npr--2020-06-21--Yes, Wearing Masks Helps. Here's Why

Yes, Wearing Masks Helps. Here's Why

Mask wearing has become a topic of fierce debate in the U.S. People opposed to mask mandates have staged protests , and one local health official in Orange County , Calif. , quit her job after receiving a death threat for a mask order .
Not long after , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered Californians to wear face coverings in public .
Meanwhile in Texas , Gov .
Greg Abbott recently allowed some counties to impose mask mandates on businesses , despite an earlier order forbidding penalties on individuals for not wearing masks .
While politicians spar over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies support the idea that masks are a critical tool in curbing the spread of the coronavirus .
Take for example , a meta-analysis of 172 studies looking at various interventions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 , SARS and MERS from an infected person to people close to them , which was published in The Lancet on June 1 .
It found that mask wearing significantly reduces the risk of viral transmission .
`` What this evidence supports is that , if there is a policy around using face masks in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairly large effect , '' says study co-author Holger Schünemann , an epidemiologist at McMaster University .
Now , most of the studies in the analysis looked at face mask use in health-care , not community , settings .
And they were observational , not the gold standard of science , a randomized-controlled trial , which would be `` very unethical in a pandemic , '' says Jeffrey Shaman , an epidemiologist at Columbia University .
Still , he says the fact that there is a benefit from masks is clear .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a key component of the non-pharmaceutical arsenal we have to combat COVID-19 , '' says Shaman .
It 's understandable if some people remain skeptical , since , at the beginning of the pandemic , public health officials in the U.S. said the general public did n't need masks .
But that changed as it became clear that infected people can spread the coronavirus before they even show symptoms of COVID-19 , or even if they never show symptoms .
Researchers emphasize there are two main reasons to wear masks .
There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the stronger evidence is that masks protect others from catching an infection from the person wearing the mask .
And infected people can spread the virus just by talking .
`` If you 're talking , when things are coming out of your mouth , they 're coming out fast , '' says Linsey Marr , a researcher at Virginia Tech who studies the airborne transmission of viruses .
`` They 're going to slam into the cloth mask .
I think even a low-quality mask can block a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a study published in Nature Medicine in April that looked at people infected with the flu and seasonal coronaviruses .
It found that even loose-fitting surgical masks blocked almost all the contagious droplets the wearers breathed out — and even some infectious aerosols , too — tiny particles that can linger in the air .
Other recent studies offer indirect evidence for universal mask use , even if worn by people who are feeling healthy .
One study , published in late May in BMJ , looked at people in households in Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
At the time , explains study co-author Raina MacIntyre , research was already showing that the majority of transmission of the virus was happening inside households , and China already had a culture of mask wearing .
The study found that in households where everyone was wearing a face masks indoors as a precaution before they knew anyone who lived there was sick , the risk of transmission was cut by 79 % .
`` The more people that were wearing a mask , the more protective it was , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program at the Kirby Institute at University of New South Wales in Australia .
In other words , when everyone wore a mask , it protected the whole household .
Another study , published last week in the journal Cell , suggests that the coronavirus may first establish itself in the nasal cavity , before sometimes moving down to the lungs to cause more serious damage .
If that 's the case , the authors conclude , the findings `` argue for the widespread use of masks '' to prevent the virus from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an uninfected one .
And a modeling study , published last week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A , concluded that , if the majority of a population wore face masks in public — even just homemade ones — that could dramatically reduce transmission of the virus and help prevent future waves of the pandemic .
( Remember , we 're still in the first wave in the U.S. ) Researchers will tell you that masks wo n't provide foolproof protection .
And teasing out the science of masks will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough evidence already to say that , combined with measures like social distancing , masks really do help .
`` From what I 've seen , I would be comfortable sending my kids back to school if everyone 's wearing masks and they 're staying as far apart as possible , '' Marr says .
Of course , how much protection a mask provides – both to the wearers and to the people around them – depends on the type of mask and whether you are wearing them properly .
( Note : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as your mouth . )
N95 respirators are designed to fit tightly around the nose and mouth , so that the air you breathe has to go through the mask ; when worn correctly , they block at least 95 % of small airborne particles .
N95s protect both the wearer and other people , but they 're still in short supply and should be reserved for health care workers and emergency responders .
Surgical masks are designed to protect people from the wearer .
Because they fit loosely , the wearer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sides .
Even so , surgical masks provide some benefit to the wearer as well : Laboratory testing has found that surgical masks block out 75 % of respiratory-droplet-sized particles .
As for cloth masks , the protection depends on what they 're made out of and how well they fit .
But with the right combination of materials , you can create a cloth mask that offers protection to the wearer in the 30 % to 50 % range or more , says May Chu , an epidemiologist at the Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper published on June 2 in NANO Letters on the filtration efficiency of household mask materials .
That 's far from foolproof protection , but combined with social distancing and hand washing , she says , it 's certainly better than nothing .
`` I think we need a combination of [ masks , ] distancing , avoiding crowds , avoiding poorly ventilated spaces , '' says Linsey Marr .
Even if each of those individual measures is only partially effective , she says , `` by the time you add them all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can achieve better numbers for reduction of transmission . ''
Earlier this month , the real world provided anecdotal evidence to back that assessment : The head of the local health department in Springfield , Mo.
, reported that after two hair stylists tested positive for the coronavirus , none of the 140 clients and six coworkers potentially exposed came down with COVID-19 .
As The Washington Post reports , officials said the two hair stylists wore cloth masks .
According to a statement from the health department in Springfield , the salon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as distancing salon chairs and staggering appointments .

Yes, Wearing Masks Helps. Here's Why
Enlarge this image toggle caption Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Mask wearing has become a topic of fierce debate in the United States.
People opposed to mask mandates have staged protests, and one local health official in Orange County, Calif., quit her job after receiving a death threat for a mask order. Not long after, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Californians to wear face coverings in public.
Meanwhile in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott recently allowed some counties to impose mask mandates on businesses, despite an earlier order forbidding penalties on individuals for not wearing masks.
While politicians spar over the topic, a growing number of scientific studies support the idea that masks are a critical tool in curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
Take, for example, a meta-analysis of 172 studies that looked at various interventions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, SARS and MERS from an infected person to people close to them. The analysis, which was published in The Lancet on June 1, found that mask wearing significantly reduces the risk of viral transmission.
"What this evidence supports is that, if there is a policy around using face masks in place, it does actually come with a fairly large effect," says study co-author Holger Schünemann, an epidemiologist at McMaster University.
Now, most of the studies in the analysis looked at face mask use in health care, not community, settings. And they were observational, not the gold standard of science, a randomized controlled trial, which would be "very unethical in a pandemic," says Jeffrey Shaman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University. Still, he says the fact that there is a benefit from masks is clear.
"I personally think that face masks are a key component of the non-pharmaceutical arsenal we have to combat COVID-19," says Shaman.
It's understandable if some people remain skeptical, since, at the beginning of the pandemic, public health officials in the U.S. said the general public didn't need masks. But that changed as it became clear that infected people can spread the coronavirus before they even show symptoms of COVID-19 or even if they never show symptoms.
Researchers emphasize there are two main reasons to wear masks. There's some evidence of protection for the wearer, but the stronger evidence is that masks protect others from catching an infection from the person wearing the mask. And infected people can spread the virus just by talking.
"If you're talking, when things are coming out of your mouth, they're coming out fast," says Linsey Marr, a researcher at Virginia Tech who studies the airborne transmission of viruses. "They're going to slam into the cloth mask. I think even a low-quality mask can block a lot of those droplets."
Marr points to a study published in Nature Medicine in April that looked at people infected with the flu and seasonal coronaviruses. It found that even loose-fitting surgical masks blocked almost all the contagious droplets the wearers breathed out and even also some infectious aerosols — tiny particles that can linger in the air.
Other recent studies offer indirect evidence for universal mask use, even if worn by people who are feeling healthy. One study, published in late May in BMJ Global Health, looked at people in households in Beijing where one person was confirmed to have COVID-19. At the time, explains study co-author Raina MacIntyre, research was already showing that the majority of transmission of the virus was happening inside households, and China already had a culture of mask wearing. The study found that in households where everyone was wearing a face mask indoors as a precaution before they knew anyone who lived there was sick, the risk of transmission was cut by 79%.
"The more people that were wearing a mask, the more protective it was," says MacIntyre, head of the biosecurity program at the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales in Australia. In other words, when everyone wore a mask, it protected the whole household.
Another study, published in late May in the journal Cell, suggests that the coronavirus may first establish itself in the nasal cavity, before sometimes moving down to the lungs to cause more serious damage. If that's the case, the authors conclude, the findings "argue for the widespread use of masks" to prevent the virus from exiting an infected nose or entering an uninfected one.
And a modeling study, published this month in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, concluded that if the majority of a population wore face masks in public — even just homemade ones — that this could dramatically reduce transmission of the virus and help prevent future waves of the pandemic. (Remember, we're still in the first wave in the U.S.)
Enlarge this image toggle caption Avilash Cramer Avilash Cramer
Researchers will tell you that masks won't provide full protection. And teasing out the science of masks will take time. But Marr says there's enough evidence already to say that, combined with measures like social distancing, masks really do help.
"From what I've seen, I would be comfortable sending my kids back to school if everyone's wearing masks and they're staying as far apart as possible," Marr says.
Of course, how much protection a mask provides — both to the wearers and to the people around them — depends on the type of mask and whether you are wearing it properly. (Note: It has to cover your nose as well as your mouth.) N95 respirators are designed to fit tightly around the nose and mouth so that the air you breathe has to go through the mask; when worn correctly, they block at least 95% of small airborne particles. N95 masks protect both the wearer and other people, but they're still in short supply and should be reserved for health care workers and emergency responders.
Surgical masks are designed to protect people from the wearer. Because they fit loosely, the wearer can still breathe in unfiltered air from the sides. Even so, surgical masks provide some benefit to the wearer as well: Laboratory testing has found that surgical masks block out 75% of respiratory-droplet-size particles.
Avoid masks with a valve in the front. That valve lets unfiltered air out, so it won't protect other people if you're contagious. And after all, protecting others is one of the main reasons to wear a mask in the first place.
As for cloth masks, the protection depends on what they're made out of and how well they fit. But with the right combination of materials, you can create a cloth mask that offers protection to the wearer in the 30% to 50% range or more, says May Chu, an epidemiologist at the Colorado School of Public Health who co-authored a paper published on June 2 in Nano Letters on the filtration efficiency of household mask materials. That's far from full protection, but combined with social distancing and hand-washing, she says, it's certainly better than nothing.
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"I think we need a combination of [masks,] distancing, avoiding crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces," says Marr. Even if each of those individual measures is only partially effective, she says, "by the time you add them all on top of each other, you can achieve better numbers for reduction of transmission."
This month, the real world provided anecdotal evidence to back that assessment: The head of the local health department in Springfield, Mo., reported that after two hair stylists tested positive for the coronavirus, none of the 140 clients and six co-workers potentially exposed came down with COVID-19. As The Washington Post reports, officials said the two hair stylists wore cloth masks. According to a statement from the health department in Springfield, the salon also had other policies in place, such as distancing salon chairs and staggering appointments.


npr--2020-06-21--Parents Of Sandy Hook Shooting Victim Hope Protesters Will Hold Out For Real Change

Parents Of Sandy Hook Shooting Victim Hope Protesters Will Hold Out For Real Change The protests since the death of George Floyd are being hailed by many as a watershed moment that might ultimately bring about an end to police brutality and systemic racism .
But the high hopes are also tangled up in dark fears that the current uprising will eventually die down and will end up being just one more missed opportunity .
Nelba Marquez-Greene , 45 , has seen it before .
After her 6-year-old daughter , Ana Grace , was killed , along with 25 others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sandy Hook Elementary School , she 'd hoped that tragedy would mark a turning point .
She poured herself into protesting and lobbying for meaningful change .
Today , as she watches demonstrators demanding racial justice , with their unusually large crowds , their diversity and their `` fierce determination to change things , '' she said , she ca n't help but feel `` so much hope . ''
But at the same time , she said , her rising hopes also bring pain .
`` It just is retraumatizing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , '' she said .
`` We have learned that people will move on .
Attention spans are short , and as big as this is right now , we know that people will move on . ''
Just as they eventually did , Marquez-Greene said , when she dared to expect new national gun laws after her daughter was killed .
`` We had an expectation that because this terrible thing happened , of course , people would do the right thing , '' she recalled .
Back then , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to stare at the mother of a child who was murdered and shot seven , eight times and say , ' I wo n't enact legislation . '
And the truth is , that 's where we went wrong .
Some of these legislators out there , they 're banking on you to stop putting pressure on . ''
Marquez-Greene said George Floyd 's death is as personal for her family as her daughter 's murder .
Marquez-Greene is Puerto Rican and her husband , Jimmy Greene , 45 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said a recent political cartoon really captured it for them .
It juxtaposed two guys : one white , carrying an assault rifle and getting a friendly wave from a policeman , and another black , unarmed and getting crushed by an officer 's knee on his neck .
`` I thought to myself , I live in an America where my youngest was killed by a mass shooter who looked like the first boy , '' she said .
`` And I live in an America where my son looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee on his neck .
What an unjust thing that is , [ for him to endure ] the perception of evil or harm that people might think of him .
Especially knowing how his sister died .
The irony there is breathtaking , and the injustice even more so . ''
It 's what 's been driving her anguished tweets lately , imploring protestors to stay the course .
`` Like a dog on a bone , stay on folks and keep them accountable or we will be doing this again with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted .
Another tweet beseeched , `` Do not let up the pressure , '' and `` Do n't grow complacent ... like so many of you did after Newtown . ''
`` I only have one child left , '' Marquez-Greene said .
Watching this current uprising fizzle out , is `` just not a luxury that I have , '' she said .
`` We have an opportunity , sadly given to us by the cries of a man whose neck was kneeled on for eight minutes and forty-six seconds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say , 'Enough is enough ? '
It would be so incredibly shameful of our country '' not to do so .
Marquez-Greene is hardly a cynic by nature ; she 's the type who feeds on hope and is fueled by faith .
But her life experience has left both her and her husband leery .
As Greene put it , it 's not just the eight years since his daughter 's murder , but also his 45 years as an African American whose country `` has promised a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` I 've been trained as a black man .
You ca n't get too hopeful about certain things , '' he said .
`` Optimism that things are finally going to change ... is always met with a lot of realism that , 'Hey , we 've been here before .
What 's really different now ? '
`` Sometimes , it feels like not so much , they said , especially in their mostly white , conservative suburb in Connecticut .
Marquez-Greene said it 's been crushing to read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online forum about the protests : `` lmao you sound so dumb , '' began one .
`` Black people can have the same house , same career , same everything I can [ ... ] I 'm not privileged either jerk [ ... ] but I chose to do better and not live off welfare like so many do then call themselves oppressed because they wo n't try to better themselves . ''
`` It 's heartbreaking , but it 's what we have to deal with , '' Greene said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been pulled over by police , and has given his son , Isaiah , `` the talk '' about what to do when it happens to him .
And just like the fact that he opted to skip his evening walk one night when his wife could n't join him , rather than venture out in their new neighborhood alone .
`` I think we know all too well what could happen , '' Greene said .
Indeed , the very next day , news broke of Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed while out for a jog , by white men who accused him of being a burglar .
Little wonder that when Marquez-Greene and her family happened to drive by a protest in a neighboring town recently , their first instinct was to brace themselves , figuring they 'd stumbled on a counter-demonstration rather than a Black Lives Matter rally .
As they approached , `` I said , 'Let 's take a deep breath , ' `` Marquez-Greene recalled .
Greene says the first thing that crossed his mind was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my car and there is a green light , so if it was the wrong kind of protest , I could get out of there fairly quickly . ''
But as they drew closer , they were both surprised — and thrilled — to hear the crowds chanting , `` Black Lives Matter , '' and to see signs saying , `` Racism is a pandemic too '' and `` We the people means all of us , '' and placards with the names of many who have died at the hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my window and stuck my clenched fist in the air and beeped my horn as loud as I could , just to show them I appreciated them , and that we need them , '' said Greene .
`` There were people of every shade together , and that 's what touched me most . ''
`` He was just , 'Wow , they 're doing this for us ! '
`` recalled Marquez-Greene .
`` It was a moment that took my breath away . ''
In such moments , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time will be different , Marquez-Greene said .
But as always , before getting too carried away with hope , that skeptical side always punches back .
`` It takes a long time to change humans ' hearts , '' Greene said .
`` I 'm not foolish enough to think that 400 years of [ systemic racism ] will be washed away in a few years . ''
Or even in time for their son , Isaiah .
At 15 , he has also had to deal with the insidiousness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a department store security guard as he was shopping for a dress shirt for a school dance .
But maybe change will come in time for their grandchildren .
`` I hope when Isaiah has children , '' Marquez-Greene said , choking back tears , and they ask Isaiah about this moment in time , he `` will be able to say to them , 'It was really hard , but here 's how love won . '
`` Greene , a saxophonist and composer , just wrote a new song , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's meant to buoy people 's spirits to keep battling on , even when the reality on the ground makes it hard .
He knows all too well how deflating it can be , and the cynicism it can sow .
`` This can make people bitter really , really quickly .
And [ it can make them ] lose hope , '' he said .
But `` our greatest heroes achieved their greatness because they kept believing in the ability for change to come , even if they could n't see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it because they knew it was possible .
We 've got to have that same kind of mindset . ''
There 's a difference , Greene said , between hope and faith .
For him , it 's the latter that keeps his family going when hope inevitably falters .

Parents Of Sandy Hook Shooting Victim Hope Protesters Will Hold Out For Real Change
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Moore/Getty Images John Moore/Getty Images
The protests since the death of George Floyd are being hailed by many as a watershed moment that might ultimately bring about an end to police brutality and systemic racism. But the high hopes are also tangled up in dark fears that the current uprising will eventually die down and will end up being just one more missed opportunity.
Nelba Marquez-Greene, 45, has seen it before. After her 6-year-old daughter, Ana Grace, was killed, along with 25 others, in the 2012 mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, she'd hoped that tragedy would mark a turning point. She poured herself into protesting and lobbying for meaningful change. Today, as she watches demonstrators demanding racial justice, with their unusually large crowds, their diversity and their "fierce determination to change things," she said, she can't help but feel "so much hope."
But at the same time, she said, her rising hopes also bring pain.
"It just is retraumatizing to live this over and over and over again," she said. "We have learned that people will move on. Attention spans are short, and as big as this is right now, we know that people will move on."
Just as they eventually did, Marquez-Greene said, when she dared to expect new national gun laws after her daughter was killed.
"We had an expectation that because this terrible thing happened, of course, people would do the right thing," she recalled. Back then, she figured "nobody in their right mind is going to stare at the mother of a child who was murdered and shot seven, eight times and say, 'I won't enact legislation.' And the truth is, that's where we went wrong. Some of these legislators out there, they're banking on you to stop putting pressure on."
Marquez-Greene said George Floyd's death is as personal for her family as her daughter's murder. Marquez-Greene is Puerto Rican and her husband, Jimmy Greene, 45, is black. They have a teenage son. She said a recent political cartoon really captured it for them. It juxtaposed two guys: one white, carrying an assault rifle and getting a friendly wave from a policeman, and another black, unarmed and getting crushed by an officer's knee on his neck.
"I thought to myself, I live in an America where my youngest was killed by a mass shooter who looked like the first boy," she said. "And I live in an America where my son looks like the second boy, with a knee on his neck. What an unjust thing that is, [for him to endure] the perception of evil or harm that people might think of him. Especially knowing how his sister died. The irony there is breathtaking, and the injustice even more so."
It's what's been driving her anguished tweets lately, imploring protestors to stay the course. "Like a dog on a bone, stay on folks and keep them accountable or we will be doing this again with another child's father," she posted. Another tweet beseeched, "Do not let up the pressure," and "Don't grow complacent... like so many of you did after Newtown."
"I only have one child left," Marquez-Greene said. Watching this current uprising fizzle out, is "just not a luxury that I have," she said. "We have an opportunity, sadly given to us by the cries of a man whose neck was kneeled on for eight minutes and forty-six seconds. How dare us not take this moment and say, 'Enough is enough?' It would be so incredibly shameful of our country" not to do so.
Marquez-Greene is hardly a cynic by nature; she's the type who feeds on hope and is fueled by faith. But her life experience has left both her and her husband leery. As Greene put it, it's not just the eight years since his daughter's murder, but also his 45 years as an African American whose country "has promised a lot of things that haven't come to fruition."
"I've been trained as a black man. You can't get too hopeful about certain things," he said. "Optimism that things are finally going to change ... is always met with a lot of realism that, 'Hey, we've been here before. What's really different now?' "
Sometimes, it feels like not so much, they said, especially in their mostly white, conservative suburb in Connecticut.
Marquez-Greene said it's been crushing to read what some neighbors are posting in an online forum about the protests: "lmao you sound so dumb," began one. "Black people can have the same house, same career, same everything I can [...] I'm not privileged either jerk [...] but I chose to do better and not live off welfare like so many do then call themselves oppressed because they won't try to better themselves."
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Goldman/AP David Goldman/AP
"It's heartbreaking, but it's what we have to deal with," Greene said. Just like the fact that he's been pulled over by police, and has given his son, Isaiah, "the talk" about what to do when it happens to him. And just like the fact that he opted to skip his evening walk one night when his wife couldn't join him, rather than venture out in their new neighborhood alone. "I think we know all too well what could happen," Greene said. Indeed, the very next day, news broke of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old black man from Atlanta, Ga., who was killed while out for a jog, by white men who accused him of being a burglar.
Little wonder that when Marquez-Greene and her family happened to drive by a protest in a neighboring town recently, their first instinct was to brace themselves, figuring they'd stumbled on a counter-demonstration rather than a Black Lives Matter rally.
As they approached, "I said, 'Let's take a deep breath,' " Marquez-Greene recalled. Greene says the first thing that crossed his mind was that "it's great that I was in my car and there is a green light, so if it was the wrong kind of protest, I could get out of there fairly quickly."
But as they drew closer, they were both surprised — and thrilled — to hear the crowds chanting, "Black Lives Matter," and to see signs saying, "Racism is a pandemic too" and "We the people means all of us," and placards with the names of many who have died at the hands of police.
"I rolled down my window and stuck my clenched fist in the air and beeped my horn as loud as I could, just to show them I appreciated them, and that we need them," said Greene. "There were people of every shade together, and that's what touched me most."
"He was just, 'Wow, they're doing this for us!' " recalled Marquez-Greene. "It was a moment that took my breath away."
In such moments, it's hard not to let yourself believe that this time will be different, Marquez-Greene said. But as always, before getting too carried away with hope, that skeptical side always punches back.
"It takes a long time to change humans' hearts," Greene said. "I'm not foolish enough to think that 400 years of [systemic racism] will be washed away in a few years."
Or even in time for their son, Isaiah. At 15, he has also had to deal with the insidiousness of racism, like when he was followed by a department store security guard as he was shopping for a dress shirt for a school dance. But maybe change will come in time for their grandchildren.
"I hope when Isaiah has children," Marquez-Greene said, choking back tears, and they ask Isaiah about this moment in time, he "will be able to say to them, 'It was really hard, but here's how love won.' "
Greene, a saxophonist and composer, just wrote a new song, "While Looking Up." It's meant to buoy people's spirits to keep battling on, even when the reality on the ground makes it hard. He knows all too well how deflating it can be, and the cynicism it can sow.
"This can make people bitter really, really quickly. And [it can make them] lose hope," he said. But "our greatest heroes achieved their greatness because they kept believing in the ability for change to come, even if they couldn't see it in their lifetimes. They fought for it because they knew it was possible. We've got to have that same kind of mindset."
There's a difference, Greene said, between hope and faith. For him, it's the latter that keeps his family going when hope inevitably falters.


npr--2020-06-21--PHOTOS: The Masks Of Congo Are Worn To Protect, To Protest — And To Strike A Pose

PHOTOS : The Masks Of Congo Are Worn To Protect , To Protest — And To Strike A Pose Masks make a statement .
About who you are — and your views of the pandemic .
That 's true in countries from the United States to the Democratic Republic of the Congo .
The government of Congo requires all Congolese to wear masks when going out in public to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus .
But many people resent this rule — and the fact that police can arrest you as if you 've committed a crime and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equivalent of $ 2.50 to $ 3 — for not obeying .
That 's a steep fine : The average per person income in the Congo is less than $ 2 a day .
The role of the police in mask enforcement makes people uneasy in a country with a history of police brutality .
What 's more , some in Congo do n't believe the novel coronavirus is a major threat .
One reason is that the conflict-ridden country is dealing with other major health challenges .
The annual count of malaria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been Ebola outbreaks in parts of the country , claiming over 2,000 lives since 2014 .
Since the start of 2019 , nearly 7,000 have died of measles .
By contrast , the coronavirus case count was 5,283 as of Friday , June 19 .
Then there are the conspiracy theorists who wonder if pandemic preparedness in Congo is part of a government plot to bring in money from international health agencies .
Like many conspiracy theories , this one is vague and confusing and unproven .
Despite their doubts , people do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect others and to protect themselves from COVID-19 .
They also wear them as a form of political expression .
They might wear a mask backward — or let it slip down around the neck .
Technically they are obeying the law but in fact they are flouting it .
Or they might make a mask out of an absurd material — a banana leaf — to mock the authorities .
But there 's another approach to masks in Congo .
The country is home to a group of people who call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes ( the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People ) .
They are often described as `` Congolese dandies , '' decked out with fancy hats , fine suits and canes .
Papa Wemba , a rumba musician who popularized the Sapeur culture in the late 1970s and early 1980s , reportedly said of their style : `` White people invented the clothes , but we make an art of it . ''
And now the Sapeurs are donning fashionable masks to match their artful garments .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks in Congo in the portraits by photographers Raissa Karama Rwizibuka , whose pictures were made in the city of Bukavu , and Justin Makangara , who photographed in the capital city of Kinshasha .
These images were made for Congo in Conversation , a collaborative digital group of Congolese photographers and journalists under the auspices of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award .

PHOTOS: The Masks Of Congo Are Worn To Protect, To Protest — And To Strike A Pose
Enlarge this image toggle caption Raissa Karama Rwizibuka Raissa Karama Rwizibuka
Masks make a statement. About who you are — and your views of the pandemic.
That's true in countries from the United States to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The government of Congo requires all Congolese to wear masks when going out in public to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Raissa Karama Rwizibuka Raissa Karama Rwizibuka
But many people resent this rule — and the fact that police can arrest you as if you've committed a crime and fine you 5,000 Congolese francs — the equivalent of $2.50 to $3 — for not obeying. That's a steep fine: The average per person income in the Congo is less than $2 a day.
The role of the police in mask enforcement makes people uneasy in a country with a history of police brutality.
What's more, some in Congo don't believe the novel coronavirus is a major threat. One reason is that the conflict-ridden country is dealing with other major health challenges. The annual count of malaria cases is over 800,000. There have been Ebola outbreaks in parts of the country, claiming over 2,000 lives since 2014. Since the start of 2019, nearly 7,000 have died of measles.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Justin Makangara Justin Makangara
By contrast, the coronavirus case count was 5,283 as of Friday, June 19.
Then there are the conspiracy theorists who wonder if pandemic preparedness in Congo is part of a government plot to bring in money from international health agencies. Like many conspiracy theories, this one is vague and confusing and unproven.
Despite their doubts, people do wear masks. They may do so to protect others and to protect themselves from COVID-19. They also wear them as a form of political expression. They might wear a mask backward — or let it slip down around the neck. Technically they are obeying the law but in fact they are flouting it.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Raissa Karama Rwizibuka Raissa Karama Rwizibuka
Enlarge this image toggle caption Justin Makangara Justin Makangara
Or they might make a mask out of an absurd material — a banana leaf — to mock the authorities.
But there's another approach to masks in Congo. The country is home to a group of people who call themselves Sapeurs — members of the Societe des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elegantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People). They are often described as "Congolese dandies," decked out with fancy hats, fine suits and canes.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Raissa Karama Rwizibuka Raissa Karama Rwizibuka
Papa Wemba, a rumba musician who popularized the Sapeur culture in the late 1970s and early 1980s, reportedly said of their style: "White people invented the clothes, but we make an art of it."
And now the Sapeurs are donning fashionable masks to match their artful garments.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Justin Makangara Justin Makangara
You can see the many ways people wear masks in Congo in the portraits by photographers Raissa Karama Rwizibuka, whose pictures were made in the city of Bukavu, and Justin Makangara, who photographed in the capital city of Kinshasha.
These images were made for Congo in Conversation, a collaborative digital group of Congolese photographers and journalists under the auspices of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award.


npr--2020-06-20--Money Tracker: How Much Trump And Biden Have Raised In The 2020 Election

Money Tracker : How Much Trump And Biden Have Raised In The 2020 Election Updated on June 20 at 9:57 p.m .
ET Which presidential candidate has the fundraising advantage ?
Here 's how much money the campaigns of President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have raised so far , according to their Federal Election Commission filings .
( Keep in mind that Trump 's reelection campaign had a fundraising head start . )
This tracker will be updated with each monthly report , prior to the general election .
Of course , the universe of campaign finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raises alone .
Each party has its own committee to help elect the president , which can work in concert with the official campaign and further contributes to the war chest .
Also , groups like super PACs , which can raise and spend unlimited amounts , can help or hurt the fortunes of a presidential nominee .
On both Biden 's and Trump 's sides , these independent groups have raised tens of millions of dollars on their own .
Do n't see the graphics in this story ?
Click here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 , 2020 .

Money Tracker: How Much Trump And Biden Have Raised In The 2020 Election
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Updated on December 4 at 8:35 a.m. ET
Which presidential candidate has the fundraising advantage?
Here's how much money the campaigns of President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden raised, according to their Federal Election Commission filings. (Keep in mind that Trump's reelection campaign had a fundraising head start.)
This is the final update, reflecting contributions through November 23.
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Of course, the universe of campaign finance is far bigger than what one candidate raises alone. Each party has its own committee to help elect a president, which can work in concert with the official campaign and further contributes to the war chest.
And campaigns often announce those joint fundraising totals before filing their FEC paperwork, so what this tracker has and what the campaign says can differ.
Also, groups like super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts, can help or hurt the fortunes of a presidential nominee. On both Biden's and Trump's sides, these independent groups have raised tens of millions of dollars on their own.
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Don't see the graphics in this story? Click here.
This story was originally published on May 20, 2020.
Photos: Gage Skidmore/Flickr


npr--2020-06-20--Virtual Poor People's Campaign Puts Inequality At The Center

Virtual Poor People 's Campaign Puts Inequality At The Center In the mid-1960s , after the passage of the Voting and Civil Rights Acts , Martin Luther King Jr. shifted his focus .
King theorized that racial inequality could not be defeated without economic equality .
The result was the 1968 Poor People 's Campaign , a multicultural , interfaith coalition with economic justice at its core .
More than half a century later , a new generation of activists and faith leaders continued the charge .
On Saturday , the Poor People 's Campaign : A National Call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought people together online .
`` Fifty-seven years ago , my father , Rev .
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , reminded America of the fierce urgency of now .
That now is not the time to engage of the luxury of cooling off , nor take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism , '' said Bernice King , daughter of the civil rights icon , in an introductory video .
More than three hours of personal accounts , calls to action , and sermons put economic inequality at the center of a range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Health care , homelessness and income inequality were key subjects during the event .
But so were issues brought to the fore by recent events including the police killing of George Floyd and the pandemic , which has disproportionately affected the Black community .
`` There 's a system of interlocking injustices of economic inequalities and racism that runs so deep in America .
COVID-19 has deepened these injustices , '' said Nia Winston , general vice president of Unite Here , a hospitality union .
Faith leaders , activists and everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for massive change .
Celebrities and notables including actors Danny Glover , Debra Messing and comedian Wanda Sykes all spoke to issues of inequality .
Former Vice President Al Gore and Sunrise Movement activists asked for urgent action on climate change .
Other videos included testimonies of a diverse group of ordinary Americans , gathered from rallies , meetings and hearings .
In one video , Pamela Rush of Alabama recounted the conditions she and her two children endure in their mobile home .
`` They charge me $ 114,000 on a mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rush said in footage taken from a hearing .
`` I got raw sewage .
I do n't have no money .
I 'm poor . ''
Curtis Bradford of San Francisco spoke of his experiences with addiction , poverty and homelessness .
`` I had to win a city lottery to get housing .
At age 55 , I finally have health insurance for the very first time in my entire life , '' Bradford said .
The virtual event was streamed online with simulcasts through MSNBC and C-SPAN .
A Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million views , organizers said .
The event was also originally planned as a gathering in Washington , similar to one held two years ago .
The pandemic forced organizers to move to the digital sphere .
The coronavirus , which has forced massive layoffs , was itself a topic among speakers who cast the pandemic as accelerating longstanding issues of inequality .
Saturday 's event was also planned well before nationwide protests ignited by the police killing of George Floyd .
In his closing sermon , event co-chair the Rev .
William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar police killings caught on video .
`` On camera , we have witnessed terrible , murderous instances of police violence , '' Barber said .
Many other injustices are not as easily captured on camera , he said .
`` Millions of people have been crying , ' I ca n't breathe ' far too long , '' Barber said .
An encore presentation was streamed Saturday evening , with one more planned for Sunday .

Virtual Poor People's Campaign Puts Inequality At The Center
In the mid-1960s, after the passage of the Voting and Civil Rights Acts, Martin Luther King Jr. shifted his focus. King theorized that racial inequality could not be defeated without economic equality.
The result was the 1968 Poor People's Campaign, a multicultural, interfaith coalition with economic justice at its core. More than half a century later, a new generation of activists and faith leaders continued the charge.
On Saturday, the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, a virtual event, brought people together online.
"Fifty-seven years ago, my father, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., reminded America of the fierce urgency of now. That now is not the time to engage of the luxury of cooling off, nor take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism," said Bernice King, daughter of the civil rights icon, in an introductory video.
More than three hours of personal accounts, calls to action, and sermons put economic inequality at the center of a range of issues troubling the U.S. and world. Health care, homelessness and income inequality were key subjects during the event. But so were issues brought to the fore by recent events including the police killing of George Floyd and the pandemic, which has disproportionately affected the Black community.
"There's a system of interlocking injustices of economic inequalities and racism that runs so deep in America. COVID-19 has deepened these injustices," said Nia Winston, general vice president of Unite Here, a hospitality union.
Faith leaders, activists and everyday Americans were among those making the case for massive change.
Celebrities and notables including actors Danny Glover, Debra Messing and comedian Wanda Sykes all spoke to issues of inequality. Former Vice President Al Gore and Sunrise Movement activists asked for urgent action on climate change.
Other videos included testimonies of a diverse group of ordinary Americans, gathered from rallies, meetings and hearings.
In one video, Pamela Rush of Alabama recounted the conditions she and her two children endure in their mobile home.
"They charge me $114,000 on a mobile home that's falling apart," Rush said in footage taken from a hearing. "I got raw sewage. I don't have no money. I'm poor."
Curtis Bradford of San Francisco spoke of his experiences with addiction, poverty and homelessness.
"I had to win a city lottery to get housing. At age 55, I finally have health insurance for the very first time in my entire life," Bradford said.
The virtual event was streamed online with simulcasts through MSNBC and C-SPAN. A Facebook livestream for the event garnered over 1 million views, organizers said.
The event was also originally planned as a gathering in Washington, similar to one held two years ago. The pandemic forced organizers to move to the digital sphere. The coronavirus, which has forced massive layoffs, was itself a topic among speakers who cast the pandemic as accelerating longstanding issues of inequality.
Saturday's event was also planned well before nationwide protests ignited by the police killing of George Floyd. In his closing sermon, event co-chair the Rev. William Barber alluded to Floyd's death and similar police killings caught on video.
"On camera, we have witnessed terrible, murderous instances of police violence," Barber said. Many other injustices are not as easily captured on camera, he said.
"Millions of people have been crying, 'I can't breathe' far too long," Barber said.
An encore presentation was streamed Saturday evening, with one more planned for Sunday.


npr--2020-06-20--Trump Returns To Campaign Trail With A Familiar Message In A Changing World

Trump Returns To Campaign Trail With A Familiar Message In A Changing World In his first campaign event since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States , President Trump reached back into his culture war playbook to paint an image of a left-wing extremist dystopia that will take hold if he is defeated and Democratic opponent Joe Biden is elected this November .
`` If the Democrats gain power , then the rioters will be in charge and no one will be safe and no one will have control , '' Trump said to a crowd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but reached into the thousands in Tulsa , Okla. , on Saturday night .
`` Joe Biden is not the leader of his party .
Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left . ''
But then Trump seemed to undercut that message saying of Biden , `` he 's not radical left '' and that `` he was never radical left .
But now he 's controlled by the radical left . ''
That highlights a problem that Trump and his campaign have recognized since before the Democratic primary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tie many of Biden 's more progressive primary opponents to more extreme positions because Biden has disavowed many of them .
He 's had to stand on debate stages and argue from the center-left when the energy , enthusiasm and loudest voices within the party were against him .
Amid Trump 's handling of the coronavirus and the Black Lives Matter protests that have swept the country in the wake of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police , the incumbent president 's political standing has suffered .
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's watch , and he is seen by voters as fanning the flames of racial tensions in the wake of Floyd 's death .
On Saturday night , the president defended his handling of the coronavirus , claiming to have saved `` millions . ''
`` We saved millions of lives .
Now , it 's time , get back to work , '' Trump said to a tightly packed crowd , most of whom were not wearing masks .
Trump made the claim despite downplaying the threat posed by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are spiking in many parts of the country , like Florida , Texas and , yes , Oklahoma .
At one point , Trump said he told his administration to `` slow the testing down '' for COVID-19 .
`` When you do testing to that extent , you are gon na find more people , you 're gon na find more cases , '' Trump said .
`` So I said to my people , 'Slow the testing down , please . '
They test , and they test .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's going on . ''
A White House official said Trump was joking and that the administration is `` proud '' of the level of testing it has done , according to a Wall Street Journal reporter .
Yet , Trump has repeatedly said he thinks high levels of testing make the U.S. look bad , because it shows more cases than if less testing was done .
Democrats have seized on the comment .
The Biden campaign released a statement after the rally that called it `` an outrageous moment that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a rally , President Trump just admitted that he 's putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people . ''
Biden also tweeted , `` Speed up the testing , '' about an hour after the rally ended .
Trump again played on racist stereotypes and nicknames , labeling the coronavirus the `` Chinese virus '' to approving laughs from the crowd , and even adding in the phrase `` kung flu . ''
He created a fictional story about life under the left , referencing when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break into a house and a woman in it , whose husband was away for work , tried to call 911 , but the number was no longer working .
Trump defended Confederate statues , saying the left is trying to `` desecrate our monuments . ''
He pushed Congress to pass a law punishing people with a year in jail for burning the American flag , though the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right to burn the flag under the First Amendment decades ago .
He took aim at the NFL , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black athletes who kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality .
Trump implored , `` Never kneel — we will stand proud and stand tall . ''
He hit several culture war notes , arguing that conservative culture was under attack from the likes of Biden , with a range of false claims about late-term abortion , taking away guns and wanting to `` prosecute Americans for going to church , but not burning a church . ''
Trump said Democrats want to abolish bail and ICE , the Immigration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismantle police , he said , while freeing vicious MS-13 gang members and that they want `` rioters '' and `` looters '' to `` have more rights than law-abiding citizens . ''
`` The silent majority is stronger than ever before , '' Trump said , declaring the Republican Party `` the party of Lincoln '' and `` law and order . ''
But whether that message will work again in 2020 is very much an open question .
Polls have shown shifts on how Americans view protesters and the police — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president to reach out to independents , a group he won in 2016 .
His campaign was hoping that Saturday night 's event , which went against the guidance of health officials , would signal the enthusiasm the president still retains — and would give Trump a morale boost .
But the event did not live up to its high billing .
It was going to be so big , both Trump and Vice President Pence were slated to give speeches both inside and outside the arena .
Thousands gathered inside the arena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with many scattered in the upper section , but it was n't full .
And events outside did n't happen at all , with no overflow crowds .
Not long before the event , the campaign announced that the events outside were called off .
The campaign blamed it on protesters .
`` President Trump is rallying in Tulsa with thousands of energetic supporters , a stark contrast to the sleepy campaign being run by Joe Biden from his basement in Delaware , '' campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters , even blocking access to the metal detectors , which prevented people from entering the rally .
Radical protestors , coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media , attempted to frighten off the President 's supporters .
We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out . ''
There were certainly protesters , but those on scene reported largely peaceful protests .
It 's not a good sign for a president who needed a shot in the arm , as he faces slumping poll numbers .
There are still four-and-a-half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a lot will change , but it 's hard to imagine this is what his campaign was hoping for .
Trump and his campaign know that he is at a low point , and it 's clearly gnawing at Trump that it was spurred by coronavirus , which derailed the economy .
He was `` riding high , '' Trump said , but that was `` before this thing [ the coronavirus ] came in . ''

Trump Returns To Campaign Trail With A Familiar Message In A Changing World
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
Updated at 9:05 a.m. ET Sunday
In his first big campaign event since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, President Trump reached back into his culture war playbook to paint an image of a left-wing extremist dystopia that will take hold if he is defeated and Democratic opponent Joe Biden is elected this November.
"If the Democrats gain power, then the rioters will be in charge and no one will be safe and no one will have control," Trump said to a crowd, which numbered in the thousands but failed to fill an arena in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday night and was far smaller than Trump's campaign promised. "Joe Biden is not the leader of his party. Joe Biden is a helpless puppet of the radical left."
But then Trump seemed to undercut that message, saying of Biden, "He's not radical left" and that "he was never radical left. But now he's controlled by the radical left."
That highlights a problem that Trump and his campaign have recognized since before the Democratic primary. It would have been much easier to tie many of Biden's more progressive primary opponents to more extreme positions, because Biden has disavowed many of them. He has had to stand on debate stages and argue from the center-left when the energy, enthusiasm and loudest voices within the party were against him.
Amid Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests that have swept the country in the wake of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, the incumbent president's political standing has suffered. His campaign hoped the Tulsa event would provide a morale boost. It billed that a million people had signed up for tickets, and it built a second stage outside for an overflow crowd. The president and vice president were scheduled to give two speeches — one outside, one in. But the overflow crowd never materialized, and the outdoor festivities were called off.
About 120,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 on Trump's watch, and he is seen by voters as fanning the flames of racial tensions in the wake of Floyd's death.
On Saturday night, the president defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, claiming to have saved "millions."
"We saved millions of lives. Now it's time, get back to work," Trump said to a tightly packed crowd, most of whom were not wearing masks. Trump made the claim despite downplaying the threat posed by the coronavirus for months and despite evidence that cases are spiking in many parts of the country, such as Florida, Texas and, yes, Oklahoma.
At one point, Trump said he told his administration to "slow the testing down" for the coronavirus.
"When you do testing to that extent, you are gonna find more people, you're gonna find more cases," Trump said. "So I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down, please.' They test, and they test. We have tests that people don't know what's going on."
A White House official said that Trump was joking and that the administration is "proud" of the level of testing it has done, according to a Wall Street Journal reporter. Yet Trump has repeatedly said he thinks high levels of testing make the U.S. look bad, because it shows more cases than if less testing were done.
Democrats have seized on the comment. The Biden campaign released a statement after the rally, saying that in "an outrageous moment that will be remembered long after tonight's debacle of a rally, President Trump just admitted that he's putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people."
Biden also tweeted, "Speed up the testing," about an hour after the rally ended.
By Sunday morning, a Democratic group had already cut an ad seizing on the moment.
YouTube
Trump, who at one point meandered into a long defense — and reenactment — of his gingerly walking down a ramp and drinking water during a speech at the West Point military academy, again played on racist stereotypes and nicknames. He labeled the coronavirus the "Chinese virus" to approving laughs from the crowd, even adding in the phrase "kung flu."
He created a fictional story about life under the left, referencing when a "tough hombre" tried to break into a house, and a woman in it, whose husband was away for work, tried to call 911 but the number was no longer working.
Trump defended Confederate statues, saying the left is trying to "desecrate our monuments."
He pushed Congress to pass a law punishing people with a year in jail for burning the American flag, though the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right to burn the flag under the First Amendment decades ago.
He took aim at the NFL, which apologized recently for how it treated black athletes who kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality. Trump implored, "Never kneel — we will stand proud and stand tall."
He hit several culture war notes, arguing that conservative culture was under attack from the likes of Biden and making a range of false claims about late-term abortion, taking away guns and wanting to "prosecute Americans for going to church but not burning a church."
Trump said Democrats want to abolish bail and ICE, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. They want to dismantle police, he said, while freeing vicious MS-13 gang members, and he said that they want "rioters" and "looters" to "have more rights than law-abiding citizens."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
"The silent majority is stronger than ever before," Trump said, declaring the Republican Party "the party of Lincoln" and "law and order."
But whether that message will work again in 2020 is very much an open question. Polls have shown shifts on how Americans view protesters and the police — and Trump has done little since becoming president to reach out to independents, a group he won in 2016.
His campaign was hoping that Saturday night's event, which went against the guidance of health officials, would signal the enthusiasm that the president still retains — and be a shot in the arm.
But the event did not live up to its high billing. Thousands gathered inside the arena, filling the lower portion of it, with many scattered in the upper section, but it wasn't full. Not long before the event, the campaign announced that the events outside were called off.
The campaign blamed it on protesters.
"President Trump is rallying in Tulsa with thousands of energetic supporters, a stark contrast to the sleepy campaign being run by Joe Biden from his basement in Delaware," campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement. "Sadly, protestors interfered with supporters, even blocking access to the metal detectors, which prevented people from entering the rally. Radical protestors, coupled with a relentless onslaught from the media, attempted to frighten off the President's supporters. We are proud of the thousands who stuck it out."
There were certainly protesters, but those on scene reported largely peaceful protests.
It's not a good sign for a president who needed a shot in the arm as he faces slumping poll numbers. There are still four and a half months to go until Election Day, and a lot will change, but it's hard to imagine that this is what his campaign was hoping for.
Trump and his campaign know that he is at a low point, and it's clearly gnawing at Trump that it was spurred by the coronavirus pandemic, which derailed the economy.
He was "riding high," Trump said, but that was "before this thing [the coronavirus] came in."


npr--2020-06-21--Clark Atlanta University Announces Full Scholarships For Rayshard Brooks' Children

A university in Georgia is partnering with an alumna to award full scholarships to the four children of Rayshard Brooks , the Black man fatally shot by an Atlanta police officer in the parking lot of a Wendy 's drive-through on June 12 .
Clark Atlanta University is teaming up with local restaurateur Pinky Cole to offer the scholarships , which are worth more than $ 600,000 and will cover the costs of full tuition , meals , room and board .
University President George T. French Jr. said the scholarships will become available to all four children when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to college .
Brooks leaves behind three daughters , ages 1 , 2 and 8 , as well as a 13-year-old stepson .
An attorney representing the family said Brooks had planned to take his youngest daughter skating to celebrate her birthday the following day .
`` The senseless death of Mr. Brooks will undoubtedly have long-term financial effects on the family and these scholarships will not only provide them with a means to access a world class education , but will help them on their pathway of success , '' French said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came three days after prosecutors filed charges against the two arresting officers involved in Brooks ' death , and two days after the officers separately turned themselves in .
Cole , who graduated from the university in 2009 , is the CEO and operator of the Atlanta plant-based burger restaurant Slutty Vegan .
She also heads the Pinky Cole Foundation , which focuses on empowering people of color to succeed financially and follow their entrepreneurial dreams .
She wrote in the statement that Brooks ' death had impacted her personally .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and my heart led me to want to help her and her children , '' Cole said in a statement .
`` Rayshard Brooks could 've been my brother , my father , or even my significant other .
I wanted to remind her that it takes a village and we are a part of her village . ''
Brooks ' death is one in a series of recent high-profile killings of Black Americans by law enforcement , including George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor and David McAtee in Louisville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests across the country .
Brooks ' family is not the only one to receive support in the form of a college scholarship .
The Board of Regents of Texas Southern University announced in a June 9 Facebook post that , together with its foundation board , it had approved a fund to provide a full scholarship for Floyd 's 6-year-old daughter Gianna , and will `` prepare a place '' for her if she wishes to attend .

Clark Atlanta University Announces Full Scholarships For Rayshard Brooks' Children
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Martin/AP Jeff Martin/AP
A university in Georgia is partnering with an alumna to award full scholarships to the four children of Rayshard Brooks, the Black man fatally shot by an Atlanta police officer in the parking lot of a Wendy's drive-through on June 12.
Clark Atlanta University is teaming up with local restaurateur Pinky Cole to offer the scholarships, which are worth more than $600,000 and will cover the costs of full tuition, meals, room and board. University President George T. French Jr. said the scholarships will become available to all four children when they are ready to matriculate from high school to college.
Brooks leaves behind three daughters, ages 1, 2 and 8, as well as a 13-year-old stepson. An attorney representing the family said Brooks had planned to take his youngest daughter skating to celebrate her birthday the following day.
"The senseless death of Mr. Brooks will undoubtedly have long-term financial effects on the family and these scholarships will not only provide them with a means to access a world class education, but will help them on their pathway of success," French said in a statement.
The announcement Saturday came three days after prosecutors filed charges against the two arresting officers involved in Brooks' death, and two days after the officers separately turned themselves in.
Cole, who graduated from the university in 2009, is the CEO and operator of the Atlanta plant-based burger restaurant Slutty Vegan. She also heads the Pinky Cole Foundation, which focuses on empowering people of color to succeed financially and follow their entrepreneurial dreams. She wrote in the statement that Brooks' death had impacted her personally.
"I saw Rayshard's wife Tomika's pain, and my heart led me to want to help her and her children," Cole said in a statement. "Rayshard Brooks could've been my brother, my father, or even my significant other. I wanted to remind her that it takes a village and we are a part of her village."
Brooks' death is one in a series of recent high-profile killings of Black Americans by law enforcement, including George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor and David McAtee in Louisville, Ky., which have sparked waves of protests across the country.
Brooks' family is not the only one to receive support in the form of a college scholarship. The Board of Regents of Texas Southern University announced in a June 9 Facebook post that, together with its foundation board, it had approved a fund to provide a full scholarship for Floyd's 6-year-old daughter Gianna, and will "prepare a place" for her if she wishes to attend.


npr--2020-06-21--House Judiciary Chair Says Barr Should Be Impeached, But Won't Be

House Judiciary Chair Says Barr Should Be Impeached , But Wo n't Be The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he believes Attorney General William Barr should be impeached , but conceded on Sunday that any such effort would be futile in the Republican-controlled Senate .
`` I do n't think calls for his impeachment are premature any more than calls for the president 's impeachment were premature , but they are a waste of time at this point , '' said Rep. Jerry Nadler ( D-N.Y. ) in an interview with CNN .
Nadler called the Senate `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president earlier this year on two articles of impeachment .
His comments followed the controversial firing on Saturday of Geoffrey Berman , the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York .
Under Berman 's watch , the SDNY oversaw the prosecution of Trump 's former personal attorney , Michael Cohen , and brought the grand jury indictment against two associates of the president 's current personal attorney , Rudy Giuliani .
The office has also investigated the business dealings of Giuliani himself , though it has not brought charges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were triggered by an announcement from the attorney general late Friday that he was stepping down .
Berman quickly contradicted that statement , asserting he had no intention of resigning .
On Saturday , Barr announced that on his recommendation , President Trump had made the decision to fire Berman .
By Saturday evening , Berman confirmed that he would indeed step down .
The surreal sequence of events has prompted accusations of corruption against Barr from across the Democratic Party .
On Sunday , Sen. Mark Warner ( D-Va. ) said Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president .
`` This is one more example why , I think , Bill Barr has repeatedly demonstrated that he 's more interested in being Donald Trump 's personal lawyer than he is being the attorney for the United States of America , '' Warner told CBS 's `` Face The Nation . ''
Other Democrats who decried the announcement included Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
In a tweet Saturday , Warren implored Congress to pass a bill stripping Barr 's authorities in matters involving Trump and his family .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've already called for AG William Barr to resign & for Congress to impeach him , '' said the Massachusetts Democrat .
Hours after the termination was announced , Nadler said the judiciary committee would open an investigation into Berman 's firing .
Nadler told CNN the attorney general 's role in the firing fit `` a pattern of ... Barr corruptly impeding all these investigations . ''
And in a statement , he said two whistleblowers would testify to the committee on Wednesday .
`` It is my view that any president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as U.S .
Attorneys , '' Graham said in a statement .
`` The decision by President Trump to remove Mr. Berman as acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York falls within the president 's power to appoint or remove U.S .
Attorneys . ''

House Judiciary Chair Says Barr Should Be Impeached, But Won't Be
Enlarge this image toggle caption Cliff Owen/AP Cliff Owen/AP
The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he believes Attorney General William Barr should be impeached, but conceded on Sunday that any such effort would be futile in the Republican-controlled Senate.
"I don't think calls for his impeachment are premature any more than calls for the president's impeachment were premature, but they are a waste of time at this point," said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) in an interview with CNN.
Nadler called the Senate "corrupt" for its decision to acquit the president earlier this year on two articles of impeachment.
His comments followed the controversial firing on Saturday of Geoffrey Berman, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Under Berman's watch, the SDNY oversaw the prosecution of Trump's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, and brought the grand jury indictment against two associates of the president's current personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. The office has also investigated the business dealings of Giuliani himself, though it has not brought charges.
The events leading to Berman's ouster were triggered by an announcement from the attorney general late Friday that he was stepping down. Berman quickly contradicted that statement, asserting he had no intention of resigning.
On Saturday, Barr announced that on his recommendation, President Trump had made the decision to fire Berman. By Saturday evening, Berman confirmed that he would indeed step down.
The surreal sequence of events has prompted accusations of corruption against Barr from across the Democratic Party.
On Sunday, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said Barr was again using his position to protect the president.
"This is one more example why, I think, Bill Barr has repeatedly demonstrated that he's more interested in being Donald Trump's personal lawyer than he is being the attorney for the United States of America," Warner told CBS's "Face The Nation."
Other Democrats who decried the announcement included Sen. Elizabeth Warren. In a tweet Saturday, Warren implored Congress to pass a bill stripping Barr's authorities in matters involving Trump and his family.
"This is a naked abuse of power. I've already called for AG William Barr to resign & for Congress to impeach him," said the Massachusetts Democrat.
Hours after the termination was announced, Nadler said the judiciary committee would open an investigation into Berman's firing. Nadler told CNN the attorney general's role in the firing fit "a pattern of ... Barr corruptly impeding all these investigations." And in a statement, he said two whistleblowers would testify to the committee on Wednesday.
But Republicans, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, defended the firing.
"It is my view that any president has the ability to replace political appointees, such as U.S. Attorneys," Graham said in a statement. "The decision by President Trump to remove Mr. Berman as acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York falls within the president's power to appoint or remove U.S. Attorneys."


npr--2020-06-21--Tom Petty's Family Doesn't Want Trump Using His Music For A 'Campaign Of Hate'

Tom Petty 's Family Does n't Want Trump Using His Music For A 'Campaign Of Hate' The family of the late American rock legend Tom Petty has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign after it blasted the song `` I Wo n't Back Down '' at the president 's rally in Tulsa , Okla .
In a statement posted to Petty 's Twitter account on Saturday , the family said the use of the song was `` in no way authorized . ''
`` Both the late Tom Petty and his family firmly stand against racism and discrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read .
`` Tom Petty would never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate .
He liked to bring people together . ''
Petty , who died of an accidental drug overdose at age 66 in 2017 , said `` I Wo n't Back Down '' had the most powerful impact on his fans .
The song , which was released in 1989 on Petty 's solo album Full Moon Fever , inspired listeners to send him messages about how it helped them through tough times .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read somewhere , that it brought a girl out of a coma , '' his widow , Dana Petty , told NPR in 2019 .
`` It was her favorite song and they played it and she came out of a coma , which blew his mind . ''
`` A lot of people ask me what was Tom really like , '' Petty 's bandmate Mike Campbell said in 2019 .
`` And that 's him .
He did n't back down .
...
He stood up to everybody .
Nobody told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , Petty 's family said he wrote the song `` for the underdog , for the common man and for EVERYONE . ''
`` We believe in America and we believe in democracy , '' the family said .
`` But Donald Trump is not representing the noble ideals of either .
We would hate for fans that are marginalized by this administration to think we are complicit in this usage . ''
Benmont Tench III , a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers , echoed the family 's sentiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In an Instagram post , he said : `` I in no way approve of Trump even whistling any piece of music associated with our band .
I hope that 's clear enough . ''
Politicians and campaigns in the U.S. are typically free to use any music they choose for rallies as long as they pay for the rights .
But numerous artists have asked Trump not to use their music , including Neil Young , Adele , Guns N ' Roses , Pharrell , Earth , Wind & Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Rolling Stones , Rihanna and Aerosmith 's Steven Tyler .

Tom Petty's Family Doesn't Want Trump Using His Music For A 'Campaign Of Hate'
Enlarge this image toggle caption Richard E. Aaron/Redferns Richard E. Aaron/Redferns
The family of the late American rock legend Tom Petty has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign after it blasted the song "I Won't Back Down" at the president's rally in Tulsa, Okla.
In a statement posted to Petty's Twitter account on Saturday, the family said the use of the song was "in no way authorized."
"Both the late Tom Petty and his family firmly stand against racism and discrimination of any kind," the statement read. "Tom Petty would never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate. He liked to bring people together."
Petty, who died of an accidental drug overdose at age 66 in 2017, said "I Won't Back Down" had the most powerful impact on his fans. The song, which was released in 1989 on Petty's solo album Full Moon Fever, inspired listeners to send him messages about how it helped them through tough times.
"He told me that he heard, or read somewhere, that it brought a girl out of a coma," his widow, Dana Petty, told NPR in 2019. "It was her favorite song and they played it and she came out of a coma, which blew his mind."
"A lot of people ask me what was Tom really like," Petty's bandmate Mike Campbell said in 2019. "And that's him. He didn't back down. ... He stood up to everybody. Nobody told him what to do."
On Saturday, Petty's family said he wrote the song "for the underdog, for the common man and for EVERYONE."
"We believe in America and we believe in democracy," the family said. "But Donald Trump is not representing the noble ideals of either. We would hate for fans that are marginalized by this administration to think we are complicit in this usage."
Benmont Tench III, a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, echoed the family's sentiment, tweeting: "Second. Absolutely." In an Instagram post, he said: "I in no way approve of Trump even whistling any piece of music associated with our band. I hope that's clear enough."
Politicians and campaigns in the U.S. are typically free to use any music they choose for rallies as long as they pay for the rights. But numerous artists have asked Trump not to use their music, including Neil Young, Adele, Guns N' Roses, Pharrell, Earth, Wind & Fire, Queen, REM's Michael Stipe, The Rolling Stones, Rihanna and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.


npr--2020-06-21--Authorities in U.K. Will Investigate English Park Stabbing As A Terrorist Incident

Authorities in U.K. Will Investigate English Park Stabbing As A Terrorist Incident A stabbing in an English park that killed three people and injured several others on Saturday is being investigated as a terrorist incident , authorities in the U.K. announced on Sunday .
The attack took place in Forbury Gardens , a public park in the town of Reading , England , about 40 miles west of London .
According to the Thames Valley Police , a man attacked park-goers with a knife around 7 p.m. , leaving three people dead and three with `` serious injuries . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the scene and arrested him for suspicion of murder .
In a statement released Sunday , Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Neil Basu said the individual remains in custody and is thought to have acted alone .
Security sources told the BBC the man is thought to be a Libyan national .
`` From our enquiries undertaken so far , officers have found nothing to suggest that there were any other people involved in the attack , and presently , we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the stabbing was unrelated to a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest that had taken place in the park earlier that day and concluded hours before the attack .
One eyewitness , Lawrence Wort , told the BBC that groups of people were drinking and enjoying the park when a man suddenly started shouting and darting around a circle of about eight to 10 people .
Wort said he saw him stab several people with a `` massive '' knife , which he estimated to have been at least five inches long .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said , the attacker stabbed at least one more person in a different cluster .
`` Incidents of this nature are very rare , though I know that will be of little comfort to those involved and understand the concern that this incident will have caused amongst our local community , '' said John Campbell , the chief constable of the Thames Valley Police .
National leaders also reacted swiftly to the attack .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was `` appalled and sickened '' by the incident , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the suspect .
`` My heart , prayers and thoughts are with all of those affected and to the people of Reading who will be deeply shocked and concerned by this terrible incident , '' said Home Secretary Priti Patel .
Counterterrorism officials are encouraging members of the public who witnessed the attack or have other pertinent information to contact the police , and to refrain from sharing any images or videos of the attack on social media .
While the United Kingdom has weathered a series of terror attacks over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday 's attack was unusual , as most attackers have targeted locations in London for political symbolism and maximum publicity .
According to M15 , the national threat level to the U.K. from terrorism remains designated as `` substantial . ''
Within the security agency 's five-level classification system indicating the likelihood of a terrorist attack , `` substantial '' falls squarely in the middle .

Authorities In U.K. Will Investigate English Park Stabbing As A Terrorist Incident
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alastair Grant/AP Alastair Grant/AP
A stabbing in an English park that killed three people and injured several others on Saturday is being investigated as a terrorist incident, authorities in the U.K. announced on Sunday.
The attack took place in Forbury Gardens, a public park in the town of Reading, England, about 40 miles west of London. According to the Thames Valley Police, a man attacked park-goers with a knife around 7 p.m., leaving three people dead and three with "serious injuries." Officers detained a 25-year-old man from Reading on the scene and arrested him for suspicion of murder.
In a statement released Sunday, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Neil Basu said the individual remains in custody and is thought to have acted alone. Security sources told the BBC the man is thought to be a Libyan national.
"From our enquiries undertaken so far, officers have found nothing to suggest that there were any other people involved in the attack, and presently, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident," Basu said.
He added that the stabbing was unrelated to a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest that had taken place in the park earlier that day and concluded hours before the attack.
One eyewitness, Lawrence Wort, told the BBC that groups of people were drinking and enjoying the park when a man suddenly started shouting and darting around a circle of about eight to 10 people. Wort said he saw him stab several people with a "massive" knife, which he estimated to have been at least five inches long. As people started screaming and running away, he said, the attacker stabbed at least one more person in a different cluster.
"Incidents of this nature are very rare, though I know that will be of little comfort to those involved and understand the concern that this incident will have caused amongst our local community," said John Campbell, the chief constable of the Thames Valley Police.
National leaders also reacted swiftly to the attack. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "appalled and sickened" by the incident, and thanked local police for bravely "tackling" the suspect.
"My heart, prayers and thoughts are with all of those affected and to the people of Reading who will be deeply shocked and concerned by this terrible incident," said Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Counterterrorism officials are encouraging members of the public who witnessed the attack or have other pertinent information to contact the police, and to refrain from sharing any images or videos of the attack on social media.
While the United Kingdom has weathered a series of terror attacks over the last several years, the location of Saturday's attack was unusual, as most attackers have targeted locations in London for political symbolism and maximum publicity.
According to M15, the national threat level to the U.K. from terrorism remains designated as "substantial." Within the security agency's five-level classification system indicating the likelihood of a terrorist attack, "substantial" falls squarely in the middle.
Frank Langfitt contributed to this report.


npr--2020-06-21--China Suspends Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Plant In Arkansas

China is halting the import of poultry from a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the facility .
The nation 's General Administration of Customs office made the announcement on Sunday , saying shipments from the plant would be temporarily suspended , while products that have already arrived will be seized .
Tyson Foods confirmed to NPR that the announcement pertains to its Berry Street facility in Springdale , Ark.
, where 227 workers tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month .
All but four of them were asymptomatic , according to Tyson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its facilities in northwest Arkansas showed that 481 employees , or 13 % of 3,748 employees , had tested positive .
The company said 455 of those employees ( 95 % ) were asymptomatic .
In a statement , Tyson Foods said it was investigating reports of the suspension .
`` At Tyson , our top priority is the health and safety of our team members , and we work closely with the US Department of Agriculture 's Food Safety and Inspection Service to ensure that we produce all of our food in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the company said .
Health experts have said the coronavirus is mostly spread through respiratory droplets , not food .
In recent days , however , China has amped up testing of food products after a spate of coronavirus cases was traced to a major food market in Beijing .
The positive results at the Arkansas facilities are n't the first for the company .
In May , the company announced that some 570 workers tested positive at a processing facility in Wilkes County , N.C .
In April , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa pork plant after more than two dozen workers tested positive for the coronavirus .

China Suspends Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Plant In Arkansas
Enlarge this image toggle caption Danny Johnston/AP Danny Johnston/AP
China is halting the import of poultry from a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas following an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the facility.
The nation's General Administration of Customs office made the announcement on Sunday, saying shipments from the plant would be temporarily suspended, while products that have already arrived will be seized.
Tyson Foods confirmed to NPR that the announcement pertains to its Berry Street facility in Springdale, Ark., where 227 workers tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month. All but four of them were asymptomatic, according to Tyson.
The company said that tests of its facilities in northwest Arkansas showed that 481 employees, or 13% of 3,748 employees, had tested positive. The company said 455 of those employees (95%) were asymptomatic.
In a statement, Tyson Foods said it was investigating reports of the suspension.
"At Tyson, our top priority is the health and safety of our team members, and we work closely with the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service to ensure that we produce all of our food in full compliance with government safety requirements," the company said.
Health experts have said the coronavirus is mostly spread through respiratory droplets, not food. In recent days, however, China has amped up testing of food products after a spate of coronavirus cases was traced to a major food market in Beijing.
The positive results at the Arkansas facilities aren't the first for the company. In May, the company announced that some 570 workers tested positive at a processing facility in Wilkes County, N.C. In April, the company halted operations at a Columbus Junction, Iowa pork plant after more than two dozen workers tested positive for the coronavirus.


npr--2020-06-21--The Latest Pandemic Shortage: Coins Are The New Toilet Paper

The Latest Pandemic Shortage : Coins Are The New Toilet Paper Just as supplies of toilet paper are finally getting back to normal , the coronavirus has triggered another shortage of something we typically take for granted : pocket change .
Banks around the U.S. are running low on nickels , dimes , quarters and even pennies .
And the Federal Reserve , which supplies banks , has been forced to ration scarce supplies .
`` It was just a surprise , '' said Gay Dempsey , who runs the Bank of Lincoln County in Tennessee , when she learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was expecting it . ''
Dempsey 's bank typically dispenses 400 to 500 rolls of pennies each week .
Under the rationing order , her allotment was cut down to just 100 rolls , with similar cutbacks in nickels , dimes and quarters .
That spells trouble for Dempsey 's business customers , who need the coins to stock cash registers all around Lincoln County , Tenn. '' You think about all your grocery stores and convenience stores and a lot of people that still operate with cash , '' Dempsey said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make change . ''
Rural banks in particular seem to be getting shortchanged , according to Colin Barrett , CEO of the Tennessee Bankers Association .
Rep. John Rose , R-Tenn. , sounded the alarm last week during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee .
`` My fear is that customers who use these banks will react very poorly , '' Rose said .
`` And I know that we all do n't want to wake up to headlines in the near future such as 'Banks Out of Money .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses are unable to make exact change , they 'll be forced to round up or round down , `` in a time when pennies are the difference between profitability and loss . ''
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell assured Rose that the central bank is monitoring the situation closely .
`` We 're working with the mint to increase supply , and we 're working with the reserve banks to get that supply where it needs to be , '' Powell said .
`` So we think it 's a temporary situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coins than usual this spring in an effort to protect employees from infection .
But the larger problem — as with many other pandemic shortages — is distribution .
During the lockdown , many automatic coin-sorting machines that people typically use to cash in loose change were off-limits .
And with many businesses closed , unused coins piled up in darkened cash drawers , in pants pockets and on nightstands , even as banks went begging .
`` The flow of coins through the economy ... kind of stopped , '' Powell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clog in the financial plumbing should clear quickly , now that businesses are reopening , and that supplies of coins should soon be back to normal .
In the meantime , Dempsey , the banker , has secured an emergency stash of coins from some of her business customers who run vending machines and laundromats .
While a growing number of people rely on credit cards or smartphone apps for many transactions today , the coin crunch is a reminder that sometimes you just need change .

The Latest Pandemic Shortage: Coins Are The New Toilet Paper
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Hilger/Bloomberg via Getty Images Stephen Hilger/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Updated at 1:25 p.m. ET
Just as supplies of toilet paper are finally getting back to normal, the coronavirus has triggered another shortage of something we typically take for granted: pocket change.
Banks around the U.S. are running low on nickels, dimes, quarters and even pennies. And the Federal Reserve, which supplies banks, has been forced to ration scarce supplies.
"It was just a surprise," said Gay Dempsey, who runs the Bank of Lincoln County in Tennessee, when she learned of the rationing order. "Nobody was expecting it."
Dempsey's bank typically dispenses 400 to 500 rolls of pennies each week. Under the rationing order, her allotment was cut down to just 100 rolls, with similar cutbacks in nickels, dimes and quarters.
That spells trouble for Dempsey's business customers, who need the coins to stock cash registers all around Lincoln County, Tenn.
"You think about all your grocery stores and convenience stores and a lot of people that still operate with cash," Dempsey said. "They have to have that just to make change."
Rural banks in particular seem to be getting shortchanged, according to Colin Barrett, CEO of the Tennessee Bankers Association.
Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., sounded the alarm last week during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee.
"My fear is that customers who use these banks will react very poorly," Rose said. "And I know that we all don't want to wake up to headlines in the near future such as 'Banks Out of Money.' "
The congressman warned that if businesses are unable to make exact change, they'll be forced to round up or round down, "in a time when pennies are the difference between profitability and loss."
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell assured Rose that the central bank is monitoring the situation closely.
"We're working with the mint to increase supply, and we're working with the reserve banks to get that supply where it needs to be," Powell said. "So we think it's a temporary situation."
The U.S. Mint produced fewer coins than usual this spring in an effort to protect employees from infection. But the larger problem — as with many other pandemic shortages — is distribution.
During the lockdown, many bank lobbies where people can recycle coins were off limits. And coin-sorting kiosks in retail stores saw reduced traffic. With many businesses closed, unused coins piled up in darkened cash drawers, in pants pockets and on nightstands, even as banks went begging.
"The flow of coins through the economy ... kind of stopped," Powell said.
The Fed chairman stressed that this clog in the financial plumbing should clear quickly, now that businesses are reopening, and that supplies of coins should soon be back to normal.
Coinstar, which operates 17,000 coin-sorting kiosks around the country, says people have started cashing in more change as stay-at-home orders are lifted.
"We've been making more frequent coin pick-ups to help get coins back into circulation," said Coinstar CEO Jim Gaherity.
In the meantime, Dempsey, the banker, has secured an emergency stash of coins from some of her business customers who run vending machines and laundromats.
While a growing number of people rely on credit cards or smartphone apps for many transactions today, the coin crunch is a reminder that sometimes you just need change.
"Cash is still king, I guess," Dempsey mused.