npr--2020-07-10--California Will Release Up To 8,000 Prisoners Due To Coronavirus

California Will Release Up To 8,000 Prisoners Due To Coronavirus California will release up to 8,000 prisoners this summer in an effort to create more space and prevent the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in prisons .
News of the plan comes after more than a third of the inmates and staff at the San Quentin State Prison in the San Francisco Bay Area tested positive for the coronavirus .
Anyone who is eligible for release will be tested for the coronavirus within seven days of their return to society , the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently reports 5,841 coronavirus cases among inmates — a rise of more than 860 cases in two weeks .
Another 1,222 employees have also been infected .
`` These actions are taken to provide for the health and safety of the incarcerated population and staff , '' California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Ralph Diaz said .
`` We aim to implement these decompression measures in a way that aligns both public health and public safety . ''
More than half of the prisoners could be released this month .
The corrections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of prisoners who have fewer than 180 days left on their sentences ; it anticipates roughly 4,800 people could be eligible for release by the end of July .
To be freed , prisoners must meet certain criteria — including that they are not incarcerated for domestic violence or other violent crime , and that they wo n't have to register as sex offenders .
The outbreak at San Quentin has been blamed on a transfer of more than 100 prisoners from the California Institution for Men in Chino — another crowded prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
Many of those inmates had not been tested adequately before being moved , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .
San Quentin had not reported any cases in the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic .
But the prison now has 1,336 cases among people in custody .
An additional 205 cases have been diagnosed among its employees .
Some inmates at San Quentin and the California Institution for Men in Chino will now be eligible for early release .
The corrections department said it will look to release prisoners who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or less remaining on their sentence , and are incarcerated at `` institutions that house large populations of high-risk patients . ''
Folsom State Prison and five other facilities are also included in the plan .
Inmates at the prisons who are age 30 and older and who meet the eligibility criteria `` are immediately eligible for release , '' the agency said .
Younger inmates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis .
In addition to the pending releases , the corrections department said it has already reduced the population in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-March .

California Will Release Up To 8,000 Prisoners Due To Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
California will release up to 8,000 prisoners this summer in an effort to create more space and prevent the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in prisons.
News of the plan comes after more than a third of the inmates and staff at the San Quentin State Prison in the San Francisco Bay Area tested positive for the coronavirus.
Anyone who is eligible for release will be tested for the coronavirus within seven days of their return to society, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.
California's state prison system currently reports 5,841 coronavirus cases among inmates — a rise of more than 860 cases in two weeks. Another 1,222 employees have also been infected.
"These actions are taken to provide for the health and safety of the incarcerated population and staff," California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Ralph Diaz said. "We aim to implement these decompression measures in a way that aligns both public health and public safety."
More than half of the prisoners could be released this month. The corrections department says it's reviewing the roster of prisoners who have fewer than 180 days left on their sentences; it anticipates roughly 4,800 people could be eligible for release by the end of July.
To be freed, prisoners must meet certain criteria — including that they are not incarcerated for domestic violence or other violent crime, and that they won't have to register as sex offenders.
The outbreak at San Quentin has been blamed on a transfer of more than 100 prisoners from the California Institution for Men in Chino — another crowded prison that was already reporting hundreds of coronavirus cases. Many of those inmates had not been tested adequately before being moved, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
San Quentin had not reported any cases in the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the prison now has 1,336 cases among people in custody. An additional 205 cases have been diagnosed among its employees.
Some inmates at San Quentin and the California Institution for Men in Chino will now be eligible for early release. The corrections department said it will look to release prisoners who meet its criteria, have a year or less remaining on their sentence, and are incarcerated at "institutions that house large populations of high-risk patients."
Folsom State Prison and five other facilities are also included in the plan. Inmates at the prisons who are age 30 and older and who meet the eligibility criteria "are immediately eligible for release," the agency said. Younger inmates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to the pending releases, the corrections department said it has already reduced the population in its institutions by more than 10,000 inmates since mid-March.


npr--2020-07-10--Nation's Pediatricians Walk Back Support For In-Person School

The American Academy of Pediatrics once again plunged into the growing debate over school reopening with a strong new statement Friday , making clear that while in-person school provides crucial benefits to children , `` Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence , not politics . ''
The statement also said that `` science and community circumstances must guide decision-making . ''
The AAP is changing tone from the guidance it issued just over two weeks ago .
Then , the organization made a national splash by recommending that education leaders and policymakers `` should start with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school . ''
The Trump administration this week repeatedly cited the AAP in pressuring school leaders to reopen .
Dr. Sally Goza , the association 's president , appeared at a White House roundtable with President Trump .
She later told Morning Edition 's David Greene that local coronavirus infection rates and hot spots have to be taken into consideration to safely reopen schools .
The previous guidance was criticized for saying little about the safety of educators and other school personnel .
Friday 's statement , cosigned by the two national teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association , calls for putting educators as well as other stakeholders at the center of decision-making .
It emphasized that reopening safely will take more money : `` We call on Congress and the administration to provide the federal resources needed to ensure that inadequate funding does not stand in the way of safely educating and caring for children in our schools . ''

Nation's Pediatricians Walk Back Support For In-Person School
Enlarge this image LA Johnson/NPR LA Johnson/NPR
The American Academy of Pediatrics once again plunged into the growing debate over school reopening with a strong new statement Friday, making clear that while in-person school provides crucial benefits to children, "Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics." The statement also said that "science and community circumstances must guide decision-making."
The AAP is changing tone from the guidance it issued just over two weeks ago. Then, the organization made a national splash by recommending that education leaders and policymakers "should start with a goal of having students physically present in school."
The Trump administration this week repeatedly cited the AAP in pressuring school leaders to reopen. Dr. Sally Goza, the association's president, appeared at a White House roundtable with President Trump. She later told Morning Edition's David Greene that local coronavirus infection rates and hot spots have to be taken into consideration to safely reopen schools.
The previous guidance was criticized for saying little about the safety of educators and other school personnel. Friday's statement, cosigned by the two national teacher unions and AASA, the School Superintendents Association, calls for putting educators as well as other stakeholders at the center of decision-making. It emphasized that reopening safely will take more money: "We call on Congress and the administration to provide the federal resources needed to ensure that inadequate funding does not stand in the way of safely educating and caring for children in our schools."


npr--2020-07-10--'Who Does This To A Kid?' D.C. Family Mourns 11-Year-Old Killed By Crossfire

'Who Does This To A Kid ? '
D.C. Family Mourns 11-Year-Old Killed By Crossfire When his phone died , 11-year-old Davon McNeal was at a Stop the Violence cookout in Washington , D.C. , that his mother had helped organize .
She took him to his aunt 's house close by to borrow a charger and John Ayala , his grandfather , says the little boy hopped out of the car .
`` At that moment shots rang out .
Pop , pop , pop , pop , pop .
He goes to the ground .
You know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way , '' Ayala said .
Davon was caught in the crossfire , a shooting sparked by a neighborhood beef .
An 18-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for the shooting and charged with first-degree murder .
Davon was one of several children across the U.S. , who were killed by gun violence over the Fourth of July weekend .
They were doing everyday things — playing in the yard , walking through a mall , watching fireworks with family — when random bullets ended their lives .
Secoriea Turner from Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were 8 .
Natalia Wallace from Chicago was 7 .
And Jace Young from San Francisco was 6 .
`` This is ridiculous , '' Ayala said .
`` Our babies are being gunned down , this has got to stop . ''
Wanda Ayala , Davon 's grandmother , who is called `` mama '' by all her grandchildren , says she 'll never forget the phone call she received a little after 10 p.m. with the news .
Everything else is a blur .
Racing to the hospital .
Having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be OK .
When she saw him , he looked very small and very still .
`` I said , 'Davon , baby , wake up , baby , mama 's here . '
He 's lying on the table .
This ca n't be right .
Who does this to a kid ? ''
she said , while sobbing uncontrollably .
Davon 's family has a history of community service and trying to keep neighborhoods safe .
His grandfather started a chapter of the Guardian Angels in D.C .
They patrols streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ models to at-risk youth .
Davon 's mother , Crystal McNeal , works as a city violence interrupter , mediating between gangs to resolve conflicts and prevent retaliation .
It 's a program D.C. has used more in the past couple of years as homicides have spiked .
Wanda says Davon loved his friends , videogames and football .
Ever since his older brother started playing , Davon wanted to as well .
So Wanda signed him up for coaching .
`` From that point on , his goal was to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked about , '' she said .
`` [ He would say ] 'And when I make it , I 'm buying my mother the biggest house I can find . '
'' Wanda said neither she nor her husband had a lot of money growing up .
Even when they had kids , finances were tight .
So when they could finally afford vacations , they were determined to spoil their five grandchildren .
`` It 's the difference between being a mom and a grandma , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to do everything with them . ''
They took vacations every year with the children .
One time they took all the grandchildren to New Jersey , to go to Six Flags .
They visited all three parks and came back home to D.C. '' I unpacked everybody 's bag , washed everybody 's clothes , repacked the bags , got back on the road to Ocean City , '' she said , laughing .
`` We did a 10-day trip ! ''
Wanda has lots of happy memories with Davon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more memories to make , no more Davon to spoil .
Her face crumpled and the tears flowed .
`` Why ? ''
she asked .
`` I just want to ask these guys , why ? ''

'Who Does This To A Kid?' D.C. Family Mourns 11-Year-Old Killed By Crossfire
toggle caption Courtesy of John Ayala
When his phone died, 11-year-old Davon McNeal was at a Stop the Violence cookout in Washington, D.C., that his mother had helped organize. She took him to his aunt's house close by to borrow a charger and John Ayala, his grandfather, says the little boy hopped out of the car.
"At that moment shots rang out. Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. He goes to the ground. You know, you hear bullets, you get out the way," Ayala said.
Davon was caught in the crossfire, a shooting sparked by a neighborhood beef. An 18-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for the shooting and charged with first-degree murder.
Davon was one of several children across the U.S., who were killed by gun violence over the Fourth of July weekend. They were doing everyday things — playing in the yard, walking through a mall, watching fireworks with family — when random bullets ended their lives. Secoriea Turner from Atlanta and Royta Giles from Hoover, Ala., were 8. Natalia Wallace from Chicago was 7. And Jace Young from San Francisco was 6.
"This is ridiculous," Ayala said. "Our babies are being gunned down, this has got to stop."
Wanda Ayala, Davon's grandmother, who is called "mama" by all her grandchildren, says she'll never forget the phone call she received a little after 10 p.m. with the news. Everything else is a blur. Racing to the hospital. Having an anxiety attack. Praying Davon would be OK.
When she saw him, he looked very small and very still.
"I said, 'Davon, baby, wake up, baby, mama's here.' He's lying on the table. This can't be right. Who does this to a kid?" she said, while sobbing uncontrollably.
Davon's family has a history of community service and trying to keep neighborhoods safe. His grandfather started a chapter of the Guardian Angels in D.C. They patrols streets, provide counseling and act as role models to at-risk youth. Davon's mother, Crystal McNeal, works as a city violence interrupter, mediating between gangs to resolve conflicts and prevent retaliation. It's a program D.C. has used more in the past couple of years as homicides have spiked.
National Chicago Shootings Are Called Senseless, But Anti-Violence Workers Say That's Too Easy Chicago Shootings Are Called Senseless, But Anti-Violence Workers Say That's Too Easy 10:23
Wanda says Davon loved his friends, videogames and football. Ever since his older brother started playing, Davon wanted to as well. So Wanda signed him up for coaching.
"From that point on, his goal was to go to the NFL. That's all he talked about," she said. "[He would say] 'And when I make it, I'm buying my mother the biggest house I can find.'"
Wanda said neither she nor her husband had a lot of money growing up. Even when they had kids, finances were tight. So when they could finally afford vacations, they were determined to spoil their five grandchildren.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kavitha Cardoza Kavitha Cardoza
"It's the difference between being a mom and a grandma," she said. "So with the grandkids, we just wanted to do everything with them."
They took vacations every year with the children. One time they took all the grandchildren to New Jersey, to go to Six Flags. They visited all three parks and came back home to D.C.
"I unpacked everybody's bag, washed everybody's clothes, repacked the bags, got back on the road to Ocean City," she said, laughing. "We did a 10-day trip!"
Wanda has lots of happy memories with Davon, but then she remembered there are no more memories to make, no more Davon to spoil.
Her face crumpled and the tears flowed.
"Why?" she asked. "I just want to ask these guys, why?"


npr--2020-07-10--Anatomy Of A COVID-19 Conspiracy Theory

Anatomy Of A COVID-19 Conspiracy Theory

Conspiracy theories need just the right ingredients to take off within a population , and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a breeding ground for them .
A Pew Research Center survey recently asked people if they had heard the theory that the COVID-19 outbreak was intentionally planned by people in power .
Seventy-one percent of U.S. adults said they had .
And a third of those respondents said it was `` definitely '' or `` probably '' true .
One version of this theory goes something like this : The COVID-19 pandemic is part of a strategy conceived by global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to roll out vaccinations with tracking chips that would later be activated by 5G , the technology used by cellular networks .
Residents of Palm Beach County , Fla. , cited it in a county commissioners hearing in late June when voicing their opposition to mandatory mask enforcement .
`` Six feet ... is military protocol .
You 're trying to get people to train them , so when the cameras , the 5G comes out , what ?
They are going to scan everybody ?
We 've got to get scanned ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... Are you insane ? ''
asked Cristina Gomez , one of the residents who attended the hearing .
She even mentioned Gates by name , asking the commissioners why he is not in jail .
Molly , 24 , who lives in Kentucky and asked that her last name not be used , said earlier this spring , her sister told her she did not intend to get the COVID-19 vaccine because she believed it contained microchips .
Molly said she was shocked .
`` I was like , what are you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And she 's like , 'Oh well , you know so much about science . '
I 'm like , I know that there 's no microchips in vaccines . ''
She said the conversation spiraled into a fight .
`` Then I just went upstairs and cried because we are best friends .
And now since this , we basically have n't talked about COVID or what 's going on at all . ''
Otis Hart , 42 , in New York City sought the help of a tinnitus therapist in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of his session , Hart shared that he was looking into getting a better Internet connection .
`` [ My therapist ] said that things like 5G [ are ] responsible for some terrible things going on , '' Hart said .
`` And he connected 5G with the coronavirus pandemic . ''
Hart said he stopped seeing him after this appointment .
NPR talked to more than a dozen people who said they had similar experiences .
So how did this particular theory come to be ?
The first ingredient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ element .
Not one that 's necessarily true , just plausible .
In this case , the tracking chips .
In December , a team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers published a paper in the medical journal Science Translational Medicine detailing how something called `` quantum dots '' could be delivered to the skin to record vaccinations .
Kevin McHugh , now an assistant professor of bioengineering at Rice University and the lead researcher on the project , said he 's baffled by the idea that his project involves tracking chips .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` I do n't even know where that comes from .
All the quantum dots [ do is ] produce light . ''
The technology , tested on rats , has not yet been tested on humans .
McHugh said the dot signals a patient has received a vaccine in an effort to keep an accurate record .
`` It is really difficult to determine who has received what vaccines in the developing world because there is not good record keeping , '' McHugh said .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have something that could inform a health care worker what vaccines have been administered and therefore which ones are still needed ? ''
Funding for the project was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , which brings us to the second ingredient of a good conspiracy theory : a real person , someone powerful — and rich .
Kate Starbird , an associate professor at the University of Washington , who has studied misinformation during crisis events , said conspiracy theories use the same elements and plug in different actors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they want to do bad things so they can continue controlling the world , '' she said .
`` Sometimes it 's George Soros .
Now it 's Bill Gates .
So , they just move that person over . ''
But why Gates this time ?
Steven Brill is the founder of NewsGuard , a company that tracks false information .
He said there are two reasons : The Gates Foundation funds global vaccination research and drives , and Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft Corp. '' So you have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the anti-tech movement , '' Brill said .
The anti-tech movement brings us to the final ingredient of a good conspiracy theory : an element that makes it go viral .
In this case , the fear of 5G and the power of social media .
Joseph Downing , a fellow at the London School of Economics , studied the origins of the 5G conspiracy theory on social media and said he and his colleagues were able to track down the exact account that turned this conspiracy theory into a trending topic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5gcoronavirus19 , which sent out 303 tweets in seven days .
`` So you 've got somebody here who understands a way of , in effect , kind of manipulating the social media landscape , '' Downing said .
It 's unclear who operated the @ 5gcoronavirus19 account , which has since been taken down .
But it managed to create such momentum that other platforms picked it up from there .
Downing said someone does n't need to have a huge following to do that ; they just need to know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we found that was really important was that people were tagging President Trump in their tweets .
And that was enough to gain traction , '' he said .
Enough traction that more than 70 cellphone towers were set on fire in the United Kingdom in April and May because of their alleged link to the spread of the virus , Mobile UK , which represents Britain 's four mobile operators , told Business Insider in May .
`` In the [ time of ] COVID-19 , when we can see [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin to believe these things and take actions that are harmful to either themselves or their communities — then those theories are translated into harm , '' Starbird said .
And experts such as Brill and Downing agree : A society so divided because of misinformation can lead to disruptions in elections , health care and even create distrust in the entire democratic system .
Disclosure : The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a supporter of NPR .

Anatomy Of A COVID-19 Conspiracy Theory
Enlarge this image toggle caption Noam Galai/Getty Images Noam Galai/Getty Images
Conspiracy theories need just the right ingredients to take off within a population, and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a breeding ground for them. A Pew Research Center survey recently asked people if they had heard the theory that the COVID-19 outbreak was intentionally planned by people in power. Seventy-one percent of U.S. adults said they had. And a third of those respondents said it was "definitely" or "probably" true.
One version of this theory goes something like this: The COVID-19 pandemic is part of a strategy conceived by global elites — such as Bill Gates — to roll out vaccinations with tracking chips that would later be activated by 5G, the technology used by cellular networks.
Residents of Palm Beach County, Fla., cited it in a county commissioners hearing in late June when voicing their opposition to mandatory mask enforcement. "Six feet ... is military protocol. You're trying to get people to train them, so when the cameras, the 5G comes out, what? They are going to scan everybody? We've got to get scanned? We've got to get temperatured? ... Are you insane?" asked Cristina Gomez, one of the residents who attended the hearing. She even mentioned Gates by name, asking the commissioners why he is not in jail.
Molly, 24, who lives in Kentucky and asked that her last name not be used, said earlier this spring, her sister told her she did not intend to get the COVID-19 vaccine because she believed it contained microchips. Molly said she was shocked.
"I was like, what are you talking about? That's not true. And she's like, 'Oh well, you know so much about science.' I'm like, I know that there's no microchips in vaccines." She said the conversation spiraled into a fight. "Then I just went upstairs and cried because we are best friends. And now since this, we basically haven't talked about COVID or what's going on at all."
Otis Hart, 42, in New York City sought the help of a tinnitus therapist in May following an ear injury. At the end of his session, Hart shared that he was looking into getting a better Internet connection. "[My therapist] said that things like 5G [are] responsible for some terrible things going on," Hart said. "And he connected 5G with the coronavirus pandemic." Hart said he stopped seeing him after this appointment.
NPR talked to more than a dozen people who said they had similar experiences. So how did this particular theory come to be?
The first ingredient of a good conspiracy is a plausible element. Not one that's necessarily true, just plausible. In this case, the tracking chips. In December, a team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers published a paper in the medical journal Science Translational Medicine detailing how something called "quantum dots" could be delivered to the skin to record vaccinations.
Kevin McHugh, now an assistant professor of bioengineering at Rice University and the lead researcher on the project, said he's baffled by the idea that his project involves tracking chips. "There's no microchips at all," he said. "I don't even know where that comes from. All the quantum dots [do is] produce light."
The technology, tested on rats, has not yet been tested on humans. McHugh said the dot signals a patient has received a vaccine in an effort to keep an accurate record.
"It is really difficult to determine who has received what vaccines in the developing world because there is not good record keeping," McHugh said. "So the idea is, can we actually have something that could inform a health care worker what vaccines have been administered and therefore which ones are still needed?"
Funding for the project was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which brings us to the second ingredient of a good conspiracy theory: a real person, someone powerful — and rich.
Kate Starbird, an associate professor at the University of Washington, who has studied misinformation during crisis events, said conspiracy theories use the same elements and plug in different actors.
"A rich person controls the world and they want to do bad things so they can continue controlling the world," she said. "Sometimes it's George Soros. Now it's Bill Gates. So, they just move that person over."
But why Gates this time?
Steven Brill is the founder of NewsGuard, a company that tracks false information. He said there are two reasons: The Gates Foundation funds global vaccination research and drives, and Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft Corp.
"So you have the anti-vaxxer movement targeting Bill Gates as well as the anti-tech movement," Brill said.
The anti-tech movement brings us to the final ingredient of a good conspiracy theory: an element that makes it go viral. In this case, the fear of 5G and the power of social media.
Joseph Downing, a fellow at the London School of Economics, studied the origins of the 5G conspiracy theory on social media and said he and his colleagues were able to track down the exact account that turned this conspiracy theory into a trending topic on Twitter.
The account was @5gcoronavirus19, which sent out 303 tweets in seven days.
toggle caption Darren Staples/Bloomberg via Getty Images
"So you've got somebody here who understands a way of, in effect, kind of manipulating the social media landscape," Downing said.
It's unclear who operated the @5gcoronavirus19 account, which has since been taken down. But it managed to create such momentum that other platforms picked it up from there. Downing said someone doesn't need to have a huge following to do that; they just need to know how the algorithm works.
"One thing that we found that was really important was that people were tagging President Trump in their tweets. And that was enough to gain traction," he said.
Enough traction that more than 70 cellphone towers were set on fire in the United Kingdom in April and May because of their alleged link to the spread of the virus, Mobile UK, which represents Britain's four mobile operators, told Business Insider in May.
"In the [time of] COVID-19, when we can see [that] a large number of people begin to believe these things and take actions that are harmful to either themselves or their communities — then those theories are translated into harm," Starbird said.
And experts such as Brill and Downing agree: A society so divided because of misinformation can lead to disruptions in elections, health care and even create distrust in the entire democratic system.
Disclosure: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a supporter of NPR.


npr--2020-07-10--S.C. Governor Imposes 11 P.M. Alcohol Curfew For Bars And Restaurants

South Carolina Gov .
Henry McMaster announced on Friday that all bars and restaurants in the state must stop serving alcohol by 11 each night to try to stem a statewide rise in coronavirus cases .
This week , South Carolina is averaging 1,570 new cases of the virus per day .
That 's more than twice the rate of new cases compared with three weeks ago .
McMaster 's order will go into effect on Saturday night .
The governor said it targets young people , who are driving the surge in cases of the virus in many hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that young adults who are rapidly contracting the virus and spreading it into our communities frequently congregate in late-night atmospheres which simply are not conducive to stopping its continued transmission , '' McMaster said in a statement .
`` This measured , carefully tailored approach will lessen the opportunity for South Carolinians to put themselves and their loved ones in harm 's way . ''
As of Friday , the state 's health department says people ages 21 to 30 account for 22 % of its confirmed cases .
That 's 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The order will affect about 8,000 restaurants and bars in the state permitted to sell alcohol on-site .
It does not apply to grocery stores , liquor stores or any retail business .
`` This is an order that a state can enforce , '' McMaster said , adding that he believed it would not be possible to enforce another common safety protocol .
`` Other things like masks ... the state has a very difficult ( time ) trying to enforce a statewide mask order because one size does not fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The State newspaper .
More than 20 states now require people to wear face coverings in public as of Friday .
Texas and Florida recently ordered bars to stop serving alcohol for on-site consumption due to surging coronavirus cases .

S.C. Governor Imposes 11 P.M. Alcohol Curfew For Bars And Restaurants
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced on Friday that all bars and restaurants in the state must stop serving alcohol by 11 each night to try to stem a statewide rise in coronavirus cases.
This week, South Carolina is averaging 1,570 new cases of the virus per day. That's more than twice the rate of new cases compared with three weeks ago.
McMaster's order will go into effect on Saturday night. The governor said it targets young people, who are driving the surge in cases of the virus in many hot spots around the country.
"We know that young adults who are rapidly contracting the virus and spreading it into our communities frequently congregate in late-night atmospheres which simply are not conducive to stopping its continued transmission," McMaster said in a statement. "This measured, carefully tailored approach will lessen the opportunity for South Carolinians to put themselves and their loved ones in harm's way."
As of Friday, the state's health department says people ages 21 to 30 account for 22% of its confirmed cases. That's 6% higher than any other age group.
The order will affect about 8,000 restaurants and bars in the state permitted to sell alcohol on-site. It does not apply to grocery stores, liquor stores or any retail business.
"This is an order that a state can enforce," McMaster said, adding that he believed it would not be possible to enforce another common safety protocol.
"Other things like masks ... the state has a very difficult (time) trying to enforce a statewide mask order because one size does not fit all," he said, according to The State newspaper.
More than 20 states now require people to wear face coverings in public as of Friday. Texas and Florida recently ordered bars to stop serving alcohol for on-site consumption due to surging coronavirus cases.


npr--2020-07-10--Nearly Every Major League Baseball Team Has Had A Coronavirus Test Come Back Positive

Nearly Every Major League Baseball Team Has Had A Coronavirus Test Come Back Positive As Major League Baseball prepares to start its season , a massive set of coronavirus test results shows that 28 out of the league 's 30 teams have had a player or staff member test positive .
So far , 71 players and 12 staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus , MLB announced Friday .
When teams convened for training camps at the beginning of the month , the league carried out intake screenings .
Some 58 players and eight staff members tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , with more than 3,700 samples tested .
And since they arrived , players and staff have been retested multiple times each week .
Thirteen additional players and four staff members were found to be infected .
The results highlight the challenges of launching a season amid a global pandemic .
But Dr. Gary Green , MLB 's medical director , said in an interview with MLB Network that league officials are encouraged by the results .
`` It means that most of our players and staff did conform to social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Green said .
`` I 'm actually kind of pleased it 's as low as that . ''
He noted that the positivity rate of the league 's tests is lower than the current seven-day U.S. national average , which as of early Friday was about 8.4 % .
The positivity rate of the MLB 's intake and monitoring tests has been 0.7 % .
MLB has converted a lab in Utah that it previously used for drug testing to handle the massive number of coronavirus tests .
It has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it started a little over a week ago , Green said , and uses a method that analyzes players ' saliva .
In addition to the testing requirements , MLB has unveiled extensive health and safety procedures — collected into a plan that is 113 pages long , as NPR 's Tom Goldman reported .
Rules include physical distancing as much as possible and using personal equipment .
And during games , spitting will not be allowed and players are threatened with immediate ejection if they come within 6 feet of an umpire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While testing is certainly important , it 's only one part of the procedure .
So I would consider testing as the icing on the cake , '' Green said .
`` Really , the whole league depends on the ability of each individual player to follow these guidelines . ''
Seattle Mariners outfielder Braden Bishop echoed that sentiment in an interview with Goldman , saying that team members are trying to police each other 's behavior .
`` I think the biggest problem is you could put in the greatest protocols ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full compliance by every single guy and every single employee , it puts everyone at risk , '' Bishop said .
`` You do n't want one of those serious cases [ of COVID-19 ] to be part of our group . ''
The 2020 regular season is scheduled to start on July 23 .
It will be 60 games long – less than half as many games in a usual season .

Nearly Every Major League Baseball Team Has Had A Coronavirus Test Come Back Positive
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gregory Bull/AP Gregory Bull/AP
As Major League Baseball prepares to start its season, a massive set of coronavirus test results shows that 28 out of the league's 30 teams have had a player or staff member test positive.
So far, 71 players and 12 staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus, MLB announced Friday.
When teams convened for training camps at the beginning of the month, the league carried out intake screenings. Some 58 players and eight staff members tested positive. That's a rate of 1.8%, with more than 3,700 samples tested.
And since they arrived, players and staff have been retested multiple times each week. Thirteen additional players and four staff members were found to be infected.
The results highlight the challenges of launching a season amid a global pandemic. But Dr. Gary Green, MLB's medical director, said in an interview with MLB Network that league officials are encouraged by the results.
"It means that most of our players and staff did conform to social distancing, wearing masks and avoiding high-risk situations," Green said. "I'm actually kind of pleased it's as low as that."
He noted that the positivity rate of the league's tests is lower than the current seven-day U.S. national average, which as of early Friday was about 8.4%. The positivity rate of the MLB's intake and monitoring tests has been 0.7%.
MLB has converted a lab in Utah that it previously used for drug testing to handle the massive number of coronavirus tests. It has been running about 2,000 tests per day since it started a little over a week ago, Green said, and uses a method that analyzes players' saliva.
In addition to the testing requirements, MLB has unveiled extensive health and safety procedures — collected into a plan that is 113 pages long, as NPR's Tom Goldman reported.
Rules include physical distancing as much as possible and using personal equipment. And during games, spitting will not be allowed and players are threatened with immediate ejection if they come within 6 feet of an umpire or opponent during an argument.
"While testing is certainly important, it's only one part of the procedure. So I would consider testing as the icing on the cake," Green said. "Really, the whole league depends on the ability of each individual player to follow these guidelines."
Seattle Mariners outfielder Braden Bishop echoed that sentiment in an interview with Goldman, saying that team members are trying to police each other's behavior.
"I think the biggest problem is you could put in the greatest protocols ever, but if you don't have full compliance by every single guy and every single employee, it puts everyone at risk," Bishop said. "You don't want one of those serious cases [of COVID-19] to be part of our group."
The 2020 regular season is scheduled to start on July 23. It will be 60 games long – less than half as many games in a usual season.


npr--2020-07-10--Education Department Announces It Won't Punish Colleges For Reconsidering Student Aid

The U.S. Department of Education moved this week to make it easier for colleges to reconsider and potentially increase financial aid for students who have lost jobs or family income in the economic crisis .
The move comes after NPR reported in June that the department had shelved guidance meant to encourage college aid administrators to exercise what 's known as `` professional judgment '' and reconsider aid for students whose finances have changed .
Most students planning to attend college in the fall submitted financial information from 2018 — information that may now be woefully outdated for many families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But reconsidering financial aid packages for too many students can trigger an investigation from the Department of Education to make sure schools are n't misusing funds .
These reviews can be labor-intensive and lead to costly fines .
In 2009 , in response to the Great Recession , the Obama administration assured schools they would not be punished for helping students .
In recent months , with job losses mounting , college financial aid administrators began asking if that 2009 guidance was still active , said Justin Draeger , president of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Department of Education quietly addressed that question in late May during a call with stakeholders .
According to multiple sources familiar with the call , a top department official indicated that , in spite of the downturn , the guidance was no longer active .
The official described the unemployment challenges many students now face as `` temporary , '' unlike the Great Recession , and disagreed with the previous policy of allowing schools to fast-track help for students receiving unemployment benefits .
The department had said little publicly about the apparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid administrators .
The guidance had been labeled `` Maintained for Historical Purposes Only , '' though it is not clear when that label was added .
The department also amended its Federal Student Aid Handbook on June 12 , calling the guidance `` outdated . ''
`` I think financial aid offices are out there doing their best , '' Rachelle Feldman told NPR in June .
She is associate provost of scholarships and student aid at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill .
`` The fear of audit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all very real and paralyzing . ''
On Thursday , the Department of Education clarified its position , saying it `` understands that high unemployment nationwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will increase the number of professional judgment decisions performed '' and that it `` will not negatively view increased use of professional judgment or use it as a selection criterion for a program compliance review . ''
In short : Colleges will not be punished for reconsidering many students ' aid packages .
`` We 're pleased to see the department taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can help students in need without later being unduly penalized , '' Draeger said .
The news comes as many schools said they 're already seeing spikes in requests to revisit students ' aid packages .
According to Draeger , when his organization surveyed its member institutions in June , 90 % of financial aid offices at the nearly 300 schools that responded said they anticipate an increase in these professional judgment requests this year .
The department 's announcement came the same day the four top Republicans and Democrats on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos urging her to clarify the department 's position and make clear to schools that they can reopen students ' financial aid files without fear of triggering a federal compliance review .
The bipartisan letter also urged DeVos to affirm that aid offices can zero out income for any student who is receiving unemployment benefits — a powerful step to fast-track financial aid for students who need it most .
This provision was also part of the original 2009 guidance but was not included in the department 's @ @ @

Education Department Announces It Won't Punish Colleges For Reconsidering Student Aid
Enlarge this image toggle caption Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
The U.S. Department of Education moved this week to make it easier for colleges to reconsider and potentially increase financial aid for students who have lost jobs or family income in the economic crisis. The move comes after NPR reported in June that the department had shelved guidance meant to encourage college aid administrators to exercise what's known as "professional judgment" and reconsider aid for students whose finances have changed.
Most students planning to attend college in the fall submitted financial information from 2018 — information that may now be woefully outdated for many families given the current, pandemic-driven recession. But reconsidering financial aid packages for too many students can trigger an investigation from the Department of Education to make sure schools aren't misusing funds. These reviews can be labor-intensive and lead to costly fines.
In 2009, in response to the Great Recession, the Obama administration assured schools they would not be punished for helping students. In recent months, with job losses mounting, college financial aid administrators began asking if that 2009 guidance was still active, said Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
The Department of Education quietly addressed that question in late May during a call with stakeholders. According to multiple sources familiar with the call, a top department official indicated that, in spite of the downturn, the guidance was no longer active. The official described the unemployment challenges many students now face as "temporary," unlike the Great Recession, and disagreed with the previous policy of allowing schools to fast-track help for students receiving unemployment benefits.
The department had said little publicly about the apparent shift in policy, which alarmed financial aid administrators. The guidance had been labeled "Maintained for Historical Purposes Only," though it is not clear when that label was added. The department also amended its Federal Student Aid Handbook on June 12, calling the guidance "outdated."
"I think financial aid offices are out there doing their best," Rachelle Feldman told NPR in June. She is associate provost of scholarships and student aid at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "The fear of audit, the change in guidance — it's all very real and paralyzing."
On Thursday, the Department of Education clarified its position, saying it "understands that high unemployment nationwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will increase the number of professional judgment decisions performed" and that it "will not negatively view increased use of professional judgment or use it as a selection criterion for a program compliance review."
In short: Colleges will not be punished for reconsidering many students' aid packages.
"We're pleased to see the department taking steps ... to provide schools reassurance that they can help students in need without later being unduly penalized," Draeger said.
The news comes as many schools said they're already seeing spikes in requests to revisit students' aid packages. According to Draeger, when his organization surveyed its member institutions in June, 90% of financial aid offices at the nearly 300 schools that responded said they anticipate an increase in these professional judgment requests this year.
The department's announcement came the same day the four top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate education committees sent a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos urging her to clarify the department's position and make clear to schools that they can reopen students' financial aid files without fear of triggering a federal compliance review.
The bipartisan letter also urged DeVos to affirm that aid offices can zero out income for any student who is receiving unemployment benefits — a powerful step to fast-track financial aid for students who need it most. This provision was also part of the original 2009 guidance but was not included in the department's Thursday announcement.


npr--2020-07-10--More Than 20 U.S. States Now Require Face Masks In Public

More Than 20 U.S. States Now Require Face Masks In Public More than 20 states have now issued orders requiring people to wear face masks in public as the rate of new coronavirus cases surges to record heights in parts of the United States .
The U.S. has recorded more than 1 million coronavirus infections over the past month alone , pushing the number of confirmed cases past the 3 million mark this week .
If more Americans cover their faces to prevent spreading the coronavirus , tens of thousands of COVID-19 deaths could be prevented in the coming months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predictive models .
The list of states with mask mandates includes California , Connecticut , Delaware , Illinois , Kansas , Kentucky , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Michigan , Nevada , New York , New Jersey , New Mexico , North Carolina , Oregon , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Virginia , Washington and West Virginia .
Similar mandates in Texas and Ohio are limited to counties where the coronavirus case rate surpasses government thresholds .
Hawaii also has a statewide mask mandate , which applies to customers and staff at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Florida and Arizona — still do n't have statewide mandates , leaving the matter up to cities and counties .
It was n't until last month that Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey rescinded his ban that had prevented local officials from requiring face coverings .
Some of the statewide mandates are the target of legal challenges .
Face masks are a divisive topic in the U.S. , where politicians and interest groups are using the issue to attack their rivals .
Opponents of the mandates have filed lawsuits in several states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A Kentucky judge issued a ruling Thursday that would limit Gov .
Andy Beshear 's ability to use emergency orders to fight the COVID-19 pandemic .
The governor said he will appeal – and he issued a new order requiring face masks in public later that same day .
`` Beshear said the ruling would not prevent him from proceeding with the mask order , '' NPR member station WFPL reported .
Beshear and other governors who have issued such orders said face coverings are the best way to avoid a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed many businesses and put millions of people out of work .
The staggering rise in new cases began after states reopened their economies in May .
Since early June , nine states have ordered new mandates or strengthened existing rules requiring face masks .
`` It is important that we wear face coverings as people begin to interact more and more , '' Maine Gov .
Janet Mills said this week .
`` Doing so can slow the spread of COVID-19 , protect the health and safety of those around us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen our economy . ''
Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak – who recently apologized for being photographed maskless while out at dinner – sought to persuade Nevadans to follow his mask order by presenting a hypothetical : '' If back in March , before we shut down the vast majority of our economy , I said to you : We can keep our economy open if everyone agrees to wear masks and maintain 6 feet in person-to-person distance .
Who would have not accepted that offer ? ''
In New Mexico , Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus has been `` unleashed '' in part because people are n't wearing masks .
`` The virus has been unleashed : Too many of us are still not wearing masks , '' she said .
`` Too many of us are still congregating in groups , taking risks with our own lives and endangering the health of our family members , our neighbors and our state . ''
All of the statewide face-covering orders include exceptions for young children , and for people with medical conditions that could make wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key differences – chiefly , whether masks are required only indoors or in all public settings .
Several states that initially required people to wear masks indoors recently expanded their rules to include any outdoor public area where physical distancing is n't possible .
New Jersey , for example , took that step this week .
`` The hot spots we 're seeing across the nation and certain worrisome transmission trends in New Jersey require us to do more , '' Gov .
Phil Murphy said .
`` In the absence of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're taking this step to ensure that we can continue on our road back as one New Jersey family . ''
The U.S. is not among the dozens of countries that have instituted face mask mandates to protect people during the pandemic .
The Trump administration has encouraged people to wear masks — but President Trump has frequently refused to wear one .
Several high-profile Republicans have urged the White House to provide more clarity and support for wearing masks .
`` Unfortunately , this simple , lifesaving practice has become part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're for Trump , you do n't wear a mask .
If you 're against Trump , you do , '' Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , said last month , calling on the president to set an example by wearing a mask .
In many states , enforcement of the face-covering mandates is an open question .
A number of law enforcement agencies in Ohio , for instance , said they do n't want their officers to enforce the mandates .
When West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice announced his indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not include any formal enforcement mechanism , relying instead on businesses to make sure customers comply .
Opponents of the mask mandates call them an infringement on basic rights .
But supporters say that while masks might be inconvenient , they 're vital to stopping the coronavirus .
When she strengthened Maine 's mask rules , the governor said , `` This simple gesture is a small price to pay for knowing you could save someone 's life . ''

More Than 20 U.S. States Now Require Face Masks In Public
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
More than 20 states have now issued orders requiring people to wear face masks in public as the rate of new coronavirus cases surges to record heights in parts of the United States.
The U.S. has recorded more than 1 million coronavirus infections over the past month alone, pushing the number of confirmed cases past the 3 million mark this week.
If more Americans cover their faces to prevent spreading the coronavirus, tens of thousands of COVID-19 deaths could be prevented in the coming months, according to recent research based on predictive models.
The list of states with mask mandates includes California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
Similar mandates in Texas and Ohio are limited to counties where the coronavirus case rate surpasses government thresholds. Hawaii also has a statewide mask mandate, which applies to customers and staff at businesses.
Two of the worst-hit states — Florida and Arizona — still don't have statewide mandates, leaving the matter up to cities and counties. It wasn't until last month that Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey rescinded his ban that had prevented local officials from requiring face coverings.
Some of the statewide mandates are the target of legal challenges. Face masks are a divisive topic in the U.S., where politicians and interest groups are using the issue to attack their rivals. Opponents of the mandates have filed lawsuits in several states, trying to prevent them from taking effect.
A Kentucky judge issued a ruling Thursday that would limit Gov. Andy Beshear's ability to use emergency orders to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor said he will appeal – and he issued a new order requiring face masks in public later that same day.
"Beshear said the ruling would not prevent him from proceeding with the mask order," NPR member station WFPL reported.
Beshear and other governors who have issued such orders said face coverings are the best way to avoid a second round of near-total shutdowns that have already closed many businesses and put millions of people out of work.
The staggering rise in new cases began after states reopened their economies in May. Since early June, nine states have ordered new mandates or strengthened existing rules requiring face masks.
"It is important that we wear face coverings as people begin to interact more and more," Maine Gov. Janet Mills said this week. "Doing so can slow the spread of COVID-19, protect the health and safety of those around us, support businesses and allow us to safely reopen our economy."
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak – who recently apologized for being photographed maskless while out at dinner – sought to persuade Nevadans to follow his mask order by presenting a hypothetical:
"If back in March, before we shut down the vast majority of our economy, I said to you: We can keep our economy open if everyone agrees to wear masks and maintain 6 feet in person-to-person distance. Who would have not accepted that offer?"
In New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Thursday that the virus has been "unleashed" in part because people aren't wearing masks.
"The virus has been unleashed: Too many of us are still not wearing masks," she said. "Too many of us are still congregating in groups, taking risks with our own lives and endangering the health of our family members, our neighbors and our state."
All of the statewide face-covering orders include exceptions for young children, and for people with medical conditions that could make wearing a mask dangerous. But there are some key differences – chiefly, whether masks are required only indoors or in all public settings.
Several states that initially required people to wear masks indoors recently expanded their rules to include any outdoor public area where physical distancing isn't possible. New Jersey, for example, took that step this week.
"The hot spots we're seeing across the nation and certain worrisome transmission trends in New Jersey require us to do more," Gov. Phil Murphy said. "In the absence of a national strategy on face coverings, we're taking this step to ensure that we can continue on our road back as one New Jersey family."
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Locher/AP John Locher/AP
The U.S. is not among the dozens of countries that have instituted face mask mandates to protect people during the pandemic. The Trump administration has encouraged people to wear masks — but President Trump has frequently refused to wear one.
Several high-profile Republicans have urged the White House to provide more clarity and support for wearing masks.
"Unfortunately, this simple, lifesaving practice has become part of a political debate that says: If you're for Trump, you don't wear a mask. If you're against Trump, you do," Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said last month, calling on the president to set an example by wearing a mask.
In many states, enforcement of the face-covering mandates is an open question. A number of law enforcement agencies in Ohio, for instance, said they don't want their officers to enforce the mandates. When West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced his indoor mask mandate earlier this week, he did not include any formal enforcement mechanism, relying instead on businesses to make sure customers comply.
Opponents of the mask mandates call them an infringement on basic rights. But supporters say that while masks might be inconvenient, they're vital to stopping the coronavirus.
When she strengthened Maine's mask rules, the governor said, "This simple gesture is a small price to pay for knowing you could save someone's life."


npr--2020-07-10--At Least 82 Coronavirus Cases Linked To Missouri Sleepaway Camp

At Least 82 Coronavirus Cases Linked To Missouri Sleepaway Camp A Christian camp in Missouri has been forced to shut down after dozens of staff , campers and counselors tested positive for the coronavirus .
The Kanakuk K-2 camp in Lampe , just north of the border with Arkansas , closed after 41 people became infected with the coronavirus , the Stone County Health Department announced last week .
Four days later , local health officials said the number of infections had doubled , to 82 .
Many of those who tested positive had already left the camp and returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 states and to multiple counties in Missouri .
At least one case is in Stone County , where the camp is located .
`` The decision to close has resulted in all campers , counselors and staff to return to their homes .
[ The Stone County Health Department ] will be working closely with Kanakuk Kamps to identify exposed individuals and quarantine those individuals , as necessary , '' the county said in a Facebook post .
Kanakuk Kamps did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a program for 13- to 18-year-olds offering two- and four-week stays — is one of at least six operated by Kanakuk .
`` Since 1926 , Kanakuk has been the Christian summer camp for over 450,000 youth , '' the site says .
Kanakuk says it introduced multiple measures and procedures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus ahead of its 2020 season , which began May 30 .
These included a health screening , temperature checks and a two-week self-quarantine for campers before arrival .
It 's unclear whether the outbreak at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kanakuk 's other programs .
In reporting the initial infections on July 2 , Stone County said that five other programs underway had not reported any positive tests .
NBC News reports that parents were notified by email that their children may have been exposed to the virus , with a recommendation that `` as your Kamper returns home , we recommend that you consider a 14-day self-quarantine for your child and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 . ''

At Least 82 Coronavirus Cases Linked To Missouri Sleepaway Camp
A Christian camp in Missouri has been forced to shut down after dozens of staff, campers and counselors tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Kanakuk K-2 camp in Lampe, just north of the border with Arkansas, closed after 41 people became infected with the coronavirus, the Stone County Health Department announced last week.
Four days later, local health officials said the number of infections had doubled, to 82. Many of those who tested positive had already left the camp and returned home, with cases in at least 10 states and to multiple counties in Missouri.
At least one case is in Stone County, where the camp is located.
"The decision to close has resulted in all campers, counselors and staff to return to their homes. [The Stone County Health Department] will be working closely with Kanakuk Kamps to identify exposed individuals and quarantine those individuals, as necessary," the county said in a Facebook post.
Kanakuk Kamps did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to its website, the K-2 camp — a program for 13- to 18-year-olds offering two- and four-week stays — is one of at least six operated by Kanakuk. "Since 1926, Kanakuk has been the Christian summer camp for over 450,000 youth," the site says.
Kanakuk says it introduced multiple measures and procedures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus ahead of its 2020 season, which began May 30. These included a health screening, temperature checks and a two-week self-quarantine for campers before arrival.
It's unclear whether the outbreak at the K-2 camp will affect operations at Kanakuk's other programs. In reporting the initial infections on July 2, Stone County said that five other programs underway had not reported any positive tests.
NBC News reports that parents were notified by email that their children may have been exposed to the virus, with a recommendation that "as your Kamper returns home, we recommend that you consider a 14-day self-quarantine for your child and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19."


npr--2020-07-11--Kids Feel Pandemic Stress Too. Here's How To Help Them Thrive

Kids Feel Pandemic Stress Too .
Here 's How To Help Them Thrive As the pandemic continues , children are still mostly at home .
Summer activities are canceled or up in the air , and many children are suffering confusion and stress .
Parents may be stressed themselves , but there are ways to help kids feel better .
During the first few weeks of staying at home , Maryam Jernigan-Noesi 's 4-year-old son Carter was excited .
His working parents were around him most of the day , and it seemed like a big extended weekend .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , things changed .
`` In terms of getting dressed and brushing teeth and that type of routine , he was a little slower to do that ... testing the limits with mom and dad , '' she recalls .
Carter was used to a two-hour nap at school .
But now at home , he did n't want to nap .
And at night , it was hard for him to get to sleep .
`` So in some cases , he was in bed just wiggling and twisting and turning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his parents he was n't sleepy and could n't fall asleep .
As a child psychologist , Jernigan-Noesi knows that when children are emotionally distressed , they may revert to behaviors from earlier childhood .
Those who are potty-trained may have accidents and wet the bed .
Others may start thumb sucking again .
`` So , Carter , for example , who has n't been rocked to sleep in a while , wanted to sit in my lap and be rocked in the chair that I used to breastfeed him in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much younger , '' she says .
A number of Jernigan-Noesi 's friends tell her their children , 8 , 9 and even older are suddenly clingy , following parents around the house , asking them to sit in the bathroom while baths are taken and teeth are brushed .
`` It 's almost as if they did not want to do anything independently , which was uncharacteristic , '' she says .
`` These were developmental milestones they had met years before this time . ''
She adds she has also begun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ literature .
During these stressful times , children may also experience behavior changes like moodiness , anger and even tantrums , according to child psychologist Mary Alvord who studies trauma and resilience .
She says anxiety can cause stomach aches and headaches , especially among older children .
What parents need to be on the lookout for , says Alvord are behavior changes that affect day-to-day functioning .
This includes things like eating , sleeping and interactions with friends .
If parents notice such major changes in day-to-day functioning , they might want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Otherwise , here are some idea to try yourself at home .
So what are parents to do ?
The first step in helping your child , she says : Look inward .
That 's because , she says , children and teens pick up the level of stress in their parents .
`` They do n't always understand what 's going on , but they can feel the tension . ''
So , the more calm a parent can be , the more they 're reassuring their child , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly is n't always easy and often requires a conscious effort .
Create a mini break for yourself to reset your own stress levels .
`` It might mean you go into the bathroom and lock the door for 10 minutes if you need to just kind of chill out and have your own space , '' she suggests .
`` It may mean you go for a fast walk to reduce any tension that you have . ''
Another way to help : Shift focus from your child 's worrisome behavior , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what 's going right and reinforce it .
Try saying things like , `` you look really upset , but you talked about it , you stayed calm , you used an 'indoor voice ' , and you asked what you needed . ''
She says it 's important to teach kids , even at a young age , to figure out what they want and to assert themselves .
Some parents have found it helpful to help their children create soothing spaces just for them , places they can go when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives in Silver Spring Maryland and has two children , Evelyn , 10 , and a son Sagan , 7 .
Not long after the pandemic began , Evelyn built a fort for herself `` a little cozy corner in her room that 's totally enclosed with a Harry Potter cape and a Portuguese flag and some other fabric , '' says Pavao-Zuckerman .
`` When she 's just feeling anxious or upset , she goes and sits in that little corner . ''
The cat sleeps in Evelyn 's fort too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have insisted Evelyn dismantle the fort so the area could be cleaned and vacuumed .
`` But under the circumstances today , it 's totally fine ; she needs that sort of cozy space where she feels safe , and to me , it seems like a pretty healthy way of dealing with stress and anxiety . ''
Indeed , it is a healthy option agrees Alvord , who says it 's often as simple as that .
`` Kids have always liked being in their treehouses , their own little area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and feel safe .
Connections to friends are important for kids ' psychological development , Alvord says , especially for teens .
`` Are they losing friends or are they disconnected ? ''
she says .
`` Because while we need to physically distance , we need to make sure we 're all socially connected . ''
says Alvord .
There are ways for kids to maintain friendships even with all the necessary precautions to avoid transmission .
Alvord advises parents to encourage their children to connect whether it be physical distanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , texting , phone calls and social media .
`` I 've noticed kids sitting outside on blankets , like one family on one blanket and another family on another blanket , '' she says .
They can keep their distance , but still engage in group activities like blowing bubbles at each other .
And , of course , if they 're not six feet apart everyone should be wearing a mask .
For older kids , Alvord says physical distancing walks and bike riding can be an opportunity both for physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many things that are beyond our control right now , Alvord suggests parents try discussing `` some things their children can , in fact , control .
For example , how they spend their time , what hobbies they engage in and enjoy , how they interact with family and friends , even what they can do to `` stay safe . ''
`` We want a proactive orientation , '' she says .
`` We do n't want our kids to feel like victims . ''
Kids can be encouraged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new hobby , spend more time talking with their friends . ''
When children are clearly sad or upset , the best gift parents can give them is time , says psychiatrist Joshua Morganstein , spokesperson for the American Psychiatric Association .
`` Sit with them and give them time , time to wait and listen to what they have to say . ''
He says this lets the child know that , number one , they are `` worth waiting for '' and that you will try to understand what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he says , when talking with your child no matter what their age .
That might mean admitting you do n't know the answer to a question about the pandemic , and offering to look it up together .
This models the attitude you want them to develop as they grow older , he says .
`` Do I want them to make things up or pretend that they do n't feel concerned about something ?
Or do I want them to go get some information , or to ask someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusted source , for example , '' he says .
Being honest and direct is actually a way of teaching your child to feel hopeful , he says .
`` Hope is n't about pretending that everything 's OK ; it 's about recognizing that things can be very , very difficult and that in the midst of all of that , we can still find ways to grow as individuals and as a family and to strengthen our connection with each other and with the people we care about . ''
Learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` sustain a vision of a more hopeful future . ''

Kids Feel Pandemic Stress Too. Here's How To Help Them Thrive
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lynsey Weatherspoon for NPR Lynsey Weatherspoon for NPR
As the pandemic continues, children are still mostly at home. Summer activities are canceled or up in the air, and many children are suffering confusion and stress. Parents may be stressed themselves, but there are ways to help kids feel better.
During the first few weeks of staying at home, Maryam Jernigan-Noesi's 4-year-old son Carter was excited. His working parents were around him most of the day, and it seemed like a big extended weekend. But after a few weeks, she says, things changed.
"In terms of getting dressed and brushing teeth and that type of routine, he was a little slower to do that... testing the limits with mom and dad," she recalls.
Carter was used to a two-hour nap at school. But now at home, he didn't want to nap. And at night, it was hard for him to get to sleep. "So in some cases, he was in bed just wiggling and twisting and turning," Jernigan-Noesi says. He would tell his parents he wasn't sleepy and couldn't fall asleep.
As a child psychologist, Jernigan-Noesi knows that when children are emotionally distressed, they may revert to behaviors from earlier childhood. Those who are potty-trained may have accidents and wet the bed. Others may start thumb sucking again. "So, Carter, for example, who hasn't been rocked to sleep in a while, wanted to sit in my lap and be rocked in the chair that I used to breastfeed him in and rock him to sleep when he was much younger," she says.
A number of Jernigan-Noesi's friends tell her their children, 8, 9 and even older are suddenly clingy, following parents around the house, asking them to sit in the bathroom while baths are taken and teeth are brushed. "It's almost as if they did not want to do anything independently, which was uncharacteristic," she says. "These were developmental milestones they had met years before this time." She adds she has also begun to see this issue reported in psychology literature.
During these stressful times, children may also experience behavior changes like moodiness, anger and even tantrums, according to child psychologist Mary Alvord who studies trauma and resilience. She says anxiety can cause stomach aches and headaches, especially among older children.
What parents need to be on the lookout for, says Alvord are behavior changes that affect day-to-day functioning. This includes things like eating, sleeping and interactions with friends. If parents notice such major changes in day-to-day functioning, they might want to consult with a therapist, she says. Otherwise, here are some idea to try yourself at home.
Model calm
So what are parents to do? The first step in helping your child, she says: Look inward.
That's because, she says, children and teens pick up the level of stress in their parents. "They don't always understand what's going on, but they can feel the tension." So, the more calm a parent can be, the more they're reassuring their child, she says.
Of course, staying calm clearly isn't always easy and often requires a conscious effort. Create a mini break for yourself to reset your own stress levels.
"It might mean you go into the bathroom and lock the door for 10 minutes if you need to just kind of chill out and have your own space," she suggests."It may mean you go for a fast walk to reduce any tension that you have."
Focus on what's working
Another way to help: Shift focus from your child's worrisome behavior, says Alvord. Instead pay attention to what's going right and reinforce it.
Try saying things like, "you look really upset, but you talked about it, you stayed calm, you used an 'indoor voice', and you asked what you needed." She says it's important to teach kids, even at a young age, to figure out what they want and to assert themselves.
Create soothing spaces
Some parents have found it helpful to help their children create soothing spaces just for them, places they can go when they need to feel better. Barnet Pavao-Zuckerman lives in Silver Spring Maryland and has two children, Evelyn, 10, and a son Sagan, 7. Not long after the pandemic began, Evelyn built a fort for herself "a little cozy corner in her room that's totally enclosed with a Harry Potter cape and a Portuguese flag and some other fabric," says Pavao-Zuckerman. "When she's just feeling anxious or upset, she goes and sits in that little corner."
The cat sleeps in Evelyn's fort too. Under normal circumstances, Pavao-Zuckerman says she would have insisted Evelyn dismantle the fort so the area could be cleaned and vacuumed. "But under the circumstances today, it's totally fine; she needs that sort of cozy space where she feels safe, and to me, it seems like a pretty healthy way of dealing with stress and anxiety."
Indeed, it is a healthy option agrees Alvord, who says it's often as simple as that. "Kids have always liked being in their treehouses, their own little area where they can put their things," and feel safe.
Support kids' friendships
Connections to friends are important for kids' psychological development, Alvord says, especially for teens. "Are they losing friends or are they disconnected?" she says. "Because while we need to physically distance, we need to make sure we're all socially connected." says Alvord.
There are ways for kids to maintain friendships even with all the necessary precautions to avoid transmission. Alvord advises parents to encourage their children to connect whether it be physical distanced activities or online activities like video cuts, texting, phone calls and social media.
"I've noticed kids sitting outside on blankets, like one family on one blanket and another family on another blanket," she says. They can keep their distance, but still engage in group activities like blowing bubbles at each other. And, of course, if they're not six feet apart everyone should be wearing a mask. For older kids, Alvord says physical distancing walks and bike riding can be an opportunity both for physical exercise and for emotional bonding.
Encourage hobbies
With so many things that are beyond our control right now, Alvord suggests parents try discussing "some things their children can, in fact, control. For example, how they spend their time, what hobbies they engage in and enjoy, how they interact with family and friends, even what they can do to "stay safe."
"We want a proactive orientation," she says. "We don't want our kids to feel like victims." Kids can be encouraged to "play their guitar more, learn a new hobby, spend more time talking with their friends."
Have open and honest conversations
When children are clearly sad or upset, the best gift parents can give them is time, says psychiatrist Joshua Morganstein, who chairs a committee on the psychiatric dimensions of disaster for the American Psychiatric Association. "Sit with them and give them time, time to wait and listen to what they have to say." He says this lets the child know that, number one, they are "worth waiting for" and that you will try to understand what they're going through.
And be honest, he says, when talking with your child no matter what their age. That might mean admitting you don't know the answer to a question about the pandemic, and offering to look it up together. This models the attitude you want them to develop as they grow older, he says.
"Do I want them to make things up or pretend that they don't feel concerned about something? Or do I want them to go get some information, or to ask someone who maybe knows more about it? A trusted source, for example," he says.
Build a hopeful vision of the future
Being honest and direct is actually a way of teaching your child to feel hopeful, he says. "Hope isn't about pretending that everything's OK; it's about recognizing that things can be very, very difficult and that in the midst of all of that, we can still find ways to grow as individuals and as a family and to strengthen our connection with each other and with the people we care about."
Learning these things, he says can help "sustain a vision of a more hopeful future."


npr--2020-07-11--The Racial Justice Reckoning Over Sports Team Names Is Spreading

The Racial Justice Reckoning Over Sports Team Names Is Spreading Lots of people , especially many Native Americans , loathe the name of the Washington , D.C. , NFL team , the Redskins .
`` The origin of that name is rooted in murder and violence and genocide and hate , '' says Crystal Echo Hawk , the founder and CEO of the advocacy group IllumiNative .
`` It 's a dictionary-defined racial slur , full-stop . ''
Echo Hawk says a 30-year stalemate over the team name suddenly broke when the team 's corporate sponsors demanded a new name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
`` What changed was the murder of George Floyd , '' says Echo Hawk .
`` And it changed everything in this country . ''
That includes customer preferences .
Retailers from Amazon to Walmart have stopped selling the Washington team 's merchandise .
`` I think we 've reached a point where the Redskins name is now more of a burden than a benefit to the team , '' says Mike Lewis , a marketing professor at Emory University .
Lewis says this reckoning — he calls it a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started .
`` I 've been looking at this stuff for years and the Redskins has always been sort of the focal point for the controversy , '' he says .
`` The Indians second , the Chiefs probably third .
The Braves and the Blackhawks do n't take a lot of heat for whatever reason .
But at this point , I think all sorts of team names are now in play . ''
The Cleveland Indians have launched a formal name review .
That leaves primarily the Kansas City Chiefs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hockey team .
The three teams all claim to venerate Native Americans .
Crystal Echo Hawk says the names Braves , Blackhawks and Chiefs are not racial slurs , but they do carry baggage .
`` It 's the imagery that gets associated with those names .
It 's the racist fan behavior .
When a fan paints their face red , right ?
That is blackface .
Blackface is wrong .
We , I think most people in this country , get that now , '' says Echo Hawk .
Then there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans cleave the air while belting out a cartoonish `` war chant . ''
It 's a staple at Chiefs and Braves games , and many find it offensive .
While a number of universities and high schools have dropped Native American names in recent years , pro teams have n't .
For one thing , those team names — brands — are very lucrative .
Joe Favorito is a veteran sports marketing consultant who lectures at Columbia University .
He says changing team names is a risky , complex business , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dive in .
`` I think going forward , if you were a brand that wants to engage in a conversation with anybody below 35 , cause marketing and social responsibility is first , second or third , when you 're looking at return on investment .
Now , that was not the same four months ago , '' he says .
While the tide may be turning , retiring legacy sports names can still be rough for fans like Greg O'Neal .
`` I 'm a diehard Chiefs fan .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says emphatically .
`` I have a den .
Football season , it is full of everything Chiefs .
Chiefs autographed footballs , little cheerleaders , everything .
Ai n't no man 's den , it 's a Chiefs den , '' says O'Neal , chuckling with pride .
O'Neal is 62 .
He lights up talking about the Chiefs .
He 's followed them passionately his entire life .
His closets and drawers are full of Chiefs apparel .
Bring up the idea of changing his team 's name and O'Neal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's a hard conversation for him .
But O'Neal is also squarely against racist fan traditions .
After thinking it over for a few minutes , he falls on the side of changing the name .
`` As a Black man , the name should be changed , '' O'Neal says quietly .
`` But , you know , I 'll still be a fan .
It could be named anything , I 'll still be a fan of my home team . ''
The Kansas City Star editorial board is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chiefs , though that 's been largely drowned out by the team 's star quarterback Patrick Mahomes signing a half-billion-dollar contract to remain on the roster for 10 years .
In Chicago , Dan Bernstein , the midday host at the sports radio station 670 The Score , says that for many fans the Blackhawks name is less of an issue than its logo .
`` It 's a cartoon face of an Indian .
That 's what it is .
And there are many people who believe [ it 's ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Bernstein .
In Atlanta , the Braves say they 're reviewing the `` tomahawk chop '' at games , but keeping the name , at least for now .
Author Joe Posnanski , a life-long Cleveland Indians fan who writes for The Athletic , says that until recently , changing the name of his team was for him almost unthinkable .
`` One day it feels impossible .
And the next day it feels inevitable , '' he says .
`` And I think that 's what is happening now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflection point , with big-money corporate backers joining activists to demand change .

The Racial Justice Reckoning Over Sports Team Names Is Spreading
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick McDermott/Getty Images Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Lots of people, especially many Native Americans, loathe the name of the Washington, D.C., NFL team, the Redskins.
"The origin of that name is rooted in murder and violence and genocide and hate," says Crystal Echo Hawk, the founder and CEO of the advocacy group IllumiNative. "It's a dictionary-defined racial slur, full-stop."
Echo Hawk says a 30-year stalemate over the team name suddenly broke when the team's corporate sponsors demanded a new name, and the team agreed to consider it.
"What changed was the murder of George Floyd," says Echo Hawk. "And it changed everything in this country."
That includes customer preferences. Retailers from Amazon to Walmart have stopped selling the Washington team's merchandise.
"I think we've reached a point where the Redskins name is now more of a burden than a benefit to the team," says Mike Lewis, a marketing professor at Emory University.
Lewis says this reckoning — he calls it a "purity spiral" — is just getting started.
"I've been looking at this stuff for years and the Redskins has always been sort of the focal point for the controversy," he says. "The Indians second, the Chiefs probably third. The Braves and the Blackhawks don't take a lot of heat for whatever reason. But at this point, I think all sorts of team names are now in play."
The Cleveland Indians have launched a formal name review.
That leaves primarily the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. The three teams all claim to venerate Native Americans.
Crystal Echo Hawk says the names Braves, Blackhawks and Chiefs are not racial slurs, but they do carry baggage.
"It's the imagery that gets associated with those names. It's the racist fan behavior. When a fan paints their face red, right? That is blackface. Blackface is wrong. We, I think most people in this country, get that now," says Echo Hawk.
Then there's the "tomahawk chop" where fans cleave the air while belting out a cartoonish "war chant." It's a staple at Chiefs and Braves games, and many find it offensive.
While a number of universities and high schools have dropped Native American names in recent years, pro teams haven't.
For one thing, those team names — brands — are very lucrative.
Joe Favorito is a veteran sports marketing consultant who lectures at Columbia University. He says changing team names is a risky, complex business, but some teams now have little choice but to dive in.
"I think going forward, if you were a brand that wants to engage in a conversation with anybody below 35, cause marketing and social responsibility is first, second or third, when you're looking at return on investment. Now, that was not the same four months ago," he says.
While the tide may be turning, retiring legacy sports names can still be rough for fans like Greg O'Neal.
"I'm a diehard Chiefs fan. I am a diehard Chiefs fan," he says emphatically. "I have a den. Football season, it is full of everything Chiefs. Chiefs autographed footballs, little cheerleaders, everything. Ain't no man's den, it's a Chiefs den," says O'Neal, chuckling with pride.
O'Neal is 62. He lights up talking about the Chiefs. He's followed them passionately his entire life. His closets and drawers are full of Chiefs apparel.
Bring up the idea of changing his team's name and O'Neal slumps in his chair, looking crestfallen. It's a hard conversation for him. But O'Neal is also squarely against racist fan traditions. After thinking it over for a few minutes, he falls on the side of changing the name.
"As a Black man, the name should be changed," O'Neal says quietly. "But, you know, I'll still be a fan. It could be named anything, I'll still be a fan of my home team."
The Kansas City Star editorial board is trying to spark a conversation over renaming the Chiefs, though that's been largely drowned out by the team's star quarterback Patrick Mahomes signing a half-billion-dollar contract to remain on the roster for 10 years.
In Chicago, Dan Bernstein, the midday host at the sports radio station 670 The Score, says that for many fans the Blackhawks name is less of an issue than its logo.
"It's a cartoon face of an Indian. That's what it is. And there are many people who believe [it's] not OK. People aren't mascots," says Bernstein.
In Atlanta, the Braves say they're reviewing the "tomahawk chop" at games, but keeping the name, at least for now.
Author Joe Posnanski, a life-long Cleveland Indians fan who writes for The Athletic, says that until recently, changing the name of his team was for him almost unthinkable.
"One day it feels impossible. And the next day it feels inevitable," he says. "And I think that's what is happening now."
And it does feel like an inflection point, with big-money corporate backers joining activists to demand change.