npr--2020-03-07--Coronavirus: Florida Reports 1st Deaths On East Coast; Event Cancellations Mount

To this point , the West Coast has borne the brunt of coronavirus in the U.S. , with the bulk of confirmed cases so far reported in California and Washington state .
But that 's likely to change soon .
On Friday , health authorities in Florida said two COVID-19 patients in the state have died , in what are believed to be the first deaths linked to the disease on the East Coast .
One of the patients lived in the district of Rep. Matt Gaetz , who drew criticism from colleagues earlier this week for `` making light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive gas mask to a House floor vote on measures to combat the epidemic .
`` Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time , '' the Republican congressman tweeted late Friday , adding : `` I 'm confident our community will continue to remain vigilant in combating this disease and pray there will be no further contractions of the virus in Northwest Florida . ''
The state has confirmed more than a dozen cases so far — the largest cluster on the East Coast outside of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of its own .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Saturday , after officials learned of new cases in New York City and Westchester County .
`` We are aggressively testing , following up leads , because we want to find as many people who test positive so we can get them out of circulation , '' Cuomo said at a media briefing midday Saturday .
Off the coast of California , thousands of passengers were confined to the Grand Princess cruise ship near San Francisco after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
On Saturday , Vice President Pence said the government was tracking an additional cruise ship that may have shared crew members with the Grand Princess or the Diamond Princess , another ship that faced quarantine in Japan in February after passengers tested positive .
All told , the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. is well over 300 — 19 of whom have died , mostly in Washington state .
At least 14 people who died were associated with one nursing home near Seattle , according to the public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health authorities in Washington say they have confirmed 102 cases of the coronavirus in the state .
As of late Saturday afternoon , the total tally of confirmed cases worldwide stood at more than 105,000 , some 3,500 of whom have died from the disease .
The vast majority of those cases have been reported in Hubei province in mainland China , the outbreak 's epicenter , but the number of new cases there has been declining lately — while the virus has taken root in South Korea , Iran and Italy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , schools and companies have announced a spate of measures to mitigate spread of the virus .
Stanford University in California and the University of Washington and Seattle University , which boast tens of thousands of students among them , said Friday they are canceling in-person classes through the end of their respective quarters later this month .
And Amtrak , on the East Coast , said that because it is `` experiencing some reduced demand , '' it plans to halt its nonstop Acela train service between New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and continuing through late May .
Texas has reported just a half-dozen confirmed cases , none of which have been found in Austin — but that fact did not dissuade the city 's mayor , Steve Adler , from preemptively canceling South by Southwest , the city 's signature music , film and technology event .
`` We have no reported cases in Austin , but certainly the longer we can stay that way , the better off we are .
It 's inevitable that it 's coming here as to all other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Adler told NPR 's Weekend Edition on Saturday .
The event drew more than 400,000 visitors to the city last year .
Adler acknowledged that its cancellation this year , just a week before its scheduled opening , is `` very tough and truly heartbreaking '' for the performers and vendors who had been depending on the business the event customarily brings .
`` We 're going to have to mitigate that as best we can as a community , be as resilient as we can , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice because the focus needed to be on doing what was necessary to best keep the city safe . ''
Eyes are also trained on another signature event expected later this month : March Madness .
So far , the NCAA has made no major changes to the massively popular ( and lucrative ) men 's basketball tournament that begins in earnest March 19 .
`` I do n't think anything is off the table at this point , '' ESPN 's Michele Steele told NPR on Saturday .
`` The NCAA says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that there 's too much that they do n't know .
So their health advisory board just is not recommending them to cancel games or fan participation .
So it 's just wait and see at this point . ''
In a memo to teams Friday , the NBA reportedly warned that they should prepare to play games without fans in the stands — a proposal that some players , including LeBron James , are resisting .
`` Nah , that 's impossible , '' James told reporters Friday .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't got the fans in the crowd , that 's what I play for .
I play for my teammates .
I play for the fans .
That 's what it 's all about .
If I show up to an arena , and there ai n't no fans in there ?
I ai n't playing .
So , they could do what they want to do . ''
More than 2 million test kits to be shipped by Monday That 's the headline from the media briefing held Saturday by federal health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Food and Drug Administration , said he believes officials will have the capacity to ship out 2.1 million test kits by Monday .
`` That translates into [ the fact that ] approximately 850,000 patients could be tested , '' Hahn explained to reporters , adding that the actual capacity will depend on local health care providers .
The announcement came as several outlets have reported on federal officials ' tardiness and troubles in rolling out test kits to local doctors and public health experts .
During the same briefing , Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to delicately correct President Trump , who told reporters Friday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that `` anybody who wants a test gets a test . ''
`` He 's using a shorthand , '' Azar said , explaining that what the president `` meant to say '' is that `` you may not get a test unless a doctor or a public health official prescribes a test . ''
Hotel used for quarantined patients collapses in China A five-story hotel in the city of Quanzhou collapsed on Saturday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rubble , according to The People 's Daily , an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party .
The paper reports that about 40 people have been rescued so far from the building , which had been used as a quarantine location for people suspected of having COVID-19 .
It remains unclear what caused the building to fall .
People who wish to see Pope Francis lead prayers in St. Peter 's Square , a weekly event that regularly draws tens of thousands of worshippers , will need to content themselves with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy See Press Office announced Saturday that the pontiff will lead the prayer from the Library of the Apostolic Palace — rather than from his usual window overlooking the square — and will livestream the proceedings online rather than encourage visitors to gather at the Vatican .
Officials say they will be carrying out his general audience Wednesday in a similar fashion .
`` These decisions are necessary in order to avoid the risk of the spread of COVID-19 , '' said the Holy See , noting that the move was done at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vatican recently announced its first confirmed patient , while Italy has seen the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside Asia , with more than 5,800 total confirmed cases reported as of Saturday — a leap of more than 1,000 since the day before .
Nearly 50 of those patients died in a span of about 24 hours earlier this week , according to local authorities .
Perhaps the most prominent of the newly confirmed patients is Nicola Zingaretti , the leader of Italy 's Democratic Party , which is part of the country 's governing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video posted Saturday to Facebook . ''
I am well , '' he explained , according to an Associated Press translation , `` so it was decided I will be isolated at home . ''
A member of the U.S. Navy is also among the patients recently diagnosed with COVID-19 in the country .
U.S. European Command said the sailor , who is stationed in Naples , represents the `` first positive case of a U.S. service member in Europe . ''

Coronavirus: Italy Imposes Quarantine On 16 Million; U.S. Sees 1st East Coast Deaths
Enlarge this image toggle caption Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 6:03 a.m. ET Sunday
The government of Italy has imposed mass restrictions across its northern region, limiting the movement of more than 16 million people, as it fights to control the coronavirus outbreak there.
The measure affects the entire Lombardy region, along with its capital, Milan, as well as the city of Venice. The area includes about a quarter of Italy's population.
The Italian Civil Protection Department reported a total of 5,883 COVID-19 cases as of Saturday evening, with 233 deaths from the illness.
Italy's action followed another day of increasing cases of the coronavirus in the United States.
To this point, the West Coast has borne the brunt of coronavirus in the U.S., with the bulk of confirmed cases so far reported in California and Washington state. But that's likely to change soon, with reports of cases now in Florida, New York and the Washington, D.C., area.
On Friday, health authorities in Florida said two COVID-19 patients in the state had died in what are believed to be the first deaths linked to the disease on the East Coast. One of the patients lived in the district of Rep. Matt Gaetz, who drew criticism from colleagues last week for "making light" of the coronavirus when he wore a massive gas mask to a House floor vote on measures to combat the epidemic.
"Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time," the Republican congressman tweeted late Friday, adding: "I'm confident our community will continue to remain vigilant in combating this disease and pray there will be no further contractions of the virus in Northwest Florida."
The state has confirmed more than a dozen cases so far — the largest cluster on the East Coast outside of New York, which has reported several dozen cases of its own. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Saturday, after officials learned of new cases in New York City and Westchester County.
"We are aggressively testing, following up leads, because we want to find as many people who test positive so we can get them out of circulation," Cuomo said at a media briefing midday Saturday.
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Dee Delgado/Getty Images David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
Elsewhere on the East Coast, Washington, D.C., confirmed a "presumptive case" of the virus in a man in his 50s with no history of international travel, Mayor Muriel Bowser said Saturday evening. The city also said it was looking into the case of one person who spent time in D.C. and tested positive later in Maryland. That came roughly an hour after the Defense Department confirmed that a U.S. Marine at Fort Belvoir, just outside Washington in Northern Virginia, tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from overseas.
Off the coast of California, thousands of passengers were confined to the Grand Princess cruise ship near San Francisco after 21 people aboard tested positive for the virus. On Saturday, Vice President Pence said the government was tracking an additional cruise ship that may have shared crew members with the Grand Princess or the Diamond Princess, another ship that faced quarantine in Japan in February after passengers tested positive.
All told, the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. is well over 300 — 19 of whom have died, mostly in Washington state. At least 14 people who died were associated with one nursing home near Seattle, according to the public health department of Seattle and King County. Health authorities in Washington say they have confirmed 102 cases of the coronavirus in the state.
As of late Saturday afternoon, the total tally of confirmed cases worldwide stood at more than 105,000, some 3,500 of whom have died from the disease.
The vast majority of those cases have been reported in Hubei province in mainland China, the outbreak's epicenter, but the number of new cases there has been declining lately — while the virus has taken root in South Korea, Iran and Italy and has reached dozens of countries.
Back in the U.S., schools and companies have announced a spate of measures to mitigate spread of the virus. Stanford University in California, as well as the University of Washington and Seattle University, which boast tens of thousands of students among them, said Friday that they are canceling in-person classes through the end of their respective quarters later this month.
And Amtrak, on the East Coast, said that because it is "experiencing some reduced demand," it plans to halt its nonstop Acela train service between New York and Washington, D.C., beginning Tuesday and continuing through late May.
Texas has reported just a half-dozen confirmed cases, none of which has been found in Austin — but that fact did not dissuade the city's mayor, Steve Adler, from preemptively canceling South by Southwest, the city's signature music, film and technology event.
"We have no reported cases in Austin, but certainly the longer we can stay that way, the better off we are. It's inevitable that it's coming here as to all other cities, but delay is better," Adler told NPR's Weekend Edition on Saturday.
The event drew more than 400,000 visitors to the city last year. Adler acknowledged that its cancellation this year, just a week before its scheduled opening, is "very tough and truly heartbreaking" for the performers and vendors who had been depending on the business that the event customarily brings.
"We're going to have to mitigate that as best we can as a community, be as resilient as we can," he said. "We just ultimately didn't have a choice, because the focus needed to be on doing what was necessary to best keep the city safe."
Eyes are also trained on another signature event expected later this month: March Madness. So far, the NCAA has made no major changes to the massively popular (and lucrative) men's basketball tournament, which begins in earnest March 19.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Terrance Williams/AP Terrance Williams/AP
"I don't think anything is off the table at this point," ESPN's Michele Steele told NPR on Saturday. "The NCAA says they're just monitoring the situation and that there's too much that they don't know. So their health advisory board just is not recommending them to cancel games or fan participation. So it's just wait and see at this point."
In a memo to teams Friday, the NBA reportedly warned that they should prepare to play games without fans in the stands — a proposal that some players, including LeBron James, are resisting.
"Nah, that's impossible," James told reporters Friday. "I ain't playing. If I ain't got the fans in the crowd, that's what I play for. I play for my teammates. I play for the fans. That's what it's all about. If I show up to an arena and there ain't no fans in there? I ain't playing. So, they could do what they want to do."
More than 2 million test kits to be shipped by Monday
That's the headline from the media briefing held Saturday by federal health authorities. Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said he believes officials will have the capacity to ship out 2.1 million test kits by Monday.
"That translates into [the fact that] approximately 850,000 patients could be tested," Hahn explained to reporters, adding that the actual capacity will depend on local health care providers.
The announcement came as several outlets have reported on federal officials' tardiness and troubles in rolling out test kits to local doctors and public health experts.
During the same briefing, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar attempted to delicately correct President Trump, who told reporters Friday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that "anybody who wants a test gets a test."
"He's using a shorthand," Azar said, explaining that what the president "meant to say" is that "you may not get a test unless a doctor or a public health official prescribes a test."
Hotel used for quarantined patients collapses in China
A five-story hotel in the city of Quanzhou collapsed on Saturday evening, trapping at least 70 people amid the rubble, according to The People's Daily, an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party. The paper reports that about 40 people have been rescued so far from the building, which had been used as a quarantine location for people suspected of having COVID-19.
It remains unclear what caused the building to fall.
The Vatican cancels in-person Sunday gathering
People who wished to see Pope Francis lead prayers at St. Peter's Square, a weekly event that regularly draws tens of thousands of worshippers, had to content themselves with viewing him remotely on Sunday.
The Holy See Press Office announced Saturday that the pontiff would lead the prayer from the library of the Apostolic Palace — rather than from his usual window overlooking the square — and would livestream the proceedings online rather than encourage visitors to gather at the Vatican. Officials say they will be carrying out his general audience on Wednesday in a similar fashion.
"These decisions are necessary in order to avoid the risk of the spread of COVID-19," said the Holy See, noting that the move was done at the request of Italian authorities.
The Vatican recently announced its first confirmed patient, while Italy has seen the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside Asia, with more than 5,800 total confirmed cases reported as of Saturday — a leap of more than 1,000 since the day before. Nearly 50 of those patients died in a span of about 24 hours earlier this week, according to local authorities.
Perhaps the most prominent of the newly confirmed patients is Nicola Zingaretti, the leader of Italy's Democratic Party, which is part of the country's governing coalition. Zingaretti revealed his diagnosis in a video posted Saturday to Facebook.
''I am well," he explained, according to an Associated Press translation, "so it was decided I will be isolated at home.''
A member of the U.S. Navy is also among the patients recently diagnosed with COVID-19 in Italy. U.S. European Command said the sailor, who is stationed in Naples, represents the "first positive case of a U.S. service member in Europe."
NPR's James Doubek contributed to this story.


npr--2020-03-07--Counterterrorism Expert Explains U.S.-Taliban Peace Deal

NPR 's Scott Simon speaks with Seth Jones of Center for Strategic and International Studies about the situation in Afghanistan where violence continues after the U.S.-Taliban peace deal .
The violence in Afghanistan resumed just days after the U.S. and the Taliban signed a deal to end the war there .
On Wednesday , a U.S. drone attacked the group in retaliation for a series of attacks on Afghan troops .
And yesterday , at least 32 civilians were killed , dozens injured when Afghan gunmen opened fire in Kabul .
The self-proclaimed Islamic State - or ISIS - claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a counterterrorism expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies .
Mr. Jones , thanks for being with us .
SETH JONES : It 's great to be on .
Thanks .
SIMON : The deal was signed last weekend .
Has it already failed ?
JONES : No , it has n't failed yet .
But I think we 're at the period where it 's going to be most difficult where the Afghan government now , which is feuding within itself over who is actually running the government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban .
I think this will be the most difficult period by far - is , can we get any sort of agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban ?
JONES : I think that the challenge so far is that most of the senior Taliban leadership is led by Mullah Akhundzada , Zakir , Razzaq , any of the senior officials .
I find it very hard to believe that they 'll have fought for 18 years only to agree to a situation where they 're serving in an Afghan government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think they 're going to want to ask for a lot .
And I do n't see , at this point , a lot of opportunity and position where the two will agree .
But we 'll have to see .
SIMON : When you say ask for a lot , a return to some of the practices for which the Taliban were known when they ruled Afghanistan ?
I 'm thinking of the practical incarceration of women and not permitting women in schools .
JONES : Yeah , they - I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different organization from the Taliban of the 1990s that ran the government up through 9/11 .
They have a slightly modified ideology .
But they still have a pretty harsh position towards women .
They still have a harsh position toward women serving in government positions , what and how people can dress .
But I think , most importantly , they have expressed a willingness to run the government .
And I think that will be something that the current Afghan government is not going to be willing to accept .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. so determined to bring home U.S. troops , especially in an election year - that the Taliban really has little motive to stop their attacks .
JONES : I think that 's certainly true .
I mean , I - what I suspect the Taliban is doing right now .
And my conversations with both current and former Taliban officials indicate that they 're keeping options open .
If they assess that they can get a U.S. withdrawal now through talks , that 's great .
If not , they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of territory has increased a bit over the past couple of years .
So they 're winning on the battlefield .
SIMON : Yeah .
In the half minute we have left , you were an adviser to the U.S. military in Afghanistan .
What would you advise them to help make a deal work ?
JONES : Well , I would advise that the U.S. has a backup plan in case the negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban fall apart .
And I think , in particular , what does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist organizations like al-Qaida and the Islamic State in Afghanistan ?
And what is the U.S. objective , also ?
Does it want to prevent a collapse of the Afghan government ?
If so , it 's going to need some military resources to prevent a collapse .
SIMON : Seth Jones is a counterterrorism expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies .
Mr. Jones , thanks so much for being with us .

Counterterrorism Expert Explains U.S.-Taliban Peace Deal
NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Seth Jones of Center for Strategic and International Studies about the situation in Afghanistan where violence continues after the U.S.-Taliban peace deal.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
The violence in Afghanistan resumed just days after the U.S. and the Taliban signed a deal to end the war there. On Wednesday, a U.S. drone attacked the group in retaliation for a series of attacks on Afghan troops. And yesterday, at least 32 civilians were killed, dozens injured when Afghan gunmen opened fire in Kabul. The self-proclaimed Islamic State - or ISIS - claimed responsibility for that attack. Seth Jones is a counterterrorism expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Mr. Jones, thanks for being with us.
SETH JONES: It's great to be on. Thanks.
SIMON: The deal was signed last weekend. Has it already failed?
JONES: No, it hasn't failed yet. But I think we're at the period where it's going to be most difficult where the Afghan government now, which is feuding within itself over who is actually running the government, has to find a solution with the Taliban. I think this will be the most difficult period by far - is, can we get any sort of agreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban?
SIMON: Can we?
JONES: I think that the challenge so far is that most of the senior Taliban leadership is led by Mullah Akhundzada, Zakir, Razzaq, any of the senior officials. I find it very hard to believe that they'll have fought for 18 years only to agree to a situation where they're serving in an Afghan government led by someone like President Ghani. I think they're going to want to ask for a lot. And I don't see, at this point, a lot of opportunity and position where the two will agree. But we'll have to see.
SIMON: When you say ask for a lot, a return to some of the practices for which the Taliban were known when they ruled Afghanistan? I'm thinking of the practical incarceration of women and not permitting women in schools.
JONES: Yeah, they - I mean, the Taliban of today is a different organization from the Taliban of the 1990s that ran the government up through 9/11. They have a slightly modified ideology. But they still have a pretty harsh position towards women. They still have a harsh position toward women serving in government positions, what and how people can dress. But I think, most importantly, they have expressed a willingness to run the government. And I think that will be something that the current Afghan government is not going to be willing to accept.
SIMON: I have to ask because the U.S. so determined to bring home U.S. troops, especially in an election year - that the Taliban really has little motive to stop their attacks.
JONES: I think that's certainly true. I mean, I - what I suspect the Taliban is doing right now. And my conversations with both current and former Taliban officials indicate that they're keeping options open. If they assess that they can get a U.S. withdrawal now through talks, that's great. If not, they will continue to fight. And their control of territory has increased a bit over the past couple of years. So they're winning on the battlefield.
SIMON: Yeah. In the half minute we have left, you were an adviser to the U.S. military in Afghanistan. What would you advise them to help make a deal work?
JONES: Well, I would advise that the U.S. has a backup plan in case the negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban fall apart. And I think, in particular, what does the U.S. need to keep pressure on terrorist organizations like al-Qaida and the Islamic State in Afghanistan? And what is the U.S. objective, also? Does it want to prevent a collapse of the Afghan government? If so, it's going to need some military resources to prevent a collapse.
SIMON: Seth Jones is a counterterrorism expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Mr. Jones, thanks so much for being with us.
JONES: Thank you.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
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npr--2020-03-07--Residents Work To Recover After Deadly Tennessee Tornadoes

Tuesday 's tornadoes in Tennessee killed 24 people and ripped through cities and rural areas alike .
As residents work to recover , they 're finding it slow going .
Thousands of families in Tennessee have spent this week picking through piles of rubble .
A tornado struck in the early hours on Tuesday morning , flattening hundreds of homes and businesses and killing 24 people .
Fatalities , which included children , are concentrated in Putnam County , where survivors dig through the wreckage of their homes and businesses .
Few have found anything worth saving .
And when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very little .
Blake Farmer of member station WPLN reports .
BLAKE FARMER , BYLINE : Tornadoes basically bulldozed some streets .
Houses were swept clean off their foundations .
Others practically exploded on top of families .
And for several days , the concern was that under all this debris , there were still bodies .
TAMARA WILLIAMS : It 's very scary because I know two of them are children from right over there .
FARMER : Tamara Williams lives in the McBroom area of Putnam County .
She watched as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remnants of her two-story brick home .
She and her three kids survived .
But nearby , victims had been found on other people 's property .
WILLIAMS : I could n't imagine losing one of my kids or , you know , any of my family through it .
So I ca n't imagine what they 're feeling .
FARMER : In all , five children died , some along with their parents .
The loss of life can make some of the cleanup feel trivial , even for families that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salvaging can seem incredibly insignificant .
Thousands of volunteers have helped families like the Williams sort through the wreckage .
Williams was grateful to locate her work ID .
WILLIAMS : They found my badge , so that 's why I 'm wearing it .
I do n't have a vehicle , either , because my vehicle is - well , I do n't know where my car is , actually .
FARMER : The storms cut an 80-mile path of destruction from downtown Nashville to the east , strengthening along the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small airport , destroying million-dollar private jets .
It rumbled through dense neighborhoods , ripping apart storefronts , defacing historic homes and wrecking new condo buildings .
The tornado that ravaged Putnam County had winds of at least 175 miles an hour .
At that strength , there was n't much left to save beyond small , sentimental items .
One family spent hours hunting for a toddler 's blankie .
Another canvassed fields of debris looking for a prom dress , with success .
JEFF SMITH : Is it whole ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Smith 's daughter , Aubrey , walks out of the field behind their home , holding a sky-blue gown with sequins - mud-caked but dry-cleanable , with the tags still on it .
AUBREY : Yeah , I did n't have on my contacts earlier , so I found it now .
FARMER : The junior in high school played it cool , but the family now had something to smile about after living through a nightmare .
AUBREY : Yeah , it was like a movie .
FARMER : Her dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was nearly 2 in the morning .
SMITH : As I 'm looking out the window , the wall pushes me back .
FARMER : He rushed to get his family to the basement .
SMITH : My daughter was upstairs in her bedroom .
And as I 'm walking her to get her down to the basement , the whole floor just falls down .
FARMER : The rest was a blur .
The three of them were separated , pinned by the toppled walls and roof .
SMITH : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 minutes , buried alive .
At that point , I 'm just yelling , trying to get people to yell back .
FARMER : Somehow , they crawled out from under their home , and now they 're left starting from scratch .
But they 're thankful to be alive , as many families are planning funerals .
SMITH : It 's going to be the difference in replacing a house and replacing a home .
FARMER : Still , the size of the task ahead is starting to sink in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also trapped under their home , suffering cuts and bruises .
The university economics professor did n't have the heart or the motivation to save basically anything .
FERDIE DIFURIO : Because I do n't have a storage place for it , so you just take what you can .
I see my daughter 's bike there , but that 's not going to come with me .
FARMER : He says when you 've lost so much , sometimes , you just have to walk away .
For NPR News , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tenn .

Residents Work To Recover After Deadly Tennessee Tornadoes
Tuesday's tornadoes in Tennessee killed 24 people and ripped through cities and rural areas alike. As residents work to recover, they're finding it slow going.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Thousands of families in Tennessee have spent this week picking through piles of rubble. A tornado struck in the early hours on Tuesday morning, flattening hundreds of homes and businesses and killing 24 people. Fatalities, which included children, are concentrated in Putnam County, where survivors dig through the wreckage of their homes and businesses. Few have found anything worth saving. And when they have, it's often been very little. Blake Farmer of member station WPLN reports.
BLAKE FARMER, BYLINE: Tornadoes basically bulldozed some streets. Houses were swept clean off their foundations. Others practically exploded on top of families. And for several days, the concern was that under all this debris, there were still bodies.
TAMARA WILLIAMS: It's very scary because I know two of them are children from right over there.
FARMER: Tamara Williams lives in the McBroom area of Putnam County. She watched as firefighters used front-loaders to gingerly sift through the remnants of her two-story brick home. She and her three kids survived. But nearby, victims had been found on other people's property.
WILLIAMS: I couldn't imagine losing one of my kids or, you know, any of my family through it. So I can't imagine what they're feeling.
FARMER: In all, five children died, some along with their parents. The loss of life can make some of the cleanup feel trivial, even for families that lost everything. And what they're salvaging can seem incredibly insignificant. Thousands of volunteers have helped families like the Williams sort through the wreckage. Williams was grateful to locate her work ID.
WILLIAMS: They found my badge, so that's why I'm wearing it. I don't have a vehicle, either, because my vehicle is - well, I don't know where my car is, actually.
FARMER: The storms cut an 80-mile path of destruction from downtown Nashville to the east, strengthening along the way. A tornado first touched down at a small airport, destroying million-dollar private jets. It rumbled through dense neighborhoods, ripping apart storefronts, defacing historic homes and wrecking new condo buildings. The tornado that ravaged Putnam County had winds of at least 175 miles an hour. At that strength, there wasn't much left to save beyond small, sentimental items. One family spent hours hunting for a toddler's blankie. Another canvassed fields of debris looking for a prom dress, with success.
JEFF SMITH: Is it whole? It ain't torn?
FARMER: Jeff Smith's daughter, Aubrey, walks out of the field behind their home, holding a sky-blue gown with sequins - mud-caked but dry-cleanable, with the tags still on it.
AUBREY: Yeah, I didn't have on my contacts earlier, so I found it now.
FARMER: The junior in high school played it cool, but the family now had something to smile about after living through a nightmare.
AUBREY: Yeah, it was like a movie.
FARMER: Her dad received the tornado warning on his phone. It was nearly 2 in the morning.
SMITH: As I'm looking out the window, the wall pushes me back.
FARMER: He rushed to get his family to the basement.
SMITH: My daughter was upstairs in her bedroom. And as I'm walking her to get her down to the basement, the whole floor just falls down.
FARMER: The rest was a blur. The three of them were separated, pinned by the toppled walls and roof.
SMITH: I'm down for about 10, 15 minutes, buried alive. At that point, I'm just yelling, trying to get people to yell back.
FARMER: Somehow, they crawled out from under their home, and now they're left starting from scratch. But they're thankful to be alive, as many families are planning funerals.
SMITH: It's going to be the difference in replacing a house and replacing a home.
FARMER: Still, the size of the task ahead is starting to sink in. Ferdie DiFurio and his 9-year-old daughter were also trapped under their home, suffering cuts and bruises. The university economics professor didn't have the heart or the motivation to save basically anything.
FERDIE DIFURIO: Because I don't have a storage place for it, so you just take what you can. I see my daughter's bike there, but that's not going to come with me.
FARMER: He says when you've lost so much, sometimes, you just have to walk away. For NPR News, I'm Blake Farmer in Putnam County, Tenn.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-07--SXSW Events Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns

South by Southwest — a massive art , music and technology festival — has been canceled over fears that visitors might help spread the coronavirus in Austin , Texas .
Fears over the spread of COVID-19 have caused major events tracking large crowds to be postponed or canceled .
The wildly popular South by Southwest festival in Austin is now one of those events .
Over 100,000 people from all over the world were expected to attend next week .
But last night , Austin Mayor Steve Adler declared a local disaster in the city and issued the order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the event 's 34 years that 's been canceled .
Mayor Adler joins us .
Thanks so much for being with us .
STEVE ADLER : Good to be with you .
SIMON : How much is this going to cost Austin ?
ADLER : You know , the economic benefit to the city - a little over $ 350 million .
This is going to hurt .
SIMON : Did anyone try and convince you otherwise , talk you out of it ?
ADLER : Not really .
I was really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the community , really the focus on keeping people safe .
And that includes the organizers of the South by Southwest Festival .
SIMON : Now , health officials , I gather , have said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Austin .
And health officials also quoted as saying `` no evidence that closing South by Southwest or any other gatherings will make the community safer . ''
But what factored into your decision , if that 's the case ?
ADLER : Well , that 's what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported cases in Austin .
But certainly , the longer we can stay that way , the better off we are .
It 's inevitable that it 's coming here , as to all other cities .
But delay is better .
The balance - when you take into account all the factors that would make a canceling , make the city safer and the ways that canceling make the city less safe , the balance on Tuesday was , as you reported , that it would n't make - canceling would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed conditions over the last two or three days had our health experts change and revise their advice .
And their recommendation yesterday was to cancel the event because it would make the city safer .
They were looking at the increased person-to-person spread of the disease that was happening in cities that were both closer and cities that were sending many people to the festival .
SIMON : You 're a man of the arts , Mr. Mayor , and mayor of a city famed for its arts and music .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of singers , songwriters .
Rod Lurie 's film `` The Outpost '' was set to premiere there .
This must be tough .
ADLER : Very tough and truly heartbreaking .
You know , the real impact cumulatively , as you indicated - but the individual stories are also heartbreaking .
We 're going to have to mitigate that as best we can as a community , be as resilient as we can .
You know , there 's efforts starting now , like stand by South by to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm trying to encourage everybody in the city to go out a few times next week and have dinner out and visit some of the clubs and - but this is going to hurt .
We just ultimately did n't have a choice because the focus needed to be on doing what was necessary to best keep the city safe .
SIMON : Mayor Steve Adler of Austin , Texas .
Thanks so much for being with us , Mr. Mayor .

SXSW Events Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns
South by Southwest — a massive art, music and technology festival — has been canceled over fears that visitors might help spread the coronavirus in Austin, Texas.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Fears over the spread of COVID-19 have caused major events tracking large crowds to be postponed or canceled. The wildly popular South by Southwest festival in Austin is now one of those events. Over 100,000 people from all over the world were expected to attend next week. But last night, Austin Mayor Steve Adler declared a local disaster in the city and issued the order to cancel the festival, the first time in the event's 34 years that's been canceled. Mayor Adler joins us. Thanks so much for being with us.
STEVE ADLER: Good to be with you.
SIMON: How much is this going to cost Austin?
ADLER: You know, the economic benefit to the city - a little over $350 million. This is going to hurt.
SIMON: Did anyone try and convince you otherwise, talk you out of it?
ADLER: Not really. I was really encouraged by the - basically the unanimity in the community, really the focus on keeping people safe. And that includes the organizers of the South by Southwest Festival.
SIMON: Now, health officials, I gather, have said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Austin. And health officials also quoted as saying "no evidence that closing South by Southwest or any other gatherings will make the community safer." But what factored into your decision, if that's the case?
ADLER: Well, that's what the health - one, we have no reported cases in Austin. But certainly, the longer we can stay that way, the better off we are. It's inevitable that it's coming here, as to all other cities. But delay is better. The balance - when you take into account all the factors that would make a canceling, make the city safer and the ways that canceling make the city less safe, the balance on Tuesday was, as you reported, that it wouldn't make - canceling wouldn't make the city safer. But the changed conditions over the last two or three days had our health experts change and revise their advice. And their recommendation yesterday was to cancel the event because it would make the city safer. They were looking at the increased person-to-person spread of the disease that was happening in cities that were both closer and cities that were sending many people to the festival.
SIMON: You're a man of the arts, Mr. Mayor, and mayor of a city famed for its arts and music. This is going to be a setback for a lot of singers, songwriters. Rod Lurie's film "The Outpost" was set to premiere there. This must be tough.
ADLER: Very tough and truly heartbreaking. You know, the real impact cumulatively, as you indicated - but the individual stories are also heartbreaking. We're going to have to mitigate that as best we can as a community, be as resilient as we can. You know, there's efforts starting now, like stand by South by to try to to mitigate those things. I'm trying to encourage everybody in the city to go out a few times next week and have dinner out and visit some of the clubs and - but this is going to hurt. We just ultimately didn't have a choice because the focus needed to be on doing what was necessary to best keep the city safe.
SIMON: Mayor Steve Adler of Austin, Texas. Thanks so much for being with us, Mr. Mayor.
ADLER: Thank you.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-07--How Trump Is Handling 2 Recent Disasters

President Trump on Friday got a first-hand look at Tennessee 's cleanup after deadly tornadoes , and in Atlanta , the CDC 's response to coronavirus — two very different kinds of deadly disasters .
The coronavirus outbreak is testing President Trump and his administration .
Yesterday , the president visited with employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta .
He also surveyed tornado damage in Tennessee .
Like other presidents , how he handles crises and disasters could come to define his presidency .
NPR 's White House correspondent Tamara Keith traveled with President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the president is this weekend .
Tam , thanks for being with us .
SIMON : Tell us first about Tennessee .
Where presidents - following events like that , presidents are often asked to be the consoler in chief .
KEITH : Right .
President Trump visited a street that was just a tangle of demolished houses , trees and cars .
It was devastated by the tornadoes that came through on Monday night in the middle of the night .
On the street he visited , eight people had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I asked President Trump what his message was for the people who live in Tennessee .
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP : Well , I do have a message , and I have a message for the families of those that lost their lives .
We love them .
They are special people .
It 's an incredible place , incredible state .
KEITH : A tornado is contained .
You know , the scary part is over .
There 's no unknown .
He can sign a disaster declaration , as he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's left is the recovery , the rebuilding .
And he can be sort of the cheerleader .
SIMON : And , of course , very different situation for the second part of his trip , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which is trying to marshal the response to coronavirus .
What stood out to you about that trip ?
KEITH : Well , that whole trip was sort of symbolic of how this administration is struggling to deal with a very fluid situation .
Whether President Trump would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the air , on-again , off-again throughout the morning .
And then , as President Trump talked about it , he was asked about the cruise ship off the coast .
And he was very focused on his own numbers , on his ratings and on how the cruise ship passengers could make him look .
TRUMP : They would like to have the people come off .
I 'd rather have the people stay , but I 'd go with them .
I told them to make the final decision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers being where they are .
I do n't need to have the numbers double because of one ship .
KEITH : Unlike the tornado , coronavirus - it is a challenge that is literally not contained .
And President Trump seems to be struggling with that .
SIMON : Tam , how was this trip emblematic of how Trump deals with crisis situations ?
KEITH : You know , he does want to accentuate the positive .
And he also - he simply says things that are n't true as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a positive one .
TRUMP : As of right now and yesterday , anybody that needs a test - that 's the important thing .
And the tests are all perfect like the letter was perfect , the transcription was perfect .
KEITH : To be clear , it is not perfect , and the tests are not readily available yet .
There have been delays in getting them out .
There are still problems and delays , and not everyone can get a test .
As for the transcription , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SIMON : Trump announced last night that Mick Mulvaney , the acting White House chief of staff , is out of that job .
Mark Meadows , the congressman from North Carolina , is in .
What kind of effect that this might have on the administration 's response ?
KEITH : I mean , the timing is puzzling .
But Mark Meadows , the congressman , has been in President Trump 's ear , has spoken to him multiple times a week for much of his presidency and is a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this change .
SIMON : NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith , thanks so much .

How Trump Is Handling 2 Recent Disasters
President Trump on Friday got a first-hand look at Tennessee's cleanup after deadly tornadoes, and in Atlanta, the CDC's response to coronavirus — two very different kinds of deadly disasters.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
The coronavirus outbreak is testing President Trump and his administration. Yesterday, the president visited with employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. He also surveyed tornado damage in Tennessee. Like other presidents, how he handles crises and disasters could come to define his presidency.
NPR's White House correspondent Tamara Keith traveled with President Trump yesterday, joins us now from Florida, where the president is this weekend. Tam, thanks for being with us.
TAMARA KEITH, BYLINE: Good morning.
SIMON: Tell us first about Tennessee. Where presidents - following events like that, presidents are often asked to be the consoler in chief.
KEITH: Right. President Trump visited a street that was just a tangle of demolished houses, trees and cars. It was devastated by the tornadoes that came through on Monday night in the middle of the night. On the street he visited, eight people had died on just that one small block. I asked President Trump what his message was for the people who live in Tennessee.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, I do have a message, and I have a message for the families of those that lost their lives. We love them. They are special people. It's an incredible place, incredible state.
KEITH: A tornado is contained. You know, the scary part is over. There's no unknown. He can sign a disaster declaration, as he did, send federal help. And all that's left is the recovery, the rebuilding. And he can be sort of the cheerleader.
SIMON: And, of course, very different situation for the second part of his trip, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is trying to marshal the response to coronavirus. What stood out to you about that trip?
KEITH: Well, that whole trip was sort of symbolic of how this administration is struggling to deal with a very fluid situation. Whether President Trump would even go to the CDC was up in the air, on-again, off-again throughout the morning. And then, as President Trump talked about it, he was asked about the cruise ship off the coast. And he was very focused on his own numbers, on his ratings and on how the cruise ship passengers could make him look.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TRUMP: They would like to have the people come off. I'd rather have the people stay, but I'd go with them. I told them to make the final decision. I would rather because I like the numbers being where they are. I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship.
KEITH: Unlike the tornado, coronavirus - it is a challenge that is literally not contained. And President Trump seems to be struggling with that.
SIMON: Tam, how was this trip emblematic of how Trump deals with crisis situations?
KEITH: You know, he does want to accentuate the positive. And he also - he simply says things that aren't true as part of his effort to tell a story that is a positive one.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TRUMP: As of right now and yesterday, anybody that needs a test - that's the important thing. And the tests are all perfect like the letter was perfect, the transcription was perfect.
KEITH: To be clear, it is not perfect, and the tests are not readily available yet. There have been delays in getting them out. There are still problems and delays, and not everyone can get a test. As for the transcription, that call led to the president's impeachment.
SIMON: Trump announced last night that Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, is out of that job. Mark Meadows, the congressman from North Carolina, is in. What kind of effect that this might have on the administration's response?
KEITH: I mean, the timing is puzzling. But Mark Meadows, the congressman, has been in President Trump's ear, has spoken to him multiple times a week for much of his presidency and is a strong ally. So the president is excited about this change.
SIMON: NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith, thanks so much.
KEITH: You're welcome.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


Latest On Coronavirus

In Washington state , officials are struggling to respond ot the spread of the new strain of the coronavirus .
The coronavirus continues to spread .
There are more than 300 confirmed cases in the U.S. And off the California coast , 21 people on a cruise ship have been tested - have tested positive so far .
The highest numbers in the country are in Washington state , where there are more than 80 confirmed cases and 14 people have died .
Will Stone of member station KNKX in Seattle has been covering this story .
Will , thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is the situation like in Seattle ?
STONE : Well , every day brings a batch of new confirmed cases , especially in the last few days .
The numbers have jumped significantly , as well as the deaths being reported .
And these are n't just confined to a few hot spots .
They 're popping up really all throughout the metro area , among staff at the University of Washington or at Amazon and Starbucks , hospital workers and even in rural communities three hours away from the coast in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What do public officials there say about the increasing number of cases ?
STONE : They 're issuing very strong warnings and asking people to reconsider their plans .
We have emergency declarations in cities .
Schools are shutting down .
The university has canceled in-person classes .
Festivals are being canceled .
Even employees at major tech companies are being told to work from home .
Generally , the public is being asked to avoid large gatherings .
And there is recognition among public health leaders that all we can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is how Dow Constantine , executive of King County , puts it .
DOW CONSTANTINE : We must prepare this region for the inevitable continued spread of this virus , at least in the short run .
But we will do everything we can to slow its spread , to protect those who are most likely to become seriously ill from it .
STONE : And Constantine made these comments as he fielded questions about a nursing home called Life Care Center , where the virus has swept through , leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SIMON : How are people in Seattle coping ?
STONE : Many are adjusting their day-to-day routines , whether that 's working at home or not going to yoga class or to restaurants .
It 's not a ghost town yet , but there is a noticeable difference in people riding public transit and at the airport .
And those who are at high risk , which is defined as people over 60 or with underlying health conditions or pregnant - they 're having to preemptively isolate themselves .
One such person is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 29 years old , works at a hospital .
And she has multiple sclerosis .
She was reluctant at first to just stay home .
MORGAN LARSON : So I kept making excuses why I should be going to work .
But at the end of the day , this is a very serious matter .
And especially in King County , we 're just taking the highest precaution as we can .
STONE : For Larson , that means her doctor has advised her to stay home until March 23 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering the outbreak as it develops all over the West Coast .
What 's the latest about that cruise ship off of San Francisco ?
STONE : Vice President Mike Pence announced yesterday that nearly half the people tested aboard the Grand Princess , a cruise ship being held off San Francisco , have been infected with coronavirus - 21 out of 46 people tested - 19 were crew members and two were passengers .
They 're about 3,500 people on board the ship .
The vice president said it would be brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing would continue .
And this is , of course , the second cruise ship to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak .
SIMON : Will Stone of member station KNKX in Seattle , thanks so much .

Latest On Coronavirus
In Washington state, officials are struggling to respond ot the spread of the new strain of the coronavirus.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
The coronavirus continues to spread. There are more than 300 confirmed cases in the U.S. And off the California coast, 21 people on a cruise ship have been tested - have tested positive so far. The highest numbers in the country are in Washington state, where there are more than 80 confirmed cases and 14 people have died.
Will Stone of member station KNKX in Seattle has been covering this story. Will, thanks for joining us.
WILL STONE, BYLINE: Good morning.
SIMON: And what is the situation like in Seattle?
STONE: Well, every day brings a batch of new confirmed cases, especially in the last few days. The numbers have jumped significantly, as well as the deaths being reported. And these aren't just confined to a few hot spots. They're popping up really all throughout the metro area, among staff at the University of Washington or at Amazon and Starbucks, hospital workers and even in rural communities three hours away from the coast in the middle of the state.
SIMON: What do public officials there say about the increasing number of cases?
STONE: They're issuing very strong warnings and asking people to reconsider their plans. We have emergency declarations in cities. Schools are shutting down. The university has canceled in-person classes. Festivals are being canceled. Even employees at major tech companies are being told to work from home. Generally, the public is being asked to avoid large gatherings.
And there is recognition among public health leaders that all we can do now is try to mitigate the damage. This is how Dow Constantine, executive of King County, puts it.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
DOW CONSTANTINE: We must prepare this region for the inevitable continued spread of this virus, at least in the short run. But we will do everything we can to slow its spread, to protect those who are most likely to become seriously ill from it.
STONE: And Constantine made these comments as he fielded questions about a nursing home called Life Care Center, where the virus has swept through, leaving many residents ill and killing some.
SIMON: How are people in Seattle coping?
STONE: Many are adjusting their day-to-day routines, whether that's working at home or not going to yoga class or to restaurants. It's not a ghost town yet, but there is a noticeable difference in people riding public transit and at the airport. And those who are at high risk, which is defined as people over 60 or with underlying health conditions or pregnant - they're having to preemptively isolate themselves. One such person is Morgan Larson (ph). She's 29 years old, works at a hospital. And she has multiple sclerosis. She was reluctant at first to just stay home.
MORGAN LARSON: So I kept making excuses why I should be going to work. But at the end of the day, this is a very serious matter. And especially in King County, we're just taking the highest precaution as we can.
STONE: For Larson, that means her doctor has advised her to stay home until March 23.
SIMON: Will, you've been covering the outbreak as it develops all over the West Coast. What's the latest about that cruise ship off of San Francisco?
STONE: Vice President Mike Pence announced yesterday that nearly half the people tested aboard the Grand Princess, a cruise ship being held off San Francisco, have been infected with coronavirus - 21 out of 46 people tested - 19 were crew members and two were passengers. They're about 3,500 people on board the ship. The vice president said it would be brought to a noncommercial port this weekend where testing would continue. And this is, of course, the second cruise ship to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
SIMON: Will Stone of member station KNKX in Seattle, thanks so much.
STONE: Thank you.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-07--Latest In Sports And How Coronavirus Could Affect March Madness

Latest In Sports And How Coronavirus Could Affect March Madness NPR 's Scott Simon talks to ESPN 's Michele Steele about the NFL 's new collective bargaining agreement as well as how worries over the spread of COVID-19 will affect the March Madness tournament .
And now it 's time for sports .
SIMON : Suppose they held the biggest college basketball tournament in empty arenas .
Will Tom Brady take his Uggs out of New England ?
And could the NFL season last 17 games ?
ESPN 's Michele Steele joins us now from Chicago .
Michele , thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SIMON : The March Madness college basketball tournament about to begin - locations around the country , indoor stadiums , people from all over the country - kind of a prescription for what people are supposed to avoid these days , is n't it ?
STEELE : My goodness , yeah .
You know , with March Madness , there 's always those schools that end up getting an opportunity to play in a place really near their school , right ?
You 'll see Duke in the southeast region .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No fans at the game really does take the oomph out of home-court advantage .
But this is really worth following for , obviously , many more serious reasons .
You know , I 've been at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference this weekend in Boston .
It 's a real sort of convention of heavy hitters across sports .
And in just about every league , they 're really following these developments closely .
Late last night , the NBA sent a memo to teams to be prepared to play games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no fans .
It does n't mean that they 'll do it , but just to be ready .
What I 'm hearing is that the next two weeks are going to be really critical .
SIMON : Will the NCAA consider canceling March Madness or making the kind of accommodation that we mentioned ?
I mean , no fans means no or limited income , does n't it ?
STEELE : Of course .
Yeah , ticket sales are really important .
But , of course , the TV deal dwarfs whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket side .
STEELE : You know , I do n't think anything is off the table at this point .
March 18 , 19 is when those first rounds begin .
The NCAA says they 're just monitoring their situation , and there 's too much that they do n't know , so their health advisory board just is not recommending them to cancel games or fan participation .
So it 's just wait and see at this point , Scott .
SIMON : Tom Brady , speaking of March 18 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His Massachusetts home is reportedly for sale ; do n't everyone call at once now .
But do you see any indication that he 's on his way out of New England ?
STEELE : Yeah , I think his house is something like $ 33 million .
So if anybody hearing this is in that price range , there 's a big old mansion outside of Boston that you could look at .
I used to live in New England , and I 've spent some time around Brady and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that Bill Belichick knows he can win without Tom .
He 's done it before .
Tom Brady does n't know that .
You know , he 's been in one system .
I 'm hearing that the two sides have been talking , and it was , quote , `` business as usual . ''
You know , to a certain extent , it does feel like Belichick is kind of daring him to leave to test the market in free agency .
It does feel like there 's been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like he 's really trying to convince us that he 's at least flirting with leaving .
But the serious part of this , Scott , is that a lot of league business depends on what Brady does .
He 's , of course , the first big domino to fall in free agency , and then other teams can make their own moves at quarterback .
But the entire league is waiting on this move with bated breath .
We 'll see .
SIMON : New collective bargaining agreement - the NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the option to add one more regular season game .
And the reaction of players seems to be split on different levels , is n't it ?
STEELE : Yeah , and that 's part of the strategy .
You know , voting on that new CBA , the collective bargaining agreement , started this week .
And the mandate for NFL union negotiators , I 'm told , was to deliver a deal that was better for the , you know , the middle class , let 's call it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making the league minimum to more so a median income , but not really the top-tier guys .
That 's a vast ... SIMON : The league minimum is more than half a million dollars a year .
STEELE : ( Laughter ) Yeah , it 's pretty good , but - although it is the Not For Long league .
But these guys who are making the league minimum or are a little bit more - that 's a vast majority of guys in a roster .
And the league is offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You know , they want to bump up the league minimum , but they 're not going to do it without extracting a cost from players .
And they want to expand the season to 17 games .
The entire time I have been covering the NFL , guys have been adamantly against this .
However , like I said , it 's the Not For Long league , and those guys who know that their careers are going to be real short are thinking , let me make my money when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michele Steele , thanks so much .

Latest In Sports And How Coronavirus Could Affect March Madness
NPR's Scott Simon talks to ESPN's Michele Steele about the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement as well as how worries over the spread of COVID-19 will affect the March Madness tournament.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
And now it's time for sports.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
SIMON: Suppose they held the biggest college basketball tournament in empty arenas. Will Tom Brady take his Uggs out of New England? And could the NFL season last 17 games? ESPN's Michele Steele joins us now from Chicago. Michele, thanks so much for being back with us.
MICHELE STEELE: Good morning, Scott.
SIMON: The March Madness college basketball tournament about to begin - locations around the country, indoor stadiums, people from all over the country - kind of a prescription for what people are supposed to avoid these days, isn't it?
STEELE: My goodness, yeah. You know, with March Madness, there's always those schools that end up getting an opportunity to play in a place really near their school, right? You'll see Duke in the southeast region. You'll see Gonzaga in the northwest. No fans at the game really does take the oomph out of home-court advantage. But this is really worth following for, obviously, many more serious reasons.
You know, I've been at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference this weekend in Boston. It's a real sort of convention of heavy hitters across sports. And in just about every league, they're really following these developments closely. Late last night, the NBA sent a memo to teams to be prepared to play games with just their essential staff, so no fans. It doesn't mean that they'll do it, but just to be ready. What I'm hearing is that the next two weeks are going to be really critical.
SIMON: Will the NCAA consider canceling March Madness or making the kind of accommodation that we mentioned? I mean, no fans means no or limited income, doesn't it?
STEELE: Of course. Yeah, ticket sales are really important. But, of course, the TV deal dwarfs whatever they're going to do on the ticket side.
SIMON: Yeah.
STEELE: You know, I don't think anything is off the table at this point. March 18, 19 is when those first rounds begin. The NCAA says they're just monitoring their situation, and there's too much that they don't know, so their health advisory board just is not recommending them to cancel games or fan participation. So it's just wait and see at this point, Scott.
SIMON: Tom Brady, speaking of March 18, is set to become a free agent. His Massachusetts home is reportedly for sale; don't everyone call at once now. But do you see any indication that he's on his way out of New England?
STEELE: Yeah, I think his house is something like $33 million. So if anybody hearing this is in that price range, there's a big old mansion outside of Boston that you could look at. I used to live in New England, and I've spent some time around Brady and the Patriots. And my not-so-hot take here is that Bill Belichick knows he can win without Tom. He's done it before. Tom Brady doesn't know that. You know, he's been in one system. I'm hearing that the two sides have been talking, and it was, quote, "business as usual." You know, to a certain extent, it does feel like Belichick is kind of daring him to leave to test the market in free agency. It does feel like there's been a lot of theatrics. So it feels like he's really trying to convince us that he's at least flirting with leaving.
But the serious part of this, Scott, is that a lot of league business depends on what Brady does. He's, of course, the first big domino to fall in free agency, and then other teams can make their own moves at quarterback. But the entire league is waiting on this move with bated breath. We'll see.
SIMON: New collective bargaining agreement - the NFL owners are proposing two more playoff games and the option to add one more regular season game. And the reaction of players seems to be split on different levels, isn't it?
STEELE: Yeah, and that's part of the strategy. You know, voting on that new CBA, the collective bargaining agreement, started this week. And the mandate for NFL union negotiators, I'm told, was to deliver a deal that was better for the, you know, the middle class, let's call it, of the league - guys who are making the league minimum to more so a median income, but not really the top-tier guys. That's a vast...
SIMON: The league minimum is more than half a million dollars a year.
STEELE: (Laughter) Yeah, it's pretty good, but - although it is the Not For Long league. But these guys who are making the league minimum or are a little bit more - that's a vast majority of guys in a roster. And the league is offering to bump those guys' salaries up. You know, they want to bump up the league minimum, but they're not going to do it without extracting a cost from players. And they want to expand the season to 17 games. The entire time I have been covering the NFL, guys have been adamantly against this. However, like I said, it's the Not For Long league, and those guys who know that their careers are going to be real short are thinking, let me make my money when I can.
SIMON: ESPN's Michele Steele, thanks so much.
STEELE: You bet.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-07--Why Is There A Worldwide Run On Toilet Tissue Amid The Coronavirus?

Why Is There A Worldwide Run On Toilet Tissue Amid The Coronavirus ?
Why is there a run on toilet tissue ?
I 'm going to try and keep this elevated .
But by now , most of us have seen people steering stacks of toilet tissue the size of icebergs out of stores .
Anxieties about toilet tissue have begun to spread around the world with coronavirus .
Australia 's NT News printed eight blank pages this week for readers to lift out and use in an emergency , they said , which , by the way , ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why the worldwide run on toilet tissue ?
It does n't treat coronavirus .
It 's not a staple you can store for a quarantine like peanut butter or canned corn .
Toilet tissue is n't soap , beer , condoms or M & M 's , so why are so many people rushing to buy up every last roll of toilet tissue ?
Fear , says Professor Justin Wolfers , the eminent economist at the University of Michigan - a rational fear , he told us , in that if everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you wo n't be able to .
So you run out for toilet paper not because you fear society is about to crumble but because you fear others fear this .
Fear of a run on toilet paper , like a run on banks , creates an actual run .
The professor suggests a federal strategic toilet paper reserve be created - millions , even billions of rolls of toilet tissue buried somewhere impenetrable and secure to reassure Americans there is toilet tissue for all in America - no need to surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roll .
I 'm not sure if I really mean it , Professor Wolfers told us , but I 'm sure it would work .

Why Is There A Worldwide Run On Toilet Tissue Amid The Coronavirus?
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Why is there a run on toilet tissue? I'm going to try and keep this elevated. But by now, most of us have seen people steering stacks of toilet tissue the size of icebergs out of stores. Anxieties about toilet tissue have begun to spread around the world with coronavirus. Australia's NT News printed eight blank pages this week for readers to lift out and use in an emergency, they said, which, by the way, can't be done with an online publication.
Why the worldwide run on toilet tissue? It doesn't treat coronavirus. It's not a staple you can store for a quarantine like peanut butter or canned corn. Toilet tissue isn't soap, beer, condoms or M&M's, so why are so many people rushing to buy up every last roll of toilet tissue? Fear, says Professor Justin Wolfers, the eminent economist at the University of Michigan - a rational fear, he told us, in that if everybody else buys toilet paper before you do, you won't be able to. So you run out for toilet paper not because you fear society is about to crumble but because you fear others fear this.
Fear of a run on toilet paper, like a run on banks, creates an actual run. The professor suggests a federal strategic toilet paper reserve be created - millions, even billions of rolls of toilet tissue buried somewhere impenetrable and secure to reassure Americans there is toilet tissue for all in America - no need to surge into stores to grasp for every last roll. I'm not sure if I really mean it, Professor Wolfers told us, but I'm sure it would work.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-07--How Some Churches Are Trying To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus Among Congregants

How Some Churches Are Trying To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus Among Congregants Churches are taking extra precautions regarding the coronavirus , as practices such as passing the peace through handshakes and drinking from the common cup at communion could spread the illness .
As more cases of coronavirus are confirmed in the U.S. , some clergy are taking steps to prevent its spread at church .
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles this week told its congregations to stop offering communion wine .
Religious leaders in Chicago , Seattle , Houston and elsewhere have taken similar precautions in houses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Shahla Farzan reports on how congregations are trying to preserve religious practices while also avoiding illness .
SHAHLA FARZAN , BYLINE : A small group of worshippers gathers for Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis just as the sun is peeking over the horizon .
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD : Give us this day our daily bread ... FARZAN : When it comes time to exchange the sign of peace , instead of shaking hands , congregants smile and wave to each other .
It 's a simple change this congregation has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
Worshipper Judy Meinert says , in church , they look out for each other .
JUDY MEINERT : And I thought , you know what ?
I care about these people too much .
I definitely do n't want to share anything that could make them sick .
FARZAN : This congregation is taking coronavirus very seriously , says Father Nicholas Smith .
He says he tries to model good hygiene practices for his flock .
NICHOLAS SMITH : So if I ever do have to cough , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or something .
That might remind people that 's what we should be doing .
FARZAN : Before offering communion wafers to his congregants , Smith washes his hands and squirts a glob of sanitizer into his palm .
Churches are reconsidering a variety of practices due to the coronavirus .
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is recommending sanitizing the baptismal font and other commonly touched objects more frequently .
And it 's also asking clergy to consider not using the shared communion cup .
Hilary Babcock , an infectious disease specialist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good idea .
HILARY BABCOCK : I advocate for people not sharing food , utensils , glasses and cups .
So in general , I think that 's higher risk than if there is a way to allow people to have individual cups or individual containers that they are using and either disposing of or having cleaned afterwards .
FARZAN : Babcock says , like the flu , coronavirus spreads through coughing or sneezing or if people 's hands become contaminated and then they shake hands with others .
The Evangelical Lutheran Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice of intinction , or dipping the communion bread or wafer in the wine .
John Weit is the church 's executive for worship .
JOHN WEIT : That 's probably the least hygienic way because our hands are the - often the dirtiest parts or that carry disease , so that - not recommending that practice .
FARZAN : He says congregants can choose not to take the wine at all if they feel uncomfortable .
And Weit says no matter what , he does n't want people to stop worshipping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the gathered body of Christ whenever possible so that there are safeguards and practices that we can adapt as needed but that still hold true to our faith .
FARZAN : All of this matters because shared meals , baptisms , anointing with oil and human contact are central to Christianity , says Bishop Wayne Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri .
WAYNE SMITH : It really is bittersweet not to be able to engage in those things to the fullest extent available to us .
But I think that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith points out congregations have had to do this before .
During the 1918 flu pandemic , the mayor of St. Louis closed all of the churches in the city for at least several months .
They 're hoping it wo n't come to that this time .

How Some Churches Are Trying To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus Among Congregants
Churches are taking extra precautions regarding the coronavirus, as practices such as passing the peace through handshakes and drinking from the common cup at communion could spread the illness.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
As more cases of coronavirus are confirmed in the U.S., some clergy are taking steps to prevent its spread at church. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles this week told its congregations to stop offering communion wine. Religious leaders in Chicago, Seattle, Houston and elsewhere have taken similar precautions in houses of worship. From St. Louis Public Radio, Shahla Farzan reports on how congregations are trying to preserve religious practices while also avoiding illness.
SHAHLA FARZAN, BYLINE: A small group of worshippers gathers for Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis just as the sun is peeking over the horizon.
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: Give us this day our daily bread...
FARZAN: When it comes time to exchange the sign of peace, instead of shaking hands, congregants smile and wave to each other. It's a simple change this congregation has made to reduce the chances of spreading the coronavirus. Worshipper Judy Meinert says, in church, they look out for each other.
JUDY MEINERT: And I thought, you know what? I care about these people too much. I definitely don't want to share anything that could make them sick.
FARZAN: This congregation is taking coronavirus very seriously, says Father Nicholas Smith. He says he tries to model good hygiene practices for his flock.
NICHOLAS SMITH: So if I ever do have to cough, you know, I'm going into my elbow or something. That might remind people that's what we should be doing.
FARZAN: Before offering communion wafers to his congregants, Smith washes his hands and squirts a glob of sanitizer into his palm. Churches are reconsidering a variety of practices due to the coronavirus. The Archdiocese of St. Louis is recommending sanitizing the baptismal font and other commonly touched objects more frequently. And it's also asking clergy to consider not using the shared communion cup. Hilary Babcock, an infectious disease specialist at Washington University, says that's a good idea.
HILARY BABCOCK: I advocate for people not sharing food, utensils, glasses and cups. So in general, I think that's higher risk than if there is a way to allow people to have individual cups or individual containers that they are using and either disposing of or having cleaned afterwards.
FARZAN: Babcock says, like the flu, coronavirus spreads through coughing or sneezing or if people's hands become contaminated and then they shake hands with others. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has suggested pastors stop the practice of intinction, or dipping the communion bread or wafer in the wine. John Weit is the church's executive for worship.
JOHN WEIT: That's probably the least hygienic way because our hands are the - often the dirtiest parts or that carry disease, so that - not recommending that practice.
FARZAN: He says congregants can choose not to take the wine at all if they feel uncomfortable. And Weit says no matter what, he doesn't want people to stop worshipping.
WEIT: We want to continue to be the gathered body of Christ whenever possible so that there are safeguards and practices that we can adapt as needed but that still hold true to our faith.
FARZAN: All of this matters because shared meals, baptisms, anointing with oil and human contact are central to Christianity, says Bishop Wayne Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri.
WAYNE SMITH: It really is bittersweet not to be able to engage in those things to the fullest extent available to us. But I think that we must do that nonetheless.
FARZAN: Smith points out congregations have had to do this before. During the 1918 flu pandemic, the mayor of St. Louis closed all of the churches in the city for at least several months. They're hoping it won't come to that this time.
For NPR News, I'm Shahla Farzan in St. Louis.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-07--Latest On New EPA Proposal

Latest On New EPA Proposal

NPR 's Scott Simon talks to Andrew Rosenberg of the Union of Concerned Scientists about the latest Environmental Protection Agency proposal that could limit scientific research used for regulations .
The Environmental Protection Agency this week released an updated proposal that would require scientists to make all of their studies ' raw data public before the EPA could consider the conclusions .
Some scientists fear this could limit the research used for both federal regulations and any aspect of the agency 's work .
We 're joined now by Dr. Andrew Rosenberg , a director with the Union of Concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being with us .
ANDREW ROSENBERG : Thank you very much , Scott .
SIMON : The EPA says this is all in the name of transparency .
The public ought to be able to see the data before it 's used for regulations .
What 's wrong with that ?
ROSENBERG : Well , what 's wrong with it is a lot of data that 's used for public health studies , which is what the EPA primarily relies on , is private medical information .
So you do n't want people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
And the EPA is saying , that 's OK ; we just wo n't use the studies .
SIMON : Now , I gather that publicizing raw data has drew criticism from even the EPA 's own scientific advisory board , and this includes members who were appointed by the Trump administration .
They have some of the same reservations ?
ROSENBERG : Yes , they had the same reservations that this was not a workable proposal , that it would hinder the work of the agency .
But most importantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific standard .
It 's a longstanding effort by some special interests to try to exclude public health studies and , therefore , make it more difficult to regulate industries that pollute .
SIMON : And what do you consider special interest ?
ROSENBERG : Special interest , in this case , is particularly the oil and gas industry .
But many polluting industries have said , if we do this , it 'll make it much harder for the agency to regulate .
I mean , let 's take an example .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ area like Cancer Alley in Louisiana , and you went around and collected information from residents in the area about their health histories , you certainly would have to promise them that you would keep that information confidential because it 's personal information that people do n't want to share .
And the conclusions of that study might lead you to conclude that , in fact , more needed to be done about one or more activities .
And this rule would mean that the EPA could n't look at that information 'cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SIMON : Dr. Rosenberg , surely you recall the 1998 Wakefield study that appeared in The Lancet medical journal that said a vaccine caused autism to a dozen children .
SIMON : Now , that article was revealed to be a fraud in 2010 , but it 's cited to this day by people who are opposed to vaccinations .
Is it possible that that harmful fraud would 've been avoided if these rules were in effect ?
ROSENBERG : No , I do n't think it would 've been .
I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the journal through the normal peer review process .
The difference here is that the EPA is putting a nonscientific standard into the process and the judgment of political appointees on what will be good science or bad science .
SIMON : And what do you say to those Americans who might say , look ; I have a right to know why the government reaches these conclusions about regulations ?
ROSENBERG : I would say , absolutely , you have a right to know .
And , in fact , the studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that 's not the underlying data .
That 's a different matter .
I publish - you know , I published 150 papers .
I also review hundreds of papers .
I do n't look at the raw data .
I look at the methodology .
I look at the design .
I look at the results and the basic statistics on the data .
And I look at whether the conclusions are supported by that data .
I doubt you would sort of want to look at the raw data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , but you might want to read the conclusions of the study or understand it more deeply .
And for that , you do n't need the raw data .
SIMON : Dr. Andrew Rosenberg is a director with the Union of Concerned Scientists .
Thanks so much for being with us , sir .

Latest On New EPA Proposal
NPR's Scott Simon talks to Andrew Rosenberg of the Union of Concerned Scientists about the latest Environmental Protection Agency proposal that could limit scientific research used for regulations.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
The Environmental Protection Agency this week released an updated proposal that would require scientists to make all of their studies' raw data public before the EPA could consider the conclusions. Some scientists fear this could limit the research used for both federal regulations and any aspect of the agency's work.
We're joined now by Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, a director with the Union of Concerned Scientists. Dr. Rosenberg, thanks for being with us.
ANDREW ROSENBERG: Thank you very much, Scott.
SIMON: The EPA says this is all in the name of transparency. The public ought to be able to see the data before it's used for regulations. What's wrong with that?
ROSENBERG: Well, what's wrong with it is a lot of data that's used for public health studies, which is what the EPA primarily relies on, is private medical information. So you don't want people releasing private medical information and making it public. And the EPA is saying, that's OK; we just won't use the studies.
SIMON: Now, I gather that publicizing raw data has drew criticism from even the EPA's own scientific advisory board, and this includes members who were appointed by the Trump administration. They have some of the same reservations?
ROSENBERG: Yes, they had the same reservations that this was not a workable proposal, that it would hinder the work of the agency. But most importantly, it just doesn't meet a scientific standard. It's a longstanding effort by some special interests to try to exclude public health studies and, therefore, make it more difficult to regulate industries that pollute.
SIMON: And what do you consider special interest?
ROSENBERG: Special interest, in this case, is particularly the oil and gas industry. But many polluting industries have said, if we do this, it'll make it much harder for the agency to regulate. I mean, let's take an example. If you were to go to an area like Cancer Alley in Louisiana, and you went around and collected information from residents in the area about their health histories, you certainly would have to promise them that you would keep that information confidential because it's personal information that people don't want to share. And the conclusions of that study might lead you to conclude that, in fact, more needed to be done about one or more activities. And this rule would mean that the EPA couldn't look at that information 'cause you couldn't release the data.
SIMON: Dr. Rosenberg, surely you recall the 1998 Wakefield study that appeared in The Lancet medical journal that said a vaccine caused autism to a dozen children.
ROSENBERG: Right.
SIMON: Now, that article was revealed to be a fraud in 2010, but it's cited to this day by people who are opposed to vaccinations. Is it possible that that harmful fraud would've been avoided if these rules were in effect?
ROSENBERG: No, I don't think it would've been. I mean, that should've been avoided by the journal through the normal peer review process. The difference here is that the EPA is putting a nonscientific standard into the process and the judgment of political appointees on what will be good science or bad science.
SIMON: And what do you say to those Americans who might say, look; I have a right to know why the government reaches these conclusions about regulations?
ROSENBERG: I would say, absolutely, you have a right to know. And, in fact, the studies themselves are available to the public. But that's not the underlying data. That's a different matter. I publish - you know, I published 150 papers. I also review hundreds of papers. I don't look at the raw data. I look at the methodology. I look at the design. I look at the results and the basic statistics on the data. And I look at whether the conclusions are supported by that data. I doubt you would sort of want to look at the raw data from an air pollution study on a weekend evening, but you might want to read the conclusions of the study or understand it more deeply. And for that, you don't need the raw data.
SIMON: Dr. Andrew Rosenberg is a director with the Union of Concerned Scientists. Thanks so much for being with us, sir.
ROSENBERG: Thank you.
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


npr--2020-03-07--It's National Cereal Day, Get Your Bowl And Spoon Ready

It 's National Cereal Day , Get Your Bowl And Spoon Ready To mark National Cereal Day , we take a look at the latest batch of cereal flavors — from candy-flavored puffs of color to ones that are supposed to taste like toaster pastries .
Snap , crackle , pop - delectable golden bits afloat in fresh , cold milk .
They go together , like BJ Leiderman , who does our theme music .
And new cereals pour forth , if you please , every year to tickle contemporary taste buds .
To mark National Cereal Day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of his colleagues tried out 10 new flavors .
They report Jolly Rancher cereal tastes just like the candy , so if you want that flavor for breakfast , it 's available .
Eggo cereal got a 10 out of 10 rating and plaudits for infusing the milk with delicious notes of maple syrup .
Leggo my Eggo - and my spoon .
Now a box of contradictions .
Hershey Kisses cereal bears an unfortunate resemblance to a certain brown emoji , but the testers say it 's chocolatey delicious , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times 10 .
But what really took Cory Gilinsky and his oracle of Omaha aback ?
CORY GILINSKY : The Pop-Tarts one was kind of surprising .
I did n't really know what to expect with that one , but it actually tasted good .
The Twinkies one was the worst of what we tried .
One of the people tasting them with me said they reminded her of packing peanuts , which is n't really a review you want for anything you would eat .
SIMON : Maybe the reporter should consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But they did it so we do n't have to .
As the cartoon tiger says , they 're great .

It's National Cereal Day, Get Your Bowl And Spoon Ready
To mark National Cereal Day, we take a look at the latest batch of cereal flavors — from candy-flavored puffs of color to ones that are supposed to taste like toaster pastries.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Snap, crackle, pop - delectable golden bits afloat in fresh, cold milk. They go together, like BJ Leiderman, who does our theme music. And new cereals pour forth, if you please, every year to tickle contemporary taste buds.
To mark National Cereal Day, Cory Gilinsky of the Omaha World-Herald and a group of his colleagues tried out 10 new flavors. They report Jolly Rancher cereal tastes just like the candy, so if you want that flavor for breakfast, it's available. Eggo cereal got a 10 out of 10 rating and plaudits for infusing the milk with delicious notes of maple syrup. Leggo my Eggo - and my spoon. Now a box of contradictions. Hershey Kisses cereal bears an unfortunate resemblance to a certain brown emoji, but the testers say it's chocolatey delicious, like Cocoa Puffs times two - maybe times 10. But what really took Cory Gilinsky and his oracle of Omaha aback?
CORY GILINSKY: The Pop-Tarts one was kind of surprising. I didn't really know what to expect with that one, but it actually tasted good. The Twinkies one was the worst of what we tried. One of the people tasting them with me said they reminded her of packing peanuts, which isn't really a review you want for anything you would eat.
SIMON: Maybe the reporter should consider rating toothbrushes after this taste test. But they did it so we don't have to. As the cartoon tiger says, they're great.
(SOUNDBITE OF DJ XS' "DJ XS FUNKY VIBES MIXTAPE - DECEMBER SELECTION")
Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.