npr--2020-05-15--'Her Gift To The Beatles Was Immeasurable': Photographer Astrid Kirchherr Dies At 81

'Her Gift To The Beatles Was Immeasurable ' : Photographer Astrid Kirchherr Dies At 81 Before they became world-famous mop-top icons , the Beatles looked like a bunch of greasers .
And photographer Astrid Kirchherr is often credited as the first to capture the band 's fashion evolution as well as influencing their new direction .
Kirchherr , who met the group after a 1960 show in Hamburg , Germany , died on Wednesday at the age of 81 , after a short illness , German news outlets reported .
`` Intelligent , inspirational , innovative , daring , artistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart , loving and uplifting friend to many , '' Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn tweeted .
`` Her gift to the Beatles was immeasurable , '' Lewisohn wrote , adding that she 'd died `` a few days before turning 82 . ''
Kirchherr , born in 1938 , was about 22 when she and her then-boyfriend Klaus Voorman went to see a moderately popular band from Liverpool play a dark , filthy , not-quite-right-for-proper-ladies club in her hometown of Hamburg .
`` It took him a couple of days to convince me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boys , because Reeperbahn is not a place where young ladies in the '50s or '60s were to be seen ... it was not a nice place , '' she told Fresh Air 's Terry Gross in 2008 .
`` When I went down the stairs and looked at the stage , I was just amazed how beautiful these boys looked .
And being a photographer then , it was a photographer 's dream . ''
At the time , the Beatles consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sutcliffe .
She befriended the group after the show and somehow convinced them to let her start shooting them .
Within a few months Kirchherr and Sutcliffe had fallen in love and by November 1960 the couple was engaged .
In fact , Sutcliffe who was also a painter , quit the band to live with Kirchherr and her mother and attend art school in Hamburg .
He died of a brain hemorrhage in April 1962 before they could get married .
He was only 21 .
`` He was , and still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Kirchherr said .
Their relationship is the focus of the 1994 film Backbeat , about the Beatles ' pre-record-deal days in Germany .
Part of the Kirchherr-Beatles legend is that she was the first to give Sutcliffe the famous mop-top haircut , and that the others eventually followed .
`` Well , my boyfriend , Klaus , had a big problem because his ears used to stick out and then I had the idea to just grow the hair over them , which he then did and it looked absolutely beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview .
`` So when the boys saw Klaus , Stuart was the first one who said , oh , I would like to have that hairstyle . ''
Many of the early black and white photos she took of the band are an integral part of the collective photographic memory of the band , and the 1960s as a whole .
Her photographic work also garnered worldwide attention ; she had exhibitions in Japan , Australia , the United States and Great Britain .
Even after Sutcliffe 's death , she remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kirchherr was a set photographer on their first movie , A Hard Day 's Night .
And in 1968 , George Harrison persuaded Kirchherr to shoot a session for his solo project Wonderwall Music .
It is her portrait of him that is printed on the inside of the album .
It is one of the last known pictures Kirchherr took — she eventually gave up photography for interior design because , as she said , `` I was n't sure if I 'm really good or is it just the Beatles that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , famous ?
And I was n't sure anymore if I 'm good or not so I just gave it up . ''
`` Absolutely stunned to hear the news of Astrid passing , '' former Beatles drummer Pete Best wrote on Twitter .
Best added : `` God bless you love .
We shared some wonderful memories and the most amazing fun times . ''

'Her Gift To The Beatles Was Immeasurable': Photographer Astrid Kirchherr Dies At 81
Enlarge this image toggle caption Max Scheler - K & K/Redferns Max Scheler - K & K/Redferns
Before they became world-famous mop-top icons, the Beatles looked like a bunch of greasers. And photographer Astrid Kirchherr is often credited as the first to capture the band's fashion evolution as well as influencing their new direction.
Kirchherr, who met the group after a 1960 show in Hamburg, Germany, died on Wednesday at the age of 81, after a short illness, German news outlets reported.
"Intelligent, inspirational, innovative, daring, artistic, awake, aware, beautiful, smart, loving and uplifting friend to many," Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn tweeted. "Her gift to the Beatles was immeasurable," Lewisohn wrote, adding that she'd died "a few days before turning 82."
Kirchherr, born in 1938, was about 22 when she and her then-boyfriend Klaus Voorman went to see a moderately popular band from Liverpool play a dark, filthy, not-quite-right-for-proper-ladies club in her hometown of Hamburg.
"It took him a couple of days to convince me to go with him to see the boys, because Reeperbahn is not a place where young ladies in the '50s or '60s were to be seen ... it was not a nice place," she told Fresh Air's Terry Gross in 2008.
"When I went down the stairs and looked at the stage, I was just amazed how beautiful these boys looked. And being a photographer then, it was a photographer's dream."
At the time, the Beatles consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, drummer Pete Best, and bassist Stuart Sutcliffe. She befriended the group after the show and somehow convinced them to let her start shooting them. Within a few months Kirchherr and Sutcliffe had fallen in love and by November 1960 the couple was engaged.
In fact, Sutcliffe who was also a painter, quit the band to live with Kirchherr and her mother and attend art school in Hamburg. He died of a brain hemorrhage in April 1962 before they could get married. He was only 21.
"He was, and still is, the love of my life," Kirchherr said. Their relationship is the focus of the 1994 film Backbeat, about the Beatles' pre-record-deal days in Germany.
Part of the Kirchherr-Beatles legend is that she was the first to give Sutcliffe the famous mop-top haircut, and that the others eventually followed. "Well, my boyfriend, Klaus, had a big problem because his ears used to stick out and then I had the idea to just grow the hair over them, which he then did and it looked absolutely beautiful," she said in that 2008 interview. "So when the boys saw Klaus, Stuart was the first one who said, oh, I would like to have that hairstyle."
Many of the early black and white photos she took of the band are an integral part of the collective photographic memory of the band, and the 1960s as a whole.
Her photographic work also garnered worldwide attention; she had exhibitions in Japan, Australia, the United States and Great Britain. Even after Sutcliffe's death, she remained an artistic collaborator with the Beatles — Kirchherr was a set photographer on their first movie, A Hard Day's Night.
And in 1968, George Harrison persuaded Kirchherr to shoot a session for his solo project Wonderwall Music. It is her portrait of him that is printed on the inside of the album. It is one of the last known pictures Kirchherr took — she eventually gave up photography for interior design because, as she said, "I wasn't sure if I'm really good or is it just the Beatles that made me, sort of in a way, famous? And I wasn't sure anymore if I'm good or not so I just gave it up."
"Absolutely stunned to hear the news of Astrid passing," former Beatles drummer Pete Best wrote on Twitter.
Best added: "God bless you love. We shared some wonderful memories and the most amazing fun times."


npr--2020-05-15--Census Work To Resume In Puerto Rico And Rural Areas Of 11 States

Census Work To Resume In Puerto Rico And Rural Areas Of 11 States More than two months after the national roll-out of the 2020 census , most households in Puerto Rico are set to finally receive official instructions on how to participate in the count starting next week , the Census Bureau announced Friday .
The coronavirus outbreak forced census field operations on the island to stop in March , but census workers are now scheduled to resume leaving paper forms outside of front doors beginning May 22 .
The bureau says it 's providing personal protective equipment to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the island 's lockdown and curfew requirements in addition to social distancing protocols .
The bureau also announced on Friday that it 's sending out workers as early as next week to drop off questionnaires in more stateside rural communities , including in parts of Arizona , Colorado , Indiana , Iowa , Louisiana , Nebraska , Nevada , New Mexico , New York , Rhode Island and Wyoming .
The two-month suspension of census field operations in these areas has led to low self-response rates , raising concerns about undercounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the share of the estimated $ 1.5 trillion a year in federal funding communities receive based in part on their population counts from the once-a-decade census .
With the national self-response rate pushing past 59 % as of Thursday , Puerto Rico is trailing behind by more than 51 percentage points , at just over 8 % .
Under the island 's stay-at-home orders , most of Puerto Rico 's residents have been left out of the barrage of census mailers many stateside communities have seen since March .
Two years ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instead of mailing them , would be the most reliable way to conduct the head count in Puerto Rico as the island continues to recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria .
While census work returns to Puerto Rico and a growing list of rural areas in the states , some of the country 's most vulnerable populations continue to face uncertainty about how they will be included in the census .
As of Friday , the bureau has not released new plans for counting people experiencing homelessness , or for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Indian tribal territories .
The bureau has said it suspended those operations to protect the health and safety of its workers and the public .
`` We made the move knowing we could still achieve a complete and accurate count — and are working closely with tribal leaders to determine the right time to resume this important operation , '' the bureau said in a statement Friday .
The bureau tells NPR in an email that it is trying to reach more historically undercounted groups by buying print , search and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional languages , including Bengali , Farsi , Hindi , Navajo and Nepali .
Still , a U.S. Government Accountability Office report released on Wednesday warned that social distancing requirements could undermine efforts to accurately count groups caught in the digital divide , especially when door knockers are expected to start visiting unresponsive homes in August to try to complete the count .
`` Groups with less internet access will be at relatively greater risk of being missed by the census , '' the GAO report said , if the challenge of maintaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment buildings or other densely populated spaces reduces the number of households census workers can interview in person .

Census Work To Resume In Puerto Rico And Rural Areas Of 11 States
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carlos Giusti/AP Carlos Giusti/AP
More than two months after the national roll-out of the 2020 census, most households in Puerto Rico are set to finally receive official instructions on how to participate in the count starting next week, the Census Bureau announced Friday.
The coronavirus outbreak forced census field operations on the island to stop in March, but census workers are now scheduled to resume leaving paper forms outside of front doors beginning May 22. The bureau says it's providing personal protective equipment to its employees, who are expected to follow all of the island's lockdown and curfew requirements in addition to social distancing protocols.
The bureau also announced on Friday that it's sending out workers as early as next week to drop off questionnaires in more stateside rural communities, including in parts of Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Wyoming.
The two-month suspension of census field operations in these areas has led to low self-response rates, raising concerns about undercounts that could have devastating long-term implications on the share of the estimated $1.5 trillion a year in federal funding communities receive based in part on their population counts from the once-a-decade census.
With the national self-response rate pushing past 59% as of Thursday, Puerto Rico is trailing behind by more than 51 percentage points, at just over 8%.
Under the island's stay-at-home orders, most of Puerto Rico's residents have been left out of the barrage of census mailers many stateside communities have seen since March.
Two years ago, the Census Bureau decided that hand-delivering questionnaires, instead of mailing them, would be the most reliable way to conduct the head count in Puerto Rico as the island continues to recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria.
While census work returns to Puerto Rico and a growing list of rural areas in the states, some of the country's most vulnerable populations continue to face uncertainty about how they will be included in the census. As of Friday, the bureau has not released new plans for counting people experiencing homelessness, or for leaving forms outside of homes in some American Indian tribal territories. The bureau has said it suspended those operations to protect the health and safety of its workers and the public.
"We made the move knowing we could still achieve a complete and accurate count — and are working closely with tribal leaders to determine the right time to resume this important operation," the bureau said in a statement Friday.
The bureau tells NPR in an email that it is trying to reach more historically undercounted groups by buying print, search and other digital ads about the census in 33 additional languages, including Bengali, Farsi, Hindi, Navajo and Nepali.
Still, a U.S. Government Accountability Office report released on Wednesday warned that social distancing requirements could undermine efforts to accurately count groups caught in the digital divide, especially when door knockers are expected to start visiting unresponsive homes in August to try to complete the count.
"Groups with less internet access will be at relatively greater risk of being missed by the census," the GAO report said, if the challenge of maintaining a safe distance from a doorway in apartment buildings or other densely populated spaces reduces the number of households census workers can interview in person.


npr--2020-05-15--House Passes $3 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill That Has Dim Future

House lawmakers on Friday approved a Democratic proposal to provide $ 3 trillion in coronavirus relief which would include a new wave of help for state and local governments , workers and families .
The House voted 208 to 199 — largely along party lines — to pass the measure .
The size of the bill represents the biggest ever proposed and it includes another round of direct cash payments to Americans , extends unemployment benefits to the end of January and adds hazard pay for front-line workers .
It also expands virus-testing efforts , contact tracing and treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of legislation that is tailored strictly to meet the needs of the American people regarding the coronavirus pandemic , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said on the House floor ahead of the vote .
`` To do anything less would not be responsible . ''
Most Republicans derided the bill as a wish list from House Democrats to push ahead of November 's election .
Bipartisan talks have stalled with the GOP-led Senate and the Trump administration .
Pelosi maintained the measure is focused on reopening the economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate .
Still , Democrats say it showcases a starting line for talks for more fiscal stimulus as the pandemic worsens its economic and public health toll .
The legislation weaves together a long list for policies Democrats have pushed over its 1,800-plus pages , addressing gaps they feel left behind by four previous bipartisan packages approved since March .
So far , Congress has passed about $ 3 trillion in aid .
Now , Republicans say members should pause to evaluate how the previous bills are working , and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more onto the deficit .
`` Instead of going big , it seems you went crazy , '' House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. said on the floor Friday .
`` This is a political messaging bill that has no chance of becoming law . ''
McCarthy , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and other Republicans are also insisting any new effort include liability protections for businesses and individuals , a move Democrats oppose .
On Thursday , the Trump administration quickly issued a veto warning if the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that previous plans have won White House support .
`` This proposed legislation , however , is more concerned with delivering on longstanding partisan and ideological wishlists than with enhancing the ability of our Nation to deal with the public health and economic challenges we face , '' the administration 's policy statement argues .
And the effort drew some opposition among some moderate and progressive Democrats .
Progressive members , such as Washington State Rep. Pramila Jayapal , raised alarm the bill did n't go far enough .
And moderate Reps. Abigail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina and Cindy Axne of Iowa said the bill went too far .
`` Unfortunately , many Members of Congress — including some in my own party — have decided to use this package as an opportunity to make political statements and propose a bill that goes far beyond pandemic relief and has no chance at becoming law , further delaying the help so many need , '' Spanberger said .
Most Democrats referred to the legislation as a follow-up to the CARES Act , which was approved in March , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action that Congress will have to take in response to the coronavirus .
The legislation , just released Tuesday , provides large sums for policies that go beyond that earlier proposal .
It directs nearly $ 1 trillion to state , local and tribal governments , including $ 500 billion in direct , flexible aid for state governments and an additional $ 357 billion for local governments and counties .
And it adds $ 200 billion in pandemic hazard pay for essential workers and $ 75 billion for coronavirus testing , contact tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have criticized the push for more state assistance , arguing that any new money needs to be tied to the pandemic and not help address budget issues that predated the crisis .
`` It still reads like the Speaker of the House pasted together random ideas from her most liberal members and slapped the word 'coronavirus ' on top of it , '' McConnell said of the House bill a day earlier on the Senate floor .
The bill also includes some changes to programs that were approved in the CARES Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
Democrats want more generous benefits for families , including a $ 1,200 payment for each dependent .
The CARES Act limits payments to $ 500 per child ; adults or other dependents do not currently qualify .
In all , the Democratic bill provides up to $ 6,000 per household .
In addition , the plan sets aside $ 3.6 billion to protect federal elections , $ 25 billion to support the U.S .
Postal Service , $ 100 billion for low-income rent support , $ 75 billion for a homeowner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs .
And it expands funding for small-business loans , enhances an employee-retention tax credit program and boosts worker protections .
The HEROES Act , which stands for the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act , also extends emergency family and medical leave until the end of 2021 .
Doing so is part of their broader focus on child care and family support .
The official scorekeepers at the Congressional Budget Office estimate that the earlier version of the leave provisions , which passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this year , would themselves cost $ 105 billion .
The latest proposal would more than double the length of those benefits .
Republicans have already rejected many elements of the bill , including a suspension of the cap on the state and local tax deduction that was approved as part of the 2017 GOP-led tax cuts .
Pelosi conceded Thursday she has n't talked with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin — her administration contact in previous negotiations — since the bill was released .
However , she 's bullish that Republicans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come around for a deal on a fifth bill .
`` I do think , and have confidence , that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle , both sides of the Capitol and even down Pennsylvania Avenue know ... the hardship the American people are feeling , that they need that cash that we 're sending , '' Pelosi told reporters Thursday .
`` I 'm optimistic that the American people will weigh in and make their views known and , again , we want to do this working together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bipartisan way before . ''
Earlier Friday , the House also voted along party lines to approve historic changes to their ability to vote and attend hearings remotely during the pandemic .
In a vote of 217 to 189 , they green-lighted a plan to vote by proxy and hold hearings by video conference despite Republican objection .
Many members voted for the measures on Friday donning masks , and under new social distancing requirements that stretched the votes into a daylong affair .

House Passes $3 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill That Has Dim Future
Enlarge this image toggle caption Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
House lawmakers on Friday approved a Democratic proposal to provide $3 trillion in coronavirus relief that would include a new wave of help for state and local governments, workers and families.
The House voted 208 to 199 — largely along party lines — to pass the measure. The size of the bill represents the biggest ever proposed and it includes another round of direct cash payments to Americans, extends unemployment benefits to the end of January, and adds hazard pay for front-line workers. It also expands virus-testing efforts, contact tracing and treatment.
"This is a very strategically planned piece of legislation that is tailored strictly to meet the needs of the American people regarding the coronavirus pandemic," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said on the House floor ahead of the vote. "To do anything less would not be responsible."
Most Republicans derided the bill as a wish list from House Democrats to push ahead of November's election. Bipartisan talks have stalled with the GOP-led Senate and the Trump administration.
Pelosi maintained the measure is focused on reopening the economy, but the plan is dead on arrival in the Senate. Still, Democrats say it showcases a starting line for talks for more fiscal stimulus as the pandemic worsens its economic and public health toll.
The legislation weaves together a long list for policies Democrats have pushed over its 1,800-plus pages, addressing gaps they feel left behind by four previous bipartisan packages approved since March. So far, Congress has passed about $3 trillion in aid.
Now, Republicans say members should pause to evaluate how the previous bills are working, and not rush into another plan that will pile more onto the deficit.
"Instead of going big, it seems you went crazy," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. said on the floor Friday. "This is a political messaging bill that has no chance of becoming law."
McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other Republicans are also insisting any new effort include liability protections for businesses and individuals, a move Democrats oppose.
On Thursday, the Trump administration quickly issued a veto warning if the Democratic bill reaches the president's desk. The statement noted that previous plans have won White House support.
"This proposed legislation, however, is more concerned with delivering on longstanding partisan and ideological wishlists than with enhancing the ability of our Nation to deal with the public health and economic challenges we face," the administration's policy statement argues.
And the effort drew some opposition among some moderate and progressive Democrats. Progressive members, such as Washington State Rep. Pramila Jayapal, raised alarm the bill didn't go far enough. And moderate Reps. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, Joe Cunningham of South Carolina and Cindy Axne of Iowa said the bill went too far.
"Unfortunately, many Members of Congress — including some in my own party — have decided to use this package as an opportunity to make political statements and propose a bill that goes far beyond pandemic relief and has no chance at becoming law, further delaying the help so many need," Spanberger said.
Most Democrats referred to the legislation as a follow-up to the CARES Act, which was approved in March, but it is not seen as the final action that Congress will have to take in response to the coronavirus. The legislation, just released Tuesday, provides large sums for policies that go beyond that earlier proposal.
It directs nearly $1 trillion to state, local and tribal governments, including $500 billion in direct, flexible aid for state governments and an additional $357 billion for local governments and counties. And it adds $200 billion in pandemic hazard pay for essential workers and $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and treatment efforts.
Many Senate Republicans have criticized the push for more state assistance, arguing that any new money needs to be tied to the pandemic and not help address budget issues that predated the crisis.
"It still reads like the speaker of the House pasted together random ideas from her most liberal members and slapped the word 'coronavirus' on top of it," McConnell said of the House bill a day earlier on the Senate floor.
The bill also includes some changes to programs that were approved in the CARES Act, including an expansion of the IRS payment program. Democrats want more generous benefits for families, including a $1,200 payment for each dependent. The CARES Act limits payments to $500 per child; adults or other dependents do not currently qualify. In all, the Democratic bill provides up to $6,000 per household.
In addition, the plan sets aside $3.6 billion to protect federal elections, $25 billion to support the U.S. Postal Service, $100 billion for low-income rent support, $75 billion for a homeowner assistance fund and $100 million for the Violence Against Women Prevention and Prosecution Programs.
And it expands funding for small-business loans, enhances an employee-retention tax credit program and boosts worker protections.
The HEROES Act, which stands for the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, also extends emergency family and medical leave until the end of 2021. Doing so is part of their broader focus on child care and family support. The official scorekeepers at the Congressional Budget Office estimate that the earlier version of the leave provisions, which passed in March and extend through the end of this year, would themselves cost $105 billion. The latest proposal would more than double the length of those benefits.
Republicans have already rejected many elements of the bill, including a suspension of the cap on the state and local tax deduction that was approved as part of the 2017 GOP-led tax cuts.
Pelosi conceded Thursday she hasn't talked with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin — her administration contact in previous negotiations — since the bill was released. However, she's bullish that Republicans, including the Trump White House, will come around for a deal on a fifth bill.
"I do think, and have confidence, that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, both sides of the Capitol and even down Pennsylvania Avenue know ... the hardship the American people are feeling, that they need that cash that we're sending," Pelosi told reporters Thursday. "I'm optimistic that the American people will weigh in and make their views known and, again, we want to do this working together, predicated on initiatives that have passed in a bipartisan way before."
Earlier Friday, the House also voted along party lines to approve historic changes to their ability to vote and attend hearings remotely during the pandemic. In a vote of 217 to 189, they green-lighted a plan to vote by proxy and hold hearings by video conference despite Republican objection.
Many members voted for the measures on Friday donning masks, and under new social distancing requirements that stretched the votes into a daylong affair.


npr--2020-05-16--Bike Sales Gear Up As The Homebound Try Socially Distant Exercise

Bike Sales Gear Up As The Homebound Try Socially Distant Exercise Sales are booming at many bike shops around the country , as people stuck at home try something new for exercise and essential workers adapt to scaled-down public transit .
It 's an especially opportune time for those who might otherwise be nervous about sharing the streets with cars — mayors across the country have closed streets to encourage cyclists and joggers to exercise .
`` Stores are doing really well , and store owners who I 've spoken to over the past couple months are almost sheepish in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic , '' says Morgan Lommele , director of state and local policy at the industry coalition group People for Bikes .
In the majority of states that issued stay-at-home orders , bike shops were deemed essential businesses that could stay open , according to tracking by the League of American Bicyclists .
Bike sales in March were up by 50 % over last year , according to the market research firm the NPD Group .
Including stationary exercise bikes , sales grew by 31 % in the first quarter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're seeing families , individuals riding bikes in droves , more than we 've seen over the last 20 years , '' said Lommele in an interview with NPR 's All Things Considered .
Many retailers are running low on bikes , which often have to be ordered from manufacturers far in advance .
`` There was no way to really predict this back in December and January , '' Lommele says .
The best-selling bikes have been in the $ 600 to $ 1,500 range , she says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pandemic has also forced new stresses onto bike shop employees , who must now contend with social distancing and cleanliness guidelines in a hands-on business .
And a large part of any bike shop 's operations are not just sales , but service .
When someone who has n't ridden in years dusts off the old Schwinn for a socially distanced ride , it will need a tuneup .
But many shops have closed voluntarily or sent employees home .
As of a month ago , an estimated 20-30 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Retailer and Industry News .
That means more demand for repairs at the shops that stayed open .
Independent bike shops saw repairs go up by 20 % , the NPD Group found .
`` There 's this environment where , sure , shops are seeing record-level sales , record-level demand for service , but their employees are either staying at home or on restricted schedules , '' Lommele says .
Retailers and manufacturers are talking about a `` mini bike boom . ''
It 's a shift from the focus of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast majority of bicycles and parts in the U.S. come from China .
But the Trump administration , in various rounds of tariffs , put many bicycle parts under tariffs of 25 % above normal rates .
Many bike products have since been granted exclusions to tariffs , but the exclusions are set to expire in August and September .
`` The industry is generally worried that if those exclusions expire , those additional tariffs will be put back on those products , '' Lommele says .
`` And that will really harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-cost product to Americans who want to ride bikes . ''

Bike Sales Gear Up As The Homebound Try Socially Distant Exercise
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tony Dejak/AP Tony Dejak/AP
Sales are booming at many bike shops around the country, as people stuck at home try something new for exercise and essential workers adapt to scaled-down public transit.
It's an especially opportune time for those who might otherwise be nervous about sharing the streets with cars — mayors across the country have closed streets to encourage cyclists and joggers to exercise.
"Stores are doing really well, and store owners who I've spoken to over the past couple months are almost sheepish in admitting that because they understand it's a pandemic," says Morgan Lommele, director of state and local policy at the industry coalition group People for Bikes.
In the majority of states that issued stay-at-home orders, bike shops were deemed essential businesses that could stay open, according to tracking by the League of American Bicyclists.
Bike sales in March were up by 50% over last year, the market research firm The NPD Group found. Including stationary exercise bikes, sales grew by 31% in the first quarter of the year over the same time last year.
"We're seeing families, individuals riding bikes in droves, more than we've seen over the last 20 years," said Lommele in an interview with NPR's All Things Considered.
Many retailers are running low on bikes, which often have to be ordered from manufacturers far in advance. "There was no way to really predict this back in December and January," Lommele says.
The best-selling bikes have been in the $600 to $1,500 range, she says, which is the bulk of the market.
The pandemic has also forced new stresses onto bike shop employees, who must now contend with social distancing and cleanliness guidelines in a hands-on business.
And a large part of any bike shop's operations are not just sales, but service. When someone who hasn't ridden in years dusts off the old Schwinn for a socially distanced ride, it will need a tuneup.
But many shops have closed voluntarily or sent employees home. As of a month ago, an estimated 20-30% of shops were closed, according to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
That means more demand for repairs at the shops that stayed open. Independent bike shops saw repairs go up by 20%, The NPD Group found.
"There's this environment where, sure, shops are seeing record-level sales, record-level demand for service, but their employees are either staying at home or on restricted schedules," Lommele says.
Retailers and manufacturers are talking about a "mini bike boom." It's a shift from the focus of the last couple years — tariffs.
The vast majority of bicycles and parts in the U.S. come from China. But the Trump administration, in various rounds of tariffs, put many bicycle parts under tariffs of 25% above normal rates.
Many bike products have since been granted exclusions to tariffs, but the exclusions are set to expire in August and September.
"The industry is generally worried that if those exclusions expire, those additional tariffs will be put back on those products," Lommele says. "And that will really harm our ability to provide a safe, low-cost product to Americans who want to ride bikes."


npr--2020-05-16--Tropical Storm Forms Off Of Florida Coast As Hurricane Season Approaches

Tropical Storm Forms Off Of Florida Coast As Hurricane Season Approaches The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm @ @ @ @ @ a storm system ahead of the start of hurricane season .
A low-pressure storm system @ @ @ @ @ formed off of the Florida coast , carrying the potential to bring heavy rains and @ @ @ @ @ of the North Carolina coast on Monday — two weeks ahead of the start of @ @ @ @ @ .
`` On the forecast track , the depression is expected to move offshore , @ @ @ @ @ coast of Florida tonight , and then move near or east of the coast of @ @ @ @ @ '' the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory Saturday .
The storm is expected @ @ @ @ @ as well as rip currents from Florida up through the Mid-Atlantic states over the next @ @ @ @ @ the National Weather Service .
Forecasters are also predicting an additional one to two inches @ @ @ @ @ of the Bahamas .

Tropical Storm Forms Off Of Florida Coast As Hurricane Season Approaches
The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm watch following the formation of a storm system ahead of the start of hurricane season.
A low-pressure storm system called Tropical Depression One has formed off of the Florida coast, carrying the potential to bring heavy rains and storm force winds to parts of the North Carolina coast on Monday — two weeks ahead of the start of hurricane season on June 1.
"On the forecast track, the depression is expected to move offshore, but parallel to, the coast of Florida tonight, and then move near or east of the coast of North Carolina on Monday," the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory Saturday.
The storm is expected to bring dangerous surf conditions as well as rip currents from Florida up through the Mid-Atlantic states over the next several days, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters are also predicting an additional one to two inches of rain accumulation for portions of the Bahamas.


npr--2020-05-16--Rep. Justin Amash Won't Launch Third Party Presidential Bid

Justin Amash , the Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party last year and became an Independent , has announced he wo n't be seeking the presidency as a third-party candidate .
Calling it a `` difficult decision , '' Amash tweeted Saturday that he was ending his effort to be the potential nominee for the Libertarian Party .
`` After much reflection , I 've concluded that circumstances do n't lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year , and therefore I will not be a candidate , `` Amash said .
The five-term congressman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had assembled an exploratory committee to weigh a potential bid for the presidency .
But in announcing his decision against a presidential run , Amash said these were `` extraordinary times , '' with polarization `` near an all-time high . ''
`` Electoral success requires an audience willing to consider alternatives , but both social media and traditional media are dominated by voices strongly averse to the political risks posed by a viable third candidate , '' wrote Amash .
He said the coronavirus pandemic would also make it harder for lesser-known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I continue to believe that a candidate from outside the old parties , offering a vision of government grounded in liberty and equality , can break through in the right environment .
But this environment presents extraordinary challenges , '' Amash said .
Amash , once a star of the Tea Party , left the Republican Party last summer .
In an op-ed published by the Washington Post at the time , he avoided any mention of President Trump , instead citing a disenchantment `` with party politics '' as the reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of acting as an independent branch of government and serving as a check on the executive branch , congressional leaders of both parties expect the House and Senate to act in obedience or opposition to the president and their colleagues on a partisan basis , '' Amash explained .
Amash also quit the House Freedom Caucus , of which he was a founding member , that same summer .
In the months since , he has emerged as a vocal critic of the president .
In December , he became the only non-Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of impeaching the president .

Rep. Justin Amash Won't Launch Third Party Presidential Bid
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Justin Amash, the Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party last year and became an Independent, has announced he won't be seeking the presidency as a third-party candidate.
Calling it a "difficult decision," Amash tweeted Saturday that he was ending his effort to be the potential nominee for the Libertarian Party.
"After much reflection, I've concluded that circumstances don't lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate, " Amash said.
The five-term congressman had announced late last month the he had assembled an exploratory committee to weigh a potential bid for the presidency.
But in announcing his decision against a presidential run, Amash said these were "extraordinary times," with polarization "near an all-time high."
"Electoral success requires an audience willing to consider alternatives, but both social media and traditional media are dominated by voices strongly averse to the political risks posed by a viable third candidate," wrote Amash.
He said the coronavirus pandemic would also make it harder for lesser-known candidates to gain media attention.
"I continue to believe that a candidate from outside the old parties, offering a vision of government grounded in liberty and equality, can break through in the right environment. But this environment presents extraordinary challenges," Amash said.
Amash, once a star of the Tea Party, left the Republican Party last summer. In an op-ed published by the Washington Post at the time, he avoided any mention of President Trump, instead citing a disenchantment "with party politics" as the reason for his leaving the party.
"Instead of acting as an independent branch of government and serving as a check on the executive branch, congressional leaders of both parties expect the House and Senate to act in obedience or opposition to the president and their colleagues on a partisan basis," Amash explained.
Amash also quit the House Freedom Caucus, of which he was a founding member, that same summer.
In the months since, he has emerged as a vocal critic of the president. In December, he became the only non-Democrat in the House to vote in favor of impeaching the president.


npr--2020-05-16--In Virtual Speech To Black Graduates, Obama Says U.S. Lacks Leadership On Coronavirus

In Virtual Speech To Black Graduates , Obama Says U.S .
Lacks Leadership On Coronavirus Former President Barack Obama delivered a virtual commencement address on Saturday , urging the tens of thousands of graduates from historically black colleges and universities to `` seize the initiative '' amid what he described as a lack of leadership from leaders in the United States to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` More than anything , this pandemic has fully , finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they 're doing , '' Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` A lot of them are n't even pretending to be in charge .
If the world 's gon na be better , it 's going to be up to you . ''
Obama 's remarks come as the virus has killed more than 88,000 Americans and crippled the nation 's economy .
He delivered them as part of `` Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition , '' a virtual commencement hosted Saturday by the comedian Kevin Hart .
The event included a stream of prominent black athletes , politicians and entertainers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Obama 's remarks were billed as a sendoff for graduating seniors — forced by the pandemic to leave campuses across the country and unable to participate in more traditional commencement ceremonies — Obama also appeared to bring the graduates together around a set of shared values .
The former president made note of the disproportionate impact that the pandemic has had on black communities .
Black Americans account for a disproportionate number of coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S .
There have also been stark racial disparities in the economic impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama said that coronavirus `` spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country . ''
He also made reference to the killing of Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old black man who was fatally shot in Georgia in February , saying there were disparities evident not just in public health , but `` just as we see it when a black man goes for a jog , and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him if he does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama praised the key role that historically black colleges play in the black community , telling graduates that now more than ever , they have the tools they need to seize their power to make change .
Obama called on the 2020 class to be `` bold '' and have a `` vision that is n't clouded by cynicism or fear . ''
Taylor Harris , 22 , who attended Hampton University , said she was glad to see Obama and others taking notice of HBCUs given their key role in educating a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students .
`` I feel like we do n't get a lot of recognition — they kind of looked at as second tier compared to Ivy League schools or predominately white institutions , '' said Harris .
`` So I 'm just glad that celebrities are taking the chance to embrace our young African-American graduates .
There are so many statistics that we have overcome , just graduating for college . ''
Harris left Hampton 's campus nine weeks ago , and went home to St. Louis , assuming she 'd be back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` At first people were excited , it was like a little break , '' Harris said .
`` But as soon as I got back home and I knew that I could n't return back to campus , now I 'm living out of a suitcase . ''
Hampton University is planning on holding a commencement ceremony for graduating seniors in September .
Harris said that 's a long way in the future , but she hopes she gets the opportunity to walk across the stage in front of her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said became like family too .
Obama 's remarks on Saturday marked the first of three speeches he is scheduled to deliver to graduating students .
On Saturday evening , the former president is slated to take part in a prime time special for high school graduates that will air on the major television networks .
In June , Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are also scheduled to speak at a commencement hosted by YouTube .
Over the course of his presidency , Obama gave in-person commencement addresses at three historically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University and Morehouse College .
On Saturday , he said that graduates of such institutions are `` inheritors of one of America 's proudest traditions '' and that `` no generation has been better positioned to be warriors for justice and remake the world . ''
Donethe Cyprien , 22 , graduated from Morgan State University in Baltimore on Saturday .
Since Morgan State ended in-person classes , she 's been with family in Montgomery County , Maryland .
`` Honestly , it was sad , '' she said after participating in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm supposed to be at school actually doing all of this .
Instead , I 'm watching my graduation in my bed and texting my friends . ''
Cyprien said virtual commencements are a nice gesture , but ca n't replicate what she and other members of the class of 2020 have lost .
`` All those goodbyes , those hugs — all that was supposed to be happening in person . ''

In Virtual Speech To Black Graduates, Obama Says U.S. Lacks Leadership On Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nam Y. Huh/AP Nam Y. Huh/AP
Former President Barack Obama delivered a virtual commencement address on Saturday, urging the tens of thousands of graduates from historically black colleges and universities to "seize the initiative" amid what he described as a lack of leadership from leaders in the United States to the coronavirus pandemic.
"More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they're doing," Obama said in remarks that were streamed online. "A lot of them aren't even pretending to be in charge. If the world's gonna be better, it's going to be up to you."
Obama's remarks come as the virus has killed more than 88,000 Americans and crippled the nation's economy. He delivered them as part of "Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition," a virtual commencement hosted Saturday by the comedian Kevin Hart. The event included a stream of prominent black athletes, politicians and entertainers — many of whom attended HBCUs themselves.
While Obama's remarks were billed as a sendoff for graduating seniors — forced by the pandemic to leave campuses across the country and unable to participate in more traditional commencement ceremonies — Obama also appeared to bring the graduates together around a set of shared values.
The former president made note of the disproportionate impact that the pandemic has had on black communities. Black Americans account for a disproportionate number of coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S. There have also been stark racial disparities in the economic impact of the outbreak.
Addressing these disparities, Obama said that coronavirus "spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country."
He also made reference to the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old black man who was fatally shot in Georgia in February, saying there were disparities evident not just in public health, but "just as we see it when a black man goes for a jog, and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him if he doesn't submit to their questioning."
Obama praised the key role that historically black colleges play in the black community, telling graduates that now more than ever, they have the tools they need to seize their power to make change. Obama called on the 2020 class to be "bold" and have a "vision that isn't clouded by cynicism or fear."
Taylor Harris, 22, who attended Hampton University, said she was glad to see Obama and others taking notice of HBCUs given their key role in educating a large population of low income and first-generation students.
"I feel like we don't get a lot of recognition — they kind of looked at as second tier compared to Ivy League schools or predominately white institutions," said Harris. "So I'm just glad that celebrities are taking the chance to embrace our young African-American graduates. There are so many statistics that we have overcome, just graduating for college."
Harris left Hampton's campus nine weeks ago, and went home to St. Louis, assuming she'd be back on campus in a matter of weeks.
"At first people were excited, it was like a little break," Harris said. "But as soon as I got back home and I knew that I couldn't return back to campus, now I'm living out of a suitcase."
Hampton University is planning on holding a commencement ceremony for graduating seniors in September. Harris said that's a long way in the future, but she hopes she gets the opportunity to walk across the stage in front of her family and friends, and professors that she said became like family too.
Obama's remarks on Saturday marked the first of three speeches he is scheduled to deliver to graduating students. On Saturday evening, the former president is slated to take part in a prime time special for high school graduates that will air on the major television networks. In June, Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are also scheduled to speak at a commencement hosted by YouTube.
Over the course of his presidency, Obama gave in-person commencement addresses at three historically black colleges: Hampton University, Howard University and Morehouse College.
On Saturday, he said that graduates of such institutions are "inheritors of one of America's proudest traditions" and that "no generation has been better positioned to be warriors for justice and remake the world."
Donethe Cyprien, 22, graduated from Morgan State University in Baltimore on Saturday. Since Morgan State ended in-person classes, she's been with family in Montgomery County, Maryland.
"Honestly, it was sad," she said after participating in her virtual commencement. "Right now I'm supposed to be at school actually doing all of this. Instead, I'm watching my graduation in my bed and texting my friends."
Cyprien said virtual commencements are a nice gesture, but can't replicate what she and other members of the class of 2020 have lost.
"All those goodbyes, those hugs — all that was supposed to be happening in person."


npr--2020-05-16--New York Will Allow Horse And Auto Racing To Restart Without Fans June 1

New York Will Allow Horse And Auto Racing To Restart Without Fans June 1 New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that horse racing at tracks across the state and auto racing at Watkins Glen International will be allowed to resume June 1 , but without spectators .
The governor said his office was `` looking for economic activities that you can start without crowds and without gatherings . ''
`` We can do that in this state with horse racing tracks , '' Cuomo said .
`` That is also true with Watkins Glen .
That can operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Watkins Glen . ''
The popular upstate raceway hosts various types of racing each year — including a NASCAR Cup Series race — creating an estimated $ 200 million in economic impact for the state in a typical year , according to the governor 's office .
Horse racing in New York creates more than 12,000 jobs , according to the American Horse Council Foundation .
Five regions in upstate New York are now in the first phase of reopening , after Cuomo said this week that they met safety criteria that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deaths from COVID-19 .
Most measures of the impact of the coronavirus in New York were down , Cuomo said Saturday , including total hospitalizations , the net change in intubations and daily hospitalizations .
`` We 're right about where we were when we started , '' Cuomo said , with a chart that noted daily coronavirus deaths on Friday were 157 — comparable to the number of people who died on March 27 .
Roughly two-thirds of Friday 's deaths came in hospitals , while the rest occurred in nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total number of people hospitalized was 6,220 on Friday , down from highs of more than 18,000 in the middle of April .
`` It 's interesting to look at the curve , how fast we went up and how relatively slow the decline has been , '' Cuomo said .
It `` shows you the problem of having a spike .
Spike happens quickly but resolves slowly . ''
Cuomo said that as parts of the economy reopen , he expects to see a moderate increase in numbers but does not want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He told New Yorkers : `` Be smart , be diligent and do n't underestimate this virus . ''

New York Will Allow Horse And Auto Racing To Restart Without Fans June 1
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Roca/New York Post via AP John Roca/New York Post via AP
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that horse racing at tracks across the state and auto racing at Watkins Glen International will be allowed to resume June 1, but without spectators.
The governor said his office was "looking for economic activities that you can start without crowds and without gatherings."
"We can do that in this state with horse racing tracks," Cuomo said. "That is also true with Watkins Glen. That can operate. And there's a big viewership for Watkins Glen."
The popular upstate raceway hosts various types of racing each year — including a NASCAR Cup Series race — creating an estimated $200 million in economic impact for the state in a typical year, according to the governor's office. Horse racing in New York creates more than 12,000 jobs, according to the American Horse Council Foundation.
Five regions in upstate New York are now in the first phase of reopening, after Cuomo said this week that they met safety criteria that include declines in the number of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.
Most measures of the impact of the coronavirus in New York were down, Cuomo said Saturday, including total hospitalizations, the net change in intubations and daily hospitalizations.
"We're right about where we were when we started," Cuomo said, with a chart that noted daily coronavirus deaths on Friday were 157 — comparable to the number of people who died on March 27. Roughly two-thirds of Friday's deaths came in hospitals, while the rest occurred in nursing homes, according to Cuomo.
The total number of people hospitalized was 6,220 on Friday, down from highs of more than 18,000 in the middle of April.
"It's interesting to look at the curve, how fast we went up and how relatively slow the decline has been," Cuomo said. It "shows you the problem of having a spike. Spike happens quickly but resolves slowly."
Cuomo said that as parts of the economy reopen, he expects to see a moderate increase in numbers but does not want to see another "spike."
He told New Yorkers: "Be smart, be diligent and don't underestimate this virus."


npr--2020-05-16--Fred Willard, Scene Stealer Extraordinaire, Dies At 86

The big screen has lost one of its most prolific scene stealers .
Fred Willard , the comic actor best known for his roles in mockumentaries including This Is Spinal Tap , Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show , has died at the age of 86 .
His daughter Hope Mulbarger confirmed Willard 's death in a statement sent to NPR by his media representative Glenn Schwartz .
`` My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old , '' Mulbarger said Saturday .
`` He kept moving , working and making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We loved him so very much !
We will miss him forever . ''
Schwartz said his death came of `` natural causes . ''
Across a career that spanned roughly half a century , Willard appeared in scores of films and television shows , often dropping in as an interloper whose deadpanned lines could flip a scene on its head — and throw other characters for a loop .
He cut his teeth on improv , starting with Chicago 's Second City comedy troupe , but quickly became a familiar face in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roles embodied his knack for drawing a double take better than Buck Laughlin , the color announcer in Best in Show who found himself out of his depth working a national dog show — but no less affably confident for all his incompetence .
`` Just an idea off the top of my head : Why do n't they put the bloodhound — put on one of those Sherlock Holmes hats and put a little pipe in his mouth ? ''
Willard 's Laughlin asked his uncomfortable counterpart at the announcing table .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything like that , dress up a dog in a funny way ? ''
Many of those quips and quick witticisms came not from a script , but rather from Willard himself , as he and his co-stars riffed on a given topic .
When he was working with director Christopher Guest , in particular — with whom he filmed not only Best in Show , but also Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind , among others — much of his dialogue was improvised .
`` It 's got to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he explained in a 2012 interview with the Archive of American Television .
`` And then just say something .
If you have nothing to say , just start talking . ''
In addition to his work in film , Willard also won a daytime Emmy in 2015 for his guest appearance on The Bold and the Beautiful .
He earned four Emmy nominations for his recurring guest roles on Everybody Loves Raymond and Modern Family , as well .
Willard is survived by Mulbarger , her husband , Mitch Mulbarger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard 's gifts , '' actress Jamie Lee Curtis , the wife of Guest , said Saturday on Twitter .
`` He is with his missed [ wife ] Mary now .
Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr .
Willard . ''

Fred Willard, Scene Stealer Extraordinaire, Dies At 86
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
The big screen has lost one of its most prolific scene stealers.
Fred Willard, the comic actor best known for his roles in mockumentaries including This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, has died at the age of 86. His daughter Hope Mulbarger confirmed Willard's death in a statement sent to NPR by his media representative Glenn Schwartz.
"My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old," Mulbarger said Saturday. "He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever."
Schwartz said his death came of "natural causes."
Across a career that spanned roughly half a century, Willard appeared in scores of films and television shows, often dropping in as an interloper whose deadpanned lines could flip a scene on its head — and throw other characters for a loop. He cut his teeth on improv, starting with Chicago's Second City comedy troupe, but quickly became a familiar face in comedy films, as well.
Few roles embodied his knack for drawing a double take better than Buck Laughlin, the color announcer in Best in Show who found himself out of his depth working a national dog show — but no less affably confident for all his incompetence.
"Just an idea off the top of my head: Why don't they put the bloodhound — put on one of those Sherlock Holmes hats and put a little pipe in his mouth?" Willard's Laughlin asked his uncomfortable counterpart at the announcing table. "Are they ever allowed to do anything like that, dress up a dog in a funny way?"
YouTube
Many of those quips and quick witticisms came not from a script, but rather from Willard himself, as he and his co-stars riffed on a given topic. When he was working with director Christopher Guest, in particular — with whom he filmed not only Best in Show, but also Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind, among others — much of his dialogue was improvised.
"It's got to be in character. Also, it's preparation," he explained in a 2012 interview with the Archive of American Television. "And then just say something. If you have nothing to say, just start talking."
In addition to his work in film, Willard also won a daytime Emmy in 2015 for his guest appearance on The Bold and the Beautiful. He earned four Emmy nominations for his recurring guest roles on Everybody Loves Raymond and Modern Family, as well.
Willard is survived by Mulbarger, her husband, Mitch Mulbarger, and his grandson Freddie.
"How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard's gifts," actress Jamie Lee Curtis, the wife of Guest, said Saturday on Twitter. "He is with his missed [wife] Mary now. Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard."


npr--2020-05-16--GOP Officials Say They're Expecting 50,000 In Charlotte For Republican Convention

GOP Officials Say They 're Expecting 50,000 In Charlotte For Republican Convention Republicans say they 're moving ahead with plans to gather tens of thousands of people at their presidential nominating convention in North Carolina this summer — even as Democrats weigh their options for convening during the coronavirus pandemic .
In a statement Saturday marking 100 days to go before the 2020 Republican National Convention , the Republican National Committee said it is expecting nearly 50,000 attendees , including delegates and members of the media , at the convention scheduled for the week of Aug. 24 in Charlotte .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox Business , convention President and CEO Marcia Lee Kelly said Republicans are preparing to gather `` thousands '' to mark the formal renomination of President Trump and Vice President Pence to lead the party 's 2020 ticket .
She said organizers are working on details including the carpet and lighting at the convention .
Kelly said convention planners have `` recognized that large-scale events would need to look different in light of COVID-19 . ''
Kelly did not specify how the convention would be different because of the virus , though she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from federal , state and local authorities , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
She noted that the RNC has hired Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge , a physician , former medical director for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and former chairman of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , to oversee health and safety planning for the convention .
In an interview with NPR member station WFAE on Thursday , Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the RNC is committed to holding the convention in Charlotte , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear masks or hold some events in smaller venues or outside .
City leaders in Charlotte have been divided over how to move forward with convention planning given the public health threat .
Some city council members in the heavily Democratic community have expressed fears that gathering thousands of people in a relatively small area could prompt a surge in COVID-19 cases .
The city remains under a stay-at-home order and has limited mass gatherings to no more than 10 people .
And some Republicans , including North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving ahead as planned .
Tillis has said that hosting the party 's convention could be `` very difficult '' under these circumstances .
In an interview this week with the Washington Examiner , Trump reiterated his determination to hold the convention , saying , `` I think we 'll be in good shape by that time . ''
However , the president said he was concerned about the possibility of North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper , a Democrat , `` playing politics '' with the convention .
Cooper is running for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor , is charged with making decisions about how quickly to reopen the state during the pandemic .
Meanwhile , Democrats have delayed the Democratic National Convention , originally planned for the week of July 13 in Milwaukee , pushing it back to the week of Aug. 17 — one week prior to the RNC .
Party leaders have been exploring options for safely holding an event where former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to be officially named the party 's nominee amidst the pandemic .
Democrats have already taken steps to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploring other contingency plans .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , has tossed out suggestions that include shortening the convention or spacing out attendees in a `` gigantic stadium . ''
In an interview with NPR , the Democratic convention 's chief executive , Joe Solmonese , said it 's too soon for organizers to know exactly how plans will need to be adjusted because of the virus .
`` How many people we do that in front of , how many hotel rooms we occupy in the city of Milwaukee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security infrastructure we end up having in terms of the uncertainty of the public health environment remains to be seen , '' Solmonese said .

GOP Officials Say They're Expecting 50,000 In Charlotte For Republican Convention
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Republicans say they're moving ahead with plans to gather tens of thousands of people at their presidential nominating convention in North Carolina this summer — even as Democrats weigh their options for convening during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement Saturday marking 100 days to go before the 2020 Republican National Convention, the Republican National Committee said it is expecting nearly 50,000 attendees, including delegates and members of the media, at the convention scheduled for the week of Aug. 24 in Charlotte.
And in an op-ed published Friday for Fox Business, convention President and CEO Marcia Lee Kelly said Republicans are preparing to gather "thousands" to mark the formal renomination of President Trump and Vice President Pence to lead the party's 2020 ticket. She said organizers are working on details including the carpet and lighting at the convention.
Kelly said convention planners have "recognized that large-scale events would need to look different in light of COVID-19."
Kelly did not specify how the convention would be different because of the virus, though she told Fox that organizers would follow guidelines from federal, state and local authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She noted that the RNC has hired Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge — a physician, former medical director for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and former chairman of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — to oversee health and safety planning for the convention.
In an interview with NPR member station WFAE on Thursday, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the RNC is committed to holding the convention in Charlotte, while adding that it's possible attendees may wear masks or hold some events in smaller venues or outside.
City leaders in Charlotte have been divided over how to move forward with convention planning given the public health threat. Some city council members in the heavily Democratic community have expressed fears that gathering thousands of people in a relatively small area could prompt a surge in COVID-19 cases. The city remains under a stay-at-home order and has limited mass gatherings to no more than 10 people.
And some Republicans, including North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, have cast doubt on the feasibility of moving ahead as planned. Tillis has said that hosting the party's convention could be "very difficult" under these circumstances.
In an interview this week with the Washington Examiner, Trump reiterated his determination to hold the convention, saying, "I think we'll be in good shape by that time." However, the president said he was concerned about the possibility of North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, "playing politics" with the convention. Cooper is running for reelection this year and, like every governor, is charged with making decisions about how quickly to reopen the state during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Democrats have delayed the Democratic National Convention, originally planned for the week of July 13 in Milwaukee, pushing it back to the week of Aug. 17 — one week prior to the RNC. Party leaders have been exploring options for safely holding an event where former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to be officially named the party's nominee amidst the pandemic.
Democrats have already taken steps to allow delegates to participate remotely and are exploring other contingency plans. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has tossed out suggestions that include shortening the convention or spacing out attendees in a "gigantic stadium."
In an interview with NPR, the Democratic convention's chief executive, Joe Solmonese, said it's too soon for organizers to know exactly how plans will need to be adjusted because of the virus.
"How many people we do that in front of, how many hotel rooms we occupy in the city of Milwaukee, how many buses and what sort of security infrastructure we end up having in terms of the uncertainty of the public health environment remains to be seen," Solmonese said.


npr--2020-05-16--New Orleans Begins Re-Opening

New Orleans Begins Re-Opening

New Orleans began allowing some businesses and churches to re-open — or expand their operations — in a limited capacity Saturday .
According to a re-opening plan by Mayor LaToya Cantrell 's office unveiled earlier this week , businesses including gyms , salons and movie theaters as well as cultural institutions — including zoos and museums — and houses of worship would be allowed to open again so long as they followed city mandates delineating occupancy and other restrictions on their operations .
Restaurants , which have been allowed to fulfill carry-out and delivery orders , were also permitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seating — 25 % of normal capacity for indoor dining — and a use of a reservation system is encouraged .
Establishments that announced plans to re-open over the weekend included notable French Quarter staples Broussard 's and Pere Antoine .
Other notable eateries , however , including the James Beard-awarding winning , Commander 's Palace did not intend to open Saturday .
Movie and theaters and houses of worship in the city were allowed to open with a quarter of their capacity or up to 100 people , whichever was less , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , beauty and hair salons were are also allowed to open , if they followed specific measures to reduce capacity and maintain social distancing .
Mayor Cantrell laid out the plan on Tuesday , around the time Louisiana 's governor , John Bel Edwards , announced similar state plans .
The guidance outlines procedures many non-essential businesses and establishments would have to follow to open during phase 1 of the city 's re-opening plan .
Both state and city officials say they 've met federal benchmarks to begin the phased re-opening .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Louisiana 's was lifted that same day .

New Orleans Begins Reopening
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rebecca Santana/AP Rebecca Santana/AP
New Orleans began allowing some businesses and churches to reopen — or expand their operations — in a limited capacity Saturday.
According to a reopening plan by Mayor LaToya Cantrell's office unveiled earlier this week, businesses including gyms, salons and movie theaters as well as cultural institutions — including zoos and museums — and houses of worship would be allowed to open again so long as they followed city mandates delineating occupancy and other restrictions on their operations.
Restaurants, which have been allowed to fulfill carry-out and delivery orders, were also permitted to resume dine-in services on Saturday with limited seating — 25% of normal capacity for indoor dining — and a use of a reservation system is encouraged.
Establishments that announced plans to re-open over the weekend included notable French Quarter staples Broussard's and Pere Antoine.
Other notable eateries, however, including the James Beard-awarding winning Commander's Palace did not intend to open Saturday.
Movie and theaters and houses of worship in the city were allowed to open with a quarter of their capacity or up to 100 people, whichever was less, according to guidelines.
Gyms, museums, beauty and hair salons were are also allowed to open, if they followed specific measures to reduce capacity and maintain social distancing.
Mayor Cantrell laid out the plan on Tuesday, around the time Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced similar state plans. The guidance outlines procedures many nonessential businesses and establishments would have to follow to open during phase 1 of the city's reopening plan.
Both state and city officials say they've met federal benchmarks to begin the phased reopening.
The city's stay-at-home order expired on Friday. Louisiana's was lifted that same day.


npr--2020-05-16--Rwanda's Most-Wanted Fugitive, Félicien Kabuga, Arrested For War Crimes

One of the world 's most wanted fugitives has been captured .
French authorities arrested Félicien Kabuga , an alleged leader and financier of the 1994 Rwandan genocide , early Saturday morning in Paris .
Serge Brammertz , the chief prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals , which handles war crimes cases from Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia , heralded the arrest as a `` a reminder that those responsible for genocide can be brought to account , even 26 years after their crimes . ''
`` Our first thoughts must be with the victims and survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement released Saturday .
`` Advocating on their behalf is an immense professional honor for my entire Office . ''
The authorities who have been hunting for Kabuga for years say the businessman played a key role in the ethnic bloodshed that left more than 800,000 people dead in a span of about three months .
He allegedly encouraged and facilitated the violence in his capacity as both president of a Rwandan radio station that has been blamed for helping incite the rampant slaughter of ethnic Tutsis and other minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fund that financed and supported the Hutu militias that carried it out .
For his activities , Kabuga was indicted in 1997 for a slew of war crimes , including genocide and crimes against humanity .
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda , established by the United Nations , will be responsible for hearing his trial .
Yet for roughly a quarter-century , Kabuga managed to elude arrest and became Rwanda 's most-wanted fugitive — despite an international effort that included the promise of a $ 5 million reward from the U.S. State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The French justice ministry said Saturday that investigators had finally found the 84-year-old living under an assumed name on the outskirts of Paris .
Brammertz expressed gratitude for the support of law enforcement around the world — including Interpol and agencies in Rwanda , Belgium and the U.S. `` This arrest , '' the prosecutor said , `` demonstrates the impressive results that can be achieved through international law enforcement and judicial cooperation . ''
Rwanda is just one year removed from the 25th anniversary of the genocide , which it commemorated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The country remains `` wounded and heartbroken , yes — but unvanquished , '' said President Paul Kagame , an ethnic Tutsi whose army ended the genocide when it seized power in July 1994 .
Dozens of prominent figures have been sentenced already in the international criminal tribunal in connection with the Rwandan genocide .
`` Mr. Kabuga 's apprehension sends a powerful message that those who are alleged to have committed such crimes can not evade justice and will eventually be held accountable , even more than a quarter of a century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement issued Saturday .
`` Ending impunity , '' the spokesperson added , `` is essential for peace , security and justice . ''

Rwanda's Most-Wanted Fugitive, Félicien Kabuga, Arrested For War Crimes
Updated at 2:20 p.m. ET
One of the world's most wanted fugitives has been captured.
French authorities arrested Félicien Kabuga, an alleged leader and financier of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, early Saturday morning in Paris. Serge Brammertz, the chief prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which handles war crimes cases from Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, heralded the arrest as a "a reminder that those responsible for genocide can be brought to account, even 26 years after their crimes."
"Our first thoughts must be with the victims and survivors of the Rwandan genocide," Brammertz said in a statement released Saturday. "Advocating on their behalf is an immense professional honor for my entire Office."
Enlarge this image toggle caption MCT/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images MCT/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The authorities who have been hunting for Kabuga for years say the businessman played a key role in the ethnic bloodshed that left more than 800,000 people dead in a span of about three months. He allegedly encouraged and facilitated the violence in his capacity as both president of a Rwandan radio station that has been blamed for helping incite the rampant slaughter of ethnic Tutsis and other minority groups, and as the head of a fund that financed and supported the Hutu militias that carried it out.
For his activities, Kabuga was indicted in 1997 for a slew of war crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity. International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, established by the United Nations, will be responsible for hearing his trial.
Yet for roughly a quarter-century, Kabuga managed to elude arrest and became Rwanda's most-wanted fugitive — despite an international effort that included the promise of a $5 million reward from the U.S. State Department for information leading to his capture.
The French justice ministry said Saturday that investigators had finally found the 84-year-old living under an assumed name on the outskirts of Paris.
Brammertz expressed gratitude for the support of law enforcement around the world — including Interpol and agencies in Rwanda, Belgium and the U.S. "This arrest," the prosecutor said, "demonstrates the impressive results that can be achieved through international law enforcement and judicial cooperation."
Rwanda is just one year removed from the 25th anniversary of the genocide, which it commemorated in a series of solemn ceremonies. The country remains "wounded and heartbroken, yes — but unvanquished," said President Paul Kagame, an ethnic Tutsi whose army ended the genocide when it seized power in July 1994.
Dozens of prominent figures have been sentenced already in the international criminal tribunal in connection with the Rwandan genocide.
"Mr. Kabuga's apprehension sends a powerful message that those who are alleged to have committed such crimes cannot evade justice and will eventually be held accountable, even more than a quarter of a century later," a spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement issued Saturday.
"Ending impunity," the spokesperson added, "is essential for peace, security and justice."


npr--2020-05-16--5 USS Roosevelt Sailors Test Positive For COVID-19, Again

The U.S. Navy says five sailors from the USS Theodore Roosevelt who had apparently recovered from the coronavirus and had received negative test results have now tested positive for a second time .
In a statement , the Navy said the sailors had `` met rigorous recovery criteria , exceeding CDC guidelines , '' including testing negative for the virus at least twice , but have now retested positive .
The statement said the sailors had been monitoring their health and adhered to social-distancing protocols while on board the Roosevelt , which has been docked in Guam following an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These five Sailors developed influenza-like illness symptoms and did the right thing reporting to medical for evaluation , '' the statement said .
The Navy said the sailors were removed from the ship and placed in isolation , and are receiving medical care .
A `` small number '' of sailors who had been in contact with them also were removed , retested and quarantined , officials said .
In an email to NPR , a Navy spokesperson said the five sailors with new positive tests are receiving medical support on Naval Base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ship .
Public health experts are trying to learn more about why patients sometimes test positive for the coronavirus after appearing to recover .
As NPR has reported , authorities in South Korea have documented a growing number of such cases .
Health officials have said they believe the virus may be capable of becoming dormant and later reactivating in some people 's immune systems .
Stanley Perlman , a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa , recently told NPR 's Nell Greenfieldboyce that patients who recover from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of protection from it in the future , but much remains unknown .
`` Based on other infections where you get a deep lung infection , you are usually protected against the second infection .
If you just have a mild COVID-19 infection that involves your upper airway , maybe it will behave like a common cold coronavirus and maybe you can be reinfected again , '' Perlman said .
`` We just really do n't know .
It 's even hard to speculate . ''
As reported by NPR 's David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the center of a controversy over the firing of the warship 's skipper , Capt .
Brett Crozier , who complained that the Navy was not adequately responding to the outbreak aboard the ship .
One sailor assigned to the ship died in April from complications related to COVID-19 , and others were hospitalized .
As reported by NPR 's Tom Bowman , the Navy has been considering a request to reinstate Crozier .
In late April , acting Navy Secretary James McPherson called for a `` deeper review '' of the incident @

13 USS Roosevelt Sailors Test Positive For COVID-19, Again
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tony Azios/AFP via Getty Images Tony Azios/AFP via Getty Images
The U.S. Navy says 13 sailors from the USS Theodore Roosevelt who had apparently recovered from the coronavirus and had received negative test results have now tested positive for a second time.
In a statement released earlier on Saturday when five sailors were found to have retested positive, the Navy said the sailors had "met rigorous recovery criteria, exceeding CDC guidelines," including testing negative for the virus at least twice, but have now retested positive. The statement said the sailors had been monitoring their health and adhered to social-distancing protocols while on board the Roosevelt, which has been docked in Guam following an outbreak infecting hundreds of crew members.
"These five Sailors developed influenza-like illness symptoms and did the right thing reporting to medical for evaluation," the statement said.
The Navy has since confirmed to NPR that an additional eight sailors have retested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to 13.
The Navy said the sailors were removed from the ship and placed in isolation, and are receiving medical care. A "small number" of sailors who had been in contact with them also were removed, retested and quarantined, officials said.
In an email to NPR, a Navy spokesperson said the sailors with new positive tests are receiving medical support on Naval Base Guam, and none are currently aboard the ship.
Public health experts are trying to learn more about why patients sometimes test positive for the coronavirus after appearing to recover. As NPR has reported, authorities in South Korea have documented a growing number of such cases. Health officials have said they believe the virus may be capable of becoming dormant and later reactivating in some people's immune systems.
Stanley Perlman, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa, recently told NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce that patients who recover from the virus may have at least some level of protection from it in the future, but much remains unknown.
"Based on other infections where you get a deep lung infection, you are usually protected against the second infection. If you just have a mild COVID-19 infection that involves your upper airway, maybe it will behave like a common cold coronavirus and maybe you can be reinfected again," Perlman said. "We just really don't know. It's even hard to speculate."
As reported by NPR's David Welna, the USS Roosevelt was at the center of a controversy over the firing of the warship's skipper, Capt. Brett Crozier, who complained that the Navy was not adequately responding to the outbreak aboard the ship. One sailor assigned to the ship died in April from complications related to COVID-19, and others were hospitalized.
As reported by NPR's Tom Bowman, the Navy has been considering a request to reinstate Crozier. In late April, acting Navy Secretary James McPherson called for a "deeper review" of the incident.


npr--2020-05-16--Italy Plans To Lift Some Coronavirus Travel Restrictions Early Next Month

Italy Plans To Lift Some Coronavirus Travel Restrictions Early Next Month Italy has taken another major step in its emergence from one of the world 's strictest coronavirus lockdowns .
In a decree issued early Saturday , the Italian government laid out its timeline for lifting restrictions on domestic and foreign travel .
Come Monday , people will be allowed to move freely within their own region , and on June 3 , officials expect to lift their blanket ban on travel to and from the country .
The decision , which follows a meeting of the prime minister 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign visitors and tourists that has been closed since the implementation of rigorous travel restrictions in mid-March , at the height of the country 's desperate battle with the coronavirus .
Italy has lost more than 31,600 people to the virus , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University — the third-highest death toll in the world , behind only the U.S. and the United Kingdom .
At the apparent peak of its outbreak , the country 's hardest-hit cities — such as Bergamo , in the north — saw their medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with obituary sections that extended for pages .
But lately the country has had cause for hope .
Italy has reported a general decline in its tally of new confirmed cases each day over the past several weeks , from totals numbering in the thousands to those in the hundreds .
Officials began easing lockdown measures earlier this month , when parks and factories were allowed to reopen and millions of people across the country returned to work .
On Monday , the list of businesses allowed to reopen expands considerably , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also expects to reopen its doors to the public Monday for Mass , with visitors expected to get their temperature checked before they are admitted .
Elsewhere in Europe , officials are eyeing reopening schedules of their own .
Just across the Ionian Sea , Greece opened up its beaches Saturday to visitors who were required to abide by social distancing — while the U.K. , which surpassed Italy with the deadliest outbreak in Europe earlier this month , has laid out its plans for the next stage of its coronavirus response .

Italy Plans To Lift Some Coronavirus Travel Restrictions Early Next Month
Enlarge this image toggle caption Carlo Hermann/AFP via Getty Images Carlo Hermann/AFP via Getty Images
Italy has taken another major step in its emergence from one of the world's strictest coronavirus lockdowns. In a decree issued early Saturday, the Italian government laid out its timeline for lifting restrictions on domestic and foreign travel.
Come Monday, people will be allowed to move freely within their own region, and on June 3, officials expect to lift their blanket ban on travel to and from the country. The decision, which follows a meeting of the prime minister's cabinet Friday, opens a door to foreign visitors and tourists that has been closed since the implementation of rigorous travel restrictions in mid-March, at the height of the country's desperate battle with the coronavirus.
Italy has lost more than 31,600 people to the virus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University — the third-highest death toll in the world, behind only the U.S. and the United Kingdom. At the apparent peak of its outbreak, the country's hardest-hit cities — such as Bergamo, in the north — saw their medical centers overwhelmed and their local papers bloated with obituary sections that extended for pages.
But lately the country has had cause for hope. Italy has reported a general decline in its tally of new confirmed cases each day over the past several weeks, from totals numbering in the thousands to those in the hundreds.
Officials began easing lockdown measures earlier this month, when parks and factories were allowed to reopen and millions of people across the country returned to work. On Monday, the list of businesses allowed to reopen expands considerably, with shops and restaurants included.
The Vatican also expects to reopen its doors to the public Monday for Mass, with visitors expected to get their temperature checked before they are admitted.
Elsewhere in Europe, officials are eyeing reopening schedules of their own. Just across the Ionian Sea, Greece opened up its beaches Saturday to visitors who were required to abide by social distancing — while the U.K., which surpassed Italy with the deadliest outbreak in Europe earlier this month, has laid out its plans for the next stage of its coronavirus response.


npr--2020-05-16--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak Since the new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan , China , in December , the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 has spread rapidly within China and to neighboring countries and beyond .
The first confirmed coronavirus cases outside China occurred on Jan. 20 , in Japan , Thailand and South Korea .
On Jan. 21 , the first case in the U.S. was identified in Washington state .
On Jan. 24 , the first two European cases were confirmed in France .
By Feb. 1 , eight European nations had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month later that count had risen to 24 countries with at least 2,200 cases , most of them in Italy .
On March 11 , Italy eclipsed 10,000 cases and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic — the first since H1N1 in 2009 .
That 's also when China , the original epicenter , began seeing drops in daily counts of new cases .
March also saw exponential spread of the virus throughout the U.S. , with all 50 states reporting cases by March 17 .
This particular virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause severe symptoms in humans .
The other two strains cause Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 .

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