npr--2020-05-01--It Was A Feel-Good Story About Potatoes. But It Left Out An Idaho Militia's Role

It Was A Feel-Good Story About Potatoes .
But It Left Out An Idaho Militia 's Role The potato giveaway was as close to a feel-good story as you get these days .
A farmer in rural Idaho had thousands of potatoes he could n't sell because of the pandemic 's disruptions to the supply chain .
So , volunteers — including a guy with a dump truck — hauled them to nearby small towns where they were left in giant piles for residents to help themselves .
The farmer 's crop did n't go to waste , families got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shared widely , even reaching Rachel Maddow this week on MSNBC .
`` There 's a lot wrong in the world that we can not fix yet , but people are really trying every day , every way , '' Maddow said .
But zoom in on the photos from that day and you can see what Boise-based NPR correspondent Kirk Siegler spotted : The bearded guy with the dump truck is wearing a shirt showing the logo of the Real Idaho Three Percenters .
Facebook and Twitter posts name-checked some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic youth club — but not the Three Percenters .
Why ?
Because their involvement muddies the narrative .
Federal law enforcement agencies and extremism researchers see the militia as part of the anti-government extremist fringe .
The group 's leader , Eric Parker , notoriously trained a rifle on U.S. agents during the 2014 Bunkerville standoff in Nevada .
After two federal trials that portrayed Parker as a domestic terrorist , prosecutors could n't win felony convictions .
In the end , Parker pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor .
Today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senate as a Republican .
`` The reason so many pounds of potatoes were saved was our member and his dump truck , '' Parker said by phone .
`` We 're not looking necessarily for a pat on the back but , you know , it would 've been nice to mention . ''
The awkwardness over credit for the potato drop shows the uneasy place of militias in civic and community life , especially during the coronavirus pandemic .
Extremism watchdog groups say the crisis exposes the dual face of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are do-gooders , the next , they 're toting guns at a state capitol in violation of stay-at-home orders they deem unconstitutional .
`` It 's common for figures from these movements to try to make inroads with local community service organizations like food banks , '' said Eric Ward , executive director of Western States Center , an Oregon-based group that monitors extremism .
`` Nobody should be fooled by their apparent charity .
Their objective is to gain acceptance and spread their ideology . ''
Parker dismissed the criticism .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group 's mission .
For example , members recently delivered sanitizer and masks to volunteer firefighters in western Idaho .
Parker said he 's also trying to build an independent pipeline of supplies so that the state does n't have to rely on FEMA and other federal agencies should the outbreak worsen .
In the case of the potatoes , Parker said , the Real Idaho Three Percenters got involved because a zone leader happened to live in the area and own a dump truck .
Parker posted about it on the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left out of the viral tweets and news coverage .
`` Why do I think they left it out ?
I do n't like to say it 's intentional or vindictive , '' Parker said .
`` I think they 're just scared of backlash .
I get it . ''
But Parker said he still wonders : `` Would Rachel Maddow have run it if she knew we were involved ? ''

It Was A Feel-Good Story About Potatoes. But It Left Out An Idaho Militia's Role
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Eric Parker Courtesy of Eric Parker
The potato giveaway was as close to a feel-good story as you get these days.
A farmer in rural Idaho had thousands of potatoes he couldn't sell because of the pandemic's disruptions to the supply chain. So, volunteers — including a guy with a dump truck — hauled them to nearby small towns where they were left in giant piles for residents to help themselves.
The farmer's crop didn't go to waste, families got free food, and the inspiring story was shared widely, even reaching Rachel Maddow this week on MSNBC. "There's a lot wrong in the world that we cannot fix yet, but people are really trying every day, every way," Maddow said.
But zoom in on the photos from that day and you can see what Boise-based NPR correspondent Kirk Siegler spotted: The bearded guy with the dump truck is wearing a shirt showing the logo of the Real Idaho Three Percenters.
Facebook and Twitter posts name-checked some of the other volunteers — individuals, a Hispanic youth club — but not the Three Percenters.
Why? Because their involvement muddies the narrative. Federal law enforcement agencies and extremism researchers see the militia as part of the anti-government extremist fringe.
The group's leader, Eric Parker, notoriously trained a rifle on U.S. agents during the 2014 Bunkerville standoff in Nevada. After two federal trials that portrayed Parker as a domestic terrorist, prosecutors couldn't win felony convictions. In the end, Parker pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor. Today, he's running for the Idaho state senate as a Republican.
"The reason so many pounds of potatoes were saved was our member and his dump truck," Parker said by phone. "We're not looking necessarily for a pat on the back but, you know, it would've been nice to mention."
The awkwardness over credit for the potato drop shows the uneasy place of militias in civic and community life, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Extremism watchdog groups say the crisis exposes the dual face of the self-described Patriot movement: one day members are do-gooders, the next, they're toting guns at a state capitol in violation of stay-at-home orders they deem unconstitutional.
"It's common for figures from these movements to try to make inroads with local community service organizations like food banks," said Eric Ward, executive director of Western States Center, an Oregon-based group that monitors extremism. "Nobody should be fooled by their apparent charity. Their objective is to gain acceptance and spread their ideology."
Parker dismissed the criticism. He said community service is central to his group's mission. For example, members recently delivered sanitizer and masks to volunteer firefighters in western Idaho.
Parker said he's also trying to build an independent pipeline of supplies so that the state doesn't have to rely on FEMA and other federal agencies should the outbreak worsen.
In the case of the potatoes, Parker said, the Real Idaho Three Percenters got involved because a zone leader happened to live in the area and own a dump truck. Parker posted about it on the group's Facebook page only after they were left out of the viral tweets and news coverage.
"Why do I think they left it out? I don't like to say it's intentional or vindictive," Parker said. "I think they're just scared of backlash. I get it."
But Parker said he still wonders: "Would Rachel Maddow have run it if she knew we were involved?"
Kirk Siegler contributed.


npr--2020-05-01--Georgia Drivers Can Now Get Licensed Without Taking A Road Test

Georgia Drivers Can Now Get Licensed Without Taking A Road Test Prospective drivers in Georgia do n't have to stress about the road test and the examiner with the clipboard deciding whether to approve a license .
Earlier this week , Gov .
Brian Kemp 's office issued an executive order allowing for many prospective license holders to upgrade their learner 's permits into licenses without taking an in-person road test .
The order was filed because the state had suspended road tests in March amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19 .
Those under 18 who have learner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at least a year and a day without a violation .
Those over 18 are eligible to upgrade their permits to licenses immediately .
However , new drivers are still supposed to undergo at least 40 hours of supervised driving with a licensed adult .
This leaves the ultimate decision of whether a new driver is ready to hit the road on their own up to a parent or guardian .
Georgia has allowed many companies to reopen , including high-touch businesses like tattoo parlors and nail salons .
The decision drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Kemp 's executive order , one Twitter user wrote , `` Georgia 's all good with nail salons and tattoo parlors reopening , but you ca n't take a road test to get your driver 's license ? ''

Georgia Drivers Can Now Get Licensed Without Taking A Road Test
Prospective drivers in Georgia don't have to stress about the road test and the examiner with the clipboard deciding whether to approve a license.
Earlier this week, Gov. Brian Kemp's office issued an executive order allowing for many prospective license holders to upgrade their learner's permits into licenses without taking an in-person road test. The order was filed because the state had suspended road tests in March amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
Those under 18 who have learner's permits have to have held their permits for at least a year and a day without a violation. Those over 18 are eligible to upgrade their permits to licenses immediately.
However, new drivers are still supposed to undergo at least 40 hours of supervised driving with a licensed adult. This leaves the ultimate decision of whether a new driver is ready to hit the road on their own up to a parent or guardian.
Georgia has allowed many companies to reopen, including high-touch businesses like tattoo parlors and nail salons. The decision drew criticism from President Trump.
In response to Kemp's executive order, one Twitter user wrote, "Georgia's all good with nail salons and tattoo parlors reopening, but you can't take a road test to get your driver's license?"


npr--2020-05-01--FDA Gives Emergency Authorization For Some COVID-19 Patients To Use Remdesivir

FDA Gives Emergency Authorization For Some COVID-19 Patients To Use Remdesivir The Food and Drug Administration has given emergency use authorization to the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat hospitalized patients with the coronavirus , President Trump on Friday told reporters at the White House .
Gilead CEO Daniel O'Day said remdesivir maker Gilead Sciences is donating 1.5 million vials of the drug and will work with the federal government to distribute it to patients in need .
The news comes days after preliminary results from a study of the drug showed it can help patients recover faster .
Dr. Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , hailed the findings earlier this week as `` quite good news . ''
The authorization means remdesivir can be distributed in the U.S. and given intravenously to treat COVID-19 patients — both adults and children — who are hospitalized with severe disease , the FDA says .
The agency defines that category as `` patients with low blood oxygen levels or needing oxygen therapy or more intensive breathing support such as a mechanical ventilator . ''
Discussing the findings about the drug 's ability to help COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remdesivir is used to treat advanced cases , in which people are already hospitalized .
The recent positive findings , he said , are a starting point in the fight against the respiratory disease .
`` We want to continue to see how we can expand remdesivir to more patient populations , '' O'Day said on NBC 's Today show .
`` Clearly with other medicines and vaccines to come , this is part , I think — the beginning of our ability to make an impact on this devastating virus . ''

FDA Gives Emergency Authorization For Some COVID-19 Patients To Use Remdesivir
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Updated at 4:59 p.m. ET
The Food and Drug Administration has given emergency use authorization to the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat hospitalized patients with the coronavirus, President Trump on Friday told reporters at the White House.
Gilead CEO Daniel O'Day said remdesivir maker Gilead Sciences is donating 1.5 million vials of the drug and will work with the federal government to distribute it to patients in need.
The news comes days after preliminary results from a study of the drug showed it can help patients recover faster. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, hailed the findings earlier this week as "quite good news."
The authorization means remdesivir can be distributed in the U.S. and given intravenously to treat COVID-19 patients — both adults and children — who are hospitalized with severe disease, the FDA says. The agency defines that category as "patients with low blood oxygen levels or needing oxygen therapy or more intensive breathing support such as a mechanical ventilator."
Discussing the findings about the drug's ability to help COVID-19 patients, O'Day cautioned earlier Friday that remdesivir is used to treat advanced cases, in which people are already hospitalized. The recent positive findings, he said, are a starting point in the fight against the respiratory disease.
"We want to continue to see how we can expand remdesivir to more patient populations," O'Day said on NBC's Today show. "Clearly with other medicines and vaccines to come, this is part, I think — the beginning of our ability to make an impact on this devastating virus."


npr--2020-05-01--New York Schools Will Stay Closed For Rest Of The School Year, Cuomo Says

New York Schools Will Stay Closed For Rest Of The School Year , Cuomo Says Schools and universities in New York state will remain closed through the rest of the current academic year , with current distance learning plans remaining in place , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said on Friday .
Cuomo said schools could not safely reopen , citing concerns over social distancing in classrooms as well as in transportation , and college dorms .
The announcement at the governor 's daily briefing extends a previous closure order — which shut schools through May 14 — to the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't think it 's possible to do that in a way that would keep our children and students and educators safe .
So we 're going to have the schools remain closed for the rest of the year .
We 're going to continue the distance learning programs , `` Cuomo said as he announced the decision .
An estimated 4.2 million students are affected by the closures , Cuomo said .
The governor said a decision on summer school sessions would be announced by the end of May .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fall that include protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a continued decline in infections in New York .
New hospitalizations have hovered around 1,000 for the past few days .
The state reported 289 deaths on Thursday — just over a third of the total during the outbreak 's peak .
Cuomo noted that earlier predictions had expected an additional 100,000 COVID-19 patients to be hospitalized during the pandemic , overwhelming healthcare systems even further .
But by adhering to social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New Yorkers had effectively helped forestall an even worse scenario .
`` Our past actions changed the past trajectory .
Our present actions will determine the future trajectory , '' Cuomo went on to say .
`` You tell me what we do today — I will tell you the number of people sick tomorrow.
``

New York Schools Will Stay Closed For Rest Of The School Year, Cuomo Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
Schools and universities in New York state will remain closed through the rest of the current academic year, with current distance learning plans remaining in place, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Friday.
Cuomo said schools could not safely reopen, citing concerns over social distancing in classrooms as well as in transportation, and college dorms. The announcement at the governor's daily briefing extends a previous closure order — which shut schools through May 14 — to the end of the academic year.
"We don't think it's possible to do that in a way that would keep our children and students and educators safe. So we're going to have the schools remain closed for the rest of the year. We're going to continue the distance learning programs, " Cuomo said as he announced the decision.
An estimated 4.2 million students are affected by the closures, Cuomo said.
YouTube
The governor said a decision on summer school sessions would be announced by the end of May. He also advised schools to develop plans to reopen in the fall that include protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a continued decline in infections in New York. New hospitalizations have hovered around 1,000 for the past few days. The state reported 289 deaths on Thursday — just over a third of the total during the outbreak's peak.
Cuomo noted that earlier predictions had expected an additional 100,000 COVID-19 patients to be hospitalized during the pandemic, overwhelming healthcare systems even further. But by adhering to social distancing and public health guidelines, he said, New Yorkers had effectively helped forestall an even worse scenario.
"Our past actions changed the past trajectory. Our present actions will determine the future trajectory," Cuomo went on to say. "You tell me what we do today — I will tell you the number of people sick tomorrow. "


npr--2020-05-01--'We're Out There' So Protect Us, Protesting Workers Tell Amazon, Target, Instacart

'We 're Out There ' So Protect Us , Protesting Workers Tell Amazon , Target , Instacart Workers at retail and delivery companies , including Amazon , Target , and Instacart , walked off the job Friday to demand better pay and treatment .
Their work has been deemed `` essential , '' but they say it has gotten too dangerous during the coronavirus pandemic — and they want the companies to do more to protect them .
`` This company failed us .
It failed the workers .
It failed me , '' said Christian Smalls outside the Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work and had organized other protests .
Amazon says Smalls was fired in March for violating quarantine and safety measures .
While some protesters , like Smalls , demonstrated outside company facilities , others called in sick .
Gig workers did not log into apps to accept delivery orders .
Organized under the hashtag # essentialworkersday , the protests were timed for May Day , or International Workers ' Day — a date typically marked around the world by labor marches .
The actions brought together employees of retail chains , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps such as Instacart , as well as Amazon .
It is unclear how many people joined in the protests .
Organizers said thousands of workers had pledged to participate .
But the companies said the protests involved few employees , and they did not represent the views of most workers .
Target said it was aware of less than 10 employees who participated .
Instacart , Whole Foods and Shipt said their operations were not affected .
( Whole Foods is owned by Amazon and Shipt is owned by Target . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and walkouts in recent weeks .
They said they came together in a general strike to highlight the similarities in their working conditions and demands .
Kerri Blair , a mother of five in Akron , Ohio , usually picks up extra income delivering orders for Shipt .
She stayed home on Friday .
`` People who work at Whole Foods , at Target , at Walmart ... there 's no way to get around not being around people .
That is your job , '' she said .
`` We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things for other people . ''
Lockdowns in many cities and states have kept millions of people at home , leading to surging demand for online shopping and delivery .
Amazon , Instacart and Shipt are all on hiring sprees to keep up with the pace of new orders .
The companies said they value workers ' input and are offering increased pay and aggressive health and safety measures , such as giving out masks and cleaning stores and warehouses .
`` In recognition of the significant contributions of our front-line team members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investment of more than $ 300 million , including $ 2 an hour higher hourly wages , which we 've extended until May 30 , '' Target said in a statement , adding that it had established `` dozens of new measures '' aimed to keep both workers and shoppers safe during the pandemic .
This week Amazon said it would spend its entire operating profit in the second quarter — an estimated $ 4 billion — dealing with the coronavirus .
That includes providing protective equipment to workers , paying them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees for COVID-19 .
Protest organizers acknowledge the changes , but say the companies must do more to protect their health .
`` Because of the failings of our employers , many of our fellow employees have contracted this deadly virus and some have died , '' organizers wrote this week .
Some workers say they have had trouble getting the protective gear they 've been promised .
They also want the companies to be more transparent about how many employees have fallen ill , or even died , from COVID-19 .
Protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores , websites and apps .
Editor 's note : Amazon , Target , Walmart and Whole Foods Market are among NPR 's financial supporters .

'We're Out There' So Protect Us, Protesting Workers Tell Amazon, Target, Instacart
Enlarge this image toggle caption Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
Workers at retail and delivery companies, including Amazon, Target, and Instacart, walked off the job Friday to demand better pay and treatment.
Their work has been deemed "essential," but they say it has gotten too dangerous during the coronavirus pandemic — and they want the companies to do more to protect them.
"This company failed us. It failed the workers. It failed me," said Christian Smalls outside the Amazon warehouse on Staten Island where he used to work and had organized other protests. Amazon says Smalls was fired in March for violating quarantine and safety measures.
While some protesters, like Smalls, demonstrated outside company facilities, others called in sick. Gig workers did not log into apps to accept delivery orders.
Organized under the hashtag #essentialworkersday, the protests were timed for May Day, or International Workers' Day — a date typically marked around the world by labor marches.
The actions brought together employees of retail chains, including Target and Walmart, workers for delivery apps such as Instacart, as well as Amazon.
It is unclear how many people joined in the protests. Organizers said thousands of workers had pledged to participate. But the companies said the protests involved few employees, and they did not represent the views of most workers. Target said it was aware of less than 10 employees who participated. Amazon, Instacart, Whole Foods and Shipt said their operations were not affected. (Whole Foods is owned by Amazon and Shipt is owned by Target.)
Some of those workers have held separate protests and walkouts in recent weeks. They said they came together in a general strike to highlight the similarities in their working conditions and demands.
Kerri Blair, a mother of five in Akron, Ohio, usually picks up extra income delivering orders for Shipt. She stayed home on Friday.
"People who work at Whole Foods, at Target, at Walmart ... there's no way to get around not being around people. That is your job," she said. "We're out there in the public ... doing things for other people."
Lockdowns in many cities and states have kept millions of people at home, leading to surging demand for online shopping and delivery. Amazon, Instacart and Shipt are all on hiring sprees to keep up with the pace of new orders.
The companies said they value workers' input and are offering increased pay and aggressive health and safety measures, such as giving out masks and cleaning stores and warehouses.
"In recognition of the significant contributions of our front-line team members amid the coronavirus, we've made an investment of more than $300 million, including $2 an hour higher hourly wages, which we've extended until May 30," Target said in a statement, adding that it had established "dozens of new measures" aimed to keep both workers and shoppers safe during the pandemic.
This week Amazon said it would spend its entire operating profit in the second quarter — an estimated $4 billion — dealing with the coronavirus. That includes providing protective equipment to workers, paying them more, cleaning warehouses, and testing employees for COVID-19.
An Amazon spokesman said: "Health and safety is our top priority and we expect to spend more than $800 million in the first half of the year on COVID-19 safety measures."
Protest organizers acknowledge the changes, but say the companies must do more to protect their health.
"Because of the failings of our employers, many of our fellow employees have contracted this deadly virus and some have died," organizers wrote this week.
Some workers say they have had trouble getting the protective gear they've been promised. They also want the companies to be more transparent about how many employees have fallen ill, or even died, from COVID-19.
Protesters urged shoppers to boycott the companies' stores, websites and apps.
Editor's note: Amazon, Target, Walmart and Whole Foods Market are among NPR's financial supporters.


npr--2020-05-02--Nurses Left Vulnerable To COVID-19: 'We're Not Martyrs Sacrificing Our Lives'

Nurses Left Vulnerable To COVID-19 : 'We 're Not Martyrs Sacrificing Our Lives' When the first crush of people sick with COVID-19 turned up at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx , Benny Mathew says managers issued him and other nurses two N95 masks per week .
Instead of throwing protective masks away after treating contagious patients , they stored them in paper bags .
`` There 's no way you 're not getting it if you are working in the emergency room with the bare minimum protection , '' Matthew told NPR .
He tested positive for COVID-19 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-workers got sick on the job .
`` Some of them were in the hospital for almost a week , '' he said .
`` Nurses carried this virus home and made their partners , kids and parents sick . ''
At least 9,000 front-line nurses and other medical workers have contracted COVID-19 , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Federal agencies say dozens of nurses and other care providers have died .
NPR wanted to understand how this situation happened .
How did the best-funded health care system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into wards full of people sick with a mysterious new respiratory virus without basic personal protective equipment ?
The first warning signs emerged in early February , weeks before COVID-19 erupted in the United States .
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , director-general of the World Health Organization , then warned of a `` severe disruption '' in the PPE supply chain .
`` Demand is up to 100 times higher than normal , '' Tedros said .
`` There are depleted stockpiles and backlogs of four to six months .
Global stocks of masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the needs . ''
The U.S. relies on that same global supply chain , and some front-line medical workers appeared worried .
`` Our main concern is that health care employers are not prepared , '' said Bonnie Castillo , executive director of National Nurses United , the nation 's largest nurses ' union .
In an interview with NPR in late February , Castillo said her organization had surveyed nurses working at hospitals across the country .
They reported a troubling lack of personal protective equipment .
`` Only 30 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient supplies in stock , '' Castillo said .
During those crucial early weeks of the pandemic , President Trump was sending a different message , downplaying the threat of COVID-19 in the United States .
`` By April or during the month of April , the heat , generally speaking , kills this kind of virus , '' Trump said Feb. 10 .
`` So that would be a good thing .
But we 're in great shape in our country . ''
`` Everyone I 've spoken to has taken substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Nancy Foster of the American Hospital Association said in an interview with NPR in late February .
But NPR found that as the coronavirus took hold in the U.S. , many federal agencies were aware a PPE shortage was looming .
The CDC began urging hospitals to ration masks and gowns .
The CDC and other federal agencies also relaxed safety guidelines , allowing PPE to be reused and making it possible for hospitals to use masks approved for construction workers .
Meanwhile , NPR found little was being done to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gowns and other PPE .
As factories in China shut down , the Trump administration was still reporting no `` widespread shortages '' of medical supplies in the United States .
On Feb. 27 , 20 days after the WHO announced its warning , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a public notice acknowledging COVID-19 would `` likely impact the medical product supply chain . ''
Even then , in late February and early March , little was done to expand domestic production of personal protective equipment to supplement scarce overseas supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , the American Hospital Association 's Foster acknowledged hospitals were slow to grasp the scale of the problem .
`` I think what none of us anticipated as fully as we should have is that a pandemic such as this one would cause a worldwide demand , '' she said .
Foster said hospitals urged Trump to use his authority under the Defense Production Act to force companies `` to really ramp up the ability of this country to make PPE , '' but that request from the AHA and other health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 , well after rationing of masks and gowns had begun .
The Trump administration has used the Defense Production Act sporadically during this crisis and instead has worked with companies on a voluntary basis .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also moved in late March and early April to buy more masks and gowns overseas , often competing with hospitals and states for the same scarce equipment .
In late March , Trump suggested adequate PPE supplies already existed and were being stolen or misallocated .
`` I do n't think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think it 's maybe worse than hoarding . ''
NPR could find no evidence of widespread theft or misuse of PPE .
Efforts to boost supplies did n't begin until weeks after the first warnings were sounded , and the government push to find new suppliers was often confused , pitting agencies against one another .
By April 8 , the Trump administration announced that the national stockpile of protective equipment was 90 % depleted and remaining supplies would be kept in reserve .
The hospital industry acknowledges that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain .
Meanwhile , the federal Department of Veterans Affairs system of hospitals and clinics is still using `` austerity '' measures to ration masks and gowns .
National Nurses United 's Castillo , who raised the alarm about PPE in February , said nurses are angry .
She said they fear a second wave of COVID-19 patients will hit before hospitals are ready .
`` Nurses are not afraid to care for our patients if we have the right protections , '' she said .
`` But we 're not martyrs sacrificing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employers did n't do their jobs . ''

Nurses Left Vulnerable To COVID-19: 'We're Not Martyrs Sacrificing Our Lives'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Damian Dovarganes/AP Damian Dovarganes/AP
When the first crush of people sick with COVID-19 turned up at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, Benny Mathew says managers issued him and other nurses two N95 masks per week. Instead of throwing protective masks away after treating contagious patients, they stored them in paper bags.
"There's no way you're not getting it if you are working in the emergency room with the bare minimum protection," Matthew told NPR. He tested positive for COVID-19 on March 21 and said many of his co-workers got sick on the job.
"Some of them were in the hospital for almost a week," he said. "Nurses carried this virus home and made their partners, kids and parents sick."
At least 9,000 front-line nurses and other medical workers have contracted COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal agencies say dozens of nurses and other care providers have died.
Health Nurses Struggle For COVID-19 Protection, Survey Shows Nurses Struggle For COVID-19 Protection, Survey Shows Listen · 3:52 3:52
NPR wanted to understand how this situation happened. How did the best-funded health care system in the world wind up sending nurses into wards full of people sick with a mysterious new respiratory virus without basic personal protective equipment?
The first warning signs emerged in early February, weeks before COVID-19 erupted in the United States. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, then warned of a "severe disruption" in the PPE supply chain.
"Demand is up to 100 times higher than normal," Tedros said. "There are depleted stockpiles and backlogs of four to six months. Global stocks of masks and respirators are now insufficient to meet the needs."
The U.S. relies on that same global supply chain, and some front-line medical workers appeared worried.
"Our main concern is that health care employers are not prepared," said Bonnie Castillo, executive director of National Nurses United, the nation's largest nurses' union.
In an interview with NPR in late February, Castillo said her organization had surveyed nurses working at hospitals across the country. They reported a troubling lack of personal protective equipment.
"Only 30% of the nurses are saying that there are sufficient supplies in stock," Castillo said.
During those crucial early weeks of the pandemic, President Trump was sending a different message, downplaying the threat of COVID-19 in the United States.
"By April or during the month of April, the heat, generally speaking, kills this kind of virus," Trump said Feb. 10. "So that would be a good thing. But we're in great shape in our country."
Hospitals also sounded confident.
"Everyone I've spoken to has taken substantial steps to make sure they are prepared," Nancy Foster of the American Hospital Association said in an interview with NPR in late February.
But NPR found that as the coronavirus took hold in the U.S., many federal agencies were aware a PPE shortage was looming. The CDC began urging hospitals to ration masks and gowns. The CDC and other federal agencies also relaxed safety guidelines, allowing PPE to be reused and making it possible for hospitals to use masks approved for construction workers.
Meanwhile, NPR found little was being done to expand the overall supply of masks, gowns and other PPE. As factories in China shut down, the Trump administration was still reporting no "widespread shortages" of medical supplies in the United States. On Feb. 27, 20 days after the WHO announced its warning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a public notice acknowledging COVID-19 would "likely impact the medical product supply chain."
Even then, in late February and early March, little was done to expand domestic production of personal protective equipment to supplement scarce overseas supplies. In an interview with NPR last week, the American Hospital Association's Foster acknowledged hospitals were slow to grasp the scale of the problem.
"I think what none of us anticipated as fully as we should have is that a pandemic such as this one would cause a worldwide demand," she said.
Foster said hospitals urged Trump to use his authority under the Defense Production Act to force companies "to really ramp up the ability of this country to make PPE," but that request from the AHA and other health care groups didn't happen until March 21, well after rationing of masks and gowns had begun.
The Trump administration has used the Defense Production Act sporadically during this crisis and instead has worked with companies on a voluntary basis. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also moved in late March and early April to buy more masks and gowns overseas, often competing with hospitals and states for the same scarce equipment. In late March, Trump suggested adequate PPE supplies already existed and were being stolen or misallocated.
"I don't think it's hoarding," he told reporters. "I think it's maybe worse than hoarding."
NPR could find no evidence of widespread theft or misuse of PPE. Efforts to boost supplies didn't begin until weeks after the first warnings were sounded, and the government push to find new suppliers was often confused, pitting agencies against one another.
By April 8, the Trump administration announced that the national stockpile of protective equipment was 90% depleted and remaining supplies would be kept in reserve. The hospital industry acknowledges that even now, "critical" PPE shortages remain. Meanwhile, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs system of hospitals and clinics is still using "austerity" measures to ration masks and gowns.
National Nurses United's Castillo, who raised the alarm about PPE in February, said nurses are angry. She said they fear a second wave of COVID-19 patients will hit before hospitals are ready.
"Nurses are not afraid to care for our patients if we have the right protections," she said. "But we're not martyrs sacrificing our lives because our government and our employers didn't do their jobs."


npr--2020-05-02--'No One Has Tested Us Before': EMTs Go Door-To-Door With Test Kits

'No One Has Tested Us Before ' : EMTs Go Door-To-Door With Test Kits Multiple cities have started door-to-door coronavirus screenings and testing in an effort to identify those who are infected and help severely ill people get treated .
It 's a small part of a larger effort to test more Americans for coronavirus in order to get a handle on how widely it has spread and prevent another wave of infections as some parts of the economy slowly reopen .
Emergency medical technicians employed by the New Orleans-based company Ready Responders are working in New York City , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Washington , D.C. , and plan to begin working in Los Angeles later this month .
In New York City , a pilot program with the company has been going on for about two weeks and is focused on eight public housing locations .
It 's meant to complement six new community testing sites that are also prioritizing New Yorkers who live in public housing .
The goal is to make sure residents understand the symptoms of COVID-19 , and that they have access to coronavirus testing quickly and easily even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car or a regular primary care physician .
`` We wanted as many New Yorkers to be tested as possible , '' said Olivia Lapeyolerie , a spokesperson for New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio 's office .
Mayelyn Rojas was assigned to distribute fliers , talk to residents about symptoms and do coronavirus tests this week at the Edenwald Houses in the Bronx .
`` It 's been pretty hectic , '' the 24-year-old EMT said , smiling behind her mask .
`` I 'm doing a lot of COVID calls .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming and they 're just , like , 'No one 's tested us before . '
'' Rojas and other EMTs carry the protective equipment and materials , including nasal swabs , that they need to administer coronavirus tests .
If a resident says they have one or more symptoms of COVID-19 , or they think they were exposed to someone with the disease , the EMT sets up a telemedicine call with a doctor or nurse practitioner , who decides whether to order a coronavirus test .
When a patient needs a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person 's apartment to take the sample right there in the living room .
At the end of each day , the samples are mailed to a commercial lab and patients receive their results by text or on an online portal in two to three days .
Rojas says a lot of people with essential jobs are asking to be tested — a hospital administrator with a scratchy throat , a janitor with a fever , a maintenance worker feeling under the weather .
She has also noticed a rapid increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they found out that we 're now testing at home , the calls are non-stop , '' she said Thursday .
She had run out of test kits earlier in the day and needed to go pick up more .
At this rate , she estimates she 's on track to do at least 25 tests each week .
It 's a drop in the bucket — New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio said this week that about 13,000 tests are being conducted every day in the city , and epidemiologists warn that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be in order to safely allow most people to leave their homes .
But at-home testing and screening allows medical providers to identify and treat people who likely would not have been tested or treated otherwise , including people who have serious cases of COVID-19 .
Judy Vidal , 24 , works part-time as an EMT for Ready Responders in New York City , and primarily works in Queens , a borough with some of the highest per-capita infection rates in the country .
She says she has encountered people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fever .
In those cases , clinicians recommend that patients call 911 , so they can be treated at a hospital , and it can fall to the EMT to help the family take that difficult step .
`` They 're not sure .
'Should I go ?
Should I not ? '
People are afraid , '' Vidal said .
Sometimes family members suggest that a sick person should wait one more day to go to the hospital .
She said she tries to explain how people with COVID-19 can rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life or death , '' she said .
`` We just have to persuade these patients to take that step , and their family too .
Especially if we 're talking about grandma or grandpa — we know that your parents are gon na be at the hospital by themselves .
They 're gon na feel lonely ; it 's going to feel strange .
But the silver lining is your mom is going to come back .
`` But actually that 's the hard thing .
We ca n't promise that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we do n't know . ''

'No One Has Tested Us Before': EMTs Go Door-To-Door With Test Kits
Enlarge this image toggle caption Seth Wenig/AP Seth Wenig/AP
Multiple cities have started door-to-door coronavirus screenings and testing in an effort to identify those who are infected and help severely ill people get treated.
It's a small part of a larger effort to test more Americans for coronavirus in order to get a handle on how widely it has spread and prevent another wave of infections as some parts of the economy slowly reopen.
Emergency medical technicians employed by the New Orleans-based company Ready Responders are working in New York City, New Orleans, Reno, Las Vegas and Washington, D.C., and plan to begin working in Los Angeles later this month.
In New York City, a pilot program with the company has been going on for about two weeks and is focused on eight public housing locations. It's meant to complement six new community testing sites that are also prioritizing New Yorkers who live in public housing.
The goal is to make sure residents understand the symptoms of COVID-19, and that they have access to coronavirus testing quickly and easily even if they don't have access to a car or a regular primary care physician.
"We wanted as many New Yorkers to be tested as possible," said Olivia Lapeyolerie, a spokesperson for New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio's office.
Mayelyn Rojas was assigned to distribute fliers, talk to residents about symptoms and do coronavirus tests this week at the Edenwald Houses in the Bronx.
"It's been pretty hectic," the 24-year-old EMT said, smiling behind her mask. "I'm doing a lot of COVID calls. It's insane how often these calls are coming and they're just, like, 'No one's tested us before.'"
Rojas and other EMTs carry the protective equipment and materials, including nasal swabs, that they need to administer coronavirus tests. If a resident says they have one or more symptoms of COVID-19, or they think they were exposed to someone with the disease, the EMT sets up a telemedicine call with a doctor or nurse practitioner, who decides whether to order a coronavirus test.
When a patient needs a test, an EMT is dispatched to the person's apartment to take the sample right there in the living room. At the end of each day, the samples are mailed to a commercial lab and patients receive their results by text or on an online portal in two to three days.
Rojas says a lot of people with essential jobs are asking to be tested — a hospital administrator with a scratchy throat, a janitor with a fever, a maintenance worker feeling under the weather.
She has also noticed a rapid increase in demand for COVID-19 tests.
"Since they found out that we're now testing at home, the calls are non-stop," she said Thursday. She had run out of test kits earlier in the day and needed to go pick up more. At this rate, she estimates she's on track to do at least 25 tests each week.
It's a drop in the bucket — New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio said this week that about 13,000 tests are being conducted every day in the city, and epidemiologists warn that even that number is far lower than it needs to be in order to safely allow most people to leave their homes.
But at-home testing and screening allows medical providers to identify and treat people who likely would not have been tested or treated otherwise, including people who have serious cases of COVID-19.
Judy Vidal, 24, works part-time as an EMT for Ready Responders in New York City, and primarily works in Queens, a borough with some of the highest per-capita infection rates in the country. She says she has encountered people who have severe symptoms — shortness of breath, fever. In those cases, clinicians recommend that patients call 911, so they can be treated at a hospital, and it can fall to the EMT to help the family take that difficult step.
"They're not sure. 'Should I go? Should I not?' People are afraid," Vidal said.
Sometimes family members suggest that a sick person should wait one more day to go to the hospital. She said she tries to explain how people with COVID-19 can rapidly deteriorate.
"A day could be life or death," she said. "We just have to persuade these patients to take that step, and their family too. Especially if we're talking about grandma or grandpa — we know that your parents are gonna be at the hospital by themselves. They're gonna feel lonely; it's going to feel strange. But the silver lining is your mom is going to come back.
"But actually that's the hard thing. We can't promise that their relative is going to come back, because we don't know."


npr--2020-05-02--The Legal Fight Over Voting Rights During The Pandemic Is Getting Hotter

The Legal Fight Over Voting Rights During The Pandemic Is Getting Hotter The legal fight over how Americans will vote this year is rapidly turning into a war .
That 's according to conservative `` election integrity '' advocates , who accuse Democrats of using the current pandemic to push through changes that these groups claim will undermine U.S. elections .
`` We are watching as the Democrats and radicalized special interest groups are using this fog of COVID to fundamentally remake American elections , '' said Catherine Engelbrecht , the president of True the Vote , a group that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud .
She spoke on Thursday during a webinar sponsored by a conservative nonprofit , the Committee for Justice .
Democrats and liberal advocacy groups say instead that they 're trying to protect voters ' rights and to eliminate obstacles they believe are intended to suppress the votes of minorities and others who tend to vote Democratic .
Of immediate concern to both sides are efforts to expand mail-in voting in response to the pandemic .
A number of states are loosening restrictions on absentee ballots so people can vote without having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than a dozen court cases have been filed in recent weeks either challenging those changes or calling for states to do even more to make mail-in voting accessible .
On Thursday , a federal judge denied a request by True the Vote to block a Nevada plan to send absentee ballots to all active voters for the state 's June 9 primary .
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du dismissed as `` speculative '' and `` without any factual basis '' the group 's claim that the plan would expose the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of legitimate voters .
Marc Elias , an attorney leading the Democratic effort to expand voting options , called the decision `` yet another example of how Republican lies about voter fraud do n't hold up in court . ''
Still , True the Vote 's attorney , James Bopp Jr. , who also spoke on the webinar , said that getting rid of protections against fraud is the Democrats ' `` game plan . ''
He claimed that it is part of a decades-long scheme by Democrats to weaken the electoral process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from registration rolls and to impose strict photo ID requirements .
Some Republicans , including President Trump , have echoed those claims .
On Thursday , the president tweeted about the need to stop Democrats from `` stealing the election . ''
Trump has repeatedly said that voter fraud is rampant , although there is no evidence that is the case .
There is some evidence that absentee voting is more vulnerable to fraud , but even so , such cases are rare .
The issue will certainly be a recurring theme in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware that court decisions affecting voting rules could shape the outcome in November .
Democrats have intensified their push for states to implement changes they have long wanted , such as allowing same-day voter registration and eliminating the need for voters to provide an excuse to vote absentee .
Elias has filed a separate suit in Nevada arguing that the state should allow third parties to collect and deliver absentee ballots for voters who might not be able to do so on their own .
Elias has also revised a lawsuit calling on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a photo ID when requesting an absentee ballot and have a witness sign their completed ballot .
Efforts by Democrats to loosen the state 's mail-in voting rules for the April 7 primary were blocked by Republicans , and tens of thousands of voters ended up going to the polls in person despite the health threat .
`` While this is the latest lawsuit seeking to protect the right to vote during the COVID crisis , it wo n't be the last , '' Elias said in a statement .
`` The hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is far from finished .
Indeed , in many ways , the fight has just begun . ''
Also this week , voting rights groups were in court challenging an Oklahoma law that voters have their absentee ballots notarized and a Florida requirement that felons pay all fines and fees before regaining their right to vote .
Virginia Republicans also went to court to stop that state from removing its absentee ballot witness requirement .
And Arizona 's Republican attorney general asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule a lower court finding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by third parties is unconstitutional .

The Legal Fight Over Voting Rights During The Pandemic Is Getting Hotter
Enlarge this image toggle caption Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images
The legal fight over how Americans will vote this year is rapidly turning into a war.
That's according to conservative "election integrity" advocates who accuse Democrats of using the current pandemic to push through changes that these groups say will undermine U.S. elections.
"We are watching as the Democrats and radicalized special interest groups are using this fog of COVID to fundamentally remake American elections," said Catherine Engelbrecht, the president of True the Vote, a group that says it is trying to protect against voter fraud. She spoke on Thursday during a webinar sponsored by a conservative nonprofit, the Committee for Justice.
Democrats and liberal advocacy groups say that they're actually trying to protect voters' rights and to eliminate obstacles they believe are intended to suppress the votes of minorities and others who tend to vote Democratic.
Of immediate concern to both sides are efforts to expand mail-in voting in response to the pandemic. A number of states are loosening restrictions on absentee ballots so people can vote without having to go to the polls in person. More than a dozen court cases have been filed in recent weeks either challenging those changes or calling for states to do even more to make mail-in voting accessible.
On Thursday, a federal judge denied a request by True the Vote to block a Nevada plan to send absentee ballots to all active voters for the state's June 9 primary. U.S. District Judge Miranda Du dismissed as "speculative" and "without any factual basis" the group's claim that the plan would expose the election to fraud and thereby dilute the votes of legitimate voters.
Marc Elias, an attorney leading the Democratic effort to expand voting options, called the decision "yet another example of how Republican lies about voter fraud don't hold up in court."
Still, True the Vote's attorney, James Bopp Jr., who also spoke on the webinar, said that getting rid of protections against fraud is the Democrats' "game plan." He said it is part of a decades-long scheme by Democrats to weaken the electoral process by fighting efforts to remove inactive voters from registration rolls and to impose strict photo ID requirements.
Some Republicans, including President Trump, have echoed those claims. On Thursday, the president tweeted about the need to stop Democrats from "stealing the election." Trump has repeatedly said that voter fraud is rampant, although there is no evidence that is the case. There is some evidence that absentee voting is more vulnerable to fraud, but even so, such cases are rare.
The issue will certainly be a recurring theme in the upcoming campaign. Both sides are aware that court decisions affecting voting rules could shape the outcome in November.
Democrats have intensified their push for states to implement changes they have long wanted, such as allowing same-day voter registration and eliminating the need for voters to provide an excuse to vote absentee. Elias has filed a separate suit in Nevada arguing that the state should allow third parties to collect and deliver absentee ballots for voters who might not be able to do so on their own.
Elias has also revised a lawsuit calling on Wisconsin to eliminate requirements that voters provide a photo ID when requesting an absentee ballot and have a witness sign their completed ballot. Efforts by Democrats to loosen the state's mail-in voting rules for the April 7 primary were blocked by Republicans, and tens of thousands of voters ended up going to the polls in person despite the health threat.
"While this is the latest lawsuit seeking to protect the right to vote during the COVID crisis, it won't be the last," Elias said in a statement. "The hard work of fighting voter suppression in 2020 is far from finished. Indeed, in many ways, the fight has just begun."
Also this week, voting rights groups were in court challenging an Oklahoma law that voters have their absentee ballots notarized and a Florida requirement that felons pay all fines and fees before regaining their right to vote.
Virginia Republicans also went to court to stop that state from removing its absentee ballot witness requirement. And Arizona's Republican attorney general asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule a lower court finding that a law prohibiting the collection of ballots by third parties is unconstitutional.


npr--2020-05-02--Federal Judge Dismisses U.S. Women's Soccer Team's Equal Pay Claim

The World Cup champion U.S. women 's soccer team is vowing to fight on after a judge dismissed key parts of their lawsuit seeking compensation equal to that of their male counterparts .
Federal Judge R. Gary Klausner rejected the claim that the women 's team is paid less than the U.S. men 's team .
He also dismissed a claim of unequal working conditions related to the number of turf and real grass pitches .
While the judge did allow other claims in the lawsuit to move forward to trial , for the women who won the hearts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Cup title last year , the ruling is a major blow .
`` We are shocked and disappointed with today 's decision , but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay , '' Molly Levinson , spokesperson for the players , said in a statement .
Team co-captain Megan Rapinoe tweeted : `` We will never stop fighting for EQUALITY . ''
The U.S. women filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in March 2019 , months after the U.S. men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Cup in 2018 .
The lawsuit argued in part that `` the female players have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts .
This is true even though their performance has been superior to that of the male players . ''
The U.S. women then went on to dominate the 2019 tournament , culminating with a 2-0 win over the Netherlands that fueled support for their claim that they were undervalued .
The crowd cheering the team 's victory in France erupted into a chant of `` equal pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women 's claim that they are paid less for the same work , Judge Klausner pointed to differences in the structure of the men 's and women 's contracts — contracts to which they agreed in collective bargaining .
`` The WNT [ Women 's National Team ] rejected an offer to be paid under the same pay-to-play structure as the MNT [ Men 's National Team ] and ... the WNT was willing to forgo higher bonuses for other benefits , such as greater base compensation and the guarantee of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klausner wrote .
`` Accordingly , Plaintiffs can not now retroactively deem their CBA worse than the MNT CBA by reference to what they would have made had they been paid under the MNT 's pay-to-play structure when they themselves rejected such a structure . ''
The judge said the women 's contract guarantees players will be paid regardless of whether they play .
The men are paid if they are called into camp to play and then participate in a match .
On this point , Klausner said , the plaintiff 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuine dispute . ''
After Klausner 's ruling Friday , Levinson promised that the women `` will appeal and press on . ''
`` We have learned that there are tremendous obstacles to change , '' she said .
`` We know that it takes bravery and courage and perseverance to stand up to them . ''
For its part , U.S. Soccer expressed hope for a less acrimonious future : `` We look forward to working with the Women 's National Team to chart a positive path forward to grow the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work to ensure our Women 's National Team remains the best in the world and sets the standard for women 's soccer . ''
A trial for the remaining portions of the lawsuit , which include allegations of differences in men 's and women 's travel and hotel accommodations , is set to begin in June .

Federal Judge Dismisses U.S. Women's Soccer Team's Equal Pay Claim
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alessandra Tarantino/AP Alessandra Tarantino/AP
The World Cup champion U.S. women's soccer team is vowing to fight on after a judge dismissed key parts of their lawsuit seeking compensation equal to that of their male counterparts.
Federal Judge R. Gary Klausner rejected the women's team's argument over receiving lower pay than the U.S. men's team. He also dismissed a claim of unequal working conditions related to the number of turf and real grass pitches. While the judge did allow other claims in the lawsuit to move forward to trial, for the women who won the hearts of the nation with a romp to the World Cup title last year, the ruling is a major blow.
"We are shocked and disappointed with today's decision, but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay," Molly Levinson, spokesperson for the players, said in a statement.
Team co-captain Megan Rapinoe tweeted: "We will never stop fighting for EQUALITY."
The U.S. women filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in March 2019, months after the U.S. men's soccer team failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018.
The lawsuit argued in part that "the female players have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts. This is true even though their performance has been superior to that of the male players."
The U.S. women then went on to dominate the 2019 tournament, culminating with a 2-0 win over the Netherlands that fueled support for their claim that they were undervalued. The crowd cheering the team's victory in France erupted into a chant of "equal pay, equal pay!"
In dismissing the women's claim that they are paid less for the same work, Klausner pointed to differences in the structure of the men's and women's contracts — contracts to which they agreed in collective bargaining.
"The WNT [Women's National Team] rejected an offer to be paid under the same pay-to-play structure as the MNT [Men's National Team] and ... the WNT was willing to forgo higher bonuses for other benefits, such as greater base compensation and the guarantee of a higher number of contracted players," Klausner wrote. "Accordingly, Plaintiffs cannot now retroactively deem their CBA worse than the MNT CBA by reference to what they would have made had they been paid under the MNT's pay-to-play structure when they themselves rejected such a structure."
The judge said the women's contract guarantees players will be paid regardless of whether they play. The men are paid if they are called into camp to play and then participate in a match. On this point, Klausner said, the plaintiff's statements "were insufficient to establish a genuine dispute."
After Klausner's ruling Friday, Levinson promised that the women "will appeal and press on."
"We have learned that there are tremendous obstacles to change," she said. "We know that it takes bravery and courage and perseverance to stand up to them."
For its part, U.S. Soccer expressed hope for a less acrimonious future: "We look forward to working with the Women's National Team to chart a positive path forward to grow the game ... we are committed to continuing that work to ensure our Women's National Team remains the best in the world and sets the standard for women's soccer."
A trial for the remaining portions of the lawsuit, which include allegations of differences in men's and women's travel and hotel accommodations, is set to begin in June.
You can read the judge's decision here.


npr--2020-05-01--North Korea's Kim Reappears In Public After Speculation About His Health

North Korea 's Kim Reappears In Public After Speculation About His Health North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made his first public appearance in nearly three weeks , ending rampant speculation that he was dead or incapacitated , South Korea 's Yonhap News Agency reported .
Kim attended a ceremony marking the completion of a fertilizer plant in Sunchon , a town about 45 km ( 28 miles ) north of the capital , Pyongyang , Yonhap said , citing North Korean media .
People at the factory `` broke into thunderous cheers of hurrah '' when he appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited North Korea 's Korea Central News Agency .
Kim was last reported in public on April 11 at a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers Party , Yonhap said .
Rumors about the portly leader 's health spread quickly after he failed to appear four days later at celebrations of the birthday of his late grandfather , North Korea 's first leader Kim Il Sung .
Dubbed `` The Day of the Sun , '' April 15 is the biggest date on the political calendar in North Korea .
Some observers speculated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowds amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
A South Korean website that relies on a network of undercover journalists in North Korea reported that he had had heart surgery .
There were rumors later that the surgery went wrong and he was incapacitated , or dead .
North Korea has not made public who would succeed Kim if that became necessary .

North Korea's Kim Reappears In Public After Speculation About His Health
Updated at 9:17 p.m. ET
Enlarge this image toggle caption KCNA via Reuters KCNA via Reuters
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made his first public appearance in nearly three weeks, ending rampant speculation that he was dead or incapacitated, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.
Kim attended a ceremony marking the completion of a fertilizer plant in Sunchon, a town about 45 km (28 miles) north of the capital, Pyongyang, Yonhap said, citing North Korean media.
People at the factory "broke into thunderous cheers of hurrah" when he appeared, according to the BBC, which cited North Korea's Korea Central News Agency.
Kim was last reported in public on April 11 at a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers Party, Yonhap said.
Rumors about the portly leader's health spread quickly after he failed to appear four days later at celebrations of the birthday of his late grandfather, North Korea's first leader Kim Il Sung. Dubbed "The Day of the Sun," April 15 is the biggest date on the political calendar in North Korea.
Some observers speculated that Kim might be trying to avoid crowds amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A South Korean website that relies on a network of undercover journalists in North Korea reported that he had had heart surgery. There were rumors later that the surgery went wrong and he was incapacitated, or dead.
North Korea has not made public who would succeed Kim if that became necessary.


npr--2020-05-02--Trump Moves To Replace Watchdog Who Reported Medical Shortages

President Trump is moving to replace the Department of Health and Human Services watchdog whose office found severe shortages of medical supplies in hospitals as COVID-19 cases surged .
In a Friday night announcement , the White House named Jason Weida as its nominee to take the permanent inspector general post currently occupied by Christi Grimm , who 's been in that role in an acting capacity since January .
A longtime staffer with Health and Human Services , Grimm was leading the inspector general 's office in April when it issued a report chronicling testing delays — up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as severe shortages of supplies in hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` Hospitals reported that they were unable to keep up with COVID-19 testing demands because they lacked complete kits and/or the individual components and supplies needed to complete tests , '' the survey of 323 hospitals found .
`` When patient stays were extended while awaiting test results , this strained bed availability , personal protective equipment ( PPE ) supplies , and staffing . ''
The report also recalled how one hospital had even resorted to making its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by calling its findings `` wrong , '' asking to know the name of the inspector general and suggesting the report was politically motivated .
He later took to Twitter to castigate Grimm and the report even further .
`` Why did n't the I.G.
, who spent 8 years with the Obama Administration ( Did she Report on the failed H1N1 Swine Flu debacle where 17,000 people died ? )
, want to talk to the Admirals , Generals , V.P .
& others in charge , before doing her report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early April .
Grimm is a career official , not a political appointee , and began serving in the Office of the Inspector General in 1999 .
The nomination of Weida — currently an assistant U.S. attorney — marks the latest replacement of a high-level watchdog by the president .
A month ago , he fired the inspector general who raised concerns that eventually led to his impeachment .
Days later , he removed the inspector general charged with overseeing the government 's coronavirus response bill .
Sen. Patty Murray , ranking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labor and Pensions Committee , said that Trump 's nominee `` must not get through the Senate without ironclad commitments '' to continue the agency 's current investigations without political interference .
`` We all know the President has n't told people the truth about this virus or his Administration 's response , and late last night , he moved to silence an independent government official who did , '' Murray said in a statement released on Saturday .
`` Anyone who demands less will be complicit in the President 's clear pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth . ''
Health and Human Services did not comment to NPR on Grimm 's future role , but said in statement that the agency had been preparing `` to assist a new Inspector General appointee over a year ago , when the previous presidentially-appointed and senate-confirmed Inspector General first announced his intention to retire from government service .
We will continue to work conscientiously to support a smooth leadership transition . ''

Trump Moves To Replace Watchdog Who Reported Medical Shortages
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 6:59 p.m. ET Sunday
President Trump is moving to replace the Department of Health and Human Services watchdog whose office found severe shortages of medical supplies in hospitals as COVID-19 cases surged.
In a Friday night announcement, the White House named Jason Weida as its nominee to take the permanent inspector general post currently occupied by Christi Grimm, who's been in that role in an acting capacity since January.
A longtime staffer with Health and Human Services, Grimm was leading the inspector general's office in April when it issued a report chronicling testing delays — up to seven days in some cases — as well as severe shortages of supplies in hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Hospitals reported that they were unable to keep up with COVID-19 testing demands because they lacked complete kits and/or the individual components and supplies needed to complete tests," the survey of 323 hospitals found. "When patient stays were extended while awaiting test results, this strained bed availability, personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies, and staffing."
The report also recalled how one hospital had even resorted to making its own disinfectant.
Trump reacted to the report by calling its findings "wrong," asking to know the name of the inspector general and suggesting the report was politically motivated. He later took to Twitter to castigate Grimm and the report even further.
"Why didn't the I.G., who spent 8 years with the Obama Administration (Did she Report on the failed H1N1 Swine Flu debacle where 17,000 people died?), want to talk to the Admirals, Generals, V.P. & others in charge, before doing her report. Another Fake Dossier!" Trump tweeted in early April.
Grimm is a career official, not a political appointee, and began serving in the Office of the Inspector General in 1999.
The nomination of Weida — currently an assistant U.S. attorney — marks the latest replacement of a high-level watchdog by the president. A month ago, he fired the inspector general who raised concerns that eventually led to his impeachment. Days later, he removed the inspector general charged with overseeing the government's coronavirus response bill.
Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said that Trump's nominee "must not get through the Senate without ironclad commitments" to continue the agency's current investigations without political interference.
"We all know the President hasn't told people the truth about this virus or his Administration's response, and late last night, he moved to silence an independent government official who did," Murray said in a statement released on Saturday. "Anyone who demands less will be complicit in the President's clear pattern of retaliation against those who tell the truth."
Health and Human Services did not comment to NPR on Grimm's future role but said in a statement that the agency had been preparing "to assist a new Inspector General appointee over a year ago, when the previous presidentially-appointed and senate-confirmed Inspector General first announced his intention to retire from government service. We will continue to work conscientiously to support a smooth leadership transition."


npr--2020-05-02--Pelosi And McConnell Decline White House Offer Of Coronavirus Tests For Capitol Hill

Pelosi And McConnell Decline White House Offer Of Coronavirus Tests For Capitol Hill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , in a rare joint statement on Saturday , declined an offer from the White House to make rapid COVID-19 tests available for Congress .
`` Congress is grateful for the Administration 's generous offer to deploy rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to Capitol Hill , but we respectfully decline the offer at this time , '' Pelosi and McConnell said .
`` Our country 's testing capacities are continuing to scale up nationwide and Congress wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they can do the most good the most quickly . ''
McConnell , R-Ky. , plans to bring the Senate back into session on Monday , while Pelosi , D-Calif. , and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, said this week the House would not bring representatives back over coronavirus fears .
On Friday , Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Twitter that the Trump administration would send three Abbott `` point of care testing machines and 1,000 tests for their use '' to Capitol Hill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ No reason to turn it down , except politics .
We have plenty of testing .
Maybe you need a new Doctor over there .
Crazy Nancy will use it as an excuse not to show up to work ! ''
Pelosi and Hoyer said they made the decision based on advice from the Capitol 's attending physician , Brian Monahan .
`` The House physician 's view was that there was a risk to members that was one he would not recommend taking , '' Hoyer said Tuesday .
So far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator to have tested positive for the coronavirus .
In the House , seven members have tested positive or presumed to be positive for the coronavirus .
On Friday , McConnell shared guidelines from Monahan urging lawmakers and staff to maintain six feet of distance , limit the number of people in offices and to wear masks when possible .
Monahan has told Republican leaders that his office does not have the capacity to proactively test all 100 senators and can only test those who are ill , Politico reported .

Pelosi And McConnell Decline White House Offer Of Coronavirus Tests For Capitol Hill
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in a rare joint statement on Saturday, declined an offer from the White House to make rapid COVID-19 tests available for Congress.
"Congress is grateful for the Administration's generous offer to deploy rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to Capitol Hill, but we respectfully decline the offer at this time," Pelosi and McConnell said. "Our country's testing capacities are continuing to scale up nationwide and Congress wants to keep directing resources to the front-line facilities where they can do the most good the most quickly."
McConnell, R-Ky., plans to bring the Senate back into session on Monday, while Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said this week the House would not bring representatives back over coronavirus fears.
On Friday, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Twitter that the Trump administration would send three Abbott "point of care testing machines and 1,000 tests for their use" to Capitol Hill.
President Trump on Saturday tweeted: "No reason to turn it down, except politics. We have plenty of testing. Maybe you need a new Doctor over there. Crazy Nancy will use it as an excuse not to show up to work!"
Pelosi and Hoyer said they made the decision based on advice from the Capitol's attending physician, Brian Monahan. "The House physician's view was that there was a risk to members that was one he would not recommend taking," Hoyer said Tuesday.
So far, Rand Paul of Kentucky is the only senator to have tested positive for the coronavirus. In the House, seven members have tested positive or have been presumed to be positive for the coronavirus.
On Friday, McConnell shared guidelines from Monahan urging lawmakers and staff to maintain 6 feet of distance, limit the number of people in offices, and wear masks when possible.
Monahan has told Republican leaders that his office does not have the capacity to proactively test all 100 senators and can only test those who are ill, Politico reported.


npr--2020-05-02--Trump Received Intelligence Briefings On Coronavirus Twice In January

Trump Received Intelligence Briefings On Coronavirus Twice In January President Trump twice received intelligence briefings on the coronavirus in January , according to a White House official .
The official tells NPR the briefings occurred on Jan. 23 and Jan. 28 .
`` The president was told that the coronavirus was potentially going to 'spread globally , ' `` the official said of the first briefing , which came two days after the first case of the virus was reported in the United States .
`` But the 'good news ' was that it was not deadly for most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was told .
Five days after that initial briefing , the president was briefed again , according to the official .
This time , `` he was told that virus was spreading outside of China , but that deaths from the disease were happening only in China , '' the official said .
`` He was also told that China was withholding data . ''
The question of what Trump knew about the coronavirus , when he was aware of it and the tenor of those conversations have come under heavy scrutiny , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was slow to respond to early warnings about the virus .
In the time since the president 's January briefings , the U.S. has reported more than 1.1 million cases of the coronavirus — more than any other nation .
In all , more than 66,000 Americans have died .
The president has defended his handling of the crisis — pointing to steps like his decision at the end of January to restrict travel into the U.S. from China .
But for much of the following month , the president and some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
`` We pretty much shut it down coming in from China , '' the president said in an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News early in February .
By the end of the month , with the virus reported in several dozen countries at that point , he continued to tell reporters that the risk `` remains very low . ''
During his State of the Union address , roughly a week after being told that China was withholding data , Trump said his administration was `` coordinating with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the coronavirus outbreak . ''
To this point , the White House has offered little clarity publicly about the exact dates when Trump was briefed about the virus .
Asked about this on Thursday , Trump told reporters that he spoke with intelligence officials about the coronavirus `` in January , later January , '' adding that intelligence officials had confirmed that this was the case .
On Monday , when The Washington Post reported that Trump received more than a dozen classified briefings in January and February , the Office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The detail of this is not true , '' and declined to elaborate .

Trump Received Intelligence Briefings On Coronavirus Twice In January
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump twice received intelligence briefings on the coronavirus in January, according to a White House official. The official tells NPR the briefings occurred on Jan. 23 and Jan. 28.
"The president was told that the coronavirus was potentially going to 'spread globally,' " the official said of the first briefing, which came two days after the first case of the virus was reported in the United States. "But the 'good news' was that it was not deadly for most people," the official said the president was told.
Five days after that initial briefing, the president was briefed again, according to the official. This time, he was told the virus "was spreading outside of China, but that deaths from the disease were happening only in China," the official said. "He was also told that China was withholding data."
The question of what Trump knew about the coronavirus, when he was aware of it and the tenor of those conversations have come under heavy scrutiny, as the administration faces criticism that it was slow to respond to early warnings about the virus. In the time since the president's January briefings, the U.S. has reported more than 1.1 million cases of the coronavirus — more than any other nation. In all, more than 66,000 Americans have died.
The president has defended his handling of the crisis — pointing to steps like his decision at the end of January to restrict travel into the U.S. from China. But for much of the following month, the president and some of his top surrogates downplayed the threat of the virus.
"We pretty much shut it down coming in from China," the president said in an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News early in February. By the end of the month, with the virus reported in several dozen countries at that point, he continued to tell reporters that the risk "remains very low."
During his State of the Union address, roughly a week after being told that China was withholding data, Trump said his administration was "coordinating with the Chinese government and working closely together on the coronavirus outbreak."
To this point, the White House has offered little clarity publicly about the exact dates when Trump was briefed about the virus. Asked about this on Thursday, Trump told reporters that he spoke with intelligence officials about the coronavirus "in January, later January," adding that intelligence officials had confirmed that this was the case.
On Monday, when The Washington Post reported that Trump received more than a dozen classified briefings in January and February, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence responded, "The detail of this is not true," and declined to elaborate.


npr--2020-05-02--Mitt Romney Proposes Hazard Pay Plan For Essential Workers

Sen. Mitt Romney is proposing a way for workers in front-line and essential jobs to get a temporary pay bump during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Released on Friday , Patriot Pay is a proposal from the Utah senator and 2012 Republican presidential candidate aimed at providing bonus pay — up to $ 12 an hour on top of normal wages — for employees in eligible jobs .
The increase would extend through May , June and July and would be paid out by employers and the federal government via a payroll tax credit .
Workers in industries designated by Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including hospitals , grocery stores and health manufacturing , could qualify for the hazard pay , according to a one-page summary of Patriot Pay .
`` Health care professionals , grocery store workers , food processors , and many others — the unsung patriots on the frontline of this pandemic — every day risk their safety for the health and well-being of our country , and they deserve our unwavering support , '' Romney said in press release announcing the plan .
`` Patriot Pay is a way for us to reward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep Americans safe , healthy , and fed . ''
Romney is not the only lawmaker to propose a form of hazard pay for essential employees .
Last month , Senate Democrats revealed their own proposal — a federal fund offering payments of up to $ 25 , ooo , or $ 13 an hour and retroactive compensation for qualifying workers dating back to late January , when the public health emergency was first declared .
Their plan also proposes a one-time payment of $ 15,000 to draw new workers into essential fields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some form of hazard pay .
Unlike the Democratic proposal however , Romney 's plan opts to offer employers a refundable payroll tax credit for paying out the bonuses to eligible employees .
The plan states that employers would be refunded for up to three-quarters of hazard pay bonuses to employees making less than $ 90,000 a year .
`` This form of hazard pay would complement , not replace , an employer 's responsibility to pay their workers — it is designed to quadruple any bonuses an employer gives to essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Mitt Romney Proposes Hazard Pay Plan For Essential Workers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP Carolyn Kaster/AP
Sen. Mitt Romney is proposing a way for workers in front-line and essential jobs to get a temporary pay bump during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Released on Friday, Patriot Pay is a proposal from the Utah senator and 2012 Republican presidential candidate aimed at providing bonus pay — up to $12 an hour on top of normal wages — for employees in eligible jobs. The increase would extend through May, June and July and would be paid out by employers and the federal government via a payroll tax credit.
Workers in industries designated by Congress and the Department of Labor as essential, including hospitals, grocery stores and health manufacturing, could qualify for the hazard pay, according to a one-page summary of Patriot Pay.
"Health care professionals, grocery store workers, food processors, and many others — the unsung patriots on the frontline of this pandemic — every day risk their safety for the health and well-being of our country, and they deserve our unwavering support," Romney said in press release announcing the plan. "Patriot Pay is a way for us to reward our essential workers as they continue to keep Americans safe, healthy, and fed."
Romney is not the only lawmaker to propose a form of hazard pay for essential employees.
Last month, Senate Democrats revealed their own proposal — a federal fund offering payments of up to $25,ooo, or $13 an hour and retroactive compensation for qualifying workers dating back to late January, when the public health emergency was first declared.
Their plan also proposes a one-time payment of $15,000 to draw new workers into essential fields.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has also called for some form of hazard pay.
Unlike the Democratic proposal however, Romney's plan opts to offer employers a refundable payroll tax credit for paying out the bonuses to eligible employees. The plan states that employers would be refunded for up to three-quarters of hazard pay bonuses to employees making less than $90,000 a year.
"This form of hazard pay would complement, not replace, an employer's responsibility to pay their workers — it is designed to quadruple any bonuses an employer gives to essential workers," Romney's office said.


npr--2020-05-02--Migrant Advocates Call For More Testing Before Deportations

Migrant Advocates Call For More Testing Before Deportations Migrant advocates say more testing must be done in the U.S. and Mexico before deportees are sent back to their home countries .
At least 100 Guatemalans infected with the coronavirus were deported from the U.S. from mid-March through mid-April .
The U.S. suspended deportation flights to Guatemala after 44 migrants tested positive on a flight on April 13 .
But this week at least one flight resumed .
On Thursday the U.S. deported 89 Guatemalan migrants .
All tested negative before boarding , according to Guatemalan officials .
U.S. immigration authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screened for obvious symptoms but until this week had not tested deportees for the coronavirus .
In Mexico , deportations have accelerated in recent weeks .
Officials with the Mexican government 's National Migration Institute say they have deported more than 3,500 migrants back to Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador from their 65 detention centers .
The move was in hopes of stopping the spread of the virus in the centers .
Mexico had been under pressure since March to empty the centers .
Migrants had been complaining of overcrowding and dirty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus grew .
Border closures throughout Central America , in attempts to curb transmission of COVID-19 , had complicated deportations .
Officials say there are only about 100 migrants left in the Mexican detention centers that have the capacity to house more than 8,000 people .
Advocates say it is troublesome that Mexico is not testing the migrants before sending them back to their home countries .
`` With the deportations , Mexico 's Immigration Institute has demonstrated absolute irresponsibility , insensitivity and negligence , '' says Salva La Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights Center in Tapachula , Chiapas , which is located just miles from the Mexico-Guatemala border .
Others are concerned that continuing deportations without proper testing will put undo strain on the already weak health systems in Central American countries .
`` What we 're going to be doing is importing this virus in communities that simply can not afford it once it gets there .
The spread will be fast , '' said a U.N. official who would only speak on condition of anonymity .
`` You are potentially injecting COVID into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to manage and will further destabilize these countries , '' added the U.N. official .
In a statement , Mexico 's National Migration Institute says that before boarding all buses to be returned to their home countries , migrants are checked out by health professionals and their temperatures are taken .
The deportees are also given masks and sanitizing gel for the trip .
The statement did not mention testing for COVID-19 .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the northern triangle countries of Central America remain in the hundreds .
Honduras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 899 cases and 75 deaths .
El Salvador has about half that number of cases , with 446 confirmed cases and 10 deaths .
Guatemala is dealing with at least 644 cases and 16 deaths according to the Johns Hopkins COVID tracker .
Nearly one fifth of the cases there have been traced to deportees from the U.S. , according to Guatemalan health officials .
Some deportees are experiencing harassment upon return to their hometowns .
In Guatemala , some villages are threatening deportees , fearful that they have brought back @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Migrant Advocates Call For More Testing Before Deportations
Enlarge this image toggle caption Johan Ordonez/AFP via Getty Images Johan Ordonez/AFP via Getty Images
Migrant advocates say more testing must be done in the U.S. and Mexico before deportees are sent back to their home countries.
At least 100 Guatemalans infected with the coronavirus were deported from the U.S. from mid-March through mid-April.
The U.S. suspended deportation flights to Guatemala after 44 migrants tested positive on a flight on April 13.
But this week at least one flight resumed. On Thursday the U.S. deported 89 Guatemalan migrants. All tested negative before boarding, according to Guatemalan officials.
U.S. immigration authorities had previously taken deportees' temperatures and screened for obvious symptoms but until this week had not tested deportees for the coronavirus.
In Mexico, deportations have accelerated in recent weeks. Officials with the Mexican government's National Migration Institute say they have deported more than 3,500 migrants back to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador from their 65 detention centers.
The move was in hopes of stopping the spread of the virus in the centers.
Mexico had been under pressure since March to empty the centers. Migrants had been complaining of overcrowding and dirty conditions for months as fears of the spread of the coronavirus grew. Border closures throughout Central America, in attempts to curb transmission of COVID-19, had complicated deportations.
Officials say there are only about 100 migrants left in the Mexican detention centers that have the capacity to house more than 8,000 people.
Advocates say it is troublesome that Mexico is not testing the migrants before sending them back to their home countries. "With the deportations, Mexico's Immigration Institute has demonstrated absolute irresponsibility, insensitivity and negligence," says Salva La Cruz of the Fray Matías de Cordova Human Rights Center in Tapachula, Chiapas, which is located just miles from the Mexico-Guatemala border.
Others are concerned that continuing deportations without proper testing will put undo strain on the already weak health systems in Central American countries. "What we're going to be doing is importing this virus in communities that simply cannot afford it once it gets there. The spread will be fast," said a U.N. official who would only speak on condition of anonymity. "You are potentially injecting COVID into a situation which will not be able to manage and will further destabilize these countries," added the U.N. official.
In a statement, Mexico's National Migration Institute says that before boarding all buses to be returned to their home countries, migrants are checked out by health professionals and their temperatures are taken. The deportees are also given masks and sanitizing gel for the trip. The statement did not mention testing for COVID-19.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the northern triangle countries of Central America remain in the hundreds. Honduras is battling the biggest outbreak, with at least 899 cases and 75 deaths. El Salvador has about half that number of cases, with 446 confirmed cases and 10 deaths.
Guatemala is dealing with at least 644 cases and 16 deaths according to the Johns Hopkins COVID tracker. Nearly one fifth of the cases there have been traced to deportees from the U.S., according to Guatemalan health officials.
Some deportees are experiencing harassment upon return to their hometowns. In Guatemala, some villages are threatening deportees, fearful that they have brought back the virus, according to Reuters.