck in their homes are using the Internet a lot more .
`` They shifted to doing more online chat , more video streaming , which almost doubled in those in those countries , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an Internet infrastructure and security company .
Visits to news sites went up as much as 60 % .
And people are spending more time playing online games .
A similar pattern is emerging in the U.S. Cloudflare says Internet traffic jumped 20 % on Friday , after President Trump declared the pandemic a national emergency .
In hard-hit Seattle , Internet use was up 40 % last week compared to January .
As video chats replace face-to-face meetings , peak Internet use is happening in the middle of the workday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of in the evening when people get home and start watching Netflix , '' Prince said .
`` In Seattle , what we 're seeing is that peak is now happening at 11 a.m. local time . ''
There is already evidence that the number of people working outside their offices is straining computer networks .
Luke Gamon , a research scientist at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark , usually spends his days working in the lab .
Last week , after a student was diagnosed with COVID-19 , his university told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gamon figured he 'd get some writing done and catch up on academic papers .
But he ran into problems right away .
`` I basically failed at the first hurdle , which was connecting to the university VPN , '' he said .
VPNs are virtual private networks .
Universities , companies and other organizations use them to let workers securely access their systems , even if they 're not in the office .
`` You can think of it as almost a castle and moat strategy where all the employees and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the castle and the bad guys are kept out through the moat , '' Cloudflare 's Prince said .
VPNs are like drawbridges that let certain people into the castle , such as employees who are on the road or working remotely .
But Prince says they were `` never built to accommodate the entire workforce being outside of the castle . ''
Other workers may run into the same problem Gamon did , as corporate castles empty out .
Companies like Google , Amazon and JPMorgan Chase are recommending that employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is mandatory .
NPR is also requiring people who can work remotely to do so .
Many parents are being forced to work from home as schools close for weeks .
It all adds up to a big test for companies of whether their systems can handle such an abrupt shift .
`` There is some level of scrambling there for people that maybe did n't build in a plan for the level of remote work that we 're seeing , '' said Patrick Sullivan , chief technology officer for security at Akamai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use was up 53 % in the U.S. last week , and more than doubled in Italy , according to provider AtlasVPN .
Demand for online video and chat tools , from Slack to Zoom to Webex , is also increasing .
After users reported problems with video conferencing service GoToMeeting on Tuesday , the company confirmed it was experiencing `` unprecedented traffic for our product during peak starting times . ''
Microsoft 's Teams messaging software suffered outages Monday , as lots of people logged on across the U.S. and Europe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue .
One solution to slow or glitchy video calls is to switch to audio , which uses less bandwidth .
While people might have a hard time with some software , experts like Cloudflare 's Prince say the Internet can handle the extra load .
`` The Internet was really designed from the beginning to respond to literally a nuclear emergency , '' he said .

Internet Traffic Surges As Companies And Schools Send People Home
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP
Updated at 5:49 p.m. ET
More people are shifting to the digital world as life outside the home is put on hold. That's putting a lot of pressure on companies to keep connections up when all their employees are trying to telework at the same time. It's also posing challenges for Internet video conferencing services.
In South Korea and Italy in recent weeks, people stuck in their homes are using the Internet a lot more.
"They shifted to doing more online chat, more video streaming, which almost doubled in those in those countries," said Matthew Prince, CEO of Cloudflare, an Internet infrastructure and security company.
Visits to news sites went up as much as 60%. And people are spending more time playing online games.
A similar pattern is emerging in the U.S. Cloudflare says Internet traffic jumped 20% on Friday, after President Trump declared the pandemic a national emergency. In hard-hit Seattle, Internet use was up 40% last week compared to January.
As video chats replace face-to-face meetings, peak Internet use is happening in the middle of the workday.
"Usually that peak would happen kind of in the evening when people get home and start watching Netflix," Prince said. "In Seattle, what we're seeing is that peak is now happening at 11 a.m. local time."
There is already evidence that the number of people working outside their offices is straining computer networks.
Luke Gamon, a research scientist at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, usually spends his days working in the lab. Last week, after a student was diagnosed with COVID-19, his university told everyone to start working from home.
Gamon figured he'd get some writing done and catch up on academic papers. But he ran into problems right away.
"I basically failed at the first hurdle, which was connecting to the university VPN," he said.
VPNs are virtual private networks. Universities, companies and other organizations use them to let workers securely access their systems, even if they're not in the office.
"You can think of it as almost a castle and moat strategy where all the employees and all the secrets of the business are in the castle and the bad guys are kept out through the moat," Cloudflare's Prince said.
VPNs are like drawbridges that let certain people into the castle, such as employees who are on the road or working remotely.
But Prince says they were "never built to accommodate the entire workforce being outside of the castle."
Other workers may run into the same problem Gamon did, as corporate castles empty out.
Companies like Google, Amazon and JPMorgan Chase are recommending that employees work from home. Twitter says telework is mandatory. NPR is also requiring people who can work remotely to do so.
Many parents are being forced to work from home as schools close for weeks.
It all adds up to a big test for companies of whether their systems can handle such an abrupt shift.
"There is some level of scrambling there for people that maybe didn't build in a plan for the level of remote work that we're seeing," said Patrick Sullivan, chief technology officer for security at Akamai, which delivers Web content.
VPN use was up 53% in the U.S. last week, and more than doubled in Italy, according to provider AtlasVPN.
Demand for online video and chat tools, from Slack to Zoom to Webex, is also increasing.
After users reported problems with video conferencing service GoToMeeting on Tuesday, the company confirmed it was experiencing "unprecedented traffic for our product during peak starting times."
Microsoft's Teams messaging software suffered outages Monday, as lots of people logged on across the U.S. and Europe. The company says it has addressed the issue.
One solution to slow or glitchy video calls is to switch to audio, which uses less bandwidth.
While people might have a hard time with some software, experts like Cloudflare's Prince say the Internet can handle the extra load.
"The Internet was really designed from the beginning to respond to literally a nuclear emergency," he said.