npr--2020-03-24--Climate Change Push Fuels Split On Coronavirus Stimulus

Clean energy and climate advocates say the huge stimulus bill Congress is negotiating should address not only the economy , but also climate change .
But a split over that appears to have contributed to delays in passing the bill .
`` Democrats wo n't let us fund hospitals or save small businesses unless they get to dust off the Green New Deal , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday .
McConnell said Democrats were filibustering the $ 1 trillion-plus bill hoping to include policies such as extending tax credits for solar and wind energy .
Two trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( SEIA ) and American Wind Energy Association ( AWEA ) , sent a joint letter to members of Congress last week saying that extending the credits `` would allow our member companies to hire thousands of additional workers and inject billions in the U.S .
economy . ''
The share of solar and wind energy in the U.S. had been booming .
But now , without help , the SEIA estimates the solar industry could see as much as 50 percent of residential solar jobs lost this year due to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of investments and payments , mostly in the rural communities where wind projects usually are built , is at risk .
`` The COVID-19 pandemic is harming the wind industry 's ability to build the wind farms envisioned by Congressional legislation and putting at risk 35,000 wind energy jobs , '' says Tom Kiernan , Chief Executive Officer of AWEA .
Eight Democratic U.S. senators also called on fellow lawmakers to tie financial help for airlines and cruise lines to new environmental requirements that would reduce their carbon footprints .
McConnell says this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like these , and the focus should be on addressing the effects of the pandemic .
But others argue now is precisely the right time to think about climate change .
`` We can both stimulate the economy ... and we can lay the foundation for a lower-carbon future , '' says economist Michael Greenstone , who served as the Chief Economist for President Obama 's Council of Economic Advisers .
In addition to renewable energy tax credits , Greenstone says the federal government should invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and deploying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the sun and wind .
Advancing clean energy was a major focus of President Obama 's stimulus plan after the 2008 economic downturn .
So far , renewable energy advocates have struggled to get their priorities included in the Senate 's current stimulus legislation , even as help for the oil industry is showing up in draft versions .
The Trump administration wants $ 3 billion from Congress to fill the nation 's Strategic Petroleum Reserve .
That would help oil drillers hit hard by a price war between Saudi Arabia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glut of oil on the market just as the coronavirus is reducing demand because people have stopped traveling .
The combination of a supply surge and demand decline sent crude prices down by more than half in the last three weeks .
Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette says his agency will buy up to 77 million barrels of domestic crude from small and midsize drillers .
They are most at risk because many have borrowed money to expand and may now face bankruptcy .
`` These businesses have been particularly hard hit by recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership we are taking swift action to assist hard hit producers and deliver strong returns to the taxpayer , '' says Brouillette .
Industry analysts say it makes sense for the government to fill the reserve when prices are low , but environmental groups were quick to criticize the move .
`` Donald Trump has once again put the interests of oil and gas executives ahead of the interests of people and communities , '' said Alex Doukas with the group Oil Change International .
The American Petroleum Institute ( API ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has said it does n't want government intervention in the oil market .
But outside the stimulus bill process the API is asking for temporary relief from some regulations .
Environmentalists have support from the International Energy Agency ( IEA ) , whose executive director , Fatih Birol , also urged policy-makers to consider climate change when they draft economic stimulus packages .
`` Large-scale investment to boost the development , deployment and integration of clean energy technologies — such as solar , wind , hydrogen , batteries and carbon capture ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of governments ' plans because it will bring the twin benefits of stimulating economies and accelerating clean energy transitions , '' wrote Birol in a recent commentary .
Otherwise , Birol says , carbon dioxide emissions — which have dropped off amid the pandemic — will rebound when economies recover .
`` We do n't want to bail ourselves out of one economic crisis and one health crisis and go straight into the next one , '' says Helen Mountford , vice president for climate and economics at World Resources Institute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways to both boost the economy and address climate change .
She suggests a big tree-planting program could start as early as this summer .
`` [ It ] could actually put something like 150,000 people to work and will help pull millions of tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere in years to come , '' says Mountford .
In his State of the Union address this year President Trump said the U.S. would join a global push to plant a trillion trees .
The nuclear power industry has its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Nuclear Energy Institute has asked the Trump administration to temporarily waive fees for nuclear power plants .
The trade group also asked for grants from the Energy Department to pay for COVID-19-related leave for those working on the Vogtle nuclear power plants under construction in Georgia .
The group says the grants are needed to defray the costs of paid leave and ensure the workforce is available to continue working on the project in Waynesboro , Ga. , later .
It 's not yet clear which , if any , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final stimulus bill .
But given the significant effect the coronavirus pandemic is having on the U.S. economy , this likely wo n't be the last stimulus package lawmakers will consider .

Climate Change Push Fuels Split On Coronavirus Stimulus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Julie Jacobson/AP Julie Jacobson/AP
Clean energy and climate advocates say the huge stimulus bill Congress is negotiating should address not only the economy, but also climate change. But a split over that appears to have contributed to delays in passing the bill.
"Democrats won't let us fund hospitals or save small businesses unless they get to dust off the Green New Deal," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday.
McConnell said Democrats were filibustering the $1 trillion-plus bill hoping to include policies such as extending tax credits for solar and wind energy.
Two trade groups, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), sent a joint letter to members of Congress last week saying that extending the credits "would allow our member companies to hire thousands of additional workers and inject billions in the U.S. economy."
The share of solar and wind energy in the U.S. had been booming. But now, without help, the SEIA estimates the solar industry could see as much as 50 percent of residential solar jobs lost this year due to the pandemic. AWEA estimates $43 billion dollars of investments and payments, mostly in the rural communities where wind projects usually are built, is at risk.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is harming the wind industry's ability to build the wind farms envisioned by Congressional legislation and putting at risk 35,000 wind energy jobs," says Tom Kiernan, Chief Executive Officer of AWEA.
Eight Democratic U.S. senators also called on fellow lawmakers to tie financial help for airlines and cruise lines to new environmental requirements that would reduce their carbon footprints.
McConnell says this is the wrong time to debate policies like these, and the focus should be on addressing the effects of the pandemic. But others argue now is precisely the right time to think about climate change.
We can both stimulate the economy ... and we can lay the foundation for a lower-carbon future.
"We can both stimulate the economy ... and we can lay the foundation for a lower-carbon future," says economist Michael Greenstone, who served as the Chief Economist for President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers.
In addition to renewable energy tax credits, Greenstone says the federal government should invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and deploying batteries to store electricity from intermittent sources like the sun and wind.
Advancing clean energy was a major focus of President Obama's stimulus plan after the 2008 economic downturn.
So far, renewable energy advocates have struggled to get their priorities included in the Senate's current stimulus legislation, even as help for the oil industry is showing up in draft versions.
The Trump administration wants $3 billion from Congress to fill the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. That would help oil drillers hit hard by a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. That's leading to a glut of oil on the market just as the coronavirus is reducing demand because people have stopped traveling.
The combination of a supply surge and demand decline sent crude prices down by more than half in the last three weeks.
Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette says his agency will buy up to 77 million barrels of domestic crude from small and midsize drillers. They are most at risk because many have borrowed money to expand and may now face bankruptcy.
"These businesses have been particularly hard hit by recent events, but under President Trump's leadership we are taking swift action to assist hard hit producers and deliver strong returns to the taxpayer," says Brouillette.
Industry analysts say it makes sense for the government to fill the reserve when prices are low, but environmental groups were quick to criticize the move.
"Donald Trump has once again put the interests of oil and gas executives ahead of the interests of people and communities," said Alex Doukas with the group Oil Change International.
The American Petroleum Institute (API), the oil industry's largest trade group, has said it doesn't want government intervention in the oil market. But outside the stimulus bill process the API is asking for temporary relief from some regulations.
Environmentalists have support from the International Energy Agency (IEA), whose executive director, Fatih Birol, also urged policy-makers to consider climate change when they draft economic stimulus packages.
"Large-scale investment to boost the development, deployment and integration of clean energy technologies — such as solar, wind, hydrogen, batteries and carbon capture (CCUS) — should be a central part of governments' plans because it will bring the twin benefits of stimulating economies and accelerating clean energy transitions," wrote Birol in a recent commentary.
Otherwise, Birol says, carbon dioxide emissions — which have dropped off amid the pandemic — will rebound when economies recover.
We don't want to bail ourselves out of one economic crisis and one health crisis and go straight into the next one.
"We don't want to bail ourselves out of one economic crisis and one health crisis and go straight into the next one," says Helen Mountford, vice president for climate and economics at World Resources Institute.
Mountford is among those offering some creative ways to both boost the economy and address climate change. She suggests a big tree-planting program could start as early as this summer.
"[It] could actually put something like 150,000 people to work and will help pull millions of tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere in years to come," says Mountford.
In his State of the Union address this year President Trump said the U.S. would join a global push to plant a trillion trees.
The nuclear power industry has its own wish list for the current stimulus bill.
The Nuclear Energy Institute has asked the Trump administration to temporarily waive fees for nuclear power plants. The trade group also asked for grants from the Energy Department to pay for COVID-19-related leave for those working on the Vogtle nuclear power plants under construction in Georgia.
The group says the grants are needed to defray the costs of paid leave and ensure the workforce is available to continue working on the project in Waynesboro, Ga., later.
It's not yet clear which, if any, of these requests will make it into a final stimulus bill. But given the significant effect the coronavirus pandemic is having on the U.S. economy, this likely won't be the last stimulus package lawmakers will consider.


npr--2020-03-24--As Coronavirus Delays Primary Season, States Weigh Expanding Absentee Voting

The election-year coronavirus pandemic has pushed back elections in more than a dozen states , leading to growing interest in expanding voting by mail this year in order to keep pollworkers and voters safe .
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has proposed sending all voters postage-paid absentee ballots to complete the state 's postponed March 17 primary .
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has called for an all-mail special election April 28 to fill a congressional seat left open by the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings .
Many other states are considering expanding absentee and mail-in voting for the remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democratic lawmakers , including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ron Wyden , have introduced legislation that would require states to offer all voters in the country the option of casting their ballots by mail .
`` The right to vote is paramount and no citizen in this country should have to pick between exercising their right to vote and protecting their health , '' said Klobuchar , who announced Monday her husband had been diagnosed with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
But the window to expand vote-by-mail is closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such changes would entail extensive logistical challenges and widespread voter education .
Voting rights advocates also worry that in the process of trying to salvage the spring primary season , states might impede the rights of some voters .
They 're pushing for safeguards to ensure that everyone who wants to vote is able to do so .
Some voters could be left out '' Moving the country in a direction toward one hundred percent vote-by-mail at this stage I think is dangerous , '' said Kristen Clarke , president and executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights Under Law , an advocacy group .
Clarke worries that some people — especially voters of color — could be left out with a rapid expansion .
In 2018 , more than 430,000 mail-in votes nationwide were rejected — primarily because they did n't arrive in time to be counted , the voter did n't provide the required signature , or the voter 's signature did n't match the one on record .
This included voters like Denia Mahoney , of Sumter , S.C. , who only learned recently that her 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a required witness signature on the envelope .
`` I was shocked , '' said Mahoney , a disabled senior citizen .
`` They did n't call me back or send it back , saying I did n't sign it . ''
Absentee ballots tend to be rejected at higher rates for black voters than for whites , who have been more inclined to use absentee voting , said Clarke .
She emphasized that the rules can be confusing , especially for those doing it for the first time .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and extensive voter education so that people know how to vote-by-mail , how to fill out the ballot and envelope and return it , '' she said .
`` We 've got to make sure people know the timelines . ''
In some places absentee ballots are counted as long as they 're postmarked by Election Day , even if they arrive a few days later .
In other states , absentee ballots have to be received before election day or they do n't count .
Currently , all states allow some voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five states conduct largely all vote-by-mail elections .
But the rules vary greatly .
Most states allow no-excuse absentee voting , but others only permit it for those who have a specific reason for not showing up at the polls , such as an illness or being out of town on business .
Witness signatures are required in some places , and not others .
Some states provide post-paid envelopes , while others do not .
State officials have eased some of these rules due to the current crisis , but in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must act and many are not in session due to the pandemic .
Advocates of vote-by-mail say states must act soon to remove any unnecessary barriers .
It does n't make sense , for example , to demand that mail-in ballots be witnessed during a health crisis , said Tammy Patrick , a senior adviser at the Democracy Fund .
`` The last thing you need to do is to require that voter to interact with another person in order to vote , '' Patrick said , adding that postage should also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to a post office .
While voting by mail is certainly safer and more convenient , said Michael Morley , a professor at the Florida State University College of Law , there are trade-offs .
There are many stages at which things can go wrong and , even if a voter sends the ballot in on time with the right signature , there 's no guarantee it will be counted .
`` If voters are trying to fill out these ballots by themselves at home without the assistance of election officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are properly filling out their ballots .
They might inadvertently undervote a race , either skipping a race or marking too lightly that the machine ca n't read it , '' said Morley .
`` They might inadvertently overvote , think that they 're casting votes for two separate races , but they put them on the wrong line . ''
Those are the kinds of mistakes usually caught at the polling place , where the voter has a chance to recast their ballot so it will be counted correctly .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our system .
It 's going to play an important role in our response specifically to the coronavirus , but it 's not a panacea , '' said Morley He thinks the best protection for voters is having a variety of options .
Vote-by-mail might look good now , but it wo n't be much use if there 's a threat to the postal system — like the anthrax attacks after the September 11 , 2001 terror attacks .
There are also other potential problems , ballots could be sent to the wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some worry that automatically sending ballots out to every voter could open the way to fraud and voters being pressured to vote a certain way .
Individuals with disabilities or language needs might also have a difficult time voting from home .
That 's one reason advocates of expanding vote-by-mail are also pushing for more early in-person voting as an alternative for those who ca n't use the mail .
They also want a system to track and verify ballots as they work their way through the mail system so they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an even bigger question is whether all states can make such sweeping changes on short notice .
While some places already rely heavily on mail-in voting , others do n't have the infrastructure in place to deliver and count large numbers of mail-in ballots .
The states where vote-by-mail is in wide use already , such as Colorado and Washington , have had years of preparation .
Recognizing the challenges , the National Vote at Home Institute has just released a guide to help other states scale up more quickly .
Others have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to print and deliver millions more ballots than usual .
`` We 're already working 24/7 now , '' said Jeff Ellington , president and chief operating officer of Runbeck Election Services in Phoenix , which prints and mails ballots in 18 states .
It 's possible to expand operations to meet a surge in demand , Ellington said , but decisions have to be made soon .
Most states need mail-in ballots sent to their voters about twenty to thirty days in advance of an election .
`` If you can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of May , June , July and August , those primaries would have a shot at moving to all mail .
But again , it 's about making the decision quickly .
It 's about working closely with the vendors to make it happen , '' he said .
Ellington also notes that the equipment needed to make sure that the right ballots are inserted into the right envelopes is customized and ca n't be purchased off -the-shelf .
One more challenge : the availability of paper to print the ballots on .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other areas that have been hit hard by the pandemic .

As Coronavirus Delays Primary Season, States Weigh Expanding Absentee Voting
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
The election-year coronavirus pandemic has pushed back elections in more than a dozen states, leading to growing interest in expanding voting by mail this year in order to keep poll workers and voters safe.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has proposed sending all voters postage-paid absentee ballots to complete the state's postponed March 17 primary. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has called for an all-mail special election April 28 to fill a congressional seat left open by the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings.
Many other states are considering expanding absentee and mail-in voting for the remaining primaries, and even the general election. Democratic lawmakers, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Ron Wyden, have introduced legislation that would require states to offer all voters in the country the option of casting their ballots by mail.
"The right to vote is paramount and no citizen in this country should have to pick between exercising their right to vote and protecting their health," said Klobuchar, who announced Monday her husband had been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
But the window to expand vote-by-mail is closing soon, proponents warn, because implementing such changes would entail extensive logistical challenges and widespread voter education.
Voting rights advocates also worry that in the process of trying to salvage the spring primary season, states might impede the rights of some voters. They're pushing for safeguards to ensure that everyone who wants to vote is able to do so.
Some voters could be left out
"Moving the country in a direction toward 100 percent vote-by-mail at this stage I think is dangerous," said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, an advocacy group. Clarke worries that some people — especially voters of color — could be left out with a rapid expansion.
In 2018, more than 430,000 mail-in votes nationwide were rejected — primarily because they didn't arrive in time to be counted, the voter didn't provide the required signature, or the voter's signature didn't match the one on record.
This included voters like Denia Mahoney, of Sumter, S.C., who only learned recently that her 2018 ballot was discarded because it did not have a required witness signature on the envelope.
"I was shocked," said Mahoney, a disabled senior citizen. "They didn't call me back or send it back, saying I didn't sign it."
Absentee ballots tend to be rejected at higher rates for black voters than for whites, who have been more inclined to use absentee voting, said Clarke. She emphasized that the rules can be confusing, especially for those doing it for the first time.
"We need to make sure there is widespread and extensive voter education so that people know how to vote-by-mail, how to fill out the ballot and envelope and return it," she said. "We've got to make sure people know the timelines."
In some places absentee ballots are counted as long as they're postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive a few days later. In other states, absentee ballots have to be received before election day or they don't count.
Currently, all states allow some voters to cast ballots through the mail and five states conduct largely all vote-by-mail elections. But the rules vary greatly. Most states allow no-excuse absentee voting, but others only permit it for those who have a specific reason for not showing up at the polls, such as an illness or being out of town on business. Witness signatures are required in some places, and not others. Some states provide post-paid envelopes, while others do not.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Megan Jelinger /AFP via Getty Images Megan Jelinger /AFP via Getty Images
State officials have eased some of these rules due to the current crisis, but in some states, it's the legislature that must act and many are not in session due to the pandemic.
Advocates of vote-by-mail say states must act soon to remove any unnecessary barriers. It doesn't make sense, for example, to demand that mail-in ballots be witnessed during a health crisis, said Tammy Patrick, a senior adviser at the Democracy Fund.
"The last thing you need to do is to require that voter to interact with another person in order to vote," Patrick said, adding that postage should also be provided so individuals don't need to go to a post office.
Voting by mail "not a panacea"
While voting by mail is certainly safer and more convenient, said Michael Morley, a professor at the Florida State University College of Law, there are trade-offs. There are many stages at which things can go wrong and, even if a voter sends the ballot in on time with the right signature, there's no guarantee it will be counted.
"If voters are trying to fill out these ballots by themselves at home without the assistance of election officials, they don't know for sure if they are properly filling out their ballots. They might inadvertently undervote a race, either skipping a race or marking too lightly that the machine can't read it," said Morley. "They might inadvertently overvote, think that they're casting votes for two separate races, but they put them on the wrong line."
Those are the kinds of mistakes usually caught at the polling place, where the voter has a chance to recast their ballot so it will be counted correctly.
"Vote-by-mail is certainly an important part of our system. It's going to play an important role in our response specifically to the coronavirus, but it's not a panacea," said Morley
He thinks the best protection for voters is having a variety of options. Vote-by-mail might look good now, but it won't be much use if there's a threat to the postal system — like the anthrax attacks after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
There are also other potential problems, ballots could be sent to the wrong address or get lost in the mail. Some worry that automatically sending ballots out to every voter could open the way to fraud and voters being pressured to vote a certain way. Individuals with disabilities or language needs might also have a difficult time voting from home.
That's one reason advocates of expanding vote-by-mail are also pushing for more early in-person voting as an alternative for those who can't use the mail. They also want a system to track and verify ballots as they work their way through the mail system so they don't get lost or stolen.
Perhaps an even bigger question is whether all states can make such sweeping changes on short notice. While some places already rely heavily on mail-in voting, others don't have the infrastructure in place to deliver and count large numbers of mail-in ballots.
The states where vote-by-mail is in wide use already, such as Colorado and Washington, have had years of preparation. Recognizing the challenges, the National Vote at Home Institute has just released a guide to help other states scale up more quickly.
Others have raised concerns about the nation's capacity to print and deliver millions more ballots than usual.
"We're already working 24/7 now," said Jeff Ellington, president and chief operating officer of Runbeck Election Services in Phoenix, which prints and mails ballots in 18 states. It's possible to expand operations to meet a surge in demand, Ellington said, but decisions have to be made soon. Most states need mail-in ballots sent to their voters about twenty to thirty days in advance of an election.
"If you can get to the end of April, end of May, June, July and August, those primaries would have a shot at moving to all mail. But again, it's about making the decision quickly. It's about working closely with the vendors to make it happen," he said.
Ellington also notes that the equipment needed to make sure that the right ballots are inserted into the right envelopes is customized and can't be purchased off -the-shelf. One more challenge: the availability of paper to print the ballots on. A lot of it comes from Asia and other areas that have been hit hard by the pandemic.


npr--2020-03-24--Man Dies, Woman Hospitalized After Taking Form Of Chloroquine To Prevent COVID-19

Man Dies , Woman Hospitalized After Taking Form Of Chloroquine To Prevent COVID-19 An Arizona man is dead and his wife was hospitalized after the couple ingested chloroquine , a chemical that has been hailed recently by President Trump as a possible `` game changer '' in the fight against novel coronavirus , according to the Phoenix hospital that treated the couple .
Banner Health hospital said in a statement that `` the couple , both in their 60s , ingested chloroquine phosphate , an additive commonly used at aquariums to clean fish tanks . ''
`` Within thirty minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects requiring admittance , '' the statement continued .
The hospital said that the man died of cardiac arrest and the woman was admitted in critical condition .
The hospital did not name the couple .
`` Given the uncertainty around COVID-19 , we understand that people are trying to find new ways to prevent or treat this virus , but self-medicating is not the way to do so , '' said Dr. Daniel Brooks , Banner Poison and Drug Information Center medical director .
`` The last thing that we want right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with patients who believe they found a vague and risky solution that could potentially jeopardize their health , '' Brooks said .
The aquarium additive the couple ingested is not the medication used to treat malaria .
The president , at a daily briefing on Thursday , spoke at length about chloroquine and a variant , hydroxychloroquine , as a promising preventative or treatment for COVID-19 , even as Dr. Anthony Fauci , a key member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force , stepped to the microphone to temper Trump 's enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergoing clinical trials .
Trump said his administration had streamlined Food and Drug Administration procedures that could get the drug out quickly .
`` The nice part is that it 's been around for a long time , so we know that if things do n't go as planned , it 's not going to kill anybody , '' he said .
The president said he was `` a big fan '' of the drug 's promise against COVID-19 even as he acknowledged that it needed to be tested first .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-time director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( NIAID ) , redoubled his caution when asked by reporters whether chloroquine was considered a treatment for COVID-19 .
`` The answer is no , and the evidence that you 're talking about ... is anecdotal evidence , '' he said .
However , over the weekend , Trump tweeted again about the drug , saying it had `` a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine . ''

Man Dies, Woman Hospitalized After Taking Form Of Chloroquine To Prevent COVID-19
An Arizona man is dead and his wife was hospitalized after the couple ingested a form of chloroquine, a chemical that has been hailed recently by President Trump as a possible "game changer" in the fight against the novel coronavirus, according to the Phoenix hospital that treated the couple.
Banner Health hospital said in a statement that "the couple, both in their 60s, ingested chloroquine phosphate, an additive commonly used at aquariums to clean fish tanks." The aquarium additive the couple ingested is not the same as the medication that has been used to treat malaria.
"Within thirty minutes of ingestion, the couple experienced immediate effects requiring admittance," the statement continued.
The hospital said that the man died of cardiac arrest and the woman was admitted in critical condition. The hospital did not name the couple.
"Given the uncertainty around COVID-19, we understand that people are trying to find new ways to prevent or treat this virus, but self-medicating is not the way to do so," said Dr. Daniel Brooks, Banner Poison and Drug Information Center medical director.
"The last thing that we want right now is to inundate our emergency departments with patients who believe they found a vague and risky solution that could potentially jeopardize their health," Brooks said.
The president, at a daily briefing on Thursday, spoke at length about chloroquine and a variant, hydroxychloroquine, as a promising preventative or treatment for COVID-19, even as Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, stepped to the microphone to temper Trump's enthusiasm for the drug, which is still undergoing clinical trials.
Trump said his administration had streamlined Food and Drug Administration procedures that could get the drug out quickly. "The nice part is that it's been around for a long time, so we know that if things don't go as planned, it's not going to kill anybody," he said.
The president said he was "a big fan" of the drug's promise against COVID-19 even as he acknowledged that it needed to be tested first.
In a briefing on Friday, Fauci, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), redoubled his caution when asked by reporters whether chloroquine was considered a treatment for COVID-19. "The answer is no, and the evidence that you're talking about ... is anecdotal evidence," he said.
However, over the weekend, Trump tweeted again about the drug, saying it had "a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine."


npr--2020-03-23--Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Coronavirus In The U.S.

What is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 ?
The name comes from the crownlike spikes the virus has on its surface — `` corona '' is Latin for `` crown . ''
Common human coronaviruses cause mild to moderate upper respiratory symptoms , including the common cold , while more severe types can cause pneumonia and death .
This particular virus , officially known as SARS-CoV-2 , is only 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 .
What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 are fever , cough and shortness of breath .
Some people also experience fatigue , headaches and , less frequently , diarrhea .
Cases can range from mild to moderate to severe .
About 80 % of cases so far seem to be mild , according to the World Health Organization .
To prevent the coronavirus from spreading , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer if soap and water are n't available .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only if they 're sick or caring for someone who is .
What should I do if I think I 'm sick ?
If you think you 've been exposed to the coronavirus and develop symptoms , call your doctor .
Many state and local health departments have set up hotlines to answer questions , so that 's another good place to start .
It 's important that you do n't expose others .
Call your doctor before you go to the doctor 's office so your doctor can take necessary precautions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wash your hands as soon as you walk through the door .
Avoid sharing personal items such as dishes , cups and utensils .
Clean and disinfect `` high-touch '' surfaces like door handles and cellphones every day .
How does the coronavirus spread ?
The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close proximity to one another : within about 6 feet .
It spreads primarily through respiratory droplets that are dispersed when an infected person coughs or sneezes .
Those droplets can land in the mouth or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that person .
Does the coronavirus spread through contact with surfaces ?
According to the CDC , it may be possible for people to become infected by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth , nose or possibly eyes .
But experts believe the virus spreads mostly through contact with other people .
How do I self-quarantine ?
And what does it mean ?
The CDC has a guide for caring for yourself at home if you have a suspected or confirmed case @ @ @

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--2020-03-23--Woody Allen's Book Published Amid #MeToo Backlash

A little more than two weeks after Hachette Publishing dropped Woody Allen 's memoir after intense backlash , the book has been released by another publisher .
Arcade Publishing released Apropos of Nothing on Monday in hardcover and e-book editions .
Arcade , which is an imprint of the independent publisher Skyhorse , released a statement from acquiring editor Jeanette Seaver , saying , `` We as publishers prefer to give voice to a respected writer and filmmaker , rather than bow to the politically correct pressures of the modern world .
While we respect Hachette 's decision to choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we choose not to take sides but rather , firmly believe in upholding the right to Freedom of Speech . ''
When Grand Central , an imprint of Hachette Book Group , originally announced plans to publish the book , employees walked out in protest .
The walk-out followed criticism of the memoir from Allen 's son , Ronan Farrow , and daughter , Dylan Farrow .
Ronan Farrow is a journalist who wrote the book Catch and Kill , also published by a Hachette imprint .
His book is about sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentions Woody Allen as well .
Dylan Farrow has for decades accused her father of sexually abusing her when she was a child .
Allen has long denied the allegation .

Woody Allen's Book Published Amid #MeToo Backlash
A little more than two weeks after Hachette Publishing dropped Woody Allen's memoir after intense backlash, the book has been released by another publisher.
Arcade Publishing released Apropos of Nothing on Monday in hardcover and e-book editions.
Arcade, which is an imprint of the independent publisher Skyhorse, released a statement from acquiring editor Jeanette Seaver, saying, "We as publishers prefer to give voice to a respected writer and filmmaker, rather than bow to the politically correct pressures of the modern world. While we respect Hachette's decision to choose not to publish Woody Allen's book, we choose not to take sides but rather, firmly believe in upholding the right to Freedom of Speech."
When Grand Central, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, originally announced plans to publish the book, employees walked out in protest. The walk-out followed criticism of the memoir from Allen's son, Ronan Farrow, and daughter, Dylan Farrow. Ronan Farrow is a journalist who wrote the book Catch and Kill, also published by a Hachette imprint. His book is about sexual abuse by Harvey Weinstein, but it mentions Woody Allen as well. Dylan Farrow has for decades accused her father of sexually abusing her when she was a child. Allen has long denied the allegation.


npr--2020-03-23--Wisconsin Pushes Forward With April 7 Primary Despite Coronavirus

More than half a dozen states have pushed back presidential primaries because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Wisconsin , which has a primary on April 7 , has n't .
State leaders are holding on tightly to that date , despite Monday 's stay-at-home order issued by Gov .
Tony Evers .
Evers urged voters to cast mail-in ballots , saying he and his wife have already done so .
`` It 's very easy , '' Evers said Monday .
`` If we can do it , you can do it . ''
One reason the state 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a presidential primary , there 's also a statewide general election for many mayors and county officials whose decisions are crucial in coming months .
Wisconsin has no-excuse absentee voting , and people are returning absentee ballots at a record pace .
There 's also curbside in-person voting in some areas and an emergency operations center task group that is wrangling ballots and cleaning supplies .
Evers announced an effort to recruit high school and college students as poll workers .
The state is also grappling with problems , like how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state elections commission asked Evers to address a shortage of cleaning supplies , the absence of comprehensive public health guidance and a lack of poll workers , half of whom are over 60 .
Many high-profile leaders have said the state should delay , and calls to postpone the election intensified from community organizations .
The City of Milwaukee Election Commission abruptly ended in-person early voting Monday , citing concerns for the safety of election officials and the public alike .
For his part , Milwaukeean August `` Augie '' Ray , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I am 83 years old , and I have voted in every election that I was eligible to vote in , '' he says .
`` And I intend to vote in the upcoming election in April , and I intend to vote at the polls . ''
If the polls are still open on April 7 , Ray says he 'll walk two blocks to his polling place and bring a sanitizer wipe .

Wisconsin Pushes Forward With April 7 Primary Despite Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Maayan Silver/WUWM Maayan Silver/WUWM
More than half a dozen states have pushed back presidential primaries because of the coronavirus outbreak. Wisconsin, which has a primary on April 7, hasn't. State leaders are holding on tightly to that date, despite Monday's stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Tony Evers.
Evers urged voters to cast mail-in ballots, saying he and his wife have already done so.
"It's very easy," Evers said Monday. "If we can do it, you can do it."
One reason the state's not postponing the election: it's not just a presidential primary, there's also a statewide general election for many mayors and county officials whose decisions are crucial in coming months.
Wisconsin has no-excuse absentee voting, and people are returning absentee ballots at a record pace. There's also curbside in-person voting in some areas and an emergency operations center task group that is wrangling ballots and cleaning supplies. Evers announced an effort to recruit high school and college students as poll workers.
The state is also grappling with problems, like how to process all those absentee ballots. The state elections commission asked Evers to address a shortage of cleaning supplies, the absence of comprehensive public health guidance and a lack of poll workers, half of whom are over 60.
Many high-profile leaders have said the state should delay, and calls to postpone the election intensified from community organizations. The City of Milwaukee Election Commission abruptly ended in-person early voting Monday, citing concerns for the safety of election officials and the public alike.
For his part, Milwaukeean August "Augie" Ray, has no intention of changing his plans.
"I am 83 years old, and I have voted in every election that I was eligible to vote in," he says. "And I intend to vote in the upcoming election in April, and I intend to vote at the polls."
If the polls are still open on April 7, Ray says he'll walk two blocks to his polling place and bring a sanitizer wipe.


npr--2020-03-23--Coronavirus Task Force Doctor Did Not Meet Guidelines For Test, But Got One Anyway

Coronavirus Task Force Doctor Did Not Meet Guidelines For Test , But Got One Anyway One of the members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force said she had a `` little low-grade fever '' over the weekend and stayed home from work that day .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the task force response coordinator , said she went to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center late Saturday night and got tested .
The test came back was negative .
`` So actually [ it was ] probably a [ gastrointestinal ] thing , '' she said at a task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But , you know , I 'm meticulous .
I 'm a physician .
I looked it up . ''
She said she stayed home an extra day , Sunday .
`` That 's how we protect each other . ''
Trump seemed surprised by Birx 's remarks and thanked her for the revelation .
Birx said that each person `` has to be responsible , '' because `` there is a level of asymptomatic or mild spread '' going on in many communities .
She did not say whether she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had tested positive for the virus or whether she had any other symptoms other than gastrointestinal symptoms .
As such , she did not meet the CDC 's current guidelines for testing .
Birx was responding a question about why Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was able to get a test even though he apparently did not meet the CDC 's criteria for a test .
He revealed over the weekend that he had tested positive and would be self-isolating .
Paul is the first U.S. senator to test positive for COVID-19 .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was `` feeling fine '' and was tested `` out of an abundance of caution . ''
As such , without symptoms and without a known contact with someone who has the virus , he did not meet the CDC guidelines but he got a test anyway .
Birx said that if Paul was practicing social distancing , he presented no risk to others , including senators .
Nevertheless , Sens .
Mike Lee and Mitt Romney of Utah are self-quarantining because they had close contact with Paul .
Birx said social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assume `` everyone you are interacting with is positive . ''

Coronavirus Task Force Doctor Did Not Meet Guidelines For Test, But Got One Anyway
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
One of the members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force said she had a "little low-grade fever" over the weekend and stayed home from work that day.
Dr. Deborah Birx, the task force response coordinator, said she went to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center late Saturday night and got tested. The test came back was negative.
"So actually [it was] probably a [gastrointestinal] thing," she said at a task force briefing with President Trump looking on. "But, you know, I'm meticulous. I'm a physician. I looked it up."
She said she stayed home an extra day, Sunday. "That's how we protect each other."
Trump seemed surprised by Birx's remarks and thanked her for the revelation.
Birx said that each person "has to be responsible," because "there is a level of asymptomatic or mild spread" going on in many communities.
She did not say whether she had had contact with a person who had tested positive for the virus or whether she had any other symptoms other than gastrointestinal symptoms. As such, she did not meet the CDC's current guidelines for testing.
Birx was responding a question about why Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was able to get a test even though he apparently did not meet the CDC's criteria for a test. He revealed over the weekend that he had tested positive and would be self-isolating. Paul is the first U.S. senator to test positive for COVID-19.
In a tweet, Paul's office said he was "feeling fine" and was tested "out of an abundance of caution." As such, without symptoms and without a known contact with someone who has the virus, he did not meet the CDC guidelines but he got a test anyway.
Birx said that if Paul was practicing social distancing, he presented no risk to others, including senators. Nevertheless, Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney of Utah are self-quarantining because they had close contact with Paul.
Birx said social distancing was vital and that people should assume "everyone you are interacting with is positive."


npr--2020-03-23--The Trump Administration Says Self Swabs Are Coming Soon. Is That A Good Idea?

The Trump Administration Says Self Swabs Are Coming Soon .
Is That A Good Idea ?
The Trump administration announced Monday that the federal government was making it much easier to collect samples to test people for the coronavirus .
A new `` self swab '' technique would enable people to collect their own samples , making the process much simple , quicker and possibly safer , officials said at a White House briefing .
The slow pace of testing has been a major problem hindering the nation 's battle against the coronavirus .
The shortage of tests has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to identify and stamp out outbreaks quickly , gauge the magnitude and pace of the outbreak , and determine how best to allocate resources .
After several missteps that slowed the roll out of testing , the number of Americans getting tested for the virus has finally started to increase quickly .
Vice President Mike Pence said Monday that more than 300,000 tests had been conducted .
The collection of samples for the testing that has been done so far has required medical personal to wear protective gear to protect themselves from getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protect health workers and be less unpleasant for those getting tested .
`` They would be nasal swab , which are different than nasopharyngeal swabs , '' Kelly Wroblewski of the Association of Public Health Laboratories told NPR in an email .
That would also help `` somewhat with the swab shortage , '' she wrote , adding , `` It also keeps people at home instead of going out to get a test with mild symptoms and potentially infecting people . ''
But she noted that `` it does n't help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if there are many more specimens coming in for testing . ''
Experts fear , for example , some of the ingredients needed for tests could run short .

The Trump Administration Says Self Swabs Are Coming Soon. Is That A Good Idea?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Sancya/AP Paul Sancya/AP
The Trump administration announced Monday that the federal government was making it much easier to collect samples to test people for the coronavirus.
A new "self swab" technique would enable people to collect their own samples, making the process much simple, quicker and possibly safer, officials said at a White House briefing.
The slow pace of testing has been a major problem hindering the nation's battle against the coronavirus. The shortage of tests has been severely limiting efforts by public health officials to identify and stamp out outbreaks quickly, gauge the magnitude and pace of the outbreak, and determine how best to allocate resources.
After several missteps that slowed the roll out of testing, the number of Americans getting tested for the virus has finally started to increase quickly. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday that more than 300,000 tests had been conducted.
The collection of samples for the testing that has been done so far has required medical personal to wear protective gear to protect themselves from getting infected. A self-swab would free up and protect health workers and be less unpleasant for those getting tested.
"They would be nasal swab, which are different than nasopharyngeal swabs," Kelly Wroblewski of the Association of Public Health Laboratories told NPR in an email. That would also help "somewhat with the swab shortage," she wrote, adding, "It also keeps people at home instead of going out to get a test with mild symptoms and potentially infecting people."
But she noted that "it doesn't help and could exacerbate other supply chain issues, if there are many more specimens coming in for testing."
Experts fear, for example, some of the ingredients needed for tests could run short.


npr--2020-03-23--FACT CHECK: Trump Says 50,000 Could Die From Flu. So Far, It's Half That

FACT CHECK : Trump Says 50,000 Could Die From Flu .
So Far , It 's Half That President Trump drew repeated comparisons between the novel coronavirus outbreak and the flu season .
`` We have a lot of people dying from the flu on top of everything else , '' he said .
`` It 's very bad .
It looks like it could be over 50,000 . ''
The reality so far for the current flu season is about half as severe as the president said .
There have been about 23,000 deaths from flu during the 2019-2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The CDC estimates there have been 38 million flu illnesses and 390,000 hospitalizations .
The rates of hospitalization for flu `` remain moderate '' overall , according to the CDC .
But some age groups have experienced higher hospitalization rates than usual .
Flu hospitalizations are `` the highest CDC has on record '' for young children , up to age 4 , and adults ages , 18-49 .
While flu can send hundreds of thousands of people to the hospital each year , the seasonal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for .
The comparison between flu and COVID-19 does n't capture the strain that the new coronavirus is putting on hospitals .
COVID-19 is a new disease that is hard to predict .
And the surge in cases requiring intensive care that was seen in China and now in Italy can lead to a health system 's collapse .

FACT CHECK: Trump Says 50,000 Could Die From Flu.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
President Trump has drawn repeated comparisons between the novel coronavirus outbreak and the flu season.
"We have a lot of people dying from the flu on top of everything else," he said Monday. "It's very bad. It looks like it could be over 50,000."
The reality so far for the current flu season is still emerging. There have been at least 23,000 deaths from flu during the 2019-2020 season, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The upper range of the estimate for deaths is 59,000.
The CDC estimates there have been at least 38 million flu illnesses and 390,000 hospitalizations.
The CDC estimates are based on weekly surveillance data and are preliminary.
The rates of hospitalization for flu "remain moderate" overall, according to the CDC. But some age groups have experienced higher hospitalization rates than usual. Flu hospitalizations are "the highest CDC has on record" for young children, up to age 4, and adults ages, 18-49.
While the flu can send hundreds of thousands of people to the hospital each year, the seasonal effect is reasonably well understood and planned for. The comparison between flu and COVID-19 doesn't capture the strain that the new coronavirus is putting on hospitals.
COVID-19 is a new disease that is hard to predict. And the surge in cases requiring intensive care that was seen in China and now in Italy can lead to a health system's collapse, health officials have said.


npr--2020-03-24--NRA Plans Layoffs, 20% Cut In Pay For Employees Due To Coronavirus' Economic Hit

NRA Plans Layoffs , 20 % Cut In Pay For Employees Due To Coronavirus ' Economic Hit Feeling the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic , the National Rifle Association is planning to lay off staff and taking other cost-cutting measures in the face of `` extraordinary challenges '' from COVID-19 , Wayne LaPierre , the chief executive of the NRA , announced to the group 's board of directors on Monday .
The belt-tightening in response to the virus outbreak includes `` the elimination of certain positions '' and forcing hourly employees to work just four days a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pay for NRA staffers .
`` In addition , some senior staff members are voluntarily taking deeper cuts , '' said an NRA spokesman by email .
A pay reduction is expected for LaPierre , but it is unclear by how much .
LaPierre was paid $ 2.1 million in 2018 , according to the nonprofit 's more recent publicly filed tax filing .
Leaked internal documents published last year detailing lavish six-figure spending on clothing and travel expenses for LaPierre prompted calls for his resignation from some of the group 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained the group 's leader .
News about the NRA 's salary cuts and other steps taken to cut slash costs at the influential gun rights group was first reported by Newsweek .
The NRA had already canceled its annual meeting , set to take place in Nashville , Tenn. , because of the coronavirus .
`` This is in addition to the cancellation of numerous scheduled NRA programs and the competitions , '' an NRA spokesman said on Tuesday .
`` We believe these actions will favorably position the Association leading up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to lead the fight to protect our Second Amendment , the First Amendment , and all our constitutional freedoms for years to come , '' the statement read .
The NRA employed 816 people in 2018 , according to the group 's tax filing .
Across the country , firearms and ammunition dealers have reported surging sales amid pandemic fears , with many buyers saying looming uncertainty tied to the crisis spurred them to arm themselves and others citing a reduction in law enforcement activity in explaining their purchases .
Critics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial woes , arguing that the economic hard times were driven by more than the coronavirus .
Shannon Watts , the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America , a gun control advocacy group , said in a statement to NPR that `` years of apparent self-dealing by NRA insiders and an agenda that is out of step with the American public '' could be a factor in the NRA 's downsizing .
`` I offer NRA leaders my thoughts and prayers as our organization prepares to outspend and outwork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Watts said .
An NRA spokesman has n't responded to a request for comment on Watts ' allegation .

NRA Plans Layoffs, 20% Cut In Pay For Employees Due To Coronavirus' Economic Hit
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
Feeling the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, the National Rifle Association is planning to lay off staff and taking other cost-cutting measures in the face of "extraordinary challenges" from COVID-19, Wayne LaPierre, the chief executive of the NRA, announced to the group's board of directors on Monday.
The belt-tightening in response to the virus outbreak includes "the elimination of certain positions" and forcing hourly employees to work just four days a week, in addition to 20% reductions in pay for NRA staffers.
"In addition, some senior staff members are voluntarily taking deeper cuts," said an NRA spokesman by email.
A pay reduction is expected for LaPierre, but it is unclear by how much.
LaPierre was paid $2.1 million in 2018, according to the nonprofit's more recent publicly filed tax filing.
Leaked internal documents published last year detailing lavish six-figure spending on clothing and travel expenses for LaPierre prompted calls for his resignation from some of the group's now-former board members. Nonetheless, LaPierre remained the group's leader.
News about the NRA's salary cuts and other steps taken to cut slash costs at the influential gun rights group was first reported by Newsweek.
The NRA had already canceled its annual meeting, set to take place in Nashville, Tenn., because of the coronavirus.
"This is in addition to the cancellation of numerous scheduled NRA programs and the competitions," an NRA spokesman said on Tuesday.
"We believe these actions will favorably position the Association leading up to the November election. We will continue to lead the fight to protect our Second Amendment, the First Amendment, and all our constitutional freedoms for years to come," the statement read.
The NRA employed 816 people in 2018, according to the group's tax filing.
Across the country, firearms and ammunition dealers have reported surging sales amid pandemic fears, with many buyers saying looming uncertainty tied to the crisis spurred them to arm themselves and others citing a reduction in law enforcement activity in explaining their purchases.
Critics of the NRA seized on the group's financial woes, arguing that the economic hard times were driven by more than the coronavirus.
Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a gun control advocacy group, said in a statement to NPR that "years of apparent self-dealing by NRA insiders and an agenda that is out of step with the American public" could be a factor in the NRA's downsizing.
"I offer NRA leaders my thoughts and prayers as our organization prepares to outspend and outwork them yet again this election season," Watts said.
An NRA spokesman hasn't responded to a request for comment on Watts' allegation.


npr--2020-03-24--First Immigrant Detained By ICE Tests Positive For Coronavirus At New Jersey Jail

First Immigrant Detained By ICE Tests Positive For Coronavirus At New Jersey Jail A 31-year-old immigrant who is detained in a New Jersey jail by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials has tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus .
It is the first confirmed coronavirus case among ICE detainees .
A guard at the Bergen County Jail where the man is held , also tested positive for coronavirus last week .
The man is `` quarantined and receiving care , '' according to an ICE press release , and no new detainees will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those that have come in contact with him are being `` cohorted and monitored . ''
The jail is enacting a lockdown protocol — restricting inmates movements , and opening an COVID-19 isolation unit , the Bergen County Sheriff 's Department said in a statement .
This first confirmed case , comes after ICE faced sharp criticism from immigrant advocates , Department of Homeland Security officials and physicians on how the agency has responded to the coronavirus .
A lawsuit filed Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of immigrants detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICE to release detainees who are elderly or have underlying medical conditions .
`` This is what public health experts have assured us would happen : People in detention centers are sitting ducks for the spread of this virus .
The same experts have also predicted that once outbreaks in detention centers begin , they will spread rapidly , '' said Andrea Flores , deputy director of policy , Equality Division , at the ACLU in a statement , `` The suffering and death that will occur is unnecessary and preventable .
ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the number of people in detention .
If it does n't , it will be to blame for a humanitarian crisis . ''
There are more than 37,000 ICE detainees nationwide .
Several other organizations have filed similar suits against the agency .
A group of more than 3,000 physicians sent a letter to ICE last week , asking the agency to release detainees in immigrant detention centers .
Last week , the agency announced they were halting most arrests , and would not continue operations at or near medical facilities .

First Immigrant Detained By ICE Tests Positive For Coronavirus At New Jersey Jail
A 31-year-old immigrant who is detained in a New Jersey jail by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. It is the first confirmed coronavirus case among ICE detainees. A guard at the Bergen County Jail where the man is held, also tested positive for coronavirus last week.
The man is "quarantined and receiving care," according to an ICE press release, and no new detainees will be accepted at the Bergen County Jail. Those that have come in contact with him are being "cohorted and monitored." The jail is enacting a lockdown protocol — restricting inmates movements, and opening an COVID-19 isolation unit, the Bergen County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.
This first confirmed case, comes after ICE faced sharp criticism from immigrant advocates, Department of Homeland Security officials and physicians on how the agency has responded to the coronavirus.
A lawsuit filed Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of immigrants detained in two Maryland jails seeks to force ICE to release detainees who are elderly or have underlying medical conditions.
"This is what public health experts have assured us would happen: People in detention centers are sitting ducks for the spread of this virus. The same experts have also predicted that once outbreaks in detention centers begin, they will spread rapidly," said Andrea Flores, deputy director of policy, Equality Division, at the ACLU in a statement, "The suffering and death that will occur is unnecessary and preventable. ICE must take immediate and drastic steps to reduce the number of people in detention. If it doesn't, it will be to blame for a humanitarian crisis."
There are more than 37,000 ICE detainees nationwide. Several other organizations have filed similar suits against the agency. A group of more than 3,000 physicians sent a letter to ICE last week, asking the agency to release detainees in immigrant detention centers.
Last week, the agency announced they were halting most arrests, and would not continue operations at or near medical facilities.


npr--2020-03-24--Under Financial Strain, Community Health Centers Ramp Up For Coronavirus Response

Under Financial Strain , Community Health Centers Ramp Up For Coronavirus Response On Tuesday , the Trump administration announced $ 100 million in supplemental funding for community health centers to support the response to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Health centers are playing a critical role , '' says James Macrae , associate administrator at the federal Bureau for Primary Health Care .
About 29 million people in the U.S rely on community health centers , which provide care to low-income and uninsured patients .
And they are under pressure to rapidly pivot to respond to the pandemic .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community health centers in many places are reworking how they care for patients .
Some safety-net clinics have instituted new infectious disease protocols and temporarily shifted resources away from routine primary care .
The new funding goes to 1,381 community health centers ( many of which operate multiple clinics ) , primarily to support more COVID-19 testing , tele-health and personal protective equipment .
`` It 's nowhere near what is needed , but we are thankful , '' says Bob Marsalli , CEO of the Washington Association for Community Health , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
Marsalli says community health centers in the state are under increasing financial strain as they ramp up for coronavirus , while also losing some key sources of funding .
`` [ Our clinics ] are reallocating their workforce intelligently , but frantically to keep up with the demand , '' says Marsalli .
Under normal circumstance , HealthPoint , a community health center in Auburn , Wash. , would encourage patients to walk into the clinic for all their medical needs , whether it 's refilling a prescription or learning about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slammed , '' says Dr. Esther Johnston .
`` It 's open space and everyone is together . ''
But now only a few patients in surgical masks wait for appointments .
And Johnston is telling patients to stay away unless they absolutely need care .
`` It is a bit frustrating and demoralizing , but it 's the reality of the situation , '' she says .
HealthPoint runs more than a dozen clinics throughout Western Washington .
Now , at the entryway of its clinics , staff query everyone to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure they remain at a distance from each other once inside .
Johnston says their clinic was not set up to house an influx of patients with infectious diseases .
There are limited exam rooms and each one needs to be shut down and cleaned after a patient suspected of COVID-19 comes in .
`` We just do n't have enough space to be able to do that on a routine basis , '' she says .
Johnston worries about what 's coming as cases rise in her area .
`` We pride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Johnston says .
`` We do n't have enough N95 masks , nor to be honest were we prepared for a situation where everyone had to be properly fitted . ''
HealthPoint 's chief medical officer Dr. Judy Featherstone says most appointments are now done over the phone .
Her staff is fielding calls from people who are concerned about symptoms , as well as new patients who want to have a doctor in case they contract COVID-19 .
`` It is a bit like taking twenty years of work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Featherstone .
`` I think we are anticipating potential workforce problems . ''
Like many clinics in Washington , HealthPoint has set up outdoor testing sites , but the supply of kits and protective gear , or PPE , has so far limited how many patients they can actually test for COVID-19 .
New financial strain on clinics As fewer patients come in for care , clinic leadership worry about their financial future .
Clinics have switched to telephone-based appointments , but it took several weeks for Washington 's Medicaid program to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , community health centers are eliminating routine dental visits , which is a key funding stream .
`` You take those three factors ... and you have already started to lose revenue before you 're gearing up for new ways of providing care , '' says Michael Erikson , who is CEO of Neighborcare Health , which serves more than 70,000 Washington residents , over half of them on Medicaid .
`` We are on a pathway to losing $ 3 million a month . ''
The Washington Association for Community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care could lead to a $ 250 million shortfall for the state 's community health center system over the next nine months .
Community clinics play an important role in serving patients who otherwise might have no place to go besides the ER .
Erikson says his organization is trying to relieve some of the pressures on the hospital system by seeing patients with other urgent health care issues .
`` For instance , a wound care patient who has underlying diabetes , you do not want to expose that patient to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some community clinic leaders now worry about losing staff to suspected or actual coronavirus infection .
`` It is very critical that the clinics stay at full staff so only those who are critically sick are cared for at the hospital , '' says Sheila Berschauer , CEO of Moses Lake Community Health Center , a rural health care provider in Washington that serves about a third of its county 's population of about 100,000 .
If even five to ten health care workers fall ill , Berschauer says that could strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , possibly overwhelm the local hospital .
She says some patients still do n't appreciate the severity of the pandemic and become upset when they are sent to the outdoor testing site rather than into the clinic .
A health care worker at a community health center outside Seattle says several patients have misrepresented their COVID-19 risks in order to get past screening .
`` We had a patient make it all the way into the exam room before she revealed that her partner is COVID exposed , and she is feeling ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR is not using the person 's name as they are worried about losing their job for speaking about this .
Health care workers who saw the patient were not wearing PPE because those limited supplies are being reserved for patients who are known to be at risk of COVID-19 .
`` Now all of the providers and staff in that facility need to start self monitoring for signs of infection , '' the employee says .
`` If they get infected , then the entire clinic closes .
It 's a big @ @ @

Under Financial Strain, Community Health Centers Ramp Up For Coronavirus Response
Enlarge this image toggle caption Will Stone for NPR Will Stone for NPR
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced $100 million in supplemental funding for community health centers to support the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Health centers are playing a critical role," says James Macrae, associate administrator at the federal Bureau for Primary Health Care.
About 29 million people in the U.S rely on community health centers, which provide care to low-income and uninsured patients. And they are under pressure to rapidly pivot to respond to the pandemic.
As hospitals take on more COVID-19 patients, community health centers in many places are reworking how they care for patients. Some safety-net clinics have instituted new infectious disease protocols and temporarily shifted resources away from routine primary care.
The new funding goes to 1,381 community health centers (many of which operate multiple clinics), primarily to support more COVID-19 testing, tele-health and personal protective equipment.
"It's nowhere near what is needed, but we are thankful," says Bob Marsalli, CEO of the Washington Association for Community Health, a group representing community health clinics in Washington state.
Marsalli says community health centers in the state are under increasing financial strain as they ramp up for coronavirus, while also losing some key sources of funding.
"[Our clinics] are reallocating their workforce intelligently, but frantically to keep up with the demand," says Marsalli.
Rapidly redesigning systems
Under normal circumstance, HealthPoint, a community health center in Auburn, Wash., would encourage patients to walk into the clinic for all their medical needs, whether it's refilling a prescription or learning about nutrition.
"Usually our lobby is slammed," says Dr. Esther Johnston. "It's open space and everyone is together."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Will Stone for NPR Will Stone for NPR
But now only a few patients in surgical masks wait for appointments. And Johnston is telling patients to stay away unless they absolutely need care.
"It is a bit frustrating and demoralizing, but it's the reality of the situation," she says.
HealthPoint runs more than a dozen clinics throughout Western Washington. Now, at the entryway of its clinics, staff query everyone to identify COVID-19 symptoms and monitor patients to make sure they remain at a distance from each other once inside.
Johnston says their clinic was not set up to house an influx of patients with infectious diseases. There are limited exam rooms and each one needs to be shut down and cleaned after a patient suspected of COVID-19 comes in.
"We just don't have enough space to be able to do that on a routine basis," she says.
Johnston worries about what's coming as cases rise in her area.
"We pride ourselves on being a primary care home," Johnston says. "We don't have enough N95 masks, nor to be honest were we prepared for a situation where everyone had to be properly fitted."
HealthPoint's chief medical officer Dr. Judy Featherstone says most appointments are now done over the phone.
Her staff is fielding calls from people who are concerned about symptoms, as well as new patients who want to have a doctor in case they contract COVID-19.
"It is a bit like taking twenty years of work and redesigning it in a week," says Featherstone. "I think we are anticipating potential workforce problems."
Like many clinics in Washington, HealthPoint has set up outdoor testing sites, but the supply of kits and protective gear, or PPE, has so far limited how many patients they can actually test for COVID-19.
New financial strain on clinics
As fewer patients come in for care, clinic leadership worry about their financial future. Clinics have switched to telephone-based appointments, but it took several weeks for Washington's Medicaid program to adjust how it pays for those visits.
Meanwhile, community health centers are eliminating routine dental visits, which is a key funding stream.
"You take those three factors ... and you have already started to lose revenue before you're gearing up for new ways of providing care," says Michael Erikson, who is CEO of Neighborcare Health, which serves more than 70,000 Washington residents, over half of them on Medicaid. "We are on a pathway to losing $3 million a month."
The Washington Association for Community Health projects that the cutback in dental care could lead to a $250 million shortfall for the state's community health center system over the next nine months.
Playing a vital role in the health system
Community clinics play an important role in serving patients who otherwise might have no place to go besides the ER.
Erikson says his organization is trying to relieve some of the pressures on the hospital system by seeing patients with other urgent health care issues.
"For instance, a wound care patient who has underlying diabetes, you do not want to expose that patient to a potential COVID environment," says Erikson.
Some community clinic leaders now worry about losing staff to suspected or actual coronavirus infection.
"It is very critical that the clinics stay at full staff so only those who are critically sick are cared for at the hospital," says Sheila Berschauer, CEO of Moses Lake Community Health Center, a rural health care provider in Washington that serves about a third of its county's population of about 100,000.
If even five to ten health care workers fall ill, Berschauer says that could strain her organization and, as a result, possibly overwhelm the local hospital.
She says some patients still don't appreciate the severity of the pandemic and become upset when they are sent to the outdoor testing site rather than into the clinic.
A health care worker at a community health center outside Seattle says several patients have misrepresented their COVID-19 risks in order to get past screening.
"We had a patient make it all the way into the exam room before she revealed that her partner is COVID exposed, and she is feeling ill," the employee told NPR. NPR is not using the person's name as they are worried about losing their job for speaking about this.
Health care workers who saw the patient were not wearing PPE because those limited supplies are being reserved for patients who are known to be at risk of COVID-19.
"Now all of the providers and staff in that facility need to start self monitoring for signs of infection," the employee says. "If they get infected, then the entire clinic closes. It's a big deal."


npr--2020-03-24--'The Dread Of Responsibility' — Paul Farmer On The Pandemic And Poor Countries

'The Dread Of Responsibility ' — Paul Farmer On The Pandemic And Poor Countries Dr. Paul Farmer , professor of medicine at Harvard University , has spent three decades helping poor countries fight devastating diseases – from tuberculosis to cholera to Ebola to Zika .
As co-founder of Partners in Health , he works to strengthen health-care systems in Haiti ( where the group started ) , Malawi , Rwanda and other low- and middle-income countries , where he 's seem what works – and what does n't work – when disease strikes .
In an interview with NPR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic – and the new challenges to be faced in parts of the world where health-care systems already face too many challenges .
This interview has been edited for length and clarity .
How are you feeling right now about the pandemic ?
Stress and paranoia are well-warranted .
The question is , about what .
What are you worried about ?
I 'm worrying about getting test kits to Haiti , Peru , Rwanda and other countries where Partners In Health works .
We do n't really know what 's going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
That 's what I 'm obsessing about .
They have such varied health systems , varied degrees of preparation for what 's coming or may be happening now .
They all need test kits .
They also need properly staffed ICU beds .
Are health officials worried in those countries ?
Oh yeah .
I was in Rwanda in mid-February .
I know they 're concerned , trying to pull together the supplies and staffing they need .
It was a pretty smooth operation well before they had a case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haiti , who are all Haitians , they 're very worried .
They 're worried the ministry of health will be overwhelmed .
The dread of responsibility lays heavy on their shoulders .
That dread is what a lot of folks feel if they 're caregivers , clinicians .
It 's kind of scary .
And what you 're all dreading is ... How many people show up with shortness of breath and a fever and a cough or even low oxygen in the blood .
How do we get this staffed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people once they 're sick .
What lessons have you learned from the Ebola outbreak of a few years ago ?
Some people have said there was too much focus on [ creating ] Ebola treatment units [ ETUS ] .
I do n't buy this .
I would say , as someone there in the summer of 2014 , if we had focused on the quality of care [ for patients ] more and sooner , then the case-fatality ratio would have been lower and community trust would have been higher .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fled them .
The focus on containment [ by isolating and quarantining patients ] quite understandably frightens people , but expert mercy calms them .
They 're worried : Who will take care of them or their families if they get sick ?
Somebody needs to reply : `` We will . ''
How do those fears and worries about COVID-19 differ in , say , the U.S. and Haiti ?
In the U.S. , we have emergency rooms , we have intensive care units .
We still lack beds and ventilators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning we 've had , but we can still address these deficiencies .
That 's not the case in Haiti .
As far as I know , in a country of 10 , 11 million people , there are fewer than 30 ICU beds .
And in affluent economies , doctors do n't have to go to the hospital and say , is there going to be electricity today , or will the oxygen concentrators work ?
They take the air around us , remove nitrogen and concentrate oxygen so that it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example .
All these mechanics of a hospital , we [ in affluent nations ] do n't have to deal with them .
The oxygen is piped right into every room .
But the dread of responsibility for my coworkers in Haiti is that they have to worry : Where do we get the oxygen , the IV solutions , can we space the beds for intensive or supportive care in a way that does n't infect the caregivers ?
And we 've exhausted a lot of supplies as health-care workers are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gloves , gowning up .
We 're seeing real supply chain challenges .
Some of these concerns are on the U.S. agenda as well .
We have botched up some of the testing in the U.S. , too , but we have tons of resources compared to Haiti and Rwanda .
There 's also a burden on family caregivers .
In a setting where there are very few professional caregivers , care is usually given by your mom and your auntie and your traditional healer , that 's just how humans are if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And in West Africa , family caregivers as well as professional caregivers got taken out by Ebola .
What lessons did we learn from Ebola that are relevant to coronavirus ?
The biggest lesson for me is every time we fail to focus on improving the quality of health care we drive people away or make them mistrust the medical system .
Flattening the curve through social distancing and containment is a good thing as long as people have a way to get to professional care if they need IV fluids or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and care .
That 's a big lesson .
And one thing we have n't discussed is money .
In rich countries , there is money to address a pandemic .
How do poor countries manage ?
There are a lot of new funding instruments that did n't exist before the Ebola epidemic – a pandemic emergency fund through the World Bank , for example .
But how do you tap into funding like that ?
It 's a very complex process .
Even when there are so-called emergency funds , I learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are so many pledges , so little delivery .
Why is that ?
There 's no malignant intent .
These bureaucracies are difficult to extract money from to deliver care .
That surprises people .
Even during the Ebola epidemic , it should have been easy to get the staff , space and systems we needed and to strengthen health systems .
And I can tell you it was not easy .
Partners in Health had to rely heavily on private philanthropy just to work out kinks or get supplies that should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health emergency was declared .
And in this emergency , rich countries are struggling to fight the disease on their home front as well .
People in , say , Britain and the U.S. may say , 'Why should we worry about an epidemic on distant shores when it 's here . '
That said half of all American households donated to earthquake relief in Haiti .
That says something nice about our species .
We 'll see what happens .
We 'll get through it where there are resources .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1918 flu epidemic .
We have resources people would not have dreamed of 102 years ago .
I know Chinese authorities have been criticized for trying to tamp things down , but they actually published the genome [ for the novel coronavirus ] and within days that mean people in scientific institutions were pursuing vaccine development and therapies .
I 'm mostly worried about the kind of places that can be termed `` clinical deserts . ''
So are you hopeful or in despair ?
Optimism is okay : Let 's all hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not preparing .
Maybe a little cloud of pessimism would spur us to prepare better for a public-health catastrophe .

'The Dread Of Responsibility' — Paul Farmer On The Pandemic And Poor Countries
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andres Martinez Casares/Reuters Andres Martinez Casares/Reuters
Dr. Paul Farmer, professor of medicine at Harvard University, has spent three decades helping poor countries fight devastating diseases – from tuberculosis to cholera to Ebola to Zika. As co-founder of Partners in Health, he works to strengthen health-care systems in Haiti (where the group started), Malawi, Rwanda and other low- and middle-income countries, where he's seen what works – and what doesn't work – when disease strikes.
In an interview with NPR, Farmer shared his perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic – and the new challenges to be faced in parts of the world where health-care systems already face too many challenges.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How are you feeling right now about the pandemic?
Stress and paranoia are well-warranted. The question is, about what.
What are you worried about?
I'm worrying about getting test kits to Haiti, Peru, Rwanda and other countries where Partners In Health works. We don't really know what's going on there [regarding case numbers] without testing. That's what I'm obsessing about.
They have such varied health systems, varied degrees of preparation for what's coming or may be happening now. They all need test kits. They also need properly staffed ICU beds.
Are health officials worried in those countries?
Oh yeah. I was in Rwanda in mid-February. I know they're concerned, trying to pull together the supplies and staffing they need. It was a pretty smooth operation well before they had a case. The leadership of Partners In Health in Haiti, who are all Haitians, they're very worried. They're worried the ministry of health will be overwhelmed. The dread of responsibility lays heavy on their shoulders.
That dread is what a lot of folks feel if they're caregivers, clinicians. It's kind of scary.
And what you're all dreading is...
How many people show up with shortness of breath and a fever and a cough or even low oxygen in the blood. How do we get this staffed up? We need to take care of people once they're sick.
toggle caption William Campbell/Corbis via Getty Images
What lessons have you learned from the Ebola outbreak of a few years ago?
Some people have said there was too much focus on [creating] Ebola treatment units [ETUs]. I don't buy this. I would say, as someone there in the summer of 2014, if we had focused on the quality of care [for patients] more and sooner, then the case-fatality ratio would have been lower and community trust would have been higher. People knew that many ETUs were deathtraps and fled them. The focus on containment [by isolating and quarantining patients] quite understandably frightens people, but expert mercy calms them. They're worried: Who will take care of them or their families if they get sick? Somebody needs to reply: "We will."
How do those fears and worries about COVID-19 differ in, say, the U.S. and Haiti?
In the U.S., we have emergency rooms, we have intensive care units. We still lack beds and ventilators, which is appalling given how much warning we've had, but we can still address these deficiencies. That's not the case in Haiti. As far as I know, in a country of 10, 11 million people, there are fewer than 30 ICU beds.
And in affluent economies, doctors don't have to go to the hospital and say, is there going to be electricity today, or will the oxygen concentrators work?
What are oxygen concentrators?
They take the air around us, remove nitrogen and concentrate oxygen so that it's therapeutic for those with pneumonia, for example.
All these mechanics of a hospital, we [in affluent nations] don't have to deal with them. The oxygen is piped right into every room. But the dread of responsibility for my coworkers in Haiti is that they have to worry: Where do we get the oxygen, the IV solutions, can we space the beds for intensive or supportive care in a way that doesn't infect the caregivers? And we've exhausted a lot of supplies as health-care workers are more attentive to putting on gloves, changing gloves, gowning up. We're seeing real supply chain challenges.
Some of these concerns are on the U.S. agenda as well.
We have botched up some of the testing in the U.S., too, but we have tons of resources compared to Haiti and Rwanda.
There's also a burden on family caregivers.
In a setting where there are very few professional caregivers, care is usually given by your mom and your auntie and your traditional healer, that's just how humans are if you don't have doctors and nurses.
And in West Africa, family caregivers as well as professional caregivers got taken out by Ebola.
What lessons did we learn from Ebola that are relevant to coronavirus?
The biggest lesson for me is every time we fail to focus on improving the quality of health care we drive people away or make them mistrust the medical system. Flattening the curve through social distancing and containment is a good thing as long as people have a way to get to professional care if they need IV fluids or oxygen. We need to integrate containment and care. That's a big lesson.
And one thing we haven't discussed is money. In rich countries, there is money to address a pandemic. How do poor countries manage?
There are a lot of new funding instruments that didn't exist before the Ebola epidemic – a pandemic emergency fund through the World Bank, for example. But how do you tap into funding like that? It's a very complex process. Even when there are so-called emergency funds, I learned after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 there are so many pledges, so little delivery.
Why is that?
There's no malignant intent. These bureaucracies are difficult to extract money from to deliver care. That surprises people. Even during the Ebola epidemic, it should have been easy to get the staff, space and systems we needed and to strengthen health systems. And I can tell you it was not easy.
Partners in Health had to rely heavily on private philanthropy just to work out kinks or get supplies that should have been readily obtained once an international public health emergency was declared.
And in this emergency, rich countries are struggling to fight the disease on their home front as well.
People in, say, Britain and the U.S. may say, 'Why should we worry about an epidemic on distant shores when it's here.' That said half of all American households donated to earthquake relief in Haiti. That says something nice about our species. We'll see what happens.
What's your long-range outlook?
We'll get through it where there are resources. We have tools that were unimagined during the 1918 flu epidemic. We have resources people would not have dreamed of 102 years ago. I know Chinese authorities have been criticized for trying to tamp things down. But they actually published the genome [for the novel coronavirus] and within days that meant people in scientific institutions were pursuing vaccine development and therapies. I'm mostly worried about the kind of places that can be termed "clinical deserts."
So are you hopeful or in despair?
Optimism is okay: Let's all hope for the best. But that's not preparing. Maybe a little cloud of pessimism would spur us to prepare better for a public-health catastrophe.


npr--2020-03-24--FACT CHECK: U.S. Testing Still Isn't Close To What South Korea Has Done

FACT CHECK : U.S .
Testing Still Is n't Close To What South Korea Has Done The United States and South Korea had their first cases of coronavirus detected on the same day .
The way the two countries responded , however , was very different .
South Korea quickly got tests out , which is being credited with helping flatten the country 's curve of its coronavirus outbreak ; the United States moved far more slowly , taking weeks to ramp up testing .
Now , the United States has tested more than 300,000 people , government officials touted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea in the raw number of tests conducted .
`` In a short period of time , we 've done more testing than South Korea , '' President Trump said on an appearance on Fox News Tuesday .
Trump added , `` We 're going up proportionally very rapidly . ''
But South Korea has a population of just 51 million people ; the United States has 327 million .
At about 300,000 tests in each country , that means South Korea has tested 1-in-170 people ; the United States : 1-in-1,090 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , per capita , than South Korea .

FACT CHECK: U.S. Testing Still Isn't Close To What South Korea Has Done
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Locher/AP John Locher/AP
The United States and South Korea had their first cases of coronavirus detected on the same day. The way the two countries responded, however, was very different.
South Korea quickly got tests out, which is being credited with helping flatten the country's curve of its coronavirus outbreak; the United States moved far more slowly, taking weeks to ramp up testing.
Now, the United States has tested more than 300,000 people, government officials touted Tuesday, noting it had passed South Korea in the raw number of tests conducted.
"In a short period of time, we've done more testing than South Korea," President Trump said on an appearance on Fox News Tuesday. Trump added, "We're going up proportionally very rapidly."
But South Korea has a population of just 51 million people; the United States has 327 million.
At about 300,000 tests in each country, that means South Korea has tested 1-in-170 people; the United States: 1-in-1,090.
That's more than six times less, per capita, than South Korea.