npr--2020-03-14--Cambodia's Prized Kampot Pepper, Nearly Wiped Out By Khmer Rouge, Makes A Comeback

Cambodia 's Prized Kampot Pepper , Nearly Wiped Out By Khmer Rouge , Makes A Comeback Pepper is believed to originate from southern India .
But some chefs , including the late Anthony Bourdain and the Michelin-starred French chef Olivier Roellinger , have been drawn to pepper produced in Cambodia , specifically in the province of Kampot .
That 's where a near-ideal combination of sea , soil and climate produces a very aromatic , nuanced — and expensive — spice .
`` It has a unique taste , '' says Nathalie Chaboche , whose La Plantation began planting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now one of the province 's biggest pepper producers , producing 25 tons last year , and employing 150 people full-time and another 150 as day laborers during the harvest season .
Chaboche , who is from France , has strong opinions when it comes to pepper .
`` It should not be too spicy , because if it 's too spicy , it just burns your mouth .
Kampot pepper is not too spicy .
It 's mild-spicy , '' she says .
`` It 's like a wine , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a wine , and then you can keep the taste in your mouth for a very long time . ''
Cambodians have been growing the Kamchay and Lampong varieties of pepper — the kind known now as Kampot pepper — for centuries , but it did n't really become a significant cash crop until French colonialists started sending it back home in bulk in the early 1900s , when yearly production reached 8,000 tons , Chaboche says .
`` During the French protectorate at the beginning of the 20th century , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kampot at that time , '' she says .
`` It was called poivre Indochine , but it was grown in Kampot . ''
Chaboche did n't know any of this when she came to Cambodia eight years ago with her Belgian-born husband , Guy Porre , to start what she calls a `` second life '' after both left lucrative technology careers in Europe and the United States .
They came to this laid-back province on the Gulf of Thailand to look for a place to live quietly near the water .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pepper farm .
They were immediately hooked .
There was just one problem .
`` Yeah , we knew nothing about pepper , '' Porre admits .
`` We knew nothing about farming in general .
We 've always been in the software business . ''
They knew enough , however , to learn from the best — Cambodian farmers whose families have been growing pepper in the region for generations .
`` They came to me in 2013 needing pepper vines , '' says 36-year-old Hon Thon , whose farm is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They needed 2,000 vines , so I cut them from my farm and from some of my neighbors ' farms and brought them here . ''
Now , more than 20,000 pepper vines grow on La Plantation 's 99 acres of land , the vines wrapping like snakes around 12-foot wooden poles .
Thon splits his time between working here and on his own farm .
He says there 's good money in pepper — along with financial freedom not available to most day-wage earners .
`` Owning a pepper farm is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he says .
`` We own our own land , we can stop and take a holiday , nobody can control us .
They do n't work , they do n't get paid .
And yearly , we can make a lot more than they can . ''
Thon says he can earn as much as $ 13,000 a year from the pepper he grows — good money in a country where the annual GDP per capita is less than $ 2,000 .
The pepper industry almost died during the the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late 1970s .
`` My parents and my grandparents were forced to fight for the Khmer Rouge , '' Thon says .
The murderous regime , which ruled from 1975-1979 , `` did n't allow people to plant because they needed them to fight . ''
When the fighting ended and the Khmer Rouge were defeated , some farmers , including Thon 's relatives , returned to their lands and slowly nursed what vines remained back to health .
It took time .
Twenty years ago , only a few tons of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 400-plus members of the Kampot Pepper Promotion Association produced roughly 100 tons .
The industry got a boost in 2016 , when the European Union approved protected geographical indication status for Kampot pepper , a prestigious designation affirming that its origin is crucial to its quality .
`` It means like Champagne , it can grow only in a special area , '' Chaboche says .
`` You ca n't compare Champagne with any other wine .
It 's not the same .
Same with Kampot pepper .
It has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you can recognize . ''
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
At La Plantation , all the picking and watering is done by hand .
So is the harvesting , which happens at different stages as the pepper matures on the vine .
The black , Chaboche says , crunching a peppercorn , is `` not too spicy , but then you have also the taste developing in the mouth , a little bit of citrus , mint .
It 's a unique smell of Kampot pepper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pepper .
`` We keep the fruit on the vines and wait until the peppercorns turn red , so it 's fully mature peppercorns , '' Chaboche says .
`` So , when we smell , it 's more fruity , smells a little bit of tobacco , and when we eat , this one is very sweet .
So this one can be perfectly used with dessert , chocolate , fruit , on salads . ''
Black pepper , she says , is a little more spicy than red , and better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the black .
But neither comes close to the white peppercorns , which can cost as much as $ 100 per ounce in Europe or the U.S. '' It 's coming from the red , collected corn by corn , and we remove the skin , so it 's really the essence and the kernel of the pepper , '' she says , crunching into a white peppercorn .
`` The white one smells more like anise or herbs , and it 's called by some Michelin chefs as the essence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside of the pepper — and it 's very tasty as well .
It 's used mainly for fish and seafood . ''
All members of the Kampot pepper promotion association are committed to growing their crops organically .
Most farmers do n't own a lot of land , but do have knowledge passed down through generations .
`` I am a fourth-generation pepper farmer , '' says Nguon Lay , president of the association .
`` My father , his father , and his father before that .
The problem right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we have no market .
So we grow it for what ? ''
Smaller farmers often feel squeezed as larger producers , such as La Plantation , have come to dominate the market , and middlemen under-pay small farmers for the pepper they produce .
Chaboche says she understands the frustration .
`` I think it 's very difficult for the small farmers , because some middlemen are coming and buying at cheap price and sometimes families do n't have a choice and are selling their production at a low price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she and Porre are working to help small farmers `` because they do a fantastic job , they are doing very good Kampot pepper .
That 's why we want to buy their production at a fair price and find a market for them . ''
The couple — who say they are in it for the long haul and have even acquired Cambodian citizenship — are looking to buy smaller farmers ' production and market it as a second brand , and are aiding the pepper promotion association 's effort to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would help the association 's smaller members .
Protecting Kampot pepper from counterfeiting , Porre says , is also a key to its future success .
He and others warn that cheaper , inferior Vietnamese pepper may be marketed or mixed with the local product , and is diluting Kampot pepper 's coveted brand .
Vietnam , Cambodia 's neighbor , is the world 's largest producer of pepper , producing more than 180,000 tons last year alone .
Consumers `` have to be very , very careful when you buy Kampot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check that this product is coming from a legal source , '' Porre says .
Those who know the pepper best , of course , can tell right away if it 's the real thing .
`` All I have to do is taste it to know if it 's real Kampot pepper or Vietnamese pepper , '' grower Hon Thon says .
As for the quality of La Plantation 's Kampot pepper versus his own farm 's , `` I can say they are both the same , '' he says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both , so neither is more important .
Good pepper is more important . ''

Cambodia's Prized Kampot Pepper, Nearly Wiped Out By Khmer Rouge, Makes A Comeback
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Sullivan/NPR Michael Sullivan/NPR
Pepper is believed to originate from southern India. But some chefs, including the late Anthony Bourdain and the Michelin-starred French chef Olivier Roellinger, have been drawn to pepper produced in Cambodia, specifically in the province of Kampot. That's where a near-ideal combination of sea, soil and climate produces a very aromatic, nuanced — and expensive — spice.
"It has a unique taste," says Nathalie Chaboche, whose La Plantation began planting in southern Kampot seven years ago and is now one of the province's biggest pepper producers, producing 25 tons last year, and employing 150 people full-time and another 150 as day laborers during the harvest season.
Chaboche, who is from France, has strong opinions when it comes to pepper.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Sullivan/NPR Michael Sullivan/NPR
"It should not be too spicy, because if it's too spicy, it just burns your mouth. Kampot pepper is not too spicy. It's mild-spicy," she says.
"It's like a wine," she explains. "You can taste it like a wine, and then you can keep the taste in your mouth for a very long time."
Cambodians have been growing the Kamchay and Lampong varieties of pepper — the kind known now as Kampot pepper — for centuries, but it didn't really become a significant cash crop until French colonialists started sending it back home in bulk in the early 1900s, when yearly production reached 8,000 tons, Chaboche says.
"During the French protectorate at the beginning of the 20th century, all the pepper used in France was completely Kampot at that time," she says. "It was called poivre Indochine, but it was grown in Kampot."
Chaboche didn't know any of this when she came to Cambodia eight years ago with her Belgian-born husband, Guy Porre, to start what she calls a "second life" after both left lucrative technology careers in Europe and the United States.
They came to this laid-back province on the Gulf of Thailand to look for a place to live quietly near the water. They decided on a whim to visit a pepper farm.
They were immediately hooked. There was just one problem.
toggle caption Michael Sullivan/NPR
"Yeah, we knew nothing about pepper," Porre admits. "We knew nothing about farming in general. We've always been in the software business."
They knew enough, however, to learn from the best — Cambodian farmers whose families have been growing pepper in the region for generations.
"They came to me in 2013 needing pepper vines," says 36-year-old Hon Thon, whose farm is about 25 miles from La Plantation. "They needed 2,000 vines, so I cut them from my farm and from some of my neighbors' farms and brought them here."
Now, more than 20,000 pepper vines grow on La Plantation's 99 acres of land, the vines wrapping like snakes around 12-foot wooden poles. Thon splits his time between working here and on his own farm.
He says there's good money in pepper — along with financial freedom not available to most day-wage earners.
"Owning a pepper farm is much better than being a construction worker," he says. "We own our own land, we can stop and take a holiday, nobody can control us. They don't work, they don't get paid. And yearly, we can make a lot more than they can."
Thon says he can earn as much as $13,000 a year from the pepper he grows — good money in a country where the annual GDP per capita is less than $2,000.
The pepper industry almost died during the the genocidal rule of the Khmer Rouge in the late 1970s. "My parents and my grandparents were forced to fight for the Khmer Rouge," Thon says. The murderous regime, which ruled from 1975-1979, "didn't allow people to plant because they needed them to fight."
When the fighting ended and the Khmer Rouge were defeated, some farmers, including Thon's relatives, returned to their lands and slowly nursed what vines remained back to health.
It took time. Twenty years ago, only a few tons of pepper were grown annually. Last year, the 400-plus members of the Kampot Pepper Promotion Association produced roughly 100 tons. The industry got a boost in 2016, when the European Union approved protected geographical indication status for Kampot pepper, a prestigious designation affirming that its origin is crucial to its quality.
Loading...
"It means like Champagne, it can grow only in a special area," Chaboche says. "You can't compare Champagne with any other wine. It's not the same. Same with Kampot pepper. It has a unique taste, a unique aroma, that you can recognize."
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
At La Plantation, all the picking and watering is done by hand. So is the harvesting, which happens at different stages as the pepper matures on the vine.
The black, Chaboche says, crunching a peppercorn, is "not too spicy, but then you have also the taste developing in the mouth, a little bit of citrus, mint. It's a unique smell of Kampot pepper."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Sullivan/NPR Michael Sullivan/NPR
She then tastes the red Kampot pepper.
"We keep the fruit on the vines and wait until the peppercorns turn red, so it's fully mature peppercorns," Chaboche says. "So, when we smell, it's more fruity, smells a little bit of tobacco, and when we eat, this one is very sweet. So this one can be perfectly used with dessert, chocolate, fruit, on salads."
Black pepper, she says, is a little more spicy than red, and better with meat. The red costs more than the black. But neither comes close to the white peppercorns, which can cost as much as $100 per ounce in Europe or the U.S.
"It's coming from the red, collected corn by corn, and we remove the skin, so it's really the essence and the kernel of the pepper," she says, crunching into a white peppercorn. "The white one smells more like anise or herbs, and it's called by some Michelin chefs as the essence of pepper. Because it's really the inside of the pepper — and it's very tasty as well. It's used mainly for fish and seafood."
All members of the Kampot pepper promotion association are committed to growing their crops organically. Most farmers don't own a lot of land, but do have knowledge passed down through generations.
"I am a fourth-generation pepper farmer," says Nguon Lay, president of the association. "My father, his father, and his father before that. The problem right now is we produce a lot of pepper, but we have no market. So we grow it for what?" Smaller farmers often feel squeezed as larger producers, such as La Plantation, have come to dominate the market, and middlemen under-pay small farmers for the pepper they produce.
toggle caption Michael Sullivan/NPR
Chaboche says she understands the frustration. "I think it's very difficult for the small farmers, because some middlemen are coming and buying at cheap price and sometimes families don't have a choice and are selling their production at a low price," she says.
She says she and Porre are working to help small farmers "because they do a fantastic job, they are doing very good Kampot pepper. That's why we want to buy their production at a fair price and find a market for them."
The couple — who say they are in it for the long haul and have even acquired Cambodian citizenship — are looking to buy smaller farmers' production and market it as a second brand, and are aiding the pepper promotion association's effort to get fair trade certification for Kampot pepper, which would help the association's smaller members.
Protecting Kampot pepper from counterfeiting, Porre says, is also a key to its future success. He and others warn that cheaper, inferior Vietnamese pepper may be marketed or mixed with the local product, and is diluting Kampot pepper's coveted brand. Vietnam, Cambodia's neighbor, is the world's largest producer of pepper, producing more than 180,000 tons last year alone.
Consumers "have to be very, very careful when you buy Kampot pepper [that] you know to check that this product is coming from a legal source," Porre says.
Those who know the pepper best, of course, can tell right away if it's the real thing. "All I have to do is taste it to know if it's real Kampot pepper or Vietnamese pepper," grower Hon Thon says.
As for the quality of La Plantation's Kampot pepper versus his own farm's, "I can say they are both the same," he says, laughing. "I take care of both, so neither is more important. Good pepper is more important."


npr--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: U.S. To Extend Europe Travel Ban To U.K. And Ireland

Coronavirus : U.S. To Extend Europe Travel Ban To U.K. And Ireland The U.S. is extending the current ban on travel from Europe to include the U.K. and Ireland , effective midnight Monday , the Trump administration said Saturday .
The travel ban does not apply to American citizens , legal permanent residents , their immediate families , and certain others .
These people will be channeled through one of 13 airports equipped to do special screening .
Speaking at the White House , President Trump said he 's also considering domestic travel restrictions in response to the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to travel , I would n't do it , '' Trump said .
`` We want this thing to end .
We do n't want a lot of people getting infected . ''
The Trump administration said the number of Americans who have died of the coronavirus now stands at 50 , with more than 2,200 cases in the country .
It is in nearly every state , plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia .
At a press conference on Saturday , the president said that he was tested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results would be available in `` a day or two days . ''
He said that his temperature had been taken prior to entering the press room and that it was `` totally normal . ''
That came hours after the president 's physician , Sean Conley , said Friday night that Trump `` remains without symptoms '' and testing was not needed .
Trump has been in contact with people who later tested positive for coronavirus .
The restrictions announced Saturday follow the Department of Defense 's decision a day earlier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a memorandum released Friday night , the Pentagon explained that — with few exceptions — the ban applies to all personnel assigned to its facilities in states and territories throughout the U.S. , beginning Monday .
The Pentagon added that its civilian employees and family members , `` whose transportation is government-funded , will also stop movement . ''
`` These restrictions are necessary to preserve force readiness , limit the continuing spread of the virus , and preserve the health and welfare of Service members , DoD civilian employees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which we live , '' Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist said in the memo .
The order , which adds to the Pentagon 's foreign travel restrictions announced earlier this month , carves out exceptions for just a handful of `` compelling cases '' — including travel that 's deemed necessary for medical treatment , a particular mission or humanitarian reasons .
Aside from these cases , Defense Department personnel have been told to stay put until at least May 11 .
The order comes amid a flurry of actions at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the novel coronavirus , which the World Health Organization officially classified as a global pandemic earlier this week .
Trump declared the virus a national emergency Friday , freeing up tens of billions in federal funds just hours before the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a sweeping relief package of its own , which Trump says he supports .
The bill is expected to head to the Senate , where its fate remains unclear .
As of Saturday , there were more than 155,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus globally , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompting new action by governments around the world .
In France , where more than 3,600 cases have been confirmed , the government on Saturday ordered the closing of all nonessential businesses , including restaurants , bars and theaters .
Grocery stores , drugstores , banks and gas stations will be allowed to stay open .
In Madrid , the government of Spain announced a similar lockdown , imposing tight restrictions on its 46 million people .
In Israel , where 164 cases have been confirmed , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cafes , malls , hotels , event halls , gyms and movie theaters beginning Sunday .
Gatherings of more than 10 people will be prohibited , and the government will seek to use surveillance technology `` used in the war against terror '' to track the movements of coronavirus carriers , Netanyahu said .
Some of the world 's biggest companies have also announced new protective measures .
In a statement issued Friday , the technology giant Apple joined the chorus of government agencies and businesses announcing sweeping changes to combat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to temporarily close all of its retail stores outside China through at least March 27 .
At the same time , the company guaranteed pay for its hourly workers and says it has expanded its leave policies to support employees affected by COVID-19 .
`` There is no mistaking the challenge of this moment , '' CEO Tim Cook said in the announcement .
`` And yet , '' he added , `` I have been inspired by the humanity and determination I have seen from all corners of our global community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be found in Italy — the hardest-hit country outside of mainland China , where the virus traces its epicenter .
More than 1,200 people have died of COVID-19 in Italy , where hospitals have been overwhelmed by the number of cases and leaders have imposed travel restrictions on the entire country .
Still , the pandemic has not prevented Italians from singing — even if , for the sake of tamping down on the virus 's spread , they have to maintain their physical distance while doing so .
Social media on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who stepped out onto their balconies , looked around at their neighbors and joined one another in song .

U.S. Adds U.K. And Ireland To Travel Ban; New Restrictions In Multiple Countries
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Updated at 8:38 p.m. ET
The U.S. and countries around the world continued to adapt to the spreading coronavirus pandemic by imposing new restrictions Saturday, as the virus upended travel plans, pushed back elections and forced major companies to adapt.
In Washington, the Trump administration said Saturday that the U.S. would extend the current ban on travel from Europe to include the U.K. and Ireland, effective midnight Monday.
The U.S. travel ban does not apply to American citizens, legal permanent residents, their immediate families, and certain others. These people will be channeled through one of 13 airports equipped to do special screening.
Speaking at the White House, President Trump said he's also considering domestic travel restrictions in response to the spread of coronavirus.
"If you don't have to travel, I wouldn't do it," Trump said. "We want this thing to end. We don't want a lot of people getting infected."
The Trump administration said the number of Americans who have died of the coronavirus now stands at 50, with more than 2,200 cases in the country. It is in nearly every state, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
The president's physician, Sean Conley, said Saturday night that Trump himself tested negative for coronavirus. The results, relayed in a statement from the president's press secretary, come a day after Conley said Trump "remains without symptoms" and testing was not needed. Trump had been in contact with people who later tested positive for coronavirus.
The White House travel restrictions announced Saturday follow the Department of Defense's decision a day earlier to halt domestic travel for all service members. In a memorandum released Friday night, the Pentagon explained that — with few exceptions — the ban applies to all personnel assigned to its facilities in states and territories throughout the U.S., beginning Monday.
The Pentagon added that its civilian employees and family members, "whose transportation is government-funded, will also stop movement."
"These restrictions are necessary to preserve force readiness, limit the continuing spread of the virus, and preserve the health and welfare of Service members, DoD civilian employees, their families, and the local communities in which we live," Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist said in the memo.
The order, which adds to the Pentagon's foreign travel restrictions announced earlier this month, carves out exceptions for just a handful of "compelling cases" — including travel that's deemed necessary for medical treatment, a particular mission or humanitarian reasons. Aside from these cases, Defense Department personnel have been told to stay put until at least May 11.
The order comes amid a flurry of actions at the federal level to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, which the World Health Organization officially classified as a global pandemic earlier this week. Trump declared the virus a national emergency Friday, freeing up tens of billions in federal funds just hours before the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a sweeping relief package of its own, which Trump says he supports.
The bill is expected to head to the Senate, where its fate remains unclear.
The coronavirus is also shaking up an election year. On Saturday, Georgia became the second state, after Louisiana, to postpone its presidential primary vote in response to the outbreak.
In another step that sticks to public health guidance against large gatherings, Democratic candidates Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden will take the primary debate stage on Sunday night without a live audience. The debate was already moved from Arizona to Washington, D.C., over coronavirus concerns.
As of Saturday, there were more than 156,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus globally, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University, prompting new action by governments around the world.
In France, where more than 4,400 cases have been confirmed, the government on Saturday ordered the closing of all nonessential businesses, including restaurants, bars and theaters. Grocery stores, drugstores, banks and gas stations will be allowed to stay open.
In Madrid, the government of Spain announced a similar lockdown, imposing tight restrictions on its 46 million people. Spain's government said Saturday that Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, had tested positive for coronavirus.
In Israel, where 193 cases have been confirmed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the closing of all schools, restaurants, cafes, malls, hotels, event halls, gyms and movie theaters beginning Sunday. Gatherings of more than 10 people will be prohibited, and the government will seek to use surveillance technology "used in the war against terror" to track the movements of coronavirus carriers, Netanyahu said.
Some of the world's biggest companies have also announced new protective measures. In a statement issued Friday, the technology giant Apple joined the chorus of government agencies and businesses announcing sweeping changes to combat the virus's spread, saying that it plans to temporarily close all of its retail stores outside China through at least March 27. At the same time, the company guaranteed pay for its hourly workers and says it has expanded its leave policies to support employees affected by COVID-19.
"There is no mistaking the challenge of this moment," CEO Tim Cook said in the announcement. "And yet," he added, "I have been inspired by the humanity and determination I have seen from all corners of our global community."
Evidence of this solidarity was to be found in Italy — the hardest-hit country outside of mainland China, where the virus traces its epicenter. More than 1,400 people have died of COVID-19 in Italy, where hospitals have been overwhelmed by the number of cases and leaders have imposed travel restrictions on the entire country.
Still, the pandemic has not prevented Italians from singing — even if, for the sake of tamping down on the virus's spread, they have to maintain their physical distance while doing so. Social media on Friday was awash with videos of people who stepped out onto their balconies, looked around at their neighbors and joined one another in song.
NPR's Emma Bowman contributed reporting.


npr--2020-03-14--Why Even A Huge Medical Stockpile Will Be of Limited Use Against COVID-19

Why Even A Huge Medical Stockpile Will Be of Limited Use Against COVID-19 The United States government maintains an enormous stockpile of emergency medical supplies , and officials have already started dipping into it to help fight the novel coronavirus .
But while having a stockpile is better than not having it , experts say , there 's a limit to what a stockpile can do in this crisis .
`` It 's never going to be as big as you want , because it 's just too expensive to do that , '' says Tara O'Toole , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice-president at a nonprofit called In-Q-Tel .
Almost everything about the stockpile is secret , for security reasons , although the broad outlines of its holdings are known .
About $ 8 billion worth of vaccines , pharmaceuticals , protective gear , ventilators and other kinds of medical equipment are housed in warehouses that are strategically located around the United States .
From the outside , these warehouses look ordinary .
Inside , however , armed guards stand watch over a vast collection of materials .
Giant freezers keep certain products cold .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ store controlled substances like painkillers .
Rows of ventilators , which can support people who are having trouble breathing , are kept charged-up and ready to roll at a moment 's notice .
When the stockpile started , back in 1999 , the goal was to get prepared for unusual , unprecedented national threats , says O'Toole , who chaired an advisory committee on the stockpile for the National Academies of Sciences , Engineering , and Medicine .
`` The stockpile started out being very specialized , and intended to supply drugs we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , radiological , biological or nuclear attack , '' she explains .
That 's why the stockpile contains vaccines against smallpox and anthrax , as well as antitoxins and drugs to treat radiation sickness .
`` In many cases , the Strategic National Stockpile is the only source for particular pharmaceuticals .
And it is the only buyer for some of these pharmaceuticals , '' says Greg Burel , who directed the stockpile program before retiring last year .
`` Our Strategic National Stockpile is the envy of the world that understands these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Over time , the mission of the stockpile has expanded to include preparations for pandemic influenza and threats like hurricanes and earthquakes .
It has anti-flu drugs , generic medical supplies like gloves and needles , and even quick-to-assemble medical centers complete with beds .
The stockpile can fill gaps in supply chains or respond to sudden surges in demand caused by emergencies , says O'Toole , but `` it is not big enough , and it can never be big enough to replace the supply chains . ''
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's not a replacement for the private sector . ''
That means there could still be shortages of critical items , as it will take time for manufacturers to ramp up production .
Take masks , for example .
Steven Adams , the acting director of the stockpile program , says it currently holds about 30 million simple surgical masks , and 12 million of the more protective N95 masks that are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health .
But that 's not much compared to what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The demand of 300 million would be anticipated in the initial response , '' Adams tells NPR .
`` These are estimates and different experts have , of course , different opinions .
But I think the general view is that probably 300 million a month would be a likely scenario for a full-scale pandemic influenza , which is the primary basis for modeling . ''
Already , Washington state has requested hundreds of thousands of masks from the stockpile , and has gotten shipments .
More requests are sure to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to buy 500 million domestically-made masks over the next year and a half .
`` You know , we wish we had everything that we needed on the shelf all the time , but we have to be respectful of the appropriations Congress provides and live within those .
Sometimes that means that we have to make difficult trade-off decisions , '' says Burel , who explains that buying one item for the stockpile might mean not buying another item , or buying less of it .
`` We 're always trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that we make the best possible investment to cover all the broad areas of risk that the Strategic National Stockpile is asked to respond to , '' Burel adds .
How many ventilators does the stockpile have ?
Burel wo n't give a figure —just says it 's a lot .
Some sources suggest that it 's at least 4,000 , and professional groups have trained respiratory care experts to use the machines .
If things get bad enough to need all those ventilators , however , hospitals may be struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the end , even if the federal government can provide some supplies from the stockpile , it will be up to state and local workers to fight the virus .

Why Even A Huge Medical Stockpile Will Be Of Limited Use Against COVID-19
Enlarge this image toggle caption Strategic National Stockpile/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Strategic National Stockpile/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. government maintains an enormous stockpile of emergency medical supplies, and officials have already started dipping into it to help fight the novel coronavirus.
But while having a stockpile is better than not having it, experts say, there's a limit to what a stockpile can do in this crisis.
"It's never going to be as big as you want, because it's just too expensive to do that," says Tara O'Toole, a former homeland security official who is now executive vice president at a nonprofit called In-Q-Tel.
Almost everything about the stockpile is secret, for security reasons, although the broad outlines of its holdings are known. About $8 billion worth of vaccines, pharmaceuticals, protective gear, ventilators and other kinds of medical equipment are housed in warehouses that are strategically located around the United States.
From the outside, these warehouses look ordinary. Inside, however, armed guards stand watch over a vast collection of materials. Giant freezers keep certain products cold. Locked, caged-off sections of the warehouses store controlled substances such as painkillers. Rows of ventilators, which can support people who are having trouble breathing, are kept charged up and ready to roll at a moment's notice.
When the stockpile started, back in 1999, the goal was to get prepared for unusual, unprecedented national threats, says O'Toole, who chaired an advisory committee on the stockpile for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
"The stockpile started out being very specialized and intended to supply drugs we would need if there were a chemical, radiological, biological or nuclear attack," she explains.
That's why the stockpile contains vaccines against smallpox and anthrax, as well as antitoxins and drugs to treat radiation sickness.
"In many cases, the Strategic National Stockpile is the only source for particular pharmaceuticals. And it is the only buyer for some of these pharmaceuticals," says Greg Burel, who directed the stockpile program before retiring last year. "Our Strategic National Stockpile is the envy of the world that understands these things and knows what's there."
Over time, the mission of the stockpile has expanded to include preparations for pandemic influenza and threats such as hurricanes and earthquakes. It has anti-flu drugs, generic medical supplies like gloves and needles and even quick-to-assemble medical centers complete with beds.
The stockpile can fill gaps in supply chains or respond to sudden surges in demand caused by emergencies, says O'Toole, but "it is not big enough and it can never be big enough to replace the supply chains."
"It's a bridge," she says. "It's not a replacement for the private sector." That means there could still be shortages of critical items, as it would take time for manufacturers to ramp up production.
Take masks, for example. Steven Adams, the acting director of the stockpile program, says it currently holds about 30 million simple surgical masks and 12 million of the more protective N95 masks that are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
But that's not much compared with what will be required to combat the coronavirus. "The demand of 300 million would be anticipated in the initial response," Adams tells NPR. "These are estimates, and different experts have, of course, different opinions. But I think the general view is that probably 300 million a month would be a likely scenario for a full-scale pandemic influenza, which is the primary basis for modeling."
Already, Washington state has requested hundreds of thousands of masks from the stockpile and has gotten shipments. More requests are sure to come in. The federal government says it wants to buy 500 million domestically made masks over the next year and a half.
"You know, we wish we had everything that we needed on the shelf all the time, but we have to be respectful of the appropriations Congress provides and live within those. Sometimes that means that we have to make difficult trade-off decisions," says Burel, who explains that buying one item for the stockpile might mean not buying another item, or buying less of it.
"We're always trying to play that balancing act in such a way that we make the best possible investment to cover all the broad areas of risk that the Strategic National Stockpile is asked to respond to," Burel adds.
How many ventilators does the stockpile have? Burel won't give a figure — he just says it's a lot. Some sources suggest that it's at least 4,000, and professional groups have trained respiratory-care experts to use the machines.
If things get bad enough to need all those ventilators, however, hospitals may be struggling to have enough staff to operate them. In the end, even if the federal government can provide some supplies from the stockpile, it will be up to state and local workers to fight the virus.


npr--2020-03-14--Mouse Hunt: Lab Races To Grow Mice For COVID-19 Research

Laboratories across the world are gearing up to develop vaccines that can stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
They 've got the funding ; they 've got the talent .
But they do n't have the mice .
In order to test and ensure that vaccines are safe and effective , researchers typically conduct experiments on animals , usually mice .
Though some labs are experimenting with ferrets and monkeys for this virus , mice are cheap and plentiful .
But researchers ca n't use ordinary mice .
That 's because the coronavirus does n't make mice sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be susceptible to the virus .
But it seems there are no such mice to be found .
The problem is that the genetically altered mice that researchers need have been on ice for the past few years , says Cat Lutz , senior director of the Jackson Laboratory Mouse Repository in Bar Harbor , Maine .
It 's not feasible to keep the thousands of varieties of engineered mice alive in cages , so instead , mice sperm and embryos are kept frozen in cryopreservation tanks .
Lutz says it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a human in vitro fertilization clinic .
The Jackson Laboratory , a nonprofit that breeds and sells animals to scientists , has over 11,000 varieties of mice material on ice .
But they did n't have the one that coronavirus researchers needed with the humanized ACE2 gene .
The question was , who did ?
`` We looked around the literature and noticed that there was a mouse model that was made in 2007 just for that purpose , '' Lutz tells NPR 's Renee Montagne .
`` And that purpose was really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at that time were used for SARS , which is another coronavirus-related illness . ''
Lutz 's lab reached out to Dr. Stanley Perlman , a coronavirus specialist at the University of Iowa 's medical school .
He sent Lutz his lab 's unused frozen sperm , which was used to impregnate mice in the Jackson labs .
The first batch of new mice was born March 2 .
But producing enough mice to meet the demand takes time , and some help from Mother Nature .
`` Gestation time is about three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks for the mice to reach adulthood and be weaned from their mom , '' Lutz says .
`` Then it 's another couple of weeks for them to be sexually mature .
So , all in all , the generation time for a mouse is about 12 weeks . ''
Lutz has been able to complete multiple in vitro fertilizations , striving to meet initial orders for more than 3,000 mice from at least 50 different labs '' We 're going to literally have hundreds and hundreds of mice on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says Lutz , `` which we will then put into breeding that will basically meet the demand of the scientific community in very short order . ''
Some labs are not waiting for mice .
Because of the pressure to produce a vaccine quickly , several biotech companies are breaking the usual protocol and are skipping animal testing .
In these cases , many of the human clinical trials are using drugs that have already been proven to be safe or efficacious , such as broad spectrum anti-virals where there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
But there 's no evidence yet that they 'll work on the coronavirus .
`` I would hope within a few weeks we may be able to make an announcement to you all that we 've given the first shot to the first person , '' Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee on Tuesday .
Fauci cautioned that whether such vaccines would be effective would n't be known for 12 to 18 months .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lutz .
`` The ability to infect the mice with the specific virus of interest and then test therapies -- new and existing -- for efficacy is really the most informative experiments with the highest potential , '' she says .

Mouse Hunt: Lab Races To Grow Mice For COVID-19 Research
Enlarge this image toggle caption Aaron Boothroyd/The Jackson Laboratory Aaron Boothroyd/The Jackson Laboratory
Laboratories across the world are gearing up to develop vaccines that can stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus. They've got the funding; they've got the talent. But they don't have the mice.
In order to test and ensure that vaccines are safe and effective, researchers typically conduct experiments on animals, usually mice. Though some labs are experimenting with ferrets and monkeys for this virus, mice are cheap and plentiful.
But researchers can't use ordinary mice. That's because the coronavirus doesn't make mice sick. Humans have to genetically engineer them to be susceptible to the virus. But it seems there are no such mice to be found.
The problem is that the genetically altered mice that researchers need have been on ice for the past few years, says Cat Lutz, senior director of the Jackson Laboratory Mouse Repository in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jennifer L. Torrance/The Jackson Laboratory Jennifer L. Torrance/The Jackson Laboratory
It's not feasible to keep the thousands of varieties of engineered mice alive in cages, so instead, mice sperm and embryos are kept frozen in cryopreservation tanks. Lutz says it's similar to what you'd find in a human in vitro fertilization clinic.
A mouse hunt
The Jackson Laboratory, a nonprofit that breeds and sells animals to scientists, has over 11,000 varieties of mice material on ice. But they didn't have the one that coronavirus researchers needed with the humanized ACE2 gene.
The question was, who did?
"We looked around the literature and noticed that there was a mouse model that was made in 2007 just for that purpose," Lutz tells NPR's Renee Montagne. "And that purpose was really to study coronavirus infections. The mice at that time were used for SARS, which is another coronavirus-related illness."
Lutz's lab reached out to Dr. Stanley Perlman, a coronavirus specialist at the University of Iowa's medical school. He sent Lutz his lab's unused frozen sperm, which was used to impregnate mice in the Jackson labs. The first batch of new mice was born March 2.
But producing enough mice to meet the demand takes time, and some help from Mother Nature.
"Gestation time is about three weeks and then it takes another three weeks for the mice to reach adulthood and be weaned from their mom," Lutz says. "Then it's another couple of weeks for them to be sexually mature. So, all in all, the generation time for a mouse is about 12 weeks."
Lutz has been able to complete multiple in vitro fertilizations, striving to meet initial orders for more than 3,000 mice from at least 50 different labs
"We're going to literally have hundreds and hundreds of mice on the ground in a very short period of time," says Lutz, "which we will then put into breeding that will basically meet the demand of the scientific community in very short order."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tiffany Laufer/The Jackson Laboratory Tiffany Laufer/The Jackson Laboratory
Human testing begins
Some labs are not waiting for mice. Because of the pressure to produce a vaccine quickly, several biotech companies are breaking the usual protocol and are skipping animal testing.
In these cases, many of the human clinical trials are using drugs that have already been proven to be safe or efficacious, such as broad spectrum anti-virals where there is some existing evidence to believe these may work.
But there's no evidence yet that they'll work on the coronavirus.
"I would hope within a few weeks we may be able to make an announcement to you all that we've given the first shot to the first person," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee on Tuesday.
Fauci cautioned that whether such vaccines would be effective wouldn't be known for 12 to 18 months.
It's not the optimal scenario, says Lutz.
"The ability to infect the mice with the specific virus of interest and then test therapies--new and existing--for efficacy is really the most informative experiments with the highest potential," she says.


npr--2020-03-14--TSA Screeners' Union Wants More Guidance On Avoiding Coronavirus

TSA Screeners ' Union Wants More Guidance On Avoiding Coronavirus The travel industry is reeling from the coronavirus .
This week , three security screeners at the San Jose , Calif. , airport tested positive for the virus , and others may have been exposed .
That 's fueling questions about how the TSA is protecting its employees and the public .
Union officials who represent the 45,000 or so screeners nationwide , and who come into contact with the public more than any other federal agency say they have n't been told much about how to protect themselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and we really do n't know of a plan , '' said Joe Shuker , president of the TSA union local in Philadelphia .
`` All we 've been told is 'Wash your hands .
Do n't touch your face . '
`` The TSA is already in the middle of a hiring and overtime freeze because of a funding gap .
Shuker says screeners are facing a shortage of protective gloves , hand sanitizers and even cleaning supplies .
`` It 's discouraging to know that an agency that is developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded to protect them , right ? ''
he said .
On top of that , the TSA recently stopped reimbursing more than 100 airports for security checkpoint cleaning .
TSA requested that $ 21 million earmarked for that be cut from its budget , which Congress approved last year .
Shuker says his airport in Philadelphia is one that saw its cleaning reimbursements cut , but there was n't much communication about that except , `` We did n't have the money to pay cleaners to come up and clean . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ background , some of the nation 's largest airports ' cleaning reimbursements were reduced due to the budget cut .
Whether that means checkpoints are n't getting cleaned is unclear .
Miami International Airport spokesman Greg Chin said in a statement that there 's been no interruption in cleaning there , but TSA is no longer providing funding to cover its costs .
TSA declined an interview request , and did not respond to written questions .
Democrats in Congress are asking for details on what the TSA and the Department of Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the public .
Sen. Maria Cantwell , D-Wash. , sent a letter to the Homeland Security secretary .
And at a House subcommittee hearing with TSA Administrator David Pekoske this week , California Rep. Lou Correa said he 's concerned and wants `` to reassure the public that we 're on top of this and that we 're doing what we need to do to protect employees as well as the public .
`` Yes , sir , '' Pekoske responded , `` And ensuring the safety of my workforce is my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request earlier this week by the union to allow them to wear respirator masks , saying the agency is following CDC guidelines , according to emails provided to NPR .
Instead , screeners are allowed to wear surgical masks , even though they may not be as effective .
On a recent afternoon at the Salt Lake City airport , Caroline Schier had just dropped off her black ski bag for screening after a long-planned vacation .
The 45-year-old family physician from Portland , Ore. , says at first she thought worries over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon changed .
`` I 'm taking precautions , assuming anyone could be infected , '' she said .
She avoids touching her face and frequently washes her hands .
That 's the same advice TSA screeners are being given .

TSA Screeners' Union Wants More Guidance On Avoiding Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption David J. Phillip/AP David J. Phillip/AP
The travel industry is reeling from the coronavirus. This week, three security screeners at the San Jose, Calif., airport tested positive for the virus, and others may have been exposed. That's fueling questions about how the TSA is protecting its employees and the public.
Union officials who represent the 45,000 or so screeners nationwide, and who come into contact with the public more than any other federal agency say they haven't been told much about how to protect themselves.
"Our officers are really concerned about it and we really don't know of a plan," said Joe Shuker, president of the TSA union local in Philadelphia. "All we've been told is 'Wash your hands. Don't touch your face.' "
The TSA is already in the middle of a hiring and overtime freeze because of a funding gap. Shuker says screeners are facing a shortage of protective gloves, hand sanitizers and even cleaning supplies.
"It's discouraging to know that an agency that is developed to protect the American people isn't funded to protect them, right?" he said.
On top of that, the TSA recently stopped reimbursing more than 100 airports for security checkpoint cleaning. TSA requested that $21 million earmarked for that be cut from its budget, which Congress approved last year.
Shuker says his airport in Philadelphia is one that saw its cleaning reimbursements cut, but there wasn't much communication about that except, "We didn't have the money to pay cleaners to come up and clean."
According to an industry executive speaking on background, some of the nation's largest airports' cleaning reimbursements were reduced due to the budget cut. Whether that means checkpoints aren't getting cleaned is unclear. Miami International Airport spokesman Greg Chin said in a statement that there's been no interruption in cleaning there, but TSA is no longer providing funding to cover its costs.
TSA declined an interview request, and did not respond to written questions. Democrats in Congress are asking for details on what the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security are doing to protect their workers and the public.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., sent a letter to the Homeland Security secretary. And at a House subcommittee hearing with TSA Administrator David Pekoske this week, California Rep. Lou Correa said he's concerned and wants "to reassure the public that we're on top of this and that we're doing what we need to do to protect employees as well as the public.
"Yes, sir," Pekoske responded, "And ensuring the safety of my workforce is my top priority."
Pekoske rejected a request earlier this week by the union to allow them to wear respirator masks, saying the agency is following CDC guidelines, according to emails provided to NPR.
Instead, screeners are allowed to wear surgical masks, even though they may not be as effective.
On a recent afternoon at the Salt Lake City airport, Caroline Schier had just dropped off her black ski bag for screening after a long-planned vacation.
The 45-year-old family physician from Portland, Ore., says at first she thought worries over the coronavirus were overblown. But that soon changed.
"I'm taking precautions, assuming anyone could be infected," she said.
She avoids touching her face and frequently washes her hands. That's the same advice TSA screeners are being given.


npr--2020-03-14--Candidates Face A Twin Challenge: The Crisis And The Campaign

Candidates Face A Twin Challenge : The Crisis And The Campaign Politics and governing can often collide in the middle of a crisis , especially when both hinge on what message a leader is sending the public .
Given that we 're in the height of an election , the collision may have been inevitable .
President Trump delivered a primetime televised address about coronavirus and canceled political events , followed by a Rose Garden press conference flanked by public and private sector leaders .
The men running to replace him , Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders , brought forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own speeches and also cancelled campaign events .
Political leaders are usually not medical professionals .
But they play a crucial role in informing the public about crises , even while they attempt to advance their own goals like winning an election in November , a remarkably difficult balance to strike .
This crisis is different For a sitting president , pandemics are unlike most other major crises , says one former federal official .
`` These are complicated , tricky emergencies — different than a weather event , a tornado or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sense that they happen everywhere at the same time , '' said Mike Leavitt , who served as Health and Human Services Secretary to President George W. Bush .
This means that there 's no single site for a president to visit and assess the damage , and there 's no single city whose residents the president can comfort after the fact .
Instead , it 's a rolling potential disaster that people are , for an extended period of time , continually trying to avoid .
More fundamental than any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correct information .
CNN this week counted literally dozens of falsehoods about coronavirus Trump had spread .
And that was before his Wednesday night Oval Office address , in which the president got his own policies wrong .
It 's not just that misinformation could lead people to downplay or misunderstand how easily they could get the virus ( or what to do once they get it ) ; it also can unnecessarily stoke fear , according to one expert .
`` If people see a disconnect between what scientists say and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create some anxiety , '' said Emily Gurley , associate scientist who specializes in epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health .
She added that this also applies when announced policies — like the restrictions on European travel — conflict with scientists ' recommendations .
The point of showing that experts are involved in decision-making , Gurley said , is that leaders need to convey not only that they have good information , but that they are willing to change direction when necessary .
`` If the situation is changing so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flexible .
So I would focus more on process , '' she said .
`` That means that you have experts driving decisions about policy , advising on our collective best chance at mitigating impact at any given point in time , given the data that we have . ''
There 's also an important balance for leaders to strike , according to Corinne Hoare , lecturer in crisis communication at American University who worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget during the 2008 financial crisis .
She says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the situation without stoking panic .
Hoare points to President Trump 's attempts to downplay the seriousness of the virus .
`` I think he in his own way was trying to calm people down , '' she said .
`` But the problem is , when people are very outraged , just telling them that it 's going to blow over and it 's going to be OK , can actually make them even more outraged . ''
There 's another difficult balance for politicians strike during a pre-election national crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected ( or reelected ) president without appearing to overly politicize people 's very real fears and losses .
While their remarks were about raising awareness , Biden and Sanders are still trying to win votes , with a shared goal of defeating Trump .
The two drew contrasts in their speeches but also held off on attacking each other .
Sanders devoted significant time this week , particularly in his Friday speech , to talk about his signature policy of Medicare for All in relation to the coronavirus outbreak .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety net to deal with the crisis ( like providing paid leave and , eventually , a free vaccine ) .
Biden seemed to be firmly pivoting to the general election in his coronavirus speech on Thursday .
Ahead of it , a campaign official said the goal of the speech was to appear `` presidential , not political , '' and to `` offer a view into how Biden will lead in times of crisis as president . ''
But both men also more strongly sought to contrast themselves with President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing is colossal , and it 's a failure of planning , leadership , and execution , '' Biden said on Thursday .
Similarly , Sanders took aim at Trump , saying in his Thursday remarks that `` the current administration is largely incompetent , and its incompetence and recklessness has threatened the lives of many people . ''
Meanwhile , Trump 's campaign has been working to attack Biden , saying he made `` irresponsible remarks '' over the swine flu in 2009 .
As NPR 's Brian Naylor reported , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time contradicting official recommendations over the flu .
No matter who wins the election , they will no doubt be dealing with the fallout of this crisis after November .
`` I honestly think that , like 9/11 , this really just exposed how unprepared we were to the threat of our safety , '' said Corinne Hoare .
`` It 's really shaken us to the core .
And I think our lives will never be the same .
I think , you know , how governments entities operate will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with each other . ''
It 's possible , then , that the lasting shock that Americans feel from this outbreak may mean politicians are able to make lasting alterations to the nation 's readiness systems .
Mustering that political will can otherwise be difficult .
`` Anytime you talk about a pandemic , it 's complicated , because before a pandemic happens , everything you say sounds alarmist , '' Leavitt said .
`` After it occurs , anything you 've said or done seems inadequate . ''

Candidates Face A Twin Challenge: The Crisis And The Campaign
Enlarge this image toggle caption Barcroft Media/Barcroft Media via Getty Images Barcroft Media/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Politics and governing can often collide in the middle of a crisis, especially when both hinge on what message a leader is sending the public. Given that we're in the height of an election, the collision may have been inevitable.
President Trump delivered a primetime televised address about coronavirus and canceled political events, followed by a Rose Garden press conference flanked by public and private sector leaders.
The men running to replace him, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, brought forward their own coronavirus plans, gave their own speeches and also cancelled campaign events.
Political leaders are usually not medical professionals. But they play a crucial role in informing the public about crises, even while they attempt to advance their own goals like winning an election in November, a remarkably difficult balance to strike.
This crisis is different
For a sitting president, pandemics are unlike most other major crises, says one former federal official.
"These are complicated, tricky emergencies — different than a weather event, a tornado or a hurricane, different than terrorism, different in the sense that they happen everywhere at the same time," said Mike Leavitt, who served as Health and Human Services Secretary to President George W. Bush.
This means that there's no single site for a president to visit and assess the damage, and there's no single city whose residents the president can comfort after the fact. Instead, it's a rolling potential disaster that people are, for an extended period of time, continually trying to avoid.
More fundamental than any communications strategy is the need to communicate correct information. CNN this week counted literally dozens of falsehoods about coronavirus Trump had spread. And that was before his Wednesday night Oval Office address, in which the president got his own policies wrong.
It's not just that misinformation could lead people to downplay or misunderstand how easily they could get the virus (or what to do once they get it); it also can unnecessarily stoke fear, according to one expert.
"If people see a disconnect between what scientists say and what he says, that in itself can create some anxiety," said Emily Gurley, associate scientist who specializes in epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She added that this also applies when announced policies — like the restrictions on European travel — conflict with scientists' recommendations.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
The point of showing that experts are involved in decision-making, Gurley said, is that leaders need to convey not only that they have good information, but that they are willing to change direction when necessary.
"If the situation is changing so rapidly, we need to be really flexible. So I would focus more on process," she said. "That means that you have experts driving decisions about policy, advising on our collective best chance at mitigating impact at any given point in time, given the data that we have."
There's also an important balance for leaders to strike, according to Corinne Hoare, lecturer in crisis communication at American University who worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget during the 2008 financial crisis. She says the challenge is being honest about the seriousness of the situation without stoking panic.
Hoare points to President Trump's attempts to downplay the seriousness of the virus.
"I think he in his own way was trying to calm people down," she said. "But the problem is, when people are very outraged, just telling them that it's going to blow over and it's going to be OK, can actually make them even more outraged."
Candidates striking a careful balance
There's another difficult balance for politicians strike during a pre-election national crisis: how to show they should be elected (or reelected) president without appearing to overly politicize people's very real fears and losses.
While their remarks were about raising awareness, Biden and Sanders are still trying to win votes, with a shared goal of defeating Trump. The two drew contrasts in their speeches but also held off on attacking each other.
Sanders devoted significant time this week, particularly in his Friday speech, to talk about his signature policy of Medicare for All in relation to the coronavirus outbreak. He also pushed for other expansions of the social safety net to deal with the crisis (like providing paid leave and, eventually, a free vaccine).
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Krupa/AP Charles Krupa/AP
Biden seemed to be firmly pivoting to the general election in his coronavirus speech on Thursday. Ahead of it, a campaign official said the goal of the speech was to appear "presidential, not political," and to "offer a view into how Biden will lead in times of crisis as president."
But both men also more strongly sought to contrast themselves with President Trump.
"The administration's failure on testing is colossal, and it's a failure of planning, leadership, and execution," Biden said on Thursday.
Similarly, Sanders took aim at Trump, saying in his Thursday remarks that "the current administration is largely incompetent, and its incompetence and recklessness has threatened the lives of many people."
Meanwhile, Trump's campaign has been working to attack Biden, saying he made "irresponsible remarks" over the swine flu in 2009. As NPR's Brian Naylor reported, that may have been in reference to Biden at the time contradicting official recommendations over the flu.
No matter who wins the election, they will no doubt be dealing with the fallout of this crisis after November.
"I honestly think that, like 9/11, this really just exposed how unprepared we were to the threat of our safety," said Corinne Hoare. "It's really shaken us to the core. And I think our lives will never be the same. I think, you know, how governments entities operate will forever be changed, how we interact with each other."
It's possible, then, that the lasting shock that Americans feel from this outbreak may mean politicians are able to make lasting alterations to the nation's readiness systems. Mustering that political will can otherwise be difficult.
"Anytime you talk about a pandemic, it's complicated, because before a pandemic happens, everything you say sounds alarmist," Leavitt said. "After it occurs, anything you've said or done seems inadequate."


npr--2020-03-14--Australia's Fire-Ravaged Forests Are Recovering. Ecologists Hope It Lasts

In the back corner of a burned lot in Australia 's fire-ravaged South Coast stands a torched tree .
It 's uppermost branches reach into a cloudless sky , brittle and bare .
Against its charred trunk rests half-burned rubble , remains from the gift shop it used to shade .
But that 's not where local resident Claire Polach is pointing .
She gestures to the middle part of the tree , where lime green leaves sprout from blackened bark , as if the tree is wearing a shaggy sweater .
To Polach , the burst of regrowth is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long assault of flame and smoke , the second-hottest summer on record and a multi-year drought , Australia 's nature `` is doing it 's thing . ''
As for people like her , recovering from the same ?
`` We 'll follow the nature , '' she says .
This cycle of fire , rain and recovery has played out in Australia for millennia .
The majority of the country 's forests are uniquely adapted to fire .
Some species need it .
`` Australia is , more than any other , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and historian Stephen Pyne in his book `` World Fire . ''
But scientists have long warned that a warming climate could mean more severe fires , more often .
Now there are concerns that even a fire continent will struggle to recover from the scale and severity of recent events .
New research published in the journal Nature Climate Change found that a staggering 21 percent of Australia 's forested area burned in the 2019-2020 fire season , a figure the authors say is `` globally unprecedented '' and may indicate `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under climate change has arrived earlier than anticipated . ''
The question now is whether Australia 's nature can keep pace .
His eyes on a narrow dirt road in front of him , Colin Brown gestures his head at the walls of burned trees passing on either side of his rumbling fire tanker .
`` Good way to assess how bad the fire was is the scorch marks on the trees , '' he says .
Two trucks ahead of him is a team of ecologists from the Australian National University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage caused by a recent fire .
Brown , a deputy captain with the Rural Fire Service in New South Wales , already has a pretty good idea of it .
He , like tens of thousands of other volunteer firefighters , has spent the last few months chasing flames across eastern Australia 's eucalypt-covered mountains , doing what he could to protect homes , ranches and other people tucked between .
`` It 's always difficult in Australia because the whole climate is drought and fire , '' Brown says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surrounding trees .
`` But what we 're seeing is more intense drought and more intense fires . ''
A recent study by a group of international scientists confirmed what Brown and many others suspected : human-caused climate change contributed to the conditions they saw over the last few months , making them 30 percent more likely .
`` The weather 's just different , '' Brown says .
Outside , the scorch marks now reach the tops of the trees .
The ground below is littered with fallen logs and dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts on a helmet , a caution against any weakened trees that have yet to fall .
The team of ecologists spreads out in the forest .
Some gather around a firefighter who 's showing videos of the blaze on his cellphone .
Michael Doherty , a plant ecologist , walks to the base of a charred tree about 50 yards off the road .
It 's a young brown barrel , he says , `` a eucalypt and it 's showing a flash of epicormic growth after the fires . ''
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cluster of olive green leaves that 's sprouting from the tree 's trunk at about chest height .
It 's a response to damage from the fire , Doherty says , and proof that the tree is n't actually dead .
It 's canopy has been scorched , killing its leaves , but dormant buds were waiting beneath its bark .
These epicormic shoots allow the tree to continue gathering sunlight and photosynthesize , keeping it alive while the canopy recovers .
The burst of regrowth is n't surprising to Doherty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recover after bushfire .
But he says he is encouraged .
`` Notwithstanding climate change , we 're still seeing the ecosystems recover as we might expect they would , '' he says .
Whether they 'll continue to recover , he says , is more uncertain .
A chief concern for ecologists is that as the climate warms and fire conditions become more common , the time between wildfire events will shorten .
This is problematic for species that have evolved to cope with fire on an irregular basis .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fires , this vegetation might not have the break it needs to [ fully ] recover , '' says Marta Yebra , a research fellow from ANU who studies fire severity .
Compounding the problem , as climate change brings hotter temperatures and more erratic precipitation , recovery for some species might take longer than normal .
That could give less dominant species an upper-hand .
Scientists have already documented this happening in the Western U.S. Patches of California 's Sierra Nevada forests are morphing from mixed conifer to shrub fields .
Ecologists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Greater Yellowstone Area could become more permanent grassland .
Research in Australia has found that shrub growth after severe fires can promote further fire , creating the potential for a runaway effect .
`` Far from seeing ecosystem collapse , I think we could see ecosystem change , '' Doherty says .
`` And that change may or may not be desirable from a human point of view . ''
Desirable in that a forest will still exist .
Not desirable in that some of the species humans love may not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ icon : the koala .
A recent report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare , a global conservation group , estimated that nearly 4,000 koalas were killed in New South Wales in the recent fires .
The report says that should be viewed as a low estimate because it only accounts for part of the fire season , and does n't take into consideration longer-term impacts like the loss of habitat and food .
Koalas are slow-moving marsupials that live in trees , which makes them particularly at risk of bushfire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape flames , and they 're limited in their ability to relocate after a fire to more suitable habitat .
At a makeshift rescue facility at the Australian National University , biologists from the university are taking care of koalas that were rescued from the fires - some before the flames reached them , others after .
Those that have been brought in after the fires `` are just skin and bone , '' says Dr. Kara Youngentob , whose helping care for the rescued koalas .
In one cage , a male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands in his lap .
The koala has been named Paul , after one of the American firefighters who died while assisting in the past season 's fires .
The skin on its hands is still pink .
Bandages were removed just a few days before .
The goal is to rehabilitate Paul and the other koalas at this facility until they 're ready to be reintroduced into the surrounding bush , a task made more difficult by the scale of the fires .
Already , koalas and many of Australia 's other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of human threats : vehicles , habitat loss , invasive species and disease .
The Australian government recently released a report identifying 113 animal species that are in need of `` urgent help . ''
Human-caused climate change is just the latest blow .
Ecologists have known for a long time that a warming climate would mean significant changes for ecosystems and people , Youngentob says .
`` The question was just a matter of what the scale was going to be . ''
She pauses , as a baby koala clings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think we 're seeing what that scale can be , '' she says .
`` And much faster than we thought we would . ''

Australia's Fire-Ravaged Forests Are Recovering. Ecologists Hope It Lasts
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nathan Rott/NPR Nathan Rott/NPR
Updated on March 17 at 9:02 p.m. ET
In the back corner of a burned lot in Australia's fire-ravaged South Coast stands a torched tree. It's uppermost branches reach into a cloudless sky, brittle and bare. Against its charred trunk rests half-burned rubble, remains from the gift shop it used to shade.
But that's not where local resident Claire Polach is pointing. She gestures to the middle part of the tree, where lime green leaves sprout from blackened bark, as if the tree is wearing a shaggy sweater.
To Polach, the burst of regrowth is a sign that despite a months' long assault of flame and smoke, the second-hottest summer on record and a multi-year drought, Australia's nature "is doing it's thing."
As for people like her, recovering from the same? "We'll follow the nature," she says.
toggle caption Nathan Rott/NPR
This cycle of fire, rain and recovery has played out in Australia for millennia. The majority of the country's forests are uniquely adapted to fire. Some species need it. "Australia is, more than any other, a fire continent," writes ecologist and historian Stephen Pyne in his book "World Fire."
But scientists have long warned that a warming climate could mean more severe fires, more often. Now there are concerns that even a fire continent will struggle to recover from the scale and severity of recent events.
New research published in the journal Nature Climate Change found that a staggering 21 percent of Australia's forested area burned in the 2019-2020 fire season, a figure the authors say is "globally unprecedented" and may indicate "the more flammable future projected to eventuate under climate change has arrived earlier than anticipated."
The question now is whether Australia's nature can keep pace.
toggle caption Nathan Rott/NPR
Recovering for now
His eyes on a narrow dirt road in front of him, Colin Brown gestures his head at the walls of burned trees passing on either side of his rumbling fire tanker.
"Good way to assess how bad the fire was is the scorch marks on the trees," he says. Two trucks ahead of him is a team of ecologists from the Australian National University, here in Tallaganda National Park to survey the damage caused by a recent fire.
Brown, a deputy captain with the Rural Fire Service in New South Wales, already has a pretty good idea of it. He, like tens of thousands of other volunteer firefighters, has spent the last few months chasing flames across eastern Australia's eucalypt-covered mountains, doing what he could to protect homes, ranches and other people tucked between.
"It's always difficult in Australia because the whole climate is drought and fire," Brown says, as the torch marks climb higher in the surrounding trees. "But what we're seeing is more intense drought and more intense fires."
toggle caption Nathan Rott/NPR
A recent study by a group of international scientists confirmed what Brown and many others suspected: human-caused climate change contributed to the conditions they saw over the last few months, making them 30 percent more likely. "The weather's just different," Brown says.
Outside, the scorch marks now reach the tops of the trees. The ground below is littered with fallen logs and dead leaves. Brown stops the engine and puts on a helmet, a caution against any weakened trees that have yet to fall.
The team of ecologists spreads out in the forest. Some gather around a firefighter who's showing videos of the blaze on his cellphone.
Michael Doherty, a plant ecologist, walks to the base of a charred tree about 50 yards off the road. It's a young brown barrel, he says, "a eucalypt and it's showing a flash of epicormic growth after the fires."
toggle caption Nathan Rott/NPR
His fingers run through that epicormic growth — a cluster of olive green leaves that's sprouting from the tree's trunk at about chest height. It's a response to damage from the fire, Doherty says, and proof that the tree isn't actually dead.
It's canopy has been scorched, killing its leaves, but dormant buds were waiting beneath its bark. These epicormic shoots allow the tree to continue gathering sunlight and photosynthesize, keeping it alive while the canopy recovers.
The burst of regrowth isn't surprising to Doherty, whose research focuses on forests' ability to recover after bushfire. But he says he is encouraged.
"Notwithstanding climate change, we're still seeing the ecosystems recover as we might expect they would," he says.
Whether they'll continue to recover, he says, is more uncertain.
A different landscape
A chief concern for ecologists is that as the climate warms and fire conditions become more common, the time between wildfire events will shorten. This is problematic for species that have evolved to cope with fire on an irregular basis.
"If we get more and more frequent fires, this vegetation might not have the break it needs to [fully] recover," says Marta Yebra, a research fellow from ANU who studies fire severity.
Compounding the problem, as climate change brings hotter temperatures and more erratic precipitation, recovery for some species might take longer than normal. That could give less dominant species an upper-hand.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nathan Rott/NPR Nathan Rott/NPR
Scientists have already documented this happening in the Western U.S.
Patches of California's Sierra Nevada forests are morphing from mixed conifer to shrub fields. Ecologists say the lodgepole pine forests that dominate the Greater Yellowstone Area could become more permanent grassland.
Research in Australia has found that shrub growth after severe fires can promote further fire, creating the potential for a runaway effect.
"Far from seeing ecosystem collapse, I think we could see ecosystem change," Doherty says. "And that change may or may not be desirable from a human point of view."
Desirable in that a forest will still exist. Not desirable in that some of the species humans love may not.
Skin and bone
One of those species is an Australian icon: the koala.
A recent report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a global conservation group, estimated that at least 4,000 koalas — and as many as 5,000 — were killed in New South Wales in the recent fires. The report considers longer-term impacts like the loss of habitat and food.
toggle caption Nathan Rott/NPR
Koalas are slow-moving marsupials that live in trees, which makes them particularly at risk of bushfire. They're limited in their ability to escape flames, and they're limited in their ability to relocate after a fire to more suitable habitat.
At a makeshift rescue facility at the Australian National University, biologists from the university are taking care of koalas that were rescued from the fires - some before the flames reached them, others after.
Those that have been brought in after the fires "are just skin and bone," says Dr. Kara Youngentob, whose helping care for the rescued koalas.
Others were burned.
In one cage, a male koala sits on the ground cradling his hands in his lap. The koala has been named Paul, after one of the American firefighters who died while assisting in the past season's fires. The skin on its hands is still pink. Bandages were removed just a few days before.
The goal is to rehabilitate Paul and the other koalas at this facility until they're ready to be reintroduced into the surrounding bush, a task made more difficult by the scale of the fires.
toggle caption Nathan Rott/NPR
Already, koalas and many of Australia's other endemic species have dealt with a multitude of human threats: vehicles, habitat loss, invasive species and disease. The Australian government recently released a report identifying 113 animal species that are in need of "urgent help."
Human-caused climate change is just the latest blow.
Ecologists have known for a long time that a warming climate would mean significant changes for ecosystems and people, Youngentob says. "The question was just a matter of what the scale was going to be."
She pauses, as a baby koala clings to an adopted parent in a nearby cage.
"I think we're seeing what that scale can be," she says. "And much faster than we thought we would."


npr--2020-03-14--Barbara C. Harris, First Female Bishop In Anglican Communion, Dies At 89

Barbara C. Harris , First Female Bishop In Anglican Communion , Dies At 89 Barbara C. Harris , the first woman to be ordained a bishop in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion , died Friday in Massachusetts .
She was 89 .
She was elected as a suffragan , or assistant , bishop in September 1988 .
On Feb. 11 , 1989 , Harris was consecrated as a bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts .
Her rise to bishop broke centuries of precedent for tens of millions of Christians in the Anglican Communion , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Standing at only about 5 feet , she was `` a giant in a tiny package , '' said Gene Robinson , a friend and colleague .
`` She did more to convince girls and women that they could do anything they set their mind to , she affected the lives of so many people she never met . ''
Harris was born on June 12 , 1930 .
She grew up in Philadelphia , where the Episcopal Church was a part of her family 's life .
She was active in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts , traveling to register black voters in Mississippi and taking part in the march from Selma , Ala. to Montgomery , Ala. in 1965 .
She came to her prominent place in the church late in life , after spending decades in public relations , working for both the black-owned Joseph V. Baker Associates PR firm and later for the oil firm Sun Company .
Harris was ordained as a deacon in 1979 and the next year as priest at age 50 in the Diocese of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the position of bishop in 1989 , becoming not only the first woman but the first African American woman , it was `` a huge step , '' Robinson said .
`` The ground moves when you do something like that . ''
Harris faced vitriol in taking on the new role .
Robinson recalled an incident when Harris showed him bunches of hate mail she received when she was elected bishop .
Robinson , who himself made history in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That was the source of her overcoming all of the nastiness that came her way . ''
Harris was known as a gifted storyteller who spoke out against racism , sexism and homophobia during her time in the church .
`` God has no favorites , '' she said in a 2009 sermon , the Massachusetts diocese recounted .
`` So to you , gay man , lesbian woman ; you , bisexual person ; you , transgender man or woman ; you , straight person ; all of us , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our baptism and our baptismal covenant , the only covenant we need to remain faithful . ''
Harris served for 13 years as the suffragan bishop in Massachusetts until she retired in 2002 .
From 2003 to 2007 , she was an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Washington in Washington , D.C. She continued to volunteer and preach in Boston after retirement , and made time to co-author a 2018 memoir , Hallelujah , Anyhow !
In announcing Harris ' death , the Rt .
Rev .
Alan M. Gates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' `` hearts are truly heavy at the loss of one who has been a faithful and altogether irrepressible companion , pastor and inspiration to us in the Diocese of Massachusetts for 31 years .
At the same time our hearts are truly buoyed by the hope which she preached and the conviction she embodied for us throughout all these years . ''

Barbara C. Harris, First Female Bishop In Anglican Communion, Dies At 89
Enlarge this image toggle caption Peter Southwick/AP Peter Southwick/AP
Barbara C. Harris, the first woman to be ordained a bishop in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion, died Friday in Massachusetts. She was 89.
She was elected as a suffragan, or assistant, bishop in September 1988. On Feb. 11, 1989, Harris was consecrated as a bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
Her rise to bishop broke centuries of precedent for tens of millions of Christians in the Anglican Communion, which has members in more than 165 countries.
Standing at only about 5 feet, she was "a giant in a tiny package," said Gene Robinson, a friend and colleague. "She did more to convince girls and women that they could do anything they set their mind to, she affected the lives of so many people she never met."
Harris was born on June 12, 1930. She grew up in Philadelphia, where the Episcopal Church was a part of her family's life. She was active in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, traveling to register black voters in Mississippi and taking part in the march from Selma, Ala. to Montgomery, Ala. in 1965.
She came to her prominent place in the church late in life, after spending decades in public relations, working for both the black-owned Joseph V. Baker Associates PR firm and later for the oil firm Sun Company.
Harris was ordained as a deacon in 1979 and the next year as priest at age 50 in the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
When she was elevated to the position of bishop in 1989, becoming not only the first woman but the first African American woman, it was "a huge step," Robinson said. "The ground moves when you do something like that."
Harris faced vitriol in taking on the new role. Robinson recalled an incident when Harris showed him bunches of hate mail she received when she was elected bishop.
Robinson, who himself made history in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, said Harris "was always joyful."
"That was the source of her overcoming all of the nastiness that came her way."
Harris was known as a gifted storyteller who spoke out against racism, sexism and homophobia during her time in the church.
"God has no favorites," she said in a 2009 sermon, the Massachusetts diocese recounted. "So to you, gay man, lesbian woman; you, bisexual person; you, transgender man or woman; you, straight person; all of us, the baptized: Let us honor the sacrament of our baptism and our baptismal covenant, the only covenant we need to remain faithful."
Harris served for 13 years as the suffragan bishop in Massachusetts until she retired in 2002. From 2003 to 2007, she was an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Washington in Washington, D.C. She continued to volunteer and preach in Boston after retirement, and made time to co-author a 2018 memoir, Hallelujah, Anyhow!
In announcing Harris' death, the Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates of the Diocese of Massachusetts said that members' "hearts are truly heavy at the loss of one who has been a faithful and altogether irrepressible companion, pastor and inspiration to us in the Diocese of Massachusetts for 31 years. At the same time our hearts are truly buoyed by the hope which she preached and the conviction she embodied for us throughout all these years."


npr--2020-03-14--Grocery Stores Start To Cut Hours As Coronavirus Prompts Surge In Panic-Buying

Grocery Stores Start To Cut Hours As Coronavirus Prompts Surge In Panic-Buying With jittery shoppers flocking to supermarkets to stock up on supplies for the coronavirus outbreak , some of the country 's largest grocery chains are announcing measures to enhance sanitation and maintain supplies .
Across the country , hand sanitizer , toilet paper , sanitation wipes and canned goods have been flying off shelves as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to climb .
With panic-buying gripping shoppers , Walmart , the nation 's largest retailer by sales , announced this week that it has given store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quantities on items that are in unusually high demand . ''
Target says it 's cleaning surfaces like checklanes and touchscreens at least every 30 minutes .
It is also placing limits on products like hand sanitizer , toilet paper , disinfectant wipes and bottled water .
Albertsons Companies , the owner of such chains as Safeway , Shaws and Star Market , says it too will be imposing quantity limits on high-demand items like hand sanitizers and household cleaners .
Wegmans , which operates in seven states , posted a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaners , bath tissue and packaged bread and rolls .
Walgreens has announced similar policies .
Chains have also begun rolling out new hours of operation in order to clean stores and restock supply .
Whole Foods says it will modify hours and conduct `` additional deep cleanings throughout the day . ''
It is increasing the number of hand sanitizer stations and suspending its usual array of food samplings .
Walgreens says it too will be suspending food and drink sampling , and the chain says it will offer free delivery for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will not keep stores open past midnight .
Publix , which has more than 1,200 stores across Florida and parts of the South , says it will be closing at 8 p.m. to give employees time to sanitize shelves and restock supplies .
Harris Teeter , a chain in the southeast , tweeted that starting Sunday , it will be closing stores at 9 p.m. each night in order to `` focus on cleaning , replenishment , and the well-being of our valued associates . ''
Walmart says it too is considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities to allow for additional cleaning . ''
Meanwhile , to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading in their stores , some chains are encouraging customers to skip the grocery aisles altogether .
Instead , they 're suggesting in-store pickup or home delivery .

Grocery Stores Start To Cut Hours As Coronavirus Prompts Surge In Panic-Buying
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ben Margot/AP Ben Margot/AP
With jittery shoppers flocking to supermarkets to stock up on supplies for the coronavirus outbreak, some of the country's largest grocery chains are announcing measures to enhance sanitation and maintain supplies.
Across the U.S., hand sanitizer, toilet paper, sanitation wipes and canned goods have been flying off shelves as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to climb.
With panic-buying gripping shoppers, Walmart, the nation's largest retailer by sales, announced this week that it has given store managers the "discretion to limit sales quantities on items that are in unusually high demand."
Target says it's cleaning surfaces such as checkout lanes and touch screens at least every 30 minutes. It is also placing sales limits on products like hand sanitizer, toilet paper, disinfectant wipes and bottled water.
Albertsons Companies, the owner of such chains as Safeway, Shaw's and Star Market, says it too will be imposing quantity limits on high-demand items like hand sanitizer and household cleaners.
Wegmans, which operates in seven states, posted a list of limited-purchase items, including diapers, household cleaners, bath tissue and packaged bread and rolls. Walgreens has announced similar policies.
Chains have also begun rolling out new hours of operation in order to clean stores and restock supply.
Whole Foods says it will modify hours and conduct "additional deep cleanings throughout the day." It is increasing its number of hand sanitizer stations and suspending its usual array of food samplings.
Walgreens says it too will be suspending food and drink sampling, and the chain says it will offer free delivery for purchases on its website.
Wegmans says it will not keep stores open past midnight. Publix, which has more than 1,200 stores across Florida and parts of the South, says it will be closing at 8 p.m. to give employees time to sanitize shelves and restock supplies.
Harris Teeter, a chain in the southeast, tweeted that starting Sunday, it will be closing stores at 9 p.m. each night in order to "focus on cleaning, replenishment, and the well-being of our valued associates."
Walmart says it too is considering changing the "hours at some 24-hour facilities to allow for additional cleaning."
Meanwhile, to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading in their stores, some chains are encouraging customers to skip the grocery aisles altogether. Instead, they're suggesting in-store pickup or home delivery.