npr--2020-05-31--Should I Get Tested For Coronavirus Just For The Heck Of It?

Should I Get Tested For Coronavirus Just For The Heck Of It ?
Earlier in this pandemic , the shortage of tests for coronavirus was a major problem in fighting the spread of COVID-19 .
The shortage was such that many hospitals and clinics would only test someone who had traveled to a country with an outbreak , had a known exposure to a positive case or showed symptoms of the disease .
But access to tests has improved significantly , and in some places , people can now get tested without having to demonstrate any symptoms at all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ should you ?
The answer is a little complicated .
One point to clarify : We 're talking here about the diagnostic or PCR test , used to diagnose people who are currently sick with COVID-19 .
We 're not talking about antibody or antigen tests , which are different .
The short answer to the question is : Sure , get tested if you want .
But the tests are not perfect , and the result will only tell you so much .
Let 's say you test positive .
Your doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Since you 're not showing symptoms , it could mean that you happened to be tested at just the right time and are infected with the virus but are .
asymptomatic .
You could also be presymptomatic and develop symptoms in the coming days .
The CDC says that if you continue to have no symptoms , you can end self-isolation 10 days after your test .
A positive result could also mean you were sick weeks earlier , fully recovered and are not infectious .
The PCR test has sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says Dr. Abraar Karan , a physician at Harvard Medical School : `` The test could be detecting RNA [ of the virus ] even in people who are recovered — but that does n't mean that they 're infectious . ''
Now let 's say you test negative .
That news would probably come as a relief .
Perhaps you 're hoping a negative result would free you to do certain activities without fear – say , return to work or visit an older family member you have n't seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hospital epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist at University of Chicago Medicine , warns that a negative test should n't be seen as your ticket to stop being cautious .
`` We do n't know how good these tests are in individuals who do n't have symptoms , '' she says .
`` We know they 're pretty good at picking up COVID when it 's present in people who have symptoms .
But we have no idea what a negative test means in an individual that does n't have symptoms . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who test negative even though they are definitely contagious , '' she says .
`` A positive test can make us relatively certain that you are shedding COVID .
But a negative test does not mean the opposite . ''
It could be that you were tested too early in the disease process or that the swab did n't pick up your infection .
Landon says it takes at least three to five days after exposure to test positive .
What 's more , some people test positive , then negative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with symptoms twice to try to be more certain about the finding .
The imperfections in test results have made it difficult to know how often health-care workers need to be tested , she says , because a negative test does n't mean you do n't have the virus or `` that you can just stop wearing your mask and not worry about it anymore . ''
In other words , she says , if you 're getting tested to get peace of mind – a negative test should n't give you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Hecht , professor of clinical epidemiology at Yale University , offers `` an encouraging thumbs-up '' to anyone who decides to get tested for the virus just because .
`` This idea that you should be both concerned about your own status and recognize that you can be infected without symptoms — and that states should try to make more testing capacity available for people like that , '' he says .
`` I think those are all good things in general . ''
From a public health perspective , Landon says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asymptomatic person being tested and finding out whether they do indeed have COVID-19 .
`` It gives you a better idea of how many people are sick .
It helps us to understand the test dynamics better .
And anytime somebody is positive , you can remove them from the equation [ of transmission ] , '' she says , by taking precautions so they do n't infect others .
But since the negative test does n't tell you for sure that you do n't have the virus , it 's not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit your 80-year-old grandparent .

Should I Get Tested For Coronavirus Just For The Heck Of It?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Earlier in this pandemic, the shortage of tests for the coronavirus was a major problem in fighting the spread of COVID-19. The shortage was such that many hospitals and clinics would test only someone who had traveled to a country with an outbreak, had a known exposure to a positive case or showed symptoms of the disease.
But access to tests has improved significantly, and in some places, people can now get tested without having to show any symptoms at all. So if you can get tested, should you?
The answer is a little complicated. One point to clarify: We're talking here about the diagnostic or PCR test, used to diagnose people who are currently sick with COVID-19. We're not talking about antibody or antigen tests, which are different.
The short answer to the question is: Sure, get tested if you want. But the tests are not perfect, and the result will tell you only so much.
Let's say you test positive. Your doctor will likely instruct you to self-isolate at home. Since you're not showing symptoms, it could mean that you happened to be tested at just the right time and are infected with the virus but are asymptomatic. You could also be presymptomatic and develop symptoms in the coming days. The CDC says that if you continue to have no symptoms, you can end self-isolation 10 days after your test.
A positive result could also mean you were sick weeks earlier, fully recovered and are not infectious. The PCR test has sometimes shown positive results weeks after someone recovers, says Dr. Abraar Karan, a physician at Harvard Medical School: "The test could be detecting RNA [of the virus] even in people who are recovered — but that doesn't mean that they're infectious."
Now let's say you test negative. That news would probably come as a relief. Perhaps you're hoping a negative result would free you to do certain activities without fear — say, return to work or visit an older family member you haven't seen in months.
But Dr. Emily Landon, a hospital epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist at University of Chicago Medicine, warns that a negative test shouldn't be seen as your ticket to stop being cautious.
"We don't know how good these tests are in individuals who don't have symptoms," she says. "We know they're pretty good at picking up COVID when it's present in people who have symptoms. But we have no idea what a negative test means in an individual that doesn't have symptoms."
"We are certain that there are people who test negative even though they are definitely contagious," she says. "A positive test can make us relatively certain that you are shedding COVID. But a negative test does not mean the opposite." It could be that you were tested too early in the disease process or that the swab didn't pick up your infection.
Landon says it takes at least three to five days after exposure to test positive. What's more, some people test positive, then negative, then positive again. Hospitals often test people with symptoms twice to try to be more certain about the finding.
The imperfections in test results have made it difficult to know how often health care workers need to be tested, she says, because a negative test doesn't mean you don't have the virus or "that you can just stop wearing your mask and not worry about it anymore."
In other words, she says, if you're getting tested to get peace of mind, a negative test shouldn't give you much peace of mind.
Nonetheless, Robert Hecht, a professor of clinical epidemiology at Yale University, offers "an encouraging thumbs-up" to anyone who decides to get tested for the virus just because.
"This idea that you should be both concerned about your own status and recognize that you can be infected without symptoms — and that states should try to make more testing capacity available for people like that," he says. "I think those are all good things in general."
From a public health perspective, Landon says, there is some value in the odd asymptomatic person being tested and finding out whether they are indeed infected with the coronavirus. "It gives you a better idea of how many people are sick. It helps us to understand the test dynamics better. And anytime somebody is positive, you can remove them from the equation [of transmission]," she says, by taking precautions so they don't infect others.
But since the negative test doesn't tell you for sure that you don't have the virus, it's not a 100% guarantee that it's safe to visit your 80-year-old grandparent.


npr--2020-05-31--Navajo Nation Loses Elders And Tradition To COVID-19

In Navajo culture to speak of death is taboo .
But since the tribe 's coronavirus infection rate has become the highest in the country , they ca n't help but talk about it .
`` It 's killing every day , '' says medicine man Ty Davis , who knows at least five traditional practitioners who have died from COVID-19 .
`` It put me into shock , '' he says .
`` What do we do now ?
How do we retrieve that knowledge that these elders once knew now that they have died with those ceremonies ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Each medicine person specializes in different ceremonies .
So when someone dies they take that knowledge with them .
Over the last several decades the tribe has gone from a thousand Diné or Navajo medicine people to just 300 .
The coronavirus threatens the few who remain .
Medicine man Avery Denny is attempting to change that trajectory by taking on apprentices where he teaches at Diné College on the Navajo Nation .
Denny says he 's up against centuries of colonialism when it comes to preserving Navajo culture and tradition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sent Native children to boarding schools where they were beaten for speaking their language for singing their songs .
`` Young people are acculturated , assimilated , dominated .
They 're losing their language and their culture , '' Denny says .
Denny says white missionaries are also to blame for replacing Navajo religion .
`` Christianity is the belief that our people turned to even our leadership so there 's no guidance , '' Denny says .
`` There 's no leader that says , 'OK we 'll turn to Navajo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' For instance , the Navajo president begins each meeting with a Christian prayer even though he also addresses his community in Navajo .
The loss of traditional practitioners is not just a cultural loss but also a personal one for people such as Jeneda Benally , whose aunt recently died from COVID-19 .
`` I am really emotional about this because it 's so painful to lose so many loved ones , '' she says .
Benally is a traditional practitioner who works alongside her father who was the first medicine man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I felt very early on during this pandemic that I needed to protect my father so that way he can continue to help people in order to protect our future generations , '' Benally says .
One way she is doing that is working with her brother Clayson to produce youtube videos to share Navajo cultural practices like how to dry farm and how to shear sheep .
The Benallys hope their videos will encourage tribal members to reconnect with their culture , especially now while tribal members are spending a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
`` We 've got this technology , '' Jeneda Benally says .
`` How are we going to find hope in this technology ?
How are we going to find the continuation of our culture where we can connect our elders to our youth ? ''
The dilemma is figuring out what parts of Navajo culture they can share publicly and what parts are too sacred and can only be passed down from one Navajo to another .

Navajo Nation Loses Elders And Tradition To COVID-19
Enlarge this image toggle caption Laurel Morales/KJZZ Laurel Morales/KJZZ
In Navajo culture to speak of death is taboo. But since the tribe's coronavirus infection rate has become the highest in the country, they can't help but talk about it.
"It's killing every day," says medicine man Ty Davis, who knows at least five traditional practitioners who have died from COVID-19.
"It put me into shock," he says. "What do we do now? How do we retrieve that knowledge that these elders once knew now that they have died with those ceremonies? How do we get those back?"
Each medicine person specializes in different ceremonies. So when someone dies they take that knowledge with them. Over the last several decades the tribe has gone from a thousand Diné or Navajo medicine people to just 300. The coronavirus threatens the few who remain.
Medicine man Avery Denny is attempting to change that trajectory by taking on apprentices where he teaches at Diné College on the Navajo Nation.
Professor Avery Denny sings the the Journey Song to college graduates. Diné College YouTube
"I have great great concerns," Denny says.
Denny says he's up against centuries of colonialism when it comes to preserving Navajo culture and tradition. The federal government forced tribes to relocate, sent Native children to boarding schools where they were beaten for speaking their language for singing their songs.
"Young people are acculturated, assimilated, dominated. They're losing their language and their culture," Denny says.
Denny says white missionaries are also to blame for replacing Navajo religion.
"Christianity is the belief that our people turned to even our leadership so there's no guidance," Denny says. "There's no leader that says, 'OK we'll turn to Navajo values and Navajo Diné medicine.'"
For instance, the Navajo president begins each meeting with a Christian prayer even though he also addresses his community in Navajo.
The loss of traditional practitioners is not just a cultural loss but also a personal one for people such as Jeneda Benally, whose aunt recently died from COVID-19.
"I am really emotional about this because it's so painful to lose so many loved ones," she says.
Benally is a traditional practitioner who works alongside her father who was the first medicine man to practice in a Western hospital.
"I felt very early on during this pandemic that I needed to protect my father so that way he can continue to help people in order to protect our future generations," Benally says.
One way she is doing that is working with her brother Clayson to produce youtube videos to share Navajo cultural practices like how to dry farm and how to shear sheep.
The Benallys hope their videos will encourage tribal members to reconnect with their culture, especially now while tribal members are spending a lot of time at home during during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We've got this technology," Jeneda Benally says. "How are we going to find hope in this technology? How are we going to find the continuation of our culture where we can connect our elders to our youth?"
The dilemma is figuring out what parts of Navajo culture they can share publicly and what parts are too sacred and can only be passed down from one Navajo to another.


npr--2020-05-31--Rep. Steve King Fights For His Seat As GOP Works To Push Him Out

Rep. Steve King Fights For His Seat As GOP Works To Push Him Out Weeks before the 2018 midterm , President Trump stood before a packed arena in Council Bluffs , Iowa , and singled out Rep. Steve King — then running for his ninth term .
`` [ King ] may be the world 's most conservative human being , '' Trump said to a crowd of cheering supporters .
Now , Republican Rep. Steve King is fighting to hang onto his seat .
Republican leaders stripped him of his committee assignments in early 2019 for racist comments he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now some Republicans are afraid if King wins his primary his rock-ribbed Republican district is in jeopardy of getting picked up by Democrats .
King has a history of making offensive comments .
Republican operative and Sioux City resident Omar Marquez lives in King 's district .
Marquez , who used to work in Washington D.C. , used to support King and says he defended him when people asked why he kept getting elected .
`` I would say 'the people of the fourth district like him , that 's why ' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood on principle .
You ca n't take that away from the congressman . ''
Now , Marquez wants a change .
He 's backing Jeremy Taylor , a former county supervisor and a chaplain in the National Guard .
But King 's past statements are n't the main part of the debate in this primary .
Instead , the focus is on King 's clout .
King was stripped of his House committee assignments , including a seat on the all-important Agriculture Committee , in 2019 after questioning when the terms white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with the New York Times .
While King still has supporters , many top Iowa Republicans have abandoned him .
Among them is prominent Iowa social conservative and CEO of the Family Leader Bob Vander Plaats , who cut an ad on behalf of one of King 's opponents .
`` Whatever you think of Steve King , it 's clear he 's no longer effective , '' Vander Plaats says in the ad paid for by Priorities for Iowa .
`` He ca n't deliver for President Trump and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' U.S .
Ambassador to China and former Iowa Gov .
Terry Branstad has also abandoned King .
He and Vander Plaats support state Sen. Randy Feenstra of Hull , who has far outraised the congressman .
Another Feenstra supporter is David Kochel , a GOP campaign strategist who says it 's time for King to go .
`` Over the years his rhetoric has changed , his focus on issues has changed and this has kind of lead to the point I think we 're at , '' Kochel said .
King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 to Democrat and political newcomer J.D .
Scholten .
He 's running again and hoping for a rematch this year .
Kochel says this district should never be in play for Democrats .
`` It tells you that we 're at risk of losing that seat if Congressman King is the nominee , '' Kochel said .
Republican Gov .
Kim Reynolds handily beat her Democratic opponent Fred Hubbell in 2018 in King 's district — Kochel says by more than 20 points .
But King insists those in his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing criticism .
`` The never-Trumpers are the ones that ginned this all up , '' King said during a debate on WHO-TV in Des Moines .
King claims House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has said he can have his committee assignments back if he 's re-elected but McCarthy says that 's not true .
King said at the debate he 's the victim of an organized effort to oust him .
`` This is n't on me , '' King said .
`` This is on the people that made those decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about .
Being misquoted in the New York Times ? ''
The June 2 primary will show if all this work within the Republican party is enough to push King out of Congress .
But coming across as an embattled and anti-establishment congressman might be enough to get the voters back home to want to roll the dice on sending King back for a 10th term .

Rep. Steve King Fights For His Seat As GOP Works To Push Him Out
Enlarge this image toggle caption Clay Masters/Iowa Public Radio Clay Masters/Iowa Public Radio
Weeks before the 2018 midterm, President Trump stood before a packed arena in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and singled out Rep. Steve King — then running for his ninth term.
"[King] may be the world's most conservative human being," Trump said to a crowd of cheering supporters.
Now, King is fighting to hang onto his seat. Republican leaders stripped him of his committee assignments in early 2019 for racist comments he made in the New York Times. And now some Republicans are afraid if King wins his primary, his rock-ribbed Republican district is in jeopardy of getting picked up by Democrats.
King has a history of making offensive comments. Republican operative and Sioux City resident Omar Marquez lives in King's district. Marquez, who used to work in Washington, D.C., used to support King and says he defended him when people asked why he kept getting elected.
"I would say 'the people of the 4th district like him, that's why'," Marquez said. "He has stood on principle. You can't take that away from the congressman."
Now, Marquez wants a change. He's backing Jeremy Taylor, a former county supervisor and a chaplain in the National Guard.
But King's past statements aren't the main part of the debate in this primary. Instead, the focus is on King's clout.
King was stripped of his House committee assignments, including a seat on the all-important Agriculture Committee, in 2019 after questioning when the terms white nationalist and white supremacist became offensive in an interview with the New York Times. While King still has supporters, many top Iowa Republicans have abandoned him. Among them is prominent Iowa social conservative and CEO of the Family Leader Bob Vander Plaats, who cut an ad on behalf of one of King's opponents.
"Whatever you think of Steve King, it's clear he's no longer effective," Vander Plaats says in the ad paid for by Priorities for Iowa. "He can't deliver for President Trump and he can't advance our conservative values."
U.S. Ambassador to China and former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has also abandoned King. He and Vander Plaats support state Sen. Randy Feenstra of Hull, who has far outraised the congressman.
Another Feenstra supporter is David Kochel, a GOP campaign strategist who says it's time for King to go.
"Over the years his rhetoric has changed, his focus on issues has changed and this has kind of lead to the point I think we're at," Kochel said.
King only won his district by 3 points in 2018 to Democrat and political newcomer J.D. Scholten. He's running again and hoping for a rematch this year. Kochel says this district should never be in play for Democrats.
"It tells you that we're at risk of losing that seat if Congressman King is the nominee," Kochel said.
Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds handily beat her Democratic opponent Fred Hubbell in 2018 in King's district — Kochel says by more than 20 points.
But King insists those in his party who now oppose him are scared of facing criticism.
"The never-Trumpers are the ones that ginned this all up," King said during a debate on WHO-TV in Des Moines.
King claims House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has said he can have his committee assignments back if he's re-elected but McCarthy says that's not true. King said at the debate he's the victim of an organized effort to oust him.
"This isn't on me," King said. "This is on the people that made those decisions and people need to realize what it is about. Being misquoted in the New York Times?"
The June 2 primary will show if all this work within the Republican party is enough to push King out of Congress. But coming across as an embattled and anti-establishment congressman might be enough to get the voters back home to want to roll the dice on sending King back for a 10th term.


npr--2020-05-31--Grief, Outrage Over George Floyd Spreads Further

Police and demonstrators clashed in dozens of cities across the U.S. on Saturday during another night of protests in response to the death of George Floyd .
At least one person is dead after being shot in Indianapolis .
Police are investigating whether the incident was connected to demonstrations in the city .
In Los Angeles , protesters blocked the 110 freeway downtown and were seen breaking windows of stores at The Grove mall .
Floyd , 46 , died after being arrested in Minneapolis on Monday .
A video shows a police officer kneeling on his neck for at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he can not breathe .
That police officer was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Three other officers were present but have not been charged .
All four were fired .
Overnight curfews were enacted in several cities nationwide — including Chicago , Atlanta , Los Angeles , Louisville , San Francisco and Denver — as authorities sought to stem any violence .
The National Guard was also activated in several states , including Texas , Georgia , Washington , Ohio and Kentucky .
Law enforcement began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. curfew there as crowds gathered at the 5th Precinct police building .
Paul Schnell , the state corrections commissioner , said at a Saturday night press conference that an official count of arrests was not yet available but that authorities were `` committed to do whatever it takes to bring order . ''
Former Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden released a statement early Sunday morning condemning the violence and urging Americans to `` take care of each other . ''
`` Protesting such brutality is right and necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he wrote .
`` But burning down communities and needless destruction is not . ''
Biden added , `` the act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest . ''
At least one person has died after being shot in downtown Indianapolis Saturday night .
Police Chief Randal Taylor said at a press conference that authorities were still investigating the incident 's connection to ongoing demonstrations in the city .
`` Downtown is not safe at this time , '' Taylor said .
He urged residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave .
Mayor Joe Hogsett called the day 's protests `` successful '' in a tweet , but condemned the `` small group of people '' that grew violent later in the night .
Police cruisers seen going through crowds in New York Several videos of protests in New York showed a police patrol vehicle driving through crowds of protesters .
Protesters are seen surrounding and throwing debris at a car while another one drove into them .
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the footage `` upsetting '' at a late night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` inappropriate for protesters to surround a police vehicle and threaten police officers . ''
He addressed the city 's peaceful protesters , saying they were heard but urging them to go home .
`` We hear your desire to see these issues : relationship between police and community , the need for justice , the need for real change in our society , '' he said .
`` We appreciate and respect all peaceful protests , but it is now time for people to go home . ''
Los Angeles Mayor Eric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night amid protests .
A curfew began at 8 p.m. PT and is expected to end at 5:30 a.m. local time .
The LAPD said hundreds of protesters were arrested amid the protests .
An unlawful assembly was declared in the the Mid-Wilshire area and businesses were asked to close .
Protesters blocked the 110 freeway in downtown LA and videos taken at protests showed looting and broken windows at stores in The Grove mall .
Garcetti urged protesters to `` take a breath '' and `` step away '' at a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and protest peacefully at a later time .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced the National Guard would be deployed to Los Angeles and proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County .
This is a developing story .
Some things reported by the media will turn out to be wrong .
We will focus on reports from officials and other authorities , credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene .
We will update as the situation develops .

Grief, Outrage Over George Floyd Spread Further
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
Updated at 12:29 p.m.
Police and demonstrators clashed in dozens of cities across the U.S. on Saturday during another night of protests in response to the death of George Floyd.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Amon/Connecticut Public Joe Amon/Connecticut Public
At least one person is dead after being shot in Indianapolis. Police are investigating whether the incident was connected to demonstrations in the city.
In Los Angeles, protesters blocked the 110 freeway downtown and were seen breaking windows of stores at The Grove mall.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
Floyd, 46, died after being arrested in Minneapolis on Monday. A video shows a police officer kneeling on his neck for at least seven minutes while Floyd is heard saying he cannot breathe. That police officer was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers were present but have not been charged. All four were fired.
Overnight curfews were enacted in cities nationwide — including Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Louisville, San Francisco and Denver — as authorities sought to stem any violence. The National Guard was also activated in several states, including Texas, Georgia, Washington, Ohio and Kentucky.
In Minneapolis, authorities reported a ratcheting down of the previous night's unrest after an influx of National Guard troops and state troopers were dispatched to the city.
"Clearly we did not have the numbers in [Minneapolis police] alone," the city's mayor, Jacob Frey told Minnesota Public Radio early Sunday. "Additional force was necessary."
Law enforcement began to make arrests in Minneapolis after an 8 p.m. curfew as crowds gathered at the 5th Precinct police building.
Paul Schnell, the state corrections commissioner, said at a Saturday night press conference that an official count of arrests was not yet available but that authorities were "committed to do whatever it takes to bring order."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images
Former Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden released a statement early Sunday morning condemning the violence and urging Americans to "take care of each other."
"Protesting such brutality is right and necessary. It's an utterly American response," he wrote. "But burning down communities and needless destruction is not."
Biden added, "the act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest."
1 person fatally shot in Indianapolis
At least one person has died after being shot in downtown Indianapolis Saturday night. Police Chief Randal Taylor said at a press conference that authorities were still investigating the incident's connection to ongoing demonstrations in the city.
"Downtown is not safe at this time," Taylor said. He urged residents who do not live in the area to leave.
Mayor Joe Hogsett called the day's protests "successful" in a tweet, but condemned the "small group of people" that grew violent later in the night.
Police cruisers seen going through crowds in New York
Several videos of protests in New York showed a police patrol vehicle driving through crowds of protesters. Protesters are seen surrounding and throwing debris at a car while another one drove into them.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kathy Willens/AP Kathy Willens/AP
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the footage "upsetting" at a late night press conference Saturday but said it was "inappropriate for protesters to surround a police vehicle and threaten police officers."
He addressed the city's peaceful protesters, saying they were heard but urging them to go home.
"We hear your desire to see these issues: relationship between police and community, the need for justice, the need for real change in our society," he said. "We appreciate and respect all peaceful protests, but it is now time for people to go home."
California governor declares state of emergency in LA County
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti requested assistance to restore order Saturday night amid protests. A curfew began at 8 p.m. PT and is expected to end at 5:30 a.m. local time.
The LAPD said hundreds of protesters were arrested amid the protests. An unlawful assembly was declared in the the Mid-Wilshire area and businesses were asked to close. Protesters blocked the 110 freeway in downtown LA and videos taken at protests showed looting and broken windows at stores in The Grove mall.
Garcetti urged protesters to "take a breath" and "step away" at a press conference. He asked residents to go home and protest peacefully at a later time.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the National Guard would be deployed to Los Angeles and proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images
Tense standoffs outside White House
In Washington, National Guard troops were called in Saturday night to assist police and Secret Service officers in blocking off the White House after a day of confrontations between law enforcement and protesters.
Demonstrators flocked to the White House and nearby Lafayette Square throughout the afternoon where city and U.S. Park police and the Secret Service maintained barricades and pushed back against protesters, at times using pepper spray in an attempt to disperse crowds.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Fireworks were set off and at least one car was set on fire.
Buildings in downtown Washington had windows smashed — including the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and an Apple store. A liquor store and a T-Mobile were also looted as tensions remained high through the early morning.
The D.C. police union tweeted that one of its members had been hospitalized after being hit by a rock.
Earlier on Saturday, President Trump falsely accused the city's mayor, Muriel Bowser, of refusing to let D.C. police assist in containing Friday night's demonstrations.
Bowser fired back at Trump at a Saturday press conference, saying the president's warning that "ominous weapons" and "vicious dogs" awaited any protester who made it past the White House fence was "no subtle reminder" of the country's history of segregationist violence.
On Sunday morning, Bowser reiterated that sentiment on NBC's Meet The Press.
"I think the president has a responsibility to help calm the nation and he can start by not sending divisive tweets that are meant to harken to the segregationist past of our country and he can start by doing that right now," Bowser said.
This is a developing story. Some things reported by the media will turn out to be wrong. We will focus on reports from officials and other authorities, credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.


npr--2020-05-31--Former NAACP Head Cornell Brooks Blames Derek Chauvin For Violence At Protests

Former NAACP Head Cornell Brooks Blames Derek Chauvin For Violence At Protests Protests have erupted across the nation in response to the death of George Floyd , and some of the demonstrations have turned violent , leading political leaders and activists to debate over who is responsible .
President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Saturday that the chaos was caused by `` ANTIFA and the Radical Left . ''
Attorney General William Barr echoed his sentiment , saying that violence has been `` planned , organized , and driven by anarchistic and far left extremists , using Antifa-like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walz has suggested that white supremacists could be involved .
But former NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks , who is now a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School where he runs a civil rights clinic , told All Things Considered that Derek Chauvin — the police officer who knelt on Floyd 's neck — should be blamed for the violent protests , too .
`` In these marches and demonstrations , there are anarchists and white supremacists and others who show up to sow chaos , sow anarchy and plant the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Brooks said .
`` But be clear : There would be no protests , there would be no demonstrations , had Derek Chauvin not killed George Floyd .
And so ... Mr. Chauvin has provided the matches for the arsons [ and ] the inspiration for the looting that we are all enduring at this moment . ''
Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter on Friday , but Brooks believes he `` should also be charged with looting , with arson , and with sowing the seeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is an accomplice , he is a co-conspirator [ and ] he is a co-participant in the destruction that we are experiencing as a country . ''
Brooks also pointed out that many of the protesters have been participating in nonviolent demonstrations throughout the past week .
There are `` many demonstrations , many protests , [ and ] many prayer vigils that do n't get a lot of news coverage , but where there are thousands , hundreds of thousands of people who have participated with no violence , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Brooks said .
`` Let 's not forget that most people pursue justice nonviolently , peacefully , vigorously , conscientiously and sincerely , with all due respect to the attorney general . ''
NPR 's Janaya Williams and William Troop produced and edited the audio version of this interview .

Former NAACP Head Cornell Brooks Blames Derek Chauvin For Violence At Protests
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Protests have erupted across the nation in response to the death of George Floyd, and some of the demonstrations have turned violent, leading political leaders and activists to debate over who is responsible.
President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Saturday that the chaos was caused by "ANTIFA and the Radical Left." Attorney General William Barr echoed his sentiment, saying that violence has been "planned, organized, and driven by anarchistic and far left extremists, using Antifa-like tactics."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has suggested that white supremacists could be involved.
But former NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks, who is now a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School where he runs a civil rights clinic, told All Things Considered that Derek Chauvin — the police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck — should be blamed for the violent protests, too.
"In these marches and demonstrations, there are anarchists and white supremacists and others who show up to sow chaos, sow anarchy and plant the seeds of violence. That's real," Brooks said. "But be clear: There would be no protests, there would be no demonstrations, had Derek Chauvin not killed George Floyd. And so ... Mr. Chauvin has provided the matches for the arsons [and] the inspiration for the looting that we are all enduring at this moment."
Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter on Friday, but Brooks believes he "should also be charged with looting, with arson, and with sowing the seeds of chaos and dissension in our public. He is an accomplice, he is a co-conspirator [and] he is a co-participant in the destruction that we are experiencing as a country."
Brooks also pointed out that many of the protesters have been participating in nonviolent demonstrations throughout the past week.
There are "many demonstrations, many protests, [and] many prayer vigils that don't get a lot of news coverage, but where there are thousands, hundreds of thousands of people who have participated with no violence, no looting [and] no burning," Brooks said. "Let's not forget that most people pursue justice nonviolently, peacefully, vigorously, conscientiously and sincerely, with all due respect to the attorney general."
NPR's Janaya Williams and William Troop produced and edited the audio version of this interview.


npr--2020-05-31--Target Says It Will Temporarily Close Stores In Several States As Protests Continue

Target Says It Will Temporarily Close Stores In Several States As Protests Continue Amid continuing protests over the death of George Floyd , Target has temporarily closed or adjusted hours at more than 200 stores nationwide .
The announcement on Saturday from the nation 's eighth-largest retailer came after Target stores in multiple cities became scenes of violence and unrest .
Among the stores where aisles were ransacked was a Target in Minneapolis near the city 's 3rd police precinct , where the four officers who were fired after Floyd 's death worked .
The 3rd Precinct police station was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are heartbroken by the death of George Floyd and the pain it is causing communities across the country , '' the Minneapolis-based company said in a statement .
`` At this time , we have made the decision to close a number of our stores . ''
A Target spokesperson said that the company is evaluating closures and limiting hours on a store-by-store basis .
The majority of stores being closed are located in Minnesota and California , where protests in Los Angeles led the National Guard to be deployed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois , Oregon and Pennsylvania .
Despite the violence that has hit its stores , the company has voiced support for demonstrators .
`` The murder of George Floyd has unleashed the pent-up pain of years , as have the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor , '' Target CEO Brian Cornell wrote in a public letter on Friday .
`` We say their names and hold a too-long list of others in our hearts . ''
It remains unclear whether the looting at Target stores was committed by demonstrators or whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actors .
But the ongoing demonstrations have focused scrutiny on Target 's past work with law enforcement — including partnerships with agencies in at least 2o cities .
In Minneapolis , the company partnered with police on a program that helped install closed-circuit television cameras in the downtown area .
A 2010 report released with support from the company said the `` genesis of the program was a widespread feeling some years ago in the city of Minneapolis that the downtown business district was not a pleasant place to work or visit .
@

Target Says It Will Temporarily Close Stores In Several States As Protests Continue
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
Amid continuing protests over the death of George Floyd, Target has temporarily closed or adjusted hours at more than 200 stores nationwide.
The announcement on Saturday from the nation's eighth-largest retailer came after Target stores in multiple cities became scenes of violence and unrest. Among the stores where aisles were ransacked was a Target in Minneapolis near the city's 3rd police precinct, where the four officers who were fired after Floyd's death worked. The 3rd Precinct police station was damaged by a fire last week.
"We are heartbroken by the death of George Floyd and the pain it is causing communities across the country," the Minneapolis-based company said in a statement. "At this time, we have made the decision to close a number of our stores."
A Target spokesperson said that the company is evaluating closures and limiting hours on a store-by-store basis.
The majority of stores being closed are located in Minnesota and California, where protests in Los Angeles led the National Guard to be deployed. Stores will also close in Colorado, Illinois, Oregon and Pennsylvania.
Despite the violence that has hit its stores, the company has voiced support for demonstrators.
"The murder of George Floyd has unleashed the pent-up pain of years, as have the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor," Target CEO Brian Cornell wrote in a public letter on Friday. "We say their names and hold a too-long list of others in our hearts."
It remains unclear whether the looting at Target stores was committed by demonstrators or whether they were the actions of unaffiliated bad actors. But the ongoing demonstrations have focused scrutiny on Target's past work with law enforcement — including partnerships with agencies in at least 2o cities.
In Minneapolis, the company partnered with police on a program that helped install closed-circuit television cameras in the downtown area. A 2010 report released with support from the company said the "genesis of the program was a widespread feeling some years ago in the city of Minneapolis that the downtown business district was not a pleasant place to work or visit."


npr--2020-05-31--Trump Lays Blame For Clashes On 'Radical-Left Anarchists'

As overlapping crises convulse an anxious nation , President Trump on Sunday sought to cast blame for widespread protests gripping cities on `` radical-left anarchists , '' while adding that the media `` is doing everything within their power to foment hatred and anarchy . ''
The president has said that members of the loosely defined far-left group Antifa — short for `` anti-fascists '' — have led clashes with police and looting in cities across the U.S. since the killing of a black man in police custody in Minneapolis .
It 's unclear if any group or groups are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following George Floyd 's death on May 25 as Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on Floyd 's neck .
Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz , a Democrat , has told the press that he 'd heard unconfirmed reports that white supremacists were coming from elsewhere to stoke the violence .
In one tweet on Sunday , Trump said the U.S. `` will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization . ''
It 's something he has previously floated , and last year two Republican senators introduced a resolution that sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist organization .
Following Trump 's tweet , Attorney General William Barr said in a statement that `` [ f ] ederal law enforcement actions will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have hijacked peaceful protest . ''
Barr added : `` The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly . ''
The clashes , spreading to dozens of cities across the U.S. , follow a series of racist incidents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's on Monday .
Chauvin , now a former Minneapolis police officer , was seen on video kneeling on Floyd 's neck while holding him in custody as Floyd pleaded that he could n't breathe .
Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Three other officers present at the scene have been fired but not arrested or charged .
Protests and clashes that have since followed come at a time of unprecedented crisis for the country , with confirmed deaths from the coronavirus pandemic topping 100,000 and millions of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broad business shutdowns .
Minorities , including African Americans , have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 deaths and pandemic-induced economic peril .
Trump addressed the demonstrations Saturday , striking a milder tone than he has on Twitter during prepared remarks following a space launch in Florida .
He said Floyd 's death `` has filled Americans all over the country with horror , anger and grief . ''
He added that he `` understands the pain that people are feeling '' and supports peaceful protest , but that `` the memory of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looters and anarchists . ''
`` He should just sometimes stop talking '' Apart from Saturday 's remarks , though , Trump has not often played a unifying role in recent days .
His tweets about radical-left anarchists have also included criticism of Democratic leadership in Minnesota .
In another tweet on Sunday , he blamed the mainstream media for fomenting `` hatred and anarchy . ''
On Friday , Trump tweeted provocatively that `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts , '' a phrase with a racist history that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Later on , he said his intent was not to make a threat but to register a statement of concern that armed violence can accompany looting .
Sen. Tim Scott , a South Carolina Republican , said on Fox News Sunday that the president 's tweets about demonstrations turning violent are `` not constructive . ''
Speaking on ABC 's This Week , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said on Sunday morning that she 's not paying attention to Trump 's inflammatory tweets .
Instead , she said he `` should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have seen that with Democratic and Republican presidents all along .
They have seen their responsibility to be the president of the United States , to unify our country and not to fuel the flame . ''
Also Sunday , Keisha Lance Bottoms — mayor of Atlanta , one city that has seen protests and clashes with police — told CBS ' Face the Nation that Trump 's tweets are `` making it worse '' and `` he should just sometimes stop talking . ''
In his own statement on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presumptive Democratic nominee for president , wrote that `` Protesting [ Floyd 's killing ] is right and necessary .
It 's an utterly American response .
But burning down communities and needless destruction is not .
Violence that endangers lives is not . ''
He added that as president , he 'd lead the conversation about turning the nation 's `` anguish to purpose . ''
Biden made an unannounced visit on Sunday to the site in Wilmington , Del.
, where protests had taken place the night before .

Trump Lays Blame For Clashes On 'Radical-Left Anarchists'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Updated at 7:27 p.m. ET
As overlapping crises convulse an anxious nation, President Trump on Sunday sought to cast blame for widespread protests gripping cities on "radical-left anarchists," while adding that the media "is doing everything within their power to foment hatred and anarchy."
The president has said that members of the loosely defined far-left group Antifa — short for "anti-fascists" — have led clashes with police and looting in cities across the U.S. since the killing of a black man in police custody in Minneapolis.
It's unclear if any group or groups are primarily responsible for escalating protests that began following George Floyd's death on May 25 as Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin held his knee on Floyd's neck.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, has told the press that he'd heard unconfirmed reports that white supremacists were coming from elsewhere to stoke the violence.
National Trump Administration Blames Far-Left Extremists In George Floyd Protests Trump Administration Blames Far-Left Extremists In George Floyd Protests Listen · 4:01 4:01
In one tweet on Sunday, Trump said the U.S. "will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization." It's something he has previously floated, and last year two Republican senators introduced a resolution that sought to designate the group as a domestic terrorist organization.
Following Trump's tweet, Attorney General William Barr said in a statement that "[f]ederal law enforcement actions will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have hijacked peaceful protest."
Barr added: "The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly."
The clashes, spreading to dozens of cities across the U.S., follow a series of racist incidents and deaths of black people, including Floyd's on Monday.
Chauvin, now a former Minneapolis police officer, was seen on video kneeling on Floyd's neck while holding him in custody as Floyd pleaded that he couldn't breathe. Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers present at the scene have been fired but not arrested or charged.
Protests and clashes that have since followed come at a time of unprecedented crisis for the country, with confirmed deaths from the coronavirus pandemic topping 100,000 and millions of people out of work as a result of broad business shutdowns. Minorities, including African Americans, have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 deaths and pandemic-induced economic peril.
Trump addressed the demonstrations Saturday, striking a milder tone than he has on Twitter during prepared remarks following a space launch in Florida. He said Floyd's death "has filled Americans all over the country with horror, anger and grief." He added that he "understands the pain that people are feeling" and supports peaceful protest, but that "the memory of George Floyd is being dishonored by rioters, looters and anarchists."
"He should just sometimes stop talking"
Apart from Saturday's remarks, though, Trump has not often played a unifying role in recent days. His tweets about radical-left anarchists have also included criticism of Democratic leadership in Minnesota. In another tweet on Sunday, he blamed the mainstream media for fomenting "hatred and anarchy."
On Friday, Trump tweeted provocatively that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts," a phrase with a racist history that Trump said he was not aware of. Later on, he said his intent was not to make a threat but to register a statement of concern that armed violence can accompany looting.
Sen. Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, said on Fox News Sunday that the president's tweets about demonstrations turning violent are "not constructive."
Speaking on ABC's This Week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said on Sunday morning that she's not paying attention to Trump's inflammatory tweets. Instead, she said he "should be a unifying force in our country. We have seen that with Democratic and Republican presidents all along. They have seen their responsibility to be the president of the United States, to unify our country and not to fuel the flame."
Also Sunday, Keisha Lance Bottoms — mayor of Atlanta, one city that has seen protests and clashes with police — told CBS' Face the Nation that Trump's tweets are "making it worse" and "he should just sometimes stop talking."
In his own statement on Saturday, former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, wrote that "Protesting [Floyd's killing] is right and necessary. It's an utterly American response. But burning down communities and needless destruction is not. Violence that endangers lives is not." He added that as president, he'd lead the conversation about turning the nation's "anguish to purpose."
Biden made an unannounced visit on Sunday to the site in Wilmington, Del., where protests had taken place the night before.


npr--2020-05-31--Photos: Protests In Response To The Death Of George Floyd Shake The Nation

Photos : Protests In Response To The Death Of George Floyd Shake The Nation Demonstrators and police clashed this weekend @ @ @ @ @ through cities across the U.S. in response to the death of George Floyd .
Protesters @ @ @ @ @ destroyed , buildings vandalized and businesses looted in some of the nation 's worst civil @ @ @ @ @ 's a look at some of the cities .

Photos: Protests In Response To The Death Of George Floyd Shake The Nation
Demonstrators and police clashed this weekend as anguish and rage swept through cities across the U.S. in response to the death of George Floyd. Protesters were tear-gassed, police cars destroyed, buildings vandalized and businesses looted in some of the nation's worst civil unrest in years.
Here's a look at some of the cities.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tyrone Turner/WAMU Tyrone Turner/WAMU
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jason deBruyn/WUNC Jason deBruyn/WUNC
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Darron Cummings/AP Darron Cummings/AP
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Enlarge this image toggle caption Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images Ariana Drehsler/AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Urquhart for NPR Jim Urquhart for NPR
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brynn Anderson/AP Brynn Anderson/AP
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt Slocum/AP Matt Slocum/AP
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Coleman Jennings/Virginia Public Media Coleman Jennings/Virginia Public Media


npr--2020-05-31--Ohio Congresswoman Pepper Sprayed While Demonstrating Against Death Of George Floyd

Ohio Congresswoman Pepper Sprayed While Demonstrating Against Death Of George Floyd Rep. Joyce Beatty , the Ohio Democrat who was pepper-sprayed at a demonstration in Columbus on Saturday , says property destruction accompanying protests over the death of George Floyd is a `` distraction to the message . ''
Speaking to NPR 's Weekend Edition Sunday , Beatty said she understands the sentiment that attempting to have a `` healthy dialogue '' about race has n't worked , but that `` violence does n't work — violence either way . ''
`` We have to somehow make sure that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not come in and tear up buildings , '' Beatty said .
`` When you break windows and destroy businesses and people get hurt , that 's not going to resolve the problem of why George Floyd died . ''
Asked about the mobilizing of National Guard units in response to protests , Beatty said she knows they can be called in with `` clear '' instructions to `` protect the buildings '' and not `` incite or engage in rioting . ''
Beatty was pepper sprayed while at a demonstration in Columbus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Floyd 's death last week while in the custody of Minneapolis police .
The congresswoman said the event started out peacefully , but that something apparently `` went awry '' in just seconds .
She said events took a turn after an altercation between a young woman and a police officer .
`` I found myself saying , 'No this is wrong .
Let 's not excite the crowd . '
Because it was almost over and it had sent a strong message , '' Beatty said .
Photos posted to Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a sequence posted by Columbus Dispatch photojournalist Kyle Robertson , Beatty appears along with the city 's council president , Shannon Hardin , and Kevin Boyce , a member of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners .
Nearby , a young woman is knocked to the ground by a police officer and pepper-sprayed .
Hardin tweeted about the encounter and protest , saying that the city needed to investigate its use of force and change the use of techniques used to disperse crowds .
`` I saw with my own eyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to make their voices heard , while some..individuals in the crowd were attempting to take advantage of the situation , '' Hardin tweeted Saturday .
`` I also saw police going too far , and that 's unacceptable . ''

Ohio Congresswoman Pepper-Sprayed While Demonstrating Against Death Of George Floyd
Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP Susan Walsh/AP
Rep. Joyce Beatty, the Ohio Democrat who was pepper-sprayed at a demonstration in Columbus on Saturday, says property destruction accompanying protests over the death of George Floyd is a "distraction to the message."
Speaking to NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, Beatty said she understands the sentiment that attempting to have a "healthy dialogue" about race hasn't worked, but that "violence doesn't work — violence either way."
"We have to somehow make sure that we get the word out that you cannot come in and tear up buildings," Beatty said. "When you break windows and destroy businesses and people get hurt, that's not going to resolve the problem of why George Floyd died."
Asked about the mobilizing of National Guard units in response to protests, Beatty said she knows they can be called in with "clear" instructions to "protect the buildings" and not "incite or engage in rioting."
Beatty was pepper-sprayed while at a demonstration in Columbus — one of the numerous protests Saturday over Floyd's death last week while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
The congresswoman said the event started out peacefully, but that something apparently "went awry" in just seconds.
She said events took a turn after an altercation between a young woman and a police officer. "I found myself saying, 'No this is wrong. Let's not excite the crowd.' Because it was almost over and it had sent a strong message," Beatty said.
Photos posted to Twitter appeared to show parts of the confrontation.
In a sequence posted by Columbus Dispatch photojournalist Kyle Robertson, Beatty appears along with the city's council president, Shannon Hardin, and Kevin Boyce, a member of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
Nearby, a young woman is knocked to the ground by a police officer and pepper-sprayed.
Hardin tweeted about the encounter and protest, saying that the city needed to investigate its use of force and change the use of techniques used to disperse crowds.
"I saw with my own eyes that 99 percent of protesters were just trying to make their voices heard, while some..individuals in the crowd were attempting to take advantage of the situation," Hardin tweeted Saturday. "I also saw police going too far, and that's unacceptable."


npr--2020-05-31--Tech Startups, Shut Out From Federal Stimulus Loans, Seek Aid From Congress

Tech Startups , Shut Out From Federal Stimulus Loans , Seek Aid From Congress Some members of Congress want to let tech startups access federal stimulus loans .
But venture-capital-backed startups are n't like other small businesses — they fail even in good economic times .
Like many small companies , tech startups have been laying off employees - more than 40,000 people by one count .
Yet tech startups backed by wealthy investors are not eligible for federal stimulus loans .
But about a dozen members of Congress are urging the Small Business Administration to rethink its rules .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
RACHAEL MYROW , BYLINE : Silicon Valley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo says her experience growing up the daughter of a jeweler in Connecticut taught her to appreciate the value of small companies .
First in a letter to the Small Business Administration , then with legislation introduced earlier this month , Eshoo argued startups of all kinds deserve taxpayer support .
ANNA ESHOO : As much as we hear about the very large companies - certainly here in Silicon Valley - I think everyone has an appreciation for how important small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That said , Silicon Valley startups are not the same as Connecticut jewelers and the like .
To start with , pre-pandemic , Silicon Valley startups failed at the rate of 80 % a year .
That 's four times the rate of non-tech startups tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor .
Rachel Massaro runs the research arm of the nonprofit Joint Venture Silicon Valley .
RACHEL MASSARO : There are going to be winners and losers .
The startup environment has always been like that .
MYROW : The few startups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get bought out in multibillion-dollar deals can make investors fabulously wealthy .
But those investors know most startups fail , and that makes it hard to argue they deserve a taxpayer bailout .
Eshoo says her Caring for Startup Employees Act of 2020 includes guardrails to protect federal funds from being used to pay back investors .
And she says she wants to put employees ' welfare first .
ESHOO : Keep the employees together .
There was a big mistake made in the financial meltdown of 2008 .
The employees scattered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never made it back .
MYROW : Because if you 're not a well-heeled investor and you 're not an in-demand software engineer , this is not a great time to look for a job , even in Silicon Valley .
SHIRLEY DENG : Sales , marketing , recruiting is , like , the first to go , usually , 'cause you 're no longer trying to , like , grow your app , right ?
MYROW : Shirley Deng was laid off in April when the financial startup Earnin gutted its marketing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fend off mass layoffs that dumped Deng and others into the job market as collateral damage .
Deng did find a new job after a month of looking , though - a lucky break .
DENG : Midsize or larger companies are a little bit more stable .
But you know , asterisk - like , I think there are also a lot of large companies also having layoffs right now , so stable is , like , a relative term .
MYROW : Federal stimulus packages thus far have n't explicitly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclude companies more or less controlled by investors , and that defines a lot of startups in Silicon Valley .
In the end , the future of the Caring for Startup Employees Act of 2020 may come down to whether there 's more stomach for small-business loans on Capitol Hill .
A tech startup that has n't applied already or could n't apply may just have missed the boat .

Tech Startups, Shut Out From Federal Stimulus Loans, Seek Aid From Congress
Some members of Congress want to let tech startups access federal stimulus loans. But venture-capital-backed startups aren't like other small businesses — they fail even in good economic times.
LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO, HOST:
Like many small companies, tech startups have been laying off employees - more than 40,000 people by one count. Yet tech startups backed by wealthy investors are not eligible for federal stimulus loans. But about a dozen members of Congress are urging the Small Business Administration to rethink its rules. Rachael Myrow of KQED in San Francisco reports.
RACHAEL MYROW, BYLINE: Silicon Valley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo says her experience growing up the daughter of a jeweler in Connecticut taught her to appreciate the value of small companies. First in a letter to the Small Business Administration, then with legislation introduced earlier this month, Eshoo argued startups of all kinds deserve taxpayer support.
ANNA ESHOO: As much as we hear about the very large companies - certainly here in Silicon Valley - I think everyone has an appreciation for how important small businesses are in our country.
MYROW: That said, Silicon Valley startups are not the same as Connecticut jewelers and the like. To start with, pre-pandemic, Silicon Valley startups failed at the rate of 80% a year. That's four times the rate of non-tech startups tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor. Rachel Massaro runs the research arm of the nonprofit Joint Venture Silicon Valley.
RACHEL MASSARO: There are going to be winners and losers. The startup environment has always been like that.
MYROW: The few startups that succeed, that go public or get bought out in multibillion-dollar deals can make investors fabulously wealthy. But those investors know most startups fail, and that makes it hard to argue they deserve a taxpayer bailout. Eshoo says her Caring for Startup Employees Act of 2020 includes guardrails to protect federal funds from being used to pay back investors. And she says she wants to put employees' welfare first.
ESHOO: Keep the employees together. There was a big mistake made in the financial meltdown of 2008. The employees scattered to the wind, and some of them never made it back.
MYROW: Because if you're not a well-heeled investor and you're not an in-demand software engineer, this is not a great time to look for a job, even in Silicon Valley.
SHIRLEY DENG: Sales, marketing, recruiting is, like, the first to go, usually, 'cause you're no longer trying to, like, grow your app, right?
MYROW: Shirley Deng was laid off in April when the financial startup Earnin gutted its marketing department. There was no small-business loan to fend off mass layoffs that dumped Deng and others into the job market as collateral damage. Deng did find a new job after a month of looking, though - a lucky break.
DENG: Midsize or larger companies are a little bit more stable. But you know, asterisk - like, I think there are also a lot of large companies also having layoffs right now, so stable is, like, a relative term.
MYROW: Federal stimulus packages thus far haven't explicitly excluded startups. But the rules do exclude companies more or less controlled by investors, and that defines a lot of startups in Silicon Valley. In the end, the future of the Caring for Startup Employees Act of 2020 may come down to whether there's more stomach for small-business loans on Capitol Hill. A tech startup that hasn't applied already or couldn't apply may just have missed the boat.
For NPR News, I'm Rachael Myrow.
(SOUNDBITE OF KORESMA'S "BRIDGES")
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npr--2020-05-31--SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule Successfully Docks With The International Space Station

Two NASA astronauts have arrived at the International Space Station , 19 hours after launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday .
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken made the trip on a private space vehicle designed , built and launched by SpaceX .
SpaceX 's Crew Dragon capsule docked with the station at 10:17 a.m .
ET while flying over the border of northern China and Mongolia .
It marks a historic moment for both NASA and SpaceX as the space agency relinquishes astronaut flying duties to commercial partners .
NASA is partnering with private companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ astronauts to the International Space Station .
Since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 , NASA has relied on the Russian space agency Roscosmos for rides to space .
SpaceX 's launch of Hurley and Behnken ends a nearly decade-long reliance on Russia for access to the station .
During their trip to the ISS , Hurley and Behnken tested the vehicle 's control and life support systems .
The two were even able to get a little sleep -- pulling out sleeping bags and astronaut sleepwear for a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was actually a pretty comfortable night 's sleep , '' said Hurley .
Crew Dragon is designed to dock autonomously to the ISS .
Since this is a test flight of the spacecraft , Hurley and Doug took manual control of the spacecraft near the station to test the vehicle 's controls before letting the computer take over for the final docking sequence .
`` It flew very well , very crisp , '' radioed Hurley after the manual test flight near the station .
Hurley and Behnken will spend up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two trained for spacewalks at Johnson Space Center before their flight .
They join NASA 's Chris Cassidy and Russian Cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner .
Once their mission is complete , Hurley and Behnken will return to Earth in the Crew Dragon capsule splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida .
If all goes well on this flight , SpaceX will send another group of astronauts to the station later this year .
NASA 's Michael Hopkins , Victor Glover and Shannon Walker , along with Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as August 30 from Kennedy Space Center .

SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule Successfully Docks With The International Space Station
Enlarge this image toggle caption NASA / NASA TV NASA / NASA TV
Two NASA astronauts have arrived at the International Space Station, 19 hours after launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday. NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken made the trip on a private space vehicle designed, built and launched by SpaceX.
SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule docked with the station at 10:17 a.m. ET while flying over the border of northern China and Mongolia.
It marks a historic moment for both NASA and SpaceX as the space agency relinquishes astronaut flying duties to commercial partners.
NASA is partnering with private companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station. Since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011, NASA has relied on the Russian space agency Roscosmos for rides to space. SpaceX's launch of Hurley and Behnken ends a nearly decade-long reliance on Russia for access to the station.
Enlarge this image toggle caption NASA / NASA TV NASA / NASA TV
During their trip to the ISS, Hurley and Behnken tested the vehicle's control and life support systems. The two were even able to get a little sleep--pulling out sleeping bags and astronaut sleepwear for a few hours of shuteye in space. "It was actually a pretty comfortable night's sleep," said Hurley.
Crew Dragon is designed to dock autonomously to the ISS. Since this is a test flight of the spacecraft, Hurley and Doug took manual control of the spacecraft near the station to test the vehicle's controls before letting the computer take over for the final docking sequence.
"It flew very well, very crisp," radioed Hurley after the manual test flight near the station.
Hurley and Behnken will spend up to four months on the station. The two trained for spacewalks at Johnson Space Center before their flight. They join NASA's Chris Cassidy and Russian Cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner.
Once their mission is complete, Hurley and Behnken will return to Earth in the Crew Dragon capsule splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.
If all goes well on this flight, SpaceX will send another group of astronauts to the station later this year. NASA's Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, along with Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi may launch as early as August 30 from Kennedy Space Center.


npr--2020-05-31--Tracking The Pandemic: How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State?

Tracking The Pandemic : How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State ?
Since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the United States on Jan. 21 , more than 1 million people in the U.S. have confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
On April 12 , the U.S. became the nation with the most deaths globally , but there are early signs that the U.S. case and death counts may be leveling off , as the growth of new cases and deaths plateaus .
The pattern is n't consistent across the country , as new hot spots emerge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your state 's case count is growing , click here .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
In response to mounting cases , state and federal authorities have emphasized a social distancing strategy , widely seen as the best available means to slow the spread of the virus .
Most states have put in place measures such as closing schools and nonessential businesses and ordering citizens to stay home as much as possible .
It 's not clear how long such measures need to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Wuhan , the city in China where the virus originated , a strictly enforced lockdown and widespread testing have slowed the outbreak dramatically , enough to bring an end to the 76-day lockdown .
A large portion of U.S. cases are centered on New York City .
Since March 20 , New York state , Connecticut and New Jersey have accounted for about 50 % of all U.S. cases .
As of April 9 , nearly 60 % of all deaths from COVID-19 have been in these three states .
While New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plateau , as seen below , it notched between 8,000 and 10,000 new cases each day between March 31 and April 12 .
To understand how one state 's outbreak compares with another 's , it 's helpful to look at not just the daily counts but the rate of change day over day .
In the following chart , we display cases on a logarithmic scale , meaning that every axis line is 10 times greater than the previous one .
This type of scale emphasizes the rate of change .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's curve trends sharply upward , as New York 's does over the first 15 days past 100 cases .
Generally , this is evidence of unbridled community transmission of the disease .
As new cases slow , the curve bends toward horizontal , showing that the state 's outbreak may be leveling off .
This does n't mean the number of cases has stopped growing , but the rate of growth has slowed , which could signify that social distancing measures are having an effect .
In some areas , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the earliest outbreaks — such as California and Washington — seem to be having success at suppressing the disease .
The outlook in Washington has improved to the point that the state has returned unused Army hospital beds it had received in preparation for a peak in cases .
Elsewhere , limited access to testing may make the number of cases look smaller than it really is .
As testing becomes more readily available , we are likely to see the number of confirmed cases continue to grow , even if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 testing and hospitalization data are still being assessed for reliability .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your local health department 's website .
Stephanie Adeline , Alyson Hurt , Connie Hanzhang Jin , Ruth Talbot and Thomas Wilburn contributed to this story .

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


npr--2020-05-31--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--2020-05-31--Being Black In America Today: Share Your Experience

Being Black In America Today : Share Your Experience Widespread protests across the nation have followed several high-profile deaths of @ @ @ @ @ including George Floyd , Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor , as well as allegations of @ @ @ @ @ woman calling police on the birdwatcher in Central Park to police in Texas holding a @ @ @ @ @ said he ran a stop sign .
NPR would like to hear about your reaction @ @ @ @ @ personal experience as a black person in America .
Please share your story , and @ @ @ @ @ .
Your submission will be governed by our general Terms of Use and Privacy Policy @ @ @ @ @ says , we want you to be aware that there may be circumstances in which @ @ @ @ @ for journalistic activities or freedom of expression may override privacy rights you might otherwise have @

Being Black In America Today: Share Your Experience
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eze Amos/Getty Images Eze Amos/Getty Images
Across the country, a national reckoning with race has sparked wide-ranging debates on defunding police, racial profiling, public monuments and systemic racism. This comes as protests continue nationwide, sparked by high-profile deaths of African Americans. Many of them have become household names: George Floyd, Elijah McClain, Rayshard Brooks, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, to name a few.
Meanwhile, polls show a majority of Americans support the Black Lives Matter movement. But divisions are emerging among politicians. President Trump has been accused of stoking racial tensions, calling the Black Lives Matter slogan a "symbol of hate." And former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic challenger, has called the protests a wake-up call but stopped short of supporting defunding police.
NPR would like to hear about your personal experience as a black person in America. Please share your story, and a reporter might contact you.
Your submission will be governed by our general Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. As the Privacy Policy says, we want you to be aware that there may be circumstances in which the exemptions provided under law for journalistic activities or freedom of expression may override privacy rights you might otherwise have.
This page was first published May 31, 2020.