npr--2020-06-06--Tracking The Pandemic: How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State?

Tracking The Pandemic : How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State ?
Since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the United States on Jan. 21 , more than 1 million people in the U.S. have confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
On April 12 , the U.S. became the nation with the most deaths globally , but there are early signs that the U.S. case and death counts may be leveling off , as the growth of new cases and deaths plateaus .
The pattern is n't consistent across the country , as new hot spots emerge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your state 's case count is growing , click here .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
In response to mounting cases , state and federal authorities have emphasized a social distancing strategy , widely seen as the best available means to slow the spread of the virus .
Most states have put in place measures such as closing schools and nonessential businesses and ordering citizens to stay home as much as possible .
It 's not clear how long such measures need to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Wuhan , the city in China where the virus originated , a strictly enforced lockdown and widespread testing have slowed the outbreak dramatically , enough to bring an end to the 76-day lockdown .
A large portion of U.S. cases are centered on New York City .
Since March 20 , New York state , Connecticut and New Jersey have accounted for about 50 % of all U.S. cases .
As of April 9 , nearly 60 % of all deaths from COVID-19 have been in these three states .
While New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plateau , as seen below , it notched between 8,000 and 10,000 new cases each day between March 31 and April 12 .
To understand how one state 's outbreak compares with another 's , it 's helpful to look at not just the daily counts but the rate of change day over day .
In the following chart , we display cases on a logarithmic scale , meaning that every axis line is 10 times greater than the previous one .
This type of scale emphasizes the rate of change .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's curve trends sharply upward , as New York 's does over the first 15 days past 100 cases .
Generally , this is evidence of unbridled community transmission of the disease .
As new cases slow , the curve bends toward horizontal , showing that the state 's outbreak may be leveling off .
This does n't mean the number of cases has stopped growing , but the rate of growth has slowed , which could signify that social distancing measures are having an effect .
In some areas , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the earliest outbreaks — such as California and Washington — seem to be having success at suppressing the disease .
The outlook in Washington has improved to the point that the state has returned unused Army hospital beds it had received in preparation for a peak in cases .
Elsewhere , limited access to testing may make the number of cases look smaller than it really is .
As testing becomes more readily available , we are likely to see the number of confirmed cases continue to grow , even if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data used here are 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 .
State-by-state testing and hospitalization data are still being assessed for reliability .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your local health department 's website .
Stephanie Adeline , Alyson Hurt , Connie Hanzhang Jin , Ruth Talbot and Thomas Wilburn contributed to this story .

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
Loading...
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.
Loading...
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.
Loading...
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--2020-06-06--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

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

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


npr--2020-06-06--Evangelical Christians Grapple With Racism As Sin

Christians the world over have been united in their revulsion over the killing of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer , and faith leaders from across the theological spectrum have spoken out about the lessons they think Christians should draw from the incident .
Many Protestant and Roman Catholic ministers have emphasized a Christian obligation to love one 's neighbor and to work for justice in the earthly world .
Michael Curry , presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church , raised the New Testament parable of the Good Samaritan , who stopped to give aid to a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the side of the road .
`` Only the Samaritan saw the wounded stranger and acted , '' Curry said .
`` Love , as Jesus teaches , is action like this as well as attitude .
It seeks the good , the well-being , and the welfare of others as well as one 's self . ''
In a message to his `` dear brothers and sisters in the United States , '' Pope Francis advised , `` We can not tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sacredness of every human life . ''
For evangelical Christian leaders , however , crafting a response to Floyd 's killing is complicated by their view of sin in individual , not societal , terms and their belief in the need for personal salvation above all .
Evangelical theologians have long rejected the idea of a `` social gospel , '' which holds that the kingdom of God should be pursued by making life better here on earth .
Among African American evangelicals , one theologian who has vigorously challenged such views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deacon and co-host of the Just Thinking podcast .
`` One way to distinguish the biblical gospel from the 'social gospel , ' `` Harrison tweeted last week , `` is that the social gospel preaches structural transformation that works in society from the outside-in , whereas the biblical gospel preaches spiritual transformation that works in society from the inside-out . ''
Racism , in Harrison 's view , is often misunderstood .
`` Biblically , ethnic prejudice is not an 'ism , ' `` he argued in response to George Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
... You end hatred by repenting and believing the gospel . ''
Other evangelicals take a more nuanced view of a Christian obligation to work for social justice .
`` The way that we live and work in the world , how we care for our communities , how we care for our neighbors .
Those are all things that the Bible speaks really clearly about , '' says Alan Cross , a white Southern Baptist pastor now leading a congregation in northern California .
`` Somebody who is transformed from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view of how they see their neighbor or how they perceive issues of life and justice .
That 's the situation we 're in right now . ''
For Cross , whose book When Heaven and Earth Collide : Racism , Southern Evangelicals , and the Better Way of Jesus is in part a memoir of his 15 years leading a Southern Baptist congregation in Montgomery , Ala. , the opposition of biblical and social gospel is a `` false dichotomy . ''
`` We do n't believe that people are saved by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But if you do know Christ , if you have a relationship with him , you should see the pain of people around you , and you should say , 'What can I do ? '
`` Many African American evangelical Christians yearn to hear such messages from their pastors .
`` I want to hear that we 're mourning and weeping , '' says Trillia Newbell , an author and Christian commentator who attends a Southern Baptist church in Nashville , Tenn. , `` that we are active in our community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to love our neighbor as ourselves , that racism and any kind of hate is evil .
And that [ my ] pastor would speak out against that , which he has . ''
One evangelical speaking out in that manner is Rob Daniels , an African American pastor who leads Christ Freedom Church , a Southern Baptist congregation in Lewisville , Texas , just outside Dallas .
In an emotional video message that he emailed to his predominantly white congregation last week , Daniels said he wanted his followers to know `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aftermath of the killings of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia and George Floyd in Minnesota .
`` It has just rocked me , '' Daniels said , `` particularly because when I see these two men , created in the image of God , I see myself .
I see our three boys .
And I also remember countless other incidents that look very similar to these . ''
Daniels is theologically quite conservative , focusing his sermons generally on the need to find personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one 's own heart and also in society .
`` It starts first in your own heart , confronting that , '' Daniels told NPR , `` and then we deal with the racism that exists in the hearts of others . ''
When speaking to his white members , Daniels says he urges them to consider hard questions .
`` Do I find myself seeing black people , Latino people , any person other than white , as beneath me ?
Then , stay there and deal with that , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that , that 's work that you need to do before the Lord , that you need to repent of . ''
Earlier this week , Daniels invited several members of his church to accompany him in a peaceful protest against racism and police brutality .
`` Most of those who came were white , '' he says , `` and many said it was the first time they had ever marched before .
It was the first time they had been among the hurting .
And it gave them a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , feeling the pain . ''

Evangelical Christians Grapple With Racism As Sin
Enlarge this image toggle caption Reza/Getty Images Reza/Getty Images
Christians the world over have been united in their revulsion over the killing of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer, and faith leaders from across the theological spectrum have spoken out about the lessons they think Christians should draw from the incident.
Many Protestant and Roman Catholic ministers have emphasized a Christian obligation to love one's neighbor and to work for justice in the earthly world.
Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, raised the New Testament parable of the Good Samaritan, who stopped to give aid to a man who had been beaten and left on the side of the road.
"Only the Samaritan saw the wounded stranger and acted," Curry said. "Love, as Jesus teaches, is action like this as well as attitude. It seeks the good, the well-being, and the welfare of others as well as one's self."
In a message to his "dear brothers and sisters in the United States," Pope Francis advised, "We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life."
For evangelical Christian leaders, however, crafting a response to Floyd's killing is complicated by their view of sin in individual, not societal, terms and their belief in the need for personal salvation above all. Evangelical theologians have long rejected the idea of a "social gospel," which holds that the kingdom of God should be pursued by making life better here on earth.
Among African American evangelicals, one theologian who has vigorously challenged such views is Darrell Harrison, an ordained Baptist deacon and co-host of the Just Thinking podcast.
"One way to distinguish the biblical gospel from the 'social gospel,' " Harrison tweeted last week, "is that the social gospel preaches structural transformation that works in society from the outside-in, whereas the biblical gospel preaches spiritual transformation that works in society from the inside-out."
Racism, in Harrison's view, is often misunderstood. "Biblically, ethnic prejudice is not an 'ism,' " he argued in response to George Floyd's killing. "It is hate —period. ... You end hatred by repenting and believing the gospel."
Other evangelicals take a more nuanced view of a Christian obligation to work for social justice.
"The way that we live and work in the world, how we care for our communities, how we care for our neighbors. Those are all things that the Bible speaks really clearly about," says Alan Cross, a white Southern Baptist pastor now leading a congregation in northern California. "Somebody who is transformed from their relationship with Christ should have a transformed view of how they see their neighbor or how they perceive issues of life and justice. That's the situation we're in right now."
For Cross, whose book When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus is in part a memoir of his 15 years leading a Southern Baptist congregation in Montgomery, Ala., the opposition of biblical and social gospel is a "false dichotomy."
"We don't believe that people are saved by restructuring society," Cross says. "But if you do know Christ, if you have a relationship with him, you should see the pain of people around you, and you should say, 'What can I do?' "
Many African American evangelical Christians yearn to hear such messages from their pastors.
"I want to hear that we're mourning and weeping," says Trillia Newbell, an author and Christian commentator who attends a Southern Baptist church in Nashville, Tenn., "that we are active in our community, that we are going to work to love our neighbor as ourselves, that racism and any kind of hate is evil. And that [my] pastor would speak out against that, which he has."
One evangelical speaking out in that manner is Rob Daniels, an African American pastor who leads Christ Freedom Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Lewisville, Texas, just outside Dallas.
In an emotional video message that he emailed to his predominantly white congregation last week, Daniels said he wanted his followers to know "what your pastor is thinking" in the aftermath of the killings of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia and George Floyd in Minnesota.
"It has just rocked me," Daniels said, "particularly because when I see these two men, created in the image of God, I see myself. I see our three boys. And I also remember countless other incidents that look very similar to these."
Daniels is theologically quite conservative, focusing his sermons generally on the need to find personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. But he views sin as existing simultaneously in one's own heart and also in society.
"It starts first in your own heart, confronting that," Daniels told NPR, "and then we deal with the racism that exists in the hearts of others."
When speaking to his white members, Daniels says he urges them to consider hard questions.
"Do I find myself seeing black people, Latino people, any person other than white, as beneath me? Then, stay there and deal with that," he says. "And whatever comes out of that, that's work that you need to do before the Lord, that you need to repent of."
Earlier this week, Daniels invited several members of his church to accompany him in a peaceful protest against racism and police brutality.
"Most of those who came were white," he says, "and many said it was the first time they had ever marched before. It was the first time they had been among the hurting. And it gave them a real perspective. They were there in it, feeling the pain."


npr--2020-06-06--Confederate Monuments Are Coming Down, Are Streets And Highways Next?

Confederate Monuments Are Coming Down , Are Streets And Highways Next ?
The bureaucratic red tape that normally prevents politicians from rapidly changing their cityscapes is falling away as protesters demanding racial justice insist that Confederate monuments be swept into the dustbin of history .
But more than bronze statues are being discarded .
The University of Kentucky announced Friday that it would remove a controversial mural of enslaved Africans and Native Americans from its walls .
In Louisiana , Nicholls State University officials have also scrapped the names of two college buildings dedicated to Confederate generals .
And an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , city lawmakers are preparing to rename Jefferson Davis Parkway after Norman C. Francis , a civil rights pioneer who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006 .
`` Our streets and shared rights of way are littered with vestiges of a racist past , '' said New Orleans Council member Jason Williams in a statement to NPR .
`` We can not allow honors given to war criminals to remain when the people who bestowed those honors do n't represent our values . ''
The renewed sense of urgency has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hands of a Minneapolis police officer now charged with murder .
Motivated by civil unrest , politicians are now scrambling to make good on years-old promises to remove statues and other subtle homages to the Confederacy from their streets .
`` A real reckoning is here , '' said Kirk Savage , an art historian at the University of Pittsburgh who has written extensively on Confederate imagery .
`` Confederate monuments have become targets because they are powerful expressions of the brutal practices that led to Floyd 's murder ; they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Earlier this week , Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said he would rather violate state law and pay a $ 25,000 fine than face more civil unrest , choosing to remove a Confederate monument from city grounds after demonstrators graffitied the 52-foot-tall granite obelisk with Black Lives Matter slogans .
And in the cradle of the Confederacy , Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced on Thursday that the state would begin clearing Confederate structures from the Richmond capital after protesters targeted its many symbols of slavery , including a 130-year-old statue of Robert E. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remove Confederate symbols came in 2017 after a rally of white supremacists in Charlottesville , Virginia , turned violent .
Several cities embarked on processes to remove the offending statuary , only to run aground of faltering budgets , community backlash , and political apprehension .
That was the case in Philadelphia , where a statue of Frank Rizzo — an ardent critic of desegregation who had served as the city 's mayor and police commissioner — came down because of protesters in a matter of days , three years after Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But some experts are advising leaders to think twice about whether to trash their rejected Confederate markers or preserve them .
`` Slow down , '' cautioned Harriet Senie , an art historian at The City College of New York specializing in public memorials .
`` I think it 's important that we own our history .
We can take down all the Confederate monuments in this country , but that will not end racism if we ca n't learn from them . ''

Confederate Monuments Are Coming Down, Are Streets And Highways Next?
The bureaucratic red tape that normally prevents politicians from rapidly changing their cityscapes is falling away as protesters demanding racial justice insist that Confederate monuments be swept into the dustbin of history.
But more than bronze statues are being discarded. The University of Kentucky announced Friday that it would remove a controversial mural of enslaved Africans and Native Americans from its walls. In Louisiana, Nicholls State University officials have also scrapped the names of two college buildings dedicated to Confederate generals. And an hour's drive away in New Orleans, city lawmakers are preparing to rename Jefferson Davis Parkway after Norman C. Francis, a civil rights pioneer who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.
"Our streets and shared rights of way are littered with vestiges of a racist past," said New Orleans Council member Jason Williams in a statement to NPR. "We cannot allow honors given to war criminals to remain when the people who bestowed those honors don't represent our values."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Steve Helber/AP Steve Helber/AP
The renewed sense of urgency has been fueled by George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer now charged with murder. Motivated by civil unrest, politicians are now scrambling to make good on years-old promises to remove statues and other subtle homages to the Confederacy from their streets.
"A real reckoning is here," said Kirk Savage, an art historian at the University of Pittsburgh who has written extensively on Confederate imagery. "Confederate monuments have become targets because they are powerful expressions of the brutal practices that led to Floyd's murder; they are the artworks that gild the system."
Earlier this week, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said he would rather violate state law and pay a $25,000 fine than face more civil unrest, choosing to remove a Confederate monument from city grounds after demonstrators graffitied the 52-foot-tall granite obelisk with Black Lives Matter slogans.
And in the cradle of the Confederacy, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced on Thursday that the state would begin clearing Confederate structures from the Richmond capital after protesters targeted its many symbols of slavery, including a 130-year-old statue of Robert E. Lee on horseback.
The last push to remove Confederate symbols came in 2017 after a rally of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent. Several cities embarked on processes to remove the offending statuary, only to run aground of faltering budgets, community backlash, and political apprehension.
That was the case in Philadelphia, where a statue of Frank Rizzo — an ardent critic of desegregation who had served as the city's mayor and police commissioner — came down because of protesters in a matter of days, three years after Mayor Jim Kenney first promised its removal.
But some experts are advising leaders to think twice about whether to trash their rejected Confederate markers or preserve them. "Slow down," cautioned Harriet Senie, an art historian at The City College of New York specializing in public memorials. "I think it's important that we own our history. We can take down all the Confederate monuments in this country, but that will not end racism if we can't learn from them."


npr--2020-06-06--Amid Brutal Responses To Protesters, Will Moments Of Solidarity Bring Real Change?

Amid Brutal Responses To Protesters , Will Moments Of Solidarity Bring Real Change ?
The nationwide demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd 's killing have been met at times with heavy-handed police tactics that include beatings , the use of tear gas and rubber bullets fired into crowds .
Examples include the tasing and assault of two college students in Atlanta ; the shoving and hospitalization of a 75-year-old protester in Buffalo , N.Y. ; Philadelphia cops beating student protesters with batons ; and the student protester in Austin , Texas , who was critically wounded by a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the clashes also have been punctuated by fleeting gestures of unity and peace between the two sides .
In a handful of cities large and small , from Miami to Schenectady , N.Y. , to Portland , Ore. , some officers have knelt in solidarity , and a few have even marched with protesters demanding police reforms .
There are activists who dismiss these moments as merely symbolic , media-savvy moves meant to distract from what they say are the profound structural problems in American policing .
Others , however , say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of a more substantive dialogue .
`` Somebody in the crowd shouted , 'They need to kneel , too . '
And then they knelt , '' says Florida activist Oshea Johnson of a recent protest march in Coral Gables , Fla .
The University of Miami sociology graduate student , and first-time protest organizer , says he was taken aback when scores of Miami-Dade County Police leaders and some rank-and-file officers quietly and spontaneously took a knee with the 300 or so protesters who 'd marched to City Hall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , '' Johnson says , `` Like my eyes teared up .
It was this moment of ' I 'm with you .
I feel your pain . '
And maybe , even if not all the chiefs , you know , felt that way , I think that it was a moment of humility , of humanity .
I think that 's what made it powerful .
I tried to embrace that moment because I 'd never seen that happen . ''
Was it genuine ?
It 's led to virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists , civil rights groups and others to hear them out about community and police concerns .
`` We knew that we had to follow-up , '' he says .
`` We want to keep not only the conversation going , but trying to push for reform because we think the time is at its peak right now where we can really try to push for the reforms that we want . ''
Topping the change list , he says , is implementing quarterly , verifiable anti-bias training for all area police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power .
But elsewhere many activists are skeptical , especially given the ongoing harsh police responses to largely peaceful protests .
They see the take-a-knee-in-solidary gestures as emotionally manipulative and largely meaningless .
`` When the police take a knee , not only do I not take it seriously , it 's disingenuous , '' says Patrisse Cullors a veteran Los Angeles-based activist and artist who played a key role in founding the Black Lives Matter movement .
Cullors has been pushing for years to stop the criminalization of homelessness , the incarceration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse of power .
`` We need radical shifts , we need transformation , '' Cullors tells NPR .
`` These things do n't happen through police taking a knee at protests and then right after , they take a knee getting up and tear gassing and rubber bulleting us and beating us with batons . ''
In a few instances , the police gestures have gone beyond taking a knee .
A powerful moment of police-protester unity was when the sheriff of Genesee County , Mich. , which includes Flint , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four Minneapolis cops who are accused of killing George Floyd .
Last weekend Sheriff Chris Swanson took off his helmet , his officers put down their batons , and he addressed the crowd .
`` We wan na be with you all for real , '' he told marchers .
`` I want to make this a parade , not a protest ! ''
Swanson then asked the crowd , `` tell us what you need us to do ? ''
The collective response : `` Walk with us !
Walk with us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his officers did just that .
He believes that moment , for Flint , Mich. , anyway , will prove to be a break through .
Swanson says that moment has already changed the way he runs his agency .
`` We need to reform modern day policing like it 's never been done before , '' he says .
`` We ca n't just have a one night and then be done and go back to where it used to be and continue to give empty promises . ''
He has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what needs to change and how to do it .
And he 's pledged to meet with them weekly .
He hopes other departments take similar steps .
`` Do we need to have a national registry of police discipline ?
That 's a great idea , '' Swanson says .
`` Do we need to have an overall advisory committee with a community for each agency ?
That 's a great idea .
Because if you have nothing to hide , you have nothing to fear . ''
The sheriff believes Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I believe there are great police leaders and police agencies who never want to see these dark days again . ''
But Floyd 's death has n't changed anything substantially about policing , yet .
Advocates say whether it does depends on the collective political and moral will to move beyond that familiar cycle of aspirational reforms – calls for better training , screening and oversight – that have too often failed to stop some cops from humiliating , abusing or killing minorities .

Amid Brutal Responses To Protesters, Will Moments Of Solidarity Bring Real Change?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The nationwide demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd's killing have been met at times with heavy-handed police tactics that include beatings, the use of tear gas and rubber bullets fired into crowds.
Examples include the tasing and assault of two college students in Atlanta; the shoving and hospitalization of a 75-year-old protester in Buffalo, N.Y.; Philadelphia cops beating student protesters with batons; and the student protester in Austin, Texas, who was critically wounded by a police beanbag round that fractured his skull.
But the clashes also have been punctuated by fleeting gestures of unity and peace between the two sides.
In a handful of cities large and small, from Miami to Schenectady, N.Y., to Portland, Ore., some officers have knelt in solidarity, and a few have even marched with protesters demanding police reforms.
There are activists who dismiss these moments as merely symbolic, media-savvy moves meant to distract from what they say are the profound structural problems in American policing.
Others, however, say they mark a potentially important opening: the start of a more substantive dialogue.
"Somebody in the crowd shouted, 'They need to kneel, too.' And then they knelt," says Florida activist Oshea Johnson of a recent protest march in Coral Gables, Fla.
The University of Miami sociology graduate student, and first-time protest organizer, says he was taken aback when scores of Miami-Dade County Police leaders and some rank-and-file officers quietly and spontaneously took a knee with the 300 or so protesters who'd marched to City Hall.
"That moment was very powerful for me," Johnson says, "Like my eyes teared up. It was this moment of 'I'm with you. I feel your pain.' And maybe, even if not all the chiefs, you know, felt that way, I think that it was a moment of humility, of humanity. I think that's what made it powerful. I tried to embrace that moment because I'd never seen that happen."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Adam Delgiudice /AFP via Getty Images Adam Delgiudice /AFP via Getty Images
Was it genuine? It's led to virtual meetings set up by police leaders with activists, civil rights groups and others to hear them out about community and police concerns.
It's a start, Johnson says.
"We knew that we had to follow-up," he says. "We want to keep not only the conversation going, but trying to push for reform because we think the time is at its peak right now where we can really try to push for the reforms that we want."
Topping the change list, he says, is implementing quarterly, verifiable anti-bias training for all area police officers and robust countywide civilian oversight with subpoena power.
But elsewhere many activists are skeptical, especially given the ongoing harsh police responses to largely peaceful protests. They see the take-a-knee-in-solidary gestures as emotionally manipulative and largely meaningless.
"When the police take a knee, not only do I not take it seriously, it's disingenuous," says Patrisse Cullors a veteran Los Angeles-based activist and artist who played a key role in founding the Black Lives Matter movement. Cullors has been pushing for years to stop the criminalization of homelessness, the incarceration of the mentally ill, and police abuse of power.
"We need radical shifts, we need transformation," Cullors tells NPR. "These things don't happen through police taking a knee at protests and then right after, they take a knee getting up and tear gassing and rubber bulleting us and beating us with batons."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Seth Herald /AFP via Getty Images Seth Herald /AFP via Getty Images
In a few instances, the police gestures have gone beyond taking a knee.
A powerful moment of police-protester unity was when the sheriff of Genesee County, Mich., which includes Flint, told protesters his officers aren't like those four Minneapolis cops who are accused of killing George Floyd.
Last weekend Sheriff Chris Swanson took off his helmet, his officers put down their batons, and he addressed the crowd.
"We wanna be with you all for real," he told marchers. "I want to make this a parade, not a protest!"
Swanson then asked the crowd, "tell us what you need us to do?"
The collective response: "Walk with us! Walk with us!"
So Swanson and several of his officers did just that.
He believes that moment, for Flint, Mich., anyway, will prove to be a break through. Swanson says that moment has already changed the way he runs his agency.
"We need to reform modern day policing like it's never been done before," he says. "We can't just have a one night and then be done and go back to where it used to be and continue to give empty promises."
He has already met with reformers to start talking through what needs to change and how to do it. And he's pledged to meet with them weekly.
National New Charges Filed Against Ex-Minneapolis Officers In George Floyd's Death New Charges Filed Against Ex-Minneapolis Officers In George Floyd's Death Listen · 4:54 4:54
He hopes other departments take similar steps.
"Do we need to have a national registry of police discipline? That's a great idea," Swanson says. "Do we need to have an overall advisory committee with a community for each agency? That's a great idea. Because if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear."
The sheriff believes Floyd's death "changed American policing forever because I believe there are great police leaders and police agencies who never want to see these dark days again."
But Floyd's death hasn't changed anything substantially about policing, yet.
Advocates say whether it does depends on the collective political and moral will to move beyond that familiar cycle of aspirational reforms – calls for better training, screening and oversight – that have too often failed to stop some cops from humiliating, abusing or killing minorities.


npr--2020-06-06--At The D.C. Protests, A 'Lean On Me' Singalong Offered A Moment Of Solace

At The D.C .
Protests , A 'Lean On Me ' Singalong Offered A Moment Of Solace It had been a long , hot day of protests in Washington , D.C. As dusk descended on the nation 's capital on June 3 , a man in the crowd held up a microphone .
The man , Maryland-based singer Kenny Sway , asked the protestors to kneel — and to turn on their cell phone flashlights .
`` I asked them if we can light the city up tonight , '' Sway says .
And with the lights on thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye could see , Kenny Sway lifted his voice with a familiar refrain : `` Sometimes in our lives we all have pain , we all have sorrow . ''
Pretty soon , a chorus of thousands joined him in singing the late Bill Withers ' beloved hit `` Lean on Me . ''
Sway says it sounded like heaven ; it was breathtaking .
`` It sounded like unity and togetherness , '' he says .
`` It sounded like love and pureness of the people .
It was one race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can watch the video , which D.C. magazine Washingtonian captured , below .

At The D.C. Protests, A 'Lean On Me' Singalong Offered A Moment Of Solace
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images
It had been a long, hot day of protests in Washington, D.C. As dusk descended on the nation's capital on June 3, a man in the crowd held up a microphone. The man, Maryland-based singer Kenny Sway, asked the protestors to kneel — and to turn on their cell phone flashlights.
"I asked them if we can light the city up tonight," Sway says.
And with the lights on thousands of phones beaming bright as far as the eye could see, Kenny Sway lifted his voice with a familiar refrain: "Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow." Pretty soon, a chorus of thousands joined him in singing the late Bill Withers' beloved hit "Lean on Me." Sway says it sounded like heaven; it was breathtaking.
"It sounded like unity and togetherness," he says. "It sounded like love and pureness of the people. It was one race. It was one moment."
You can watch the video, which D.C. magazine Washingtonian captured, below.


npr--2020-06-07--Georgia GOP Fears Changing Demographics Could End Party's Long Dominance

Georgia 's primary elections on Tuesday are pulling attention back to what 's expected to be a highly challenging set of races for Republicans there , who have dominated statewide politics for nearly two decades .
Buoyed by an electorate that is growing younger and more diverse , Democrats have been narrowing margins in Georgia in recent years .
This fall , Democrats think they stand a chance of winning its 16 Electoral College votes , the two Senate seats on the ballot and an open U.S. House seat .
It would be a dramatic reversal of fortune for Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Sonny Perdue 's 2002 election as the state 's first Republican governor in 130 years heralded a new era of Georgia politics .
By 2015 , the GOP controlled 10 of the state 's 16 U.S. House districts , along with both U.S. Senate seats , not to mention control of the state government and legislature .
And when asked whether the pendulum has started to swing back towards Democrats , he conceded there 's truth to the idea .
`` That 's the way politics works , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's going to flip this year , he sees the parallels with the GOP 's rise to power .
`` I think when one political party in power has it for a long time there 's a complacency that comes in and that 's why people have choices .
That 's why we have two parties in this country ; it holds us all accountable . ''
Another observer who draws comparisons to the early 2000s is Heath Garrett , a longtime Georgia Republican strategist .
Back then , `` the Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Even though they knew that the demographic shifts had occurred numerically , intraparty fighting within the Democratic caucus , policy overreach , trying to do too much combined with national Democratic party brand starting to hurt the local Democratic Party brand , '' Garrett added , arguing the national Democratic Party had moved farther left than the Georgia electorate .
Today , Garrett points to a new wave of demographic shifts changing Georgia 's electorate .
The state 's immigrant population has grown and voters have gotten younger , more diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile Republicans are n't changing as quickly , just like Democrats did n't years ago .
`` We also see a lot of very competitive intraparty Republican fighting trying to pull the Republican primaries farther to the right , just about the same time that the general election in Georgia is moving more to the center , '' Garrett said .
`` Which creates the same conundrum for Republicans today that Democrats had 20 years ago . ''
Garrett is `` cautiously optimistic '' his party can get organized in time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most high-profile intraparty fight that could challenge GOP unity is between Sen. Kelly Loeffler and U.S. Rep. Doug Collins .
They 're facing off in a special free-for-all election for Loeffler 's Senate seat in November to fill out the remainder of the term left by Sen. Johnny Isaskson 's retirement .
Loeffler was appointed in December to replace Isakson .
The contest has already gotten nasty , the last thing Georgia Republicans needed in a race that was already showing signs of being challenging .
`` It troubles me we 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Martha Zoller , a conservative talk show host and Loeffler supporter .
`` And it 's going to be a very weird fight because it 's a special election ... so that 's going to muddy the waters quite a bit . ''
Twenty-one candidates have qualified for that November special election , when voters will also choose between incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue ( a cousin of Sonny Perdue ) and the winner of this week 's Democratic primary .
Democrats have been tightening Georgia 's election results in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won by about 5 points .
In 2018 , Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp defeated his Democratic opponent by about 1.5 points .
In 2018 Democrats flipped one suburban Atlanta Republican U.S. House seat and came close to winning another .
Recent Georgia polling puts former Vice President Joe Biden neck and neck with President Trump .
`` In general , Georgia Republicans have to just really reckon with the fact that it 's not 2006 anymore , '' said Andra Gillespie , political science professor at Emory University , citing demographic shifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats .
`` [ Republicans ] should n't expect to win elections in landslides , and they should n't expect to win by comfortable margins . ''
It 's all compounded , Gillespie said , by this season 's headlines , including the protests and the coronavirus .
2020 will be the most `` difficult to anticipate '' presidential outcome in Georgia since 1996 , said Charles Bullock , a political scientist at the University of Georgia .
Bullock has seen two main responses from Republicans to the unfavorable demographic trends .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rhetoric .
But he calls others , `` kamikazes , '' who have responded to the changes in the state by pushing through polarizing conservative legislation , such as Georgia 's recent anti-abortion law .
`` Now you see Republicans beginning to wake up and take note and wonder if the strategy they had in the can is going to pull them out this time , '' said Teresa Tomlinson , a longtime Democrat who is running in the Democratic Senate primary .
`` With this kind of sustained power , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political dominance , with it comes a complicity , '' she argued .
`` A reservedness to do anything different . ''
One Republican who says he 's awake to the change is the state 's senior U.S .
Senator , David Perdue .
In audio obtained by CNN , he told activists that Georgia `` is in play '' and `` Democrats have made it that way . ''
Casey Black , Perdue 's spokeswoman said the campaign has known his race would be competitive `` from day one '' and remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
Senate . ''

Georgia GOP Fears Changing Demographics Could End Party's Long Dominance
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Georgia's primary elections on Tuesday are pulling attention back to what's expected to be a highly challenging set of races for Republicans there, who have dominated statewide politics for nearly two decades.
Buoyed by an electorate that is growing younger and more diverse, Democrats have been narrowing margins in Georgia in recent years. This fall, Democrats think they stand a chance of winning its 16 Electoral College votes, the two Senate seats on the ballot and an open U.S. House seat.
It would be a dramatic reversal of fortune for Georgia Republicans. Now-U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue's 2002 election as the state's first Republican governor in 130 years heralded a new era of Georgia politics. By 2015, the GOP controlled 10 of the state's 14 U.S. House districts, along with both U.S. Senate seats, not to mention control of the state government and legislature.
When asked whether the pendulum has started to swing back toward Democrats, he conceded there's truth to the idea. "That's the way politics works," he said.
While Perdue doesn't think Georgia is going to flip this year, he sees the parallels with the GOP's rise to power.
"I think when one political party in power has it for a long time, there's a complacency that comes in, and that's why people have choices. That's why we have two parties in this country — it holds us all accountable."
Another observer who draws comparisons to the early 2000s is Heath Garrett, a longtime Georgia Republican strategist.
Back then, "the Democratic Party had become complacent," he said.
"Even though they knew that the demographic shifts had occurred numerically, intraparty fighting within the Democratic caucus, policy overreach, trying to do too much combined with the national Democratic Party brand starting to hurt the local Democratic Party brand," Garrett added, arguing that the national Democratic Party had moved further left than the Georgia electorate.
Today, Garrett points to a new wave of demographic shifts changing Georgia's electorate. The state's immigrant population has grown and voters have gotten younger and more diverse — all constituencies that lean more Democratic. Meanwhile, Republicans aren't changing as quickly, just like Democrats didn't years ago.
Infighting
"We also see a lot of very competitive intraparty Republican fighting trying to pull the Republican primaries farther to the right, just about the same time that the general election in Georgia is moving more to the center," Garrett said.
"Which creates the same conundrum for Republicans today that Democrats had 20 years ago."
Garrett is "cautiously optimistic" that his party can get organized in time for this year's election.
But the most high-profile intraparty fight that could challenge GOP unity is between Sen. Kelly Loeffler and U.S. Rep. Doug Collins. They're facing off in a special free-for-all election for Loeffler's Senate seat in November to fill out the remainder of the term left by Sen. Johnny Isakson's retirement. Loeffler was appointed in December to replace Isakson.
The contest has already gotten nasty, the last thing Georgia Republicans needed in a race that was already showing signs of being challenging.
"It troubles me we're going to have this fight among Republicans," said Martha Zoller, a conservative talk show host and Loeffler supporter. "And it's going to be a very weird fight because it's a special election ... so that's going to muddy the waters quite a bit."
Twenty-one candidates have qualified for the special election in November, when voters will also choose between incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue (a cousin of Sonny Perdue) and the winner of this week's Democratic primary.
"It's not 2006 anymore"
Democrats have been tightening Georgia's election results in recent years. In 2016, Donald Trump won by about 5 points. In 2018, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp defeated his Democratic opponent by about 1.5 points. In 2018, Democrats flipped one suburban Atlanta Republican U.S. House seat and came close to winning another.
Recent Georgia polling puts former Vice President Joe Biden, the likely Democratic presidential candidate, neck and neck with President Trump.
"In general, Georgia Republicans have to just really reckon with the fact that it's not 2006 anymore," said Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University, citing demographic shifts and growing organization and voter registration by Democrats.
"[Republicans] shouldn't expect to win elections in landslides, and they shouldn't expect to win by comfortable margins."
It's all compounded, Gillespie said, by this season's headlines, including the protests against racial injustice and the coronavirus pandemic.
2020 will be the most "difficult to anticipate" presidential outcome in Georgia since 1996, said Charles Bullock, a political scientist at the University of Georgia.
Bullock has seen two main responses from Republicans to the unfavorable demographic trends. Some Republicans have attempted to moderate their policies and rhetoric. But he calls others, "kamikazes," who have responded to the changes in the state by pushing through polarizing conservative legislation, such as Georgia's recent anti-abortion law.
"Now you see Republicans beginning to wake up and take note and wonder if the strategy they had in the can is going to pull them out this time," said Teresa Tomlinson, a longtime Democrat who is running in the Democratic Senate primary.
"With this kind of sustained power, this longevity of 18 to 20 years of one-party political dominance, with it comes a complicity," she argued. "A reservedness to do anything different."
One Republican who says he's awake to the change is the state's senior U.S. senator, David Perdue. In audio obtained by CNN, he told activists that Georgia "is in play" and that "Democrats have made it that way."
Casey Black, Perdue's spokeswoman, said the campaign has known that his race would be competitive "from day one" and remains "confident voters will reelect him to the U.S. Senate."


npr--2020-06-07--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak


npr--2020-06-07--Tracking The Pandemic: How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State?


npr--2020-06-07--She's A Frontline Doctor. Her Husband Has Lung Cancer. Now, A Simple Hug Is Dangerous

She 's A Frontline Doctor .
Her Husband Has Lung Cancer .
Now , A Simple Hug Is Dangerous Dr. Lauren Jenkins says her medical training has always taught her to think of the worst-case scenario .
And one day this past March , that 's exactly where her mind went .
It was early into the coronavirus pandemic .
Jenkins , a 37-year-old obstetrician-gynecologist who practices at a hospital in Philadelphia , was cooking for her husband and their nearly three-year-old twins , Pierce and Ashton .
That 's when she got a call from a colleague .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long surgery about one week earlier had tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` I 'm sitting there thinking , 'OK .
I 've been exposed .
It 's very likely that I 've been infected .
And it 's very likely that I 've infected my family , ' '' she says .
For any family navigating the pandemic , that call would be alarming .
For hers , it was potentially devastating .
Her husband , Jay Roux , 44 , has stage IV lung cancer .
Every few weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lungs to drain fluid that builds up .
Cancer treatments have weakened his heart .
And he eats — or , rather , ingests nutrition — through a gastrostomy tube into his stomach .
His body 's defenses to the coronavirus are severely compromised .
`` For Jay to get COVID , it would be catastrophic , '' Jenkins says .
After learning of her colleague 's positive test , Jenkins immediately stopped cooking and rushed to her bedroom , where she locked herself away from the family .
She remembers thinking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposing Jay to the very thing that would kill him . ''
Roux brought food to her room on a tray , she says , `` and passed it through the door and ran away . ''
When her family had all gone to bed , she put on a mask , grabbed bleach , and wiped down every surface she could find .
She was n't upset with her colleague .
He had come to work with mild symptoms , and , in general , doctors are taught to come to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she says .
`` Calling out sick is n't really a thing , '' she says .
And it was early into the pandemic , before many health care workers were taking much more stringent precautions .
The next day , Jenkins drove to a testing site , endured the long swab pushed into the back of her nose , and got a test result .
It was negative .
It was a massive relief .
But she decided that as long as the pandemic dragged on , and as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she could not put her family through that experience again .
She would have to move out .
`` There can never be a next time , '' she decided .
`` I ca n't take this kind of risk . ''
At first , her husband argued that the family should stay together at their home in New Jersey .
His cancer — and the heart problems from the treatment — make it hard to care for two energetic toddlers , even with the help of an au pair .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I used to be , '' he says .
He eventually came around .
After more than a year of fighting cancer , he says , `` it would be stupid '' to die from a preventable exposure to the virus .
Plus , he told Jenkins , if she did inadvertently pass the coronavirus to him , `` I think that you would carry that guilt with you for the rest of your life , and it would eat you alive . ''
So she moved out , landing in an apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Philadelphia , about a half-hour drive from home .
Separating helped reduce Roux 's potential exposure to the virus .
But it forced the couple to confront questions with no clear answers : With an uncertain prognosis , would the separation waste precious time that Roux has with his family ?
And if the pandemic continues for a year or more , how long would they live like this ?
It did n't take long to discover just how poor a substitute video calls can be for physical contact — the chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and read to their kids together .
The twins had been born prematurely and had subsequently spent months in the neonatal intensive care unit .
`` I never missed a single day by their side , '' says Jenkins .
Even afterwards , she hardly spent much time away from them .
In the first weeks away from home , she started to strategize a way to safely visit her family about once a week .
After talking with her colleagues who specialized in infectious diseases , she landed on what they call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the same kind of suit that might be seen in a high-tech laboratory : a hooded set of white coveralls , gloves , a mask and goggles .
The first moments she stepped foot in the house in the suit were admittedly `` weird , '' the couple says .
Their son Pierce is more timid , and was n't quite sure what to make of the masked figure in the house .
`` He did n't instantly run over to me , '' says Jenkins .
But Ashton immediately jumped into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's glasses '' — her safety goggles — with his own .
Once Pierce came around , they all read books and played with blocks together .
`` Part of what 's so cool about kids is that they do n't overthink things , '' she says .
`` It 's like , 'Oh , mom 's been gone .
But now she 's here . '
'' `` To even give her a hug and hold her for five minutes , it 's amazing , '' says Roux .
`` Not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing . ''
The hardest part were the goodbyes .
They decided to put the boys down to sleep before she leaves .
That way , `` It 's not like a big horrible goodbye , '' she says .
`` I do n't know if it 's more for me or for them . ''
At one point , the family was offered a way out of their forced separation .
Leadership at the hospital told Jenkins they could take her off the frontlines , so she would n't have to risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered the offer before turning it down .
Other doctors at her hospital , she says , are older and at higher risk .
And she felt the need to contribute during a public health emergency .
`` I do n't think anyone would 've begrudged me , '' Jenkins says .
`` But it did n't feel right to me . ''
She remembers calling Roux soon after .
`` I was actually a little nervous to tell him that I had said no , '' she says .
But he immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the offer .
`` You 're a doctor , '' he recalls telling her .
`` You provide an amazing service to women .
That 's your calling .
It 's what you do . ''
They agree it was the right decision .
Still , at times , Jenkins says she feels a creeping sense of `` betrayal '' by her job .
It was hardest that day in March , when she first learned she might have exposed her family .
But every now and then it comes back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of who I am .
And it 's a source of so much of my pride and my joy and my sense of self , '' she says .
`` For the first time , I felt like my job was making me choose between my life 's work and the wellness of my family . ''
Roux says his experience with cancer , and their long ordeal with the kids ' time in intensive care , has made him a firm believer in the idea that `` s*** happens , '' but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Lauren , 'With all the stuff that we 've gone through in the last couple of years , this is just a small ripple in the lake , ' '' he says .
`` 'We just get through it . '
'' 'Nobody knows when it 's going to end' The day after Mother 's Day , the couple decided to switch places .
Jenkins was missing the kids , and Roux was struggling to keep up with them .
After talking with experts , they decided that the risk to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return home .
But this time , Roux would leave and stay at a family member 's spare apartment .
`` When she came home , I already had all my stuff packed up in my truck , '' he says .
`` She came in through one door and I waved at her and said I loved her and went out the other door . ''
When the pandemic started , they had n't really considered that it could go on past the summer .
But now they 're thinking about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's a whole lot of questions with no answers , because nobody really knows , '' says Jenkins .
`` Nobody knows when it 's going to end .
We do n't even know antibodies actually confer immunity or if it means you can get it the second time .
What happens then ? ''
Roux , in particular , is worried that officials will end lockdown policies too quickly .
`` I want to see the numbers come way down below before people start thinking that it 's safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just because of me , but there 's the elderly and other people with immune deficiency . ''
Every day , he still comes by the house to work on the yard , even just to see his family from a safe distance .
`` I get to see my kids through the window , but I ca n't touch them , '' he says .
`` It 's awful , because I love my boys and they 're fun and I 'm dad .
And , you know , if Lauren comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yard , I 've got to stay like 10 , 12 feet away from her .
`` And I just kind of give her one of those air kisses , you know ?
I tell her I love her .
And then we always say , 'this is weird . '
You know , it 's just so darn weird .
But it wo n't last forever . ''

She's A Frontline Doctor. Her Husband Has Lung Cancer. Now, A Simple Hug Is Dangerous
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins
Dr. Lauren Jenkins says her medical training has always taught her to think of the worst-case scenario. And one day this past March, that's exactly where her mind went.
It was early into the coronavirus pandemic. Jenkins, a 37-year-old obstetrician-gynecologist who practices at a hospital in Philadelphia, was cooking for her husband and their nearly three-year-old twins, Pierce and Ashton.
That's when she got a call from a colleague. An anesthesiologist she had worked with during a long surgery about one week earlier had tested positive for the coronavirus.
"I'm sitting there thinking, 'OK. I've been exposed. It's very likely that I've been infected. And it's very likely that I've infected my family,'" she says.
For any family navigating the pandemic, that call would be alarming. For hers, it was potentially devastating.
Her husband, Jay Roux, 44, has stage IV lung cancer. Every few weeks, he has a needle inserted into his lungs to drain fluid that builds up. Cancer treatments have weakened his heart. And he eats — or, rather, ingests nutrition — through a gastrostomy tube into his stomach. His body's defenses to the coronavirus are severely compromised.
"For Jay to get COVID, it would be catastrophic," Jenkins says.
After learning of her colleague's positive test, Jenkins immediately stopped cooking and rushed to her bedroom, where she locked herself away from the family. She remembers thinking, "Perhaps I had been responsible for exposing Jay to the very thing that would kill him."
Roux brought food to her room on a tray, she says, "and passed it through the door and ran away." When her family had all gone to bed, she put on a mask, grabbed bleach, and wiped down every surface she could find.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins
She wasn't upset with her colleague. He had come to work with mild symptoms, and, in general, doctors are taught to come to work even if they have a regular cold, she says. "Calling out sick isn't really a thing," she says. And it was early into the pandemic, before many health care workers were taking much more stringent precautions.
The next day, Jenkins drove to a testing site, endured the long swab pushed into the back of her nose, and got a test result. It was negative.
It was a massive relief. But she decided that as long as the pandemic dragged on, and as long as she was treating patients with the coronavirus, she could not put her family through that experience again. She would have to move out.
"There can never be a next time," she decided. "I can't take this kind of risk."
At first, her husband argued that the family should stay together at their home in New Jersey. His cancer — and the heart problems from the treatment — make it hard to care for two energetic toddlers, even with the help of an au pair.
"I'm not even half the man I used to be," he says.
He eventually came around. After more than a year of fighting cancer, he says, "it would be stupid" to die from a preventable exposure to the virus. Plus, he told Jenkins, if she did inadvertently pass the coronavirus to him, "I think that you would carry that guilt with you for the rest of your life, and it would eat you alive."
So she moved out, landing in an apartment donated for use by health care workers in Philadelphia, about a half-hour drive from home.
Separating helped reduce Roux's potential exposure to the virus. But it forced the couple to confront questions with no clear answers: With an uncertain prognosis, would the separation waste precious time that Roux has with his family? And if the pandemic continues for a year or more, how long would they live like this?
The 'hazmat suit'
It didn't take long to discover just how poor a substitute video calls can be for physical contact — the chance to hug each other, or sit and read to their kids together.
The twins had been born prematurely and had subsequently spent months in the neonatal intensive care unit.
"I never missed a single day by their side," says Jenkins. Even afterwards, she hardly spent much time away from them.
In the first weeks away from home, she started to strategize a way to safely visit her family about once a week. After talking with her colleagues who specialized in infectious diseases, she landed on what they call her "hazmat suit."
It's the same kind of suit that might be seen in a high-tech laboratory: a hooded set of white coveralls, gloves, a mask and goggles.
The first moments she stepped foot in the house in the suit were admittedly "weird," the couple says. Their son Pierce is more timid, and wasn't quite sure what to make of the masked figure in the house.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins
"He didn't instantly run over to me," says Jenkins.
But Ashton immediately jumped into her lap and started comparing "mommy's glasses" — her safety goggles — with his own.
Once Pierce came around, they all read books and played with blocks together.
"Part of what's so cool about kids is that they don't overthink things," she says. "It's like, 'Oh, mom's been gone. But now she's here.'"
"To even give her a hug and hold her for five minutes, it's amazing," says Roux. "Not the real thing, but it's still amazing."
The hardest part were the goodbyes. They decided to put the boys down to sleep before she leaves. That way, "It's not like a big horrible goodbye," she says. "I don't know if it's more for me or for them."
A way out
At one point, the family was offered a way out of their forced separation.
Leadership at the hospital told Jenkins they could take her off the frontlines, so she wouldn't have to risk exposure to COVID-19.
But she barely considered the offer before turning it down. Other doctors at her hospital, she says, are older and at higher risk. And she felt the need to contribute during a public health emergency.
"I don't think anyone would've begrudged me," Jenkins says. "But it didn't feel right to me."
She remembers calling Roux soon after. "I was actually a little nervous to tell him that I had said no," she says.
But he immediately told her: I hope you turned down the offer.
"You're a doctor," he recalls telling her. "You provide an amazing service to women. That's your calling. It's what you do."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins
They agree it was the right decision. Still, at times, Jenkins says she feels a creeping sense of "betrayal" by her job. It was hardest that day in March, when she first learned she might have exposed her family. But every now and then it comes back.
"My job is a huge part of who I am. And it's a source of so much of my pride and my joy and my sense of self," she says. "For the first time, I felt like my job was making me choose between my life's work and the wellness of my family."
Roux says his experience with cancer, and their long ordeal with the kids' time in intensive care, has made him a firm believer in the idea that "s*** happens," but you push on.
"I said to Lauren, 'With all the stuff that we've gone through in the last couple of years, this is just a small ripple in the lake,'" he says. "'We just get through it.'"
'Nobody knows when it's going to end'
The day after Mother's Day, the couple decided to switch places. Jenkins was missing the kids, and Roux was struggling to keep up with them.
After talking with experts, they decided that the risk to their kids was low enough that she could return home. But this time, Roux would leave and stay at a family member's spare apartment.
"When she came home, I already had all my stuff packed up in my truck," he says. "She came in through one door and I waved at her and said I loved her and went out the other door."
When the pandemic started, they hadn't really considered that it could go on past the summer. But now they're thinking about what it'll mean to stay apart indefinitely.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins Courtesy of Lauren Jenkins
"It's a whole lot of questions with no answers, because nobody really knows," says Jenkins. "Nobody knows when it's going to end. We don't even know antibodies actually confer immunity or if it means you can get it the second time. What happens then?"
Roux, in particular, is worried that officials will end lockdown policies too quickly.
"I want to see the numbers come way down below before people start thinking that it's safe," he says. "Not just because of me, but there's the elderly and other people with immune deficiency."
Every day, he still comes by the house to work on the yard, even just to see his family from a safe distance.
"I get to see my kids through the window, but I can't touch them," he says. "It's awful, because I love my boys and they're fun and I'm dad. And, you know, if Lauren comes home and I'm still in the yard, I've got to stay like 10, 12 feet away from her.
"And I just kind of give her one of those air kisses, you know? I tell her I love her. And then we always say, 'this is weird.' You know, it's just so darn weird. But it won't last forever."


npr--2020-06-07--'Breathe, Pray, Meditate': Born From Resistance, Black Churches Now Leading In Crises

'Breathe , Pray , Meditate ' : Born From Resistance , Black Churches Now Leading In Crises The doors of Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit have been closed for weeks .
The 95-year-old church 's pews are empty .
Ministry continues , with no in person presence .
What Pastor Kenneth Flowers says he misses most are `` holy hugs . ''
`` When church is dismissed , I say , 'Give someone a holy hug and everyone turns and we always hug each other , ' '' Flowers said .
`` I thrive off of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hug my members , to hug my families , to hug my friends , to hug visitors .
I miss that so very much . ''
Born out of resistance , the black church often plays a key role in times of crisis .
But black America today is facing not just one crisis , but a convergence .
African-Americans have been hit harder by the virus and job losses .
And then there 's the other pandemic , as George Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump put it , systemic racism and discrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work within the system to upending it altogether , many black pastors say there 's been little leadership coming from Washington .
That sentiment grew stronger last week after President Trump spoke in the Rose Garden , while hundreds of peaceful protesters were removed from a nearby park so Trump could walk across the street to St. John 's Church .
Flowers saw the images of the president standing in front of the church 's boarded up facade .
`` He purposely raised up that Bible , he purposely went across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the church , did n't even kneel down , '' Flowers said .
`` He went there for a photo-op to appeal to his base , to appeal to the white Evangelicals .
But I got news for him , the God I serve is higher , than that . ''
In Baltimore , Pastor Donte Hickman of Southern Baptist Church , saw that moment a different way .
`` I ca n't begin to surmise what he thought , but I can say that in that Bible that he held in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , solutions and plans that Jesus gives us , '' he said .
Hickman previously attended an White House event with Trump , and has invited the President to visit Baltimore , too .
He has n't spoken to Trump since that 2018 White House event on minority economic opportunity but says he 's had some productive conversations with the administration on policy issues relevant to distressed communities .
`` Whatever his reasons for standing there with that Bible , I saw God still saying , ' I 'm in control , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distributed masks and hand sanitizer as it does each Friday , the Rev .
Traci Blackmon said that black churches `` have always been on the bottom rung ladder of all of this . ''
`` We 've always had to figure out how to take care of our community , to take care of our neighborhoods and take care of our seniors , even when the economy is booming , '' said Blackmon , associate general minister of justice at the United Church of Christ , who leads a church in Florissant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways , we 're ahead of the game with this , because we know how to survive with less , because we 've always had to survive . ''
She said that `` the way we are accustomed to being governed in this country is being challenged in ways that it has not been challenged in recent history before . ''
`` So I think it is all erupting and that makes this moment very different because we are in this moment partly created by a lack of leadership , '' she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ navigate this moment without leadership . ''
Los Angeles Rev .
Najuma Smith-Pollard did not attend any of the protests in her city .
Her 24-year-old son was killed by another man in 2018 , and the pain is still fresh .
She could n't bring herself to watch George Floyd 's memorial service on Thursday .
When we spoke that day , she was preparing to attend the sentencing for her son 's killer — virtually .
`` It 's very difficult , and part of why I did n't go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` I have two younger children and right now I 'm in a space where I 'm very protective of them .
I was n't going to take them out and protest cause I 'm kind of in protective space right now . ''
But Smith-Pollard has n't been silent .
Like other pastors , she 's been providing ministry through socially distanced drive-bys , virtual church and long — sometimes difficult phone calls .
Smith-Pollard 's advice to those struggling was simple .
`` Breathe , pray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` And it 's ironic that this man died screaming , ' I ca n't breathe , ' and we 're back to what we heard Eric Garner say . ''

'Breathe, Pray, Meditate': Born From Resistance, Black Churches Now Leading In Crises
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Goldman/AP David Goldman/AP
The doors of Greater New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit have been closed for weeks.
The 95-year-old church's pews are empty. Ministry continues, with no in person presence. What Pastor Kenneth Flowers says he misses most are "holy hugs."
"When church is dismissed, I say, 'Give someone a holy hug and everyone turns and we always hug each other,' " Flowers said. "I thrive off of the physical contact of being able to hug my members, to hug my families, to hug my friends, to hug visitors. I miss that so very much."
Born out of resistance, the black church often plays a key role in times of crisis. But black America today is facing not just one crisis, but a convergence. African Americans have been hit harder by the virus and job losses. And then there's the other pandemic, as George Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump put it, systemic racism and discrimination.
Though their approaches differ from wanting to work within the system to upending it altogether, many black pastors say there's been little leadership coming from Washington.
That sentiment grew stronger last week after President Trump spoke in the Rose Garden, while hundreds of peaceful protesters were removed from a nearby park so Trump could walk across the street to St. John's Church.
Flowers saw the images of the president standing in front of the church's boarded up facade.
"He purposely raised up that Bible, he purposely went across the street. He didn't even pray at the church, didn't even kneel down," Flowers said. "He went there for a photo-op to appeal to his base, to appeal to the white Evangelicals. But I got news for him, the God I serve is higher than that."
In Baltimore, Pastor Donte Hickman of Southern Baptist Church saw that moment a different way.
"I can't begin to surmise what he thought, but I can say that in that Bible that he held in front of that church are road maps, solutions and plans that Jesus gives us," he said.
Hickman previously attended a White House event with Trump, and has invited the president to visit Baltimore, too. He hasn't spoken to Trump since that 2018 White House event on minority economic opportunity, but says he's had some productive conversations with the administration on policy issues relevant to distressed communities.
"Whatever his reasons for standing there with that Bible, I saw God still saying, 'I'm in control,' " Hickman said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sid Hastings/AP Sid Hastings/AP
As her church distributed masks and hand sanitizer as it does each Friday, the Rev. Traci Blackmon said that black churches "have always been on the bottom rung ladder of all of this."
"We've always had to figure out how to take care of our community, to take care of our neighborhoods and take care of our seniors, even when the economy is booming," said Blackmon, associate general minister of justice at the United Church of Christ, who leads a church in Florissant, Mo. "So in some ways, we're ahead of the game with this, because we know how to survive with less, because we've always had to survive."
She said that "the way we are accustomed to being governed in this country is being challenged in ways that it has not been challenged in recent history before."
"So I think it is all erupting and that makes this moment very different because we are in this moment partly created by a lack of leadership," she added. "And now we have to navigate this moment without leadership."
Los Angeles Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard did not attend any of the protests in her city. Her 24-year-old son was killed by another man in 2018, and the pain is still fresh.
She couldn't bring herself to watch George Floyd's memorial service on Thursday. When we spoke that day, she was preparing to attend the sentencing for her son's killer — virtually.
"It's very difficult, and part of why I didn't go out and physically protest and I normally do," she said. "I have two younger children and right now I'm in a space where I'm very protective of them. I wasn't going to take them out and protest cause I'm kind of in protective space right now."
But Smith-Pollard hasn't been silent. Like other pastors, she's been providing ministry through socially distanced drive-bys, virtual church and long, sometimes difficult, phone calls.
Smith-Pollard's advice to those struggling was simple.
"Breathe, pray, meditate — breathe," she said. "And it's ironic that this man died screaming, 'I can't breathe,' and we're back to what we heard Eric Garner say."


npr--2020-06-07--Beyond Protests: 5 More Ways To Channel Anger Into Action To Fight Racism

Beyond Protests : 5 More Ways To Channel Anger Into Action To Fight Racism Protests against the violent deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and others are emboldening and expanding the movement to fight racism .
But to make progress , many of us may need to adjust our thinking — and our actions .
We talked to several African American and Hispanic psychologists and leaders for strategies to fight racism .
You know that old adage : `` Do n't talk about race and politics at the dinner table .
Well , we 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Polly Gipson , a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychiatry at Michigan Medicine , University of Michigan .
And while many African Americans have the talk with their kids about how to avoid altercations with the police or what to say if they are stopped , it 's important for white parents to talk to their kids about racism too .
`` Yes .
It 's uncomfortable , '' Gipson says .
`` But we ca n't avoid things that are uncomfortable — because this is part of the problem of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we should be , '' in eliminating racial injustices .
And the more people who join the conversation , the better .
`` A lot of people of color are tired .
We 're tired of being the unseen and misunderstood , '' says Inger E Burnett-Zeigler , a psychologist and associate professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University .
She 'd like to see more voices at the table .
`` I think it 's important for everyone , regardless of race , to ask , 'What is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` she says .
Ask yourself , 'Have I been a passive bystander , and how can I change that ? '
`` Perhaps it 's simply speaking up in situations where you may have been disinclined to speak up before , '' Burnett-Zeigler says .
These tragic events of recent weeks can also create an opportunity , because people are fired up .
Given all the anger and frustration , experts say there are strategies to channel these emotions into action .
1 .
Listen To People Closest To You , And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's your work colleagues , teammates , your children or extended family , one way to change hearts and minds is to listen .
When we stop talking and start listening , we validate others ' feelings and emotions .
And , we may find opportunities to educate .
For instance , `` People will say , my kids do n't see color , and kind of wear that as a badge of honor , '' says psychologist Gipson .
But if a white person says this to a black person , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it may be well-intended , the idea that people are colorblind is false .
`` All kids , even infants , discern differences in race , '' Gipson says .
`` It also invalidates people of color who have a 'lived experience ' that is not like their white counterparts , '' she explains .
People do n't want important parts of their identity to be erased , they want to be recognized and respected for the entirety of their person .
2 .
Use Your Voice In Your Community And Work Place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sports figures have when they speak out against racism , but we all have a voice .
For instance , millions of people signed a petition posted by Color of Change , one of the nation 's leading racial justice organizations , demanding charges against the officers involved in the death of George Floyd .
At the local level , identify a policy that disproportionately affects people of color .
Pick an issue in your community — whether it 's access to healthy food , school boundaries , or bail reform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing gunshots from his bedroom window , and he witnessed the aftermath of the unrest following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore in 2015 .
`` If I do n't speak up and do something , who will ? ''
Finney asks .
He 's now involved with several youth organizations , including GoodKids MadCity and Baltimore Ceasefire , which recruits youth ambassadors to help raise awareness of gun violence .
It has always been young people who push the civil rights movement forward , Finney points out .
And for adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reflect on what power you might have to shift change to promote diversity and equity , '' Burnett-Zeigler says .
If you 're a manager , have you promoted or hired people of color ?
If you 're a teacher , have you incorporated messages of racial diversity and civil rights into your curriculum ?
If you 've thought about signing up to be a tutor or mentor , now 's the time to do it .
`` Tutoring is a great example , mentoring is a great example , '' Burnett-Zeigler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can use your personal influence in private ways for good . ''
If you 're looking for a way to get started , check out the many national civil rights organizations -- or find a local , grass-roots group , says Janet Murguia , president and CEO of UnidosUS , a group that aims to empower Latinos to make change .
`` We 've partnered with organizations like Color of Change , National Urban League , Black Lives Matter and Race Forward , [ which ] are all doing incredible work in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , Race Forward offers interactive racial justice training courses and classes .
And she points to the race and healing collaborative supported by the Kellogg Foundation , which sponsors an annual National Day of Racial Healing event .
4 .
Speak Up By Using Your Creative Talents '' There are so many ways young people can use their talent and gifts , '' says Gipson .
On social media , we see examples of artists , from painters to jewelry makers , selling their wares and giving proceeds to an organization pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea , '' says Wizdom Powell , a psychologist and associate professor who directs the Health Disparities Institute at the University of Connecticut .
`` The idea here is to leverage your gifts and leverage your privilege , because we all have some of that , '' Powell says .
She points to an art competition that her institute organizes around visualizing health disparities .
Art can play a role in healing and activism for health equity and social justice , she says .
`` The arts have long been a vital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult ones , into something tangible , '' says Jeremy Nobel , a physician who founded the Foundation for Art and Healing .
`` Expressive artifacts that make sense of the moment , bear witness and catalyze change . ''
In times of distress , people can use art to access and communicate difficult thoughts and feelings , especially ones that are hard to talk about , '' Nobel says .
`` [ Art ] offers a unique and powerful way to speak up , be heard , and be witnessed . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent spate of deaths and racial trauma , it can feel overwhelming , says GiShawn Mance , a psychologist at Howard University .
She says , she feels it personally .
She leads healing circles , which can help people connect and grieve .
She also facilitates restorative justice circles — which aim to bring people who are trying to settle a conflict together .
But Mance says , in recent days she 's needed to take some time for herself .
`` It 's been hard to concentrate on work , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national unrest and the COVID-19 epidemic , which has hit communities of color the hardest , she is pregnant and a close friend recently died .
`` It 's a lot , and there have been tears , '' she says .
This is a traumatic and stressful time especially for African Americans and people of color .
`` People put a lot of pressure on themselves to act or do something in this moment , '' Mance says .
So , her advice is this : `` The fight for equity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , do not put pressure on yourself to act or do something in this moment . ''
And she says , `` I 'm particularly talking to people of color and black people who are experiencing this . ''
`` It is difficult to help others when you are not OK , '' she says .
So , though self-care strategies will vary , take care of yourself and your mental health first , she says .
Then `` you can move forward in action to help others . ''

Beyond Protests: 5 More Ways To Channel Anger Into Action To Fight Racism
Enlarge this image toggle caption Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images
Protests against the violent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others are emboldening and expanding the movement to fight racism. But to make progress, many of us may need to adjust our thinking — and our actions. We talked to several African American and Hispanic psychologists and leaders for strategies to fight racism.
You know that old adage: "Don't talk about race and politics at the dinner table. Well, we've got to get out of that," says Polly Gipson, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychiatry at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan.
And while many African Americans have the talk with their kids about how to avoid altercations with the police or what to say if they are stopped, it's important for white parents to talk to their kids about racism too.
"Yes. It's uncomfortable," Gipson says. "But we can't avoid things that are uncomfortable — because this is part of the problem of why we're not as far along as we should be," in eliminating racial injustices. And the more people who join the conversation, the better.
"A lot of people of color are tired. We're tired of being the unseen and misunderstood," says Inger E Burnett-Zeigler, a psychologist and associate professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. She'd like to see more voices at the table.
"I think it's important for everyone, regardless of race, to ask, 'What is my role in this system?' " she says. Ask yourself, 'Have I been a passive bystander, and how can I change that?'
"Perhaps it's simply speaking up in situations where you may have been disinclined to speak up before," Burnett-Zeigler says.
These tragic events of recent weeks can also create an opportunity, because people are fired up. Given all the anger and frustration, experts say there are strategies to channel these emotions into action.
1. Listen To People Closest To You, And To People Of Other Races
Whether it's your work colleagues, teammates, your children or extended family, one way to change hearts and minds is to listen. When we stop talking and start listening, we validate others' feelings and emotions. And, we may find opportunities to educate.
For instance, "People will say, my kids don't see color, and kind of wear that as a badge of honor," says psychologist Gipson. But if a white person says this to a black person, it can be offensive. And, though it may be well-intended, the idea that people are colorblind is false.
"All kids, even infants, discern differences in race," Gipson says. "It also invalidates people of color who have a 'lived experience' that is not like their white counterparts," she explains. People don't want important parts of their identity to be erased, they want to be recognized and respected for the entirety of their person.
2. Use Your Voice In Your Community And Work Place
We don't all have the audience that sports figures have when they speak out against racism, but we all have a voice.
For instance, millions of people signed a petition posted by Color of Change, one of the nation's leading racial justice organizations, demanding charges against the officers involved in the death of George Floyd.
At the local level, identify a policy that disproportionately affects people of color. Pick an issue in your community — whether it's access to healthy food, school boundaries, or bail reform.
Rian Finney, 17, grew up hearing gunshots from his bedroom window, and he witnessed the aftermath of the unrest following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore in 2015.
"If I don't speak up and do something, who will?" Finney asks.
He's now involved with several youth organizations, including GoodKids MadCity and Baltimore Ceasefire, which recruits youth ambassadors to help raise awareness of gun violence. It has always been young people who push the civil rights movement forward, Finney points out.
And for adults, "look at your specific position and reflect on what power you might have to shift change to promote diversity and equity," Burnett-Zeigler says. If you're a manager, have you promoted or hired people of color? If you're a teacher, have you incorporated messages of racial diversity and civil rights into your curriculum?
3. Give Your Time
If you've thought about signing up to be a tutor or mentor, now's the time to do it.
"Tutoring is a great example, mentoring is a great example," Burnett-Zeigler says. "These are ways you can use your personal influence in private ways for good."
If you're looking for a way to get started, check out the many national civil rights organizations -- or find a local, grass-roots group, says Janet Murguia, president and CEO of UnidosUS, a group that aims to empower Latinos to make change.
"We've partnered with organizations like Color of Change, National Urban League, Black Lives Matter and Race Forward, [which] are all doing incredible work in this space," Murguia says.
For instance, Race Forward offers interactive racial justice training courses and classes. And she points to the race and healing collaborative supported by the Kellogg Foundation, which sponsors an annual National Day of Racial Healing event.
4. Speak Up By Using Your Creative Talents
"There are so many ways young people can use their talent and gifts," says Gipson. On social media, we see examples of artists, from painters to jewelry makers, selling their wares and giving proceeds to an organization pushing for change.
"I love that idea," says Wizdom Powell, a psychologist and associate professor who directs the Health Disparities Institute at the University of Connecticut.
"The idea here is to leverage your gifts and leverage your privilege, because we all have some of that," Powell says. She points to an art competition that her institute organizes around visualizing health disparities. Art can play a role in healing and activism for health equity and social justice, she says.
toggle caption Andre Rochester
"The arts have long been a vital and important way to process emotions, especially difficult ones, into something tangible," says Jeremy Nobel, a physician who founded the Foundation for Art and Healing. "Expressive artifacts that make sense of the moment, bear witness and catalyze change."
In times of distress, people can use art to access and communicate difficult thoughts and feelings, especially ones that are hard to talk about," Nobel says. "[Art] offers a unique and powerful way to speak up, be heard, and be witnessed."
5. Self-Care Is Important
For people who are reeling from the recent spate of deaths and racial trauma, it can feel overwhelming, says GiShawn Mance, a psychologist at Howard University. She says, she feels it personally.
She leads healing circles, which can help people connect and grieve. She also facilitates restorative justice circles — which aim to bring people who are trying to settle a conflict together.
But Mance says, in recent days she's needed to take some time for herself. "It's been hard to concentrate on work," she says. In addition to the national unrest and the COVID-19 epidemic, which has hit communities of color the hardest, she is pregnant and a close friend recently died. "It's a lot, and there have been tears," she says.
This is a traumatic and stressful time especially for African Americans and people of color. "People put a lot of pressure on themselves to act or do something in this moment," Mance says. So, her advice is this: "The fight for equity and justice is an ongoing effort; thus, do not put pressure on yourself to act or do something in this moment." And she says, "I'm particularly talking to people of color and black people who are experiencing this."
"It is difficult to help others when you are not OK," she says. So, though self-care strategies will vary, take care of yourself and your mental health first, she says. Then "you can move forward in action to help others."