npr--2020-08-27--Rev. Jesse Jackson Addresses Jacob Blake Shooting In Kenosha, Wis.

The Rev .
Jesse Jackson spoke at a news conference Thursday in Kenosha , Wis. , in the parking lot of an auto repair shop where two protesters were shot and killed Tuesday night by a 17-year-old white teen named Kyle Rittenhouse .
The shootings took place during the third consecutive night of protests following the police shooting Jacob Blake , who was shot multiple times at close range and severely wounded by a police officer Sunday .
In his remarks , the civil rights activist evoked a series of Black victims of violence , from George Floyd to Breonna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Methodist Episcopal Church .
He compared this summer 's demonstrations to those during the Civil Rights Era , and criticized the leadership of President Trump .
`` Today , there 's a moral desert , top-down .
The acid rain is coming , top-down , '' he said .
`` That kind of moral desert hurts all of America . ''
Kenosha mayor John Antaramian , who is white , denounced the presence of so-called militias .
`` This city does not want armed individuals in the city , period , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They should not be here .
We do n't need militias .
The police , the sheriffs , and the national guard are here .
They 're the ones who should be handling things , period . ''
`` Be more present in your community and in your town ! ''
one man shouted from the crowd .
Brian Little , 34 , and Diamond Hartwell , 25 , both Kenosha natives , are critical of the city 's leadership .
`` If I was talking to somebody like myself , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell them : 'Be careful coming to Kenosha , Wisconsin , ' '' says Little , who is Black .
`` The only thing that 's going to fix this problem right now is arresting and charging the officer responsible for shooting Jacob Blake , '' says Hartwell , a volunteer coordinator for a hospice organization .
`` And then , really cleaning up this mess .
Mass apologies .
Mass plans to fix it .
Real solutions . ''
Kenosha County sheriff David Beth is facing renewed criticism for comments he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoplifters , all of whom were Black .
`` I 'm to the point where I think society has to come to a threshold where there are some people that are n't worth saving , '' Beth said in a statement .
`` We need to build warehouses to put these people into it and lock them away for the rest of their lives . ''
Now , the ACLU and some local activists are calling for his resignation .

Rev. Jesse Jackson Addresses Jacob Blake Shooting In Kenosha, Wis.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Becky Sullivan Becky Sullivan
The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke at a news conference Thursday in Kenosha, Wis., in the parking lot of an auto repair shop where two protesters were shot and killed Tuesday night by a 17-year-old white teen named Kyle Rittenhouse.
The shootings took place during the third consecutive night of protests following the police shooting Jacob Blake, who was shot multiple times at close range and severely wounded by a police officer Sunday.
In his remarks, the civil rights activist evoked a series of Black victims of violence, from George Floyd to Breonna Taylor to the worshipers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He compared this summer's demonstrations to those during the Civil Rights Era, and criticized the leadership of President Trump.
"Today, there's a moral desert, top-down. The acid rain is coming, top-down," he said. "That kind of moral desert hurts all of America."
Kenosha mayor John Antaramian, who is white, denounced the presence of so-called militias.
"This city does not want armed individuals in the city, period," he said to a small group of reporters. "They should not be here. We don't need militias. The police, the sheriffs, and the national guard are here. They're the ones who should be handling things, period."
"Be more present in your community and in your town!" one man shouted from the crowd.
Brian Little, 34, and Diamond Hartwell, 25, both Kenosha natives, are critical of the city's leadership. "If I was talking to somebody like myself, who looks like me, I would just tell them: 'Be careful coming to Kenosha, Wisconsin,' " says Little, who is Black.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Becky Sullivan Becky Sullivan
"The only thing that's going to fix this problem right now is arresting and charging the officer responsible for shooting Jacob Blake," says Hartwell, a volunteer coordinator for a hospice organization. "And then, really cleaning up this mess. Mass apologies. Mass plans to fix it. Real solutions."
Kenosha County sheriff David Beth is facing renewed criticism for comments he made in 2018 following the arrest of five shoplifters, all of whom were Black. "I'm to the point where I think society has to come to a threshold where there are some people that aren't worth saving," Beth said in a statement. "We need to build warehouses to put these people into it and lock them away for the rest of their lives."
Now, the ACLU and some local activists are calling for his resignation.


npr--2020-08-27--Police Declare Portland Protests A Riot But This Definition Could Be Rooted In Racism

Police Declare Portland Protests A Riot But This Definition Could Be Rooted In Racism On a Saturday night in mid-August , the 79th consecutive day of protests in Portland , Ore. , a couple hundred demonstrators gathered in Portland 's Laurelhurst Park before marching to the Penumbra Kelly Building , a property used by both the city police and Multnomah County Sheriff 's office .
As the group marched less than a mile through residential neighborhoods , they chanted slogans such as `` No cops !
No prisons !
Total abolition ! ''
When they arrived at the police building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yelled at the police who were positioned in their cars about 100 ft away , in the building 's parking lot .
Nightly protests passed their 90th day this week .
Over the course of nearly three months , crowd sizes have at times exceeded 10,000 people and on other occasions been fewer than 100 .
Between May 29 and Aug. 27 , the Portland Police Bureau declared 23 riots and 22 unlawful assemblies ( that does n't include nights that started as unlawful assemblies and were later declared riots ) .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have roots in Oregon 's deeply racist past .
Oregon began as a white only state .
While it banned slavery at its founding , the state adopted strict Black exclusionary laws which had been in place in the territory for decades .
The law banned Black people from living in the state or owning property .
On that mid-August night , in addition to yelling at police , a couple of protesters spray painted the building while others threw water bottles – protesters ' weapon of choice from the start .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ After three hours , a booming announcement came from the bureau 's long range acoustic device , or LRAD , a speaker that can broadcast messages at a louder than normal volume .
`` This is the Portland Police Bureau .
We 're declaring this a riot , '' the by-now-familiar announcement came .
`` You need to leave the area to the west .
If you do not leave the area you may be subject to use of force to include crowd control munitions , pepper spray or tear gas . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shields and umbrellas to protect against impact munitions and tear gas .
A line of officers in riot gear bull rushed straight into the group , while someone played the `` Imperial March '' on a loudspeaker .
Video from the clash shows a few moments , as police and protesters were engaged in hand to hand combat , the police grabbing at the protesters ' shields and swinging their batons .
`` A riot is when six or more persons engage in tumultuous and violent conduct , '' Portland Police Bureau Deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video posted online .
`` Thereby intentionally or recklessly create a grave risk of causing public alarm . ''
Davis said , before dispersing the crowd , officers provide warnings and give protesters time to leave .
But that definition of a riot is subjective and the dispersal inevitably affects hundreds of non-violent protesters .
`` Ideally , those engaged in the event would follow the lawful orders given and peacefully leave and no force would be necessary during a dispersal . ''
On May 29 , the first night of mass protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a riot after thousands of people poured into downtown , started a small fire in the ground floor of the Multnomah County Justice Center and looting broke out .
They declared a second riot the following night .
On both nights , officers used tear gas to disperse crowds .
But then for nearly a month , police continued to use teargas without declaring a riot .
Alarmed by the frequency and amount of tear gas being used , state lawmakers passed legislation during an emergency session in June to address racial justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bar on tear gas use by making it only acceptable to use during a declared riot .
`` We were hearing that people were getting caught in these tear gas deployments , '' said State Rep. Janelle Bynum , one of the bill sponsors .
`` And they felt like they did n't have any warning .
They felt they were trapped . ''
The bill was signed into law on June 30 .
That evening , police declared a riot for the first time in a month and blanketed a North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 30 and Aug. 27 , police have declared 20 riots .
`` What I did n't expect was for the bar to be so low , '' said Bynum , who said the history of these laws are also relevant to the moment .
`` A lot of the riot and crowd control philosophy and statute was developed around the '60s and '70s when protests around some of the very same things ... rights for Black people .
... were taking place in the state and particularly in Portland , '' Bynum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have declared unlawful assemblies within minutes of protesters arriving .
`` But then the riot part ?
Who knows , '' said Folasade Ogunfiditimi , a protester who 's been coming out since the end of May .
`` Like a half-empty water bottle maybe ?
Somebody could walk on their property and they declare it a riot .
It could be anything or nothing . ''
Ogunfiditimi said she 's been protesting because Black lives matter and policing , with its history as `` slave catchers , '' is a fundamentally corrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police are treating protesters proves the demonstrators ' point .
She said on most nights they use excessive force and , just as the police spotlights got even brighter , she pointed and said it 's like psychological warfare .
`` They 're very finicky , very emotional , '' she said .
`` They show in their actions they do n't care what they do . ''

Police Declare Portland Protests A Riot But This Definition Could Be Rooted In Racism
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jonathan Levinson/OPB Jonathan Levinson/OPB
On a Saturday night in mid-August, the 79th consecutive day of protests in Portland, Ore., a couple hundred demonstrators gathered in Portland's Laurelhurst Park before marching to the Penumbra Kelly Building, a property used by both the city police and Multnomah County Sheriff's office.
As the group marched less than a mile through residential neighborhoods, they chanted slogans such as "No cops! No prisons! Total abolition!" When they arrived at the police building, protesters also played music, and yelled at the police who were positioned in their cars about 100 ft away, in the building's parking lot.
Nightly protests passed their 90th day this week. Over the course of nearly three months, crowd sizes have at times exceeded 10,000 people and on other occasions been fewer than 100. Between May 29 and Aug. 27, the Portland Police Bureau declared 23 riots and 22 unlawful assemblies (that doesn't include nights that started as unlawful assemblies and were later declared riots). But the laws governing those declarations are vague and have roots in Oregon's deeply racist past.
Oregon began as a white only state. While it banned slavery at its founding, the state adopted strict Black exclusionary laws which had been in place in the territory for decades. The law banned Black people from living in the state or owning property.
On that mid-August night, in addition to yelling at police, a couple of protesters spray painted the building while others threw water bottles – protesters' weapon of choice from the start. Police said rocks were also thrown.
After three hours, a booming announcement came from the bureau's long range acoustic device, or LRAD, a speaker that can broadcast messages at a louder than normal volume.
"This is the Portland Police Bureau. We're declaring this a riot," the by-now-familiar announcement came. "You need to leave the area to the west. If you do not leave the area you may be subject to use of force to include crowd control munitions, pepper spray or tear gas."
Unfazed, protesters lined up with homemade shields and umbrellas to protect against impact munitions and tear gas. A line of officers in riot gear bull rushed straight into the group, while someone played the "Imperial March" on a loudspeaker. Video from the clash shows a few moments, as police and protesters were engaged in hand to hand combat, the police grabbing at the protesters' shields and swinging their batons.
"A riot is when six or more persons engage in tumultuous and violent conduct," Portland Police Bureau Deputy Chief Chris Davis recently explained in a video posted online. "Thereby intentionally or recklessly create a grave risk of causing public alarm."
Davis said, before dispersing the crowd, officers provide warnings and give protesters time to leave. But that definition of a riot is subjective and the dispersal inevitably affects hundreds of non-violent protesters.
"Ideally, those engaged in the event would follow the lawful orders given and peacefully leave and no force would be necessary during a dispersal."
On May 29, the first night of mass protests in Portland, Ore., police declared a riot after thousands of people poured into downtown, started a small fire in the ground floor of the Multnomah County Justice Center and looting broke out.
They declared a second riot the following night. On both nights, officers used tear gas to disperse crowds. But then for nearly a month, police continued to use teargas without declaring a riot.
Alarmed by the frequency and amount of tear gas being used, state lawmakers passed legislation during an emergency session in June to address racial justice and policing. They hoped to raise the bar on tear gas use by making it only acceptable to use during a declared riot.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jonathan Levinson/OPB Jonathan Levinson/OPB
"We were hearing that people were getting caught in these tear gas deployments," said State Rep. Janelle Bynum, one of the bill sponsors. "And they felt like they didn't have any warning. They felt they were trapped."
The bill was signed into law on June 30. That evening, police declared a riot for the first time in a month and blanketed a North Portland neighborhood in tear gas. Between June 30 and Aug. 27, police have declared 20 riots.
"What I didn't expect was for the bar to be so low," said Bynum, who said the history of these laws are also relevant to the moment.
"A lot of the riot and crowd control philosophy and statute was developed around the '60s and '70s when protests around some of the very same things ... rights for Black people. ... were taking place in the state and particularly in Portland," Bynum said.
On some nights, police have declared unlawful assemblies within minutes of protesters arriving.
"But then the riot part? Who knows," said Folasade Ogunfiditimi, a protester who's been coming out since the end of May. "Like a half-empty water bottle maybe? Somebody could walk on their property and they declare it a riot. It could be anything or nothing."
Ogunfiditimi said she's been protesting because Black lives matter and policing, with its history as "slave catchers," is a fundamentally corrupt institution.
And she said the way the police are treating protesters proves the demonstrators' point. She said on most nights they use excessive force and, just as the police spotlights got even brighter, she pointed and said it's like psychological warfare.
"They're very finicky, very emotional," she said. "They show in their actions they don't care what they do."


npr--2020-08-27--'Radical' Coronavirus Testing Plan Could Offer A 'Return To Normal,' Journalist Says

'Radical ' Coronavirus Testing Plan Could Offer A 'Return To Normal , ' Journalist Says The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered schools and businesses and altered life across the globe , but journalist Alexis Madrigal says comprehensive , rapid testing might be the key to a safe reopening .
`` The key problem in the pandemic is we do n't know who 's contagious , '' Madrigal says .
`` And because of that , it is very hard to really grind transmission down to nothing . ''
For his latest article in The Atlantic , Madrigal talked with public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who cite the potential benefits of widespread testing for the virus with a simple rapid tests .
Such a test would be less accurate than the current PCR test , but it could offer results in minutes — rather than days .
`` We have a lot of tests in the United States now , but they 're pretty expensive , and they actually take awhile , generally speaking , to come back , '' Madrigal says .
`` What we really need is something that [ provides results in ] minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your house : 'Am I contagious ? '
`` Madrigal says a turn to inexpensive widespread testing is a question of `` finding the right tool for handling the precise public health crisis that we have now . ''
`` I think what 's happened in the U.S. has been so catastrophic on so many levels — economically , psychologically , educationally — that we have to be at least willing to entertain the idea of a fairly radical plan that could work , '' he says .
`` If this plan did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to normal life , it would n't be worth trying . ''
On the PCR test , which is highly accurate , but also expensive and slow to provide results The turnaround time for a lot of these tests is , say , between one day and seven days or , in a lot of bad circumstances during the pandemic , even up to two weeks .
So these tests are this really specific tool .
They are extremely accurate .
...
They can pick up tiny amounts of viral genetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these downsides : They take awhile to return results , they 're dependent on these supply chains for chemicals called reagents , as well as swabs , as well as particular kinds of test tubes .
And they tend to run on these things that are called platforms , which are produced by big pharmaceutical companies .
Those machines ... themselves are pretty expensive .
And so you have the cost problems , and you have the turnaround-time problem .
So they 're just absolutely amazing tests , but they have these downsides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mismatched with the contagious phase of COVID-19 Oftentimes , you 're contagious before you have symptoms or right when you 're getting them .
So let 's say you get a little bit sick or you detect some symptom .
You wait a few days before you get a test , or you have to wait because oftentimes that 's been happening .
By the time you even get the test , you might already be out of the most contagious phase of the disease .
So that 's really why this mismatch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On less expensive antigen tests that get same-day results The main way that people can imagine doing a lot of rapid testing is through antigen testing .
So that basically means it 's looking for a protein that the virus produces and not the actual genetic material .
So it 's kind of a different target .
It 's less sensitive .
It 's more likely to tell you you do n't have the virus when in fact you do .
These tests are simpler .
That 's probably the best way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two different kinds : One is sort of the Nespresso model .
There 's like a little machine — and you do the test and the machine sort of pops back the result .
And those are normally done , say , at a doctor 's office or a nursing home is a big location for this kind of testing .
It 's called the point-of-care testing .
...
There are a couple of those tests approved by the [ Food and Drug Administration ] for use .
And the federal government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The other kind of test would be a simple strip test .
So the thing that most people are probably most familiar with would be a pregnancy test .
There 's also tests like this for dengue fever — about 100 million of those are done each year .
And these kinds of tests are just extremely simple , relatively speaking , and you 'd be really doing them at home .
They would n't be in a doctor 's office .
They would n't be in any kind of institutional setting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or you 'd do them in the workplace , or you 'd do them at home .
On how massive widespread testing makes up for the lower accuracy of the test To be clear , the kind of test that we 're talking about would n't have the accuracy of the [ PCR ] tests that have largely been employed , but it would catch a bunch of people who were asymptomatic .
It would catch a bunch of people who were pre-symptomatic , and it would stop a lot of transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And that 's really the promise of this kind of testing regime .
You test a lot , and actually testing frequently helps make up for some of the lower sensitivity of the test , and because many people would be testing themselves , you 'd gain the advantage of widespread testing covering large chunks of the population — rather than fairly narrow testing , capturing just a tiny slice of the possible number of infected people each day .
...
It requires volume .
We 've got to out-volume the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rapid testing outweighs downsides There are downsides .
There are going to be situations in which someone takes one of these rapid tests , gets a negative , goes and sees someone they love , and it turns out they were contagious .
That is going to happen .
The thing is , that already happens now .
And we 're not catching a huge percentage of the infections .
This is really kind of a crucial thing to understand : We do n't even really know how to estimate the ratio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PCR test and the number of people who have actually been infected .
Maybe we 're catching 5 % of the cases .
Maybe we 're catching 10 , maybe we 're catching 20 % .
Maybe it 's 50 % in some places and 2 % in other places .
What we do know is there are a lot more infections than there are confirmed cases .
That is absolutely clear at this point , based on the antibody testing that 's been done in hard-hit places in New York and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government would need to do a World War II-style production blitz to make hundreds of millions of rapid-result , saliva-strip tests available On a technical level , some of these tests already exist ; half a dozen companies are working on something like this .
The big problem is in order to scale up a lab technology to something that would be distributed to hundreds of millions of people all the time , you kind of need the government 's muscle ... and go on a World War II-style production blitz .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bunch of [ military ] ships that were produced here in the Bay Area , and the government just moved the money and capital and worked with companies to build tons of ships , liberty ships , that helped win World War II .
They 're basically saying we need a similar kind of effort , the government to come in and basically nationalize the companies that are working on these technologies and scale up their manufacturing , take over factories and just go .
It would be a huge effort , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And if you compare it to things like [ what ] the Fed did , say , in 2008 , that 's actually not as extreme as what we did , sort of , to get our banking system up and running .
This would be a technology that might get our entire country back up and running .
And so the argument by proponents of this plan is we 're spending trillions of dollars to keep the country running forward .
Why would n't we put $ 10 [ billion ] or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 billion toward the creation of this other kind of system , or even a billion dollars ?
We have n't really put more than a few hundred million dollars into testing technologies in the United States .
And yet they could be a key part of getting us out of this quagmire .
Amy Salit and Joel Wolfram produced and edited the audio of this interview .
Bridget Bentz , Molly Seavy-Nesper and Deborah Franklin adapted it for the Web .

'Radical' Coronavirus Testing Plan Could Offer A 'Return To Normal,' Journalist Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin Winter/Getty Images Kevin Winter/Getty Images
The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered schools and businesses and altered life across the globe, but journalist Alexis Madrigal says comprehensive, rapid testing might be the key to a safe reopening.
"The key problem in the pandemic is we don't know who's contagious," Madrigal says. "And because of that, it is very hard to really grind transmission down to nothing."
For his latest article in The Atlantic, Madrigal talked with public health experts, including Harvard epidemiologist Michael Mina, who cite the potential benefits of widespread testing for the virus with a simple rapid tests. Such a test would be less accurate than the current PCR test, but it could offer results in minutes — rather than days.
"We have a lot of tests in the United States now, but they're pretty expensive, and they actually take awhile, generally speaking, to come back," Madrigal says. "What we really need is something that [provides results in] minutes so that you know before you leave your house: 'Am I contagious?' "
Madrigal says a turn to inexpensive widespread testing is a question of "finding the right tool for handling the precise public health crisis that we have now."
"I think what's happened in the U.S. has been so catastrophic on so many levels — economically, psychologically, educationally — that we have to be at least willing to entertain the idea of a fairly radical plan that could work," he says. "If this plan didn't seem like it had the potential to return to normal life, it wouldn't be worth trying."
Interview Highlights
On the PCR test, which is highly accurate, but also expensive and slow to provide results
The turnaround time for a lot of these tests is, say, between one day and seven days or, in a lot of bad circumstances during the pandemic, even up to two weeks. So these tests are this really specific tool. They are extremely accurate. ... They can pick up tiny amounts of viral genetic material. But they also come with these downsides: They take awhile to return results, they're dependent on these supply chains for chemicals called reagents, as well as swabs, as well as particular kinds of test tubes. And they tend to run on these things that are called platforms, which are produced by big pharmaceutical companies. Those machines ... themselves are pretty expensive. And so you have the cost problems, and you have the turnaround-time problem. So they're just absolutely amazing tests, but they have these downsides.
On why the PCR test is mismatched with the contagious phase of COVID-19
Oftentimes, you're contagious before you have symptoms or right when you're getting them. So let's say you get a little bit sick or you detect some symptom. You wait a few days before you get a test, or you have to wait because oftentimes that's been happening. By the time you even get the test, you might already be out of the most contagious phase of the disease. So that's really why this mismatch of timelines is really a big problem.
On less expensive antigen tests that get same-day results
The main way that people can imagine doing a lot of rapid testing is through antigen testing. So that basically means it's looking for a protein that the virus produces and not the actual genetic material. So it's kind of a different target. It's less sensitive. It's more likely to tell you you don't have the virus when in fact you do. These tests are simpler. That's probably the best way of putting it, and there are two different kinds: One is sort of the Nespresso model. There's like a little machine — and you do the test and the machine sort of pops back the result. And those are normally done, say, at a doctor's office or a nursing home is a big location for this kind of testing. It's called the point-of-care testing. ... There are a couple of those tests approved by the [Food and Drug Administration] for use. And the federal government has bought a lot for nursing homes.
The other kind of test would be a simple strip test. So the thing that most people are probably most familiar with would be a pregnancy test. There's also tests like this for dengue fever — about 100 million of those are done each year. And these kinds of tests are just extremely simple, relatively speaking, and you'd be really doing them at home. They wouldn't be in a doctor's office. They wouldn't be in any kind of institutional setting. You'd either do them at school, or you'd do them in the workplace, or you'd do them at home.
To be clear, the kind of test that we're talking about wouldn't have the accuracy of the [PCR] tests that have largely been employed, but it would catch a bunch of people who were asymptomatic. It would catch a bunch of people who were pre-symptomatic, and it would stop a lot of transmission chains that otherwise would have gotten going.
On how massive widespread testing makes up for the lower accuracy of the test
To be clear, the kind of test that we're talking about wouldn't have the accuracy of the [PCR] tests that have largely been employed, but it would catch a bunch of people who were asymptomatic. It would catch a bunch of people who were pre-symptomatic, and it would stop a lot of transmission chains that otherwise would have gotten going. And that's really the promise of this kind of testing regime. You test a lot, and actually testing frequently helps make up for some of the lower sensitivity of the test, and because many people would be testing themselves, you'd gain the advantage of widespread testing covering large chunks of the population — rather than fairly narrow testing, capturing just a tiny slice of the possible number of infected people each day. ...
It requires volume. We've got to out-volume the virus.
On why he believes the upside of rapid testing outweighs downsides
There are downsides. There are going to be situations in which someone takes one of these rapid tests, gets a negative, goes and sees someone they love, and it turns out they were contagious. That is going to happen. The thing is, that already happens now. And we're not catching a huge percentage of the infections. This is really kind of a crucial thing to understand: We don't even really know how to estimate the ratio between cases we can confirm with the PCR test and the number of people who have actually been infected. Maybe we're catching 5% of the cases. Maybe we're catching 10, maybe we're catching 20%. Maybe it's 50% in some places and 2% in other places. What we do know is there are a lot more infections than there are confirmed cases. That is absolutely clear at this point, based on the antibody testing that's been done in hard-hit places in New York and in other areas.
On how the federal government would need to do a World War II-style production blitz to make hundreds of millions of rapid-result, saliva-strip tests available
On a technical level, some of these tests already exist; half a dozen companies are working on something like this. The big problem is in order to scale up a lab technology to something that would be distributed to hundreds of millions of people all the time, you kind of need the government's muscle ... and go on a World War II-style production blitz.
I'm here in Oakland. There were a bunch of [military] ships that were produced here in the Bay Area, and the government just moved the money and capital and worked with companies to build tons of ships, liberty ships, that helped win World War II. They're basically saying we need a similar kind of effort, the government to come in and basically nationalize the companies that are working on these technologies and scale up their manufacturing, take over factories and just go.
It would be a huge effort, but this is a national emergency. And if you compare it to things like [what] the Fed did, say, in 2008, that's actually not as extreme as what we did, sort of, to get our banking system up and running. This would be a technology that might get our entire country back up and running. And so the argument by proponents of this plan is we're spending trillions of dollars to keep the country running forward. Why wouldn't we put $10 [billion] or $20 [billion] or $30 billion toward the creation of this other kind of system, or even a billion dollars? We haven't really put more than a few hundred million dollars into testing technologies in the United States. And yet they could be a key part of getting us out of this quagmire.
Amy Salit and Joel Wolfram produced and edited the audio of this interview. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Deborah Franklin adapted it for the Web.


npr--2020-08-27--4 Dead In Louisiana From Hurricane Laura, Governor Says

4 Dead In Louisiana From Hurricane Laura , Governor Says Hurricane Laura has caused at least four deaths in Louisiana , Gov .
John Bel Edwards says .
All of the deaths reported due to the Category 4 storm were caused by its powerful winds .
`` All were related to trees falling on residences , which is in line with this being a major wind event , '' Edwards said in a news conference at 2 p.m .
ET .
He added that other deaths may be discovered as emergency crews perform rescue and recovery operations .
The governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths , other than to say that they occurred away from the coast , in the parishes of Vernon , Jackson and Acadia — a sign , the governor said , that Laura 's biggest dangers to people in Louisiana seems to have come from wind , rather than water .
The people who were killed include a 60-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl , member station WWNO reports .
`` Just about the entire state saw tropical-storm-force winds , '' Edwards said , `` everything except for extreme southeast Louisiana and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and powerful the storm was . ''
About 600,000 electrical customers are currently out of power statewide , he said .
Some areas have likely not yet seen water levels hit their heights , Edwards said , citing the movement of Laura 's outer bands that are still reaching far into the Gulf of Mexico to pull water toward the shore .
While offering his condolences to those affected by the storm , Edwards said Louisiana seems to have escaped the worst-case-scenarios of surging water along the shore .
`` It 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said , referring to forecasters ' most alarming predictions about the powerful hurricane .
`` Nine to 12 feet of storm surge is still a lot of storm surge , '' Edwards said .
Referring to the area where Laura made landfall , he added , `` and we had some gauges in Cameron Parish that actually failed after registering 12 feet . ''
But Laura 's center never tracked westward across the Calcasieu Ship Channel – a quirk of its path that the governor said `` helped tremendously .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Gulf of Mexico ; if the hurricane had applied all of its might to it , the channel could have served as a conduit for a massive amount of water .
It was one of the only bits of good news about Laura , one of the most powerful storms to ever hit Louisiana .
`` We have sustained a tremendous amount of damage , '' Edwards said .
`` We have thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens whose lives are upside down , because their businesses and/or their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,100 people are currently in shelters , the governor said , adding that more than 1,900 of that number are being housed in motels or hotels , out of concerns that crowding people in to a large shelter or evacuation center could help spread the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
`` We 're in a COVID environment , '' Edwards said `` and we want people to be as safe as possible — not just from the storm but also from the virus . ''

4 Dead In Louisiana From Hurricane Laura, Governor Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Hurricane Laura has caused at least four deaths in Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards says. All of the deaths reported due to the Category 4 storm were caused by its powerful winds.
"All were related to trees falling on residences, which is in line with this being a major wind event," Edwards said in a news conference at 2 p.m. ET. He added that other deaths may be discovered as emergency crews perform rescue and recovery operations.
The governor did not go into detail about the deaths, other than to say that they occurred away from the coast, in the parishes of Vernon, Jackson and Acadia — a sign, the governor said, that Laura's biggest dangers to people in Louisiana seems to have come from wind, rather than water.
The people who were killed include a 60-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl, member station WWNO reports.
"Just about the entire state saw tropical-storm-force winds," Edwards said, "everything except for extreme southeast Louisiana and the North Shore. That's how big and powerful the storm was."
About 600,000 electrical customers are currently out of power statewide, he said.
Some areas have likely not yet seen water levels hit their heights, Edwards said, citing the movement of Laura's outer bands that are still reaching far into the Gulf of Mexico to pull water toward the shore.
While offering his condolences to those affected by the storm, Edwards said Louisiana seems to have escaped the worst-case-scenarios of surging water along the shore.
"It's not the 20 feet that we were told," he said, referring to forecasters' most alarming predictions about the powerful hurricane.
"Nine to 12 feet of storm surge is still a lot of storm surge," Edwards said. Referring to the area where Laura made landfall, he added, "we had some gauges in Cameron Parish that actually failed after registering 12 feet."
But Laura's center never tracked westward across the Calcasieu Ship Channel – a quirk of its path that the governor said "helped tremendously." The channel runs between Lake Charles and the Gulf of Mexico; if the hurricane had applied all of its might to it, the channel could have served as a conduit for a massive amount of water.
It was one of the only bits of good news about Laura, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit Louisiana.
"We have sustained a tremendous amount of damage," Edwards said. "We have thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens whose lives are upside down, because their businesses and/or their homes have been damaged."
More than 2,100 people are currently in shelters, the governor said, adding that more than 1,900 of that number are being housed in motels or hotels, out of concerns that crowding people in to a large shelter or evacuation center could help spread the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
"We're in a COVID environment," Edwards said "and we want people to be as safe as possible — not just from the storm but also from the virus."


npr--2020-08-27--As Coronavirus Infections Rise, Masks In Paris Become Mandatory In All Public Places

As Coronavirus Infections Rise , Masks In Paris Become Mandatory In All Public Places The French government announced Thursday that face masks will become mandatory everywhere in Paris and its suburbs , including all outdoor public spaces .
The heightened mask requirement comes as the number of new COVID-19 cases in France jumped to more than 5,000 in the previous 24 hours — the highest increase since the country came out of lockdown in mid-May .
The order goes into effect at 8 a.m. Friday .
The Paris region is one of 21 high-risk `` red zones '' in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely mandatory only inside shops and on public transportation .
People were not required to wear them outdoors , except at street markets and in certain densely packed areas .
The new rule means that now cyclists and scooter users will have to mask up as well .
Prime Minister Jean Castex , speaking at a press conference Thursday morning , said France had reached a critical threshold of 50 infections per 100,000 residents , a red line .
`` We are in a period of epidemic growth , '' said Castex .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid a new lockdown . ''
Castex said wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance from other people might not come naturally , but was not a burden .
`` Only 20 % of new cases come from clusters , and professional venues , '' he said .
`` Which means the essential transmission is by daily contact between people .
I call on your [ sense of ] responsibility . ''
Castex also encouraged people to avoid family gatherings and to maintain distance , even when at home with relatives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly , before the number of new cases multiplies exponentially .
France has ramped up its testing capacity to nearly a million tests a week , and is carrying out contact tracing and isolation of those infected .
So far , the number of patients in intensive care remains low and the nation 's hospitals are not in danger of being overwhelmed .
More than 30,000 people in France have died due to COVID-19 , the third-highest death toll in Europe after Great Britain and Italy .
Two months of lockdown that ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control , as the number of cases and deaths fell .
But that control seems to be slipping , just as France is trying to reopen its economy .
French schools will be back in session starting Sept. 1 , and every student is expected to show up .
Teachers and students will have to wear masks throughout the day .
Masks were made mandatory in all workplaces last week .
Marites David , a 46-year-old chef and housekeeper in Paris , knows the new rule is a good thing , but says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She has asthma , so she is particularly careful to wear her mask while shopping and during her daily commute .
She 's worried about having to wear a mask all the time now .
`` This changes everything , '' she says .
`` It was already difficult taking the bus and going to the store , but when I was walking down the street , I could take it off and breathe . ''
Philippe Goujon , the mayor of Paris ' 15th arrondissement , welcomed the new measure .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city where you were supposed to wear a mask — it was a patchwork of rules .
At least now it 's clear , '' he told Franceinfo radio .
`` It 's about time . ''

As Coronavirus Infections Rise, Masks In Paris Become Mandatory In All Public Places
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mehdi Taamallah/NurPhoto via Getty Images Mehdi Taamallah/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The French government announced Thursday that face masks will become mandatory everywhere in Paris and its suburbs, including all outdoor public spaces. The heightened mask requirement comes as the number of new COVID-19 cases in France jumped to more than 5,000 in the previous 24 hours — the highest increase since the country came out of lockdown in mid-May.
The order goes into effect at 8 a.m. Friday. The Paris region is one of 21 high-risk "red zones" in France. But until now, masks were largely mandatory only inside shops and on public transportation. People were not required to wear them outdoors, except at street markets and in certain densely packed areas. The new rule means that now cyclists and scooter users will have to mask up as well.
Prime Minister Jean Castex, speaking at a press conference Thursday morning, said France had reached a critical threshold of 50 infections per 100,000 residents, a red line.
"We are in a period of epidemic growth," said Castex. "We want to do everything to avoid a new lockdown."
Castex said wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance from other people might not come naturally, but was not a burden.
"Only 20% of new cases come from clusters, and professional venues," he said. "Which means the essential transmission is by daily contact between people. I call on your [sense of] responsibility."
Castex also encouraged people to avoid family gatherings and to maintain distance, even when at home with relatives.
Castex said the country needed to act quickly, before the number of new cases multiplies exponentially.
France has ramped up its testing capacity to nearly a million tests a week, and is carrying out contact tracing and isolation of those infected. So far, the number of patients in intensive care remains low and the nation's hospitals are not in danger of being overwhelmed.
More than 30,000 people in France have died due to COVID-19, the third-highest death toll in Europe after Great Britain and Italy.
Two months of lockdown that ended in May seemed to get transmission under control, as the number of cases and deaths fell. But that control seems to be slipping, just as France is trying to reopen its economy.
French schools will be back in session starting Sept. 1, and every student is expected to show up. Teachers and students will have to wear masks throughout the day. Masks were made mandatory in all workplaces last week.
Marites David, a 46-year-old chef and housekeeper in Paris, knows the new rule is a good thing, but says it will be hard for her. She has asthma, so she is particularly careful to wear her mask while shopping and during her daily commute. She's worried about having to wear a mask all the time now.
"This changes everything," she says. "It was already difficult taking the bus and going to the store, but when I was walking down the street, I could take it off and breathe."
Philippe Goujon, the mayor of Paris' 15th arrondissement, welcomed the new measure.
"Before, there were certain streets in the city where you were supposed to wear a mask — it was a patchwork of rules. At least now it's clear," he told Franceinfo radio. "It's about time."


npr--2020-08-27--Before Big Convention Speech, Trump Visits FEMA For Storm Briefing

Hours before the final night of the Republican National Convention , President Trump visited FEMA headquarters in Washington for a briefing on Tropical Storm Laura .
Trump sat with Vice President Mike Pence at the front of a long conference table in FEMA 's National Response Coordination Center as officials detailed the federal response to the storm and showed pictures of the damage .
Laura made landfall over Louisiana as a Category 4 storm , but has been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves across the South .
`` This team forward deployed resources , '' Pence said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst , and by all accounts from the experts , while this was obviously a major storm with devastating impact , it was not as bad as it could have been . ''
Trump said the campaign briefly considered postponing his convention speech until Monday so he could travel to Texas , Louisiana and possibly Arkansas to survey hurricane damage , but he said the campaign ultimately decided to continue with the speech as planned .
The president said he will visit Texas and Louisiana over the weekend .
`` We got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was very big , it was very powerful , but it passed quickly , so everything 's on schedule . ''
Earlier , the president issued an emergency declaration for Arkansas in response to the storm , authorizing federal assistance and FEMA coordination of disaster relief .
He previously issued similar declarations for Louisiana and Texas .
With all eyes on Trump ahead of his acceptance speech tonight , the president 's appearance at FEMA offered an opportunity to present the image of the nation 's top executive presiding over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump has leaned on his official duties to boost his reelection campaign .
During Tuesday night 's programming , Trump granted a presidential pardon and later looked on as his homeland security secretary conducted a naturalization ceremony for the cameras .
This morning , Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh told reporters the president will address Laura in his convention speech tonight and `` ask for God 's blessing for people in its path . ''
The overlap of hurricane and convention season has scrambled convention plans before .
In 2012 , Tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hurricane before it made landfall in Louisiana , delayed the Republican convention in Tampa .
And when Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Louisiana in 2008 , most of the Republican convention 's first night was called off .

Before Big Convention Speech, Trump Visits FEMA For Storm Briefing
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
Hours before the final night of the Republican National Convention, President Trump visited FEMA headquarters in Washington for a briefing on Tropical Storm Laura.
Trump sat with Vice President Mike Pence at the front of a long conference table in FEMA's National Response Coordination Center as officials detailed the federal response to the storm and showed pictures of the damage. Laura made landfall over Louisiana as a Category 4 storm, but has been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves across the South.
"This team forward deployed resources," Pence said. "We were ready for the worst, and by all accounts from the experts, while this was obviously a major storm with devastating impact, it was not as bad as it could have been."
Trump said the campaign briefly considered postponing his convention speech until Monday so he could travel to Texas, Louisiana and possibly Arkansas to survey hurricane damage, but he said the campaign ultimately decided to continue with the speech as planned. The president said he will visit Texas and Louisiana over the weekend.
"We got a little bit lucky," Trump said. "It was very big, it was very powerful, but it passed quickly, so everything's on schedule."
Earlier, the president issued an emergency declaration for Arkansas in response to the storm, authorizing federal assistance and FEMA coordination of disaster relief. He previously issued similar declarations for Louisiana and Texas.
With all eyes on Trump ahead of his acceptance speech tonight, the president's appearance at FEMA offered an opportunity to present the image of the nation's top executive presiding over a natural disaster.
Throughout the week, Trump has leaned on his official duties to boost his reelection campaign. During Tuesday night's programming, Trump granted a presidential pardon and later looked on as his homeland security secretary conducted a naturalization ceremony for the cameras.
This morning, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh told reporters the president will address Laura in his convention speech tonight and "ask for God's blessing for people in its path."
The overlap of hurricane and convention season has scrambled convention plans before.
In 2012, Tropical Storm Isaac, which eventually developed into a hurricane before it made landfall in Louisiana, delayed the Republican convention in Tampa. And when Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Louisiana in 2008, most of the Republican convention's first night was called off.


npr--2020-08-27--Texas Governor Says State Avoided The Worst Of Laura's Destruction

Texas Governor Says State Avoided The Worst Of Laura 's Destruction Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott said Thursday afternoon the state had dodged a bullet , sustaining less damage than was expected from Hurricane Laura .
Abbott said that storm surge across the southeast Texas coast turned out to be much less severe than projected , which gave the state a break in terms of the devastation .
`` It could 've been far worse , '' he said , during a press conference in the town of Orange .
`` When you consider the magnitude of the damage that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bullet . ''
After surveying the damage this morning , it was clear that Orange County bore the brunt of Laura 's power , Abbott said .
`` The most significant damage I was able to observe from the sky was in Orange , '' he said .
`` You saw more rooftops ripped off .
You saw big pieces of steel framing wrapped around trees .
You saw some roads still inundated , impassable from water . ''
Abbott said officials still had much work to do in addressing the areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rescue teams , including National Guard troops , are already on the ground in the areas impacted by the storm , Abbott said .
So far , there are no confirmed deaths in Texas from the storm .
Texas officials stand ready to monitor potential flash flooding and tornadoes that could arise as Laura moves north and exits the state , Abbott said .
More than 160,000 utility customers were affected by power outages in the region affected by the storm as of Thursday afternoon .
The governor said almost 8,500 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided shelter throughout the state .
More than 3,000 people were sheltered in hotel rooms .
Abbott urged evacuees to listen to local officials for information about when it is safe to return to their homes .
Abbott credited local officials for implementing evacuation orders and praised residents for following them .
Heeding those warnings helped save lives and property , he said .
`` That is a miracle , '' Abbott said .
`` It shows that prayers were answered and that preparation paid off . ''

Texas Governor Says State Avoided The Worst Of Laura's Destruction
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Gay/AP Eric Gay/AP
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday afternoon the state had dodged a bullet, sustaining less damage than was expected from Hurricane Laura.
Abbott said that storm surge across the southeast Texas coast turned out to be much less severe than projected, which gave the state a break in terms of the devastation.
"It could've been far worse," he said, during a press conference in the town of Orange. "When you consider the magnitude of the damage that did occur here, we did dodge a bullet."
After surveying the damage this morning, it was clear that Orange County bore the brunt of Laura's power, Abbott said.
"The most significant damage I was able to observe from the sky was in Orange," he said. "You saw more rooftops ripped off. You saw big pieces of steel framing wrapped around trees. You saw some roads still inundated, impassable from water."
Abbott said officials still had much work to do in addressing the areas most impacted by the storm.
Search and rescue teams, including National Guard troops, are already on the ground in the areas impacted by the storm, Abbott said. So far, there are no confirmed deaths in Texas from the storm.
Texas officials stand ready to monitor potential flash flooding and tornadoes that could arise as Laura moves north and exits the state, Abbott said.
More than 160,000 utility customers were affected by power outages in the region affected by the storm as of Thursday afternoon.
The governor said almost 8,500 people evacuated the most vulnerable areas and were provided shelter throughout the state. More than 3,000 people were sheltered in hotel rooms. Abbott urged evacuees to listen to local officials for information about when it is safe to return to their homes.
Abbott credited local officials for implementing evacuation orders and praised residents for following them. Heeding those warnings helped save lives and property, he said.
"That is a miracle," Abbott said. "It shows that prayers were answered and that preparation paid off."


npr--2020-08-27--Hurricane Laura Rips Down 'South's Defenders' Confederate Statue In Lake Charles, La.

The Confederate statue bore the words `` The South 's Defenders . ''
But when Hurricane Laura walloped Lake Charles , La.
, on Thursday , the controversial statue was toppled by one of the strongest storms ever to hit Louisiana .
Protesters had asked the parish to remove the prominent memorial this summer , only to be turned away — prompting talk of an economic boycott .
Then came the hurricane .
The South 's Defenders Memorial Monument features a young flag-bearing soldier , looking out over the lawn of the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse , where it has stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laura , which came ashore as a Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph , knocked the soldier off its pedestal and onto the grass .
To resident Renee C. , who did n't want to use her last name out of concern that her employer might not approve , the downing of the statue is one of the only bright spots from Laura 's tumultuous visit to Lake Charles .
The storm damaged or destroyed a number of other landmarks , including a bowling alley , a casino and a Happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pastries such as king cakes and kolaches .
`` I evacuated so I am NOT there now , '' she said , after running down a list of the damage .
`` I 'm waiting on word on the condition of my home .
It 's bad . ''
Just two weeks ago , the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury – similar to a county commission or council — voted to keep the Confederate monument in its place next to a large oak tree at the courthouse .
As Laura mangled the statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the tree , leaving the grass littered with debris .
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter and other influential members of the community had joined those calling to move the monument , according to local newspaper American Press .
But the police jurors voted to keep the monument .
The parish 's decision process included a seven-week public feedback period , which generated a large response .
During the voting session , officials said they had received 945 written comments – 878 of which were against moving the statue elsewhere .

Hurricane Laura Rips Down 'South's Defenders' Confederate Statue In Lake Charles, La.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Renee C. Courtesy of Renee C.
The Confederate statue bore the words "The South's Defenders." But when Hurricane Laura walloped Lake Charles, La., on Thursday, the controversial statue was toppled by one of the strongest storms ever to hit Louisiana.
Protesters had asked the parish to remove the prominent memorial this summer, only to be turned away — prompting talk of an economic boycott. Then came the hurricane.
The South's Defenders Memorial Monument features a young flag-bearing soldier, looking out over the lawn of the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse, where it has stood for more than 100 years. But Laura, which came ashore as a Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph, knocked the soldier off its pedestal and onto the grass.
To resident Renee C., who didn't want to use her last name out of concern that her employer might not approve, the downing of the statue is one of the only bright spots from Laura's tumultuous visit to Lake Charles.
The storm damaged or destroyed a number of other landmarks, including a bowling alley, a casino and a Happy Donuts, which is a popular source of pastries such as king cakes and kolaches.
"I evacuated so I am NOT there now," she said, after running down a list of the damage. "I'm waiting on word on the condition of my home. It's bad."
Just two weeks ago, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury – similar to a county commission or council — voted to keep the Confederate monument in its place next to a large oak tree at the courthouse. As Laura mangled the statue, its winds also ripped several limbs from the tree, leaving the grass littered with debris.
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter and other influential members of the community had joined those calling to move the monument, according to local newspaper American Press. But the police jurors voted to keep the monument.
The parish's decision process included a seven-week public feedback period, which generated a large response. During the voting session, officials said they had received 945 written comments – 878 of which were against moving the statue elsewhere.


npr--2020-08-27--Hurricane Laura's Intense Winds Cut Through Louisiana Coastline

Hurricane Laura , one of the most powerful storms to hit Louisiana in living memory , left destruction and misery in its wake , with debris from homes and businesses scattered about , flooded streets , uprooted lampposts and at least one death .
Authorities warn there could be more damage yet to be discovered .
Hours after the storm passed the Louisiana coastline , high winds and rain persisted , preventing authorities from checking for survivors .
In hard-hit Lake Charles , Tony Guillory , president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury , told The Associated Press by phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ai n't no way to get to them . ''
Lake Charles , a big petrochemical center , `` took a horrific pummeling '' from the storm , NPR 's John Burnett reported from Beaumont , Texas .
The storm topped out as a Category 4 hurricane just as it made landfall around 1 a.m. Thursday near Cameron , La .
`` Most buildings are just not designed to withstand 120- to 130-mph winds , '' Burnett told Morning Edition .
`` Families will be talking about this for generations , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station WWNO reported that a fire has broken out at a petrochemical plant in Westlake , La.
, that manufactures chlorine for swimming pools .
It was not immediately known if the fire was caused by the storm .
The first reported U.S. death from the storm was of a 14-year-old girl in Leesville , La.
, who was killed when a tree fell on her house , a spokeswoman for Gov .
John Bel Edwards said .
`` We do expect that there could be more fatalities , '' the spokesperson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Lake Arthur , La.
, Chrystal Breaux told WWNO she was `` spared in comparison to some of our neighbors . ''
`` I think that we are blessed to still have a home , '' she said , adding that she has a sister who lives in Moss Bluff , just north of Lake Charles : `` They do n't have homes , and they do n't have jobs because their places of occupation are completely gone . ''
Forecasters had warned of `` unsurvivable '' storm surge .
Lt. Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morning America that he was concerned about anyone near the Gulf Coast on Wednesday night .
`` We 've got to pray for them , because looking at the storm surge , there would be little chance of survival , '' he said .
In Cameron Parish , Nungesser said that 50 to 150 people refused pleas from authorities to leave before the storm — some of them who lived in recreational vehicles .
`` It 's a very sad situation , '' Ashley Buller , assistant director of emergency preparedness for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We did everything we could to encourage them to leave . ''
However , the governor said Thursday morning that early reports indicated the wind was worse than the storm surge , but he warned that the hurricane did `` extensive '' damage .
He said the National Guard was using helicopters to survey damage and make a `` full assessment . ''

Hurricane Laura's Intense Winds Cut Through Louisiana Coastline
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gerald Herbert/AP Gerald Herbert/AP
Hurricane Laura, one of the most powerful storms to hit Louisiana in living memory, left destruction and misery in its wake, with debris from homes and businesses scattered about, flooded streets, uprooted lampposts and at least one death. Authorities warn there could be more damage yet to be discovered.
Hours after the storm passed the Louisiana coastline, high winds and rain persisted, preventing authorities from checking for survivors.
In hard-hit Lake Charles, Tony Guillory, president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, told The Associated Press by phone that "people are calling ... but there ain't no way to get to them."
Lake Charles, a big petrochemical center, "took a horrific pummeling" from the storm, NPR's John Burnett reported from Beaumont, Texas. The storm topped out as a Category 4 hurricane just as it made landfall around 1 a.m. Thursday near Cameron, La.
"Most buildings are just not designed to withstand 120- to 130-mph winds," Burnett told Morning Edition.
"Families will be talking about this for generations," he added.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Thayer/Getty Images Eric Thayer/Getty Images
Meanwhile, NPR member station WWNO reported that a fire has broken out at a petrochemical plant in Westlake, La., that manufactures chlorine for swimming pools. It was not immediately known if the fire was caused by the storm.
There is a chemical fire in the Westlake/Moss Bluff/Sulphur area. Residents are advised to shelter in place until further notice and close your doors and windows. Follow the directions of local officials. — John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 27, 2020
The first reported U.S. death from the storm was of a 14-year-old girl in Leesville, La., who was killed when a tree fell on her house, a spokeswoman for Gov. John Bel Edwards said.
"We do expect that there could be more fatalities," the spokesperson, Christina Stephens, said on Twitter.
.@LouisianaGov says he got the report of the first fatality from Hurricane Laura in Louisiana. A 14 year old girl who died when a tree fell on her home. We do expect that there could be more fatalities. — Christina “MASK UP” Stephens (@CEStephens) August 27, 2020
In Lake Arthur, La., Chrystal Breaux told WWNO she was "spared in comparison to some of our neighbors."
"I think that we are blessed to still have a home," she said, adding that she has a sister who lives in Moss Bluff, just north of Lake Charles: "They don't have homes, and they don't have jobs because their places of occupation are completely gone."
Forecasters had warned of "unsurvivable" storm surge. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser told ABC's Good Morning America that he was concerned about anyone near the Gulf Coast on Wednesday night. "We've got to pray for them, because looking at the storm surge, there would be little chance of survival," he said.
In Cameron Parish, Nungesser said that 50 to 150 people refused pleas from authorities to leave before the storm — some of them who lived in recreational vehicles.
"It's a very sad situation," Ashley Buller, assistant director of emergency preparedness for the parish, told the AP. "We did everything we could to encourage them to leave."
However, the governor said Thursday morning that early reports indicated the wind was worse than the storm surge, but he warned that the hurricane did "extensive" damage. He said the National Guard was using helicopters to survey damage and make a "full assessment."


npr--2020-08-27--Laura Weakens Into A Tropical Storm, But Dangers Persist

Laura is now a tropical storm , bringing sustained winds of up to 65 mph to the area just south of Louisiana 's border with Arkansas .
But forecasters warn that the storm remains a dire threat , due to flood-inducing rainfall and other perils .
The former hurricane is now moving north at 15 mph – maintaining the same motion it has taken for much of Thursday , since making landfall in southwest Louisiana with intense winds and a large storm surge .
About 600,000 electrical customers are currently out of power , Gov .
John Bel Edwards said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ET .
Laura was so huge , Edwards said , that nearly his entire state has experienced tropical-storm conditions in the past 24 hours .
As of early Thursday afternoon , Laura 's tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from its center , the National Hurricane Center says .
Even as Laura passes through northern Louisiana , a storm surge warning remains in effect at the coast from Sabine Pass , Texas , along the border to Port Fourchon , La.
, south of New Orleans .
Parts of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As NHC Director Ken Graham noted earlier Thursday , Laura 's rain bands are still swirling in from the coast of Corpus Christi , Texas — drawing water from the Gulf of Mexico to fuel rains , and pushing coastal water levels even higher in some areas .
`` That moisture will continue to stream in to these same areas with time , '' Graham said , `` so portions of Louisiana , East Texas , and eventually all this moisture continuing to move north , even into Arkansas . ''
`` On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laura is forecast to move over Arkansas tonight , the mid-Mississippi Valley on Friday , and the mid-Atlantic states on Saturday , '' the NHC says .

Laura Weakens Into A Tropical Storm, But Dangers Persist
Enlarge this image toggle caption NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East
Laura is now a tropical storm, bringing sustained winds of up to 65 mph to the area just south of Louisiana's border with Arkansas. But forecasters warn that the storm remains a dire threat, due to flood-inducing rainfall and other perils.
The former hurricane is now moving north at 15 mph – maintaining the same motion it has taken for much of Thursday, since making landfall in southwest Louisiana with intense winds and a large storm surge.
About 600,000 electrical customers are currently out of power, Gov. John Bel Edwards said in an update at 2 p.m. ET.
Laura was so huge, Edwards said, that nearly his entire state has experienced tropical-storm conditions in the past 24 hours. As of early Thursday afternoon, Laura's tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from its center, the National Hurricane Center says.
Even as Laura passes through northern Louisiana, a storm surge warning remains in effect at the coast from Sabine Pass, Texas, along the border to Port Fourchon, La., south of New Orleans. Parts of the state is also under a tornado alert.
As NHC Director Ken Graham noted earlier Thursday, Laura's rain bands are still swirling in from the coast of Corpus Christi, Texas — drawing water from the Gulf of Mexico to fuel rains, and pushing coastal water levels even higher in some areas.
"That moisture will continue to stream in to these same areas with time," Graham said, "so portions of Louisiana, East Texas, and eventually all this moisture continuing to move north, even into Arkansas."
"On the forecast track, the center of Laura is forecast to move over Arkansas tonight, the mid-Mississippi Valley on Friday, and the mid-Atlantic states on Saturday," the NHC says.


npr--2020-08-27--'It's Absurd': Trump Officials Brush Off NBA Player Strikes Over Police Shooting

'It 's Absurd ' : Trump Officials Brush Off NBA Player Strikes Over Police Shooting Top White House officials are brushing off the significance of NBA protests this week over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wis. President Trump also weighed in , lamenting Thursday that the NBA has become `` like a political organization , '' but saying he did n't know much about the protests .
`` I know their ratings have been very bad because I think people are a little tired of the NBA , frankly , but I do n't know too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said during a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
`` But I know their ratings have been very bad and that 's unfortunate .
They 've become like a political organization and that 's not a good thing .
I do n't think that 's a good thing for sports or for the country . ''
In interviews Thursday , Jared Kushner , a White House senior adviser and the president 's son-in-law , discounted the player strikes .
`` Look , I think that the NBA players are very fortunate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're able to take a night off from work without having to have the consequences to themselves financially , '' Kushner told CNBC .
`` So they have that luxury , which is great . ''
On Wednesday , the Milwaukee Bucks said they would not play against the Orlando Magic in protest over Blake 's shooting .
The 29-year-old Black man remains hospitalized after he was shot seven times in the back by a white Kenosha police officer on Sunday , sparking days of protests in Wisconsin .
A 17-year-old from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shot , two fatally .
The NBA later postponed all three playoff games scheduled for Wednesday .
The WNBA and MLB followed suit , postponing games Wednesday night .
`` We 're tired of the killings and the injustice , '' Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill told ESPN on Wednesday .
The Bucks quickly put out a statement calling on the Wisconsin Legislature to reconvene .
Lebron James , who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers , tweeted a message of support for the striking Bucks players .
The Lakers did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trail Blazers on Wednesday night .
`` F*** THIS MAN !
!
!
!
WE DEMAND CHANGE .
SICK OF IT , '' James tweeted .
On Thursday , Kushner told Politico he would reach out to James .
`` Look , let 's both agree on what we want to accomplish and let 's come up with a common path to get there , '' he said .
Kushner pointed to the First Step Act , a criminal justice reform bill Trump signed into law in 2018 , as evidence that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social justice issues .
But the president has frequently decried protests by professional athletes , namely Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice .
`` I think with the NBA , there 's a lot of activism , and I think that they 've put a lot of slogans out , '' Kushner said on CNBC .
`` But I think what we need to do is turn that from slogans and signals to actual action that 's going to solve the problem . ''
Marc Short , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was asked on CNN whether his boss might weigh in on the NBA strike .
`` I do n't know that you 're going to see the administration weigh in on that one way or the other , '' Short said .
`` In my mind , it 's absurd , it 's silly . ''
Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh told reporters Thursday that the president will mention what happened in Wisconsin in his nomination speech Thursday , talking broadly about unrest in American cities such as Minneapolis , Seattle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now Kenosha .
Trump and Pence have often portrayed American cities as violent and lawless , deploying those descriptions to bolster their warnings about a Joe Biden presidency .
`` We will have law and order on the streets of America , '' Pence said during his convention speech Wednesday evening .
`` Joe Biden would double down on the very policies that are leading to unsafe streets and violence in America 's cities . ''
Both Biden and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , have weighed in with messages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This moment demands moral leadership , '' Biden tweeted .
`` And these players answered by standing up , speaking out , and using their platform for good .
Now is not the time for silence . ''

'It's Absurd': Trump Officials Brush Off NBA Player Strikes Over Police Shooting
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Updated at 2:45 p.m.
Top White House officials are brushing off the significance of NBA protests this week over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis.
President Trump also weighed in, lamenting Thursday that the NBA has become "like a political organization," but saying he didn't know much about the protests.
"I know their ratings have been very bad because I think people are a little tired of the NBA, frankly, but I don't know too much about the protests," Trump said during a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"But I know their ratings have been very bad and that's unfortunate. They've become like a political organization and that's not a good thing. I don't think that's a good thing for sports or for the country."
In interviews Thursday, Jared Kushner, a White House senior adviser and the president's son-in-law, discounted the player strikes.
"Look, I think that the NBA players are very fortunate that they have the financial position where they're able to take a night off from work without having to have the consequences to themselves financially," Kushner told CNBC. "So they have that luxury, which is great."
On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks said they would not play against the Orlando Magic in protest over Blake's shooting. The 29-year-old Black man remains hospitalized after he was shot seven times in the back by a white Kenosha police officer on Sunday, sparking days of protests in Wisconsin. A 17-year-old from Illinois is under arrest after three protesters were shot, two fatally.
The NBA later postponed all three playoff games scheduled for Wednesday. The WNBA and MLB followed suit, postponing games Wednesday night.
"We're tired of the killings and the injustice," Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill told ESPN on Wednesday. The Bucks quickly put out a statement calling on the Wisconsin Legislature to reconvene.
Lebron James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, tweeted a message of support for the striking Bucks players. The Lakers did not play a scheduled game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
"F*** THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT," James tweeted.
On Thursday, Kushner told Politico he would reach out to James. "Look, let's both agree on what we want to accomplish and let's come up with a common path to get there," he said.
Kushner pointed to the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform bill Trump signed into law in 2018, as evidence that the White House has taken tangible action on social justice issues. But the president has frequently decried protests by professional athletes, namely Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice.
"I think with the NBA, there's a lot of activism, and I think that they've put a lot of slogans out," Kushner said on CNBC. "But I think what we need to do is turn that from slogans and signals to actual action that's going to solve the problem."
Marc Short, Vice President Pence's chief of staff, was asked on CNN whether his boss might weigh in on the NBA strike.
"I don't know that you're going to see the administration weigh in on that one way or the other," Short said. "In my mind, it's absurd, it's silly."
Trump campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh told reporters Thursday that the president will mention what happened in Wisconsin in his nomination speech Thursday, talking broadly about unrest in American cities such as Minneapolis, Seattle, Chicago, Portland, Ore., and now Kenosha. Trump and Pence have often portrayed American cities as violent and lawless, deploying those descriptions to bolster their warnings about a Joe Biden presidency.
"We will have law and order on the streets of America," Pence said during his convention speech Wednesday evening. "Joe Biden would double down on the very policies that are leading to unsafe streets and violence in America's cities."
Both Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, have weighed in with messages of support for the player strikes.
"This moment demands moral leadership," Biden tweeted. "And these players answered by standing up, speaking out, and using their platform for good. Now is not the time for silence."


npr--2020-08-28--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

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

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


npr--2020-08-28--Coronavirus Maps: How Severe Is Your State's Outbreak?

Coronavirus Maps : How Severe Is Your State 's Outbreak ?
More than 5.5 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the coronavirus and more than 180,000 have died .
Tens of thousands of new cases are reported daily .
Some state outbreaks are worse than others .
In the graphics below , explore the trends in your state .
View the data via a heat map ( immediately below ) , curve charts , a table of state-by-state trends over four weeks , or a map of total cases and deaths .
The map above shows the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on new daily cases per capita .
These color-coded risk levels were developed by a consortium of researchers and public health experts .
The group advises states in the red category to issue stay-home orders .
Orange states may need to consider stay-home orders , along with increased testing and contact tracing .
Yellow states need to keep up social distancing and mask usage , and both yellow and green states should continue testing and contact tracing .
To compare state outbreaks , the chart above graphs trend lines for average new daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totals to date .
This type of visualization highlights a state 's daily growth or decline relative to the overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In New York , the curve rose sharply before reaching over 170,000 total cases in April .
Since then , new cases have fallen from about 10,000 per day in mid-April to under 600 per day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see totals and per capita figures around the country for both new confirmed cases and reported deaths from COVID-19 .
New York was the original epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. As of mid August , California , Florida and Texas have surpassed New York for total cases to date , though New York still has the highest death total .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
To show trends state by state , the table below shows the change in average new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over week for the last 28 days .
States marked in shades of red are showing growth , those in shades of green , are showing declines .
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local media reports .
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships .
In early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in the state 's daily numbers until the JHU team was able to reconcile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New Jersey included 1,854 previously-unreported probable deaths in its totals , resulting in a spike in the state 's daily death numbers .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn contributed to and Carmel Wroth edited this story .

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
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Note: This page was last updated on Feb. 1, 2023. It will no longer be updated. For current data on COVID cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Feb. 1, there have been more than 101 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. and more than 1 million people have died of COVID-19. In the graphics below, explore the trends in your state.
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The above charts show average new cases per 100,000 people for each state over the last 12 months.
Note: Actual cases may be substantially higher, since many who test positive with at-home tests don't report their cases.
For additional data about COVID-19 in the U.S, including cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
To show trends, the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state, week over week for the last 28 days. States marked in shades of red have growing outbreaks; those in shades of green, are declining.
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Methodology
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the World Health Organization; national, state and local government health departments; 1point3acres; and local media reports.
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies. This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds. There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department's website. Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships.
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases, process testing backlogs or update their methodologies. The JHU team maintains a list of such changes.
This story was originally published on March 16, 2020. Elena Renken was a co-author on that version. Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story. Carmel Wroth edited this story.


npr--2020-08-28--How Many Coronavirus Cases Are Happening In Schools? This Tracker Keeps Count

How Many Coronavirus Cases Are Happening In Schools ?
This Tracker Keeps Count Looking for a snapshot of coronavirus outbreaks in U.S. schools ?
The National Education Association has just launched a tracker of cases in public K-12 schools .
The tracker is broken down by state , and shows schools and counties with known cases , suspected cases and deaths , as well as whether those infected were students or staff .
It also includes links to the local news reports so users know where the virus data comes from .
The NEA tracker builds on the volunteer efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In early August , just ahead of the new school year , Morris was looking for data about coronavirus cases in U.S. schools .
She could find local news reports about positive cases at individual schools around the country but nothing that gave her a cohesive picture of how the virus was spreading in schools .
So Morris built it herself .
`` I put in the words 'school , positive ' `` she tells NPR 's Morning Edition .
`` I clicked on the news tab and would search the articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours and then I would input those articles into my spreadsheet . ''
Morris started building a database on August 6 .
She looked for news reports going back to July 1 , since some schools had already begun holding practices for fall sports or opening for administrative activities .
Even with schools in only a few states back in session by early August , she had no trouble finding reports of coronavirus cases .
Morris quickly logged cases at over 700 schools .
`` I started feeling sort of shocked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were already popping up in opening schools , '' she says .
`` That 's when I decided that I should share it with some personal colleagues in Kansas and my district board of education .
And their reactions are what really prompted me to share it on a wider scale with other teachers in the country . ''
By Aug. 23 when she handed off the project to NEA , she and volunteers working with her had logged over nearly 4,300 cases at more than 1,000 schools , which can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by one of the project volunteers .
According to the data she has collected , as of Aug. 23 , Florida schools have seen the most cases , followed by Texas and Georgia .
( The NEA is in the process of moving Morris ' data to its tracker and is still a work in progress . )
Teachers began sharing Morris ' database online .
Soon , Morris started receiving submissions from viewers of the spreadsheet about cases she had missed .
But she had to find a way to verify them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting information in that had to link with a local news article and the local news article was reporting from the quotes from the superintendent stating these certain things or similar things . ''
As she began to receive more submissions , Morris had to adapt her fact-checking process .
`` People were actually submitting their own personal anecdotes about cases that had n't been covered by the news , '' she says .
These submissions were sometimes screenshots of social media posts or parent emails sent by school administrators , which Morris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a dedicated section of the database for these kinds of reports , which she calls `` unverified . ''
Morris and a small group of volunteers search for more information about those cases .
`` We 're still working on researching those unverified cases to see if articles pop up about them .
But in the meantime , I 've encouraged people to contact their local news outlets so that they can do some investigative journalism and see if they can find any affirmation that these cases were actually happening , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these unverified cases are an important piece of the puzzle .
`` I absolutely get the suspicion based on the anecdotes that people have sent me , [ that ] there have been tons of schools that have been purposely trying to keep this on the down-low , '' she says .
She understands that schools are very worried about privacy , but , she says , `` it does sort of create a bit of suspicion in the transparency .
They will tell the close contacts and maybe the staff , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further than that . ''
Finding a way to integrate these data into the project will give a better picture of how many elementary , middle and high schools are dealing with coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S. Morris says she 's relieved the NEA took note of the project and is hosting it .
It 's been hard keeping up with the cases , she says , and the NEA `` has a team ready to go to keep the information up to date and to continue the community-driven efforts in order to @ @ @ @ @ @

How Many Coronavirus Cases Are Happening In Schools? This Tracker Keeps Count
Looking for a snapshot of coronavirus outbreaks in U.S. schools? The National Education Association has just launched a tracker of cases in public K-12 schools.
The tracker is broken down by state and shows schools and counties with known cases and suspected cases and deaths, as well as whether those infected were students or staff. It also includes links to the local news reports so users know where the virus data comes from.
The NEA tracker builds on the volunteer efforts of a Kansas theater teacher Alisha Morris. In early August, just ahead of the new school year, Morris was looking for data about coronavirus cases in U.S. schools. She could find local news reports about positive cases at individual schools across the country but nothing that gave her a cohesive picture of how the virus was spreading in schools.
So Morris built it herself.
She started with a simple Internet search.
"I put in the words 'school, positive' " she tells NPR's Morning Edition. "I clicked on the news tab and would search the articles from the past week or the past 24 hours and then I would input those articles into my spreadsheet."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alisha Morris Alisha Morris
Morris started building a database on Aug. 6. She looked for news reports going back to July 1, since some schools had begun holding practices for fall sports or opening for administrative activities early in the summer.
Even with schools in only a few states back in session by early August, she had no trouble finding reports of coronavirus cases. Morris quickly logged cases at over 700 schools.
"I started feeling sort of shocked by what I was seeing and how many cases were already popping up in opening schools," she says. "That's when I decided that I should share it with some personal colleagues in Kansas and my district board of education. And their reactions are what really prompted me to share it on a wider scale with other teachers in the country."
By Aug. 23, when she handed off the project to NEA, she and volunteers working with her had logged over nearly 4,300 cases at more than 1,000 schools, which can be seen on the map above, created by one of the project volunteers.
According to the data she has collected, as of Aug. 23, Florida schools have seen the most cases, followed by Texas and Georgia. (The NEA is in the process of moving Morris' data to its tracker.)
Teachers began sharing Morris' database online. Soon, Morris started receiving submissions from viewers of the spreadsheet about cases she had missed. But she had to find a way to verify them: "I initially started with only putting information in that had to link with a local news article and the local news article was reporting from the quotes from the superintendent stating these certain things or similar things."
As she began to receive more submissions, Morris had to adapt her fact-checking process.
"People were actually submitting their own personal anecdotes about cases that hadn't been covered by the news," she says.
These submissions were sometimes screenshots of social media posts or parent emails sent by school administrators, which Morris believes are credible. She decided to create a dedicated section of the database for these kinds of reports, which she calls "unverified."
Morris and a small group of volunteers search for more information about those cases.
"We're still working on researching those unverified cases to see if articles pop up about them. But in the meantime, I've encouraged people to contact their local news outlets so that they can do some investigative journalism and see if they can find any affirmation that these cases were actually happening," she says.
And Morris believes that these unverified cases are an important piece of the puzzle.
"I absolutely get the suspicion based on the anecdotes that people have sent me, [that] there have been tons of schools that have been purposely trying to keep this on the down-low," she says.
She understands that schools are very worried about privacy, but, she says, "it does sort of create a bit of suspicion in the transparency. They will tell the close contacts and maybe the staff, but then they won't publicize it any further than that."
Finding a way to integrate these data into the project will give a better picture of how many elementary, middle and high schools are dealing with coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S.
Morris says she's relieved the NEA took note of the project and is hosting it. It has been hard keeping up with the cases, she says, and the NEA "has a team ready to go to keep the information up to date and to continue the community-driven efforts in order to get these cases logged."