npr--2020-05-25--Trump Hasn't Worn A Mask Publicly. Here's What Might Convince Him To

Trump Has n't Worn A Mask Publicly .
Here 's What Might Convince Him To On this Memorial Day weekend , beaches have reopened and people are venturing outside .
And images and videos have circulated of some crowded beaches , pools and boardwalks in Maryland , Florida , Missouri , Texas and California .
And many people did n't heed warnings and were n't wearing masks .
It 's perhaps not surprising when you consider President Trump — who as president sets the tone for so much of the country , especially for his supporters — has refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I had one on before , '' Trump said last week at a Ford Motor Co. plant in Michigan .
`` I wore one in this back area .
I did n't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it . ''
The `` pleasure '' of seeing it ?
It 's odd that , as the country approaches 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus , the president would feel wearing a mask was somehow something the press might mock him for , especially when his own administration 's guidelines say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and within 6 feet of someone .
It 's important to remember that Trump is the one who changed the narrative on wearing masks in the first place .
It was n't that long ago that his administration was recommending that healthy people not wear masks , so supplies were n't scarce for health care workers and first responders who needed them .
Then it was Trump who told people that wearing face coverings and scarves could make a big difference .
So this idea emerging that being seen wearing a mask somehow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you belong to — and some thinking it infringes on their civil liberties or makes them look weak — is just not helpful to stopping the spread of the virus .
Many Republican leaders are saying so , too .
`` If someone is wearing a mask , they 're not doing it to represent what political party they 're in or what candidates they support , '' North Dakota Gov .
Doug Burgum , a Republican , said in an emotional statement Friday .
His voice started to break and he started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` They might be doing it because they 've got a 5-year-old child who 's been going through cancer treatments .
They might have vulnerable adults in their life , who currently have COVID and they 're fighting . ''
Similarly , Republican Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine said Sunday on NBC 's Meet the Press : `` This is not about politics .
This is not about whether you are liberal or conservative , left or right , Republican or Democrat . ''
Dr. Stephen Hahn , head of the Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that `` the coronavirus is not yet contained '' and he reminded Americans that `` social distancing , hand washing and wearing masks protect us all . ''
Also on Meet The Press , the president 's national security adviser , Robert O'Brien , shifted the focus from health to the economy , making the argument to wear a mask this way : `` Mask usage is going to help us get this economy reopened . ''
Maybe that 's an argument that will stick with the president , and one — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ translate to his conservative base , which has grown increasingly more concerned with reopening businesses than the health impact of COVID-19 .
But that 's a big if .
1 .
100,000 coronavirus deaths : It 's a staggering number , but the country is approaching 100,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19 .
It 's something that was seemingly unfathomable two to three months ago .
`` You have 15 people , and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero , '' Trump said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late March , he downplayed the deadliness of coronavirus again , saying 36,000 on average die from the flu every year : `` So you say to yourself , 'What is this all about ? '
`` At that point , just over 700 Americans had died from COVID-19 .
States are reopening , and experts are concerned about potential spikes , especially if people flaunt social distancing restrictions the way some did this weekend .
Do n't see the graphic above ?
Click here .
2 .
Joe Biden fallout : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's remark Friday that `` you ai n't black '' if you do n't vote for him over Trump has legs beyond just yet another gaffe from the former vice president .
It 's exactly the kind of thing veteran Democratic strategists worried about with Biden as the nominee .
Trump , of course , has his own history of inflaming racial tensions and divides and , at the end of the day , either Trump or Biden will be elected president , and black voters will have to decide who best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure to pick a black woman for his running mate .
How this controversy goes may make that more likely .
[ Starting Tuesday , check out our special series on voting amid a pandemic . ]
3 .
Trump goes to Baltimore , but its mayor does n't want him there : Trump on Monday will participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at Baltimore 's Fort McHenry .
But the city 's mayor said he does n't think Trump should come .
`` We do n't need to be spending our resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under our orders to stay at home .
I think he 's violating the law , '' Mayor Jack Young said last week .
Trump did n't win any friends in Baltimore last year , when he referred to the late Rep. Elijah Cummings ' district in Baltimore as `` a disgusting , rat and rodent infested mess . ''
4 .
Speaking of going places others are n't supposed to ... : Trump and Vice President Pence are scheduled to go to a NASA/SpaceX launch in Florida on Wednesday .
But on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged Americans to stay away due to coronavirus concerns .
`` We 're asking people not to travel to Kennedy [ Space Center ] , but to watch online or watch on your television at home , '' he said .
It would n't be the first time the president has flouted his own administration 's public guidance and declined to set an example .
Trump is eager to show a country getting back to normal so he can tout improvement ahead of his reelection bid .
5 .
House vote on FISA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on renewal of key surveillance legislation Wednesday or Thursday , after the Senate passed it easily earlier this month .
There have been disagreements over just how much privacy the bill provides , with some saying it does n't do enough and the Justice Department objecting to some changes that were made , saying they `` would unacceptably degrade our ability to conduct surveillance of terrorists , spies and other national security threats . ''
It 's also not clear what the president thinks of the legislation .
This may also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proxy , after approving those historic changes recently .
Quote of the weekend : '' The vice president should n't have said it , but I really think the gall and the nerve of President Trump to try to use this in his campaign , he who has since day one done everything in his power , supported by his enablers , to divide this country , particularly along racial lines . ''
— Rep. Val Demings , D-Fla. , on CNN Sunday responds to Biden 's `` you ai n't black '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's potential running mate .

Trump Hasn't Worn A Mask Publicly. Here's What Might Convince Him To
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
On this Memorial Day weekend, beaches have reopened and people are venturing outside. And images and videos have circulated of some crowded beaches, pools and boardwalks in Maryland, Florida, Missouri, Texas and California.
And many people didn't heed warnings and weren't wearing masks.
It's perhaps not surprising when you consider President Trump — who as president sets the tone for so much of the country, especially for his supporters — has refused to be seen wearing a mask publicly.
"I had one on before," Trump said last week at a Ford Motor Co. plant in Michigan. "I wore one in this back area. I didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it."
The "pleasure" of seeing it? It's odd that, as the country approaches 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus, the president would feel wearing a mask was somehow something the press might mock him for, especially when his own administration's guidelines say to wear one when out in public and within 6 feet of someone.
It's important to remember that Trump is the one who changed the narrative on wearing masks in the first place. It wasn't that long ago that his administration was recommending that healthy people not wear masks, so supplies weren't scarce for health care workers and first responders who needed them. Then it was Trump who told people that wearing face coverings and scarves could make a big difference.
So this idea emerging that being seen wearing a mask somehow is a virtue signal for which party you belong to — and some thinking it infringes on their civil liberties or makes them look weak — is just not helpful to stopping the spread of the virus.
Many Republican leaders are saying so, too.
"If someone is wearing a mask, they're not doing it to represent what political party they're in or what candidates they support," North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican, said in an emotional statement Friday. His voice started to break and he started to tear up, as he continued, "They might be doing it because they've got a 5-year-old child who's been going through cancer treatments. They might have vulnerable adults in their life, who currently have COVID and they're fighting."
Similarly, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press: "This is not about politics. This is not about whether you are liberal or conservative, left or right, Republican or Democrat."
Dr. Stephen Hahn, head of the Food and Drug Administration, tweeted a warning Sunday that "the coronavirus is not yet contained" and he reminded Americans that "social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks protect us all."
Also on Meet The Press, the president's national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, shifted the focus from health to the economy, making the argument to wear a mask this way: "Mask usage is going to help us get this economy reopened."
Maybe that's an argument that will stick with the president, and one — if he's convinced — he can translate to his conservative base, which has grown increasingly more concerned with reopening businesses than the health impact of COVID-19.
But that's a big if.
5 things to watch this week
1. 100,000 coronavirus deaths: It's a staggering number, but the country is approaching 100,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19. It's something that was seemingly unfathomable two to three months ago. "You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero," Trump said on Feb. 26. A month later, in late March, he downplayed the deadliness of coronavirus again, saying 36,000 on average die from the flu every year: "So you say to yourself, 'What is this all about?' " At that point, just over 700 Americans had died from COVID-19.
States are reopening, and experts are concerned about potential spikes, especially if people flout social distancing restrictions the way some did this weekend.
Loading...
Don't see the graphic above? Click here.
2. Joe Biden fallout: This week will be notable for whether Biden's remark Friday that "you ain't black" if you don't vote for him over Trump has legs beyond just yet another gaffe from the former vice president. It's exactly the kind of thing veteran Democratic strategists worried about with Biden as the nominee. Trump, of course, has his own history of inflaming racial tensions and divides and, at the end of the day, either Trump or Biden will be elected president, and black voters will have to decide who best represents them. Biden was already under pressure to pick a black woman for his running mate. How this controversy goes may make that more likely.
[Starting Tuesday, check out our special series on voting amid a pandemic.]
3. Trump goes to Baltimore, but its mayor doesn't want him there: Trump on Monday will participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at Baltimore's Fort McHenry. But the city's mayor said he doesn't think Trump should come. "We don't need to be spending our resources for the president who's coming here under our orders to stay at home. I think he's violating the law," Mayor Jack Young said last week.
Trump didn't win any friends in Baltimore last year, when he referred to the late Rep. Elijah Cummings' district in Baltimore as "a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess."
4. Speaking of going places others aren't supposed to...: Trump and Vice President Pence are scheduled to go to a NASA/SpaceX launch in Florida on Wednesday. But on May 1, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine urged Americans to stay away due to coronavirus concerns. "We're asking people not to travel to Kennedy [Space Center], but to watch online or watch on your television at home," he said.
It wouldn't be the first time the president has flouted his own administration's public guidance and declined to set an example. Trump is eager to show a country getting back to normal so he can tout improvement ahead of his reelection bid.
5. House vote on FISA bill: The House is expected to vote on renewal of key surveillance legislation Wednesday or Thursday, after the Senate passed it easily earlier this month.
There have been disagreements over just how much privacy the bill provides, with some saying it doesn't do enough and the Justice Department objecting to some changes that were made, saying they "would unacceptably degrade our ability to conduct surveillance of terrorists, spies and other national security threats." It's also not clear what the president thinks of the legislation.
This may also be the first time the House votes by proxy, after approving those historic changes recently.
Quote of the weekend:
"The vice president shouldn't have said it, but I really think the gall and the nerve of President Trump to try to use this in his campaign, he who has since day one done everything in his power, supported by his enablers, to divide this country, particularly along racial lines."
— Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., on CNN Sunday responds to Biden's "you ain't black" comments. Demings is being vetted as Biden's potential running mate.


npr--2020-05-25--Pandemic Disrupts Illegal Drug Trade, Upending Both Product And Profits

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the illegal drug trade in ways not seen since World War II , affecting nearly every country and many different kinds of drugs , according to a report compiled by the United Nations .
`` It 's a completely different scale , '' said lead researcher Angela Me , who works with the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime , in Vienna .
She said small-scale disruptions are common in the illegal drug trade but the chaos seen in recent months is nearly unprecedented .
`` Here everything has been disrupted , '' she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the black market for narcotics and other drugs appears to mirror the pandemic 's impact on legal industries struggling with labor and transportation .
It 's harvest season right now in the poppy fields of Afghanistan , the world 's biggest heroin supplier , but the U.N. report found a sudden shortage of field workers .
`` The harvest involves more than a hundred thousand people , '' Me said , noting Afghanistan sealed its border with Pakistan in March because of the virus .
`` Much of this labor force comes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a labor migration in a very short period of time . ''
Border restrictions and stay-at-home orders around the world have also made it harder for producers to acquire the so-called `` precursor chemicals '' needed to manufacture drugs like heroin and methamphetamines .
`` The drug we 're seeing the most disrupted is methamphetamine , '' said Uttam Dhillon , acting administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration .
He DEA field offices across the country are seeing the supply shortages and rising prices .
Cartels in Mexico are also struggling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a perceived increase in police presence associated with the stay-at-home orders , '' Dhillon told NPR .
`` You couple that with the border shutdowns , it makes it more difficult to move drugs north and money south . ''
According to the DEA , one drug that remains widely available in much of the U.S. is fentanyl , a synthetic opioid .
That 's alarming because the U.N. report points out that during past disruptions of the drug trade , people shifted from heroin to fentanyl , resulting in more overdoses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the illegal drug trade has happened before .
David Courtwright , a historian who studies drug trafficking and substance abuse disorder , says many heroin users started taking riskier drugs during World War II .
`` The government started buying up the opium supply even before the United States entered the war , in anticipation of military medical needs , '' Courtwright said .
`` When the war broke out , of course smuggling routes were disrupted .
It became really hard to get hold of drugs . ''
Amid today 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.N. found more local women working in Afghanistan 's poppy fields , for example , replacing workers who could n't travel .
Cartels appear to be shifting from air and land transport to shipments by sea to bring product from Mexico into the U.S .
But in some parts of the world , U.N. researchers found drug markets are reeling as trafficking routes shut down .
Coca leaf prices in Peru dropped by nearly half because of `` decreasing demand by traffickers who have had difficulties in transporting the drug , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Kingdom also saw street-level drug markets dry up , meaning higher prices .
The DEA 's Dhillon said he hopes some of this disruption can be sustained after the threat of COVID-19 passes .
`` The challenge for DEA and all of law enforcement is to learn from what was in place at the time during the pandemic and see if we can enhance that so that in the future we can keep these drugs from coming in , '' he said .
That might include continuing heightened restrictions at ports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experts say when drugs are harder to find and more expensive , more people do seek treatment .
But finding help can be challenging right now , when quarantine rules have restricted access to many clinics and hospitals that are often the first point of contact for those struggling with addiction .

Pandemic Disrupts Illegal Drug Trade, Upending Both Product And Profits
Enlarge this image toggle caption Noorullah Shirzada/AFP via Getty Images Noorullah Shirzada/AFP via Getty Images
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the illegal drug trade in ways not seen since World War II, affecting nearly every country and many different kinds of drugs, according to a report compiled by the United Nations.
"It's a completely different scale," said lead researcher Angela Me, who works with the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, in Vienna. She said small-scale disruptions are common in the illegal drug trade but the chaos seen in recent months is nearly unprecedented. "Here everything has been disrupted," she added.
In many ways, turmoil in the black market for narcotics and other drugs appears to mirror the pandemic's impact on legal industries struggling with labor and transportation. It's harvest season right now in the poppy fields of Afghanistan, the world's biggest heroin supplier, but the U.N. report found a sudden shortage of field workers.
"The harvest involves more than a hundred thousand people," Me said, noting Afghanistan sealed its border with Pakistan in March because of the virus. "Much of this labor force comes from other countries and it's kind of a labor migration in a very short period of time."
Border restrictions and stay-at-home orders around the world have also made it harder for producers to acquire the so-called "precursor chemicals" needed to manufacture drugs like heroin and methamphetamines.
"The drug we're seeing the most disrupted is methamphetamine," said Uttam Dhillon, acting administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. DEA field offices across the country are seeing the supply shortages and rising prices.
Cartels in Mexico are also struggling with transportation of drug profits. "There's a perceived increase in police presence associated with the stay-at-home orders," Dhillon told NPR. "You couple that with the border shutdowns, it makes it more difficult to move drugs north and money south."
According to the DEA, one drug that remains widely available in much of the U.S. is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid. That's alarming because the U.N. report points out that during past disruptions of the drug trade, people shifted from heroin to fentanyl, resulting in more overdoses.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images
Indeed, this kind of upheaval in the illegal drug trade has happened before. David Courtwright, a historian who studies drug trafficking and substance abuse disorder, says many heroin users started taking riskier drugs during World War II.
"The government started buying up the opium supply even before the United States entered the war, in anticipation of military medical needs," Courtwright said. "When the war broke out, of course smuggling routes were disrupted. It became really hard to get hold of drugs."
Amid today's pandemic, drug traffickers are already adapting. The U.N. found more local women working in Afghanistan's poppy fields, for example, replacing workers who couldn't travel. Cartels appear to be shifting from air and land transport to shipments by sea to bring product from Mexico into the U.S.
But in some parts of the world, U.N. researchers found drug markets are reeling as trafficking routes shut down. Coca leaf prices in Peru dropped by nearly half because of "decreasing demand by traffickers who have had difficulties in transporting the drug," the report said. Italy and the United Kingdom also saw street-level drug markets dry up, meaning higher prices.
The DEA's Dhillon said he hopes some of this disruption can be sustained after the threat of COVID-19 passes. "The challenge for DEA and all of law enforcement is to learn from what was in place at the time during the pandemic and see if we can enhance that so that in the future we can keep these drugs from coming in," he said.
That might include continuing heightened restrictions at ports of entry, Dhillon added.
Meanwhile, experts say when drugs are harder to find and more expensive, more people do seek treatment. But finding help can be challenging right now, when quarantine rules have restricted access to many clinics and hospitals that are often the first point of contact for those struggling with addiction.


npr--2020-05-25--Too Little Or Too Much Time With The Kids? Grandparenting Is Tough In A Pandemic

Too Little Or Too Much Time With The Kids ?
Grandparenting Is Tough In A Pandemic Back in pre-pandemic times , Richard and Denise Victor would get to see their four grandchildren almost every day .
One set of kids lives around the block from them in Bloomfield Hills , Mich. ; the others are half an hour away , all close enough for frequent visits and sleepovers .
`` With the younger ones , we have a routine of stories when they spend the night , '' Richard Victor says .
But when the coronavirus hit , the couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and suddenly it was n't safe to leave .
They 've been sheltering there for three months , missing their grandkids and struggling with an absence that FaceTime just ca n't fill .
`` It 's very , very difficult , '' says Victor , a 70-year-old lawyer and founder of the nonprofit Grandparents Rights Organization .
`` You have to try your best , because we do n't know when this will be over with . ''
Of all the hardships imposed by the coronavirus pandemic , among the most poignant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the grandparents who love them .
Across the U.S. , where more than 70 million people are grandparents , the effort to prevent infection in older people , who are most at risk of serious COVID-19 illness , has meant self-imposed exile for many .
On the other hand , some grandparents have taken over daily child care duties to help adult children who must work .
`` All the grandparents in the country are aching , '' says Madonna Harrington Meyer , a sociology professor at Syracuse University in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't see their grandchildren — and some are aching because they ca n't get away from them . ''
Both situations are the result of a fast-moving pandemic that forced families to decide quickly whether to isolate with grandparents `` inside the bubble or out , '' Harrington Meyer says .
Three months later , many are still grappling with those decisions — and worrying about an uncertain future .
`` I think we all have the exact same set of issues , '' says Harrington Meyer , author of the 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jobs .
`` What will August bring ?
All of us need to be prepared for this to be fluctuating . ''
Even as some regions begin easing restrictions , the risks posed by gathering in person have n't changed for grandparents separated from their grandchildren , says Dr. Krutika Kuppalli , an affiliated clinical assistant professor of medicine in the infectious diseases division at Stanford University .
Rates of serious illness and death caused by COVID-19 remain much higher in older people than among the young , and children can easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to know if a child has been exposed or whether they have an asymptomatic infection , '' Kuppalli says .
`` I would definitely recommend staying away or definitely continuing to wear masks and perform good hand hygiene . ''
At the same time , maintaining a connection with grandkids is important for the well-being of everyone , says Dr. Preeti Malani , chief health officer and professor of medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor .
`` There 's an incredible health benefit to them to interact with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bond is special .
In Highland Beach , Fla. , Victor says he and wife , Denise , who 's in her 60s , have relied heavily on Zoom , FaceTime and videos to stay connected to their grandchildren .
Still , it has been difficult .
Since February , the two older boys , ages 10 and 13 , have gotten taller and better at basketball .
The baby has gone from crawling to walking .
And their precocious 4-year-old grandson has paid close attention to the passing time .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long enough that he 's not 4 1/2 anymore .
He 's 4 3/4 , '' Victor says .
`` We miss them all so much . ''
Some grandparents have calculated that the need to care for their families outweighs the fear of infection .
Fran Layton , 73 , a lawyer who lives in Berkeley , Calif. , rushed to pick up her 2-year-old grandson in San Francisco in late March when his newborn sister arrived earlier than planned .
`` My son called and said , 'Mom , they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ? '
I did not hesitate , '' Layton recalls .
She kept the toddler for a couple of days at that time .
A month later , with her region under stay-at-home restrictions , she started caring for him at her home a few days each week so his parents could juggle work and the new baby .
`` He would take his naps in a stroller in the afternoon , '' Layton says .
`` I walked the Berkeley Hills while he napped .
It got me my exercise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ son and daughter-in-law decided to return to using their son 's nanny .
Layton agreed with that decision but also knew that this would widen the circle of infection risk for her .
For now , she is choosing to stay away and does n't know when she 'll be together again with her grandson — or her new granddaughter .
`` I was a mess when he left , '' she says .
`` It 's sadness that we all feel forced apart — with children and grandchildren . ''
Some grandparents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finding ways to stay apart while still being together .
`` The outdoors is safer than the indoors , in general , '' says Malani , the University of Michigan professor .
`` To me , a walk in a park , without a play structure , without other kids around , is OK. '' About 4 % of grandparents live with their grandchildren , so staying away is n't an option .
As of mid-May , Beth Kashner had joined that group .
Her daughter 's family , including an 11-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooklyn to Kashner 's large Seattle home `` while normal life is on hold , '' or at least for the summer .
`` They even brought their two cats , '' says Kashner , 73 .
`` I 'm really happy that everyone will be part of the same safe community . ''
Kashner already lived less than a mile from her four other grandchildren , who range in age from 3 to 10 .
For weeks , she saw them only from afar .
Now , the whole family is gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're taking pains to stay as safe as possible , she says .
`` We did just go to the park wearing masks and trying to keep our distance , '' she says .
For those who must be physically close to their grandchildren , there are ways to reduce the risk .
Frequent hand-washing and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces are essential .
Avoid prolonged contact with those outside the household .
Masks and gloves can help .
And it 's not just the little ones .
Adult grandchildren must consider carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malani recently took her family to visit her 97-year-old grandmother , Haridevi Malani .
`` It was a bit of a dilemma , '' she says .
`` But I had a need to go visit her . ''
Until a treatment or vaccine for the coronavirus is available , every interaction will be fraught with questions , she says .
Going forward , families will need to weigh risks and benefits .
`` We 're not going to have a situation where we can mitigate the risk to nothing , '' Malani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much risk you 're willing to take . ''
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit , editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation .
KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .

Too Little Or Too Much Time With The Kids? Grandparenting Is Tough In A Pandemic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of the Victor family Courtesy of the Victor family
Back in pre-pandemic times, Richard and Denise Victor would get to see their four grandchildren almost every day. One set of kids lives around the block from them in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; the others are half an hour away, all close enough for frequent visits and sleepovers.
"With the younger ones, we have a routine of stories when they spend the night," Richard Victor says.
But when the coronavirus hit, the couple were at their vacation home in Florida, and suddenly it wasn't safe to leave. They've been sheltering there for three months, missing their grandkids and struggling with an absence that FaceTime just can't fill.
"It's very, very difficult," says Victor, a 70-year-old lawyer and founder of the nonprofit Grandparents Rights Organization. "You have to try your best, because we don't know when this will be over with."
Of all the hardships imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, among the most poignant is the reshaping of relationships between children and the grandparents who love them.
Across the U.S., where more than 70 million people are grandparents, the effort to prevent infection in older people, who are most at risk of serious COVID-19 illness, has meant self-imposed exile for many. On the other hand, some grandparents have taken over daily child care duties to help adult children who must work.
"All the grandparents in the country are aching," says Madonna Harrington Meyer, a sociology professor at Syracuse University in New York. "Some are aching because they can't see their grandchildren — and some are aching because they can't get away from them."
Both situations are the result of a fast-moving pandemic that forced families to decide quickly whether to isolate with grandparents "inside the bubble or out," Harrington Meyer says. Three months later, many are still grappling with those decisions — and worrying about an uncertain future.
"I think we all have the exact same set of issues," says Harrington Meyer, author of the 2014 book Grandmothers at Work: Juggling Families and Jobs. "What will August bring? All of us need to be prepared for this to be fluctuating."
Even as some regions begin easing restrictions, the risks posed by gathering in person haven't changed for grandparents separated from their grandchildren, says Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an affiliated clinical assistant professor of medicine in the infectious diseases division at Stanford University. Rates of serious illness and death caused by COVID-19 remain much higher in older people than among the young, and children can easily spread the disease.
"It's hard to know if a child has been exposed or whether they have an asymptomatic infection," Kuppalli says. "I would definitely recommend staying away or definitely continuing to wear masks and perform good hand hygiene."
At the same time, maintaining a connection with grandkids is important for the well-being of everyone, says Dr. Preeti Malani, chief health officer and professor of medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
"There's an incredible health benefit to them to interact with their grandparents," she says. The bond is special.
In Highland Beach, Fla., Victor says he and wife, Denise, who's in her 60s, have relied heavily on Zoom, FaceTime and videos to stay connected to their grandchildren. Still, it has been difficult. Since February, the two older boys, ages 10 and 13, have gotten taller and better at basketball. The baby has gone from crawling to walking. And their precocious 4-year-old grandson has paid close attention to the passing time.
"He let me know I'd been gone long enough that he's not 4 1/2 anymore. He's 4 3/4," Victor says. "We miss them all so much."
Some grandparents have calculated that the need to care for their families outweighs the fear of infection. Fran Layton, 73, a lawyer who lives in Berkeley, Calif., rushed to pick up her 2-year-old grandson in San Francisco in late March when his newborn sister arrived earlier than planned.
"My son called and said, 'Mom, they're going to induce. Can you get here?' I did not hesitate," Layton recalls.
She kept the toddler for a couple of days at that time. A month later, with her region under stay-at-home restrictions, she started caring for him at her home a few days each week so his parents could juggle work and the new baby.
"He would take his naps in a stroller in the afternoon," Layton says. "I walked the Berkeley Hills while he napped. It got me my exercise."
Recently, though, Layton's son and daughter-in-law decided to return to using their son's nanny. Layton agreed with that decision but also knew that this would widen the circle of infection risk for her. For now, she is choosing to stay away and doesn't know when she'll be together again with her grandson — or her new granddaughter.
"I was a mess when he left," she says. "It's sadness that we all feel forced apart — with children and grandchildren."
Some grandparents continue to see their grandchildren in person, finding ways to stay apart while still being together. "The outdoors is safer than the indoors, in general," says Malani, the University of Michigan professor. "To me, a walk in a park, without a play structure, without other kids around, is OK."
About 4% of grandparents live with their grandchildren, so staying away isn't an option.
As of mid-May, Beth Kashner had joined that group. Her daughter's family, including an 11-year-old granddaughter and 10-year-old grandson, relocated from Brooklyn to Kashner's large Seattle home "while normal life is on hold," or at least for the summer.
"They even brought their two cats," says Kashner, 73. "I'm really happy that everyone will be part of the same safe community."
Kashner already lived less than a mile from her four other grandchildren, who range in age from 3 to 10. For weeks, she saw them only from afar. Now, the whole family is gathering. It may be risky, but they're taking pains to stay as safe as possible, she says.
"We did just go to the park wearing masks and trying to keep our distance," she says.
For those who must be physically close to their grandchildren, there are ways to reduce the risk. Frequent hand-washing and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces are essential. Avoid prolonged contact with those outside the household. Masks and gloves can help.
And it's not just the little ones. Adult grandchildren must consider carefully how to visit their grandparents too. Malani recently took her family to visit her 97-year-old grandmother, Haridevi Malani.
"It was a bit of a dilemma," she says. "But I had a need to go visit her."
Until a treatment or vaccine for the coronavirus is available, every interaction will be fraught with questions, she says. Going forward, families will need to weigh risks and benefits.
"We're not going to have a situation where we can mitigate the risk to nothing," Malani says. "It's about how much risk you're willing to take."
Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit, editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


npr--2020-05-24--Federal Judge Rules Florida Law Restricting Voting Rights For Felons Unconstitutional

In a decision with potentially far-reaching implications for November 's election , a federal judge in Florida has determined a state law that would have required felons to pay any outstanding court fees and fines before they can register to vote is unconstitutional .
The ruling on Sunday by U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle moves hundreds of thousands of felons who have completed `` all terms of their sentence including probation and parole '' one step closer to winning back their right to vote .
The case at the center of the decision stems from a constitutional amendment overwhelmingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 150-year-old law that permanently disenfranchised people with felony convictions .
The result was celebrated by supporters as the nation 's largest expansion of voting right in decades , but seven months later , the state 's Republican governor , Ron DeSantis , signed a bill limiting the law only to those who have successfully paid their court-related debts .
DeSantis said the law was needed in order to clarify what the amendment meant by `` all terms , '' but critics charged that the measure amounted to a `` poll tax .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sided with critics of the bill , saying it discriminates against those who can not afford to pay .
The judge said the law is a violation of the 24th Amendment , which says the right to vote shall not be denied `` by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax . ''
`` A state may disenfranchise felons and impose conditions on their reenfranchisement , '' Hinkle wrote in his opinion .
`` But the conditions must pass constitutional scrutiny .
Whatever might be said of a rationally constructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial respects . ''
Hinkle allowed that the state `` can condition voting on payment of fines and restitution that a person is able to pay but can not condition voting on payment of amounts a person is unable to pay or on payment of taxes , even those labeled fees or costs . ''
The judge faulted the state for failing to come up with a way for felons to determine what they may owe the state or for them to show they are unable to afford payment .
He ordered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new process for felons to request an advisory opinion on whether they are eligible to vote .
If they are not given an answer within 21 days , they will be allowed to register .
Hinkle 's ruling could dramatically expand the rolls in a battleground state that President Trump narrowly won in 2016 by less than 115,000 votes .
One analysis by Daniel Smith , a professor of political science at the University of Florida , found that more than 774,000 Florida citizens who have fulfilled the terms of their felony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Today 's decision is a landmark victory for hundreds of thousands of voters who want their voices to be heard , '' said Paul Smith , vice president of the Campaign Legal Center , one of the groups that challenged the law .
`` This is a watershed moment in election law .
States can no longer deny people access to the ballot box based on unpaid court costs and fees , nor can they condition rights restoration on restitution and fines that a person can not afford to pay . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to a request for comment , but the state is expected to appeal the decision .

Federal Judge Rules Florida Law Restricting Voting Rights For Felons Unconstitutional
Enlarge this image toggle caption Zak Bennett/AFP via Getty Images Zak Bennett/AFP via Getty Images
In a decision with potentially far-reaching implications for November's election, a federal judge in Florida has determined a state law that would have required felons to pay any outstanding court fees and fines before they can register to vote is unconstitutional.
The ruling on Sunday by U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle moves hundreds of thousands of felons who have completed "all terms of their sentence including probation and parole" one step closer to winning back their right to vote.
The case at the center of the decision stems from a constitutional amendment overwhelmingly approved by Florida voters in 2018 overturning a 150-year-old law that permanently disenfranchised people with felony convictions.
The result was celebrated by supporters as the nation's largest expansion of voting right in decades, but seven months later, the state's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, signed a bill limiting the law only to those who have successfully paid their court-related debts. DeSantis said the law was needed in order to clarify what the amendment meant by "all terms," but critics charged that the measure amounted to a "poll tax."
In a 125-page ruling, Hinkle sided with critics of the bill, saying it discriminates against those who cannot afford to pay. The judge said the law is a violation of the 24th Amendment, which says the right to vote shall not be denied "by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax."
"A state may disenfranchise felons and impose conditions on their reenfranchisement," Hinkle wrote in his opinion. "But the conditions must pass constitutional scrutiny. Whatever might be said of a rationally constructed system, this one falls short in substantial respects."
Hinkle allowed that the state "can condition voting on payment of fines and restitution that a person is able to pay but cannot condition voting on payment of amounts a person is unable to pay or on payment of taxes, even those labeled fees or costs."
The judge faulted the state for failing to come up with a way for felons to determine what they may owe the state or for them to show they are unable to afford payment. He ordered the division of elections to put in place a new process for felons to request an advisory opinion on whether they are eligible to vote. If they are not given an answer within 21 days, they will be allowed to register.
Hinkle's ruling could dramatically expand the rolls in a battleground state that President Trump narrowly won in 2016 by less than 115,000 votes. One analysis by Daniel Smith, a professor of political science at the University of Florida, found that more than 774,000 Florida citizens who have fulfilled the terms of their felony convictions have outstanding legal financial obligations.
"Today's decision is a landmark victory for hundreds of thousands of voters who want their voices to be heard," said Paul Smith, vice president of the Campaign Legal Center, one of the groups that challenged the law. "This is a watershed moment in election law. States can no longer deny people access to the ballot box based on unpaid court costs and fees, nor can they condition rights restoration on restitution and fines that a person cannot afford to pay."
The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the state is expected to appeal the decision.


npr--2020-05-25--Stockholm Won't Reach Herd Immunity In May, Sweden's Chief Epidemiologist Says

Stockholm Wo n't Reach Herd Immunity In May , Sweden 's Chief Epidemiologist Says Sweden 's controversial approach to fighting the coronavirus pandemic has so far failed to produce the expected results , and there are calls within the country for the government to change its strategy .
`` We have a very vivid political debate , '' Karin Olofsdotter , Sweden 's ambassador to the United States , told NPR .
`` I do n't think people are protesting on the streets but ... there 's a very big debate , if this [ strategy ] is the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook and everywhere . ''
Unlike its Nordic neighbors , Sweden decided against instituting a strict lockdown .
The government has enforced social distancing rules , but decided to keep most bars , restaurants , schools and retail shops open .
The country 's strategy relies on public cooperation to slow the spread and not overwhelm the country 's hospital system .
Health officials also hoped that keeping the country open would mean its younger , not-at-risk population would develop immunity against the virus , potentially leading to herd immunity .
Dr. Anders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health Agency , said in an interview with CNBC in late April that sampling and modeling data indicated that about 20 % of Stockholm 's population is already immune to the virus .
Ambassador Olofsdotter told NPR last month that the country 's capital could reach herd immunity by the end of this month .
Herd immunity occurs when enough people of a population are immune to an infectious disease , either because they 've been infected and recovered or they 've been vaccinated against it .
Some researchers have put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Unfortunately , Sweden 's capital will not reach this milestone in May .
`` No that will not happen , '' Tegnell said on Monday in an email to NPR .
`` Current investigations show different numbers , but [ Stockholm 's immunity rate ] is likely lower [ than 30 % ] .
As you might be aware , there is a problem with measuring immunity for this virus . ''
Sweden 's Public Health Agency last week released the initial findings of an ongoing antibodies study that showed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had developed antibodies against COVID-19 by late April .
Tegnell later described the study 's figure as a `` bit lower than we 'd thought , '' adding that the study represented a snapshot of the situation some weeks ago and he believed that by now `` a little more than 20 % '' of Stockholm 's population should have contracted the virus .
It 's the same figure that he mentioned in the CNBC interview over a month ago .
The study 's results have provided further fuel for the critics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per 100,000 , Sweden 's mortality rate is not only higher than that of the U.S. ( 29.87 deaths per 100,000 ) but also exponentially higher than those of its neighbors Norway ( 4.42 per 100,000 ) and Finland ( 5.56 per 100,000 ) , which both enacted strict lockdown measures , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
A protest against the government 's anti-lockdown strategy at Stockholm 's Sergels Torg square attracted a few dozen people on Sunday .
One of the protest signs read , `` In memory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its strategy . ''
The Swedish Embassy in Washington , D.C. , said in a statement provided to NPR that the country 's government as well as its public health agency believe it 's still `` far too early to draw any clear conclusions or comparisons connected to the coronavirus pandemic , '' but `` we are open with that the strategy has failed to protect the elderly living in care homes . ''
Nearly half of the country 's more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths have occurred in elderly care facilities .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to one recent poll , support the measures Tegnell 's agency has recommended .
For some anti-lockdown protesters in the U.S. , `` Be like Sweden '' has become a rallying cry at protest rallies .
But given the political , social and cultural differences between the two countries , simply adopting the Swedish model might not work .
`` Every country and region is different , and every country and region needs do what they think is best for their place , '' Olofsdotter said .
`` In Sweden , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population and the government and its agencies and vice versa .
Of course , if we can be an inspiration to others , and they find measures that we have used useful in either a state or region , that 's good , because we are all in this together . ''
Even without a nationwide lockdown , the Sweden 's economy has taken a hit as people continue to follow their government 's guidelines and stay at home .
Google records indicated that trips to retail and recreational destinations in Stockholm are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public transit declined 29 % between March 28-May 9 .
Sweden 's central bank , the Riksbank , provided two potential scenarios for the country 's economic outlook in 2020 .
`` Despite the comprehensive measures both in Sweden and abroad , the economic consequences of the pandemic will be considerable .
The consequences for the economy will vary depending on how long the spread of infection continues and on how long the restrictions implemented to slow it down are in place , '' the Riksbank said in a statement in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment rate and a contraction of the country 's gross domestic product .
The central bank expects unemployment to rise from 6.8 % to 10.1 % and GDP to shrink by up to 9.7 % this year as result of the pandemic .
Earlier this month , Tegnell admitted that he is not sure Sweden 's strategy was the right call .
`` I 'm not convinced at all - we are constantly thinking about this , '' he told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet .

Stockholm Won't Reach Herd Immunity In May, Sweden's Chief Epidemiologist Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images
Sweden's controversial approach to fighting the coronavirus pandemic has so far failed to produce the expected results, and there are calls within the country for the government to change its strategy.
"We have a very vivid political debate," Karin Olofsdotter, Sweden's ambassador to the United States, told NPR. "I don't think people are protesting on the streets but ... there's a very big debate, if this [strategy] is the right thing to do or not, on Facebook and everywhere."
Unlike its Nordic neighbors, Sweden decided against instituting a strict lockdown. The government has enforced social distancing rules but decided to keep most bars, restaurants, schools and retail shops open. The country's approach relies on public cooperation to slow the spread and not overwhelm the hospital system.
Health officials also hoped that keeping the country open would mean its younger, not-at-risk population would develop immunity against the virus, potentially leading to herd immunity. Anders Tegnell, chief epidemiologist at Sweden's Public Health Agency, said in an interview with CNBC in late April that sampling and modeling data indicated that about 20% of Stockholm's population is already immune to the virus.
Olofsdotter told NPR last month that the country's capital could reach herd immunity by the end of this month. Herd immunity occurs when enough people of a population are immune to an infectious disease, either because they've been infected and recovered or they've been vaccinated against it. Some researchers have put the threshold for coronavirus herd immunity at 60%.
Unfortunately, Stockholm will not reach this milestone in May.
"No that will not happen," Tegnell said Monday in an email to NPR. "Current investigations show different numbers, but [Stockholm's immunity rate] is likely lower [than 30%]. As you might be aware, there is a problem with measuring immunity for this virus."
Sweden's Public Health Agency last week released the initial findings of an ongoing antibodies study that showed that 7.3% of people in Stockholm had developed antibodies against COVID-19 by late April. Tegnell later described the study's figure as a "bit lower than we'd thought," adding that the findings represented a snapshot of the situation some weeks ago and he believed that by now "a little more than 20%" of Stockholm's population should have contracted the virus.
It's the same figure he mentioned in the CNBC interview more than a month ago.
The study's results have provided further fuel for the critics of the Swedish approach. With 39.57 deaths per 100,000, Sweden's mortality rate is not only higher than that of the U.S. (30.02 deaths per 100,000) but also exponentially higher than those of its neighbors Norway (4.42 per 100,000) and Finland (5.58 per 100,000), which both enacted strict lockdown measures, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
A protest Sunday against the government's anti-lockdown strategy at Stockholm's Sergels Torg attracted a few dozen people. One of the protest signs read, "In memory of everyone who Sweden couldn't save with its strategy."
The Swedish Embassy in Washington, D.C., said in a statement to NPR that the country's government as well as its public health agency believe it's still "far too early to draw any clear conclusions or comparisons connected to the coronavirus pandemic," but "we are open with that the strategy has failed to protect the elderly living in care homes."
Nearly half of the country's more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths have occurred in such care facilities.
A majority of Swedes, 63%, according to one recent poll, support the measures Tegnell's agency has recommended.
For some anti-lockdown protesters in the U.S., "Be like Sweden" has become a rallying cry at protests. But given the political, social and cultural differences between the two countries, simply adopting the Swedish model might not work.
"Every country and region is different, and every country and region needs do what they think is best for their place," said Olofsdotter, the Swedish ambassador. "In Sweden, there's a fairly big trust between the population and the government and its agencies and vice versa. Of course, if we can be an inspiration to others, and they find measures that we have used useful in either a state or region, that's good, because we are all in this together."
Even without a nationwide lockdown, Sweden's economy has taken a hit as people continue to follow the government's guidelines and stay at home. Google records indicated that trips to retail and recreational destinations in Stockholm are down 23%, while passenger numbers on public transit declined 29% between March 28 and May 9.
Sweden's central bank, the Riksbank, provided two potential scenarios for the country's economic outlook in 2020.
"Despite the comprehensive measures both in Sweden and abroad, the economic consequences of the pandemic will be considerable," the Riksbank said in a statement in April. "The consequences for the economy will vary depending on how long the spread of infection continues and on how long the restrictions implemented to slow it down are in place."
Both scenarios predict a rise in the unemployment rate and a contraction of the country's gross domestic product. The central bank expects unemployment to rise from 6.8% to 10.1% and GDP to shrink by up to 9.7% this year as result of the pandemic.
Earlier this month, Tegnell admitted he is not sure Sweden's strategy was the right call. "I'm not convinced at all — we are constantly thinking about this," he told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.


npr--2020-05-25--WHO Halts Hydroxychloroquine Trial Over Safety Concerns

The World Health Organization says it is temporarily halting its clinical trials that use hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients over published concerns that the drug may do more harm than good .
The move comes after the medical journal The Lancet reported on Friday that patients getting hydroxychloroquine were dying at higher rates than other coronavirus patients .
The WHO has 3,500 patients from 17 countries enrolled in what it calls the Solidarity Trial .
This is an effort overseen by the WHO to find new treatments for COVID-19 .
The patients in the trial have been randomly assigned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common malaria drug , or 3 other experimental drugs for treating COVID-19 in various combinations .
Only the hydroxychloroquine part of the trial is being put on hold .
`` The review will consider data collected so far in the Solidarity Trial and in particular robust , randomized available data to adequately evaluate the potential benefits and harms from this drug [ hydroxycholoroquine ] , '' WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during an online press conference from Geneva on Monday .
The WHO 's chief scientist , Soumya Swaminathan , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in The Lancet , which was not a randomized control trial but still large .
`` While it was still a reporting of observational data , '' Swaminathan says , distinguishing it from the gold-standard randomized controlled trial , `` it came from multiple registries and quite a large number of patients , 96,000 patients . ''
She says the WHO has n't yet seen data that showed a problem with hydroxychloroquine in its own study but The Lancet article raised questions among many of the investigators involved in the WHO 's trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend , in the light of this uncertainty , '' Swaminathan says .
`` We decided we should be proactive , err on the side of caution and suspend enrollment temporarily into the hydroxychloroquine arm [ of the Solidarity trial ] . ''
President Trump has advocated for the use of hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic despite limited research into whether it is effective against the virus .
The president has said he 's been taking hydroxychloroquine to protect against the virus .
The trials being put on hold by the WHO are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 , not as a drug to prevent the disease .
The review panel will also check on seven other studies globally including the Recovery Trial in the United Kingdom that are using hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 patients to see if they are seeing similar problems .
Swaminathan says they expect to decide whether to resume testing hydroxychloroquine in the Solidarity Trial in a week or two .

WHO Halts Hydroxychloroquine Trial Over Safety Concerns
Enlarge this image toggle caption George Frey/AFP via Getty Images George Frey/AFP via Getty Images
The World Health Organization says it is temporarily halting its clinical trials that use hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients over published concerns that the drug may do more harm than good.
The move comes after the medical journal The Lancet reported on Friday that patients getting hydroxychloroquine were dying at higher rates than other coronavirus patients.
The WHO has 3,500 patients from 17 countries enrolled in what it calls the Solidarity Trial. This is an effort overseen by the WHO to find new treatments for COVID-19. The patients in the trial have been randomly assigned to be treated with hydroxychloroquine, which is a common malaria drug, or three other experimental drugs for treating COVID-19 in various combinations. Only the hydroxychloroquine part of the trial is being put on hold.
"The review will consider data collected so far in the Solidarity Trial and in particular robust, randomized available data to adequately evaluate the potential benefits and harms from this drug [hydroxychloroquine]," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during an online press conference from Geneva on Monday.
The WHO's chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, says the review was prompted by the article in The Lancet, which was not a randomized control trial but still large.
"While it was still a reporting of observational data," Swaminathan says, distinguishing it from the gold-standard randomized controlled trial, "it came from multiple registries and quite a large number of patients, 96,000 patients." She says the WHO hasn't yet seen data that showed a problem with hydroxychloroquine in its own study, but The Lancet article raised questions among many of the investigators involved in the WHO's trial.
"The steering committee met over the weekend, in the light of this uncertainty," Swaminathan says. "We decided we should be proactive, err on the side of caution and suspend enrollment temporarily into the hydroxychloroquine arm [of the Solidarity trial]."
President Trump has advocated for the use of hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic despite limited research into whether it is effective against the virus. The president has said he's been taking hydroxychloroquine to protect against the virus. The trials being put on hold by the WHO are investigating its use as a treatment for patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19, not as a drug to prevent the disease.
The review panel will also check on seven other studies globally, including the Recovery Trial in the United Kingdom, that are using hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 patients to see if they are seeing similar problems.
Swaminathan says they expect to decide whether to resume testing hydroxychloroquine in the Solidarity Trial in a week or two.


npr--2020-05-25--Biden Commemorates Memorial Day In First Outing Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee for president , made an unannounced visit to the Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle , Del.
, on Monday .
It 's the first time Biden has left the area around his home in Wilmington , since mid-March when he began self-isolation amid the coronavirus pandemic .
He and his wife Jill Biden , both wearing black masks , placed a wreath before a memorial wall commemorating war veterans from Delaware and New Jersey .
`` Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made .
Never , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before leaving the wall .
President Trump also honored service members at two events Monday at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and Fort McHenry in Baltimore .
Trump has been critical of Biden 's decision to remain in self-isolation at his home in Wilmington .
Biden canceled in-person campaign events .
Over the last two months , Biden has held events virtually with supporters , including fundraisers , and has done a number of television interviews from his home .
In response to a question about being out in public on Memorial Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good to be out of my house . ''

Biden Commemorates Memorial Day In First Outing Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick Semansky/AP Patrick Semansky/AP
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, made an unannounced visit to Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Del., on Monday.
It's the first time Biden has left the area around his home in Wilmington since mid-March, when he began self-isolation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He and his wife, Jill Biden, both wearing black masks, placed a wreath before a memorial wall commemorating war veterans from Delaware and New Jersey.
"Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made. Never, ever, forget," Biden said before leaving the wall.
President Trump also honored service members Monday, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
Trump has been critical of Biden's decision to remain in self-isolation at his home in Wilmington. Biden canceled in-person campaign events. Over the last two months, Biden has held events virtually with supporters, including fundraisers, and has done a number of television interviews from his home.
In response to a question about being out in public on Memorial Day, Biden said, "It feels good to be out of my house."


npr--2020-05-25--Americans Welcome Summer With A Somber And Surreal Memorial Day

Americans Welcome Summer With A Somber And Surreal Memorial Day Even in a typical year , Memorial Day in the U.S. can be a confusing mixture of joy and sadness — at once a hearty welcome to summertime , brimming with picnics and parties , and a somber remembrance of the service members who died in wars .
But this has been no typical year .
Into the holiday 's characteristic contrast of opposites the coronavirus pandemic has tossed a rather large wrench , which has only served to rend that divide wider .
Even as some families flocked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relieved to have an outlet after weeks under stay-at-home orders , many others stayed put or tried something new — including plenty of elderly veterans who would have made a trip to pay their respects to fallen friends , were it not for the virus .
`` It 's something we 're upset about , but we understand , '' Raymond Aalbue , chairman of the United Military Veterans of Kings County , told the Associated Press in New York City .
`` No reason to put anybody in harm 's way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one Aalbue 's group plans every year , New York City 's veterans gathered in their cars for convoys or visited memorials in face masks , many to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II .
Just a little farther west , on the beaches of Brooklyn and the rest of Long Island , access was closed to all but local residents — which was n't too much of a disappointment , given the soggy weather Monday along much of the East Coast .
In fact , the limitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Sen. Todd Kaminsky , who represents several beach communities on the south shore of Long Island .
`` It 's just really hard to do social distancing on a really crowded beach , '' he told Desiree Diorio of member station WSHU .
Meanwhile , amid the confusion of sadness , frustration , relief and excitement , a grave milestone loomed across the country : The death toll linked to the coronavirus in the U.S. is nearing 100,000 — easily the highest toll of any country in the world , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As states take steps toward reopening businesses and public spaces , those numbers have spiked again in various locations across the country , including North Carolina , Arkansas and Washington , D.C. '' With the country starting to open up this holiday weekend , I again remind everyone that the coronavirus is not yet contained , '' Dr. Stephen Hahn , head of the federal Food and Drug Administration , warned in a tweet posted Sunday .
`` It is up to every individual to protect themselves and their community .
Social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us all . ''

Americans Welcome Summer With A Somber And Surreal Memorial Day
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt Rourke/AP Matt Rourke/AP
Even in a typical year, Memorial Day in the U.S. can be a confusing mixture of joy and sadness — at once a hearty welcome to summertime, brimming with picnics and parties, and a somber remembrance of the service members who died in wars.
But this has been no typical year.
Into the holiday's characteristic contrast of opposites the coronavirus pandemic has tossed a rather large wrench, which has only served to rend that divide wider. Even as some families flocked to the sand where beaches had opened, relieved to have an outlet after weeks under stay-at-home orders, many others stayed put or tried something new — including plenty of elderly veterans who would have made a trip to pay their respects to fallen friends, were it not for the virus.
"It's something we're upset about, but we understand," Raymond Aalbue, chairman of the United Military Veterans of Kings County, told the Associated Press in New York City. "No reason to put anybody in harm's way."
Instead of parades, like the one Aalbue's group plans every year, New York City's veterans gathered in their cars for convoys or visited memorials in face masks, many to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Minchillo/AP John Minchillo/AP
Just a little farther west, on the beaches of Brooklyn and the rest of Long Island, access was closed to all but local residents — which wasn't too much of a disappointment, given the soggy weather Monday along much of the East Coast. In fact, the limitations came as a relief to New York State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, who represents several beach communities on the south shore of Long Island.
"It's just really hard to do social distancing on a really crowded beach," he told Desiree Diorio of member station WSHU.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Wilfredo Lee/AP Wilfredo Lee/AP
Meanwhile, amid the confusion of sadness, frustration, relief and excitement, a grave milestone loomed across the country: The death toll linked to the coronavirus in the U.S. is nearing 100,000 — easily the highest toll of any country in the world, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
As states take steps toward reopening businesses and public spaces, those numbers have spiked again in various locations across the country, including North Carolina, Arkansas and Washington, D.C.
That offers a stark reminder.
"With the country starting to open up this holiday weekend, I again remind everyone that the coronavirus is not yet contained," Dr. Stephen Hahn, head of the federal Food and Drug Administration, warned in a tweet posted Sunday. "It is up to every individual to protect themselves and their community. Social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks protect us all."


npr--2020-05-25--Trump Praises Fallen Soldiers In Memorial Day Ceremonies

As Americans observe a subdued Memorial Day , President Trump visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore to remember those soldiers who have fallen in service of the country .
`` I stand before you at this noble fortress of American liberty to pay tribute to the immortal souls who fought and died to keep us free , '' Trump told the crowd , which included the several members of his Cabinet .
`` We pledge in their cherished memories that this majestic flag will proudly fly forever . ''
Trump 's comments came as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of American soldiers lost in the Vietnam and Korean wars combined .
In his remarks Monday , Trump began by invoking the country 's fight against the coronavirus .
`` In recent months our nation and the world have been engaged in a new form of battle against an invisible enemy , '' Trump said .
`` Once more the men and women of the United States military have answered the call to duty and raced into danger .
Tens of thousands of service members and National Guardsmen are on the front lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , caring for patients , delivering critical supplies , and working night and day to safeguard our citizens .
`` As one nation , we mourn alongside every single family that has lost loved ones , including the families of our great veterans .
Together we will vanquish the virus and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights . ''
Fort McHenry is best known for its role in the War of 1812 .
American soldiers there repelled a British attack on the Baltimore Harbor in 1814 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who witnessed the battle , to write the poem `` Defence of Fort M'Henry , '' which provided the lyrics for `` The Star-Spangled Banner . ''
`` Every time we sing our anthem , every time its rousing chorus swells our hearts with pride , we renew the eternal bonds of loyalty to our fallen heroes , '' Trump said Monday .
The president 's visit to Baltimore was not without controversy .
Last week Mayor Jack Young said Trump might be violating the city 's stay-at-home order , which limits nonessential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit could divert police resources that were needed elsewhere .
Baltimore Council President Brandon Scott also asked the president to stay home and `` set the right example . ''
Just before speaking in Baltimore , Trump paid his respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Ceremony .
Trump briefly placed his hand on the wreath , before standing at attention and saluting as a military bugler played taps .

Trump Praises Fallen Soldiers In Memorial Day Ceremonies
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Vucci/AP Evan Vucci/AP
As Americans observe a subdued Memorial Day, President Trump visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore to remember those soldiers who have fallen in service of the country.
"I stand before you at this noble fortress of American liberty to pay tribute to the immortal souls who fought and died to keep us free," Trump told the crowd, which included several members of his Cabinet. "We pledge in their cherished memories that this majestic flag will proudly fly forever."
Trump's comments came as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 stood higher than 97,000, approaching the number of American soldiers lost in the Vietnam and Korean wars combined. In his remarks Monday, Trump began by invoking the country's fight against the coronavirus.
"In recent months our nation and the world have been engaged in a new form of battle against an invisible enemy," Trump said. "Once more the men and women of the United States military have answered the call to duty and raced into danger. Tens of thousands of service members and National Guardsmen are on the front lines of our war against this terrible virus, caring for patients, delivering critical supplies, and working night and day to safeguard our citizens.
"As one nation, we mourn alongside every single family that has lost loved ones, including the families of our great veterans. Together we will vanquish the virus and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights."
Fort McHenry is best known for its role in the War of 1812. American soldiers there repelled a British attack on the Baltimore Harbor in 1814. The attack inspired Francis Scott Key, who witnessed the battle, to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which provided the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner."
"Every time we sing our anthem, every time its rousing chorus swells our hearts with pride, we renew the eternal bonds of loyalty to our fallen heroes," Trump said Monday.
The president's visit to Baltimore was not without controversy. Last week Mayor Jack Young said Trump might be violating the city's stay-at-home order, which limits nonessential trips. Young worried that a presidential visit could divert police resources that were needed elsewhere. Baltimore Council President Brandon Scott also asked the president to stay home and "set the right example."
Just before speaking in Baltimore, Trump paid his respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Trump briefly placed his hand on the wreath, before standing at attention and saluting as a military bugler played taps.


npr--2020-05-25--3-Day Truce, Prisoner Release Deal Inspire Hopes For Reconciliation In Afghanistan

Since the U.S. and the Taliban agreed to a deal that American officials applauded as a path to peace , Afghanistan has endured months of anything but .
The spring has brought bloodshed , acrimony and few signs that the Afghan government and the Islamist militant group were any closer to reconciliation — until Sunday .
That glimmer of hope arrived with the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday , commemorating the end of the holy month of Ramadan , when the Taliban unilaterally declared a three-day cease-fire beginning Sunday .
Shortly afterward , Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal and was initiating a process to release up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners .
The prisoner release is a `` good will gesture '' carried out specifically in response to the Taliban 's decision , according to presidential spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi .
Ghani 's government `` is extending the offer of peace and is taking further steps to ensure success of the peace process , '' Sediqqi tweeted Sunday .
Ghani said he also received a call from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , expressing gratitude and reiterating the American push for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct negotiations between Afghanistan and the Taliban .
So far , those talks have faltered because of disagreements over how and when to carry out the prisoner swaps proposed in the U.S.-Taliban agreement .
That deal , announced in late February , calls for Afghanistan to release 5,000 prisoners and the Taliban to release up to 1,000 Afghan soldiers as a prelude to peace negotiations .
`` Peace is the consistent and overwhelming desire of the Afghan people , '' Pompeo said in a statement welcoming the cease-fire Sunday .
`` We hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all sides should work together to build on the momentum of this historic Eid ceasefire to move with urgency to intra-Afghan negotiations . ''
Still , such negotiations might not come easily .
The nearly three months since the U.S.-Taliban announcement has seen a spasm of violence in Afghanistan , much of it carried out by Taliban insurgents against Afghan soldiers .
Other Islamist militant groups active in the country — such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida , with whom the Taliban pledged to sever ties — have claimed responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. blamed ISIS for one particularly gruesome assault on a maternity ward at a Kabul hospital two weeks ago .
Also hindering the proposed peace process was a dispute between Ghani and his principal challenger for the presidency , Abdullah Abdullah .
The rivals settled their spat earlier this month with a power-sharing agreement , which positioned Abdullah as leader of the peace talks with the Taliban .
`` Peace is the priority of the people of Afghanistan , '' Abdullah said after the Taliban announced its cease-fire , adding : `` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the war , put an end to the long suffering of our nation & achieve a just & durable peace . ''

3-Day Truce, Prisoner Release Deal Inspire Hopes For Reconciliation In Afghanistan
Enlarge this image toggle caption Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images
Since the U.S. and the Taliban agreed to a deal that American officials applauded as a path to peace, Afghanistan has endured months of anything but. The spring has brought bloodshed, acrimony and few signs that the Afghan government and the Islamist militant group were any closer to reconciliation — until Sunday.
That glimmer of hope arrived with the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, commemorating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, when the Taliban unilaterally declared a three-day cease-fire beginning Sunday. Shortly afterward, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that the government had accepted the truce proposal and was initiating a process to release up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners.
The prisoner release is a "good will gesture" carried out specifically in response to the Taliban's decision, according to presidential spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi. Ghani's government "is extending the offer of peace and is taking further steps to ensure success of the peace process," Sediqqi tweeted Sunday.
Ghani said he also received a call from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, expressing gratitude and reiterating the American push for a longer cease-fire and the start of direct negotiations between Afghanistan and the Taliban. So far, those talks have faltered because of disagreements over how and when to carry out the prisoner swaps proposed in the U.S.-Taliban agreement.
That deal, announced in late February, calls for Afghanistan to release 5,000 prisoners and the Taliban to release up to 1,000 Afghan soldiers as a prelude to peace negotiations.
"Peace is the consistent and overwhelming desire of the Afghan people," Pompeo said in a statement welcoming the cease-fire Sunday. "We hope this ceasefire can build trust. Next, all sides should work together to build on the momentum of this historic Eid ceasefire to move with urgency to intra-Afghan negotiations."
Still, such negotiations might not come easily. The nearly three months since the U.S.-Taliban announcement has seen a spasm of violence in Afghanistan, much of it carried out by Taliban insurgents against Afghan soldiers. Other Islamist militant groups active in the country — such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida, with whom the Taliban pledged to sever ties — have claimed responsibility for a slew of other attacks. The U.S. blamed ISIS for one particularly gruesome assault on a maternity ward at a Kabul hospital two weeks ago.
Also hindering the proposed peace process was a dispute between Ghani and his principal challenger for the presidency, Abdullah Abdullah. The rivals settled their spat earlier this month with a power-sharing agreement, which positioned Abdullah as leader of the peace talks with the Taliban.
"Peace is the priority of the people of Afghanistan," Abdullah said after the Taliban announced its cease-fire, adding: "We welcome any positive step that helps us end the war, put an end to the long suffering of our nation & achieve a just & durable peace."


npr--2020-05-25--Jimmy Cobb, The Pulse Of 'Kind Of Blue,' Dies At 91

Jimmy Cobb , The Pulse Of 'Kind Of Blue , ' Dies At 91 Jimmy Cobb , whose subtle and steady drumming formed the pulse of some of jazz 's most beloved recordings , died at his home in Manhattan on Sunday .
He was 91 .
The cause was lung cancer , says his wife , Eleana Tee Cobb .
Cobb was the last surviving member of what 's often called Miles Davis ' First Great Sextet .
He held that title for almost three decades , serving as a conduit for many generations of jazz fans into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iconic and enduring album , Kind of Blue .
It 's impossible to overstate how much his playing , which propelled that all-star group forward with delicate washes of cymbals and brush-stroked snare , contributed to Kind of Blue 's undeniable bounce and feel .
`` Jimmy , you know what to do , '' Davis told Cobb before the session .
`` Just make it sound like it 's floating . ''
And it does : The perfect tension between Cobb 's signature driving cymbal beat and Paul Chambers ' relaxed walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ album one that you can — or ca n't help but — move to .
Cobb 's strength was always understatement , which meant that he did n't necessarily get the same accolades and attention as some of his peers behind the kit .
But his simplicity and intuitive feel made Cobb 's grooves a seamless part of any band 's living organism , its backbone or heartbeat .
Along with playing on other canonical Davis albums like Sketches of Spain and In Person Friday and Saturday Nights at the Blackhawk , Cobb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard bop to its greatest heights .
He and his Davis bandmates Paul Chambers and pianist Wynton Kelly continued to play together — as a trio under Kelly 's name , and as a prolific rhythm team — until Chambers ' untimely death in 1969 .
They collaborated with Cannonball Adderley , John Coltrane , Wayne Shorter , Benny Golson , Wes Montgomery , Hank Mobley , Art Pepper and Joe Henderson .
Cobb 's willingness to play a supporting role — as well as his unmatched ability to find the beauty in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his longest tenures were as an accompanist to legendary vocalists Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan .
He often cited that experience as formative .
`` I guess the sensitivity probably comes from having to work with singers , because you have to really be sensitive there , '' he said in an oral history by the Smithsonian , when he was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2009 .
`` You have to listen and just be a part of what 's going on . ''
Born James Wilbur Cobb on Jan. 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be part of what was going on since his teens , when he stayed up to listen to Symphony Sid 's late-night broadcast and worked as a busboy at a lunch counter in northwest Washington , D.C .
Eventually he saved up enough money to buy a drum set , and started gigging professionally soon thereafter .
For him , the `` why '' was straightforward .
`` I figured it was something I 'd like to do , '' said Cobb , `` and when I learned enough to do it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would do for the rest of my life . ''
Before his 20th birthday , the young drummer , who modeled himself after Max Roach and Kenny Clarke , was already getting high-profile gigs .
Cobb played with Billie Holiday during a stint in D.C. , and eventually in Symphony Sid 's traveling show , where he spent a week alongside Charlie Parker and Miles Davis — making him one of the last musicians able to say that they 'd played with Bird and Lady Day .
Cobb never shied from his status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's venerable past , instead emphasizing what he viewed as a lifetime of good luck .
`` I 've been in the right place at the right time a lot of times , '' he said .
`` [ But today ] things are more mechanical than human , than they used to be .
[ Students today ] got some advantages , because they have videos and all that , but it 's not walking up and shaking the dude 's hand and talking about things , or asking him questions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earl Bostic quickly turned into five years with Bostic 's tourmate Dinah Washington — which also happened to be the first of 20 years of collaborations with her then-pianist , Wynton Kelly .
Cobb is featured on many of Washington 's most memorable recordings , including the underrated For Those In Love , for which a very young Quincy Jones provided the arrangements .
From there , he was recruited by Cannonball Adderley to play on some of that saxophonist 's earliest records — and eventually to join Adderley in Miles ' band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Cobb 's 30th birthday .
He was paid scale ( something like $ 100 for all the album 's sessions ) , and never received any royalties .
Despite the tireless work required of a sideman just to make ends meet , Cobb did n't record as a bandleader until the early 1980s .
By the '90s , he was beginning to mentor young musicians in much the same way he had been in his early days — Roy Hargrove , Christian McBride , Wallace Roney and particularly Brad Mehldau , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band Cobb 's Mob while still in Cobb 's class at the New School , were all recorded to the beat of his evergreen swing .
`` As a drummer , he makes you feel so comfortable , '' guitarist Peter Bernstein — another one of Cobb 's former students — said in the liner notes for This I Dig Of You , released last year .
`` Like , this is what it 's supposed to feel like . ''
Cobb continued to perform and teach around the globe up until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — his wife , Eleana Steinberg Cobb , and two daughters Serena and Jaime , all of whom survive him — organized most of his playing and teaching as he got older .
Students never stopped asking how to master that light , insistent cymbal — something he made sound so easy , yet they quickly realized could n't be harder .
But there was no secret , according to Cobb .
`` The first thing is they have to love it , and stay with it , '' he said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in countless bands , making music that he thankfully lived long enough to learn was timeless .
When people decide to start listening to jazz today , one of the first people they hear is Jimmy Cobb , floating .
Nate Chinen of WBGO contributed to this story .

Jimmy Cobb, The Pulse Of 'Kind Of Blue,' Dies At 91
Enlarge this image toggle caption Gai Terrell/Redferns Gai Terrell/Redferns
Jimmy Cobb, whose subtle and steady drumming formed the pulse of some of jazz's most beloved recordings, died at his home in Manhattan on Sunday. He was 91.
The cause was lung cancer, says his wife, Eleana Tee Cobb.
Cobb was the last surviving member of what's often called Miles Davis' First Great Sextet. He held that title for almost three decades, serving as a conduit for many generations of jazz fans into the band that recorded the music's most iconic and enduring album, Kind of Blue.
It's impossible to overstate how much his playing, which propelled that all-star group forward with delicate washes of cymbals and brush-stroked snare, contributed to Kind of Blue's undeniable bounce and feel. "Jimmy, you know what to do," Davis told Cobb before the session. "Just make it sound like it's floating." And it does: The perfect tension between Cobb's signature driving cymbal beat and Paul Chambers' relaxed walking bassline makes most people's first jazz album one that you can — or can't help but — move to.
YouTube
Cobb's strength was always understatement, which meant that he didn't necessarily get the same accolades and attention as some of his peers behind the kit. But his simplicity and intuitive feel made Cobb's grooves a seamless part of any band's living organism, its backbone or heartbeat.
Along with playing on other canonical Davis albums like Sketches of Spain and In Person Friday and Saturday Nights at the Blackhawk, Cobb helped crystallize the straightforward swing that brought hard bop to its greatest heights. He and his Davis bandmates Paul Chambers and pianist Wynton Kelly continued to play together — as a trio under Kelly's name, and as a prolific rhythm team — until Chambers' untimely death in 1969. They collaborated with Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Benny Golson, Wes Montgomery, Hank Mobley, Art Pepper and Joe Henderson.
Cobb's willingness to play a supporting role — as well as his unmatched ability to find the beauty in the background — meant that some of his longest tenures were as an accompanist to legendary vocalists Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan. He often cited that experience as formative. "I guess the sensitivity probably comes from having to work with singers, because you have to really be sensitive there," he said in an oral history by the Smithsonian, when he was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2009. "You have to listen and just be a part of what's going on."
Born James Wilbur Cobb on Jan. 20, 1929, Cobb had longed to be part of what was going on since his teens, when he stayed up to listen to Symphony Sid's late-night broadcast and worked as a busboy at a lunch counter in northwest Washington, D.C. Eventually he saved up enough money to buy a drum set, and started gigging professionally soon thereafter. For him, the "why" was straightforward. "I figured it was something I'd like to do," said Cobb, "and when I learned enough to do it, I figured that would be what I would do for the rest of my life."
Before his 20th birthday, the young drummer, who modeled himself after Max Roach and Kenny Clarke, was already getting high-profile gigs. Cobb played with Billie Holiday during a stint in D.C., and eventually in Symphony Sid's traveling show, where he spent a week alongside Charlie Parker and Miles Davis — making him one of the last musicians able to say that they'd played with Bird and Lady Day.
Cobb never shied from his status as a living link to the music's venerable past, instead emphasizing what he viewed as a lifetime of good luck. "I've been in the right place at the right time a lot of times," he said. "[But today] things are more mechanical than human, than they used to be. [Students today] got some advantages, because they have videos and all that, but it's not walking up and shaking the dude's hand and talking about things, or asking him questions."
His first traveling gig with saxophonist Earl Bostic quickly turned into five years with Bostic's tourmate Dinah Washington — which also happened to be the first of 20 years of collaborations with her then-pianist, Wynton Kelly. Cobb is featured on many of Washington's most memorable recordings, including the underrated For Those In Love, for which a very young Quincy Jones provided the arrangements.
From there, he was recruited by Cannonball Adderley to play on some of that saxophonist's earliest records — and eventually to join Adderley in Miles' band. Kind of Blue was recorded shortly after Cobb's 30th birthday. He was paid scale (something like $100 for all the album's sessions), and never received any royalties.
Despite the tireless work required of a sideman just to make ends meet, Cobb didn't record as a bandleader until the early 1980s. By the '90s, he was beginning to mentor young musicians in much the same way he had been in his early days — Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride, Wallace Roney and particularly Brad Mehldau, who played in the first edition of his band Cobb's Mob while still in Cobb's class at the New School, were all recorded to the beat of his evergreen swing.
"As a drummer, he makes you feel so comfortable," guitarist Peter Bernstein — another one of Cobb's former students — said in the liner notes for This I Dig Of You, released last year. "Like, this is what it's supposed to feel like."
Cobb continued to perform and teach around the globe up until the end of his life. His family — his wife, Eleana Steinberg Cobb, and two daughters Serena and Jaime, all of whom survive him — organized most of his playing and teaching as he got older. Students never stopped asking how to master that light, insistent cymbal — something he made sound so easy, yet they quickly realized couldn't be harder. But there was no secret, according to Cobb. "The first thing is they have to love it, and stay with it," he said.
He lived that maxim, playing perfect time in countless bands, making music that he thankfully lived long enough to learn was timeless. When people decide to start listening to jazz today, one of the first people they hear is Jimmy Cobb, floating.
Nate Chinen of WBGO contributed to this story.


npr--2020-05-25--Japan's Shinzo Abe Lifts Coronavirus State Of Emergency As Critics Swarm

Japan has completely lifted its nationwide state of emergency .
The country 's prime minister , Shinzo Abe , announced Monday that officials have loosened the coronavirus restrictions in the last five of the country 's 47 prefectures : Tokyo and its surrounding regions , as well as the northern island of Hokkaido .
`` We 've set some of the most strict criteria in the world to lift the declaration , '' Abe told a news conference , according to Japanese broadcaster NHK , `` and we concluded that prefectures across the country have met that standard . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo and nearby prefectures in mid-April and expanded the order less than two weeks later to include the entire country .
Last month 's announcements came amid a surge of new coronavirus cases in the country , which at one point topped 1,000 confirmed cases in a day — but those numbers have begun to taper in recent weeks , and government officials have been lifting the weeks-long state of emergency piecemeal .
Now , new cases number in the dozens , at most .
`` Recently , new infection cases have fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Abe said , `` and what was once nearly 10,000 hospitalized cases — that has now fallen below 2,000 . ''
Abe attributed the positive developments to what he touted as the `` Japanese model , '' which included the nationwide state of emergency declaration and rigorous standards for social distancing .
He added that the decision to lift the remaining state of emergency orders does not change the recommendation from government health officials to avoid crowded spaces and close contact with others .
Still , the prime minister 's response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of criticism .
A recent survey published by the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun put Abe 's approval rating at just 29 % — a record low for the longtime leader , whose second stint in power began in 2012 .
Much of that dissatisfaction is tied to his government 's handling of the pandemic , with the world 's third-largest economy recently plunged into recession and critics pointing to what they call a botched testing rollout and an inadequate financial relief package .
The prime minister is also grappling with the controversy eddying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public prosecutor 's office , Hiromu Kurokawa , who , as a prosecutor , critics viewed as too close to Abe and who ultimately resigned last week after reports that Kurokawa violated coronavirus rules .
On Monday , Abe said that while the weeks-long state of emergency is ending , officials expect residents to carry on largely as they have been even as businesses reopen .
`` Our businesses and daily routines will be completely disrupted if we continue with strict curbs on social and economic activity , '' Abe said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's important to think about how we can conduct business and live our lives while still controlling the risk of infection . ''

Japan's Shinzo Abe Lifts Coronavirus State Of Emergency As Critics Swarm
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Japan has completely lifted its nationwide state of emergency.
The country's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, announced Monday that officials have loosened the coronavirus restrictions in the last five of the country's 47 prefectures: Tokyo and its surrounding regions, as well as the northern island of Hokkaido.
"We've set some of the most strict criteria in the world to lift the declaration," Abe told a news conference, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK, "and we concluded that prefectures across the country have met that standard."
Japan implemented its state of emergency in Tokyo and nearby prefectures in mid-April and expanded the order less than two weeks later to include the entire country. Last month's announcements came amid a surge of new coronavirus cases in the country, which at one point topped 1,000 confirmed cases in a day — but those numbers have begun to taper in recent weeks, and government officials have been lifting the weeks-long state of emergency piecemeal.
Now, new cases number in the dozens, at most.
"Recently, new infection cases have fallen below 50 for the entire nation," Abe said, "and what was once nearly 10,000 hospitalized cases — that has now fallen below 2,000."
Abe attributed the positive developments to what he touted as the "Japanese model," which included the nationwide state of emergency declaration and rigorous standards for social distancing. He added that the decision to lift the remaining state of emergency orders does not change the recommendation from government health officials to avoid crowded spaces and close contact with others.
Still, the prime minister's response to the virus has attracted its fair share of criticism. A recent survey published by the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun put Abe's approval rating at just 29% — a record low for the longtime leader, whose second stint in power began in 2012. Much of that dissatisfaction is tied to his government's handling of the pandemic, with the world's third-largest economy recently plunged into recession and critics pointing to what they call a botched testing rollout and an inadequate financial relief package.
The prime minister is also grappling with the controversy eddying around his pick for the Tokyo high public prosecutor's office, Hiromu Kurokawa, who, as a prosecutor, critics viewed as too close to Abe and who ultimately resigned last week after reports that Kurokawa violated coronavirus rules.
On Monday, Abe said that while the weeks-long state of emergency is ending, officials expect residents to carry on largely as they have been even as businesses reopen.
"Our businesses and daily routines will be completely disrupted if we continue with strict curbs on social and economic activity," Abe said, according to NHK. "From now on, it's important to think about how we can conduct business and live our lives while still controlling the risk of infection."