npr--2020-08-28--Vigilante? Militia? Confusion And Politics Shape How Shooting Suspect Is Labeled

Vigilante ?
Militia ?
Confusion And Politics Shape How Shooting Suspect Is Labeled Minds are made up about Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old gunman charged in the killing of two protesters in Kenosha , Wis. Graphic amateur video of the chaotic scene and early reports from authorities tell a partial story , and politics fills in the blanks .
On the left , the suspect is portrayed as the embodiment of today 's domestic terrorism threat : A cop-idolizing wannabe militiaman who allegedly traveled across state lines to confront protesters with a gun he was not legally allowed to possess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's actions instantly were justified as self-defense , the natural end to `` Democrat cities '' letting radical leftists maraud through the streets .
Extremism researchers say they 've watched with alarm as misinformation , sloppy labeling and political divisions shape the public narrative about Rittenhouse .
Part of the problem , they say , is that he appears to fall into a hard-to-define category of gunman that 's increasingly showing up at protests : the self-styled vigilante .
Mark Pitcavage , senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League 's Center on Extremism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vigilante groups , '' though he stresses that `` group '' is a bit of a misnomer because they 're often pop-up , local factions without the organization of , say , established militias .
`` They 're sort of like guys in the neighborhood , '' Pitcavage said .
`` And they tend to be culturally conservative .
They tend to be right wing .
They 're not typically extremists , although there 's nothing that could exclude some extremists being among them . ''
Even if they do n't fit into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rittenhouse and armed volunteers like him are still considered dangerous , symbolic of the broader threat of gun violence at protests .
HuffPost , citing data from researcher Alexander Reid Ross , reported that white vigilantes and far-right actors have shown up to oppose Black Lives Matter protests in the United States at least 497 times this year .
Rittenhouse is emerging as the poster boy for that phenomenon .
Outraged by the shootings , activists rushed to pin him with various far-right ideologies .
Hundreds , probably thousands , of social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member or a white supremacist .
Some have referred to him , without evidence , as part of the misogynistic incel movement .
Reporters and researchers across the country are digging into Rittenhouse 's background and , so far , they 've come up with no clear-cut evidence of ties to antigovernment militias or to the `` boogaloo boys , '' armed men in Hawaiian shirts calling for violent revolution .
Social media accounts linked to Rittenhouse portrayed a police booster aligned with `` Back the Blue , '' pro-cop activism widely seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter .
But as of Friday there was indication of Rittenhouse 's membership or support of groups categorized as traditional hate or extremist groups .
The kind of violence witnessed in Kenosha is straining Americans ' vocabulary for what they 're seeing .
The murkiness of protests – and the growing presence of armed activists on the left – make it difficult to distinguish who 's who among gun-toting people at the scene .
Do we call them vigilantes ?
Counterprotesters ?
Militias ?
Violent extremists ?
`` I think the confusion understandably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some shared goals , especially in a moment like this , '' said Amy Cooter , a sociologist at Vanderbilt University who 's written extensively about militias and related `` Patriot Movement '' groups .
Take , for example , the widespread linking of Rittenhouse to the far-right militia movement , based on rather slim evidence .
Rittenhouse had been seen mingling with apparent members of a group calling itself the Kenosha Guard .
Researchers said it 's likely an ad hoc formation in response to the protests that erupted this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black man , seven times in the back as his children watched .
As in other cities , armed volunteers began organizing in Kenosha , ostensibly to protect local businesses from what they see as out-of-control leftist mobs .
`` Any patriots willing to take up arms and defend our city tonight from the evil thugs ? ''
the Kenosha Guard posted Tuesday on Facebook .
`` No doubt they are currently planning on the next part of the city to burn tonight . ''
Pitcavage said Facebook took down the Kenosha Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could study its members or mission in depth .
Pitcavage said there is no confirmation that Rittenhouse answered the group 's call for volunteers or had ties to that or any other group at the scene .
Facebook has said it has not found a connection between the Kenosha Guard and the shooting , but removed the group because it violated newly introduced policies aimed at militias and other groups tied to violence .
Even the group 's `` militia '' description appears to come from a single mention from an organizer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ different meanings , '' Pitcavage said .
`` It can mean a group within the specific militia movement , but it can also be more generically used for any armed paramilitary group .
And some people , although they should n't , use it even more loosely for any armed group . ''
This collapsing of terms is frustrating to extremism analysts who are fastidious about the categories and context of the incidents they study .
J.J. MacNab , a researcher who regularly tweets about militia and vigilante cases , was conspicuously silent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , hardening into two camps : Those who see a racist domestic terrorist versus those who justify the killings as self-defense .
MacNab , who in July warned a congressional hearing about the threat of armed groups at protests , popped back up on Twitter on Thursday afternoon .
She explained that her `` radio silence '' came from wanting to wait out the flood of false information .
`` I 've never seen anything like it , '' she wrote .
`` I can count on one hand the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet for a bit , but yesterday 's online duel to the death to control the narrative of what happened Tuesday night was downright creepy , '' MacNab tweeted .
Kathleen Belew , another prominent researcher of paramilitary groups , likewise vented on Twitter about the loosey-goosey way commentators are talking about the Kenosha shooting .
`` Would people like a working definition of some terms ?
( Militia , vigilante , extralegal , revolutionary ? )
Very muddy usage round and about , '' tweeted Belew , a historian of the white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Chicago called `` American Vigilante . ''
Dozens of Belew 's followers eagerly took her up on the offer , and the scholar spent much of the afternoon tweeting out the academic definitions she uses .
She started with the underlying ideology of `` popular sovereignty , '' the idea that the power to rule belongs to the people , not the state .
Next up was militia : `` A group that uses paramilitary weapons , training and activism in articulation of local sovereignty and in opposition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` an actor that articulates popular sovereignty through violence . ''
She went on to discuss paramilitary activities , domestic terrorism , white power groups and death squads .
After finishing the thread , she invited questions .
It did n't take long for Belew 's measured definitions to bump up against the many unknowns in Kenosha .
`` Is the Kenosha Guard a militia then if they are in opposition to the federal govt ? ''
one of Belew 's followers asked .
`` Very good question , '' Belew replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would need a comprehensive look at the group 's membership , actions , and ideology .
I do n't have that at hand . ''

Vigilante? Militia? Confusion And Politics Shape How Shooting Suspect Is Labeled
Enlarge this image toggle caption Morry Gash/AP Morry Gash/AP
Minds are made up about Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old gunman charged in the killing of two protesters in Kenosha, Wis. Graphic amateur video of the chaotic scene and early reports from authorities tell a partial story, and politics fills in the blanks.
On the left, the suspect is portrayed as the embodiment of today's domestic terrorism threat: A cop-idolizing wannabe militiaman who allegedly traveled across state lines to confront protesters with a gun he was not legally allowed to possess. On the right, the teen's actions instantly were justified as self-defense, the natural end to "Democrat cities" letting radical leftists maraud through the streets.
Extremism researchers say they've watched with alarm as misinformation, sloppy labeling and political divisions shape the public narrative about Rittenhouse. Part of the problem, they say, is that he appears to fall into a hard-to-define category of gunman that's increasingly showing up at protests: the self-styled vigilante.
Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism, calls the volunteer gunmen "armed vigilante groups," though he stresses that "group" is a bit of a misnomer because they're often pop-up, local factions without the organization of, say, established militias.
"They're sort of like guys in the neighborhood," Pitcavage said. "And they tend to be culturally conservative. They tend to be right wing. They're not typically extremists, although there's nothing that could exclude some extremists being among them."
Even if they don't fit into a neat extremism category, analysts say, Rittenhouse and armed volunteers like him are still considered dangerous, symbolic of the broader threat of gun violence at protests.
HuffPost, citing data from researcher Alexander Reid Ross, reported that white vigilantes and far-right actors have shown up to oppose Black Lives Matter protests in the United States at least 497 times this year.
Rittenhouse is emerging as the poster boy for that phenomenon. Outraged by the shootings, activists rushed to pin him with various far-right ideologies. Hundreds, probably thousands, of social media posts describe him as a militia member or a white supremacist. Some have referred to him, without evidence, as part of the misogynistic incel movement.
Reporters and researchers across the country are digging into Rittenhouse's background and, so far, they've come up with no clear-cut evidence of ties to antigovernment militias or to the "boogaloo boys," armed men in Hawaiian shirts calling for violent revolution.
Social media accounts linked to Rittenhouse portrayed a police booster aligned with "Back the Blue," pro-cop activism widely seen as a racist response to Black Lives Matter. But as of Friday there was no indication of Rittenhouse's membership or support of groups categorized as traditional hate or extremist groups.
The kind of violence witnessed in Kenosha is straining Americans' vocabulary for what they're seeing. The murkiness of protests – and the growing presence of armed activists on the left – make it difficult to distinguish who's who among gun-toting people at the scene. Do we call them vigilantes? Counterprotesters? Militias? Violent extremists?
"I think the confusion understandably comes from different groups having similar appearances and some shared goals, especially in a moment like this," said Amy Cooter, a sociologist at Vanderbilt University who's written extensively about militias and related "Patriot Movement" groups.
Take, for example, the widespread linking of Rittenhouse to the far-right militia movement, based on rather slim evidence. Rittenhouse had been seen mingling with apparent members of a group calling itself the Kenosha Guard. Researchers said it's likely an ad hoc formation in response to the protests that erupted this week after police shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back as his children watched.
As in other cities, armed volunteers began organizing in Kenosha, ostensibly to protect local businesses from what they see as out-of-control leftist mobs.
"Any patriots willing to take up arms and defend our city tonight from the evil thugs?" the Kenosha Guard posted Tuesday on Facebook. "No doubt they are currently planning on the next part of the city to burn tonight."
Pitcavage said Facebook took down the Kenosha Guard's page before he and other researchers could study its members or mission in depth. Pitcavage said there is no confirmation that Rittenhouse answered the group's call for volunteers or had ties to that or any other group at the scene.
Facebook has said it has not found a connection between the Kenosha Guard and the shooting, but removed the group because it violated newly introduced policies aimed at militias and other groups tied to violence.
Even the group's "militia" description appears to come from a single mention from an organizer.
"The word 'militia' has several different meanings," Pitcavage said. "It can mean a group within the specific militia movement, but it can also be more generically used for any armed paramilitary group. And some people, although they shouldn't, use it even more loosely for any armed group."
This collapsing of terms is frustrating to extremism analysts who are fastidious about the categories and context of the incidents they study. J.J. MacNab, a researcher who regularly tweets about militia and vigilante cases, was conspicuously silent as debate over Rittenhouse snowballed on social media, hardening into two camps: Those who see a racist domestic terrorist versus those who justify the killings as self-defense.
MacNab, who in July warned a congressional hearing about the threat of armed groups at protests, popped back up on Twitter on Thursday afternoon. She explained that her "radio silence" came from wanting to wait out the flood of false information. "I've never seen anything like it," she wrote.
"I can count on one hand the number of times I've stepped away from the internet for a bit, but yesterday's online duel to the death to control the narrative of what happened Tuesday night was downright creepy," MacNab tweeted.
Kathleen Belew, another prominent researcher of paramilitary groups, likewise vented on Twitter about the loosey-goosey way commentators are talking about the Kenosha shooting.
"Would people like a working definition of some terms? (Militia, vigilante, extralegal, revolutionary?) Very muddy usage round and about," tweeted Belew, a historian of the white power movement who teaches a course at the University of Chicago called "American Vigilante."
Dozens of Belew's followers eagerly took her up on the offer, and the scholar spent much of the afternoon tweeting out the academic definitions she uses. She started with the underlying ideology of "popular sovereignty," the idea that the power to rule belongs to the people, not the state.
Next up was militia: "A group that uses paramilitary weapons, training and activism in articulation of local sovereignty and in opposition to the federal government." Then, vigilante: "an actor that articulates popular sovereignty through violence." She went on to discuss paramilitary activities, domestic terrorism, white power groups and death squads.
After finishing the thread, she invited questions. It didn't take long for Belew's measured definitions to bump up against the many unknowns in Kenosha.
"Is the Kenosha Guard a militia then if they are in opposition to the federal govt?" one of Belew's followers asked.
"Very good question," Belew replied. "To answer it, we would need a comprehensive look at the group's membership, actions, and ideology. I don't have that at hand."


npr--2020-08-28--Jason Wright On Leading The Washington Football Team Amid Multiple Crises

Jason Wright joins the Washington Football Team as it confronts a series of crises : allegations of sexual harassment and bullying , the COVID-19 pandemic and changing a racist team name .
Wright is the first Black person to ever be an NFL team president .
He arrives after seven years as a partner at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company , and before that , seven years as an NFL player , with an MBA degree in between .
Wright is in his first week on the job after being appointed on Aug. 17 .
`` It 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much , '' he tells NPR 's All Things Considered .
Wright is responsible for the team 's business operations .
Team Coach Ron Rivera remains in charge of `` on-field responsibilities and football decisions . ''
Both Wright and Rivera report to team owner Dan Snyder .
Both have spoken about the need to change the team 's culture , but they face the challenge of working under a team owner who according to findings from the Washington Post , `` has presided over an organization in which women say they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Wright talked with NPR about the decision to play football amid the pandemic and his ability to make change under Snyder 's ownership .
How do you begin to prioritize your to do list ?
What 's at the top of it right now ?
The biggest thing on my mind right now — and always was , but has become more acute this week — is ensuring that our workforce feels confident that we are the leaders of people that can actually get our culture into a place where people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel trusted to do their work , that they can bring their full selves to work , that they are not going to be marginalized in any way .
...
But they need to know in a clear way that there 's a new direction , the things that we plan to do in tactical terms .
And the best I can do is just talk to people to share that consistent message over and over again .
And so the No .
1 priority is the psychological and emotional well-being of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cheerleaders who are at the center of the stories about sexual harassment ?
How are you defining team ?
Yeah , they are very much in , and when I say team I 'm actually talking about all our business folks .
When you have these accusations in The Washington Post that point to the team owner , Dan Snyder , as deeply involved in sexual harassment , this is somebody who you answer to .
How much can you really do to change the culture ?
I think this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The corollary I give is , you know , I 'm the chief executive and [ the owners are ] the board of directors .
And so , yes , you answer to them and they 're going to set direction .
But I have the ability to implement that in a way that 's in line with my vision for the organization .
Now , that said , if everything in the Washington Post article is true , then there 's — that 's just not a tenable situation , and Dan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had open conversations about that .
... And we will let the investigations play out and we 'll have our true fact base on where we stand .
And then if we have to revisit the conversation at that point , we will .
But in the meantime , I have the leeway to set a new direction .
And them , as the board of directors , have given me and Coach Rivera that trade space .
Why do you think it 's taken until 2020 for a Black person to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially when about 70 % of NFL players are Black ?
Well , I mean , you could ask that question about CEOs in corporate America .
I mean , take your pick , right ?
The systemic barriers to Black folks moving into higher education , therefore having the credentials that signal you 're able to move into these roles and then the historic bias , both implicit and explicit , that exists in keeping Black folks from getting senior roles in organizations .
They 're well-documented .
We have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even a lot of thinking about folks transitioning from the field to the business side of the operations .
And I credit the fact that I had a Black head coach during my time , a Black general manager during my time , and at a subconscious level , helping me believe at some level that there was a pathway for me in that direction , though it was never an explicit goal .
I 've got to believe that I was bold enough to step into the opportunity because I saw those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the NFL 's return to play .
The team announced earlier this year that it would play home games without fans present because of the risks of COVID-19 .
If the team believes it 's a risk for fans to attend games , why is n't it a risk for players to play them ?
Well , there 's a difference between the testing protocols that players go through and what happens with fans .
I actually think the approach taken , which was what European soccer has done and what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that actually gave athletes the right autonomy to make a decision .
You could opt out .
You can choose to play .
They had input on what the proper protocols were .
And as an athlete , at the end of the day , what I would have wanted and I think what many of these guys made a decision was , I want to play this game .
The compensation is sufficient .
And I 've made that grown-up risk-reward calculation in my mind and I 'm in for it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ players at any given time is a clear plan , a clear view of the risk .
Casey Morell and Patrick Jarenwattananon produced and edited the audio interview .

Jason Wright On Leading The Washington Football Team Amid Multiple Crises
toggle caption McKinsey & Company
Jason Wright joins the Washington Football Team as it confronts a series of crises: allegations of sexual harassment and bullying, the COVID-19 pandemic and changing a racist team name.
Wright is the first Black person to ever be an NFL team president. He arrives after seven years as a partner at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, and before that, seven years as an NFL player, with an MBA degree in between.
Wright is in his first week on the job after being appointed on Aug. 17.
"It's been busy, I'll tell you that much," he tells NPR's All Things Considered.
Wright is responsible for the team's business operations. Team Coach Ron Rivera remains in charge of "on-field responsibilities and football decisions."
Both Wright and Rivera report to team owner Dan Snyder. Both have spoken about the need to change the team's culture, but they face the challenge of working under a team owner who according to findings from the Washington Post, "has presided over an organization in which women say they have been marginalized, discriminated against and exploited."
Wright talked with NPR about the decision to play football amid the pandemic and his ability to make change under Snyder's ownership.
Interview Highlights
How do you begin to prioritize your to do list? What's at the top of it right now?
The biggest thing on my mind right now — and always was, but has become more acute this week — is ensuring that our workforce feels confident that we are the leaders of people that can actually get our culture into a place where people feel trustworthy of leadership, that they feel trusted to do their work, that they can bring their full selves to work, that they are not going to be marginalized in any way.
... But they need to know in a clear way that there's a new direction, the things that we plan to do in tactical terms. And the best I can do is just talk to people to share that consistent message over and over again. And so the No. 1 priority is the psychological and emotional well-being of our team.
And does the team include the cheerleaders who are at the center of the stories about sexual harassment? How are you defining team?
Yeah, they are very much in, and when I say team I'm actually talking about all our business folks.
When you have these accusations in The Washington Post that point to the team owner, Dan Snyder, as deeply involved in sexual harassment, this is somebody who you answer to. How much can you really do to change the culture?
I think this is a question that most chief executives face. The corollary I give is, you know, I'm the chief executive and [the owners are] the board of directors. And so, yes, you answer to them and they're going to set direction.
But I have the ability to implement that in a way that's in line with my vision for the organization. Now, that said, if everything in the Washington Post article is true, then there's — that's just not a tenable situation, and Dan and Tanya [Snyder] and I have had open conversations about that. ...
And we will let the investigations play out and we'll have our true fact base on where we stand. And then if we have to revisit the conversation at that point, we will. But in the meantime, I have the leeway to set a new direction. And them, as the board of directors, have given me and Coach Rivera that trade space.
Why do you think it's taken until 2020 for a Black person to be the president of an NFL team, especially when about 70% of NFL players are Black?
Well, I mean, you could ask that question about CEOs in corporate America. I mean, take your pick, right? The systemic barriers to Black folks moving into higher education, therefore having the credentials that signal you're able to move into these roles and then the historic bias, both implicit and explicit, that exists in keeping Black folks from getting senior roles in organizations. They're well-documented.
We haven't had a lot of clear pathways or even a lot of thinking about folks transitioning from the field to the business side of the operations. And I credit the fact that I had a Black head coach during my time, a Black general manager during my time, and at a subconscious level, helping me believe at some level that there was a pathway for me in that direction, though it was never an explicit goal. I've got to believe that I was bold enough to step into the opportunity because I saw those role models before.
Let's talk about the NFL's return to play. The team announced earlier this year that it would play home games without fans present because of the risks of COVID-19. If the team believes it's a risk for fans to attend games, why isn't it a risk for players to play them?
Well, there's a difference between the testing protocols that players go through and what happens with fans.
I actually think the approach taken, which was what European soccer has done and what we are planning to do, is one that actually gave athletes the right autonomy to make a decision.
You could opt out. You can choose to play. They had input on what the proper protocols were. And as an athlete, at the end of the day, what I would have wanted and I think what many of these guys made a decision was, I want to play this game. The compensation is sufficient. And I've made that grown-up risk-reward calculation in my mind and I'm in for it.
I think what we owe to the players at any given time is a clear plan, a clear view of the risk.
Casey Morell and Patrick Jarenwattananon produced and edited the audio interview.


npr--2020-08-28--Reviving Air Travel And Florida Tourism

Reviving Air Travel And Florida Tourism

Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis is joining with airline industry executives to send a message : air travel is safe .
It follows a similar event DeSantis held earlier this week with theme park executives , all part of an effort to help revive Florida 's tourist-dependent economy .
DeSantis held a roundtable Friday at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with JetBlue and Spirit Airlines executives , plus others involved with operations there and at Miami International Airport .
The governor said before the pandemic , the airline industry 's economic impact in Florida was more than $ 175 billion annually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airports , officials say international air travel has dropped 85 % from year ago .
The airlines and the many industries that depend on them have lost billions of dollars .
DeSantis said like many , he initially was leery about plane travel during the pandemic , fearing it could be lead to more infections .
But he said , `` The fact of the matter is , the airplanes have just not been vectors where you 've seen a lot of spread of the coronavirus . ''
Spirit Airlines Chief Operating Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim .
`` We 've had zero outbreaks on Spirit , '' he said , `` and really we 've had zero guests come forward and say they 've had any kind of problem onboard the aircraft . ''
Bendoraitis and other airline executives described the protocols they 've adopted to prevent coronavirus transmission , including increased sanitation measures , required face coverings for all passengers and the use of high efficiency air filters .
Bendoraitis said , `` People should know that on an airplane , air changes every two to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in hospitals , air is exchanged every ten minutes .
Health experts agree that the rate of infection from air travel appears low , but that little research has been done to back up that claim .
For people planning a trip to Florida , DeSantis says the declining number of coronavirus cases statewide should be encouraging .
`` The trend is unmistakable , '' he said .
`` The number of people showing up to hospitals or getting admitted ( are ) far , far below where they were . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel to the U.S. currently in place for Europe and Brazil , markets important for Florida tourism .
At Miami International Airport , director Lester Sola said the ban has had a big impact .
International travel typically accounts for half of that airport 's activity .
Sola says when the travel bans are lifted , flights from Latin America and Europe will resume quickly .
`` The demand is there , '' he says .
`` We get constant inquiries from people wanting to travel to Miami ... people who have homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Reviving Air Travel And Florida Tourism
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is joining with airline industry executives to send a message: air travel is safe. It follows a similar event DeSantis held earlier this week with theme park executives, all part of an effort to help revive Florida's tourist-dependent economy.
DeSantis held a roundtable Friday at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with JetBlue and Spirit Airlines executives, plus others involved with operations there and at Miami International Airport. The governor said before the pandemic, the airline industry's economic impact in Florida was more than $175 billion annually. At South Florida's two largest airports, officials say international air travel has dropped 85% from year ago. The airlines and the many industries that depend on them have lost billions of dollars.
DeSantis said like many, he initially was leery about plane travel during the pandemic, fearing it could be lead to more infections. But he said, "The fact of the matter is, the airplanes have just not been vectors where you've seen a lot of spread of the coronavirus."
Spirit Airlines Chief Operating Office John Bendoraitis backed up the Governor's claim. "We've had zero outbreaks on Spirit," he said, "and really we've had zero guests come forward and say they've had any kind of problem onboard the aircraft." Bendoraitis and other airline executives described the protocols they've adopted to prevent coronavirus transmission, including increased sanitation measures, required face coverings for all passengers and the use of high efficiency air filters. Bendoraitis said, "People should know that on an airplane, air changes every two to three minutes." By contrast he said, in hospitals, air is exchanged every ten minutes. Health experts agree that the rate of infection from air travel appears low, but that little research has been done to back up that claim.
For people planning a trip to Florida, DeSantis says the declining number of coronavirus cases statewide should be encouraging. "The trend is unmistakable," he said. "The number of people showing up to hospitals or getting admitted (are) far, far below where they were."
He said he supports lifting bans on travel to the U.S. currently in place for Europe and Brazil, markets important for Florida tourism. At Miami International Airport, director Lester Sola said the ban has had a big impact. International travel typically accounts for half of that airport's activity. Sola says when the travel bans are lifted, flights from Latin America and Europe will resume quickly. "The demand is there," he says. "We get constant inquiries from people wanting to travel to Miami...people who have homes here, people who have businesses here."


npr--2020-08-28--'Tightening The Screws': Belarus' Lukashenko Shows No Sign Of Bending To Protests

'Tightening The Screws ' : Belarus ' Lukashenko Shows No Sign Of Bending To Protests Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appears to be regaining the upper hand after mass demonstrations against his reelection in an Aug. 9 vote criticized as neither free nor fair by the U.S. and the European Union .
For opposition supporters , a sense of dread is replacing the euphoria of some of the largest protests in Belarus since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 .
`` The government is now tightening the screws very tightly , and it 's becoming quite dangerous , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the campaign office of Viktor Babariko , one of Lukashenko 's challengers in the election who was barred from running and jailed on fraud charges .
`` This week people continued to go out on the street , despite all the threats and warnings that they would be arrested , '' said Yelena , who asked that her last name not be used because she faces persecution as an opposition activist .
`` It 's become scary because they can go after you simply for things like the color of your clothes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's like George Orwell 's 1984 .
They can punish you for wearing red and white , or a white bracelet , or a T-shirt with a slogan . ''
Belarus ' white-red-white flag has become a symbol of the opposition to Lukashenko , who , after becoming president in 1994 , introduced a green and red flag reminiscent of the nation 's Soviet-era flag .
Red and white became the colors of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , the opposition candidate who united the three campaigns of her jailed husband Sergei Tikhanovsky , Babariko and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. who had to flee the country .
After the election , Tikhanovskaya too was forced to leave Belarus , and is now based in neighboring Lithuania .
What 's left of the organized opposition to Lukashenko is a `` coordination council '' that wants to facilitate a dialogue with the regime for a peaceful transition of power .
Lukashenko refuses to talk to the group , and the authorities have opened a criminal case against it .
On Wednesday , investigators called in Svetlana Alexievich , Belarus ' Nobel literature laureate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier two leaders of the council were given 10-day jail sentences for allegedly holding an illegal rally .
`` We will not be silenced and forget what happened .
We demand all those responsible be investigated and brought to justice , and that law and justice be restored , '' Maria Kolesnikova , one of the council 's leaders , said in a video appeal this week .
In the first days of the protests , police arrested almost 7,000 demonstrators .
When they were released from prison , many of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and torture .
The protests and strikes that followed rattled the Lukashenko regime , says Artyom Shraibman , a political analyst in Minsk , but now the demonstrations in the capital are not as widespread and visible as before .
It 's still too early to say that Lukashenko has won , Shraibman says , because protesters could turn out in force if the crackdown is too harsh .
`` Until the protests have subsided completely , we can not say they 're over because they 're basically like fire , '' Shraibman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities are capable of putting some more gasoline on the fire . ''
The opposition council , he said , has limited room for maneuver .
`` Probably the best thing that they can do is resist all of Lukashenko 's efforts to drag them into framing the conflict as geopolitical , '' Shraibman said .
On Friday , Lukashenko visited a cheese factory in the city of Orsha , draping a white cape over his suit as he inspected the machinery .
It was n't long before he was warning dairy workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a 20-minute flight away from the border — maybe even armed with nuclear weapons , he said .
`` They do n't need Belarus .
Belarus is just a springboard , as usual , to get to Russia , '' Lukashenko said , referring to Swedish , French and German invasions over the centuries that all led through Belarus .
Lukashenko has been talking up the threat from Belarus ' NATO neighbors ever since mass protests broke out after the disputed election , which he claimed to have won in a landslide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that it was enemies based in Russia who were trying to divide Belarus .
A political survivor , Lukashenko has now secured the Kremlin 's backing while branding his domestic opponents as pawns of the West .
On Thursday , Russian President Vladimir Putin said that on Lukashenko 's request , Russia had put together a rapid-reaction force that could intervene in Belarus if necessary .
That same evening , Lukashenko 's riot police detained more than 260 people at a peaceful rally in Minsk , including 50 journalists .
But Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusians , who generally have warm feelings toward Russia .
`` We expected something else .
We always assumed that Putin and Russia would support the Belarusian people and not one particular individual , especially when they see how hard it is for Belarusians right now , '' said opposition activist Yelena .
She said she hopes the weather is good this weekend so people turn out for renewed protests across the country .

'Tightening The Screws': Belarus' Lukashenko Shows No Sign Of Bending To Protests
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sergei Grits/AP Sergei Grits/AP
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appears to be regaining the upper hand after mass demonstrations against his reelection in an Aug. 9 vote criticized as neither free nor fair by the U.S. and the European Union.
For opposition supporters, a sense of dread is replacing the euphoria of some of the largest protests in Belarus since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
"The government is now tightening the screws very tightly, and it's becoming quite dangerous," said Yelena, 44, a volunteer in the campaign office of Viktor Babariko, one of Lukashenko's challengers in the election who was barred from running and jailed on fraud charges.
"This week people continued to go out on the street, despite all the threats and warnings that they would be arrested," said Yelena, who asked that her last name not be used because she faces persecution as an opposition activist.
Europe European Leaders Condemn Recent Presidential Election In Belarus As A Sham European Leaders Condemn Recent Presidential Election In Belarus As A Sham Listen · 2:57 2:57
"It's become scary because they can go after you simply for things like the color of your clothes," she said. "It's like George Orwell's 1984. They can punish you for wearing red and white, or a white bracelet, or a T-shirt with a slogan."
Belarus' white-red-white flag has become a symbol of the opposition to Lukashenko, who, after becoming president in 1994, introduced a green and red flag reminiscent of the nation's Soviet-era flag.
Red and white became the colors of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the opposition candidate who united the three campaigns of her jailed husband Sergei Tikhanovsky, Babariko and Viktor Tsepkalo, a former ambassador to the U.S. who had to flee the country. After the election, Tikhanovskaya too was forced to leave Belarus, and is now based in neighboring Lithuania.
What's left of the organized opposition to Lukashenko is a "coordination council" that wants to facilitate a dialogue with the regime for a peaceful transition of power. Lukashenko refuses to talk to the group, and the authorities have opened a criminal case against it.
On Wednesday, investigators called in Svetlana Alexievich, Belarus' Nobel literature laureate and a council member, for questioning. Earlier two leaders of the council were given 10-day jail sentences for allegedly holding an illegal rally.
"We will not be silenced and forget what happened. We demand all those responsible be investigated and brought to justice, and that law and justice be restored," Maria Kolesnikova, one of the council's leaders, said in a video appeal this week.
In the first days of the protests, police arrested almost 7,000 demonstrators. When they were released from prison, many of them spoke of being subjected to indiscriminate beatings and torture.
The protests and strikes that followed rattled the Lukashenko regime, says Artyom Shraibman, a political analyst in Minsk, but now the demonstrations in the capital are not as widespread and visible as before.
It's still too early to say that Lukashenko has won, Shraibman says, because protesters could turn out in force if the crackdown is too harsh.
"Until the protests have subsided completely, we cannot say they're over because they're basically like fire," Shraibman said. "In theory, the authorities are capable of putting some more gasoline on the fire."
The opposition council, he said, has limited room for maneuver.
"Probably the best thing that they can do is resist all of Lukashenko's efforts to drag them into framing the conflict as geopolitical," Shraibman said.
On Friday, Lukashenko visited a cheese factory in the city of Orsha, draping a white cape over his suit as he inspected the machinery. It wasn't long before he was warning dairy workers that American F-16 fighter planes were now just a 20-minute flight away from the border — maybe even armed with nuclear weapons, he said.
"They don't need Belarus. Belarus is just a springboard, as usual, to get to Russia," Lukashenko said, referring to Swedish, French and German invasions over the centuries that all led through Belarus.
Lukashenko has been talking up the threat from Belarus' NATO neighbors ever since mass protests broke out after the disputed election, which he claimed to have won in a landslide. Before the vote, Lukashenko had warned that it was enemies based in Russia who were trying to divide Belarus.
A political survivor, Lukashenko has now secured the Kremlin's backing while branding his domestic opponents as pawns of the West. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that on Lukashenko's request, Russia had put together a rapid-reaction force that could intervene in Belarus if necessary. That same evening, Lukashenko's riot police detained more than 260 people at a peaceful rally in Minsk, including 50 journalists.
But Putin's support for Lukashenko has alienated many Belarusians, who generally have warm feelings toward Russia.
"We expected something else. We always assumed that Putin and Russia would support the Belarusian people and not one particular individual, especially when they see how hard it is for Belarusians right now," said opposition activist Yelena.
She said she hopes the weather is good this weekend so people turn out for renewed protests across the country.


npr--2020-08-28--Shootings Expose Racial And Economic Divide In Kenosha

Sunday 's shooting in Kenosha , Wisconsin , inflamed racial tensions within the city and provoked deadly protests .
It has also brought to the forefront the racial and economic divide in this growing bedroom community that sits along Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee .
James Hall , interim president and CEO of the Urban League of Racine and Kenosha , said years of Black oppression led to this moment in his city .
`` What you see is a lot of pain , a lot of fear and a lot of trauma , '' Hall said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because no one communicates with each other .
We go to our subdivisions and we do n't even engage any more with each other . ''
Kenosha is located in Wisconsin 's southeastern corner , about an hour north of Chicago .
Over the last 30 years , its population has grown by 25 percent , to 100,000 .
For decades it was home to a large American Motors car factory .
When the factory shut down in 1988 , its lakefront property was redeveloped into condos and apartments where many Illinois transplants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this much growth is rare for Wisconsin and can overwhelm public agencies .
`` There has been a great deal of movement from the Chicago area , African American families especially , '' seeking quieter , safer neighborhoods , Gurda said .
Police conduct has been an issue in Kenosha before .
In 2018 , Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth lashed out at what he called `` garbage people , '' after five people of color were arrested for allegedly stealing about $ 5,000 worth of merchandise .
`` We need to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lock them away for the rest of their lives , '' Beth said .
`` Let 's stop them from truly , at least some of these males , from going out and getting 10 other women pregnant and having small children . ''
Beth was re-elected months after he made that statement .
Michael Bell , Sr. , is a white man who has been an advocate for change in policing since 2004 , when his son was shot in the head by an officer .
Police said the shooting was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the family later received a $ 1.75 million dollar wrongful death settlement .
Bell said Kenosha 's white professionals have no idea what the police are really like .
`` They would n't even believe the atrocities that are occurring until cell cameras and social media came about , '' Bell said .
`` I also believe the Kenosha police are maturing .
A lot of the things they thought they could get away with before , they ca n't . ''
When 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse allegedly killed two protesters and injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it brought new attention to Kenosha 's history of policing .
Sheriff 's deputies were shown on video talking with Rittenhouse .
In a news conference the next day , Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis seemed to blame protesters for the shooting .
`` Persons who were out after the curfew became engaged in some type of disturbance and persons were shot , '' Miskinis said .
`` The curfew is in place to protect .
Had persons not been in violation of that , perhaps the situation might not have happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Miskinis said his comments had been misconstrued .
The ACLU is calling on Beth and Miskinis to resign .
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian has defended police officials and says his city will do better .
`` We 're also working with the Department of Justice and looking at , in the future , having some meetings that will occur at churches and having people to come in to see what we need to do , '' Antaramian said .
`` The Department of Justice is going to help us incorporate those type @ @ @ @

Shootings Expose Racial And Economic Divide In Kenosha
Enlarge this image toggle caption Angela Major/Angela Major/WPR Angela Major/Angela Major/WPR
Sunday's shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, inflamed racial tensions within the city and provoked deadly protests. It has also brought to the forefront the racial and economic divide in this growing bedroom community that sits along Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee.
James Hall, interim president and CEO of the Urban League of Racine and Kenosha, said years of Black oppression led to this moment in his city.
"What you see is a lot of pain, a lot of fear and a lot of trauma," Hall said. "Both sides are scared of both sides because no one communicates with each other. We go to our subdivisions and we don't even engage any more with each other."
Kenosha is located in Wisconsin's southeastern corner, about an hour north of Chicago. Over the last 30 years, its population has grown by 25 percent, to 100,000.
For decades it was home to a large American Motors car factory. When the factory shut down in 1988, its lakefront property was redeveloped into condos and apartments where many Illinois transplants live.
Wisconsin historian John Gurda said this much growth is rare for Wisconsin and can overwhelm public agencies.
"There has been a great deal of movement from the Chicago area, African American families especially," seeking quieter, safer neighborhoods, Gurda said.
Police conduct has been an issue in Kenosha before.
In 2018, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth lashed out at what he called "garbage people," after five people of color were arrested for allegedly stealing about $5,000 worth of merchandise.
"We need to build warehouses to put these people into it and lock them away for the rest of their lives," Beth said. "Let's stop them from truly, at least some of these males, from going out and getting 10 other women pregnant and having small children."
Beth was re-elected months after he made that statement.
Michael Bell, Sr., is a white man who has been an advocate for change in policing since 2004, when his son was shot in the head by an officer.
Police said the shooting was justified. Bell hired his own investigators and the family later received a $1.75 million dollar wrongful death settlement.
Bell said Kenosha's white professionals have no idea what the police are really like.
"They wouldn't even believe the atrocities that are occurring until cell cameras and social media came about," Bell said. "I also believe the Kenosha police are maturing. A lot of the things they thought they could get away with before, they can't."
When 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse allegedly killed two protesters and injured a third during a protest this week, it brought new attention to Kenosha's history of policing.
Sheriff's deputies were shown on video talking with Rittenhouse. In a news conference the next day, Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis seemed to blame protesters for the shooting.
"Persons who were out after the curfew became engaged in some type of disturbance and persons were shot," Miskinis said. "The curfew is in place to protect. Had persons not been in violation of that, perhaps the situation might not have happened."
At a press conference today, Miskinis said his comments had been misconstrued. The ACLU is calling on Beth and Miskinis to resign.
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian has defended police officials and says his city will do better.
"We're also working with the Department of Justice and looking at, in the future, having some meetings that will occur at churches and having people to come in to see what we need to do," Antaramian said. "The Department of Justice is going to help us incorporate those type of things."


npr--2020-08-28--Coronavirus FAQ: Is It Safe To Get On The Bus (Or Subway)?

Coronavirus FAQ : Is It Safe To Get On The Bus ( Or Subway ) ?
Each week , we answer `` frequently asked questions '' about life during the coronavirus crisis .
If you have a question you 'd like us to consider for a future post , email us at goatsandsoda @ npr.org with the subject line : `` Weekly Coronavirus Questions . ''
Is it safe to take public transit ?
It 's one of those tricky COVID-19 things to navigate ... no pun intended .
On the one hand , data reveals that people are staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to before the novel coronavirus .
In New York City , for instance , subway ridership is at just 20 % of its 5.5 million weekday riders pre-pandemic .
Transit , a mobile app providing real-time public transit data , analyzed 139 transit agencies spanning 68 metro areas and 6 countries and found that demand for public transit has dropped 53 % since the onset of the pandemic .
People are understandably worried about the risks of contagion and being trapped in an enclosed space for the duration of a trip .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since April , the Transit app data shows , the number of those taking public transit has slowly but steadily increased .
Plus , for many , like essential workers , stopping commuting was n't a choice , as Stephen Morse , professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Medical Center points out .
`` Many of us may have no alternative – especially when it comes to essential workers , who , in New York , travel from various boroughs to work , '' says Morse .
`` There 's no alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few academic studies have systematically looked at the risk of mass transit — although case studies from public health authorities in Paris , Austria and Tokyo have been unable to tie any group of outbreaks to rail lines or city public transportation .
Nonetheless , Morse and other public health specialists urge that mass transit be approached with caution .
Morse says that with all public transit — buses , subways , trains — there is always some risk of infection .
After all , you are entering a public space .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that risk significantly by wearing a multi-layered mask and maintaining good hand hygiene — in other words , doing the 20-to-30 second wash before and after .
Robyn Gershon , a clinical professor of epidemiology and public health disaster researcher who has studied the impact of COVID-19 on transit workers , says you can divide the safety of motorized transit options into tiers .
Safest is driving your own car , but of course , not everyone owns or can even afford a car .
Rideshare apps like Uber come next , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of evaluating risk , Gershon says .
It 's a good sign when your driver has put up panels that create a barrier between the front and back of the car , wears a mask and keeps the windows open to encourage ventilation and airflow .
Such measures help reduce the risk of viral particle exchange between you and your driver .
Buses and subways represent the final — and greatest — tier of risk .
Gershon says buses might pose even more potential risk , because it could be harder for passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subways tend to have several cars on a train , offering a greater opportunity to stay 6 feet or more from others .
`` I think you can prudently ride the subway if you 're reasonably healthy and have no other risk factors , '' Gershon says .
`` But also , where are you going ?
— to a bar ?
To your workplace ?
This also matters in terms of assessing risk . ''
Part of the reason Gershon and Morse feel more confident about the subway : Transit agencies around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get squeaky clean .
Gershon gives the example of New York 's MTA : `` They started a very extensive and exhaustive program of deep cleaning — those subways have been more clean than , like , forever , '' she says .
`` They shut them down every day from 2 to 5 a.m. to clean . ''
In addition , the New York subway system uses HVAC systems in each individual car , which turn over air quickly and filter out viral particles , Gershon says .
That may aid in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a respiratory disease .
These protective efforts are going on around the world .
In Ethiopia , authorities have begun disinfecting public buses to reinstill confidence in transit .
Hong Kong has successfully used a disinfection robot to spray bleach in train waiting areas .
In Prague , authorities disinfect 10 to 12 trams a day with a deep cleaning .
And Seoul has set up isolation rooms in case transit workers develop symptoms .
Meanwhile , transit agencies are taking other steps besides cleaning and mandating face masks .
Some systems are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can read more about steps taken by different transit authorities in this report from the International Association of Public Transport .
Wherever you are , if you 're taking public transit , Gershon recommends wearing a mask with at least four layers — for example , both a cloth and surgical mask— and to avoid touching your cellphone or face once you board .
( If you ca n't keep your hands off your phone , wipe it down with a sterile alcohol wipe and wash your hands with soap and water after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think about is : How are you going to protect your nose , mouth and eyes , '' Morse says .
`` The main concern is that you might pick up the virus from your fingers , whether [ by touching ] a floor , a pole on the subway , something you hold onto or an inanimate object '' — and then touch your face .
Another point to consider before riding : local rates of transmission .
`` You should see : Are cases high or are they coming down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transit patrons to tailor their behaviors to regional trends .
`` Quite frankly , I feel the subways [ in New York ] now are relatively safe , '' Gershon says .
`` It 's definitely better than a bar where people are chewing or talking — that 's probably the riskiest thing right now . ''
Pranav Baskar is a freelance journalist and U.S. national born in Mumbai .

Coronavirus FAQ: Is It Safe To Get On The Bus (Or Subway)?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Michael Tewelde/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images Michael Tewelde/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
Each week, we answer "frequently asked questions" about life during the coronavirus crisis. If you have a question you'd like us to consider for a future post, email us at goatsandsoda@npr.org with the subject line: "Weekly Coronavirus Questions."
Is it safe to take public transit?
It's one of those tricky COVID-19 things to navigate ... no pun intended.
On the one hand, data reveals that people are staying away from mass transit in huge numbers compared to before the novel coronavirus. In New York City, for instance, subway ridership is at just 20% of its 5.5 million weekday riders pre-pandemic.
Transit, a mobile app providing real-time public transit data, analyzed 139 transit agencies spanning 68 metro areas and 6 countries and found that demand for public transit has dropped 53% since the onset of the pandemic.
People are understandably worried about the risks of contagion and being trapped in an enclosed space for the duration of a trip.
But ridership is beginning to rebound. Since April, the Transit app data shows, the number of those taking public transit has slowly but steadily increased.
Plus, for many, like essential workers, stopping commuting wasn't a choice, as Stephen Morse, professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Medical Center points out.
"Many of us may have no alternative – especially when it comes to essential workers, who, in New York, travel from various boroughs to work," says Morse. "There's no alternative to mass transit."
Unfortunately, few academic studies have systematically looked at the risk of mass transit — although case studies from public health authorities in Paris, Austria and Tokyo have been unable to tie any group of outbreaks to rail lines or city public transportation.
Nonetheless, Morse and other public health specialists urge that mass transit be approached with caution.
Morse says that with all public transit — buses, subways, trains — there is always some risk of infection. After all, you are entering a public space. But he says it's possible to reduce that risk significantly by wearing a multi-layered mask and maintaining good hand hygiene — in other words, doing the 20-to-30 second wash before and after.
Robyn Gershon, a clinical professor of epidemiology and public health disaster researcher who has studied the impact of COVID-19 on transit workers, says you can divide the safety of motorized transit options into tiers.
Safest is driving your own car, but of course, not everyone owns or can even afford a car.
Rideshare apps like Uber come next, but they're a little challenging in terms of evaluating risk, Gershon says. It's a good sign when your driver has put up panels that create a barrier between the front and back of the car, wears a mask and keeps the windows open to encourage ventilation and airflow. Such measures help reduce the risk of viral particle exchange between you and your driver.
Buses and subways represent the final — and greatest — tier of risk. Gershon says buses might pose even more potential risk, because it could be harder for passengers to maintain distance from each other while subways tend to have several cars on a train, offering a greater opportunity to stay 6 feet or more from others.
"I think you can prudently ride the subway if you're reasonably healthy and have no other risk factors," Gershon says. "But also, where are you going? — to a bar? To your workplace? This also matters in terms of assessing risk."
Part of the reason Gershon and Morse feel more confident about the subway: Transit agencies around the world are taking impressive efforts to get squeaky clean.
Gershon gives the example of New York's MTA: "They started a very extensive and exhaustive program of deep cleaning — those subways have been more clean than, like, forever," she says. "They shut them down every day from 2 to 5 a.m. to clean."
In addition, the New York subway system uses HVAC systems in each individual car, which turn over air quickly and filter out viral particles, Gershon says. That may aid in mitigating some of the risk associated with a respiratory disease.
These protective efforts are going on around the world. In Ethiopia, authorities have begun disinfecting public buses to reinstill confidence in transit. Hong Kong has successfully used a disinfection robot to spray bleach in train waiting areas. In Prague, authorities disinfect 10 to 12 trams a day with a deep cleaning. And Seoul has set up isolation rooms in case transit workers develop symptoms.
Meanwhile, transit agencies are taking other steps besides cleaning and mandating face masks. Some systems are increasing service to reduce overcrowding.
You can read more about steps taken by different transit authorities in this report from the International Association of Public Transport.
Wherever you are, if you're taking public transit, Gershon recommends wearing a mask with at least four layers — for example, both a cloth and surgical mask— and to avoid touching your cellphone or face once you board. (If you can't keep your hands off your phone, wipe it down with a sterile alcohol wipe and wash your hands with soap and water after disembarking.)
"The first thing to think about is: How are you going to protect your nose, mouth and eyes," Morse says. "The main concern is that you might pick up the virus from your fingers, whether [by touching] a floor, a pole on the subway, something you hold onto or an inanimate object" — and then touch your face.
Another point to consider before riding: local rates of transmission.
"You should see: Are cases high or are they coming down?" Gershon says. She urges transit patrons to tailor their behaviors to regional trends.
"Quite frankly, I feel the subways [in New York] now are relatively safe," Gershon says. "It's definitely better than a bar where people are chewing or talking — that's probably the riskiest thing right now."
Pranav Baskar is a freelance journalist and U.S. national born in Mumbai.


npr--2020-08-28--Hurricane Laura Losses Include 10 Deaths, Up To $12 Billion

Hurricane Laura unleashed terrible winds on the Louisiana coast , but its effects are `` looking relatively tame from an economic perspective '' – especially when compared with other powerful storms , according to an early analysis by Moody 's Analytics .
Laura is blamed for at least 10 deaths , including five people who died from carbon monoxide poisoning — at least one case involving the use of a generator without proper ventilation .
Four people died from trees falling on homes , Gov .
John Bel Edwards said .
And a man drowned after the boat he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
The storm is estimated to have caused anywhere from $ 4 billion to $ 12 billion in damages to Louisiana and Texas .
While Laura showed a staggering amount of power , its damage tally is n't likely to come close to other strong storms such as hurricanes Katrina and Harvey — the two costliest storms in U.S. history .
Katrina caused an estimated $ 160 billion worth of damage in 2005 ; Harvey caused $ 125 billion in damages in 2017 .
A key reason for Laura 's smaller price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ashore with 150-mph winds — crashing large trees into houses , ripping roofs off buildings and tossing vehicles around – it avoided densely populated areas such as Houston and New Orleans .
Laura did not stall or hover , which can sharply increase rainfall totals in a given area .
It also failed to send a catastrophic storm surge inland .
If not for those factors , officials and analysts said , things could have been far worse .
`` Nine to 12 feet of storm surge is still a lot of storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state officials took stock of the damage .
Forecasters had warned of a surge up to 20 feet , but Laura 's center never tracked westward to pull water up the Calcasieu Ship Channel – a lucky break that the governor said `` helped tremendously '' in reducing the surge .
The lower range of the damage estimate come from Moody 's Analytics , where economist Adam Kamins noted that similar hurricanes `` have carried a property damage-related price tag that is typically three to five times higher than that associated with lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tag of lost output is being estimated at $ 1.2 billion to $ 1.5 billion , Kamins ' overall damage estimate ranged from around $ 4 billion to $ 7 billion .
A slightly higher estimate came from real estate tracking firm CoreLogic , which reported that insured losses for residential and commercial properties in Louisiana and Texas `` are estimated to be between $ 8 billion and $ 12 billion . ''
Storm surge-related losses make up only a small fraction of the total , the firm said .
When Laura hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 625,000 residential properties to tropical storm-force conditions or worse , CoreLogic said .
But it reported that only about 10,000 of those properties faced winds of a Category 3 storm or higher , thanks to Laura weakening as it moved inland .
Along the hard-hit parts of the coast , part of the economic fallout from the storm will only materialize over time .
Noting that natural disasters often cause a sudden spike in mortgage delinquencies , CoreLogic said that its analysis suggested that `` Hurricane Laura will add to the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic . ''
Home mortgage delinquency rates were already notably above the national average on both sides of the Texas-Louisiana border in the metropolitan areas of Beaumont , Texas , ( 9.3 % ) and Lake Charles , La.
, ( 9.5 % ) , CoreLogic said .

Hurricane Laura Losses Include 10 Deaths, Up To $12 Billion
Enlarge this image toggle caption David J. Phillip/AP David J. Phillip/AP
Hurricane Laura unleashed terrible winds on the Louisiana coast, but its effects are "looking relatively tame from an economic perspective" – especially when compared with other powerful storms, according to an early analysis by Moody's Analytics.
Laura is blamed for at least 10 deaths, including five people who died from carbon monoxide poisoning — at least one case involving the use of a generator without proper ventilation. Four people died from trees falling on homes, Gov. John Bel Edwards said. And a man drowned after the boat he was on sank, NPR member station WWNO reported.
The storm is estimated to have caused anywhere from $4 billion to $12 billion in damages to Louisiana and Texas. While Laura showed a staggering amount of power, its damage tally isn't likely to come close to other strong storms such as hurricanes Katrina and Harvey — the two costliest storms in U.S. history.
Katrina caused an estimated $160 billion worth of damage in 2005; Harvey caused $125 billion in damages in 2017.
A key reason for Laura's smaller price tag is that while the hurricane came ashore with 150-mph winds — crashing large trees into houses, ripping roofs off buildings and tossing vehicles around – it avoided densely populated areas such as Houston and New Orleans.
Laura did not stall or hover, which can sharply increase rainfall totals in a given area. It also failed to send a catastrophic storm surge inland. If not for those factors, officials and analysts said, things could have been far worse.
"Nine to 12 feet of storm surge is still a lot of storm surge," Edwards said Thursday as state officials took stock of the damage.
Forecasters had warned of a surge up to 20 feet, but Laura's center never tracked westward to pull water up the Calcasieu Ship Channel – a lucky break that the governor said "helped tremendously" in reducing the surge.
The lower range of the damage estimate come from Moody's Analytics, where economist Adam Kamins noted that similar hurricanes "have carried a property damage-related price tag that is typically three to five times higher than that associated with lost output."
Because the preliminary price tag of lost output is being estimated at $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion, Kamins' overall damage estimate ranged from around $4 billion to $7 billion.
A slightly higher estimate came from real estate tracking firm CoreLogic, which reported that insured losses for residential and commercial properties in Louisiana and Texas "are estimated to be between $8 billion and $12 billion."
Storm surge-related losses make up only a small fraction of the total, the firm said.
When Laura hit Louisiana and Texas, it exposed more than 625,000 residential properties to tropical storm-force conditions or worse, CoreLogic said. But it reported that only about 10,000 of those properties faced winds of a Category 3 storm or higher, thanks to Laura weakening as it moved inland.
Along the hard-hit parts of the coast, part of the economic fallout from the storm will only materialize over time.
Noting that natural disasters often cause a sudden spike in mortgage delinquencies, CoreLogic said that its analysis suggested that "Hurricane Laura will add to the economic hardship families are already experiencing during the pandemic."
Home mortgage delinquency rates were already notably above the national average on both sides of the Texas-Louisiana border in the metropolitan areas of Beaumont, Texas, (9.3%) and Lake Charles, La., (9.5%), CoreLogic said.


npr--2020-08-28--As Hurricane Evacuees In Texas Return Home, Experts Worry About Spread Of Coronavirus

As Hurricane Evacuees In Texas Return Home , Experts Worry About Spread Of Coronavirus After evacuating to cities like San Antonio , Dallas and Austin , coastal Texas residents are making their way back home in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura .
Now there are worries that both evacuations and storm damage could potentially increase COVID-19 numbers in the state .
As of Friday , Houston had seen three straight days of fewer than 100 new COVID-19 hospitalizations , for the first time in two months .
Daily new cases are on a rough downward trend .
While the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Texas Medical Center tracks three metrics to determine if the virus is under control , and not one of those benchmarks has been met — health officials say the spread of the virus in the region is slowing down .
But ahead of the storm , counties in the Greater Houston area closed COVID-19 testing sites .
And those interruptions could last longer depending on any storm damage , which would then slow down efforts to control the virus , according to Dr. Stacey Rose , an assistant professor of infectious diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions by officials to enforce social distancing among evacuees — housing people in hotel rooms instead of large arenas , and filling buses at half capacity — moving large groups of people during evacuation could lead to a spread .
`` We have seen a spike in coronavirus cases after large gatherings , '' Rose said .
`` I think , unfortunately , sometimes that 's part of those evacuation plans : people have to be in close contact . ''

As Hurricane Evacuees In Texas Return Home, Experts Worry About Spread Of Coronavirus
After evacuating to cities like San Antonio, Dallas and Austin, coastal Texas residents are making their way back home in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Now there are worries that both evacuations and storm damage could potentially increase COVID-19 numbers in the state.
As of Friday, Houston had seen three straight days of fewer than 100 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, for the first time in two months. Daily new cases are on a rough downward trend. While the city isn't yet in the clear — the Texas Medical Center tracks three metrics to determine if the virus is under control, and not one of those benchmarks has been met — health officials say the spread of the virus in the region is slowing down.
But ahead of the storm, counties in the Greater Houston area closed COVID-19 testing sites. And those interruptions could last longer depending on any storm damage, which would then slow down efforts to control the virus, according to Dr. Stacey Rose, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine.
Despite precautions by officials to enforce social distancing among evacuees — housing people in hotel rooms instead of large arenas, and filling buses at half capacity — moving large groups of people during evacuation could lead to a spread.
"We have seen a spike in coronavirus cases after large gatherings," Rose said. "I think, unfortunately, sometimes that's part of those evacuation plans: people have to be in close contact."


npr--2020-08-28--Kenosha Police Reject Accusations Of Assistance From Armed Vigilantes

Law enforcement officials in Kenosha , Wis. , are pushing back on suggestions that police showed deference to white vigilantes at Black Lives Matter protests following the fatal shooting last Tuesday of two demonstrators , allegedly by a an armed teen .
At a Friday afternoon news conference , Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said that the failure of authorities to stop the shooting suspect , 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse , who was seen carrying an AR-15-style rifle prior to the shooting , did not show a lapse in judgement .
`` There was nothing to suggest that this person was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miskinis told reporters .
Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth — asked about a video taken before the shooting in which officers in an armored vehicle can be heard thanking who appear to be armed vigilantes for their assistance and then offering them water — said that the armored car in question did not belong to his department .
He then added : `` The fact that one of our people here threw a bottle of water to someone walking down the street – I understand that part . ''
Beth said if armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have no issue with that . ''
`` The people who have been here carrying guns , they have n't been arrested because it 's a right that they have , '' he said .
`` Have we asked for them to come ?
Are we asking for them to come in and support things ?
I 'm not , '' Beth said .
He said that regardless of what the person in the armored vehicle said , `` it does not reflect what we in Kenosha are asking for . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , speaking with NPR 's All Things Considered on Friday , said he was `` disturbed '' by the video .
`` I hope and expect that a review will be conducted of that incident , certainly by the agency for which that officer works , '' he said .
A judge on Friday postponed Rittenhouse 's extradition from Illinois to give him more time to hire a legal team .
Rittenhouse , who lives in Antioch , Ill. , was arrested there on Wednesday .
He was charged on Thursday in Kenosha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of Joseph Rosenbaum , 36 , and first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Anthony Huber , 26 , according to the criminal complaint .
He is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the wounding of a third person – 26-year-old Gaige Grosskreutz .
The killings occurred on the third night of protests in Kenosha against the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man .
Blake was shot in the back seven times at close range by a Kenosha police officer on Sunday .
The shootings alleging the involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely circulated on social media .
He is also charged with misdemeanor possession of a dangerous weapon below the legal age of 18 and faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted of intentional homicide .
Rittenhouse was not present at Friday 's livestreamed hearing in Waukegan , Ill. , which lasted less than 10 minutes .
The judge delayed his extradition to Wisconsin until Sept. 25 .
The Milwaukee Sentinel reports that Rittenhouse is being represented by a team of attorneys led by L. Lin Wood , known for helping Covington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major media companies , such as CNN and The Washington Post .
A spokesman for the Lake County , Ill. , state 's attorney said the defendant also plans to hire Los Angeles-based attorney John Pierce , whose clients have included President Trump 's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and former Trump adviser Carter Page , according to Reuters .

Kenosha Police Reject Accusations Of Assistance From Armed Vigilantes
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brandon Bell/Getty Images Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Updated at 5:48 p.m. ET
Law enforcement officials in Kenosha, Wis., are pushing back on suggestions that police showed deference to white vigilantes at Black Lives Matter protests following the fatal shooting last Tuesday of two demonstrators, allegedly by a an armed teen.
At a Friday afternoon news conference, Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said that the failure of authorities to stop the shooting suspect, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who was seen carrying an AR-15-style rifle prior to the shooting, did not show a lapse in judgement.
"There was nothing to suggest that this person was involved in any criminal behavior," Miskinis told reporters.
Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth — asked about a video taken before the shooting in which officers in an armored vehicle can be heard thanking who appear to be armed vigilantes for their assistance and then offering them water — said that the armored car in question did not belong to his department. He then added: "The fact that one of our people here threw a bottle of water to someone walking down the street – I understand that part."
Beth said if armed individuals are "protecting their property, I have no issue with that."
"The people who have been here carrying guns, they haven't been arrested because it's a right that they have," he said.
"Have we asked for them to come? Are we asking for them to come in and support things? I'm not," Beth said.
He said that regardless of what the person in the armored vehicle said, "it does not reflect what we in Kenosha are asking for."
YouTube
Meanwhile, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, speaking with NPR's All Things Considered on Friday, said he was "disturbed" by the video.
"I hope and expect that a review will be conducted of that incident, certainly by the agency for which that officer works," he said.
A judge on Friday postponed Rittenhouse's extradition from Illinois to give him more time to hire a legal team.
Rittenhouse, who lives in Antioch, Ill., was arrested there on Wednesday. He was charged on Thursday in Kenosha County with first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Anthony Huber, 26, according to the criminal complaint. He is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the wounding of a third person – 26-year-old Gaige Grosskreutz.
The killings occurred on the third night of protests in Kenosha against the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man. Blake was shot in the back seven times at close range by a Kenosha police officer on Sunday.
The shootings alleging the involvement of Rittenhouse were caught on video and widely circulated on social media.
He is also charged with misdemeanor possession of a dangerous weapon below the legal age of 18 and faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted of intentional homicide.
Rittenhouse was not present at Friday's livestreamed hearing in Waukegan, Ill., which lasted less than 10 minutes. The judge delayed his extradition to Wisconsin until Sept. 25.
The Milwaukee Sentinel reports that Rittenhouse is being represented by a team of attorneys led by L. Lin Wood, known for helping Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann sue major media companies, such as CNN and The Washington Post.
Efforts to secure defense counsel for Kyle Rittenhouse were successful due to efforts of Marina Medvin @MarinaMedvin, Michelle Malkin @michellemalkin & John Pierce @CaliKidJMP.
And because of the efforts of my Followers who light the fires of truth & justice for ALL. Thank you. — Lin Wood (@LLinWood) August 28, 2020
A spokesman for the Lake County, Ill., state's attorney said the defendant also plans to hire Los Angeles-based attorney John Pierce, whose clients have included President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and former Trump adviser Carter Page, according to Reuters.


npr--2020-08-28--Rebound In Consumer Spending Fades In July

Americans spent more money on cars , health care and eating out last month than they did in June .
The Commerce Department says consumer spending rose 1.9 % in July .
Consumer spending is a major driver of the U.S. economy , and it continues to recover from its pandemic plunge this spring .
July marked the third consecutive increase in monthly spending , though the gains were smaller than in May and June .
Spending is still about 4.5 % below its level in February , before the coronavirus took hold in the United States .
Economists warn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplemental unemployment benefits of $ 600 a week have expired .
Those benefits were boosting Americans ' cumulative spending power by about $ 15 billion a week .
President Trump has offered to replace half of the lapsed benefits temporarily , by redirecting money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
With more than 27 million Americans collecting unemployment , the funds identified by the president would last only five or six weeks .
Together , regular and supplemental unemployment benefits accounted for nearly 7 % of total personal income in July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in spending as the month came to an end .
Personal income increased 0.4 % in July as businesses reopened and people went back to work .
Spending rose faster than incomes , so the personal savings rate declined .
There 's little sign of inflation in the new spending report .
Prices jumped 0.3 % in July but have risen only 1 % in the last year .
Excluding volatile food and energy prices , inflation is running about 1.3 % for the year .
That 's below the 2 % inflation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This week , the Fed announced a policy shift , saying after years of low inflation , it 's prepared to allow higher prices for a time to achieve an average inflation rate of 2 % .

Rebound In Consumer Spending Fades In July
Enlarge this image toggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Americans spent more money on cars, health care and eating out last month than they did in June. The Commerce Department says consumer spending rose 1.9% in July.
Consumer spending is a major driver of the U.S. economy, and it continues to recover from its pandemic plunge this spring. July marked the third consecutive increase in monthly spending, though the gains were smaller than in May and June. Spending is still about 4.5% below its level in February, before the coronavirus took hold in the United States.
Economists warn spending may suffer in August now that supplemental unemployment benefits of $600 a week have expired. Those benefits were boosting Americans' cumulative spending power by about $15 billion a week.
President Trump has offered to replace half of the lapsed benefits temporarily, by redirecting money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. With more than 27 million Americans collecting unemployment, the funds identified by the president would last only five or six weeks.
Together, regular and supplemental unemployment benefits accounted for nearly 7% of total personal income in July. Walmart and other retailers reported a slowdown in spending as the month came to an end.
Personal income increased 0.4% in July as businesses reopened and people went back to work. Spending rose faster than incomes, so the personal savings rate declined.
There's little sign of inflation in the new spending report. Prices jumped 0.3% in July but have risen only 1% in the last year. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, inflation is running about 1.3% for the year.
That's below the 2% inflation target set by the Federal Reserve. This week, the Fed announced a policy shift, saying after years of low inflation, it's prepared to allow higher prices for a time to achieve an average inflation rate of 2%.


npr--2020-08-28--Alexei Navalny Update: 'Some Improvement' In Condition, German Hospital Says

Alexei Navalny Update : 'Some Improvement ' In Condition , German Hospital Says Alexei Navalny has been in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator since last week , but the Charité hospital in Berlin says the Russian opposition figure 's condition is stable and his life is not in danger .
`` While his condition remains serious , there is no immediate danger to his life , '' the hospital said in a statement released Friday .
`` There has been some improvement '' in Navalny 's condition , it added .
But citing `` the severity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital says it 's still too soon to know what kind of long-term effects the poison could have on Navalny .
Navalny , 44 , has been treated at Charité since Saturday after an emergency medical flight took him from Siberia , where he was apparently poisoned .
He is in intensive care .
German doctors say Navalny was poisoned by a cholinesterase inhibitor , meaning it disrupts the body 's ability to break down acetylcholine — an important neurotransmitter in the brain and body .
That revelation came days after his arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were no traces of poison in Navalny 's system .
Some cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer 's disease .
But others are used in insecticides and as nerve agents , according to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry .
Well-known examples of the nerve agents include sarin , soman and VX — the chemical that is believed to have killed the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2017 .
The German hospital has not said what poison Navalny encountered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` specific substance involved remains unknown . ''
Navalny fell ill on a commercial flight from Siberia to Moscow , forcing the plane to make an emergency landing .
His spokesperson said she saw him drink one thing : a cup of tea at the airport .
Over the past decade , he has become one of Russian President Vladimir Putin 's most prominent critics .
He has also investigated well-placed officials over potential instances of corruption and abuse of office .
Earlier this week , Putin 's press secretary , Dmitry Peskov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any grounds to launch a criminal probe into what happened to Navalny .
Peskov said that first , `` it is necessary to identify the substance , to find out what caused his condition . ''
One day after those comments , Putin spoke about Navalny during a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte , warning against what a Kremlin summary called `` premature and unsubstantiated accusations . ''
In that phone call , Putin also `` expressed interest in a thorough and impartial investigation of all the circumstances of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Russia to conduct a full and transparent investigation , saying after the hospital issued its diagnosis of a poisoning , `` Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice . ''
A number of Kremlin foes have been poisoned or killed during Putin 's 20 years in power .
The list includes Kremlin critic and former spy Alexander Litvinenko , who died after drinking tea that was laced with polonium-210 in a London hotel .

Alexei Navalny Update: 'Some Improvement' In Condition, German Hospital Says
Enlarge this image toggle caption Markus Schreiber/AP Markus Schreiber/AP
Alexei Navalny has been in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator since last week, but the Charité hospital in Berlin says the Russian opposition figure's condition is stable and his life is not in danger.
"While his condition remains serious, there is no immediate danger to his life," the hospital said in a statement released Friday.
"There has been some improvement" in Navalny's condition, it added.
But citing "the severity of the patient's poisoning," the hospital says it's still too soon to know what kind of long-term effects the poison could have on Navalny.
Navalny, 44, has been treated at Charité since Saturday after an emergency medical flight took him from Siberia, where he was apparently poisoned. He is in intensive care.
German doctors say Navalny was poisoned by a cholinesterase inhibitor, meaning it disrupts the body's ability to break down acetylcholine — an important neurotransmitter in the brain and body. That revelation came days after his arrival from Russia, where physicians had claimed there were no traces of poison in Navalny's system.
Some cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. But others are used in insecticides and as nerve agents, according to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Well-known examples of the nerve agents include sarin, soman and VX — the chemical that is believed to have killed the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2017.
The German hospital has not said what poison Navalny encountered, saying earlier this week that the "specific substance involved remains unknown."
Navalny fell ill on a commercial flight from Siberia to Moscow, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing. His spokesperson said she saw him drink one thing: a cup of tea at the airport. Over the past decade, he has become one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics. He has also investigated well-placed officials over potential instances of corruption and abuse of office.
Earlier this week, Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said the Kremlin did not see any grounds to launch a criminal probe into what happened to Navalny. Peskov said that first, "it is necessary to identify the substance, to find out what caused his condition."
One day after those comments, Putin spoke about Navalny during a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, warning against what a Kremlin summary called "premature and unsubstantiated accusations."
In that phone call, Putin also "expressed interest in a thorough and impartial investigation of all the circumstances of the incident," the Kremlin said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Russia to conduct a full and transparent investigation, saying after the hospital issued its diagnosis of a poisoning, "Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice."
A number of Kremlin foes have been poisoned or killed during Putin's 20 years in power. The list includes Kremlin critic and former spy Alexander Litvinenko, who died after drinking tea that was laced with polonium-210 in a London hotel.