npr--2020-04-18--Orthodox Christians Observe Easter Amid Crackdown On Rogue Priests And Congregants

Orthodox Christians — 300 million worldwide — are observing Easter , their biggest holiday , this weekend .
It 's a time when churches are full , their bells ringing as parishioners embrace and kiss after singing Christ Is Risen at the stroke of midnight on Holy Saturday .
Blood-red eggs are cracked , and lambs are roasted as part of a giant family feast .
There 's even dancing .
But the coronavirus pandemic has shut down those celebrations in many Orthodox Christian countries , including Greece , Romania and Serbia .
This year , worshippers may not even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the flame from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem that 's flown in from Israel .
`` This Easter is different .
We will not go to our villages , we will not roast in our yards , we will not go to our churches .
And of course , we will not gather in the homes of relatives and friends , '' Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters on Friday .
`` For us to continue being together , this year we stay apart . ''
Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greeks watched a livestream of Good Friday prayers from self-quarantine at home , skipping the Epitaphios procession , when an icon of the dead Christ in a flower-filled funeral bier is carried around the neighborhood .
They also scrapped annual plans to drive out to ancestral villages and roast lamb with grandparents .
( One man parodied what Easter lamb-roasting would look like this year . )
Police are monitoring streets by drone and patrolling outside churches to make sure priests holding closed-door services do not let in parishioners .
Prime Minister Kyriakos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after weeks of pushback from the Greek Orthodox Church .
Mitsotakis ' tough social distancing policies have been credited with Greece 's success at fighting the spread of COVID19 .
( Greece has reported at least 2,235 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 110 deaths ) .
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople , the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians , has implored the faithful to follow government orders for their own health .
But some Greek Orthodox priests have balked .
On the Aegean island of Chios , Father Christophoros Gourlis was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5,000 after opening his doors to parishioners on Good Friday .
As police dragged away one woman trying to enter the church , the priest was heard yelling : `` This is an outrage !
I came to bless you and instead you 're manhandling a woman ! ''
Earlier this month , on another Ionian Sea island , Corfu , Bishop Nektarios was detained after allowing parishioners into his church service .
He also gave worshippers communion using a shared spoon dipped into a chalice of wine , which increases the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to face trial on May 25 , along with Corfu 's mayor and a top city councillor , who attended the banned service .
Last month , police on the Ionian island of Kythira detained Metropolitan Seraphim after he held mass in contravention of the ban .
These rogue Greek clerics are n't alone .
In Georgia , which declared a state of emergency on March 21 , churches are ignoring restrictions and holding crowded services .
In Ukraine and Bulgaria , churches remain open even as the government has urged the @ @ @ @ @

Orthodox Christians Observe Easter Amid Crackdown On Rogue Priests And Congregants
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sergei Grits/AP Sergei Grits/AP
Updated at 12:34 p.m. ET
Orthodox Christians — 300 million worldwide — are observing Easter, their biggest holiday, this weekend.
It's a time when churches are full, their bells ringing as parishioners embrace and kiss after singing Christ Is Risen at the stroke of midnight on Holy Saturday. Blood-red eggs are cracked, and lambs are roasted as part of a giant family feast. There's even dancing.
But the coronavirus pandemic has shut down those celebrations in many Orthodox Christian countries, including Greece, Romania and Serbia. This year, worshippers may not even light candles from the "Holy Fire," the flame from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem that's flown in from Israel.
"This Easter is different. We will not go to our villages, we will not roast in our yards, we will not go to our churches. And of course, we will not gather in the homes of relatives and friends," Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters on Friday. "For us to continue being together, this year we stay apart."
Greece is on total lockdown this weekend. Greeks watched a livestream of Good Friday prayers from self-quarantine at home, skipping the Epitaphios procession, when an icon of the dead Christ in a flower-filled funeral bier is carried around the neighborhood. They also scrapped annual plans to drive out to ancestral villages and roast lamb with grandparents. (One man parodied what Easter lamb-roasting would look like this year.)
Police are monitoring streets by drone and patrolling outside churches to make sure priests holding closed-door services do not let in parishioners.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis banned church services last month, after weeks of pushback from the Greek Orthodox Church. Mitsotakis' tough social distancing policies have been credited with Greece's success at fighting the spread of COVID19. (Greece has reported at least 2,235 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 110 deaths).
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, has implored the faithful to follow government orders for their own health. But some Greek Orthodox priests have balked.
On the Aegean island of Chios, Father Christophoros Gourlis was arrested on Saturday and fined more than $5,000 after opening his doors to parishioners on Good Friday. As police dragged away one woman trying to enter the church, the priest was heard yelling: "This is an outrage! I came to bless you and instead you're manhandling a woman!"
Earlier this month, on another Ionian Sea island, Corfu, Bishop Nektarios was detained after allowing parishioners into his church service. He also gave worshippers communion using a shared spoon dipped into a chalice of wine, which increases the risk of coronavirus transmission. He's set to face trial on May 25, along with Corfu's mayor and a top city councillor, who attended the banned service.
Last month, police on the Ionian island of Kythira detained Metropolitan Seraphim after he held mass in contravention of the ban.
These rogue Greek clerics aren't alone. In Georgia, which declared a state of emergency on March 21, churches are ignoring restrictions and holding crowded services. In Ukraine and Bulgaria, churches remain open even as the government has urged the faithful to stay home.


npr--2020-04-18--Holy Fire Ceremony To Mark Orthodox Easter Held In Near-Empty Jerusalem Church

The coronavirus did not stop the tradition of the Holy Fire on Saturday , the centuries-old ceremony held annually at the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem the day before Easter on the Eastern Orthodox Christian calendar .
But some adjustments were made .
Usually tens of thousands of pilgrims pack the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and surround the Edicule , the inner sanctum that houses the spot where tradition says Jesus was entombed and resurrected .
This year , no pilgrims attended .
The church has been closed to visitors since last month , as all houses of worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors .
The ceremony was broadcast live to tens of thousands of Orthodox Christian believers around the world .
Clergy from Greek Orthodox , Armenian , Coptic and Syriac churches were represented at the ceremony , with a few Israeli policemen standing guard .
A small group of clergy , some wearing masks because of the coronavirus pandemic , stood guard at the Edicule doors , sealed with wax .
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem , Theophilos III , did not wear a mask .
He encircled the crypt , wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lone clergyman chanted .
Then the patriarch removed his golden trappings and entered the tomb .
Moments later , he emerged waving lit candles as church bells chimed .
The sudden appearance of the Holy Fire is said to be a miracle , taking place inside the tomb each year at 2 p.m .
In normal times , the flame quickly spreads among ecstatic pilgrims carrying candles until the cavernous church fills with light .
Like each year , motorcades drove the flame in small lamps to Orthodox communities in neighboring Jordan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Usually , the flame flies back with pilgrims to Orthodox Christian communities mostly in eastern Europe .
This year , with air travel canceled and Israel banning foreign visitors , 10 empty flights took off from Tel Aviv carrying the Holy Fire to Orthodox Christian communities in Russia , Ukraine , Greece , Cyprus , Georgia , Romania , Moldova , Belarus , Poland and Kazakhstan .
Because of quarantine restrictions , Akiva Tor of Israel 's foreign ministry said lamps carrying the flame were brought by motorcade to the airport and transferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew disembarking .
In Greece , the Holy Fire was greeted by a bishop and a 15-member band at Athens International Airport , but the flame was not distributed to churches this year as is customary , the Greek daily Kathimerini reported .
Greek authorities have banned church gatherings to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
The flame was instead kept at the Athens headquarters of the Jerusalem Patriarchate .
Joanna Kakissis contributed to this report from Athens .

Holy Fire Ceremony To Mark Orthodox Easter Held In Near-Empty Jerusalem Church
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ariel Schalit/AP Ariel Schalit/AP
Updated at 2:14 p.m. ET
The coronavirus did not stop the tradition of the Holy Fire on Saturday, the centuries-old ceremony held annually at the tomb of Jesus in Jerusalem the day before Easter on the Eastern Orthodox Christian calendar. But some adjustments were made.
Usually tens of thousands of pilgrims pack the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and surround the Edicule, the inner sanctum that houses the spot where tradition says Jesus was entombed and resurrected.
This year, no pilgrims attended. The church has been closed to visitors since last month, as all houses of worship in the Holy Land have shuttered their doors.
The ceremony was broadcast live to tens of thousands of Orthodox Christian believers around the world. Clergy from Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic and Syriac churches were represented at the ceremony, with a few Israeli policemen standing guard.
A small group of clergy, some wearing masks because of the coronavirus pandemic, stood guard at the Edicule doors, sealed with wax. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem, Theophilos III, did not wear a mask. He encircled the crypt, wearing a golden crown and vestments, while a lone clergyman chanted.
Then the patriarch removed his golden trappings and entered the tomb. Moments later, he emerged waving lit candles as church bells chimed.
The sudden appearance of the Holy Fire is said to be a miracle, taking place inside the tomb each year at 2 p.m. In normal times, the flame quickly spreads among ecstatic pilgrims carrying candles until the cavernous church fills with light.
Like each year, motorcades drove the flame in small lamps to Orthodox communities in neighboring Jordan, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Usually, the flame flies back with pilgrims to Orthodox Christian communities mostly in eastern Europe. This year, with air travel canceled and Israel banning foreign visitors, 10 empty flights took off from Tel Aviv carrying the Holy Fire to Orthodox Christian communities in Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Cyprus, Georgia, Romania, Moldova, Belarus, Poland and Kazakhstan.
Because of quarantine restrictions, Akiva Tor of Israel's foreign ministry said lamps carrying the flame were brought by motorcade to the airport and transferred on the airplane steps with no flight crew disembarking.
In Greece, the Holy Fire was greeted by a bishop and a 15-member band at Athens International Airport, but the flame was not distributed to churches this year as is customary, the Greek daily Kathimerini reported. Greek authorities have banned church gatherings to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The flame was instead kept at the Athens headquarters of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Joanna Kakissis contributed to this report from Athens.


npr--2020-04-19--With Senior Year In Disarray, Teens And Young Adults Feel Lost. Here's How To Help

With Senior Year In Disarray , Teens And Young Adults Feel Lost .
Here 's How To Help For many young people sheltering at home means missing milestones and public recognition of their achievements .
This is especially true for seniors graduating from high school and college .
Kendall Smith , a high school senior who lives in Tallahassee , Fla. , says her school has many traditions leading up to graduation .
But this year things are very different .
One of the most eagerly anticipated events is `` Grad Bash , '' a rite of passage when all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's something we 've looked forward to since we were freshmen , '' says Smith .
`` And I remember hearing about all the memories and seeing them on Snapchat and Instagram , and being so excited about going with my friends . ''
So it was understandably disappointing when this highly anticipated event was cancelled .
Smith , who plays flag football , says a big celebration for senior athletes was also canceled .
`` It 's this huge event where people walk through the middle of the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have flowers and you just really feel special that night , '' she says .
Teens are suffering from missing out on these experiences and the opportunity for connecting with their peers at critical transitions into adulthood , says Dr. Ludmila De faria , a psychiatrist with Florida State University .
She says they 're `` mourning the loss of important developmental milestones they were supposed to be doing at this time in their lives . ''
And experts advise parents to take these issues seriously and try to help kids process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by college students .
Waverly Hart is 21 and a senior at the College of Wooster in Ohio .
One of the most memorable graduation events is `` I.S .
Monday , '' short for Independent Study Monday , when seniors celebrate finishing their theses .
Hart says it typically occurs on the first Monday after spring break .
`` All the seniors skip classes , and there 's a huge parade .
And everybody on campus cheers us on and that 's something that we 've been looking forward to since we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we wo n't get to experience that ... ever , '' says Hart .
As a competitive cross-country runner , Hart was looking forward to taking part in the last season of her high school career but that was canceled as well .
`` And it 's really heartbreaking to know that the last race I competed in was indeed my last race ever .
And I wo n't get another chance to compete in the black and gold Wooster uniform . ''
Graduation itself has been `` postponed '' she says , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled sometime soon .
As a freshman at the University of Michigan , 19-year-old Sophie Busch never expected to end up home before finishing her first year .
She 's proud of her freshman research project on childhood obesity and disappointed she wo n't be presenting her findings at a large research symposium at the end of April .
( It was canceled . )
`` I was looking forward to presenting my research with the other freshmen in my lab , and I was just excited to show it to my other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were also going to come . ''
De faria , who works with student mental health , says when young people miss kinds of momentous events , `` it 's almost like they are forced to regress a little bit or at least not progress as expected on their developmental milestone . ''
And she says , college students in particular are losing their support group during an important developmental phase .
They had moved away from their families of origin , which is part of a process called individuating .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and developing their ability to take care of themselves , '' she says .
`` The people they live with , their roommates in college become their primary source of support .
They lost that suddenly . ''
This can be traumatic for a generation that `` already suffers high levels of anxiety , '' she says .
It puts them at greater risk of developing clinical anxiety and depression .
Students like this may require some sort of therapeutic help from home , she says .
Many parents may be at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a time of such great uncertainty , which could make things even harder on teens and young adults .
`` It 's unprecedented for all of us , but it 's completely new for teens and young adults — and they do n't have the wealth of experiences that older individuals have with transitions , '' says psychologist Lynn Bufka , spokesperson for the American Psychological Association .
`` They 're trying to figure out how to do transitions and manage change within an environment where everything seems upside-down for them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people that the situation is `` very new and very different and very hard for them , '' she says .
`` That need for strong peer relationships , coupled with less experience dealing with and adapting to adversity , means you have a generation that is going to struggle more , '' she says .
But there are ways to help them cope .
Here are a few things parents can try .
Bufka says an important way for parents to help high school and college students by simply acknowledging their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel about the loss of prom , celebrations and graduation .
Parents should recognize that for many young people , `` this is the biggest thing they 've experienced in their lives , '' she says .
`` They 're too young to remember 9-11 .
Collectively as a generation , this is a really big experience for them . ''
When you 're young , understanding that life is just not as predictable as they might have thought can be scary , she says .
Parents can help by letting them talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish a cushion of social connection they can lean on through these times .
Bufka says staying socially connected , even virtually , can be helpful .
In fact she prefers to describe distance precautions as `` physical distancing , '' not social distancing .
`` It 's important to maintain social connection and intimacy even if this is not in person , '' she says .
And , she encourages young people to take advantage of the many ways to socially connect , with all kinds of shared online activities , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even movie watching .
Shift focus to what they can control Bufka recommends talking to your teen or college-aged child about the things they do have some control over Graduation may be postponed or cancelled but young people can plan special events for after the pandemic has ended .
Perhaps a trip with best friends or a post graduation party .
Focus on the positive events that can occur at the end of this crisis .
Envision how you can celebrate and maybe even start making plans now .
It can help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are making sacrifices right now not just for their own health and safety , but for the greater good .
She points to a study which looked at previous infectious disease crises , including the 2003 SARS and the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa .
People are able to cope better , she says , when they `` think about the altruistic reason they 're doing this . ''
Changes in everyday life to limit the spread of disease may be hard , but `` we 're in it together and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community and to have a good impact on overall health and well-being . ''
Florida high schooler Smith says she and her peers understand this well .
`` As disappointed as we all are that we 're missing out on these important milestones in our life we do understand that this virus is killing people , and that if we do n't sacrifice these things that we might contribute to the problem . ''
She adds they would n't want to be `` the reason that a student takes home that virus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ca n't fight that off , or maybe somebody with asthma that does n't have the lungs to be able to deal with coronavirus . ''
`` We understand these sacrifices need to be made and we know that we are doing our part in this , doing what we can for society , '' she says .
In the end , Bufka says once young people get through this crisis , they will realize they can handle tough situations and get to the other side .
`` It will make us stronger @ @ @ @ @ @ @

With Senior Year In Disarray, Teens And Young Adults Feel Lost. Here's How To Help
Enlarge this image Mikyung Lee for NPR Mikyung Lee for NPR
For many young people, sheltering at home means missing milestones and public recognition of their achievements. This is especially true for seniors graduating from high school and college.
Kendall Smith, a high school senior who lives in Tallahassee, Fla., says her school has many traditions leading up to graduation. But this year things are very different.
One of the most eagerly anticipated events is Grad Bash, a rite of passage when all graduating seniors head off to the Universal Studios theme park in Orlando. "It's something we've looked forward to since we were freshmen," Smith says. "And I remember hearing about all the memories and seeing them on Snapchat and Instagram, and being so excited about going with my friends."
So it was understandably disappointing when this highly anticipated event was canceled.
Smith, who plays flag football, says a big celebration for senior athletes was also canceled. "It's this huge event where people walk through the middle of the field with their parents and their family and they have flowers and you just really feel special that night," she says.
Teens are suffering from missing out on these experiences and the opportunity for connecting with their peers at critical transitions into adulthood, says Dr. Ludmila De faria, a psychiatrist with Florida State University.
She says they're "mourning the loss of important developmental milestones they were supposed to be doing at this time in their lives."
And experts advise parents to take these issues seriously and try to help kids process them.
These losses are also experienced by college students.
Waverly Hart is 21 and a senior at the College of Wooster in Ohio. One of the most memorable graduation events is I.S. Monday, short for Independent Study Monday, when seniors celebrate finishing their theses. Hart says it typically occurs on the first Monday after spring break.
"All the seniors skip classes, and there's a huge parade. And everybody on campus cheers us on and that's something that we've been looking forward to since we were admitted to Wooster. And now we won't get to experience that ... ever," Hart says.
As a competitive cross-country runner, Hart was looking forward to taking part in the last season of her college career, but that was canceled as well. "And it's really heartbreaking to know that the last race I competed in was indeed my last race ever. And I won't get another chance to compete in the black and gold Wooster uniform."
Graduation itself has been "postponed," she says, although she expects it will be officially canceled sometime soon.
As a freshman at the University of Michigan, 19-year-old Sophie Busch never expected to end up home before finishing her first year. She's proud of her freshman research project on childhood obesity and is disappointed she won't be presenting her findings at a large research symposium at the end of April. (It was canceled.)
"I was looking forward to presenting my research with the other freshmen in my lab, and I was just excited to show it to my other friends — and my parents and grandma were also going to come."
De faria, who works with student mental health, says when young people miss kinds of momentous events, "it's almost like they are forced to regress a little bit, or at least not progress as expected on their developmental milestone."
And she says, college students in particular are losing their support group during an important developmental phase. They had moved away from their families of origin, which is part of a process called individuating.
"They're finding their people, their identities and developing their ability to take care of themselves," she says. "The people they live with, their roommates in college become their primary source of support. They lost that suddenly."
This can be traumatic for a generation that "already suffers high levels of anxiety," she says. It puts them at greater risk of developing clinical anxiety and depression. Students like this may require some sort of therapeutic help from home, she says.
Many parents may be at a loss for how to reassure their children during a time of such great uncertainty, which could make things even harder on teens and young adults.
"It's unprecedented for all of us, but it's completely new for teens and young adults — and they don't have the wealth of experiences that older individuals have with transitions," says psychologist Lynn Bufka, spokesperson for the American Psychological Association. "They're trying to figure out how to do transitions and manage change within an environment where everything seems upside-down for them."
Bufka says she's hearing from young people that the situation is "very new and very different and very hard for them," she says.
"That need for strong peer relationships, coupled with less experience dealing with and adapting to adversity, means you have a generation that is going to struggle more," she says.
But there are ways to help them cope. Here are a few things parents can try.
Acknowledge their feelings
Bufka says an important way for parents to help high school and college students by simply acknowledging their feelings — the sadness and disappointment they feel about the loss of prom, celebrations and graduation.
Parents should recognize that for many young people, "this is the biggest thing they've experienced in their lives," she says. "They're too young to remember 9/11. Collectively as a generation, this is a really big experience for them."
When you're young, understanding that life is just not as predictable as they might have thought can be scary, she says. Parents can help by letting them talk about it.
Encourage them to stay connected
Young people need to establish a cushion of social connection they can lean on through these times.
Bufka says staying socially connected, even virtually, can be helpful. In fact, she prefers to describe distance precautions as physical distancing, not social distancing. "It's important to maintain social connection and intimacy even if this is not in person," she says.
And she encourages young people to take advantage of the many ways to socially connect, with all kinds of shared online activities, including group chats, dinners, TV and even movie watching.
Shift focus to what they can control
Bufka recommends talking to your teen or college-aged child about the things they do have some control over
Graduation may be postponed or canceled, but young people can plan special events for after the pandemic has ended. Perhaps a trip with best friends or a post-graduation party. Focus on the positive events that can occur at the end of this crisis. Envision how you can celebrate, and maybe even start making plans now.
Emphasize the greater good
It can help to point out to young people that they are making sacrifices right now not just for their own health and safety, but for the greater good. She points to a study that looked at previous infectious disease crises, including the 2003 SARS and the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. People are able to cope better, she says, when they "think about the altruistic reason they're doing this."
Changes in everyday life to limit the spread of disease may be hard, but "we're in it together and we're in it to benefit the larger community and to have a good impact on overall health and wellbeing."
Florida high schooler Smith says she and her peers understand this well.
"As disappointed as we all are that we're missing out on these important milestones in our life, we do understand that this virus is killing people and that if we don't sacrifice these things that we might contribute to the problem."
She adds they wouldn't want to be "the reason that a student takes home that virus to their family, maybe a grandparent that can't fight that off, or maybe somebody with asthma that doesn't have the lungs to be able to deal with coronavirus."
"We understand these sacrifices need to be made, and we know that we are doing our part in this, doing what we can for society," she says.
In the end, Bufka says once young people get through this crisis, they will realize they can handle tough situations and get to the other side.
"It will make us stronger — sometimes we surprise ourselves."


npr--2020-04-19--Bad Bunny And Bobi Wine Are Among The Global Artists Singing About Coronavirus

Bad Bunny And Bobi Wine Are Among The Global Artists Singing About Coronavirus When Cardi B went live on Instagram last month to tell her fans they should be taking COVID-19 seriously , a Brooklyn DJ laid her speech over a beat and turned it into an iTunes success .
The song — `` Coronavirus Remix '' — is one of thousands of examples of how artists around the world are using music to spread awareness about the pandemic .
Researchers say that in an outbreak , songs about a disease can do more than entertain and uplift — they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large number of people quickly and make the message stick .
Carlos Chirinos , a professor at New York University , saw this happen during the 2014 Ebola crisis , with songs like `` Ebola is Real '' and `` Africa Stop Ebola . ''
`` If songs are catchy , they 're packaging information [ about the disease ] in three minutes , '' he says .
`` And if people like the song , they 're likely to repeat it and listen to it again and again . ''
Chirinos is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic and has been collecting songs for his research .
From Vietnam to Uganda and Panama , here 's a sampling of trending COVID-19 anthems from around the world .
In Vietnam , the Ministry of Health rewrote the lyrics to the 2017 hit song `` Ghen '' by Min and Erik — originally about a jealous ex — into a PSA about the coronavirus .
Renamed `` Ghen Cô Vy , '' the new version sparked a choreography from dancer Quang Đăng demonstrating the correct way to wash your hands : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , between the fingers .
The dance racked up more than 5 million views on the choreographer 's YouTube channel and took off on Tiktok , generating a # ghencovychallenge with more than 31 million hashtag views .
In the videos , people replicate Đăng 's moves as the song reinforces that you should avoid touching your face and lather up with soap for 20 seconds before rinsing off your hands .
In early February , Hong Kong performer Kathy Mak released a spoof of the song `` Torn , '' the '90s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun at the paranoia of the pandemic .
`` I sterilize , I sanitize/ My hands are always freaking dry , '' she sings .
`` There 's just so many things that I ca n't touch/ I 'm torn . ''
A lot of listeners share her sentiments .
Two different videos of the song have racked up over a million views combined .
In Senegal , hip-hop collective Y'en a Marre has collaborated with the country 's health ministry to create a song in French called `` Fagaru Ci Coronavirus '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since its March 19 release , the song and accompanying music video — featuring the group wearing medical gear and rapping in a hospital — aims to educate people on the threats of COVID-19 while encouraging compliance in prevention tactics .
The group , which is known in the country for rallying young people around social justice issues , promotes solidarity .
One of the lyrics : `` Soutenons nous mutuallement et combettons le tous ensemble '' or `` Support each other and fight it all together . ''
Ugandan reggae artist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against what he says is the failure of African governments to invest in their health-care systems — so he released an upbeat jam on March 25 called `` Corona Virus Alert '' amid a growing number of cases in the country .
With lyrics like `` serious fever is a symptom/ dry cough is a symptom/ even sneezing is a symptom , '' it provides instructions for what to do if you feel sick and encourages people to take the disease seriously .
He points out that everyone must do their part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
So far , the song has racked up over a million views on YouTube .
Salsa musician and former presidential candidate Rubén Blades is a source of national pride for Panamanians .
The artist , who recorded the best-selling salsa record of all time in 1978 , honed in on the sentiment of patriotism on March 26 with a song and music video called `` Para Panama , '' or `` For Panama . ''
The song frames staying home as a statement of solidarity for the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health-care workers with lines like : `` Arriesgan su vida para socorrernos/ eso no se olvida/ y hay que agradecerlo '' or `` They risk their lives to help us/ that ca n't be forgotten/ and has to be appreciated . ''
The music video also features crowd-sourced videos of Panamanians singing along to the song 's chorus in their homes as a symbol of gratitude for the country 's doctors and nurses .
International rap star Bad Bunny broke Billboard records earlier this year with the highest charting all-Spanish-language album in history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is switching gears from singing about the club to telling his young audience to stop going out and practice social distancing .
On the SoundCloud track titled `` En Casita '' or `` At Home , '' he sings : `` Yo que te quería ver/ pero no se va poder/toca quedarme en casa , '' translating to `` I wanted to see you/ but that wo n't be possible/I have to stay home . ''
With more than one million streams on the song since its April 4 debut , Bad Bunny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be annoying to feel stuck inside , it 's a necessary sacrifice for vulnerable populations — especially given that Puerto Rico is the U.S. territory with the most older Americans per capita .
Is there a COVID-19 song you ca n't stop listening to ?
Send us an email goatsandsoda @ npr.org .

Bad Bunny And Bobi Wine Are Among The Global Artists Singing About Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images; John Parra/Getty Images for Spotify Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images; John Parra/Getty Images for Spotify
When Cardi B went live on Instagram last month to tell her fans they should be taking COVID-19 seriously, a Brooklyn DJ laid her speech over a beat and turned it into an iTunes success.
The song — "Coronavirus Remix" — is one of thousands of examples of how artists around the world are using music to spread awareness about the pandemic. Researchers say that in an outbreak, songs about a disease can do more than entertain and uplift — they can transmit important health information to a large number of people quickly and make the message stick.
Carlos Chirinos, a professor at New York University, saw this happen during the 2014 Ebola crisis, with songs like "Ebola is Real" and "Africa Stop Ebola."
"If songs are catchy, they're packaging information [about the disease] in three minutes," he says. "And if people like the song, they're likely to repeat it and listen to it again and again."
Chirinos is seeing the same musical phenomenon in the coronavirus pandemic and has been collecting songs for his research. From Vietnam to Uganda and Panama, here's a sampling of trending COVID-19 anthems from around the world.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, the Ministry of Health rewrote the lyrics to the 2017 hit song "Ghen" by Min and Erik — originally about a jealous ex — into a PSA about the coronavirus. Renamed "Ghen Cô Vy," the new version sparked a choreography from dancer Quang Đăng demonstrating the correct way to wash your hands: under the nails, around the thumbs, between the fingers.
The dance racked up more than 5 million views on the choreographer's YouTube channel and took off on Tiktok, generating a #ghencovychallenge with more than 31 million hashtag views. In the videos, people replicate Đăng's moves as the song reinforces that you should avoid touching your face and lather up with soap for 20 seconds before rinsing off your hands.
Hong Kong
In early February, Hong Kong performer Kathy Mak released a spoof of the song "Torn," the '90s hit by Natalia Imbruglia, that pokes fun at the paranoia of the pandemic.
"I sterilize, I sanitize/ My hands are always freaking dry," she sings. "There's just so many things that I can't touch/ I'm torn."
A lot of listeners share her sentiments. Two different videos of the song have racked up over a million views combined.
Senegal
In Senegal, hip-hop collective Y'en a Marre has collaborated with the country's health ministry to create a song in French called "Fagaru Ci Coronavirus" or "Shield Against Coronavirus."
Since its March 19 release, the song and accompanying music video — featuring the group wearing medical gear and rapping in a hospital — aims to educate people on the threats of COVID-19 while encouraging compliance in prevention tactics.
The group, which is known in the country for rallying young people around social justice issues, promotes solidarity. One of the lyrics: "Soutenons nous mutuallement et combettons le tous ensemble" or "Support each other and fight it all together."
Uganda
Ugandan reggae artist and political activist Bobi Wine recently spoke out against what he says is the failure of African governments to invest in their health-care systems — so he released an upbeat jam on March 25 called "Corona Virus Alert" amid a growing number of cases in the country.
With lyrics like "serious fever is a symptom/ dry cough is a symptom/ even sneezing is a symptom," it provides instructions for what to do if you feel sick and encourages people to take the disease seriously. He points out that everyone must do their part in sanitizing and social distancing to stop transmission of the disease. So far, the song has racked up over a million views on YouTube.
Panama
Salsa musician and former presidential candidate Rubén Blades is a source of national pride for Panamanians. The artist, who recorded the best-selling salsa record of all time in 1978, honed in on the sentiment of patriotism on March 26 with a song and music video called "Para Panama," or "For Panama."
The song frames staying home as a statement of solidarity for the country's well-being. And it pays homage to health-care workers with lines like: "Arriesgan su vida para socorrernos/ eso no se olvida/ y hay que agradecerlo" or "They risk their lives to help us/ that can't be forgotten/ and has to be appreciated."
The music video also features crowd-sourced videos of Panamanians singing along to the song's chorus in their homes as a symbol of gratitude for the country's doctors and nurses.
Puerto Rico
International rap star Bad Bunny broke Billboard records earlier this year with the highest charting all-Spanish-language album in history — but now the Puerto Rican artist is switching gears from singing about the club to telling his young audience to stop going out and practice social distancing.
On the SoundCloud track titled "En Casita" or "At Home," he sings: "Yo que te quería ver/ pero no se va poder/toca quedarme en casa," translating to "I wanted to see you/ but that won't be possible/I have to stay home."
With more than one million streams on the song since its April 4 debut, Bad Bunny's lyrics also emphasize that although it can be annoying to feel stuck inside, it's a necessary sacrifice for vulnerable populations — especially given that Puerto Rico is the U.S. territory with the most older Americans per capita.
Is there a COVID-19 song you can't stop listening to? Send us an email goatsandsoda@npr.org.


npr--2020-04-19--On The Record: A Former Biden Staffer's Sexual Assault Allegation

On The Record : A Former Biden Staffer 's Sexual Assault Allegation Editor 's note : This story contains a graphic description of an alleged sexual assault .
Tara Reade , a former junior staffer in Joe Biden 's Senate office , has accused the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee of sexually assaulting her in 1993 , when she was working as a staff assistant .
The Biden campaign denies the accusation and says the alleged incident `` absolutely did not happen . ''
Reade detailed her account in multiple conversations with NPR , and it was corroborated by a friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reade 's brother also corroborated some parts of her story .
No contemporaneous notes or documentation of the alleged incident have been found , and Reade 's account has been denied by longtime Biden staffers whom she worked for at the time .
In interviews with NPR , Reade , now 56 and living in California , said the alleged assault happened when she was asked by her then-supervisor to deliver a duffel bag to Biden as he was heading to the Capitol .
When Reade met up with the senator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a wall and penetrated her vagina with his fingers .
`` His hands went underneath my clothing and he was touching me in my private areas and without my consent , '' Reade told NPR .
She said Biden asked her whether she wanted to go somewhere else .
Reade said that she pulled away and that Biden pointed his finger at her and said , `` You 're nothing to me , nothing . ''
Reade thinks she must have responded emotionally , because , she said , Biden then took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You 're OK. You 're fine .
You 're OK , '' before grabbing his bag and walking away .
Reade could not recall the exact location or date of the alleged incident but said it was likely in the basement of a Senate office building in the spring of 1993 .
Reade says she filed a police report just over a week ago with the Washington , D.C. , Metropolitan Police Department because she was worried about her safety after receiving `` online harassment . ''
The police investigation is currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for prosecuting the alleged assault has expired .
NPR obtained confirmation of the police report from a law enforcement source .
A record of the report names Biden .
NPR has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the full report .
Some details of Reade 's account have been inconsistent , and her story has changed over time .
In spring 2019 , she came forward with an account of Biden touching her shoulder and neck in a way made her feel uncomfortable , but she never mentioned sexual assault .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she went on a left-leaning podcast , The Katie Halper Show , and gave a graphic account of sexual assault similar to what she has told NPR .
The story took off on left-wing and right-wing corners of the Internet .
Some supporters of the former vice president , suggest Reade has a political motive .
They have tried to discredit her by pointing to her changing story , as well as her outspoken support for Bernie Sanders , who was Biden 's final presidential primary challenger .
Reade also had demonstrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williamson , both of whom had earlier dropped out of the race .
Other critics have pointed to her effusive online posts praising the Russian leader Vladimir Putin ; Reade says she was enamored with Russia while writing a novel and has publicly walked back those statements .
And yet others have questioned why , as recently as 2017 , she had taken to the Internet to praise Biden .
Reade wonders why any of that information is relevant in assessing a sexual assault allegation .
`` This is n't a partisan issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse of power , and the people around that person that enabled that behavior , '' she told NPR .
Reade described herself as a third-generation Democrat and said she supports the work Biden did to advocate for the the Violence Against Women Act .
She 's a domestic abuse survivor and said that legislation personally helped her .
`` Many things can be true at once .
Someone can do something really awesome , then they can also commit a crime , '' Reade said , describing her conflicting feelings about Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama-Biden ticket twice but does not intend to cast a vote for president this November .
`` I personally do not want Trump to become president again .
I will not vote for a Republican , '' she said .
`` However , I am not going to vote for the person who assaulted me this time ...
So where it leaves me is politically homeless , essentially . ''
Reade 's allegation emerged as Biden was securing his position as the presumptive Democratic nominee to take on President Trump in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused Trump of various incidents of sexual assault .
Reade is the only woman to have publicly accused Biden of sexual assault .
Last spring , before Biden jumped into the presidential race , a former Nevada state legislator named Lucy Flores said Biden once grabbed her shoulders , sniffed her hair and gave her an unwanted kiss on her head .
`` His behavior was n't violent or sexual , it was demeaning and disrespectful , '' Flores wrote in March 2019 , noting a key distinction .
Other complaints of Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade was one of the women who came forward with a similar account then , but did not raise an accusation of sexual assault publicly until March of this year .
Reade said she told one of her friends about the alleged 1993 assault around the time she said it happened .
That friend , who asked to remain anonymous in part to protect her business interests , spoke with NPR and corroborated Reade 's description of the assault and its aftermath .
That friend said she discouraged Reade from going to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that era that it would not have resulted in any action and could have hurt Reade professionally .
Reade said she also told her mother , who has since passed away , and her brother , Collin Moulton .
Moulton did not respond to NPR 's initial requests for comment , but in a text message on Saturday night said he recalled Reade telling him about an incident in the early 1990s that happened when she was asked to bring Biden a gym bag .
`` They were alone in a private area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cornered her against the wall .
He put his hands 'under her clothes . '
My mom wanted her to go to the police , '' Moulton wrote .
Moulton also backed up Reade 's recollection that she was fired .
NPR could not otherwise confirm the circumstances of Reade 's departure from the office .
Reade said she never told anyone in Biden 's office about the assault , though she said she did complain about harassment , saying she felt uncomfortable on multiple occasions because of Biden and his staff .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ through her hair at meetings and said she was asked to serve drinks at a fundraiser because the senator apparently liked her legs .
Moulton said in his text message that Reade told him about such incidents .
NPR spoke with multiple former Biden staffers from the time , and none of them could confirm Reade 's recollections .
Melissa Lefko had the same job as Reade in the early 1990s , both serving as staff assistants in roughly the same time period .
Lefko told NPR that the position did not involve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Reade has at times described and that she was never asked to take the senator personal items or attend fundraisers .
Lefko said the job entailed answering phone calls and performing constituent services .
Lefko added that she does not personally remember Reade and that Reade 's description of the office environment does n't align with her experience .
`` The culture of the office was very professional in every way , with women in senior positions at a time when that was not the norm , '' said Lefko .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are .
And Biden was a good guy , and I mean that wholeheartedly . ''
Although Reade said she never spoke about the assault to anyone on Biden 's staff , she said she filed a formal written complaint about harassment to a Senate personnel office but did not receive any follow-up .
She did not have a copy of the complaint and said she could not recall the name of the office where she had filed paperwork .
Reade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassment to three people in the office : Biden 's longtime aide , Dennis Toner ; his then-chief of staff , Ted Kaufman ; and his executive assistant , Marianne Baker .
Reade recalls having multiple conversations and meetings with them about the alleged harassment .
Both Toner and Kaufman told NPR they had no recollection of Reade .
Congressional files confirm she worked in the office for about nine months from December 1992 to August 1993 .
`` She did not come to me , '' Kaufman said .
`` I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaufman stepped in to fill Biden 's Senate seat when he became vice president in 2009 and remains a close confidant .
Toner , who worked for Biden for 34 years , told NPR the same .
`` I would recall any conversation with any staff member with Senator Biden that was along the lines of sexual harassment , '' he said .
`` It 's something that would be so out of character with how you would describe Joe Biden , '' Toner added , reiterating that he has never heard any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baker worked for Biden for 18 years and , in a statement sent from the Biden campaign , said she took her duties related to human resources very seriously : `` In all my years working for Senator Biden , I never once witnessed , or heard of , or received , any reports of inappropriate conduct , period — not from Ms. Reade , not from anyone .
I have absolutely no knowledge or memory of Ms. Reade 's accounting of events , which would have left a searing impression on me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a manager .
These clearly false allegations are in complete contradiction to both the inner workings of our Senate office and to the man I know and worked so closely with for almost two decades . ''
Biden 's deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield also put out a statement disputing the allegation : `` Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women .
He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act .
He firmly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be heard — and heard respectfully .
Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press .
What is clear about this claim : it is untrue .
This absolutely did not happen . ''
Biden himself has not responded to the allegation , a point of particular frustration for Reade .
In the weeks before he launched his candidacy last year , when Biden faced accusations of contact that was said to be unwanted but not sexual in nature , his response to those complaints appeared uneven .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ norms had changed , and he released a video saying that he would be `` more mindful about respecting personal space in the future . ''
But he also joked about having permission to hug people at a union event days later .
Biden 's campaign and his surrogates have been careful in denying this new allegation , trying not to personally discredit Reade .
Ever since the # MeToo movement erupted , Democrats including Biden have been insisting that society should believe women , but they are grappling with what that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some allies have pointed to Biden 's legislative record on these issues .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , also a former presidential candidate , told NPR last week , `` All women in these cases have the right to be heard and have their claims thoroughly reviewed . ''

On The Record: A Former Biden Staffer's Sexual Assault Allegation
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Duricka/AP John Duricka/AP
Editor's note: This story contains a graphic description of an alleged sexual assault.
Tara Reade, a former junior staffer in Joe Biden's Senate office, has accused the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee of sexually assaulting her in 1993, when she was working as a staff assistant. The Biden campaign denies the accusation and says the alleged incident "absolutely did not happen."
Reade detailed her account in multiple conversations with NPR, and it was corroborated by a friend of hers who declined to be identified. Reade's brother also corroborated some parts of her story. No contemporaneous notes or documentation of the alleged incident have been found, and Reade's account has been denied by longtime Biden staffers whom she worked for at the time.
In interviews with NPR, Reade, now 56 and living in California, said the alleged assault happened when she was asked by her then-supervisor to deliver a duffel bag to Biden as he was heading to the Capitol.
When Reade met up with the senator, she said, he pinned her up against a wall and penetrated her vagina with his fingers.
"His hands went underneath my clothing and he was touching me in my private areas and without my consent," Reade told NPR. She said Biden asked her whether she wanted to go somewhere else.
Reade said that she pulled away and that Biden pointed his finger at her and said, "You're nothing to me, nothing."
Reade thinks she must have responded emotionally, because, she said, Biden then took her by the shoulders and said, "You're OK. You're fine. You're OK," before grabbing his bag and walking away.
Reade could not recall the exact location or date of the alleged incident but said it was likely in the basement of a Senate office building in the spring of 1993.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Tara Reade Courtesy of Tara Reade
Reade says she filed a police report just over a week ago with the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department because she was worried about her safety after receiving "online harassment."
The police investigation is currently open, though the statute of limitations for prosecuting the alleged assault has expired.
NPR obtained confirmation of the police report from a law enforcement source. A record of the report names Biden. NPR has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the full report.
Some details of Reade's account have been inconsistent, and her story has changed over time. In spring 2019, she came forward with an account of Biden touching her shoulder and neck in a way that made her feel uncomfortable, but she never mentioned sexual assault. Then in late March of this year, she went on a left-leaning podcast, The Katie Halper Show, and gave a graphic account of sexual assault similar to what she has told NPR. The story took off on left-wing and right-wing corners of the Internet.
Some supporters of the former vice president, suggest Reade has a political motive. They have tried to discredit her by pointing to her changing story, as well as her outspoken support for Bernie Sanders, who was Biden's final presidential primary challenger. Reade also had demonstrated support for candidates Elizabeth Warren and Marianne Williamson, both of whom had earlier dropped out of the race.
Other critics have pointed to her effusive online posts praising the Russian leader Vladimir Putin; Reade says she was enamored with Russia while writing a novel and has publicly walked back those statements. And yet others have questioned why, as recently as 2017, she had taken to the Internet to praise Biden.
Reade wonders why any of that information is relevant in assessing a sexual assault allegation.
"This isn't a partisan issue. This is about power and the abuse of power, and the people around that person that enabled that behavior," she told NPR.
Reade described herself as a third-generation Democrat and said she supports the work Biden did to advocate for the the Violence Against Women Act. She's a domestic abuse survivor and said that legislation personally helped her.
"Many things can be true at once. Someone can do something really awesome, then they can also commit a crime," Reade said, describing her conflicting feelings about Biden.
Reade said she voted for the Obama-Biden ticket twice but does not intend to cast a vote for president this November.
"I personally do not want Trump to become president again. I will not vote for a Republican," she said. "However, I am not going to vote for the person who assaulted me this time ... So where it leaves me is politically homeless, essentially."
Reade's allegation emerged as Biden was securing his position as the presumptive Democratic nominee to take on President Trump in November. More than a dozen women have publicly accused Trump of various incidents of sexual assault. Reade is the only woman to have publicly accused Biden of sexual assault.
Last spring, before Biden jumped into the presidential race, a former Nevada state legislator named Lucy Flores said Biden once grabbed her shoulders, sniffed her hair and gave her an unwanted kiss on her head. "His behavior wasn't violent or sexual, it was demeaning and disrespectful," Flores wrote in March 2019, noting a key distinction. Other complaints of Biden invading women's personal space followed.
Reade was one of the women who came forward with a similar account then, but did not raise an accusation of sexual assault publicly until March of this year.
Reade said she told one of her friends about the alleged 1993 assault around the time she said it happened. That friend, who asked to remain anonymous in part to protect her business interests, spoke with NPR and corroborated Reade's description of the assault and its aftermath.
That friend said she discouraged Reade from going to the police at the time, believing in that era that it would not have resulted in any action and could have hurt Reade professionally.
Reade said she also told her mother, who has since passed away, and her brother, Collin Moulton.
Moulton did not respond to NPR's initial requests for comment, but in a text message on Saturday night said he recalled Reade telling him about an incident in the early 1990s that happened when she was asked to bring Biden a gym bag.
"They were alone in a private area or room. He more or less cornered her against the wall. He put his hands 'under her clothes.' My mom wanted her to go to the police," Moulton wrote.
Moulton also backed up Reade's recollection that she was fired. NPR could not otherwise confirm the circumstances of Reade's departure from the office.
Reade said she never told anyone in Biden's office about the assault, though she said she did complain about harassment, saying she felt uncomfortable on multiple occasions because of Biden and his staff. Reade said Biden would run his hands through her hair at meetings and said she was asked to serve drinks at a fundraiser because the senator apparently liked her legs. Moulton said in his text message that Reade told him about such incidents.
NPR spoke with multiple former Biden staffers from the time, and none of them could confirm Reade's recollections.
Melissa Lefko had the same job as Reade in the early 1990s, both serving as staff assistants in roughly the same time period. Lefko told NPR that the position did not involve the kind of regular interactions with Biden that Reade has at times described and that she was never asked to take the senator personal items or attend fundraisers. Lefko said the job entailed answering phone calls and performing constituent services.
Lefko added that she does not personally remember Reade and that Reade's description of the office environment doesn't align with her experience.
"The culture of the office was very professional in every way, with women in senior positions at a time when that was not the norm," said Lefko. "When you work on the Hill, you know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. And Biden was a good guy, and I mean that wholeheartedly."
Although Reade said she never spoke about the assault to anyone on Biden's staff, she said she filed a formal written complaint about harassment to a Senate personnel office but did not receive any follow-up. She did not have a copy of the complaint and said she could not recall the name of the office where she had filed paperwork.
Reade also said she reported her concerns about harassment to three people in the office: Biden's longtime aide, Dennis Toner; his then-chief of staff, Ted Kaufman; and his executive assistant, Marianne Baker. Reade recalls having multiple conversations and meetings with them about the alleged harassment.
Both Toner and Kaufman told NPR they had no recollection of Reade. Congressional files confirm she worked in the office for about nine months from December 1992 to August 1993.
"She did not come to me," Kaufman said. "I would have remembered if she had."
Kaufman stepped in to fill Biden's Senate seat when he became vice president in 2009 and remains a close confidant.
Toner, who worked for Biden for 34 years, told NPR the same. "I would recall any conversation with any staff member with Senator Biden that was along the lines of sexual harassment," he said.
"It's something that would be so out of character with how you would describe Joe Biden," Toner added, reiterating that he has never heard any other such complaints from other staff.
Baker worked for Biden for 18 years and, in a statement sent from the Biden campaign, said she took her duties related to human resources very seriously: "In all my years working for Senator Biden, I never once witnessed, or heard of, or received, any reports of inappropriate conduct, period — not from Ms. Reade, not from anyone. I have absolutely no knowledge or memory of Ms. Reade's accounting of events, which would have left a searing impression on me as a woman professional, and as a manager. These clearly false allegations are in complete contradiction to both the inner workings of our Senate office and to the man I know and worked so closely with for almost two decades."
Biden's deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield also put out a statement disputing the allegation: "Vice President Biden has dedicated his public life to changing the culture and the laws around violence against women. He authored and fought for the passage and reauthorization of the landmark Violence Against Women Act. He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully. Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. What is clear about this claim: it is untrue. This absolutely did not happen."
Biden himself has not responded to the allegation, a point of particular frustration for Reade.
In the weeks before he launched his candidacy last year, when Biden faced accusations of contact that was said to be unwanted but not sexual in nature, his response to those complaints appeared uneven. The former vice president said he recognized that social norms had changed, and he released a video saying that he would be "more mindful about respecting personal space in the future." But he also joked about having permission to hug people at a union event days later.
Biden's campaign and his surrogates have been careful in denying this new allegation, trying not to personally discredit Reade. Ever since the #MeToo movement erupted, Democrats including Biden have been insisting that society should believe women, but they are grappling with what that means.
When asked about Reade's allegation, some allies have pointed to Biden's legislative record on these issues. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., also a former presidential candidate, told NPR last week, "All women in these cases have the right to be heard and have their claims thoroughly reviewed."
Cheryl W. Thompson contributed reporting. Elena Moore contributed research. Edited by Arnie Seipel.


npr--2020-04-19--Supporters Of Digital Currency Say Pandemic Bolsters Case For A New Approach

Supporters Of Digital Currency Say Pandemic Bolsters Case For A New Approach Widespread unemployment and economic turmoil as a result of the coronavirus pandemic mean people are looking for government relief fast , which some say could open up the possibility for a new approach : digital currency .
But there are many hurdles to overcome , including adopting the infrastructure and growing trust in the system .
Since Congress passed the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history last month , direct payments to Americans have been trickling out .
The most vulnerable Americans could wait a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people without bank accounts .
Nearly a quarter of households reported not using banks in 2017 , according to the latest survey from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ) , and more than half of households surveyed did not have enough money to start an account .
As chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee , Rep. Maxine Waters , D-Calif. , drafted a provision in an early version of the relief package that called for digital `` wallets '' for people without bank accounts .
The measure did not make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currency could also cut the lag time of mailing a check or even transferring funds into a traditional account .
Rep. Stephen Lynch , D-Mass.
, said the COVID-19 crisis is showing the country that being able to transfer money virtually means they get help faster .
People who are relying on the paper process for their small business loans or $ 1,200 payments could be waiting months , he said , which could give people an excuse to look toward the future .
`` You look at the younger generation , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides an even greater advantage if you look out into future years , and I think it 's something we 're going to have to grapple with , '' said Lynch , who chairs the House financial technology task force .
Lynch said the U.S. banking system is older and more reliable than some of the countries with less developed economies who have moved forward with creating digital coins .
That 's why the banking system has more to lose if going digital opens up vulnerabilities to cyberattack .
Testing out different coin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political resistance , he said .
Vipin Bharathan , a digital transformation consultant , said allowing people to receive money immediately from the federal government has logistical issues .
But these are extraordinary times , he noted .
`` The atmosphere is such that things that seemed far-fetched are now in the conversation , '' said Bharathan , who chairs a group working on a digital coin that could be used by central banks .
One challenge is that the communities who are the most vulnerable — and potentially most in need of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to computers or smartphones .
Plus digital wallets , or software programs that store passwords to access funds , have often been the source of cryptocurrency hacks that have lost customers millions of dollars .
The unbanked may not have the technology to keep their funds safe , Bharathan said .
Regulation of digital currency has also been a concern .
Facebook 's proposed Libra coin faced congressional scrutiny last year when members raised questions about Facebook 's trustworthiness after its issues with user privacy and misinformation .
Facebook has since scaled back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of becoming a global financial payment system after several of its supporters abandoned it last year .
Bharathan said the United States might be years away from developing the necessary infrastructure and helping people adapt to digital currency , but it might be a huge help for the next economic catastrophe .
`` Distribution is going to be the key .
The payment systems , the wallets .
So those things as they mature will definitely help the next time there 's this problem , '' he said .
Bob Steen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , testified before Congress last year in favor of a Federal Reserve project to develop a real-time payment system .
He said the U.S. needed such a system to stay competitive with other countries .
But now he thinks it may be harder to make progress on the FedNow project because of the concentration on saving the flailing economy .
`` I would n't want to suggest it 's at a standstill , but it 's not the priority right now .
I think they 're trying to keep people alive , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exists that would allow Americans to receive fast payments , but there is a risk that people who have never been involved with banks before would fear the new technology is more of the same .
`` The population is just wary of banks .
So that 's one barrier to getting adoption , convincing folks that it will be OK , '' he said .
Meredith Roaten is an intern on NPR 's Washington Desk .

Supporters Of Digital Currency Say Pandemic Bolsters Case For A New Approach
Enlarge this image toggle caption NoDerog/Getty Images NoDerog/Getty Images
Updated on Monday at 9 a.m. ET
Widespread unemployment and economic turmoil as a result of the coronavirus pandemic mean people are looking for government relief fast, which some say could open up the possibility for a new approach: digital currency.
But there are many hurdles to overcome, including adopting the infrastructure and growing trust in the system.
Since Congress passed the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history last month, direct payments to Americans have been trickling out. The most vulnerable Americans could wait a long time for their funds, though, especially people without bank accounts.
About a quarter of households either did not use banks or used financial services outside of the banking system in 2017, according to the latest survey from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). More than half of "unbanked" households surveyed said they did not have enough money to start an account.
As chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., drafted a provision in an early version of the relief package that called for digital "wallets" for people without bank accounts. The measure did not make it into the final legislation.
Digital currency could also cut the lag time of mailing a check or even transferring funds into a traditional account. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., said the COVID-19 crisis is showing the country that being able to transfer money virtually means they get help faster.
People who are relying on the paper process for their small business loans or $1,200 payments could be waiting months, he said, which could give people an excuse to look toward the future.
"You look at the younger generation, the way things are moving here, it provides an even greater advantage if you look out into future years, and I think it's something we're going to have to grapple with," said Lynch, who chairs the House financial technology task force.
Lynch said the U.S. banking system is older and more reliable than some of the countries with less developed economies who have moved forward with creating digital coins. That's why the banking system has more to lose if going digital opens up vulnerabilities to cyberattack.
Testing a currency on a smaller scale first could help ease some of the political resistance, he said.
"I do think we should encourage our institutions to look at that type of model where we might be able to experiment with some of this stuff without great risk," he said.
Vipin Bharathan, a digital transformation consultant, said allowing people to receive money immediately from the federal government has logistical issues. But these are extraordinary times, he noted.
"The atmosphere is such that things that seemed far-fetched are now in the conversation," said Bharathan, who chairs a group working on a digital coin that could be used by central banks.
One challenge is that the communities who are the most vulnerable — and potentially most in need of digital currency — may even lack access to computers or smartphones.
Plus digital wallets, or software programs that store passwords to access funds, have often been the source of cryptocurrency hacks that have lost customers millions of dollars. The unbanked may not have the technology to keep their funds safe, Bharathan said.
Regulation of digital currency has also been a concern. Facebook's proposed Libra coin faced congressional scrutiny last year when members raised questions about Facebook's trustworthiness after its issues with user privacy and misinformation. Facebook has since scaled back the project and decided to ditch the idea of becoming a global financial payment system after several of its supporters abandoned it last year.
Bharathan said the United States might be years away from developing the necessary infrastructure and helping people adapt to digital currency, but it might be a huge help for the next economic catastrophe.
"Distribution is going to be the key. The payment systems, the wallets. So those things as they mature will definitely help the next time there's this problem," he said.
Bob Steen, CEO of a community bank in Iowa, testified before Congress last year in favor of a Federal Reserve project to develop a real-time payment system. He said the U.S. needed such a system to stay competitive with other countries. But now he thinks it may be harder to make progress on the FedNow project because of the concentration on saving the flailing economy.
"I wouldn't want to suggest it's at a standstill, but it's not the priority right now. I think they're trying to keep people alive," he said.
Steen said the technology exists that would allow Americans to receive fast payments, but there is a risk that people who have never been involved with banks before would fear the new technology is more of the same.
"The population is just wary of banks. So that's one barrier to getting adoption, convincing folks that it will be OK," he said.
Meredith Roaten is an intern on NPR's Washington Desk.


npr--2020-04-19--How To Help The People Who (Used To) Help You

How To Help The People Who ( Used To ) Help You Across the country , millions of people are either out of work or working a lot less , especially in service jobs that make up a huge share of the U.S. economy .
That includes waiters , bartenders , rideshare drivers , nannies , domestic workers , barbers and hairdressers — the list goes on .
At the same time , many people under orders to stay at home are doing more of their own cooking and cleaning and getting family members to cut their hair .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those in need , some people are trying to offer direct assistance to the people and small businesses that used to serve them .
They 're ordering takeout from restaurants they used to frequent , buying gift cards and tipping extra .
But these options do n't guarantee workers or businesses will recoup all they 've lost , nor do they always help those who need it most , according labor advocates and ethicists .
`` Those things are wonderful when we can do them , '' says Erica Smiley , executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for employment security .
`` But they are really just short term solutions . ''
So let 's say you want to help the workers or small businesses you 're unable to patronize now because you 're stuck at home .
Where do you start ?
With your hair stylist ?
Your nanny ?
What about all the Lyft or Uber drivers who have given you rides ?
Who might benefit the most ?
Rather than trying to make everyone around you whole , focus on the people you have depended on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University .
`` If you have been relying on somebody to come in and do a high-touch , personal level of service in your home , you want to maintain a good , long-term relationship with them , '' she says .
`` That 's really the way to think about it , what is my relationship with this person ?
How regular is it ?
And how much are they relying on me ? ''
In other words , if you had someone caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they are no longer coming , they may not have many other places to turn for help .
Skeet , who teaches and consults on business ethics , says these types of workers are often independent contractors , and lack the kind of safety net a business might provide , such as paid sick days .
Although self-employed workers are eligible for unemployment compensation under the the coronavirus rescue package passed by Congress , the money has been slow in coming .
And those domestic workers who are undocumented immigrants are n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has set up a Coronavirus Care Fund which has raised nearly $ 4 million for domestic workers in need .
But Smiley , the workers ' rights advocate , says a more direct way to help is to `` continue paying your domestic worker , '' even if they are not working .
`` Consider it a paid leave , '' she says .
`` This is something we would get , many of us who are in full-time , formal positions where we have paid leave .
Why would n't we also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us immediate services ? ''
You want to help , but do n't have the money Sala Ivey owns a hair salon in Detroit and has no job security .
Business before the coronavirus came with ups and downs , but there were always customers .
`` Some days I had two or three clients , and some days I had 10 , 12 clients a day , '' she says .
Her salon is called Knot Just Locs — it specializes in dreadlocks — and like salons and barber shops across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the doors are shut .
Her customers are loyal , Ivey says , but she realizes asking them for help might be difficult .
`` I imagine everybody 's going through something , '' she says .
So what can you do if you are like them , or simply do n't have money to spare , but you still want to help ?
One option may be sources of cash that are freed up because you 're spending more time at home .
Some people are donating money they no longer spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even become a hashtag on social media : # donateyourcommute .
Other ideas being circulated are giving away the money you 're not spending going out for coffee or throwing parties , or even recovering coins lost behind the sofa .
If you are unable to give , it 's still possible to help .
Mainly , Skeet says , by staying in touch .
`` Just talking to people , at a very human level , and finding out how they 're doing , finding out if they 're safe , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she says .
`` Anything you can do to reduce that kind of anxiety and provide more security for other people is a good thing to be doing at this point in time . ''

How To Help The People Who (Used To) Help You
Enlarge this image toggle caption Paul Sancya/AP Paul Sancya/AP
Across the country, millions of people are either out of work or working a lot less, especially in service jobs that make up a huge share of the U.S. economy. That includes waiters, bartenders, rideshare drivers, nannies, domestic workers, barbers and hairdressers — the list goes on.
At the same time, many people under orders to stay at home are doing more of their own cooking and cleaning and getting family members to cut their hair.
While there are a number of charities aiding those in need, some people are trying to offer direct assistance to the people and small businesses that used to serve them. They're ordering takeout from restaurants they used to frequent, buying gift cards and tipping extra.
But these options don't guarantee workers or businesses will recoup all they've lost, nor do they always help those who need it most, according labor advocates and ethicists.
"Those things are wonderful when we can do them," says Erica Smiley, executive director of Jobs With Justice, which advocates for employment security. "But they are really just short term solutions."
So let's say you want to help the workers or small businesses you're unable to patronize now because you're stuck at home. Where do you start? With your hair stylist? Your nanny? What about all the Lyft or Uber drivers who have given you rides?
Who might benefit the most?
Rather than trying to make everyone around you whole, focus on the people you have depended on the most, says Ann Skeet of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University.
"If you have been relying on somebody to come in and do a high-touch, personal level of service in your home, you want to maintain a good, long-term relationship with them," she says. "That's really the way to think about it, what is my relationship with this person? How regular is it? And how much are they relying on me?"
In other words, if you had someone caring for your children or cleaning your home and they are no longer coming, they may not have many other places to turn for help. Skeet, who teaches and consults on business ethics, says these types of workers are often independent contractors, and lack the kind of safety net a business might provide, such as paid sick days.
Although self-employed workers are eligible for unemployment compensation under the the coronavirus rescue package passed by Congress, the money has been slow in coming. And those domestic workers who are undocumented immigrants aren't covered.
The National Domestic Workers Alliance has set up a Coronavirus Care Fund which has raised nearly $4 million for domestic workers in need.
But Smiley, the workers' rights advocate, says a more direct way to help is to "continue paying your domestic worker," even if they are not working.
"Consider it a paid leave," she says. "This is something we would get, many of us who are in full-time, formal positions where we have paid leave. Why wouldn't we also offer that to the people who provide us immediate services?"
You want to help, but don't have the money
Sala Ivey owns a hair salon in Detroit and has no job security. Business before the coronavirus came with ups and downs, but there were always customers.
"Some days I had two or three clients, and some days I had 10, 12 clients a day," she says.
Her salon is called Knot Just Locs — it specializes in dreadlocks — and like salons and barber shops across the country, the clientele is gone and the doors are shut. Her customers are loyal, Ivey says, but she realizes asking them for help might be difficult. "I imagine everybody's going through something," she says.
So what can you do if you are like them, or simply don't have money to spare, but you still want to help?
One option may be sources of cash that are freed up because you're spending more time at home. Some people are donating money they no longer spend to get to work; it's even become a hashtag on social media: #donateyourcommute. Other ideas being circulated are giving away the money you're not spending going out for coffee or throwing parties, or even recovering coins lost behind the sofa.
If you are unable to give, it's still possible to help. Mainly, Skeet says, by staying in touch.
"Just talking to people, at a very human level, and finding out how they're doing, finding out if they're safe, if they have the support they need," she says. "Anything you can do to reduce that kind of anxiety and provide more security for other people is a good thing to be doing at this point in time."


npr--2020-04-18--Tracking The Pandemic: How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State?

Tracking The Pandemic : How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State ?
Since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the United States on January 21st , over a half million people in the U.S. have confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
In the last week , the U.S. became the nation with the most deaths globally , but there are early signs that the U.S. case and death rate may be leveling off , as the growth of new cases and deaths plateaus .
The pattern is n't consistent across the country , as new hotspots emerge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your state 's case count is growing , click here .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
In response to mounting cases , state and federal authorities have emphasized a social distancing strategy , widely seen as the best available means to slow the spread of the virus .
Most states have put in place measures such as closing schools and nonessential businesses and ordering citizens to stay home as much as possible .
It 's not clear how long such measures need to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Wuhan , the city in China where the virus originated , a strictly enforced lockdown and widespread testing has slowed the outbreak dramatically , enough to bring an end to the 76-day lockdown .
A large portion of U.S. cases are centered around New York City .
Since March 20 , New York State , Connecticut , and New Jersey have accounted for around 50 % of all U.S. cases .
As of April 9 , nearly 60 % of all deaths from COVID-19 have been in these three states .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plateau , as seen below , it notched between 8,000 and 10,000 new cases each day between March 31 and April 12 .
To understand how one state 's outbreak compares to another , it 's helpful to look at not just the daily counts , but the rate of change day over day .
In the following chart , we display cases on a logarithmic scale , meaning that every axis line is ten times greater than the previous .
This type of scale emphasizes the rate of change .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's curve tends sharply upward , as New York 's does over the first 15 days past 100 cases .
Generally , this is evidence of unbridled community transmission of the disease .
As new cases slow , the curve bends towards horizontal , showing that the state 's outbreak may be leveling off .
This does n't mean cases have stopped growing , but the growth has slowed , which could signify that social distancing measures are having an effect .
In some areas , there are signs of hope .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like California and Washington — also seem to be having success at suppressing it .
The outlook in Washington has improved to the point that the state has returned unused Army hospital beds it had received in preparation for a peak in cases .
Elsewhere , limited access to testing may make the number of cases look smaller than they really are .
As testing becomes more readily available , we are likely to see the number of confirmed cases continue to grow , even if not at the pace previously seen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the CDC , WHO , national , state and local government health departments , 1point3acres , and local media reports .
The JHU team automates their data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Stephanie Adeline , Alyson Hurt , Connie Hanzhang Jin , Ruth Talbot and Thomas Wilburn contributed to this story .

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
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Note: This page was last updated on Feb. 1, 2023. It will no longer be updated. For current data on COVID cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Feb. 1, there have been more than 101 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. and more than 1 million people have died of COVID-19. In the graphics below, explore the trends in your state.
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The above charts show average new cases per 100,000 people for each state over the last 12 months.
Note: Actual cases may be substantially higher, since many who test positive with at-home tests don't report their cases.
For additional data about COVID-19 in the U.S, including cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
To show trends, the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state, week over week for the last 28 days. States marked in shades of red have growing outbreaks; those in shades of green, are declining.
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Methodology
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the World Health Organization; national, state and local government health departments; 1point3acres; and local media reports.
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies. This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds. There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department's website. Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships.
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases, process testing backlogs or update their methodologies. The JHU team maintains a list of such changes.
This story was originally published on March 16, 2020. Elena Renken was a co-author on that version. Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story. Carmel Wroth edited this story.


npr--2020-04-18--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak Since the new coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan , China , in December , the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 has spread rapidly within China and to neighboring countries and beyond .
The first confirmed coronavirus cases outside China occurred on Jan. 20 , in Japan , Thailand and South Korea .
On Jan. 21 , the first case in the U.S. was identified in Washington state .
On Jan. 24 , the first two European cases were confirmed in France .
By Feb. 1 , eight European nations had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month later that count had risen to 24 countries with at least 2,200 cases , most of them in Italy .
On March 11 , Italy eclipsed 10,000 cases and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic — the first since H1N1 in 2009 .
That 's also when China , the original epicenter , began seeing drops in daily counts of new cases .
March also saw exponential spread of the virus throughout the U.S. , with all 50 states reporting cases by March 17 .
This particular virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third strain of coronavirus known to frequently cause severe symptoms in humans .
The other two strains cause Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on March 30 , 2020 .

Coronavirus world map: We've now passed the 600 million mark for infections
Editor's note: This page is no longer being updated. The last update was Sept. 5, 2022. For current data about COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world, Johns Hopkins University and Our World in Data are useful resources.
In late January 2020 only a few dozen COVID-19 infections had been identified outside of China. A year later, the world tallied its first 100 million cases. It took the globe just 7 more months to pass the 200 million mark— then another 5 months to hit 300 million, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Now the virus has spread to every corner of the globe and has been blamed for more than 6 million deaths.
The United States, India and Brazil in that order have had the most COVID cases and the three nations collectively account for almost half of all recorded infections so far in the pandemic.
Explore the chart below to find a country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January 2020.
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Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time. The first chart compares each continent to each other, while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region.
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This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.


npr--2020-04-19--Tracking The Pandemic: How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State?

Tracking The Pandemic : How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State ?
Since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the United States on Jan. 21 , over a half-million people in the U.S. have confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
In the last week , the U.S. became the nation with the most deaths globally , but there are early signs that the U.S. case and death rates may be leveling off , as the growth of new cases and deaths plateaus .
The pattern is n't consistent across the country , as new hot spots emerge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your state 's case count is growing , click here .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
In response to mounting cases , state and federal authorities have emphasized a social distancing strategy , widely seen as the best available means to slow the spread of the virus .
Most states have put in place measures such as closing schools and nonessential businesses and ordering citizens to stay home as much as possible .
It 's not clear how long such measures need to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Wuhan , the city in China where the virus originated , a strictly enforced lockdown and widespread testing have slowed the outbreak dramatically , enough to bring an end to the 76-day lockdown .
A large portion of U.S. cases are centered on New York City .
Since March 20 , New York state , Connecticut and New Jersey have accounted for around 50 % of all U.S. cases .
As of April 9 , nearly 60 % of all deaths from COVID-19 have been in these three states .
While New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plateau , as seen below , it notched between 8,000 and 10,000 new cases each day between March 31 and April 12 .
To understand how one state 's outbreak compares with another 's , it 's helpful to look at not just the daily counts but the rate of change day over day .
In the following chart , we display cases on a logarithmic scale , meaning that every axis line is 10 times greater than the previous one .
This type of scale emphasizes the rate of change .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's curve trends sharply upward , as New York 's does over the first 15 days past 100 cases .
Generally , this is evidence of unbridled community transmission of the disease .
As new cases slow , the curve bends toward horizontal , showing that the state 's outbreak may be leveling off .
This does n't mean the number of cases has stopped growing , but the rate of growth has slowed , which could signify that social distancing measures are having an effect .
In some areas , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the earliest outbreaks — such as California and Washington — seem to be having success at suppressing the disease .
The outlook in Washington has improved to the point that the state has returned unused Army hospital beds it had received in preparation for a peak in cases .
Elsewhere , limited access to testing may make the number of cases look smaller than it really is .
As testing becomes more readily available , we are likely to see the number of confirmed cases continue to grow , even if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data used here are compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local media reports .
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Stephanie Adeline , Alyson Hurt , Connie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilburn contributed to this story .