npr--2020-04-03--Trump Says Hospitals Will Be Reimbursed For Treating The Uninsured

Trump Says Hospitals Will Be Reimbursed For Treating The Uninsured Just days after the White House coronavirus task force warned Americans to brace for sobering death tolls , the administration is vowing to reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured patients infected with the coronavirus .
Speaking to reporters Friday evening , President Trump said the reimbursement will come using funds from the economic relief package Congress passed last month .
`` This should alleviate any concern uninsured Americans may have about seeking the coronavirus treatment , '' Trump said .
Trump also announced that the health insurance system Blue Cross Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients for treatment of the virus over the next 60 days , similar to the commitments of Cigna and Humana .
`` For them to do that , is a big statement , '' Trump said .
Trump also said he 's invoking the Defense Production Act to prohibit the exporting of critical medical supplies by `` unscrupulous actors and profiteers . ''
The president referenced an operation earlier this week by the Department of Justice 's COVID-19 hoarding and price gauging task force , which took custody of nearly 200,000 N-95 respirator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with hand sanitizers and spray disinfectant .
The materials were distributed to health care workers in New York and New Jersey .
The owner of the hoarded stash was paid fair market value ( pre-pandemic ) by the Department of Health and Human Services .
Trump also announced that the Department of Defense is providing about 8.1 million N95 respirators , saying 200,000 of them have already been given to New York City .
Trump said he anticipates that number will increase .
After reports of changed mask guidelines circulated this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines Friday .
Trump said in light of the fact that individuals can transmit the virus without presenting any symptoms has led the CDC to advise using non-medical cloth face coverings as an additional voluntary public health measure .
The president stressed repeatedly that it 's voluntary .
`` With the masks , it 's going to be really a voluntary thing .
You can do it .
You do n't have to do it , '' Trump said .
`` I 'm choosing not to do it , but some people may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's OK .
It may be good . ''
Trump said such coverings can be purchased online or made at home and can be easily washed and reused .
He emphasized that the CDC is not recommending using surgical grade masks as those need to be reserved for health care workers and that social distancing guidelines are still in place .
Direct payments slated to come in two weeks During Thursday 's briefing at the White House , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said his department is working to ensure that eligible taxpayers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , one week earlier than originally promised .
`` We 're delivering on our commitments , '' Mnuchin said .
`` The IRS , which I oversee , within two weeks , the first money will be in people 's accounts . ''
Mnuchin dismissed reports that some relief payments — especially to people who ca n't accept direct deposits and require paper checks — may take up to 20 weeks to reach some Americans .
`` If we do n't have your information , you 'll have a simple Web portal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin said .
`` If we do n't have that , we 'll send you checks in the mail . ''
Mnuchin was joined by Jovita Carranza , head of the Small Business Administration , who said her team is working around the clock to prioritize getting emergency capital for small businesses suffering as a result of the coronavirus .
`` I want to ensure that small businesses all over the country know about the Paycheck Protection Program and how they can benefit from this , '' Carranza said .
`` Simply put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help keep employees on payroll and small businesses open .
SBA will forgive the portion of the loan that is used toward job retention and certain other expenses . ''
Efforts to mitigate the economic toll of shutting down the country comes as the U.S. suffered a net loss of jobs for the first time in nearly a decade .
Ten million people filed for unemployment in the last two weeks alone .
President Trump , Vice President Pence and other coronavirus task force members also emphasized the work being done to distribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks .

Trump Says Hospitals Will Be Reimbursed For Treating The Uninsured
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Updated at 7:57 p.m. ET
Just days after the White House coronavirus task force warned Americans to brace for sobering death tolls, the administration is vowing to reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured patients infected with the coronavirus.
Speaking to reporters Friday evening, President Trump said the reimbursement will come using funds from the economic relief package Congress passed last month.
"This should alleviate any concern uninsured Americans may have about seeking the coronavirus treatment," Trump said.
Trump also announced that the health insurance system Blue Cross Blue Shield will not require any co-pays from patients for treatment of the virus over the next 60 days, similar to the commitments of Cigna and Humana.
"For them to do that, is a big statement," Trump said.
Using defense production act
Trump also said he's invoking the Defense Production Act to prohibit the exporting of critical medical supplies by "unscrupulous actors and profiteers."
The president referenced an operation earlier this week by the Department of Justice's COVID-19 hoarding and price gauging task force, which took custody of nearly 200,000 N-95 respirator masks and 600,000 medical grade gloves, along with hand sanitizers and spray disinfectant. The materials were distributed to health care workers in New York and New Jersey.
The owner of the hoarded stash was paid fair market value (pre-pandemic) by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Trump also announced that the Department of Defense is providing about 8.1 million N95 respirators, saying 200,000 of them have already been given to New York City.
Trump said he anticipates that number will increase.
New guidance on wearing masks
After reports of changed mask guidelines circulated this week, Trump announced a change to those guidelines Friday.
Trump said in light of the fact that individuals can transmit the virus without presenting any symptoms has led the CDC to advise using non-medical cloth face coverings as an additional voluntary public health measure.
The president stressed repeatedly that it's voluntary.
"With the masks, it's going to be really a voluntary thing. You can do it. You don't have to do it," Trump said. "I'm choosing not to do it, but some people may want to do it. And that's OK. It may be good."
Trump said such coverings can be purchased online or made at home and can be easily washed and reused.
He emphasized that the CDC is not recommending using surgical grade masks as those need to be reserved for health care workers and that social distancing guidelines are still in place.
Supplies
Vice President Pence told reporters a flight arrived from China today in Columbus, Ohio, with medical supplies.
"We continue to work each and every day watching the data about cases to ensure that in particular, not just the personal protective equipment is available for the health care workers that are on the front lines, but also that ventilators are available," Pence said.
When asked why the country wasn't in a better state of preparedness in terms of supplies, the president blamed the previous administration for the shortages of medical equipment.
"The shelves were empty," Trump said.
Trump went on to say the administration is "doing our best" to provide New York with the ventilators they need.
"We've worked very well with the governor. We happen to think he's well-served with ventilators," Trump said. "We're going to find out. But we have other states to take care of."
Trump wants bodies in voting booths come November
When asked whether states should be prepared for all-mail voting come November, Trump passionately declared no.
"The general election will happen on November 3," Trump said.
Trump said he thinks a lot of people "cheat" with mail-in voting and voiced strong support for voter identification.
"It shouldn't be mail-in voting. It should be — you go to a booth and you proudly display yourself," he said. "You don't send it in the mail, where people pick up, all sort of bad things can happen by the time they signed that, if they signed that, by the time it gets in and is tabulated," he said.
Meeting with energy industry leaders
Crude oil prices have plummeted as a result of the country's lockdown, with gas prices averaging just under $2 a gallon. The drop in demand is coupled with an increasing supply due to a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Trump met with energy executives Friday afternoon and told reporters they "did discuss the concept of tariffs."
When asked if industry leaders asked him for a bailout, Trump said it was more of a "discussion" than an ask.
"We did discuss the concept of tariffs because, as you know, this was a dispute among a couple of countries that I think they want to be able to get it solved. And they had a dispute. They had a competition, but they want to get it resolved," Trump said, referring to Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Trump said while he believed he could use tariffs as a tool, he ultimately thinks the market will resolve it.
Direct payments slated to come in two weeks
During Thursday's briefing at the White House, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said his department is working to ensure that eligible taxpayers will receive their first direct payments within two weeks, one week earlier than originally promised.
"We're delivering on our commitments," Mnuchin said. "The IRS, which I oversee, within two weeks, the first money will be in people's accounts."
Mnuchin dismissed reports that some relief payments — especially to people who can't accept direct deposits and require paper checks — may take up to 20 weeks to reach some Americans.
"If we don't have your information, you'll have a simple Web portal; you'll upload it," Mnuchin said. "If we don't have that, we'll send you checks in the mail."
Mnuchin was joined by Jovita Carranza, head of the Small Business Administration, who said her team is working around the clock to prioritize getting emergency capital for small businesses suffering as a result of the coronavirus.
"I want to ensure that small businesses all over the country know about the Paycheck Protection Program and how they can benefit from this," Carranza said. "Simply put, the Paycheck Protection Program is to help keep employees on payroll and small businesses open. SBA will forgive the portion of the loan that is used toward job retention and certain other expenses."
Efforts to mitigate the economic toll of shutting down the country comes as the U.S. suffered a net loss of jobs for the first time in nearly a decade. Ten million people filed for unemployment in the last two weeks alone.
President Trump, Vice President Pence and other coronavirus task force members also emphasized the work being done to distribute supplies to hospitals, including ventilators and masks.


npr--2020-04-03--'Take This Serious': Bus Driver Dies Of COVID-19 After Calling Out Coughing Rider

'Take This Serious ' : Bus Driver Dies Of COVID-19 After Calling Out Coughing Rider Jason Hargrove was behind the wheel of a bus in Detroit when he said a passenger began to cough .
The middle-aged woman let loose four or five times without covering her mouth , he said , and watching her do this — at the same time Michigan was under a state of emergency for the coronavirus — got him so upset , he felt compelled to vent his frustrations in a video afterward .
`` I 'm mad right about now because that s*** @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the professional that they want me to be , and I kept my mouth closed , '' he said , voice breaking with emotion .
`` I kept my mouth closed , but it 's at some point in time we 've got to draw the line and say enough is enough . ''
Now , nearly two weeks after he recorded the video , which viewers shared widely on Facebook Live , Hargrove himself has died of COVID-19 .
The Amalgamated Transit Union confirmed his death in a tweet posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` should touch everybody in the city of Detroit , should touch everybody in the country , '' the city 's mayor , Mike Duggan , said at news conference Thursday , noting that Hargrove `` knew the risks , was vocal about the risks , he went to work anyway . ''
`` Some of his language is graphic , but I do n't know how you can watch it and not tear up .
He knew his life was being put in jeopardy — even though he was going to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — by somebody who just did n't care , who did n't take this seriously , '' the mayor added .
`` And now he 's gone . ''
Just days before Hargrove posted his video , bus drivers in Detroit refused to work , saying the city 's authorities were not doing enough to protect their health .
The walkout , which ground Detroit 's public bus service to a halt , quickly prompted a spate of measures to keep drivers healthy amid the pandemic , including gloves for drivers and boarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the danger has persisted — partly because of riders like the one Hargrove described in his video , half a week after the work stoppage , `` who do n't take s*** for real while this s*** is still existing and still spreading . ''
`` I feel violated .
I feel violated for the folks that was on the bus when this happened , '' he said , adding : `` To those who are watching , this — this is real .
And y'all need to take this serious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that so far , eight Detroit Department of Transportation workers have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Glenn Tolbert , who heads Hargrove 's transit union local , told the Detroit Free Press that drivers across the city are `` obviously scared '' and seeking further protection from city authorities .
Tolbert told the paper that he has tested positive for the virus , as well .
`` Every time I see images of a group of people still clustering in this city or this country , '' Duggan said Thursday , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the buses , I think about the cops , I think about the nurses and the doctors in the hospitals who are going to work for you every single day .
And for you not to honor the social distancing requests , you 're putting really good people like Jason Hargrove 's lives on the line . ''

'Take This Serious': Bus Driver Dies Of COVID-19 After Calling Out Coughing Rider
Jason Hargrove was behind the wheel of a bus in Detroit when he said a passenger began to cough. The middle-aged woman let loose four or five times without covering her mouth, he said, and watching her do this — at the same time Michigan was under a state of emergency for the coronavirus — got him so upset, he felt compelled to vent his frustrations in a video afterward.
"I'm mad right about now because that s*** was uncalled for. I'm trying to be the professional that they want me to be, and I kept my mouth closed," he said, voice breaking with emotion. "I kept my mouth closed, but it's at some point in time we've got to draw the line and say enough is enough."
Now, nearly two weeks after he recorded the video, which viewers shared widely on Facebook Live, Hargrove himself has died of COVID-19. The Amalgamated Transit Union confirmed his death in a tweet posted Thursday.
The bus driver's death "should touch everybody in the city of Detroit, should touch everybody in the country," the city's mayor, Mike Duggan, said at news conference Thursday, noting that Hargrove "knew the risks, was vocal about the risks, he went to work anyway."
Duggan urged people to watch the video.
"Some of his language is graphic, but I don't know how you can watch it and not tear up. He knew his life was being put in jeopardy — even though he was going to work for the citizens of Detroit every day — by somebody who just didn't care, who didn't take this seriously," the mayor added. "And now he's gone."
Just days before Hargrove posted his video, bus drivers in Detroit refused to work, saying the city's authorities were not doing enough to protect their health. The walkout, which ground Detroit's public bus service to a halt, quickly prompted a spate of measures to keep drivers healthy amid the pandemic, including gloves for drivers and boarding at the back of buses.
Nevertheless, the danger has persisted — partly because of riders like the one Hargrove described in his video, half a week after the work stoppage, "who don't take s*** for real while this s*** is still existing and still spreading."
"I feel violated. I feel violated for the folks that was on the bus when this happened," he said, adding: "To those who are watching, this — this is real. And y'all need to take this serious."
Duggan said at his briefing Thursday that so far, eight Detroit Department of Transportation workers have tested positive for the coronavirus. Glenn Tolbert, who heads Hargrove's transit union local, told the Detroit Free Press that drivers across the city are "obviously scared" and seeking further protection from city authorities.
Tolbert told the paper that he has tested positive for the virus, as well.
"Every time I see images of a group of people still clustering in this city or this country," Duggan said Thursday, "I think about the Jason Hargroves on the buses, I think about the cops, I think about the nurses and the doctors in the hospitals who are going to work for you every single day. And for you not to honor the social distancing requests, you're putting really good people like Jason Hargrove's lives on the line."


npr--2020-04-03--N.J. Governor Wants More Ventilators From Stockpile: 'We Need The Feds To Step Up'

N.J .
Governor Wants More Ventilators From Stockpile : 'We Need The Feds To Step Up' With cases of COVID-19 surging and medical supplies rapidly dwindling , New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy is calling on federal officials to scale up aid efforts for the state , saying , `` It feels like we entered this war , and it is a war , with less ammunition than we needed . ''
New Jersey has reported more than 25,500 cases of the coronavirus and more than 500 deaths — second only to New York .
The crush of cases pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by granting the state police the authority to commandeer medical supplies and equipment from private companies .
`` We ca n't take any chances , '' Murphy said Friday in an interview with NPR .
`` We 've got some out of the federal stockpile in terms of ventilators and personal protective equipment , but not nearly as much as we need . ''
Murphy , a Democrat , said he has asked for 2,500 ventilators from the government 's emergency stockpile , and has so far received 850 .
At least 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the level they needed to be , so we 're going to continue to need to rely on the federal stockpile . ''
His calls for federal assistance echo those of other governors across the nation .
On Thursday , however , White House senior adviser Jared Kushner appeared to tamp down expectations for how much aid states can expect to get from the stockpile in remarks that have quickly drawn criticism .
`` The notion of the federal stockpile is that it 's supposed to be our stockpile .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they then use , '' Kushner said .
`` When you have governors saying that the federal government has n't given them what they need , '' he continued , `` I would encourage you to ask them , have you looked within your state to make sure you have n't been able to find the resources ? ''
Asked to respond , Murphy said New Jersey is out of reliable sources for ventilators .
`` We 'll continue to try to find other sources as we scour the globe for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step up and continue to step up , '' he said .
In addition to ventilators , Murphy said the state has put out a call for medical volunteers , and is running low on hospital beds and personal protective equipment for health care workers .
The governor said more than 7,000 people have since volunteered to help address the need for manpower , but securing additional protective equipment may take longer .
At a White House briefing on Wednesday , President Trump acknowledged the stockpile is nearly depleted of such gear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're going to have to do a massive national postmortem on this , '' Murphy said about the federal response .
He said the state is grateful for the assistance it 's received from the government , but `` we need a lot more and that continues to be the case . ''
You can listen to Phil Murphy 's full interview with Morning Edition host Rachel Martin here .

N.J. Governor Wants More Ventilators From Stockpile: 'We Need The Feds To Step Up'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Seth Wenig/AP Seth Wenig/AP
With cases of COVID-19 surging and medical supplies rapidly dwindling, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is calling on federal officials to scale up aid efforts for the state, saying, "It feels like we entered this war, and it is a war, with less ammunition than we needed."
New Jersey has reported more than 25,500 cases of the coronavirus and more than 500 deaths — second only to New York. The crush of cases pushed Murphy to take dramatic action on Thursday by granting the state police the authority to commandeer medical supplies and equipment from private companies.
"We can't take any chances," Murphy said Friday in an interview with NPR. "We've got some out of the federal stockpile in terms of ventilators and personal protective equipment, but not nearly as much as we need."
Murphy, a Democrat, said he has asked for 2,500 ventilators from the government's emergency stockpile, and has so far received 850. At least 15, he said, "were not at the level they needed to be, so we're going to continue to need to rely on the federal stockpile."
His calls for federal assistance echo those of other governors across the nation. On Thursday, however, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner appeared to tamp down expectations for how much aid states can expect to get from the stockpile in remarks that have quickly drawn criticism.
"The notion of the federal stockpile is that it's supposed to be our stockpile. It's not supposed to be states' stockpiles that they then use," Kushner said. "When you have governors saying that the federal government hasn't given them what they need," he continued, "I would encourage you to ask them, have you looked within your state to make sure you haven't been able to find the resources?"
Asked to respond, Murphy said New Jersey is out of reliable sources for ventilators. "We'll continue to try to find other sources as we scour the globe for that, but we need the feds to step up and continue to step up," he said.
In addition to ventilators, Murphy said the state has put out a call for medical volunteers, and is running low on hospital beds and personal protective equipment for health care workers.
The governor said more than 7,000 people have since volunteered to help address the need for manpower, but securing additional protective equipment may take longer. At a White House briefing on Wednesday, President Trump acknowledged the stockpile is nearly depleted of such gear.
"It certainly does however feel like we're going to have to do a massive national postmortem on this," Murphy said about the federal response. He said the state is grateful for the assistance it's received from the government, but "we need a lot more and that continues to be the case."
You can listen to Phil Murphy's full interview with Morning Edition host Rachel Martin here.


npr--2020-04-04--'We'll Get Through This': Living In New York City During The Coronavirus Pandemic

'We 'll Get Through This ' : Living In New York City During The Coronavirus Pandemic Brooklyn 's Prospect Park looks normal .
It 's just after 8 a.m. Joggers are running the loop singing to themselves .
Cyclists are whizzing by and dog owners are ignoring their pets , staring at their phones .
But Holly Williams says life does n't feel normal — she 's lonely .
`` I have seen people in person , but it 's not the same , you know , as like going over to a friend 's house and watching a movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of cases of those infected with the Coronavirus had reached about one million globally by April 3 .
And , New York City is at the center of the pandemic with more than 50,000 cases as of Friday .
So , like many others , Williams is social distancing .
For the past four weeks she says her only regular company has been her dog – Bayla .
Williams has been sitting on the stoop with a friend , but at a careful distance .
Just like I 'm interviewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plastic gloves .
My mic extended on a long pole .
It is not the same .
Nearby , walking down a path , Maddy Fox says she 's made some adjustments too .
`` We actually have n't gone outside in many days . ''
Fox says she 's scared .
She does n't want her kids – 5-year-old Anya or 8-year-old Max to get sick .
But on a recent morning the family was at its wit 's end .
That 's why they 're at the park early — before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different now .
The kids ' grandparents live downstairs but they 're not allowed to see them .
They 're too worried about making their grandparents sick .
Even Anya knows life is different .
`` We have to be careful about people , '' she says .
A couple blocks away , the barbershop , Chinese takeout place and the bar on the corner are all closed .
But the laundromat is open .
Anthony Laccona owns the place with his dad — a gentleman of a certain age .
When I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do is ask if his dad is still coming to work .
Because this is my laundromat , and my neighborhood .
Laccona says his dad is fine .
`` Listen , life goes on , '' Laccona says .
`` Just be friendly to everybody , you know , keep it distant of course , but we 'll get through this , one way or another . ''
The local movie theater closed weeks ago .
Where you used to see movie titles , now on the marquis , all black block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the other side . ''

'We'll Get Through This': Living In New York City During The Coronavirus Pandemic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gabriela Bhaskar/Bloomberg via Getty Images Gabriela Bhaskar/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Brooklyn's Prospect Park looks normal. It's just after 8 a.m. Joggers are running the loop singing to themselves. Cyclists are whizzing by and dog owners are ignoring their pets, staring at their phones. But Holly Williams says life doesn't feel normal — she's lonely.
"I have seen people in person, but it's not the same, you know, as like going over to a friend's house and watching a movie or having dinner," Williams says.
The number of cases of those infected with the Coronavirus had reached about one million globally by April 3. And, New York City is at the center of the pandemic with more than 50,000 cases as of Friday. So, like many others, Williams is social distancing. For the past four weeks she says her only regular company has been her dog – Bayla.
Williams has been sitting on the stoop with a friend, but at a careful distance. Just like I'm interviewing her – wearing a mask and blue plastic gloves. My mic extended on a long pole. It is not the same.
Nearby, walking down a path, Maddy Fox says she's made some adjustments too. "We actually haven't gone outside in many days."
Fox says she's scared. She doesn't want her kids – 5-year-old Anya or 8-year-old Max to get sick. But on a recent morning the family was at its wit's end. That's why they're at the park early — before things get crowded. A lot is different now. The kids' grandparents live downstairs but they're not allowed to see them. They're too worried about making their grandparents sick.
Even Anya knows life is different.
"We have to be careful about people," she says.
A couple blocks away, the barbershop, Chinese takeout place and the bar on the corner are all closed. But the laundromat is open. Anthony Laccona owns the place with his dad — a gentleman of a certain age. When I walk in, the first thing I do is ask if his dad is still coming to work. Because this is my laundromat, and my neighborhood. Laccona says his dad is fine.
"Listen, life goes on," Laccona says. "Just be friendly to everybody, you know, keep it distant of course, but we'll get through this, one way or another."
The local movie theater closed weeks ago. Where you used to see movie titles, now on the marquis, all black block letters spell out, "See you on the other side."


npr--2020-04-04--Jared Kushner's Role In Coronavirus Response Draws Scrutiny, Criticism

Jared Kushner , President Trump 's son-in-law and senior adviser , criticized governors Thursday , saying they do n't have a handle on their own supplies of masks and ventilators needed to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
In a rare appearance in the White House briefing room , Kushner urged governors and some senators to be more resourceful in their own states instead of looking first to the federal government for help .
`` What a lot of the voters are seeing now is that when you elect somebody to be a mayor or governor or president , you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a competent manager during the time of crisis , '' he said .
`` This is a time of crisis , and you 're seeing certain people are better managers than others . ''
Kushner , a real estate executive with no public health expertise , generally works behind scenes at the White House .
So , critics have been curious about his role in the administration 's efforts to confront the coronavirus pandemic .
He has emerged with a central role working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to oversee the distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare providers .
On Thursday , he explained that President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence came to him looking for new ideas and `` outside of the box '' thinking .
But his lack of experience has drawn scrutiny , especially when he referred to the national stockpile of medical supplies as `` our stockpile . ''
`` The notion of the federal stockpile was it 's supposed to be our stockpile , '' he said .
`` It 's not supposed to be states ' stockpiles that they then use .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I would dismiss what Mr. Kushner said , '' Kansas Gov .
Laura Kelly , a Democrat , told NPR 's Here & Now .
`` That is absolutely not the way it is supposed to work . ''
Kelly said the national stockpile was supposed to be a backup for states – and added the Trump administration should have done more to fill it .
A day after Kushner made his remarks , language on a government website about the national stockpile was changed to more closely reflect his description @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health and Human Services said the department had been using the new language for weeks .
The assistant secretary for Preparedness and Response `` first began working to update the website text a week ago to more clearly explain to state and local agencies and members of the public the role of the '' Strategic National Stockpile , the spokesperson said .
When asked Friday about his son-in-law 's remarks , Trump said Kushner was `` talking about our country . ''
`` We need it for the government and the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that state governments should have had their own stockpiles .
`` The federal government needs it too , not just the states , '' he said .
Indeed , part of Kushner 's strength is his proximity to the president .
He has been his father-in-law 's point man on issues as diverse as the Middle East peace process , immigration , and now the response to the coronavirus .
The real-estate developer and scion of the Kushner family , which operates the Kushner Companies , is well connected — and he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the U.S. military , to get things where they need to be with the response to the outbreak .
As he recounted Thursday , the president had called him earlier that morning about reports he was heating about critical shortages in the New York public hospital system .
`` I called Dr. [ Mitchell ] Katz , who runs the system , asked him which supply was the most supply he was nervous about , '' Kushner recalled .
`` He told me it was the N95 masks .
I asked what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basically got that number , called up Admiral [ John ] Polowczyk , [ director of fleet ordnance and supply at the U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk , Va. , ] made sure we had the inventory . ''
However , some experts question Kushner 's lack of experience overseeing the response to emergencies of this scale .
`` You know last time I checked , he 's never run disasters , '' said Craig Fugate , who ran FEMA during the Obama administration .
Fugate said the federal government ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is moving so fast states ca n't keep up .
`` My experience in disasters is the burn rate is always greater than what anybody anticipates , '' he said .
`` And if we had waited for states to identify their needs , we were always behind and not there fast enough . ''
Then there are concerns raised by ethics groups who contend that Kushner 's role in the response is akin to overseeing a shadow task force with no oversight .
`` If there was ever a time we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Noah Bookbinder , the director the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , said in a statement .
`` As the seriousness of this pandemic continues to grow , the public needs to understand who in the White House is making policy decisions , who from private industry is influencing those decisions , and how decisions to address this pandemic are being made . ''
But Andy Slavitt , the Obama-era administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , calls the current crisis an all-hands-on-deck effort .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government sharing their expertise .
But he says roles need to be clear and execution is much more coordinated .
`` The issue should be , we do n't need five generals , '' he said .
`` We need somebody in charge , '' he said .
`` We need a top down structure where we get decisions made quickly . ''
And he says the military is best poised to lead that effort .

Jared Kushner's Role In Coronavirus Response Draws Scrutiny, Criticism
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, criticized governors Thursday, saying they don't have a handle on their own supplies of masks and ventilators needed to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
In a rare appearance in the White House briefing room, Kushner urged governors and some senators to be more resourceful in their own states instead of looking first to the federal government for help.
"What a lot of the voters are seeing now is that when you elect somebody to be a mayor or governor or president, you're trying to think about who will be a competent manager during the time of crisis," he said. "This is a time of crisis, and you're seeing certain people are better managers than others."
Kushner, a real estate executive with no public health expertise, generally works behind scenes at the White House. So, critics have been curious about his role in the administration's efforts to confront the coronavirus pandemic.
He has emerged with a central role working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to oversee the distribution of vital medical supplies to hospital and health care providers.
On Thursday, he explained that Trump and Vice President Pence came to him looking for new ideas and "outside of the box" thinking.
But his lack of experience has drawn scrutiny, especially when he referred to the national stockpile of medical supplies as "our stockpile."
"The notion of the federal stockpile was it's supposed to be our stockpile," he said. "It's not supposed to be states' stockpiles that they then use."
The backlash was quick and harsh.
"I would dismiss what Mr. Kushner said," Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, told NPR's Here & Now. "That is absolutely not the way it is supposed to work."
Kelly said that the national stockpile was supposed to be a backup for states — and that the Trump administration should have done more to fill it.
A day after Kushner made his remarks, language on a government website about the national stockpile was changed to more closely reflect his description. But a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said the department had been using the new language for weeks. The assistant secretary for preparedness and response "first began working to update the website text a week ago to more clearly explain to state and local agencies and members of the public the role of the" Strategic National Stockpile, the spokesperson said.
When asked Friday about his son-in-law's remarks, Trump said Kushner was "talking about our country."
"We need it for the government and the federal government," he said, complaining that state governments should have had their own stockpiles. "The federal government needs it, too, not just the states," he said.
Part of Kushner's strength is his proximity to the president.
He has been his father-in-law's point man on issues as diverse as the Middle East peace process, immigration and now the response to the coronavirus.
The real estate developer and scion of the Kushner family, which operates the Kushner Companies, is well-connected — and he's using those connections, working with FEMA and the U.S. military, to get things where they need to be with the response to the outbreak.
As he recounted Thursday, the president had called him earlier that morning about reports he was hearing about critical shortages in the New York public hospital system.
"I called Dr. [Mitchell] Katz, who runs the system, asked him which supply was the most supply he was nervous about," Kushner recalled. "He told me it was the N95 masks. I asked what his daily burn was, and I basically got that number, called up Adm. Polowczyk, made sure we had the inventory."
Polowczyk is the director of fleet ordnance and supply at the U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.
However, some experts question Kushner's lack of experience overseeing the response to emergencies of this scale.
"You know last time I checked, he's never run disasters," said Craig Fugate, who ran FEMA during the Obama administration.
Fugate said the federal government can't base decisions on request. The coronavirus is moving so fast states can't keep up.
"My experience in disasters is the burn rate is always greater than what anybody anticipates," he said. "And if we had waited for states to identify their needs, we were always behind and not there fast enough."
Then there are concerns raised by ethics groups who contend that Kushner's role in the response is akin to overseeing a shadow task force with no oversight.
"If there was ever a time we need records and transparency, this is it," Noah Bookbinder, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said in a statement. "As the seriousness of this pandemic continues to grow, the public needs to understand who in the White House is making policy decisions, who from private industry is influencing those decisions, and how decisions to address this pandemic are being made."
But Andy Slavitt, the Obama-era administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, calls the current crisis an all-hands-on-deck effort. He appreciates Kushner or anyone else in government sharing their expertise.
But he does say roles need to be clear and execution much more coordinated.
"The issue should be, we don't need five generals," he said. "We need somebody in charge," he said. "We need a top-down structure where we get decisions made quickly."
And he says the military is best poised to lead that effort.


npr--2020-04-04--U.S. May Get More Ventilators But Run Out Of Medicine For COVID-19 Patients

U.S. May Get More Ventilators But Run Out Of Medicine For COVID-19 Patients As hospitals around the country fill with COVID-19 patients , medical personnel are sounding the alarm about shortages of drugs essential to those patients ' care .
`` We have seen an increase in demand on pharmaceuticals that 's unprecedented , '' says Daniel Kistner , who manages the pharmacy program for Vizient , a group purchasing organization that negotiates lower prices with drug manufacturers .
`` Never seen anything like this before across the whole country . ''
This week , Vizient released data showing dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medications , paralytics , and other drugs that are crucial for patients who are on ventilators .
According to Vizient 's study , the rate at which those orders are filled is lagging far behind the demand .
`` We 're not at a rate yet where there 's just no drug , '' Kistner says , `` but we are quickly approaching it . ''
One complicating factor : `` Injectable drugs take a long time to make , '' Kistner says .
`` For instance , there 's a 21-day sterility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So it 's not something simple that you can do overnight . ''
If you ramp up production of ventilators but do n't also get a jump on producing the necessary drugs , Kistner says , you have a problem : `` We 're gon na build all these cars , but if we do n't have the gas , they ca n't go anywhere . ''
This week , Vizient sent recommendations to the Food and Drug Administration , urging the agency to expand access to drugs heavily used with ventilator patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the FDA to approve new lines of manufacturing or facilities to make these medications .
According to Kistner , the FDA has been receptive .
`` We are now actively working with government agencies , such as the FDA , to explore strategies to increase supply of these critical drugs , '' he says .
For a patient in acute respiratory distress , being put on a ventilator can be life-saving .
It 's also really unpleasant .
`` It is deeply uncomfortable , '' says Dr. Alix Morse , a pulmonary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in Attleboro , Mass .
When patients are intubated , they 're given strong sedatives and pain medicine such as propofol and fentanyl , and sometimes paralytic drugs , as well .
Without those medications , Morse says , `` Most people will reach for the [ breathing ] tube and try to grab it and pull it out .
They may fight against having it in their mouth .
And if they 're working against a breathing machine it can actually damage their lungs . ''
Now , with a surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are burning through their supplies of those essential drugs .
As Morse watches her hospital 's supplies dwindle , she worries about her patients .
`` It 's the human cost of being scared , maybe being aware on the breathing machine when you really should n't be , that really keeps me up at night , '' she says .
The drug shortages are especially acute in a COVID-19 hotspot like Albany , Ga. Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany has seen its caseload of patients on ventilators soar from the typical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 46 at one time .
`` At present we 're running through anywhere up to 134 bags of fentanyl , '' says Dr. Shanti Akers , pulmonary and critical care physician at Phoebe Putney .
`` Pre-covid that would have lasted us two to three weeks .
And now we 're running through that quantity in simply a day . ''
The problem is n't just the overwhelming number of COVID-19 patients , Akers says .
They 're also in such extreme respiratory distress that they stay on ventilators much longer — instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be two weeks or more – and require that much more medication .
`` The nightmare really is that I wo n't have enough ventilators to treat them all at the same time , '' Akers says .
`` And even if I get them on a ventilator , I wo n't be adequately able to sedate them to know that they 're safe .
And my real worry is that a lot of people will die as a result of that . ''
The coronavirus pandemic has exposed a serious capacity problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Erin Fox , a pharmacist at University of Utah Health who has tracked drug shortages for years .
`` Most of drug manufacturing is on a just-in-time schedule , '' Fox says .
`` It 's pretty rare for companies to have more than a three-month supply , six-month supply on hand .
And with the [ COVID-19 ] surge , we are going to just burn through that at an incredible rate .
A three-month supply could go in a week . ''
What 's more , she says , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals to past-use history orders .
It 's completely irrelevant in this situation . ''
Compounding the problem : There are n't many companies that make these drugs .
`` These hospital drugs are very , very cheap .
It 's just not a big profit-making arm for these companies , '' Fox explains .
Just as the federal government has put pressure on manufacturers to produce more ventilators , Fox says , it 's time for the government to exert the same pressure on drugmakers .
`` I think these companies should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are you doing to ramp up supply ? '
'' she says .
`` 'What are you doing to make sure we have enough medicines to treat all the Americans who are sick ? '
''

U.S. May Get More Ventilators But Run Out Of Medicine For COVID-19 Patients
Enlarge this image toggle caption jamesbenet/Getty Images jamesbenet/Getty Images
As hospitals across the country fill with COVID-19 patients, medical personnel are sounding the alarm about shortages of drugs essential to those patients' care.
"We have seen an increase in demand on pharmaceuticals that's unprecedented," says Daniel Kistner, who manages the pharmacy program for Vizient, a group purchasing organization that negotiates lower prices with drug manufacturers. "Never seen anything like this before across the whole country."
This week, Vizient released data showing dramatic spikes in demand for sedatives, pain medications, paralytics and other drugs that are crucial for patients who are on ventilators. According to Vizient's study, the rate at which those orders are filled is lagging far behind the demand.
"We're not at a rate yet where there's just no drug," Kistner says, "but we are quickly approaching it."
One complicating factor: "Injectable drugs take a long time to make," Kistner says. "For instance, there's a 21-day sterility period needed for all injectable drugs. So it's not something simple that you can do overnight."
If you ramp up production of ventilators but don't also get a jump on producing the necessary drugs, Kistner says, you have a problem: "We're gonna build all these cars, but if we don't have the gas, they can't go anywhere."
This week, Vizient sent recommendations to the Food and Drug Administration, urging the agency to expand access to drugs heavily used for ventilator patients. Among Vizient's recommendations was that the FDA approve new lines of manufacturing or facilities to make these medications.
According to Kistner, the FDA has been receptive.
"We are now actively working with government agencies, such as the FDA, to explore strategies to increase supply of these critical drugs," he says.
For a patient in acute respiratory distress, being put on a ventilator can be lifesaving. It's also really unpleasant.
"It is deeply uncomfortable," says Dr. Alix Morse, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass.
When patients are intubated, they're given strong sedatives and pain medicine such as propofol and fentanyl, and sometimes paralytic drugs, as well.
Without those medications, Morse says, "Most people will reach for the [breathing] tube and try to grab it and pull it out. They may fight against having it in their mouth. And if they're working against a breathing machine, it can actually damage their lungs."
Now, with a surge of COVID-19 patients on ventilators, hospitals are burning through their supplies of those essential drugs.
As Morse watches her hospital's supplies dwindle, she worries about her patients.
"It's the human cost of being scared, maybe being aware on the breathing machine when you really shouldn't be, that really keeps me up at night," she says.
The drug shortages are especially acute in a COVID-19 hot spot like Albany, Ga.
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany has seen its caseload of patients on ventilators soar from the typical 12 to 15 to as many as 46 at one time.
"At present we're running through anywhere up to 134 bags of fentanyl," says Dr. Shanti Akers, pulmonary and critical care physician at Phoebe Putney. "Pre-COVID that would have lasted us two to three weeks. And now we're running through that quantity in simply a day."
Medical Treatments An Update On The Drugs Being Developed And Tested To Fight COVID-19 An Update On The Drugs Being Developed And Tested To Fight COVID-19 Listen · 3:41 3:41
The problem isn't just the overwhelming number of COVID-19 patients, Akers says. They're also in such extreme respiratory distress that they stay on ventilators much longer — instead of a few days, it might be two weeks or more – and thus require that much more medication.
"The nightmare really is that I won't have enough ventilators to treat them all at the same time," Akers says. "And even if I get them on a ventilator, I won't be adequately able to sedate them to know that they're safe. And my real worry is that a lot of people will die as a result of that."
The coronavirus pandemic has exposed a serious capacity problem in the pharmaceutical supply chain, according to Erin Fox, a pharmacist at University of Utah Health who has tracked drug shortages for years.
"Most of drug manufacturing is on a just-in-time schedule," Fox says. "It's pretty rare for companies to have more than a three-month supply, six-month supply on hand. And with the [COVID-19] surge, we are going to just burn through that at an incredible rate. A three-month supply could go in a week."
What's more, she says, "to prevent hoarding, wholesalers are holding hospitals to past-use history orders. It's completely irrelevant in this situation."
Compounding the problem: There aren't many companies that make these drugs. "These hospital drugs are very, very cheap. It's just not a big profit-making arm for these companies," Fox explains.
Just as the federal government has put pressure on manufacturers to produce more ventilators, Fox says, it's time for the government to exert the same pressure on drugmakers.
"I think these companies should be held accountable and asked, 'What are you doing to ramp up supply?' " she says. " 'What are you doing to make sure we have enough medicines to treat all the Americans who are sick?' "


npr--2020-04-04--COMIC: Grocery Workers Are Essential, And Feeling The Strain

COMIC : Grocery Workers Are Essential , And Feeling The Strain From produce clerks to personal shoppers to warehouse stockers , millions of grocery workers across the U.S. are keeping food on the shelves throughout this pandemic for those of us hunkering at home .
Their work is essential — needed and valued — and yet , many say they do n't feel safe .
Just this week , workers at Amazon and Instacart demanded better protections , including paid sick leave and ready access to personal protective supplies , such as hand sanitizer and wipes .
Visual journalist Sarah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grocery workers from across the nation to hear more about their experiences on the job in recent weeks and what they say needs to change .
Sarah Mirk is a visual journalist and the author of several books .
She is a contributing editor of The Nib and a web producer for the Center for Investigative Reporting , a nonprofit news organization based in California .
Panel 5 , `` 2.9 million grocery workers ... $ 11.54 an hour '' : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Coronavirus : Supermarkets pay big raises for Safeway , Target , and other workers . ''
San Jose Mercury News .
March 23 .
Stacy Fernandez .
`` Grocery workers are risking their health during the pandemic to keep stores open .
They want better pay and protections . ''
Texas Tribune .
March 24 , 2020 .
Charisse Jones .
`` Walmart is the latest retailer to temporarily raise pay in response to the Coronavirus . ''
USA Today .
March 23 .

COMIC: Grocery Workers Are Essential, And Feeling The Strain
Enlarge this image Sarah Mirk for NPR Sarah Mirk for NPR
From produce clerks to personal shoppers to warehouse stockers, millions of grocery workers across the U.S. are keeping food on the shelves throughout this pandemic for those of us hunkering at home. Their work is essential — needed and valued — and yet, many say they don't feel safe.
Just this week, workers at Amazon and Instacart demanded better protections, including paid sick leave and ready access to personal protective supplies, such as hand sanitizer and wipes.
Visual journalist Sarah Mirk checked in with a sampling of grocery workers from across the nation to hear more about their experiences on the job in recent weeks and what they say needs to change.
Enlarge this image Sarah Mirk for NPR Sarah Mirk for NPR
Enlarge this image Sarah Mirk for NPR Sarah Mirk for NPR
Enlarge this image Sarah Mirk for NPR Sarah Mirk for NPR
Enlarge this image Sarah Mirk for NPR Sarah Mirk for NPR
Sarah Mirk is a visual journalist and the author of several books. She is a contributing editor of The Nib and a web producer for the Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit news organization based in California.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
Panel 5, "2.9 million grocery workers ... $11.54 an hour": U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. May 2019.
Panel 16, list of companies raising wages by $2/hour:
George Avalos. "Coronavirus: Supermarkets pay big raises for Safeway, Target, and other workers." San Jose Mercury News. March 23.
Stacy Fernandez. "Grocery workers are risking their health during the pandemic to keep stores open. They want better pay and protections." Texas Tribune. March 24, 2020.
Charisse Jones. "Walmart is the latest retailer to temporarily raise pay in response to the Coronavirus." USA Today. March 23.
Panel 17, quote from Vivek Sankaran:
"Albertsons Companies Announces Appreciation Pay for Front Line Associates." March 20.


npr--2020-04-04--'The Wuhan I Know': A Comic About The City Behind The Coronavirus Headlines

'The Wuhan I Know ' : A Comic About The City Behind The Coronavirus Headlines Back in January , Laura Gao , a 23-year-old product developer for Twitter living in San Francisco , was preparing to visit her relatives in Wuhan , China .
The trip was to celebrate her grandmother 's 80th birthday .
But in the days leading up to her flight , Gao 's relatives told her to cancel her trip .
The coronavirus was spreading throughout the city .
Gao , a native of Wuhan , stayed in San Francisco and on January 23 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the city went on lockdown .
If she 'd taken her trip , Gao thinks she 'd still be in Wuhan today .
`` Instead , I 'm here in San Francisco seeing the other side of the story , '' Gao says .
`` There was a lot of anger and panic and pity that was coming from not only the media , but the people around me . ''
As the virus spread , Wuhan quickly captured the world 's attention .
For many Americans , this was the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city — and in the frightening context of coronavirus .
She decided to make a comic telling her own story and highlighting her favorite parts of the city .
`` I 've always been an artist , and I believe that comics are a great way to marry imagery with the power of words to express a story , '' Gao says .
The comic is called , `` The Wuhan I Know . ''
It starts with Gao 's childhood when she moved with her parents to a small town in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Mars . ''
Not only had people never heard of Wuhan , she says they were largely uninterested in learning about her hometown .
They would ask her if she was from Beijing or Shanghai as if those were the only cities in China .
They had no idea that Wuhan was — and still is — one of the fastest growing cities in Central China , with a population of more than 11 million people .
It 's bigger than New York , London or Tokyo .
When she 'd try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , they were often disinterested .
Eventually , she gave up .
`` I would just be like , ' I 'm just from China .
That 's all you really need to know , ' '' Gao says .
But now , Gao says it feels as if everyone knows about Wuhan — but not the full story .
`` It 's disheartening to know that all they know are the bad parts of it , '' Gao says .
`` About the virus and about the wet markets that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fingers at . ''
Gao says she wants people to get to know the Wuhan beyond the headlines .
And while she 's been hesitant to speak up in the past , this time she says she 's ready to stand up and share her city with the world .
The comic has sections highlighting Wuhan 's history , architecture and economy .
That includes the city 's most famous landmark the Yellow Crane Tower .
Gao writes , that in the sun , it shines like gold .
`` Whenever I go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waking up in the morning , running outside to the street where they 're completely lined left and right with all these food stalls of so many different kinds of food , '' Gao says .
Some of her favorite Wuhanese dishes include rè gān miàn or hot and dry noodles , doù pí , sticky rice with meat and veggies wrapped in bean skin and fried in a giant wok and yā bó zi or duck neck .
When she first decided to share the comic back in March , she recalls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I was like , I know this is kind of a sensitive topic .
I do n't know what I 'll get from it , '' Gao said .
`` But I got all kinds of responses that really warmed my heart . ''
The comic has been re-shared by thousands of people on Twitter and liked by even more .
Many people have reached out to Gao directly to let her know that her comic has had a positive impact in their lives .
She 's heard from people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
But she 's also heard from people in countries like Iran and Italy who also feel as if their countries are being misrepresented by the coronavirus .
Thanks to her comic , they feel proud of their homes .
People have also reached out to Gao to tell her that the next trip they want to take is to visit Wuhan .
Now that they know more about it , they want to visit its sites and taste its food .
Gao even shared the comic and the feedback she 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gao : 'Thankfully we 're getting better and I see the rest of the world is also suffering .
I want to send my love to them as well . '
'' Gao talks to her family in Wuhan frequently and fortunately she says , things are starting to return to normal .
The authorities are beginning to open the city back up and she says her family is allowed to walk around in their own neighborhood .
Slowly , Wuhan is returning to the city she knows .
See Laura Gao 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' below .

'The Wuhan I Know': A Comic About The City Behind The Coronavirus Headlines
Enlarge this image toggle caption Laura Gao Laura Gao
Back in January, Laura Gao, a 23-year-old product developer for Twitter living in San Francisco, was preparing to visit her relatives in Wuhan, China. The trip was to celebrate her grandmother's 80th birthday.
But in the days leading up to her flight, Gao's relatives told her to cancel her trip. The coronavirus was spreading throughout the city.
Gao, a native of Wuhan, stayed in San Francisco and on January 23, the day after her flight would have landed, the city went on lockdown. If she'd taken her trip, Gao thinks she'd still be in Wuhan today.
"Instead, I'm here in San Francisco seeing the other side of the story," Gao says. "There was a lot of anger and panic and pity that was coming from not only the media, but the people around me."
As the virus spread, Wuhan quickly captured the world's attention. For many Americans, this was the first time they had ever heard of the city — and in the frightening context of coronavirus.
She decided to make a comic telling her own story and highlighting her favorite parts of the city.
"I've always been an artist, and I believe that comics are a great way to marry imagery with the power of words to express a story," Gao says.
The comic is called, "The Wuhan I Know."
It starts with Gao's childhood when she moved with her parents to a small town in Texas, "where Wuhan was more foreign than Mars."
Not only had people never heard of Wuhan, she says they were largely uninterested in learning about her hometown. They would ask her if she was from Beijing or Shanghai as if those were the only cities in China.
They had no idea that Wuhan was — and still is — one of the fastest growing cities in Central China, with a population of more than 11 million people. It's bigger than New York, London or Tokyo.
When she'd try to tell them what the city was like, they were often disinterested. Eventually, she gave up.
"I would just be like, 'I'm just from China. That's all you really need to know,'" Gao says.
But now, Gao says it feels as if everyone knows about Wuhan — but not the full story.
"It's disheartening to know that all they know are the bad parts of it," Gao says. "About the virus and about the wet markets that people always want to bash on and point fingers at."
Gao says she wants people to get to know the Wuhan beyond the headlines. And while she's been hesitant to speak up in the past, this time she says she's ready to stand up and share her city with the world.
toggle caption Courtesy of Laura Gao
The comic has sections highlighting Wuhan's history, architecture and economy. That includes the city's most famous landmark the Yellow Crane Tower. Gao writes, that in the sun, it shines like gold.
But her favorite section showcases Wuhan's street food.
"Whenever I go to Wuhan, my favorite part is waking up in the morning, running outside to the street where they're completely lined left and right with all these food stalls of so many different kinds of food," Gao says.
Some of her favorite Wuhanese dishes include rè gān miàn or hot and dry noodles, doù pí, sticky rice with meat and veggies wrapped in bean skin and fried in a giant wok and yā bó zi or duck neck.
When she first decided to share the comic back in March, she recalls, "I was a bit hesitant. I was like, I know this is kind of a sensitive topic. I don't know what I'll get from it," Gao said. "But I got all kinds of responses that really warmed my heart."
The comic has been re-shared by thousands of people on Twitter and liked by even more.
Many people have reached out to Gao directly to let her know that her comic has had a positive impact in their lives.
She's heard from people who are from Wuhan like herself or have family there. But she's also heard from people in countries like Iran and Italy who also feel as if their countries are being misrepresented by the coronavirus. Thanks to her comic, they feel proud of their homes.
People have also reached out to Gao to tell her that the next trip they want to take is to visit Wuhan. Now that they know more about it, they want to visit its sites and taste its food.
Gao even shared the comic and the feedback she's received with her grandmother.
She told Gao: 'Thankfully we're getting better and I see the rest of the world is also suffering. I want to send my love to them as well.'"
Gao talks to her family in Wuhan frequently and fortunately she says, things are starting to return to normal.
The authorities are beginning to open the city back up and she says her family is allowed to walk around in their own neighborhood.
Slowly, Wuhan is returning to the city she knows.
See Laura Gao's comic "The Wuhan I Know," below.
Laura Gao
Laura Gao
Laura Gao
Laura Gao


npr--2020-04-04--Ben Gibbard: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

Ben Gibbard: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future .
Introducing NPR Music 's Tiny Desk ( Home ) Concerts , bringing you performances from across the country and the world .
It 's the same spirit — stripped-down sets , an intimate setting — just a different space .
`` Hello , this is Ben Gibbard , welcome to Tiny Desk , Seattle style . ''
And with that , the heavy-hearted Death Cab for Cutie frontman performs his newly written song from America 's first coronavirus hotspot , Seattle .
The song is called `` Life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only portrait of his city 's current state ; it 's a gift to that city .
Ben is donating money from streaming and purchases to Aurora Commons , a self-described `` welcoming space for our unhoused neighbors . ''
And as if there were n't enough sadness , Ben performs an homage to songwriter and musician Adam Schlesinger of the band Fountains of Wayne , who passed away on April 1 from complications due to COVID-19 .
Ben was a long admirer of Adam 's music and sings us one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as a song Ben wrote for The Monkees ' Good Times album , a record that Adam would produce .
All in all , I found this to be profoundly moving , and a fitting trio of songs that mark a unique and troubling time in our history .

Ben Gibbard: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.
"Hello, this is Ben Gibbard, welcome to Tiny Desk, Seattle style."
And with that, the heavy-hearted Death Cab for Cutie frontman performs his newly written song from America's first coronavirus hotspot, Seattle. The song is called "Life in Quarantine," and it's not only portrait of his city's current state; it's a gift to that city. Ben is donating money from streaming and purchases to Aurora Commons, a self-described "welcoming space for our unhoused neighbors."
And as if there weren't enough sadness, Ben performs an homage to songwriter and musician Adam Schlesinger of the band Fountains of Wayne, who passed away on April 1 from complications due to COVID-19. Ben was a long admirer of Adam's music and sings us one of his favorite Fountains of Wayne songs, as well as a song Ben wrote for The Monkees' Good Times album, a record that Adam produced.
All in all, I found this to be profoundly moving, and a fitting trio of songs that mark a unique and troubling time in our history.
SET LIST


npr--2020-04-03--Shoppers In Mexico Are Panic-Buying Beer During The Coronavirus Crisis

Shoppers In Mexico Are Panic-Buying Beer During The Coronavirus Crisis Mexican authorities ordered the shutdown of all nonessential businesses and industries for the entire month of April in hopes of stemming the spread of the coronavirus .
To the shock of many , added to the list of nonessential industries was all alcoholic beverage production .
Within days a whole new set of panic buying was taking place .
Forget the run on toilet paper , beer hoarding was on in cities and towns throughout Mexico .
In the northern border state of Nuevo Leon , Gov .
Jaime Rodríguez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banning alcohol sales as well .
He worried that with families holed up in their homes and under stress , alcohol consumption could contribute to spikes in domestic violence .
To the south in Tabasco state , the governor outright banned sales .
Mayors in other cities limited hours of alcohol purchases .
Soon videos of shoppers in long checkout lines with carts full of Mexico 's beloved beers were making the rounds of social media .
As well as a whole new set of memes with the hashtag # ConLasChelasNo , roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,688 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , with 60 deaths due to the virus .
Among the nonessential businesses ordered shut down on Tuesday were restaurants , bars , and nightclubs , all big purchasers of Mexico 's beer and spirits industry .
That reportedly got Mexico 's three major beer companies – Constellation Brands , Anheiser-Bush InBev , and Heineken – lobbying Mexico 's president to designate their production as essential , as he has for other agribusinesses .
Not to be left out , the governor of Jalisco state , home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most favorite spirit is cultivated , is pushing for an exemption .
Grupo Modelo announced that beginning this Sunday , it would comply with the health emergency decree and suspend its beer production .
The company , which sells the Corona label nationally , did stress that it is important to the agricultural industry and that tens of thousands of families depend on its sales .
On a quarterly earnings call Friday , Constellation Brands CEO Bill Newlands did n't say when production of its beers , which include the Corona label for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brands , might stop , said Benj Steinman , publisher and editor of Beer Marketer 's Insights .
`` It was not clear on the call , it was a little strange and difficult to discern what their plan is , '' he said .
Constellation Brands is assuring American beer lovers not to worry .
The company says it has a 70-day supply of beer already in U.S. warehouses .
That 's enough to get through the two upcoming big sales days in the U.S. for Mexican beer ... .
Memorial Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Shoppers In Mexico Are Panic-Buying Beer During The Coronavirus Crisis
Enlarge this image toggle caption Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP via Getty Images Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP via Getty Images
Mexican authorities ordered the shutdown of all nonessential businesses and industries for the entire month of April in hopes of stemming the spread of the coronavirus. To the shock of many, added to the list of nonessential industries was all alcoholic beverage production. Within days a whole new set of panic buying was taking place. Forget the run on toilet paper, beer hoarding was on in cities and towns throughout Mexico.
In the northern border state of Nuevo Leon, Gov. Jaime Rodríguez Calderón went a step further and recommended banning alcohol sales as well. He worried that with families holed up in their homes and under stress, alcohol consumption could contribute to spikes in domestic violence. To the south in Tabasco state, the governor outright banned sales. Mayors in other cities limited hours of alcohol purchases.
Soon videos of shoppers in long checkout lines with carts full of Mexico's beloved beers were making the rounds of social media.
As well as a whole new set of memes with the hashtag #ConLasChelasNo, roughly translated, #Don'tMessWithMyBeer.
Mexico has 1,688 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 60 deaths due to the virus. Among the nonessential businesses ordered shut down on Tuesday were restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, all big purchasers of Mexico's beer and spirits industry.
That reportedly got Mexico's three major beer companies – Constellation Brands, Anheuser-Bush InBev, and Heineken – lobbying Mexico's president to designate their production as essential, as he has for other agribusinesses. Not to be left out, the governor of Jalisco state, home to the city of Tequila where Mexico's most favorite spirit is cultivated, is pushing for an exemption.
Grupo Modelo announced that beginning this Sunday, it would comply with the health emergency decree and suspend its beer production. The company, which sells the Corona label nationally, did stress that it is important to the agricultural industry and that tens of thousands of families depend on its sales.
On a quarterly earnings call Friday, Constellation Brands CEO Bill Newlands didn't say when production of its beers, which include the Corona label for export as well as Pacifico and Victoria brands, might stop, said Benj Steinman, publisher and editor of Beer Marketer's Insights. "It was not clear on the call, it was a little strange and difficult to discern what their plan is," he said.
Constellation Brands is assuring American beer lovers not to worry. The company says it has a 70-day supply of beer already in U.S. warehouses. That's enough to get through the two upcoming big sales days in the U.S. for Mexican beer .... Memorial Day and of course Cinco de Mayo.


npr--2020-04-03--Airlines Apply For Relief Payments Amid Coronavirus Slowdown

It appears most , if not all of the nation 's major airlines have applied for a share of $ 50 billion in federal coronavirus aid .
Delta , American , United , Southwest and JetBlue , among others , met a 5 p.m .
ET deadline to apply to the Treasury Department for payroll grants , loans or both .
The airlines did n't initially disclose exactly how much nor which type of aid they are each seeking , though it appears most are only seeking a portion of the $ 25 billion designated for direct payroll grants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans that are available .
To qualify for the loans , the airlines must show that private credit is not an option , and U.S. airlines collectively have borrowed $ 12.5 billion from banks in recent weeks , according to data compiled by Bloomberg .
There are other conditions for the federal assistance too .
Airlines can not buy back stock , pay shareholder dividends or pay executive bonuses .
They also must continue flying to every city they served before the coronavirus outbreak led to a sharp drop in travel demand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay back the government and taxpayers for the aid .
The Treasury Department could take an ownership stake in the airlines as compensation .
The airlines are suffering enormous losses from an unprecedented drop in air travel demand .
United Airlines reports in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that its revenue is down $ 100 million a day .
Delta says it expects second quarter revenues to fall 90 % as it burns through $ 60 million a day .
American is already slashing flights from its summer schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Southwest , JetBlue and other airlines , which are all bracing for a prolonged economic downturn .
`` We think it 'll be 2022 or 2023 at the earliest before we could see anything like a normal year , '' says airline industry financial analyst Helane Becker of investment bank Cowen .
`` We do n't think business travel will ever come back to where it was in 2018 or pre-2020 levels , '' she adds .
`` We do n't think that leisure travel will come back for at least two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines do recover , `` the industry is going to be a whole lot smaller , '' Becker says .
Without additional government help , she expects airlines to begin significant layoffs in October , after the grants keeping airline employees on the payroll run out .
`` The industry ended 2019 with 750,000 people ( working for U.S. airlines ) and we think it will end 2020 with less than 600,000 people , '' Becker says .

Airlines Apply For Relief Payments Amid Coronavirus Slowdown
Enlarge this image toggle caption Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
It appears most, if not all of the nation's major airlines have applied for a share of $50 billion in federal coronavirus aid.
Delta, American, United, Southwest and JetBlue, among others, met a 5 p.m. ET deadline to apply to the Treasury Department for payroll grants, loans or both.
The airlines didn't initially disclose exactly how much nor which type of aid they are each seeking, though it appears most are only seeking a portion of the $25 billion designated for direct payroll grants, and not another $25 billion in loans that are available. To qualify for the loans, the airlines must show that private credit is not an option, and U.S. airlines collectively have borrowed $12.5 billion from banks in recent weeks, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
There are other conditions for the federal assistance too. Airlines cannot buy back stock, pay shareholder dividends or pay executive bonuses. They also must continue flying to every city they served before the coronavirus outbreak led to a sharp drop in travel demand. And they must indicate how they plan to pay back the government and taxpayers for the aid. The Treasury Department could take an ownership stake in the airlines as compensation.
The airlines are suffering enormous losses from an unprecedented drop in air travel demand.
United Airlines reports in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that its revenue is down $100 million a day. Delta says it expects second quarter revenues to fall 90% as it burns through $60 million a day.
American is already slashing flights from its summer schedule and the news isn't any better at Southwest, JetBlue and other airlines, which are all bracing for a prolonged economic downturn.
"We think it'll be 2022 or 2023 at the earliest before we could see anything like a normal year," says airline industry financial analyst Helane Becker of investment bank Cowen.
"We don't think business travel will ever come back to where it was in 2018 or pre-2020 levels," she adds. "We don't think that leisure travel will come back for at least two to three years."
When the airlines do recover, "the industry is going to be a whole lot smaller," Becker says.
Without additional government help, she expects airlines to begin significant layoffs in October, after the grants keeping airline employees on the payroll run out.
"The industry ended 2019 with 750,000 people (working for U.S. airlines) and we think it will end 2020 with less than 600,000 people," Becker says.


npr--2020-04-03--FACT CHECK: Premature — Trump Continues To Claim Drug Can Treat Coronavirus

Scientists are currently carrying out a trial to see whether a drug that 's currently used to treat lupus and to prevent malaria might also help treat COVID-19 .
Their interest is based on laboratory studies showing that the drug , hydroxychloroquine , blocked the coronavirus from entering cells .
There 's no solid evidence , as yet though , that the drug actually is an effective COVID-19 treatment .
In fact , medical experts have warned against buying it for that purpose , because that might exhaust supplies for people who actually need it .
That has n't stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a promising treatment for COVID-19 .
At a White House briefing on Friday , he brought it up again .
`` Hydroxychloroquine , I do n't know , '' he said , shaking his head .
`` It 's looking like it 's having some good results .
I hope that , that would be a phenomenal thing . ''
But the clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine have just recently started , and the scientists in charge of them have not reported any results as yet , either positive or negative .
Seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to take some time , perhaps weeks .
Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health was asked March 24 whether the drug was considered a treatment for the novel coronavirus .
`` The answer is no , '' he said , `` and the evidence that you 're talking about ... is anecdotal evidence . ''

FACT CHECK: Premature — Trump Continues To Claim Drug Can Treat Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gerard Julien/AFP via Getty Images Gerard Julien/AFP via Getty Images
Scientists are currently carrying out a trial to see whether a drug that's currently used to treat lupus and to prevent malaria might also help treat COVID-19.
Their interest is based on laboratory studies showing that the drug, hydroxychloroquine, blocked the coronavirus from entering cells. There's no solid evidence, as yet though, that the drug actually is an effective COVID-19 treatment.
In fact, medical experts have warned against buying it for that purpose, because that might exhaust supplies for people who actually need it.
That hasn't stopped President Trump from repeatedly claiming that hydroxychloroquine is a promising treatment for COVID-19. At a White House briefing on Friday, he brought it up again.
"Hydroxychloroquine, I don't know," he said, shaking his head. "It's looking like it's having some good results. I hope that, that would be a phenomenal thing."
But the clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine have just recently started, and the scientists in charge of them have not reported any results as yet, either positive or negative. Seeing any positive effect from the drug is likely to take some time, perhaps weeks.
Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health was asked March 24 whether the drug was considered a treatment for the novel coronavirus.
"The answer is no," he said, "and the evidence that you're talking about ... is anecdotal evidence."


npr--2020-04-03--A New 'The Office' Comedy For The COVID-19 Era?

A New 'The Office ' Comedy For The COVID-19 Era ?
Imagine a version of the NBC hit comedy The Office where everyone 's working from home .
Irritating boss Michael ca n't stop sending vaguely inappropriate gifs , lumpish Kevin ca n't quite master the mute button and workplace wiseguy Jim is always looking directly at the camera , because , well , he has no other choice .
He 's stuck in meetings on Zoom .
The comic potential of such a show recently became clear to Ben Silverman and Paul Lieberstein , two executive producers of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 and has since become one of the most popular series on Netflix . )
They 've announced plans for a brand new show – `` an office comedy without an office , '' Lieberstein calls it — inspired by the present predicament of people working from home .
`` I was in everybody 's house and I was in everybody 's life , '' Lieberstein explains about his own experience with Zoom and FaceTime conferences .
`` Everybody 's attempt to keep themselves private from work no longer applies .
And this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought all these new ideas and stories and characters into play . ''
Lieberstein says the new show , which is still in development , would focus on the realities of working from home , rather than the pandemic that 's made self-isolation necessary .
`` We 're all experiencing the quarantine , '' he says .
`` I do n't know if we want to go as dark as the virus itself .
People are getting enough of that without me .
But I think the challenges of staying sane under quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lieberstein admitted the show 's conceit may have been driven in part by practical considerations .
The advantages of a show that could be filmed and produced in self-isolation are obvious , particularly should the coronavirus refuse to be contained .
`` I think that 's a conversation a lot of the networks are having , '' he says .
But Lieberstein says he thinks this show will reflect a profound cultural shift in the workplace .
`` I ca n't see us going back even when we 're allowed to .
Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's very efficient .
The meetings work . ''
But where 's the comedy in that ?
Lieberstein laughed .
There 's no shortage of funny little things in this new Zoom world , he promises , to make a show about it entertaining .

A New 'The Office' Comedy For The COVID-19 Era?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Imagine a version of the NBC hit comedy The Office where everyone's working from home. Irritating boss Michael can't stop sending vaguely inappropriate gifs, lumpish Kevin can't quite master the mute button and workplace wiseguy Jim is always looking directly at the camera, because, well, he has no other choice. He's stuck in meetings on Zoom.
The comic potential of such a show recently became clear to Ben Silverman and Paul Lieberstein, two executive producers of The Office. (That show ended in 2013 and has since become one of the most popular series on Netflix.) They've announced plans for a brand new show – "an office comedy without an office," Lieberstein calls it — inspired by the present predicament of people working from home.
"I was in everybody's house and I was in everybody's life," Lieberstein explains about his own experience with Zoom and FaceTime conferences. "Everybody's attempt to keep themselves private from work no longer applies. And this kind of integration between home and work brought all these new ideas and stories and characters into play."
Lieberstein says the new show, which is still in development, would focus on the realities of working from home, rather than the pandemic that's made self-isolation necessary.
"We're all experiencing the quarantine," he says. "I don't know if we want to go as dark as the virus itself. People are getting enough of that without me. But I think the challenges of staying sane under quarantine are ours to play with."
Lieberstein admitted the show's conceit may have been driven in part by practical considerations. The advantages of a show that could be filmed and produced in self-isolation are obvious, particularly should the coronavirus refuse to be contained. "I think that's a conversation a lot of the networks are having," he says. But Lieberstein says he thinks this show will reflect a profound cultural shift in the workplace.
"I can't see us going back even when we're allowed to. Zoom is too good," he says. "It's very efficient. The meetings work."
But where's the comedy in that? Lieberstein laughed. There's no shortage of funny little things in this new Zoom world, he promises, to make a show about it entertaining.


npr--2020-04-03--Laid-Off Flight Attendants Find New Work Fighting COVID-19

It seems like such an obvious and powerful idea : airlines that laid off thousands of workers over the past few weeks are retraining some employees to assist in hospitals and nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic .
Flight attendants , after all , are already skilled in handling minor medical emergencies and by the very nature of their job , know how to remain coolly capable amid chaos .
After Scandinavian Airlines announced a temporary work reduction on March 15 that affected 90 % of its workforce , it 's now proudly posting pictures on Twitter of its first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteered to help healthcare workers .
And Virgin Atlantic and the budget carrier easyJet , both based in the U.K. , are working with the country 's National Health Service to staff nearly half a dozen new hospitals opening specifically to deal with the coronavirus crisis .
The employees will change beds , tend to patients and assist doctors and nurses working on the wards .
`` We are very proud of our highly skilled people at Virgin Atlantic , '' said Corneel Koster , the company 's chief customer officer , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since the Government 's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was announced , we have been inundated with our employees looking to help other organizations at this time of crisis . ''
A 21-year-old SAS flight attendant named Filip Palmgren told the Associated Press he was excited to sign up after learning of the opportunity from the airline .
`` I immediately replied to the email , '' he said .
`` I felt this was a very huge opportunity for me to help and to contribute to society and help the healthcare , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times . ''
The only airlines that have announced such programs have received outside support .
The Wallenberg Foundation in Sweden has stepped up to help SAS , and British airline employees who are pivoting to work or volunteer at the new hospitals fighting COVID-19 will get free accommodation as well as partial board .
Julie Hedrick , the national president of the Association of Flight Attendants , did not rule out the possibility of similar initiatives in the U.S. `` We are having conversations with our leaders in Washington to discuss utilizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this crisis , '' she said in a statement to NPR .
`` We know there is interest among the American Airlines Flight Attendant group , and we stand ready to assist . ''

Laid-Off Flight Attendants Find New Work Fighting COVID-19
It seems like such an obvious and powerful idea: airlines that laid off thousands of workers over the past few weeks are retraining some employees to assist in hospitals and nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic. Flight attendants, after all, are already skilled in handling minor medical emergencies and by the very nature of their job, know how to remain coolly capable amid chaos.
After Scandinavian Airlines announced a temporary work reduction on March 15 that affected 90% of its workforce, it's now proudly posting pictures on Twitter of its first group of cabin crew members who've volunteered to help healthcare workers.
And Virgin Atlantic and the budget carrier easyJet, both based in the U.K., are working with the country's National Health Service to staff nearly half a dozen new hospitals opening specifically to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The employees will change beds, tend to patients and assist doctors and nurses working on the wards.
"We are very proud of our highly skilled people at Virgin Atlantic," said Corneel Koster, the company's chief customer officer, in a statement provided to NPR. "Since the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was announced, we have been inundated with our employees looking to help other organizations at this time of crisis."
A 21-year-old SAS flight attendant named Filip Palmgren told The Associated Press he was excited to sign up after learning of the opportunity from the airline.
"I immediately replied to the email," he said. "I felt this was a very huge opportunity for me to help and to contribute to society and help the healthcare, which I think is very important in these times."
The only airlines that have announced such programs have received outside support. The Wallenberg Foundation in Sweden has stepped up to help SAS, and British airline employees who are pivoting to work or volunteer at the new hospitals fighting COVID-19 will get free accommodation as well as partial board.
Julie Hedrick, the national president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, did not rule out the possibility of similar initiatives in the U.S. "We are having conversations with our leaders in Washington to discuss utilizing interested Flight Attendants to lend a hand during this crisis," she said in a statement to NPR. "We know there is interest among the American Airlines Flight Attendant group, and we stand ready to assist."


npr--2020-04-03--Answering Your Coronavirus Questions: Giving Back, Online Dating And Mexico

On this broadcast of The National Conversation , we answer your questions about the ways you can give back during @ @ @ @ @ from Mexico , online dating and an epidemiologist tackles all aspects of the virus .

Answering Your Coronavirus Questions: Giving Back, Online Dating And Mexico On this broadcast of The National Conversation, we answer your questions about ways to can give back, the latest from Mexico and online dating, and an epidemiologist tackles all aspects of the virus.


npr--2020-04-03--Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Coronavirus In The U.S.

Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Coronavirus In The U.S .
Updated on April 3 at 8:30 p.m .
ET Since the first U.S. case of the coronavirus was identified in Washington state on Jan. 21 , health officials have identified more than 270,000 cases across the United States and more than 7,000 deaths .
By March 17 , the virus had expanded its presence from several isolated clusters in Washington , New York and California to all 50 states and the District of Columbia .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ best available means to `` flatten the curve of the pandemic , '' a phrase that epidemiologists use to describe slowing down the spread of infection .
This approach can save lives by keeping local health care systems from being overwhelmed .
In response to mounting cases , states are closing schools , banning large gatherings and urging people to stay home when possible .
On March 16 , President Trump announced new guidelines urging Americans to avoid discretionary travel , going out to eat and gathering in groups of more than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends basic precautions such as hand-washing and cleaning frequently touched surfaces every day .
Globally , the respiratory disease has spread to dozens of countries and has killed several thousand people since it was first reported in Wuhan , China , in December .
Warnings issued by the CDC recommend avoiding nonessential travel to dozens of countries with outbreaks of COVID-19 , including China , Iran , South Korea and many European nations .
The U.S. government has banned travel from Europe , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .

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


npr--2020-04-03--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak Since the new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan , @ @ @ @ @ the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 has spread rapidly within China and to neighboring countries and @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases outside China occurred on Jan. 20 , in Japan , Thailand and South @ @ @ @ @ , the first case in the U.S. was identified in Washington state .
On March @ @ @ @ @ Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic — the first time since H1N1 in 2009 .
@ @ @ @ @ known as SARS-CoV-2 , is only the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause @ @ @ @ @ The other two strains cause Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome .
@ @ @ @ @ see that country 's case count and number of deaths .
Click here to see @ @ @ @ @ in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 @

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