npr--2020-06-07--Colin Powell Says He's Voting For Biden

Colin Powell Says He's Voting For Biden

Former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday he will vote for Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election .
On CNN 's State of the Union , Powell said that President Trump has `` drifted away '' from the Constitution , and he praised other retired generals who have recently denounced Trump 's response to protests in the wake of George Floyd 's death .
Powell served under President George W. Bush as the first black secretary of state and was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the administration of President George H.W .
Bush .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ insult `` anybody who dare [ s ] to speak against him '' has always turned him off .
Now , he says , more people are feeling the same way .
`` I think what we 're seeing now with the most massive protest movement I have ever seen in my life , I think it suggests that the country is getting wise to this and we 're not going to put up with it anymore , '' Powell said .
Trump , in a tweet , said `` Powell , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting us into the disastrous Middle East Wars , just announced he will be voting for another stiff , Sleepy Joe Biden . ''
Powell , who said he 'd vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016 , also posed questions about the constitutionality of Trump 's conduct as president .
`` We have a Constitution , '' Powell said .
`` And we have to follow that Constitution .
And the president has drifted away from it . ''
The New York Times reported Sunday that several prominent Republicans are considering not voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush .
However , it 's unclear how many of them , if any , will publicly endorse Biden .

Colin Powell Says He's Voting For Biden
Enlarge this image toggle caption Shawn Thew/AP Shawn Thew/AP
Updated at 5:12 p.m. ET
Former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday he will vote for Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election.
On CNN's State of the Union, Powell said that President Trump has "drifted away" from the Constitution, and he praised other retired generals who have recently denounced Trump's response to protests in the wake of George Floyd's death.
Powell served under President George W. Bush as the first black secretary of state and was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. He said that Trump's penchant to insult "anybody who dare[s] to speak against him" has always turned him off. Now, he says, more people are feeling the same way.
"I think what we're seeing now with the most massive protest movement I have ever seen in my life, I think it suggests that the country is getting wise to this and we're not going to put up with it anymore," Powell said.
Trump, in a tweet, said "Powell, a real stiff who was very responsible for getting us into the disastrous Middle East Wars, just announced he will be voting for another stiff, Sleepy Joe Biden."
Powell, who said he'd vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016, also posed questions about the constitutionality of Trump's conduct as president.
"We have a Constitution," Powell said. "And we have to follow that Constitution. And the president has drifted away from it."
The New York Times reported Sunday that several prominent Republicans are considering not voting for Trump, possibly including former President George W. Bush. However, it's unclear how many of them, if any, will publicly endorse Biden.


npr--2020-06-07--For U.K. Canal Boat Dwellers, Lockdown Can Be Claustrophobic — But Also Offers Escape

For U.K. Canal Boat Dwellers , Lockdown Can Be Claustrophobic — But Also Offers Escape Boasting an engine and a rudder , Michelle Madsen 's home is different than most others ' in London .
She lives on Larkspur , a 38-foot green-and-white canal boat , complete with a kitchen , shower and writing space .
Madsen is one of an estimated 15,000 people in the U.K. who live on the water , according to the Canal and River Trust — a number that 's risen in the last few years due to rising rents and house prices .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they must move every two weeks along the country 's 3,000-mile network of canals and rivers — an order that was suspended with the lockdown in late March .
Amid the coronavirus pandemic , boat living can be especially claustrophobic , but also offers the chance to escape crowded city life .
For Madsen , 38 , a poet , theater producer and freelance journalist , it was the charm and the affordability that drew her in .
`` A two-bedroom flat in London is upwards of 500,000 pounds , '' she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parked on the Regent 's Canal in the heart of trendy east London .
`` Larkspur , I paid about 20,000 pounds for .
It means you can be a lot freer in what you do . ''
There are plenty of perks , particularly in summer , when boaters can sit on their roofs , enjoying the sunshine and watching the world go by .
But the lockdown has brought particular challenges .
Narrow quarters can feel especially confined , a reality made worse when gyms shut and the towpaths alongside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At times , Madsen felt she could n't even stick her head out of her boat .
`` I felt as if I was just being surrounded by this fug of COVID , '' she says , `` everybody running past , just coughing and spitting and sweating , desperate to beat their personal best .
I felt imprisoned , really . ''
Britain built most of its canals in the late 1700s , to transport goods in the industrial revolution .
They fell into disuse as the rail network replaced them but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purposes in the late 1970s .
As more people have opted for lives on the water , and thousands of leisure cruisers crowd the waterways , the Canal and River Trust says there are more licensed boats on the network now than during its industrial heyday .
Boaters stress that it 's not an easy way of life , with constant repairs , refills of water , gas and coal — not to mention emptying the toilet 's holding tank .
But in the pandemic era , a moveable home can also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and boaters were ordered to stay in one place , Paddy Screech , 54 , moved his boat into the countryside 20 miles north of London .
Screech has a lung condition that 's reduced his breathing capacity by 30 % .
He has spent lockdown parked in a forest glade along the River Stort , surrounded by ducks and wildflowers , with his cat Fishcake for company .
`` As it turned out , '' says Screech , sitting on a log on the riverbank , `` living on a boat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have to isolate , if you 're forced to . ''
In London , he and a friend run a floating bookshop , Word on the Water , in a restored 1920s Dutch barge .
With a mooring secured by a crowdfunding drive , the decade-old bookshop was thriving , running jazz nights and poetry slams from its roof .
Since the pandemic , it 's moved sales online in a bid to survive .
`` Somehow we 've got to keep our little bookshop alive , '' Screech says .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Screech says he prefers life under lockdown .
`` I like not having planes in the sky , '' he says .
`` And I like being able to see London from 30 miles away because the air is so clear .
And I like not having to be knee-deep in humans all the time . ''
Other boaters have found opportunity in the lockdown .
Matthew Lankester runs a floating barbershop on a 60-ft. barge in the heart of London .
While U.K. hair salons have been closed since late March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and seen his client numbers triple .
He 's unapologetic about breaking the rules .
`` You can sit down , have your haircut , look out onto the water , chill on the roof if you want to , '' he says , shaving the head of a friend .
`` It 's a unique experience .
I do what I need to do .
I have to keep going . ''
The government has begun to ease restrictions , and boaters without a permanent mooring have been told they must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're in a medically high-risk group .
But with hair salons officially closed until at least July , Lankester expects to remain comfortably afloat .

For U.K. Canal Boat Dwellers, Lockdown Can Be Claustrophobic — But Also Offers Escape
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sophie Eastaugh/NPR Sophie Eastaugh/NPR
Boasting an engine and a rudder, Michelle Madsen's home is different than most others' in London. She lives on Larkspur, a 38-foot green-and-white canal boat, complete with a kitchen, shower and writing space.
Madsen is one of an estimated 15,000 people in the U.K. who live on the water, according to the Canal and River Trust — a number that's risen in the last few years due to rising rents and house prices. Most boat-dwellers have no permanent mooring, meaning they must move every two weeks along the country's 3,000-mile network of canals and rivers — an order that was suspended with the lockdown in late March.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, boat living can be especially claustrophobic, but also offers the chance to escape crowded city life.
For Madsen, 38, a poet, theater producer and freelance journalist, it was the charm and the affordability that drew her in.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sophie Eastaugh/NPR Sophie Eastaugh/NPR
"A two-bedroom flat in London is upwards of 500,000 pounds," she says, leaning out of her boat, parked on the Regent's Canal in the heart of trendy east London. "Larkspur, I paid about 20,000 pounds for. It means you can be a lot freer in what you do."
There are plenty of perks, particularly in summer, when boaters can sit on their roofs, enjoying the sunshine and watching the world go by. But the lockdown has brought particular challenges.
Narrow quarters can feel especially confined, a reality made worse when gyms shut and the towpaths alongside the canal became a thoroughfare for joggers. At times, Madsen felt she couldn't even stick her head out of her boat.
"I felt as if I was just being surrounded by this fug of COVID," she says, "everybody running past, just coughing and spitting and sweating, desperate to beat their personal best. I felt imprisoned, really."
Britain built most of its canals in the late 1700s, to transport goods in the industrial revolution. They fell into disuse as the rail network replaced them but enthusiasts began to restore them for leisure purposes in the late 1970s.
As more people have opted for lives on the water, and thousands of leisure cruisers crowd the waterways, the Canal and River Trust says there are more licensed boats on the network now than during its industrial heyday.
Boaters stress that it's not an easy way of life, with constant repairs, refills of water, gas and coal — not to mention emptying the toilet's holding tank. But in the pandemic era, a moveable home can also be a distinct advantage.
Before lockdown began and boaters were ordered to stay in one place, Paddy Screech, 54, moved his boat into the countryside 20 miles north of London.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sophie Eastaugh/NPR Sophie Eastaugh/NPR
Screech has a lung condition that's reduced his breathing capacity by 30%. He has spent lockdown parked in a forest glade along the River Stort, surrounded by ducks and wildflowers, with his cat Fishcake for company.
"As it turned out," says Screech, sitting on a log on the riverbank, "living on a boat, it's kind of the ideal way to have to isolate, if you're forced to."
In London, he and a friend run a floating bookshop, Word on the Water, in a restored 1920s Dutch barge. With a mooring secured by a crowdfunding drive, the decade-old bookshop was thriving, running jazz nights and poetry slams from its roof. Since the pandemic, it's moved sales online in a bid to survive.
"Somehow we've got to keep our little bookshop alive," Screech says.
Despite worries for the shop's survival, Screech says he prefers life under lockdown.
"I like not having planes in the sky," he says. "And I like being able to see London from 30 miles away because the air is so clear. And I like not having to be knee-deep in humans all the time."
Other boaters have found opportunity in the lockdown. Matthew Lankester runs a floating barbershop on a 60-ft. barge in the heart of London.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sophie Eastaugh/NPR Sophie Eastaugh/NPR
While U.K. hair salons have been closed since late March, Lankester has reopened — with some precautions — and seen his client numbers triple. He's unapologetic about breaking the rules.
"You can sit down, have your haircut, look out onto the water, chill on the roof if you want to," he says, shaving the head of a friend. "It's a unique experience. I do what I need to do. I have to keep going."
The government has begun to ease restrictions, and boaters without a permanent mooring have been told they must move again by this weekend unless they're in a medically high-risk group.
But with hair salons officially closed until at least July, Lankester expects to remain comfortably afloat.


npr--2020-06-07--California Was Set To Spend Over $1 Billion to Prevent Wildfires. Then Came COVID-19

California Was Set To Spend Over $ 1 Billion to Prevent Wildfires .
Then Came COVID-19 With the coronavirus pandemic eroding state budgets across the country , many communities risk having this disaster make them less prepared for looming climate-driven disasters .
Still recovering from devastating wildfires , California was poised to spend billions of dollars to prepare for future fires and other extreme weather disasters .
The infrastructure projects , designed to make communities and homes more resistant to wildfire , have long been overlooked , fire experts say .
But with a $ 54 billion budget deficit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's really a shame , '' says Alexandra Syphard , a fire scientist at Sage Underwriters , a wildfire insurance company .
`` Obviously COVID has been a shame on so many different levels .
We were ramping up to provide what I believe is one of the most progressive and important investments in terms of fire risk that there could be . ''
With more than 25,000 homes and buildings lost over the last three years , California has focused recent spending on adding new firefighting crews and emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state planned on investing in something that could lessen the need for fire-fighting : `` hardening '' millions of homes to make them more resistant to burning .
Similar home-retrofitting programs , piloted in communities around the state , have been very popular .
`` Up here in the mountains , a wood-shingled roof is another name for a matchbook , '' says Bill Seavy , a homeowner in South Lake Tahoe .
Until a few years ago , Seavy had a wood-shingled roof , but he replaced it through a program that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The local fire agency , the Lake Valley Fire Protection District , created the program after the 2007 Angora Fire , which destroyed almost 300 buildings and homes in the region .
`` In Lake Tahoe , we 're vulnerable , and there 's three million people in California that live in areas like this where you 're vulnerable , '' says Seavy .
`` So we 've got to do everything we can . ''
Through federal funding from FEMA , homeowners could get 70 percent of their cost covered for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of wildfires by catching burning embers .
`` Most homes are not burned by fires just marching up to them and burning them down , '' says Syphard .
`` Most are destroyed because the fires are occurring during really high wind conditions and there tend to be these burning embers that can fly kilometers ahead of the fire front .
And it 's these burning embers that tend to get into all the little nooks and crannies of a house . ''
Even small fixes to a house can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screens on attic vents or covering the eaves under a roof .
`` Things that in particular would prevent embers from penetrating the house are super significant in making a difference between whether a home survives a fire or not , '' says Syphard .
Last year , California lawmakers approved the first major statewide program for incentivizing such home-retrofits .
In January , Governor Gavin Newsom announced $ 100 million in state and federal money to help homeowners replace roofs and make their homes more fire-resistant , particularly in low-income communities where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many .
But in May , Newsom proposed suspending the program , citing the need for deep budget cuts to offset the falling tax revenue from the economic downturn .
`` We learned that in the Paradise fires , homes built or retrofitted with home-hardening materials and features often withstood the deadly flames and stood to live another day , '' says California Assemblymember Jim Wood , who authored the bill to create the program .
`` It is a sorry state when we refuse to acknowledge the importance , and financial benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two other substantial climate initiatives were also put on hold in the Governor 's revised budget , which would have funded projects to prepare for fires , droughts , floods and sea level rise .
Those include a $ 4.75 billion Climate Resilience Bond scheduled for the November ballot and $ 1 billion in state funding over five years for climate-related projects .
State lawmakers are still trying to push ahead with a bill that would put a $ 7 billion climate and economic recovery bond on the ballot .
The wildfire funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely go to firefighting and emergency response .
`` We 're staring down the barrel of another intense wildfire season given how dry it was this winter , '' says Wade Crowfoot , California 's Secretary for Natural Resources .
`` So we are anticipating actually having to juggle disaster response from different disasters . ''
Supporters of the resiliency initiatives say spending money to prepare for disasters in advance is substantially more economical than waiting for them to hit .
`` A dollar spent today saves you about six dollars in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of California 's Office of Planning and Research .
`` And if you think about that , it 's really logical .
The cost of emergency response is enormous .
Look at Paradise — rebuilding an entire town and relocating folks . ''
State officials say they 're looking for other ways to fund climate preparation in hopes of preserving momentum after the recent disasters .
`` We are retooling in real time to really continue to drive forward those same priorities , particularly climate resilience , in a more constrained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Our residents get it .
Californians want us actually to do more to protect communities from impacts . ''
California , like many states , is looking to federal stimulus funding to fill in the gaps , since climate-related projects could qualify as infrastructure spending .
They 're also looking at partnerships with private industry .
`` There is a moment at which this kind of economic disaster creates opportunity for thinking differently about how to build forward , '' says Gordon .
`` Not to bounce back , but bounce forward @ @

California Was Set To Spend Over $1 Billion to Prevent Wildfires. Then Came COVID-19
Enlarge this image toggle caption Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
With the coronavirus pandemic eroding state budgets across the country, many communities risk having this disaster make them less prepared for looming climate-driven disasters.
Still recovering from devastating wildfires, California was poised to spend billions of dollars to prepare for future fires and other extreme weather disasters. The infrastructure projects, designed to make communities and homes more resistant to wildfire, have long been overlooked, fire experts say.
But with a $54 billion budget deficit, the programs are being put on hold.
"It's really a shame," says Alexandra Syphard, a fire scientist at Sage Underwriters, a wildfire insurance company. "Obviously COVID has been a shame on so many different levels. We were ramping up to provide what I believe is one of the most progressive and important investments in terms of fire risk that there could be."
With more than 25,000 homes and buildings lost over the last three years, California has focused recent spending on adding new firefighting crews and emergency response capacity. This year, the state planned on investing in something that could lessen the need for fire-fighting: "hardening" millions of homes to make them more resistant to burning.
Similar home-retrofitting programs, piloted in communities around the state, have been very popular.
"Up here in the mountains, a wood-shingled roof is another name for a matchbook," says Bill Seavy, a homeowner in South Lake Tahoe.
Until a few years ago, Seavy had a wood-shingled roof, but he replaced it through a program that incentivized homeowners to install fire-resistant roofing. The local fire agency, the Lake Valley Fire Protection District, created the program after the 2007 Angora Fire, which destroyed almost 300 buildings and homes in the region.
"In Lake Tahoe, we're vulnerable, and there's three million people in California that live in areas like this where you're vulnerable," says Seavy. "So we've got to do everything we can."
Through federal funding from FEMA, homeowners could get 70 percent of their cost covered for a replacement roof. Wood roofs can fuel the spread of wildfires by catching burning embers.
"Most homes are not burned by fires just marching up to them and burning them down," says Syphard. "Most are destroyed because the fires are occurring during really high wind conditions and there tend to be these burning embers that can fly kilometers ahead of the fire front. And it's these burning embers that tend to get into all the little nooks and crannies of a house."
Even small fixes to a house can make a big difference, like putting mesh screens on attic vents or covering the eaves under a roof.
"Things that in particular would prevent embers from penetrating the house are super significant in making a difference between whether a home survives a fire or not," says Syphard.
Last year, California lawmakers approved the first major statewide program for incentivizing such home-retrofits. In January, Governor Gavin Newsom announced $100 million in state and federal money to help homeowners replace roofs and make their homes more fire-resistant, particularly in low-income communities where upgrades may be out of reach for many.
But in May, Newsom proposed suspending the program, citing the need for deep budget cuts to offset the falling tax revenue from the economic downturn.
"We learned that in the Paradise fires, homes built or retrofitted with home-hardening materials and features often withstood the deadly flames and stood to live another day," says California Assemblymember Jim Wood, who authored the bill to create the program. "It is a sorry state when we refuse to acknowledge the importance, and financial benefits, of investing in prevention."
toggle caption Ryan Kellman/NPR
Two other substantial climate initiatives were also put on hold in the Governor's revised budget, which would have funded projects to prepare for fires, droughts, floods and sea level rise. Those include a $4.75 billion Climate Resilience Bond scheduled for the November ballot and $1 billion in state funding over five years for climate-related projects. State lawmakers are still trying to push ahead with a bill that would put a $7 billion climate and economic recovery bond on the ballot.
The wildfire funding left in California's budget this year will likely go to firefighting and emergency response.
"We're staring down the barrel of another intense wildfire season given how dry it was this winter," says Wade Crowfoot, California's Secretary for Natural Resources. "So we are anticipating actually having to juggle disaster response from different disasters."
Supporters of the resiliency initiatives say spending money to prepare for disasters in advance is substantially more economical than waiting for them to hit.
"A dollar spent today saves you about six dollars in future emergencies," says Kate Gordon, director of California's Office of Planning and Research. "And if you think about that, it's really logical. The cost of emergency response is enormous. Look at Paradise — rebuilding an entire town and relocating folks."
State officials say they're looking for other ways to fund climate preparation in hopes of preserving momentum after the recent disasters.
"We are retooling in real time to really continue to drive forward those same priorities, particularly climate resilience, in a more constrained fiscal environment," says Crowfoot. "Our residents get it. Californians want us actually to do more to protect communities from impacts."
California, like many states, is looking to federal stimulus funding to fill in the gaps, since climate-related projects could qualify as infrastructure spending. They're also looking at partnerships with private industry.
"There is a moment at which this kind of economic disaster creates opportunity for thinking differently about how to build forward," says Gordon. "Not to bounce back, but bounce forward."


npr--2020-06-07--Doctors Race For Answers As Kids Fight Rare Inflammatory Syndrome Tied To Coronavirus

Doctors Race For Answers As Kids Fight Rare Inflammatory Syndrome Tied To Coronavirus The first sign that something was wrong came with stomach pains .
It was April 30 , and 9-year-old Kyree McBride was n't feeling well .
His mother , Tammie Hairston , thought it might have been something that he ate .
But soon , young McBride was battling a 102-degree fever .
Worried he may have contracted the coronavirus , Hairston took her son to the hospital .
`` It was a quick in and out of the emergency room , '' she said .
Doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitor him .
The fever , though , did n't break .
In a telemedicine call with McBride 's doctor a few days later , Hairston was told to hang tight .
Then the stomach pains came back , stronger this time .
Then vomiting .
Later , Kyree 's skin began to develop a reddish hue .
By the time he was finally admitted to Children 's National Hospital in Washington , D.C. , more than a week later , doctors determined that although he was negative for COVID-19 , he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a sign he 'd already been infected and recovered from COVID-19 .
And it mirrored what they had been seeing in dozens of young patients who since the start of the pandemic have been diagnosed with a condition known as Multisystem-Inflammatory Syndrome in Children , or MIS-C .
Since April , when cases of the syndrome were first detected in Europe , doctors have been puzzling over the mysterious new condition , one they 're attributing to complications linked to COVID-19 .
While early research suggests the condition is rare , experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most basic questions about the illness , such as why some children are more susceptible than others , how to safely treat it and what it might mean for their long-term health .
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic , young children have been the least likely of all age groups to become seriously ill with the virus , though they can still become infected and spread it .
When they do become infected , they often do n't exhibit symptoms , making it nearly impossible for parents to know whether they have the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The majority of known cases have been concentrated on the East Coast .
New York state has reported more than 150 cases .
Washington has seen more than 30 cases , according to Children 's National .
Cases have also been reported in a handful of other states , including California , Louisiana , Mississippi and Washington state .
The youngest confirmed patient was just a few weeks old .
At least four children — one in Louisiana and three in New York — are reported to have died from the condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Children 's National has been one of the leading hospitals in the nation treating patients with MIS-C. Doctors there have seen 35 patients with the syndrome since the end of April , according to a hospital spokesperson .
But the exact number has been difficult to pinpoint , in part because the condition is so new and because the diagnostic guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still loosely defined .
`` It 's definitely a new phenomenon for us , and it definitely has a lot of implications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Dr. Michael Bell , the chief of critical care medicine at Children 's National .
Dr. Roberta DeBiasi , the hospital 's chief of pediatric infectious diseases , says staff has seen the syndrome manifest itself in a variety ways .
The first , which has drawn the most attention , appears to mimic Kawasaki disease , an inflammatory illness that causes inflammation in the blood vessels , particularly the coronary arteries .
Patients showing these symptoms are `` the most obvious type '' of cases , said DeBiasi .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , red eyes , red lips , red tongue .
They may have a rash over their body .
They may have a swollen lymph node , swelling of their hands and feet . ''
In other cases , patients might exhibit `` lots of inflammation , '' according to DeBiasi .
Like McBride , they may also experience severe abdominal pain .
The good news at Children 's National is that they have not had a child die from MIS-C. '' We really have a way of ... identifying them early , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get sicker , '' said Karen Smith , the chief of hospitalist medicine at Children 's .
Despite that success , doctors are still trying to understand a key question about the condition : when children are getting it .
`` Is this acute viral ?
Is this post-infectious ?
Is it a combination ?
We 've got to figure this out in our patient cohort , '' DeBiasi said .
The majority of the hospital 's MIS-C patients do not test positive for the coronavirus , yet they have the antibodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
That implies a post-infection response in which kids ' immune systems are overreacting to the coronavirus after fighting off an active infection , DeBiasi said .
Doctors are also trying to figure out which children are getting MIS-C .
Initially , there were no reported cases of the condition in China or on America 's West Coast .
One possible explanation for the regional disparity in the U.S. , DeBiasi said , could stem from the theory that the West Coast was hit by a variant of the coronavirus from China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by one from Europe DeBiasi also wonders whether some kids , as with adult populations , are more vulnerable as a result of health disparities .
`` There does seem to be more infection and severity in some of the racial or ethnic groups or perhaps even genetic predispositions , '' she said .
But she suspects the answer might be simpler .
Children could be getting sick as a result of continued exposure to the coronavirus spreading in their community .
`` I think what 's happening here is these kids that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a virus that they saw and made an appropriate immune response to , initially , '' she said , adding that now , `` that immune response is just inappropriately revved up . ''
However , given the uncertainty , doctors at Children 's say they are trying to be conservative when it comes to diagnosing MIS-C because the treatments involved can strain young , growing bodies .
There are also concerns about possible long-term risks from the illness .
The children with MIS-C who end up in critical care often have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organs , said Bell of the hospital 's critical care division .
He considers , as one example , the lifelong effects on a 5-year-old who has MIS-C. '' If she has some terrible swelling from it , which could be coronary arteries that get dilated , and might have heart attacks when she 's 6 , that 's going to affect her for 70 years of life expectancy , '' he said .
`` Yes , fewer kids get this .
Fewer kids get critically ill with it .
But it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact to child 's health . ''
`` I try to keep an eye on him '' Kyree McBride is feeling better , but he 's still low energy .
At a recent checkup , doctors gave him a heart monitor because his heart is arrhythmic .
Hairston , his mother , continues to frantically monitor him .
`` I 'm always feeling his head and making sure he do n't have any more fevers and asking him , you know , every hour on the hour , 'Are you OK ?
Are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your head , ' `` she said .
The hospital was a scary time for McBride , and she worries that he 'll be hesitant to tell her if something else goes wrong .
`` I try to keep an eye on him , '' Hairston said .
She advises other parents to be watchful , and , if in doubt , to take their child to the hospital .

Doctors Race For Answers As Kids Fight Rare Inflammatory Syndrome Tied To Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eman Mohammed for NPR Eman Mohammed for NPR
The first sign that something was wrong came with stomach pains. It was April 30, and 9-year-old Kyree McBride wasn't feeling well.
His mother, Tammie Hairston, thought it might have been something that he ate. But soon, young McBride was battling a 102-degree fever.
Worried he may have contracted the coronavirus, Hairston took her son to the hospital. "It was a quick in and out of the emergency room," she said. Doctors told her to take him home and monitor him.
The fever, though, didn't break. In a telemedicine call with McBride's doctor a few days later, Hairston was told to hang tight. Then the stomach pains came back, stronger this time. Then vomiting. Later, Kyree's skin began to develop a reddish hue.
Listen to the 2-part story: What Happens When Your Kid Develops MIS-C, A Rare COVID-19 Complication 6:28 D.C. Hospital Trying To Understand Rare COVID-19 Complications In Children 10:26
By the time he was finally admitted to Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., more than a week later, doctors determined that although he was negative for COVID-19, he had developed antibodies for the coronavirus.
It was a sign he'd already been infected and recovered from COVID-19. And it mirrored what they had been seeing in dozens of young patients who since the start of the pandemic have been diagnosed with a condition known as Multisystem-Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C.
Since April, when cases of the syndrome were first detected in Europe, doctors have been puzzling over the mysterious new condition, one they're attributing to complications linked to COVID-19. While early research suggests the condition is rare, experts are still racing to answer even the most basic questions about the illness, such as why some children are more susceptible than others, how to safely treat it and what it might mean for their long-term health.
The connection to COVID-19
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, young children have been the least likely of all age groups to become seriously ill with the virus, though they can still become infected and spread it.
When they do become infected, they often don't exhibit symptoms, making it nearly impossible for parents to know whether they have the coronavirus or may be at risk for MIS-C.
The majority of known cases have been concentrated on the East Coast. New York state has reported more than 150 cases. Washington has seen more than 30 cases, according to Children's National. Cases have also been reported in a handful of other states, including California, Louisiana, Mississippi and Washington state.
The youngest confirmed patient was just a few weeks old. At least four children — one in Louisiana and three in New York — are reported to have died from the condition.
"A new phenomenon for us"
Children's National has been one of the leading hospitals in the nation treating patients with MIS-C. Doctors there have seen 35 patients with the syndrome since the end of April, according to a hospital spokesperson. But the exact number has been difficult to pinpoint, in part because the condition is so new and because the diagnostic guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still loosely defined.
"It's definitely a new phenomenon for us, and it definitely has a lot of implications that we are all quite concerned about," said Dr. Michael Bell, the chief of critical care medicine at Children's National.
Dr. Roberta DeBiasi, the hospital's chief of pediatric infectious diseases, says staff has seen the syndrome manifest itself in a variety ways.
The first, which has drawn the most attention, appears to mimic Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory illness that causes inflammation in the blood vessels, particularly the coronary arteries.
Patients showing these symptoms are "the most obvious type" of cases, said DeBiasi. "They may have very high fevers, red eyes, red lips, red tongue. They may have a rash over their body. They may have a swollen lymph node, swelling of their hands and feet."
In other cases, patients might exhibit "lots of inflammation," according to DeBiasi. Like McBride, they may also experience severe abdominal pain.
The many unknowns
The good news at Children's National is that they have not had a child die from MIS-C.
"We really have a way of ... identifying them early, treating them early so that kids don't get sicker," said Karen Smith, the chief of hospitalist medicine at Children's.
Despite that success, doctors are still trying to understand a key question about the condition: when children are getting it.
"Is this acute viral? Is this post-infectious? Is it a combination? We've got to figure this out in our patient cohort," DeBiasi said.
The majority of the hospital's MIS-C patients do not test positive for the coronavirus, yet they have the antibodies that signal they've recovered from the virus. That implies a post-infection response in which kids' immune systems are overreacting to the coronavirus after fighting off an active infection, DeBiasi said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eman Mohammed for NPR Eman Mohammed for NPR Enlarge this image toggle caption Eman Mohammed for NPR Eman Mohammed for NPR
Doctors are also trying to figure out which children are getting MIS-C. Initially, there were no reported cases of the condition in China or on America's West Coast. One possible explanation for the regional disparity in the U.S., DeBiasi said, could stem from the theory that the West Coast was hit by a variant of the coronavirus from China, while the East Coast was hit by one from Europe
DeBiasi also wonders whether some kids, as with adult populations, are more vulnerable as a result of health disparities.
"There does seem to be more infection and severity in some of the racial or ethnic groups or perhaps even genetic predispositions," she said.
But she suspects the answer might be simpler. Children could be getting sick as a result of continued exposure to the coronavirus spreading in their community.
"I think what's happening here is these kids that are being re-exposed out in the community to a virus that they saw and made an appropriate immune response to, initially," she said, adding that now, "that immune response is just inappropriately revved up."
However, given the uncertainty, doctors at Children's say they are trying to be conservative when it comes to diagnosing MIS-C because the treatments involved can strain young, growing bodies.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eman Mohammed for NPR Eman Mohammed for NPR
There are also concerns about possible long-term risks from the illness.
The children with MIS-C who end up in critical care often have inflammation in their heart and in other organs, said Bell of the hospital's critical care division. He considers, as one example, the lifelong effects on a 5-year-old who has MIS-C.
"If she has some terrible swelling from it, which could be coronary arteries that get dilated, and might have heart attacks when she's 6, that's going to affect her for 70 years of life expectancy," he said. "Yes, fewer kids get this. Fewer kids get critically ill with it. But it's not like there's not a huge impact to child's health."
"I try to keep an eye on him"
Kyree McBride is feeling better, but he's still low energy. At a recent checkup, doctors gave him a heart monitor because his heart is arrhythmic.
Hairston, his mother, continues to frantically monitor him.
"I'm always feeling his head and making sure he don't have any more fevers and asking him, you know, every hour on the hour, 'Are you OK? Are you feeling OK? Let me feel your head,' " she said.
The hospital was a scary time for McBride, and she worries that he'll be hesitant to tell her if something else goes wrong.
"I try to keep an eye on him," Hairston said.
She advises other parents to be watchful, and, if in doubt, to take their child to the hospital.


npr--2020-06-08--With No Current Cases, New Zealand Lifts Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions

With No Current Cases , New Zealand Lifts Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the country has officially eradicated COVID-19 and will return to normal after the last known infected person recovered .
Isolation and quarantine for those arriving from abroad will continue .
The announcement comes weeks after Ardern 's government began easing up on restrictions after New Zealand all-but eliminated community transmission of the new coronavirus .
The latest announcement , which brings the country of 5 million to its lowest alert level , means that large public gatherings , such as concerts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time since March 23 , when Ardern announced a nationwide lockdown amid a rising number of daily cases .
Restaurants and public transport will also be allowed to resume normal operations .
`` Today , I can announce that [ the ] Cabinet has agreed , that we will now move to Level 1 to get our economy back to normal again .
And we will start almost immediately , '' she said .
When she heard the news that there were no more active COVID-19 cases , Ardern said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her daughter , Neve , who will turn two years old later this month .
`` [ S ] he was caught a little by surprise but she joined in , having absolutely no idea why I was dancing around the lounge but enjoying it nonetheless , '' the prime minister said .
New Zealand , which responded quickly to the threat of the disease , is often cited as a model for how other countries might handle the crisis .
In March , it imposed a two-week quarantine on anyone arriving from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month-long stay-at-home order for all New Zealanders .
Cases peaked in early April and then quickly fell off over the next few weeks .
By late May , New Zealand had just one active COVID-19 case .
All told , New Zealand has seen just over 1,500 infections and 22 deaths from the disease .
Even so , Ardern warned that the disease remains a concern and that New Zealand is `` not immune to what is happening in the rest of the world . ''
`` At Level 1 , we expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters , but cautioned , `` we will almost certainly see cases here again .
That is not a sign we have failed . ''
She reiterated the need for New Zealanders to stay home if they feel sick , follow a doctor 's orders to self-isolate if necessary and to continue frequent hand-washing and other measures .
In a tweet , James Shaw , the country 's climate change minister , was in a celebratory mood , and used a Maori expression , `` Ka pai , Aotearoa , '' which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealand . ''
`` I reckon I might pop that bottle of bubbly tonight and raise a glass to all the people of this fine country , '' he wrote .

With No Current Cases, New Zealand Lifts Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marty Melville/AFP via Getty Images Marty Melville/AFP via Getty Images
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the country has officially eradicated COVID-19 and will return to normal after the last-known infected person recovered.
Isolation and quarantine for those arriving from abroad will continue.
The announcement comes weeks after Ardern's government began easing up on restrictions after New Zealand all but eliminated community transmission of the new coronavirus.
The latest announcement, which brings the country of 5 million to its lowest alert level, means that large public gatherings, such as concerts and sports events, will be allowed for the first time since March 23, when Ardern announced a nationwide lockdown amid a rising number of daily cases. Restaurants and public transport will also be allowed to resume normal operations.
"Today, I can announce that [the] Cabinet has agreed, that we will now move to Level 1 to get our economy back to normal again. And we will start almost immediately," she said.
When she heard the news that there were no more active COVID-19 cases, Ardern said she "did a little dance" for her daughter, Neve, who will turn 2 years old later this month.
"[S]he was caught a little by surprise but she joined in, having absolutely no idea why I was dancing around the lounge but enjoying it nonetheless," the prime minister said.
New Zealand, which responded quickly to the threat of the disease, is often cited as a model for how other countries might handle the crisis. In March, it imposed a two-week quarantine on anyone arriving from abroad and quickly followed that with a monthlong stay-at-home order for all New Zealanders. Cases peaked in early April and then quickly fell off over the next few weeks. By late May, New Zealand had just one active COVID-19 case.
All told, New Zealand has seen just over 1,500 infections and 22 deaths from the disease.
Even so, Ardern warned that the disease remains a concern and that New Zealand is "not immune to what is happening in the rest of the world."
"At Level 1, we expect the continuation of recovery," she told reporters, but cautioned, "we will almost certainly see cases here again. That is not a sign we have failed."
She reiterated the need for New Zealanders to stay home if they feel sick, follow a doctor's orders to self-isolate if necessary and to continue frequent hand-washing and other measures.
In a tweet, James Shaw, the country's climate change minister, was in a celebratory mood, and used a Maori expression, "Ka pai, Aotearoa," which means, "Good job, New Zealand."
"I reckon I might pop that bottle of bubbly tonight and raise a glass to all the people of this fine country," he wrote.


npr--2020-06-08--India Reopens Public Places Even As Coronavirus Cases Rise

Indians can now dine out , shop in malls and pray at religious sites for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 months .
But masks or face coverings are mandatory and visitors will be thermally screened at entrances .
The easing of restrictions — the most significant since India went under lockdown in March — comes as the country records its biggest spike so far in new coronavirus cases in a single day .
India counted 9,983 new infections Monday , with its overall tally crossing 250,000 .
The death toll stands at 7,200 .
Over the weekend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections and became the fifth-worst affected country in the world .
Guided by little boxes painted on floors to maintain social distancing , worshippers offered prayers at mosques , temples and other religious sites across India .
But the faithful are not allowed to touch any idols or holy books .
Sprinkling of sacred water , a common practice in many religions including Hinduism and Christianity , is also banned .
People going to mosques have to bring their own prayer mats .
One shopping mall in the capital New Delhi has installed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spraying disinfectant mist when someone walks in .
While most public places are open in Delhi , hotels remain closed to be available in case they are needed to serve as temporary hospitals .
Even though malls are open , gaming arcades and movie theaters inside them are still closed .
In some states , shoppers are barred from trying on clothes and guests checking in to hotels have to report their travel and medical history .
India 's lockdown , the largest in the world , was imposed in late March when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
About 100 million Indians have lost their jobs since then , prompting the government to reopen the economy even though scientists say the country is still far from reaching its peak infection rate .
The western Indian state of Maharashtra — home to the financial hub Mumbai — is the worst hit with more cases than all of China , where the pandemic began .
Mumbai alone has about a fifth of all positive cases in India .
Malls and religious sites remain closed in the commercial capital but some stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Public buses are operating but Mumbai 's suburban trains which ferry millions of commuters each day are still closed .
Despite rising infections , Mumbai residents thronged Marine Drive , the city 's popular seaside promenade , on Sunday .

India Reopens Public Places Even As Coronavirus Cases Rise
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rafiq Maqbool/AP Rafiq Maqbool/AP
Indians can now dine out, shop in malls and pray at religious sites for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 months. But masks or face coverings are mandatory and visitors will be thermally screened at entrances.
The easing of restrictions — the most significant since India went under lockdown in March — comes as the country records its biggest spike so far in new coronavirus cases in a single day. India counted 9,983 new infections Monday, with its overall tally crossing 250,000. The death toll stands at 7,200.
Over the weekend, India surpassed Spain in the number of infections and became the fifth-worst affected country in the world.
Guided by little boxes painted on floors to maintain social distancing, worshippers offered prayers at mosques, temples and other religious sites across India. But the faithful are not allowed to touch any idols or holy books. Sprinkling of sacred water, a common practice in many religions including Hinduism and Christianity, is also banned. People going to mosques have to bring their own prayer mats.
One shopping mall in the capital New Delhi has installed a sanitization enclosure at the entrance, spraying disinfectant mist when someone walks in. While most public places are open in Delhi, hotels remain closed to be available in case they are needed to serve as temporary hospitals.
Even though malls are open, gaming arcades and movie theaters inside them are still closed. In some states, shoppers are barred from trying on clothes and guests checking in to hotels have to report their travel and medical history.
India's lockdown, the largest in the world, was imposed in late March when the country had just over 500 COVID-19 cases. About 100 million Indians have lost their jobs since then, prompting the government to reopen the economy even though scientists say the country is still far from reaching its peak infection rate.
Schools and colleges remain shut nationwide.
The western Indian state of Maharashtra — home to the financial hub Mumbai — is the worst hit with more cases than all of China, where the pandemic began. Mumbai alone has about a fifth of all positive cases in India.
Malls and religious sites remain closed in the commercial capital but some stores are allowed to do business on alternate days. Public buses are operating but Mumbai's suburban trains which ferry millions of commuters each day are still closed.
Despite rising infections, Mumbai residents thronged Marine Drive, the city's popular seaside promenade, on Sunday.


npr--2020-06-08--After Lockdown And Unrest, New York City Begins Reopening During Pandemic

After Lockdown And Unrest , New York City Begins Reopening During Pandemic After a nearly three-month lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic , New York City is taking its first steps to reopen parts of its economy amid unrest over police brutality and racial injustice .
Stay-at-home restrictions begin to ease Monday , allowing thousands of businesses in retail , construction , manufacturing and certain other industries to restart their operations .
In the coming weeks , local officials expect as many as 400,000 people to join essential workers in doing their jobs outside their homes as the numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city because of COVID-19 fall below levels from the peak of the outbreak .
This first phase of reopening is a big move for the pandemic 's national epicenter , which has seen more than 206,000 New Yorkers confirmed with the coronavirus and more than 21,800 people die from COVID-19 since March .
`` Getting people back their livelihood , that 's what Phase 1 is about , '' New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday during a news conference .
A resurgence of activity in the country 's largest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more than 8 million people — is expected to test the limits of social distancing for the coronavirus .
To reopen , the city was required under New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo 's executive order to ramp up its local contact tracing program , as well as testing for the coronavirus .
Last week , the city announced that all New Yorkers can now get tested for free .
A day before the reopening , the mayor announced on Sunday the end of nightly curfews a day earlier than expected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after some stores were looted while large crowds of nonviolent protesters gathered to demonstrate against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
`` We are concerned that those protests may have increased the spread of the virus , '' Cuomo said during a news conference on Sunday , adding that public health experts he 's spoken to share his concern .
Cuomo urged protesters to get tested for the coronavirus as soon as possible .
The New York City Police Department 's aggressive response to the demonstrators has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastated by the pandemic .
After calls from many protesters and city council members to defund the NYPD , de Blasio announced on Sunday that city officials intend to redirect some of the city 's funding for police to youth programs and social services as part of upcoming budget negotiations .
When `` streets just ca n't hold any more people '' Some in New York are anxious to report back to their jobs in person .
`` I miss going out every day to work .
I 'm not a house person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office manager who has been working from home for the Bronx Health Link , a health education and advocacy organization that is not allowed to reopen its office until the next phase of the city 's reopening .
When she 's out walking or taking short trips by bus for errands , Doctor says she has seen street traffic slowly returning to her neighborhood in recent weeks .
But Doctor says she has noticed fewer people willing to ride in taxis or ride-hailing vehicles and more talking about getting their own cars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials worry may have lasting consequences in what has been a subway-centered city .
Last month , the New York Stock Exchange partially reopened for business with a requirement that its employees and visitors avoid public transit .
There have been growing calls from City Council members to close off more streets to vehicular traffic to allow pedestrians to more easily keep at least 6 feet apart and restaurants to reopen with more outdoor seating .
`` My worry is that as more and more people start phasing back into the workplace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a point where our streets just ca n't hold any more people , '' says Nick Sifuentes , executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign , which advocates for public transit in the New York , New Jersey and Connecticut region .
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has increased the cleaning of subway cars and has installed hand sanitizer dispensers at stations , and riders are required to wear face coverings .
But it can be difficult , if not impossible in cramped train cars , to socially distance on public transit .
Sifuentes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has plummeted by around 92 % since the outbreak , will have a long and difficult road to recovery in New York City .
`` Transit ca n't survive without the money that comes in at the farebox , '' Sifuentes says .
`` The real risk we 're running here is if this drags on longer than it needs to , public transit may not look like it does in New York anymore in the future . ''
Sifuentes argues that population density is not the underlying challenge to keeping New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pointing instead to the lack of access to paid sick leave and affordable housing among many riders who depend on the subway and buses to get to work .
`` The problem is making sure that we have pathways out of poverty and for people to protect themselves [ not only ] when they 're sick but even before they get sick , '' he says .
`` I do n't know who 's walking in my store '' Many owners of small businesses that were not deemed essential are uncertain about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an almost three-month lockdown .
`` I ca n't see how people will be shopping , '' says Josie Ultarte , owner of Zoe Zen , a women 's boutique in Brooklyn .
`` People are in a mess . ''
To stay connected with her customers during the pandemic , she has been livestreaming on social media from inside her store to showcase clothing and other merchandise and lining up outside the local post office to ship out online orders .
Her storefront is eligible to reopen to the public as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is not opening her doors anytime soon .
`` I do n't know who 's walking in my store .
I do n't think it 's worth it , '' says Ultarte , who says she has been avoiding the subway and buses .
`` This government is just more concerned about the economics , the money , rather than people 's health . ''
`` The last big piece of the puzzle '' Guidelines set by New York state allow only curbside or in-store pickups from reopened stores , which have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people inside to no more than 50 % of maximum occupancy .
`` I think that 's really unrealistic .
A lot of small-business owners , we have small spaces , '' says Leila Noelliste , owner of BGLH Marketplace , which sells its own hair and skin products .
Noelliste says she 's returning to her 500-square-foot storefront in Brooklyn with assistants to make African black soap bars and whipped shea and cocoa butter .
Since quarantining after the outbreak , she has been struggling to keep up with online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a kitchen oven and mixers stacked on top of a bedroom dresser .
`` They have been some of the worst months of my professional life , '' Noelliste says .
`` I have friends who are in danger of losing their businesses , but what people kind of did n't pay attention to is those of us trying to hang on to what we had . ''
With schools closed and child care centers in New York City available only to the children of essential workers for now , Noelliste is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business .
`` What do you expect me to do with my kids ? ''
says Noelliste , a single mother of three who 's planning to pay for a babysitter when her children are n't staying with their father .
`` I just find that very , very confusing because it 's the last big piece of the puzzle .
I really do n't know how successful a widespread reopening is going to be if there 's not some kind of child care options available . ''

After Lockdown And Unrest, New York City Begins Reopening During Pandemic
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Lennihan/AP Mark Lennihan/AP
After a nearly three-month lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, New York City is taking its first steps to reopen parts of its economy amid unrest over police brutality and racial injustice.
Stay-at-home restrictions begin to ease Monday, allowing thousands of businesses in retail, construction, manufacturing and certain other industries to restart their operations.
In the coming weeks, local officials expect as many as 400,000 people to join essential workers in doing their jobs outside their homes as the numbers of new hospitalizations and daily deaths in the city because of COVID-19 fall below levels from the peak of the outbreak.
This first phase of reopening is a big move for the pandemic's national epicenter, which has seen more than 206,000 New Yorkers confirmed with the coronavirus and more than 21,800 people die from COVID-19 since March.
"Getting people back their livelihood, that's what Phase 1 is about," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday during a news conference.
A resurgence of activity in the country's largest and most densely populated major city — home to more than 8 million people — is expected to test the limits of social distancing for the coronavirus. To reopen, the city was required under New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order to ramp up its local contact tracing program, as well as testing for the coronavirus. Last week, the city announced that all New Yorkers can now get tested for free.
A day before the reopening, the mayor announced on Sunday the end of nightly curfews a day earlier than expected. De Blasio had ordered the curfew last week after some stores were looted while large crowds of nonviolent protesters gathered to demonstrate against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
"We are concerned that those protests may have increased the spread of the virus," Cuomo said during a news conference on Sunday, adding that public health experts he's spoken to share his concern. Cuomo urged protesters to get tested for the coronavirus as soon as possible.
The New York City Police Department's aggressive response to the demonstrators has also raised tensions across a city already devastated by the pandemic. After calls from many protesters and city council members to defund the NYPD, de Blasio announced on Sunday that city officials intend to redirect some of the city's funding for police to youth programs and social services as part of upcoming budget negotiations.
When "streets just can't hold any more people"
Some in New York are anxious to report back to their jobs in person.
"I miss going out every day to work. I'm not a house person," says Lucinda Doctor, an office manager who has been working from home for the Bronx Health Link, a health education and advocacy organization that is not allowed to reopen its office until the next phase of the city's reopening.
When she's out walking or taking short trips by bus for errands, Doctor says she has seen street traffic slowly returning to her neighborhood in recent weeks. But Doctor says she has noticed fewer people willing to ride in taxis or ride-hailing vehicles and more talking about getting their own cars.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Lennihan/AP Mark Lennihan/AP
It's a shift that some city officials worry may have lasting consequences in what has been a subway-centered city.
Last month, the New York Stock Exchange partially reopened for business with a requirement that its employees and visitors avoid public transit. There have been growing calls from City Council members to close off more streets to vehicular traffic to allow pedestrians to more easily keep at least 6 feet apart and restaurants to reopen with more outdoor seating.
"My worry is that as more and more people start phasing back into the workplace, we're going to very quickly reach a point where our streets just can't hold any more people," says Nick Sifuentes, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, which advocates for public transit in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has increased the cleaning of subway cars and has installed hand sanitizer dispensers at stations, and riders are required to wear face coverings. But it can be difficult, if not impossible in cramped train cars, to socially distance on public transit.
Sifuentes is concerned that subway ridership, which has plummeted by around 92% since the outbreak, will have a long and difficult road to recovery in New York City.
"Transit can't survive without the money that comes in at the farebox," Sifuentes says. "The real risk we're running here is if this drags on longer than it needs to, public transit may not look like it does in New York anymore in the future."
Sifuentes argues that population density is not the underlying challenge to keeping New York's public transit safe during the pandemic, pointing instead to the lack of access to paid sick leave and affordable housing among many riders who depend on the subway and buses to get to work.
"The problem is making sure that we have pathways out of poverty and for people to protect themselves [not only] when they're sick but even before they get sick," he says.
"I don't know who's walking in my store"
Many owners of small businesses that were not deemed essential are uncertain about their path as they begin to emerge from an almost three-month lockdown.
"I can't see how people will be shopping," says Josie Ultarte, owner of Zoe Zen, a women's boutique in Brooklyn. "People are in a mess."
To stay connected with her customers during the pandemic, she has been livestreaming on social media from inside her store to showcase clothing and other merchandise and lining up outside the local post office to ship out online orders. Her storefront is eligible to reopen to the public as early as Monday, but Ultarte says she is not opening her doors anytime soon.
"I don't know who's walking in my store. I don't think it's worth it," says Ultarte, who says she has been avoiding the subway and buses. "This government is just more concerned about the economics, the money, rather than people's health."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Sarah Blesener/Bloomberg via Getty Images Sarah Blesener/Bloomberg via Getty Images
"The last big piece of the puzzle"
Guidelines set by New York state allow only curbside or in-store pickups from reopened stores, which have to maintain social distancing and limit the number of people inside to no more than 50% of maximum occupancy.
"I think that's really unrealistic. A lot of small-business owners, we have small spaces," says Leila Noelliste, owner of BGLH Marketplace, which sells its own hair and skin products.
Noelliste says she's returning to her 500-square-foot storefront in Brooklyn with assistants to make African black soap bars and whipped shea and cocoa butter. Since quarantining after the outbreak, she has been struggling to keep up with online orders on her own inside her apartment with a kitchen oven and mixers stacked on top of a bedroom dresser.
"They have been some of the worst months of my professional life," Noelliste says. "I have friends who are in danger of losing their businesses, but what people kind of didn't pay attention to is those of us trying to hang on to what we had."
With schools closed and child care centers in New York City available only to the children of essential workers for now, Noelliste is facing another obstacle as she reopens her business.
"What do you expect me to do with my kids?" says Noelliste, a single mother of three who's planning to pay for a babysitter when her children aren't staying with their father. "I just find that very, very confusing because it's the last big piece of the puzzle. I really don't know how successful a widespread reopening is going to be if there's not some kind of child care options available."


npr--2020-06-08--'Marchers Are Full Of Hope': Civil Rights Leaders See Progress In Today's Movement

'Marchers Are Full Of Hope ' : Civil Rights Leaders See Progress In Today 's Movement Once again this weekend , protesters filled the streets in cities nationwide , rallying against police violence and chanting the name of George Floyd .
Jesse Jackson and Josie Johnson have a surprising perspective on those protests .
He has been a prominent civil rights leader since 1960 , she even longer .
Both know the unrest of earlier times ; Jackson was an aide to Martin Luther King , whose assassination in 1968 set off riots nationwide .
And both know the despair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which followed the deaths of so many others at the hands of police .
To some who remember the civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s , the moment feels familiar .
They 've compared the demonstrations that have spread since video emerged of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd 's neck for nearly nine minutes to the nationwide riots of 1968 , which followed the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr .
Yet having seen too much , both found hopeful signs in recent days : the number of white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; the political power that people of color wield today ; and even the conduct of police .
While the recent demonstrations have featured numerous conflicts with police , Jackson noted that their tactics would have been far more deadly in 1968 .
The marches today `` are hopeful signs , '' says Jackson .
`` The marchers are full of hope .
They believe something can happen .
On the move , we 're not going backwards . ''
For more perspective on this moment , NPR spoke with Jackson and Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1968 and today .
Here are excerpts from their Morning Edition conversation .
What do you think when people see an incident like the death of George Floyd and they say nothing has changed in America ?
Jackson : To see white and black America rise up and fight back , to see people marching in London and France , that 's progress .
Johnson : That is progress .
And we 've lived long enough to try to be hopeful again .
... Not only are we not going backwards — we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned and encourage , support , protect our children .
We have got to help them make a difference so that the next generation — I think about my great-grandchildren ... are they going to grow up in an environment which they have to continue to struggle ?
On comparisons between 1968 and 2020 Jackson : We dreamed without the right to vote ; now we dream with power .
We must put in perspective — that 's why violence must be challenged , because violence is a diversion from the real discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police behavior .
It is also a plot .
The right wing will use violence to manipulate America 's emotions .
Dr. King was killed in '68 — the first few days there was a riot .
...
But Nixon was able to turn the riots ... to scare white people and elect himself on a law-and-order basis .
We must not allow any element to invade our ranks .
We believe in nonviolent direct action .
We believe in voting .
We 're not going to give up .
We 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , the reason why the police are n't killing blacks en masse is that we have a different quality of politicians .
If we had right-wing militaries , they would be turning the police loose to kill people .
Johnson : It 's not possible , given the history of oppression in America , for us to say , `` If we change the police , that 's going to make it . ''
It 's systemic .
It 's everywhere .
And so we need to educate and train and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our police officers , but we also have to encourage , train , educate teachers , governors , mayors , council people .
It 's throughout the system .
That 's the pity of it , and we just need to keep on keeping on as a people and not let our generation of young people now feel that it 's not going to work .
We 've got to vote .
We 've got to get our people out there .
They make a difference and they know it .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spirit and support of our young people who are the you , Jesse , of 1960s .
They ca n't let this happen again .

'Marchers Are Full Of Hope': Civil Rights Leaders See Progress In Today's Movement
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Haynes/AFP via Getty Images; Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images Jeff Haynes/AFP via Getty Images; Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images
Once again this weekend, protesters filled the streets in cities nationwide, rallying against police violence and chanting the name of George Floyd.
Jesse Jackson and Josie Johnson have a surprising perspective on those protests. He has been a prominent civil rights leader since 1960, she even longer. Both know the unrest of earlier times; Jackson was an aide to Martin Luther King, whose assassination in 1968 set off riots nationwide. And both know the despair many felt after Floyd's death, which followed the deaths of so many others at the hands of police.
To some who remember the civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s, the moment feels familiar. They've compared the demonstrations that have spread since video emerged of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes to the nationwide riots of 1968, which followed the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Yet having seen too much, both found hopeful signs in recent days: the number of white people who marched with people of color; the political power that people of color wield today; and even the conduct of police. While the recent demonstrations have featured numerous conflicts with police, Jackson noted that their tactics would have been far more deadly in 1968.
The marches today "are hopeful signs," says Jackson. "The marchers are full of hope. They believe something can happen. On the move, we're not going backwards."
For more perspective on this moment, NPR spoke with Jackson and Johnson for their reflections on the parallels between 1968 and today. Here are excerpts from their Morning Edition conversation.
What do you think when people see an incident like the death of George Floyd and they say nothing has changed in America?
Jackson: To see white and black America rise up and fight back, to see people marching in London and France, that's progress.
Johnson: That is progress. And we've lived long enough to try to be hopeful again. ... Not only are we not going backwards — we must hold on to what we've learned and encourage, support, protect our children. We have got to help them make a difference so that the next generation — I think about my great-grandchildren ... are they going to grow up in an environment which they have to continue to struggle?
On comparisons between 1968 and 2020
Jackson: We dreamed without the right to vote; now we dream with power. We must put in perspective — that's why violence must be challenged, because violence is a diversion from the real discussion, burning cars as opposed to discussing police behavior. It is also a plot. The right wing will use violence to manipulate America's emotions. Dr. King was killed in '68 — the first few days there was a riot. ... But Nixon was able to turn the riots ... to scare white people and elect himself on a law-and-order basis.
We must not allow any element to invade our ranks. We believe in nonviolent direct action. We believe in voting. We're not going to give up. We're not going to stop. ...
The fact is, the reason why the police aren't killing blacks en masse is that we have a different quality of politicians. If we had right-wing militaries, they would be turning the police loose to kill people.
Johnson: It's not possible, given the history of oppression in America, for us to say, "If we change the police, that's going to make it." It's systemic. It's everywhere. And so we need to educate and train and be encouraged that some of this may work with our police officers, but we also have to encourage, train, educate teachers, governors, mayors, council people. It's throughout the system.
That's the pity of it, and we just need to keep on keeping on as a people and not let our generation of young people now feel that it's not going to work. We've got to vote. We've got to get our people out there. They make a difference and they know it. And we have got to hold on to the spirit and support of our young people who are the you, Jesse, of 1960s. They can't let this happen again.


npr--2020-06-08--In A Polarized Election, 'Guardian Women' Could Be Key Swing Voters

In A Polarized Election , 'Guardian Women ' Could Be Key Swing Voters The COVID-19 crisis has brought significant challenges for American women , increasing their burden of care and raising unemployment levels to greater numbers compared to men .
As the general election inches closer , new polling shows that a subset of American women remain a wildcard , and they could be a crucial swing vote if the race for president gets close .
The non-partisan group All In Together took a look at how the pandemic was affecting women 's political views and their willingness to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and found that over a quarter ( 26 % ) were swing voters .
`` There is , again , a group of women that are on the fence , that have split their vote over the years , have gone back and forth between voting Democrat and Republican , '' said Lauren Leader , the CEO of All In Together .
The group is referring to them as `` guardian women , '' defined as largely white , married and over 50 years old .
The majority also live in suburban areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and do not have a college degree .
Leader compares these women to the `` soccer moms '' and `` security moms '' observed in past campaign years .
`` There have always been groups of women who are really split down the middle in terms of their political affiliation , '' Leader said .
In 2012 , these voters were divided almost evenly between President Obama ( 40 % ) and Mitt Romney ( 42 % ) .
In 2016 , this group also split between Hillary Clinton ( 43 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This new poll indicates that former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , has a small lead ( 46 % ) with `` guardian women , '' compared to Trump ( 42 % ) .
While Biden may have a slight edge with this group for now , a significant portion ( 12 % ) said they were undecided .
When pushed , the undecided voters lean towards Trump , giving the president a potential chance to win back the advantage among them .
According to Leader , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % say they are extremely likely to cast their ballots in the general election .
`` These are women who are very likely to show up at the polls , '' Leader said , `` 90 % of them agreed that their vote matters now more than ever to make sure the United States goes in the right direction . ''
In addition to the pandemic , these women are now also watching how candidates respond to racism and social unrest .
To Susan J. Carroll , a political scientist at the Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University , there 's a through line for all of these groups of swing women voters .
As they go back and forth in their political affiliation , these women are all looking for the same thing — security — for their families and their communities .
Carroll says it started with `` soccer moms '' in the 1990s and then moved to `` security moms '' following the September 11 terrorist attacks .
`` The idea was they were focused on their children , '' Carroll said referring to `` security moms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were focused on ... keeping their children safe and their family safe , '' she added .
While the top security concern for the swing women voters following 9/11 was terrorism , like many voters `` guardian women '' want to protect their families from the pandemic and the recession , and it may be what motivates their decisions in November .
The polling found that these voters are providing more care for parents and relatives than they did before the coronavirus pandemic , above what all women are experiencing .
Elizabeth Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works as a paraprofessional with special needs students in an elementary school .
`` I have children who are grown and one of my children did lose his job but has the privilege of unemployment .
As for the health , that makes me concerned for my elderly parents .
They are 85 years old and still in the same house that I grew up in , '' Lee said .
`` I mean , thank goodness they 're not in a nursing home or anything like that .
But I mean , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dailey is 74 , lives in Nebraska and supported Trump in 2016 .
`` I definitely wo n't vote for him again , '' she said .
`` He 's just not a president .
He 's just not at all , '' Dailey added .
Like other women and seniors who 've stopped supporting Trump , Dailey points to the president 's behavior during the pandemic and in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd , who was killed by police in Minneapolis .
`` He just comes up with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Dailey said , referring to Trump 's decision to take a picture holding a bible in front of St. John 's Church near the White House shortly after a crowd of peaceful protesters was aggressively cleared out .
`` I was thinking that maybe he was going to hold the Bible and say a prayer for our nation .
I just did n't imagine it was for a photo shoot .
I was so disappointed .
It 's just awful , '' she added .
Terri Olsen , who manages a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for Trump in 2016 , but now says she is undecided .
Olsen says her main issue centers around the economic challenges brought on by the lockdown in response to COVID-19 , an issue Trump has been pushing .
`` I think that the shutdown of the country has devastated so many people , and it 's going to for a long time .
So I think it 's very important for whoever is voted [ in ] is going to definitely do something about that , '' Olsen said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mistake . ''
Olsen believes that Trump would be better for the economy than Biden , but she takes issue with Trump 's bullying style , a quality that has pushed her into the undecided column , among other things .
`` The pandemic has kind of pushed me more to the middle .
Rioting and that whole situation has pushed me more to the middle .
I guess I still have time before the election , and I 'm not sure what I 'm looking for , but it just seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I guess I 'm looking for someone to unify us and to make me confident that they 're going to do something about our economy , '' Olsen added .
All In Together is planning to go back in the field later this month to survey women in the battleground states , where voters who share the demographics of the `` guardian women '' are an even larger percentage of the electorate .
`` These women , I think , are going to be an incredibly important factor in November , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch them , we need to understand them , and we need to focus on those folks in the middle that are still trying to decide which way to go . ''

In A Polarized Election, 'Guardian Women' Could Be Key Swing Voters
Enlarge this image toggle caption JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images
The COVID-19 crisis has brought significant challenges for American women, increasing their burden of care and raising unemployment levels to greater numbers compared to men.
As the general election inches closer, new polling shows that a subset of American women remain a wildcard, and they could be a crucial swing vote if the race for president gets close.
The non-partisan group All In Together took a look at how the pandemic was affecting women's political views and their willingness to vote in November. They surveyed 1,000 women and found that over a quarter (26%) were swing voters.
"There is, again, a group of women that are on the fence, that have split their vote over the years, have gone back and forth between voting Democrat and Republican," said Lauren Leader, the CEO of All In Together.
The group is referring to them as "guardian women," defined as largely white, married and over 50 years old. The majority also live in suburban areas, have an income over $50,000 and do not have a college degree.
Leader compares these women to the "soccer moms" and "security moms" observed in past campaign years. "There have always been groups of women who are really split down the middle in terms of their political affiliation," Leader said.
In 2012, these voters were divided almost evenly between President Obama (40%) and Mitt Romney (42%). In 2016, this group also split between Hillary Clinton (43%) and President Trump (41%).
This new poll indicates that former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has a small lead (46%) with "guardian women," compared to Trump (42%).
Enlarge this image toggle caption All In Together/Emerson College Poll All In Together/Emerson College Poll
While Biden may have a slight edge with this group for now, a significant portion (12%) said they were undecided. When pushed, the undecided voters lean towards Trump, giving the president a potential chance to win back the advantage among them.
According to Leader, it may be worth a try since 85% say they are extremely likely to cast their ballots in the general election.
"These are women who are very likely to show up at the polls," Leader said, "90% of them agreed that their vote matters now more than ever to make sure the United States goes in the right direction."
In addition to the pandemic, these women are now also watching how candidates respond to racism and social unrest.
To Susan J. Carroll, a political scientist at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, there's a through line for all of these groups of swing women voters. As they go back and forth in their political affiliation, these women are all looking for the same thing — security — for their families and their communities.
Carroll says it started with "soccer moms" in the 1990s and then moved to "security moms" following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
"The idea was they were focused on their children," Carroll said referring to "security moms." "But this time they were focused on ... keeping their children safe and their family safe," she added.
While the top security concern for the swing women voters following 9/11 was terrorism, like many voters "guardian women" want to protect their families from the pandemic and the recession, and it may be what motivates their decisions in November. The polling found that these voters are providing more care for parents and relatives than they did before the coronavirus pandemic, above what all women are experiencing.
toggle caption All In Together/Emerson College poll
Elizabeth Lee lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and works as a paraprofessional with special needs students in an elementary school.
"I have children who are grown and one of my children did lose his job but has the privilege of unemployment. As for the health, that makes me concerned for my elderly parents. They are 85 years old and still in the same house that I grew up in," Lee said. "I mean, thank goodness they're not in a nursing home or anything like that. But I mean, they do need help."
Sandy Dailey is 74, lives in Nebraska and supported Trump in 2016. "I definitely won't vote for him again," she said. "He's just not a president. He's just not at all," Dailey added.
Like other women and seniors who've stopped supporting Trump, Dailey points to the president's behavior during the pandemic and in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis.
"He just comes up with some of the most off the wall things," Dailey said, referring to Trump's decision to take a picture holding a bible in front of St. John's Church near the White House shortly after a crowd of peaceful protesters was aggressively cleared out.
"I was thinking that maybe he was going to hold the Bible and say a prayer for our nation. I just didn't imagine it was for a photo shoot. I was so disappointed. It's just awful," she added.
Terri Olsen, who manages a dental office in Onalaska, Wisc., voted for Trump in 2016, but now says she is undecided. Olsen says her main issue centers around the economic challenges brought on by the lockdown in response to COVID-19, an issue Trump has been pushing.
"I think that the shutdown of the country has devastated so many people, and it's going to for a long time. So I think it's very important for whoever is voted [in] is going to definitely do something about that," Olsen said. "I think that shutting down everything was a mistake."
Olsen believes that Trump would be better for the economy than Biden, but she takes issue with Trump's bullying style, a quality that has pushed her into the undecided column, among other things.
"The pandemic has kind of pushed me more to the middle. Rioting and that whole situation has pushed me more to the middle. I guess I still have time before the election, and I'm not sure what I'm looking for, but it just seems like everything is getting more divided. And I guess I'm looking for someone to unify us and to make me confident that they're going to do something about our economy," Olsen added.
All In Together is planning to go back in the field later this month to survey women in the battleground states, where voters who share the demographics of the "guardian women" are an even larger percentage of the electorate.
"These women, I think, are going to be an incredibly important factor in November," Leader added, "We need to watch them, we need to understand them, and we need to focus on those folks in the middle that are still trying to decide which way to go."
Elena Moore contributed to this report.