npr--2020-01-29--Coronavirus: Americans Evacuated From Wuhan Will Remain At U.S. Air Base For 3 Days

Coronavirus : Americans Evacuated From Wuhan Will Remain At U.S. Air Base For 3 Days The 195 Americans who were evacuated from Wuhan , China , because of the coronavirus outbreak will remain at a military base in Southern California for three days while medical staff monitor their health , federal health officials said Wednesday .
`` These people are not under federal quarantine orders , '' said Dr. Chris Braden of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Instead , the evacuees have voluntarily agreed to a 72-hour `` hold '' that calls for them to stay at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of concern for others .
Braden said he greeted the passengers after their charter flight , which stopped in Alaska , landed at March Air Reserve Base .
`` They were happy to be here , '' he added .
While the passengers will stay at the base for three days , they will be actively monitored for the full 14 days of the virus 's incubation period , Braden noted .
During the evacuees ' stay on base , their blood tests will be sent to the CDC 's facilities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be available within the 72-hour period .
`` The CDC Atlanta lab is the only laboratory in the country that is able to do this testing for the novel coronavirus '' from Wuhan , said Rear Adm. Dr. Nancy Knight of the CDC .
The health officials faced repeated and pointed questions about the evacuees ' status and the three-day wait time during a news conference at the Riverside University Health System Medical Center .
Responding to journalists ' questions about hypothetical situations such as an evacuee demanding to leave before the three-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can leave .
However , they are sitting in the middle of a military base .
Any discussion around departure would be just that – would be a discussion . ''
Officials previously stated that more than 200 U.S. citizens were evacuated .
Later on Wednesday afternoon , Nancy Messonnier , the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , indicated that 195 passengers have been screened .
She added that State Department employees , medical officers and a pilot were also on board .
Braden said the passengers include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said one person had not been allowed to board the plane in Wuhan because they showed signs of being ill .
The evacuees cheered as their plane landed in Alaska late Tuesday .
It was a moment of relief and joy , even as health workers rushed to ensure that passengers do n't have the respiratory virus .
`` The whole plane erupted in cheers when the crew said , 'Welcome home to the United States , ' `` said Anne Zink , Alaska 's chief medical officer .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and uplifting experience . ''
The chartered airliner — a Kalitta Air Boeing 747 — landed Wednesday morning at the March Air Reserve Base in California 's Riverside County , about 65 miles east of Los Angeles .
It landed shortly after 8 a.m. local time , according to the flight tracking site Flightradar24 .
The flight was organized by the U.S. State Department to get diplomats , their families and other Americans out of Wuhan , the city that is the center of the fast-growing outbreak .
Before they headed to California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health screenings : two in Wuhan before their flight took off and two after they arrived in Anchorage , Alaska , for a refueling stop and initial processing .
In Alaska , the passengers were `` approved to continue on to California by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , '' the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said in a news release Wednesday .
While the evacuees are at the March air base , they will be cared for by the Department of Health and Human Services .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense press secretary Alyssa Farah said , `` DoD personnel will not be directly in contact with the evacuees and evacuees will not have access to any base location other than their assigned housing . ''
The evacuees will be closely monitored for any sign of the coronavirus .
If anyone falls ill , they will be taken to a local civilian hospital , Farah added .
Since it was first identified in Wuhan last month , the novel coronavirus , or 2019-nCoV , has killed more than 130 people , all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 6,000 confirmed cases , according to a tracking map created by Johns Hopkins .
The vast majority of the cases also are in China , primarily in Hubei province , where Wuhan has been placed under a virtual lockdown in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus .
But cases of coronavirus have emerged in more than a dozen other countries , including the U.S. and Canada .
Several international airlines have suspended or reduced flights to China , from British Airways to carriers in South Korea and Indonesia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — flights , train and buses — to neighboring China .
Similar to the U.S. evacuation flight , a Japanese flight from Wuhan landed safely in Tokyo on Wednesday .
`` Of course , decisions on evacuating citizens is up to the countries , '' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday .
`` But one thing WHO advises is that they have to prepare themselves if there is importation of cases .
So they need to really have a thorough understanding , comprehensive , on their actions . ''
The CDC says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posed by the coronavirus as `` low , '' travelers should avoid any nonessential travel to China .
`` The outbreak is growing and there is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas , '' the CDC said earlier this week .
The agency also recommends that people take simple steps to reduce the chances of spreading any respiratory illness , such as washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick .

Coronavirus: Americans Evacuated From Wuhan Will Remain At U.S. Air Base For 3 Days
Enlarge this image toggle caption Priscilla Dickey via AP Priscilla Dickey via AP
Updated at 11:15 p.m. ET
The 195 Americans who were evacuated from Wuhan, China, because of the coronavirus outbreak will remain at a military base in Southern California for three days while medical staff monitor their health, federal health officials said Wednesday, as the White House announced the formation of a special task force to handle the U.S. response to the outbreak.
"These people are not under federal quarantine orders," said Dr. Chris Braden of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Instead, the evacuees have voluntarily agreed to a 72-hour "hold" that calls for them to stay at the base both as a precaution and out of concern for others.
Braden said he greeted the passengers after their charter flight, which stopped in Alaska, landed at March Air Reserve Base. "They were happy to be here," he added.
The passengers will stay at the base for three days, they will be actively monitored for the full 14 days of the virus's incubation period, Braden noted.
During the evacuees' stay on base, their blood tests will be sent to the CDC's facilities in Atlanta — meaning their test results should be available within the 72-hour period.
"The CDC Atlanta lab is the only laboratory in the country that is able to do this testing for the novel coronavirus" from Wuhan, said Rear Adm. Dr. Nancy Knight of the CDC.
The health officials faced repeated and pointed questions about the evacuees' status and the three-day wait time during a news conference at the Riverside University Health System Medical Center.
Responding to journalists' questions about hypothetical situations such as an evacuee demanding to leave before the three-day period, Knight said, "They can leave. However, they are sitting in the middle of a military base. Any discussion around departure would be just that – would be a discussion."
Officials previously stated that more than 200 U.S. citizens were evacuated. Later on Wednesday afternoon, Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, indicated that 195 passengers have been screened. She added that State Department employees, medical officers and a pilot were also on board.
Braden said the passengers include children from 1 month old to teenagers. He also said one person had not been allowed to board the plane in Wuhan because they showed signs of being ill.
The evacuees cheered as their plane landed in Alaska late Tuesday. It was a moment of relief and joy, even as health workers rushed to ensure that passengers don't have the respiratory virus.
"The whole plane erupted in cheers when the crew said, 'Welcome home to the United States,' " said Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer. She described the scene as "a moving and uplifting experience."
The chartered airliner — a Kalitta Air Boeing 747 — landed Wednesday morning at the March Air Reserve Base in California's Riverside County, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles. It landed shortly after 8 a.m. local time, according to the flight tracking site Flightradar24.
The flight was organized by the U.S. State Department to get diplomats, their families and other Americans out of Wuhan, the city that is the center of the fast-growing outbreak.
Before they headed to California, the passengers had already undergone four health screenings: two in Wuhan before their flight took off and two after they arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, for a refueling stop and initial processing.
In Alaska, the passengers were "approved to continue on to California by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said in a news release Wednesday.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kerry Tasker/Reuters Kerry Tasker/Reuters
While the evacuees are at the March air base, they will be cared for by the Department of Health and Human Services. In a statement about their arrival, Department of Defense press secretary Alyssa Farah said, "DoD personnel will not be directly in contact with the evacuees and evacuees will not have access to any base location other than their assigned housing."
The evacuees will be closely monitored for any sign of the coronavirus. If anyone falls ill, they will be taken to a local civilian hospital, Farah added.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued late Wednesday, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham announced that the president was forming a task force to oversee "the Administration's efforts to monitor, contain, and mitigate the spread of the virus, while ensuring that the American people have the most accurate and up-to-date health and travel information." The group would be led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and include several other top administration officials and senior health officials, according to the statement.
Since it was first identified in Wuhan last month, the novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, has killed more than 130 people, all of them in mainland China. There are more than 6,000 confirmed cases, according to a tracking map created by Johns Hopkins.
The vast majority of the cases also are in China, primarily in Hubei province, where Wuhan has been placed under a virtual lockdown in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus. But cases of coronavirus have emerged in more than a dozen other countries, including the U.S. and Canada.
Several international airlines have suspended or reduced flights to China, from British Airways to carriers in South Korea and Indonesia. Kazakhstan has halted all mass transportation — flights, train and buses — to neighboring China.
Similar to the U.S. evacuation flight, a Japanese flight from Wuhan landed safely in Tokyo on Wednesday.
"Of course, decisions on evacuating citizens is up to the countries," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday. "But one thing WHO advises is that they have to prepare themselves if there is importation of cases. So they need to really have a thorough understanding, comprehensive, on their actions."
The CDC says that while it considers the immediate risk posed by the coronavirus as "low," travelers should avoid any nonessential travel to China.
"The outbreak is growing and there is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas," the CDC said earlier this week.
The agency also recommends that people take simple steps to reduce the chances of spreading any respiratory illness, such as washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick.
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NPR's Merrit Kennedy contributed to this report.


npr--2020-01-29--Space Traffic Is Surging, And Critics Worry There Could Be A Crash

Space Traffic Is Surging , And Critics Worry There Could Be A Crash A rocket from the commercial company SpaceX lifted off on Wednesday morning with some 60 satellites aboard .
Once they reached low Earth orbit , the satellites were released and began to fan out like a deck of cards .
They follow predictable paths around the Earth , but along the way those paths can cross with other things in orbit — satellites from other companies , old rocket stages , loose bits of metal — and cause a catastrophic collision .
Some satellite operations experts say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing stands in the way of disaster : an automated email alert sent to the inboxes of operators on the ground .
`` That is crazy , '' says Brian Weeden , director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation , which promotes sustainability in space .
`` But that 's currently the status of things . ''
Now Weeden and others feel it 's time for a hard look at the system for managing space traffic , which they think is ad hoc and ill-prepared for what 's to come .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ SpaceX has added nearly 200 satellites to a slice of the sky above Earth that 's already pretty congested .
It plans to launch hundreds more this year , as does a rival company , OneWeb .
Both companies say they are diligently complying with voluntary standards to minimize space debris , but critics say those standards simply are n't adequate .
`` We 're already out in front of the headlights , so to speak , '' says Moriba Jah , an expert in orbital mechanics at the University of Texas at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major cataclysm of some form will happen in space that will have very long-term consequences . ''
The closest thing the world has to a space traffic control is the U.S. military 's 18th Space Control Squadron .
`` Currently , we have a catalog of approximately 26,000 objects , '' says Diana McKissock , who helps oversee what the military calls `` space situational awareness . ''
( That 's a fancy name for keeping tabs on everything up there that 's bigger than about the size of a softball . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global network of radars and telescopes .
It takes measurements and then feeds them into an old computer .
`` It was first designed in 1983 , but the version that we currently use was considered operational in 1996 , '' McKissock says .
Each day , the computer system calculates thousands of potential collisions between objects and spits out the appropriate warnings .
With SpaceX launching satellites by the dozens , the 18th Space Control Squadron has been put to the test .
Each new satellite must be individually identified and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish its orbital path .
SpaceX says it is committed to helping ensure safety in space .
The company has been supplying the military with orbital data to speed the identification and tracking process .
`` I wo n't say it 's easy , '' McKissock says .
`` But I will say when faced with a challenge , it 's amazing what innovation can come out of meeting that challenge . ''
For critics of the current system , the real issues come after possible collisions are identified .
Once a warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military has no further role in what happens next .
`` There is nothing in place after we send those messages to ensure that people are making decisions that benefit the entire space community , '' she says .
About six months ago , a SpaceX satellite and a European Space Agency satellite were predicted to have a close pass .
SpaceX saw an initial email from the military and felt that the two satellites would probably speed by each other at a safe distance .
The problem , says Weeden of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a second email .
`` There was a new email they got that had a much closer approach that somehow got trapped in a spam folder or just did n't make it to the right people , '' he says .
`` That was a problem . ''
SpaceX says it has fixed that problem .
But Weeden says the real issue runs deeper .
There are no standards for how close is too close or what satellite operators should do if they get a notice of a possible collision : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every operator to decide for themselves what they want to do , if anything , in response to those close-approach warnings . ''
Jah says there 's an incentive not to move — because to get out of the way , satellites have to expend some of their precious fuel .
`` Propellant is like platinum up there , '' he says .
`` Whenever my propellant is gone , I 'm done .
I do n't make money or I lose the service . ''
Operators must weigh the risks to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they can arrive at different decisions .
SpaceX 's new Starlink system is supposed to entail thousands of satellites .
The company says it 's developing an automated collision-avoidance system so satellites can move themselves out of the way .
But that does n't satisfy Jah .
As many hundreds of new satellites go up this year , he says , the companies ca n't just make decisions in a vacuum .
Often , a company will rely on its own highly accurate data for its satellites — but use lower-quality public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have their own data .
All of this means that companies might not reach the same conclusions on the potential for a crash or how to move out of the way .
`` Each of them thinks of themselves to be quite smart , and we have the right people to maybe automate maneuvers or figure these things out , '' he says .
`` But that 's done in the absence of the reasoning of the other people . ''
Jah believes what 's needed is a global set of standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how close is too close and regulations that clearly lay out the right of way .
But , he says , such a system remains far off and there 's no obvious international body that could take on the responsibility for such rules .
In the U.S. , the Commerce Department might take a larger role .
The Trump administration has tasked that department with overseeing commercial uses of space , but it 's just getting started .
In the meantime , the job of coordinating space traffic remains spread across the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration , which approve and oversee launches .
Given the current system , Jah worries that a collision is only a matter of time .
If it happens , `` people will move swiftly to try to do something , '' he says .
`` But I think it 's going to be reactionary , unfortunately . ''

Space Traffic Is Surging, And Critics Worry There Could Be A Crash
Enlarge this image toggle caption SpaceX SpaceX
A rocket from the commercial company SpaceX lifted off on Wednesday morning with some 60 satellites aboard. Once they reached low Earth orbit, the satellites were released and began to fan out like a deck of cards.
They follow predictable paths around the Earth, but along the way those paths can cross with other things in orbit — satellites from other companies, old rocket stages, loose bits of metal — and cause a catastrophic collision.
Some satellite operations experts say that all too often, only one thing stands in the way of disaster: an automated email alert sent to the inboxes of operators on the ground.
"That is crazy," says Brian Weeden, director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation, which promotes sustainability in space. "But that's currently the status of things."
Now Weeden and others feel it's time for a hard look at the system for managing space traffic, which they think is ad hoc and ill-prepared for what's to come. In just three launches since November, SpaceX has added nearly 200 satellites to a slice of the sky above Earth that's already pretty congested. It plans to launch hundreds more this year, as does a rival company, OneWeb. Both companies say they are diligently complying with voluntary standards to minimize space debris, but critics say those standards simply aren't adequate.
"We're already out in front of the headlights, so to speak," says Moriba Jah, an expert in orbital mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin. "And I think a major cataclysm of some form will happen in space that will have very long-term consequences."
The closest thing the world has to a space traffic control is the U.S. military's 18th Space Control Squadron. "Currently, we have a catalog of approximately 26,000 objects," says Diana McKissock, who helps oversee what the military calls "space situational awareness." (That's a fancy name for keeping tabs on everything up there that's bigger than about the size of a softball.)
The military tracks all of it with a global network of radars and telescopes. It takes measurements and then feeds them into an old computer. "It was first designed in 1983, but the version that we currently use was considered operational in 1996," McKissock says.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cameron Hunt/21st Space Wing Public Affairs Cameron Hunt/21st Space Wing Public Affairs
Each day, the computer system calculates thousands of potential collisions between objects and spits out the appropriate warnings.
With SpaceX launching satellites by the dozens, the 18th Space Control Squadron has been put to the test. Each new satellite must be individually identified and tracked by the network long enough to establish its orbital path. SpaceX says it is committed to helping ensure safety in space. The company has been supplying the military with orbital data to speed the identification and tracking process.
"I won't say it's easy," McKissock says. "But I will say when faced with a challenge, it's amazing what innovation can come out of meeting that challenge."
For critics of the current system, the real issues come after possible collisions are identified. Once a warning message is sent, McKissock says, the military has no further role in what happens next. "There is nothing in place after we send those messages to ensure that people are making decisions that benefit the entire space community," she says.
About six months ago, a SpaceX satellite and a European Space Agency satellite were predicted to have a close pass. SpaceX saw an initial email from the military and felt that the two satellites would probably speed by each other at a safe distance. The problem, says Weeden of the Secure World Foundation, was that there was a second email.
I think a major cataclysm of some form will happen in space that will have very long-term consequences.
"There was a new email they got that had a much closer approach that somehow got trapped in a spam folder or just didn't make it to the right people," he says. "That was a problem."
SpaceX says it has fixed that problem. But Weeden says the real issue runs deeper. There are no standards for how close is too close or what satellite operators should do if they get a notice of a possible collision: "It's up to each and every operator to decide for themselves what they want to do, if anything, in response to those close-approach warnings."
Jah says there's an incentive not to move — because to get out of the way, satellites have to expend some of their precious fuel. "Propellant is like platinum up there," he says. "Whenever my propellant is gone, I'm done. I don't make money or I lose the service." Operators must weigh the risks to their satellite against these very real costs, and they can arrive at different decisions.
SpaceX's new Starlink system is supposed to entail thousands of satellites. The company says it's developing an automated collision-avoidance system so satellites can move themselves out of the way.
Enlarge this image toggle caption SpaceX SpaceX
But that doesn't satisfy Jah. As many hundreds of new satellites go up this year, he says, the companies can't just make decisions in a vacuum. Often, a company will rely on its own highly accurate data for its satellites — but use lower-quality public data for other objects. Foreign governments also have their own data. All of this means that companies might not reach the same conclusions on the potential for a crash or how to move out of the way.
"Each of them thinks of themselves to be quite smart, and we have the right people to maybe automate maneuvers or figure these things out," he says. "But that's done in the absence of the reasoning of the other people."
Jah believes what's needed is a global set of standards for what data to use and for how close is too close and regulations that clearly lay out the right of way. But, he says, such a system remains far off and there's no obvious international body that could take on the responsibility for such rules.
In the U.S., the Commerce Department might take a larger role. The Trump administration has tasked that department with overseeing commercial uses of space, but it's just getting started. In the meantime, the job of coordinating space traffic remains spread across the military, which monitors for collisions, and the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration, which approve and oversee launches.
Given the current system, Jah worries that a collision is only a matter of time. If it happens, "people will move swiftly to try to do something," he says. "But I think it's going to be reactionary, unfortunately."


npr--2020-01-29--The Thinking Behind China's Quarantines ... And (Illegal) Village Blockades

The Thinking Behind China 's Quarantines ... And ( Illegal ) Village Blockades More than a dozen cities in the Chinese province of Hubei are under official lockdown .
And some cities and villages are taking it upon themselves to seal off their communities — even if their actions are n't legal .
It 's all to prevent the spread of a new strain of coronavirus that has killed over 130 people and sickened more than 5,900 in China .
What do these measures consist of ?
And do scientists think they will help contain this rapidly spreading virus ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a city of 11 million that 's the epicenter of the outbreak .
Wuhan has gradually shut down all transportation channels for entering and leaving the city — no flights , trains , buses or boats .
Movements within the city have become highly restricted as private cars are banned from traveling on the streets unless explicitly authorized by the government .
Speaking on Sunday , Wuhan 's mayor admitted that 5 million residents had been able to leave the city before the quarantine was put in place , many for the Lunar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
The incubation period for the virus is not yet known but currently the range is believed to be between two and 14 days .
Beijing authorities are asking anyone who has visited Hubei province this month to self-quarantine for two weeks in case they contracted the virus but have not yet shown symptoms .
In the neighboring province of Jiangxi is Jiujiang , a city of 4.7 million , where four cases have been diagnosed .
It 's not under official lockdown but is screening people 's temperatures and blocking outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On a visit to the city on Monday and Tuesday , only a handful of residents could be seen walking along its streets , almost all wearing face masks .
People are allowed to drive their own cars , but cars with license plates from other parts of China are not permitted in .
There is limited public transport .
The holiday from work over Lunar New Year has been extended .
Jiujiang is also focused on identifying and isolating those with a travel history from Wuhan both by asking people to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their neighbors .
And health ministry workers are posted at makeshift checkpoints on China 's interprovincial highways into Jiujiang , where all drivers and passengers must undergo temperature screenings if driving between cities .
Anyone with a temperature higher than 37.3 degrees Celsius ( 99.14 Fahrenheit ) will be pulled aside for further examination .
It takes a great deal of effort to implement such measures — distributing thermometers at hotels and other locations , teaching folks how to use them and stationing guards at highway exits .
In addition to official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caution have led many Chinese villages and towns around Jiujiang to take on voluntary , preventative measures .
On the outskirts of Jiujiang , I find myself barred from entering a cluster of 18 villages where several thousand people live .
In one village , a hand-painted sign stuck between the metal bars blocking the main road reads , `` Anyone from out of town , any cars from out of town ca n't enter . ''
The entrance to Zhaoping , a village of around 2,000 , is now obstructed by bamboo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarded around the clock by village cadres , kept warm inside a hastily-built shed .
Residents say at least hundreds of migrant workers who work in Wuhan returned home , to this village , for the Lunar New Year .
`` So we have them under 24-hour supervision now , '' says a village guard .
`` They ca n't leave . ''
Asked whether he 's worried that food will be in short supply , the guard says residents largely depend on their own farmland for sustenance .
Other villagers had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar measures are being implemented in villages across Jiangxi , which shares a border with Hubei province , where the virus was first identified .
Villagers across China are blocking roads with whatever they have on hand , including boulders , large tractors and wooden spears .
Some even dug up the village 's asphalt road to thwart visitors in provinces adjacent to Hubei , such as Henan .
Anyi County , just north of Nanchang , said Sunday it was sealing off another cluster of villages to `` resolutely curb the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing videos of villages shutting themselves off and experiencing it in my own village , I believe that quarantines in rural places could be more humane and be improved , '' a woman who drove to her ancestral home in Shandong province wrote in a well-known Chinese newspaper .
These rural quarantines are not legal .
China 's public security chief underscored in a press conference Tuesday afternoon that destroying roads and setting up unauthorized roadblocks are illegal and urged police across the country to enforce traffic regulations .
As for the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the potential to help — but also raise questions about how they 're carried out .
`` Rather than too little , too late , I believe better late than never , '' says Brandon Brown , a professor at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine who was quarantined in a Singapore dorm during the SARS outbreak .
`` If there are approximately 5,000 people infected with the novel coronavirus in mainland China , then quarantine measures can still be useful even if done at a late stage .
The benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection .
The risk is how the quarantine is done , if people comply and if important resources are cut off from the regions under quarantine .
`` These quarantines must be done humanely , '' he adds , pointing to quarantines in `` resource-poor settings where people trying to stay alive are kept behind a barbed wire fence . ''
`` It is a bit of a challenge and really we wo n't know if it 's effective until after we gain control and prevent significant transmission locally , '' says Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School of Medicine , who does research on viral infections .
Quarantines have been show to be effective in the past , he says .
`` For example , during the 2009 swine flu pandemic , there was a significant reduction in public events in Mexico City and that appeared to reduce the risk of transmission .
So there is clear benefit .
Whether or not it will be incredibly beneficial for this virus wo n't be known until we come through to the other side . ''

The Thinking Behind China's Quarantines ... And (Illegal) Village Blockades
Enlarge this image toggle caption Amy Cheng/NPR Amy Cheng/NPR
More than a dozen cities in the Chinese province of Hubei are under official lockdown. And some cities and villages are taking it upon themselves to seal off their communities — even if their actions aren't legal.
It's all to prevent the spread of a new strain of coronavirus that has killed over 130 people and sickened more than 5,900 in China.
What do these measures consist of? And do scientists think they will help contain this rapidly spreading virus?
The strictest quarantine is in Wuhan, a city of 11 million that's the epicenter of the outbreak.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Arek Rataj/AP Arek Rataj/AP
Wuhan has gradually shut down all transportation channels for entering and leaving the city — no flights, trains, buses or boats. Movements within the city have become highly restricted as private cars are banned from traveling on the streets unless explicitly authorized by the government.
Daniel Wood
Speaking on Sunday, Wuhan's mayor admitted that 5 million residents had been able to leave the city before the quarantine was put in place, many for the Lunar New Year holiday, which began last week. The incubation period for the virus is not yet known but currently the range is believed to be between two and 14 days. Beijing authorities are asking anyone who has visited Hubei province this month to self-quarantine for two weeks in case they contracted the virus but have not yet shown symptoms.
In the neighboring province of Jiangxi is Jiujiang, a city of 4.7 million, where four cases have been diagnosed. It's not under official lockdown but is screening people's temperatures and blocking outside cars and long-distance buses from entering. On a visit to the city on Monday and Tuesday, only a handful of residents could be seen walking along its streets, almost all wearing face masks. People are allowed to drive their own cars, but cars with license plates from other parts of China are not permitted in. There is limited public transport. The holiday from work over Lunar New Year has been extended.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Amy Cheng/NPR Amy Cheng/NPR
Jiujiang is also focused on identifying and isolating those with a travel history from Wuhan both by asking people to come forward and also encouraging others to report on their neighbors.
And health ministry workers are posted at makeshift checkpoints on China's interprovincial highways into Jiujiang, where all drivers and passengers must undergo temperature screenings if driving between cities. Anyone with a temperature higher than 37.3 degrees Celsius (99.14 Fahrenheit) will be pulled aside for further examination.
It takes a great deal of effort to implement such measures — distributing thermometers at hotels and other locations, teaching folks how to use them and stationing guards at highway exits.
In addition to official measures, suspicion and an overabundance of caution have led many Chinese villages and towns around Jiujiang to take on voluntary, preventative measures.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Amy Cheng/NPR Amy Cheng/NPR
On the outskirts of Jiujiang, I find myself barred from entering a cluster of 18 villages where several thousand people live. In one village, a hand-painted sign stuck between the metal bars blocking the main road reads, "Outside people and cars forbidden from entering."
The entrance to Zhaoping, a village of around 2,000, is now obstructed by bamboo sticks tied with red trash bags and guarded around the clock by village cadres, kept warm inside a hastily-built shed.
Residents say at least hundreds of migrant workers who work in Wuhan returned home, to this village, for the Lunar New Year.
"So we have them under 24-hour supervision now," says a village guard. "They can't leave."
Asked whether he's worried that food will be in short supply, the guard says residents largely depend on their own farmland for sustenance. Other villagers had the same viewpoint.
Notices posted online show similar measures are being implemented in villages across Jiangxi, which shares a border with Hubei province, where the virus was first identified. Villagers across China are blocking roads with whatever they have on hand, including boulders, large tractors and wooden spears. Some even dug up the village's asphalt road to thwart visitors in provinces adjacent to Hubei, such as Henan. Anyi County, just north of Nanchang, said Sunday it was sealing off another cluster of villages to "resolutely curb the spread of the epidemic."
"After seeing videos of villages shutting themselves off and experiencing it in my own village, I believe that quarantines in rural places could be more humane and be improved," a woman who drove to her ancestral home in Shandong province wrote in a well-known Chinese newspaper.
These rural quarantines are not legal. China's public security chief underscored in a press conference Tuesday afternoon that destroying roads and setting up unauthorized roadblocks are illegal and urged police across the country to enforce traffic regulations.
As for the official quarantine efforts, researchers believe they have the potential to help — but also raise questions about how they're carried out.
"Rather than too little, too late, I believe better late than never," says Brandon Brown, a professor at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine who was quarantined in a Singapore dorm during the SARS outbreak.
"If there are approximately 5,000 people infected with the novel coronavirus in mainland China, then quarantine measures can still be useful even if done at a late stage. The benefit is to prevent the further spread of infection. The risk is how the quarantine is done, if people comply and if important resources are cut off from the regions under quarantine.
"These quarantines must be done humanely," he adds, pointing to quarantines in "resource-poor settings where people trying to stay alive are kept behind a barbed wire fence."
"It is a bit of a challenge and really we won't know if it's effective until after we gain control and prevent significant transmission locally," says Dr. Michael Ison of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, who does research on viral infections. Quarantines have been show to be effective in the past, he says. "For example, during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, there was a significant reduction in public events in Mexico City and that appeared to reduce the risk of transmission. So there is clear benefit. Whether or not it will be incredibly beneficial for this virus won't be known until we come through to the other side."


npr--2020-01-30--How The Iowa Caucuses Work — And Why They're Important

How The Iowa Caucuses Work — And Why They 're Important Iowa Democrats gather Monday to kick off the nominating contests that will pick the party 's presidential nominee — the person who will take on President Trump in November .
But how they do it is complicated .
The Iowa caucuses are kind of like neighborhood meetings where people get together and — out in the open , with no secret ballot — try to win over their friends , family and neighbors to support their preferred candidate .
The caucuses start a months-long process that eventually leads to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will vote for a candidate at the party 's national convention .
It 's a complex , unique and exhausting process that might go a little differently if done in a place that was temperamentally unlike Iowa .
The caucuses quadrennially come under fire for being overwhelmingly white and not representative of the country , let alone the Democratic Party .
But the candidates have spent millions there and over the last 40 years , and it 's been very predictive of who becomes the Democratic nominee .
Let 's break down how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the caucuses take place ?
They begin at 7 p.m. CT ( 8 p.m .
ET ) and are expected to last roughly an hour .
The Iowa Democratic Party is trying to expedite the process this year with just two rounds of caucusing , so they may very well be wrapped up in less than an hour .
The caucuses are `` open . ''
In other words , any registered voter in the state can participate .
But for as much attention as the caucuses get , not many Iowans actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , less than 16 % of people eligible to vote actually caucused .
And that was the second-highest turnout in the history of the Iowa Democratic caucuses , at more than 171,000 people .
The record was 239,000 in 2008 .
For what it 's worth , given the record number of candidates this year , the Iowa Democratic Party is anticipating a record-breaking turnout .
Where do the caucuses happen ?
They happen all around the state 's 99 counties at 1,678 precinct locations , including in people 's homes , public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know who wins ?
This year will be extra confusing , because the state party will release three different results : • the statewide preference after the first alignment ; • the preference after the second alignment ; • and the final `` State Delegate Equivalents , '' or SDEs .
SDEs are the estimated number of delegates each candidate would get to the congressional district and state conventions .
Various campaigns will use the potentially differing results to their advantage , but delegates are the name of the game in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built up operations with hundreds of staffers and volunteers in the state , to show their grassroots support and campaign strength of organization .
So while the first two results will be useful to inform analyses , the `` winner '' will be who gets the most SDEs .
How are the delegates selected ?
The caucusgoers from the 1,678 precincts determine 11,402 delegates , who will go to county conventions on March 21 .
They are then filtered to a smaller universe of delegates who go to the congressional district conventions April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then , finally , just 41 delegates who get to go to the national convention July 13-16 in Milwaukee , Wis. To hold onto delegates , campaigns have to try and keep activists and staffers at each of these steps because they are not bound to their candidates , and often the results can be very different from the caucus night results .
For example , on the Republican side in 2012 , Ron Paul 's band of activists gamed the system , stuck around for each step , wound up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end ( despite losing on caucus night ) , and took over the Iowa GOP .
How do the caucuses themselves work ?
There are two rounds of caucusing , and candidates need to get at least 15 % of the assembled crowd in order to receive any delegates .
If a candidate does not get 15 % , they get no delegates , and their voters can re-sort and go to their second choice in the next — and final — round .
Once the re-sorting is finished , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is tallied and submitted using a complicated worksheet to figure out the number of delegates that would be assigned .
So if a candidate does n't get 15 % in the first round , he or she is eliminated ?
Pretty much .
That 's why candidates who have been polling far below that threshold have little chance of picking up any delegates .
It 's also worth noting that there is a 15 % threshold to pick up delegates in every Democratic nominating contest in every state .
This is a longstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of candidates splitting the vote and creating brokered conventions .
Are there any exceptions ?
There is one caveat in Iowa .
Someone who does n't get enough support in the first round has a chance to move into the final round if they can convince enough supporters of other nonviable candidates to lend them their votes for the second round .
Here 's an example : Say 100 people caucus , and in the first alignment , 25 go for Bernie Sanders , 22 for Joe Biden , 17 for Pete Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Amy Klobuchar , nine for Andrew Yang and three for Tom Steyer .
Sanders ' , Biden 's and Buttigieg 's support is locked in .
Their numbers ca n't decline in the next round .
If Warren 's team convinces one Klobuchar , Yang or Steyer first-round supporter to go with her , she 'd be viable and would get some delegates .
In theory , if Warren 's supporters convinced , say , all of Klobuchar 's , Yang 's and Steyer 's backers to go with her , Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the caucus site .
The odds of that are not very good , but the `` Zombie Candidate '' is , in theory , possible .
Is there any check on the number of caucusgoers tallied ?
Yes .
For the first time this year , caucusgoers will write down who they are supporting so there will be paper backups , in case recounts are necessary .
There was no way to do a recount in previous years , and that became a problem in some caucus locations in 2016 because at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flip between Sanders and Hillary Clinton .
There are eight unpledged delegates in Iowa who bypass this whole process and go straight to the national convention .
They are officially called `` automatic delegates '' now .
They used to be colloquially called `` superdelegates . ''
That was never their official name , but the media would call them that and members of the DNC would use it , too , because these current and former party leaders ' and elected officials ' `` super '' power used to be that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the convention .
They could tip the scales of a campaign for their preferred candidate , although most went with the direction the political wind was blowing and backed the candidate ahead in the delegate race .
Still , as a result of the 2016 election , when so many came out early for Clinton , the party listened to the protests of the Sanders campaign and supporters and stripped superdelegates of their ability to vote on the first ballot at the national convention ( unless there is already an overwhelming majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Does Iowa have a big number of delegates at stake ?
Not really .
Iowa only has 41 pledged delegates to the national convention , and , as noted , it takes months to pick them .
Those 41 delegates account for just 1 % of all pledged delegates .
( A candidate needs at least 1,991 delegates to become the nominee . )
Iowa and New Hampshire combined have just 2 % of the delegates , and the first four states , including Nevada and South Carolina , have just 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The real impact of these early contests is momentum — who does well , who does n't and who beats expectations will determine who continues to see a viable path for themselves to the nomination .
And Iowa in particular is important for the Democratic nomination .
The last seven of nine people who have won Iowa have gone on to be the nominee , including the last four .
It 's all why — despite the caucuses being more than 90 % white — as of two weeks ago , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ads in Iowa alone .

How The Iowa Caucuses Work — And Why They're Important
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charlie Neibergall/AP Charlie Neibergall/AP
Iowa Democrats gather Monday to kick off the nominating contests that will pick the party's presidential nominee — the person who will take on President Trump in November.
But how they do it is complicated.
The Iowa caucuses are kind of like neighborhood meetings where people get together and — out in the open, with no secret ballot — try to win over their friends, family and neighbors to support their preferred candidate.
The caucuses start a months-long process that eventually leads to the selection of 41 delegates, who will vote for a candidate at the party's national convention. It's a complex, unique and exhausting process that might go a little differently if done in a place that was temperamentally unlike Iowa.
The caucuses quadrennially come under fire for being overwhelmingly white and not representative of the country, let alone the Democratic Party. But the candidates have spent millions there and over the past 40 years, and it has been very predictive of who becomes the Democratic nominee.
Let's break down how all this works.
What time do the caucuses take place?
They begin at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) and are expected to last roughly an hour. The Iowa Democratic Party is trying to expedite the process this year with just two rounds of caucusing, so they may very well be wrapped up in less than an hour.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick Semansky/AP Patrick Semansky/AP
Who can vote?
The caucuses are "open." In other words, any registered voter in the state can participate.
But for as much attention as the caucuses get, not many Iowans actually participate. In 2016, for example, fewer than 16% of people eligible to vote actually caucused.
And that was the second-highest turnout in the history of the Iowa Democratic caucuses, at more than 171,000 people. The record was 239,000 in 2008.
For what it's worth, given the number of candidates this year, the Iowa Democratic Party is anticipating a record-breaking turnout.
Where do the caucuses happen?
They happen all around the state's 99 counties at 1,678 precinct locations, including in people's homes, public libraries and school gymnasiums.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
How will we know who wins?
This year will be extraconfusing, because the state party will release three different results:
the statewide preference after the first alignment; the preference after the second alignment; and the final "State Delegate Equivalents," or SDEs.
SDEs are the estimated number of delegates each candidate would get to the congressional district and state conventions.
Various campaigns will use the potentially differing results to their advantage, but delegates are the name of the game in Iowa. That's why the campaigns have built up operations with hundreds of staffers and volunteers in the state, to show their grassroots support and campaign strength of organization.
So while the first two results will be useful to inform analyses, the "winner" will be who gets the most SDEs.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gene J. Puskar/AP Gene J. Puskar/AP
How are the delegates selected?
The caucusgoers from the 1,678 precincts determine 11,402 delegates, who will go to county conventions on March 21.
They are then filtered to a smaller universe of delegates who go to the congressional district conventions on April 25, the state convention on June 13 and then, finally, just 41 delegates who get to go to the national convention July 13-16 in Milwaukee.
To hold onto delegates, campaigns have to try to keep activists and staffers at each of these steps because they are not bound to their candidates, and often the results can be very different from the caucus night results.
For example, on the Republican side in 2012, Ron Paul's band of activists gamed the system, stuck around for each step, wound up with the most delegates out of Iowa in the end (despite losing on caucus night), and took over the Iowa GOP.
How do the caucuses themselves work?
There are two rounds of caucusing, and candidates need to get at least 15% of the assembled crowd in order to receive any delegates.
If a candidate does not get 15%, they get no delegates, and their voters can re-sort and go to their second choice in the next — and final — round.
Once the re-sorting is finished, the number of people in each candidate's corner is tallied and submitted using a complicated worksheet to figure out the number of delegates that would be assigned.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nati Harnik/AP Nati Harnik/AP
So if a candidate doesn't get 15% in the first round, he or she is eliminated?
Pretty much. That's why candidates who have been polling far below that threshold have little chance of picking up any delegates.
It's also worth noting that there is a 15% threshold to pick up delegates in every Democratic nominating contest in every state. This is a longstanding Democratic National Committee rule to avoid lots of candidates splitting the vote and creating brokered conventions.
Are there any exceptions?
There is one caveat in Iowa. Someone who doesn't get enough support in the first round has a chance to move into the final round if they can persuade enough supporters of other nonviable candidates to lend them their votes for the second round.
Here's an example: Say 100 people caucus, and in the first alignment, 25 go for Bernie Sanders, 22 for Joe Biden, 17 for Pete Buttigieg, 14 for Elizabeth Warren, 10 for Amy Klobuchar, nine for Andrew Yang and three for Tom Steyer.
Sanders', Biden's and Buttigieg's support is locked in. Their numbers can't decline in the next round. If Warren's team convinces one Klobuchar, Yang or Steyer first-round supporter to go with her, she would be viable and would get some delegates. In theory, if Warren's supporters persuaded, say, all of Klobuchar's, Yang's and Steyer's backers to go with her, Warren would actually win the most delegates from the caucus site. The odds of that are not very good, but the "zombie candidate" is, in theory, possible.
Is there any check on the number of caucusgoers tallied?
Yes. For the first time this year, caucusgoers will write down who they are supporting so there will be paper backups, in case recounts are necessary.
There was no way to do a recount in previous years, and that became a problem in some caucus locations in 2016 when at least a dozen precincts were decided by coin flip between Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
What about "superdelegates"?
There are eight unpledged delegates in Iowa who bypass this whole process and go straight to the national convention. They are officially called "automatic delegates" now.
They used to be colloquially called "superdelegates." That was never their official name, but the media would call them that and members of the DNC would use it, too, because these current and former party leaders' and elected officials' "super" power used to be that they were able to vote however they wanted at the convention.
They could tip the scales of a campaign for their preferred candidate, although most went with the direction the political wind was blowing and backed the candidate ahead in the delegate race.
Still, as a result of the 2016 election, when so many came out early for Clinton, the party listened to the protests of the Sanders campaign and supporters and stripped superdelegates of their ability to vote on the first ballot at the national convention (unless there is already an overwhelming majority of delegates for one candidate).
Does Iowa have a big number of delegates at stake?
Not really. Iowa only has 41 pledged delegates to the national convention, and as noted, it takes months to pick them. Those 41 delegates account for just 1% of all pledged delegates. (A candidate needs at least 1,991 delegates to become the nominee.)
Iowa and New Hampshire combined have just 2% of the delegates, and the first four states, including Nevada and South Carolina, have just 5%.
Then why are they so important?
The real impact of these early contests is momentum — who does well, who doesn't and who beats expectations will determine who continues to see a viable path for themselves to the nomination.
And Iowa in particular is important for the Democratic nomination. The last seven of nine people who have won Iowa have gone on to be the nominee, including the last four.
It's all why — despite the caucuses being more than 90% white — as of two weeks ago, the candidates had spent $50 million on ads in Iowa alone.


npr--2020-01-30--Colorado Tries To Get Skiers Out Of Cars And Onto Buses To Tamp Down Traffic

Colorado Tries To Get Skiers Out Of Cars And Onto Buses To Tamp Down Traffic More than a half-dozen world-class ski resorts are less than 100 miles west of Denver .
The trouble is that they 're also some of the most popular — and there 's really only one road to get to them : the dreaded Interstate 70 .
`` In the beginning , I could leave at 6:30 [ a.m. ] or 7 [ a.m. ] and get here in one hour , '' said Midhun Mohan , who has skied at Loveland Ski Area for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I probably have to leave at 5:30 [ a.m. ] on a day like this , '' he said on a recent Saturday morning .
Travel time to this ski area just 60 miles west of Denver has increased by an average of 15 minutes since 2014 , according to state data .
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend in 2019 , more than 175,000 vehicles traveled this section of I-70 .
Travel time to Denver can reach three hours — or longer .
`` Last year , when our family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six hours to get back on a Sunday night , '' said Gov .
Jared Polis .
So the Colorado Department of Transportation has partnered with three ski resorts , including Loveland Ski Area , to run round-trip buses on weekends .
Because buses are more efficient than cars at moving large numbers of people on a tight , winding two-lane highway , state officials hope they 'll take enough cars off the road to alleviate some congestion .
`` It was great .
I think it 's the future , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Colorado 's bus fleet , with a capacity of about 500 passengers in a weekend , is n't big enough to have a noticeable effect on traffic just yet .
And since launching in December of last year , they 're running less than half full .
Bob Wilson , spokesman for the Colorado Department of Transportation , said it takes time to build up ridership .
`` What we 're hoping for is for the program to expand , '' Wilson said .
`` And the more cars , more vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the better it 's going to be .
Even if it 's a small dent , it 's a dent nonetheless . ''
Fares start at $ 25 round trip and are subsidized by resorts to keep them low .
`` We 're trying to be part of the solution , '' said John Sellers , marketing director at Loveland Ski Area .
`` Every person that gets on that bus essentially reduces a vehicle on I-70 and opens up another spot in our parking lot . ''
But that price was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Denver .
`` We did a little bit of calculation as far as like how much money we spend on gas to get up here , '' he said .
`` And we have a dog that we take .
If it were n't for the dog , we 'd probably take it . ''
There is more than just gas prices to consider .
Using the Internal Revenue Service 's mileage rate , which factors in things such as wear and tear , it costs about $ 70 to drive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply ingrained here , from the flexibility that cars give to the party atmosphere in resorts ' parking lots .
Even at 9 a.m. on a Saturday , scores of skiers and snowboarders were sipping craft beers and smoking marijuana .
`` Buses are n't usually for me , '' said Clay Briar of Golden , Colo. , because cars give him space for `` extracurricular activities . ''
`` Sitting in a bus in traffic with smelly strangers , I 'm not for it , '' added Emily Maynard , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend Lauren Feathers in the back of a Subaru .
Colorado is not alone in dealing with ski traffic .
The canyons outside Salt Lake City can jam up on weekends and powder days as well .
One resort there began charging parking fees this season to incentivize using public transit .
A resort outside Boulder , Colo. , pulled back on a similar plan in 2018 after intense public pushback .
Briar and other skiers said they 'd love to take a train to the mountains — those would n't get stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic completely , they argue .
But there are no active plans to build a passenger train service of any sort along I-70 .
One previous study of different types of trains from Denver to the Vail area estimated it could cost $ 10 billion to $ 32 billion .
So for now , skiers will have to be content to wait — either in their cars or on buses .
`` I guess it 's just the price you pay to ski , '' Feathers said .

Colorado Tries To Get Skiers Out Of Cars And Onto Buses To Tamp Down Traffic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nathaniel Minor/Colorado Public Radio Nathaniel Minor/Colorado Public Radio
Updated on Feb. 6 at 8:29 p.m. ET
More than a half-dozen world-class ski resorts are less than 100 miles west of Denver. The trouble is that they're also some of the most popular — and there's really only one road to get to them: the dreaded Interstate 70.
"In the beginning, I could leave at 6:30 [a.m.] or 7 [a.m.] and get here in one hour," said Midhun Mohan, who has skied at Loveland Ski Area for the last eight years.
"But now, I probably have to leave at 5:30 [a.m.] on a day like this," he said on a recent Saturday morning.
National Idaho Region Wants Skiing To Be Affordable For All Idaho Region Wants Skiing To Be Affordable For All Listen · 3:46 3:46
Travel time to this ski area just 60 miles west of Denver has increased by an average of 15 minutes since 2014, according to state data. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend in 2019, more than 175,000 vehicles traveled this section of I-70. Travel time to Denver can reach three hours — or longer.
"Last year, when our family went skiing in Vail, it took six hours to get back on a Sunday night," said Gov. Jared Polis.
So the Colorado Department of Transportation has partnered with three ski resorts, including Loveland Ski Area, to run round-trip buses on weekends. Because buses are more efficient than cars at moving large numbers of people on a tight, winding two-lane highway, state officials hope they'll take enough cars off the road to alleviate some congestion.
"It was great. I think it's the future," said Mohan, a first-time bus rider.
But Colorado's bus fleet, with a capacity of about 500 passengers in a weekend, isn't big enough to have a noticeable effect on traffic just yet. And since launching in December of last year, they're running less than half full. Bob Wilson, spokesman for the Colorado Department of Transportation, said it takes time to build up ridership.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Nathaniel Minor/Colorado Public Radio Nathaniel Minor/Colorado Public Radio
"What we're hoping for is for the program to expand," Wilson said. "And the more cars, more vehicles, we can get off the roadway, the better it's going to be. Even if it's a small dent, it's a dent nonetheless."
Fares start at $25 round trip and are subsidized by resorts to keep them low.
"We're trying to be part of the solution," said John Sellers, marketing director at Loveland Ski Area. "Every person that gets on that bus essentially reduces a vehicle on I-70 and opens up another spot in our parking lot."
But that price was not quite low enough for Kyle Helm of Denver.
"We did a little bit of calculation as far as like how much money we spend on gas to get up here," he said. "And we have a dog that we take. If it weren't for the dog, we'd probably take it."
There is more than just gas prices to consider. Using the Internal Revenue Service's mileage rate, which factors in things such as wear and tear, it costs about $70 to drive to Loveland and back.
But driving is deeply ingrained here, from the flexibility that cars give to the party atmosphere in resorts' parking lots. Even at 9 a.m. on a Saturday, scores of skiers and snowboarders were sipping craft beers and smoking marijuana.
"Buses aren't usually for me," said Clay Briar of Golden, Colo., because cars give him space for "extracurricular activities."
Emily Maynard was sipping a canned vodka cocktail in the back of a Buick. She and her friend Lauren Feathers said the bus intrigued them, but Maynard said, "I don't want to sit in that traffic that long."
Colorado is not alone in dealing with ski traffic. The canyons outside Salt Lake City can jam up on weekends and powder days as well. One resort there began charging parking fees this season to incentivize using public transit. A resort outside Boulder, Colo., pulled back on a similar plan in 2018 after intense public pushback.
Briar and other skiers said they'd love to take a train to the mountains — those wouldn't get stuck in bad weather and would operate outside traffic completely, they argue. But there are no active plans to build a passenger train service of any sort along I-70. One previous study of different types of trains from Denver to the Vail area estimated it could cost $10 billion to $32 billion.
So for now, skiers will have to be content to wait — either in their cars or on buses.
"I guess it's just the price you pay to ski," Feathers said.


npr--2020-01-30--Impeachment Trial Q&A Enters Last Day Before Moving To Vote On Witnesses

Impeachment Trial Q & A Enters Last Day Before Moving To Vote On Witnesses Senators weighing impeachment charges against President Trump will spend Thursday firing off questions to trial lawyers , as they did the day before , just as the specter of John Bolton 's appearance as a witness continues to stoke speculation .
Republicans would like Trump to be acquitted as soon as Friday , but Democrats are working behind-the-scenes to recruit enough conservatives to support bringing in witnesses to testify .
That effort is flagging , senators say .
`` The momentum is clearly in the direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Sen. John Barrasso , R-Wy .
`` We still have a couple members who said they want to listen to answers to questions , but that 's where the momentum is in the caucus right now . ''
Sen. Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , gave this assessment on where the votes stand on possibly bringing in witnesses : `` Probably no , '' Schumer told reporters .
`` But is it a decent , good chance ?
Yes . ''
Democrats need to convince at least four senators to cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough votes to subpoena witnesses .
And while a handful of moderate Republicans have indicated they are open to hearing from witnesses , the prospect of Democrats successfully enlisting enough conservatives to join their witness push looked increasingly dim .
Democratic leaders have even conceded that it now appears unlikely .
Meanwhile , Republicans spent some time on Wednesday saying that that once the door is open to witnesses , Republicans would like to call individuals including Joe Biden 's son , Hunter , who had served on a Ukrainian energy company board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint about Trump 's July 25 call with the Ukrainian president set the impeachment process into motion .
Asked what kind of delay witnesses would add to the trial , Trump defense lawyer Jay Sekulow said : `` months . ''
Sekulow added : `` This would be the first of many weeks . ''
Schiff bristled at this argument , saying Trump 's defense team is exaggerating the delay in order to discourage senators from supporting calling witnesses , including the former National Security Adviser John Bolton , whose possible appearance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his forthcoming book were publicly leaked .
`` You can subpoena John Bolton , '' Schiff said .
`` Do n't be thrown off by this claim , 'oh if you even think about it , we are going to make you pay with delays like you 've never seen , we 're going to call witnesses that will turn this into a circus , '' Schiff said .
`` It should n't be a circus .
It should be a fair trial .
You ca n't have a fair trial without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussing a possible deal involving a witness-for-witness swap .
Some conservatives were entertaining the idea of calling Hunter Biden as their witness .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said if Republicans are able to call just one witness it will be Hunter Biden .
`` Because he 's incredibly relevant to whether or not President Trump had a reason to believe that corruption was afoot in the Ukraine , '' Graham told reporters on Wednesday .
Over eight hours of debate Wednesday , Democratic House managers and Trump 's defense made their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday on whether the Senate will hear from witnesses .
White House lawyer Pat Philbin defended accepting `` credible '' information from foreign sources about someone running for public office , arguing that `` mere information is not something that would violate the campaign finance laws . ''
Democrats , including impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff and several senators , quickly lashed out .
Schiff called that policy `` corruption . ''
Sen. Debbie Stabenow said Democrats were in `` shock '' hearing the defense and Sen. Mark Warner said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more striking responses was to a question posed by Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , who asked whether a president ordering a quid pro quo in the foreign policy arena was ever appropriate .
The question was relevant to the heart of the articles of impeachment , which center on an allegation that Trump conditioned hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine on the country announcing investigations into Trump 's political rivals .
In other words , Democrats are accusing Trump of abusing his office by using a quid-pro-quo scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alan Dershowitz , one of Trump 's lawyers , took the sweeping view that if a quid pro quo is in the president 's `` electoral interest '' than it should never result in an impeachment , a broad interpretation of the powers of the executive branch .
`` If a president does something which he believes will help him get elected in the public interest , that can not be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment , '' Dershowitz said .
Dershowitz said if a president does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motive , '' but rather has a `` mixed motive , '' meaning a president is acting of the country 's interest and in hopes of improving re-election prospects , than the behavior can not warrant articles of impeachment .
`` How many presidents have made foreign policy decisions after checking with their political advisers and pollsters ? ''
he asked .
Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , called that argument brought Dershowitz `` into the land of legal absurdity , '' he tweeted .
`` That anything a public official does for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true . ''
Evaluating the first of two days ' of question-and-answers , Sen. Bob Casey , D-Pa. , said he did not think the day 's proceeding changed any minds .
`` I do n't think so in large measure , but it does force everyone to confront issues that sometimes you have n't thought as much about or sometimes you are familiar with , but not to the level of depth that you should , '' Casey said .
With a strong Republican majority in the Senate , Trump is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Booker and Lexie Schapitl contributed to this report .

Impeachment Trial Q&A In Final Day Before Vote On Witnesses
Enlarge this image toggle caption Senate Television via Getty Images Senate Television via Getty Images
Updated at 10:56 p.m. ET
Senators weighing impeachment charges against President Trump spent Thursday firing questions at lawyers as they did the day before, just as the prospect of former national security adviser John Bolton's appearance as a witness continues to stoke speculation. The Senate will enter its next phase Friday — considering whether to allow witnesses and evidence.
The president faces two articles of impeachment: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to accusations that he held up military aid to Ukraine until the country announced investigations into potential political rival former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
Late Thursday, Sen. Susan Collins said she would vote in support of allowing witnesses:
Democrats need four Republicans to support their push for witnesses.
On Thursday night at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, days ahead of the caucuses Monday, President Trump took jabs at House Managers prosecuting him over alleged abuse of office and obstruction of Congress.
"Congressional Democrats are consumed with partisan rage and obsessed with a deranged witch hunt hoax," said Trump to a booing crowd.
"We're having probably the best years we've ever had in the history of our country, and I just got impeached. Can you believe these people? I got impeached. They impeached Trump," Trump said. "That's not gonna work. Watch. Just watch," Trump said. "They want to nullify your ballots, poison our democracy and overthrow the entire system of government. That's not happening."
Roberts refuses early question
U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, presiding over the trial, refused to read a question from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
"The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted," Roberts said.
It is believed that Paul's question would have identified the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the House's impeachment investigation of Trump.
The person's identity is protected by law, and neither Roberts nor Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., want it to be in the official trial record. McConnell had urged senators to be respectful of Roberts, who is supervising the trial as specified in the Constitution while also attempting to keep above the partisan aspects.
"Madness"
House impeachment manager Adam Schiff, D-Calif., took issue with the wide view of presidential powers put forth by Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz on Wednesday.
In response to a question about whether a quid pro quo in the foreign policy arena was ever appropriate, Dershowitz said, "Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest."
He added, "If a president does something which he believes will help him get elected in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment."
After wide condemnation by Democrats and on social media, Dershowitz said his comments were misinterpreted.
But Schiff declared, "That way madness lies, if we are to accept the president essentially can do whatever he wants."
"Join us"
The answer to one question posed by Republican senators must have brought joy to the president's ears. Asked whether the president has the best interests of Americans and their families in mind, Trump attorney Eric Herschmann recited a litany of positive economic statistics in what may have sounded like a Trump reelection ad.
"There are more than 7 million jobs created since the election. Illegal border crossings are down 78% since May, and 100 miles of the wall have been built. The unemployment rate is the lowest in 50 years," he said.
Turning to the House managers, he concluded, "Maybe we could even get more done. Let's try something different now. Join us. Join us. One nation, one nation, one people."
Sen. Warren considers chief justice's position
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., had a sharply worded question for the House managers.
"At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government, does the fact that the chief justice is presiding over an impeachment trial in which Republican senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses or evidence contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the chief justice, the Supreme Court and the Constitution?"
Schiff answered by first saying, "The chief justice has presided admirably."
He added that the country "does deserve a fair trial," which, for Democrats, means calling witnesses.
"If they don't get that fair trial, it will just further a cynicism that is corrosive to this institution and to our democracy," Schiff said.
Acquittal at hand?
The Senate is expected to finish the 16 hours of written questions on Thursday night. On Friday, the Senate is expected to convene at 1 p.m. ET and have up to four hours of debate — equally divided between the managers and president's counsels — on whether to consider more evidence or witness testimony.
It is possible that at the end of that debate (or any time during or thereafter), the Senate will go in to closed session for private deliberation on the witness question. Only in closed deliberation can they speak to one another on the floor. There is no time limit for closed deliberations.
If the motion to consider more evidence is approved — a 51-vote majority is required — then senators can offer motions on which witnesses and documents they want to subpoena.
A 50-50 tie fails. Technically, the presiding officer, Roberts, could move to break a tie, but he is not expected to insert himself into a political process.
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If the motion fails, there are still any number of procedural motions Democrats could offer, and there is potential for another long series of votes. For example, Democrats could offer motions requesting more time to debate, but these would likely be delaying tactics or protest votes that will not affect the outcome.
When the lawmakers are done debating all motions, the Senate will then vote on each article of impeachment. Those votes could occur as early as Friday evening. Republicans would like Trump to be acquitted by then, but Democrats are working to recruit enough members to support bringing in witnesses to testify.
That effort is flagging, senators say.
"The momentum is clearly in the direction of moving to final judgment on Friday," said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. "We still have a couple members who said they want to listen to answers to questions, but that's where the momentum is in the caucus right now."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., tried to walk a tightrope when he gave his assessment on the possibility of bringing in witnesses.
"Probably no," Schumer told reporters on Wednesday. "But is it a decent, good chance? Yes."
Democrats need to persuade at least four Republicans to cross party lines in order to lock in enough votes to subpoena witnesses.
Among the most-discussed potential witness is Bolton, who has drawn attention because of a report in The New York Times that he wrote in a forthcoming book that the president had directly linked the aid for Ukraine to an investigation of the Bidens.
Speaking before Thursday's session, Schiff said the Trump administration has "gone to extraordinary lengths to put a muzzle on John Bolton to avoid calling him as a witness, to avoid letting the American people hear what he has to say."
Another House manager, Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, left the door open to the possibility that the House may subpoena Bolton if the Senate doesn't.
"We will see," Nadler said.
Republicans' witnesses
If the door does open to witnesses, Republicans have indicated they would like to call people such as Hunter Biden, who had served on a Ukrainian energy company board.
Republicans might also call the whistleblower.
Asked what kind of delay witnesses would add to the trial, Trump defense lawyer Jay Sekulow said "months."
"This would be the first of many weeks."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Senate Television via AP Senate Television via AP
But Schiff bristled at this argument, saying Trump's defense team is exaggerating the delay to discourage senators from supporting calling witnesses, including Bolton.
"You can subpoena John Bolton," Schiff said. "Don't be thrown off by this claim, 'Oh, if you even think about it, we are going to make you pay with delays like you've never seen. We're going to call witnesses that will turn this into a circus.' It shouldn't be a circus. It should be a fair trial. You can't have a fair trial without witnesses."
Some Republicans have been discussing a possible deal involving a witness-for-witness swap, in which Bolton might be exchange for Biden. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that if Republicans are able to call just one witness, it will be Biden.
"Because he's incredibly relevant to whether or not President Trump had a reason to believe that corruption was afoot in the Ukraine," Graham told reporters on Wednesday.
The speaker: This will leave a mark
At her weekly news conference on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said nothing can remove the asterisk Trump will now carry after having been impeached by the House.
Trump "will not be acquitted," she said. "You cannot be acquitted if you don't have a trial. You don't have a trial if you don't have witnesses and documentation. I would hope that the senators, if it comes to a tie or if there's a question of hearing testimony or receiving documents, they would leave it up to the chief justice."
Pelosi also said she was "very proud of our managers," saying they have been "magnificent custodians of the Constitution."
NPR's Brakkton Booker, Lexie Schapitl and Claudia Grisales contributed to this report.


npr--2020-01-30--Life Expectancy Rose Slightly In 2018, As Drug Overdose Deaths Fell

For the first time since 2014 , death rates in the U.S. declined and life expectancy showed a modest uptick , according to new data released in two reports Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Life expectancy at birth in 2018 was 78.7 years , 0.1 year longer than the previous year .
It may seem like a small increase , but for a population of around 350 million , the shift represents improvements in the lives of many people , says the CDC 's Bob Anderson , the chief of the Mortality Statistics Branch at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Statistics , who oversaw the new reports .
`` That 's a lot of people who ... avoided premature death , '' he says .
The average lifespan of an American had risen for decades , reaching 78.9 years in 2014 .
But it took a dip in 2015 , held steady in 2016 and dipped again in 2017 , largely driven by the steep growth in drug overdose and suicide deaths .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
The recent improvement was driven by decreases in death rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of death , including a 2.2 % decrease in cancer deaths ( part of an ongoing downward trend since the 1990s ) and a 2.8 % fall in deaths from unintentional injuries , which include drug overdoses .
The new numbers show that in 2018 , there were 4.1 % fewer drug overdose deaths than in 2017 , mostly in deaths involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids .
That `` includes drugs like oxycodone , which are commonly available by prescription , '' says Anderson .
`` We [ also ] saw declines in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
This is good news , says Dr. Daniel Ciccarone , a professor of medicine and an addiction researcher at the University of California , San Francisco .
`` It 's really the first positive change that we 've seen in a 20-year-long trend of drug overdose deaths . ''
As the new report shows , drug overdose deaths had risen every year since 1999 , until 2018 .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
`` I think these numbers suggest that some positive news is starting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to stem the tide on overdoses , '' says Kathryn McHugh , a psychologist at McClean Psychiatric Hospital and Harvard University .
Those efforts include improving access to treatment for opioid use disorder and access to overdose rescue , she notes .
But the new data `` need to be interpreted with the utmost caution , '' she says .
`` I do n't think we can interpret this as a win based on one year . ''
After all , more than 67,000 people still died from drug overdoses in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still a tremendously high number of fatalities . ''
Besides , she adds , the decrease in deaths from opioids was n't uniform around the country .
Fourteen states and the District of Columbia showed a decrease , whereas five states — California , Delaware , Missouri , New Jersey and South Carolina — saw an increase , and the other states did n't change significantly .
`` This has been an issue that has varied regionally from the very beginning , '' says McHugh .
Also , the improvement in drug overdose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a continuing trend , '' says Ciccarone .
He also points to more sobering data in the new report — the continuing increase in deaths from other drugs , especially synthetic opioids like fentanyl , but also stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine .
The rate of deaths involving synthetic opioids ( except methadone ) increased by 10 % between 2017 and 2018 , according to the new report .
The rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine increased by an average of 27 % per year from 2012 to 2018 .
The rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased on average by 30 % annually during that time period .
`` It 's worth noting that in many instances those stimulants are combined with opioids , '' notes Anderson .
`` So it 's fairly common to see fentanyl and methamphetamine , for example , or fentanyl and cocaine mixed together . ''
The use of a combination of drugs has increased over time , he says .
`` We seem to have sort of traded one set of drugs for another . ''
Ciccarone calls this disturbing trend the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' following a first wave fueled by prescription pills , a second wave from heroin and third , starting in 2014 from synthetics like fentanyl .
The drug combinations makes addiction a harder problem to tackle , he says .
`` The crisis deepens because of the poly-drug phenomenon . ''
McHugh agrees .
`` If we ignore that part of the crisis , we are going to see these numbers probably move in a bad direction , '' she says .
Tackling this will need a serious look at prevention efforts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this understanding that we 're just going to treat it as a supply-side phenomena , '' Ciccarone says .
`` As 'let 's stop the opioid pills , let 's stop the excess prescribing . '
`` Instead , we also have to address what 's driving the demand for these drugs in communities , he says .
`` There 's a large amount of social , economic , spiritual despair in this country , '' says Ciccarone .
`` And because we 've underappreciated that phenomena , we 've under-appreciated that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumption . ''
Addressing that despair , he says , will be key to preventing more people from turning to drugs in the first place .
Among other leading causes of death , the new data also showed a 1.4 % rise in suicide deaths rates between 2017 to 2018 .
`` It 's sadly consistent with previous years , '' says Jerry Reed , a suicide prevention expert and the senior vice president for practice leadership at Education Development Center , a non-proft organization .
`` We 've seen a gradual incline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the present . ''
But he also sees a glimmer of hope in the new numbers — the rate of increase of suicide deaths had slowed down .
It was `` markedly lower than the 4.4 % increase we saw from 2016 to 2017 , '' he says .
He says the change likely reflects the cumulative effects of years of suicide prevention efforts .
That includes having a national strategy for suicide prevention , a national suicide hotline for people in suicidal crisis , training health workers in hospitals and clinics in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts and mental health care access for youth .
`` We [ now ] have an awareness in our nation that suicides are preventable , not inevitable public health problem , '' says Reed .
`` And I think we 're beginning to see the fruits of our labor .
Now , it 's that that moment when we need to keep the light on and keep the investments coming so that people who struggle do n't have to do so in silence . ''
Overall , the new CDC data suggest that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foot off the gas , '' says McHugh .
`` If anything , we should be pushing harder on the public health [ front ] and try to continue to make progress . ''

Life Expectancy Rose Slightly In 2018, As Drug Overdose Deaths Fell
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
For the first time since 2014, death rates in the U.S. declined and life expectancy showed a modest uptick, according to new data released in two reports Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Life expectancy at birth in 2018 was 78.7 years, 0.1 year longer than the previous year.
It may seem like a small increase, but for a population of around 350 million, the shift represents improvements in the lives of many people, says the CDC's Bob Anderson, the chief of the Mortality Statistics Branch at the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, who oversaw the new reports.
"That's a lot of people who ... avoided premature death," he says.
The average lifespan of an American had risen for decades, reaching 78.9 years in 2014. But it took a dip in 2015, held steady in 2016 and dipped again in 2017, largely driven by the steep growth in drug overdose and suicide deaths.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
The recent improvement was driven by decreases in death rates from six of the 10 leading causes of death, including a 2.2% decrease in cancer deaths (part of an ongoing downward trend since the 1990s) and a 2.8% fall in deaths from unintentional injuries, which include drug overdoses.
The new numbers show that in 2018, there were 4.1% fewer drug overdose deaths than in 2017, mostly in deaths involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids. That "includes drugs like oxycodone, which are commonly available by prescription," says Anderson. "We [also] saw declines in deaths involving methadone and even ... heroin."
This is good news, says Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a professor of medicine and an addiction researcher at the University of California, San Francisco. "It's really the first positive change that we've seen in a 20-year-long trend of drug overdose deaths."
As the new report shows, drug overdose deaths had risen every year since 1999, until 2018.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
"I think these numbers suggest that some positive news is starting to come out of the many efforts to try to stem the tide on overdoses," says Kathryn McHugh, a psychologist at McLean Psychiatric Hospital and Harvard University.
Those efforts include improving access to treatment for opioid use disorder and access to overdose rescue, she notes.
But the new data "need to be interpreted with the utmost caution," she says. "I don't think we can interpret this as a win based on one year."
After all, more than 67,000 people still died from drug overdoses in 2018, says McHugh. That's "still a tremendously high number of fatalities."
Besides, she adds, the decrease in deaths from opioids wasn't uniform around the country. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia showed a decrease, whereas five states — California, Delaware, Missouri, New Jersey and South Carolina — saw an increase, and the other states didn't change significantly.
"This has been an issue that has varied regionally from the very beginning," says McHugh.
Also, the improvement in drug overdose deaths "could be a one-year pause in a continuing trend," says Ciccarone.
Troubling new addiction trends emerge
He also points to more sobering data in the new report — the continuing increase in deaths from other drugs, especially synthetic opioids like fentanyl, but also stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine.
The rate of deaths involving synthetic opioids (except methadone) increased by 10% between 2017 and 2018, according to the new report. The rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine increased by an average of 27% per year from 2012 to 2018. The rate of deaths involving stimulants like methamphetamine also increased on average by 30% annually during that time period.
"It's worth noting that in many instances those stimulants are combined with opioids," notes Anderson. "So it's fairly common to see fentanyl and methamphetamine, for example, or fentanyl and cocaine mixed together."
The use of a combination of drugs has increased over time, he says. "We seem to have sort of traded one set of drugs for another."
Ciccarone calls this disturbing trend the "fourth wave of the opioid crisis," following a first wave fueled by prescription pills, a second wave from heroin and third, starting in 2014 from synthetics like fentanyl.
The drug combinations makes addiction a harder problem to tackle, he says. "The crisis deepens because of the poly-drug phenomenon."
McHugh agrees. "If we ignore that part of the crisis, we are going to see these numbers probably move in a bad direction," she says.
Tackling this will need a serious look at prevention efforts.
"We have to move away from this understanding that we're just going to treat it as a supply-side phenomena," Ciccarone says. "As 'let's stop the opioid pills, let's stop the excess prescribing.' "
Instead, we also have to address what's driving the demand for these drugs in communities, he says.
"There's a large amount of social, economic, spiritual despair in this country," says Ciccarone. "And because we've underappreciated that phenomena, we've under-appreciated that there's a demand side to problematic drug consumption."
Addressing that despair, he says, will be key to preventing more people from turning to drugs in the first place.
Suicide rates still rise, but slower
Among other leading causes of death, the new data also showed a 1.4% rise in suicide deaths rates between 2017 to 2018. "It's sadly consistent with previous years," says Jerry Reed, a suicide prevention expert and the senior vice president for practice leadership at Education Development Center, a non-proft organization. "We've seen a gradual incline in suicide deaths from about 2000 until the present."
But he also sees a glimmer of hope in the new numbers — the rate of increase of suicide deaths had slowed down. It was "markedly lower than the 4.4 % increase we saw from 2016 to 2017," he says.
He says the change likely reflects the cumulative effects of years of suicide prevention efforts. That includes having a national strategy for suicide prevention, a national suicide hotline for people in suicidal crisis, training health workers in hospitals and clinics in suicide prevention, and funding for prevention efforts and mental health care access for youth.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (En Español: 1-888-628-9454; Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
"We [now] have an awareness in our nation that suicides are preventable, not inevitable public health problem," says Reed. "And I think we're beginning to see the fruits of our labor. Now, it's that that moment when we need to keep the light on and keep the investments coming so that people who struggle don't have to do so in silence."
Overall, the new CDC data suggest that "we certainly can't take our foot off the gas," says McHugh. "If anything, we should be pushing harder on the public health [front] and try to continue to make progress."


npr--2020-01-29--Journalist Gwen Ifill Honored With Black Heritage Forever Stamp

Gwen Ifill did n't want it to be a big deal .
The legendary journalist knew she 'd served as a trailblazer for women and especially a beacon of what is professionally possible for women of color .
But in an interview with The New York Times , she said she was eager for the days when it would not seem `` like any breakthrough at all '' for a black woman to be anchoring a national news program .
And yet , more than three years after her death , Ifill is still making breakthroughs .
This time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died at the age of 61 after battling cancer , will be memorialized on a new U.S .
Postal Service Forever stamp .
She 'll be the 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage series .
It features a photo of her taken in 2008 by photographer Robert Severi .
She looks relaxed , her smile reassuring and her gaze direct and friendly .
Essentially , the same image she projected into living rooms for decades as the host of some of television 's most respected news programs .
`` She touched my life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Allison Davis , one of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists told NPR .
`` She is what everybody should aspire to be . ''
Ifill started out writing for newspapers at a time when it was rare to have a black woman in the newsroom — the late 1970s .
`` I came to work one day and found that someone had left at my workspace a little note that said [ expletive ] go home , '' Ifill recalled of her time as a college intern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Makers documentary .
She went on to work for the Baltimore Evening Sun , The New York Times and The Washington Post before transitioning to broadcast journalism .
The postal service receives about 40,000 suggestions for commemorative stamps each year .
But only a handful of them actually make it to the post office .
While Davis says a woman of Ifill 's influence is deserving of the national honor , she says she resents somewhat that the gestures to honor important African Americans are made primarily made in February , Black History @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she should be honored all the months of the year .
Because that 's the incredible legacy she leaves , '' Davis said of Ifill .
The Ifill commemorative stamp will be issued on Thursday .

Journalist Gwen Ifill Honored With Black Heritage Forever Stamp
Enlarge this image toggle caption USPS via AP USPS via AP
Gwen Ifill didn't want it to be a big deal.
The legendary journalist knew she'd served as a trailblazer for women and especially a beacon of what is professionally possible for women of color. But in an interview with The New York Times, she said she was eager for the days when it would not seem "like any breakthrough at all" for a black woman to be anchoring a national news program.
And yet, more than three years after her death, Ifill is still making breakthroughs. This time, on a stamp.
Ifill, who died at the age of 61 after battling cancer, will be memorialized on a new U.S. Postal Service Forever stamp. She'll be the 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage series.
It features a photo of her taken in 2008 by photographer Robert Severi. She looks relaxed, her smile reassuring and her gaze direct and friendly. Essentially, the same image she projected into living rooms for decades as the host of some of television's most respected news programs.
"She touched my life because she was a damn good reporter," Allison Davis, one of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists told NPR. "She is what everybody should aspire to be."
Ifill started out writing for newspapers at a time when it was rare to have a black woman in the newsroom — the late 1970s.
"I came to work one day and found that someone had left at my workspace a little note that said [expletive] go home," Ifill recalled of her time as a college intern at the The Boston Herald in the Makers documentary.
She went on to work for the Baltimore Evening Sun, The New York Times and The Washington Post before transitioning to broadcast journalism.
As NPR's Eric Deggans wrote:
"She developed a reputation as a tough, incisive reporter who was serious about the work but never took herself too seriously. She achieved a lot of firsts. In 1999, she became the first black woman to host a national political talk show on TV - PBS' 'Washington Week In Review.' She was the first black woman to moderate a vice presidential debate in 2004, returning for the 2008 VP debate.
The postal service receives about 40,000 suggestions for commemorative stamps each year. But only a handful of them actually make it to the post office.
While Davis says a woman of Ifill's influence is deserving of the national honor, she says she resents somewhat that the gestures to honor important African Americans are made primarily made in February, Black History Month.
"She's historical, and she should be honored all the months of the year. Because that's the incredible legacy she leaves," Davis said of Ifill.
The Ifill commemorative stamp will be issued on Thursday.