npr--2020-03-16--Global Deaths From Coronavirus Surpass 6,000

With the number of cases worldwide from the novel coronavirus surpassing 150,000 and some 6,000 deaths , governments across the globe continued their struggle to contain the pandemic — hoping to limit the number of new infections , while treating those individuals suffering from COVID-19 and isolating others whose symptoms are not as severe but who might spread the disease .
Here 's a snapshot by region of what is happening as of Monday morning : The head of the World Health Organization , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , said over the weekend that Europe had become the new epicenter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asia .
`` More cases are now being reported [ in Europe ] every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic , '' Tedros , the organization 's director , said at a news conference at the WHO 's Geneva headquarters .
Officials in Italy have reported some 3,600 new cases and 368 deaths in the past 24 hours , bringing the total number of infections there to nearly 25,000 and some 1,800 deaths .
Italy is second in the number of reported infections and deaths only to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified in December .
Italian officials have expressed concern that the surge in infections has pushed the country 's health system to the saturation point , according to NPR 's Sylvia Poggioli .
Health authorities say there is a severe lack of intensive care unit beds , ventilators and protective masks to treat the huge influx .
`` It 's not a wave , it 's a tsunami , '' Dr. Robert Rona , who is in charge of intensive care at Monza hospital outside Milan , told The Associated Press .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region that is home to Milan , a metropolis of 3 million people that is Italy 's economic powerhouse .
It started in a cluster of small-to-medium-sized towns in the region and Poggioli reports that `` everything is being done to prevent a surge in cases in Milan . ''
Spain , where the government formally declared a state of emergency over the weekend , ordered a lock down — requiring people to stay home to foster social distancing and for all non-essential shops to close , along with restaurants , bars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the total number of confirmed infections now exceeds 7,800 cases , with 282 deaths .
Following a lengthy briefing on Saturday , Spain 's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez , whose wife has tested positive for the virus , said `` extraordinary '' decisions were required to combat the disease .
`` From now , we enter a new phase , '' he said .
`` We wo n't hesitate in doing what we need [ to do ] to beat the virus . ''
`` During the state of emergency , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public streets for the following reasons : to buy food , basic or pharmaceutical items ; to attend medical centers ; to go to and from work ; to look after children , older people or those with disabilities or who are especially vulnerable ; and to attend financial or insurance offices on force majeure grounds , '' Sánchez said , according to The Guardian newspaper .
In a gesture of gratitude for doctors , nurses and other medical workers who work in Spain 's national health system , people went to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. local time to applaud in unison .
In France , municipal elections went ahead as planned on Sunday under what officials said were tight sanitary restrictions , including `` safe spacing '' of voters as they queued and providing hand sanitizer .
There have been nearly 5,500 total confirmed cases in France , with 127 deaths from COVID-19 .
Despite assurances that the polling was safe , the interior ministry on Sunday reported turnout was just 18.3 % , down 5 % from elections six years ago .
France has already ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy and Spain have imposed .
In the United Kingdom , where nearly 1,400 cases have been confirmed so far with 35 deaths from the coronavirus disease , no lock down has been ordered .
However , the government is expected to lay out emergency measures this week , including requiring people 70 years and older to self-isolate for as long as four months .
Last week , the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson signaled that it might be considering a different approach to the rest of the world — in essence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population to become infected , creating a `` herd immunity '' that would eventually stamp out the epidemic .
But public backlash to that suggestion , which would result in tens of millions of Britons becoming infected with the virus , forced the government to backtrack .
`` We will do the right thing at the right time , based on the best available science , '' Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote in an opinion piece that appeared in The Telegraph over the weekend .
`` Herd immunity is not our goal or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Nearly 4,000 cases and more than 700 deaths have been reported in Germany and some 1,400 infections and more than 230 deaths in Switzerland .
Hundreds of cases and scores of deaths have been reported also in the Netherlands , Sweden , Norway , Denmark , Austria , Belgium and Greece .
New cases in China , where the epidemic began , have been decreasing steadily in recent weeks , with just 27 new cases reported in the WHO 's latest situation report , which is updated every 24 hours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak of the crisis in China about a month ago , when Beijing reported more than 14,000 new infections in a single day .
A total of about 81,000 cases have been reported there since December .
In recent days , the country has begun shifting its efforts from the internal spread of the virus to keeping new cases from abroad from entering .
The number of new cases is also in decline in South Korea and Japan — two countries that were hard hit as the infection spilled over from China in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul reported 76 new cases and Japan 64 , according to WHO .
Although government officials have refrained from critiquing the rest of the world 's response to the pandemic , some hospital officials have n't been as reticent .
Zhang Wenhong , director of the infectious diseases department at Shanghai Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University , wrote on the hospital 's social media account : `` We had thought the world would synchronise controls with those taken in China – in the way that Singapore , Japan and South Korea have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become the new epicentre and brought us huge uncertainties , '' he wrote , according to the South China Morning Post .
Indonesia , a country whose health minister last week said was free of coronavirus , attributing its good fortune to prayer , now reports nearly 120 cases and nearly 50 deaths .
In Iran , where the epidemic has infected some 14,000 people by official accounts , a 78-year-old member of the clerical body that chooses the country 's supreme leader has reportedly died from COVID-19 .
The virus has killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicions about the government 's assessment of the epidemic within its borders has led some to question the official statistics as understated .
Elsewhere in the region , Qatar has reported more than 300 cases and 75 deaths ; Bahrain more than 200 with one reported death ; and Kuwait says it has more than 100 confirmed cases with 12 deaths .
A number of cases have been reported in a dozen other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean .
In Canada , where last week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for coronavirus , there have been nearly 250 cases , with 68 deaths .
Last week , the press secretary to Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro tested positive for the virus after meeting President Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida .
More than 120 cases have been reported in Brazil according to the latest WHO report , with 23 deaths from the virus .
The continent of Africa , which faced the brunt of the 2014 Ebola outbreak , appears thus far to have been largely spared from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa has had 38 cases , with 21 deaths from the virus , while Algeria has had 37 confirmed cases and Senegal 21 , with each of those countries reporting 11 deaths .

Global Deaths From Coronavirus Surpass 6,000
Enlarge this image toggle caption Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Updated at 9:11 p.m. ET
With the number of cases worldwide of the novel coronavirus surpassing 150,000, with some 6,000 deaths, governments across the globe continue their struggle to contain the pandemic. Their hope is to limit the number of new infections, while treating those individuals suffering from COVID-19 and isolating others whose symptoms are not as severe but who might spread the disease.
Here's a snapshot by region of what is happening as of midday Monday:
Europe
The European Union is proposing that its members restrict nonessential travel to the EU for 30 days.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said there would be exemptions for long-term EU residents, family members of EU nationals, diplomats and people actively working to address the crisis, such as doctors and researchers.
The proposal also would exempt people transporting goods, with "fast lanes" at borders "giving priority to essential transport." EU leaders are expected to discuss the proposal Tuesday, according to Reuters.
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said over the weekend that Europe had become the new epicenter of the pandemic after it peaked earlier in Asia.
"More cases are now being reported [in Europe] every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic," Tedros said at a news conference at the WHO's Geneva headquarters.
Officials in Italy have reported some 3,600 new cases and 368 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections there to nearly 25,000 and some 1,800 deaths. Italy is second in the number of reported infections and deaths only to China, where the epidemic was first identified in December.
Italian officials have expressed concern that the surge in infections has pushed the country's health system to the saturation point, according to NPR's Sylvia Poggioli. Health authorities say there is a severe lack of intensive care unit beds, ventilators and protective masks to treat the huge influx.
"It's not a wave — it's a tsunami," Dr. Robert Rona, who is in charge of intensive care at Monza hospital outside Milan, told The Associated Press.
The disease first appeared in Lombardy, the region that is home to Milan, a metropolis of 3 million people that is Italy's economic powerhouse. It started in a cluster of small-to-medium-size towns in the region, and Poggioli reports that "everything is being done to prevent a surge in cases in Milan."
Spain, where the government formally declared a state of emergency over the weekend, ordered a lockdown — requiring people to stay home to foster social distancing and for all nonessential shops to close, along with restaurants, bars, cafes and movie theaters.
In Spain, the total number of confirmed infections now exceeds 7,800 cases with 282 deaths.
Following a lengthy briefing on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose wife has tested positive for the virus, said "extraordinary" decisions were required to combat the disease.
"From now, we enter a new phase," he said. "We won't hesitate in doing what we need [to do] to beat the virus."
"During the state of emergency, people will only be allowed out on to public streets for the following reasons: to buy food, basic or pharmaceutical items; to attend medical centers; to go to and from work; to look after children, older people or those with disabilities or who are especially vulnerable; and to attend financial or insurance offices on force majeure grounds," Sánchez said, according to The Guardian newspaper.
In a gesture of gratitude for doctors, nurses and other medical workers who work in Spain's national health system, people went to their balconies all over the country at 10 p.m. local time to applaud in unison.
In France, municipal elections went ahead as planned on Sunday under what officials said were tight sanitary restrictions, including "safe spacing" of voters as they queued and providing hand sanitizer. There have been nearly 5,500 total confirmed cases in France, with 127 deaths from COVID-19. Despite assurances that the polling was safe, the Interior Ministry on Sunday reported turnout was just 18.3%, down 5% from elections six years ago.
France has already ordered a lockdown similar to the one Italy and Spain have imposed.
In the United Kingdom, where nearly 1,400 cases have been confirmed so far with 35 deaths from the coronavirus disease, no lockdown has been ordered.
However, the government is expected to lay out emergency measures this week, including requiring people 70 years and older to self-isolate for as long as four months.
Last week, the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson signaled that it might be considering a different approach to the rest of the world — in essence, allowing a large percentage of the population to become infected, creating a "herd immunity" that would eventually stamp out the epidemic.
But public backlash to that suggestion, which would result in tens of millions of Britons becoming infected with the virus, forced the government to backtrack.
"We will do the right thing at the right time, based on the best available science," Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote in an opinion piece that appeared in The Telegraph over the weekend. "Herd immunity is not our goal or policy, it's a scientific concept."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images
Nearly 7,300 cases and 17 deaths have been reported in Germany, and some 2,200 infections and 14 deaths have been reported in Switzerland. The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Austria and Belgium each have over 1,000 cases.
Asia
New cases in China, where the epidemic began, have been decreasing steadily in recent weeks, with just 27 new cases reported in the WHO's latest situation report, which is updated every 24 hours. It is a long way from the peak of the crisis in China about a month ago, when Beijing reported more than 14,000 new infections in a single day. A total of about 81,000 cases have been reported there since December.
In recent days, the country has begun shifting its efforts from the internal spread of the virus to keeping new cases from abroad from entering.
The number of new cases is also in decline in South Korea and Japan — two countries that were hard hit as the infection spilled over from China in the early days of the epidemic. Seoul reported 76 new cases and Japan 64, according to WHO.
Although government officials have refrained from critiquing the rest of the world's response to the pandemic, some hospital officials haven't been as reticent.
Zhang Wenhong, director of the infectious diseases department at Shanghai Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, wrote on the hospital's social media account: "We had thought the world would synchronise controls with those taken in China – in the way that Singapore, Japan and South Korea have done."
"But Europe has become the new epicentre and brought us huge uncertainties," he wrote, according to the South China Morning Post.
Indonesia, a country whose health minister said last week was free of coronavirus, attributing its good fortune to prayer, now reports 134 cases and five deaths.
Middle East
In Iran, where the epidemic has infected nearly 15,000 people by official accounts, a 78-year-old member of the clerical body that chooses the country's supreme leader has reportedly died from COVID-19. The virus has killed some 800 people in Iran, but suspicions about the government's assessment of the epidemic within its borders has led some to question the official statistics as understated.
Elsewhere in the region, Qatar has reported more than 400 cases but no deaths; Bahrain has more than 200 cases, with one reported death; and Kuwait says it has more than 100 confirmed cases, but no deaths.
A number of cases have been reported in a dozen other countries in the eastern Mediterranean.
Canada and Latin America
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the country will restrict entry for travelers who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
He said there would be exemptions for several groups, including U.S. citizens, airplane crews, diplomats, and the immediate family members of Canadian citizens.
"I know that these measures are far-reaching. They are exceptional circumstances calling for exceptional measures," he said.
Trudeau and his family say they are self-isolating after his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, tested positive for the coronavirus. The country has had more than 400 cases, with four deaths.
Last week, the press secretary to Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro tested positive for the virus after having met with President Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. About 200 cases have been reported in Brazil, but no deaths.
Africa
The continent of Africa, which faced the brunt of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, appears thus far to have been largely spared from COVID-19. According to Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering, South Africa has had 62 cases, but no deaths, while Algeria has had 54 confirmed cases and four deaths; Senegal has had 24 cases and no deaths.
NPR's Merrit Kennedy contributed to this report.


npr--2020-03-15--CDC Recommends Against Gatherings Of 50 Or More, As States Close Bars And Restaurants

CDC Recommends Against Gatherings Of 50 Or More , As States Close Bars And Restaurants Updated at 1:55 a.m .
ET Monday In an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising against gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks .
In a guidance announcement issued on Sunday , the agency said it was warning against large events and mass gatherings that include `` conferences , festivals , parades , concerts , sporting events , weddings , and other types of assemblies . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are individuals or organizations , to cancel or postpone such events .
However , it said the guidance did not apply to the daily operations of organizations like schools , institutes of higher learning or businesses .
`` This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus , '' according to the guidance announcement .
`` This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cities across the country moved on Sunday to limit large gatherings in order to help halt the spread of an outbreak that has infected at least 3,499 people in the U.S. and resulted in 63 deaths , according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University .
Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ordered all bars and restaurants to close through March 30 beginning on Monday .
`` The time for persuasion and public appeals is over , '' Pritzker said at a press conference on Sunday as St. Patrick 's Day revelers in Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is not a joke .
No one is immune to this . ''
There are 93 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
Pritzker said drive-throughs will be allowed to stay open and added that he 's working with establishments to keep kitchens open so that food can still be delivered to homes .
The order affects roughly 25,000 businesses across the state , sending home hundreds of thousands of workers , the local CBS Chicago reports .
The Illinois Restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaring safety its priority .
`` We are currently working with other stakeholders to explore all possible avenues of economic and regulatory relief for our industry in the days and weeks ahead , '' the group said in a statement .
California orders seniors to stay home and bars to close California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Sunday requested that all senior citizens and those with chronic conditions isolate themselves at home .
Additionally , he called for the closure of all bars , wineries , nightclubs and breweries , as the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the coronavirus and six deaths .
Restaurants are being asked to cut their occupancy in half in order to promote `` social distancing , '' Newsom said .
The governor is also asking restaurants to prioritize takeout options for individuals who are isolating themselves .
`` The most important thing is to focus on the vulnerable and prioritize their safety , '' Newsom said .
`` We are guided by science , not the framework of hysteria . ''
Los Angeles Mayor Gil Garcetti Sunday night ordered the city 's restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed at midnight local time at least through March .
The emergency decree exempted take-out and delivery .
Starting Monday , the country 's largest public school system will shut its doors to more than 1.1 million students , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced at a news conference on Sunday evening .
The city-wide closure will be in place until at least Monday , April 20 .
On Twitter , a somber de Blasio expressed concern for students and families who would be affected by the change , and addressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any challenges that arise .
`` We know hundreds of thousands of kids depend on our schools for their meals , '' he said .
`` We 'll have grab and go breakfast and lunch available at all school buildings starting tomorrow . ''
The mayor also announced that he would be asking all bars and restaurants in the city to close starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday , and instead limit their business to take-out and delivery .
`` Tomorrow , I will sign an Executive Order limiting restaurants , bars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nightclubs , movie theaters , small theater houses and concert venues must all close , '' de Blasio said in a statement .
As of Sunday , the state had 729 cases of the virus , according to the New York Department of Health .
Washington state , a coronavirus hotspot which saw the country 's first death , took its most drastic steps yet to limit the spread of the virus in public spaces .
Gov .
Jay Inslee said on Sunday night that he would order the temporary closure of restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Delivery and take-out will not be shut down , he said .
`` These are very difficult decisions , but hours count here and very strong measures are necessary to slow the spread of the disease .
I know there will be significant economic impacts to all our communities and we are looking at steps to help address those challenges , '' Inslee said .
The governor is also banning gatherings of at least 50 , in a mandate of CDC 's new guidance .
There are at least 42 deaths statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @

CDC Recommends Against Gatherings Of 50 Or More; States Close Bars And Restaurants
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brad Lee/AFP via Getty Images Brad Lee/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 1:55 a.m. ET Monday
In an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising against gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks.
In a guidance announcement issued on Sunday, the agency said it was warning against large events and mass gatherings that include "conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies."
The agency called on organizers, whether they are individuals or organizations, to cancel or postpone such events. However, it said the guidance did not apply to the daily operations of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning or businesses.
"This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus," according to the guidance announcement. "This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials."
Illinois to shut down bars, restaurants
The CDC guidance came as states and cities across the country acted on Sunday to limit large gatherings to help halt the spread of an outbreak that has infected at least 3,499 people in the U.S. and resulted in 63 deaths, according to tracking by Johns Hopkins University.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all bars and restaurants to close through March 30 beginning on Monday.
"The time for persuasion and public appeals is over," Pritzker said at a press conference on Sunday as St. Patrick's Day revelers in Chicago were already hitting bars in large groups. "This is not a joke. No one is immune to this."
There are 93 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Pritzker said drive-throughs will be allowed to stay open and added that he's working with establishments to keep kitchens open so that food can still be delivered to homes.
The order affects roughly 25,000 businesses across the state, sending home hundreds of thousands of workers, the local CBS Chicago reports.
The Illinois Restaurant Association backed the governor's decision, declaring safety its priority.
"We are currently working with other stakeholders to explore all possible avenues of economic and regulatory relief for our industry in the days and weeks ahead," the group said in a statement.
California orders seniors to stay home and bars to close
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday requested that all senior citizens and those with chronic conditions isolate themselves at home. Additionally, he called for the closure of all bars, wineries, nightclubs and breweries, as the country's most populous state recorded 335 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and six deaths.
Restaurants are being asked to cut their occupancy in half in order to promote "social distancing," Newsom said. The governor is also asking restaurants to prioritize takeout options for individuals who are isolating themselves.
"The most important thing is to focus on the vulnerable and prioritize their safety," Newsom said. "We are guided by science, not the framework of hysteria."
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Sunday night ordered the city's restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues closed at midnight local time at least through March. The emergency decree exempted takeout and delivery.
New York City shuts schools, bars, restaurants
Starting Monday, the country's largest public school system will shut its doors to more than 1.1 million students, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced at a news conference on Sunday evening.
The citywide closure will be in place until at least April 20.
On Twitter, a somber de Blasio expressed concern for students and families who would be affected by the change and addressed the steps he was taking to mitigate any challenges that arise.
"We know hundreds of thousands of kids depend on our schools for their meals," he said. "We'll have grab and go breakfast and lunch available at all school buildings starting tomorrow."
The mayor also announced that he would be asking all bars and restaurants in the city to close starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and instead limit their business to takeout and delivery.
"Tomorrow, I will sign an Executive Order limiting restaurants, bars and cafes to food take-out and delivery. Nightclubs, movie theaters, small theater houses and concert venues must all close," de Blasio said in a statement.
As of Sunday, the state had 729 cases of the virus, according to the New York Department of Health.
Washington state doubles down on CDC guidance
Washington state, a coronavirus hot spot that saw the country's first death, took its most drastic steps yet to limit the spread of the virus in public spaces.
Gov. Jay Inslee said on Sunday night that he would order the temporary closure of restaurants, bars, entertainment and recreation venues. Delivery and takeout will not be shut down, he said.
"These are very difficult decisions, but hours count here and very strong measures are necessary to slow the spread of the disease. I know there will be significant economic impacts to all our communities and we are looking at steps to help address those challenges," Inslee said.
The governor is also banning gatherings of at least 50, in a mandate of the CDC's new guidance.
There are at least 42 deaths statewide with 769 positive cases confirmed.


npr--2020-03-15--Simone Biles Marks Her Birthday With A Request For USA Gymnastics

Simone Biles Marks Her Birthday With A Request For USA Gymnastics As Simone Biles celebrated her 23rd birthday on Saturday , she made it clear that she will not stop asking for accountability and answers surrounding the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal .
Among the many people who wished the gymnast happy birthday was the official USA Gymnastics Twitter account .
Accompanied by a video one of Biles ' performance at the 2019 U.S .
Gymnastics Championships , the organization said `` HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most decorated gymnast of all time , @ simonebiles !
We know you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history ! ''
Biles took the opportunity to respond with her birthday wish for the organization saying , `` how about you amaze me and do the right thing ... have an independent investigation . ''
Biles has expressed her frustration with the situation before , including in February , a month after USA Gymnastics proposed a $ 215 million settlement for athletes suing the organization over Nassar 's abuse .
Biles is among hundreds of women who have come forward to say they were abused by Nassar .
The proposal would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gymnastics officials and former coaches from litigation .
But it would n't ensure that the details of who knew about the abuse and helped hide it get released .
Nassar , the former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor , admitted to sexually assaulting his patients for decades and was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for the abuse .
He was sentenced to more than 100 other years in prison for the charges on the abuse and child pornography .
Biles has called on both USA Gymnastics and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an independent investigation into the scandal .

Simone Biles Marks Her Birthday With A Request For USA Gymnastics
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lionel Bonaventure/AFP via Getty Images Lionel Bonaventure/AFP via Getty Images
As Simone Biles celebrated her 23rd birthday on Saturday, she made it clear that she will not stop asking for accountability and answers surrounding the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal.
Among the many people who wished the gymnast happy birthday was the official USA Gymnastics Twitter account.
Accompanied by a video one of Biles' performance at the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the organization said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most decorated gymnast of all time, @simonebiles! We know you will only continue to amaze us and make history!"
Biles took the opportunity to respond with her birthday wish for the organization saying, "how about you amaze me and do the right thing... have an independent investigation."
Biles has expressed her frustration with the situation before, including in February, a month after USA Gymnastics proposed a $215 million settlement for athletes suing the organization over Nassar's abuse. Biles is among hundreds of women who have come forward to say they were abused by Nassar.
The proposal would also release U.S. Olympic officials, former USA Gymnastics officials and former coaches from litigation. But it wouldn't ensure that the details of who knew about the abuse and helped hide it get released.
Nassar, the former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor, admitted to sexually assaulting his patients for decades and was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for the abuse. He was sentenced to more than 100 other years in prison for the charges on the abuse and child pornography.
Biles has called on both USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to have an independent investigation into the scandal.


npr--2020-03-15--Markets In Europe, Asia Plummet After Central Banks Slash Rates Amid Coronavirus

Updated at 5 a.m .
ET on Monday European shares dropped more than 8 % on Monday , led by losses in Italy and France , the two countries hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic that has girdled the globe in recent weeks , infecting tens of thousands of people , severing supply chains and slowing commerce as people are forced to stay home .
In early trading , Italy 's FTSE MIB , France 's CAC 40 and Germany 's DAX were all down more than 8 % , with London 's FTSE 100 just behind , dropping more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe , which has become the new epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic that started in China , came as Asian stocks also took a big hit .
In Hong Kong , the Hang Seng index fell just over 4 % and Japan 's Nikkei 225 lost nearly 2.5 % .
The Shanghai Composite Index lost nearly 3.5 % .
The drubbing for stocks follows the U.S. Federal Reserve 's cut in its key interest rate to near zero , a dramatic move not seen since the depths of the 2008 financial crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordination with efforts to buttress the global economy by the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan .
The one-percentage-point decrease was the U.S. central bank 's second emergency rate cut this month in an attempt to cushion the rapidly growing economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Fed also announced plans to buy $ 700 billion in government securities .
`` The effects of the coronavirus will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook , '' the Fed said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of these developments , the [ Federal Open Market ] Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 0 to 1/4 percent . ''
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell , speaking with reporters on a conference call , said : `` Families , businesses , schools , organizations and governments at all levels are taking steps to protect people 's health .
These measures , which are essential for containing the outbreak , will nonetheless understandably take a toll on economic activity in the near term . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of borrowing on everything from credit cards to auto loans .
President Trump — who has often slammed the Fed for first raising rates and then not cutting them more quickly — praised the actions minutes later .
`` It 's really great news '' and `` great for our country , '' Trump told reporters at the White House , adding that the Fed 's announcement should cheer financial markets .
Just on Friday , Trump had said he could demote Fed Chairman Jerome Powell , whom he had appointed , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But U.S. stock market futures dove after the Fed 's announcement .
Futures in the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 1,000 points .
In cutting its key interest to zero , the Fed has practically lost a major policy tool — one that it would need if the economy tumbles into recession .
But the Fed said its policymaking committee `` will continue to closely monitor market conditions and is prepared to adjust its plans as appropriate . ''
Low rates make borrowing cheap , but they do n't necessarily get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get people shopping at a time when government officials are asking bars and restaurants to shut down and telling workers to stay home to stall the spread of the virus .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
In addition to the rate cut , the Fed also announced measures to `` support the smooth functioning of markets for Treasury securities and agency mortgage-backed securities . ''
It said it will boost its holdings of Treasurys by at least $ 500 billion and its holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
Global financial markets have been shaken deeply by the growing pandemic .
And U.S. stock indexes have plummeted at least 20 % from their recent record highs — putting the market in bear market territory after an 11-year winning streak .
The Dow has fallen nearly 6,400 points since its record high on Feb. 12 .
On Friday , the Dow jumped 9.3 % , or 1,985 points , after posting its worst day since the Black Monday crash of October 1987 .
That rebound came as Trump declared a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the coronavirus crisis .
But the Dow still lost nearly 2,700 points for the week .
`` The coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries , including the United States , '' the Fed said Sunday .
The Fed last cut rates to near zero in December 2008 , during the financial crisis , and kept them at that historic low until the end of 2015 .
Sunday 's emergency move was highly unusual because it came between scheduled Fed meetings .
The Fed 's next meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Markets In Europe, Asia Plummet After Central Banks Slash Rates Amid Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 5 a.m. ET on Monday
European shares dropped more than 8% on Monday, led by losses in Italy and France, the two countries hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic that has girdled the globe in recent weeks, infecting tens of thousands of people, severing supply chains and slowing commerce as people are forced to stay home.
In early trading, Italy's FTSE MIB, France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX were all down more than 8%, with London's FTSE 100 just behind, dropping more than 7%.
The steep fall in Europe, which has become the new epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic that started in China, came as Asian stocks also took a big hit. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index fell just over 4% and Japan's Nikkei 225 lost nearly 2.5%. The Shanghai Composite Index lost nearly 3.5%.
The drubbing for stocks follows the U.S. Federal Reserve's cut in its key interest rate to near zero, a dramatic move not seen since the depths of the 2008 financial crisis. The Fed's move was made in coordination with efforts to buttress the global economy by the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan.
The one-percentage-point decrease was the U.S. central bank's second emergency rate cut this month in an attempt to cushion the rapidly growing economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Fed also announced plans to buy $700 billion in government securities.
"The effects of the coronavirus will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook," the Fed said in a statement announcing the moves Sunday. "In light of these developments, the [Federal Open Market] Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 0 to 1/4 percent."
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, speaking with reporters on a conference call, said: "Families, businesses, schools, organizations and governments at all levels are taking steps to protect people's health. These measures, which are essential for containing the outbreak, will nonetheless understandably take a toll on economic activity in the near term."
The federal funds rate affects the cost of borrowing on everything from credit cards to auto loans.
President Trump — who has often slammed the Fed for first raising rates and then not cutting them more quickly — praised the actions minutes later.
"It's really great news" and "great for our country," Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that the Fed's announcement should cheer financial markets. Just on Friday, Trump had said he could demote Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, whom he had appointed, from the top job at the Fed.
But U.S. stock market futures dove after the Fed's announcement. Futures in the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 1,000 points.
In cutting its key interest to zero, the Fed has practically lost a major policy tool — one that it would need if the economy tumbles into recession. But the Fed said its policymaking committee "will continue to closely monitor market conditions and is prepared to adjust its plans as appropriate."
Low rates make borrowing cheap, but they don't necessarily get businesses to increase workers' hours or get people shopping at a time when government officials are asking bars and restaurants to shut down and telling workers to stay home to stall the spread of the virus.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
In addition to the rate cut, the Fed also announced measures to "support the smooth functioning of markets for Treasury securities and agency mortgage-backed securities." It said it will boost its holdings of Treasurys by at least $500 billion and its holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities by at least $200 billion in coming months.
Global financial markets have been shaken deeply by the growing pandemic. And U.S. stock indexes have plummeted at least 20% from their recent record highs — putting the market in bear market territory after an 11-year winning streak. The Dow has fallen nearly 6,400 points since its record high on Feb. 12.
On Friday, the Dow jumped 9.3%, or 1,985 points, after posting its worst day since the Black Monday crash of October 1987. That rebound came as Trump declared a national emergency and announced several steps to deal with the coronavirus crisis. But the Dow still lost nearly 2,700 points for the week.
"The coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries, including the United States," the Fed said Sunday.
The Fed last cut rates to near zero in December 2008, during the financial crisis, and kept them at that historic low until the end of 2015.
Sunday's emergency move was highly unusual because it came between scheduled Fed meetings. The Fed's next meeting is set for this Tuesday and Wednesday.


npr--2020-03-15--Gantz Chosen To Form Government, Netanyahu Argues To Stay PM Over Coronavirus Effects

Gantz Chosen To Form Government , Netanyahu Argues To Stay PM Over Coronavirus Effects In a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Israel 's president said Sunday he will give centrist retired army general Benny Gantz the first chance to try to form a new government following this month 's inconclusive elections .
Gantz was tapped after a majority of 61 lawmakers in the 120-member Parliament told President Reuven Rivlin they support Gantz over Netanyahu .
A coalition of Arab parties , including a staunchly Palestinian nationalist faction , decisively helped tip the scales by unanimously endorsing Gantz .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ become Israel 's next prime minister , but it gives him 42 days to try to form a government .
More immediately , it gives him the upper hand in Parliament , as his party considers advancing legislation barring Netanyahu from forming a new government due to a corruption indictment against him .
Netanyahu argues that the challenge of coronavirus means he should remain in office .
In a tweet , he offered Gantz two options to break the political deadlock in Israel : joining a six-month emergency government with Netanyahu at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would allow Netanyahu to serve as prime minister for two more years before Gantz takes over .
Gantz could unseat Netanyahu by building a minority government dependent on Arab parties , but it would be an unstable coalition and would draw fierce opposition from the right-wing Netanyahu , who calls the Arab parties terror sympathizers .
`` While Prime Minister Netanyahu is handling an unprecedented global and national crisis in the most responsible and measured way , '' Netanyahu 's Likud party said in a statement , `` Gantz is rushing to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of joining a national emergency government that will save lives . ''
About 20 % of Israel 's population comprise Palestinian Arab citizens inside the country 's borders .
This month 's inconclusive elections left Netanyahu 's political future uncertain , but the coronavirus crisis offered some relief to Netanyahu on Sunday : his corruption trial was postponed due to emergency measures taken in response to coronavirus , drawing accusations from Netanyahu 's rivals that he is extracting personal and political gain from the health crisis .
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his dealings with media moguls .
He was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday for the opening hearing of his trial , but a panel of judges delayed it to May 24 , citing a state of emergency declared by the caretaker justice minister .
Justice Minister Amir Ohana , a Netanyahu loyalist , claimed no political interference .
Emanuel Gross , professor emeritus of law at Haifa University in Israel , said in an interview with NPR that he believed coronavirus concerns were a legitimate reason to delay the trial .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week expanded his powers enabling him to freeze the courts due to a health crisis , then around 1 a.m. Sunday issued a freeze on non-urgent court hearings for 24 hours , which is liable to be extended .
`` The delay of the trial at this time does not hurt Benjamin Netanyahu , and the rest you can understand yourself , '' wrote former state prosecutor Eran Shender in an op-ed .
The delay in Netanyahu 's hearing followed new restrictions Netanyahu enacted to combat the spread of coronavirus , banning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing schools , restaurants , malls , movie theaters , gyms and other non-essential public venues .
Israel is also banning entry to most foreign visitors and has ordered some 30,000 Israelis into home quarantine .
There are around 200 coronavirus cases in the country , most of them mild .
Netanyahu came under additional criticism for seeking to use surveillance technology to track virus carriers , a move that would impinge on Israelis ' privacy .
The government on Sunday approved tracking Israeli coronavirus carriers ' cellphones to determine who they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are in the midst of an emergency , but this does n't mean that turning Israel into a surveillance state is justified , '' said Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler of the non-partisan Israel Democracy Institute .
Gantz on Sunday appeared unwilling to give Netanyahu a lifeline to stay in office .
`` Netanyahu , do n't try to manipulate the citizens of Israel , '' Gantz tweeted .
`` If you 're interested in unity , why postpone your trial at 1 a.m. and send an 'emergency unity ' outline to the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former defense minister turned political rival in Gantz 's Blue and White coalition , accused Netanyahu of `` cynically taking advantage of the corona crisis for personal political needs of a defendant before trial . ''
In a separate tweet , Yaalon wrote , `` Blue and White can not be a partner to the destruction of democracy in our country by a defendant fleeing trial . ''

Gantz Chosen To Form Government, Netanyahu Argues To Stay PM Over Coronavirus Effects
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gali Tibbon/AP Gali Tibbon/AP
In a setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's president said Sunday he will give centrist retired army general Benny Gantz the first chance to try to form a new government following this month's inconclusive elections.
Gantz was tapped after a majority of 61 lawmakers in the 120-member Parliament told President Reuven Rivlin they support Gantz over Netanyahu. A coalition of Arab parties, including a staunchly Palestinian nationalist faction, decisively helped tip the scales by unanimously endorsing Gantz.
This does not mean Gantz will automatically become Israel's next prime minister, but it gives him 42 days to try to form a government. More immediately, it gives him the upper hand in Parliament, as his party considers advancing legislation barring Netanyahu from forming a new government due to a corruption indictment against him.
Netanyahu argues that the challenge of coronavirus means he should remain in office. In a tweet, he offered Gantz two options to break the political deadlock in Israel: joining a six-month emergency government with Netanyahu at the head, or a unity government that would allow Netanyahu to serve as prime minister for two more years before Gantz takes over.
Gantz could unseat Netanyahu by building a minority government dependent on Arab parties, but it would be an unstable coalition and would draw fierce opposition from the right-wing Netanyahu, who calls the Arab parties terror sympathizers.
"While Prime Minister Netanyahu is handling an unprecedented global and national crisis in the most responsible and measured way," Netanyahu's Likud party said in a statement, "Gantz is rushing to a minority government dependent on ... terror supporters instead of joining a national emergency government that will save lives."
About 20% of Israel's population comprise Palestinian Arab citizens inside the country's borders.
This month's inconclusive elections left Netanyahu's political future uncertain, but the coronavirus crisis offered some relief to Netanyahu on Sunday: his corruption trial was postponed due to emergency measures taken in response to coronavirus, drawing accusations from Netanyahu's rivals that he is extracting personal and political gain from the health crisis.
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust for his dealings with media moguls. He was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday for the opening hearing of his trial, but a panel of judges delayed it to May 24, citing a state of emergency declared by the caretaker justice minister.
Justice Minister Amir Ohana, a Netanyahu loyalist, claimed no political interference. Emanuel Gross, professor emeritus of law at Haifa University in Israel, said in an interview with NPR that he believed coronavirus concerns were a legitimate reason to delay the trial.
But critics raised eyebrows as the justice minister last week expanded his powers enabling him to freeze the courts due to a health crisis, then around 1 a.m. Sunday issued a freeze on non-urgent court hearings for 24 hours, which is liable to be extended.
"The delay of the trial at this time does not hurt Benjamin Netanyahu, and the rest you can understand yourself," wrote former state prosecutor Eran Shender in an op-ed.
The delay in Netanyahu's hearing followed new restrictions Netanyahu enacted to combat the spread of coronavirus, banning gatherings of more than 10 people and closing schools, restaurants, malls, movie theaters, gyms and other non-essential public venues. Israel is also banning entry to most foreign visitors and has ordered some 30,000 Israelis into home quarantine. There are around 200 coronavirus cases in the country, most of them mild.
Netanyahu came under additional criticism for seeking to use surveillance technology to track virus carriers, a move that would impinge on Israelis' privacy. The government on Sunday approved tracking Israeli coronavirus carriers' cellphones to determine who they may have come in contact with. "We are in the midst of an emergency, but this doesn't mean that turning Israel into a surveillance state is justified," said Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler of the non-partisan Israel Democracy Institute.
Gantz on Sunday appeared unwilling to give Netanyahu a lifeline to stay in office.
"Netanyahu, don't try to manipulate the citizens of Israel," Gantz tweeted. "If you're interested in unity, why postpone your trial at 1 a.m. and send an 'emergency unity' outline to the press."
Moshe Yaalon, Netanyahu's former defense minister turned political rival in Gantz's Blue and White coalition, accused Netanyahu of "cynically taking advantage of the corona crisis for personal political needs of a defendant before trial."
In a separate tweet, Yaalon wrote, "Blue and White cannot be a partner to the destruction of democracy in our country by a defendant fleeing trial."


npr--2020-03-15--White House Says More Drive-Through Coronavirus Test Sites To Open This Week

White House Says More Drive-Through Coronavirus Test Sites To Open This Week States hit hardest by the spread of coronavirus will see drive-through and walk-through testing sites set up this week , the White House said on Sunday , a shift that will provide more information about how widely the virus has spread across the country .
The sites each will be able to screen 2,000 to 4,000 people per day , with priority given to health care workers , first responders and people age 65 and older with respiratory symptoms and fevers above 99.6 degrees .
The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , which public health experts have said has masked the prevalence of the virus .
Early on , there was a problem in test kits distributed to labs by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which slowed efforts to make testing more widely available .
President Trump declared the virus a national emergency on Friday , a move that freed up billions in funding and also activates the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help set up testing sites and field hospitals .
`` We are going from somewhat manual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regimen that we can test many tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of individuals per week , and maybe even more , '' said Adm. Brett Giroir , who is leading the Department of Health and Human Services ' efforts in coordinating coronavirus testing .
Nearly 2 million tests will be available this week and more than 10 states now have drive-through testing sites , officials said .
Dr. Deborah Birx , who is part of the White House 's coronavirus task force , said that as testing ramps up , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She urged Americans to let the most vulnerable people go first .
`` I know everybody 's going to want to go to these drive-throughs , '' she said .
`` The worst is yet ahead of us '' The increase in testing comes as the outbreak enters a critical stage , said Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
`` The worst is yet ahead for us , '' he said , warning that Americans need to take steps to reduce the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's how we respond to that challenge that will determine what the ultimate endpoint is going to be . ''
Fauci said the CDC will issue new guidelines on Monday about `` social distancing , '' and said that it may be possible that the government recommends places like bars and restaurants shut down .
`` Everything and anything , we 'll consider , '' he said .
The CDC on Sunday said it recommends canceling or postponing events like conferences , sporting events and weddings that have 50 people or more .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the pandemic may exceed the capacity of the hospital system , and said the government was working to increase its supplies of ventilators , field hospital units and supplies for health workers .
Trump spoke to CEOs of grocery and food companies on Sunday and urged them to keep store shelves well-stocked .
Trump urged Americans to stop panic-buying , as customers strip shelves bare of products like hand sanitizer , toilet paper and face masks .
`` You do n't have to buy so much , '' Trump said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Vice President Mike Pence urged people to stay home from work if they felt sick .
`` No American worker should worry about missing a pay check if they 're feeling ill , '' he said .
Responding to criticism that a new paid sick leave package agreed to with the House of Representatives early on Saturday does not cover workers for companies with more than 500 companies , Pence said : `` We have every confidence that the extension of paid and family leave to Americans will be extended in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence . ''
On Friday , the White House had promoted a website it was developing with Google to help screen people and direct them to test sites — a website that Google afterward said was only in its early stages , and was a pilot for California 's Bay area .
Asked about the website on Sunday , Pence said : `` We 're working with Google , but we 're working with many other tech companies . ''
He said a website with a questionnaire for people worried they have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and said it eventually would help people find out how to get tested .
Verily , a life sciences division of Google 's parent company , published a statement saying it would launch its pilot for screening and testing in San Francisco 's Bay Area on Monday — beginning with people who are at highest risk from the virus .
`` The program is in its early stages , and we will take the time to assess operations at pilot sites in the Bay Area before rolling out to additional sites , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was `` partnering '' with the government on a `` nationwide website '' with information about symptoms , risks and testing information .
Stung by criticism that the White House had overstated the readiness and the scope of the website , Trump said Google 's statement `` substantiated what I said on Friday '' and complained about coverage of the discrepancies .
NPR 's Shannon Bond and Roberta Rampton contributed to this story .

White House Says More Drive-Through Coronavirus Test Sites To Open This Week
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Updated at 8:00 p.m. ET
States hit hardest by the spread of coronavirus will see drive-through and walk-through testing sites set up this week, the White House said on Sunday, a shift that will provide more information about how widely the virus has spread across the country.
The sites each will be able to screen 2,000 to 4,000 people per day, with priority given to health care workers, first responders and people age 65 and older with respiratory symptoms and fevers above 99.6 degrees.
The Trump administration has been criticized for the lack of testing, which public health experts have said has masked the prevalence of the virus. Early on, there was a problem in test kits distributed to labs by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which slowed efforts to make testing more widely available.
President Trump declared the virus a national emergency on Friday, a move that freed up billions in funding and also activates the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help set up testing sites and field hospitals.
"We are going from somewhat manual, relatively slow phases, to a testing regimen that we can test many tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of individuals per week, and maybe even more," said Adm. Brett Giroir, who is leading the Department of Health and Human Services' efforts in coordinating coronavirus testing.
Nearly 2 million tests will be available this week and more than 10 states now have drive-through testing sites, officials said.
Dr. Deborah Birx, who is part of the White House's coronavirus task force, said that as testing ramps up, the number of reported coronavirus cases will rise. She urged Americans to let the most vulnerable people go first. "I know everybody's going to want to go to these drive-throughs," she said.
"The worst is yet ahead of us"
The increase in testing comes as the outbreak enters a critical stage, said Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
"The worst is yet ahead for us," he said, warning that Americans need to take steps to reduce the risk of spreading the disease. "It's how we respond to that challenge that will determine what the ultimate endpoint is going to be."
Fauci said the CDC will issue new guidelines on Monday about "social distancing," and said that it may be possible that the government recommends places like bars and restaurants shut down. "Everything and anything, we'll consider," he said.
The CDC on Sunday said it recommends canceling or postponing events like conferences, sporting events and weddings that have 50 people or more.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the pandemic may exceed the capacity of the hospital system, and said the government was working to increase its supplies of ventilators, field hospital units and supplies for health workers.
Trump spoke to CEOs of grocery and food companies on Sunday and urged them to keep store shelves well-stocked. Trump urged Americans to stop panic-buying, as customers strip shelves bare of products like hand sanitizer, toilet paper and face masks.
"You don't have to buy so much," Trump said. "Take it easy. Just relax."
Vice President Mike Pence urged people to stay home from work if they felt sick. "No American worker should worry about missing a pay check if they're feeling ill," he said.
Responding to criticism that a new paid sick leave package agreed to with the House of Representatives early on Saturday does not cover workers for companies with more than 500 companies, Pence said: "We have every confidence that the extension of paid and family leave to Americans will be extended in a way that should give every American that confidence."
Google website: early stages
On Friday, the White House had promoted a website it was developing with Google to help screen people and direct them to test sites — a website that Google afterward said was only in its early stages, and was a pilot for California's Bay area.
Asked about the website on Sunday, Pence said: "We're working with Google, but we're working with many other tech companies."
He said a website with a questionnaire for people worried they have the virus would be available early this week, and said it eventually would help people find out how to get tested.
Verily, a life sciences division of Google's parent company, published a statement saying it would launch its pilot for screening and testing in San Francisco's Bay Area on Monday — beginning with people who are at highest risk from the virus.
"The program is in its early stages, and we will take the time to assess operations at pilot sites in the Bay Area before rolling out to additional sites," the company said.
Google said it was "partnering" with the government on a "nationwide website" with information about symptoms, risks and testing information.
Stung by criticism that the White House had overstated the readiness and the scope of the website, Trump said Google's statement "substantiated what I said on Friday" and complained about coverage of the discrepancies.
NPR's Shannon Bond and Roberta Rampton contributed to this story.


npr--2020-03-16--Insurers Cover Fewer Drugs, Leaving Some Patients Struggling To Get Needed Treatments

Insurers Cover Fewer Drugs , Leaving Some Patients Struggling To Get Needed Treatments It took years for Leslie Miller to find the prescription drug that worked for her .
But in December , she got a letter from her insurer that the medicine would no longer be covered by her insurance plan starting January 1 .
`` My heart started racing immediately , '' says Miller , a graduate teaching assistant in Oklahoma State University 's sociology department .
`` I 've had this happen before and it 's scary . ''
Miller , 42 , of Lawton , Okla. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a teenager in the 1990s .
She underwent nine surgeries in four years .
Although she 's cancer-free today , her treatment left her with nerve damage that hindered her ability to go to the bathroom .
A drug called Linzess helped .
With a manufacturer 's coupon , she was able to get the medicine for as little as $ 30 a month .
That was before her insurer dropped Linzess from the list of drugs it covers , called a formulary .
Miller needed her doctor to get permission from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a process called prior authorization .
But even that was denied .
`` So here I am in January , needing this medication because I 'm five days almost out , and I had to pay $ 330 after the manufacturer coupon , '' Miller says , adding that she is asking her doctor to appeal the decision .
She 's not alone .
Insurance plans are covering fewer drugs , according to new research by GoodRx , a website that helps patients get discounts on drugs .
And even the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access .
GoodRx analyzed thousands of Medicare Part D plans from 2010 through 2019 and discovered that the proportion of available drugs covered by the average plan dropped from 73 % to 56 % .
But because Medicare has coverage rules that private plans like Miller 's do n't , such as a requirement to cover all cancer drugs , it 's possible private plans are even worse , according to GoodRx .
CVS Caremark and Express Scripts , companies that handle drug coverage for many commercial insurance plans in the U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of additional drugs in 2020 , pushing their lists of formulary exclusions to around 300 each .
Express Scripts says many of its newly excluded drugs have alternatives with lower cost generic , brand or biosimilar alternatives .
`` The odds of a drug being covered are much worse year over year than they had been , '' says Thomas Goetz , chief of research for GoodRx .
`` That can be a real shock to the system for people .
And then the question is , 'Well , OK , what do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a brand-name drug is kicked off a formulary , the patient is forced to switch to the generic .
Other times , there may not be a generic .
Patients may have to jump through hoops to get back on their drug , or they may have to switch drugs — or insurance plans — altogether .
So why is drug coverage shrinking ?
Pharmacy benefits managers , the middlemen who negotiate with drugmakers on behalf of employers and insurers , are looking to drive better deals .
`` It 's important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad , '' says Ameet Sarpatwari , assistant director of Harvard Medical School 's Program on Regulation , Therapeutics and Law .
`` In the case where there are many drugs on the market for a particular condition , a PBM will attempt to negotiate with manufacturers , saying that ... 'If you do not provide a good price , we will not cover your drug and instead cover somebody else 's drug . '
`` The problem , he says , arises if a drug is chosen or excluded from a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PBMs should also consider how effective a drug is relative to the other drugs .
But there is n't enough transparency in how formulary decisions are made to know whether that 's happening .
PBMs convene committees to weigh all these factors , says JC Scott , who leads the PBM trade group , Pharmaceutical Care Management Association .
But if PBMs were fully transparent , he says , the negotiated rates could get out and actually drive prices up .
He acknowledges that PBMs and doctors do n't always see eye to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think we 're all collectively trying to grapple with higher drug costs from drug manufacturers , '' Scott says .
`` And we all have a part to play in trying to address those costs . ''
Miller 's insurer seemed to be trying to push patients to a rival drug , Trulance , which struck her as odd because it was only $ 10 cheaper than Linzess .
She called her doctor to find out about her options Many patients do n't think to call their doctor when they find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says oncologist Barbara McAneny , a past president of the American Medical Association .
`` Often , we end up calling the patient to say , 'Did you get that medication ? '
`` she says .
`` Or we 'll see a patient back for a follow-up visit and say , 'How are you doing on that medicine ? '
And they 'll say , ' I never got it . '
`` Physicians and members of their staff spend hours every week on the phone seeking help with prescriptions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is n't covered .
Or sometimes , there are just hoops the insurer wants the patient to jump through .
GoodRx also found that 42 % of drugs covered in 2019 still had various restrictions on reimbursement .
These could include a requirement that a patient try and fail other , cheaper drugs before getting access to the expensive one a doctor recommends .
Or it could mean prior authorization , which means health care providers need to obtain advance approval from insurers before prescribing a drug .
McAneny says at her cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees who do nothing but prior authorization . ''
Even if her office can find a workaround to get patients restricted or off-formulary drugs , it takes time .
`` Emotionally , it 's agony for the patient because they get increasingly scared , as anyone would , '' she says .
`` But medically , it 's very bad to have an interruption in treatment . ''
As for Miller , she decided to stay on Linzess and appeal to her insurer .
`` That 's what I do , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my whole life with insurance companies . ''
In March , after more than two months of fighting , her insurer agreed to cover the drug .

Insurers Cover Fewer Drugs, Leaving Some Patients Struggling To Get Needed Treatments
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tom Werner/Getty Images Tom Werner/Getty Images
It took years for Leslie Miller to find the prescription drug that worked for her. But in December, she got a letter from her insurer that the medicine would no longer be covered by her insurance plan starting January 1.
"My heart started racing immediately," says Miller, a graduate teaching assistant in the University of Oklahoma's sociology department. "I've had this happen before and it's scary."
Miller, 42, of Lawton, Okla., was diagnosed with cancer when she was a teenager in the 1990s. She underwent nine surgeries in four years. Although she's cancer-free today, her treatment left her with nerve damage that hindered her ability to go to the bathroom. A drug called Linzess helped. With a manufacturer's coupon, she was able to get the medicine for as little as $30 a month.
That was before her insurer dropped Linzess from the list of drugs it covers, called a formulary. Miller needed her doctor to get permission from the insurance company to prescribe the drug, a process called prior authorization. But even that was denied.
"So here I am in January, needing this medication because I'm five days almost out, and I had to pay $330 after the manufacturer coupon," Miller says, adding that she is asking her doctor to appeal the decision.
She's not alone. Insurance plans are covering fewer drugs, according to new research by GoodRx, a website that helps patients get discounts on drugs. And even the ones they do cover are getting harder to access.
GoodRx analyzed thousands of Medicare Part D plans from 2010 through 2019 and discovered that the proportion of available drugs covered by the average plan dropped from 73% to 56%. But because Medicare has coverage rules that private plans like Miller's don't, such as a requirement to cover all cancer drugs, it's possible private plans are even worse, according to GoodRx.
CVS Caremark and Express Scripts, companies that handle drug coverage for many commercial insurance plans in the U.S., announced that they would stop covering dozens of additional drugs in 2020, pushing their lists of formulary exclusions to around 300 each. Express Scripts says many of its newly excluded drugs have alternatives with lower cost generic, brand or biosimilar alternatives.
"The odds of a drug being covered are much worse year over year than they had been," says Thomas Goetz, chief of research for GoodRx. "That can be a real shock to the system for people. And then the question is, 'Well, OK, what do I do?' "
Sometimes, when a brand-name drug is kicked off a formulary, the patient is forced to switch to the generic. Other times, there may not be a generic. Patients may have to jump through hoops to get back on their drug, or they may have to switch drugs — or insurance plans — altogether.
So why is drug coverage shrinking?
Pharmacy benefits managers, the middlemen who negotiate with drugmakers on behalf of employers and insurers, are looking to drive better deals.
"It's important to recognize that not all exclusions are bad," says Ameet Sarpatwari, assistant director of Harvard Medical School's Program on Regulation, Therapeutics and Law. "In the case where there are many drugs on the market for a particular condition, a PBM will attempt to negotiate with manufacturers, saying that... 'If you do not provide a good price, we will not cover your drug and instead cover somebody else's drug.' "
The problem, he says, arises if a drug is chosen or excluded from a plan based only on cost. Sarpatwari says PBMs should also consider how effective a drug is relative to the other drugs. But there isn't enough transparency in how formulary decisions are made to know whether that's happening.
PBMs convene committees to weigh all these factors, says JC Scott, who leads the PBM trade group, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association. But if PBMs were fully transparent, he says, the negotiated rates could get out and actually drive prices up.
He acknowledges that PBMs and doctors don't always see eye to eye about which drug to prescribe. "I think we're all collectively trying to grapple with higher drug costs from drug manufacturers," Scott says. "And we all have a part to play in trying to address those costs."
Miller's insurer seemed to be trying to push patients to a rival drug, Trulance, which struck her as odd because it was only $10 cheaper than Linzess. She called her doctor to find out about her options
Many patients don't think to call their doctor when they find out a drug is no longer covered, says oncologist Barbara McAneny, a past president of the American Medical Association.
"Often, we end up calling the patient to say, 'Did you get that medication?' " she says. "Or we'll see a patient back for a follow-up visit and say, 'How are you doing on that medicine?' And they'll say, 'I never got it.' "
Physicians and members of their staff spend hours every week on the phone seeking help with prescriptions from insurance companies. Sometimes, the drug isn't covered. Or sometimes, there are just hoops the insurer wants the patient to jump through.
GoodRx also found that 42% of drugs covered in 2019 still had various restrictions on reimbursement. These could include a requirement that a patient try and fail other, cheaper drugs before getting access to the expensive one a doctor recommends. Or it could mean prior authorization, which means health care providers need to obtain advance approval from insurers before prescribing a drug.
McAneny says at her cancer care practice, she has "five employees who do nothing but prior authorization."
Even if her office can find a workaround to get patients restricted or off-formulary drugs, it takes time. "Emotionally, it's agony for the patient because they get increasingly scared, as anyone would," she says. "But medically, it's very bad to have an interruption in treatment."
As for Miller, she decided to stay on Linzess and appeal to her insurer.
"That's what I do," she says. "I've done it my whole life with insurance companies."
In March, after more than two months of fighting, her insurer agreed to cover the drug.


npr--2020-03-16--America Closed: Thousands Of Stores, Resorts, Theaters Shut Down

In an unprecedented attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak , thousands of stores and other businesses are closing their doors to customers .
Apple , Nike , Patagonia and scores of other retailers are closing thousands of stores across the country .
In the nation 's largest cities — New York City , Chicago , Los Angeles and San Francisco — officials said they were ordering restaurants , bars , and cinemas to close .
Restaurants will be permitted to do takeout business .
Grocery stores and other retailers that sell food or basic supplies are staying open while limiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of store shelves .
But outside of that , American business of all kinds are closing their doors to customers .
Chairlifts and gondolas have stopped running as dozens of ski resorts in Colorado , Utah , Vermont and elsewhere have shut down .
Starbucks is removing chairs from thousands of locations and only doing to-go business .
And McDonald 's is closing the dining rooms in thousands of company-owned stores and only serving customers at drive-thru windows .
Gyms in some states are being ordered to close as officials decide that rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard is n't an acceptable risk .
Casinos are turning out the lights on their slot machines and card tables .
The water is not running down the slides at indoor water parks in California , Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
`` We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27 , '' Apple 's CEO Tim Cook said in a statement .
Stores in China are re-opening as that country says it has contained the outbreak .
Cook said working with China has helped Apple chart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the world .
`` One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus 's transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance , '' he said .
Many small businesses are struggling with the decision of whether to close too .
`` It 's been particularly hard as a small business owner to know what to do because I feel like I 'm the one making the decisions for myself and my family and my clientele , '' says Alanna Quan , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles .
`` Honestly , a lot of my clientele decided for me , '' she says .
`` They all started pushing their appointments back .
So by the time the vast majority of my clients who were scheduled for March and early April pushed back to late April and May , I decided to close the salon . ''
Small businesses are particularly vulnerable — many do n't have enough cash on hand to survive an extended shutdown .
And if a lot of small businesses get hurt , that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Half the people who work in this country work for or own a small business , '' says Karen Mills , who headed the Small Business Administration after the financial crisis .
`` In 2009 , when I took office in the first quarter , we lost 1.8 million small business jobs . ''
Many smaller companies ca n't survive an extended shutdown without help , she says .
`` Their average cash buffer is about 27 days , and for restaurants and some Main Street businesses , it 's even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says if you shut the door , you , `` turn off the spigot of all the cash coming in and you 're still paying employees and other expenses like rent and your loan payment , then pretty soon you run out of money and it 's not a very long time frame . ''
Mills says Congress has already approved some emergency SBA loans for small businesses and that 's good .
But she says more help is needed and policymakers must have a robust response .
`` We 'll have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could have a lasting effect on the economy , '' Mills says .
In one sign of just how suddenly some companies decided to shut down operations , Matt Denner , who lives in Des Moines , said he called on Thursday night to try to cancel a cruise he and his girlfriend were set to sail on starting Saturday .
`` Royal Caribbean told us that we could not cancel it , '' he says , because they had just missed the deadline to cancel up to 48 hours in advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday they flew to Puerto Rico , but when they got there they were told the cruise line had cancelled all trips for the next month .
Denner says the cruise lines and other tourism companies `` just were completely unprepared . ''
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Monday called upon lawmakers for more action .
`` We need big , bold policy moves now to ensure businesses continue to function , meet payroll , and keep American workers employed , '' said Tom Donohue , the Chamber 's CEO .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave a lasting , permanent impact on our economy , small businesses , and American workers . ''
The U.S. Chamber is proposing to suspend some rules and regulations to make it easier and faster for small businesses to be able to get the emergency loans some will need to survive .
And it 's asking the government to cancel payroll tax payments from March through April so business can keep that money .

America Closed: Thousands Of Stores, Resorts, Theaters Shut Down
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
In an unprecedented attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak, thousands of stores and other businesses are closing their doors to customers.
Apple, Nike, Patagonia and scores of other retailers are closing thousands of stores across the country. In the nation's largest cities — New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco — officials said they were ordering restaurants, bars, and cinemas to close. Restaurants will be permitted to do takeout business.
Grocery stores and other retailers that sell food or basic supplies are staying open while limiting hours to allow for cleaning and restocking of store shelves.
But outside of that, American business of all kinds are closing their doors to customers.
Chairlifts and gondolas have stopped running as dozens of ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, Vermont and elsewhere have shut down. Starbucks is removing chairs from thousands of locations and only doing to-go business. And McDonald's is closing the dining rooms in thousands of company-owned stores and only serving customers at drive-thru windows.
Major U.S. Stores And Businesses Closing Abercrombie & Fitch
Alterra Mountain Co. - Closing Ski Resorts, including Steamboat in Colorado, Squaw Valley in California, Stratton and Sugarbush in Vermont
Apple
Anthropologie
Aspen Ski Co.
Cruise Lines Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Viking
Hollister
Lands' End
Lululemon
McDonald's - Closing dining rooms at its U.S. company-owned stores
Neighborhood Goods
Nike - Closing all stores in U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand
Patagonia
REI - Closing all 162 U.S. stores
Rent the Runway
Starbucks (closing stores in hard-hit areas.)
Under Armour
Urban Outfitters
Vail - Closing 34 ski resorts, including Vail and Breckenridge in Colorado, Stowe Mountain in Vermont, Whistler in British Columbia, Park City in Utah, and Heavenly and Kirkwood in California and Nevada
Walt Disney World & Disneyland
Gyms in some states are being ordered to close as officials decide that rooms full of people working out and breathing hard isn't an acceptable risk. Casinos are turning out the lights on their slot machines and card tables. The water is not running down the slides at indoor water parks in California, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
"We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27," Apple's CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. Stores in China are re-opening as that country says it has contained the outbreak. Cook said working with China has helped Apple chart a course for its response in the rest of the world.
"One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus's transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance," he said.
Many small businesses are struggling with the decision of whether to close too.
"It's been particularly hard as a small business owner to know what to do because I feel like I'm the one making the decisions for myself and my family and my clientele," says Alanna Quan, who runs a hairdressing business outside of Los Angeles.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Alanna Quan Courtesy of Alanna Quan
"Honestly, a lot of my clientele decided for me," she says. "They all started pushing their appointments back. So by the time the vast majority of my clients who were scheduled for March and early April pushed back to late April and May, I decided to close the salon."
Small businesses are particularly vulnerable — many don't have enough cash on hand to survive an extended shutdown. And if a lot of small businesses get hurt, that can be very damaging for the overall economy.
"Half the people who work in this country work for or own a small business," says Karen Mills, who headed the Small Business Administration after the financial crisis. "In 2009, when I took office in the first quarter, we lost 1.8 million small business jobs."
Many smaller companies can't survive an extended shutdown without help, she says.
"Their average cash buffer is about 27 days, and for restaurants and some Main Street businesses, it's even less," she says. So she says if you shut the door, you, "turn off the spigot of all the cash coming in and you're still paying employees and other expenses like rent and your loan payment, then pretty soon you run out of money and it's not a very long time frame."
Mills says Congress has already approved some emergency SBA loans for small businesses and that's good. But she says more help is needed and policymakers must have a robust response. "We'll have a really devastating effect on small businesses that could have a lasting effect on the economy," Mills says.
In one sign of just how suddenly some companies decided to shut down operations, Matt Denner, who lives in Des Moines, said he called on Thursday night to try to cancel a cruise he and his girlfriend were set to sail on starting Saturday.
"Royal Caribbean told us that we could not cancel it," he says, because they had just missed the deadline to cancel up to 48 hours in advance and still get a refund. So Friday they flew to Puerto Rico, but when they got there they were told the cruise line had cancelled all trips for the next month.
Denner says the cruise lines and other tourism companies "just were completely unprepared."
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Monday called upon lawmakers for more action.
"We need big, bold policy moves now to ensure businesses continue to function, meet payroll, and keep American workers employed," said Tom Donohue, the Chamber's CEO. "We must not let this public health emergency leave a lasting, permanent impact on our economy, small businesses, and American workers."
The U.S. Chamber is proposing to suspend some rules and regulations to make it easier and faster for small businesses to be able to get the emergency loans some will need to survive.
And it's asking the government to cancel payroll tax payments from March through April so business can keep that money.


npr--2020-03-16--Amazon To Hire 100,000 Workers To Meet 'Surge In Demand'

Amazon To Hire 100,000 Workers To Meet 'Surge In Demand' Amazon says it plans to hire 100,000 new workers for warehouses and delivery service in the U.S. as more people turn to online shopping for supplies as they 're isolated at home during the coronavirus outbreak .
Those positions include both full- and part-time jobs `` to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon 's service during this stressful time , '' particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public , Amazon executive Dave Clark wrote in a blog post on Monday .
The online retailer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
Amazon says it will add $ 2 per hour in the U.S. and similar amounts in the United Kingdom and Europe .
Amazon 's hiring comes at a time when many companies are forced to cut jobs and pay as travel and events grind to a halt in hopes of limiting social contact and slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
Amazon last week acknowledged that many household staples and other items on its website were unavailable and that deliveries were taking longer than usual .
The company said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its platform to resolve both .
Monday 's announcement invited laid-off and furloughed workers to join Amazon delivery and warehouse ranks `` until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back . ''
Last week , the retail giant said it would provide up to two weeks of paid leave to hourly workers who get diagnosed with COVID-19 or get placed into quarantine .
Amazon also allowed unlimited unpaid time off through March .
In an online petition , some workers said the measures fell short , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to testing and diagnosis — as well as longer paid sick leave for those who are older 0r immunodeficient .

Amazon To Hire 100,000 Workers To Meet 'Surge In Demand'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images Scott Olson/Getty Images
Amazon says it plans to hire 100,000 new workers for warehouses and delivery service in the U.S. as more people turn to online shopping for supplies as they're isolated at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
Those positions include both full- and part-time jobs "to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon's service during this stressful time," particularly those most vulnerable to being out in public, Amazon executive Dave Clark wrote in a blog post on Monday.
The online retailer is also temporarily increasing its pay through April. Amazon says it will add $2 per hour in the U.S. and similar amounts in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Amazon's hiring comes at a time when many companies are forced to cut jobs and pay as travel and events grind to a halt in hopes of limiting social contact and slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Amazon last week acknowledged that many household staples and other items on its website were unavailable and that deliveries were taking longer than usual. The company said it was working with the businesses that sell on its platform to resolve both.
Monday's announcement invited laid-off and furloughed workers to join Amazon delivery and warehouse ranks "until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back."
Last week, the retail giant said it would provide up to two weeks of paid leave to hourly workers who get diagnosed with COVID-19 or get placed into quarantine. Amazon also allowed unlimited unpaid time off through March. In an online petition, some workers said the measures fell short, demanding paid sick leave for people without access to testing and diagnosis — as well as longer paid sick leave for those who are older 0r immunodeficient.


npr--2020-03-16--Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Coronavirus In The U.S.

Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Coronavirus In The U.S .
Since the first U.S. case of the coronavirus was identified in Washington state on January 21 , health officials have identified thousands of cases across the U.S. By March 16 , the virus had expanded its presence from several isolated clusters in Washington , New York , and California to 49 states and the District of Columbia .
To date , there have been over 70 deaths across the country .
Social distancing is widely seen as the best available means to `` flatten the curve of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to describe slowing the spread of infection .
This approach can save lives by keeping local health care systems from being overwhelmed .
In response to mounting cases , states have begun closing schools , banning large gatherings , and urging people to stay home when possible .
On Monday , President Trump announced new guidelines recommending Americans avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people , discretionary travel , and going out to eat .
To avoid spreading the disease , the CDC also recommends basic precautions like hand washing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Globally , the respiratory disease has spread to dozens of countries and 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 much of Europe .
The government has banned travel from Europe , although the ban makes exceptions , including for American citizens and legal permanent residents .

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
Loading...
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.
Loading...
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.
Loading...
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--2020-03-16--A Broadway Star And #SunshineSongs Bring High School Musical Theater To Small Screens

High schools are closed and their musicals are canceled around the country because of coronavirus concerns .
Theater kids now have no audience to showcase the numbers they 've worked on , some for months and even years .
They wo n't have a live audience for the time being , but Broadway star Laura Benanti , who won a Tony award in 2008 for her performance in Gypsy , wanted to give student performers the next best thing — an online audience .
She put the call out on Friday .
`` I just decided I would go on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send me videos of them performing from their sequestered homes , '' Benanti tells NPR .
`` And so many of them were able to send their final dress rehearsals or rehearsal that they were able to do before their show got canceled . ''
Parents and young actors are sending videos of rehearsals and at-home performances to Benanti on Twitter and using the hashtag # SunshineSongs .
Benanti has been retweeting some of them to her 146,000 Twitter followers .
Other celebrities got in on the action , too : Hamilton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch .
And actress Jennifer Garner made an Instagram request `` to the Elsas and Matildas ; to the Willy Lomans and Romeos '' to show off and tag # heyjenlookatme as well .
The response has been overwhelming .
So many people are tagging Benanti with their videos that she is n't able to retweet all of them .
The response has grown from high schoolers to theater kids of all ages .
`` It 's just been really wonderful to see all of these posts pouring in and to know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many , '' Benanti says .
`` And that although these kids are incredibly disappointed that they 're not able to perform for a live audience , they 're now getting a huge audience via social media . ''
Benanti knows how important high school theater is to the young actors .
She says her own experience was a `` lifesaver . ''
And she tells NPR that she promises she 's watching the videos .
`` I think the overall feeling that I get from it is how committed these kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how sincere they are .
... And I love seeing how much these kids care . ''

A Broadway Star And #SunshineSongs Bring High School Musical Theater To Small Screens
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Morigi/Getty Images Paul Morigi/Getty Images
High schools are closed and their musicals are canceled around the country because of coronavirus concerns.
Theater kids now have no audience to showcase the numbers they've worked on, some for months and even years.
They won't have a live audience for the time being, but Broadway star Laura Benanti, who won a Tony award in 2008 for her performance in Gypsy, wanted to give student performers the next best thing — an online audience.
She put the call out on Friday.
"I just decided I would go on social media and encourage these young performers to send me videos of them performing from their sequestered homes," Benanti tells NPR. "And so many of them were able to send their final dress rehearsals or rehearsal that they were able to do before their show got canceled."
Parents and young actors are sending videos of rehearsals and at-home performances to Benanti on Twitter and using the hashtag #SunshineSongs.
Benanti has been retweeting some of them to her 146,000 Twitter followers. Other celebrities got in on the action, too: Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda promised to watch. And actress Jennifer Garner made an Instagram request "to the Elsas and Matildas; to the Willy Lomans and Romeos" to show off and tag #heyjenlookatme as well.
@LauraBenanti @Lin_Manuel #SunshineSongs My son, Nick DiSabella(a junior at Muhlenberg HS in Reading, PA)& his cast mates were suppose to have opening night this coming weekend. He was Link Larkin in Hairspray musical. Here’s a practice clip. #proudmom pic.twitter.com/avMU6KhDWk — Tiffiny DiSabella (@tiffdis) March 16, 2020
The response has been overwhelming. So many people are tagging Benanti with their videos that she isn't able to retweet all of them. The response has grown from high schoolers to theater kids of all ages.
These @CYTPortland kids worked very hard for the past two months on this amazing show and today would be their closing performance. 😢 I took some video during rehearsals last week so I thought we would share them with #heyjenlookatme and #sunshinesongs Thanks so much! pic.twitter.com/BFZvgBkJgE — Karen Hughart (@karenhughart) March 15, 2020
"It's just been really wonderful to see all of these posts pouring in and to know that it's bringing so much joy to so many," Benanti says. "And that although these kids are incredibly disappointed that they're not able to perform for a live audience, they're now getting a huge audience via social media."
Benanti knows how important high school theater is to the young actors. She says her own experience was a "lifesaver."
And she tells NPR that she promises she's watching the videos. "I think the overall feeling that I get from it is how committed these kids are, how open-hearted they are, how sincere they are. ... And I love seeing how much these kids care."