npr--2020-06-12--Skipped The Census? A Knock On Your Door May Be Coming As Early As July

Skipped The Census ?
A Knock On Your Door May Be Coming As Early As July Door knockers are preparing to start visiting homes that have yet to fill out forms for the 2020 census as early as mid-July , the Census Bureau announced Friday .
As part of other revamped plans for the national head count since the coronavirus outbreak , the bureau says the counting of people experiencing homelessness — both at shelters and outdoors — has been rescheduled for late September , and census workers will continue in-person counting in remote Alaska Native villages , which began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past counts , in-person visits by the bureau 's workers have helped boost census participation among communities of color and other historically undercounted groups who are less likely to take part on their own in the constitutionally mandated count of every person living in the country .
But the COVID-19 pandemic had halted those kinds of interactions and upended the bureau 's earlier plans to start in-person visits to unresponsive homes in April and finish by the end of July .
Faced with stay-at-home orders and public health concerns , the bureau had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until August to send out door knockers .
But in a press release on Friday , the bureau says it 's now planning a `` soft launch '' next month to `` ensure systems , operations and field plans work as they should . ''
The bureau is expected to announce by the end of this month which six areas of the country may first see census workers at their doors , wearing personal protective equipment and trained in social distancing , for the nonresponse follow-up operation .
As early as Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to parts of northern Maine and southeast Alaska to interview residents in remote areas that — unlike most of the U.S. — have not received any Census Bureau letters or postcards about the count because they do not have regular mail delivery .
By Aug. 11 , door knockers will be fanning out across the country to follow up with unresponsive homes through the end of October , when the bureau says it plans to stop collecting responses .
Earlier this week , however , the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to complete the once-a-decade count `` may be less effective '' in a `` post-COVID-19 environment , '' given concerns that close interactions could increase the spread of the coronavirus .
`` This may affect the quality of the data , especially for groups that are less likely to self-respond ( often hard to count populations ) , '' the GAO report said .
That , in turn , would affect the census results used to determine each state 's share of congressional seats , Electoral College votes and an estimated $ 1.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for public services over the next decade .
As of Thursday , more than 90 million households have participated in the count online , over the phone or through the mail , bringing the national self-response rate to 60.9 % .
Under increased pressure because of the unpredictability of the pandemic , the bureau has asked Congress to extend by four months the legal deadlines for reporting census results , including new state population counts currently due by the end of December and the census data for the redrawing of voting districts due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While House Democrats have moved forward with legislation granting those extensions , the Republican-controlled Senate has not put forth any bills so far .
In case Congress does not pass a new law , the GAO report notes , it will be `` important '' for the bureau to `` monitor the risks '' of potentially having to process and produce census data `` under compressed time frames . ''

Skipped The Census? A Knock On Your Door May Be Coming As Early As July
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt Rourke/AP Matt Rourke/AP
Door knockers are preparing to start visiting homes that have yet to fill out forms for the 2020 census as early as mid-July, the Census Bureau announced Friday.
As part of other revamped plans for the national head count since the coronavirus outbreak, the bureau says the counting of people experiencing homelessness — both at shelters and outdoors — has been rescheduled for late September, and census workers will continue in-person counting in remote Alaska Native villages, which began in January, through August.
For past counts, in-person visits by the bureau's workers have helped boost census participation among communities of color and other historically undercounted groups who are less likely to take part on their own in the constitutionally mandated count of every person living in the country.
But the COVID-19 pandemic had halted those kinds of interactions and upended the bureau's earlier plans to start in-person visits to unresponsive homes in April and finish by the end of July. Faced with stay-at-home orders and public health concerns, the bureau had previously announced it was planning to wait until August to send out door knockers.
But in a press release on Friday, the bureau says it's now planning a "soft launch" next month to "ensure systems, operations and field plans work as they should." The bureau is expected to announce by the end of this month which six areas of the country may first see census workers at their doors, wearing personal protective equipment and trained in social distancing, for the nonresponse follow-up operation.
As early as Sunday, a smaller group of workers is set to return to parts of northern Maine and southeast Alaska to interview residents in remote areas that — unlike most of the U.S. — have not received any Census Bureau letters or postcards about the count because they do not have regular mail delivery.
By Aug. 11, door knockers will be fanning out across the country to follow up with unresponsive homes through the end of October, when the bureau says it plans to stop collecting responses.
Earlier this week, however, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report warning that these door-to-door visits to complete the once-a-decade count "may be less effective" in a "post-COVID-19 environment," given concerns that close interactions could increase the spread of the coronavirus.
"This may affect the quality of the data, especially for groups that are less likely to self-respond (often hard to count populations)," the GAO report said.
That, in turn, would affect the census results used to determine each state's share of congressional seats, Electoral College votes and an estimated $1.5 trillion a year in federal tax dollars for public services over the next decade.
As of Thursday, more than 90 million households have participated in the count online, over the phone or through the mail, bringing the national self-response rate to 60.9%.
Under increased pressure because of the unpredictability of the pandemic, the bureau has asked Congress to extend by four months the legal deadlines for reporting census results, including new state population counts currently due by the end of December and the census data for the redrawing of voting districts due by the end of March 2021.
While House Democrats have moved forward with legislation granting those extensions, the Republican-controlled Senate has not put forth any bills so far.
In case Congress does not pass a new law, the GAO report notes, it will be "important" for the bureau to "monitor the risks" of potentially having to process and produce census data "under compressed time frames."


npr--2020-06-12--In Richmond, Va., Protestors Transform A Confederate Statue

Confederate monuments in the former capital of the Confederacy are being transformed into a new kind of icon as activists alter and pose for photos at the statues , one of which is at the center of a legal fight over its planned removal .
In recent days , photos have emerged online of teenage ballerinas dancing , activists holding flags and posing victoriously , and families gathering at the base of a statue to Gen. Robert E. Lee and other Confederate memorials in Richmond , Va. - now covered in graffiti including anti-racist slogans and messages .
Gregory Carden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artist known as Radio B , was among a group of artists , producers , and writers from the local hip hop community who gathered to pose this week in front of the Lee statue .
When he recently posed there for an upcoming album cover , he said , it was the closest he 'd ever been to the monument .
`` What struck me about that was how massive of a structure it was , how detailed it was , '' Carden said .
`` There was a lot of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of symbolism that went into creating that monument ... how much effort and how much care was put into the meaning of what that was there for , which was the oppression of my people . ''
Carden sees the writing on the monument — which includes the names of black people killed in police custody — as a way of transforming the monument .
`` For some people it looks like destruction ; to me it looks like art , '' he said .
Another local hip hop artist , Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protest movement and calls for removal of white supremacist symbols will lead to political and systemic changes to address racial injustice .
`` I want people to not care about whether or not there 's a statue .
I want people to focus on ... how we create longstanding change , '' he said .
`` If this is the tip of the iceberg , we can not let the tip be more important than the actual iceberg itself . ''
Many activists are expressing hope that the removal of Confederate symbols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbour , who 's 30 and works in finance , recently posed in front of the Lee monument in all black , in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement .
He said he was pleased to see activists of all racial identities gathering around the statue to protest — and pose — in recent days .
`` The standing in front of it , the dancing — it symbolizes a level of freedom that black people have never had before , '' Barbour said .
`` As African Americans , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our counterparts , white people .
I do n't want to sit there and talk to you about the Lee monument all the time ; we need to be able to go forward and talk about something else without that being in the background . ''
The statue has also become a gathering place for families , who come to document the moment together .
Abriana Northington-Winston , 15 , lives with her family outside Richmond .
They chose the giant statue as an unlikely spot to celebrate her older brother 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his cap and gown .
`` It 's in our DNA to persevere , '' Northington-Winston said .
`` All these obstacles thrown at us — we take something negative and turn it into something positive , something beautiful , something that represents our past and our future to come . ''
Northington-Winston said she hopes to see the statue itself come down , but she 'd like to see the pedestal , covered in anti-racist messages , remain in place .
The Lee monument has stood for 130 years .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis , Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam said it was time for the statue to come down .
That announcement has prompted lawsuits from Virginians who say the monument is part of the commonwealth 's history and should remain in place , including a man who described himself as a descendant of one of its donors .
The lawsuit says the commonwealth promised to `` affectionately protect '' and guard the statue .
Already , groups of protesters in the city have removed monuments to Jefferson Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Italian explorer Christopher Columbus , who is known for his legacy of violence against indigenous people .
Nationwide , there 's a growing movement to remove Confederate statues and rename sites honoring the Confederacy .

In Richmond, Va., Protesters Transform A Confederate Statue
Enlarge this image toggle caption Julia Rendleman/Reuters Julia Rendleman/Reuters
Confederate monuments in the former capital of the Confederacy are being transformed into a new kind of icon as activists alter and pose for photos at the statues, one of which is at the center of a legal fight over its planned removal.
In recent days, photos have emerged online of teenage ballerinas dancing, activists holding flags and posing victoriously, and families gathering at the base of a statue to Gen. Robert E. Lee and other Confederate memorials in Richmond, Va. - now covered in graffiti including anti-racist slogans and messages.
Gregory Carden, 38, a Richmond hip hop artist known as Radio B, was among a group of artists, producers, and writers from the local hip hop community who gathered to pose this week in front of the Lee statue.
When he recently posed there for an upcoming album cover, he said, it was the closest he'd ever been to the monument.
"What struck me about that was how massive of a structure it was, how detailed it was," Carden said. "There was a lot of money and a lot of manpower and a lot of symbolism that went into creating that monument ... how much effort and how much care was put into the meaning of what that was there for, which was the oppression of my people."
Carden sees the writing on the monument — which includes the names of black people killed in police custody — as a way of transforming the monument.
"For some people it looks like destruction; to me it looks like art," he said.
Another local hip hop artist, Rob Fields, 37, said he hopes the protest movement and calls for removal of white supremacist symbols will lead to political and systemic changes to address racial injustice.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Robert Cole Robert Cole
"I want people to not care about whether or not there's a statue. I want people to focus on ... how we create longstanding change," he said. "If this is the tip of the iceberg, we cannot let the tip be more important than the actual iceberg itself."
Many activists are expressing hope that the removal of Confederate symbols will be more than symbolic.
Matthew Barbour, who's 30 and works in finance, recently posed in front of the Lee monument in all black, in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement. He said he was pleased to see activists of all racial identities gathering around the statue to protest — and pose — in recent days.
"The standing in front of it, the dancing — it symbolizes a level of freedom that black people have never had before," Barbour said. "As African Americans, it's freeing us to be able to connect with our counterparts, white people. I don't want to sit there and talk to you about the Lee monument all the time; we need to be able to go forward and talk about something else without that being in the background."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ryan M. Kelly/AFP via Getty Images Ryan M. Kelly/AFP via Getty Images
The statue has also become a gathering place for families, who come to document the moment together. Abriana Northington-Winston, 15, lives with her family outside Richmond. They chose the giant statue as an unlikely spot to celebrate her older brother's high school graduation; he posed in his cap and gown.
"It's in our DNA to persevere," Northington-Winston said. "All these obstacles thrown at us — we take something negative and turn it into something positive, something beautiful, something that represents our past and our future to come."
Enlarge this image toggle caption J. Scott Applewhite/AP J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Northington-Winston said she hopes to see the statue itself come down, but she'd like to see the pedestal, covered in anti-racist messages, remain in place.
The Lee monument has stood for 130 years. In response to nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said it was time for the statue to come down.
That announcement has prompted lawsuits from Virginians who say the monument is part of the commonwealth's history and should remain in place, including a man who described himself as a descendant of one of its donors. The lawsuit says the commonwealth promised to "affectionately protect" and guard the statue.
Already, groups of protesters in the city have removed monuments to Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, and Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, who is known for his legacy of violence against indigenous people. Nationwide, there's a growing movement to remove Confederate statues and rename sites honoring the Confederacy.


npr--2020-06-13--Atlanta Police Chief Resigns After Police Shoot And Kill Black Man

Atlanta 's chief of police has resigned , less than a day after police fatally shot a 27-year-old black man outside of a fast food restaurant .
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Saturday that she had accepted Erika Shields ' resignation .
During a press conference , Bottoms said Shields had informed her of the decision , saying it was out of a desire for the Atlanta Police Department to serve as a model for reform .
`` Chief Shields has offered to immediately step aside as police chief so that the city may move forward with urgency in rebuilding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , '' Bottoms said .
Shields ' resignation follows an outcry over the Friday night death of Rayshard Brooks .
A police officer shot the 27-year-old after Brooks ran away with an officer 's Taser and pointed it at police following a scuffle , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said .
Police had been called after Brooks was found asleep in a car at a Wendy 's drive-through .
The GBI said officers attempted to arrest him when Brooks failed a sobriety test .
Authorities have not identified Brooks ' race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows a black man grappling with two police officers before running away with one of their Tasers .
The two officers then give chase and shots are heard out of view .
During the press conference , Bottoms offered her condolences to Brooks ' family .
She also called for the immediate termination of the officer who fired the shots that killed Brooks .
`` While there may be debate whether this was an appropriate use of deadly force , I firmly believe there is a clear distinction between what you can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bottoms said .
`` I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force and have called for the immediate termination of the officer . ''
The news of Brooks ' death spread in a whiplash fashion and drew condemnation after weeks of nationwide protests over police killings of black people .
Former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams said Brooks ' death must be investigated .
`` The killing of # RayshardBrooks in Atlanta last night demands we severely restrict the use of deadly force , '' Abrams tweeted .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in death . ''
Just hours before Bottoms ' announcement , the state 's NAACP called for Shields ' resignation .
`` Georgia woke up to disturbing videos and reports of Rayshard Brooks being killed by an officer of the Atlanta Police Department , '' the Georgia NAACP said in a statement .
`` This is not the first time a Black man was killed for sleeping . ''
Earlier in the day , state investigators offered more details about the shooting .
GBI Director Vic Reynolds said his agency had reviewed restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be one of the officer 's Tasers .
Brooks is then shown turning around and apparently pointing the Taser at police .
`` At that point , the Atlanta officer reaches down and retrieves his weapon from his holster , discharges it , strikes Mr. Brooks there on the parking lot and he goes down , '' Reynolds said .
The Bureau released the footage to the public later on Saturday .
Brooks died after undergoing surgery at a nearby hospital , according to authorities .
Former Assistant Chief Rodney Bryant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department until a replacement is selected , Bottoms said .
Shields , who had been appointed chief in 2016 , will continue to serve in a yet-to-be determined role with the city .

Atlanta Police Release Video Of Minutes Before Rayshard Brooks Shooting
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Updated at 9:44 p.m. ET Sunday
As Atlanta protesters took to the streets again Sunday, incensed by the killing of Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old black man fatally shot by a police officer, body cam videos released by the Atlanta Police Department showed Brooks being polite and for the most part, calmly complying with officers' requests.
The incident quickly turned deadly and by Sunday the city's police chief had resigned, the officer who shot Brooks had been fired and ongoing demonstrations against police killings of black people were reignited.
Police were called after Brooks was found asleep in a car at a Wendy's drive-through Friday night.
In video of the officers' questioning, which lasted over 30 minutes, Brooks was open about the reason why he had pulled off and fell asleep, saying at one point, "I'm just not feeling right," and admitting to having some drinks Friday evening.
At one point during the encounter Brooks tells officers, "I know you're just doing your job."
Officers gave Brooks a field sobriety test, then asked if he would comply with taking a breathalyzer test, which he did.
After he failed that test, footage shows an officer attempts to handcuff and arrest Brooks, when a struggle breaks out.
Brooks then appears to grab a Taser, and runs away. The two officers give chase and one fires a Taser at Brooks, and at one point Brooks points the Taser in the direction of an officer behind him.
Then that officer pulls out a hand gun and fires at Brooks, three shots are heard, and Brooks falls to the ground. Brooks later died at the hospital.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner confirmed on Sunday that Brooks died of gunshot wounds to his back, and labeled the death a homicide.
Brooks family responds
"We count two minutes and 16 seconds before they even checked his pulse," L. Chris Stewart, one of the Brooks family attorneys, said in a press conference on Saturday evening.
According to the Brooks family attorneys, Rayshard Brooks has three daughters, who are 1, 2 and 8 years old. He was working at a "tortilla place," Stewart said. Brooks reportedly also had a stepson.
"He was supposed to take his daughter skating today for her birthday," Justin Miller, another attorney representing the Brooks family, said. "Today [Saturday] there was a birthday party, with cupcakes while we were sitting there talking to her mom about why he's not coming home."
The officer who shot Brooks, Stewart said, should be charged with "an unjustified use of deadly force, which equals murder."
"This wasn't a violent crime, they had his I.D., they knew where he lived, they had the car," Stewart said.
"I feel like I'm stuck being a single black parent. I'm being forced to do it by myself. This was not a choice. They took my husband away," Tomika Miller, Brooks' wife, said in an interview with ABC. "They destroyed my family. No justice will ever get that back. This is another black family being broken."
Police chief resigns; officer fired
The details emerging from the videos came a day after Atlanta's chief of police Erika Shields stepped down.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Saturday that she had accepted Shields' resignation. During a press conference, Bottoms said Shields had informed her of the decision to step aside, saying it was out of a desire for the Atlanta Police Department to serve as a model for reform.
"Chief Shields has offered to immediately step aside as police chief so that the city may move forward with urgency in rebuilding the trust so desperately needed throughout our community," Bottoms said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Shields said in a statement that her decision was made "out of a deep and abiding love" for her city.
"It is time for the city to move forward and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve," she said.
During the press conference, Bottoms offered her condolences to Brooks' family. She also called for the immediate termination of the officer who fired the shots that killed Brooks.
"While there may be debate whether this was an appropriate use of deadly force, I firmly believe there is a clear distinction between what you can do and what you should do," Bottoms said. "I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force and have called for the immediate termination of the officer."
Former Assistant Chief Rodney Bryant will serve as the interim head of the department until a replacement is selected, Bottoms said. Shields, who had been appointed chief in 2016, will continue to serve in a yet-to-be determined role with the city.
Atlanta Police Sgt. John Chafee told NPR late Saturday night that Officer Garrett Rolfe, who fired at Brooks, had been terminated following the incident. Rolfe had been working for the department since 2013. Devin Brosnan, another officer involved in the incident, has been placed on administrative leave.
Condemnation and protests; Wendy's burns
The news of Brooks' death spread in a whiplash fashion and drew condemnation after weeks of nationwide protests over police killings of black people. Protests broke out in Atlanta, with some demonstrators setting a fire inside of the Wendy's where the shooting took place.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department said in a tweet that officers were not entering the Wendy's until it was safe to to do. The building is located next to a gas station.
Former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams said Brooks' death must be investigated.
"The killing of #RayshardBrooks in Atlanta last night demands we severely restrict the use of deadly force," Abrams tweeted. "Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death."
Just hours before Bottoms' announcement, the state's NAACP called for Shields' resignation.
"Georgia woke up to disturbing videos and reports of Rayshard Brooks being killed by an officer of the Atlanta Police Department," the Georgia NAACP said in a statement. "This is not the first time a Black man was killed for sleeping."
"[Brooks] did not seem to present any threat to anyone. The fact that it would escalate to his death seems unreasonable," Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard told CNN on Sunday.
Howard also said a decision on whether charges would be brought against the officers would be made by mid-next week.


npr--2020-06-13--Poland Accidentally Invades Czech Republic In 'Minor Misunderstanding'

You 'd be forgiven for not knowing that the Polish military recently invaded and briefly occupied territory in the Czech Republic .
Seems like headline news , sure — but it appears that even the Polish troops did n't know what they were doing .
A spokesperson for the Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed to NPR on Saturday that `` Polish soldiers mistakenly deterred our citizens from entering a church on the Czech territory in close vicinity of the Czech-Polish borders . ''
Czech officials say the incident happened in late May near a small village known as Pelhřimovy , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that their diplomats immediately notified their Polish counterparts , and that Polish soldiers are `` no longer '' present at the site , which Czech nationals can again visit as they wish .
Poland 's Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident while contradicting the assertion that it was officially notified .
Neither the ministry nor the Polish Embassy in Prague were formally informed about it , a spokesperson told NPR .
`` According to our information , the case was discussed by the authorities responsible for border protection on the Polish and Czech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office said in a statement .
`` In the spirit of good Polish-Czech relations , we believe that this was only a minor misunderstanding that was quickly cleared up . ''
Poland 's Ministry of Defense did not immediately reply to NPR 's request for comment .
But in a statement to CNN , officials there offered further details on the `` misunderstanding '' between the two European Union members , which they say occurred just across the border from a small Polish border village known as Pielgrzymów .
Soldiers assisting the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wrong location last month .
It was `` not a deliberate act , '' the ministry said .
`` It was corrected immediately and the case was resolved — also by the Czech side , '' a spokesperson explained to CNN .
Though both countries belong to the EU , Poland closed its borders for nearly three months in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Poland only lifted those restrictions for most of its neighbors on Saturday , a couple of days ahead of an EU deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Czech Foreign Ministry spokesperson , Zuzana Štíchová , made clear there were no hard feelings about the little dust-up .
`` Our Polish counterparts unofficially assured us that this incident was merely a misunderstanding caused by the Polish military with no hostile intention , '' she said .
`` However , we are still expecting a formal statement . ''

Poland Accidentally Invades Czech Republic In 'Minor Misunderstanding'
You'd be forgiven for not knowing that the Polish military recently invaded and briefly occupied territory in the Czech Republic. Seems like headline news, sure — but it appears that even the Polish troops didn't know what they were doing.
A spokesperson for the Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed to NPR on Saturday that "Polish soldiers mistakenly deterred our citizens from entering a church on the Czech territory in close vicinity of the Czech-Polish borders."
Czech officials say the incident happened in late May near a small village known as Pelhřimovy, just across the border from Poland. They added that their diplomats immediately notified their Polish counterparts, and that Polish soldiers are "no longer" present at the site, which Czech nationals can again visit as they wish.
Poland's Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident while contradicting the assertion that it was officially notified. Neither the ministry nor the Polish Embassy in Prague were formally informed about it, a spokesperson told NPR.
"According to our information, the case was discussed by the authorities responsible for border protection on the Polish and Czech sides," the ministry's press office said in a statement. "In the spirit of good Polish-Czech relations, we believe that this was only a minor misunderstanding that was quickly cleared up."
Poland's Ministry of Defense did not immediately reply to NPR's request for comment. But in a statement to CNN, officials there offered further details on the "misunderstanding" between the two European Union members, which they say occurred just across the border from a small Polish border village known as Pielgrzymów. Soldiers assisting the country's border guard simply established their post in the wrong location last month. It was "not a deliberate act," the ministry said.
"It was corrected immediately and the case was resolved — also by the Czech side," a spokesperson explained to CNN.
Though both countries belong to the EU, Poland closed its borders for nearly three months in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Poland only lifted those restrictions for most of its neighbors on Saturday, a couple of days ahead of an EU deadline to open internal borders within the bloc.
The Czech Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zuzana Štíchová, made clear there were no hard feelings about the little dust-up.
"Our Polish counterparts unofficially assured us that this incident was merely a misunderstanding caused by the Polish military with no hostile intention," she said. "However, we are still expecting a formal statement."


npr--2020-06-13--With Cadets Social Distancing And A Backdrop Of Tensions, Trump Speaks At West Point

With Cadets Social Distancing And A Backdrop Of Tensions , Trump Speaks At West Point President Trump addressed the graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday as the nation continues to grapple with a public health crisis and unrest following the police killing of George Floyd .
The president delivered his remarks at West Point to an audience of more than 1,000 graduating cadets .
The in-person speech was a break from the video addresses that have been ubiquitous this graduation season .
During his address , Trump praised the graduating class , highlighting the military academy 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He invoked the names of famous graduates , such as Generals Douglas MacArthur and George S. Patton , and celebrated the academy 's role in shaping America 's military .
`` No force on earth can match the noble power and righteous glory of the American warrior , '' Trump said .
The president told cadets that the moment they entered the academy 's grounds , they `` became brothers and sisters pledging allegiance to the same timeless principles . ''
`` You come from the farms and the cities , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race , religion , color and creed .
But when you entered these grounds you became part of one team one family proudly serving one great nation , '' the president said .
For most of his remarks , Trump hewed closely to the themes of the commencement ceremony , extrapolating on the school 's motto , `` Duty .
Honor .
Country . ''
He did not directly address the ongoing nationwide protests against police violence , but did use his remarks to thank the U.S. National Guard in responding to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring peace , safety and the constitutional rule of law on our streets . ''
The remarks came against a backdrop of tensions between the president and current and former military leaders over Trump 's response to nationwide protests over police violence .
Earlier this month , Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he disagreed with President Trump 's threatened use of the 1807 Insurrection Act to quell the protests .
On Thursday , Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , said he regretted appearing with the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forceful dispersal of peaceful protesters near the White House .
The incident prompted a stinging rebuke from the president 's first Secretary of Defense , retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis , who called it `` an abuse of executive authority . ''
The president has also said he opposes renaming military bases named for confederate generals despite bipartisan support in Congress .
During his remarks , the president also mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic referring to the disease as `` an invisible enemy '' from a `` distant land called China . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said .
`` We will extinguish this plague . ''
The pandemic had a marked effect on the ceremony .
Cadets who 'd been sent home because of the coronavirus were called back for the ceremony .
During the ceremony , graduates were seated six feet away from each other .
Cadets also donned masks as they crossed the stage .
There was also no handshakes and family had to watch the ceremony remotely .

With Cadets Social Distancing And A Backdrop Of Tensions, Trump Speaks At West Point
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
President Trump addressed the graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday as the nation continues to grapple with a public health crisis and unrest following the police killing of George Floyd.
The president delivered his remarks at West Point to an audience of more than 1,000 graduating cadets. The in-person speech was a break from the video addresses that have been ubiquitous this graduation season.
During his address, Trump praised the graduating class, highlighting the military academy's legacy and the work of individual cadets. He invoked the names of famous graduates, such as Generals Douglas MacArthur and George S. Patton, and celebrated the academy's role in shaping America's military.
"No force on earth can match the noble power and righteous glory of the American warrior," Trump said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
The president told cadets that the moment they entered the academy's grounds, they "became brothers and sisters pledging allegiance to the same timeless principles."
"You come from the farms and the cities, from states big and small and from every race, religion, color and creed. But when you entered these grounds you became part of one team one family proudly serving one great nation," the president said.
For most of his remarks, Trump hewed closely to the themes of the commencement ceremony, extrapolating on the school's motto, "Duty. Honor. Country." He did not directly address the ongoing nationwide protests against police violence, but did use his remarks to thank the U.S. National Guard in responding to "recent challenges" among them, "ensuring peace, safety and the constitutional rule of law on our streets."
The remarks came against a backdrop of tensions between the president and current and former military leaders over Trump's response to nationwide protests over police violence.
Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he disagreed with President Trump's threatened use of the 1807 Insurrection Act to quell the protests.
On Thursday, Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he regretted appearing with the president during a photo op that followed the forceful dispersal of peaceful protesters near the White House. The incident prompted a stinging rebuke from the president's first Secretary of Defense, retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis, who called it "an abuse of executive authority."
The president has also said he opposes renaming military bases named for confederate generals despite bipartisan support in Congress.
During his remarks, the president also mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic referring to the disease as "an invisible enemy" from a "distant land called China."
"We will vanquish the virus," Trump said. "We will extinguish this plague."
The pandemic had a marked effect on the ceremony. Cadets who'd been sent home because of the coronavirus were called back for the ceremony.
During the ceremony, graduates were seated six feet away from each other. Cadets also donned masks as they crossed the stage. There was also no handshakes and family had to watch the ceremony remotely.


npr--2020-06-13--In East Texas, Death Of George Floyd Brings Activism To A Region Of Rare Protest

In East Texas , Death Of George Floyd Brings Activism To A Region Of Rare Protest The civil rights movement largely passed East Texas by in the 1950s and '60s .
Today , more than a half century later , there remains little tradition of protest in the region — part of plantation country during slavery — and scant experience with organizing .
Houston is the gateway to East Texas , and with the funeral service for George Floyd this past Tuesday , the city , for a few short hours at least , became the focus of a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , organizers across the vast region are intent on making sure their voices continue to be heard .
Whatever Black Lives Matter and other organizers build here , will be new construction .
Signs of this new energy have been steadily growing in East Texas since video emerged showing a white Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd 's neck for nearly nine minutes on May 25 , leading to his death at the age of 46 .
On the Saturday before Floyd 's burial , protesters were rallying in Bergfeld Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , roughly 200 miles north of Houston .
Burgers were cooking on a large grill with rotating cooks , while a bouncy house was bouncing away with children inside mimicking their parents , chanting , `` No justice , no peace . ''
In the middle of the park sits a large amphitheater .
Onstage was the rally organizer , who goes by the name Blue .
Concerned for her safety , she did not want to give her full name .
She wore a hospital mask , a bullet proof vest that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a microphone in one hand and a megaphone in the other .
`` I 'm very excited to be here today , I 'm also a little worried , '' she says .
`` But that 's what this fight is about , fighting through the pain , fighting through the fear .
Because I 'm done being scared , I 'm doing seeing my brothers and sisters being scared . ''
Rumors of threats against Blue 's life – specifically , that she 'll be shot on stage — had gotten back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the crowd how she 's been affected .
`` I have gone through hella emotions this week .
I went from standing up proud , standing in the street , because I know what I believe in .
Then I went from everybody get off the street , get on the sidewalk , we need to be safe .
I 've had family members tell me I 'm fighting a fight I do n't understand .
But we understand this , '' she says .
`` I understand this . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been too much for Blue .
Her emotions overwhelmed her and she left the stage unable to get another word out .
There 's a long history in East Texas of whites murdering black people who dare to raise their hand against discrimination .
And while it 's true Jim Crow is now dead , racial discrimination is alive and well .
Among those in attendance at the park was Amori Mitchell , 31 , a nurse with her master 's degree .
`` We are out here basically because it is time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And George Floyd was the last breath felt around the world because enough is truly enough .
We have been dealing with various deaths from police brutality to just being targeted just for being black . ''
As she speaks , Mitchell 's voice is calm , but shakes with a quiet rage .
`` I go to school .
I get all this education .
And my white coworker makes $ 10 more an hour than me .
I have to do half of her things throughout the shift .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't draw blood , but you 're able to get $ 10 more an hour and you 're able to be in charge of me . ''
Multiply Mitchell 's story a thousand times , then again by 143 years to the end of Reconstruction and a culture of white supremacy is revealed .
Organizing protests , rallies and marches anywhere is an uphill climb , but in few places is it as hard as it is in East Texas .
In the summer of 1998 , in Jasper , Texas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking home one night when three white men in a pickup , whom he knew , offered to give him a ride home .
Instead , they drove Byrd to a clearing in the woods , beat him , then chained him to the truck hitch and dragged him three miles down a dark country road .
When they were done , they picked up Byrd 's body and left it in front of a nearby African-American church .
The murder was an echo from East Texas history , when lynching black men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And so the image from Minnesota of a white police officer with his knee upon George Floyd 's neck has stirred people to action here in an unprecedented way .
From Tyler to Jasper , Athens to Sulphur Springs , thousands of blacks , whites and Hispanics are protesting .
At Twin City Church of Christ in Texarkana , cars were parked recently in rows facing the church like a drive-in movie .
On the sidewalk , the choir was under one tent and the pulpit under another .
Pastor David Watkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of God and social justice .
Watkins says in Texarkana , black churches have so far , not gotten involved much with the protests .
`` There 's a dichotomy in approach , '' he explains .
`` The difference between the older generation and , you know , their perspective of how we should proceed and the younger generation and our perspective of how we should proceed .
There is a staunch disconnect between the two , I think . ''
Watkins says black pastors and other black leaders here have focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trying to hold them accountable .
Watkins also says , in the black church , COVID-19 is a major threat to older congregations , making them wary of protest crowds .
`` One of the things that I think many older people feel like , '' says Watkins , `` is that this is a movement now for younger people to take a hold of .
And we 've already done our job .
We 've already been through this .
And nothing has changed . ''
Still black churches in Texarkana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their organizer are scraping by .
It 's a point that 's not lost on Watkins , who says he 's decided to pull together a meeting with the major African-American pastors in Texarkana , and get protestors and their organizers some funding .

In East Texas, Death Of George Floyd Brings Activism To A Region Of Rare Protest
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Gay/AP Eric Gay/AP
The civil rights movement largely passed East Texas by in the 1950s and '60s. Today, more than a half century later, there remains little tradition of protest in the region — part of plantation country during slavery — and scant experience with organizing.
Houston is the gateway to East Texas, and with the funeral service for George Floyd this past Tuesday, the city, for a few short hours at least, became the focus of a national movement against police violence and systemic racism.
Now, organizers across the vast region are intent on making sure their voices continue to be heard. Whatever Black Lives Matter and other organizers build here, will be new construction.
Signs of this new energy have been steadily growing in East Texas since video emerged showing a white Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes on May 25, leading to his death at the age of 46.
On the Saturday before Floyd's burial, protesters were rallying in Bergfeld Park in the city of Tyler, Texas, roughly 200 miles north of Houston. Burgers were cooking on a large grill with rotating cooks, while a bouncy house was bouncing away with children inside mimicking their parents, chanting, "No justice, no peace."
In the middle of the park sits a large amphitheater. Onstage was the rally organizer, who goes by the name Blue. Concerned for her safety, she did not want to give her full name. She wore a hospital mask, a bullet proof vest that came to her knees. She held a microphone in one hand and a megaphone in the other.
"I'm very excited to be here today, I'm also a little worried," she says. "But that's what this fight is about, fighting through the pain, fighting through the fear. Because I'm done being scared, I'm doing seeing my brothers and sisters being scared."
Rumors of threats against Blue's life – specifically, that she'll be shot on stage — had gotten back to her. She tried to explain to the crowd how she's been affected.
"I have gone through hella emotions this week. I went from standing up proud, standing in the street, because I know what I believe in. Then I went from everybody get off the street, get on the sidewalk, we need to be safe. I've had family members tell me I'm fighting a fight I don't understand. But we understand this," she says. "I understand this."
The crowd cheered, but it's all been too much for Blue. Her emotions overwhelmed her and she left the stage unable to get another word out.
A history of discrimination
There's a long history in East Texas of whites murdering black people who dare to raise their hand against discrimination. And while it's true Jim Crow is now dead, racial discrimination is alive and well.
Among those in attendance at the park was Amori Mitchell, 31, a nurse with her master's degree.
"We are out here basically because it is time for a change," says Mitchell. "And George Floyd was the last breath felt around the world because enough is truly enough. We have been dealing with various deaths from police brutality to just being targeted just for being black."
As she speaks, Mitchell's voice is calm, but shakes with a quiet rage.
"I go to school. I get all this education. And my white coworker makes $10 more an hour than me. I have to do half of her things throughout the shift. You can't start IV's, can't draw blood, but you're able to get $10 more an hour and you're able to be in charge of me."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lee Hancock/NPR Lee Hancock/NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lee Hancock/NPR Lee Hancock/NPR
Multiply Mitchell's story a thousand times, then again by 143 years to the end of Reconstruction and a culture of white supremacy is revealed.
Organizing protests, rallies and marches anywhere is an uphill climb, but in few places is it as hard as it is in East Texas.
In the summer of 1998, in Jasper, Texas, 49 year old James Byrd Jr. was walking home one night when three white men in a pickup, whom he knew, offered to give him a ride home. Instead, they drove Byrd to a clearing in the woods, beat him, then chained him to the truck hitch and dragged him three miles down a dark country road. When they were done, they picked up Byrd's body and left it in front of a nearby African-American church.
The murder was an echo from East Texas history, when lynching black men was the domestic terrorism of its day.
And so the image from Minnesota of a white police officer with his knee upon George Floyd's neck has stirred people to action here in an unprecedented way. From Tyler to Jasper, Athens to Sulphur Springs, thousands of blacks, whites and Hispanics are protesting.
A changing approach
At Twin City Church of Christ in Texarkana, cars were parked recently in rows facing the church like a drive-in movie. On the sidewalk, the choir was under one tent and the pulpit under another. Pastor David Watkins, 33, seamlessly blended the word of God and social justice.
Watkins says in Texarkana, black churches have so far, not gotten involved much with the protests.
"There's a dichotomy in approach," he explains. "The difference between the older generation and, you know, their perspective of how we should proceed and the younger generation and our perspective of how we should proceed. There is a staunch disconnect between the two, I think."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Wade Goodwyn/NPR Wade Goodwyn/NPR
Watkins says black pastors and other black leaders here have focused on leveraging their relationships with white politicians and trying to hold them accountable. Watkins also says, in the black church, COVID-19 is a major threat to older congregations, making them wary of protest crowds.
"One of the things that I think many older people feel like," says Watkins, "is that this is a movement now for younger people to take a hold of. And we've already done our job. We've already been through this. And nothing has changed."
Still black churches in Texarkana have money, while the protesters and their organizer are scraping by. It's a point that's not lost on Watkins, who says he's decided to pull together a meeting with the major African-American pastors in Texarkana, and get protestors and their organizers some funding.


npr--2020-06-13--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak Since the new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan , China , in December , the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 has spread rapidly within China and to neighboring countries and beyond .
The first confirmed coronavirus cases outside China occurred on Jan. 20 , in Japan , Thailand and South Korea .
On Jan. 21 , the first case in the U.S. was identified in Washington state .
On Jan. 24 , the first two European cases were confirmed in France .
By Feb. 1 , eight European nations had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month later that count had risen to 24 countries with at least 2,200 cases , most of them in Italy .
On March 11 , Italy eclipsed 10,000 cases and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic — the first since H1N1 in 2009 .
That 's also when China , the original epicenter , began seeing drops in daily counts of new cases .
March also saw exponential spread of the virus throughout the U.S. , with all 50 states reporting cases by March 17 .
This particular virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause severe symptoms in humans .
The other two strains cause Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 .

Coronavirus world map: We've now passed the 600 million mark for infections
Editor's note: This page is no longer being updated. The last update was Sept. 5, 2022. For current data about COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world, Johns Hopkins University and Our World in Data are useful resources.
In late January 2020 only a few dozen COVID-19 infections had been identified outside of China. A year later, the world tallied its first 100 million cases. It took the globe just 7 more months to pass the 200 million mark— then another 5 months to hit 300 million, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Now the virus has spread to every corner of the globe and has been blamed for more than 6 million deaths.
The United States, India and Brazil in that order have had the most COVID cases and the three nations collectively account for almost half of all recorded infections so far in the pandemic.
Explore the chart below to find a country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January 2020.
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Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time. The first chart compares each continent to each other, while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region.
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This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.


npr--2020-06-13--Tracking The Pandemic: Are Coronavirus Cases Rising Or Falling In Your State?

Tracking The Pandemic : Are Coronavirus Cases Rising Or Falling In Your State ?
More than 2 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the coronavirus and more than 110,000 have died .
The growth in new cases and deaths overall has at least temporarily slowed , but that pattern has n't been consistent across the country .
New hot spots are emerging as others subside .
Many states began relaxing some social distancing measures in May , and health leaders are watching for signs that the virus is starting to spread more aggressively .
In the graphics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in your state to see whether cases are rising , falling or staying level .
To jump to a map of total cases and deaths by state , click here .
The following chart displays states ' trends in new daily case counts , total cases , and per capita totals .
To compare state outbreaks , the trend lines for average new daily cases are graphed against each state 's total case count to date .
This highlights a state 's daily growth relative to the overall size of its outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts grow quickly , the curve bends upward .
As cases slow , the curve levels or bends down .
In New York , site of the country 's largest outbreak , the state 's curve rose sharply before reaching over 170,000 total cases in April .
Since then , new cases have fallen from about 10,000 per day in mid-April to 1,000 per day in early June .
Some states , such as Hawaii , have declined to just a handful of new cases per day , while others are growing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 15,000 total cases in May , saw a sudden increase in new cases in June .
The coronavirus has hit some states much harder than others .
For much of the pandemic , a large share of U.S. cases have been centered around New York City .
As of early June , New York state , Connecticut and New Jersey accounted for about 30 % of total cases in the nation and 42 % of deaths , although new cases have been dropping in these three states .
Across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , Illinois and Texas have high totals as well .
Some smaller states have had a heavy burden of disease relative to their population size , such as Nebraska and Iowa , which have high case counts per capita , and Louisiana and Michigan which have a high death count per capita .
Explore the map below to see totals and per capita figures around the country .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
For more detail on your state , the table below shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day in each state , week over week .
States marked in shades of red are showing growth , those in shades of green , are showing declines .
The data used here are compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local media reports .
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn contributed to and Carmel Wroth edited this story .

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
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Note: This page was last updated on Feb. 1, 2023. It will no longer be updated. For current data on COVID cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Feb. 1, there have been more than 101 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. and more than 1 million people have died of COVID-19. In the graphics below, explore the trends in your state.
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The above charts show average new cases per 100,000 people for each state over the last 12 months.
Note: Actual cases may be substantially higher, since many who test positive with at-home tests don't report their cases.
For additional data about COVID-19 in the U.S, including cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
To show trends, the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state, week over week for the last 28 days. States marked in shades of red have growing outbreaks; those in shades of green, are declining.
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Methodology
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the World Health Organization; national, state and local government health departments; 1point3acres; and local media reports.
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies. This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds. There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department's website. Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships.
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases, process testing backlogs or update their methodologies. The JHU team maintains a list of such changes.
This story was originally published on March 16, 2020. Elena Renken was a co-author on that version. Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story. Carmel Wroth edited this story.


npr--2020-06-13--Beijing In 'Wartime Emergency Mode' Amid Fresh Cluster Of Coronavirus Cases

For nearly two months , the Chinese capital , a city of more than 20 million people , did not report a single local case of the coronavirus .
But a recent spike in confirmed cases has officials in Beijing afraid they 're staring down a new outbreak — and they are responding with swift and sweeping measures to contain it .
Authorities say there have been seven new cases in the past three days , all of which are connected to the Xinfadi market , the city 's largest wholesale food market .
Health officials said Saturday that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from market workers the day before , 45 tested positive for the virus .
Under China 's standards for confirming coronavirus cases — which exclude asymptomatic individuals — this cluster of people wo n't be counted as confirmed unless they begin displaying symptoms and come up positive on a separate nucleic acid test .
Yet officials view the development with significant alarm — at least partly because the market employs or hosts some 10,000 workers and vendors and provides 90 % of the capital 's vegetables and fruit , according to state-run media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of epidemiological surveys and contact tracing ] , Beijing should take swift action , expand the testing pool to include all personnel involved with the market , and investigate surrounding neighborhoods , '' Beijing officials said in a statement outlining the contents of a high-level meeting Friday .
Authorities have shut down the market itself and parts of several others in the city , while canceling classes for at least nine schools nearby .
Eleven residential neighborhoods in the city 's Fengtai district now require temperature checks and are closed to outside visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a `` wartime emergency mode , '' Chu Junwei , a Fengtai official , told a news briefing Saturday , according to a Reuters translation .
Once the epicenter of the global pandemic , China had largely seen new cases taper off in recent months , while other countries , including the U.S. , surpassed it in total cases and deaths .
The positive data have been attributed partly because of the country 's shift to a diagnostic standard with a steep bar for confirmation and partly because of the strict lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @

Beijing In 'Wartime Emergency Mode' Amid Fresh Cluster Of Coronavirus Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images
For nearly two months, the Chinese capital, a city of more than 20 million people, did not report a single local case of the coronavirus. But a recent spike in confirmed cases has officials in Beijing afraid they're staring down a new outbreak — and they are responding with swift and sweeping measures to contain it.
Authorities say there have been seven new cases in the past three days, all of which are connected to the Xinfadi market, the city's largest wholesale food market. Health officials said Saturday that, of the 517 samples that they took from market workers the day before, 45 tested positive for the virus.
Under China's standards for confirming coronavirus cases — which exclude asymptomatic individuals — this cluster of people won't be counted as confirmed unless they begin displaying symptoms and come up positive on a separate nucleic acid test. Yet officials view the development with significant alarm — at least partly because the market employs or hosts some 10,000 workers and vendors and provides 90% of the capital's vegetables and fruit, according to state-run media.
"Depending on the results [of epidemiological surveys and contact tracing], Beijing should take swift action, expand the testing pool to include all personnel involved with the market, and investigate surrounding neighborhoods," Beijing officials said in a statement outlining the contents of a high-level meeting Friday.
Authorities have shut down the market itself and parts of several others in the city, while canceling classes for at least nine schools nearby. Eleven residential neighborhoods in the city's Fengtai district now require temperature checks and are closed to outside visitors.
The entire district has been placed in a "wartime emergency mode," Chu Junwei, a Fengtai official, told a news briefing Saturday, according to a Reuters translation.
Once the epicenter of the global pandemic, China had largely seen new cases taper off in recent months, while other countries, including the U.S., surpassed it in total cases and deaths. The positive data have been attributed partly because of the country's shift to a diagnostic standard with a steep bar for confirmation and partly because of the strict lockdowns implemented by Communist Party officials.


npr--2020-06-13--To Combat Disparities, Black Churches In Dallas Offer Coronavirus Testing

Families stood in line wearing masks .
White pop-up tents sheltered health care workers while they drew patients ' blood .
It was n't the scene at a medical clinic , but the parking of a black church in South Dallas in late May .
Friendship-West Baptist Church was the first of several black churches in the area to host a free weekly coronavirus testing event .
`` Knowing what I know , that this disease is hitting us disproportionately and killing us disproportionately , it would be irresponsible and reckless for us not to step up and take this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frederick Haynes , senior pastor at Friendship-West , who organized the event as part of the Together We Test initiative .
Neighborhoods in South Dallas , where there are more people of color , have fewer sites offering coronavirus testing than whiter North Dallas , just a few miles away .
They also have less health care access more broadly .
These disparities mean the experiences people have when seeking a test can be quite different , depending on where they live , as well as their income or fluency in navigating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friendship-West and had long wanted to get tested for coronavirus .
He said when the disease started its spread in the spring , he heard testing had been limited to certain people , like health care workers .
`` I was ready to do it as soon as I could , '' he said .
`` And when this opportunity came , we were glad . ''
His wife Alice is in her 70s and is the driver in the family .
She was happy to avoid driving on the highway to testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll notice that we are here because it is accessible .
And you 'll probably get a lot of people each time they 're doing this test because it 's close by , '' she said .
Public health experts say increased access to testing , and not just for the symptomatic , is key to finding and tamping down any emerging clusters of infection before they grow .
And since the coronavirus has hit people of color especially hard , it 's vital in their communities .
`` We 've got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to test anybody who presents who wants a test , '' says Angela Clendenin , an instructional assistant professor of epidemiology at the Texas A & M School of Public Health .
`` How can we deliver this all the way down to that neighborhood level ? ''
She adds that access to testing can mean any number of things beyond location .
`` Access is about time , the ability to leave work , the ability to take time off , '' she says .
In major cities across Texas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , including fewer testing sites in neighborhoods where more people of color live than there are in whiter neighborhoods .
Nationally , black people have suffered an outsized share of deaths from coronavirus compared to their share of the population .
Latinos are seeing a higher proportion of case numbers .
In Dallas , these inequities are made worse by the fact that the private health care system places more services in whiter areas .
Haynes says he appreciates what local officials are doing to bring tests to South Dallas , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in South Dallas and one downtown , and new temporary testing sites there as well .
The City of Dallas also has a mobile service .
But Haynes says many black people do n't necessarily trust official channels , due to past abuses by the medical industry .
`` Let 's use our trusted institutions , '' Haynes says .
`` The most trusted institution in the black community is the black church . ''
For some in North Dallas , a predominantly white area , not having symptoms of COVID-19 still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The difference there , however , is that money and health care services are often more accessible .
Lindsay Pope lives in the Lakewood neighborhood of North Dallas and had an elective surgery planned in April .
As the date approached , her doctor suggested she get tested for COVID-19 .
`` He did n't require the test but he recommended it if we could get one , '' she says .
`` And for my own piece of mind , I was like , 'ok , yeah , I 'll do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't figure out even where to go . ''
Her surgeon did n't know where to point her , nor did her husband 's primary care doctor who she asked next .
Pope found it hard to figure out where a healthy , non-symptomatic person who is n't an essential worker could get a coronavirus test .
( Dallas County recently published a comprehensive list of testing sites ) .
Then a friend suggested Pope use a service that comes to your home to do the test but charges the patient directly rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came out within 45 minutes of when I booked my appointment , '' she says .
Pope and her husband got three tests in all — the diagnostic test her surgeon had recommended , and two antibody tests , which can indicate if you 've been infected with the coronavirus in the past .
Add in an appointment fee , and the total bill was almost $ 700 — $ 200 for the diagnostic test alone — which Pope paid using a flexible savings account set up for health care expenses .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her insurance company .
Pope says it 's certainly not attainable for most people , and she would n't have done it without having a surgery scheduled .
`` If you do n't have a network that knows the medical industry or anything like that , I think it would be difficult to even know where to begin , '' she says .
And that 's even without a language barrier or difficulty getting on the internet to find information .
The city is now offering an on-demand service like this for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had recent contact with an infected person .
State says it will tackle disparities Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced June 8 the state will expand testing in underserved communities .
It 's a promise to bring equity to the two sides of Dallas and other cities .
Texas ' case numbers have been increasing in the last two weeks , something the state partially attributes to increased testing in high-risk places like prisons .
Still , the state is among the lowest in per capita testing , and its seven-day testing average is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 25,000 tests a day .
Some experts have said Texas needed to be conducting over 27,000 tests a day before reopening , which it started to do on May 1 .
This raises the question of whether the state is missing flare-ups .
Clendenin says as many people as possible need to be tested in order to know the extent of the outbreak .

To Combat Disparities, Black Churches In Dallas Offer Coronavirus Testing
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cooper Neill for NPR Cooper Neill for NPR
Families stood in line wearing masks. White pop-up tents sheltered health care workers while they drew patients' blood.
It wasn't the scene at a medical clinic, but the parking of a black church in South Dallas in late May. Friendship-West Baptist Church was the first of several black churches in the area to host a free weekly coronavirus testing event.
"Knowing what I know, that this disease is hitting us disproportionately and killing us disproportionately, it would be irresponsible and reckless for us not to step up and take this into our own hands," says Frederick Haynes, senior pastor at Friendship-West, who organized the event as part of the Together We Test initiative.
Neighborhoods in South Dallas, where there are more people of color, have fewer sites offering coronavirus testing than whiter North Dallas, just a few miles away. They also have less health care access more broadly.
These disparities mean the experiences people have when seeking a test can be quite different, depending on where they live, as well as their income or fluency in navigating the health care system.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cooper Neill for NPR Cooper Neill for NPR
South Dallas churches take on testing
Arthur Gillum attends Friendship-West and had long wanted to get tested for coronavirus. He said when the disease started its spread in the spring, he heard testing had been limited to certain people, like health care workers.
"I was ready to do it as soon as I could," he said. "And when this opportunity came, we were glad."
His wife Alice is in her 70s and is the driver in the family. She was happy to avoid driving on the highway to testing sites in North Dallas. "You'll notice that we are here because it is accessible. And you'll probably get a lot of people each time they're doing this test because it's close by," she said.
Public health experts say increased access to testing, and not just for the symptomatic, is key to finding and tamping down any emerging clusters of infection before they grow. And since the coronavirus has hit people of color especially hard, it's vital in their communities.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cooper Neill for NPR Cooper Neill for NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cooper Neill for NPR Cooper Neill for NPR
"We've got to shift that paradigm to where we are willing to test anybody who presents who wants a test," says Angela Clendenin, an instructional assistant professor of epidemiology at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. "How can we deliver this all the way down to that neighborhood level?"
She adds that access to testing can mean any number of things beyond location. "Access is about time, the ability to leave work, the ability to take time off," she says.
In major cities across Texas, there are disparities in access to COVID-19 testing, including fewer testing sites in neighborhoods where more people of color live than there are in whiter neighborhoods. Nationally, black people have suffered an outsized share of deaths from coronavirus compared to their share of the population. Latinos are seeing a higher proportion of case numbers.
In Dallas, these inequities are made worse by the fact that the private health care system places more services in whiter areas.
Haynes says he appreciates what local officials are doing to bring tests to South Dallas, like having two large federally-funded drive-thru sites, one in South Dallas and one downtown, and new temporary testing sites there as well. The City of Dallas also has a mobile service.
But Haynes says many black people don't necessarily trust official channels, due to past abuses by the medical industry.
"Let's use our trusted institutions," Haynes says. "The most trusted institution in the black community is the black church."
Getting tested in North Dallas
For some in North Dallas, a predominantly white area, not having symptoms of COVID-19 still made it difficult to get a test. The difference there, however, is that money and health care services are often more accessible.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bret Jaspers/KERA Bret Jaspers/KERA
Lindsay Pope lives in the Lakewood neighborhood of North Dallas and had an elective surgery planned in April. As the date approached, her doctor suggested she get tested for COVID-19.
"He didn't require the test but he recommended it if we could get one," she says. "And for my own piece of mind, I was like, 'ok, yeah, I'll do that.' But then I couldn't figure out even where to go."
Her surgeon didn't know where to point her, nor did her husband's primary care doctor who she asked next. Pope found it hard to figure out where a healthy, non-symptomatic person who isn't an essential worker could get a coronavirus test. (Dallas County recently published a comprehensive list of testing sites).
Then a friend suggested Pope use a service that comes to your home to do the test but charges the patient directly rather than the insurance company.
"They came out within 45 minutes of when I booked my appointment," she says.
Pope and her husband got three tests in all — the diagnostic test her surgeon had recommended, and two antibody tests, which can indicate if you've been infected with the coronavirus in the past. Add in an appointment fee, and the total bill was almost $700 — $200 for the diagnostic test alone — which Pope paid using a flexible savings account set up for health care expenses. She says she might try submitting the bill to her insurance company.
Pope says it's certainly not attainable for most people, and she wouldn't have done it without having a surgery scheduled.
"If you don't have a network that knows the medical industry or anything like that, I think it would be difficult to even know where to begin," she says.
And that's even without a language barrier or difficulty getting on the internet to find information. The city is now offering an on-demand service like this for free to people who have symptoms or had recent contact with an infected person.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cooper Neill for NPR Cooper Neill for NPR
State says it will tackle disparities
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced June 8 the state will expand testing in underserved communities. It's a promise to bring equity to the two sides of Dallas and other cities.
Texas' case numbers have been increasing in the last two weeks, something the state partially attributes to increased testing in high-risk places like prisons. Still, the state is among the lowest in per capita testing, and its seven-day testing average is still slightly below Abbott's declared goal of 25,000 tests a day.
Some experts have said Texas needed to be conducting over 27,000 tests a day before reopening, which it started to do on May 1.
This raises the question of whether the state is missing flare-ups. Clendenin says as many people as possible need to be tested in order to know the extent of the outbreak.
Audrey Carlsen contributed to this report.


npr--2020-06-13--Memphis Police Union Head Responds To Calls For Reform

As police unions across the nation face growing demands from the public to change the way officers interact with civilians , and particularly people of color , the head of the Memphis , Tenn. , police union says he agrees with the need for reform — in some cases .
Michael Williams , the president of the Memphis Police Association , tells NPR 's Weekend Edition that he agrees `` whole-heartedly '' that the city 's budget — which called for more than $ 260 million in police services and just $ 4.4 million for housing in 2019 — is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the people of Memphis .
`` I do n't necessarily agree with defunding police , '' Williams says .
`` You know , this is something I 've been working on not just as a union president , but as a citizen .
...
There is money .
It 's just a matter of prioritization . ''
As nationwide demonstrations over police violence continue , police unions — which are predominantly led by white men — are under heightened criticism from advocates who argue they have impeded past attempts at reform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not opposed '' to changing parts of the system .
But mayors , including Buffalo 's Byron Brown and Chicago 's Lori Lightfoot , have blamed unions for opposing changes .
Lightfoot told NPR that police unions `` are extraordinarily reluctant to embrace reforms . ''
While Williams expressed some support for changing the way the city allocates funds , he said he is n't in support of many of the demands activists are making including having the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation be the party responsible for investigating officer-involved shootings or encouraging officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they are accused of misconduct .
NPR 's Scott Simon talked with Williams about the union 's response to some of the changes activists are pushing for .
On police giving statements the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation about officer-involved shootings in Memphis This is the deal .
For some reason everybody thinks that because you 're a police officer you want to separate me from being a citizen .
Everyone is entitled to the Fifth Amendment rights .
Just because I 'm a police officer does n't necessarily mean that I give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage officers to give statements , but if you 're going to compel them to give statements , then they should be covered [ by Fifth Amendment rights ] .
On the idea of requiring police officers to submit interviews as soon as possible if they are accused of misconduct No .
Because just like with anything , everybody is traumatized when they go through a traumatic situation .
I 'm a combat veteran and I definitely understand post-traumatic stress disorder .
I also understand trauma .
So therefore , when you start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens , it 's just like a citizen .
A citizen has the ability to either talk or not talk .
And that 's something that everyone continuously tries to take away from police officers .
And I just do n't think that that 's right .
Sophia Boyd and Ed McNulty produced and edited this story for radio .

Memphis Police Union Head Responds To Calls For Reform
Enlarge this image toggle caption Adrian Sainz/AP Adrian Sainz/AP
As police unions across the nation face growing demands from the public to change the way officers interact with civilians, and particularly people of color, the head of the Memphis, Tenn., police union says he agrees with the need for reform — in some cases.
Michael Williams, the president of the Memphis Police Association, tells NPR's Weekend Edition that he agrees "whole-heartedly" that the city's budget — which called for more than $260 million in police services and just $4.4 million for housing in 2019 — isn't equitably spread to address the needs of the people of Memphis.
"I don't necessarily agree with defunding police," Williams says. "You know, this is something I've been working on not just as a union president, but as a citizen. ... There is money. It's just a matter of prioritization."
As nationwide demonstrations over police violence continue, police unions — which are predominantly led by white men — are under heightened criticism from advocates who argue they have impeded past attempts at reform. Some union leaders say they are "not opposed" to changing parts of the system. But mayors, including Buffalo's Byron Brown and Chicago's Lori Lightfoot, have blamed unions for opposing changes. Lightfoot told NPR that police unions "are extraordinarily reluctant to embrace reforms."
While Williams expressed some support for changing the way the city allocates funds, he said he isn't in support of many of the demands activists are making including having the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation be the party responsible for investigating officer-involved shootings or encouraging officers to give interviews as soon as possible after they are accused of misconduct.
NPR's Scott Simon talked with Williams about the union's response to some of the changes activists are pushing for.
Interview Highlights
On police giving statements the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation about officer-involved shootings in Memphis
This is the deal. For some reason everybody thinks that because you're a police officer you want to separate me from being a citizen. Everyone is entitled to the Fifth Amendment rights. Just because I'm a police officer doesn't necessarily mean that I give up my constitutional rights. And we encourage officers to give statements, but if you're going to compel them to give statements, then they should be covered [by Fifth Amendment rights].
On the idea of requiring police officers to submit interviews as soon as possible if they are accused of misconduct
No. Because just like with anything, everybody is traumatized when they go through a traumatic situation. I'm a combat veteran and I definitely understand post-traumatic stress disorder. I also understand trauma. So therefore, when you start coming at an individual right after something happens, it's just like a citizen. A citizen has the ability to either talk or not talk. And that's something that everyone continuously tries to take away from police officers. And I just don't think that that's right.
Sophia Boyd and Ed McNulty produced and edited this story for radio.


npr--2020-06-13--A $4.6 Billion Plan To Storm-Proof Miami

Thirteen-foot-high floodwalls could line part of Miami 's waterfront , under a proposed Army Corps of Engineers plan being developed to protect the area from storm surge .
The $ 4.6 billion plan is one of several drafted by the Corps of Engineers to protect coastal areas in the U.S , which face increased flood risks stoked by climate change .
Similar projects are already underway in Norfolk , VA and Charleston , SC .
The plan for Miami-Dade County , which is open for public comment , is intended to protect the 2.8 million people who live there from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storms and hurricanes .
Many are concerned that the system of floodwalls , pumps and surge barriers does n't directly address a threat many in South Florida are already dealing with more frequently than storms : rising sea levels .
Chronic flooding is a problem for some neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County during heavy rain events and seasonal king tides .
Global warming is also making hurricanes more powerful , according to a recent study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
Miami is among the cities most vulnerable to sea-level rise globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by hurricanes will be even higher and potentially more destructive than in the past .
In 1992 , a 17 foot storm surge from Hurricane Andrew caused more than $ 500 million in losses to an area just south of Miami .
Miami-Dade County 's population has grown by a million people since then .
The development of high-rise residential areas downtown and on Miami Beach expose many more people and structures to the risk of storm surge .
The Corps of Engineers plan calls for storm surge gates to be installed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the Miami River .
That 's a commercially important waterway , with cargo terminals and repair facilities .
Chief Resilience Officer for Miami-Dade County Jim Murley says : `` You have navigation issues , we have drainage issues and water quality issues , all of which have to be factored into the ultimate design of any kind of gate . ''
The plan also calls for a series of pumps and floodwalls along Miami 's waterfront .
North of downtown , the floodwalls would be anywhere from one foot to 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From the Miami River—in the heart of downtown—stretching south along the shoreline , a storm surge barrier as high as 36 feet would rise from the floor of Biscayne Bay .
The project manager for the Corps of Engineers , Holly Carpenter , says exact dimensions and design of the surge barrier have n't yet been determined .
`` It 's definitely at a conceptual level , '' she says .
`` We 're concerned more about the feasibility of the type of measures recommended . ''
Under the current proposal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the water and hinder access to the bay for people who live and work in Miami 's Brickell neighborhood , a thriving residential and commercial district .
Rachel Silverstein with Miami Waterkeeper says , `` It 's hard for me to imagine that this community is going to accept a massive seawall down the waterfront in Brickell . ''
The plan also calls for elevating and flood-proofing thousands of homes , businesses and public buildings in vulnerable neighborhoods .
Silverstein agrees that Miami needs infrastructure to protect it from storm surge , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't give enough consideration to natural solutions , such as restoring coral reefs or `` living shorelines . ''
`` This project is really reflective of an agency that has a hammer and sees everything as a nail , '' Silverstein says .
`` We know there is really valuable protection from storm surge given by natural infrastructure like coral reefs , mangroves , dunes and things like that . ''
The Corps ' plan calls for extensive planting of mangroves along the shoreline in a residential area in the southern part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is overseeing the project , says the Army Corps of Engineers looked at natural solutions like oyster reefs and living shorelines for other parts of the county .
But she says , `` Many of these features , it 's very difficult to get significant storm surge reduction or coastal storm benefits . ''
The storm surge initiative takes into account a projected three and a half foot rise in sea level in Miami over the next 60 years .
It does n't offer any solutions to the increased flooding the city sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Miami resilience officer Jim Murley says , during a storm , higher sea levels pose an even greater threat .
`` If you receive a storm surge , it 's higher by virtue of the fact that the water itself has risen .
Sea level rise plays an important aspect in everything we do . ''
Planning for the Miami storm surge project wo n't be complete until next year .
At that point , the project is dependent on approval and funding from local officials and from Congress .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Hurricane Sandy to protect New York City and New Jersey from storm surge .
It was put on hold by the Corps earlier this year after President Trump tweeted his opposition to it .

A $4.6 Billion Plan To Storm-Proof Miami
Enlarge this image toggle caption Wilfredo Lee/AP Wilfredo Lee/AP
Thirteen-foot-high floodwalls could line part of Miami's waterfront, under a proposed Army Corps of Engineers plan being developed to protect the area from storm surge. The $4.6 billion plan is one of several drafted by the Corps of Engineers to protect coastal areas in the U.S, which face increased flood risks stoked by climate change. Similar projects are already underway in Norfolk, VA and Charleston, SC.
The plan for Miami-Dade County, which is open for public comment, is intended to protect the 2.8 million people who live there from coastal flooding and storm surge during tropical storms and hurricanes. Many are concerned that the system of floodwalls, pumps and surge barriers doesn't directly address a threat many in South Florida are already dealing with more frequently than storms: rising sea levels. Chronic flooding is a problem for some neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County during heavy rain events and seasonal king tides.
Global warming is also making hurricanes more powerful, according to a recent study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Miami is among the cities most vulnerable to sea-level rise globally, which means that storm surges driven by hurricanes will be even higher and potentially more destructive than in the past.
In 1992, a 17 foot storm surge from Hurricane Andrew caused more than $500 million in losses to an area just south of Miami. Miami-Dade County's population has grown by a million people since then. The development of high-rise residential areas downtown and on Miami Beach expose many more people and structures to the risk of storm surge.
The Corps of Engineers plan calls for storm surge gates to be installed on three waterways that open onto Biscayne Bay, including the Miami River. That's a commercially important waterway, with cargo terminals and repair facilities.
Chief Resilience Officer for Miami-Dade County Jim Murley says: "You have navigation issues, we have drainage issues and water quality issues, all of which have to be factored into the ultimate design of any kind of gate."
The plan also calls for a series of pumps and floodwalls along Miami's waterfront. North of downtown, the floodwalls would be anywhere from one foot to 13 feet high, depending on the location. From the Miami River—in the heart of downtown—stretching south along the shoreline, a storm surge barrier as high as 36 feet would rise from the floor of Biscayne Bay.
The project manager for the Corps of Engineers, Holly Carpenter, says exact dimensions and design of the surge barrier haven't yet been determined. "It's definitely at a conceptual level," she says. "We're concerned more about the feasibility of the type of measures recommended."
Under the current proposal, that seawall would likely block views of the water and hinder access to the bay for people who live and work in Miami's Brickell neighborhood, a thriving residential and commercial district. Rachel Silverstein with Miami Waterkeeper says, "It's hard for me to imagine that this community is going to accept a massive seawall down the waterfront in Brickell."
The plan also calls for elevating and flood-proofing thousands of homes, businesses and public buildings in vulnerable neighborhoods.
Silverstein agrees that Miami needs infrastructure to protect it from storm surge, but believes the Army Corps of Engineers didn't give enough consideration to natural solutions, such as restoring coral reefs or "living shorelines."
"This project is really reflective of an agency that has a hammer and sees everything as a nail," Silverstein says. "We know there is really valuable protection from storm surge given by natural infrastructure like coral reefs, mangroves, dunes and things like that."
The Corps' plan calls for extensive planting of mangroves along the shoreline in a residential area in the southern part of the county. Susan Layton, who is overseeing the project, says the Army Corps of Engineers looked at natural solutions like oyster reefs and living shorelines for other parts of the county. But she says, "Many of these features, it's very difficult to get significant storm surge reduction or coastal storm benefits."
The storm surge initiative takes into account a projected three and a half foot rise in sea level in Miami over the next 60 years.
It doesn't offer any solutions to the increased flooding the city sees during high tides and big rain events. But Miami resilience officer Jim Murley says, during a storm, higher sea levels pose an even greater threat. "If you receive a storm surge, it's higher by virtue of the fact that the water itself has risen. Sea level rise plays an important aspect in everything we do."
Planning for the Miami storm surge project won't be complete until next year. At that point, the project is dependent on approval and funding from local officials and from Congress. A similar but much larger project was proposed after Hurricane Sandy to protect New York City and New Jersey from storm surge. It was put on hold by the Corps earlier this year after President Trump tweeted his opposition to it.