npr--2020-03-25--Judge Orders Environmental Review Of Controversial Dakota Access Pipeline

Nearly three years after crude oil started to flow through the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline , a federal judge has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full environmental review .
It 's a major victory for the Native American tribes and environmental groups who have been fighting against the project for years .
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has not decided whether oil can still flow in the meantime .
But his opinion Wednesday requests that the two sides submit briefings next month for and against keeping the oil moving , potentially opening the door for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pipeline extends more than 1,000 miles from North Dakota to Illinois – but the focus of the controversy has been a small portion running under the Missouri River .
Members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe , whose reservation lies just downstream , are worried that a leak could contaminate their drinking water and sacred lands .
The judge found that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made a `` highly controversial '' decision when it approved the federal permits for the project .
He ordered the agency to prepare a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously failed to answer major questions about the possibility of oil spills , among other concerns .
`` The many commenters in this case pointed to serious gaps in crucial parts of the Corps ' analysis – to name a few , that the pipeline 's leak-detection system was unlikely to work , that it was not designed to catch slow spills , that the operator 's serious history of incidents had not been taken into account , that that the worst-case scenario used by the Corps was potentially only a fraction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Corps was not able to fill any of [ the gaps in the analysis ] , '' Boasberg stated .
A spokesperson for the pipeline company , Energy Transfer Partners , tells NPR that it does not comment on current or pending litigation .
A Department of Justice lawyer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the department declined to comment .
The GAIN Coalition , which supports large infrastructure projects , expressed concern about what this decision could mean for other companies involved in similar work , as The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does this decision risk one company 's investment , but it could also jeopardize our nation 's economic and energy security moving forward , '' GAIN Coalition spokesperson Craig Stevens stated .
Shortly after President Trump took office , he instructed `` the Army to expedite the review and approval process for the section of the Dakota Access Pipeline that has n't been built , '' as NPR 's Rebecca Hersher reported .
It was a departure from the Obama administration 's stance .
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their lawyers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's humbling to see how actions we took four years ago to defend our ancestral homeland continue to inspire national conversations about how our choices ultimately affect this planet , '' Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Mike Faith said in a statement .
Earthjustice lawyer Jan Hasselman added , `` we will continue to see this through until DAPL has finally been shut down . ''

Judge Orders Environmental Review Of Controversial Dakota Access Pipeline
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jose Luis Magana/AP Jose Luis Magana/AP
Updated at 7:31 p.m. ET
Nearly three years after crude oil started to flow through the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, a federal judge has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full environmental review.
It's a major victory for the Native American tribes and environmental groups who have been fighting against the project for years.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has not decided whether oil can still flow in the meantime. But his opinion Wednesday requests that the two sides submit briefings next month for and against keeping the oil moving, potentially opening the door for the judge to shut it down.
The pipeline extends more than 1,000 miles from North Dakota to Illinois – but the focus of the controversy has been a small portion running under the Missouri River. Members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, whose reservation lies just downstream, are worried that a leak could contaminate their drinking water and sacred lands.
The judge found that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made a "highly controversial" decision when it approved the federal permits for the project.
He ordered the agency to prepare a full environmental impact analysis, saying that it previously failed to answer major questions about the possibility of oil spills, among other concerns.
"The many commenters in this case pointed to serious gaps in crucial parts of the Corps' analysis – to name a few, that the pipeline's leak-detection system was unlikely to work, that it was not designed to catch slow spills, that the operator's serious history of incidents had not been taken into account, that that the worst-case scenario used by the Corps was potentially only a fraction of what a realistic figure would be – and the Corps was not able to fill any of [the gaps in the analysis]," Boasberg stated.
A spokesperson for the pipeline company, Energy Transfer Partners, tells NPR that it does not comment on current or pending litigation. A Department of Justice lawyer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the department declined to comment.
The GAIN Coalition, which supports large infrastructure projects, expressed concern about what this decision could mean for other companies involved in similar work, as The Associated Press noted.
"Not only does this decision risk one company's investment, but it could also jeopardize our nation's economic and energy security moving forward," GAIN Coalition spokesperson Craig Stevens stated.
Shortly after President Trump took office, he instructed "the Army to expedite the review and approval process for the section of the Dakota Access Pipeline that hasn't been built," as NPR's Rebecca Hersher reported. It was a departure from the Obama administration's stance.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their lawyers from Earthjustice are celebrating the legal victory.
"It's humbling to see how actions we took four years ago to defend our ancestral homeland continue to inspire national conversations about how our choices ultimately affect this planet," Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Mike Faith said in a statement.
Earthjustice lawyer Jan Hasselman added, "we will continue to see this through until DAPL has finally been shut down."


npr--2020-03-25--Banks Agree With California To Stop Foreclosures For 90 Days In Coronavirus Crisis

Banks Agree With California To Stop Foreclosures For 90 Days In Coronavirus Crisis California has reached a deal with several financial institutions , including four of the country 's five largest banks , to provide relief to homeowners affected by the coronavirus by suspending foreclosures and delaying mortgage payments , the governor announced Wednesday .
The news comes as unemployment claims in the state are soaring .
More than one million residents have filed for unemployment insurance since March 13 , Gov .
Gavin Newsom says , as workers continue to struggle with job losses and reduced hours , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus .
JP Morgan Chase , Citi , US Bank , Wells Fargo and a number of other credit unions and state banks committed to a 90-day forbearance on mortgage payments for homeowners who can provide evidence that they 've been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Late payments would not be reported to credit rating agencies .
The federal government , through mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , ordered lenders to give struggling homeowners more flexibility last week .
That covers about half of all home loans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lenders will provide business owners with relief in the coming days too .
Thousands of small businesses are struggling in the state , as residents continue to stay home .
The state ordered its 40 million residents to limit themselves to only essential travel last week and Newsom says the mandate will stay in effect for the foreseeable future .
`` We can defeat this virus , '' Newsom says .
`` But we ca n't defeat it unless we commit to fulfilling our individual obligations and our collective responsibilities to meet this @ @ @

Banks Agree With California To Stop Foreclosures For 90 Days In Coronavirus Crisis
California has reached a deal with several financial institutions, including four of the country's five largest banks, to provide relief to homeowners affected by the coronavirus by suspending foreclosures and delaying mortgage payments, the governor announced Wednesday.
The news comes as unemployment claims in the state are soaring.
More than one million residents have filed for unemployment insurance since March 13, Gov. Gavin Newsom says, as workers continue to struggle with job losses and reduced hours, as the state looks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
JP Morgan Chase, Citi, US Bank, Wells Fargo and a number of other credit unions and state banks committed to a 90-day forbearance on mortgage payments for homeowners who can provide evidence that they've been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Late payments would not be reported to credit rating agencies.
The federal government, through mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, ordered lenders to give struggling homeowners more flexibility last week. That covers about half of all home loans in the country.
Newsom says he hopes lenders will provide business owners with relief in the coming days too. Thousands of small businesses are struggling in the state, as residents continue to stay home.
The state ordered its 40 million residents to limit themselves to only essential travel last week and Newsom says the mandate will stay in effect for the foreseeable future.
"We can defeat this virus," Newsom says. "But we can't defeat it unless we commit to fulfilling our individual obligations and our collective responsibilities to meet this moment."


npr--2020-03-25--A Funny 'Talking' Dog Gives Tips On Living Right During The Coronavirus Crisis

A Funny 'Talking ' Dog Gives Tips On Living Right During The Coronavirus Crisis A `` talking '' dog , a wiry 13-year-old Schnauzer , has become a pandemic hero since the canine made her first appearance on Facebook last week .
She 's very funny .
Pluto and her human , Nancie Wight , have been churning out viral videos with advice on hair trims , how to do without toilet paper , how to find snacks and how to stay cheery at home .
The dog looks straight into the camera and her mouth seems to move ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and a high voice appears to come out of it .
Wight created the Facebook page , PlutoLiving , for her friends , who urged her to offer it to a wider audience .
She hit the public button last week .
`` I did not expect that by the end of the second day we would have a million views and now it 's over 4 million , '' she says from Montreal .
Pluto.living has a growing following on Instagram , too .
The biggest fans are medical professionals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors and nurses who work in emergency rooms across the U.S. and Canada .
`` They just say , 'we start our day with Pluto .
She 's in it with us .
It 's our one laugh of the day , ' `` she says .
Wight says she 's grateful she can provide comic relief .
She is overwhelmed by the messages .
`` We get the watery eyes , as Pluto likes to say , '' she says .
Wight is a wildlife photographer , but an earlier calling may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I was a stand-up comic way back when I was able to stay up late enough for The Late Show , '' she says .
The Facebook page is now followed around the globe .
Wight has gotten messages from Australia , Tasmania , Bolivia and Spain .
Pluto , unaware of her fame , spends her off-camera time sniffing stuff around the house , but is wise beyond her years , says Wight .
`` She talks about putting on the button pants because if you 're wearing stretchy pants every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a little bit altered , '' she says .
Practical advice from the four-legged to the two-legged , which is the way Pluto divides the population , and thanks her followers for keeping cats out of any messages .
The plan , says Wight , `` is just to stay the course with people .
And if we can help .
That 's what we 're going do . ''

A Funny 'Talking' Dog Gives Tips On Living Right During The Coronavirus Crisis
A "talking" dog, a wiry 13-year-old Schnauzer, has become a pandemic hero since the canine made her first appearance on Facebook last week. She's very funny.
Pluto and her human, Nancie Wight, have been churning out viral videos with advice on hair trims, how to do without toilet paper, how to find snacks and how to stay cheery at home.
The dog looks straight into the camera and her mouth seems to move (with the help of a video program) and a high voice appears to come out of it.
Wight created the Facebook page, PlutoLiving, for her friends, who urged her to offer it to a wider audience. She hit the public button last week.
"I did not expect that by the end of the second day we would have a million views and now it's over 4 million," she says from Montreal. Pluto.living has a growing following on Instagram, too.
The biggest fans are medical professionals, says Wight. She gets messages from doctors and nurses who work in emergency rooms across the U.S. and Canada.
"They just say, 'we start our day with Pluto. She's in it with us. It's our one laugh of the day,' " she says.
Wight says she's grateful she can provide comic relief. She is overwhelmed by the messages.
"We get the watery eyes, as Pluto likes to say," she says.
Wight is a wildlife photographer, but an earlier calling may be the key to her success. "I was a stand-up comic way back when I was able to stay up late enough for The Late Show," she says.
The Facebook page is now followed around the globe. Wight has gotten messages from Australia, Tasmania, Bolivia and Spain. Pluto, unaware of her fame, spends her off-camera time sniffing stuff around the house, but is wise beyond her years, says Wight.
"She talks about putting on the button pants because if you're wearing stretchy pants every day, your waist perception is going to be a little bit altered," she says.
Practical advice from the four-legged to the two-legged, which is the way Pluto divides the population, and thanks her followers for keeping cats out of any messages.
The plan, says Wight, "is just to stay the course with people. And if we can help. That's what we're going do."


npr--2020-03-25--Quarantined In India: No Soap, Dirty Toilets, Not Enough Coronavirus Tests

Quarantined In India : No Soap , Dirty Toilets , Not Enough Coronavirus Tests Not enough toilets – and the ones there are often dirty .
Beds crammed together .
The only way to shower is with water from a bucket that everyone has to share .
No soap or hand sanitizer .
People who 've been quarantined in India for suspected exposure to coronavirus say conditions inside government facilities are unsanitary and unsafe — ripe to foment an outbreak rather than prevent one .
Indians are posting photos and videos on social media of dirty sheets , broken toilets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The World Health Organization says the arc of the global pandemic may depend on what huge , densely-populated countries like India do next .
The second-most populous country behind China , India has reported more than 550 coronavirus cases and ten deaths , as of Wednesday night local time — in a population of 1.3 billion .
That 's a relatively low infection rate per capita .
But the fear is that if the virus spreads through slums – where some 600 million Indians lack regular access to clean water – many millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours of Wednesday morning , India imposed the world 's largest anti-coronavirus lockdown .
For the next 21 days , no one across the country is allowed to leave their home except to go to buy food or medicine or to see a doctor .
In a televised address , Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this is what 's needed to `` save every Indian . ''
Most of the country 's coronavirus cases are believed to be people who traveled abroad or had contact with someone who did .
So in addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also sending anyone it suspects of having the virus — particularly incoming travelers — into mandatory 14-day quarantine .
The Health Ministry says there are some 60,000 beds for quarantine at facilities it 's set up at university campuses and military barracks across the country .
But people inside say the conditions are dismal .
`` There are beds without anything to separate them .
The men 's bathroom is in pretty bad shape with no hot water .
Sometimes there is no handwash [ soap ] , and we 've run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khan , 28 , told NPR by phone from inside one such facility set up on a college campus in Gurgaon , outside India 's capital .
`` In the showers , there is only one bucket , and we have to share it with other passengers .
So it 's not the best facility to avoid contamination . ''
Khan was taken to the facility after landing Saturday at New Delhi 's airport , with her husband .
The couple was married March 6 in India and went on a honeymoon in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they cut short their trip and headed home .
On arrival in India , they found a chaotic scene in the airport : serpentine queues to get through immigration and airport security , passengers heckling and jostling to get ahead in the line , and no social distancing .
The couple say they waited nearly 24 hours — after a 14-hour flight from New York — to leave the airport .
Officials screening incoming passengers asked Khan and her husband , Behzad Fatmi , how they were feeling .
They admitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was likely from their long flight and the ordeal at the airport .
To their surprise , officials cleared Fatmi to go home but said Khan would have to go into a government quarantine facility for 14 days .
Neither husband or wife has been tested for the virus .
The Indian government is grappling with a shortage of testing kits .
Amid criticism about the low number of Indians being tested , it recently asked private companies to start manufacturing kits .
But supplies remain low .
Fatmi says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had been with his wife the entire time and their risk of exposure to coronavirus was likely identical .
`` I said , 'We 've been together !
We traveled to New York and Los Angeles — so many places .
So if she has something — god forbid — then I also have it .
So please also take me to the quarantine facility , ' '' Fatmi , 28 , recalls .
`` But they said , 'No , we will not do that . '
'' Upon reaching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken into a co-ed dormitory with rows of 30 to 40 beds arranged about three feet apart .
There are no curtains or screens for privacy , she says .
`` As a Muslim , I 'm not supposed to be in such a place , '' Khan says .
`` We are all in one hall , old and young , male and female . ''
She says she and her fellow female `` inmates , '' as she calls them , have to share three toilets — which are often covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ napkins .
On the first day , she says , they were n't given enough food and water .
`` All of us are distressed , tired , sick of this situation , '' Khan says .
`` It 's so high-risk . ''
Such unsanitary conditions in quarantine facilities are `` totally unacceptable , '' Sujatha Rao , a former secretary with the Indian ministry of health and family welfare , told NPR in an email .
This indicates that government officials at the lowest level , where quarantine is being carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of these measures , Rao says .
Despite police security , some Indians have been fleeing quarantine facilities .
Unhygienic isolation units might also discourage people from reporting their symptoms , says Khan .
`` We are paying the price for being honest , '' she says .
Authorities at Indian airports have been putting a stamp with indelible ink on the hands of passengers who 've been asked to home quarantine .
The stamp reads `` proud to protect '' with the name of the city and the date until which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home .
Police have been checking up with phone calls and surprise visits on those asked to self-quarantine .
In some states , authorities are using cellphone data and GPS for contact tracing .
That has raised privacy concerns .
Khan says that after their initial distress , she and her fellow quarantine mates are slowly starting to accept the situation they 're in .
She 's become close with an elderly woman .
`` The woman does n't have a phone , so her daughters call me and I hand my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They exchange stories about their families , as they live in limbo , awaiting a coronavirus test .

Quarantined In India: No Soap, Dirty Toilets, Not Enough Coronavirus Tests
Enlarge this image toggle caption Waseem Andrabi/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Waseem Andrabi/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Not enough toilets – and the ones there are often dirty. Beds crammed together. The only way to shower is with water from a bucket that everyone has to share. No soap or hand sanitizer.
People who've been quarantined in India for suspected exposure to coronavirus say conditions inside government facilities are unsanitary and unsafe — ripe to foment an outbreak rather than prevent one. Indians are posting photos and videos on social media of dirty sheets, broken toilets and trash littering crowded quarantine centers.
The World Health Organization says the arc of the global pandemic may depend on what huge, densely-populated countries like India do next.
The second-most populous country behind China, India has reported more than 550 coronavirus cases and ten deaths, as of Wednesday night local time — in a population of 1.3 billion. That's a relatively low infection rate per capita. But the fear is that if the virus spreads through slums – where some 600 million Indians lack regular access to clean water – many millions could die.
toggle caption Raj K Raj/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
So in the early hours of Wednesday morning, India imposed the world's largest anti-coronavirus lockdown. For the next 21 days, no one across the country is allowed to leave their home except to go to buy food or medicine or to see a doctor. In a televised address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this is what's needed to "save every Indian."
toggle caption Anupam Nath/AP
Most of the country's coronavirus cases are believed to be people who traveled abroad or had contact with someone who did. So in addition to the lockdown, the Indian government is also sending anyone it suspects of having the virus — particularly incoming travelers — into mandatory 14-day quarantine. The Health Ministry says there are some 60,000 beds for quarantine at facilities it's set up at university campuses and military barracks across the country.
But people inside say the conditions are dismal.
"There are beds without anything to separate them. The men's bathroom is in pretty bad shape with no hot water. Sometimes there is no handwash [soap], and we've run out of hand sanitizer," Aaliyah Khan, 28, told NPR by phone from inside one such facility set up on a college campus in Gurgaon, outside India's capital. "In the showers, there is only one bucket, and we have to share it with other passengers. So it's not the best facility to avoid contamination."
Khan was taken to the facility after landing Saturday at New Delhi's airport, with her husband. The couple was married March 6 in India and went on a honeymoon in the United States. As coronavirus spread, they cut short their trip and headed home.
On arrival in India, they found a chaotic scene in the airport: serpentine queues to get through immigration and airport security, passengers heckling and jostling to get ahead in the line, and no social distancing. The couple say they waited nearly 24 hours — after a 14-hour flight from New York — to leave the airport.
Officials screening incoming passengers asked Khan and her husband, Behzad Fatmi, how they were feeling. They admitted to having headaches and sore throats — but said it was likely from their long flight and the ordeal at the airport. To their surprise, officials cleared Fatmi to go home but said Khan would have to go into a government quarantine facility for 14 days.
Neither husband or wife has been tested for the virus. The Indian government is grappling with a shortage of testing kits. Amid criticism about the low number of Indians being tested, it recently asked private companies to start manufacturing kits. But supplies remain low.
Fatmi says he tried to explain to Indian officials that he had been with his wife the entire time and their risk of exposure to coronavirus was likely identical.
"I said, 'We've been together! We traveled to New York and Los Angeles — so many places. So if she has something — god forbid — then I also have it. So please also take me to the quarantine facility,'" Fatmi, 28, recalls. "But they said, 'No, we will not do that.'"
toggle caption Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters
Upon reaching the college campus, Khan says passengers were taken into a co-ed dormitory with rows of 30 to 40 beds arranged about three feet apart. There are no curtains or screens for privacy, she says.
"As a Muslim, I'm not supposed to be in such a place," Khan says. "We are all in one hall, old and young, male and female."
She says she and her fellow female "inmates," as she calls them, have to share three toilets — which are often covered with excrement and littered with used sanitary napkins. On the first day, she says, they weren't given enough food and water.
"All of us are distressed, tired, sick of this situation," Khan says. "It's so high-risk."
Another tweet for the same. We are more than 40 people with only 3 washrooms and 5 large bed rooms. They want us to stay sanitised and this is what they give us. Guys this is a A MAJOR CONCERN. this way India cannot contain coronavirus only will get more cases. @PMOIndia @WHO pic.twitter.com/5q1wcr0xKX — Navya Dua (@NavyaDua) March 16, 2020
Such unsanitary conditions in quarantine facilities are "totally unacceptable," Sujatha Rao, a former secretary with the Indian ministry of health and family welfare, told NPR in an email. This indicates that government officials at the lowest level, where quarantine is being carried out, do not sufficiently understand the importance of these measures, Rao says.
Despite police security, some Indians have been fleeing quarantine facilities. Unhygienic isolation units might also discourage people from reporting their symptoms, says Khan.
"We are paying the price for being honest," she says.
Authorities at Indian airports have been putting a stamp with indelible ink on the hands of passengers who've been asked to home quarantine. The stamp reads "proud to protect" with the name of the city and the date until which the individual has been instructed to stay at home. Police have been checking up with phone calls and surprise visits on those asked to self-quarantine. In some states, authorities are using cellphone data and GPS for contact tracing. That has raised privacy concerns.
toggle caption Prashant Waydande/Reuters
Khan says that after their initial distress, she and her fellow quarantine mates are slowly starting to accept the situation they're in. She's become close with an elderly woman.
"The woman doesn't have a phone, so her daughters call me and I hand my phone to her," Khan explains.
They exchange stories about their families, as they live in limbo, awaiting a coronavirus test.


npr--2020-03-25--In Brazil, Bolsonaro Doubles Down On 'Exaggerated' Coronavirus

In Brazil , Bolsonaro Doubles Down On 'Exaggerated ' Coronavirus There 's been a furious reaction in Brazil after President Jair Bolsonaro demanded an end to lockdowns imposed in his country 's biggest cities in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Having played down the virus for days as `` exaggerated , '' the president doubled down Wednesday , labeling governors and mayors who have imposed restrictions as `` criminals '' who are `` destroying Brazil . ''
Bolsonaro 's position has brought him into direct conflict with a broad spectrum of medical professionals , scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Brazilians to remain indoors .
Governors and mayors have brought the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to a near-standstill , closing down non-essential businesses and most transport links .
Brazil , Latin America 's largest nation , has 2433 confirmed cases with 57 deaths .
`` Other viruses have killed many more than this one and there was n't all this commotion , '' Bolsonaro complained to journalists Wednesday , adding : `` If we do n't get back to work , Brazil could depart from democratic normalcy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ impassioned nationwide TV address in which he called the closures a `` scorched earth policy '' and declared that `` jobs must be `` protected . ''
He warned against hysteria and panic measures , and questioned the need for schools to shut down .
Bolsonaro also told the TV audience that the majority of people with the virus show no symptoms and that those at risk are over 60 .
Himself 65 , the retired army captain declared he would have no reason to worry if he became infected because of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I would feel nothing , '' Bolsonaro said .
`` For me , it would be at most just a little flu . ''
Brazilians in urban neighborhoods responded to the broadcast by angrily clattering pots and pans and shouting from their windows , a traditional form of political protest that has continued for eight consecutive nights .
Social media were flooded with posts expressing amazement and dismay .
The governor of São Paulo state , João Doria , condemned Bolsonaro , describing his views as `` absolutely mistaken '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursued by Brazil 's health ministry .
The coronavirus is `` not a little cold , it 's not a little flu , '' said Doria , after holding an apparently acrimonious video conference call with the president Wednesday .
`` It 's a grave issue . ''
He said there are about 7 million people over age 60 in his state , which includes the mega-city of São Paulo .
`` Is it legitimate to abandon them ? ''
he asked .
Among the slew of organizations condemning Bolsonaro 's words is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which said he is `` putting at risk the lives of millions of people '' and committing `` a serious affront to the health and life of the population . ''
As Bolsonaro faces the massive health and economic emergency posed by the coronavirus , he could also find himself fighting for political survival .
Some lawmakers have been calling for his impeachment .

In Brazil, Bolsonaro Doubles Down On 'Exaggerated' Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andre Borges/AP Andre Borges/AP
There's been a furious reaction in Brazil after President Jair Bolsonaro demanded an end to lockdowns imposed in his country's biggest cities in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Having played down the virus for days as "exaggerated," the president doubled down Wednesday, labeling governors and mayors who have imposed restrictions as "criminals" who are "destroying Brazil."
Bolsonaro's position has brought him into direct conflict with a broad spectrum of medical professionals, scientists and regional leaders who have been appealing to Brazilians to remain indoors.
Governors and mayors have brought the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to a near-standstill, closing down non-essential businesses and most transport links. Brazil, Latin America's largest nation, has 2433 confirmed cases with 57 deaths.
"Other viruses have killed many more than this one and there wasn't all this commotion," Bolsonaro complained to journalists Wednesday, adding: "If we don't get back to work, Brazil could depart from democratic normalcy."
On Tuesday, he made an impassioned nationwide TV address in which he called the closures a "scorched earth policy" and declared that "jobs must be "protected." He warned against hysteria and panic measures, and questioned the need for schools to shut down.
Bolsonaro also told the TV audience that the majority of people with the virus show no symptoms and that those at risk are over 60. Himself 65, the retired army captain declared he would have no reason to worry if he became infected because of his "history as an athlete."
"I would feel nothing," Bolsonaro said. "For me, it would be at most just a little flu."
Brazilians in urban neighborhoods responded to the broadcast by angrily clattering pots and pans and shouting from their windows, a traditional form of political protest that has continued for eight consecutive nights. Social media were flooded with posts expressing amazement and dismay.
The governor of São Paulo state, João Doria, condemned Bolsonaro, describing his views as "absolutely mistaken" and "out of tune" with the policies pursued by Brazil's health ministry.
The coronavirus is "not a little cold, it's not a little flu," said Doria, after holding an apparently acrimonious video conference call with the president Wednesday. "It's a grave issue."
He said there are about 7 million people over age 60 in his state, which includes the mega-city of São Paulo.
"Is it legitimate to abandon them?" he asked.
Among the slew of organizations condemning Bolsonaro's words is Brazil's National Council for Health, which said he is "putting at risk the lives of millions of people" and committing "a serious affront to the health and life of the population."
As Bolsonaro faces the massive health and economic emergency posed by the coronavirus, he could also find himself fighting for political survival. Some lawmakers have been calling for his impeachment.


npr--2020-03-25--President Trump Urges Swift Passage Of Coronavirus Relief Bill

The White House 's pandemic task force convened another briefing on Wednesday afternoon amid a tense denouement for legislation aimed at helping an economy poleaxed by the disaster .
Last-minute objections on Wednesday threw the status of the bill into uncertainty after many proclamations of victory by other lawmakers about its contents .
But President Trump stood squarely behind the bill , saying he would immediately sign it .
He also said he hoped that portions of the country would be able to go back to work and school soon , and said some may be able to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin said his `` expectation is that this bill passes tonight . ''
President Trump said he approved major disaster declarations on Wednesday for New York , California , Washington , Iowa , Louisiana , Texas and Florida .
Trump also said that American testing capacity is growing `` exponentially '' — although the particulars were n't clear — and that the gap continues to close between the number of people who need tests and those available for them .
Trump crowed about what he called the success of the response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shipments of ventilators to New York and other deployments of supplies around the country .
New York 's governor and its mayor , both Democrats , are happy , Trump said .
`` It 's hard not to be happy with the job we 're doing , that I can tell you , '' he said .
Legislation called close — but not there Meanwhile , a group of Republicans said they considered the unemployment provisions in the relief legislation to be too generous — Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , said Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said people would be rewarded more for being out of work than in their previous jobs .
At the same time , at least one liberal senator — Vermont 's Bernie Sanders , an independent who caucuses with Democrats and is running for president — said he would stop the legislation over what he called its `` corporate welfare '' if Scott and the Republicans did n't give way .
The late skirmishing created an awkward gap between the claims of success by many members of Congress , including Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slogging that appeared to remain necessary to actually get the bill passed in both chambers and then to President Trump .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been negotiating on his behalf with McConnell and Democrats — led in the Congress by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer .
Mnuchin did n't name the Senate Republican hold-outs at the White House press conference on Wednesday but he rejected their notion that what he called `` enhanced unemployment '' would create incentives for people to quit or were too generous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than hoped as members of Congress wrangle over what could be the largest such support legislation in American history , one with a headline value of more than $ 2 trillion .
Trump extolled what he called the virtues of the economic rescue package and said it would ensure the United States could `` go up like a rocket '' when it emerges from the other side of the crisis .
The coronavirus disaster is worsening by the day .
Cases in the United States have surpassed 60,000 with nearly 900 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't expect infections to peak for weeks or months ; California and Washington state also remain badly afflicted too .
But the different times of arrival by the virus in various locations means that numbers of cases are increasing at different rates in unexpected new places ; New Orleans , for example , has now seen about 40 deaths as the infection appeared to accelerate there .
Schools and businesses are closed across the nation as Americans stay home and avoid large groups in an attempt to slow the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for restaurants , brick-and-mortar business and travel ; millions of people could be out of work .
Mnuchin detailed the ways that programs in the relief legislation under consideration by Congress would help businesses and workers , including via direct payments , loans and other transfers from the government .
Mnuchin said he thought the payments and programs in the bill would help the economy long for about three months — but `` hopefully this war will be won quicker , '' he said .
Trump responded to the same question from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation would sustain the United States .
The president said he could n't give a definitive answer but he considered the door open to the prospect of more stimulus .
`` Hopefully a long time , '' Trump said .
`` We 'll see .
If we have to go back , we 'll go back . ''
Trump sought this week to shift the national mood from one of survival to one of transition , using Tuesday to talk up his hopes about reopening many of America 's shuttered businesses soon even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president said in a Fox News special aired from the White House that he thought life might get back to normal by Easter .
In a subsequent show he sketched out an imaginary scene of churches — many empty because of social distancing measures aimed at isolating the coronavirus — filled with worshippers for Easter services on April 12 .
Trump 's goal is well within the limits set by many public officials and businesses around the United States ; schools in many places still would be closed by the time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president sought to clarify later on Tuesday at a White House briefing that he 'd let data and the recommendations of public health officials guide the federal recommendations about social distancing and other mitigation measures .
Calling it a `` medical crisis , not a financial crisis , '' Trump said he wanted to reassure the American public that any decision made on loosening mitigating measures currently in place , such as social distancing , would be made using the `` best science , the best modeling and the best medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said the administration would assess after next week whether or not current social distancing measures aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus will remain in place .
Wednesday marks day 10 of the 15-day period of the White House 's `` 15 Days To Slow The Spread initiative . ''
Trump said `` we 'll be speaking to everybody '' about what follows and that `` it 'll be an interesting period of time . ''
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , reportedly said on Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis was in sight .
The president also took part in a phone call with non-profit organizations on the COVID-19 response Wednesday afternoon .
`` They have been fantastic , '' Trump said .

President Trump Urges Swift Passage Of Coronavirus Relief Bill
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 1:50 a.m. ET Thursday
The White House's pandemic task force convened another briefing on Wednesday afternoon amid a tense denouement for legislation aimed at helping an economy poleaxed by the disaster.
Last-minute objections on Wednesday delayed the Senate vote until late in the evening, when it passed on a vote of 96 to 0.
Speaking before the vote, President Trump stood squarely behind the bill, saying he would immediately sign it. He also said he hoped that portions of the country would be able to go back to work and school soon, and said some may be able to go back sooner than others.
Disaster declarations
Trump said he approved major disaster declarations on Wednesday for New York, California, Washington, Iowa, Louisiana, Texas and Florida.
The president also said that American testing capacity is growing "exponentially" — although the particulars weren't clear — and that the gap continues to close between the number of people who need tests and those available for them.
Trump crowed about what he called the success of the response to the crisis and detailed what he said were shipments of ventilators to New York and other deployments of supplies around the country. New York's governor and its mayor, both Democrats, are happy, Trump said.
"It's hard not to be happy with the job we're doing, that I can tell you," he said.
Legislation called close — but not there
Before final passage, a group of Republican senators said they considered the unemployment provisions in the relief legislation to be too generous — Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Congress shouldn't create a situation in which he said people would be rewarded more for being out of work than still employed.
At the same time, at least one liberal senator — Vermont's Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and is running for president — said he would stop the legislation over what he called its "corporate welfare" if Scott and the Republicans didn't give way.
The late skirmishing created an awkward gap between the claims of success by many members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and the slogging that appeared to remain necessary to actually get the bill passed in both chambers and then to President Trump.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been negotiating on his behalf with McConnell and Democrats — led in Congress by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Mnuchin didn't name the Senate Republican hold-outs at the White House press conference on Wednesday but he rejected their notion that what he called "enhanced unemployment" would create incentives for people to quit or were too generous.
Work on the legislation had been slower than hoped as members of Congress wrangled over what could be the largest such support legislation in American history, one with a headline value of more than $2 trillion.
Trump extolled what he called the virtues of the economic rescue package and said it would ensure the United States could "go up like a rocket" when it emerges from the other side of the crisis.
Crisis worsens
The coronavirus disaster is worsening by the day. Cases in the United States have surpassed 60,000 with nearly 900 deaths.
Officials in New York have warned they don't expect infections to peak for weeks or months; California and Washington state also remain badly afflicted too.
But the different times of arrival by the virus in various locations means that numbers of cases are increasing at different rates in unexpected new places; New Orleans, for example, has now seen about 40 deaths as the infection appeared to accelerate there.
Schools and businesses are closed across the nation as Americans stay home and avoid large groups in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. That has had deleterious consequences for restaurants, brick-and-mortar business and travel; millions of people could be out of work.
Mnuchin detailed the ways that programs in the relief legislation under consideration by Congress would help businesses and workers, including via direct payments, loans and other transfers from the government.
Mnuchin said he thought the payments and programs in the bill would help the economy along for about three months — but "hopefully this war will be won quicker," he said.
Trump responded to the same question from a reporter about how long he thought the legislation would sustain the United States. The president said he couldn't give a definitive answer but he considered the door open to the prospect of more stimulus.
"Hopefully a long time," Trump said. "We'll see. If we have to go back, we'll go back."
Trump's timeline
Trump sought this week to shift the national mood from one of survival to one of transition, using Tuesday to talk up his hopes about reopening many of America's shuttered businesses soon even as work continued fighting the contagion.
The president said in a Fox News special aired from the White House that he thought life might get back to normal by Easter.
In a subsequent show he sketched out an imaginary scene of churches — many empty because of social distancing measures aimed at isolating the coronavirus — filled with worshippers for Easter services on April 12.
Trump's goal falls well within restrictive measures set by many public officials and businesses around the United States; schools in many places still would be closed by Easter Sunday.
The president sought to clarify later on Tuesday at a White House briefing that he'd let data and the recommendations of public health officials guide the federal recommendations about social distancing and other mitigation measures.
Calling it a "medical crisis, not a financial crisis," Trump said he wanted to reassure the American public that any decision made on loosening mitigating measures currently in place, such as social distancing, would be made using the "best science, the best modeling and the best medical research there is anywhere on Earth."
Trump said the administration would assess after next week whether current social distancing measures aimed at stemming the spread of the coronavirus will remain in place.
Wednesday marks day 10 of the 15-day period of the White House's "15 Days To Slow The Spread initiative." Trump said "we'll be speaking to everybody" about what follows and that "it'll be an interesting period of time."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, reportedly said on Wednesday that he didn't believe the end of the crisis was in sight.
The president also took part in a phone call with non-profit organizations on the COVID-19 response Wednesday afternoon.
"They have been fantastic," Trump said.


npr--2020-03-25--'Stop Price Gouging,' 33 Attorneys General Tell Amazon, Walmart, Others

Online platforms have `` an ethical obligation '' to root out price gouging on hand sanitizer and other high-demand products during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond , top law enforcement officials from across the country say .
In letters to Amazon , Walmart , eBay , Facebook and Craigslist on Wednesday , 33 attorneys general say these companies ' efforts to crack down on overpriced items on their selling platforms have so far `` failed to remove unconscionably priced critical supplies . ''
The officials are calling on the companies to create policies that look at prices historically to detect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoppers to report pricing complaints and proactively monitor and respond to spiking prices at all times and not just during emergencies .
`` These are just a few potential solutions , and we hope your company will put its considerable technological prowess to work ... to better protect your customers , '' the attorneys general wrote in letters to the companies .
`` We believe you have an ethical obligation and duty to help your fellow citizens in this time of need by doing everything in your power to stop price gouging in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have filed hundreds of complaints of massive price hikes on face masks , sanitizers and other supplies online as they rushed to stock up for the coronavirus pandemic .
This continued even as the companies cracked down , removing or even banning listings of particular products .
The attorneys general cited sellers on Craigslist and Facebook as jacking up prices on hand sanitizer by as much as 10 times the normal cost .
They also cited a report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group earlier this month that found that 1 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( not through third-party sellers ) jumped in price by at least 50 % in February .
On Monday , Amazon reiterated in a blog post that `` it has zero tolerance for price gouging '' and that it has already removed more than 500,000 listings because of coronavirus-based price gouging and suspended more than 3,900 U.S. selling accounts for violating fair pricing policies .
Walmart and eBay both said they are actively monitoring pricing for high-demand items .
Walmart last week wrote to attorneys general that it can `` automatically unpublish items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prices recently offered on Walmart Marketplace or on competing sites , or that appear to be the subject of price gouging , or other unfair or abusive pricing practices . ''
Facebook said it has removed ads and sale listings for high-demand items including coronavirus testing kits .
`` While enforcement is not perfect , '' the company said in a statement , `` we have put several automated detection mechanisms in place to block or remove this material from our platform . ''
Craigslist did not respond to NPR 's inquiry Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , but they generally go after retailers and wholesalers for unfair markups , particularly during emergencies .
Many states give some flexibility for prices to go up in response to shortages and hoarding behavior , typically by around 10 % to 30 % over prices in earlier months .

'Stop Price Gouging,' 33 Attorneys General Tell Amazon, Walmart, Others
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
Online platforms have "an ethical obligation" to root out price gouging on hand sanitizer and other high-demand products during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond, top law enforcement officials from across the country say.
In letters to Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Facebook and Craigslist on Wednesday, 33 attorneys general say these companies' efforts to crack down on overpriced items on their selling platforms have so far "failed to remove unconscionably priced critical supplies."
The officials are calling on the companies to create policies that look at prices historically to detect surges, set up a portal for shoppers to report pricing complaints and proactively monitor and respond to spiking prices at all times and not just during emergencies.
"These are just a few potential solutions, and we hope your company will put its considerable technological prowess to work ... to better protect your customers," the attorneys general wrote in letters to the companies.
"We believe you have an ethical obligation and duty to help your fellow citizens in this time of need by doing everything in your power to stop price gouging in real-time," they added.
Shoppers have filed hundreds of complaints of massive price hikes on face masks, sanitizers and other supplies online as they rushed to stock up for the coronavirus pandemic. This continued even as the companies cracked down, removing or even banning listings of particular products.
The attorneys general cited sellers on Craigslist and Facebook as jacking up prices on hand sanitizer by as much as 10 times the normal cost. They also cited a report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group earlier this month that found that 1 in 6 products sold directly by Amazon itself (not through third-party sellers) jumped in price by at least 50% in February.
On Monday, Amazon reiterated in a blog post that "it has zero tolerance for price gouging" and that it has already removed more than 500,000 listings because of coronavirus-based price gouging and suspended more than 3,900 U.S. selling accounts for violating fair pricing policies.
Walmart and eBay both said they are actively monitoring pricing for high-demand items. Walmart last week wrote to attorneys general that it can "automatically unpublish items that are priced substantially in excess of prices recently offered on Walmart Marketplace or on competing sites, or that appear to be the subject of price gouging, or other unfair or abusive pricing practices."
Facebook said it has removed ads and sale listings for high-demand items including coronavirus testing kits. "While enforcement is not perfect," the company said in a statement, "we have put several automated detection mechanisms in place to block or remove this material from our platform."
Craigslist did not respond to NPR's inquiry Wednesday.
Price gouging laws vary across the U.S., but they generally go after retailers and wholesalers for unfair markups, particularly during emergencies. Many states give some flexibility for prices to go up in response to shortages and hoarding behavior, typically by around 10% to 30% over prices in earlier months.


npr--2020-03-25--ICU Bed Capacity Varies Widely Nationwide. See How Your Area Stacks Up

ICU Bed Capacity Varies Widely Nationwide .
See How Your Area Stacks Up As the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies , some communities will be better equipped to treat the sickest patients — specifically those requiring admission to intensive care units — than others .
Not only do ICU capabilities vary from hospital to hospital , but also some parts of the country have far more critical care beds by population than others .
An NPR analysis of data from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice looked at how the nation 's 100,000 ICU beds are distributed across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's hospital system .
In some areas , like several in Florida , there are more than 60 intensive care beds for every 100,000 residents .
In others , like Las Vegas and Nashville , Tenn. , there are fewer than 20 .
ICU beds are especially important now because they are the hospital units typically equipped to treat patients with respiratory problems that require ventilators .
`` The implications from this data is that the pandemic will look quite different in different places , '' says Eric Toner , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
`` Some places will maybe be able to get by without having to ration critical care .
Other places definitely will not be able to , '' he says .
`` The worst-case scenario would be catastrophic failure of health care in that facility . ''
A report from the Society of Critical Care Medicine found that more than nine out of 10 intensive care beds nationally are in metropolitan areas with a population of more than 50,000 .
Only 1 percent of America 's ICU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallace , a researcher and critical care doctor at the University of Pittsburgh , found that larger hospitals , teaching hospitals and those whose ICUs were at high occupancy were more likely to have added ICU beds from 1997 to 2011 .
Toner says those disparities will expose regional differences in access to critical health care in a pandemic .
`` We are seeing the fruits of trying to have a market solution to a national strategic issue , '' he says .
`` We have the number of beds we do because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands where . ''
Craig Coopersmith , who leads the Emory Critical Care Center in Atlanta , calls the pandemic a `` once-in-a-lifetime event . ''
`` One ca n't develop a health care system solely for times of pandemic , '' he says .
`` If they did , the vast majority of times ICU beds would be empty . ''
And , he says , there is `` absolutely no standard , '' for critical care beds nationally .
Still , whether it 's better to be a COVID-19 patient in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will depend on how many people are infected in those areas and on the local hospital 's capabilities .
Wallace says even his own research into counting ICU beds is an oversimplification because intensive care units themselves vary so widely .
`` While I may be able to count the number of beds in Region A and Region B and the underlying populations in those two areas , '' he says , `` what those beds and ICUs are actually able to provide is an entirely different question . ''
Both Wallace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to manage high demand for critical care beds by repurposing some of their facilities , shifting staff and moving patients between hospitals .
Toner argues the country should collectively share that cost .
`` It 's in the national interest to have hospitals and intensive care capacity in places that are not profitable , '' he says .

ICU Bed Capacity Varies Widely Nationwide
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ryan McVay/Getty Images Ryan McVay/Getty Images
As the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies, some communities will be better equipped to treat the sickest patients — specifically those requiring admission to intensive care units — than others. Not only do ICU capabilities vary from hospital to hospital, but also some parts of the country have far more critical care beds by population than others.
An NPR analysis of data from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice looked at how the nation's 100,000 ICU beds are distributed across the more than 300 markets that make up the country's hospital system.
NPR found that ICU bed capacity varies widely across the United States. ICU beds are especially important now because they are the hospital units typically equipped to treat patients with respiratory problems that require ventilators.
"The implications from this data is that the pandemic will look quite different in different places," says Eric Toner, a physician and a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
"Some places will maybe be able to get by without having to ration critical care. Other places definitely will not be able to," he says. "The worst-case scenario would be catastrophic failure of health care in that facility."
A report from the Society of Critical Care Medicine found that more than nine out of 10 intensive care beds nationally are in metropolitan areas with a population of more than 50,000. Only 1 percent of America's ICU beds are in rural areas.
David Wallace, a researcher and critical care doctor at the University of Pittsburgh, found that larger hospitals, teaching hospitals and those whose ICUs were at high occupancy were more likely to have added ICU beds from 1997 to 2011.
Toner says those disparities will expose regional differences in access to critical health care in a pandemic.
"We are seeing the fruits of trying to have a market solution to a national strategic issue," he says. "We have the number of beds we do because that's what the market is or demands where."
Craig Coopersmith, who leads the Emory Critical Care Center in Atlanta, calls the pandemic a "once-in-a-lifetime event."
"One can't develop a health care system solely for times of pandemic," he says. "If they did, the vast majority of times ICU beds would be empty."
And, he says, there is "absolutely no standard," for critical care beds nationally.
Still, whether it's better to be a COVID-19 patient in a big city or a smaller one will depend on how many people are infected in those areas and on the local hospital's capabilities.
Wallace says even his own research into counting ICU beds is an oversimplification because intensive care units themselves vary so widely.
"While I may be able to count the number of beds in Region A and Region B and the underlying populations in those two areas," he says, "what those beds and ICUs are actually able to provide is an entirely different question."
Both Wallace and Toner tell NPR that hospitals will try to manage high demand for critical care beds by repurposing some of their facilities, shifting staff and moving patients between hospitals. Toner argues the country should collectively share that cost.
"It's in the national interest to have hospitals and intensive care capacity in places that are not profitable," he says.


npr--2020-03-25--Coronavirus Package Would Bar Trump And Lawmakers From Funds, Top Democrat Says

Coronavirus Package Would Bar Trump And Lawmakers From Funds , Top Democrat Says Businesses controlled by the president , senior executive branch officials or members of Congress will be barred from receiving funds under the huge economic rescue package the Senate could vote on as early as Wednesday , according to the Senate 's top Democrat .
The provision , tucked inside the massive , $ 2 trillion spending package that aims to shore up the economy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , also prohibits the children , spouses and in-laws of those officials from getting loans or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Chuck Schumer 's office says they secured agreement on the provision from Republicans after days of intense negotiations .
The full text of the bill has not been released ; only portions were distributed on Wednesday .
Speaking on MSNBC Wednesday morning , Schumer said that people `` who make the laws should n't directly benefit monetarily from those laws . ''
`` We 've tried to get better and better and better at that , and this is just another example , '' he said .
`` It 's not aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone in high office . ''
While it might not be aimed at Trump , there 's little doubt the provision was drawn up with the president at least in mind .
Trump has not divested from the Trump Organization since taking office in January 2017 .
The company says it is run day-to-day by the president 's sons , Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump .
The president 's refusal to separate himself from his business has fueled both controversy and criticism , as well as allegations that he is using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enrich himself .
Like much of the tourism and hotel industry , Trump 's properties have taken a hit because of the pandemic , according to The Washington Post .
The Post reports that six of Trump 's top seven revenue-producing clubs and hotels have been shut down because of restrictions imposed to slow the virus ' spread .
When was asked at Sunday 's White House coronavirus task force news conference whether his business would forgo federal bailout money , Trump said he has `` no idea , '' that `` everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` we have to save some of these great companies . ''

Coronavirus Package Would Bar Trump And Lawmakers From Funds, Top Democrat Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images
Businesses controlled by the president, senior executive branch officials or members of Congress will be barred from receiving funds under the huge economic rescue package the Senate could vote on as early as Wednesday, according to the Senate's top Democrat.
The provision, tucked inside the massive, $2 trillion spending package that aims to shore up the economy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, also prohibits the children, spouses and in-laws of those officials from getting loans or investments from Treasury programs.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's office says they secured agreement on the provision from Republicans after days of intense negotiations. The full text of the bill has not been released; only portions were distributed on Wednesday.
Speaking on MSNBC Wednesday morning, Schumer said that people "who make the laws shouldn't directly benefit monetarily from those laws."
"We've tried to get better and better and better at that, and this is just another example," he said. "It's not aimed just at Donald Trump, but at anyone in high office."
While it might not be aimed at Trump, there's little doubt the provision was drawn up with the president at least in mind.
Trump has not divested from the Trump Organization since taking office in January 2017. The company says it is run day-to-day by the president's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
The president's refusal to separate himself from his business has fueled both controversy and criticism, as well as allegations that he is using the office of the presidency to try to enrich himself.
Like much of the tourism and hotel industry, Trump's properties have taken a hit because of the pandemic, according to The Washington Post.
The Post reports that six of Trump's top seven revenue-producing clubs and hotels have been shut down because of restrictions imposed to slow the virus' spread.
When was asked at Sunday's White House coronavirus task force news conference whether his business would forgo federal bailout money, Trump said he has "no idea," that "everything's changing" and that, generally, "we have to save some of these great companies."


npr--2020-03-25--What's In It For You? $1,200 Checks, 13 Weeks Of Unemployment Payments And More

What 's In It For You ?
$ 1,200 Checks , 13 Weeks Of Unemployment Payments And More By one projection , weekly jobless claims could surpass 2 million in this week 's report .
By another , it could pass 3 million .
That 's staggering when you consider that at the height of the Great Recession , initial claims topped out at just shy of 700,000 .
The CARES Act ( short for Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act ) that Congress had agreed upon as of midday Wednesday is set to provide $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ braces for this massive economic blow .
`` Nobody thinks legislation can end this .
We can not outlaw the virus .
And no economic policy can fully end the hardship so long as the public health requires that we put so much of our commerce on ice , '' said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday .
`` This is n't even a stimulus package .
It is emergency relief . ''
For households , the two main pillars of relief in the bill are direct payments and unemployment benefits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded unemployment benefits were threatening to hold up the bill 's passage .
According to experts , the sizable spending for individuals as laid out in the bill 's latest version will help protect Americans from severe economic pain , but some question whether it 's enough for the long run .
A lot of the attention is being paid to the one-time checks that households will receive directly from the government .
The final version of the bill aims to send a $ 1,200 check to every adult earning up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for joint tax filers earning up to $ 150,000 — plus $ 500 for every child they have .
Around 90 % of households would benefit from the checks , according to the Tax Policy Center .
The check amounts would be phased out beyond those income limits , and no person earning over $ 99,000 ( or couple earning over $ 198,000 ) would receive the benefits .
( However , unlike earlier versions , there are no phase-in amounts ; all individuals with incomes up to $ 75,000 will receive the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , $ 1,200 is a bit more than the median full-time U.S. worker gets per week — $ 936 as of the end of 2019 .
It 's also a potentially sizable cushion for some households .
More than 1 in 10 adults would n't be able to cover an emergency $ 400 expense , and an additional 1 in 4 would need to borrow money or sell something , according to 2018 data from the Federal Reserve .
But what would $ 1,200 cover ?
We do know that housing is for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Median rent in the U.S. in 2017 was $ 1,012 , according to the U.S. Census Bureau .
Median mortgage costs , meanwhile , were $ 1,513 for households with a mortgage .
On average , a one-person household bought around $ 370 worth of food per month in 2018 .
A three-person household spent around $ 750 per month .
So a $ 1,200 check would go a long way toward purchasing food .
Of course , household needs differ dramatically by place and size .
Median rent in San Francisco is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,091 in Phoenix and $ 891 in Omaha , Neb .
And a family needing more space might pay a much higher mortgage or rent than a single person .
But the point is that Congress is acting quickly , says one political scientist .
And these initial rebate checks are a simple blunt way to start helping some households .
`` We 're living in an emergency situation .
In an ideal world , we would have time to create adjusted cost-of-living amounts for everywhere in the country based on pretty specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise what type of children , you know , which number of children and which state , '' said Amy Castro Baker , a professor at the University of Pennsylvania who studies basic-income programs .
`` We do n't have that kind of time .
People are losing their houses yesterday . ''
In short , $ 1,200 ( or $ 2,400 for a two-adult household ) could in the immediate future be useful for a lot of people .
But then , the crisis could last much longer — some public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could easily last for months .
That 's where longer-term measures , such as the unemployment insurance measures in this bill , will help .
Some low-wage workers could get more than their usual earnings The expansion of unemployment benefits could stand to put even more money in some families ' pockets than the relief checks .
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer has taken to calling it `` unemployment insurance on steroids . ''
`` I think of this thing as a deep response and a broad response , '' said Chuck Marr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .
While the `` broad '' part is the checks , he said , `` unemployment is a sort of deep response .
People are losing jobs ; they 're hurt ; they need help . ''
The latest versions of the bill expand unemployment benefits across several dimensions .
First , the bill would extend regular unemployment benefits to last an additional 13 weeks .
In most states , laid-off workers can get a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits .
The bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 weekly payments on top of the usual weekly unemployment checks .
That is a large bump compared with usual unemployment benefits .
According to the Labor Department , the average weekly benefit as of the end of February was about $ 372 .
It 's also a large increase in benefits compared with those during the Great Recession , when the economic stimulus act added $ 25 to weekly unemployment checks .
Altogether , an additional $ 600 , on top of those average benefits , would equal roughly 100 % wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower-income workers will get more than their usual wages from this expansion .
On top of that , the latest versions of the bill would expand who can get unemployment to people who would n't otherwise be eligible for benefits , such as the self-employed and those in isolation or quarantine because of the virus .
This expansion of unemployment benefits threatened to hold up the bill 's passage Wednesday afternoon , as a group of Republican senators objected to the new unemployment provisions .
`` We can not encourage people to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in employment , '' South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday .
There 's also some question as to how much economic pain these proposals would n't protect people from .
After all , the scars from this economic blow could last far longer than the four months that the $ 600 unemployment bump will last .
The package also contains far more than just this assistance for households .
There are also loans for small businesses and provisions to make much of that loan money forgivable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan borrowers a grace period from making payments until October .

What's In It For You? $1,200 Checks, 13 Weeks Of Unemployment Payments And More
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images
Updated 8:31 a.m. ET Thursday
First-time jobless claims hit nearly 3.3 million last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That's staggering when you consider that at the height of the Great Recession, initial claims topped out at just shy of 700,000.
The legislation that the Senate passed Wednesday night is set to provide $2 trillion in economic aid as the nation braces for this massive economic blow.
"Nobody thinks legislation can end this. We cannot outlaw the virus. And no economic policy can fully end the hardship so long as the public health requires that we put so much of our commerce on ice," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday. "This isn't even a stimulus package. It is emergency relief."
For households, the two main pillars of relief in the bill are direct payments and unemployment benefits.
According to experts, the sizable spending for individuals as laid out in the bill's latest version will help protect Americans from severe economic pain, but there is some question whether it's enough for the long run.
Relief checks for most Americans
A lot of the attention is being paid to the one-time checks that households will receive directly from the government.
The final version of the bill aims to send a $1,200 check to every adult earning up to $75,000 — or a $2,400 check for joint tax filers earning up to $150,000 — plus $500 for every child they have. Around 90% of households would benefit from the checks, according to the Tax Policy Center.
The check amounts would be phased out beyond those income limits, and no person earning over $99,000 (or couple earning over $198,000) would receive the benefits. (However, unlike earlier versions, there are no phase-in amounts; all individuals with incomes up to $75,000 will receive the same amount.)
What $1,200 buys
Put into perspective, $1,200 is a bit more than the median full-time U.S. worker gets per week — $936 as of the end of 2019.
It's also a potentially sizable cushion for some households. More than 1 in 10 adults wouldn't be able to cover an emergency $400 expense, and an additional 1 in 4 would need to borrow money or sell something, according to 2018 data from the Federal Reserve.
But what would $1,200 cover? We do know that housing is for many households the largest spending category. Median rent in the U.S. in 2017 was $1,012, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Median mortgage costs, meanwhile, were $1,513 for households with a mortgage.
On average, a one-person household bought around $370 worth of food per month in 2018. A three-person household spent around $750 per month. So a $1,200 check would go a long way toward purchasing food.
Of course, household needs differ dramatically by place and size. Median rent in San Francisco is $2,200, whereas it is $1,091 in Phoenix and $891 in Omaha, Neb. And a family needing more space might pay a much higher mortgage or rent than a single person.
But the point is that Congress is acting quickly, says one political scientist. And these initial rebate checks are a simple, blunt way to start helping some households.
"We're living in an emergency situation. In an ideal world, we would have time to create adjusted cost-of-living amounts for everywhere in the country based on pretty specific data as to what it costs to raise what type of children, you know, which number of children and which state," said Amy Castro Baker, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania who studies basic-income programs. "We don't have that kind of time. People are losing their houses yesterday."
In short, $1,200 (or $2,400 for a two-adult household) could in the immediate future be useful for a lot of people. But then, the crisis could last much longer — some public health experts say the need for social distancing could easily last for months.
That's where longer-term measures, such as the unemployment insurance measures in this bill, will help.
Unemployment insurance: Some will receive more than their average wages
The expansion of unemployment benefits could stand to put even more money in some families' pockets than the relief checks. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer has taken to calling it "unemployment insurance on steroids."
"I think of this thing as a deep response and a broad response," said Chuck Marr, senior director of federal tax policy at the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. While the "broad" part is the checks, he said, "unemployment is a sort of deep response. People are losing jobs; they're hurt; they need help."
The latest versions of the bill expand unemployment benefits across several dimensions. First, the bill would extend regular unemployment benefits to last an additional 13 weeks. In most states, laid-off workers can get a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits.
The bill would also add four months of $600 weekly payments on top of the usual weekly unemployment checks. That is a large bump compared with usual unemployment benefits. According to the Labor Department, the average weekly benefit as of the end of February was about $372.
It's also a large increase in benefits compared with those during the Great Recession, when the economic stimulus act added $25 to weekly unemployment checks.
Altogether, an additional $600, on top of those average benefits, would equal roughly 100% wage replacement for average workers — meaning some lower-income workers will get more than their usual wages from this expansion.
This expansion of unemployment benefits threatened to hold up the bill's passage Wednesday afternoon, as a group of Republican senators objected to the new unemployment provisions.
"We cannot encourage people to make more money in unemployment than we do in employment," South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. A proposed amendment to ensure that no worker received more than their average pay failed, however.
Importantly, the bill would also greatly expand who can get unemployment to people who wouldn't otherwise be eligible for benefits, such as the self-employed, and those in isolation or quarantine because of the virus.
There's also some question as to how much economic pain these proposals wouldn't protect people from. After all, the scars from this economic blow could last far longer than the four months that the $600 unemployment bump will last.
The package also contains far more than just this assistance for households. There are also loans for small businesses and provisions to make much of that loan money forgivable. The bill also would allow federal student loan borrowers a grace period from making payments until October.


npr--2020-03-25--Ventilator Makers Ask U.S. Government To Manage Distribution

Ventilator Makers Ask U.S. Government To Manage Distribution Medical device manufacturers are asking the Trump administration to step in and centralize the distribution of ventilators , life-saving devices that are in desperately short supply because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Advanced Medical Technology Association , an industry trade group , said its members would `` appreciate the Administration 's leadership '' in prioritizing which orders from states , local governments and hospitals should be filled first .
`` We believe the most effective way to address these allocation issues is for the Administration to designate a lead agency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocation decisions with the active input of clinical experts , '' association President and CEO Scott Whitaker wrote in a letter .
Under the Defense Production Act , the White House has the authority to control the allocation of medical supplies , as well as order manufacturers to boost production .
But President Trump has so far declined to actually use those powers to address the shortage of ventilators .
Meanwhile , manufacturers are already trying to rapidly increase the supply of the complex medical devices .
Some companies have announced high-profile partnerships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Zoll Medical , which makes ventilators for the Department of Defense , says it plans to increase production 25-fold , to some 10,000 ventilators per month .

Ventilator-Makers Ask U.S. Government To Manage Distribution
Enlarge this image toggle caption Axel Heimken/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Axel Heimken/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Medical device manufacturers are asking the Trump administration to step in and centralize the distribution of ventilators, life-saving devices that are in desperately short supply because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Advanced Medical Technology Association, an industry trade group, said its members would "appreciate the Administration's leadership" in prioritizing which orders from states, local governments and hospitals should be filled first.
"We believe the most effective way to address these allocation issues is for the Administration to designate a lead agency, such as FEMA, to oversee these allocation decisions with the active input of clinical experts," association President and CEO Scott Whitaker wrote in a letter.
Under the Defense Production Act, the White House has the authority to control the allocation of medical supplies, as well as order manufacturers to boost production. But President Trump has so far declined to actually use those powers to address the shortage of ventilators.
Meanwhile, manufacturers are already trying to rapidly increase the supply of the complex medical devices. Some companies have announced high-profile partnerships with major automakers to increase their production.
Zoll Medical, which makes ventilators for the Department of Defense, says it plans to increase production 25-fold, to some 10,000 ventilators per month.


npr--2020-03-25--Putin Delays Vote That Could Help Keep Him In Power

Putin Delays Vote That Could Help Keep Him In Power Russian President Vladimir Putin says that because of the coronavirus pandemic , he is delaying a constitutional referendum that could allow him to stay in power until 2036 .
The vote had been scheduled for April 22 .
`` You know that this is a very serious matter for me , '' Putin said in a speech on Wednesday .
`` However ... our absolute priority is the health , life and safety of the people .
This is why I believe the vote should be postponed . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new day for the vote in consultation with doctors and other specialists .
Putin 's current term is due to expire in 2024 , but the constitutional amendment would allow him to seek two more terms in power by resetting his term count .
It was proposed earlier this month by Russian lawmaker and former cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova .
Putin told the state Duma at the time that he endorsed the idea , saying it could provide stability to the country , as NPR reported .
Putin has led Russia for nearly two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josef Stalin .
Russia has reported less than 700 cases of the coronavirus – a relatively small number , given its large size and population .
Putin noted in his speech that countries nearby `` have already been seriously affected by the epidemic , which means that in all objectivity it is impossible to stop it from spilling over into Russia . ''
He announced a range of economic support measures and said he 's declaring next week a paid `` non-work period , '' aside from public infrastructure such as medical facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best thing to do now is stay home , '' he added .

Putin Delays Vote That Could Help Keep Him In Power
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alexei Druzhinin/AP Alexei Druzhinin/AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin says that because of the coronavirus pandemic, he is delaying a constitutional referendum that could allow him to stay in power until 2036. The vote had been scheduled for April 22.
"You know that this is a very serious matter for me," Putin said in a speech on Wednesday. "However...our absolute priority is the health, life and safety of the people. This is why I believe the vote should be postponed."
The Russian leader said authorities will set a new day for the vote in consultation with doctors and other specialists.
Putin's current term is due to expire in 2024, but the constitutional amendment would allow him to seek two more terms in power by resetting his term count. It was proposed earlier this month by Russian lawmaker and former cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.
Putin told the state Duma at the time that he endorsed the idea, saying it could provide stability to the country, as NPR reported. Putin has led Russia for nearly two decades, second only to Soviet leader Josef Stalin.
Russia has reported less than 700 cases of the coronavirus – a relatively small number, given its large size and population. Putin noted in his speech that countries nearby "have already been seriously affected by the epidemic, which means that in all objectivity it is impossible to stop it from spilling over into Russia."
He announced a range of economic support measures and said he's declaring next week a paid "non-work period," aside from public infrastructure such as medical facilities and pharmacies. "Trust me: the best thing to do now is stay home," he added.


npr--2020-03-25--Afghanistan, Taliban To Begin Prisoner Releases At End Of Month

Afghanistan , Taliban To Begin Prisoner Releases At End Of Month Prisoners affiliated with the Taliban will soon be released from Afghan lockups , in a move that 's likely to kick off peace talks between Afghanistan and the Islamist insurgent group .
On Wednesday , a pair of Taliban spokesmen and a U.S. official confirmed the prisoner release — a key condition in the peace framework between the militants and the U.S. announced about a month ago .
Zalmay Khalilzad , the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation , who has been leading U.S. peace talks with the Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghan government agreed to begin releasing their respective prisoners on March 31 .
`` This is a positive development , '' he tweeted Wednesday , after an hours-long video conference between representatives of the Afghan government , the International Committee of the Red Cross , the U.S. and the Gulf state of Qatar .
`` Technical meetings will continue to make sure the process goes smoothly . ''
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid , in comments to NPR earlier , echoed that timeline .
Another Taliban spokesman , Suhail Shaheen , explained Wednesday on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technical delegation to the Bagram prison , a complex on the outskirts of Kabul , to verify the prisoners being released .
The prisoner release is expected to kick off the process of inter-Afghan peace talks , which have been in doubt for weeks despite a deal between the U.S. and the Taliban late last month .
The deal , which lays a framework for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan , stipulated the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners in Afghan government detention as a goodwill gesture .
Up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also to be released .
But Afghan President Ashraf Ghani initially balked at the timing laid out in the agreement .
And recent weeks have seen the country politically paralyzed by a dispute between Ghani and his principal challenger for the presidency , Abdullah Abdullah , over last year 's election results .
Earlier this week , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. had decided to slash $ 1 billion in aid to Afghanistan after Pompeo failed to reconcile Ghani and Abdullah .
Pompeo prevented movement on negotiations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , intended to end the four-decade-long conflict in the country and create a power-sharing accord , are part of a broader deal that will see most American and NATO forces withdraw from Afghanistan within 14 months .
In return , the Taliban agree not to host militant groups that could harm the security of the United States , and to comply with a partial reduction in violence .

Afghanistan, Taliban To Begin Prisoner Releases At End Of Month
Enlarge this image toggle caption Noorullah Shirzada/AFP via Getty Images Noorullah Shirzada/AFP via Getty Images
Prisoners affiliated with the Taliban will soon be released from Afghan lockups, in a move that's likely to kick off peace talks between Afghanistan and the Islamist insurgent group. On Wednesday, a pair of Taliban spokesmen and a U.S. official confirmed the prisoner release — a key condition in the peace framework between the militants and the U.S. announced about a month ago.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, who has been leading U.S. peace talks with the Taliban, said the militant group and the Afghan government agreed to begin releasing their respective prisoners on March 31.
"This is a positive development," he tweeted Wednesday, after an hours-long video conference between representatives of the Afghan government, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the U.S. and the Gulf state of Qatar. "Technical meetings will continue to make sure the process goes smoothly."
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, in comments to NPR earlier, echoed that timeline. Another Taliban spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, explained Wednesday on Twitter that the Taliban would send a technical delegation to the Bagram prison, a complex on the outskirts of Kabul, to verify the prisoners being released.
The prisoner release is expected to kick off the process of inter-Afghan peace talks, which have been in doubt for weeks despite a deal between the U.S. and the Taliban late last month. The deal, which lays a framework for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, stipulated the release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners in Afghan government detention as a goodwill gesture.
Up to 1,000 Afghan soldiers held by Taliban were also to be released.
But Afghan President Ashraf Ghani initially balked at the timing laid out in the agreement. And recent weeks have seen the country politically paralyzed by a dispute between Ghani and his principal challenger for the presidency, Abdullah Abdullah, over last year's election results.
Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. had decided to slash $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan after Pompeo failed to reconcile Ghani and Abdullah. Pompeo prevented movement on negotiations with the Taliban.
The proposed inter-Afghan talks, intended to end the four-decade-long conflict in the country and create a power-sharing accord, are part of a broader deal that will see most American and NATO forces withdraw from Afghanistan within 14 months. In return, the Taliban agree not to host militant groups that could harm the security of the United States, and to comply with a partial reduction in violence.


npr--2020-03-25--Sheetz Convenience Store Chain Gives Workers $3 Hourly Raise

The Sheetz convenience store chain is giving hourly pay raises of $ 3 to roughly 17,000 workers in its stores , the company announced Wednesday in response to the coronavirus crisis .
It 's one of the most aggressive moves yet by companies that are boosting pay to retain , attract and motivate employees .
The widescale raise is retroactive to March 13 and will be in effect through April 23 .
`` Sheetz is also actively hiring store employees , '' the company said as it announced the pay hike .
Gas stations are deemed essential businesses during shutdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week in Pennsylvania , where Sheetz is based .
The company has more than 580 stores in six states , including Ohio , Maryland and North Carolina .
A growing number of those states are now operating under special limits that their governments hope will slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
Thousands of workers have been laid off or idled due to the COVID-19 shutdowns .
But Sheetz 's $ 3 raise reflects a growing trend , in which quarantines and other restrictions have sent some companies — especially grocers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprees .
In the past week , the company that operates Albertsons , Safeway and other grocery stores said it will raise workers ' wages by $ 2 through late March .
Target is also paying an extra $ 2 , until at least May 2 .
Kroger said it will give frontline workers a one-time `` appreciation bonus '' of up to $ 300 .
Walmart , Amazon , Papa John 's and other companies are mobilizing for a quick growth spurt — and they 're also coming under scrutiny for how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Alina Selyukh reports .
`` Some of the companies that are adding new jobs — including Amazon and Instacart — have faced criticism from their current employees , who want protective gear , hazard pay and broader access to paid sick leave , '' Selyukh says .
Sheetz is popular with travelers for offering freshly made sandwiches and milkshakes — but like many companies , it has suspended all self-serve options and stepped up cleaning procedures , to reduce the chance of spreading a coronavirus infection .

Sheetz Convenience Store Chain Gives Workers $3 Hourly Raise
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael S.Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images Michael S.Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Sheetz convenience store chain is giving hourly pay raises of $3 to roughly 17,000 workers in its stores, the company announced Wednesday in response to the coronavirus crisis. It's one of the most aggressive moves yet by companies that are boosting pay to retain, attract and motivate employees.
The widescale raise is retroactive to March 13 and will be in effect through April 23.
"Sheetz is also actively hiring store employees," the company said as it announced the pay hike.
Gas stations are deemed essential businesses during shutdowns like the one that took effect last week in Pennsylvania, where Sheetz is based. The company has more than 580 stores in six states, including Ohio, Maryland and North Carolina. A growing number of those states are now operating under special limits that their governments hope will slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Thousands of workers have been laid off or idled due to the COVID-19 shutdowns. But Sheetz's $3 raise reflects a growing trend, in which quarantines and other restrictions have sent some companies — especially grocers, pharmacies and delivery services — on hiring sprees.
In the past week, the company that operates Albertsons, Safeway and other grocery stores said it will raise workers' wages by $2 through late March. Target is also paying an extra $2, until at least May 2. Kroger said it will give frontline workers a one-time "appreciation bonus" of up to $300.
Walmart, Amazon, Papa John's and other companies are mobilizing for a quick growth spurt — and they're also coming under scrutiny for how they handle safety issues, as NPR's Alina Selyukh reports.
"Some of the companies that are adding new jobs — including Amazon and Instacart — have faced criticism from their current employees, who want protective gear, hazard pay and broader access to paid sick leave," Selyukh says.
Sheetz is popular with travelers for offering freshly made sandwiches and milkshakes — but like many companies, it has suspended all self-serve options and stepped up cleaning procedures, to reduce the chance of spreading a coronavirus infection.


npr--2020-03-26--Nurses In Australia Issue Plea Against Violence, Theft Of Sanitizer And Masks

Nurses In Australia Issue Plea Against Violence , Theft Of Sanitizer And Masks Nurses and midwives in Australia say they 've had to take extraordinary measures to stop people from stealing personal protective equipment ( PPE ) , such as sanitizer and masks , and that some of them have even become targets of violence .
In a statement on its website , the [ New South Wales ] Nurses & Midwives ' Association issued a plea to the community as the number of novel coronavirus cases in the country exceeded 2,300 , with 8 COVID-19 deaths .
`` Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other health workers like they are infectious , '' the union said , adding bold text for emphasis .
`` These trained professionals should be respected and must not be abused , spat on or assaulted as they move through our communities , to and from their workplaces . ''
The message comes as police in New South Wales Thursday issued an appeal for information in an incident in which a woman wearing a nursing uniform was approached by another woman , who allegedly coughed on her , verbally abused her and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The Sydney Morning Herald .
In addition , the union said there had been many instances `` where community members have been stealing bottles of hand sanitiser , face masks and other vital resources from hospital wards , leaving nurses and other hospital staff exposed . ''
Most hospitals in the state `` have had to start cable-tying or using chains so the bottles [ of hand sanitizer ] are n't going missing from wards , '' a spokeswoman for the union was quoted by the Herald as saying , `` but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going missing from deliveries . ''
The newspaper reports that these incidents include the theft of an entire cart of PPE equipment at Westmead Hospital in a suburb of Sydney and another in which a pallet of hand sanitizer was intercepted as it was being delivered to a hospital .
Earlier this week , as cases began to spike , Australia 's government ordered non-essential services and businesses , including pubs , clubs , gyms , movie houses and places of worship , shut down .

Nurses In Australia Issue Plea To Stop Violence, Theft Of Sanitizer And Masks
Enlarge this image toggle caption Loren Elliott/Reuters Loren Elliott/Reuters
Nurses and midwives in Australia say they've had to take extraordinary measures to stop people from stealing personal protective equipment, such as sanitizer and masks, and that some of them have even become targets of violence.
In a statement on its website, the New South Wales Nurses & Midwives' Association issued a plea to the community as the number of novel coronavirus cases in the country exceeded 2,800, with eight deaths, as of Thursday morning.
"Please do not treat nurses, midwives and other health workers like they are infectious," the union said, adding bold text for emphasis. "These trained professionals should be respected and must not be abused, spat on or assaulted as they move through our communities, to and from their workplaces."
The message comes Thursday as police in New South Wales issued an appeal for information in an incident in which a woman wearing a nursing uniform was approached by another woman, who allegedly coughed on her, verbally abused her and then punched her in the face, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
In addition, the union said, there had been many instances "where community members have been stealing bottles of hand sanitiser, face masks and other vital resources from hospital wards, leaving nurses and other hospital staff exposed."
Most hospitals in the state "have had to start cable-tying or using chains so the bottles [of hand sanitizer] aren't going missing from wards," a spokeswoman for the union was quoted by the Herald as saying, "but we are hearing some instances of pallets going missing from deliveries."
The newspaper reports that these incidents include the theft of an entire cart of personal protective equipment at Westmead Hospital in a suburb of Sydney and another in which a pallet of hand sanitizer was intercepted as it was being delivered to a hospital.
Earlier this week, as cases began to spike, Australia's government ordered nonessential services and businesses — including pubs, clubs, gyms, movie houses and places of worship — to shut down.