npr--2020-07-20--Rule Change Gives Laid-Off Workers More Time To Sign Up For COBRA Insurance

Rule Change Gives Laid-Off Workers More Time To Sign Up For COBRA Insurance People who have been laid off or furloughed from their jobs now have significantly more time to decide whether to hang on to their employer-sponsored health insurance , according to a recent federal rule .
Under the federal law known as COBRA , people who lose their job-based coverage because of a layoff or a reduction in their hours usually have 60 days to decide whether to continue with that same health plan .
But under the rule issued this spring , that clock does n't start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` outbreak period '' that started March 1 and it will continue for 60 days after the COVID-19 national emergency is declared to be at an end .
That end date has n't been determined yet .
With this extension of the time frame to sign for up for COBRA coverage , people have at least 120 days to decide whether they want to elect COBRA , and possibly longer depending on when they were laid off .
Take the example of someone who was laid off in April , and imagine that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sixty days after that initial date would take that person to the end of October .
Then the regular 60-day COBRA election period would start after that .
Some health policy experts question the usefulness of the change , given how expensive COBRA-based coverage can be for consumers , and how limited its reach .
The COBRA extension is available only to people who worked at firms with 20 or more employees and who had job-sponsored coverage before being laid off or furloughed .
It is n't an option for people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small companies .
And even for people who are eligible for COBRA , it 's an expensive option because workers have to pay both their portion of the premium and their former employer 's share , plus a 2 % administrative fee .
`` For ideological reasons , this administration ca n't do anything to expand on the Affordable Care Act 's safety net , '' says Sabrina Corlette , a research professor at Georgetown University 's Center on Health Insurance Reforms .
`` So they 're using these other vehicles .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It does n't do much to actually help people . ''
What does this rule change mean for workers ?
If you have lost your job , here are some things to consider .
Under the new rule , workers can keep their COBRA options open for far longer than before .
It 's always been the case that people could take a wait-and-see approach to signing up for COBRA during the first 60 days after losing their coverage .
If they needed care during that time , they could elect COBRA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage .
But if they did n't need care during that time , they could save a chunk of money on premiums before opting for other coverage to kick in after the 60-day period .
Now , people have even more time to wait and see .
Under the rule , once the administration declares the national emergency over , laid-off workers would get 120 days to decide whether to purchase their job-based insurance — 60 days under the new rule and the regular 60 days allowed as part of the COBRA law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance policy , '' says Jason Levitis , a fellow at the Center for Health Policy at the Brookings Institution .
`` There 's no reason to enroll until something bad happens . ''
Still , holding off on enrolling would not be without risk , consumer advocates point out .
Someone who has a serious medical emergency — a car accident or a stroke — might not be able to process their COBRA paperwork before they need medical care .
Plus , waiting too long could affect people 's ability to sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people lose job-based health insurance , it triggers a special enrollment period that allows them to sign up for new coverage on their state health insurance marketplace for up to 60 days afterward .
`` You could miss your opportunity to enroll in the [ insurance ] exchange '' created under the Affordable Care Act , says Katy Johnson , senior counsel for health policy at the American Benefits Council , an employer advocacy group .
Do n't count on the boss to clue you in Employers are not mandated to tell people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The same federal rule that gives workers more time to sign up for COBRA also pushes back the notification requirements for employers .
`` Once an employer lays you off , they do n't have to notify you that you 're eligible for COBRA until after the emergency period , '' says Karen Pollitz , a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation .
For many employers , especially large ones that outsource their benefits administration , notifications are routine and are continuing despite the federal change , says Alan Silver , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watson .
However , for smaller companies with fewer than 200 employees , getting the information out to workers might be an issue , Silver says .
In a survey conducted last spring by the Commonwealth Fund , 10 % of workers laid off or furloughed because of the coronavirus pandemic reported choosing COBRA coverage for health insurance .
The upside for former employees is that sticking with their previous employer 's plan means they do n't have to start from scratch paying down a new deductible on a new plan .
Nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as often happens when people switch health plans and provider networks change .
But the expense can be jaw-dropping .
According to a KFF analysis , someone 48 years old paid $ 599 a month , on average , for individual COBRA coverage last year .
Under the new extended rules for sign-up , the high price of choosing that option could climb quickly : If people elect COBRA several months after losing their coverage they could be on the hook for thousands of dollars in back premiums .
And in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — either when the employee is laid off or later — there 's no health insurance to continue to buy .
Might hospitals step in to pay premiums ?
Employers are typically not big fans of COBRA .
Workers who elect to participate in the program are typically older and sicker than others with employer coverage , the KFF analysis found .
They may have serious medical conditions that make them expensive to cover and raise an employer 's overall health care costs .
Some policy experts are concerned that giving people more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the door open for hospitals or other providers to offer to pay sick patients ' back premiums in order to increase their own payment above what they 'd receive if someone were on Medicaid or uninsured .
Doing so could be a boon for some patients but raise health care costs for employers , says Christopher Condeluci , a health care lawyer who does legal and policy work around the Affordable Care Act and ERISA issues .
`` Employers are worried , '' says Pollitz .
After getting laid off , `` what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the hospital six months in , and then the hospital social worker learns you 're eligible for COBRA and offers to pay your premium ? ''
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit , editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation , and not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

Rule Change Gives Laid-Off Workers More Time To Sign Up For COBRA Insurance
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nati Harnik/AP Nati Harnik/AP
People who have been laid off or furloughed from their jobs now have significantly more time to decide whether to hang on to their employer-sponsored health insurance, according to a recent federal rule.
Under the federal law known as COBRA, people who lose their job-based coverage because of a layoff or a reduction in their hours usually have 60 days to decide whether to continue with that same health plan. But under the rule issued this spring, that clock doesn't start ticking until the end of the COVID-19 "outbreak period" that started March 1 and it will continue for 60 days after the COVID-19 national emergency is declared to be at an end. That end date hasn't been determined yet.
With this extension of the time frame to sign for up for COBRA coverage, people have at least 120 days to decide whether they want to elect COBRA, and possibly longer depending on when they were laid off.
Take the example of someone who was laid off in April, and imagine that the national emergency ends Aug. 31. Sixty days after that initial date would take that person to the end of October. Then the regular 60-day COBRA election period would start after that.
Some health policy experts question the usefulness of the change given how expensive COBRA-based coverage can be for consumers and how limited its reach is.
The COBRA extension is available only to people who worked at companies with 20 or more employees and who had job-sponsored coverage before being laid off or furloughed. It isn't an option for people who are uninsured, self-employed or who work for small companies. And even for people who are eligible for COBRA, it's an expensive option because workers have to pay both their portion of the premium and their former employer's share, plus a 2% administrative fee.
"For ideological reasons, this administration can't do anything to expand on the Affordable Care Act's safety net," says Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. "So they're using these other vehicles. But it's really a fig leaf. It doesn't do much to actually help people."
What does this rule change mean for workers? If you have lost your job, here are some things to consider.
Pros and cons of playing a waiting game
Under the new rule, workers can keep their COBRA options open for far longer than before. It's always been the case that people could take a wait-and-see approach to signing up for COBRA during the first 60 days after losing their coverage. If they needed care during that time, they could elect COBRA, pay the back premiums and continue their coverage. But if they didn't need care during that time, they could save a chunk of money on premiums before opting for other coverage to kick in after the 60-day period.
Now, people have even more time to wait and see. Under the rule, once the administration declares the national emergency over, laid-off workers would get 120 days to decide whether to purchase their job-based insurance — 60 days under the new rule and the regular 60 days allowed as part of the COBRA law.
"It becomes a long-term unpaid insurance policy," says Jason Levitis, a fellow at the Center for Health Policy at the Brookings Institution. "There's no reason to enroll until something bad happens."
Still, holding off on enrolling would not be without risk, consumer advocates point out. Someone who has a serious medical emergency — a car accident or a stroke — might not be able to process their COBRA paperwork before they need medical care.
Plus, waiting too long could affect people's ability to sign up for other health coverage. When people lose job-based health insurance, it triggers a special enrollment period that allows them to sign up for new coverage on their state health insurance marketplace for up to 60 days afterward.
"You could miss your opportunity to enroll in the [insurance] exchange" created under the Affordable Care Act, says Katy Johnson, senior counsel for health policy at the American Benefits Council, an employer advocacy group.
Don't count on the boss to clue you in
Employers are not mandated to tell people promptly about their eligibility for COBRA. The same federal rule that gives workers more time to sign up for COBRA also pushes back the notification requirements for employers.
"Once an employer lays you off, they don't have to notify you that you're eligible for COBRA until after the emergency period," says Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation.
For many employers, especially large ones that outsource their benefits administration, notifications are routine and are continuing despite the federal change, says Alan Silver, a senior director at benefits consultant Willis Towers Watson. However, for smaller companies with fewer than 200 employees, getting the information out to workers might be an issue, Silver says.
Costs can be jaw-dropping
In a survey conducted last spring by the Commonwealth Fund, 10% of workers laid off or furloughed because of the coronavirus pandemic reported choosing COBRA coverage for health insurance.
The upside for former employees is that sticking with their previous employer's plan means they don't have to start from scratch paying down a new deductible on a new plan. Nor do they have to find new doctors, as often happens when people switch health plans and provider networks change.
But the expense can be jaw-dropping. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis, someone 48 years old paid $599 a month, on average, for individual COBRA coverage last year. Under the new extended rules for sign-up, the high price of choosing that option could climb quickly: If people elect COBRA several months after losing their coverage they could be on the hook for thousands of dollars in back premiums.
And in the event the employer goes out of business — either when the employee is laid off or later — there's no health insurance to continue to buy.
Might hospitals step in to pay premiums?
Employers are typically not big fans of COBRA. Workers who elect to participate in the program are typically older and sicker than others with employer coverage, the Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found. They may have serious medical conditions that make them expensive to cover and raise an employer's overall health care costs.
Some policy experts are concerned that giving people more time to sign up for COBRA leaves the door open for hospitals or other providers to offer to pay sick patients' back premiums in order to increase their own payment above what they'd receive if someone were on Medicaid or uninsured. Doing so could be a boon for some patients but raise health care costs for employers, says Christopher Condeluci, a health care lawyer who does legal and policy work around the Affordable Care Act and ERISA issues.
"Employers are worried," says Pollitz. After getting laid off, "what if you're uninsured and you wind up in the hospital six months in, and then the hospital social worker learns you're eligible for COBRA and offers to pay your premium?"
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, and not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


npr--2020-07-20--The End Of $600 Unemployment Benefits Will Hit Millions Of Households And The Economy

The End Of $ 600 Unemployment Benefits Will Hit Millions Of Households And The Economy For Lorena Schneehagen , the additional $ 600 unemployment payment each week during the coronavirus pandemic has held her family 's expenses together .
She 's an out-of-work preschool teacher in Ann Arbor , Mich. , whose son is about to start college .
`` I need that to help pay his tuition , '' Schneehagen said .
`` And for food and just to pay the general bills . ''
Tens of millions of Americans who lost their jobs because of the pandemic are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slashed for a second time .
The supplemental unemployment benefits of $ 600 per week that Congress approved four months ago are set to expire in less than two weeks — threatening to hurt strapped households and the U.S. economy , as billions of dollars ' worth in spending suddenly comes to a halt .
As Congress comes back into session this week , lawmakers will debate whether to extend the supplemental benefits , which have been a lifeline for more than 30 million people across the United States .
`` The extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped me tremendously , '' said bartender Courtney Woodruff , who lost her job at a Denver brewpub .
`` I do n't really spend a lot .
My money is going towards rent and food right now . ''
While ordinary unemployment benefits usually cover just a fraction of a worker 's lost wages , the additional $ 600 per week from the federal government was designed to fully replace the average worker 's missing paycheck .
`` Honestly , that 's made it a lot less stressful to not have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in public with the virus , '' said Stephen Pingle , who was laid off from his job installing Internet cable and security cameras in Nashville , Tenn. Pingle has stopped spending on what he calls `` frivolous '' items and has tried to save as much as he can .
He knows the supplemental benefits may run out at the end of the month .
`` I 'm trying not to worry too much about it , '' he said .
`` But it 's hard to keep pushing it off , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a financial hit coming . ''
If the hit comes , it will be felt not only by the unemployed but by grocers , landlords and the broader economy .
Cutting off benefits to so many people at once would reduce their collective spending power by nearly $ 19 billion per week .
`` However you slice these numbers , we 're talking about very large amounts that mean quite a bit to workers and to the macroeconomy , '' said Ryan Nunn , who leads applied research at the Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , Nunn said the extra jobless benefits have acted as an important crutch for the economy .
Without them , the U.S. would likely have experienced more defaults on car loans and credit card bills and more people falling behind on their rent .
That 's one reason congressional Democrats argue that the government should keep the $ 600-a-week payments flowing .
`` We 're never going to have our economy come back unless we recognize that we must put money in the pockets of the American people , '' House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employers have complained that the generous jobless benefits make it hard for them to attract workers .
Nunn said while ordinarily that would be a concern , there 's little danger of a worker shortage when unemployment is in the double digits and the virus itself is forcing new limits on economic activity .
Still , it 's a complaint that the Trump administration takes seriously .
`` I 've heard stories of where companies are trying to get people back to work and they wo n't come because of the enhanced unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC .
He suggested that if federal jobless benefits are extended , it will be in a different form than the flat $ 600 per week .
`` We 'll fix that , and we 'll figure out an extension to it that works for companies and works for those people that will still be unemployed , '' Mnuchin said .
Schneehagen , the Michigan preschool teacher , does n't expect to be called back to her old job anytime soon .
Although the school has reopened , enrollment is down .
Teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut , and the school is having to cut costs even on things like air conditioning during an unseasonably hot summer .
Schneehagen has started to explore alternative work as a nanny .
`` I really think there 's going to be a crunch for jobs pretty soon , '' she said .
`` There are n't that many jobs out there .
And there are going to be so many people looking in the next couple of weeks . ''

The End Of $600 Unemployment Benefits Will Hit Millions Of Households And The Economy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Erin Scott/Pool/Getty Images Erin Scott/Pool/Getty Images
For Lorena Schneehagen, the additional $600 unemployment payment each week during the coronavirus pandemic has held her family's expenses together.
She's an out-of-work preschool teacher in Ann Arbor, Mich., whose son is about to start college.
"I need that to help pay his tuition," Schneehagen said. "And for food and just to pay the general bills."
Tens of millions of Americans who lost their jobs because of the pandemic are now in danger of having their incomes slashed for a second time. The supplemental unemployment benefits of $600 per week that Congress approved four months ago are set to expire at the end of this week in most states — threatening to hurt strapped households and the U.S. economy, as billions of dollars' worth in spending suddenly comes to a halt.
As Congress comes back into session this week, lawmakers will debate whether to extend the supplemental benefits, which have been a lifeline for more than 30 million people across the United States.
"The extra $600 from the government has obviously helped me tremendously," said bartender Courtney Woodruff, who lost her job at a Denver brewpub. "I don't really spend a lot. My money is going towards rent and food right now."
While ordinary unemployment benefits usually cover just a fraction of a worker's lost wages, the additional $600 per week from the federal government was designed to fully replace the average worker's missing paycheck.
"Honestly, that's made it a lot less stressful to not have to be forced to go out and be in public with the virus," said Stephen Pingle, who was laid off from his job installing Internet cable and security cameras in Nashville, Tenn.
Pingle has stopped spending on what he calls "frivolous" items and has tried to save as much as he can. He knows the supplemental benefits may run out soon.
"I'm trying not to worry too much about it," he said. "But it's hard to keep pushing it off, knowing that there's potentially that massive of a financial hit coming."
If the hit comes, it will be felt not only by the unemployed but by grocers, landlords and the broader economy. Cutting off benefits to so many people at once would reduce their collective spending power by nearly $19 billion per week.
"However you slice these numbers, we're talking about very large amounts that mean quite a bit to workers and to the macroeconomy," said Ryan Nunn, who leads applied research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
In an interview last week, Nunn said the extra jobless benefits have acted as an important crutch for the economy. Without them, the U.S. would likely have experienced more defaults on car loans and credit card bills and more people falling behind on their rent. That's one reason congressional Democrats argue that the government should keep the $600-a-week payments flowing.
"We're never going to have our economy come back unless we recognize that we must put money in the pockets of the American people," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters.
Some employers have complained that the generous jobless benefits make it hard for them to attract workers. Nunn said while ordinarily that would be a concern, there's little danger of a worker shortage when unemployment is in the double digits and the virus itself is forcing new limits on economic activity.
Still, it's a complaint that the Trump administration takes seriously.
"I've heard stories of where companies are trying to get people back to work and they won't come because of the enhanced unemployment," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC. He suggested that if federal jobless benefits are extended, it will be in a different form than the flat $600 per week.
"We'll fix that, and we'll figure out an extension to it that works for companies and works for those people that will still be unemployed," Mnuchin said.
Schneehagen, the Michigan preschool teacher, doesn't expect to be called back to her old job anytime soon. Although the school has reopened, enrollment is down. Teachers who are working have had their hours cut, and the school is having to cut costs even on things like air conditioning during an unseasonably hot summer.
Schneehagen has started to explore alternative work as a nanny.
"I really think there's going to be a crunch for jobs pretty soon," she said. "There aren't that many jobs out there. And there are going to be so many people looking in the next couple of weeks."


npr--2020-07-20--'A Wake-Up Call': States Battle New Surge In COVID-19 Cases

Several U.S. states reported new record-breaking coronavirus case counts over the weekend , as nationwide the death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 140,000 and President Trump insisted again that the virus would `` disappear . ''
States such as Florida , California and Kentucky were reporting record , or near-record numbers of new cases and in Texas , a hospital official told NPR that funeral homes and morgues were overflowing from the bodies of COVID-19 victims .
Meanwhile , in a Fox News interview aired on Sunday , the president repeated an assertion he first made in late February that COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying that his initial prediction would be proven correct .
`` I 'll be right eventually , '' the president said in the interview with Fox 's Chris Wallace .
`` I said it 's going to disappear .
I 'll say it again : It 's going to disappear — and I 'll be right , '' he said .
Asked by Wallace if such statements `` discredit '' him , Trump replied : `` You know why it does n't discredit ?
Because I 've probably been right more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no indication that the disease would disappear anytime soon based on a snapshot of some of the nation 's hot spots .
Here 's a look at a few of them : On Sunday , Florida reported 12,478 new cases , its fifth consecutive day with more than 10,000 cases .
Although that is off the peak of 15,300 new infections reported less than a week ago , on July 12 , which marked not only a record for Florida , but broke the national case-count record set by New York in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state since the start of the pandemic surpassed 5,000 on Saturday .
Speaking at a news conference in St. Augustine on Saturday , Gov .
Ron DeSantis complained that headlines about the record number of cases were unduly worrying Floridians .
He attributed the increasing number of cases to a ramping up of testing .
`` It 's important to put that in context because I think a lot of people see cases I think they get really , really scared , and my message is fear is our enemy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think the other thing that gets missed with the cases is the sheer number of people who are testing who are n't sick .
Because I think most people see cases and they think that many people are in the hospital . ''
In the last two weeks , the total number of infections has gone up by 45 % , while the number of deaths has increased statewide by 20 % , according to the Sacramento Bee .
Statewide , California has seen more than 7,600 deaths from COVID-19 , with Southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Los Angeles County had 2,722 new positive results Saturday for a total of 153,014 cases since the beginning of the pandemic .
Orange County reported 702 new cases , while San Diego County had 625 new positive results , according to the Mercury News .
Ninety-one new deaths were reported for the state on Saturday .
Defying an order by Gov .
Gavin Newsom prohibiting indoor worship services , the Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin opened its doors to congregants on Sunday .
Pastor Greg Fairrington prayed for Newsom in a sermon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were engaged in a spiritual battle against the government for the right to worship freely , according to the Sacramento Bee .
`` I believe our call is to get the church ready for an outpouring , to get the church ready for an awakening , but God is giving us right now in this moment a rude awakening before he gives us the great awakening , and for some reason God is using Destiny as a hub , '' Fairrington said .
Kentucky reported 979 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths brought the number of dead from the disease in Kentucky to 670 .
The state 's Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear called the data a `` wake-up call '' for the state 's citizens to adhere to requirements to wear masks and to practice social distancing .
`` This is a rough day for the commonwealth , '' Beshear said in a statement .
`` I have faith and I have trust in the people of Kentucky , '' he said .
`` But today and in the days ahead we 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We 're going to have to take some more action . ''
On Friday , the state 's COVID-19 deaths had risen by 161 – a record , according to the Houston Chronicle , which brought the toll for Texas to 3,798 .
Ken Davis , the chief medical officer of CHRISTUS hospitals in San Antonio , told NPR 's Weekend Edition Sunday , `` In the hospital , there are only so many places to put bodies of the loved ones , and we 're out of space . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks to put bodies and to hold them , which sounds terrible , but it 's true , '' he said .
A dramatic surge in new cases in the past month has stretched hospitals and testing centers in Georgia to their limits , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
The seven-day rolling average of new cases is four times what it was on June 15 , the newspaper reports .
`` It takes days to get a test and a week or more to get results , '' Dr. Harry J. Heiman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia State University School of Public Health , was quoted by AJC as saying .
`` By that time , ( results are ) not valuable to public health .
The time period in which that information would have been actionable is gone . ''
Last week , Georgia 's Gov .
Brian Kemp sued Atlanta 's mayor , Keisha Lance Bottoms , over a requirement for people to wear masks in public .
Kemp , while encouraging the use of masks , had declined to issue a statewide directive .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had issued their own citywide mask requirements .
Kemp 's suit insists that his statewide order supersedes any city ordinances on the matter .

'A Wake-Up Call': States Battle New Surge In Coronavirus Cases
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Several U.S. states reported new record-breaking coronavirus case counts over the weekend as the nationwide death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 140,000 and President Trump insisted again that the virus would "disappear."
States such as Florida, California and Kentucky were reporting record or near-record numbers of new cases, and in Texas a hospital official told NPR that funeral homes and morgues were overflowing from the bodies of COVID-19 victims.
Meanwhile, in a Fox News interview aired on Sunday, the president repeated an assertion he first made in late February that COVID-19 would "disappear" on its own, saying that his initial prediction would prove correct.
"I'll be right eventually," the president said in the interview with Fox's Chris Wallace.
"I said it's going to disappear. I'll say it again: It's going to disappear — and I'll be right," he said.
Asked by Wallace if such statements "discredit" him, Trump replied: "You know why it doesn't discredit? Because I've probably been right more than anybody else."
However, there was no indication that the disease would disappear anytime soon based on a snapshot of some of the nation's hot spots. Here's a look at a few of them:
Florida
On Sunday, Florida reported 12,478 new cases, its fifth consecutive day with more than 10,000 cases. That is off the peak of 15,300 new infections reported less than a week ago, on July 12, which marked not only a record for Florida, but broke the national case-count record set by New York in early April.
The number of COVID-19 deaths in the state since the start of the pandemic surpassed 5,000 on Saturday.
Speaking at a news conference in St. Augustine on Saturday, Gov. Ron DeSantis complained that headlines about the record number of cases were unduly worrying Floridians.
He attributed the increasing number of cases to a ramping up of testing.
"It's important to put that in context because I think a lot of people see cases I think they get really, really scared, and my message is 'fear is our enemy,' " DeSantis said. "And I think the other thing that gets missed with the cases is the sheer number of people who are testing who aren't sick. Because I think most people see cases and they think that many people are in the hospital."
California
In the past two weeks, the total number of infections has gone up by 45%, while the number of deaths has increased statewide by 20%, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Statewide, California has seen more than 7,600 deaths from COVID-19 with Southern California continuing to lead the grim statistics.
Los Angeles County had 2,722 new positive results Saturday for a total of 153,014 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Orange County reported 702 new cases, while San Diego County had 625 new positive results, according to the Mercury News.
Ninety-one new deaths were reported for the state on Saturday.
Defying an order by Gov. Gavin Newsom prohibiting indoor worship services, the Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin opened its doors on Sunday.
Pastor Greg Fairrington prayed for Newsom in a sermon on Sunday, telling his congregation that they were engaged in a spiritual battle against the government for the right to worship freely, according to the Sacramento Bee.
"I believe our call is to get the church ready for an outpouring, to get the church ready for an awakening, but God is giving us right now in this moment a rude awakening before he gives us the great awakening, and for some reason God is using Destiny as a hub," Fairrington said.
Kentucky
Kentucky reported 979 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, its highest-ever daily count. Three new deaths brought the number of dead from the disease in Kentucky to 670.
The state's Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear called the data a "wake-up call" for the state's citizens to adhere to requirements to wear masks and to practice social distancing.
"This is a rough day for the commonwealth," Beshear said in a statement.
"I have faith and I have trust in the people of Kentucky," he said. "But today and in the days ahead we've got to do a whole lot better. We're going to have to take some more action."
Texas
On Friday, the state's COVID-19 deaths had risen by 161 – a record, according to the Houston Chronicle, which brought the toll for Texas to 3,798.
Ken Davis, the chief medical officer of CHRISTUS hospitals in San Antonio, told NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, "In the hospital, there are only so many places to put bodies of the loved ones, and we're out of space."
"So we're looking ourselves for refrigerated trucks to put bodies and to hold them, which sounds terrible, but it's true," he said.
Georgia
A dramatic surge in new cases in the past month has stretched hospitals and testing centers in Georgia to their limits, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The seven-day rolling average of new cases is four times what it was on June 15, the newspaper reports.
"It takes days to get a test and a week or more to get results," Dr. Harry J. Heiman, a clinical associate professor at the Georgia State University School of Public Health, was quoted by AJC as saying. "By that time, (results are) not valuable to public health. The time period in which that information would have been actionable is gone."
Last week, Georgia's Gov. Brian Kemp sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms over a requirement for people to wear masks in public. Kemp, while encouraging the use of masks, had declined to issue a statewide directive. Meanwhile, Bottoms and mayors of other major cities had issued their own citywide mask requirements. Kemp's suit insists that his statewide order supersedes any city ordinances on the matter.


npr--2020-07-20--Gunman Dressed As FedEx Driver Kills Son, Wounds Husband Of New Jersey Federal Judge

Gunman Dressed As FedEx Driver Kills Son , Wounds Husband Of New Jersey Federal Judge The son of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas was fatally shot and her husband critically wounded when a gunman dressed as a FedEx driver entered her home near North Brunswick , N.J. , Sunday afternoon , according to local media .
Salas was reportedly unharmed in the attack , the New Jersey Globe reports .
Daniel Anderl , Salas ' 20-year-old son , was killed .
Her husband , Mark Anderl , a criminal defense attorney and former assistant Essex County prosecutor , reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Brunswick and was listed in critical but stable condition .
The FBI in Newark tweeted that it was `` investigating a shooting that occurred at the home '' of Salas and that the bureau was `` looking for one suspect . ''
A New Brunswick Police dispatcher told NPR that he could not confirm any details but could confirm an ongoing investigation .
Salas , the first Latina to serve as a federal district judge in New Jersey , was nominated to her current position in 2010 by President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately clear whether Salas , who it said had received threats in the past , was the target of the shooting .
She has presided over high-profile cases , including the 2013 fraud trial of The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Joe and Teresa Giudice .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy tweeted late Sunday : `` Judge Salas and her family are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act . ''
Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J. , said : `` I know Judge Salas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recommend her to President Obama for nomination to NJ 's federal bench . ''
`` My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family , and that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice , '' Menendez was quoted by the Globe as saying .

Anti-Feminist Suspect Dead After Son Of Federal Judge Killed, Husband Wounded
toggle caption Mark Lennihan/AP
Updated at 11:16 p.m. ET on Tuesday
The suspect in the shooting death of the son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas is dead, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey confirmed Monday afternoon.
The FBI had identified attorney Roy Den Hollander as "the primary subject in the attack" by a gunman on the home of a federal judge in New Jersey on Sunday.
The gunman allegedly shot and killed Daniel Anderl, Salas' 20-year-old son, and wounded her husband, criminal-defense lawyer Mark Anderl, 63.
Salas was reportedly unharmed in the attack, the New Jersey Globe reports.
"Den Hollander is now deceased," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement. Officials did not provide any details about how or when the suspect died. However, New York state police say he was found dead Monday in Rockland, N.Y.
The investigation is still underway.
Den Hollander was a self-described anti-feminist lawyer who filed suits alleging that women get special treatment in violation of the Constitution. He also pushed to outlaw ladies' nights at bars and college women's studies programs.
A cached version of his website, which is now inaccessible, proclaimed, "Now is the time for all good men to fight for their rights before they have no rights left."
He also accused all forms of government — from local to state to federal — of treating men as second-class citizens. "Need I say the courts are prejudiced, need I say they are useless, need I say it's time for men to take the law into their hands?" he wrote on the site.
His disgust extended beyond women and what he called PC attitudes. He also espoused anti-immigrant sentiments on his website.
Media outlets report that the lawyer entered Salas' home in North Brunswick, N.J., dressed as a FedEx driver.
Daniel Anderl, 20, was Salas' only child and was home from college at the time of the attack. Salas' husband, Mark Anderl, a criminal defense attorney and former assistant Essex County prosecutor, reportedly underwent surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and was listed in critical but stable condition.
The FBI in Newark, N.J., tweeted on Sunday that it was "investigating a shooting that occurred at the home" of Salas and that the bureau was "looking for one suspect."
The FBI is investigating a shooting that occurred at the home of Judge Ester Salas in North Brunswick Township, New Jersey earlier this evening, July 19. We're looking for one subject & ask that anyone who thinks they may have relevant information call us at 1-973-792-3001. — FBI Newark (@FBINewark) July 20, 2020
Salas, the first Latina to serve as a federal district judge in New Jersey, was nominated to her current position in 2010 by President Barack Obama.
The Globe said it was not immediately clear whether Salas, who it said had received threats in the past, was the target of the shooting. She has presided over high-profile cases, including the 2013 fraud trial of The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Joe and Teresa Giudice.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted late Sunday: "Judge Salas and her family are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act."
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said: "I know Judge Salas and her husband well, and was proud to recommend her to President Obama for nomination to NJ's federal bench."
"My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family, and that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice," Menendez was quoted by the Globe as saying.


npr--2020-07-20--St. Louis Prosecutor Charges White Couple With Threatening Protesters With Guns

The white husband and wife who menaced Black Lives Matter protesters by brandishing guns as the demonstrators marched through the couple 's wealthy St. Louis community are facing felony charges .
Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner announced her office filed charges against Mark and Patricia McCloskey on Monday for unlawful use of a weapon .
It is a class E felony .
`` It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in nonviolent protest , and while we are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force , this type of conduct is unacceptable in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` We must protect the right to peacefully protest , and any attempt to chill it through intimidation will not be tolerated , '' she continued .
The incident , which took place on June 28 and was captured on video , has drawn ire from Black Lives Matter supporters and praise from Second Amendment activists .
The images of the white couple standing in front of their mansion , with her aiming a handgun at the mostly Black crowd , and him clutching a rifle , flooded social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The confrontation has stoked a heated partisan debate over the rights and protections of protesters .
The McCloskeys , who are both personal injury attorneys , have repeatedly stated they were frightened of the passing anti-racism demonstrators , calling the nonviolent group a `` mob . ''
The couple have said they feared for their lives and acted to protect their property .
They also accused demonstrators of ignoring `` No Trespassing '' signs and knocking down an iron gate .
One of the protest leaders has contested their version of events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and no protesters damaged it .
Joel Schwartz , the attorney representing the McCloskey 's , did not immediately respond to NPR 's request for comment .
However Schwartz released a statement saying that the charges `` are disheartening as I unequivocally believe no crime was committed . ''
`` I , along with my clients , support the First Amendment right of every citizen to have their voice and opinion heard , '' Schwartz said .
`` This right , however , must be balanced with the Second Amendment and Missouri law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect our home and family from potential threats , '' he added .
In the interim , Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson said he would likely pardon the couple if they were charged .
On Monday , Gardener stated that she is committed to reducing the unnecessary involvement of the courts .
`` I am open to recommending the McCloskey 's participate in one of my office 's diversion programs , '' she said .
`` I believe this would serve as a fair resolution to this matter . ''

St. Louis Prosecutor Charges White Couple With Threatening Protesters With Guns
Enlarge this image toggle caption Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images
The white husband and wife who menaced Black Lives Matter protesters by brandishing guns as the demonstrators marched through the couple's wealthy St. Louis community are facing felony charges.
Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner announced her office filed charges against Mark and Patricia McCloskey on Monday for unlawful use of a weapon. It is a class E felony.
"It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner at those participating in nonviolent protest, and while we are fortunate this situation did not escalate into deadly force, this type of conduct is unacceptable in St. Louis," Gardner said in a statement.
"We must protect the right to peacefully protest, and any attempt to chill it through intimidation will not be tolerated," she continued.
The incident, which took place on June 28 and was captured on video, has drawn ire from Black Lives Matter supporters and praise from Second Amendment activists.
The images of the white couple standing in front of their mansion, with her aiming a handgun at the mostly Black crowd and him clutching a long-barreled gun, flooded social media and all major news outlets almost immediately. The confrontation has stoked a heated partisan debate over the rights and protections of protesters.
The McCloskeys, who are both personal injury attorneys, have repeatedly stated they were frightened of the passing anti-racism demonstrators, calling the nonviolent group a "mob."
The couple have said they feared for their lives and acted to protect their property. They also accused demonstrators of ignoring "No Trespassing" signs and knocking down an iron gate.
One of the protest leaders has contested their version of events, saying that the gate was already open and that no protesters damaged it.
Joel Schwartz, the attorney representing the McCloskeys, did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment.
However, Schwartz released a statement saying that the charges "are disheartening as I unequivocally believe no crime was committed."
"I, along with my clients, support the First Amendment right of every citizen to have their voice and opinion heard," Schwartz said.
"This right, however, must be balanced with the Second Amendment and Missouri law, which entitle each of us to protect our home and family from potential threats," he added.
In the interim, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he would likely pardon the couple if they were charged.
On Monday, Gardner stated that she is committed to reducing the unnecessary involvement of the courts.
"I am open to recommending the McCloskeys participate in one of my office's diversion programs," she said.
"I believe this would serve as a fair resolution to this matter."


npr--2020-07-20--Christopher Nolan's Sci-Fi Thriller 'Tenet' Delayed Indefinitely

The blockbuster that Hollywood was counting on to jump-start a COVID-delayed summer movie season wo n't be busting blocks anytime soon .
Christopher Nolan 's sci-fi thriller Tenet , originally announced for a July 17 opening , and pushed back twice , has now been removed from the Warner Bros release calendar , in a major blow to film exhibitors .
`` We will share a new 2020 release date imminently for Tenet , Christopher Nolan 's wholly original and mind-blowing feature , '' said Warner Bros. chairman Toby Emmerich in a statement .
Director Nolan — whose blockbusters Inception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trilogy have made billions on the big screen — has been adamant that his $ 200-million thriller would be the tent-pole that would hold up the summer movie-going tent .
When theater chains got open , he said , Tenet would bring the crowds .
But as it became clear that theater chains would not be fully open by this past weekend , the opening date started slipping , first to July 31 , then to Aug. 12 , and now to an as-yet-unspecified date later this year .
The Warner Bros. statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be giving Tenet a `` traditional global day-and-date release '' — industry-speak for opening all over the planet at once — though it did n't specify what a non-traditional release might look like Speculation in the film industry has been that the studio might try premiering Tenet overseas .
Nolan 's blockbusters have tended to do two-thirds of their business in foreign territories , and some major foreign markets are reopening as governments get the coronavirus under control , including South Korea , Japan , China , and some areas of Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a fragmented , here-and-there release is anyone 's guess .
In China and South Korea , cinemas have reopened with stringent social distancing protocols , and fewer screenings daily to allow for additional cleaning of theaters .
An industry operating at , say , 30 percent of capacity , will not be turning out a lot of box-office records .
That will also be true at theaters in the U.S. , where not quite one-fifth of the nation 's multiplexes are currently open for business , and very few of those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to premiere a major movie and not play in New York and Los Angeles on opening weekend , but ... a lot of things are unprecedented right now .

Christopher Nolan's Sci-Fi Thriller 'Tenet' Delayed Indefinitely
The blockbuster that Hollywood was counting on to jump-start a COVID-19 delayed summer movie season won't be busting blocks anytime soon. Christopher Nolan's sci-fi thriller Tenet, originally announced for a July 17 opening, and pushed back twice, has now been removed from the Warner Bros release calendar, in a major blow to film exhibitors.
"We will share a new 2020 release date imminently for Tenet, Christopher Nolan's wholly original and mind-blowing feature," said Warner Bros. chairman Toby Emmerich in a statement.
Director Nolan — whose blockbusters Inception, Dunkirk and the Batman Dark Knight Trilogy have made billions on the big screen — has been adamant that his $200-million thriller would be the tent-pole that would hold up the summer movie-going tent.
When theater chains got open, he said, Tenet would bring the crowds. But as it became clear that theater chains would not be fully open by this past weekend, the opening date started slipping, first to July 31, then to Aug. 12, and now to an as-yet-unspecified date later this year.
The Warner Bros. statement went on to say the studio would not be giving Tenet a "traditional global day-and-date release" — industry-speak for opening all over the planet at once — though it didn't specify what a non-traditional release might look like
Speculation in the film industry has been that the studio might try premiering Tenet overseas. Nolan's blockbusters have tended to do two-thirds of their business in foreign territories, and some major foreign markets are reopening as governments get the coronavirus under control, including South Korea, Japan, China, and some areas of Europe.
What box-office grosses might look like in a fragmented, here-and-there release is anyone's guess. In China and South Korea, cinemas have reopened with stringent social distancing protocols, and fewer screenings daily to allow for additional cleaning of theaters. An industry operating at, say, 30% of capacity, will not be turning out a lot of box-office records.
That will also be true at theaters in the U.S., where not quite one-fifth of the nation's multiplexes are currently open for business, and very few of those in urban areas. It would be unprecedented to premiere a major movie and not play in New York and Los Angeles on opening weekend, but...a lot of things are unprecedented right now.


npr--2020-07-20--Dr. Anthony Fauci To Throw First Pitch For Washington Nationals' Season Opener

Dr. Anthony Fauci To Throw First Pitch For Washington Nationals ' Season Opener When America 's pastime officially returns on Thursday , it will be ushered in by none other than the country 's leading infectious disease expert .
The Washington Nationals announced Monday that Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day .
The reigning World Series champions will play the New York Yankees at home to kick off the regular season , which has been shortened from 162 to 60 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci has been a true champion for our country during the Covid-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career , so it is only fitting that we honor him as we kick off the 2020 season and defend our World Series Championship title , '' the team said in a statement .
Fauci has been one of the country 's most visible public health experts throughout the coronavirus pandemic .
He has also been vocal about his love of the Nats .
He wore a face mask with the team 's name and logo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House coronavirus task force at a congressional hearing last month .
And in April , when Major League Baseball was still on hiatus , Fauci spoke of wanting to see the team back in action , even if it meant games resuming without in-person spectators .
`` I think you 'll probably get enough buy-in from people who are dying to see a baseball game , particularly me , '' Fauci said .
`` I 'm living in Washington , we have the world champion Washington Nationals .
I want to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically starts in April and ends in October , but the MLB put opening day on hold because of the pandemic .
It will operate with enhanced health and safety procedures , including requiring players to use their own personal equipment when possible and practice physical distancing .

Dr. Anthony Fauci To Throw First Pitch For Washington Nationals' Season Opener
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin Dietsch/AP Kevin Dietsch/AP
When America's pastime officially returns on Thursday, it will be ushered in by none other than the country's leading infectious disease expert.
The Washington Nationals announced Monday that Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day.
The reigning World Series champions will play the New York Yankees at home to kick off the regular season, which has been shortened from 162 to 60 games by the coronavirus pandemic.
"Dr. Fauci has been a true champion for our country during the Covid-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career, so it is only fitting that we honor him as we kick off the 2020 season and defend our World Series Championship title," the team said in a statement.
Fauci has been one of the country's most visible public health experts throughout the coronavirus pandemic. He has also been vocal about his love of the Nats.
He wore a face mask with the team's name and logo to testify alongside other members of the White House coronavirus task force at a congressional hearing last month.
And in April, when Major League Baseball was still on hiatus, Fauci spoke of wanting to see the team back in action, even if it meant games resuming without in-person spectators.
"I think you'll probably get enough buy-in from people who are dying to see a baseball game, particularly me," Fauci said. "I'm living in Washington, we have the world champion Washington Nationals. I want to see them play again."
The season typically starts in April and ends in October, but the MLB put opening day on hold because of the pandemic. It will operate with enhanced health and safety procedures, including requiring players to use their own personal equipment when possible and practice physical distancing.


npr--2020-07-20--Essential Workers Hold Walkouts And Protests In National 'Strike For Black Lives'

Essential Workers Hold Walkouts And Protests In National 'Strike For Black Lives' From Boston to San Francisco , essential workers in cities around the U.S. walked off their jobs and took to the streets Monday to demand racial and economic justice as part of a nationwide `` Strike for Black Lives . ''
The planned day of strikes and protests was organized by 60 different labor unions and racial and social justice organizations , from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to the Movement for Black Lives to the U.S .
Youth Climate Strike Coalition .
Organizers listed four primary demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black communities , that elected officials use their authority to rewrite the rules so that Black people can thrive , that corporations dismantle racism , white supremacy and economic exploitation including at work and that every worker has the opportunity to join a union . ''
They also encouraged workers unable to participate for the full day to take a knee , hold a moment of silence or walk off their jobs at noon local time for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in memory of George Floyd and other victims of police violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on strike or join us in the streets , you can still stand up for Black lives , '' they said .
According to organizers , tens of thousands of people with front-line jobs in health care , transportation , food services and other sectors staged walkouts and protests throughout the day .
In New York City , essential workers marched in the blazing sun and 100 Teamsters Local 808 building service workers took a knee in honor of Floyd .
In Washington , D.C. , workers holding signs spelling out `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of the HEROES Act , the proposed coronavirus relief package .
In Chicago , fast food workers marched to a local McDonald 's where multiple workers had tested positive for the virus .
Fast food workers in Florida walked off the job .
In Durham , N.C. , crowds observed a moment of silence before breaking into chants calling for $ 15 an hour .
They also painted `` Strike For Black Lives '' in block letters on the street .
In Detroit , workers at five nursing homes participated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor working conditions , exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic .
And in San Francisco , 1,500 janitors walked off the job .
`` All over the United States , farmworkers , nurses ' aides , hotel housekeepers , Uber , delivery , truck and bus drivers , airport cabin cleaners , Amazon warehouse workers , Walmart associates , and more walked off the job to demand an end to police violence against Black people and call on companies to move beyond tweeting that Black Lives Matter and take real action to improve Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
A number of Democratic politicians joined in , expressing support in person and through written statements .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke to crowds outside Trump International Hotel in New York , where he pledged to fight for racial and economic equality and passage of the HEROES Act .
Sen. Ed Markey , Rep. Joseph Kennedy III and State Rep. Liz Miranda all spoke at a demonstration outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston .
Sens .
Kamala Harris , Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren also tweeted statements of solidarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life — from economic justice to environmental justice , '' Harris wrote .
`` Dismantling the very systems that lead to these injustices wo n't be easy , but it is possible . ''
Mary Kay Henry , president of the Service Employees International Union — which represents nearly 2 million members in the public sector , health care and property services — told Here & Now that essential workers were inspired by the movement for Black lives in response to Floyd 's death , and sought to unite the fights for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want corporations not just to say they value Black lives , but to show it , such as by paying employees living wages and making sure essential workers have all of the protective equipment they need to safely do their jobs during a pandemic .
Henry cited reports she has heard from SEIU members , positioned on the front lines against the virus , about unsafe working conditions .
`` Nursing home workers are still struggling to get personal protective equipment , '' she said .
`` Fast food workers are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being provided masks by their employers when infections occur . ''
Many of Monday 's demonstrations took place outside of McDonald 's locations .
Employees at a number of locations have accused the company of lacking proper safety precautions , and three Black employees in Florida recently filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the chain , alleging racial discrimination .
The company said in a statement it has enhanced more than 50 restaurant processes and distributed more than 100 million face masks to improve worker safety .
`` We 're going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies have failed to protect us in a pandemic that has ravaged Black and brown communities across the country , '' said Angely Rodriguez Lambert , an Oakland McDonald 's worker and leader in the Fight for $ 15 and a Union .
`` We 're going to keep joining together and speaking out until McDonald 's and other companies respond with actions that show they really value our lives . ''
Mounting evidence shows the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately affecting Black , Hispanic and Asian Americans .
Henry told Here & Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health crisis have highlighted the need for a unified fight for racial and economic change , which Monday 's widespread demonstrations represent .
`` I think it 's a historic moment , a new level of intersection between our fights , '' she said .
`` The labor movement is owning that until Black communities can thrive , none of us can thrive . ''
Editor 's note : McDonald 's is among NPR 's financial supporters .

Essential Workers Hold Walkouts And Protests In National 'Strike For Black Lives'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
From Boston to San Francisco, essential workers in cities around the U.S. walked off their jobs and took to the streets Monday to demand racial and economic justice as part of a nationwide "Strike for Black Lives."
The planned day of strikes and protests was organized by 60 different labor unions and racial and social justice organizations, from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to the Movement for Black Lives to the U.S. Youth Climate Strike Coalition.
Organizers listed four primary demands on their website: "Justice for Black communities, that elected officials use their authority to rewrite the rules so that Black people can thrive, that corporations dismantle racism, white supremacy and economic exploitation including at work and that every worker has the opportunity to join a union."
They also encouraged workers unable to participate for the full day to take a knee, hold a moment of silence or walk off their jobs at noon local time for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in memory of George Floyd and other victims of police violence.
"Even if you can't go on strike or join us in the streets, you can still stand up for Black lives," they said.
According to organizers, tens of thousands of people with front-line jobs in health care, transportation, food services and other sectors staged walkouts and protests throughout the day.
In New York City, essential workers marched in the blazing sun and 100 Teamsters Local 808 building service workers took a knee in honor of Floyd. In Washington, D.C., workers holding signs spelling out "the heroes" gathered outside the Capitol in support of the HEROES Act, the proposed coronavirus relief package.
In Chicago, fast food workers marched to a local McDonald's where multiple workers had tested positive for the virus. Fast food workers in Florida walked off the job. In Durham, N.C., crowds observed a moment of silence before breaking into chants calling for $15 an hour. They also painted "Strike For Black Lives" in block letters on the street.
In Detroit, workers at five nursing homes participated in a walkout to protest low wages and poor working conditions, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. And in San Francisco, 1,500 janitors walked off the job.
"All over the United States, farmworkers, nurses' aides, hotel housekeepers, Uber, delivery, truck and bus drivers, airport cabin cleaners, Amazon warehouse workers, Walmart associates, and more walked off the job to demand an end to police violence against Black people and call on companies to move beyond tweeting that Black Lives Matter and take real action to improve Black lives," organizers said in a release.
A number of Democratic politicians joined in, expressing support in person and through written statements.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke to crowds outside Trump International Hotel in New York, where he pledged to fight for racial and economic equality and passage of the HEROES Act. Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Joseph Kennedy III and State Rep. Liz Miranda all spoke at a demonstration outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
Sens. Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren also tweeted statements of solidarity.
"Racial inequity touches every aspect of life — from economic justice to environmental justice," Harris wrote. "Dismantling the very systems that lead to these injustices won't be easy, but it is possible."
Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union — which represents nearly 2 million members in the public sector, health care and property services — told Here & Now that essential workers were inspired by the movement for Black lives in response to Floyd's death, and sought to unite the fights for racial and economic justice.
She said they want corporations not just to say they value Black lives, but to show it, such as by paying employees living wages and making sure essential workers have all of the protective equipment they need to safely do their jobs during a pandemic.
Henry cited reports she has heard from SEIU members, positioned on the front lines against the virus, about unsafe working conditions.
"Nursing home workers are still struggling to get personal protective equipment," she said. "Fast food workers are being told to wear doggie diapers instead of being provided masks by their employers when infections occur."
Many of Monday's demonstrations took place outside of McDonald's locations. Employees at a number of locations have accused the company of lacking proper safety precautions, and three Black employees in Florida recently filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the chain, alleging racial discrimination.
The company said in a statement it has enhanced more than 50 restaurant processes and distributed more than 100 million face masks to improve worker safety.
"We're going on strike because McDonald's and other fast-food companies have failed to protect us in a pandemic that has ravaged Black and brown communities across the country," said Angely Rodriguez Lambert, an Oakland McDonald's worker and leader in the Fight for $15 and a Union. "We're going to keep joining together and speaking out until McDonald's and other companies respond with actions that show they really value our lives."
Mounting evidence shows the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately affecting Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans.
Henry told Here & Now that the dangers posed by the public health crisis have highlighted the need for a unified fight for racial and economic change, which Monday's widespread demonstrations represent.
"I think it's a historic moment, a new level of intersection between our fights," she said. "The labor movement is owning that until Black communities can thrive, none of us can thrive."
Editor's note: McDonald's is among NPR's financial supporters.


npr--2020-07-20--Presidential Nominees Rarely Speak To Muslim Audiences. Biden Did Monday

Just his presence — albeit virtually , due to the pandemic , from his home in Delaware — was rather historic for Muslim leaders , who ca n't recall another presidential nominee speaking directly to such a large group of Muslims .
The group , Emgage Action , says 3,000 people RSVP 'd for its livestreamed event .
Biden did n't introduce any new policy priorities , but his tone marked a noticeable departure from how many politicians have addressed Muslims in recent years .
In 2015 , then-candidate Donald Trump famously called for `` a total and complete shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country 's representatives can figure out what is going on , '' while his eventual opponent , Hillary Clinton , in part referred to Muslims as counter-terrorism assets .
`` We need American Muslims to be part of our eyes and ears on our front lines '' to prevent terrorist attacks , she said during one of the presidential debates against Trump .
On Monday , Biden focused on Islamophobia , Trump , the need for both Palestinians and Israelis to have a state of their own , and the contributions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He did n't mention terrorism or Islamic extremism .
`` One of the things that I think is important : I wish , I wish we taught more in our schools about the Islamic faith , '' Biden said .
`` What people do n't realize is ... we all come from the same root here , in terms of our fundamental basic beliefs . ''
Biden , who also quoted a saying from the Prophet Muhammad , promised that if he 's elected in November , he 'll have Muslims in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Congress to pass hate crimes legislation .
And , referring to the Trump administration 's altered travel ban , he pledged : `` If I have the honor of being president , I will end the Muslim ban on Day 1 .
Day 1 . ''
Prior to the Democratic primaries , Muslims groups last year invited candidates to attend the annual Islamic Society of North America convention , one of the largest gatherings of U.S. Muslims .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Housing Secretary Julián Castro were the only two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in particular , was treated like a rock star , not just for attending , but for making a substantial effort to campaign for Muslim votes .
It was n't lost on Muslims that he had a Muslim campaign manager or that he received endorsements from high-profile Muslim politicians like Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan .
Biden , on other hand , would mention his desire to end the so-called Muslim travel ban on the campaign trail , but he did n't elicit the enthusiasm among Muslims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't actively court them either .
Muslim leaders were critical that so few of the Democratic candidates engaged with them in the fall .
Still , Emgage Action — which endorsed Sanders during the Democratic primary and now has endorsed Biden in the general election — stayed in touch with the Biden team , and secured a commitment from his campaign that he would address the Muslim community at a future event .
`` Emgage made it very clear that as part of our endorsement ... we needed a direct engagement with Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the clear criteria that we put out there , '' said Wa'el Alzayat , the CEO of Emgage Action .
Alzayat says it 's no longer a question of whether Democrats will engage the Muslim community , but how .
The shift is partly due to Trump 's rhetoric , but Alzayat says there 's also a feeling that Muslim voters could help sway a close election .
Muslims make up a tiny fraction of the electorate — about 1 % of the total U.S. population — but there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Florida and Michigan .
`` There 's a recognition [ in ] places like Michigan that went to Trump by just 10,000 votes the importance of all these votes , '' said Alzayat , referring to the state 's large Arab and Muslim populations .
`` According to our research , there 's about 150,000 registered Muslim voters in Michigan . ''
Historically , Democrats have been cautious about openly courting Muslim voters .
Clinton never publicly spoke to Muslim groups .
And Barack Obama famously visited Cairo in early 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , but he never stepped foot inside a mosque as president until the year he was leaving office .
In February 2016 , following a terror attack in San Bernardino , Calif. , and Trump 's call for a Muslim ban , Obama visited the Islamic Society of Baltimore — his first trip to an American mosque .
Republicans in recent years have been even warier of speaking to Muslim groups — but that was n't always the case .
In the 2000 election , the GOP nominee , George W. Bush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate , and he visited a mosque in Michigan .
In return , a number of Muslims groups endorsed Bush .
But that relationship was short-lived .
Muslims fled from the Republican Party in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks and the subsequent curtailing of civil liberties .
The Pew Research Center estimated in 2018 that just 13 % of Muslims identify as Republican or lean toward the party .
Pew has also found that 92 % of U.S. adults who lean Democratic say there discrimination against Muslims , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Presidential Nominees Rarely Speak To Muslim Audiences. Biden Did Monday
Enlarge this image toggle caption Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
Joe Biden spoke to a notable Muslim American advocacy organization on Monday.
Just his presence — albeit virtually, due to the pandemic, from his home in Delaware — was rather historic for Muslim leaders, who can't recall another presidential nominee speaking directly to such a large group of Muslims. The group, Emgage Action, says 3,000 people RSVP'd for its livestreamed event.
Biden didn't introduce any new policy priorities, but his tone marked a noticeable departure from how many politicians have addressed Muslims in recent years.
In 2015, then-candidate Donald Trump famously called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on," while his eventual opponent, Hillary Clinton, in part referred to Muslims as counter-terrorism assets. "We need American Muslims to be part of our eyes and ears on our front lines" to prevent terrorist attacks, she said during one of the presidential debates against Trump.
On Monday, Biden focused on Islamophobia, Trump, the need for both Palestinians and Israelis to have a state of their own, and the contributions of Muslims in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. He didn't mention terrorism or Islamic extremism.
"One of the things that I think is important: I wish, I wish we taught more in our schools about the Islamic faith," Biden said. "What people don't realize is ... we all come from the same root here, in terms of our fundamental basic beliefs."
Biden, who also quoted a saying from the Prophet Muhammad, promised that if he's elected in November, he'll have Muslims in his administration and said he intends to work with Congress to pass hate crimes legislation.
And, referring to the Trump administration's altered travel ban, he pledged: "If I have the honor of being president, I will end the Muslim ban on Day 1. Day 1."
Prior to the Democratic primaries, Muslims groups last year invited candidates to attend the annual Islamic Society of North America convention, one of the largest gatherings of U.S. Muslims. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Housing Secretary Julián Castro were the only two candidates who showed up. And Sanders, in particular, was treated like a rock star, not just for attending, but for making a substantial effort to campaign for Muslim votes. It wasn't lost on Muslims that he had a Muslim campaign manager or that he received endorsements from high-profile Muslim politicians like Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
Biden, on other hand, would mention his desire to end the so-called Muslim travel ban on the campaign trail, but he didn't elicit the enthusiasm among Muslims that Sanders did, and he didn't actively court them either.
Muslim leaders were critical that so few of the Democratic candidates engaged with them in the fall. Still, Emgage Action — which endorsed Sanders during the Democratic primary and now has endorsed Biden in the general election — stayed in touch with the Biden team, and secured a commitment from his campaign that he would address the Muslim community at a future event.
"Emgage made it very clear that as part of our endorsement ... we needed a direct engagement with Biden at a visible Muslim-led event. That was one of the clear criteria that we put out there," said Wa'el Alzayat, the CEO of Emgage Action.
Alzayat says it's no longer a question of whether Democrats will engage the Muslim community, but how. The shift is partly due to Trump's rhetoric, but Alzayat says there's also a feeling that Muslim voters could help sway a close election. Muslims make up a tiny fraction of the electorate — about 1% of the total U.S. population — but there are sizable numbers in key battleground states, such as Florida and Michigan.
"There's a recognition [in] places like Michigan that went to Trump by just 10,000 votes the importance of all these votes," said Alzayat, referring to the state's large Arab and Muslim populations. "According to our research, there's about 150,000 registered Muslim voters in Michigan."
Historically, Democrats have been cautious about openly courting Muslim voters. Clinton never publicly spoke to Muslim groups. And Barack Obama famously visited Cairo in early 2009 to give a speech to the Muslim world, but he never stepped foot inside a mosque as president until the year he was leaving office. In February 2016, following a terror attack in San Bernardino, Calif., and Trump's call for a Muslim ban, Obama visited the Islamic Society of Baltimore — his first trip to an American mosque.
Republicans in recent years have been even warier of speaking to Muslim groups — but that wasn't always the case. In the 2000 election, the GOP nominee, George W. Bush, courted Muslims more than the Democratic candidate, and he visited a mosque in Michigan. In return, a number of Muslims groups endorsed Bush.
But that relationship was short-lived. Muslims fled from the Republican Party in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the subsequent curtailing of civil liberties.
The Pew Research Center estimated in 2018 that just 13% of Muslims identify as Republican or lean toward the party.
Pew has also found that 92% of U.S. adults who lean Democratic say there discrimination against Muslims, compared with 69% of Republican-leaners.


npr--2020-07-20--Anti-Feminist Suspect Dead After Son Of Federal Judge Killed, Husband Wounded

The suspect in the shooting death of the son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas is dead , the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the District of New Jersey confirmed Monday afternoon .
The FBI had identified attorney Roy Den Hollander as the suspected gunman who attacked the home of a federal judge in New Jersey on Sunday .
The gunman allegedly shot and killed Daniel Anderl , Salas ' 20-year-old son , and wounded her husband , criminal-defense lawyer Mark Anderl , 63 .
Salas was reportedly unharmed in the attack , the New Jersey Globe reports .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Attorney 's Office said in a statement .
Officials did not provide any details about how or when the suspect died .
However , New York state police say he was found dead Monday in Rockland , N.Y .
The investigation is still underway .
Den Hollander was a self-described anti-feminist lawyer who filed suits alleging that women get special treatment in violation of the Constitution .
He also pushed to outlaw ladies ' nights at bars and college women 's studies programs .
A cached version of his website , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Now is the time for all good men to fight for their rights before they have no rights left . ''
He also accused all forms of government — from local to state to federal — of treating men as second-class citizens .
`` Need I say the courts are prejudiced , need I say they are useless , need I say it 's time for men to take the law into their hands ? ''
he wrote on the site .
His disgust extended beyond women and what he called PC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his website .
Media outlets report that the lawyer entered Salas ' home in North Brunswick , N.J. , dressed as a FedEx driver .
Daniel Anderl , 20 , was Salas ' only child and was home from college at the time of the attack .
Salas ' husband , Mark Anderl , a criminal defense attorney and former assistant Essex County prosecutor , reportedly underwent surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and was listed in critical but stable condition .
The FBI in Newark , N.J. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` investigating a shooting that occurred at the home '' of Salas and that the bureau was `` looking for one suspect . ''
Salas , the first Latina to serve as a federal district judge in New Jersey , was nominated to her current position in 2010 by President Barack Obama .
The Globe said it was not immediately clear whether Salas , who it said had received threats in the past , was the target of the shooting .
She has presided over high-profile cases , including the 2013 fraud trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars Joe and Teresa Giudice .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy tweeted late Sunday : `` Judge Salas and her family are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act . ''
Sen. Bob Menendez , D-N.J. , said : `` I know Judge Salas and her husband well , and was proud to recommend her to President Obama for nomination to NJ 's federal bench . ''
`` My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family , and that those responsible for this horrendous act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Menendez was quoted by the Globe as saying .


npr--2020-07-20--Florida Teachers Sue To Block School Coronavirus Reopening Mandate

Teachers in Florida are suing the state to block an emergency order requiring schools to open next month with in-person instruction .
They say , with the surge of coronavirus cases , the order violates a provision in the Florida Constitution requiring the state to ensure schools are operated safely .
The emergency order , issued this month by Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran , says all school districts `` must open brick and mortar schools at least five days a week for all students . ''
The order says the final decision on whether to reopen schools rests with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it suggests funding may depend on it .
The districts that submit reopening plans approved by the state will receive full funding .
In a lawsuit filed in Miami , the Florida Education Association , joined by teachers and parents , says the Department of Education order defies recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on reopening schools safely .
Besides Corcoran , the lawsuit also names the Florida Board of Education , Gov .
Ron DeSantis and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez as defendants .
The teachers union says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are charged with overseeing the funding and operations of public education , ensure that our schools operate safely . ''
Requiring schools to reopen campuses now , the union says , `` without the proper plan , resources , and safety precautions will inevitably exacerbate the spread of the virus , jeopardize public health , and ultimately cause longer closures . ''
Asked about the lawsuit Monday , DeSantis distanced himself from the emergency order , which has drawn backlash from parents , teachers and school districts since it was issued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , '' he said .
`` That was the Department of Education . ''
The commissioner and six other members of Florida 's Board of Education are all appointed by the governor .
DeSantis has defended the mandate to reopen schools but said it 's intended as a recommendation , not a requirement .
In a statement , Corcoran , the education commissioner , called the lawsuit `` frivolous '' and `` reckless , '' saying he believes the teachers union `` has n't read nor understands '' the emergency order .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Florida statute that requires schools to operate 180 days a year , which equates to five days a week for 36 weeks .
The order , Corcoran said , added online options for `` families to have the choice to decide what works best for the health and safety of their student and family . ''

Florida Teachers Sue To Block School Coronavirus Reopening Mandate
Enlarge this image toggle caption Octavio Jones/Getty Images Octavio Jones/Getty Images
Teachers in Florida are suing the state to block an emergency order requiring schools to open next month with in-person instruction. They say, with the surge of coronavirus cases, the order violates a provision in the Florida Constitution requiring the state to ensure schools are operated safely.
The emergency order, issued this month by Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, says all school districts "must open brick and mortar schools at least five days a week for all students." The order says the final decision on whether to reopen schools rests with local superintendents and school boards. But it suggests funding may depend on it. The districts that submit reopening plans approved by the state will receive full funding.
In a lawsuit filed in Miami, the Florida Education Association, joined by teachers and parents, says the Department of Education order defies recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on reopening schools safely. Besides Corcoran, the lawsuit also names the Florida Board of Education, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez as defendants.
The teachers union says the Florida Constitution requires state officials, "who are charged with overseeing the funding and operations of public education, ensure that our schools operate safely." Requiring schools to reopen campuses now, the union says, "without the proper plan, resources, and safety precautions will inevitably exacerbate the spread of the virus, jeopardize public health, and ultimately cause longer closures."
Asked about the lawsuit Monday, DeSantis distanced himself from the emergency order, which has drawn backlash from parents, teachers and school districts since it was issued. "I didn't give any executive order," he said. "That was the Department of Education." The commissioner and six other members of Florida's Board of Education are all appointed by the governor.
DeSantis has defended the mandate to reopen schools but said it's intended as a recommendation, not a requirement.
In a statement, Corcoran, the education commissioner, called the lawsuit "frivolous" and "reckless," saying he believes the teachers union "hasn't read nor understands" the emergency order.
The order, he said, reiterates a Florida statute that requires schools to operate 180 days a year, which equates to five days a week for 36 weeks. The order, Corcoran said, added online options for "families to have the choice to decide what works best for the health and safety of their student and family."


npr--2020-07-20--Trader Joe's Working To Remove Product Branding Criticized As Racist

Trader Joe 's Working To Remove Product Branding Criticized As Racist Trader Joe 's is getting rid of product names such as Trader José 's , Arabian Joe 's and Trader Ming 's that critics say are racist and `` perpetuates harmful stereotypes . ''
`` We made the decision several years ago to use only the Trader Joe 's name on our products moving forward , '' spokesperson Kenya Friend-Daniel told NPR by email .
She added that the company `` had hoped that the work would be complete by now but there are still a small number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we expect to be done very soon . ''
The branding has come under new scrutiny after a Change.org petition demanded that the company `` remove racist branding and packaging from its stores . ''
The petition , which has gathered more than 2,800 signatures , said the labeling `` belies a narrative of exoticism that perpetuates harmful stereotypes . ''
The petition adds : `` The Trader Joe 's branding is racist because it exoticizes other cultures — it presents 'Joe ' as the default 'normal ' and the other characters falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe , ' 'Trader José , ' and 'Trader Joe San . '
'' It was n't immediately clear which of these product lines had already been changed to `` Trader Joe 's , '' and which were slated to change in the near future .
Friend-Daniel , the spokesperson , stressed that the change was not in response to the petition but was already in progress .
She said the controversial approach to naming `` may have been rooted in a lighthearted attempt at inclusiveness . ''
However , Friend-Daniel said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the opposite effect — one that is contrary to the welcoming , rewarding customer experience we strive to create every day . ''
Other major companies and organizations have also announced recent changes to their branding amid mass protests pushing for racial justice in the United States .
For example , Aunt Jemima , the pancake and syrup brand , said last month that it will change its name and logo .
Last week , Washington D.C. 's NFL team announced that it is retiring the Redskins name and logo .

Trader Joe's Working To Remove Product Branding Criticized As Racist
Enlarge this image toggle caption Johnny Louis/Getty Images Johnny Louis/Getty Images
Trader Joe's is getting rid of product names such as Trader José's, Arabian Joe's and Trader Ming's that critics say are racist and "perpetuates harmful stereotypes."
"We made the decision several years ago to use only the Trader Joe's name on our products moving forward," spokesperson Kenya Friend-Daniel told NPR by email. She added that the company "had hoped that the work would be complete by now but there are still a small number of products going through the packaging change and we expect to be done very soon."
The branding has come under new scrutiny after a Change.org petition demanded that the company "remove racist branding and packaging from its stores."
The petition, which has gathered more than 2,800 signatures, said the labeling "belies a narrative of exoticism that perpetuates harmful stereotypes."
The petition adds: "The Trader Joe's branding is racist because it exoticizes other cultures — it presents 'Joe' as the default 'normal' and the other characters falling outside of it — they are 'Arabian Joe,' 'Trader José,' and 'Trader Joe San.'"
It wasn't immediately clear which of these product lines had already been changed to "Trader Joe's," and which were slated to change in the near future. Friend-Daniel, the spokesperson, stressed that the change was not in response to the petition but was already in progress.
She said the controversial approach to naming "may have been rooted in a lighthearted attempt at inclusiveness." However, Friend-Daniel said, "we recognize that it may now have the opposite effect — one that is contrary to the welcoming, rewarding customer experience we strive to create every day."
Other major companies and organizations have also announced recent changes to their branding amid mass protests pushing for racial justice in the United States.
For example, Aunt Jemima, the pancake and syrup brand, said last month that it will change its name and logo. Last week, Washington D.C.'s NFL team announced that it is retiring the Redskins name and logo.