npr--2020-06-26--Lockdown In Lockup: A Prisoner At Sing Sing On Life During The COVID-19 Crisis

Lockdown In Lockup : A Prisoner At Sing Sing On Life During The COVID-19 Crisis Mohammed Monsuri is an incarcerated student and musician who is serving a 25-year sentence at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining , N.Y .
In this essay , dictated to journalist Daniel A .
Gross , Monsuri writes about the impact of the coronavirus inside the prison system .
You can hear him in conversation with Robert Pollock , his friend and manager of PEN America 's Prison Writing Program , at the audio link above .
On March 11 , at around 10:30 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sing Sing Law Library with a couple other incarcerated men .
We were talking idly about something called the coronavirus , but not taking it too seriously .
`` Things like that do n't generally affect prisoners , '' was the general consensus among us .
A few weeks later , one of the guys I was walking with that day became the first person to die from the coronavirus pandemic in the New York prison system .
COVID-19 has become a new tragic moment in American history , akin to the Civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 .
The reach of this pandemic seems limitless .
In Sing Sing Correctional Facility — where I 'm currently serving 25 years for attempted murder , and where I have tried to change as a person instead of making excuses for my past — the coronavirus has killed four people .
This is my attempt to chronicle the story of people that society tends to forget .
After walking back to our cells for the morning count that day in March , the facility announced that all vocational and school programs were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Uh oh , '' I thought .
That usually means a facility lockdown is coming .
Guys started rushing to get things ready — buckets of water , extra toilet paper — to weather the circumstances that come with being locked in a cell continuously for days or weeks on end .
Some of the guys started floating the idea that this was in response to the coronavirus .
Truth be told , I was relieved when I heard that , because the little I knew about COVID-19 convinced me that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an excuse to shut the prison down .
During a normal lockdown , visits are usually still run , so guys have their people visit them constantly , to break the monotony of looking at their cell walls all day long .
The guys who were still out of their cells that morning made calls home to let their families know what 's what , and to get ready to come up and visit them .
Four days later , on March 15 , all visits were suspended .
This gave pause to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits are dead ? ''
guys kept asking .
Everybody had questions .
Nobody had answers .
On the same day , one of the guys who walked back with me on March 11 was admitted to the hospital for respiratory problems .
Juan Mosquero was a 58-year-old law library porter , a quiet , unassuming man with a pencil-thin mustache , who always greeted people with `` God bless you , brother . ''
The next day , on March 16 , all academic and vocational programs were suspended indefinitely .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
Two days after that , on the 20th , all religious services were shut down as well .
No movement .
No visits .
No church .
No jumah , or Friday prayers .
News outlets were now reporting that America was within the grips of a pandemic .
`` Is n't this like SARS or MERS ? ''
the more informed of us suggested .
Nobody had answers .
What seemed like conspiracies a few days ago now began to seem like credible information .
The feeling was that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real world , and in no time , it would make its way in here .
Commissary was one of the few things still running , and very quickly , they ran out of vitamin C and garlic , aka jailhouse penicillin .
As the media described the symptoms of COVID-19 , I started to worry about infections .
I knew the mess hall had to be dangerous , so I started limiting my visits and tried to portion out my store-bought food items .
Other guys tried to petition the administration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and to allow masks to be sent in from home .
The administration did start to take the officers ' temperature .
But because masks were limited at the time , they could n't require the officers to wear them .
They would not let prisoners receive masks sent from home .
On March 30 , Juan Mosquero became the first casualty in the New York state prison system to die from complications of COVID-19 .
The next day , Sing Sing posted New York State Department of Health protocols , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to interact with individuals within 6 feet should wear a face mask while working for 14 days following the last exposure . ''
The officers were now wearing masks .
During this time , more people started developing symptoms that indicated possible infection with the coronavirus .
A housing block was turned into a makeshift quarantine recovery area , as more and more people started testing positive .
One gentleman from my block was quarantined after he tested positive .
A few days later , I witnessed guards carrying another man with respiratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
Other guys started talking about feeling weird , losing their sense of taste and sense of smell .
I put up sheets in front of my bars in an effort to block the errant coughs and sneezes that were happening all around me .
Another guy I know started to have trouble breathing in early April .
`` I woke up in my cell ... with a shortness of breath and night sweats .
I called the officer and he escorted me to the hospital , '' he told me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and smell , and I was constantly fatigued .
They put me on antiviral drug treatment . ''
He lost more than a dozen pounds during his time in the infirmary and , later , in quarantine .
I was able to interview him because he eventually recovered .
As for the two people in my block , one of them also recovered .
I do n't know yet about the other one .
What makes this pandemic so scary is all the unknown factors .
After guards emptied out one inmate 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had passed from COVID-19 .
In fact , he had to be admitted to hospice , because he was so ill .
I still do n't know about his well-being .
On April 22 , I read the New York Daily News and learned that Leonard Carter died on April 14 of COVID-19 while in Queensboro Correctional Facility .
Mr. Carter , as I used to call him , taught me to really play chess .
I did n't even know he was in another jail , and now he 's dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into months , not knowing becomes the new normal .
The courts are closed , and the only thing running in here is the rec yard .
Nerves are frayed as we adjust to a new normal in here .
Thankfully , kind souls donated masks for us , and now we are required to wear them when we use the phone or go to the hospital .
There has been an attempt at social distancing , but how does that really work in an enclosed environment ?
As we are all doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , George Floyd is murdered .
`` Did you see the news ? ''
somebody asked me .
`` They killed another unarmed Black man . ''
We almost forgot while dealing with the coronavirus that there is another virus : systemic racism .
There are those who say there is no problem of systemic racism .
Some of them may have also downplayed the severity of COVID-19 .
The cost of this denial is carried by Black and brown bodies .
As I head into the summer of 2020 , I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't know .
I do n't know where my friend is , or how he is .
I do n't know when we 'll get our visits back .
I also do n't know if the people who I see on TV , who commit the same crimes that some guys in here are doing serious time for , will ever be brought to justice .
The world now seems to me a place of endless unknown variables .
The only thing I can do now is to mirror what I believe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bearing witness .
This audio story was produced by Daniel A .
Gross for Radio Diaries , with help from Sarah Kate Kramer , Joe Richman and Nellie Gilles .
It was edited by Deborah George and Ben Shapiro .
We also had help from Connor Donevan .

Lockdown In Lockup: A Prisoner At Sing Sing On Life During The COVID-19 Crisis
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lisa R. Cohen Lisa R. Cohen
Mohammed Monsuri is an incarcerated student and musician who is serving a 25-year sentence at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, N.Y. In this essay, dictated to journalist Daniel A. Gross, Monsuri writes about the impact of the coronavirus inside the prison system. You can hear him in conversation with Robert Pollock, his friend and manager of PEN America's Prison Writing Program, at the audio link above.
On March 11, at around 10:30 a.m., I was walking back from the Sing Sing Law Library with a couple other incarcerated men. We were talking idly about something called the coronavirus, but not taking it too seriously.
"Things like that don't generally affect prisoners," was the general consensus among us.
A few weeks later, one of the guys I was walking with that day became the first person to die from the coronavirus pandemic in the New York prison system.
COVID-19 has become a new tragic moment in American history, akin to the Civil War, the Great Depression and Sept. 11. The reach of this pandemic seems limitless.
In Sing Sing Correctional Facility — where I'm currently serving 25 years for attempted murder, and where I have tried to change as a person instead of making excuses for my past — the coronavirus has killed four people. This is my attempt to chronicle the story of people that society tends to forget.
Hunker Down Diaries Hunker Down Diaries is a new series from Radio Diaries, sharing short diaries and conversations between people thrown together by the pandemic. Stories about ordinary life in extraordinary times. To hear more stories from the Hunker Down Diaries series, subscribe to the Radio Diaries Podcast.
After walking back to our cells for the morning count that day in March, the facility announced that all vocational and school programs were terminated for the rest of the day.
"Uh oh," I thought. That usually means a facility lockdown is coming. Guys started rushing to get things ready — buckets of water, extra toilet paper — to weather the circumstances that come with being locked in a cell continuously for days or weeks on end.
Some of the guys started floating the idea that this was in response to the coronavirus. Truth be told, I was relieved when I heard that, because the little I knew about COVID-19 convinced me that this was just a precautionary scare, an excuse to shut the prison down.
During a normal lockdown, visits are usually still run, so guys have their people visit them constantly, to break the monotony of looking at their cell walls all day long. The guys who were still out of their cells that morning made calls home to let their families know what's what, and to get ready to come up and visit them.
Four days later, on March 15, all visits were suspended. This gave pause to everyone. "What do you mean visits are dead?" guys kept asking. Everybody had questions. Nobody had answers.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Lennihan/AP Mark Lennihan/AP
On the same day, one of the guys who walked back with me on March 11 was admitted to the hospital for respiratory problems. Juan Mosquero was a 58-year-old law library porter, a quiet, unassuming man with a pencil-thin mustache, who always greeted people with "God bless you, brother."
The next day, on March 16, all academic and vocational programs were suspended indefinitely. Two days later, the chapel was shut down. Two days after that, on the 20th, all religious services were shut down as well. No movement. No visits. No church. No jumah, or Friday prayers. News outlets were now reporting that America was within the grips of a pandemic.
"Isn't this like SARS or MERS?" the more informed of us suggested. Nobody had answers. What seemed like conspiracies a few days ago now began to seem like credible information. The feeling was that there was a serious bug out in the real world, and in no time, it would make its way in here.
Commissary was one of the few things still running, and very quickly, they ran out of vitamin C and garlic, aka jailhouse penicillin. As the media described the symptoms of COVID-19, I started to worry about infections. I knew the mess hall had to be dangerous, so I started limiting my visits and tried to portion out my store-bought food items.
Other guys tried to petition the administration to require masks for at least the officers, and to allow masks to be sent in from home. The administration did start to take the officers' temperature.
But because masks were limited at the time, they couldn't require the officers to wear them. They would not let prisoners receive masks sent from home.
On March 30, Juan Mosquero became the first casualty in the New York state prison system to die from complications of COVID-19.
The next day, Sing Sing posted New York State Department of Health protocols, which included the following: "Personnel required to interact with individuals within 6 feet should wear a face mask while working for 14 days following the last exposure." The officers were now wearing masks.
During this time, more people started developing symptoms that indicated possible infection with the coronavirus. A housing block was turned into a makeshift quarantine recovery area, as more and more people started testing positive.
One gentleman from my block was quarantined after he tested positive. A few days later, I witnessed guards carrying another man with respiratory problems out of his cell late at night.
Other guys started talking about feeling weird, losing their sense of taste and sense of smell. I put up sheets in front of my bars in an effort to block the errant coughs and sneezes that were happening all around me.
Another guy I know started to have trouble breathing in early April.
"I woke up in my cell ... with a shortness of breath and night sweats. I called the officer and he escorted me to the hospital," he told me. "I lost my sense of taste and smell, and I was constantly fatigued. They put me on antiviral drug treatment."
He lost more than a dozen pounds during his time in the infirmary and, later, in quarantine.
I was able to interview him because he eventually recovered. As for the two people in my block, one of them also recovered. I don't know yet about the other one.
What makes this pandemic so scary is all the unknown factors. After guards emptied out one inmate's cell, a rumor began circulating that he had passed from COVID-19. In fact, he had to be admitted to hospice, because he was so ill. I still don't know about his well-being.
On April 22, I read the New York Daily News and learned that Leonard Carter died on April 14 of COVID-19 while in Queensboro Correctional Facility. Mr. Carter, as I used to call him, taught me to really play chess. I didn't even know he was in another jail, and now he's dead, too.
As the weeks turn into months, not knowing becomes the new normal. The courts are closed, and the only thing running in here is the rec yard. Nerves are frayed as we adjust to a new normal in here.
Thankfully, kind souls donated masks for us, and now we are required to wear them when we use the phone or go to the hospital. There has been an attempt at social distancing, but how does that really work in an enclosed environment?
As we are all doing this as individuals and as a nation, George Floyd is murdered.
"Did you see the news?" somebody asked me. "They killed another unarmed Black man."
We almost forgot while dealing with the coronavirus that there is another virus: systemic racism. There are those who say there is no problem of systemic racism. Some of them may have also downplayed the severity of COVID-19. The cost of this denial is carried by Black and brown bodies.
As I head into the summer of 2020, I know there is a lot that I don't know. I don't know where my friend is, or how he is. I don't know when we'll get our visits back. I also don't know if the people who I see on TV, who commit the same crimes that some guys in here are doing serious time for, will ever be brought to justice.
The world now seems to me a place of endless unknown variables. The only thing I can do now is to mirror what I believe the whole world is now engaged in: bearing witness.
This audio story was produced by Daniel A. Gross for Radio Diaries, with help from Sarah Kate Kramer, Joe Richman and Nellie Gilles. It was edited by Deborah George and Ben Shapiro. We also had help from Connor Donevan.


npr--2020-06-26--Planned Parenthood Elevates Interim CEO Alexis McGill Johnson To Permanent Status

Planned Parenthood has named interim President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson as its new permanent leader in a bid to bring stability to the health care provider that has come under repeated attacks by conservative groups .
McGill Johnson will continue to lead both Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the organization 's advocacy arm , the Planned Parenthood Action Fund .
McGill Johnson has been Planned Parenthood 's interim leader for almost a year .
She took over the position following the abrupt removal of its former president , Leana Wen , last summer after less than 12 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` philosophical differences '' between her and members of Planned Parenthood 's board of directors .
But there were also questions about her leadership style and whether Wen , who had been Baltimore 's public health commissioner , was the best fit for the job .
Planned Parenthood faced those internal issues while also coming under attack by the Trump administration as well as state legislatures that have sought to pass severely restrictive abortion bans .
As NPR 's Sarah McCammon has reported , `` Many Planned Parenthood clinics provide abortions along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal funds to pay for abortions is prohibited in most cases . ''
One month after Wen 's departure , Planned Parenthood opted to withdraw from the federal government 's Title X family planning program rather than follow new Trump administration rules that sought to bar recipients from offering direct abortion referrals .
`` Since I stepped into the acting role last year , Planned Parenthood has battled serious threats to patients ' care , '' McGill Johnson said Friday , `` from the exclusion of Planned Parenthood providers from Title X funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to abortion and reproductive health care . ''

Planned Parenthood Elevates Interim CEO Alexis McGill Johnson To Permanent Status
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marlena Sloss/The Washington Post via Getty Images Marlena Sloss/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Planned Parenthood has named interim President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson as its new permanent leader in a bid to bring stability to the health care provider that has come under repeated attacks by conservative groups.
McGill Johnson will continue to lead both Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the organization's advocacy arm, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
McGill Johnson has been Planned Parenthood's interim leader for almost a year. She took over the position following the abrupt removal of its former president, Leana Wen, last summer after less than 12 months in the top role.
Wen cited "philosophical differences" between her and members of Planned Parenthood's board of directors. But there were also questions about her leadership style and whether Wen, who had been Baltimore's public health commissioner, was the best fit for the job.
Planned Parenthood faced those internal issues while also coming under attack by the Trump administration as well as state legislatures that have sought to pass severely restrictive abortion bans.
As NPR's Sarah McCammon has reported, "Many Planned Parenthood clinics provide abortions along with other reproductive health services, but using federal funds to pay for abortions is prohibited in most cases."
One month after Wen's departure, Planned Parenthood opted to withdraw from the federal government's Title X family planning program rather than follow new Trump administration rules that sought to bar recipients from offering direct abortion referrals.
"Since I stepped into the acting role last year, Planned Parenthood has battled serious threats to patients' care," McGill Johnson said Friday, "from the exclusion of Planned Parenthood providers from Title X funding to states' continued efforts to limit access to abortion and reproductive health care."


npr--2020-06-26--After Ahmaud Arbery's Killing, Georgia Governor Signs Hate Crimes Legislation

The killing of Ahmaud Arbery , a 25-year-old Black man shot dead while jogging in February , drew nationwide attention and energized efforts to pass this law .
Ahead of the signing on Friday , Kemp called House Bill 426 a `` silver lining '' amid difficult and stormy times .
`` There are plenty of disagreements and division , but today we stand together as Republicans and Democrats , Black and white , male and female ... to affirm a simple but powerful motto , Georgia is a state too great to hate , '' Kemp said .
Until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four states without a hate crimes law , according to the U.S. Department of Justice .
This type of law criminalizes acts motivated by aspects of a victim 's identity such as race , religion , sexual orientation or disability .
The Georgia Supreme Court had struck down a previous law in 2004 .
Georgia Public Broadcasting reported the state 's high court had ruled that the law was too vague .
Three white men , including a retired police officer , have been indicted in connection with Arbery 's death and charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in May it is assessing evidence to determine if hate crime charges were appropriate .
A version of the bill had previously passed the state House of Representatives in March 2019 but stalled in the Senate .
When lawmakers returned this month from a three-month hiatus due to COVID-19 , they revived the legislation .
The final version of the law also mandates the creation of a state database tracking hate crimes .
Although the bill passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support , Georgia Public Broadcasting reported , passage of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR member station said state Lt. Gov .
Geoff Duncan attempted to put forth `` his own measure that would create a separate hate crime charge and tougher penalties than the House bill . ''
That attempt failed .
Senate Republicans last week added first responders as a protected class .
Ahead of the signing of the legislation , Republican Rep. Chuck Efstration , the bill 's lead sponsor , praised the final product .
`` The inability to call particularly heinous crimes appropriately is a loss to all Georgians , '' Efstration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be classified properly . ''
The Republican governor also praised the bill as a bipartisan effort .
`` This bipartisan legislation is a powerful step forward .
It 's a sign of progress , and it 's a milestone worth applauding , '' Kemp said .

After Ahmaud Arbery's Killing, Georgia Governor Signs Hate Crimes Legislation
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen B. Morton/AP Stephen B. Morton/AP
Updated at 5:20 p.m. ET
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday signed a hate crimes bill into law.
The killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man shot dead while jogging in February, drew nationwide attention and energized efforts to pass this law.
Ahead of the signing on Friday, Kemp called House Bill 426 a "silver lining" amid difficult and stormy times.
"There are plenty of disagreements and division, but today we stand together as Republicans and Democrats, Black and white, male and female ... to affirm a simple but powerful motto, Georgia is a state too great to hate," Kemp said.
Until Friday, Georgia had been one of four states without a hate crimes law, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. This type of law criminalizes acts motivated by aspects of a victim's identity such as race, religion, sexual orientation or disability. The Georgia Supreme Court had struck down a previous law in 2004. Georgia Public Broadcasting reported the state's high court had ruled that the law was too vague.
Three white men, including a retired police officer, have been indicted in connection with Arbery's death and charged with felony murder. The Justice Department said in May it is assessing evidence to determine if hate crime charges were appropriate.
A version of the bill had previously passed the state House of Representatives in March 2019 but stalled in the Senate. When lawmakers returned this month from a three-month hiatus due to COVID-19, they revived the legislation.
The final version of the law also mandates the creation of a state database tracking hate crimes.
Although the bill passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support, Georgia Public Broadcasting reported, passage of the legislation was not always guaranteed.
The NPR member station said state Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan attempted to put forth "his own measure that would create a separate hate crime charge and tougher penalties than the House bill." That attempt failed.
Senate Republicans last week added first responders as a protected class.
Ahead of the signing of the legislation, Republican Rep. Chuck Efstration, the bill's lead sponsor, praised the final product.
"The inability to call particularly heinous crimes appropriately is a loss to all Georgians," Efstration said. "Specific offenses may now be classified properly."
The Republican governor also praised the bill as a bipartisan effort.
"This bipartisan legislation is a powerful step forward. It's a sign of progress, and it's a milestone worth applauding," Kemp said.


npr--2020-06-26--Federal Agency Tells Employees 'No Reference To Anything COVID Related'

Federal Agency Tells Employees 'No Reference To Anything COVID Related' A federal fisheries management agency has barred some of its employees from making formal references to the COVID-19 pandemic without preapproval from leadership , according to an internal agency document .
The National Marine Fisheries Service , part of the Commerce Department , manages federal fish stocks in partnership with appointed regional councils .
Fishing crews and seafood businesses have been asking the agency to relax regulations as the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated their operations .
There have also been outbreaks among industry workers .
The National Marine Fisheries Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says it applies to the agency 's formal rules and management announcements .
The four-page memo says the agency 's `` preferred approach '' is making `` no reference to anything COVID related , '' and it offers preapproved replacement phrases such as `` in these extraordinary times . ''
`` This option assumes that the action can be supported by using facts , impacts , etc.
, that we would also use under normal circumstances , '' the memo says .
`` No reference to any stay-at-home orders , travel restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The memo outlines a second option to be used on a `` limited basis '' when requests or comments require `` some reference to the current situation . ''
It offers preapproved phrases such as `` due to existing health mandates and travel restrictions , '' though it says even minor changes require agency review .
A final option allows direct mention of COVID-19 or the pandemic on an `` extremely limited basis '' with leadership approval .
Spokesman John Ewald did not explain why the agency wants to avoid mentioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said the memo is meant to `` ensure timely and consistent rulemakings during COVID-19 , '' and he noted the agency has been posting pandemic-related information on its website .
The internal memo is `` mystifying , '' says Linda Behnken , who heads the Alaska Longline Fishermen 's Association .
She finds the rationale hard to explain , `` other than , possibly , this administration is ready to move on and does n't really want to be focused on the pandemic anymore . ''
It 's not clear whether other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But President Trump has consistently played down the threat from the coronavirus and suggested early on that it will `` disappear . ''
He recently said he wants less testing for the coronavirus and has urged cities and states to open up despite a dramatic rise in the number of cases .
In Alaska , an announcement that National Marine Fisheries Service is waiving requirements that federal monitors be on board some vessels to collect data and ensure compliance did mention the COVID-19 pandemic .
But those words are not used in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced in the Federal Register this week .
It aims to reduce the risk of fishing crews spreading COVID-19 , but it only refers generally to `` government mandates and travel restrictions . ''

Federal Agency Tells Employees 'No Reference To Anything COVID Related'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nat Herz/Alaska's Energy Desk Nat Herz/Alaska's Energy Desk
A federal fisheries management agency has barred some of its employees from making formal references to the COVID-19 pandemic without preapproval from leadership, according to an internal agency document.
The National Marine Fisheries Service, part of the Commerce Department, manages federal fish stocks in partnership with appointed regional councils. Fishing crews and seafood businesses have been asking the agency to relax regulations as the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated their operations. There have also been outbreaks among industry workers.
The National Marine Fisheries Service's guidance document, dated June 22, says it applies to the agency's formal rules and management announcements.
The four-page memo says the agency's "preferred approach" is making "no reference to anything COVID related," and it offers preapproved replacement phrases such as "in these extraordinary times."
"This option assumes that the action can be supported by using facts, impacts, etc., that we would also use under normal circumstances," the memo says. "No reference to any stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions, or anything COVID related is needed."
The memo outlines a second option to be used on a "limited basis" when requests or comments require "some reference to the current situation." It offers preapproved phrases such as "due to existing health mandates and travel restrictions," though it says even minor changes require agency review.
A final option allows direct mention of COVID-19 or the pandemic on an "extremely limited basis" with leadership approval.
Spokesman John Ewald did not explain why the agency wants to avoid mentioning the pandemic. In a statement, he said the memo is meant to "ensure timely and consistent rulemakings during COVID-19," and he noted the agency has been posting pandemic-related information on its website.
The internal memo is "mystifying," says Linda Behnken, who heads the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association. She finds the rationale hard to explain, "other than, possibly, this administration is ready to move on and doesn't really want to be focused on the pandemic anymore."
It's not clear whether other agencies are also banning pandemic-related language. But President Trump has consistently played down the threat from the coronavirus and suggested early on that it will "disappear." He recently said he wants less testing for the coronavirus and has urged cities and states to open up despite a dramatic rise in the number of cases.
In Alaska, an announcement that National Marine Fisheries Service is waiving requirements that federal monitors be on board some vessels to collect data and ensure compliance did mention the COVID-19 pandemic. But those words are not used in a different, temporary rule that was formally announced in the Federal Register this week. It aims to reduce the risk of fishing crews spreading COVID-19, but it only refers generally to "government mandates and travel restrictions."


npr--2020-06-26--Pro Basketball Is Returning To Florida As The Coronavirus Surges

Pro Basketball Is Returning To Florida As The Coronavirus Surges Ready or not , the NBA restart is a go .
It appears the league is as ready as it can be to play three months of basketball inside a protective bubble near Orlando , Fla. , while on the outside coronavirus cases currently soar .
Whether it 's a success – at this point all one can do is dust off the oldest of clichés .
The NBA and its players union , the National Basketball Players Association , announced Friday they 've finalized a plan for 22 teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing games that count , on July 30 .
Everyone will live and play on a `` campus '' at Walt Disney World Resort .
Games will take place in three separate arenas without fans in attendance .
The NBA and union have agreed on a comprehensive set of health and safety measures to try to keep players and all NBA staff as safe as possible in the midst of the pandemic .
The hundred-plus page protocol covers every possible aspect of a protected life in the bubble while acknowledging that protection might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible that staff , players , or other participants may test positive or contract the coronavirus , '' the document reads .
`` The occurrence of a small or otherwise expected number of COVID-19 cases will not require a decision to suspend or cancel the resumption of the 2019-20 season . ''
Key phrase there , obviously — `` small or otherwise expected . ''
Judging by a first round of mandatory testing , in advance of the restart , the situation so far seems manageable .
Sixteen NBA players tested positive out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the Florida bubble , some within the league believe the numbers will be even lower .
`` I think the precautions the NBA is taking to enhance the safety of the bubble participants are nothing short of extraordinary , '' an unnamed team general manager told The Athletic in an anonymous poll of general managers .
`` Once [ everyone is ] on campus , I think [ people within the league ] will appreciate the NBA 's work on this . ''
Others are n't as certain .
`` If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to happen , '' another general manager said .
`` I 'm really , really concerned for the league big-picture wise in many , many ways . ''
Some players have expressed concerns about the resort staff members , including housekeepers , who wo n't live in the bubble .
Most wo n't be tested .
`` Everything that we know about Disney , and we 've read over the years , `` a team athletic trainer told ESPN , `` is that you do n't realize how many thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the magic behind it all — the amount of staff and the amount of services that they provide .
And they 're in and out of the bubble . ''
In response to concerns , National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts said if necessary , the union and the NBA will try to put more restrictions on `` third parties '' getting access to the bubble .
The health and safety protocol requires Disney staff members to wear masks and maintain social distancing if they 're in the same area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms when players and NBA staff are n't there .
In a media conference call later Friday , NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that `` we are continuing to work with Disney on the testing of at least a subset of their employees that could potentially be in the same room with our players and anyone else who 's tested daily on our campus . ''
`` So we are satisfied that once we work through those additional measures with Disney , we will continue to have a safe setting for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silver acknowledged his level of concern has increased in recent days .
`` Not just because of the increased [ cases of COVID-19 ] in Florida , '' he said , `` but throughout the country .
At least today I believe 29 of the 50 states have an increased number of cases . ''
Silver was asked what happens if the bubble does n't work .
If instead of a small number of infections , there 's an outbreak .
`` If we were to have significant spread of coronavirus through our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stopping , '' he said .
`` But we 're working closely with the players ' association , with Disney and public health officials in Florida as to what that line should be , and it has n't been precisely designed .
I think we just want to get down on the ground and start to see how our testing [ daily , at least at the start ] is working and how the protocols are working and then we 'll make decisions as we go .
`` One thing we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unpredictable .
We 're not saying full steam ahead no matter what happens .
We all talk daily , and we 're going to see how this continues to play out , but we feel very comfortable right now with where we are . ''
Another element of Friday 's finalized agreement is n't pandemic-related but just as important to many players .
It 's a plan for taking collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice .
Since the police killing of George Floyd in late May , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and speaking out on social issues .
Some players believe the Florida restart could detract and distract from efforts at social reform .
But Silver said the restart will provide a platform to address social justice issues .
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association reportedly have discussed plans for more Black representation around the league , involvement of more Black-owned and operated businesses , and a foundation that would increase educational and economic development opportunities in Black communities .
The NBA has been the most progressive of all the major pro sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the comprehensive health and safety protocol , all are waiting to see if the social reform agenda also proves to be more than a grand plan .

Pro Basketball Is Returning To Florida As The Coronavirus Surges
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick Smith/Getty Images Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Updated at 7:54 p.m. ET
Ready or not, the NBA restart is a go.
It appears the league is as ready as it can be to play three months of basketball inside a protective bubble near Orlando, Fla., while on the outside coronavirus cases currently soar.
Whether it's a success – at this point all one can do is dust off the oldest of clichés.
Time will tell.
The NBA and its players union, the National Basketball Players Association, announced Friday they've finalized a plan for 22 teams to arrive around July 7 and start playing games that count, on July 30. Everyone will live and play on a "campus" at Walt Disney World Resort. Games will take place in three separate arenas without fans in attendance.
The NBA and union have agreed on a comprehensive set of health and safety measures to try to keep players and all NBA staff as safe as possible in the midst of the pandemic. The hundred-plus page protocol covers every possible aspect of a protected life in the bubble while acknowledging that protection might not be perfect.
"It's possible that staff, players, or other participants may test positive or contract the coronavirus," the document reads. "The occurrence of a small or otherwise expected number of COVID-19 cases will not require a decision to suspend or cancel the resumption of the 2019-20 season."
Key phrase there, obviously — "small or otherwise expected."
Judging by a first round of mandatory testing, in advance of the restart, the situation so far seems manageable. Sixteen NBA players tested positive out of 302 screened on Tuesday.
Once inside the Florida bubble, some within the league believe the numbers will be even lower.
"I think the precautions the NBA is taking to enhance the safety of the bubble participants are nothing short of extraordinary," an unnamed team general manager told The Athletic in an anonymous poll of general managers. "Once [everyone is] on campus, I think [people within the league] will appreciate the NBA's work on this."
Others aren't as certain.
"If the cases keep spiking in Florida, things are going to happen," another general manager said. "I'm really, really concerned for the league big-picture wise in many, many ways."
Some players have expressed concerns about the resort staff members, including housekeepers, who won't live in the bubble. Most won't be tested.
"Everything that we know about Disney, and we've read over the years, " a team athletic trainer told ESPN, "is that you don't realize how many thousands of people work there, right? That's the magic behind it all — the amount of staff and the amount of services that they provide. And they're in and out of the bubble."
In response to concerns, National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts said if necessary, the union and the NBA will try to put more restrictions on "third parties" getting access to the bubble.
The health and safety protocol requires Disney staff members to wear masks and maintain social distancing if they're in the same area with NBA personnel. Housekeepers will clean rooms when players and NBA staff aren't there.
In a media conference call later Friday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that "we are continuing to work with Disney on the testing of at least a subset of their employees that could potentially be in the same room with our players and anyone else who's tested daily on our campus."
"So we are satisfied that once we work through those additional measures with Disney, we will continue to have a safe setting for us to resume our season."
Still, Silver acknowledged his level of concern has increased in recent days.
"Not just because of the increased [cases of COVID-19] in Florida," he said, "but throughout the country. At least today I believe 29 of the 50 states have an increased number of cases."
Silver was asked what happens if the bubble doesn't work. If instead of a small number of infections, there's an outbreak.
"If we were to have significant spread of coronavirus through our community, that ultimately might lead us to stopping," he said.
"But we're working closely with the players' association, with Disney and public health officials in Florida as to what that line should be, and it hasn't been precisely designed. I think we just want to get down on the ground and start to see how our testing [daily, at least at the start] is working and how the protocols are working and then we'll make decisions as we go.
"One thing we're learning with this virus is so much is unpredictable. We're not saying full steam ahead no matter what happens. We all talk daily, and we're going to see how this continues to play out, but we feel very comfortable right now with where we are."
Another element of Friday's finalized agreement isn't pandemic-related but just as important to many players. It's a plan for taking collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.
Since the police killing of George Floyd in late May, many players have gotten directly involved in protesting and speaking out on social issues. Some players believe the Florida restart could detract and distract from efforts at social reform.
But Silver said the restart will provide a platform to address social justice issues.
The NBA and National Basketball Players Association reportedly have discussed plans for more Black representation around the league, involvement of more Black-owned and operated businesses, and a foundation that would increase educational and economic development opportunities in Black communities.
The NBA has been the most progressive of all the major pro sports leagues in this country. But as with the comprehensive health and safety protocol, all are waiting to see if the social reform agenda also proves to be more than a grand plan.


npr--2020-06-26--Danish Prime Minister Postpones Wedding For EU Coronavirus Meeting

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has postponed her wedding due to a European Council meeting to discuss coronavirus recovery efforts and budget issues .
The meeting was scheduled for July 17 , which , according to Frederiksen , was the day she and her fiance Bo Tengberg were supposed to get married .
It will be the first time EU leaders convene in person since the start of the pandemic .
`` I 'm so looking forward to marrying this man , '' Frederiksen wrote in an Instagram post , according to a translation from CNN .
`` The Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Saturday in July when we had planned our wedding .
Damn .
But , I have to do my job and protect Denmark 's interests . ''
As of Friday , Denmark has seen 12,875 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 604 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Frederiksen is a member of the country 's center-left Social Democratic party , and was the youngest-ever prime minister to be elected in Denmark .
She led an effort to reopen Denmark 's schools in April , which caused some controversy at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly Frederiksen 's marriage to Tengberg will take place .
According to The Guardian , this is the third time the pair have postponed their nuptials .
`` I look forward to saying yes to Bo ( who fortunately is very patient ) , '' she said in her post .

Danish Prime Minister Postpones Wedding For EU Coronavirus Meeting
Enlarge this image toggle caption NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has postponed her wedding due to a European Council meeting to discuss coronavirus recovery efforts and budget issues.
The meeting was scheduled for July 17, which, according to Frederiksen, was the day she and her fiance Bo Tengberg were supposed to get married. It will be the first time EU leaders convene in person since the start of the pandemic.
"I'm so looking forward to marrying this man," Frederiksen wrote in an Instagram post, according to a translation from CNN. "The Council meeting in Brussels has been convened exactly on the Saturday in July when we had planned our wedding. Damn. But, I have to do my job and protect Denmark's interests."
As of Friday, Denmark has seen 12,875 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 604 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Frederiksen is a member of the country's center-left Social Democratic party, and was the youngest-ever prime minister to be elected in Denmark. She led an effort to reopen Denmark's schools in April, which caused some controversy at the time.
It is unclear when exactly Frederiksen's marriage to Tengberg will take place. According to The Guardian, this is the third time the pair have postponed their nuptials.
"I look forward to saying yes to Bo (who fortunately is very patient)," she said in her post.


npr--2020-06-26--Report On Deadly COVID-19 Outbreak At Holyoke Soldiers' Home: 'Gut-Wrenching'

The first independent investigation into the deadly coronavirus outbreak at a state-run nursing home for veterans in Western Massachusetts was released this week .
The scathing report found no evidence that top officials at the Holyoke Soldiers ' Home tried to cover-up the crisis , but concluded that the home 's leadership team made `` substantial errors '' that `` likely contributed to the death toll during the outbreak , '' and that the state 's Department of Veteran Services failed to provide oversight .
Since the outbreak began in mid-March , at least 76 veterans in the 247-bed home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 veterans and 84 employees contracted the virus .
It is one of the deadliest examples of how the coronavirus has devastated long-term care facilities during the pandemic .
Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker , who ordered the report in early April , called the findings `` nothing short of gut-wrenching , '' and promised reforms .
The report identified a number of long-term issues that contributed to the crisis — chronic staffing problems , for example — but placed most of the blame on the home 's superintendent , a retired Marine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state 's Department of Veteran Services , another retired marine named Francisco Ureña .
According to the report , Walsh was n't qualified for the job and had poor leadership and communication skills — one employee described his management style as being characterized by `` retaliation , bullying , unnecessary commentary , and not enough training . ''
Under Walsh 's watch , the home made several `` utterly baffling '' decisions investigators wrote .
The most alarming example was the decision on March 27 to combine two floors of residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans who had the virus with those who did not .
`` The consolidation of these two units resulted in more than 40 veterans crowded into a space designed to hold 25 , '' the report stated .
`` This overcrowding was the opposite of infection control . ''
One employee who participated in the move said she felt like she was `` walking [ the veterans ] to their death . ''
Three days later , when news broke about the crisis in the home , Walsh was put on paid administrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Walsh 's attorney says his client disagrees with how he was characterized in the report and is reviewing his legal options . )
The state also fired Veteran Services Secretary Ureña this week .
According to the report , Ureña had serious concerns about Walsh 's capabilities , but failed to provide adequate oversight .
Employees of the Soldiers ' Home and family members who lost loved ones say that while the report is difficult to read , they 're relieved investigators provided a blunt and honest analysis .
Families have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state funding at the home , and yesterday , he outlined a reform Massachusetts ' Attorney General Maura Healey , the U.S. Justice Department and the state inspector general are also investigating the outbreak at the home .
And on Friday , federal lawmakers called for an investigation into the Chelsea Soldiers ' Home , the other state-run home for veterans in Massachusetts

Report On Deadly COVID-19 Outbreak At Holyoke Soldiers' Home: 'Gut-Wrenching'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Miriam Wasser/WBUR Miriam Wasser/WBUR
The first independent investigation into the deadly coronavirus outbreak at a state-run nursing home for veterans in Western Massachusetts was released this week. The scathing report found no evidence that top officials at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home tried to cover-up the crisis, but concluded that the home's leadership team made "substantial errors" that "likely contributed to the death toll during the outbreak," and that the state's Department of Veteran Services failed to provide oversight.
Since the outbreak began in mid-March, at least 76 veterans in the 247-bed home have died from COVID-19, while another 80 veterans and 84 employees contracted the virus. It is one of the deadliest examples of how the coronavirus has devastated long-term care facilities during the pandemic.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, who ordered the report in early April, called the findings "nothing short of gut-wrenching," and promised reforms.
The report identified a number of long-term issues that contributed to the crisis — chronic staffing problems, for example — but placed most of the blame on the home's superintendent, a retired Marine named Bennett Walsh, and the secretary of the state's Department of Veteran Services, another retired marine named Francisco Ureña.
According to the report, Walsh wasn't qualified for the job and had poor leadership and communication skills — one employee described his management style as being characterized by "retaliation, bullying, unnecessary commentary, and not enough training."
Under Walsh's watch, the home made several "utterly baffling" decisions investigators wrote. The most alarming example was the decision on March 27 to combine two floors of residents, a move that wound up mixing veterans who had the virus with those who did not.
"The consolidation of these two units resulted in more than 40 veterans crowded into a space designed to hold 25," the report stated. "This overcrowding was the opposite of infection control."
One employee who participated in the move said she felt like she was "walking [the veterans] to their death."
Three days later, when news broke about the crisis in the home, Walsh was put on paid administrative leave. He was fired this week. (Walsh's attorney says his client disagrees with how he was characterized in the report and is reviewing his legal options.)
The state also fired Veteran Services Secretary Ureña this week. According to the report, Ureña had serious concerns about Walsh's capabilities, but failed to provide adequate oversight.
Employees of the Soldiers' Home and family members who lost loved ones say that while the report is difficult to read, they're relieved investigators provided a blunt and honest analysis. Families have called on the governor to increase oversight and state funding at the home, and yesterday, he outlined a reform
Massachusetts' Attorney General Maura Healey, the U.S. Justice Department and the state inspector general are also investigating the outbreak at the home. And on Friday, federal lawmakers called for an investigation into the Chelsea Soldiers' Home, the other state-run home for veterans in Massachusetts


npr--2020-06-26--Indy 500 Will Run In August With Its Massive Grandstands At 50% Capacity

Indy 500 Will Run In August With Its Massive Grandstands At 50 % Capacity Spectators are welcome to attend the Indianapolis 500 in August , track officials said Friday , but the enormous venue will be limited to 50 % of its normal capacity because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Indianapolis Motor Speedway usually accommodates hundreds of thousands of people for the landmark race .
`` We 're committed to running the Indy 500 on Sunday , Aug. 23 , and will welcome fans to the world 's greatest racing venue , '' said President J. Douglas Boles , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reducing capacity at the venue , Boles said , track officials are also finalizing `` additional carefully considered health and safety measures , '' adding that specific details will emerge in the near future .
Reporting on the venue 's normal capacity , The Indianapolis Star newspaper cited a 2016 estimate that the raceway has 235,000 seats in its grandstand .
The 2.5-mile oval also has numerous suites and a large infield .
The race originally had been scheduled for late May ; it was postponed due to the coronavirus .
Track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tickets online for the Indy 500 in August .
They also said people age 65 or older , or anyone with underlying health conditions , should stay home , citing health experts ' safety recommendations .
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set to host racing on the Fourth of July weekend , but that event will not include spectators .
Track officials note that Marion County , which includes Indianapolis , is currently in the third stage of the reopening process — one step behind most other counties in the state .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 4th , which would allow sports venues to hold events while observing social distancing .
Indiana reported 510 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday , bringing its total to 44,140 , according to NPR member station WFYI .
Roughly a quarter of Indiana 's overall cases have been reported in Marion County — but so far in June , the county has seen less than 100 cases each day , according to the state health department .
Regarding the state 's level of testing , WFYI reported , `` As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests had been reported to the ISDH , with just under 10 percent positive for the disease . ''

Indy 500 Will Run In August With Its Massive Grandstands At 50% Capacity
Enlarge this image toggle caption Darron Cummings/AP Darron Cummings/AP
Spectators are welcome to attend the Indianapolis 500 in August, track officials said Friday, but the enormous venue will be limited to 50% of its normal capacity because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway usually accommodates hundreds of thousands of people for the landmark race.
"We're committed to running the Indy 500 on Sunday, Aug. 23, and will welcome fans to the world's greatest racing venue," said President J. Douglas Boles, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
In addition to reducing capacity at the venue, Boles said, track officials are also finalizing "additional carefully considered health and safety measures," adding that specific details will emerge in the near future.
Reporting on the venue's normal capacity, The Indianapolis Star newspaper cited a 2016 estimate that the raceway has 235,000 seats in its grandstand. The 2.5-mile oval also has numerous suites and a large infield.
The race originally had been scheduled for late May; it was postponed due to the coronavirus.
Track officials encouraged spectators to buy or reserve tickets online for the Indy 500 in August. They also said people age 65 or older, or anyone with underlying health conditions, should stay home, citing health experts' safety recommendations.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set to host racing on the Fourth of July weekend, but that event will not include spectators. Track officials note that Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, is currently in the third stage of the reopening process — one step behind most other counties in the state.
Most of Indiana is poised to enter stage five on July 4th, which would allow sports venues to hold events while observing social distancing.
Indiana reported 510 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing its total to 44,140, according to NPR member station WFYI.
Roughly a quarter of Indiana's overall cases have been reported in Marion County — but so far in June, the county has seen less than 100 cases each day, according to the state health department.
Regarding the state's level of testing, WFYI reported, "As of Friday, the results of 453,890 COVID-19 tests had been reported to the ISDH, with just under 10 percent positive for the disease."


npr--2020-06-26--In Reversal, Facebook To Label Politicians' Harmful Posts As Ad Boycott Grows

In Reversal , Facebook To Label Politicians ' Harmful Posts As Ad Boycott Grows Facebook will put warning labels on posts that break its rules but are considered newsworthy , CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Friday .
The new policy marks a reversal for Zuckerberg and comes as more brands pledge to stop advertising on the social network until it does more to curb hate speech and harmful content .
The decision opens the door for Facebook to label posts by President Trump , much as Twitter has done with some of the president 's tweets about mail-in ballots and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Trump posted the same messages on Facebook , the social network did nothing , saying the posts did not break its rules .
Facebook 's hands-off approach to Trump 's most inflammatory rhetoric has come under pressure for weeks now from Democrats , civil rights groups and even Facebook employees .
But Zuckerberg has held firm , saying he believes people should be able to see what politicians say no matter how offensive .
He has criticized Twitter 's decision to label the president 's tweets .
But in a livestreamed announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle ground .
`` A handful of times a year , we make a decision to leave up content that would otherwise violate our policies because we consider that the public interest value outweighs the risk of that content , '' he said .
`` In the same way that news outlets will often report what a politician says , we think it 's important that people should generally be able to see it for themselves on our platforms , too . ''
He added : `` There are no exceptions for politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm announcing here today . ''
He also noted that there is no `` newsworthiness '' exemption allowed for posts that break Facebook 's rules against inciting violence or voter suppression .
Zuckerberg did not mention the advertising boycott , even as several big brands said they would halt spending on the platform .
The anti-Facebook campaign , dubbed `` Stop Hate for Profit , '' is being organized by civil rights groups , including the Anti-Defamation League , the NAACP and Color of Change .
They are urging brands to halt Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the social network profits off bigotry , racism and violence .
Facebook brought in nearly $ 70 billion in advertising revenue last year .
Shortly before Zuckerberg spoke , Unilever , the maker of household brands including Dove soap and Hellmann 's mayonnaise , said it would stop advertising on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter in the U.S. through the end of the year .
The company , which is one of the world 's biggest marketing spenders , cited a need to end divisiveness and hate speech during a polarized election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these platforms at this time would not add value to people and society , '' Unilever said in a statement .
The announcement sent both social networks ' shares lower on Friday , with Facebook closing down 8.3 % and Twitter shares falling 7.4 % .
Not long after Zuckerberg 's livestream , Coca-Cola and Hershey said they , too , were pulling back .
Coca-Cola is pausing `` paid advertising on all social media platforms globally for a least 30 days , '' it said in a statement .
`` We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards and policies to determine whether revisions are needed internally , and what more we should expect of our social media partners to rid the platforms of hate , violence and inappropriate content .
We will let them know we expect greater accountability , action and transparency from them . ''
Hershey 's chief marketing officer , Jill Baskin , said the chocolate maker is joining the July boycott of Facebook and cutting its ad spending on the social network by a third for the rest of 2020 .
She said Hershey had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their stance on hate speech '' earlier in June .
`` We do not believe that Facebook is effectively managing violent and divisive speech on their platform .
Despite repeated assertions by Facebook to take action , we have not seen meaningful change , '' she said .
More than 90 brands , including Verizon , Honda 's U.S. division , Patagonia , The North Face and REI , have publicly joined the boycott , according to a list compiled by activist group Sleeping Giants .
Sarah Personette , Twitter 's vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement : `` We have developed policies and platform capabilities designed to protect and serve the public conversation , and as always , are committed to amplifying voices from underrepresented communities and marginalized groups .
We are respectful of our partners ' decisions and will continue to work and communicate closely with them during this time . ''
On Friday , Zuckerberg also announced a number of new policies aimed at cracking down on voter suppression and curbing hate speech .
He said Facebook will ban a wider category of hateful content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It will take additional steps to ban posts that make false claims about voting .
And it will put labels on all posts discussing voting , linking to `` authoritativeinformation . ''
Rashad Robinson , Color of Change 's president , described Zuckerberg 's announcement as `` 11 minutes of wasted opportunity to commit to change '' and renewed his call to advertisers to pull their money from the platform .
In a joint statement , the groups behind Stop Hate for Profit dismissed Facebook 's moves .
`` None of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a dent in the problem on the largest social media platform on the planet , '' they wrote .
`` We have been down this road before with Facebook .
They have made apologies in the past .
They have taken meager steps after each catastrophe where their platform played a part .
But this has to end now . ''
Editor 's note : Facebook and Unilever are among NPR 's financial supporters .

In Reversal, Facebook To Label Politicians' Harmful Posts As Ad Boycott Grows
Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Updated at 8:05 p.m. ET
Facebook will put warning labels on posts that break its rules but are considered newsworthy, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Friday. The new policy marks a reversal for Zuckerberg and comes as more brands pledge to stop advertising on the social network until it does more to curb hate speech and harmful content.
The decision opens the door for Facebook to label posts by President Trump, much as Twitter has done with some of the president's tweets about mail-in ballots and the protests against racism and police brutality. When Trump posted the same messages on Facebook, the social network did nothing, saying the posts did not break its rules.
Facebook's hands-off approach to Trump's most inflammatory rhetoric has come under pressure for weeks now from Democrats, civil rights groups and even Facebook employees. But Zuckerberg has held firm, saying he believes people should be able to see what politicians say no matter how offensive. He has criticized Twitter's decision to label the president's tweets.
But in a livestreamed announcement Friday, Zuckerberg sought to strike a middle ground.
"A handful of times a year, we make a decision to leave up content that would otherwise violate our policies because we consider that the public interest value outweighs the risk of that content," he said. "In the same way that news outlets will often report what a politician says, we think it's important that people should generally be able to see it for themselves on our platforms, too."
He added: "There are no exceptions for politicians in any of the policies that I'm announcing here today." He also noted that there is no "newsworthiness" exemption allowed for posts that break Facebook's rules against inciting violence or voter suppression.
Advertisers join chorus of critics
Zuckerberg did not mention the advertising boycott, even as several big brands said they would halt spending on the platform.
The anti-Facebook campaign, dubbed "Stop Hate for Profit," is being organized by civil rights groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, the NAACP and Color of Change. They are urging brands to halt Facebook advertising in the month of July, saying the social network profits off bigotry, racism and violence. Facebook brought in nearly $70 billion in advertising revenue last year.
Shortly before Zuckerberg spoke, Unilever, the maker of household brands including Dove soap and Hellmann's mayonnaise, said it would stop advertising on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in the U.S. through the end of the year. The company, which is one of the world's biggest marketing spenders, cited a need to end divisiveness and hate speech during a polarized election season.
"Continuing to advertise on these platforms at this time would not add value to people and society," Unilever said in a statement. The announcement sent both social networks' shares lower on Friday, with Facebook closing down 8.3% and Twitter shares falling 7.4%.
Not long after Zuckerberg's livestream, Coca-Cola and Hershey said they, too, were pulling back.
Coca-Cola is pausing "paid advertising on all social media platforms globally for a least 30 days," it said in a statement. "We will take this time to reassess our advertising standards and policies to determine whether revisions are needed internally, and what more we should expect of our social media partners to rid the platforms of hate, violence and inappropriate content. We will let them know we expect greater accountability, action and transparency from them."
Hershey's chief marketing officer, Jill Baskin, said the chocolate maker is joining the July boycott of Facebook and cutting its ad spending on the social network by a third for the rest of 2020. She said Hershey had told Facebook it was "unhappy with their stance on hate speech" earlier in June.
"We do not believe that Facebook is effectively managing violent and divisive speech on their platform. Despite repeated assertions by Facebook to take action, we have not seen meaningful change," she said.
More than 90 brands, including Verizon, Honda's U.S. division, Patagonia, The North Face and REI, have publicly joined the boycott, according to a list compiled by activist group Sleeping Giants.
Sarah Personette, Twitter's vice president for global client solutions, said in a statement: "We have developed policies and platform capabilities designed to protect and serve the public conversation, and as always, are committed to amplifying voices from underrepresented communities and marginalized groups. We are respectful of our partners' decisions and will continue to work and communicate closely with them during this time."
Facebook rolls out new restrictions
On Friday, Zuckerberg also announced a number of new policies aimed at cracking down on voter suppression and curbing hate speech. He said Facebook will ban a wider category of hateful content in ads, including those targeting immigrants. It will take additional steps to ban posts that make false claims about voting. And it will put labels on all posts discussing voting, linking to "authoritativeinformation."
Rashad Robinson, Color of Change's president, described Zuckerberg's announcement as "11 minutes of wasted opportunity to commit to change" and renewed his call to advertisers to pull their money from the platform.
In a joint statement, the groups behind Stop Hate for Profit dismissed Facebook's moves.
"None of this will be vetted or verified — or make a dent in the problem on the largest social media platform on the planet," they wrote. "We have been down this road before with Facebook. They have made apologies in the past. They have taken meager steps after each catastrophe where their platform played a part. But this has to end now."
Editor's note: Facebook and Unilever are among NPR's financial supporters.


npr--2020-06-26--Wallets Are Already On Lockdown: People Pare Spending As Sunbelt Cases Surge

Wallets Are Already On Lockdown : People Pare Spending As Sunbelt Cases Surge Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott imposed new limits on bars and restaurants Friday , one day after declaring he did n't want to move backward and shut down businesses .
But many people are n't waiting .
Faced with a growing number of coronavirus cases across the South and West , they 're making their own choices about spending , and many have already locked down their wallets .
`` The virus is the boss , '' University of Chicago economist Austan Goolsbee says .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by governors or mayors or anybody .
People have to feel comfortable to go out .
And if they do n't , they 're going to stay home . ''
Goolsbee found that whenever the coronavirus death toll increased , customers dialed back their shopping and stayed home , even if local governments did n't issue stay-at-home orders .
Just ask Houston bartender Blair Ault , who has been staying home , except when she has to work , as hospitals in her city struggle to deal with a surge in coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequent bars .
And I have completely cut that out , '' Ault says .
`` And I know a lot of other people who are — I want to say sensible — are making that choice as well . ''
Economists can now monitor those choices in minute detail by studying credit card data , online reservations and also mobile phone movements .
Goolsbee , for instance , used real-time data to track foot traffic at more than 2 million businesses around the country .
`` You have a pulse of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says Antonio Tomarchio , CEO of Cuebiq .
His company uses cellphone location data to track consumers ' behavior .
Online restaurant reservations , for example , show Houston restaurant visits have fallen sharply again in recent days after climbing halfway back to normal in early June .
`` If we start getting another big cluster of cases that turn into a rise in deaths , we could be in for another significant economic hit , '' Goolsbee says .
A test will come in places such as New York and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic but where caseloads have since dropped .
New York City this week began to allow limited outdoor restaurant dining .
Observers will watch closely to see if that slower , more cautious reopening avoids the kind of spike in infections that has plagued Sunbelt cities .
Businesses are also making their own choices .
Some have decided to shut down again .
Apple has temporarily closed dozens of stores in Texas , Florida , Arizona , North Carolina and South Carolina .
When customer traffic drops , even businesses that stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked in Houston declined in recent days after climbing for most of June , according to the scheduling software company Homebase .
Bartender Ault had told NPR she was nervous about working in Houston on Friday night and said she hoped people would stay away , even though that would mean reduced tips .
In the end , the governor made the choice , ordering Texas bars to close at noon Friday .

Wallets Are Already On Lockdown: People Pare Spending As Sunbelt Cases Surge
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Felix/AFP /AFP via Getty Images Mark Felix/AFP /AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 4:45 p.m. ET
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott imposed new limits on bars and restaurants Friday, one day after declaring he didn't want to move backward and shut down businesses.
But many people aren't waiting. Faced with a growing number of coronavirus cases across the South and West, they're making their own choices about spending, and many have already locked down their wallets.
"The virus is the boss," University of Chicago economist Austan Goolsbee says. "This is not a thing to be decided by governors or mayors or anybody. People have to feel comfortable to go out. And if they don't, they're going to stay home."
Goolsbee found that whenever the coronavirus death toll increased, customers dialed back their shopping and stayed home, even if local governments didn't issue stay-at-home orders.
Loading...
Just ask Houston bartender Blair Ault, who has been staying home, except when she has to work, as hospitals in her city struggle to deal with a surge in coronavirus patients.
"As a bartender I do frequent bars. And I have completely cut that out," Ault says. "And I know a lot of other people who are — I want to say sensible — are making that choice as well."
Economists can now monitor those choices in minute detail by studying credit card data, online reservations and also mobile phone movements. Goolsbee, for instance, used real-time data to track foot traffic at more than 2 million businesses around the country.
"You have a pulse of the situation, pretty much in real time," says Antonio Tomarchio, CEO of Cuebiq. His company uses cellphone location data to track consumers' behavior.
Loading...
Online restaurant reservations, for example, show Houston restaurant visits have fallen sharply again in recent days after climbing halfway back to normal in early June.
"If we start getting another big cluster of cases that turn into a rise in deaths, we could be in for another significant economic hit," Goolsbee says.
A test will come in places such as New York and Massachusetts, which were pummeled early in the pandemic but where caseloads have since dropped. New York City this week began to allow limited outdoor restaurant dining. Observers will watch closely to see if that slower, more cautious reopening avoids the kind of spike in infections that has plagued Sunbelt cities.
Businesses are also making their own choices. Some have decided to shut down again. Apple has temporarily closed dozens of stores in Texas, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina and South Carolina.
When customer traffic drops, even businesses that stay open may need fewer workers. Hours worked in Houston declined in recent days after climbing for most of June, according to the scheduling software company Homebase.
Bartender Ault had told NPR she was nervous about working in Houston on Friday night and said she hoped people would stay away, even though that would mean reduced tips.
In the end, the governor made the choice, ordering Texas bars to close at noon Friday.