npr--2020-05-04--Supreme Court Arguments Resume — But With A Twist

The U.S. Supreme Court begins an extraordinary two weeks of oral arguments Monday .
It will be the first time in history that the court has allowed live streaming of its audio , and the first time that the court is hearing arguments via telephone hookup , instead of in the flesh .
The justices are trying to simulate their normal arguments as much as possible , beginning with Chief Marshal Pamela Talkin calling the court to order with a slightly modified version of her usual `` Oyez , oyez , oyez ... . ''
After that , very little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguments are conducted over the phone , the justices and the lawyers can not see one another , and listeners will all try to imagine where the justices and lawyers are sitting or standing in their homes to hear or present arguments .
While most of the lawyers will be in their homes , the government 's lawyers will be making their arguments from the office of the Solicitor General , and in a bow to formality , they plan to wear their usual formal morning coat attire .
The lawyers we sampled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more comfortable standing , or even standing at a lectern , as they usually do during oral arguments , even though nobody can see them .
The arguments are limited to a half hour on each side .
And , as usual , each side will get to make an opening argument for two minutes uninterrupted .
After that , under normal circumstances , the justices engage in rapid-fire questioning of the lawyers , interrupting counsel frequently , and even , on occasion , each other .
But starting Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seniority , for two or three minutes each , with Chief Justice John Roberts starting off , followed by Justice Clarence Thomas — if he has any questions , which he rarely does .
( If Thomas asks a question , it will be the first time he has spoken from the bench in over a year , when he broke a three-year silence , which was preceded by a whopping 10-year silence from the bench . )
Next Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who often asks the first question in oral arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so on , ending with the court 's newest appointee , Brett Kavanauagh .
More questions will be permitted if there is time left at the end of the first round of questioning .
Lawyers say there will be big challenges with the new format .
`` You lose the ability to read body language .
That 's No .
1 , '' says Jay Sekulow , who will be representing President Trump in cases testing whether the president can be subpoenaed for his pre-presidential financial records either by Congress or by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
As Sekulow observes , oral argument is typically a `` pretty intimate event when you 're actually arguing in the courtroom .
You see them .
You can see their reactions .
You see if they nod to each other .
Here you 're doing this literally over a telephone line .
So you lose the intimacy . ''
Stanford Law professor Jeff Fisher , who will be arguing a religion case a week from Monday , agrees .
`` I just feel that not being able to see their faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real challenge .
It 's just a cost for how effective and useful the arguments are going to be . ''
The audio argument format presents another interesting twist for the court : For the first time ever , oral arguments will be available via livestream .
Typically , Supreme Court arguments are followed by a narrow group of lawyers , law students and court watchers .
But with millions of Americans stuck at home , and arguments carried live online and on C-Span , the justices will likely have a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presents a trademark question — not exactly the kind of thing to rivet public attention .
And it is the only case of the day .
Clearly , the court is using this relatively unimportant case to see how the system is working , and whether it needs to be adjusted in any way — in short , to work out the bugs .

Supreme Court Arguments Resume — But With A Twist
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Sherman/AP Mark Sherman/AP
The U.S. Supreme Court begins an extraordinary two weeks of oral arguments Monday. It will be the first time in history that the court has allowed livestreaming of its audio and the first time that the court is hearing arguments via telephone hookup instead of in the flesh.
The justices are trying to simulate their normal arguments as much as possible, beginning with Chief Marshal Pamela Talkin calling the court to order with a slightly modified version of her usual "Oyez, oyez, oyez ...."
After that, very little will be as usual.
Because the arguments are conducted over the phone, the justices and the lawyers cannot see one another, and listeners will all try to imagine where the justices and lawyers are sitting or standing in their homes to hear or present arguments.
While most of the lawyers will be in their homes, the government's lawyers will be making their arguments from the office of the solicitor general. And, in a bow to formality, they plan to wear their usual formal morning coat attire.
The lawyers we sampled, to a person, said they are more comfortable standing, or even standing at a lectern, as they usually do during oral arguments, even though nobody can see them. The arguments are limited to a half-hour on each side. And, as usual, each side will get to make an opening argument for two minutes uninterrupted.
After that, under normal circumstances the justices engage in rapid-fire questioning of the lawyers — interrupting counsel frequently, and even each other on occasion.
But starting Monday, the justices will ask questions in order of seniority, for two or three minutes each, with Chief Justice John Roberts starting off, followed by Justice Clarence Thomas — if he has any questions, which he rarely does. (If Thomas asks a question, it will be the first time he has spoken from the bench in over a year, when he broke a three-year silence, which was preceded by a whopping 10-year silence from the bench.)
Next, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who often asks the first question in oral arguments, will be at bat, and so on, ending with the court's newest appointee, Brett Kavanaugh. More questions will be permitted if there is time left at the end of the first round of questioning.
Lawyers say there will be big challenges with the new format.
"You lose the ability to read body language. That's No. 1," says Jay Sekulow, who will be representing President Trump in cases testing whether the president can be subpoenaed for his pre-presidential financial records either by Congress or by a state grand jury subpoena in a criminal case.
As Sekulow observes, oral argument is typically a "pretty intimate event when you're actually arguing in the courtroom. You see them. You can see their reactions. You see if they nod to each other. Here you're doing this literally over a telephone line. So you lose the intimacy."
Stanford Law professor Jeff Fisher, who will be arguing a religion case a week from Monday, agrees. "I just feel that not being able to see their faces and body language is going to be a real challenge. It's just a cost for how effective and useful the arguments are going to be."
The audio argument format presents another interesting twist for the court: For the first time ever, oral arguments will be available via livestream. Typically, Supreme Court arguments are followed by a narrow group of lawyers, law students and court watchers. But with millions of Americans stuck at home, and arguments carried live online and on C-Span, the justices will likely have a larger audience than usual.
Monday's case presents a trademark question — not exactly the kind of thing to rivet public attention. And it is the only case of the day. Clearly, the court is using this relatively unimportant case to see how the system is working and whether it needs to be adjusted in any way — in short, to work out the bugs.


npr--2020-05-04--Despite Coronavirus Risks, The U.S. Senate Returns For Normal Business

Despite Coronavirus Risks , The U.S. Senate Returns For Normal Business Though the coronavirus remains a serious threat in Washington , D.C. , U.S. senators return to the Capitol from their home states on Monday , more than five weeks after their last formal gathering and roll call votes .
`` All across our nation , American workers in essential sectors are following expert advice and taking new precautions while they continue reporting for duty and performing irreplaceable work their country needs , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement Friday .
`` Starting Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That means up to 100 senators — along with their staffs , support workers , visitors and others — will return to the Capitol building , with some new health guidelines .
Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser noted recently that members of Congress are considered essential workers .
As a result , Congress does n't have to adhere to her stay-at-home order and closure of nonessential businesses .
The Senate 's return will also start a new wave of worries about more coronavirus infections on Capitol Hill , where dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already been sickened or quarantined .
McConnell , R-Ky. , has led efforts to resume Senate business over the objections of some members .
The chamber is slated to consider several presidential nominations this week , including a confirmation vote for an agency official Monday .
Democrats have said the move could put those in the Capitol complex and beyond in danger .
They have also said the Senate should narrow its legislative focus to coronavirus aid or its oversight .
The Democratic-led House is not returning this week .
After approving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , Republicans and Democrats are split on a new infusion of cash into the badly strained economy .
Democrats say state and local governments should be the priority , while Republicans are holding out for new liability protections for businesses .
`` Senate Republicans should be laser focused on the health and economic crises caused by COVID-19 , not confirming right-wing judges or protecting big business from legal liability , '' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , wrote on Twitter .
McConnell , Pelosi say no thanks to White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate guidelines from Dr. Brian Monahan , the attending physician to Congress , to avoid gatherings and wear masks when possible .
The guidelines also advise members and others to maintain 6 feet of distance , limit staff and visitors in offices , and participate in health monitoring programs .
`` I strongly urge my colleagues to consult these guidelines as we carefully resume in-person work , '' McConnell said .
But like much of the rest of the country , there is no widespread testing program on Capitol Hill .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are mandatory .
`` I think this is crazy .
I really do , '' Dr. David Relman , a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University , said after reviewing Monahan 's guidance .
`` We do n't want them to have to undertake the kinds of risks that put not only themselves in grave jeopardy , but others .
And furthermore , we want them to be role models and they are not behaving as role models when they undertake this kind of convening in large numbers . ''
Late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Azar said the agency would send 1,000 coronavirus tests to Congress .
President Trump lauded the move .
But on Saturday , McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , issued a rare joint statement , declining the offer and saying the tests should be directed to front-line workers since national testing access remains limited .
Still , Relman says the current parameters for the Senate 's return signal a misunderstanding of the measures required for essential workers to protect themselves and others .
And that includes a clear plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard time here , understanding what the rationale is and how this can be good for our nation , '' said Relman , who is also chief of infectious diseases at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System in California .
`` These essential workers are not embracing the known measures that will reduce risks down to some reasonable level for them .
It 's sort of capricious and and dangerous . ''
Also , with the average age of the Senate above 60 , the dangers are even higher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of risk of exposure depending on which region they 'll travel to and from .
He pointed to the Canadian and British parliaments as better models , where government leaders have installed remote meeting options .
Such a move has been blocked in the Senate by McConnell and remains under debate in the House .
Without remote plans , members and others meeting in person in Congress should be tested twice a week and adhere to weekly antibody tests , Relman said .
Social distancing requirements should also be mandatory , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks before senators find out the impacts of meeting in person , since the illness can have a lengthy incubation period .
`` It 's a huge ripple effect that has ramifications for lots of people , including many other members of the very same body of political leaders that they have suggested are essential , '' Relman said .
The Senate will take up the nomination of Robert Feitel to be the next inspector general for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Monday .
On Tuesday , the Senate Intelligence Committee will hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national intelligence , Republican Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe .
It 's a reminder that the Senate 's focus remains on regular business since new coronavirus aid talks are stalled .
One key hangup : McConnell and other Republicans are pushing for new liability protections for businesses in a next wave of funding .
Democrats are opposed .
`` Senate and House Republicans agree these protections will be absolutely essential to future discussions surrounding recovery legislation , '' McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , said in a joint statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing dire financial shortfalls are the priority .
Pelosi said a plan could total nearly $ 1 trillion to keep critical front-line workers such as first responders and nurses from losing their jobs .
`` They are risking their lives to save lives , and now , they 're going to lose their jobs .
It is just stunning , and we have to address it , '' Pelosi told reporters recently .
The House was slated to return as well on Monday , but Democratic leaders reversed course after consulting with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, is seeking new advice from Monahan on how the House can return safely .
Until then , members are meeting remotely or holding hearings when possible .
Talks are also underway for the House to consider new options for remote voting and hearings .
Earlier last week , Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , D-Fla. , raised concerns during a caucus call about returning the chamber 's more than 400 members plus thousands of staff to Washington , D.C. , in the midst of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's later reversal on the plans .
`` I 'm proud that our House leadership struck a balance between staff and member safety , with a desire to urgently address America 's dire health and economic crisis , '' Wasserman Schultz said .
`` A safe , well-thought-out re-entry to the workplace is something every American wants right now , and our House Democratic leaders recognize that . ''

Despite Coronavirus Risks, The U.S. Senate Returns For Normal Business
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 1:54 p.m. ET
Though the coronavirus remains a serious threat in Washington, D.C., U.S. senators return to the Capitol from their home states on Monday, more than five weeks after their last formal gathering and roll call votes.
"All across our nation, American workers in essential sectors are following expert advice and taking new precautions while they continue reporting for duty and performing irreplaceable work their country needs," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement Friday. "Starting Monday, the Senate will do the same."
That means up to 100 senators — along with their staffs, support workers, official visitors and others — will return to the Capitol building, with some new health guidelines.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser noted recently that members of Congress are considered essential workers. As a result, Congress doesn't have to adhere to her stay-at-home order and closure of nonessential businesses. The Capitol complex is closed to public tours until at least May 16.
The Senate's return will also start a new wave of worries about more coronavirus infections on Capitol Hill, where dozens of workers, staffers and members of Congress have already been sickened or quarantined.
McConnell, R-Ky., has led efforts to resume Senate business over the objections of some members. The chamber is slated to consider several presidential nominations this week, including a confirmation vote for an agency official Monday.
Democrats have said the move could put those in the Capitol complex and beyond in danger. They have also said the Senate should narrow its legislative focus to coronavirus aid or its oversight. The Democratic-led House is not returning this week.
After approving about $3 trillion in aid so far, Republicans and Democrats are split on a new infusion of cash into the badly strained economy. Democrats say state and local governments should be the priority, while Republicans are holding out for new liability protections for businesses.
"Senate Republicans should be laser focused on the health and economic crises caused by COVID-19, not confirming right-wing judges or protecting big business from legal liability," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote on Twitter.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
McConnell, Pelosi say no thanks to White House tests
On Friday, McConnell shared new Senate guidelines from Brian Monahan, the attending physician to Congress, to avoid gatherings and wear masks when possible. The guidelines also advise members and others to maintain 6 feet of distance, limit staff and visitors in offices, and participate in health monitoring programs.
"I strongly urge my colleagues to consult these guidelines as we carefully resume in-person work," McConnell said.
But like much of the rest of the country, there is no widespread testing program on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, none of the new Senate safety measures are mandatory.
"I think this is crazy. I really do," Dr. David Relman, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University, said after reviewing Monahan's guidance. "We don't want them to have to undertake the kinds of risks that put not only themselves in grave jeopardy, but others. And furthermore, we want them to be role models and they are not behaving as role models when they undertake this kind of convening in large numbers."
Late Friday, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the agency would send 1,000 coronavirus tests to Congress. President Trump lauded the move.
But on Saturday, McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a rare joint statement, declining the offer and saying the tests should be directed to front-line workers since national testing access remains limited.
Still, Relman says, the current parameters for the Senate's return signal a misunderstanding of the measures required for essential workers to protect themselves and others. And that includes a clear plan for testing.
"I'm just having a hard time here, understanding what the rationale is and how this can be good for our nation," said Relman, who is also chief of infectious diseases at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System in California. "These essential workers are not embracing the known measures that will reduce risks down to some reasonable level for them. It's sort of capricious and dangerous."
Also, with the average age of the Senate above 60, the dangers are even higher, Relman said. Members will carry different levels of risk of exposure depending on which region they'll travel to and from.
He pointed to the Canadian and British parliaments as better models, where government leaders have installed remote meeting options. Such a move has been blocked in the Senate by McConnell and remains under debate in the House.
Without remote plans, members and others meeting in person in Congress should be tested twice a week and adhere to weekly antibody tests, Relman said. Social distancing requirements should also be mandatory, he added.
Meanwhile, it could be weeks before senators find out the impacts of meeting in person, since the illness can have a lengthy incubation period.
"It's a huge ripple effect that has ramifications for lots of people, including many other members of the very same body of political leaders that they have suggested are essential," Relman said.
Stalled coronavirus aid negotiations
The Senate will take up the nomination of Robert Feitel to be the next inspector general for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Monday. On Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee will hear from Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, Republican Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe.
It's a reminder that the Senate's focus remains on regular business since new coronavirus aid talks are stalled.
One key hangup: McConnell and other Republicans are pushing for new liability protections for businesses in a next wave of funding. Democrats are opposed.
"Senate and House Republicans agree these protections will be absolutely essential to future discussions surrounding recovery legislation," McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said in a joint statement.
But Democrats say state and local governments facing dire financial shortfalls are the priority. Pelosi said a plan could total nearly $1 trillion to keep critical front-line workers such as first responders and nurses from losing their jobs.
"They are risking their lives to save lives, and now, they're going to lose their jobs. It is just stunning, and we have to address it," Pelosi told reporters recently.
Larger House delays return
The House was slated to return as well on Monday, but Democratic leaders reversed course after consulting with Monahan, the attending physician.
Now, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., is seeking new advice from Monahan on how the House can return safely. Until then, members are meeting remotely or holding hearings when possible. Talks are also underway for the House to consider new options for remote voting and hearings.
Earlier last week, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., raised concerns during a caucus call about returning the chamber's more than 400 members, plus thousands of staff, to Washington, D.C., in the midst of the pandemic.
She was pleased at leadership's later reversal on the plans.
"I'm proud that our House leadership struck a balance between staff and member safety, with a desire to urgently address America's dire health and economic crisis," Wasserman Schultz said. "A safe, well-thought-out re-entry to the workplace is something every American wants right now, and our House Democratic leaders recognize that."


npr--2020-05-03--Pence: 'I Should Have Worn A Mask' When Visiting The Mayo Clinic

Pence : ' I Should Have Worn A Mask ' When Visiting The Mayo Clinic Vice President Mike Pence said during a televised town hall on Sunday that he should have worn a mask while visiting the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota last week , in what was an apparent violation of the renowned health center 's stated policy .
Pence 's decision to go without a face covering on Tuesday was met with public rebuke , especially as others visiting with him donned masks .
The clinic tweeted — and then deleted — a message saying it had informed Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his arrival today . ''
The clinic 's website says `` all patients , visitors and staff are required to wear a mask to decrease the risk of COVID-19 exposure . ''
Following the trip , Pence told reporters that he could go without the mask because he is tested regularly for the coronavirus : `` And since I do n't have the coronavirus , I thought it 'd be a good opportunity for me to be here , to be able to speak to these researchers , these incredible health care personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say 'thank you . '
'' The statement drew more criticism , since a typical mask does n't cover one 's eyes .
Two days later , Pence wore a mask while visiting a General Motors plant in Indiana that 's producing ventilators .
On Sunday , during a Fox News Channel town hall alongside President Trump , Pence reiterated that he is tested often and does not have COVID-19 .
`` I did n't think it was necessary , but I should have worn a mask at the Mayo Clinic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featured video questions from viewers , and took place at a unique setting : the Lincoln Memorial , beneath the seated statue of the 16th president .
Most of the questions were directed at Trump , who indicated that federal lawmakers would pass additional economic aid for struggling Americans dealing with the effects of the pandemic .
`` There 's more help coming , '' Trump said , responding to question from a single mother in Alabama who said she has lost her job but has n't yet received her state unemployment benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an earlier rescue package .
`` We 're going to do more , '' the president added .
Sunday evening 's event comes as congressional leaders and the White House lay out their competing visions for an additional coronavirus relief package .
Trump said during the town hall that it would need to include a payroll tax cut .
Democrats are looking for aid for state and local governments , among other provisions .
The U.S. Senate is set to return to the Capitol on Monday , though the House delayed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health risks of bringing hundreds of lawmakers and their staffs back to Washington .
In a rare joint statement released on Saturday , Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell turned down a White House offer of rapid tests for lawmakers after it was reported that the Capitol 's attending physician said he would not be able to test all 100 senators coming back for business .
At the town hall , Trump was bullish on the rapid development of a coronavirus vaccine , saying he thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine by the end of this year '' — a timetable faster than many public health experts have laid out as plausible .
Trump , who 's been mostly confined to the White House in recent weeks due to the pandemic , was at Camp David in Maryland this weekend , and he plans to visit a Honeywell facility in Phoenix , Ariz. , on Tuesday that is making N95 respirator masks .

Pence: 'I Should Have Worn A Mask' When Visiting The Mayo Clinic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Mone/AP Jim Mone/AP
Vice President Mike Pence said during a televised town hall on Sunday that he should have worn a mask while visiting the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota last week, in what was an apparent violation of the renowned health center's stated policy.
Pence's decision to go without a face covering on Tuesday was met with public rebuke, especially as others visiting with him donned masks. The clinic tweeted — and then deleted — a message saying it had informed Pence "of the masking policy prior to his arrival today." The clinic's website says "all patients, visitors and staff are required to wear a mask to decrease the risk of COVID-19 exposure."
Following the trip, Pence told reporters that he could go without the mask because he is tested regularly for the coronavirus: "And since I don't have the coronavirus, I thought it'd be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible health care personnel, and look them in the eye and say 'thank you.'"
The statement drew more criticism, since a typical mask doesn't cover one's eyes.
Two days later, Pence wore a mask while visiting a General Motors plant in Indiana that's producing ventilators.
On Sunday, during a Fox News Channel town hall alongside President Trump, Pence reiterated that he is tested often and does not have COVID-19.
"I didn't think it was necessary, but I should have worn a mask at the Mayo Clinic," Pence added.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
The town hall featured video questions from viewers, and took place in a unique setting: the Lincoln Memorial, beneath the seated statue of the 16th president.
Most of the questions were directed at Trump, who indicated that federal lawmakers would pass additional economic aid for struggling Americans dealing with the effects of the pandemic.
"There's more help coming," Trump said, responding to a question from a single mother in Alabama who said she has lost her job but hasn't yet received her state unemployment benefits or the individual cash payment included in an earlier rescue package. "We're going to do more," the president added.
Sunday evening's event comes as congressional leaders and the White House lay out their competing visions for an additional coronavirus relief package. Trump said during the town hall that it would need to include a payroll tax cut. Democrats are looking for aid for state and local governments, among other provisions.
The U.S. Senate is set to return to the Capitol on Monday, though the House delayed its expected return due to ongoing concerns about the health risks of bringing hundreds of lawmakers and their staffs back to Washington.
In a rare joint statement released on Saturday, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell turned down a White House offer of rapid tests for lawmakers after it was reported that the Capitol's attending physician said he would not be able to test all 100 senators coming back for business.
At the town hall, Trump was bullish on the rapid development of a coronavirus vaccine, saying he thinks "we're going to have a vaccine by the end of this year" — a timetable faster than many public health experts have laid out as plausible.
Trump, who's been mostly confined to the White House in recent weeks due to the pandemic, was at Camp David in Maryland this weekend, and he plans to visit a Honeywell facility in Phoenix, Ariz., on Tuesday that is making N95 respirator masks.


npr--2020-05-03--Orange County Beaches Shut Down, But Legal Battle Still Making Waves

Orange County Beaches Shut Down , But Legal Battle Still Making Waves Two Orange County cities ' attempt to legally challenge Calif. Gov .
Gavin Newsom 's beach shutdown order failed for now , but the battle between local and state officials over the shoreline will continue .
Huntington Beach , Dana Point and various local private businesses in Orange County requested a temporary restraining order in Orange County Superior Court on Friday that would have blocked Newsom 's executive beach closure order and kept beaches open in those cities .
Orange County plaintiffs argued the beach shutdown infringed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make their own decisions regarding the status of their beaches . ''
But Orange County Superior Court Judge Nathan Scott rejected the injunction and beaches spanning the Orange County coastline were closed over the weekend and will continue to be .
A hearing is scheduled for May 11 .
Over the weekend the Newport Beach city council voted to support the lawsuit , but will not join as a plantiff .
Newsom announced a `` hard close '' on all beaches and state parks in Orange County on Thursday , after news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines over the last weekend of April .
Prior to that announcement , according to a California Police Chiefs Association memo and local officials in Dana Point and San Diego , Newsom had planned to close all beaches and state parks across the state .
But , in an apparent change of course , the governor only ordered those closures to be put in place in Orange County , saying `` specific issues on some of those beaches raised alarm bells '' and citing concern over high numbers of infection and hospitalization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have maintained those photos did not accurately reflect the situation on the beaches and that most visitors were adhering to guidelines .
In recent days some of those officials , including Huntington Beach mayor Lyn Semeta , have argued that Orange County has some of the lowest per capita coronavirus death rates in the state .
On Sunday , the county had experienced over 2,743 cases of coronavirus and 52 deaths from COVID-19 , according to Orange County public health data .
Dana Point city officials accused Gov .
Newsom of pulling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the official closure announcement , a separate conference call was taking place informing Orange County officials the shutdown was taking place over the entire California coastline .
Newsom has maintained he had always planned to implement a targeted shutdown in Orange County .
The governor 's office has not responded to multiple requests for comment from NPR .
This weekend the scene on the beach was strikingly different from the one before ; Orange County shorelines were virtually empty , though some had some sparse crowds .
Still , Californians gathered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 2,500 people protested the statewide shutdown and the local beach shutdown in Huntington Beach on Friday .
Tensions have risen to a boil with the statewide stay-at-home order now lasting more than six weeks and unemployment reaching record levels .
Beyond Huntington Beach , smaller protests rallying against the shelter-in-place orders broke out in Sacramento , San Francisco and San Diego .
Modoc , a rural county in northern California with no reported cases of COVID-19 , went ahead with reopening most businesses on Friday .
Yuba and Sutter counties are poised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many businesses to reopen on Monday , going against Newsom 's rules .
Still , polls show the majority of Californians support the stay-at-home orders .
Newsom stuck to his message that modifications of the order would come in `` weeks not months '' until Friday , when he said changes would be coming down the pipeline in many days , not weeks .

Orange County Beaches Shut Down, But Legal Battle Still Making Waves
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Two Orange County cities' attempt to legally challenge California Gov. Gavin Newsom's beach shutdown order failed for now, but the battle between local and state officials over the shoreline will continue.
Huntington Beach, Dana Point and various local private businesses in Orange County requested a temporary restraining order in Orange County Superior Court on Friday that would have blocked Newsom's executive beach closure order and kept beaches open in those cities.
Orange County plaintiffs argued the beach shutdown infringed on "their constitutionally protected right and authority to make their own decisions regarding the status of their beaches."
But Orange County Superior Court Judge Nathan Scott rejected the injunction, and beaches spanning the Orange County coastline were closed over the weekend and will continue to be. A hearing is scheduled for May 11.
Over the weekend the Newport Beach City Council voted to support the lawsuit but will not join as a plaintiff.
Newsom announced a "hard close" on all beaches and state parks in Orange County on Thursday, after news photos circulated showing people not following social distancing guidelines over the last weekend of April.
Prior to that announcement, according to a California Police Chiefs Association memo and local officials in Dana Point and San Diego, Newsom had planned to close all beaches and state parks across the state.
But, in an apparent change of course, the governor only ordered those closures to be put in place in Orange County, saying "specific issues on some of those beaches raised alarm bells" and citing concern over high numbers of infection and hospitalization rates in the county.
Local officials there have maintained those photos did not accurately reflect the situation on the beaches and that most visitors were adhering to guidelines.
In recent days some of those officials, including Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta, have argued that Orange County has some of the lowest per-capita coronavirus death rates in the state. On Sunday, the county had experienced more than 2,743 cases of the coronavirus and 52 deaths from COVID-19, according to Orange County public health data.
Dana Point city officials accused Newsom of pulling a bait and switch, saying that during the official closure announcement, a separate conference call was taking place informing Orange County officials the shutdown was taking place over the entire California coastline.
Newsom has maintained he had always planned to implement a targeted shutdown in Orange County. The governor's office has not responded to multiple requests for comment from NPR.
This weekend the scene on the beach was strikingly different from the one before; Orange County shorelines were virtually empty, though some had some sparse crowds.
Still, Californians gathered in a different way over the weekend — about 2,500 people protested the statewide shutdown and the local beach shutdown in Huntington Beach on Friday.
Tensions have risen to a boil with the statewide stay-at-home order now lasting more than six weeks and unemployment reaching record levels. Beyond Huntington Beach, smaller protests rallying against the shelter-in-place orders broke out in Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego.
Modoc, a rural county in northern California with no reported cases of COVID-19, went ahead with reopening most businesses on Friday. Yuba and Sutter counties are poised to join that approach and will allow many businesses to reopen on Monday, going against Newsom's rules.
Still, polls show the majority of Californians support the stay-at-home orders.
Newsom stuck to his message that modifications of the order would come in "weeks not months" until Friday, when he said changes would be coming down the pipeline in many days, not weeks.


npr--2020-05-04--Answering Your Coronavirus Questions: The Economy, Vaccines And COVID-19 Survivors

Answering Your Coronavirus Questions : The Economy , Vaccines And COVID-19 Survivors On this broadcast of The National Conversation , @ @ @ @ @ who had COVID-19 and are recovering .
We 'll also answer your questions about vaccines @ @ @ @

Answering Your Coronavirus Questions: The Economy, Vaccines And COVID-19 Survivors On this broadcast of The National Conversation, we hear from some people who had COVID-19 and are recovering. We'll also answer your questions about vaccines and the economy.


npr--2020-05-04--In 13 States, Census Bureau To Resume Hand-Delivering Forms, Hiring Workers

Some workers for the 2020 census are heading back to rural communities this week in more than a dozen states as part of a phased-in restart of field operations for the national head count that were suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Certain local census offices in Alabama , Alaska , Arkansas , Idaho , Maine , Mississippi , Montana , North Dakota , Oklahoma , Tennessee , Utah , Vermont and West Virginia are resuming operations this week , the Census Bureau announced Monday .
Workers there are set to undergo safety training and receive personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before they 're sent out to hand-deliver paper census forms in areas where most homes receive mail at post office boxes or drop points .
`` The Update Leave operation does not require interaction between households and a Census Bureau employee and follows the most current federal health and safety guidelines , '' the bureau 's press release said .
Asked by NPR what specific `` social distancing protocols '' census workers will have to follow , the Census Bureau says in an email that it 's relying on CDC guidance , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to ordering disinfectant wipes for its local offices , the bureau tells NPR it is preparing to provide each employee a new reusable face mask for every 10 days worked and a pair of gloves each work day .
Employees conducting field operations will also receive hand sanitizer .
The bureau is also preparing to resume fingerprinting for newly hired door knockers , who are currently set to visit homes that have n't yet participated in the count , starting in August .
Monday 's announcement comes after Census Bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee late last month of its plans to switch from a nationwide relaunch of field operations on June 1 to a restart in waves based on public health guidance and the availability of protective equipment .
Despite the pause , the bureau has continued collecting responses from households across the country for the once-a-decade , constitutionally mandated count of every person living in the country .
As of Sunday , close to 84 million households have participated — most of them online at my2020census.gov — putting the national self-response rate at more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's worth of consequences in political power and federal funding come with the count 's results .
They are used to help determine each state 's share of an estimated $ 1.5 trillion a year that are distributed for Medicare , Medicaid and other public services .
The latest population counts from the census are also used to redraw voting districts and redistribute the number of congressional seats and Electoral College votes among the states .
Because the pandemic has wreaked havoc on its schedule for the 2020 census , the bureau has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver new state population counts to the president for reapportioning Congress and to provide to the states redistricting data — including information derived from government records on the U.S. citizenship status of every person living in the country as requested by the Trump administration .
Delaying those deadlines would upend redistricting plans in many states .
Still , Rep. Carolyn Maloney , D-N.Y. , chair of the House oversight committee , has voiced support for the bureau 's request for four-month extensions , which Maloney suggested could be included in an upcoming bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have to adjust to the times , '' Maloney said during a press conference last week .
All of the interruptions to 2020 census plans — which are costing the bureau $ 1.5 billion of its $ 2 billion emergency budget — have heightened concerns that historically undercounted groups , including rural residents and people of color , will not be accurately represented in data that policymakers , business leaders and researchers rely on for demographic insight into the U.S. population .
As of Monday , the bureau has not announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are experiencing homelessness , going door to door for in-person counting in some American Indian tribal territories or hand-delivering paper forms in Puerto Rico , where the latest self-response rate trails behind those of the states at 7.6 % .

In 13 States, Census Bureau To Resume Hand-Delivering Forms, Hiring Workers
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ted S. Warren/AP Ted S. Warren/AP
Updated at 8:56 p.m. ET
Some workers for the 2020 census are heading back to rural communities this week in more than a dozen states as part of a phased-in restart of field operations, which were suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Certain local census offices in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia are resuming operations this week, the Census Bureau announced Monday.
Workers there are set to undergo safety training and receive personal protective equipment, the bureau said, before they're sent out to hand-deliver paper census forms in areas where most homes receive mail at post office boxes or drop points.
"The Update Leave operation does not require interaction between households and a Census Bureau employee and follows the most current federal health and safety guidelines," the bureau's press release said.
Asked by NPR what specific "social distancing protocols" census workers will have to follow, the Census Bureau says in an email that it's relying on CDC guidance, including standing six feet away from another person.
In addition to ordering disinfectant wipes for its local offices, the bureau tells NPR it is preparing to provide each employee a new reusable face mask for every 10 days worked and a pair of gloves each work day. Employees conducting field operations will also receive hand sanitizer.
The bureau is also preparing to resume fingerprinting for newly hired door knockers, who are currently set to visit homes that haven't yet participated in the count, starting in August.
Monday's announcement comes after Census Bureau officials informed the House Oversight and Reform Committee late last month of its plans to switch from a nationwide relaunch of field operations on June 1 to a restart in waves based on public health guidance and the availability of protective equipment.
Despite the pause, the bureau has continued collecting responses from households across the country for the once-a-decade, constitutionally mandated count of every person living in the country. As of Sunday, close to 84 million households have participated — most of them online at my2020census.gov — putting the national self-response rate at more than 56%.
At least a decade's worth of consequences in political power and federal funding come with the count's results. They are used to help determine each state's share of an estimated $1.5 trillion a year that are distributed for Medicare, Medicaid and other public services.
The latest population counts from the census are also used to redraw voting districts and redistribute the number of congressional seats and Electoral College votes among the states.
Because the pandemic has wreaked havoc on its schedule for the 2020 census, the bureau has proposed pushing back the legal deadlines to deliver new state population counts to the president for reapportioning Congress and to provide to the states redistricting data — including information derived from government records on the U.S. citizenship status of every person living in the country as requested by the Trump administration.
Delaying those deadlines would upend redistricting plans in many states. Still, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., chair of the House oversight committee, has voiced support for the bureau's request for four-month extensions, which Maloney suggested could be included in an upcoming bill or the next COVID-19 relief package.
"We have to adjust to the times," Maloney said during a press conference last week.
All of the interruptions to 2020 census plans — which are costing the bureau $1.5 billion of its $2 billion emergency budget — have heightened concerns that historically undercounted groups, including rural residents and people of color, will not be accurately represented in data that policymakers, business leaders and researchers rely on for demographic insight into the U.S. population.
As of Monday, the bureau has not announced any revised plans for counting people who are experiencing homelessness, going door to door for in-person counting in some American Indian tribal territories or hand-delivering paper forms in Puerto Rico, where the latest self-response rate trails behind those of the states at 7.6%.


npr--2020-05-04--2020 Pulitzer Prize Winners Include 'This American Life' - See A Full List

There were a couple firsts in this year 's announcement of the winners of the Pulitzer Prize .
First off , it was done remotely due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
`` It goes without saying that today , we announce the Pulitzer winners in deeply trying times , '' said Dana Canedy , the administrator of the prizes , from her living room .
`` Despite relentless assaults on objective truth , coordinated efforts to undermine our nation 's free press , and persistent economic headwinds , journalists continue to pursue and deliver essential facts and truths to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The other new twist was the inaugural award for audio reporting , which went to the staff of the public radio show and podcast , This American Life , along with Los Angeles Times reporter Molly O'Toole and Vice News freelance reporter Emily Green .
The winning episode , `` The Out Crowd , '' covered the impact on individuls of President Trump 's `` Remain in Mexico '' policies .
The board also awarded a special citation to Ida B .
Wells — the journalist and suffragist who spent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the Arts and Letters side , author Colson Whitehead won his second Pulitzer for his novel , The Nickel Boys .
It 's based on a real-life Florida reform school where students were physically and sexually abused ( Whitehead previously won in 2017 for his book The Underground Railroad ) .
The board awarded the drama prize to Michael R. Jackson 's A Strange Loop — a musical about a gay Black man working as an usher at a Broadway show , writing a musical about a gay Black man working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can find the full list of winners below .
• Public Service : The Anchorage Daily News , in collaboration with ProPublica • Breaking News Reporting : The staff of the Louisville Courrier-Journal • Explanatory Reporting : The staff of The Washington Post • National Reporting : T. Christian Miller , Megan Rose and Robert Faturechi , ProPublica and Dominic Gates , Steve Miletich , Mike Baker and Lewis Kamb , The Seattle Times • International Reporting : The staff of the New York Times • Feature Photography : Channi Anand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press • History : Sweet Taste of Liberty : A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America , by W. Caleb McDaniel • Biography : Sontag : Her Life and Work , by Benjamin Moser • General Nonfiction : The Undying : Pain , Vulnerability , Mortality , Medicine , Art , Time , Dreams , Data , Exhaustion , Cancer , and Care , by Anne Boyer and The End of the Myth : From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America , by Greg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Five , by Anthony Davis

2020 Pulitzer Prize Winners Include 'This American Life' — See A Full List
Enlarge this image toggle caption R. Gates/Getty Images R. Gates/Getty Images
There were a couple of firsts in this year's announcement of the winners of the Pulitzer Prize. First off, it was done remotely because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
"It goes without saying that today, we announce the Pulitzer winners in deeply trying times," said Dana Canedy, the administrator of the prizes, from her living room. "Despite relentless assaults on objective truth, coordinated efforts to undermine our nation's free press and persistent economic headwinds, journalists continue to pursue and deliver essential facts and truths to keep us safe and protect our democracy."
The other new twist was the inaugural award for audio reporting, which went to the staff of the public radio show and podcast, This American Life, along with Los Angeles Times reporter Molly O'Toole and Vice News freelance reporter Emily Green. The winning episode, "The Out Crowd," covered the impact on individuals of President Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policies.
The board also awarded a special citation to Ida B. Wells — the journalist and suffragist who spent the 1890s documenting lynching in the United States.
On the Arts and Letters side, author Colson Whitehead won his second Pulitzer for his novel, The Nickel Boys. It's based on a real-life Florida reform school where students were physically and sexually abused (Whitehead previously won in 2017 for his book The Underground Railroad). The board awarded the drama prize to Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop — a musical about a gay black man working as an usher at a Broadway show, writing a musical about a gay black man working as an usher at a Broadway show.
You can find the full list of winners below.
YouTube
Journalism
Public service: The Anchorage Daily News, in collaboration with ProPublica
The Anchorage Daily News, in collaboration with ProPublica Breaking news reporting: The staff of the Louisville Courier-Journal
The staff of the Louisville Courier-Journal Investigative reporting: Brian M. Rosenthal, The New York Times
Brian M. Rosenthal, The New York Times Explanatory reporting: The staff of The Washington Post
The staff of The Washington Post Local reporting: The staff of The Baltimore Sun
National reporting: T. Christian Miller, Megan Rose and Robert Faturechi, ProPublica and Dominic Gates, Steve Miletich, Mike Baker and Lewis Kamb, The Seattle Times
T. Christian Miller, Megan Rose and Robert Faturechi, ProPublica and Dominic Gates, Steve Miletich, Mike Baker and Lewis Kamb, The Seattle Times International reporting: The staff of the New York Times
The staff of the New York Times Feature writing: Ben Taub, The New Yorker
Ben Taub, The New Yorker Commentary: Nikole Hannah-Jones, The New York Times
Nikole Hannah-Jones, The New York Times Criticism: Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times
Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times Editorial writing: Jeffery Gerritt, Palestine Herald-Press
Jeffery Gerritt, Palestine Herald-Press Editorial cartooning: Bary Blitt, The New Yorker
Bary Blitt, The New Yorker Breaking news photography: The photography staff of Reuters
The photography staff of Reuters Feature photography: Channi Anand, Mukhtar Khan and Dar Yasin, The Associated Press
Channi Anand, Mukhtar Khan and Dar Yasin, The Associated Press Audio reporting: This American Life
Letters, Drama and Music
Drama: A Strange Loop, by Michael R. Jackson
A Strange Loop, by Michael R. Jackson History: Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America, by W. Caleb McDaniel
Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America, by W. Caleb McDaniel Biography: Sontag: Her Life and Work, by Benjamin Moser
Sontag: Her Life and Work, by Benjamin Moser Poetry: The Tradition, by Jericho Brown
The Tradition, by Jericho Brown General nonfiction: The Undying: Pain, Vulnerability, Mortality, Medicine, Art, Time, Dreams, Data, Exhaustion, Cancer, and Care, by Anne Boyer and The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America, by Greg Grandin
The Undying: Pain, Vulnerability, Mortality, Medicine, Art, Time, Dreams, Data, Exhaustion, Cancer, and Care, by Anne Boyer and The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America, by Greg Grandin Music: The Central Park Five, by Anthony Davis
The Central Park Five, by Anthony Davis Fiction: The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead
Special Citation


npr--2020-05-04--White House Official Delivers Speech In Mandarin To Send Coronavirus Message

White House Official Delivers Speech In Mandarin To Send Coronavirus Message A top aide to President Trump on Monday delivered a critique of the Chinese government 's efforts to clamp down on free speech in a speech delivered in Mandarin and seemingly aimed at the Chinese public .
Deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger , who worked as a journalist in China early in his career , hailed two `` brave '' Chinese doctors who raised early alarms about the coronavirus and faced retribution from the Chinese government .
`` When small acts of bravery are stamped out by governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Pottinger said in remarks streamed for a virtual symposium held by the University of Virginia 's Miller Center .
Pottinger 's remarks come as the White House and the Chinese government have been engaging in increasingly heated rhetoric toward each other over the handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
He said he hoped delivering his speech in Mandarin would `` open up a conversation with friends in China and around the world . ''
Pottinger highlighted the actions of Dr. Li Wenliang , an ophthalmologist working in Wuhan , who tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December and was reprimanded by the police .
Li died in February after becoming infected with the coronavirus .
`` Dr. Li did a big brave thing , '' Pottinger said about Li going public after being interrogated by the police .
He also praised Dr. Ai Fen , another doctor in Wuhan , who raised concerns about the virus .
President Trump , who was initially complimentary of China 's management of the virus , has now blamed China for not doing enough to contain the spread .
Pottinger said China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` nationalism . ''
`` When a privileged few grow too remote and self-interested , populism is what pulls them back or pitches them overboard , '' he said .
Pottinger also complimented Taiwan and the protesters in Hong Kong — remarks that are likely to anger the Chinese government .

White House Official Delivers Speech In Mandarin To Send Coronavirus Message
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
A top aide to President Trump on Monday delivered a critique of the Chinese government's efforts to clamp down on free speech in a speech delivered in Mandarin and seemingly aimed at the Chinese public.
Deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger, who worked as a journalist in China early in his career, hailed two "brave" Chinese doctors who raised early alarms about the coronavirus and faced retribution from the Chinese government.
"When small acts of bravery are stamped out by governments, big acts of bravery follow," Pottinger said in remarks streamed for a virtual symposium held by the University of Virginia's Miller Center.
Pottinger's remarks come as the White House and the Chinese government have been engaging in increasingly heated rhetoric toward each other over the handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
He said he hoped delivering his speech in Mandarin would "open up a conversation with friends in China and around the world."
The Miller Center YouTube
Pottinger highlighted the actions of Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist working in Wuhan, who tried to warn his colleagues about the new virus in December and was reprimanded by the police. Li died in February after becoming infected with the coronavirus.
"Dr. Li did a big brave thing," Pottinger said about Li going public after being interrogated by the police.
He also praised Dr. Ai Fen, another doctor in Wuhan, who raised concerns about the virus.
President Trump, who was initially complimentary of China's management of the virus, has now blamed China for not doing enough to contain the spread.
Pottinger said China needs more "populism" and less "nationalism."
"When a privileged few grow too remote and self-interested, populism is what pulls them back or pitches them overboard," he said.
Pottinger also complimented Taiwan and the protesters in Hong Kong — remarks that are likely to anger the Chinese government.


npr--2020-05-04--New York City Is Latest To Close Some Streets To Cars, Making More Space For People

New York City Is Latest To Close Some Streets To Cars , Making More Space For People New York City has opened seven miles of streets to pedestrians and cyclists , in an effort to create more space for people to maintain a safe distance from one another while outside .
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the city council say 40 miles of streets across the boroughs will open during May , with an eventual goal of 100 miles in the coming weeks .
The move to limit car access on the city 's streets comes amid pressure from citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Yorkers to get fresh air and exercise safely .
Traffic has sharply declined in the city in recent weeks , as New York City became a hot spot for coronavirus cases .
But still , the streets have stayed open to traffic , forcing people to crowd on narrow sidewalks .
Speeding by drivers is way up , endangering pedestrians and cyclists .
New Yorkers have also been avoiding the subways , where ridership is down more than 90 % , and are instead buying bikes .
Not everyone is impressed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , joggers and cyclists : the stretches open so far are all either in or adjacent to parks , where the role of cars is already dubious .
`` Getting cars out of parks ≠ 'open streets , ' '' tweeted Doug Gordon , an advocate for biking and bike infrastructure in New York .
Transportation Alternatives spokesman Joe Cutrufo told Streetsblog that these first seven miles within and next to parks `` is the low-hanging fruit , and the sorts of streets the city would be able to close relatively quickly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be streets in neighborhoods hit hardest by the pandemic , where air pollution is high , where parks are few , and where sidewalks are narrow . ''
Other cities have acted more quickly to close streets to cars and create room for people to walk , run , bike and rollerblade .
Oakland , Calif. , announced on April 10 that it would close 74 miles – or nearly 10 % of the city 's streets – to through traffic .
As of May 1 , it has installed `` soft closures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cones on 14 miles of streets .
Emergency vehicles can still pass through .
`` When we close our streets to cars , we open them up for amazing possibilities , '' Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said , explaining that the program `` is trying to send a message that we want Oaklanders to recreate in a socially distanced manner , a physically distanced manner .
And by opening up our streets to bikes , joggers , pedestrians , we are giving Oaklanders more room to spread out safely . ''
Charlotte , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-thoroughfare streets as `` Shared Streets '' beginning May 9 , closing them to through traffic .
`` Shared Streets are streets that are temporarily designated and signed as streets for walking , wheelchair rolling , biking , skateboarding , and rollerblading .
Through traffic will not be permitted , but emergency vehicles , delivery vehicles , and residents who live on those streets will still be able to access the roads by motor vehicle , '' the city says .
But other cities have taken a different tack .
Chicago Mayor Lori @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city 's lakefront path , as well as its popular Riverwalk and 606 trails , after a warm March day brought people out in large numbers .
Some essential workers complain that with the city 's safest and most popular bike corridors barricaded , they 're forced to either drive or take transit to go to work — an option that 's now less popular due to concerns about being exposed to the virus in enclosed spaces .
Washington , D.C. , Mayor Muriel Bowser has also been unswayed by pressure to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I do n't want to send the message to people to go out and have a festival , '' she told NPR member station WAMU .
At a press conference a few days later , she reiterated : `` I 'm not convinced by this open-streets argument . ''

New York City Is Latest To Close Some Streets To Cars, Making More Space For People
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eduardo Munoz/Reuters Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
New York City has opened seven miles of streets to pedestrians and cyclists, in an effort to create more space for people to maintain a safe distance from one another while outside.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the city council say 40 miles of streets across the boroughs will open during May, with an eventual goal of 100 miles in the coming weeks.
The move to limit car access on the city's streets comes amid pressure from citizens and activists to make more space for New Yorkers to get fresh air and exercise safely.
Traffic has sharply declined in the city in recent weeks, as New York City became a hot spot for coronavirus cases. But still, the streets have stayed open to traffic, forcing people to crowd on narrow sidewalks. Speeding by drivers is way up, endangering pedestrians and cyclists. New Yorkers have also been avoiding the subways, where ridership is down more than 90%, and are instead buying bikes.
Not everyone is impressed by the opening of seven miles to walkers, joggers and cyclists: the stretches open so far are all either in or adjacent to parks, where the role of cars is already dubious.
"Getting cars out of parks ≠ 'open streets,'" tweeted Doug Gordon, an advocate for biking and bike infrastructure in New York.
Transportation Alternatives spokesman Joe Cutrufo told Streetsblog that these first seven miles within and next to parks "is the low-hanging fruit, and the sorts of streets the city would be able to close relatively quickly. Moving forward, the priority has to be streets in neighborhoods hit hardest by the pandemic, where air pollution is high, where parks are few, and where sidewalks are narrow."
Other cities have acted more quickly to close streets to cars and create room for people to walk, run, bike and rollerblade.
Oakland, Calif., announced on April 10 that it would close 74 miles – or nearly 10% of the city's streets – to through traffic. As of May 1, it has installed "soft closures" including barricades, signs and traffic cones on 14 miles of streets. Emergency vehicles can still pass through.
"When we close our streets to cars, we open them up for amazing possibilities," Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said, explaining that the program "is trying to send a message that we want Oaklanders to recreate in a socially distanced manner, a physically distanced manner. And by opening up our streets to bikes, joggers, pedestrians, we are giving Oaklanders more room to spread out safely."
Charlotte, N.C., will designate some low-speed, non-thoroughfare streets as "Shared Streets" beginning May 9, closing them to through traffic.
"Shared Streets are streets that are temporarily designated and signed as streets for walking, wheelchair rolling, biking, skateboarding, and rollerblading. Through traffic will not be permitted, but emergency vehicles, delivery vehicles, and residents who live on those streets will still be able to access the roads by motor vehicle," the city says.
But other cities have taken a different tack.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has closed the entirety of the city's lakefront path, as well as its popular Riverwalk and 606 trails, after a warm March day brought people out in large numbers. Some essential workers complain that with the city's safest and most popular bike corridors barricaded, they're forced to either drive or take transit to go to work — an option that's now less popular due to concerns about being exposed to the virus in enclosed spaces.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has also been unswayed by pressure to open streets to people instead of cars. "I don't want to send the message to people to go out and have a festival," she told NPR member station WAMU.
At a press conference a few days later, she reiterated: "I'm not convinced by this open-streets argument."


npr--2020-05-04--Supreme Court Arguments A Tech Success, But Format Strangles Usual Give-And-Take

The U.S. Supreme Court made history Monday .
The coronavirus lockdown forced the typically cautious court to hear arguments for the first time via telephone , and to stream the arguments live for the public to hear .
Chief Justice John Roberts was at the court as the telephone session began , one or two other justices were in their offices at the court , and the rest of the justices dialed in from home .
The first and only case heard Monday involved an arcane trademark question only a lawyer could love .
Online travel search engine Booking.com is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusal to grant a trademark to the company .
With the justices asking questions in order of seniority , the first big surprise was that Justice Clarence Thomas , who in the past has gone years without asking a question , did ask one , several in fact , when it came his turn .
`` Could Booking acquire an 800 number ... that 's a vanity number , 1-800-BOOKING , for example ? ''
Thomas asked Assistant Solicitor General Erica Ross .
Yes , replied Ross , but domain names pose a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she argued `` the core problem with Booking.com is that it allows [ Booking.com ] to monopolize booking on the internet '' to the exclusion of other sites like hotelbooking.com .
Justice Stephen Breyer followed up when his turn came : `` Same question as Justice Thomas ... good morning , anyway ... You can have a trademark that 's an address .
You can have a trademark that 's a telephone number .
So why ca n't you have a trademark that 's a dot-com ? ''
Justice Samuel Alito noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this area of the law was more than 100 years old , and the statute dealing with trademarks was similarly enacted decades ago .
`` How can a rule that makes sense in the internet age be reconciled with the language '' in these `` pre-Internet era '' laws ?
asked Alito .
Next up to her lectern from her home was lawyer Lisa Blatt .
This was her 40th Supreme Court argument and despite being a veteran , she said later that she was , as usual , sick to her stomach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` it 's always a rush of excitement , '' she said , and this time it was a special rush .
`` I loved getting a question from Justice Thomas ...
I would go to the phone for the foreseeable future if I could get Justice Thomas to ask questions .
That was wonderful , '' she said .
Indeed , despite the new format Blatt and Ross seemed to have had a good time .
`` Your client would not object to the registration of any trademark that simply made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alito .
Alito : `` Would you just answer the question . ''
Blatt : `` They do n't and have not and would not . ''
Not , she added , unless another company ripped off the trademark with no variation .
That would be theft , she said .
So , when when the argument was over , what was her reaction ?
`` After I hung up , I screamed , 'That was hard ! '
Because you 're saying enough to answer , but not too much .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feedback , so it was hard . ''
In the end , she said , the argument felt more like an oral exam than an oral argument .
Tom Goldstein , publisher of Scotusblog , had a similar reaction .
Goldstein , who has argued 43 cases before the court , said he thought the argument was probably more useful to the public than usual .
`` But I bet it was less useful for the justices , '' he said .
`` Because there was less opportunity to follow up on lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone ... so there 's much less engagement in the oral argument . ''
Still there were no major hitches on this first day .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor briefly forget to unmute her phone at one point , prompting a `` Sorry , chief . ''
Justice Breyer 's voice broke up in static for a second or two .
But as Goldstein observes , this was a big change for the court .
`` Culturally a change , technologically a change .
And it could have been a big embarrassment if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went fine , '' he said .
`` I think they 're happy . ''

Supreme Court Arguments A Tech Success, But Format Strangles Usual Give-And-Take
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harnik/AP Andrew Harnik/AP
The U.S. Supreme Court made history Monday. The coronavirus lockdown forced the typically cautious court to hear arguments for the first time via telephone, and to stream the arguments live for the public to hear.
Chief Justice John Roberts was at the court as the telephone session began, one or two other justices were in their offices at the court, and the rest of the justices dialed in from home.
The first and only case heard Monday involved an arcane trademark question only a lawyer could love. Online travel search engine Booking.com is appealing a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office refusal to grant a trademark to the company.
With the justices asking questions in order of seniority, the first big surprise was that Justice Clarence Thomas, who in the past has gone years without asking a question, did ask one, several in fact, when it came his turn.
"Could Booking acquire an 800 number ... that's a vanity number, 1-800-BOOKING, for example?" Thomas asked Assistant Solicitor General Erica Ross.
Yes, replied Ross, but domain names pose a different problem than phone numbers. Ultimately, she argued "the core problem with Booking.com is that it allows [Booking.com] to monopolize booking on the internet" to the exclusion of other sites like hotelbooking.com.
Justice Stephen Breyer followed up when his turn came: "Same question as Justice Thomas ... good morning, anyway ... You can have a trademark that's an address. You can have a trademark that's a telephone number. So why can't you have a trademark that's a dot-com?"
Justice Samuel Alito noted that the court's prior decision in this area of the law was more than 100 years old, and the statute dealing with trademarks was similarly enacted decades ago.
"How can a rule that makes sense in the internet age be reconciled with the language" in these "pre-internet era" laws? asked Alito.
Next up to her lectern from her home was lawyer Lisa Blatt. This was her 40th Supreme Court argument and despite being a veteran, she said later that she was, as usual, sick to her stomach beforehand.
But once at the lectern "it's always a rush of excitement," she said, and this time it was a special rush.
"I loved getting a question from Justice Thomas ... I would go to the phone for the foreseeable future if I could get Justice Thomas to ask questions. That was wonderful," she said.
Indeed, despite the new format Blatt and Ross seemed to have had a good time.
"Your client would not object to the registration of any trademark that simply made a slight variation in Booking.com?" asked Alito.
"There's a million booking registrations already," parried Blatt.
Alito: "Would you just answer the question."
Blatt: "They don't and have not and would not."
Not, she added, unless another company ripped off the trademark with no variation. That would be theft, she said.
So, when when the argument was over, what was her reaction?
"After I hung up, I screamed, 'That was hard!' Because you're saying enough to answer, but not too much. And you don't have any like visual feedback, so it was hard."
In the end, she said, the argument felt more like an oral exam than an oral argument.
Tom Goldstein, publisher of Scotusblog, had a similar reaction. Goldstein, who has argued 43 cases before the court, said he thought the argument was probably more useful to the public than usual.
"But I bet it was less useful for the justices," he said. "Because there was less opportunity to follow up on lines of questions and less opportunity to influence someone ... so there's much less engagement in the oral argument."
Still there were no major hitches on this first day. Justice Sonia Sotomayor briefly forget to unmute her phone at one point, prompting a "Sorry, chief." Justice Breyer's voice broke up in static for a second or two. But as Goldstein observes, this was a big change for the court.
"Culturally a change, technologically a change. And it could have been a big embarrassment if it didn't go well, but it went fine," he said. "I think they're happy."


npr--2020-05-04--Shooting Stars Are Coming From Aquarius — Here's How To Watch

Shooting Stars Are Coming From Aquarius — Here 's How To Watch The sky will provide a socially distant entertainment activity for stargazers this week : the annual Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower .
The May meteor shower is bits of ice and space dust left behind from Halley 's Comet that crash into Earth 's atmosphere , creating what we see as shooting stars .
The annual shower serves as a reminder of the famed fireball only visible from Earth every 75 years or so .
Its last sighting was in 1986 , putting its next expected sighting in 2061 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to peak between Monday and Wednesday night , and is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere , where the night is longer at this time of year .
But Northern Hemisphere viewers will have a chance to see the shower between 3 a.m. and dawn , International Meteor Organization Secretary General Robert Lunsford tells NPR .
`` You can see them from anywhere as long as the sky is clear , '' Lunsford said .
But the shower wo n't be as good this year as it was last May , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full on Thursday , reducing the visibility of meteors .
Viewers should look due east to see the shooting stars , which will be coming up from the horizon and moving quickly across the night sky from their origin in the constellation Aquarius .
Observers in the Northern Hemisphere can expect to see between five and 10 meteors per hour , depending on weather conditions.The more dry and clear the night , the better chance of seeing the shower .
In Australia , stargazers reported up to 37 meteors per hour in good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shower experience , says Lunsford , is to get comfortable .
`` Do n't step outside and stand there and expect to see meteor activity , '' he says .
Instead , he suggests grabbing a lawn chair and a warm blanket and setting up camp in the darkest area possible .
`` If you 're comfortable , you 're gon na see a lot more activity . ''
And if being awake at 4 a.m. is not feasible , more vibrant showers including the Perseids and the Geminids will come later this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and December .

Shooting Stars Are Coming From Aquarius — Here's How To Watch
The sky will provide a socially distant entertainment activity for stargazers this week: the annual Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower.
The May meteor shower is bits of ice and space dust left behind from Halley's Comet that crash into Earth's atmosphere, creating what we see as shooting stars. The annual shower serves as a reminder of the famed fireball only visible from Earth every 75 years or so. Its last sighting was in 1986, putting its next expected sighting in 2061.
This year's meteor shower is expected to peak between Monday and Wednesday night, and is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, where the night is longer at this time of year.
But Northern Hemisphere viewers will have a chance to see the shower between 3 a.m. and dawn, International Meteor Organization Secretary General Robert Lunsford tells NPR.
"You can see them from anywhere as long as the sky is clear," Lunsford said. But the shower won't be as good this year as it was last May, he says, because the moon will be full on Thursday, reducing the visibility of meteors.
Viewers should look due east to see the shooting stars, which will be coming up from the horizon and moving quickly across the night sky from their origin in the constellation Aquarius.
Observers in the Northern Hemisphere can expect to see between five and 10 meteors per hour, depending on weather conditions.The more dry and clear the night, the better chance of seeing the shower. In Australia, stargazers reported up to 37 meteors per hour in good conditions.
The key to a successful shower experience, says Lunsford, is to get comfortable.
"Don't step outside and stand there and expect to see meteor activity," he says. Instead, he suggests grabbing a lawn chair and a warm blanket and setting up camp in the darkest area possible. "If you're comfortable, you're gonna see a lot more activity."
And if being awake at 4 a.m. is not feasible, more vibrant showers including the Perseids and the Geminids will come later this year with better sky conditions in August and December.


npr--2020-05-04--Saudi Arabia's Oil Tanker Flotilla Is Reaching The U.S., Despite Some Objections

Saudi Arabia 's Oil Tanker Flotilla Is Reaching The U.S. , Despite Some Objections A flotilla of Saudi tankers loaded with crude oil has begun arriving on the U.S. Gulf Coast , worrying American shale producers who face uncertainty because of an oversupply of oil .
At least 18 very large crude carriers , each carrying 2 million barrels of oil , are headed to the U.S. , according to Michelle Wiese Bockmann , markets editor and oil analyst for Lloyd 's List , a shipping news service in London .
The first tanker , the Dalian , arrived last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Houston and has yet to discharge any of its cargo , according to Lloyd 's shipping tracking .
The last one is due to arrive at the end of May .
All the ships were loaded in eastern Saudi Arabia in late March and early April , Wiese Bockmann says .
The surge in Saudi oil shipments comes amid an oil glut and an estimated 30 % drop in global demand because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It also adds to tanker congestion at U.S. ports , as fuel storage runs short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressuring the Trump administration to block the shipments .
Saudi Arabia began filling the tankers during a spat with Russia over production levels .
With the lowest oil prices in years , Saudi Arabia wanted to limit global production to boost prices .
Russia refused , so Saudi Arabia cranked the spigots on full , pumping millions of extra barrels a day in a bid to grab market share .
Prices plummeted , helped by a sharp drop in demand from the pandemic .
In mid-April , President Trump weighed in to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia .
Both sides , along with other oil producing nations , agreed to cut production May 1 .
Analysts believe much of the Saudi oil headed to the Gulf Coast has been purchased by U.S. refiners at deeply discounted prices , and some of it was sent on spec .
The Saudis chartered some of the tankers , including one for a whopping $ 350,000 per day , Bockmann says .
`` They were so keen to get this armada of oil over to the U.S. Gulf , they paid this crazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is growing anger among U.S. producers and politicians from shale oil-producing states , worried that Saudi Arabia will flood the market with cheap oil .
`` We 're allowing Saudi Arabia to continue to have such easy access to the American markets at a time when it is Saudi Arabia , in my view , that is largely responsible for the great supply glut , '' North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer told NPR .
Cramer is part of a growing chorus calling on President Trump to stop the Saudi oil from reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would favor placing tariffs on the crude , but would go even further , calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and weapons from Saudi Arabia .
`` Why would we put 2,500 troops in harm 's way and a whole bunch of missile defense systems in Saudi Arabia to defend their oil when they 've declared war on our oil ? ''
Cramer says .
Even though the U.S. is a leading oil producer , it still imports more than 5 million barrels a day to meet domestic consumers ' needs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president of the American Petroleum Institute , a trade association .
`` Some refineries are configured , or optimized , to better use the medium sour crude '' that Saudi Arabia produces , he says .
President Trump has indicated he wants to help U.S. oil producers .
But critics say Trump has been soft on Saudi Arabia , turning a blind eye to the devastating air offensive in Yemen , human rights abuses and the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi .
Kirsten Fontenrose , a former senior official in charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia , acknowledges Trump 's close relationship with the kingdom .
`` There is this kind of personalized relationship between the president and the Saudi royal family that began when the president made his big trip out there in 2017 , '' she says .
Fontenrose , now with the think tank the Atlantic Council , says the Trump administration sees Saudi Arabia as a valuable ally it needs to stick with .
`` We can either just sort of write them off and then wind up with lots of other problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , 'OK , this is unacceptable , ' `` she says , while the U.S. tries to `` mentor behavior change '' in Saudi Arabia .
The Saudis may not have gotten that message , judging from the millions of barrels of crude oil heading to the Gulf coast .

Saudi Arabia's Oil Tanker Flotilla Is Reaching The U.S., Despite Some Objections
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saudi Energy Ministry via AP Saudi Energy Ministry via AP
A flotilla of Saudi tankers loaded with crude oil has begun arriving on the U.S. Gulf Coast, worrying American shale producers who face uncertainty because of an oversupply of oil.
At least 18 very large crude carriers, each carrying 2 million barrels of oil, are headed to the U.S., according to Michelle Wiese Bockmann, markets editor and oil analyst for Lloyd's List, a shipping news service in London.
The first tanker, the Dalian, arrived last Friday and is floating off the coast of Houston and has yet to discharge any of its cargo, according to Lloyd's shipping tracking. The last one is due to arrive at the end of May.
All the ships were loaded in eastern Saudi Arabia in late March and early April, Wiese Bockmann says.
The surge in Saudi oil shipments comes amid an oil glut and an estimated 30% drop in global demand because of the coronavirus pandemic. It also adds to tanker congestion at U.S. ports, as fuel storage runs short. American oil producers and senators are pressuring the Trump administration to block the shipments.
"Crazy money"
Saudi Arabia began filling the tankers during a spat with Russia over production levels. With the lowest oil prices in years, Saudi Arabia wanted to limit global production to boost prices. Russia refused, so Saudi Arabia cranked the spigots on full, pumping millions of extra barrels a day in a bid to grab market share. Prices plummeted, helped by a sharp drop in demand from the pandemic.
Business Trump Urges Saudi Arabia And Russia To End Oil War Trump Urges Saudi Arabia And Russia To End Oil War Listen · 3:42 3:42
In mid-April, President Trump weighed in to help end the fight between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Both sides, along with other oil producing nations, agreed to cut production May 1.
Analysts believe much of the Saudi oil headed to the Gulf Coast has been purchased by U.S. refiners at deeply discounted prices, and some of it was sent on spec. The Saudis chartered some of the tankers, including one for a whopping $350,000 per day, Bockmann says.
"They were so keen to get this armada of oil over to the U.S. Gulf, they paid this crazy money," she says.
Saudi Arabia "responsible" for glut
There is growing anger among U.S. producers and politicians from shale oil-producing states, worried that Saudi Arabia will flood the market with cheap oil.
"We're allowing Saudi Arabia to continue to have such easy access to the American markets at a time when it is Saudi Arabia, in my view, that is largely responsible for the great supply glut," North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer told NPR.
Cramer is part of a growing chorus calling on President Trump to stop the Saudi oil from reaching American refineries. The senator says he would favor placing tariffs on the crude, but would go even further, calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and weapons from Saudi Arabia.
"Why would we put 2,500 troops in harm's way and a whole bunch of missile defense systems in Saudi Arabia to defend their oil when they've declared war on our oil?" Cramer says.
U.S. oil imports
Even though the U.S. is a leading oil producer, it still imports more than 5 million barrels a day to meet domestic consumers' needs, according to Frank Macchiarola, a senior vice president of the American Petroleum Institute, a trade association.
"Some refineries are configured, or optimized, to better use the medium sour crude" that Saudi Arabia produces, he says.
President Trump has indicated he wants to help U.S. oil producers. But critics say Trump has been soft on Saudi Arabia, turning a blind eye to the devastating air offensive in Yemen, human rights abuses and the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Kirsten Fontenrose, a former senior official in charge of the Trump administration's policy toward Saudi Arabia, acknowledges Trump's close relationship with the kingdom.
"There is this kind of personalized relationship between the president and the Saudi royal family that began when the president made his big trip out there in 2017," she says.
Fontenrose, now with the think tank the Atlantic Council, says the Trump administration sees Saudi Arabia as a valuable ally it needs to stick with.
"We can either just sort of write them off and then wind up with lots of other problems down the road. Or we can say, 'OK, this is unacceptable,' " she says, while the U.S. tries to "mentor behavior change" in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis may not have gotten that message, judging from the millions of barrels of crude oil heading to the Gulf coast.


npr--2020-05-04--Alaska Restaurant Owner: Reopening Far From Profitable, But Still Worth It

Alaska Restaurant Owner : Reopening Far From Profitable , But Still Worth It In Alaska , some restaurants are easing their way back into the business of serving food to dine-in customers .
Alaska has the lowest number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the 50 states , and on April 21 , Gov .
Mike Dunleavy unveiled the first phase of reopening the state 's economy .
It allowed some businesses , including restaurants , to reopen under new safety guidelines , beginning April 24 .
Those guidelines include allowing only 25 % customer capacity , sanitizing surfaces at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear masks at all times .
Matt Tomter of Matanuska Brewing Company and his staff decided they were ready to invite diners back into three of their four restaurant and brewery locations in the Anchorage area .
( Tomter said the fourth restaurant is too small a space to implement required social distancing and other safety measures . )
`` It 's been a challenge , '' he tells All Things Considered .
`` There 's a significant amount of work that goes into meeting all the guidelines and dealing with people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not kept customers away : Tomter says the three restaurants have hit the 25 % maximum capacity during the week their dining rooms have been open .
He hopes the ceiling will be lifted to 50 % capacity at the end of this week .
Here are excerpts from the interview .
Three of your four brewery and restaurant locations have been open a week .
How is it going ?
The real challenge , of course , is 25 % .
That does n't constitute a profitable situation .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now and a big delivery program going right now .
So the three of them together , it 's worth doing for us .
Do you have servers touching the plates ?
How does it work ?
Everything we 're using is disposable , other than the plates .
I mean , you ca n't cut on a paper plate .
... Servers are in gloves and masks .
Most of the customers are encouraged to wear a mask on the way in .
But you ca n't sit there and eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most people do n't come in with those on .
Do you think there 's any advantage to doing this in Alaska , where people are more used to being spread out than they are in a lot of parts of the country ?
We 're not New York City .
...
The reason Alaska is able to open right now is we are naturally socially distanced .
We 're way up here , and there 's not a lot of planes coming in .
So it 's just basically Alaskans right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And we just did n't get a big hit with the virus at the beginning .
How about your employees ?
Was anybody reluctant to come back ?
Unemployment is maybe a steadier paycheck these days .
We 've got the PPP [ Paycheck Protection Program ] .
We 're paying people more than we normally would in order to get people to come back .
If they want to work and they feel comfortable doing it , they 're welcome back .
If they do n't , we 're just letting people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it certainly does not feel normal , but does it feel good to be back ?
Well , I mean , sitting down and having a beer and watching last year 's sports , there 's something to that .
...
The overwhelming amount of folks that are coming in are just relieved to be able to sit down and order a beer and get a burger and just enjoy not being at their house .

Alaska Restaurant Owner: Reopening Far From Profitable, But Still Worth It
In Alaska, some restaurants are easing their way back into the business of serving food to dine-in customers.
Alaska has the lowest number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the 50 states, and on April 21, Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveiled the first phase of reopening the state's economy. It allowed some businesses, including restaurants, to reopen under new safety guidelines, beginning April 24.
Those guidelines include allowing only 25% customer capacity, sanitizing surfaces at least every hour, and requiring servers to wear masks at all times.
Matt Tomter of Matanuska Brewing Company and his staff decided they were ready to invite diners back into three of their four restaurant and brewery locations in the Anchorage area. (Tomter said the fourth restaurant is too small a space to implement required social distancing and other safety measures.)
"It's been a challenge," he tells All Things Considered. "There's a significant amount of work that goes into meeting all the guidelines and dealing with people's fears."
But these fears have not kept customers away: Tomter says the three restaurants have hit the 25% maximum capacity during the week their dining rooms have been open. He hopes the ceiling will be lifted to 50% capacity at the end of this week.
Here are excerpts from the interview.
Three of your four brewery and restaurant locations have been open a week. How is it going?
The real challenge, of course, is 25%. That doesn't constitute a profitable situation. But, we have a big takeout program going right now and a big delivery program going right now. So the three of them together, it's worth doing for us.
Do you have servers touching the plates? How does it work?
Everything we're using is disposable, other than the plates. I mean, you can't cut on a paper plate. ... Servers are in gloves and masks. Most of the customers are encouraged to wear a mask on the way in. But you can't sit there and eat and drink with them on. So, most people don't come in with those on.
Do you think there's any advantage to doing this in Alaska, where people are more used to being spread out than they are in a lot of parts of the country?
We're not New York City. ... The reason Alaska is able to open right now is we are naturally socially distanced. We're way up here, and there's not a lot of planes coming in. So it's just basically Alaskans right now trying to get through it. And we just didn't get a big hit with the virus at the beginning.
How about your employees? Was anybody reluctant to come back? Unemployment is maybe a steadier paycheck these days.
We've got the PPP [Paycheck Protection Program]. We're paying people more than we normally would in order to get people to come back. If they want to work and they feel comfortable doing it, they're welcome back. If they don't, we're just letting people ride it out.
It sounds like it certainly does not feel normal, but does it feel good to be back?
Well, I mean, sitting down and having a beer and watching last year's sports, there's something to that. ...
The overwhelming amount of folks that are coming in are just relieved to be able to sit down and order a beer and get a burger and just enjoy not being at their house.