npr--2020-06-27--Black Doctors Say Pandemic Reveals Enduring Racial Inequity Medicine Alone Cannot Fix

Black Doctors Say Pandemic Reveals Enduring Racial Inequity Medicine Alone Can not Fix Dr. William Strudwick was finishing a shift at Washington , D.C. 's Howard University Hospital when his wife , Maria , texted .
Their 19-year old son , Cole , wanted to join a protest five days after the killing of George Floyd .
It was 9 p.m. After dark , Strudwick weighed , he could n't predict how protesters would act — or how police would treat his son .
He wrote back one word to his wife : `` No . ''
`` When I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and so I called him , '' Strudwick said .
`` And we had the conversation about him returning immediately . ''
To Strudwick 's relief , the teen came home .
About one in six doctors in D.C. is African American , like Dr. Strudwick , according to the city 's Department of Health .
That 's three times the national average , although still a small portion compared to the population that 's 46 % Black .
These doctors see in their wards some of the African American patients who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city 's COVID-19 fatalities .
For Dr. Strudwick , Dr. Janice Blanchard at George Washington University Hospital and Dr. Marcee Wilder at United Medical Center , working amid the pandemic , inspires a sense of duty – and sometimes despair .
Wilder , 38 , grew up in New York and said she saw little difference between her childhood in Harlem and the mostly African American neighborhood where she works .
`` I see myself in this community , '' Wilder said .
`` And so watching them suffer has been pretty hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she works to counter implicit bias that can lead to poorer health for Black patients .
`` I think as a Black doctor , it 's my responsibility to do everything in my power to make sure that a Black patient is getting fair treatment , '' Blanchard said .
For many COVID patients , that was not enough .
`` You feel helpless , almost , that you 're not able to help them . ''
Strudwick , 57 , was born in what was the Freedmen 's Hospital , founded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today it 's part of the historically Black Howard University , where both of Strudwick 's parents studied to become physicians .
Growing up in Washington , D.C. , it seemed natural to follow in their footsteps .
`` The mayor was African American .
All the doctors that I encountered were African American .
Lawyers , politicians , '' Strudwick recalled .
`` So you did n't see any obstacles in terms of what you could do . ''
That Black middle class has been relatively insulated from the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a friend suddenly passed away .
They were the same age and they raised their kids together , two African American men appearing to lead parallel lives .
But the friend died alone at home .
His family blamed COVID19 .
Dr. Strudwick wondered if his friend quietly struggled to afford healthcare .
`` He should have had access .
He could have called me , '' he said .
The frustration is familiar to Dr. Janice Blanchard , who noticed the public health guidelines for COVID-19 did not fit the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington University Hospital .
She remembers calling an African American patient to give a positive COVID-19 test result and hearing a crowded household on the line .
`` And then , you 're like , okay , I sound pretty silly , '' she said .
`` I 'm telling them to socially isolate ... with seven people ? ''
Growing up in Chicago , Blanchard said her family had modest means , too : her mother was a teacher and her father , a bus driver .
While treating the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Black doctors in D.C. for Academic Emergency Medicine .
They said COVID-19 was more fatal for their patients of color who had chronic disease ; those patients developed those diseases because they lacked good food , space to exercise , housing and regular income .
`` As Black and brown people , we 're already starting off behind , right ?
And now you have something like COVID that 's just devastating communities , '' Blanchard said .
D.C. 's highest COVID-19 death toll is in Ward 8 , a mostly African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city 's only public hospital .
One man in his 70s arrived gasping for air , suffering from COVID-19 .
Wilder met with his daughter and explained his chances were not good .
`` As I was leaving the room , I remember her asking 'if he 's not going to make it , can I come see him ? '
And I had to tell her no , '' Wilder said .
The man died less than a week a later .
Wilder said the man had high blood pressure , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death reflected the disadvantage of the neighborhood .
`` Nothing would have helped even if UMC was a brand new , $ 20 billion dollar hospital , that would not have changed the outcome that we 're seeing in COVID , '' she said .
`` This is not a medicine-related problem .
This is a social determinants of health , poverty related , marginalized community problem . ''
Lately , the three doctors say COVID 19 cases have slowed .
But Wilder says being African American weighs on her as she thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is worst affected by the coronavirus .
`` We need allies .
We need people in powerful places to see our humanity and decide that the time is now for action , '' she said .
That is why she marched with her husband and their two young daughters for racial justice in early June .
Without coordinating , Blanchard attended that same rally , packing hand sanitizer and holding a Black Lives Matter sign above her head near the White House .
And Strudwick and his wife walked three and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest .
The three doctors say the pandemic revealed enduring racial inequity — and medicine alone can not fix it .

Black Doctors Say Pandemic Reveals Enduring Racial Inequity Medicine Alone Cannot Fix
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Dr. William Strudwick was finishing a shift at Washington, D.C.'s Howard University Hospital when his wife, Maria, texted. Their 19-year old son, Cole, wanted to join a protest five days after the killing of George Floyd.
It was 9 p.m. After dark, Strudwick weighed, he couldn't predict how protesters would act — or how police would treat his son. He wrote back one word to his wife: "No."
"When I came home, he was not there, and so I called him," Strudwick said. "And we had the conversation about him returning immediately."
To Strudwick's relief, the teen came home.
About one in six doctors in D.C. is African American, like Dr. Strudwick, according to the city's Department of Health. That's three times the national average, although still a small portion compared to the population that's 46% Black.
These doctors see in their wards some of the African American patients who make up the vast majority of the city's COVID-19 fatalities. For Dr. Strudwick, Dr. Janice Blanchard at George Washington University Hospital and Dr. Marcee Wilder at United Medical Center, working amid the pandemic, inspires a sense of duty – and sometimes despair.
Wilder, 38, grew up in New York and said she saw little difference between her childhood in Harlem and the mostly African American neighborhood where she works.
"I see myself in this community," Wilder said. "And so watching them suffer has been pretty hard."
Blanchard, 51, said she works to counter implicit bias that can lead to poorer health for Black patients.
"I think as a Black doctor, it's my responsibility to do everything in my power to make sure that a Black patient is getting fair treatment," Blanchard said. For many COVID patients, that was not enough. "You feel helpless, almost, that you're not able to help them."
A Black medical center
Strudwick, 57, was born in what was the Freedmen's Hospital, founded in 1862, to treat formerly enslaved people. Today it's part of the historically Black Howard University, where both of Strudwick's parents studied to become physicians. Growing up in Washington, D.C., it seemed natural to follow in their footsteps.
"The mayor was African American. All the doctors that I encountered were African American. Lawyers, politicians," Strudwick recalled. "So you didn't see any obstacles in terms of what you could do."
That Black middle class has been relatively insulated from the pandemic, Strudwick observed. So he was baffled when a friend suddenly passed away. They were the same age and they raised their kids together, two African American men appearing to lead parallel lives. But the friend died alone at home. His family blamed COVID19. Dr. Strudwick wondered if his friend quietly struggled to afford healthcare.
"He should have had access. He could have called me," he said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Challenge isolating large families
The frustration is familiar to Dr. Janice Blanchard, who noticed the public health guidelines for COVID-19 did not fit the lives of some of her patients at George Washington University Hospital. She remembers calling an African American patient to give a positive COVID-19 test result and hearing a crowded household on the line.
"And then, you're like, okay, I sound pretty silly," she said. "I'm telling them to socially isolate ... with seven people?"
Growing up in Chicago, Blanchard said her family had modest means, too: her mother was a teacher and her father, a bus driver. While treating the pandemic, Blanchard and Wilder cowrote a paper with other Black doctors in D.C. for Academic Emergency Medicine. They said COVID-19 was more fatal for their patients of color who had chronic disease; those patients developed those diseases because they lacked good food, space to exercise, housing and regular income.
"As Black and brown people, we're already starting off behind, right? And now you have something like COVID that's just devastating communities," Blanchard said.
'We need allies'
D.C.'s highest COVID-19 death toll is in Ward 8, a mostly African American area where Wilder works at the city's only public hospital. One man in his 70s arrived gasping for air, suffering from COVID-19. Wilder met with his daughter and explained his chances were not good.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
"As I was leaving the room, I remember her asking 'if he's not going to make it, can I come see him?' And I had to tell her no," Wilder said.
The man died less than a week a later.
Wilder said the man had high blood pressure, which worsened his chances. She said his death reflected the disadvantage of the neighborhood.
"Nothing would have helped even if UMC was a brand new, $20 billion dollar hospital, that would not have changed the outcome that we're seeing in COVID," she said. "This is not a medicine-related problem. This is a social determinants of health, poverty related, marginalized community problem."
Lately, the three doctors say COVID 19 cases have slowed. But Wilder says being African American weighs on her as she thinks about George Floyd's death and about who is worst affected by the coronavirus.
"We need allies. We need people in powerful places to see our humanity and decide that the time is now for action," she said.
That is why she marched with her husband and their two young daughters for racial justice in early June. Without coordinating, Blanchard attended that same rally, packing hand sanitizer and holding a Black Lives Matter sign above her head near the White House. And Strudwick and his wife walked three and a half miles from home to reach the protest.
The three doctors say the pandemic revealed enduring racial inequity — and medicine alone cannot fix it.


npr--2020-06-27--Justice Department Issues Warning About Fake Mask Exempt Cards

Public health experts overwhelmingly agree that one of the best ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus is to wear a mask .
Still , the seemingly straightforward recommendation to secure a covering over one 's nose and mouth has proven one of the pandemic 's more partisan issues .
The Department of Justice is now warning that a card circulating online is falsely claiming its holder is lawfully exempt from wearing a mask .
A recently issued alert by the department is urging the public not to heed information printed on the fraudulent cards , which purport to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Breathe Agency , '' which is neither a federal nor a state agency .
The fake card states that wearing a mask will incur mental or physical risk for the holder .
The card also posits that the Americans with Disabilities Act forbids raising questions about the health condition aggravated by mask usage .
Penalties are threatened if a business owner does not act accordingly .
`` If found in violation of the ADA you could face steep penalties .
Organizations and businesses can be fined up to $ 75,000 for your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsequent violations .
Denying access to your business/organization will be also reported to FTBA for further actions , '' the card reads , according to images that have been posted online .
At least some versions of the card appear to bear an official looking Justice Department insignia .
In its alert , the department disavowed any role in the card 's creation or dispersal , saying , `` These postings were not issued by the Department and are not endorsed by the Department . ''
The department also said not to rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead to visit the Americans with Disabilities Act website .
It 's unclear how many cards are in circulation , but it appears to have been spread via a Facebook page belonging to a group calling itself the Freedom to Breathe Agency .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been recommending people wear cloth or fabric face coverings since April .
Many states and localities have gone on to require or urge their wearing in public — especially in enclosed spaces .
Businesses large and small have also adopted the recommendation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear them .
Masks have emerged as a major political flashpoint — often in response to stay-at-home orders that state and local governments put in place to slow the outbreak .
Despite his own government 's guidance , President Trump has said he will not be wearing a face mask , and protesters in multiple states have been seen without masks as they amassed in defiance at coronavirus restrictions .
In many online videos , staffers at food and retail establishments have been seen contending with customers who refuse to cover their faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask when going out in public .

Justice Department Issues Warning About Fake Mask Exempt Cards
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gerry Broome/AP Gerry Broome/AP
Public health experts overwhelmingly agree that one of the best ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus is to wear a mask. Still, the seemingly straightforward recommendation to secure a covering over one's nose and mouth has proven one of the pandemic's more partisan issues.
The Department of Justice is now warning that a card circulating online is falsely claiming its holder is lawfully exempt from wearing a mask.
A recently issued alert by the department is urging the public not to heed information printed on the fraudulent cards, which purport to carry the authority of the "Freedom to Breathe Agency," which is neither a federal nor a state agency.
The fake card states that wearing a mask will incur mental or physical risk for the holder. The card also posits that the Americans with Disabilities Act forbids raising questions about the health condition aggravated by mask usage. Penalties are threatened if a business owner does not act accordingly.
"If found in violation of the ADA you could face steep penalties. Organizations and businesses can be fined up to $75,000 for your first violation and $150,000 for any subsequent violations. Denying access to your business/organization will be also reported to FTBA for further actions," the card reads, according to images that have been posted online.
At least some versions of the card appear to bear an official looking Justice Department insignia. In its alert, the department disavowed any role in the card's creation or dispersal, saying, "These postings were not issued by the Department and are not endorsed by the Department."
The department also said not to rely on information included on the card and instead to visit the Americans with Disabilities Act website.
It's unclear how many cards are in circulation, but it appears to have been spread via a Facebook page belonging to a group calling itself the Freedom to Breathe Agency.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been recommending people wear cloth or fabric face coverings since April. Many states and localities have gone on to require or urge their wearing in public — especially in enclosed spaces. Businesses large and small have also adopted the recommendation, requiring both staff and customers to wear them.
Masks have emerged as a major political flashpoint — often in response to stay-at-home orders that state and local governments put in place to slow the outbreak. Despite his own government's guidance, President Trump has said he will not be wearing a face mask, and protesters in multiple states have been seen without masks as they amassed in defiance at coronavirus restrictions.
In many online videos, staffers at food and retail establishments have been seen contending with customers who refuse to cover their faces.
The CDC — still — recommends wearing a mask when going out in public.


npr--2020-06-27--For Sen. Tim Kaine Of Virginia, Presidential Power Has Gone Too Far

For Sen. Tim Kaine Of Virginia , Presidential Power Has Gone Too Far Presidential power only goes so far — and then Congress has the constitutional duty to assert its authority , Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia told NPR 's Michel Martin in an interview Saturday .
Kaine 's comments come amid renewed criticism among Democrats and some Republicans that President Trump repeatedly engages in executive overreach .
Some point to the administration 's move this month to remove New York federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman , who had been investigating some of Trump 's associates .
Others cite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case against the president 's former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who had pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI during the Russia investigation .
Presidential assertions of executive power are nothing new , Kaine said , pointing to Barack Obama and George W. Bush as examples of commanders in chief who believed they could engage in military activity without a vote from Congress .
But the Trump administration goes too far , Kaine said , citing the Flynn case as well as Trump 's taking money out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall , and blocking witnesses from testifying before congressional committees .
Some powers belong to Congress alone , Kaine said , such as starting trade wars and imposing tariffs .
`` Presidents take these powers , but Congress has basically just allowed them to , '' he said .
Kaine was especially critical of what he called the highly politicized pardons of people such as Joe Arpaio , the former sheriff of Maricopa County , Ariz. , who was pardoned by Trump after a conviction for criminal contempt of court ; or I.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Vice President Dick Cheney 's chief of staff , convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with the leak of a CIA officer 's identity .
These pardons , Kaine said , are `` almost like messages to others : 'Hey , stick with me and I 'll pardon you if you do n't say anything bad about me . '
`` While Kaine is critical of presidents for taking on powers not explicitly conferred by the Constitution , the senator said he 's even more critical of a Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` When Congress abdicates , we just allow this to happen .
And Congress has been abdicating — and frankly it 's been a bipartisan problem for too long , '' he said .
Ultimately , Kaine said he believes Congress has let the balance of power between the branches of government become disturbed .
`` We 've let power that was supposed to be at one end of Pennsylvania Avenue run down to the other end , '' Kaine said .
`` There 's got to be a balance , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Kaine said he is hopeful a bipartisan solution is possible .
Trump 's attempts at asserting authority is `` making a lot of us grapple with the fact that Congresses of both parties under presidents of both parties have let the balance get out of whack , '' he said .
But Kaine acknowledged that for some Democrats , complaining about executive overreach might be a matter of what he called `` situational ethics . ''
There 's a possibility , he said , that they might turn a blind eye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins office .
`` When I was raising real concerns about President Obama 's decision to unilaterally engage in military activity , Democrats in my own Senate caucus were basically yelling at me and telling me to knock it off , '' Kaine said .
That said , given Biden 's decades of experience in Congress , Kaine said he is confident a Biden presidency would take pains not to engage in political overreach that tramples over the legislative branch .
Biden has `` a completely different attitude toward the role of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Kaine said .

For Sen. Tim Kaine Of Virginia, Presidential Power Has Gone Too Far
Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP Susan Walsh/AP
Presidential power only goes so far — and then Congress has the constitutional duty to assert its authority, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia told NPR's Michel Martin in an interview Saturday.
Kaine's comments come amid renewed criticism among Democrats and some Republicans that President Trump repeatedly engages in executive overreach. Some point to the administration's move this month to remove New York federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman, who had been investigating some of Trump's associates. Others cite the Justice Department's decision to drop the case against the president's former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI during the Russia investigation.
Presidential assertions of executive power are nothing new, Kaine said, pointing to Barack Obama and George W. Bush as examples of commanders in chief who believed they could engage in military activity without a vote from Congress. But the Trump administration goes too far, Kaine said, citing the Flynn case as well as Trump's taking money out of the defense budget to use for a border wall, and blocking witnesses from testifying before congressional committees.
Some powers belong to Congress alone, Kaine said, such as starting trade wars and imposing tariffs. "Presidents take these powers, but Congress has basically just allowed them to," he said.
Kaine was especially critical of what he called the highly politicized pardons of people such as Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., who was pardoned by Trump after a conviction for criminal contempt of court; or I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Jr., former Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with the leak of a CIA officer's identity.
These pardons, Kaine said, are "almost like messages to others: 'Hey, stick with me and I'll pardon you if you don't say anything bad about me.' "
While Kaine is critical of presidents for taking on powers not explicitly conferred by the Constitution, the senator said he's even more critical of a Congress that abdicates its authority to push back. "When Congress abdicates, we just allow this to happen. And Congress has been abdicating — and frankly it's been a bipartisan problem for too long," he said.
Ultimately, Kaine said he believes Congress has let the balance of power between the branches of government become disturbed. "We've let power that was supposed to be at one end of Pennsylvania Avenue run down to the other end," Kaine said. "There's got to be a balance, and we need to reclaim some of it."
Kaine said he is hopeful a bipartisan solution is possible. Trump's attempts at asserting authority is "making a lot of us grapple with the fact that Congresses of both parties under presidents of both parties have let the balance get out of whack," he said.
But Kaine acknowledged that for some Democrats, complaining about executive overreach might be a matter of what he called "situational ethics." There's a possibility, he said, that they might turn a blind eye if presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins office. "When I was raising real concerns about President Obama's decision to unilaterally engage in military activity, Democrats in my own Senate caucus were basically yelling at me and telling me to knock it off," Kaine said.
That said, given Biden's decades of experience in Congress, Kaine said he is confident a Biden presidency would take pains not to engage in political overreach that tramples over the legislative branch. Biden has "a completely different attitude toward the role of the Article I branch than President Trump does," Kaine said.


npr--2020-06-27--'Shocking, Heartbreaking' Coronavirus Outbreak In Calif. Prison Alarms Health Experts

An explosion of coronavirus infections at California 's San Quentin State Prison , the state 's oldest , has public health officials there worried about its impact on prisoners , staff and the wider hospital system in the San Francisco Bay Area .
`` Shocking , heartbreaking are certainly the words I would use to describe it , '' said David Sears , a physician and professor of medicine at the University of California , San Francisco .
He recently toured San Quentin and warned officials about just such an outbreak .
`` It 's devastating how fast this has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
There were no inmate coronavirus cases at the prison throughout March , April and May .
Today , there are more than 600 infections .
And the numbers are rising fast .
Public health officials and prison advocates say the outbreak was entirely preventable .
They point to a transfer in late May of 122 inmates to San Quentin from an overcrowded state men 's prison in Chino , where COVID-19 is ravaging the inmate population .
`` Unfortunately , they arrived untested and were placed within San Quentin and really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second state facility , '' said Dr. Matt Willis , public health officer for Marin County , where San Quentin is located .
`` In the rush of trying to address that epidemic at Chino , that [ testing ] step may have been overlooked . ''
It 's not clear why , during a deadly pandemic , the inmates were not tested upon arrival .
Willis said he 's alarmed by the prison 's rapid increase in cases and its potential impact on area hospitals .
`` I 'm concerned that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` Even if a small fraction of those people become so sick that they need to be hospitalized , it will stress our regional hospital system . ''
New data show that Marin County leads Northern California , by far , with 200 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents .
So far , no inmates or staff have died at San Quentin , which houses about 3,700 prisoners .
But at least 20 inmates and two employees at other state prisons have died after contracting COVID-19 .
That includes 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Chino .
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Dana Simas declined NPR 's interview requests on the outbreak and the prison 's testing failures .
In a statement , Simas said some inmates will be moved out of San Quentin next week to another prison facility .
`` The department is very concerned with the increase in positive COVID-19 cases in San Quentin , and in order to create more space to facilitate physical distancing , quarantine , and health care treatment efforts , CDCR will be transferring some inmates next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Simas wrote .
But some politicians and human rights officials said they worry that doing so may simply replicate last month 's bungled transfer .
`` It is the height of insanity that CDCR think they can follow the exact same plan and get different results , '' said James King with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights , an advocacy center .
`` Moving people from one highly condensed prison to another just creates new hot spots and risks thousands of lives . ''
The center is calling on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early release for thousands of vulnerable inmates .
The prison was to release about 80 nonviolent , eligible offenders who have 180 days or fewer on their sentences early to a state community custody program .
It 's not clear what , if any , impact the growing virus outbreak will have on those release plans .
Earlier this month , experts with UC San Francisco and the University of California , Berkeley toured the prison at the request of the body overseeing the facility .
Overcrowding in the state 's prison system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subjects of a long-running legal case .
Afterward , the physicians warned the federal court-appointed receiver helping to oversee prison health care that `` San Quentin is an extremely dangerous place for an outbreak , everything should be done to decrease the number of people exposed to this environment as quickly as possible . ''
The group of doctors recommended the prison take multiple , immediate mitigation steps .
They included rapid , expanded testing , creation of an outbreak emergency response team , and reduction of San Quentin 's population by half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Priority must be placed on reducing the prison population at San Quentin via decarceration as it will be extremely difficult to ensure the health and safety of all people in this extraordinarily old and complex facility . ''
Prison officials did not heed the warnings , health officials said .
`` None of the cells except in one small area have walls on all sides , '' said Sears , the physician and UC San Francisco professor .
He said that makes it `` impossible , or nearly impossible , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a prison that 's overcrowded and was built over 100 years ago . ''
Built in 1852 , the prison is home to many older inmates and some who are in fragile health .
Both are leading comorbidity risk factors for COVID-19 , Sears said .
Despite the challenges of decarceration , Sears and his colleagues said quickly and carefully reducing the prison 's population may be the only viable solution .
`` I know this is a politically charged topic , but this is a matter of public health and human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their loved ones `` and the surrounding community in the Bay Area , '' he said .
Meanwhile , attorneys and families of inmates with the ad hoc group # StopSanQuentinOutbreak are also demanding urgent action to protect inmates and staff .
They want more early releases as well more masks , hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies , among other moves .
Nationally , prisons and jails have come under withering criticism for failing to protect inmates and staff adequately during the coronavirus pandemic .
A recent American Civil Liberties Union report alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having ample time and information to take the steps necessary to heed the warnings of experts and save the lives of those incarcerated in their prisons and jails , state governments across the country refused to adequately address the threat that the COVID-19 pandemic poses in jails and prisons , '' the report said .
Willis , Marin County 's health officer , said California is moving toward setting aside one site to handle a surge of critically ill inmates for this outbreak and , potentially , others like it in prisons across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single facility dedicated to this would protect community hospitals around the region , '' he said .

'Shocking, Heartbreaking' Coronavirus Outbreak In Calif. Prison Alarms Health Experts
Enlarge this image toggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Updated at 2:06 p.m. ET
An explosion of coronavirus infections at California's San Quentin State Prison, the state's oldest, has public health officials there worried about its impact on prisoners, staff and the wider hospital system in the San Francisco Bay Area.
"Shocking, heartbreaking are certainly the words I would use to describe it," said David Sears, a physician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He recently toured San Quentin and warned officials about just such an outbreak.
"It's devastating how fast this has moved through the prison," he said.
There were no inmate coronavirus cases at the prison throughout March, April and May. Today, there are more than 600 infections. And the numbers are rising fast.
Public health officials and prison advocates say the outbreak was entirely preventable. They point to a transfer in late May of 122 inmates to San Quentin from an overcrowded state men's prison in Chino, where COVID-19 is ravaging the inmate population.
"Unfortunately, they arrived untested and were placed within San Quentin and really kind of seeded an outbreak in a second state facility," said Dr. Matt Willis, public health officer for Marin County, where San Quentin is located. "In the rush of trying to address that epidemic at Chino, that [testing] step may have been overlooked."
It's not clear why, during a deadly pandemic, the inmates were not tested upon arrival.
Willis said he's alarmed by the prison's rapid increase in cases and its potential impact on area hospitals.
"I'm concerned that we will see hundreds of more cases," he said. "Even if a small fraction of those people become so sick that they need to be hospitalized, it will stress our regional hospital system."
New data show that Marin County leads Northern California, by far, with 200 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents.
So far, no inmates or staff have died at San Quentin, which houses about 3,700 prisoners. But at least 20 inmates and two employees at other state prisons have died after contracting COVID-19. That includes 16 fatalities at the California Institution for Men in Chino.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Dana Simas declined NPR's interview requests on the outbreak and the prison's testing failures.
In a statement, Simas said some inmates will be moved out of San Quentin next week to another prison facility. "The department is very concerned with the increase in positive COVID-19 cases in San Quentin, and in order to create more space to facilitate physical distancing, quarantine, and health care treatment efforts, CDCR will be transferring some inmates next week to North Kern State Prison," Simas wrote.
But some politicians and human rights officials said they worry that doing so may simply replicate last month's bungled transfer.
"It is the height of insanity that CDCR think they can follow the exact same plan and get different results," said James King with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, an advocacy center. "Moving people from one highly condensed prison to another just creates new hot spots and risks thousands of lives."
The center is calling on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to expedite early release for thousands of vulnerable inmates.
The prison was to release about 80 nonviolent, eligible offenders who have 180 days or fewer on their sentences early to a state community custody program. It's not clear what, if any, impact the growing virus outbreak will have on those release plans.
Earlier this month, experts with UC San Francisco and the University of California, Berkeley toured the prison at the request of the body overseeing the facility. Overcrowding in the state's prison system and problems with its health care are subjects of a long-running legal case.
Afterward, the physicians warned the federal court-appointed receiver helping to oversee prison health care that "San Quentin is an extremely dangerous place for an outbreak, everything should be done to decrease the number of people exposed to this environment as quickly as possible."
The group of doctors recommended the prison take multiple, immediate mitigation steps. They included rapid, expanded testing, creation of an outbreak emergency response team, and reduction of San Quentin's population by half to avoid a potentially devastating outbreak there.
"Priority must be placed on reducing the prison population at San Quentin via decarceration as it will be extremely difficult to ensure the health and safety of all people in this extraordinarily old and complex facility."
Prison officials did not heed the warnings, health officials said.
"None of the cells except in one small area have walls on all sides," said Sears, the physician and UC San Francisco professor. He said that makes it "impossible, or nearly impossible, to effectively mitigate the spread of a virus within a prison that's overcrowded and was built over 100 years ago." Built in 1852, the prison is home to many older inmates and some who are in fragile health. Both are leading comorbidity risk factors for COVID-19, Sears said.
Despite the challenges of decarceration, Sears and his colleagues said quickly and carefully reducing the prison's population may be the only viable solution. "I know this is a politically charged topic, but this is a matter of public health and human rights" for inmates, staff, their loved ones "and the surrounding community in the Bay Area," he said.
Meanwhile, attorneys and families of inmates with the ad hoc group #StopSanQuentinOutbreak are also demanding urgent action to protect inmates and staff. They want more early releases as well more masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies, among other moves.
Nationally, prisons and jails have come under withering criticism for failing to protect inmates and staff adequately during the coronavirus pandemic. A recent American Civil Liberties Union report alleged gross negligence and mismanagement.
"Despite having ample time and information to take the steps necessary to heed the warnings of experts and save the lives of those incarcerated in their prisons and jails, state governments across the country refused to adequately address the threat that the COVID-19 pandemic poses in jails and prisons," the report said.
Willis, Marin County's health officer, said California is moving toward setting aside one site to handle a surge of critically ill inmates for this outbreak and, potentially, others like it in prisons across the state. "A larger, single facility dedicated to this would protect community hospitals around the region," he said.


npr--2020-06-28--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--2020-06-28--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 120,000 have died .
Though growth in new cases slowed in late spring , by mid-June new cases began to trend upward nationally .
In the graphics below , explore the trend in new cases in your state to see whether cases are rising , falling or staying level .
You can view the data via a heat map ( immediately below ) , a curve chart and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases over the last three weeks .
Or to see states ' total cases and deaths on a map , 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 .
When both new and total case counts grow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 fewer than 700 per day in late June .
Some states , such as Hawaii , have declined to just a dozen new cases per day , while others are growing .
Arizona , which had leveled off at around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sudden sharp spike 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 , other large , populous states such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 the change in average new cases per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 anomalies .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
In early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in the state 's daily numbers until the JHU team was able to reconcile the historical data .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn contributed to and Carmel @ @ @ @ @

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--2020-06-28--How Coronavirus Could Widen The Gender Wage Gap

How Coronavirus Could Widen The Gender Wage Gap Mamie Brown is getting up earlier than ever these days. '' A typical day for me starts about 4:30 to 5:00 .
I actually naturally wake up .
I think part of that 's my anxiety right now , '' she said .
`` And then when I do , very first thing in the morning is catch up on to-dos around the house and paperwork . ''
She 's a self-employed lawyer in Fairbanks , Alaska , specializing in helping small businesses with things like contracts and HR issues .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and their kids , ages 8 and 4 .
When schools closed in the spring , the children 's classes moved online .
That forced Brown to rejigger her workday so she could help her children with schoolwork. '' I always thought , oh yeah , OK , if I ca n't work at 8:00 and 10:00 and noon , I 'll just work at 7:00 p.m .
But pretty quickly , you realize that , you know , I have my productive hours , but I have to put my productive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory things she has to do for her curriculum . ''
Brown typically earns more than her husband , Wyatt Hurlbut .
He manages rental properties and does repair work and renovations .
But that 's work he ca n't really do from home , and he gets paid more quickly than she does .
For those reasons , Brown is now doing the bulk of the child care .
`` Right now he has an opportunity to get cash faster than me , '' she said .
`` And even though it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could make if I was doing a full 40 hours , definitely because it 's cash in the hand , that 's better than cash in the bush . ''
Every day is a math equation for Brown and her husband , as they analyze her billable hours versus what he can earn .
And as more and more families do these kinds of calculations , it could mean a reversal in economic gains women have made over decades .
Coronavirus has women doing even more work at home The challenge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased during the pandemic , according to Claudia Goldin , professor of economics at Harvard University .
`` We have some information that shows , surprise , surprise , the workload of parents has increased astronomically , '' she said .
But , Goldin says , the workload has grown more for moms. '' That [ workload ] , for mothers , has increased to a degree that it 's very difficult to find uninterrupted time during the day to do their work if they 're working at home , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moms already did more child care and more housework than their male partners .
Surveys say that coronavirus has widened that gap .
One , conducted across five advanced economies including the U.S. , found that working moms now spend 15 more hours than working dads on childcare and household chores per week .
A reduction in work hours , as Mamie Brown has experienced , is just one way the coronavirus pandemic could reverse economic gains women made over the last half-century .
In addition , the pandemic is pulling women out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been evidence of a `` motherhood penalty '' that 's a primary driver of the gender wage gap .
The pandemic could further widen that gap , which recently had been at its narrowest point ever .
Even with her struggles , Brown is in a few privileged groups : her husband helps with the child care , and she can do her work from home .
She 's also white — a group of women that overall earns more and has lower unemployment than Black and Latina peers .
It 's possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethnic economic gaps as well .
`` Even when jobs start to be regained , women of color are still going to — it 's going to take that group longer to sort of recover from this pandemic , '' said Michelle Holder , professor of economics at John Jay College of Criminal Justice .
In addition , tens of millions of essential workers ca n't work from home , and many of them need child care in order to do their jobs .
Those essential workers are disproportionately women .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , not only for work done in the home , but for work done outside the home , '' Holder said .
`` We saw that it was women out there , women as nurses , women as home health aides , as nursing assistants . ''
Having to leave home to go to work forces many of those women make tough decisions : for example , whether put kids in child care ( if it 's open ) , as well as how to protect their families from the virus if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Already , women have lost more jobs than men during the pandemic .
Women 's unemployment rate has shot past men 's rate .
That 's unusual in recent recessions .
The below chart , depicting women 's jobless rate minus men 's , shows just how unusual this phenomenon is .
Because spending time out of work tends to lower people 's earnings later on , that could play a big role in widening the gender wage gap for years to come , if and when those women go back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America recovers will come this fall , when schools reopen ... or do n't .
That could be make or break for many families , including Mamie Brown 's in Alaska. '' If we get to the point where the school district is not open in the fall , that means that one of us is going to have to take that full-time leave of being that educator for our kids , on top of childcare . ''
If that happens , she says , she will likely be the one at home @ @ @ @

How Coronavirus Could Widen The Gender Wage Gap
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mamie Brown Mamie Brown
Mamie Brown is getting up earlier than ever these days.
"A typical day for me starts about 4:30 to 5:00. I actually naturally wake up. I think part of that's my anxiety right now," she said. "And then when I do, very first thing in the morning is catch up on to-dos around the house and paperwork."
She's a self-employed lawyer in Fairbanks, Alaska, specializing in helping small businesses with things like contracts and HR issues. But now she and her husband are juggling work and their kids, ages 8 and 4.
When schools closed in the spring, the children's classes moved online. That forced Brown to rejigger her workday so she could help her children with schoolwork.
"I always thought, oh yeah, OK, if I can't work at 8:00 and 10:00 and noon, I'll just work at 7:00 p.m. But pretty quickly, you realize that, you know, I have my productive hours, but I have to put my productive hours on hold because my daughter has mandatory things she has to do for her curriculum."
Brown typically earns more than her husband, Wyatt Hurlbut. He manages rental properties and does repair work and renovations. But that's work he can't really do from home, and he gets paid more quickly than she does. For those reasons, Brown is now doing the bulk of the child care.
"Right now he has an opportunity to get cash faster than me," she said. "And even though it might not be technically as much as I could make if I was doing a full 40 hours, definitely because it's cash in the hand, that's better than cash in the bush."
Every day is a math equation for Brown and her husband, as they analyze her billable hours versus what he can earn.
And as more and more families do these kinds of calculations, it could mean a reversal in economic gains women have made over decades.
Coronavirus has women doing even more work at home
The challenge of juggling work and raising kids has only increased during the pandemic, according to Claudia Goldin, professor of economics at Harvard University.
"We have some information that shows, surprise, surprise, the workload of parents has increased astronomically," she said.
But, Goldin says, the workload has grown more for moms.
"That [workload], for mothers, has increased to a degree that it's very difficult to find uninterrupted time during the day to do their work if they're working at home," she said.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, working moms already did more child care and more housework than their male partners. Surveys say that coronavirus has widened that gap. One, conducted across five advanced economies including the U.S., found that working moms now spend 15 more hours than working dads on childcare and household chores per week.
A reduction in work hours, as Mamie Brown has experienced, is just one way the coronavirus pandemic could reverse economic gains women made over the last half-century. In addition, the pandemic is pulling women out of work altogether.
There has long been evidence of a "motherhood penalty" that's a primary driver of the gender wage gap. The pandemic could further widen that gap, which recently had been at its narrowest point ever.
Working away from home
Even with her struggles, Brown is in a few privileged groups: her husband helps with the child care, and she can do her work from home.
She's also white — a group of women that overall earns more and has lower unemployment than Black and Latina peers. It's possible that coronavirus could exacerbate those racial and ethnic economic gaps as well.
"Even when jobs start to be regained, women of color are still going to — it's going to take that group longer to sort of recover from this pandemic," said Michelle Holder, professor of economics at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
In addition, tens of millions of essential workers can't work from home, and many of them need child care in order to do their jobs. Those essential workers are disproportionately women.
"We relied quite heavily on women during this pandemic, not only for work done in the home, but for work done outside the home," Holder said. "We saw that it was women out there, women as nurses, women as home health aides, as nursing assistants."
Having to leave home to go to work forces many of those women make tough decisions: for example, whether put kids in child care (if it's open), as well as how to protect their families from the virus if those women are front line healthcare workers.
A spike in job losses
Already, women have lost more jobs than men during the pandemic. Women's unemployment rate has shot past men's rate. That's unusual in recent recessions. The below chart, depicting women's jobless rate minus men's, shows just how unusual this phenomenon is.
Because spending time out of work tends to lower people's earnings later on, that could play a big role in widening the gender wage gap for years to come, if and when those women go back to work.
A deciding factor in how America recovers will come this fall, when schools reopen...or don't.
That could be make or break for many families, including Mamie Brown's in Alaska.
"If we get to the point where the school district is not open in the fall, that means that one of us is going to have to take that full-time leave of being that educator for our kids, on top of childcare."
If that happens, she says, she will likely be the one at home with the kids.


npr--2020-06-28--Q&A: Are Face Mask Requirements Legal?

Q&A: Are Face Mask Requirements Legal?

As the number of new coronavirus cases spikes in several states across the U.S. , governors , county officials and business owners have been crafting laws and guidelines that mandate the use of face masks to help prevent the spread of the virus .
But even a simple cloth face covering has become political .
Earlier this month , for example , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom issued guidance that required most Californians to wear masks in most public settings .
Public health officials say masks can prevent wearers , whether or not they 're expressing symptoms of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom 's mandate drew pushback from both residents and local officials , who argued that the governor does n't have the legal authority to make masks a requirement .
But , according to Lindsay Wiley , the director of the Health Law and Policy Program at American University , there is a legal basis for mandatory masks .
In an interview with NPR 's Weekend Edition Sunday , Wiley said `` state and local governments have really quite broad authority '' to require the public to wear masks during a pandemic .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarity .
What 's the legal basis for making people cover their faces ?
State and local governments have really quite broad authority , particularly in a public health emergency like this , to issue emergency orders .
We 're seeing some potential legal issues arise , though , regarding how these orders are being adopted , whether they 're following the correct political process , whether it 's the right part of government that 's issuing the orders .
And then we 're also seeing some court challenges filed arguing that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , American Airlines kicked off a passenger from one of their planes after he refused to wear a mask .
And that raises the question of what businesses can require in the private sector .
Did they have complete discretion ?
Business owners do have quite a lot of authority to require patrons and customers and employees as well to adopt face coverings as a protective measure .
Where conflicts come in is in situations where the patron , for example , perceives the mask order to be coming from the business itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're actually seeing some business owners and managers as well , urge local governments or state governments to adopt mandatory mask requirements as a way of taking the pressure off of them .
I think a lot of business owners would like to be able to point to the government and say , `` If you do n't like our rules , take it up with the mayor , '' instead of being positioned as requiring the masks themselves .
Even mask wearing has become political .
Are there other examples in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we see these kinds of tensions between scientists and doctors and the public ?
And , you know , particular political affiliation ?
Absolutely .
Seat belt laws , motorcycle helmet laws , rules about who can sell cigarettes and where people can smoke them .
Even the so-called Big Gulp ban in New York City — these public health rules are often seen as paternalistic .
Mask mandates are being framed that way as well .
But that 's not quite right .
The message that wearing a mask protects other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some folks .
So , we 're seeing a lot of rhetoric about how it should be a personal choice to decide to take a risk instead of focusing on how we do n't know who 's infected and could be spreading the virus to others .
Right now , we 're seeing the virus running rampant in the United States , and we know from health officials that wearing a mask is one of the ways in which we as individuals can actually help to control this pandemic .
What do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think the focus on masks is worth discussing .
It 's a common-sense step that people can take .
But I hope that people do n't get too distracted by the mask issue alone and let that distract them from being angry at the government for failing to find more testing and tracing so that we can implement a modern public health response .
Masks help slow the spread , but a well-funded and coordinated testing strategy is the foundation of that modern response that we know is far more effective even than @ @ @

Q&A: Are Face Mask Requirements Legal?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Gay/AP Eric Gay/AP
As the number of new coronavirus cases spikes in several states across the U.S., governors, county officials and business owners have been crafting laws and guidelines that mandate the use of face masks to help prevent the spread of the virus.
But even a simple cloth face covering has become political.
This month, for example, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued guidance that requires most Californians to wear masks in most public settings. Public health officials say masks can prevent wearers, whether or not they're expressing symptoms of COVID-19, from spreading the virus to others. Newsom's mandate drew pushback from both residents and local officials, who argued that the governor doesn't have the legal authority to make masks a requirement.
But according to Lindsay Wiley, the director of the Health Law and Policy Program at American University, there is a legal basis for mandatory masks.
In an interview with NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, Wiley said, "State and local governments have really quite broad authority" to require the public to wear masks during a pandemic. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What's the legal basis for making people cover their faces?
State and local governments have really quite broad authority, particularly in a public health emergency like this, to issue emergency orders. We're seeing some potential legal issues arise, though, regarding how these orders are being adopted, whether they're following the correct political process, whether it's the right part of government that's issuing the orders. And then we're also seeing some court challenges filed arguing that these orders violate individual rights.
This month, American Airlines kicked off a passenger from one of its planes after he refused to wear a mask. And that raises the question of what businesses can require in the private sector. Did it have complete discretion?
Business owners do have quite a lot of authority to require patrons and customers and employees as well to adopt face coverings as a protective measure. Where conflicts come in is in situations where the patron, for example, perceives the mask order to be coming from the business itself rather than from government.
So we're actually seeing some business owners and managers, as well, urge local governments or state governments to adopt mandatory mask requirements as a way of taking the pressure off of them. I think a lot of business owners would like to be able to point to the government and say, "If you don't like our rules, take it up with the mayor," instead of being positioned as requiring the masks themselves.
Even mask wearing has become political. Are there other examples in the history of public health and safety where we see these kinds of tensions between scientists and doctors and the public? And, you know, particular political affiliation?
Absolutely. Seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws, rules about who can sell cigarettes and where people can smoke them. Even the so-called Big Gulp ban in New York City — these public health rules are often seen as paternalistic. Mask mandates are being framed that way as well.
But that's not quite right. The message that wearing a mask protects other people isn't really getting through for some folks. So we're seeing a lot of rhetoric about how it should be a personal choice to decide to take a risk instead of focusing on how we don't know who's infected and could be spreading the virus to others.
Right now, we're seeing the virus running rampant in the United States, and we know from health officials that wearing a mask is one of the ways in which we as individuals can actually help to control this pandemic. What do you think should happen going forward?
I think the focus on masks is worth discussing. It's a commonsense step that people can take. But I hope that people don't get too distracted by the mask issue alone and let that distract them from being angry at the government for failing to find more testing and tracing so that we can implement a modern public health response.
Masks help slow the spread, but a well-funded and coordinated testing strategy is the foundation of that modern response that we know is far more effective even than mask wearing.


npr--2020-06-28--As The Country Reexamines Statues And Symbols, The VA Resists A Gender-Neutral Motto

As The Country Reexamines Statues And Symbols , The VA Resists A Gender-Neutral Motto From Richmond to Seattle , cities are taking a fresh look at – and sometimes taking a sledgehammer to – statues of slave owners .
U.S. military bases named for Confederate generals are under scrutiny , and the Marine Corps has banned Confederate flags .
Some veterans would like to see this momentum help change the gender-exclusive motto of the Department of Veterans Affairs .
But the VA is doubling down , and planning to put additional plaques at 140 national cemeteries , bearing the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is its motto : `` ... To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow , and his orphan . ''
The issue is that in all of America 's wars , it was never just `` him '' bearing the battle .
Women fired cannons in the Revolutionary War , led troops in the Civil War , flew bombers in World War II and the list goes on , right up to women fighting and dying alongside Special Forces in Syria .
`` It should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covington , who served as a medic in Afghanistan .
`` Change it so that it 's reflective of all service members who have risked their lives for this country . ''
Covington tells a story that 's all too familiar for women at the VA , of being asked if she 's the wife or dependent of a veteran – a male veteran .
She 'd like VA to change the motto to `` ... those who shall have borne the battle ... '' '' Language shifts culture , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service members , we have woman veterans , we have women service members .
We 're acknowledging the fact that the military and the VA services more than just men . ''
`` I 'm not arrogant enough to say I want to change Abraham Lincoln 's words , '' he said at a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing in February 2019 .
He reiterated that point in his Memorial Day message this year .
Wilkie has argued it would be costly to change the motto on all of the VA 's literature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department proposed adding plaques at most of the country 's national cemeteries .
VA spokeswoman Christina Noel said the new plaques will be in place by the end of the year .
`` This was a direct quote from President Lincoln 's second inaugural and is verbatim .
The speech formed the basis of VA 's subsequent creation and is part of our recognized mission , '' Noel said .
`` Of course today , our mission is focused more broadly on the men and women veterans we treat in our medical facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our national cemeteries and their families , '' she said .
The push for adding plaques at cemeteries spurred a letter from House Democrats this month , asking that VA adopt a new motto , to fulfill President Lincoln 's promise and `` reflect dedicated service to every veteran , regardless of gender or sexual orientation . ''
They suggest changing the motto to read , `` To care for those who shall have borne the battle and for their families , caregivers , and survivors . ''
The veterans ' advocacy group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made updating the motto one of its top priorities – a survey of its members showed more support for changing the motto than leaving it unaltered .
A spokesman for the American Legion , a century-old veterans organization , pointed to a 2018 resolution against changing the motto .
But the recent protests against inequality may have created a different political landscape .
`` We certainly do n't want to change what Abraham Lincoln said , '' Tennessee Rep. Phil Roe , a Republican , said during a Veterans Affairs hearing this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 21st century to change it to 'those who have borne the battle , ' which would include all our veterans , whomever they may be . ''

As The Country Reexamines Statues And Symbols, The VA Resists A Gender-Neutral Motto
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images Scott Olson/Getty Images
From Richmond to Seattle, cities are taking a fresh look at – and sometimes taking a sledgehammer to – statues of slave owners. U.S. military bases named for Confederate generals are under scrutiny, and the Marine Corps has banned Confederate flags. Some veterans would like to see this momentum help change the gender-exclusive motto of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
But the VA is doubling down, and planning to put additional plaques at 140 national cemeteries, bearing the line from Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address that is its motto: "...To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan."
The issue is that in all of America's wars, it was never just "him" bearing the battle. Women fired cannons in the Revolutionary War, led troops in the Civil War, flew bombers in World War II and the list goes on, right up to women fighting and dying alongside Special Forces in Syria.
"It should not be that difficult," said Sidney Covington, who served as a medic in Afghanistan. "Change it so that it's reflective of all service members who have risked their lives for this country."
Covington tells a story that's all too familiar for women at the VA, of being asked if she's the wife or dependent of a veteran – a male veteran. She'd like VA to change the motto to "...those who shall have borne the battle..."
"Language shifts culture," she said. "We do have non-gender conforming service members, we have woman veterans, we have women service members. We're acknowledging the fact that the military and the VA services more than just men."
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie has consistently opposed the idea.
"I'm not arrogant enough to say I want to change Abraham Lincoln's words," he said at a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing in February 2019. He reiterated that point in his Memorial Day message this year.
Wilkie has argued it would be costly to change the motto on all of the VA's literature and facilities. But this year the department proposed adding plaques at most of the country's national cemeteries. VA spokeswoman Christina Noel said the new plaques will be in place by the end of the year.
"This was a direct quote from President Lincoln's second inaugural and is verbatim. The speech formed the basis of VA's subsequent creation and is part of our recognized mission," Noel said.
"Of course today, our mission is focused more broadly on the men and women veterans we treat in our medical facilities, provide earned benefits and inter in our national cemeteries and their families," she said.
The push for adding plaques at cemeteries spurred a letter from House Democrats this month, asking that VA adopt a new motto, to fulfill President Lincoln's promise and "reflect dedicated service to every veteran, regardless of gender or sexual orientation."
They suggest changing the motto to read, "To care for those who shall have borne the battle and for their families, caregivers, and survivors."
The veterans' advocacy group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has made updating the motto one of its top priorities – a survey of its members showed more support for changing the motto than leaving it unaltered.
A spokesman for the American Legion, a century-old veterans organization, pointed to a 2018 resolution against changing the motto. But the recent protests against inequality may have created a different political landscape.
"We certainly don't want to change what Abraham Lincoln said," Tennessee Rep. Phil Roe, a Republican, said during a Veterans Affairs hearing this month. "But it's time in the 21st century to change it to 'those who have borne the battle,' which would include all our veterans, whomever they may be."


npr--2020-06-28--NYC To Crack Down On Mystery Fireworks That Are Fraying Nerves And Disrupting Sleep

NYC To Crack Down On Mystery Fireworks That Are Fraying Nerves And Disrupting Sleep As mysterious displays of fireworks continue to be set off across the country – in Chicago , Philadelphia , Boston , Los Angeles – residents in New York City say the nightly cacophony is driving them nuts .
`` It 's kind of been a bit all-consuming to be honest , '' said Brooklyn resident Eric Anderson , 33 .
`` I go to bed hearing it .
I get woken up hearing it , and then on my Twitter feed all anybody is doing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City , the police department said there were 54 fireworks complaints in the first half of last year .
In the same period this year , there have been more than 11,000 .
It 's illegal to set off your own fireworks in New York , and Mayor Bill de Blasio has said the city is going to crack down on suppliers .
`` We 're going to start a huge sting operation to go and get these illegal fireworks at the base , '' he said .
Last week he appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the New York City Police Department , fire marshals and members of the Sheriff 's Bureau of Criminal Investigation .
While it 's not clear who is setting off the fireworks , there are a lot of conspiracy theories being put forth on social media .
One is that the CIA or the police are coordinating an attack on communities of color .
The reality is much simpler , according to Scott Smith , secretary of the National Fireworks Association .
He said people are just buying a lot of fireworks this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a Saturday , he added , which could also be increasing sales .
Add then there 's pandemic boredom , with people feeling cooped up and wanting to do something outside , he said .
Smith said he wants to quash another rumor , too .
He said these fireworks are not professional-grade .
Those are bar code tracked .
Their fuses burn more quickly , and so you need a special tube , or mortar , to launch them safely — one that will send them far away quickly .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson said that in his Brooklyn neighborhood , the nightly explosions seem to follow a schedule .
`` Now that we know when they start , we need to , like , hunker down in our bedroom , around 9 o'clock , '' he said .
`` We close the door .
I bought , like , thicker curtains trying to block out some of the noise .
I turn the TV up as loud as I can .
I have , like , three fans and the AC .
But when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the booms . ''
He said the fireworks tend to go off again around 3 a.m. And his dog , Archie , a Pomeranian-corgi mix is terrified every time .
Anderson has tried to soothe the dog with calming pills but said Archie wo n't take them because he now associates them with the noise .
One Brooklyn resident said , via email , that he 's moving – after 11 years – because the fireworks aggravate his epilepsy .
Others wrote about how difficult it is to tolerate loud bangs when living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's so frustrated he created a special Twitter handle , @ FireworksNo , and filed a complaint with New York City 's hotline for nonemergency services .
But so far he 's stopped short of calling the police .
He said the current political climate makes him reluctant to do so and added that he was raised not to call police unless things are serious .
`` I do n't think it 's worth it to call the cops about something like this , '' he said , because `` it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of now . ''
On Manhattan 's Upper West Side , Cynthia Ceilán said she , too , is frustrated by the nightly fireworks outside her third-floor window .
But she has n't called 911 either .
`` A big part of my hesitation was a worry about what an interaction between whoever was setting off these illegal fireworks would be if confronted by the police , '' she said , `` when our nerves are so raw right now . ''
Ceilán said she 's weighing the lesser of two evils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by her dog 's nerves , versus what she thinks is the possibility that a kid just watching the fireworks could be mistreated by a rogue officer .
She has another worry , too : police not showing up at all .
`` I have this terrible feeling that there will be cops who would say , 'Oh , you want to defund the police ?
Well , you deal with this problem , ' `` she said .
Still , thousands of New Yorkers have complained to the authorities about the fireworks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vent their frustration with what they say is a lack of responsiveness .
When asked about that frustration , police pointed to the mayor 's new task force .
Meanwhile , Ceilán said that for now , she 's not going to call law enforcement .
She 's just hoping that tonight will be better .

NYC To Crack Down On Mystery Fireworks That Are Fraying Nerves And Disrupting Sleep
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephanie Keith/Getty Images Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
As mysterious displays of fireworks continue to be set off across the country – in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles – residents in New York City say the nightly cacophony is driving them nuts.
"It's kind of been a bit all-consuming to be honest," said Brooklyn resident Eric Anderson, 33. "I go to bed hearing it. I get woken up hearing it, and then on my Twitter feed all anybody is doing is talking about it."
In New York City, the police department said there were 54 fireworks complaints in the first half of last year. In the same period this year, there have been more than 11,000.
It's illegal to set off your own fireworks in New York, and Mayor Bill de Blasio has said the city is going to crack down on suppliers. "We're going to start a huge sting operation to go and get these illegal fireworks at the base," he said. Last week he appointed a task force made up of officers from the New York City Police Department, fire marshals and members of the Sheriff's Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
While it's not clear who is setting off the fireworks, there are a lot of conspiracy theories being put forth on social media. One is that the CIA or the police are coordinating an attack on communities of color.
The reality is much simpler, according to Scott Smith, secretary of the National Fireworks Association. He said people are just buying a lot of fireworks this year. The Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, he added, which could also be increasing sales. And then there's pandemic boredom, with people feeling cooped up and wanting to do something outside, he said.
Smith said he wants to quash another rumor, too. He said these fireworks are not professional-grade. Those are bar code tracked. Their fuses burn more quickly, and so you need a special tube, or mortar, to launch them safely — one that will send them far away quickly.
But these fireworks are still plenty loud.
Anderson said that in his Brooklyn neighborhood, the nightly explosions seem to follow a schedule.
"Now that we know when they start, we need to, like, hunker down in our bedroom, around 9 o'clock," he said. "We close the door. I bought, like, thicker curtains trying to block out some of the noise. I turn the TV up as loud as I can. I have, like, three fans and the AC. But when they're that close, you still feel the booms."
He said the fireworks tend to go off again around 3 a.m. And his dog, Archie, a Pomeranian-corgi mix is terrified every time. Anderson has tried to soothe the dog with calming pills but said Archie won't take them because he now associates them with the noise.
One Brooklyn resident said, via email, that he's moving – after 11 years – because the fireworks aggravate his epilepsy. Others wrote about how difficult it is to tolerate loud bangs when living with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anderson said he's so frustrated he created a special Twitter handle, @FireworksNo, and filed a complaint with New York City's hotline for nonemergency services. But so far he's stopped short of calling the police. He said the current political climate makes him reluctant to do so and added that he was raised not to call police unless things are serious.
"I don't think it's worth it to call the cops about something like this," he said, because "it's not actually threatening anyone's life. As of now."
On Manhattan's Upper West Side, Cynthia Ceilán said she, too, is frustrated by the nightly fireworks outside her third-floor window. But she hasn't called 911 either. "A big part of my hesitation was a worry about what an interaction between whoever was setting off these illegal fireworks would be if confronted by the police," she said, "when our nerves are so raw right now."
Ceilán said she's weighing the lesser of two evils: being bothered by the noise and by her dog's nerves, versus what she thinks is the possibility that a kid just watching the fireworks could be mistreated by a rogue officer. She has another worry, too: police not showing up at all. "I have this terrible feeling that there will be cops who would say, 'Oh, you want to defund the police? Well, you deal with this problem,' " she said.
Still, thousands of New Yorkers have complained to the authorities about the fireworks and have taken to social media to vent their frustration with what they say is a lack of responsiveness.
When asked about that frustration, police pointed to the mayor's new task force.
Meanwhile, Ceilán said that for now, she's not going to call law enforcement. She's just hoping that tonight will be better.


npr--2020-06-28--One Of Democrats' Top Senate Recruits Stumbles Amid Protests

Colorado voters could well decide this fall which party controls the U.S Senate .
But first , on Tuesday voters will pick the Democrat to challenge GOP Sen. Cory Gardner .
Former Gov .
John Hickenlooper is the national party 's first choice for the nomination , but his campaign has hit some snags in recent weeks .
He was a two-term governor , former mayor of Denver and had a short-lived presidential bid .
The other name on the ballot is former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff , who is less well-known in Colorado and running to the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has unsuccessfully run for Congress twice before .
Among the first-time voters watching these candidates is 18-year-old Emma Tang of Colorado Springs .
Earlier in the race , she volunteered for one of the two Black women who had been running for Senate in what had been a crowded , diverse field of mostly female candidates .
`` At this point , I 'm just so torn that my conscience does n't want me to vote for either candidate , '' Tang said .
As a child of Taiwanese immigrants , Tang said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a tough immigration law earlier in his career , back in 2006 .
He has since apologized , but she said she does n't think he 's done enough to rectify it .
As for Hickenlooper , she said she thinks he 's run a sloppy campaign .
She sees him as too soft on the environment and has concerns about his answer to a question in a racial justice forum during the height of the George Floyd protests in Denver .
When asked what the term Black Lives Matter meant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives matter means that every life matters and that the color of a person 's skin has nothing to do with the richness of their lives . ''
It was a problematic answer for Tang .
`` I feel like he should have done some research on 'all lives matter ' versus 'Black Lives Matter ' because that 's been all over the news , all over social media , '' she said .
`` I think there 's nothing he could do or say now that would honestly make me want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologized and said he `` stepped on my own words around Black Lives Matter . ''
`` There is a time where we have to step back and recognize that slavery is a nagging , persistent shame of this country that 's denied the promise of equality for far too long , to far too many people , '' Hickenlooper continued .
Colorado Black Women for Political Action has not yet endorsed anyone in the race .
The group 's president , Tamra DeBrady , who asked Hickenlooper the question , said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Everybody understands 'all lives matter , ' that 's not what it 's about .
It 's about understanding the importance of Black lives , especially being in a society that seems to over and over again , show us and treat us like our lives have no value . ''
Hickenlooper 's answer is one of several mistakes that Carlos Valverde , a community activist and the state director of the Colorado Working Families Party , thinks could make the primary race closer than he thought it might be .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot , and then a video surfaced from 2014 where he compared politicians to slaves .
`` Given Hickenlooper 's name ID , given the amount of money he has to buy TV ads , given the support from really establishment Democrats , I would have said he was gon na run away with this thing fairly easily , '' said Valverde , whose group is not endorsing a candidate .
`` And I would say right now , Romanoff has the momentum . ''
Another problem for Hickenlooper is that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran afoul of Colorado 's gift ban in two cases when he was governor .
Hickenlooper defied a subpoena to testify remotely in the ethics commission hearing .
He argued that it would violate his due process rights before eventually he backed down and testified .
If Hickenlooper wins the nomination , these issues are not expected to go away .
`` Any campaign worth their salt will continue to try to keep those narratives on the minds of voters , absolutely , '' Democratic political consultant Sheena Kadi said .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that . ''
And a lot of money has flowed in to help Hickenlooper in the final weeks .
According to the Center for Responsive Politics , the Senate Majority PAC spent nearly $ 1.5 million on ad buys supporting Hickenlooper .
Let 's Turn Colorado Blue , a recently formed super PAC , launched a $ 1.1 million ad campaign attacking Romanoff over his immigration record .
`` Hickenlooper always , in my opinion , has been a little bit bumbling , and I think sometimes it 's hard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
I do n't know .
I think his ethics violation was absolutely ludicrous on his part , '' said Democratic voter Jennifer Riley from northwest Colorado .
Despite her frustrations , Riley said she would still back Hickenlooper and feels he has the broadest appeal to compete against Gardner .
Hickenlooper led the state through an economic boom and recovery , and unlike his primary opponent , he is more aligned with moderate Democrats and does n't back the Green New Deal or `` Medicare for All . ''
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I 'm OK with compromise .
When he was governor , he did compromise , and he got people on both sides of the aisle to support him . ''
Her husband , however , retired teacher Steve Martinson , has been on the fence .
He pointed out that the supposed front-runner has given Republicans plenty of ammunition to use against him should he win .
`` He 's saying that the Republicans are going after him with everything they can 'cause they are afraid of him and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he should have handled it straight on , '' Martinson said of the ethics complaint .
Even with these campaign stumbles , in recent days Martinson has come around to the idea that Hickenlooper may be the most electable candidate .
Hickenlooper 's long track record in Colorado politics is why many Democratic insiders , such as state House Speaker KC Becker , said the former governor may be somewhat insulated from his recent stumbles .
`` He has always come across as someone who 's really relatable and friendly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when things are so divisive , '' Becker said .
`` So I think people see that and like it , and even with some missteps that 's going to work well for him . ''
Whether friendliness and Hickenlooper 's oddball nature set the right tone for this historic moment is one of the things voters grapple with as they feel the weight of potentially deciding control of the Senate .
Katherine Newell is a 31-year-old unaffiliated voter who used to be a registered Democrat .
She said she left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really living up to its ideals . ''
She plans to vote in the primary , which allows unaffiliated voters to participate .
`` We have an opportunity right now to shift the paradigm in Washington ; we are evolving so rapidly as a state , '' she said .
`` I 'm really loving many of the changes that we 've been able to make in the past couple of years , which is why I have been so shocked at , oh gosh , the male , pale and stale choices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Newell 's position is something that speaks to the tensions the Democratic Party faced in the recent presidential primary race that ended with former Vice President Joe Biden as the presumptive nominee .
It could also be a warning that needs to be heeded if Democrats hope to galvanize enough support to take control of the Senate .
`` I think as a millennial , a lot of people my age feel very similarly , '' Newell said .
She has n't decided whom she 'll vote for yet but added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's first choice , if we 're all settling for you , why are you even going to Washington ? ''

1 Of Democrats' Top Senate Recruits Stumbles Amid Protests
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images Alex Wong/Getty Images
Colorado voters could well decide this fall which party controls the U.S. Senate.
But first, on Tuesday, voters will pick the Democrat to challenge GOP Sen. Cory Gardner. Former Gov. John Hickenlooper is the national party's first choice for the nomination, but his campaign has hit some snags in recent weeks. He was a two-term governor, former mayor of Denver and had a short-lived presidential bid.
The other name on the ballot is former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, who is less well-known in Colorado and running to the left as the more progressive candidate. Romanoff has unsuccessfully run for Congress twice before.
Among the first-time voters watching these candidates is 18-year-old Emma Tang of Colorado Springs. Earlier in the race, she volunteered for one of the two Black women who had been running for Senate in what had been a crowded, diverse field of mostly female candidates.
"At this point, I'm just so torn that my conscience doesn't want me to vote for either candidate," Tang said.
As a child of Taiwanese immigrants, Tang said she doesn't support Romanoff's endorsement of a tough immigration law earlier in his career, back in 2006. He has since apologized, but she said she doesn't think he's done enough to rectify it.
toggle caption Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
As for Hickenlooper, she said she thinks he's run a sloppy campaign. She sees him as too soft on the environment and has concerns about his answer to a question in a racial justice forum during the height of the George Floyd protests in Denver.
When asked what the term Black Lives Matter meant to him, Hickenlooper responded, "Black lives matter means that every life matters and that the color of a person's skin has nothing to do with the richness of their lives."
It was a problematic answer for Tang.
"I feel like he should have done some research on 'all lives matter' versus 'Black Lives Matter' because that's been all over the news, all over social media," she said. "I think there's nothing he could do or say now that would honestly make me want to vote for him."
Hickenlooper later apologized and said he "stepped on my own words around Black Lives Matter."
"There is a time where we have to step back and recognize that slavery is a nagging, persistent shame of this country that's denied the promise of equality for far too long, to far too many people," Hickenlooper continued.
Colorado Black Women for Political Action has not yet endorsed anyone in the race. The group's president, Tamra DeBrady, who asked Hickenlooper the question, said his answer was both telling and disappointing.
"Everybody understands 'all lives matter,' that's not what it's about," she said. "It's about understanding the importance of Black lives, especially being in a society that seems to over and over again, show us and treat us like our lives have no value."
A series of mistakes
Hickenlooper's answer is one of several mistakes that Carlos Valverde, a community activist and the state director of the Colorado Working Families Party, thinks could make the primary race closer than he thought it might be. During a televised debate Hickenlooper mistakenly said Floyd was shot, and then a video surfaced from 2014 where he compared politicians to slaves.
"Given Hickenlooper's name ID, given the amount of money he has to buy TV ads, given the support from really establishment Democrats, I would have said he was gonna run away with this thing fairly easily," said Valverde, whose group is not endorsing a candidate. "And I would say right now, Romanoff has the momentum."
Another problem for Hickenlooper is that the state's Independent Ethics Commission determined he ran afoul of Colorado's gift ban in two cases when he was governor. Hickenlooper defied a subpoena to testify remotely in the ethics commission hearing. He argued that it would violate his due process rights before eventually he backed down and testified.
If Hickenlooper wins the nomination, these issues are not expected to go away.
"Any campaign worth their salt will continue to try to keep those narratives on the minds of voters, absolutely," Democratic political consultant Sheena Kadi said. "I would expect Gardner's team to continue to do that."
"A little bit bumbling"
And a lot of money has flowed in to help Hickenlooper in the final weeks. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the Senate Majority PAC spent nearly $1.5 million on ad buys supporting Hickenlooper. Let's Turn Colorado Blue, a recently formed super PAC, launched a $1.1 million ad campaign attacking Romanoff over his immigration record.
"Hickenlooper always, in my opinion, has been a little bit bumbling, and I think sometimes it's hard and maybe I'm making an excuse for him. I don't know. I think his ethics violation was absolutely ludicrous on his part," said Democratic voter Jennifer Riley from northwest Colorado.
Despite her frustrations, Riley said she would still back Hickenlooper and feels he has the broadest appeal to compete against Gardner. Hickenlooper led the state through an economic boom and recovery, and unlike his primary opponent, he is more aligned with moderate Democrats and doesn't back the Green New Deal or "Medicare for All."
"I'm OK with moderate," Riley said. "I'm OK with compromise. When he was governor, he did compromise, and he got people on both sides of the aisle to support him."
Her husband, however, retired teacher Steve Martinson, has been on the fence. He pointed out that the supposed front-runner has given Republicans plenty of ammunition to use against him should he win.
"He's saying that the Republicans are going after him with everything they can 'cause they are afraid of him and that there may be some truth to that. But he should have handled it straight on," Martinson said of the ethics complaint.
Even with these campaign stumbles, in recent days Martinson has come around to the idea that Hickenlooper may be the most electable candidate.
Long track record in Colorado politics
Hickenlooper's long track record in Colorado politics is why many Democratic insiders, such as state House Speaker KC Becker, said the former governor may be somewhat insulated from his recent stumbles.
"He has always come across as someone who's really relatable and friendly. And that's an important trait in a time when things are so divisive," Becker said. "So I think people see that and like it, and even with some missteps that's going to work well for him."
Whether friendliness and Hickenlooper's oddball nature set the right tone for this historic moment is one of the things voters grapple with as they feel the weight of potentially deciding control of the Senate.
Katherine Newell is a 31-year-old unaffiliated voter who used to be a registered Democrat. She said she left the party "because it's not really living up to its ideals." She plans to vote in the primary, which allows unaffiliated voters to participate.
"We have an opportunity right now to shift the paradigm in Washington; we are evolving so rapidly as a state," she said. "I'm really loving many of the changes that we've been able to make in the past couple of years, which is why I have been so shocked at, oh gosh, the male, pale and stale choices we now have in the Senate primary."
Newell's position is something that speaks to the tensions the Democratic Party faced in the recent presidential primary race that ended with former Vice President Joe Biden as the presumptive nominee. It could also be a warning that needs to be heeded if Democrats hope to galvanize enough support to take control of the Senate.
"I think as a millennial, a lot of people my age feel very similarly," Newell said. She hasn't decided whom she'll vote for yet but added, "If you're no one's first choice, if we're all settling for you, why are you even going to Washington?"