npr--2020-03-03--Why The Death Rate From Coronavirus Is Plunging In China

Why The Death Rate From Coronavirus Is Plunging In China When it comes to the spiraling global coronavirus outbreak , scientists are still trying to pin down the answer to a basic question : How deadly is this virus ?
Estimates have varied widely .
For instance , at a Feb. 24 news conference in Beijing , a top Chinese health official , Liang Wannian , said the fatality rate for COVID-19 was quite high : '' Between 3 to 4 % of patients have died , '' said Liang .
Then he added a twist : Outside of Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak , the death rate in China has been much lower : about 0.7 percent .
That 's fewer than 1 fatality per 100 cases .
Similarly , a study released by China 's Center for Disease Control last month , found that if you factor out all the data from Hubei province , where Wuhan is located , the fatality rate in the rest of China drops to 0.4 percent .
Why such a big difference between Hubei and the rest of China ?
At a news conference the next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just concluded a fact-finding mission to China for the World Health Organization — pointed to three likely factors .
First , said Aylward , is that Wuhan suffered from being the first place where the new coronavirus surfaced .
`` Wuhan started fast and , and early .
People did n't know what we were dealing with .
We were learning how to treat this . ''
The more patients medical staff saw , the more they could start identifying what kind of supportive care made a difference .
So by the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other provinces , doctors and nurses there had a lot more information about what it takes to keep patients alive .
Hospitals in the rest of world will likely also benefit from that knowledge .
The second reason for the higher death rate in Hubei `` was just the sheer scale of the numbers , '' said Aylward .
Hospitals in Wuhan were flooded with thousands of sick people .
That stressed their capacity to provide the kind of round-the-clock intensive care needed for a patient with a critical case of COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower .
The implication for other countries : It 's worth trying to at least slow the pace of an outbreak with measures to keep the number of patients from overwhelming local hospitals .
The final factor , says Aylward , `` At the beginning of this outbreak remember , people were finding severe disease .
And that 's why the alarm bells went off . ''
Those early severe cases made COVID-19 look like a much bigger killer .
It was only after officials in China stepped up surveillance that they started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with symptoms such as fever and dry cough but limited or no pneumonia ) .
All of this may also help explain why over time the death rate for COVID-19 has steadily dropped .
According to the China CDC study , among patients whose symptoms started between Jan. 1 and Jan. 10 the death rate was 15.6 percent .
But it was just 0.8 percent among those who did n't get sick until Feb. 1 to Feb. 11 .
That pattern of progressively dropping death rates is one we 're likely to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there 's a good chance the fatality rate in nations with good health systems will end up being a lot lower than what was first seen in China .
Still , it 's worth noting that even after China got the death rate down to 0.7 percent , or even 0.4 percent , that 's still about four to seven times greater than the death rate for seasonal flu .
( The rate for the flu is about 0.1 percent – or 1 in 1,000 patients . )
Also , the China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged 70 to 79 the death rate more than triples .
For those older than 80 it 's more than six times as high .
Anna Yeung-Cheung , a microbiologist at Manhattanville College in New York , says she also worries about health workers .
Yeung-Cheng , who is originally from Hong Kong , notes that many doctors there died during the SARS coronavirus outbreak of 2002-2003 .
And hundreds of Chinese health workers have been sickened in the COVID-19 outbreak — possibly , at least in part , because they were working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says Yeung-Ching , `` They 're young .
But we need to take into account the stress that they are undergoing .
This is stress to their body . ''

Why The Death Rate From Coronavirus Is Plunging In China
When it comes to the spiraling global coronavirus outbreak, scientists are still trying to pin down the answer to a basic question: How deadly is this virus?
Estimates have varied widely. For instance, at a Feb. 24 news conference in Beijing, a top Chinese health official, Liang Wannian, said the fatality rate for COVID-19 was quite high.
"Between 3 to 4% of patients have died," said Liang.
Then he added a twist. Outside of Wuhan — the city at the epicenter of the outbreak — the death rate in China has been much lower: about 0.7%. That's fewer than 1 fatality per 100 cases.
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Similarly, a study released by China's Center for Disease Control last month found that if you factor out all the data from Hubei province, where Wuhan is located, the fatality rate in the rest of China drops to 0.4%.
Why such a big difference between Hubei and the rest of China?
At a news conference the next day, Dr. Bruce Aylward — who had just concluded a fact-finding mission to China for the World Health Organization — pointed to three likely factors.
First, said Aylward, is that Wuhan suffered from being the first place where the new coronavirus surfaced. "Wuhan started fast and, and early. People didn't know what we were dealing with. We were learning how to treat this."
The more patients medical staff saw, the more they could start identifying what kind of supportive care made a difference. So by the time patients started showing up in hospitals in other provinces, doctors and nurses there had a lot more information about what it takes to keep patients alive.
Hospitals in the rest of world will likely also benefit from that knowledge.
The second reason for the higher death rate in Hubei "was just the sheer scale of the numbers," said Aylward.
Hospitals in Wuhan were flooded with thousands of sick people. That stressed their capacity to provide the kind of round-the-clock intensive care needed for a patient with a critical case of COVID-19.
Elsewhere in China the caseload was much lower.
The implication for other countries: It's worth trying to at least slow the pace of an outbreak with measures to keep the number of patients from overwhelming local hospitals.
The final factor, says Aylward, "At the beginning of this outbreak remember, people were finding severe disease. And that's why the alarm bells went off."
Those early severe cases made COVID-19 look like a much bigger killer. It was only after officials in China stepped up surveillance that they started uncovering many more mild cases (people with symptoms such as fever and dry cough but limited or no pneumonia).
All of this may also help explain why over time the death rate for COVID-19 has steadily dropped.
According to the China CDC study, among patients whose symptoms started between Jan. 1 and Jan. 10 the death rate was 15.6%. But it was just 0.8% among those who didn't get sick until Feb. 1 to Feb. 11.
That pattern of progressively dropping death rates is one we're likely to see in other countries.
In other words, there's a good chance the fatality rate in nations with good health systems will end up being a lot lower than what was first seen in China.
Still, it's worth noting that even after China got the death rate down to 0.7%, or even 0.4%, that's still about four to seven times greater than the death rate for seasonal flu. (The rate for the flu is about 0.1% — or 1 in 1,000 patients.)
Also, the China CDC study shows that for coronavirus patients ages 70 to 79 the death rate more than triples. For those older than 80 it's more than six times as high.
Anna Yeung-Cheung, a microbiologist at Manhattanville College in New York, says she also worries about health workers.
Yeung-Cheung, who is originally from Hong Kong, notes that many doctors there died during the SARS coronavirus outbreak of 2002-2003. And hundreds of Chinese health workers have been sickened in the COVID-19 outbreak — possibly, at least in part, because they were working so hard, she says.
Sure, says Yeung-Cheung, "They're young. But we need to take into account the stress that they are undergoing. This is stress to their body."


npr--2020-03-03--Israel's Election: What Comes Next As Netanyahu Rises Just Short Of A Majority

Israel 's Election : What Comes Next As Netanyahu Rises Just Short Of A Majority Benjamin Netanyahu , Israel 's longest-serving prime minister , claimed victory in Monday 's election but it was not clear whether he could muster a governing majority .
Has `` Bibi , king of Israel '' — as his diehard supporters like to chant — found a way to extend his reign ?
His veritable throne has been wobbling in the past year .
Bribery allegations led to an indictment .
Onetime allies turned against him , mounting the strongest challenge yet to his political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stalemate .
It is not certain whether Monday 's election , the third in a year , will resolve the political deadlock .
But with most votes counted — and with the highest voter turnout in years — Netanyahu 's Likud party is on track to come first , and to win more votes than in the previous two elections .
Netanyahu has hailed it the `` biggest win '' of his life .
Now he is emboldened .
But his corruption trial is expected to begin later this month .
What happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote and questions to consider going forward .
How close is Netanyahu to victory ?
With more than 90 % of votes counted , the Likud party appears to have won as many as four more parliamentary seats than the centrist Blue and White coalition , led by his main rival , retired army Gen. Benny Gantz .
Likud together with its right-wing and religious partners are projected to win a combined 59 seats , which is just short of the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Israel voted in high numbers for an Arab coalition of parties that opposes Netanyahu , strengthening the opposition bloc and potentially restricting the incumbent 's options for building a majority .
How did Netanyahu pick up more votes this time ?
Netanyahu appealed to untapped constituencies , from taxi drivers to Ethiopian Jewish immigrants .
He made an effort to drag more of his supporters to the polls — and to take votes away from Gantz .
Netanyahu shared unfounded rumors about his rival , and attacked Israel 's Arab lawmakers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace plan as a boon for Israel .
What are some possible outcomes ?
If Netanyahu can lure a few lawmakers from Gantz 's corner to cross the aisle and join his administration , he 'll have a clear path to forming a government .
Some of those lawmakers are right wing and could easily fit in a Netanyahu government .
Netanyahu may also seek to bring back former ally Avigdor Lieberman , who has blocked his previous attempts at forming a government this past year .
But most of these candidates were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and may not be willing to become his lifeline .
Gantz has not yet conceded defeat but has no clear path to forming a majority coalition .
If he or other opposition parties refuse to join Netanyahu 's government , Israel 's political deadlock could continue , with no candidate able to form a governing majority .
That could lead to yet another election .
But if no other party crosses the aisle , runner-up Gantz would be under pressure to compromise , so as not to be blamed for a fourth national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for national reconciliation , appearing to leave the door open for Gantz to join his government .
If Gantz agrees , he would have to renege on his vow not to serve under an indicted prime minister .
What happens next ?
Israel 's president is likely to tap Netanyahu with the task of forming a government , since he appears to have the best chance of forming one .
Then Netanyahu would get a maximum of 42 days to negotiate with potential partners on joining his coalition in exchange for cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 17 , Netanyahu is scheduled to appear in court for the start of his trial .
He 'd be the first sitting prime minister to be tried in court .
He faces charges of fraud , breach of trust and accepting bribes for alleged deals to wield secret control over media outlets .
He denies wrongdoing .
If Netanyahu is tapped to try to form a government , Israel 's Supreme Court would likely be asked to rule whether an indicted man may form a government .
By law he is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crisis Israel has never before faced .
If the Supreme Court rules that Netanyahu 's indictment disqualifies him from forming a government , it will outrage his supporters , who accuse the court of left-wing , `` deep state '' attempts to bring him down .
On the other hand , if Netanyahu is allowed to serve a new term , his allies vow to curb the judiciary 's powers so lawmakers can overturn future Supreme Court decisions .
Plus , his government would be tasked with appointing a new attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials overseeing the very institutions that have investigated Netanyahu .
The prime minister or his appointees could try to delay his trial or pass a law putting off his trial until he leaves office .
What could happen to President Trump 's Mideast peace plan ?
If Netanyahu succeeds in building a right-wing coalition , he promises to annex Jewish settlements and other occupied land in the West Bank at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict .
That would face stiff opposition from most countries and from Palestinians , who say it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of building a viable Palestinian state in the West Bank .
President Trump encouraged Israel 's unilateral annexation moves in his Middle East peace plan , and U.S. and Israeli officials have already started working on drawing up annexation maps .
But if Netanyahu only manages to build a slim majority government , he may not have enough support to fulfill such a bold move .

Israel's Election: What Comes Next As Netanyahu Rises Just Short Of A Majority
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ariel Schalit/AP Ariel Schalit/AP
Updated on March 4 at 1 p.m. ET
Benjamin Netanyahu, fighting to hang on as prime minister, rebounded in Monday's election, but it is unclear he will have the parliamentary majority he needs to win a new term. Can the "King of Israel" — as his diehard supporters like to chant — find a way to extend his reign?
His veritable throne has been wobbling in the past year. Bribery allegations led to an indictment. Onetime allies turned against him, mounting the strongest challenge yet to his political survival. Election after election ended in stalemate.
Despite these setbacks, he gained an edge in Monday's election. With most votes counted — and the highest voter turnout in years — Netanyahu's Likud party finished first in the race, with more votes than in the previous two elections.
Netanyahu has hailed it the "biggest win" of his life. Now he is emboldened. But he is without a clear path to forming a government, and his corruption trial is scheduled to begin later this month. What happens next?
Here are some takeaways from the vote and questions to consider going forward.
How close is Netanyahu to victory?
With 99% of votes counted, the Likud party is projected to win 36 parliamentary seats. Netanyahu's main rival, the centrist Blue and White coalition led by retired army Gen. Benny Gantz, is projected to win 33 seats. Neither candidate has a sure path to building a majority coalition. Netanyahu and his right-wing and religious partners only seem to have captured 58 seats — three seats short of the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, Israel's parliament.
In terms of the popular vote, however, parties running against Netanyahu collectively won 125,000 more votes than pro-Netanyahu parties.
For instance, the third-largest bloc in the Knesset, the Arab Joint List, gained strength as Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel voted in high numbers for the Arab coalition of parties that opposes Netanyahu. Taken together, anti-Netanyahu votes could restrict the incumbent's options for forming a government.
How did Netanyahu pick up more votes this time?
For years, Netanyahu has rallied nationalist and ultra-religious sectors of society, with a nationality law and recent promises to annex land that Palestinians want for a future state. In the runup to this election, he appealed to untapped constituencies, from taxi drivers to Ethiopian Jewish immigrants. He made an effort to drag more of his supporters to the polls — and to take votes away from Gantz. Netanyahu shared unfounded rumors about his rival, and attacked Israel's Arab lawmakers. He also touted President Trump's Mideast peace plan as a boon for Israel. Some right-wing voters who voted for Gantz's platform of change in the previous election are thought to have returned to vote for Netanyahu this time.
What are some possible outcomes?
Likud is courting politicians from other parties to persuade them to defect. If Netanyahu can lure a few lawmakers from Gantz's corner to cross the aisle and join his administration, he'll have a clear path to forming a government. Some of those lawmakers are right wing and could easily fit in a Netanyahu government. Netanyahu may also seek to bring back former ally Avigdor Lieberman, who has blocked his previous attempts at forming a government this past year. But most of these candidates were united by their desire to unseat Netanyahu and may not be willing to become his lifeline.
Gantz, a former military chief who vowed to restore civility to a divided country, has not yet conceded defeat but has no clear path to forming a majority coalition. If he or other opposition parties refuse to join a Netanyahu government, Israel's political deadlock could continue, with no candidate able to form a governing majority. That could lead to yet another election.
But many Israelis have voting fatigue. If no other party crosses the aisle, runner-up Gantz could be under pressure to compromise, so as not to be blamed for a fourth national election.
On election night, Netanyahu called for national reconciliation, appearing to leave the door open for Gantz to join his government. If Gantz agrees, he would have to renege on his vow not to serve under an indicted prime minister.
What happens next?
After official election results are presented on March 10, Israel's president will hold consultations with parties, and by March 17 he must ask a candidate to try to form a government. He is likely to tap Netanyahu, since he appears to have the best chance of forming one. Then Netanyahu would get a maximum of 42 days to negotiate with potential partners on joining his coalition in exchange for cabinet jobs and policy promises.
But on March 17, Netanyahu is scheduled to appear in court for the start of his trial. He'd be the first sitting prime minister to be tried in court. He faces charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes for alleged deals to wield secret control over media outlets. He denies wrongdoing.
If Netanyahu is tapped to try to form a government, Israel's Supreme Court would likely be asked to rule whether an indicted man may form a government. By law Netanyahu is not required to resign, but it's a crisis Israel has never before faced. And on Wednesday, Gantz's spokesman told NPR his party is considering proposing legislation to prevent an indicted prime minister from remaining in office.
Could Israel's judiciary bring down Netanyahu?
If the Supreme Court rules that Netanyahu's indictment disqualifies him from forming a government, it will outrage his supporters, who accuse the court of left-wing, "deep state" attempts to bring him down.
On the other hand, if Netanyahu is allowed to serve a new term, his allies vow to curb the judiciary's powers so lawmakers can overturn future Supreme Court decisions. Plus, his government would be tasked with appointing a new attorney general, state prosecutor and police chief — officials overseeing the very institutions that have investigated Netanyahu. The prime minister or his appointees could try to delay his trial or pass a law putting off his trial until he leaves office.
What could happen to President Trump's Mideast peace plan?
If Netanyahu succeeds in building a right-wing coalition, he promises to annex Jewish settlements and other occupied land in the West Bank at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That would face stiff opposition from most countries and from Palestinians, who say it would be a fatal blow to the possibility of building a viable Palestinian state in the West Bank.
President Trump encouraged Israel's unilateral annexation moves in his Middle East peace plan, and U.S. and Israeli officials have already started working on drawing up annexation maps. But if Netanyahu only manages to build a slim majority government, he may not have enough support to fulfill such a bold move.


npr--2020-03-03--Pandemic Panic? These 5 Tips Can Help You Regain Your Calm

Pandemic Panic ?
These 5 Tips Can Help You Regain Your Calm And , as the coronavirus spreads , our unanswered questions can make us feel vulnerable or fearful .
`` Will it come to my community '' or `` Am I at risk ? '
`` We 've got national anxiety at the moment , a kind of shared stress , and we are all in a state of extreme uncertainty , '' says Catherine Belling , an associate professor at Northwestern University , Feinberg School of Medicine , who studies the role of fear and anxiety in health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The more you stress , the more vulnerable you can become to viruses , because stress can dampen your immune response .
But there are steps you can take to push back against the communal anxiety .
1 .
Plan ahead to feel more in control Those of us prone to anxiety , like to be in control .
So , if you take basic steps to prepare for the possibility of an outbreak in your community , you may feel a sense of relief .
For instance , ask your employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for disruptions such as school closings .
Have contingency plans for these disruptions .
In addition , identify trusted sources of information you can turn to in the event of an outbreak .
`` It 's very important to say , well , no matter what happens , I 've done the best that I can to be prepared , '' Belling says .
2 .
Unplug .
Learn to be in the moment It 's important to be in the know .
But you do n't need to obsess over the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , information gathering could become problematic , '' says Stewart Shankman , a psychologist at Northwestern University who studies anxiety .
He says it could have the unintended effect of driving up your fear .
If you 're taking basic steps to protect yourself and stay informed , that 's enough .
`` There 's no way to reduce your risk to zero , '' Shankman says .
You could spend all day and night reading headlines , news alerts or tweets but this `` does not change your risk of getting coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news for a bit , why not try a mindfulness app such as Headspace or Simply Being to help you let go of anticipatory anxiety .
`` We know from numerous studies that mindfulness is very effective at reducing stress and anxiety , '' Shankman says .
Need help getting started ?
In a recent episode of NPR 's Life Kit , we walk through a 4-step tool , known as RAIN , with world-renowned mindfulness teacher Tara Brach .
While there 's still a lot to learn about the new coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are better at fending off viruses .
For instance , when researchers sprayed a live common cold virus into the noses of a bunch of healthy people as part of a study , not everyone got sick .
`` Individuals who were sleeping the least were substantially more likely to develop a cold , '' study author Aric Prather , of the University of California , San Francisco told us when the study was published .
If you 're having trouble sleeping , techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it 's worth emphasizing during times of uncertainty .
There 's lots of evidence that daily exercise can help promote feelings of well-being — and boost your immunity .
For instance , this study found that physical activity protects against symptoms of anxiety .
And getting your heart rate up each day , just by taking a walk , lowers the risk of many chronic conditions .
So , keep walking your dog , that counts .
Or maybe , get sweaty doing a group activity ( Just do n't stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick ! )
What you eat can also help improve your outlook .
A recent study found that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits and vegetables , whole grains and lean protein helped reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety among a group of young adults .
`` Eating sugar and ultra-processed food increases inflammation and suppresses immune function , '' says Mark Hyman , a physician at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine .
So , now may be a good time to lay off the Cheetos and sweets .
When an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's only so much anyone can do .
You ca n't sterilize your entire environment .
But taking a few preventative actions will help reduce your risk and hopefully relieve your anxiety .
The coronavirus is transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets .
When an infected person sneezes or coughs , droplets containing virus particles are released .
If you are standing close , you can become infected .
`` The respiratory droplets travel about three feet before they tend to settle out of the air , `` says infectious disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Hospital in Boston .
Federal guidelines suggest six feet of separation , so keep your distance .
In addition , droplets can land on surfaces , such as elevator buttons , doorknobs , and shared work spaces .
So , if you touch a contaminated surface , then touch your face , you can become infected .
The virus can enter your body through your eyes , nose or mouth .
During an outbreak , proper hand-washing is your best defense against a virus .
So , follow the evidence-based advice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soap and water .
Or use hand sanitizers that contain at least 60 % alcohol .
In addition , you may want to forego hugging and hand-shakes , and embrace `` low-touch '' salutations such as the elbow bump .

Pandemic Panic? These 5 Tips Can Help You Regain Your Calm
Enlarge this image Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images
Anxiety thrives on uncertainty.
And, as the coronavirus spreads, our unanswered questions can make us feel vulnerable or fearful. "Will it come to my community" or "Am I at risk?'
"We've got national anxiety at the moment, a kind of shared stress, and we are all in a state of extreme uncertainty," says Catherine Belling, an associate professor at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, who studies the role of fear and anxiety in health care.
And here's a catch-22: The more you stress, the more vulnerable you can become to viruses, because stress can dampen your immune response.
But there are steps you can take to push back against the communal anxiety.
1. Plan ahead to feel more in control
Those of us prone to anxiety, like to be in control. So, if you take basic steps to prepare for the possibility of an outbreak in your community, you may feel a sense of relief. For instance, ask your employer about a work-from-home option. Be prepared for disruptions such as school closings. Have contingency plans for these disruptions. In addition, identify trusted sources of information you can turn to in the event of an outbreak.
"It's very important to say, well, no matter what happens, I've done the best that I can to be prepared," Belling says.
2. Unplug. Learn to be in the moment
It's important to be in the know. But you don't need to obsess over the news. "There's a point where, information gathering could become problematic," says Stewart Shankman, a psychologist at Northwestern University who studies anxiety. He says it could have the unintended effect of driving up your fear.
If you're taking basic steps to protect yourself and stay informed, that's enough. "There's no way to reduce your risk to zero," Shankman says. You could spend all day and night reading headlines, news alerts or tweets but this "does not change your risk of getting coronavirus."
Once you unplug from the news for a bit, why not try a mindfulness app such as Headspace or Simply Being to help you let go of anticipatory anxiety. "We know from numerous studies that mindfulness is very effective at reducing stress and anxiety," Shankman says.
Need help getting started? In a recent episode of NPR's Life Kit, we walk through a 4-step tool, known as RAIN, with world-renowned mindfulness teacher Tara Brach.
3. Prioritize good sleep
While there's still a lot to learn about the new coronavirus, prior research has shown that well-rested people are better at fending off viruses.
For instance, when researchers sprayed a live common cold virus into the noses of a bunch of healthy people as part of a study, not everyone got sick. "Individuals who were sleeping the least were substantially more likely to develop a cold," study author Aric Prather, of the University of California, San Francisco told us when the study was published.
If you're having trouble sleeping, techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can be helpful.
4. Exercise and eat well
This is always good advice, and it's worth emphasizing during times of uncertainty. There's lots of evidence that daily exercise can help promote feelings of well-being — and boost your immunity. For instance, this study found that physical activity protects against symptoms of anxiety. And getting your heart rate up each day, just by taking a walk, lowers the risk of many chronic conditions. So, keep walking your dog, that counts. Or maybe, get sweaty doing a group activity (Just don't stand too close to anyone who might be sick!)
What you eat can also help improve your outlook. A recent study found that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein helped reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety among a group of young adults.
"Eating sugar and ultra-processed food increases inflammation and suppresses immune function," says Mark Hyman, a physician at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. So, now may be a good time to lay off the Cheetos and sweets.
5. Wash your hands. Embrace the elbow bump.
When an infectious disease hits a community, there's only so much anyone can do. You can't sterilize your entire environment. But taking a few preventative actions will help reduce your risk and hopefully relieve your anxiety.
The coronavirus is transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, droplets containing virus particles are released. If you are standing close, you can become infected. "The respiratory droplets travel about three feet before they tend to settle out of the air, " says infectious disease expert Daniel Kuritzkes of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Federal guidelines suggest six feet of separation, so keep your distance.
In addition, droplets can land on surfaces, such as elevator buttons, doorknobs, and shared work spaces. So, if you touch a contaminated surface, then touch your face, you can become infected. The virus can enter your body through your eyes, nose or mouth.
During an outbreak, proper hand-washing is your best defense against a virus. So, follow the evidence-based advice to wash for 20 seconds or more using soap and water. Or use hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol. In addition, you may want to forego hugging and hand-shakes, and embrace "low-touch" salutations such as the elbow bump.


npr--2020-03-03--Trump 2020 Sues 'Washington Post,' Days After 'N.Y. Times' Defamation Suit

President Trump 's reelection campaign has sued The Washington Post claiming defamation in two opinion pieces published last June .
Both pieces raised concerns that Trump had invited Russia 's help to boost his electoral fortunes .
The lawsuit follows last week 's defamation suit against The New York Times over an opinion piece written by the paper 's former executive editor , Max Frankel , on the same subject .
The lawsuits dovetail with the president 's ongoing political strategy of targeting major media outlets as foes .
The president is once more represented by the lawyer Charles Harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gossip blog Gawker out of business .
Harder previously represented first lady Melania Trump in securing settlements after filing defamation complaints against the Daily Mail and a Maryland blogger .
Harder has also threatened litigation against major news organizations , including NPR , for other clients who were subject to critical coverage .
The lawsuit against the Post , filed Tuesday in federal court in Washington , D.C. , alleges Trump was defamed in columns by the liberal commentators Greg Sargent and Paul Waldman .
Both referred to remarks Trump made to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended the idea of accepting damaging information about political opponents from foreign governments .
In Sargent 's case , he wrote that `` Trump and/or his campaign ... .tried to conspire with '' Russia 's interference in the 2016 elections .
Waldman 's column asked : `` Who knows what sort of aid Russia and North Korea will give to the Trump campaign now that he has invited them to offer their assistance ? ''
The president 's lawsuit refers to special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final report `` concluded there was no conspiracy between the [ 2016 ] Campaign and the Russian government , and no United States person intentionally coordinated with Russia 's efforts . ''
The Mueller report did say it `` did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in the election interference activities . ''
But it also concluded that `` the campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts . ''
First Amendment scholars tell NPR that prominent public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win defamation cases , especially those involving opinion pieces .
That 's even more true for the nation 's chief executive , who is expected to be subject to widespread public criticism and scrutiny .
However , publications can be held liable for incorrect statements of fact made within opinion columns in which publishers are believed to have acted with `` reckless disregard '' or `` actual malice '' as defined under the law .
The New York Times is still defending itself in a defamation suit by former Alaska Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the shooting of then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a 2017 editorial .
The newspaper later corrected the assertion and tweeted an apology from its opinion section account .
Its lawyers have called it an honest mistake .
The decision to have the Trump-Pence campaign sue on behalf of the president allows the president 's costs to be borne by a special account funded by donors .

Trump 2020 Sues 'Washington Post,' Days After 'N.Y. Times' Defamation Suit
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump's reelection campaign has sued The Washington Post claiming defamation in two opinion pieces published last June.
Both pieces raised concerns that Trump had invited Russia's help to boost his electoral fortunes. The lawsuit follows last week's defamation suit against The New York Times over an opinion piece written by the paper's former executive editor, Max Frankel, on the same subject.
The lawsuits dovetail with the president's ongoing political strategy of targeting major media outlets as foes.
The president is once more represented by the lawyer Charles Harder, known for helping to run media and gossip blog Gawker out of business. Harder previously represented first lady Melania Trump in securing settlements after filing defamation complaints against the Daily Mail and a Maryland blogger. Harder has also threatened litigation against major news organizations, including NPR, for other clients who were subject to critical coverage.
The lawsuit against the Post, filed Tuesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges Trump was defamed in columns by the liberal commentators Greg Sargent and Paul Waldman. Both referred to remarks Trump made to ABC's George Stephanopoulos in which he defended the idea of accepting damaging information about political opponents from foreign governments.
In Sargent's case, he wrote that "Trump and/or his campaign....tried to conspire with" Russia's interference in the 2016 elections. Waldman's column asked: "Who knows what sort of aid Russia and North Korea will give to the Trump campaign now that he has invited them to offer their assistance?"
The president's lawsuit refers to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The suit maintains that the final report "concluded there was no conspiracy between the [2016] Campaign and the Russian government, and no United States person intentionally coordinated with Russia's efforts."
The Mueller report did say it "did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in the election interference activities." But it also concluded that "the campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts."
First Amendment scholars tell NPR that prominent public officials must meet a tough legal standard to win defamation cases, especially those involving opinion pieces. That's even more true for the nation's chief executive, who is expected to be subject to widespread public criticism and scrutiny.
However, publications can be held liable for incorrect statements of fact made within opinion columns in which publishers are believed to have acted with "reckless disregard" or "actual malice" as defined under the law. The New York Times is still defending itself in a defamation suit by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was incorrectly linked to the shooting of then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a 2017 editorial. The newspaper later corrected the assertion and tweeted an apology from its opinion section account. Its lawyers have called it an honest mistake.
The decision to have the Trump-Pence campaign sue on behalf of the president allows the president's costs to be borne by a special account funded by donors.


npr--2020-03-03--9 Coronavirus Deaths Now Reported In Washington State

The coronavirus death toll in Washington state now stands at nine , with a total of 27 confirmed cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
The newly revised tally includes two people who died in the Seattle area last week and have since been found to have been infected with the novel coronavirus , the health department in King County , Wash. , announced Tuesday .
The posthumous diagnoses means the pair — a woman in her 80s and a man in his 50s — were likely the first in the U.S. to die from the disease .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County has 21 cases , including eight deaths , and neighboring Snohomish County has six cases , with one death , according to the Washington state health department .
Among seven new cases that were announced in King County on Tuesday are a woman in her 40s who worked at Life Care Center of Kirkland , Wash. , the long-term care facility that is considered to be the site of an outbreak .
She is recovering at home .
And in a worrying sign of new community transmission of the virus , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Swedish Issaquah medical center , east of Seattle , after contracting COVID-19 through an unknown exposure , the county health department says .
Both of the people who died last week were residents of Life Care Center .
The facility has now been linked to at least nine COVID-19 cases and several deaths .
The male patient was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Feb. 24 and died two days later , according to a statement from University of Washington Medical Center , which operates the Harborview facility .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ died at her family 's home , according to the public health agency for Seattle and King County .
Of the Harborview case that had previously been undiagnosed , UW Medicine said , `` We have determined that some staff may have been exposed while working in an intensive care unit where the patient had been treated . ''
Those staff who were potentially exposed to the novel coronavirus are being monitored and screened daily , the organization says .
It adds that other patients are not believed to have been exposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it learned of the positive test result for the COVID-19 illness from the local health department in King County .

9 Coronavirus Deaths Now Reported In Washington State
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Ryder/Reuters David Ryder/Reuters
Updated at 4:32 p.m. ET
The coronavirus death toll in Washington state now stands at nine, with a total of 27 confirmed cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.
The newly revised tally includes two people who died in the Seattle area last week and have since been found to have been infected with the novel coronavirus, the health department in King County, Wash., announced Tuesday.
The posthumous diagnoses means the pair — a woman in her 80s and a man in his 50s — were likely the first in the U.S. to die from the disease. They both died on Feb. 26.
King County has 21 cases, including eight deaths, and neighboring Snohomish County has six cases, with one death, according to the Washington state health department.
Among seven new cases that were announced in King County on Tuesday are a woman in her 40s who worked at Life Care Center of Kirkland, Wash., the long-term care facility that is considered to be the site of an outbreak. She is recovering at home.
And in a worrying sign of new community transmission of the virus, two men in their 20s are now hospitalized at the Swedish Issaquah medical center, east of Seattle, after contracting COVID-19 through an unknown exposure, the county health department says.
Both of the people who died last week were residents of Life Care Center. The facility has now been linked to at least nine COVID-19 cases and several deaths.
The male patient was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Feb. 24 and died two days later, according to a statement from University of Washington Medical Center, which operates the Harborview facility.
The female patient was never hospitalized and died at her family's home, according to the public health agency for Seattle and King County.
Of the Harborview case that had previously been undiagnosed, UW Medicine said, "We have determined that some staff may have been exposed while working in an intensive care unit where the patient had been treated."
Those staff who were potentially exposed to the novel coronavirus are being monitored and screened daily, the organization says. It adds that other patients are not believed to have been exposed to the pathogen.
The hospital network says it learned of the positive test result for the COVID-19 illness from the local health department in King County.


npr--2020-03-03--Coronavirus Spreads In Iran, Piling More Problems On The Sanctions-Hit Country

Coronavirus Spreads In Iran , Piling More Problems On The Sanctions-Hit Country The woman had had enough .
She turned and stormed out of Dr. Rodmanish Pharmacy , before NPR could ask her name .
`` No masks , no gloves , '' she fumed .
`` They do n't have anything here ! ''
Similar scenes have played out in pharmacies across Iran 's capital of Tehran .
The outbreak of the new coronavirus has sent Iranians scrambling to avoid becoming another statistic in a country with more deaths from the disease than any besides China .
Iran has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,336 confirmed cases of infection , as of Tuesday .
On Monday , Mohammad Mirmohammadi , a 71-year-old member of a council that advises Iran 's supreme leader , became one of the latest casualties — the first senior official to die from the coronavirus .
Other Iranian officials have also contracted the disease , including the deputy health minister in charge of Iran 's anti-coronavirus task force .
On Feb. 24 , he appeared in a televised news conference mopping sweat from his face and wearing no protective mask , before announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Public gatherings , including Friday prayers in Tehran and other cities , have been canceled , schools closed and crews of cleaners dispatched to disinfect trains , buses and gathering places .
Iranians take pride in their ability to ride out tough times .
But during a recent NPR visit to Tehran , public concern over the government 's response to the virus was apparent .
The coronavirus outbreak comes at a time when Iran is already reeling from economic woes as the United States imposes tough economic sanctions on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an estimated 9.5 % last year .
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday made a plea on Twitter for countries and the World Health Organization to assist Iran in fighting the coronavirus , saying Iran urgently needs test kits , face masks , ventilators and other supplies .
He blamed the U.S. sanctions for endangering Iranian patients .
Iran enjoyed an economic growth spurt after Tehran and other world powers signed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal , when many sanctions were lifted in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear program .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled the U.S. out of the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018 .
`` Iran was totally unprepared for the return of sanctions , '' says economist Djavad Salehi-Isfahani at Virginia Tech University .
`` The government was unable to predict Trump 's behavior , a bit like the reaction to the coronavirus , '' he says .
Salehi-Isfahani estimates the country 's middle class has shrunk by about 10 % since the sanctions hit .
In Tehran , it does n't take long to find residents struggling to make ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem , no other companies are selling products to us , so we do n't have too much to sell , '' says 35-year-old Mohsen at his housewares shop near Tehran 's Shoosh Square .
Like most people interviewed for this story , he gave only his first name , worried about potential retribution for speaking with an American reporter .
Mohsen says the lack of inventory and rising consumer prices are adding to his woes .
When asked if the newly elected Iranian parliament , with its majority of hard-liners , might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his head : `` No , actually , they will possibly make it worse , '' he says .
The 2018 collapse of Iran 's currency , skyrocketing prices and rising unemployment all contributed to the country 's economic woes .
There was a sharp drop in imports as well , but that actually had an interesting side effect : Unable to rely on goods from abroad , demand for locally produced items began to rise .
Production in Iran of things like home appliances and housewares has begun to rise , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from behind the counter at his jewelry shop to emphasize that point .
`` It 's getting better , '' he says , `` because there 's no import of Chinese products so we can sell Iranian products . ''
Naseri says that it will take a while for the economy to really pick up , but increased self-reliance is `` good for our factories and the workers , and it will continue to improve . ''
Naseri 's comments are squarely in line with the views of Iran 's supreme leader .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on their `` resistance economy '' to endure whatever hardships are visited on Iran by enemies such as the U.S. Now another enemy has come to test their resistance — the coronavirus .
Outside another crowded Tehran pharmacy , a 52-year-old Iranian American named Giti says she has family in the U.S. She is one of many in Tehran who suspect the government deliberately delayed announcing the coronavirus crisis for political reasons .
Iran reported its first confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Feb. 19 .
Giti says she thinks the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary election on Feb. 21 , because officials may have worried people would n't turn out to vote if there were fears of catching the virus .
`` I think it was worse , they just did n't mention it , '' she says .
With the number of cases and fatalities still on the rise , Iranians are finding it hard to see things improving anytime soon .
In Iran 's Grand Bazaar , 72-year-old Masoumeh adjusts the medical mask on her face and looks around at the sparse crowd .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up at other markets too , even though normally this would be a busy time : the run-up to the Persian new year , Nowruz , on March 20 .
`` It 's more empty now , '' says Masoumeh .
`` Our New Year 's is coming , but even officials are having problems .
Of course it will be harder for our families , '' she says , adding , `` maybe next year will be even worse . ''

Coronavirus Spreads In Iran, Piling More Problems On The Sanctions-Hit Country
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marjan Yazdi for NPR Marjan Yazdi for NPR
The woman had had enough. She turned and stormed out of Dr. Rodmanish Pharmacy, before NPR could ask her name.
"No masks, no gloves," she fumed. "They don't have anything here!"
Similar scenes have played out in pharmacies across Iran's capital of Tehran. The outbreak of the new coronavirus has sent Iranians scrambling to avoid becoming another statistic in a country with more deaths from the disease than any besides China.
Iran has reported 77 deaths from COVID-19, and 2,336 confirmed cases of infection, as of Tuesday. On Monday, Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a 71-year-old member of a council that advises Iran's supreme leader, became one of the latest casualties — the first senior official to die from the coronavirus.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mehdi Bolourian/Fars News/AFP via Getty Images Mehdi Bolourian/Fars News/AFP via Getty Images
Other Iranian officials have also contracted the disease, including the deputy health minister in charge of Iran's anti-coronavirus task force. On Feb. 24, he appeared in a televised news conference mopping sweat from his face and wearing no protective mask, before announcing the next day he had caught the virus.
Public gatherings, including Friday prayers in Tehran and other cities, have been canceled, schools closed and crews of cleaners dispatched to disinfect trains, buses and gathering places.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marjan Yazdi for NPR Marjan Yazdi for NPR
Iranians take pride in their ability to ride out tough times. But during a recent NPR visit to Tehran, public concern over the government's response to the virus was apparent. The coronavirus outbreak comes at a time when Iran is already reeling from economic woes as the United States imposes tough economic sanctions on the country. Iran's economy contracted by an estimated 9.5% last year.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday made a plea on Twitter for countries and the World Health Organization to assist Iran in fighting the coronavirus, saying Iran urgently needs test kits, face masks, ventilators and other supplies. He blamed the U.S. sanctions for endangering Iranian patients.
Unable to predict Trump or coronavirus
Iran enjoyed an economic growth spurt after Tehran and other world powers signed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, when many sanctions were lifted in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear program. That recovery began to sour after President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marjan Yazdi for NPR Marjan Yazdi for NPR
"Iran was totally unprepared for the return of sanctions," says economist Djavad Salehi-Isfahani at Virginia Tech.
"The government was unable to predict Trump's behavior, a bit like the reaction to the coronavirus," he says.
Salehi-Isfahani estimates the country's middle class has shrunk by about 10% since the sanctions hit.
In Tehran, it doesn't take long to find residents struggling to make ends meet.
"We've had a problem, no other companies are selling products to us, so we don't have too much to sell," says 35-year-old Mohsen at his housewares shop near Tehran's Shoosh Square.
Like most people interviewed for this story, he gave only his first name, worried about potential retribution for speaking with an American reporter.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marjan Yazdi for NPR Marjan Yazdi for NPR
Mohsen says the lack of inventory and rising consumer prices are adding to his woes. When asked if the newly elected Iranian parliament, with its majority of hard-liners, might do something to help, he shakes his head: "No, actually, they will possibly make it worse," he says.
"Resistance economy"
The 2018 collapse of Iran's currency, skyrocketing prices and rising unemployment all contributed to the country's economic woes.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marjan Yazdi for NPR Marjan Yazdi for NPR
There was a sharp drop in imports as well, but that actually had an interesting side effect: Unable to rely on goods from abroad, demand for locally produced items began to rise. Production in Iran of things like home appliances and housewares has begun to rise, according to economists.
Mehdi Naseri gets up from behind the counter at his jewelry shop to emphasize that point.
"It's getting better," he says, "because there's no import of Chinese products so we can sell Iranian products."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marjan Yazdi for NPR Marjan Yazdi for NPR
Naseri says that it will take a while for the economy to really pick up, but increased self-reliance is "good for our factories and the workers, and it will continue to improve."
Naseri's comments are squarely in line with the views of Iran's supreme leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei regularly exhorts Iranians to rely on their "resistance economy" to endure whatever hardships are visited on Iran by enemies such as the U.S.
Now another enemy has come to test their resistance — the coronavirus.
Authorities' delayed response
Outside another crowded Tehran pharmacy, a 52-year-old Iranian American named Giti says she has family in the U.S. She is one of many in Tehran who suspect the government deliberately delayed announcing the coronavirus crisis for political reasons.
Middle East Coronavirus Outbreak In Iran Has Tehran Residents Doubting Government Response Coronavirus Outbreak In Iran Has Tehran Residents Doubting Government Response Listen · 3:44 3:44
Iran reported its first confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Feb. 19. Giti says she thinks the government withheld a broader response until after the parliamentary election on Feb. 21, because officials may have worried people wouldn't turn out to vote if there were fears of catching the virus. "I think it was worse, they just didn't mention it," she says.
With the number of cases and fatalities still on the rise, Iranians are finding it hard to see things improving anytime soon.
In Iran's Grand Bazaar, 72-year-old Masoumeh adjusts the medical mask on her face and looks around at the sparse crowd. The retired teacher says few customers are showing up at other markets too, even though normally this would be a busy time: the run-up to the Persian new year, Nowruz, on March 20.
"It's more empty now," says Masoumeh.
"Our New Year's is coming, but even officials are having problems. Of course it will be harder for our families," she says, adding, "maybe next year will be even worse."


npr--2020-03-03--A Father Recounts His Search For The Son Who Vanished In Costa Rican Wilderness

A Father Recounts His Search For The Son Who Vanished In Costa Rican Wilderness In 2014 , wilderness explorer Roman Dial experienced every parent 's nightmare when he learned that his son , then 27 , was missing in a remote Central American rainforest , thousands of miles away .
Dial , a professor of mathematics and biology at Alaska Pacific University , is known for his skills in mountaineering , rafting and backcountry endurance racing .
He shared those passions with his son , Cody Roman , who went by the name Roman .
Over the years , father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , once packrafting in Australia , another time venturing into Arctic Alaska .
`` He was a great outdoorsman , '' Dial says of his son .
`` I kind of hoped that he would be an outdoors partner for me for life . ''
In the months before he disappeared , the younger Roman had been exploring the jungles of Central America .
The last email he sent to his father indicated that he would be traveling alone into the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica for four or five days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't heard from his son , he knew something was wrong .
`` I was racked with a lot of feelings , like terror and guilt and urgency , '' Dial says .
`` I got an airplane ticket to fly [ to Costa Rica ] the next day . ''
Dial 's frantic search for his son lasted nearly two years , during which time he hired a private investigator , hacked through dense jungle and sorted through confusing , contradictory tips from locals .
He even engaged with a reality TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play in the disappearance .
Finally , in 2016 , a Costa Rican miner found Roman 's body in the jungle .
`` It was in a shallow canyon that was only about half a mile from where I 'd camped multiple times looking for him , '' Dial says .
There was no sign of foul play .
Dial 's new book , The Adventurer 's Son , is an account of his search for Roman , as well as a reflection on the risks of extreme wilderness adventures .
On his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roman in Costa Rica I called the embassy and I said , `` My son is missing , '' but I was n't hoping they were going to do anything .
I wanted to go down there and do everything that I could .
I thought it was my responsibility , not theirs .
When I got there , I discovered that they were n't even looking where I said he planned to go .
They were pursuing this lead where somebody had seen my son , they claimed with this local drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a trail outside of the park , and that just did n't add up to me .
My son 's been sending these emails for months about these wild adventures he 's been going on , and he 'd said explicitly that he eschewed guides , and here he was with a guide on a tourist trail outside of the park ?
It just did n't add up .
But everybody treated me as if I was just a typical parent who did n't really know their child .
On imagining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My Ph.D. is in tropical rainforest ecology , and I 've done research in jungles in Asia , in Australia , Central America and South America , and so I was aware of the hazards in the jungle .
I could imagine that he was bitten by a snake .
... You can see a poisonous snake once every few days , practically .
...
There 's the great big bushmaster and there 's a little palm viper — a little short little viper that hangs from bushes about eye level , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face or the neck by these things .
...
I thought he could have slipped , because he 's off trail .
He could have slipped and broken a leg and he could have sepsis , because things go bad when infections happen quickly in the tropics .
...
I 've been in the rainforest enough to realize that when it rains and the wind blows , that trees fall down and it becomes very dangerous .
Then there was also the possibility [ of foul play ] , because this place [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] people moving drugs , it 's got people mining for gold .
And once you break one law , it 's easier to break other laws , so there was also the possibility of foul play .
On agreeing to work with a former DEA investigator and TV production company that wanted to solve the mystery and do a TV show about his son 's disappearance There were three cameramen and bright lights ... [ the investigator said ] `` Look , this is really hard to tell you , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by miners and then he was murdered . ''
And then he paused .
He said , `` This is the hardest part to tell you .
He was dismembered and fed to the sharks in the ocean . ''
And it was all predicated on the Pata de Lora [ drug dealer ] story .
...
I was just shocked because here I had come down and I signed up for this TV show hoping that they would be able to help me , but instead , all they had done is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... with the cameras rolling , they had this expert investigator tell me that my son had been murdered and dismembered and fed to sharks .
And all I could think of is , `` Oh , no .
Another Pata de Lora story .
This is not this is not the guy that I want . ''
So it felt really exploitative right there .
On learning that his son 's body had been found The consul general at the embassy ... said , `` Roman , a body has been found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it may be your son .
There was some camping gear there . ''
...
I fly down to Costa Rica immediately .
I want to get to this site before they start bringing stuff up .
And the next day ... the embassy sends me some texts and it 's their photographs of the equipment that they 've found at the site .
And sure enough , it 's all my son 's stuff .
I 'd made a poster of equipment that he would have had , like a reward poster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I put on the poster .
And there was the sleeping pad that was yellow on one side and silver on the other .
There was that in one of these photographs .
And there was the backpack that I 'd found that he 'd bought in a North Face store in San Jose .
...
There was a blue headlamp that I 'd given him in Anchorage .
And there was the compass that I 'd given him in Anchorage .
And there was his stuff .
And it was him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ The forensic anthropologist ] said , `` We looked at the bones and there 's no sign of trauma .
There were no machete hack marks on the bones .
There were no bullet fractures . ''
...
It seemed like he had n't been murdered .
I ca n't see why somebody would have murdered him in the bottom of this canyon .
It looked to me like maybe a tree had fallen on him or one of the rangers said they thought that a snake had bitten him because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , and fer-de-lances , they live in the same area , small area their whole life .
They do n't go very far .
On how the tragedy of losing his son has made him rethink risky adventures I 've never been much of a soloist myself .
I 've done some solo trips , but I do n't enjoy them that much .
I 'd rather share things with people .
...
But what this whole ... process has shown me is that for 40 years I was extremely selfish in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risky things because it was a thrill that made me feel good , and I never really realized that when we die , we 're dead and we do n't feel anything .
And the people we leave behind , the people who love us the most , those are the people who hurt the most .
Sam Briger and Thea Chaloner produced and edited the audio of this interview .
Bridget Bentz , Molly Seavy-Nesper and Meghan Sullivan adapted it for the Web .

A Father Recounts His Search For The Son Who Vanished In Costa Rican Wilderness
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Harper Collins Courtesy of Harper Collins
In 2014, wilderness explorer Roman Dial experienced every parent's nightmare when he learned that his son, then 27, was missing in a remote Central American rainforest, thousands of miles away.
Dial, a professor of mathematics and biology at Alaska Pacific University, is known for his skills in mountaineering, rafting and backcountry endurance racing. He shared those passions with his son, Cody Roman, who went by the name Roman. Over the years, father and son embarked on exotic adventures together, once packrafting in Australia, another time venturing into Arctic Alaska.
"He was a great outdoorsman," Dial says of his son. "I kind of hoped that he would be an outdoors partner for me for life."
In the months before he disappeared, the younger Roman had been exploring the jungles of Central America. The last email he sent to his father indicated that he would be traveling alone into the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica for four or five days. When two weeks passed and Dial hadn't heard from his son, he knew something was wrong.
"I was racked with a lot of feelings, like terror and guilt and urgency," Dial says. "I got an airplane ticket to fly [to Costa Rica] the next day."
Dial's frantic search for his son lasted nearly two years, during which time he hired a private investigator, hacked through dense jungle and sorted through confusing, contradictory tips from locals. He even engaged with a reality TV crew to explore the possibility of foul play in the disappearance.
Finally, in 2016, a Costa Rican miner found Roman's body in the jungle. "It was in a shallow canyon that was only about half a mile from where I'd camped multiple times looking for him," Dial says. There was no sign of foul play.
Dial's new book, The Adventurer's Son, is an account of his search for Roman, as well as a reflection on the risks of extreme wilderness adventures.
Interview highlights
The Adventurer's Son A Memoir by Roman Dial Hardcover, 355 pages | purchase close overlay Buy Featured Book Your purchase helps support NPR programming. How?
On his action plan when he began looking for Roman in Costa Rica
I called the embassy and I said, "My son is missing," but I wasn't hoping they were going to do anything. I wanted to go down there and do everything that I could. I thought it was my responsibility, not theirs. When I got there, I discovered that they weren't even looking where I said he planned to go. They were pursuing this lead where somebody had seen my son, they claimed with this local drug dealer [Pata de Lora] walking on a trail outside of the park, and that just didn't add up to me. My son's been sending these emails for months about these wild adventures he's been going on, and he'd said explicitly that he eschewed guides, and here he was with a guide on a tourist trail outside of the park? It just didn't add up. But everybody treated me as if I was just a typical parent who didn't really know their child.
On imagining the perils his son faced in the rainforest
My Ph.D. is in tropical rainforest ecology, and I've done research in jungles in Asia, in Australia, Central America and South America, and so I was aware of the hazards in the jungle. I could imagine that he was bitten by a snake. ... You can see a poisonous snake once every few days, practically. ... There's the great big bushmaster and there's a little palm viper — a little short little viper that hangs from bushes about eye level, and people tend to get bit in the face or the neck by these things. ...
I thought he could have slipped, because he's off trail. He could have slipped and broken a leg and he could have sepsis, because things go bad when infections happen quickly in the tropics. ... I've been in the rainforest enough to realize that when it rains and the wind blows, that trees fall down and it becomes very dangerous. Then there was also the possibility [of foul play], because this place [is] lawless. [There are] people moving drugs, it's got people mining for gold. And once you break one law, it's easier to break other laws, so there was also the possibility of foul play.
On agreeing to work with a former DEA investigator and TV production company that wanted to solve the mystery and do a TV show about his son's disappearance
There were three cameramen and bright lights ... [the investigator said] "Look, this is really hard to tell you, but we found out that your son was abducted by miners and then he was murdered." And then he paused. He said, "This is the hardest part to tell you. He was dismembered and fed to the sharks in the ocean." And it was all predicated on the Pata de Lora [drug dealer] story. ...
I was just shocked because here I had come down and I signed up for this TV show hoping that they would be able to help me, but instead, all they had done is sort of staged this really dramatic moment ... with the cameras rolling, they had this expert investigator tell me that my son had been murdered and dismembered and fed to sharks. And all I could think of is, "Oh, no. Another Pata de Lora story. This is not this is not the guy that I want." So it felt really exploitative right there.
On learning that his son's body had been found
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ben Weissenbach/Courtesy of Harper Collins Ben Weissenbach/Courtesy of Harper Collins
The consul general at the embassy ... said, "Roman, a body has been found near Dos Brazos, and we think it may be your son. There was some camping gear there." ... I fly down to Costa Rica immediately. I want to get to this site before they start bringing stuff up. And the next day ... the embassy sends me some texts and it's their photographs of the equipment that they've found at the site. And sure enough, it's all my son's stuff. I'd made a poster of equipment that he would have had, like a reward poster. There were the green shoes that I put on the poster. And there was the sleeping pad that was yellow on one side and silver on the other. There was that in one of these photographs. And there was the backpack that I'd found that he'd bought in a North Face store in San Jose. ... There was a blue headlamp that I'd given him in Anchorage. And there was the compass that I'd given him in Anchorage. And there was his stuff. And it was him.
On what he believes happened to Roman
[The forensic anthropologist] said, "We looked at the bones and there's no sign of trauma. There were no machete hack marks on the bones. There were no bullet fractures." ... It seemed like he hadn't been murdered. I can't see why somebody would have murdered him in the bottom of this canyon. It looked to me like maybe a tree had fallen on him or one of the rangers said they thought that a snake had bitten him because they found a fer-de-lance [snake] down there, and fer-de-lances, they live in the same area, small area their whole life. They don't go very far.
On how the tragedy of losing his son has made him rethink risky adventures
What this whole ... process has shown me is that for 40 years I was extremely selfish in that I would go out and do risky things because it was a thrill that made me feel good, and I never really realized that when we die we're dead and we don't feel anything.
I've never been much of a soloist myself. I've done some solo trips, but I don't enjoy them that much. I'd rather share things with people. ... But what this whole ... process has shown me is that for 40 years I was extremely selfish in that I would go out and do risky things because it was a thrill that made me feel good, and I never really realized that when we die, we're dead and we don't feel anything. And the people we leave behind, the people who love us the most, those are the people who hurt the most.
Sam Briger and Thea Chaloner produced and edited the audio of this interview. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Meghan Sullivan adapted it for the Web.


npr--2020-03-03--Coronavirus: San Antonio Says Evacuees To Leave Quarantine After CDC Changes Protocol

Coronavirus : San Antonio Says Evacuees To Leave Quarantine After CDC Changes Protocol The city of San Antonio says more than 120 people repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship will be released from quarantine at Lackland Air Force Base on Tuesday , one day after the mayor declared a public health emergency to block the evacuees from leaving the base .
Both San Antonio and Bexar County had moved to keep the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from releasing evacuees without further coronavirus tests .
Their concerns stem partly from an incident in which a woman released from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was later found to have the COVID-19 illness .
In response to that mix-up , the CDC said it will strengthen two parts of its protocol for releasing people from quarantine — including keeping them in isolation until all test results are in .
`` I 'm pleased that the CDC has made changes , and I 'm comfortable that the plan as presented will minimize the risk of exposure , '' Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Tuesday .
`` The release will be coordinated , not prolonged over several days , and passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go directly to the airport . ''
The evacuees ' release will be expedited and handled in a way that will reduce any potential exposure to San Antonio , Nirenberg said , in a bid to avoid any cases of community transmission that have now been reported in several U.S. states .
As people emerge from quarantine at Lackland , special buses will take them `` directly to the airport in shifts that correspond with their flight times , '' the mayor 's office says .
`` Upon arrival , each group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will take them directly to the ticket counters , assist with baggage and facilitate movement through security . ''
The passengers who were repatriated from the Diamond Princess in Japan had already sat in quarantine for more than a week on the ship , and they began a new 14-day quarantine when they arrived at Lackland Air Force Base last month .
Their quarantine had been slated to end on Monday , and the former cruise ship passengers had packed their bags to leave and head home at last .
But then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal lawsuit seeking `` emergency relief '' to immediately change the CDC 's criteria for release and keep the evacuees from leaving the military base .
A judge turned away that suit , but the mayor also declared an emergency , blocking anyone who had been quarantined from entering San Antonio .
`` I , Mayor Ron Nirenberg , declare that ingress into and travel through the City of San Antonio from Lackland by those persons that have been quarantined in the facility is not permitted , '' the emergency declaration states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ permitted to enter the City of San Antonio until further notice . ''
Nirenberg said the declaration was `` explicitly designed to ensure evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship cohort remain at Lackland AFB until further testing is completed . ''
He added , `` This is NOT to signify that the public is at any increased risk . ''
With the action , San Antonio and Bexar County joined the list of communities and cities taking steps that reflect their residents ' unease with having a deadly respiratory virus nearby – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to contain the pathogen .
In San Antonio 's case , local officials said the CDC criteria should require three negative tests for the coronavirus , rather than two .
The CDC says a woman who was released from quarantine at Lackland on Saturday afternoon had passed two coronavirus tests — but after her release , a third test came back positive .
In the roughly 12 hours she spent in San Antonio , the woman stayed in a hotel and visited a large mall and food court .
But at 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Texas Center for Infectious Disease in a specialized ambulance , after officials realized her final test was positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 .
The woman had been evacuated from China 's Hubei province , where the novel coronavirus that has infected more than 90,000 people and killed more than 3,000 worldwide was first detected .
She had been at Lackland since Feb. 7 , but her quarantine was prolonged because of an early positive test for the COVID-19 illness .
The woman visited the North Star Mall for about two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that local officials say she was not showing any symptoms .
The hotel where she stayed is close to San Antonio 's airport , according to TPR .
The Texas Department of State Health Services sent a letter to the CDC and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Monday , asking for a full accounting of how the evacuee 's release was handled and urging the federal agencies to look at changing its criteria for ending a quarantine .
`` If CDC testing confirms the individual is still positive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science to determine what updates to CDC criteria are necessary , '' Texas Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt wrote .
`` This should include a third consecutive negative test to create a more highly reliable system for determining that a previously-positive person is clear of the virus . ''
Under CDC guidelines , a coronavirus patient must have two negative test results for the virus within 24 hours before they can be freed from isolation orders .
In its response to the Texas letter , the CDC said its team tested three samples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced inconclusive results .
But while results of the third test were pending , state health workers collected a fourth sample for testing without federal officials ' knowledge .
The patient 's first test had come back negative – and when the third test showed the same result , she was released .
But her fourth sample was positive , leading officials to contact her and return her to isolation .
A positive test does n't always mean a person is infectious , CDC Director Robert Redfield said in his letter to Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the confusion over the patient , the CDC will change its protocols in two ways .
`` First , a previously symptomatic quarantine individual will only be released if that person has two sequential negative tests within 24 hours , '' Redfield said .
`` And second , no person will be released if there are any pending test results .
This modification is effective immediately . ''
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott had called the CDC 's actions `` completely unacceptable '' and a case of negligence .
But after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal agencies had `` worked swiftly and effectively to strengthen their standards and protocol before releasing patients who have been under quarantine . ''

Coronavirus: San Antonio Says Evacuees To Leave Quarantine After CDC Changes Protocol
Enlarge this image toggle caption Todd Holly/U.S. Air Force via AP Todd Holly/U.S. Air Force via AP
The city of San Antonio says more than 120 people repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship will be released from quarantine at Lackland Air Force Base on Tuesday, one day after the mayor declared a public health emergency to block the evacuees from leaving the base.
Both San Antonio and Bexar County had moved to keep the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from releasing evacuees without further coronavirus tests. Their concerns stem partly from an incident in which a woman released from quarantine at the base over the weekend was later found to have the COVID-19 illness.
In response to that mix-up, the CDC said it will strengthen two parts of its protocol for releasing people from quarantine — including keeping them in isolation until all test results are in.
"I'm pleased that the CDC has made changes, and I'm comfortable that the plan as presented will minimize the risk of exposure," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Tuesday. "The release will be coordinated, not prolonged over several days, and passengers will not stay in local hotels and will go directly to the airport."
The evacuees' release will be expedited and handled in a way that will reduce any potential exposure to San Antonio, Nirenberg said, in a bid to avoid any cases of community transmission that have now been reported in several U.S. states.
As people emerge from quarantine at Lackland, special buses will take them "directly to the airport in shifts that correspond with their flight times," the mayor's office says. "Upon arrival, each group will be met by airport representatives, who will take them directly to the ticket counters, assist with baggage and facilitate movement through security."
The passengers who were repatriated from the Diamond Princess in Japan had already sat in quarantine for more than a week on the ship, and they began a new 14-day quarantine when they arrived at Lackland Air Force Base last month. Their quarantine had been slated to end on Monday, and the former cruise ship passengers had packed their bags to leave and head home at last.
But then the city took action, filing a federal lawsuit seeking "emergency relief" to immediately change the CDC's criteria for release and keep the evacuees from leaving the military base. A judge turned away that suit, but the mayor also declared an emergency, blocking anyone who had been quarantined from entering San Antonio.
"I, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, declare that ingress into and travel through the City of San Antonio from Lackland by those persons that have been quarantined in the facility is not permitted," the emergency declaration states. "No previously quarantined person shall be permitted to enter the City of San Antonio until further notice."
Nirenberg said the declaration was "explicitly designed to ensure evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship cohort remain at Lackland AFB until further testing is completed." He added, "This is NOT to signify that the public is at any increased risk."
With the action, San Antonio and Bexar County joined the list of communities and cities taking steps that reflect their residents' unease with having a deadly respiratory virus nearby – and doubts about the federal government's ability to contain the pathogen.
In San Antonio's case, local officials said the CDC criteria should require three negative tests for the coronavirus, rather than two.
The CDC says a woman who was released from quarantine at Lackland on Saturday afternoon had passed two coronavirus tests — but after her release, a third test came back positive.
In the roughly 12 hours she spent in San Antonio, the woman stayed in a hotel and visited a large mall and food court. But at 2 a.m. Sunday , she was taken to the Texas Center for Infectious Disease in a specialized ambulance, after officials realized her final test was positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
The woman had been evacuated from China's Hubei province, where the novel coronavirus that has infected more than 90,000 people and killed more than 3,000 worldwide was first detected. She had been at Lackland since Feb. 7, but her quarantine was prolonged because of an early positive test for the COVID-19 illness.
The woman visited the North Star Mall for about two hours, Texas Public Radio reports, adding that local officials say she was not showing any symptoms. The hotel where she stayed is close to San Antonio's airport, according to TPR.
The Texas Department of State Health Services sent a letter to the CDC and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Monday, asking for a full accounting of how the evacuee's release was handled and urging the federal agencies to look at changing its criteria for ending a quarantine.
"If CDC testing confirms the individual is still positive, I urge you to quickly review the science to determine what updates to CDC criteria are necessary," Texas Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt wrote. "This should include a third consecutive negative test to create a more highly reliable system for determining that a previously-positive person is clear of the virus."
Under CDC guidelines, a coronavirus patient must have two negative test results for the virus within 24 hours before they can be freed from isolation orders. In its response to the Texas letter, the CDC said its team tested three samples from the patient because the second test produced inconclusive results. But while results of the third test were pending, state health workers collected a fourth sample for testing without federal officials' knowledge.
The patient's first test had come back negative – and when the third test showed the same result, she was released. But her fourth sample was positive, leading officials to contact her and return her to isolation.
A positive test doesn't always mean a person is infectious, CDC Director Robert Redfield said in his letter to Texas officials. But he added that because of the confusion over the patient, the CDC will change its protocols in two ways.
"First, a previously symptomatic quarantine individual will only be released if that person has two sequential negative tests within 24 hours," Redfield said. "And second, no person will be released if there are any pending test results. This modification is effective immediately."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had called the CDC's actions "completely unacceptable" and a case of negligence. But after the agency's response, his office said federal agencies had "worked swiftly and effectively to strengthen their standards and protocol before releasing patients who have been under quarantine."


npr--2020-03-03--Personal Essay: Coronavirus Lockdown Is A 'Living Hell'

Editor 's note : The author of this essay asked for anonymity for fear of reprisals by authorities for speaking critically of the Chinese government .
As residents of Wuhan , China , my family and I are living in hell .
The city has been locked down for more than a month .
Every night before falling asleep I have been confronted by an unreal feeling and many questions : I know that coronavirus is the reason for the lockdown — but did life in Wuhan have to become a living hell ?
Why were we notified about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second to last morning before the Lunar New Year ?
Why have I not been given any instructions from a government officer about how to cope when an entire city is on lockdown ?
I 'm nearly 30 years old .
My family members and I have devoted ourselves to our jobs to build a better life — and we have largely succeeded .
There 's only a little more to do before we reach the level of middle class .
But along the way , things did not go exactly as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard in school since I was small .
My dream was to become a journalist , and I passed the test to enter the best school for journalism in China .
After school , I learned that government supervision of the media meant that telling the truth was not an option .
So I gave up my dream and turned to another career .
I kept telling myself that my hard work would reward me in my personal life .
And to protect myself , I decided to shut up , to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw people treated unfairly by the government .
I thought that if I followed that path , I would be secure , I would be one of the fortunate ones .
Now I realize that this is an illusion .
A secure life is not an option with a political system that does not give us freedom to speak out and that does not communicate with us truthfully .
At the moment when the city was first locked down , I hoped with all my heart that China 's political system , known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done , could save the Wuhanese .
But infected patients were treated in the hospital in Wuhan as early as the beginning of December , and for unknown reasons , the government held off informing the public and taking effective action .
So they missed the best window of prevention due to this cover-up .
That knowledge has made me fall into desperation .
The order to lock down the city appeared from nowhere on Jan. 23 at 2 a.m. , without any sign or explanation to residents — even though everyone knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop at 24-hour convenience stores at 3 a.m. to gather necessary food and other items .
We tried every method to escape from Wuhan , but the cage was already locked .
On new year 's eve , Jan. 24 , I watched the glorious performances from a gala aired on CCTV , Chinese television .
But our celebratory meal was sparse , pieced together from the few ingredients I 'd been able to buy in that last-minute shopping trip .
Then on the second day of the new year , another order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us that the Wuhanese shall not drive .
But this order only survived for less than six hours — perhaps because the authorities realized that , with public transportation shut down , cars would be needed to drive medical staffers to work and back home .
So community officers called upon residents of Wuhan to provide rides for many of these workers — and to get permits to do this driving .
Under the pressure of massive criticism , the government had to revoke this order for residents to provide rides .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Residents were asked to donate rice and oil to feed the medical staffers at Wuhan 's top hospital since there was not enough food to guarantee meals for them .
But we are the taxpayers .
Should n't the government be able to provide ?
From former schoolmates who now work in the medical profession , I learned that medical workers were not given medical supplies and were exposed to a risk of death .
Many people wonder : Why did n't they go on strike ?
It is because they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their licenses to practice medicine would be revoked and their family members ' jobs would be affected .
Before this coronavirus , I always thought it was OK to sacrifice some level of democracy and freedom for better living conditions .
But now I have changed my attitude .
Without democracy and freedom , the truth of the outbreak in Wuhan would never be known .
What has happened in Wuhan is as if your house caught on fire and all your neighbors knew but forbade you from jumping out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of control , and the entire town ablaze , do they slowly begin taking responsibility while highlighting their own heroic efforts .
Not everyone has the same privileges and rights .
The government locked down the Internet in Wuhan .
But because I knew how to get outside of the Great Firewall that blocks the Internet , I was able to obtain masks .
The younger generations , born after 1995 and in the 2000s , have good impressions about the Chinese system , putting the nation before all because they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have yet to experience adversity .
The things that happened during this outbreak have greatly surprised those kids .
For example , a young man scolded others on Weibo in the early days of the outbreak .
He accused them of spreading rumors and argued that if we do n't trust the government , there is nothing we can trust .
Later , he said , when a member of his family was infected with the coronavirus but was unable to get treatment in the overcrowded hospital , he cursed and called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the doctors who first reported a mysterious SARS-like illness , died of the disease himself , a student commented on the Internet : `` It was just the virus that killed him , so we should focus on the epidemics . ''
But then the student 's dormitory was appropriated for quarantine patients — and he was shocked and dismayed .
This is the lesson these young people are learning .
When someone says we can accomplish something but we must pay a price , do not rush to applaud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is paid .
There is a saying in Chinese that has taken on new meaning in this coronavirus era : `` When the stick hits my own head , I finally understand the pain — and why some others once cried out of pain . ''
Perhaps it is true that only China can build a hospital in 10 days , only China can mobilize so many people to devote themselves to the anti-epidemic agenda , only China can lock down a city with millions of people at lightning speed .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not understand that if we had human rights , democracy and freedom , we would have learned about what happened in Wuhan one month earlier .
And the first whistleblower would not have died for nothing .

Personal Essay: Coronavirus Lockdown Is A 'Living Hell'
Editor's note: The author of this essay asked for anonymity for fear of reprisals by authorities for speaking critically of the Chinese government.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stringer for NPR Stringer for NPR
As residents of Wuhan, China, my family and I are living in hell.
The city has been locked down for more than a month. Every night before falling asleep I have been confronted by an unreal feeling and many questions:
Read This Essay In Chinese To read this essay in Chinese, click here.
I know that coronavirus is the reason for the lockdown — but did life in Wuhan have to become a living hell?
Why were we notified about the city lockdown at 2 a.m. on the second to last morning before the Lunar New Year?
Why have I not been given any instructions from a government officer about how to cope when an entire city is on lockdown?
I'm nearly 30 years old. My family members and I have devoted ourselves to our jobs to build a better life — and we have largely succeeded. There's only a little more to do before we reach the level of middle class.
But along the way, things did not go exactly as I'd hoped. I have been working hard in school since I was small. My dream was to become a journalist, and I passed the test to enter the best school for journalism in China.
After school, I learned that government supervision of the media meant that telling the truth was not an option. So I gave up my dream and turned to another career.
I kept telling myself that my hard work would reward me in my personal life. And to protect myself, I decided to shut up, to be silent about politics — even when I saw people treated unfairly by the government. I thought that if I followed that path, I would be secure, I would be one of the fortunate ones.
Now I realize that this is an illusion. A secure life is not an option with a political system that does not give us freedom to speak out and that does not communicate with us truthfully.
Now I realize that this is an illusion. A secure life is not an option with a political system that does not give us freedom to speak out and that does not communicate with us truthfully.
At the moment when the city was first locked down, I hoped with all my heart that China's political system, known for concentrating resources to get big jobs done, could save the Wuhanese. But infected patients were treated in the hospital in Wuhan as early as the beginning of December, and for unknown reasons, the government held off informing the public and taking effective action.
So they missed the best window of prevention due to this cover-up.
That knowledge has made me fall into desperation. The order to lock down the city appeared from nowhere on Jan. 23 at 2 a.m., without any sign or explanation to residents — even though everyone knew what was up.
People rushed to shop at 24-hour convenience stores at 3 a.m. to gather necessary food and other items. We tried every method to escape from Wuhan, but the cage was already locked.
On new year's eve, Jan. 24, I watched the glorious performances from a gala aired on CCTV, Chinese television. But our celebratory meal was sparse, pieced together from the few ingredients I'd been able to buy in that last-minute shopping trip.
Then on the second day of the new year, another order arrived out of the blue, notifying us that the Wuhanese shall not drive. But this order only survived for less than six hours — perhaps because the authorities realized that, with public transportation shut down, cars would be needed to drive medical staffers to work and back home. So community officers called upon residents of Wuhan to provide rides for many of these workers — and to get permits to do this driving. Under the pressure of massive criticism, the government had to revoke this order for residents to provide rides.
Other orders were issued that reflected the chaos. Residents were asked to donate rice and oil to feed the medical staffers at Wuhan's top hospital since there was not enough food to guarantee meals for them. But we are the taxpayers. Shouldn't the government be able to provide?
From former schoolmates who now work in the medical profession, I learned that medical workers were not given medical supplies and were exposed to a risk of death. Many people wonder: Why didn't they go on strike? It is because they were informed that if they went on strike, their licenses to practice medicine would be revoked and their family members' jobs would be affected.
Before this coronavirus, I always thought it was OK to sacrifice some level of democracy and freedom for better living conditions. But now I have changed my attitude. Without democracy and freedom, the truth of the outbreak in Wuhan would never be known.
Before this coronavirus, I always thought it was OK to sacrifice some level of democracy and freedom for better living conditions. But now I have changed my attitude. Without democracy and freedom, the truth of the outbreak in Wuhan would never be known.
What has happened in Wuhan is as if your house caught on fire and all your neighbors knew but forbade you from jumping out of the window. Only until the fire is out of control, and the entire town ablaze, do they slowly begin taking responsibility while highlighting their own heroic efforts.
Not everyone has the same privileges and rights. Because I knew how to get outside of the Great Firewall that blocks the Internet, I was able to obtain masks.
The younger generations, born after 1995 and in the 2000s, have good impressions about the Chinese system, putting the nation before all because they have been living in an era of prosperity and have yet to experience adversity.
The things that happened during this outbreak have greatly surprised those kids. For example, a young man scolded others on Weibo in the early days of the outbreak. He accused them of spreading rumors and argued that if we don't trust the government, there is nothing we can trust. Later, he said, when a member of his family was infected with the coronavirus but was unable to get treatment in the overcrowded hospital, he cursed and called for help.
When Li Wenliang, one of the doctors who first reported a mysterious SARS-like illness, died of the disease himself, a student commented on the Internet: "It was just the virus that killed him, so we should focus on the epidemics." But then the student's dormitory was appropriated for quarantine patients — and he was shocked and dismayed.
This is the lesson these young people are learning. When someone says we can accomplish something but we must pay a price, do not rush to applaud.
One day you may become the price that is paid.
There is a saying in Chinese that has taken on new meaning in this coronavirus era: "When the stick hits my own head, I finally understand the pain — and why some others once cried out of pain."
Perhaps it is true that only China can build a hospital in 10 days, only China can mobilize so many people to devote themselves to the anti-epidemic agenda, only China can lock down a city with millions of people at lightning speed.
But people are not thinking critically. They do not understand that if we had human rights, democracy and freedom, we would have learned about what happened in Wuhan one month earlier. And the first whistleblower would not have died for nothing.