npr--2020-03-13--Churches Grapple With Whether To Suspend Worship Services

Churches Grapple With Whether To Suspend Worship Services Churches around the country are weighing whether to suspend worship services in response to the coronavirus , with their decisions dependent on their size , their proximity to an outbreak , and perhaps even their political leanings .
In the most aggressive response , leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have temporarily suspended `` all public gatherings '' of church members worldwide .
According to a church statement , members are encouraged `` to care for one another '' in lieu of attending worship services .
Roman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision of whether to suspend worship services to local diocesan authorities .
The Catholic archdioceses of Washington , D.C. , and Seattle have both ordered the cancellation of public masses , for example , while other dioceses have not yet done so , opting to mitigate the threat of virus contagion by limiting physical contact or modifying Communion practices .
All Episcopal churches in Maryland and D.C. have canceled services , at least temporarily .
In some cases , church decisions are being dictated by local government decrees .
After Utah Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all public gatherings of more than 100 people , church leaders across the state agreed to suspend worship services temporarily .
In response to a similar request from Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear , many churches in that state also announced a suspension of services , though some church leaders are resisting the governor 's call .
Aaron Harvie , senior pastor of Highview Baptist Church in Louisville , told The Washington Post that he has no plans to cancel services at his church , which has 7000 members in three campuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it would add to fear , '' Harvie said .
He told the Post he would like to tell the governor that he is treading into an area where `` you do n't actually have direct responsibility or authority . ''
Some church leaders close to the Trump administration have been especially resistant to any pressure to suspend worship services .
Robert Jeffress , the senior pastor at First Baptist in Dallas , Texas , and one of Trump 's most outspoken admirers , told his congregation he wanted to avoid `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people are saying , 'The NBA is canceling games , why do n't you cancel church services ? '
'' Jeffress said in an interview with the Dallas TV station KDFW .
`` Respectfully , what we do is more important than what the NBA is doing .
That 's entertainment , and that 's optional .
Worship is essential . ''
Jeffress , however , may be forced to adjust his church 's worship plans after Dallas County on Thursday evening issued a `` public health emergency , '' ordering a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 people .
The decree does not affect Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano , Texas , located in a neighboring county .
Though Prestonwood is one of the largest churches in America , with 45,000 members spread across three campuses , Senior Pastor Jack Graham , another fervent Trump admirer , initially refused to suspend mass worship services .
`` We 're not going to shut down with the current information that we have , '' Graham told his congregation .
On Friday , however , Graham and his associates changed their mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and given how quickly the coronavirus pandemic is evolving in our communities , '' Graham announced , `` we have made the difficult decision not to meet in person for services this weekend . ''
In the Seattle area , home to the most serious coronavirus outbreak , church leaders have willingly agreed to suspend worship services .
`` Obviously , there 's no substitute for meeting in person , but we know that 's not wise , '' says Ryan Falls , pastor at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue , which has closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a 10-minute drive from Kirkland Life Care Center , the senior living facility where 26 residents have died so far as a result of the coronavirus .
Falls is continuing to deliver sermons , but without facing his congregation .
He films the sermons in a media room at the church for uploading via the church website .
Another church in the Kirkland area , Overlake Christian , has not yet locked its doors , but is considerably scaling back its worship services .
`` We are strongly encouraging people to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says associate pastor Phil Chenery , `` but we tell people that we are here if you want to join us . ''
Though weekly church attendance averages 1,500 , only about 100 worshippers showed up last Sunday , Chenery says .
The suspension of worship services is likely to affect churches across the country differently , depending on their size and available resources .
Megachurches , generally defined as having more than 2,000 members , are best positioned to withstand extended closures , largely because of their extensive online operations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rather than high touch , '' says Scott Thumma , who studies the megachurch phenomenon at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research .
`` So in many ways they 're exceptionally well adapted to meet the challenges of not gathering for a couple of weeks . ''
Almost all megachurches raise revenue through online giving , Thumma says , and are using it to their advantage .
`` If [ members ] give online and then agree to do it monthly , '' Thumma says , `` you are going to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with people face to face . ''
Smaller congregations , in contrast , are likely to depend more on weekly offerings collected in church and are less able to turn to online worship and are therefore more vulnerable to extended suspension of worship services .
Another factor affecting how churches will weather the coronavirus storm , Thumma says , is their age profile .
`` Megachurch congregations tend to be significantly younger , and thus less likely to be in that high risk category than smaller , more traditional mainline congregations , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Thumma notes , almost half the membership is age 65 and older , making them especially vulnerable to the coronavirus outbreak .

Churches Grapple With Whether To Suspend Worship Services
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Churches around the country are weighing whether to suspend worship services in response to the coronavirus, with their decisions dependent on their size, their proximity to an outbreak, and perhaps even their political leanings.
In the most aggressive response, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have temporarily suspended "all public gatherings" of church members worldwide. According to a church statement, members are encouraged "to care for one another" in lieu of attending worship services.
Roman Catholic and Episcopal leaders are generally leaving the decision of whether to suspend worship services to local diocesan authorities. The Catholic archdioceses of Washington, D.C., and Seattle have both ordered the cancellation of public masses, for example, while other dioceses have not yet done so, opting to mitigate the threat of virus contagion by limiting physical contact or modifying Communion practices. All Episcopal churches in Maryland and D.C. have canceled services, at least temporarily.
In some cases, church decisions are being dictated by local government decrees. After Utah Gov. Gary Herbert asked for an end to all public gatherings of more than 100 people, church leaders across the state agreed to suspend worship services temporarily. In response to a similar request from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, many churches in that state also announced a suspension of services, though some church leaders are resisting the governor's call.
Aaron Harvie, senior pastor of Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, told The Washington Post that he has no plans to cancel services at his church, which has 7000 members in three campuses.
"If we shut down services, it would add to fear," Harvie said. He told the Post he would like to tell the governor that he is treading into an area where "you don't actually have direct responsibility or authority."
Some church leaders close to the Trump administration have been especially resistant to any pressure to suspend worship services.
Robert Jeffress, the senior pastor at First Baptist in Dallas, Texas, and one of Trump's most outspoken admirers, told his congregation he wanted to avoid "pandemic panic."
"I know some people are saying, 'The NBA is canceling games, why don't you cancel church services?'" Jeffress said in an interview with the Dallas TV station KDFW. "Respectfully, what we do is more important than what the NBA is doing. That's entertainment, and that's optional. Worship is essential."
Religion How Some Churches Are Trying To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus Among Congregants How Some Churches Are Trying To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus Among Congregants Listen · 3:45 3:45
Jeffress, however, may be forced to adjust his church's worship plans after Dallas County on Thursday evening issued a "public health emergency," ordering a ban on public gatherings of more than 500 people.
The decree does not affect Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, located in a neighboring county. Though Prestonwood is one of the largest churches in America, with 45,000 members spread across three campuses, Senior Pastor Jack Graham, another fervent Trump admirer, initially refused to suspend mass worship services.
"We're not going to shut down with the current information that we have," Graham told his congregation.
On Friday, however, Graham and his associates changed their mind.
"After much discussion and prayer and given how quickly the coronavirus pandemic is evolving in our communities," Graham announced, "we have made the difficult decision not to meet in person for services this weekend."
In the Seattle area, home to the most serious coronavirus outbreak, church leaders have willingly agreed to suspend worship services.
"Obviously, there's no substitute for meeting in person, but we know that's not wise," says Ryan Falls, pastor at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue, which has closed its doors indefinitely. The church is just a 10-minute drive from Kirkland Life Care Center, the senior living facility where 26 residents have died so far as a result of the coronavirus.
Falls is continuing to deliver sermons, but without facing his congregation. He films the sermons in a media room at the church for uploading via the church website.
Another church in the Kirkland area, Overlake Christian, has not yet locked its doors, but is considerably scaling back its worship services.
"We are strongly encouraging people to stay home and worship with us online," says associate pastor Phil Chenery, "but we tell people that we are here if you want to join us." Though weekly church attendance averages 1,500, only about 100 worshippers showed up last Sunday, Chenery says.
The suspension of worship services is likely to affect churches across the country differently, depending on their size and available resources. Megachurches, generally defined as having more than 2,000 members, are best positioned to withstand extended closures, largely because of their extensive online operations.
Asia Megachurch In South Korea Accused Of Spreading Coronavirus Megachurch In South Korea Accused Of Spreading Coronavirus Listen · 3:45 3:45
"Megachurches have gone into high tech, rather than high touch," says Scott Thumma, who studies the megachurch phenomenon at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. "So in many ways they're exceptionally well adapted to meet the challenges of not gathering for a couple of weeks."
Almost all megachurches raise revenue through online giving, Thumma says, and are using it to their advantage.
"If [members] give online and then agree to do it monthly," Thumma says, "you are going to get more money than if you just plead with people face to face."
Smaller congregations, in contrast, are likely to depend more on weekly offerings collected in church and are less able to turn to online worship and are therefore more vulnerable to extended suspension of worship services.
Another factor affecting how churches will weather the coronavirus storm, Thumma says, is their age profile.
"Megachurch congregations tend to be significantly younger, and thus less likely to be in that high risk category than smaller, more traditional mainline congregations," Thumma says.
In U.S. Episcopal churches, Thumma notes, almost half the membership is age 65 and older, making them especially vulnerable to the coronavirus outbreak.


npr--2020-03-13--Coronavirus Symptoms: Defining Mild, Moderate And Severe

These are some of the adjectives being used to describe the symptoms displayed by patients with COVID-19 .
Vice President Pence used them in his remarks to the nation this week : '' Some — some large percentage have mild flu symptoms ; some have serious flu symptoms . ''
At this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic , there is not a standard definition of what symptoms are associated with these designations .
It can take years for such guidelines to be issued for a newly identified disease , according to Dr. Sandro Galea , an epidemiologist and dean of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nonetheless , there are some preliminary definitions that can be helpful in understanding the range of symptoms .
In 80 % of known cases , COVID-19 causes mild to moderate illness , according to a report of a joint World Health Organization-China mission of 25 infectious disease experts held in China late last month .
At a press conference on March 9 , Maria Van Kerkhove , technical lead of the WHO Health Emergencies Program , had this to say about the symptoms for a so-called `` mild '' case : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever , although it may take a couple of days to get a fever .
You will have some respiratory symptoms ; you have some aches and pains .
You 'll have a dry cough .
This is what the majority of individuals will have . ''
It is `` nothing that will make you feel like you need to run to a hospital , '' says Dr. Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
A mild case of COVID-19 in and of itself is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — more commonly in older people and in people with underlying health issues — a mild case can progress to a moderate case that could require some supportive care such as fluids for dehydration , typically in an emergency room or urgent care center , especially if hospitals are overwhelmed by the most acute cases .
Symptoms of being moderately ill with COVID-19 include coughing , fever above 100.4 , chills and a feeling that you do n't want to or ca n't get out of bed , says Adalja .
Some patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can occur in various ways .
`` Shortness of breath is a wide spectrum and whether we consider treatment will be based on how short of breath they are , their age and other health conditions , '' says Galea .
`` Is it shortness of breath after climbing a flight of stairs or when there 's no activity — for example , when you 're just sitting in a chair ? ''
says Dr. Theresa Madaline , hospital epidemiologist at the Montefiore Health System in New York City .
In either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case .
`` Shortness of breath [ with this virus ] is a symptom to always check with a health care provider .
Period , '' says Dr. Kenneth E. Lyn-Kew , a pulmonologist in the Section of Critical Care Medicine and Department of Medicine at National Jewish Health in Denver .
That 's because shortness of breath can be caused by low oxygen levels in the blood .
Blood carries oxygen to organs and tissues , and low levels can lead to organ shutdown or even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hospitalization is unlikely unless they are having difficulty drawing a breath or are dehydrated .
Signs of dehydration can include increased thirst , dry mouth , decreased urine output , yellow urine , dry skin , a headache and dizziness .
But there 's another possible development within the `` mild to moderate '' classification .
`` Some of those individuals will go on to develop a mild form of pneumonia , '' Van Kerkhove says .
While pneumonia can often resolve on its own , especially in younger people , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health conditions , pneumonia can be life-threatening or require hospitalization , especially if their immune system is weak .
In these instances , without supplemental oxygen or , if needed , a respirator to aid breathing , a patient 's organs can shut down and the patient can die , says Galea .
People with pneumonia can also get secondary bacterial infections , which can be life-threatening and require treatment with intravenous antibiotics .
A case that is `` mild to moderate '' will last about two weeks from the first signs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the report of the WHO-China joint mission , in about 1 in 5 patients , the infection gets worse .
About 14 % of cases can develop into severe disease , where patients may need supplemental oxygen .
And 6 % of cases become critical and may experience septic shock — a significant drop in blood pressure that can lead to stroke , heart or respiratory failure , failure of other organs or death .
Theresa Madaline says that in some patients , symptoms can progress to severe in a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A different problem can occur if disease progresses .
The virus can enter lung cells and start replicating , killing the cells .
The immune system may take action to fight the virus , creating inflammation , destroying lung tissue and sometimes resulting in a more severe form of pneumonia .
This [ immune system ] response can impair your ability to get oxygen into your blood .
Without enough oxygen , inflammation can become more severe and result in organ failure .
What to tell your doctor about symptoms '' Keep in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the inelegant terms we have right now , '' says Dr. Shira Doron , hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston .
`` Use symptoms rather than adjectives when you speak to a health care provider '' and then they can determine whether you need to consider treatment .

Coronavirus Symptoms: Defining Mild, Moderate And Severe
Enlarge this image toggle caption Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg via Getty Images Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Updated on March 17 at 5:06 p.m. ET
Mild.
Moderate.
Serious.
Severe or extreme.
These are some of the adjectives being used to describe the symptoms displayed by patients with COVID-19. Vice President Pence used them in his remarks to the nation last week:
"Some — some large percentage have mild flu symptoms; some have serious flu symptoms."
Clinical definitions of these terms can take years to be developed and finalized, says Sandro Galea, an epidemiologist and dean of the School of Public Health at Boston University.
Steps are being taken. The World Health Organization updated guidance for doctors treating COVID-19 earlier this week and provided explanations to categorize most of the cases doctors will see.
According to the new report, "while most people with COVID-19 develop mild or uncomplicated illness, approximately 14% develop severe disease requiring hospitalization and oxygen support and 5% require admission to an intensive care unit to try to prevent the most severe complications including septic shock — a significant drop in blood pressure that can lead to stroke, heart or respiratory failure, failure of other organs or death."
Theresa Madaline, hospital epidemiologist at the Montefiore Health System in New York City, notes that in some patients, symptoms can progress to severe in a few hours — or over several days.
But at this time, the common terms you'll hear are "mild" "moderate" and "severe." We asked doctors on the front lines to help us explain those terms in light of the new WHO guidance.
Mild Illness
In 80% of known cases, COVID-19 causes mild to moderate illness, according to a report of a joint World Health Organization-China mission of 25 infectious disease experts held in China late last month.
At a press conference on March 9, Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, said: "[A] mild infection starts normally with a fever, although it may take a couple of days to get a fever. You will have some respiratory symptoms; you have some aches and pains. You'll have a dry cough. This is what the majority of individuals will have."
It is "nothing that will make you feel like you need to run to a hospital," says Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
A mild case of COVID-19 in and of itself is not dangerous. But in some cases — more commonly in older people and in people with underlying health issues — a mild case can progress to a moderate case that could require some supportive care such as fluids for dehydration, typically in an emergency room or urgent care center, especially if hospitals are overwhelmed by the most acute cases.
Moderate
Symptoms of being moderately ill with COVID-19 include coughing, fever above 100.4, chills and a feeling that you don't want to or can't get out of bed, says Adalja.
With shortness, of breath, that "is a wide spectrum and whether we consider treatment will be based on how short of breath they are, their age and other health conditions," says Galea."\
"Is it shortness of breath after climbing a flight of stairs or when there's no activity — for example, when you're just sitting in a chair?" says Dr. Theresa Madaline, hospital epidemiologist at the Montefiore Health System in New York City.
In either case, there's cause for concern with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case. "Shortness of breath [with this virus] is a symptom to always check with a health care provider. Period," says Dr. Kenneth E. Lyn-Kew, a pulmonologist in the Section of Critical Care Medicine and Department of Medicine at National Jewish Health in Denver.
That's because shortness of breath can be caused by low oxygen levels in the blood. Blood carries oxygen to organs and tissues, and low levels can lead to organ shutdown or even death.
For patients with moderate symptoms, hospitalization is unlikely unless they are having difficulty drawing a breath or are dehydrated. Signs of dehydration can include increased thirst, dry mouth, decreased urine output, yellow urine, dry skin, a headache and dizziness.
Severe
During the March 9 press conference, Dr. Van Kerkhove said that "while pneumonia can often resolve on its own, especially in younger people, in older people and in those with underlying health conditions, pneumonia can be life-threatening or require hospitalization, especially if their immune system is weak."
The concern, says Galea, is that in severe cases, without giving a patient supplemental oxygen or if needed a respirator to aid breathing, a patient's organs can shut down and the patient can die, says Galea. People with pneumonia can also get secondary bacterial infections, which can be life-threatening and require treatment with intravenous antibiotics.
A different problem can occur if the disease progresses. The virus can enter lung cells and start replicating, killing the cells. The immune system may take action to fight the virus, creating inflammation, destroying lung tissue and sometimes resulting in a more severe form of pneumonia.
This [immune system] response can impair the ability to get oxygen into the blood. Without enough oxygen, inflammation can become more severe and result in organ failure.
What to tell your doctor about symptoms
"Keep in mind that mild, moderate and severe are the inelegant terms we have right now," says Dr. Shira Doron, hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. "Use symptoms rather than adjectives when you speak to a health care provider" and then they can determine whether you need to consider treatment.


npr--2020-03-13--Louisiana Postpones Presidential Primary Over Coronavirus Fears

Louisiana will delay its presidential primary election by more than two months over coronavirus fears , becoming the first state to do so .
The state had more than 35 presumptive positive test results for people with coronavirus as of Friday morning .
The primary had been scheduled for April 4 but will now be on June 20 .
`` This weighty decision has been made out of absolute abundance of caution for Louisiana 's voters , voting officials and the general public as a whole , and there were many factors that led us to arrive to this conclusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ardoin said Friday .
He said officials were particularly concerned about the risk posed to Election Day poll workers .
`` Louisiana has almost 3 million registered voters who vote at nearly 4,000 precincts in over 2,000 polling locations .
And of Louisiana 's election day commissioners , over half are 65 and older , '' he said .
Health officials warn that older people face a higher risk of serious consequences from the novel coronavirus .
Ardoin said several polling locations are located in nursing homes .
On Tuesday , Arizona , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next states set to hold presidential primary elections .
Elections officials in the four states sent out a joint press release Friday saying their elections would go ahead as planned but that extra health information on sanitizing voting equipment and hand washing would be provided to polling locations .
`` Americans have participated in elections during challenging times in the past , and based on the best information we have from public health officials , we are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in this election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have been adapting to the spread of the coronavirus by canceling rallies and holding events to talk with voters online .
They are set to debate on Sunday without a live audience .

Louisiana Postpones Presidential Primary Over Coronavirus Fears
Enlarge this image toggle caption Win McNamee/Getty Images Win McNamee/Getty Images
Louisiana will delay its presidential primary election by more than two months over coronavirus fears, becoming the first state to do so.
The state had more than 35 presumptive positive test results for people with coronavirus as of Friday morning.
The primary had been scheduled for April 4 but will now be on June 20.
"This weighty decision has been made out of absolute abundance of caution for Louisiana's voters, voting officials and the general public as a whole, and there were many factors that led us to arrive to this conclusion," Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said Friday.
He said officials were particularly concerned about the risk posed to Election Day poll workers.
"Louisiana has almost 3 million registered voters who vote at nearly 4,000 precincts in over 2,000 polling locations. And of Louisiana's election day commissioners, over half are 65 and older," he said.
Health officials warn that older people face a higher risk of serious consequences from the novel coronavirus. Ardoin said several polling locations are located in nursing homes.
On Tuesday, Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio are the next states set to hold presidential primary elections. Elections officials in the four states sent out a joint press release Friday saying their elections would go ahead as planned but that extra health information on sanitizing voting equipment and hand washing would be provided to polling locations.
"Americans have participated in elections during challenging times in the past, and based on the best information we have from public health officials, we are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in this election," said the statement.
Presidential candidate Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have been adapting to the spread of the coronavirus by canceling rallies and holding events to talk with voters online. They are set to debate on Sunday without a live audience.


npr--2020-03-13--Not Employees: Gig Workers Like Uber Drivers Aren't Eligible For Sick Leave

Not Employees : Gig Workers Like Uber Drivers Are n't Eligible For Sick Leave Joe Renice noticed things were different last week in downtown San Francisco .
`` I was driving around the financial district for 3 1/2 hours .
I got one ride , '' he said .
Renice is an Uber driver and normally spends a good chunk of his day ferrying tech workers and tourists around the city .
But with companies including Twitter , Salesforce and Facebook advising employees to work from home and conferences and other events being canceled every day , demand for rides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The spread of coronavirus is the U.S. is highlighting just how precarious the gig economy can be .
The payroll tax cuts and sick leave policies being discussed by the Trump administration would not apply to gig workers , because they are not considered employees of companies like Uber and Lyft .
If they do n't drive or deliver food , they do n't get paid .
That is creating a lot of uncertainty for gig workers , who are grappling with whether to stay on the road at the same time that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay home or avoid crowds .
Those who are still driving are spending a lot of time and money cleaning their cars .
`` I 'm spending a lot more time on dealing with the car and disinfecting it and all that .
I did n't do that before , '' said Edan Alva , who drives for Lyft in the Bay Area .
Lyft and Uber both say they 're working on providing cleaning supplies to drivers .
But those supplies are limited , so for now , drivers like Alva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own pockets .
`` You have drivers who are often , you know , only making around $ 15 to $ 20 an hour before expenses .
So when you start racking up a lot of those expenses , you make less as a driver , '' said Harry Campbell , who runs a popular blog for drivers called The Rideshare Guy .
Other drivers are making the tough choice to take a financial hit .
`` It 's very worrying to work under these conditions , '' said Linda Valdivia , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So I am trying to drive less than before .
.
.
because I 'm being a little cautious about it . ''
Uber , Lyft , Instacart , DoorDash and Amazon are offering financial help .
But that is only available to workers who have either been diagnosed with coronavirus , or put in mandatory quarantine by public health officials .
That 's a limited number .
Uber said it has made up missed pay for five workers in Mexico and the United Kingdom , all of whom were put in quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support workers , some are going further .
Instacart is introducing sick pay for all workers .
Another food delivery app , Postmates , will cover medical expenses for workers in 22 states , even if they have n't been diagnosed with the virus or quarantined .
Uber , DoorDash and other companies have discussed pooling money into a fund for the many gig workers who drive or deliver for more than one service .
That kind of crossover could become even more common , as more people hunker down at home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instacart is already seeing higher demand for grocery delivery in some American cities .
Campbell says he advises Uber and Lyft drivers who are nervous about exposing themselves to passengers to deliver food instead , through apps like Instacart and DoorDash .
`` If the virus does spread and consumers and customers stop going out as frequently , '' he said , `` I think that 's when we 'll see a big shift to food delivery , sort of like what we 've already seen happen in China . ''

Not Employees: Gig Workers Like Uber Drivers Aren't Eligible For Sick Leave
Enlarge this image toggle caption David Goldman/AP David Goldman/AP
Joe Renice noticed things were different last week in downtown San Francisco.
"I was driving around the financial district for 3 1/2 hours. I got one ride," he said.
Renice is an Uber driver and normally spends a good chunk of his day ferrying tech workers and tourists around the city.
But with companies including Twitter, Salesforce and Facebook advising employees to work from home and conferences and other events being canceled every day, demand for rides in many big cities has dropped.
The spread of coronavirus is the U.S. is highlighting just how precarious the gig economy can be. The payroll tax cuts and sick leave policies being discussed by the Trump administration would not apply to gig workers, because they are not considered employees of companies like Uber and Lyft. If they don't drive or deliver food, they don't get paid.
That is creating a lot of uncertainty for gig workers, who are grappling with whether to stay on the road at the same time that so many other people are being told to stay home or avoid crowds.
Those who are still driving are spending a lot of time and money cleaning their cars.
"I'm spending a lot more time on dealing with the car and disinfecting it and all that. I didn't do that before," said Edan Alva, who drives for Lyft in the Bay Area.
Lyft and Uber both say they're working on providing cleaning supplies to drivers. But those supplies are limited, so for now, drivers like Alva are paying for disinfectant out of their own pockets.
"You have drivers who are often, you know, only making around $15 to $20 an hour before expenses. So when you start racking up a lot of those expenses, you make less as a driver," said Harry Campbell, who runs a popular blog for drivers called The Rideshare Guy.
Other drivers are making the tough choice to take a financial hit.
"It's very worrying to work under these conditions," said Linda Valdivia, an Uber driver in Los Angeles. "So I am trying to drive less than before . . . because I'm being a little cautious about it."
Uber, Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash and Amazon are offering financial help. But that is only available to workers who have either been diagnosed with coronavirus, or put in mandatory quarantine by public health officials.
That's a limited number. Uber said it has made up missed pay for five workers in Mexico and the United Kingdom, all of whom were put in quarantine.
As companies come under pressure to support workers, some are going further.
Instacart is introducing sick pay for all workers. Another food delivery app, Postmates, will cover medical expenses for workers in 22 states, even if they haven't been diagnosed with the virus or quarantined.
Uber, DoorDash and other companies have discussed pooling money into a fund for the many gig workers who drive or deliver for more than one service. That kind of crossover could become even more common, as more people hunker down at home and order groceries and meals for delivery.
Instacart is already seeing higher demand for grocery delivery in some American cities.
Campbell says he advises Uber and Lyft drivers who are nervous about exposing themselves to passengers to deliver food instead, through apps like Instacart and DoorDash.
"If the virus does spread and consumers and customers stop going out as frequently," he said, "I think that's when we'll see a big shift to food delivery, sort of like what we've already seen happen in China."


npr--2020-03-13--Something's Wrong: Stock Sell-Off Exposes Weak Links In Financial System

The stunning , rapid plunge in stock prices over the spreading coronavirus pandemic has understandably captured headlines for days .
But there 's a parallel story that has received much less attention : the health of the underlying financial plumbing that allows banks and markets to operate smoothly .
That system , according to analysts , is now under strain .
The worry is that bankers , traders and big funds might suddenly find themselves in a cash crunch or without quick access to credit .
Such a scenario could create an ugly spiral throughout the economy .
On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jamming up and decided to step in with an infusion of cash available to banks .
The New York Fed said it was injecting the money `` to address the highly unusual disruptions to Treasury financing markets associated with the coronavirus outbreak . ''
Treasurys — U.S. government debt — are typically widely traded .
They 're the grease that makes the wheels of the credit and trading system function efficiently .
But in recent days , the Treasury market has become brittle .
Treasurys `` are the most liquid market on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goldberg , U.S. rates strategist for TD Securities .
`` When it 's experiencing problems , you know something is wrong . ''
Normally , when there 's a big stock sell-off , investors flee for the safety of U.S. Treasurys .
And during the market sell-offs recently , it 's exactly what has been happening .
Goldberg said the trading system was sputtering .
Dealers — the banks that buy and sell under all conditions — did n't have robust enough balance sheets to meet the demand from buyers and sellers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goldberg said .
The Fed stepped in to prevent a case of the hiccups from becoming something drastically worse .
The Fed also announced a move reminiscent of dramatic actions it took during and immediately after the financial crisis of 2008 .
It 's called quantitative easing and it 's meant to relieve the cash liquidity imbalances in the financial markets .
During the crisis , for instance , the Fed bought massive amounts of Treasury debt from banks , flooding the financial system with money .
Now , the Fed is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on a much smaller scale .
As of Friday , it will be purchasing $ 60 billion in Treasury debt .
And next week , at its regular meeting , the Fed is expected to slash interest rates — perhaps by as much as a full percentage point — which would essentially bring them down to zero .
The central bank already cut rates by a half point in an emergency move last week .
All these actions are designed to support both the financial system and the broader economy from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Something's Wrong: Stock Sell-Off Exposes Weak Links In Financial System
Enlarge this image toggle caption Richard Drew/AP Richard Drew/AP
The stunning, rapid plunge in stock prices over the spreading coronavirus pandemic has understandably captured headlines for days.
But there's a parallel story that has received much less attention: the health of the underlying financial plumbing that allows banks and markets to operate smoothly.
That system, according to analysts, is now under strain.
The worry is that bankers, traders and big funds might suddenly find themselves in a cash crunch or without quick access to credit. Such a scenario could create an ugly spiral throughout the economy.
On Thursday, the Federal Reserve noticed the market jamming up and decided to step in with an infusion of cash available to banks. The New York Fed said it was injecting the money "to address the highly unusual disruptions to Treasury financing markets associated with the coronavirus outbreak."
Treasurys — U.S. government debt — are typically widely traded. They're the grease that makes the wheels of the credit and trading system function efficiently. But in recent days, the Treasury market has become brittle.
Treasurys "are the most liquid market on the planet bar none," said Gennadiy Goldberg, U.S. rates strategist for TD Securities. "When it's experiencing problems, you know something is wrong."
Normally, when there's a big stock sell-off, investors flee for the safety of U.S. Treasurys. And during the market sell-offs recently, it's exactly what has been happening.
Except on Thursday.
Goldberg said the trading system was sputtering. Dealers — the banks that buy and sell under all conditions — didn't have robust enough balance sheets to meet the demand from buyers and sellers of Treasurys.
So trading markets faltered, Goldberg said. The Fed stepped in to prevent a case of the hiccups from becoming something drastically worse.
The Fed also announced a move reminiscent of dramatic actions it took during and immediately after the financial crisis of 2008. It's called quantitative easing and it's meant to relieve the cash liquidity imbalances in the financial markets.
During the crisis, for instance, the Fed bought massive amounts of Treasury debt from banks, flooding the financial system with money.
Now, the Fed is doing something similar — though, so far, on a much smaller scale. As of Friday, it will be purchasing $60 billion in Treasury debt.
And next week, at its regular meeting, the Fed is expected to slash interest rates — perhaps by as much as a full percentage point — which would essentially bring them down to zero. The central bank already cut rates by a half point in an emergency move last week.
All these actions are designed to support both the financial system and the broader economy from the sudden stress brought on by the coronavirus.


npr--2020-03-13--FACT CHECK: Trump's Accusations About The Obama Administration And Swine Flu

FACT CHECK : Trump 's Accusations About The Obama Administration And Swine Flu President Trump , widely criticized for his administration 's response to the coronavirus pandemic , tried to shift blame Friday to his predecessor 's handling of a health crisis 11 years ago .
In a series of tweets Friday morning , Trump accused former President Barack Obama of making unspecified changes that `` complicated '' the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention 's testing system .
Trump falsely charged the Obama administration 's response to the H1N1 swine flu outbreak as a `` full scale disaster , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done to fix the testing problem , until now . ''
Trump has , on numerous occasions , accused the Obama administration of implementing a rule change that complicated testing .
However , no such rule was ever put in place , according to FactCheck.org .
Coronavirus testing has been a key point of criticism of the Trump administration , with testing only becoming widespread in the U.S. this week , and kits remain in limited supply .
Trump announced Friday in a tweet that `` testing will soon happen on a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been cut , ready to go ! ''
He appeared to be referring to an announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded grants to two companies developing tests that can show results in under an hour .
These tests , however , wo n't be available for about six to 12 weeks .
The administration also appointed a federal coordinator to oversee testing .
In a news conference Friday afternoon , Deborah Birx , who has been tasked with helping the administration coordinate its response to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort '' put into `` bringing the availability of these quality coronaviral testing to the American people at unprecedented speed . ''
`` I understand that a lot of this behind-the-scenes action in the last couple of weeks was invisible to the press and the American people , '' said Birx , who is an internationally recognized HIV/AIDS expert .
Trump also defended his administration 's actions on testing in the news conference .
Asked whether he took responsibility for the apparent lag in widespread testing , Trump said , `` No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we were given a — a set of circumstances , and we were given rules , regulations and specifications from a different time . ''
He again raised the comparison to swine flu , arguing , `` They did n't do testing like this . ''
According to a CDC estimate , there were more than 60 million swine flu cases reported in the U.S. between April 2009 — when the disease was first detected in California — and April 2010 , with more than 12,000 people dying .
The agency said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 , 2009 , and the government declared H1N1 a public health emergency on the April 26 .
The first test to detect the new virus was approved by the FDA two days later .
Shipments of the new CDC test began May 1 .
The Trump campaign on Friday also lashed out at former Vice President Joe Biden , Trump 's potential opponent in the 2020 election , accusing him of showing `` terrible judgment and incompetence in the face of public health issues . ''
The campaign may have been referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when he said on NBC 's Today show , `` I would n't go anywhere in confined places now . ''
His comments appeared out of line with official recommendations at the time .

FACT CHECK: Trump's Accusations About The Obama Administration And Swine Flu
Enlarge this image toggle caption The White House via Getty Images The White House via Getty Images
Updated at 5:39 p.m. ET
President Trump, widely criticized for his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic, tried to shift blame Friday to his predecessor's handling of a health crisis 11 years ago.
In a series of tweets Friday morning, Trump accused former President Barack Obama of making unspecified changes that "complicated" the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention's testing system.
Trump falsely charged the Obama administration's response to the H1N1 swine flu outbreak as a "full scale disaster, with thousands dying, and nothing meaningful done to fix the testing problem, until now."
Trump has, on numerous occasions, accused the Obama administration of implementing a rule change that complicated testing. However, no such rule was ever put in place, according to FactCheck.org.
Coronavirus testing has been a key point of criticism of the Trump administration, with testing only becoming widespread in the U.S. this week, and kits remain in limited supply.
Trump announced Friday in a tweet that "testing will soon happen on a very large scale basis. All Red Tape has been cut, ready to go!"
He appeared to be referring to an announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded grants to two companies developing tests that can show results in under an hour. These tests, however, won't be available for about six to 12 weeks.
The administration also appointed a federal coordinator to oversee testing.
In a news conference Friday afternoon, Deborah Birx, who has been tasked with helping the administration coordinate its response to the coronavirus, said there has been "intense effort" put into "bringing the availability of these quality coronaviral testing to the American people at unprecedented speed."
"I understand that a lot of this behind-the-scenes action in the last couple of weeks was invisible to the press and the American people," said Birx, who is an internationally recognized HIV/AIDS expert.
Trump also defended his administration's actions on testing in the news conference.
Asked whether he took responsibility for the apparent lag in widespread testing, Trump said, "No, I don't take responsibility at all because we were given a — a set of circumstances, and we were given rules, regulations and specifications from a different time."
He again raised the comparison to swine flu, arguing, "They didn't do testing like this."
According to a CDC estimate, there were more than 60 million swine flu cases reported in the U.S. between April 2009 — when the disease was first detected in California — and April 2010, with more than 12,000 people dying.
The agency said the first case was reported on April 15, 2009, and the government declared H1N1 a public health emergency on the April 26. The first test to detect the new virus was approved by the FDA two days later. Shipments of the new CDC test began May 1.
The Trump campaign on Friday also lashed out at former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump's potential opponent in the 2020 election, accusing him of showing "terrible judgment and incompetence in the face of public health issues."
The campaign may have been referring to remarks Biden made in April 2009, when he said on NBC's Today show, "I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now." His comments appeared out of line with official recommendations at the time.


npr--2020-03-13--South Korea's Drive-Through Testing For Coronavirus Is Fast — And Free

South Korea 's Drive-Through Testing For Coronavirus Is Fast — And Free If you roll up to a drive-through COVID-19 testing center in South Korea , you might notice that safety procedures extend all the way to your car 's air conditioning .
You will be advised to hit the recirculation button so that if you 're sick , you can keep your pathogens to yourself , in your car , and avoid infecting the medical personnel doing the testing .
The test takes 10 minutes at most .
Results are texted to you , usually the next day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the government .
Drive-through centers have helped South Korea do some of the fastest , most-extensive testing of any country .
And while nobody is claiming that South Korea has defeated the outbreak , experts credit the emphasis on testing with reducing case numbers and fatalities .
`` I think our approach was right , '' says professor Lee Hyukmin of the Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul .
`` We will continue to see sporadic infections , '' he predicts .
`` But still , the situation in Daegu , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` is being stabilized . ''
South Korea has about 8,000 infections .
Italy and Iran overtook it this week as the countries with the most cases outside of China .
South Korea 's new cases have gradually declined since the end of last month .
For the first time since Jan. 20 , the number of patients released from treatment on Friday , March 13 — 510 — outnumbered the 110 new cases .
A nation of 51 million , South Korea has tested about 250,000 people since its outbreak began on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 15,000 .
It has conducted 3,600 tests per million people compared to five per million in the U.S. South Korea 's aggressive testing may make it unnecessary to impose the sort of lockdowns to which China and Italy have resorted , although health officials insist that all options remain on the table in dealing with the epidemic .
`` It 's much better to test and then quarantine a specific person than to do a citywide or provincewide lockdown , which in certain ways prevents the virus from leaving the province but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less likely to have high infection rates , '' says Eric Feigl-Ding , a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington , D.C. , and an epidemiologist at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health .
He points out that testing capacity is not just about getting enough test kits .
It requires years of investment in complex health care infrastructure , including lab hardware and technicians to analyze samples , logistics for moving goods and providing services and information technology to keep supplies and data moving .
Any bottleneck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and lead to more infections and deaths .
`` In order for Korea to carry out all these tests , you have to get all these ducks in a row , '' says Feigl-Ding , which is why he concludes : `` I think Korea has done a great job . ''
By contrast , he adds , `` the United States has not . ''
South Korea , however , learned many of its lessons the hard way — by not having sufficient resources to cope with previous epidemics , notably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , the Korean Centers for Disease Control , or KCDC , was the only institution authorized to do epidemiological testing .
The problem , says Yonsei University 's Lee Hyukmin , is that `` in South Korea , private institutions account for 90 % of the medical system , and 90 % of our testing capacity , '' especially laboratories to analyze samples .
`` So we needed the support of the private sector . ''
Now , he says , public and private sectors cooperate more efficiently , having come together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reorganized to respond more effectively to epidemics , including a branch specifically in charge of testing and diagnosing infectious diseases .
The medical sector has come up with innovations such as the drive-through clinics .
The clinics simplify the time-consuming process of protecting medical workers from infection .
Dr. Liu Jaehong , who is on his lunch break in a tent next to one of four drive-through testing centers run by the Seoul municipal government , has also worked at indoor testing facilities .
`` It takes at least 10 minutes to disinfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he explains , but because those visitors stay in their car , `` we do n't need that process . ''
Getting tested in one 's own car `` feels more convenient and safe , '' says motorist Kim Soo-jeong , as she drives out from the center following a test .
One Seoul test center consists of four trailerlike offices with white canopies in front .
Doctors in full protective suits and goggles take the driver 's temperature with an infrared thermometer and hand out a questionnaire to fill out .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the doctor 's opinion , may be at risk based on where you 've been or whom you 've contacted , you 're eligible for a test .
Only the driver is tested — passengers are not .
The drive-through clinics are catching on elsewhere , including in the U.S. Washington state , New York , Connecticut and Colorado are the first to adopt them .
And it 's easy to see why .
Liu Jaehon says that in drive-through clinics , he can test 10 people an hour — roughly double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinic .

South Korea's Drive-Through Testing For Coronavirus Is Fast — And Free
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images
If you roll up to a drive-through COVID-19 testing center in South Korea, you might notice that safety procedures extend all the way to your car's air conditioning. You will be advised to hit the recirculation button so that if you're sick, you can keep your pathogens to yourself, in your car, and avoid infecting the medical personnel doing the testing.
The test takes 10 minutes at most. Results are texted to you, usually the next day. And it's free — paid for by the government.
Drive-through centers have helped South Korea do some of the fastest, most-extensive testing of any country. And while nobody is claiming that South Korea has defeated the outbreak, experts credit the emphasis on testing with reducing case numbers and fatalities.
"I think our approach was right," says professor Lee Hyukmin of the Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul. "We will continue to see sporadic infections," he predicts. "But still, the situation in Daegu," the epicenter of the outbreak, "is being stabilized."
South Korea has about 8,000 infections. Italy and Iran overtook it this week as the countries with the most cases outside of China. South Korea's new cases have gradually declined since the end of last month. For the first time since Jan. 20, the number of patients released from treatment on Friday, March 13 — 510 — outnumbered the 110 new cases.
A nation of 51 million, South Korea has tested about 250,000 people since its outbreak began on Jan. 20, with a daily capacity of 15,000. It has conducted 3,600 tests per million people compared to five per million in the U.S.
South Korea's aggressive testing may make it unnecessary to impose the sort of lockdowns to which China and Italy have resorted, although health officials insist that all options remain on the table in dealing with the epidemic.
"It's much better to test and then quarantine a specific person than to do a citywide or provincewide lockdown, which in certain ways prevents the virus from leaving the province but actually doesn't make the province any less likely to have high infection rates," says Eric Feigl-Ding, a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington, D.C., and an epidemiologist at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health.
He points out that testing capacity is not just about getting enough test kits. It requires years of investment in complex health care infrastructure, including lab hardware and technicians to analyze samples, logistics for moving goods and providing services and information technology to keep supplies and data moving. Any bottleneck or shortage of these elements can cost time and lead to more infections and deaths.
"In order for Korea to carry out all these tests, you have to get all these ducks in a row," says Feigl-Ding, which is why he concludes: "I think Korea has done a great job." By contrast, he adds, "the United States has not."
South Korea, however, learned many of its lessons the hard way — by not having sufficient resources to cope with previous epidemics, notably the 2015 MERS outbreak. At the time, the Korean Centers for Disease Control, or KCDC, was the only institution authorized to do epidemiological testing.
The problem, says Yonsei University's Lee Hyukmin, is that "in South Korea, private institutions account for 90% of the medical system, and 90% of our testing capacity," especially laboratories to analyze samples. "So we needed the support of the private sector."
Now, he says, public and private sectors cooperate more efficiently, having come together in voluntary collaboration. And the KCDC reorganized to respond more effectively to epidemics, including a branch specifically in charge of testing and diagnosing infectious diseases.
The medical sector has come up with innovations such as the drive-through clinics. The clinics simplify the time-consuming process of protecting medical workers from infection.
Dr. Liu Jaehong, who is on his lunch break in a tent next to one of four drive-through testing centers run by the Seoul municipal government, has also worked at indoor testing facilities.
"It takes at least 10 minutes to disinfect the waiting room between visitors," he explains, but because those visitors stay in their car, "we don't need that process."
Getting tested in one's own car "feels more convenient and safe," says motorist Kim Soo-jeong, as she drives out from the center following a test.
One Seoul test center consists of four trailerlike offices with white canopies in front. Doctors in full protective suits and goggles take the driver's temperature with an infrared thermometer and hand out a questionnaire to fill out. If you're running a fever and, in the doctor's opinion, may be at risk based on where you've been or whom you've contacted, you're eligible for a test. Only the driver is tested — passengers are not.
The drive-through clinics are catching on elsewhere, including in the U.S. Washington state, New York, Connecticut and Colorado are the first to adopt them. And it's easy to see why. Liu Jaehon says that in drive-through clinics, he can test 10 people an hour — roughly double what he could do at an indoor clinic.


npr--2020-03-13--President Trump Declares National Emergency Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic

In a largely unprecedented move for a public health crisis , President Trump is declaring a national emergency to free up as much as $ 50 billion in federal assistance to state and local governments overwhelmed by coronavirus , and to lower regulatory barriers to surge medical resources to areas that need them most .
Speaking at the White House Rose Garden for more an an hour Friday afternoon , Trump also said the federal government would work with the private sector to expand testing .
But , he added , people should take the test only if they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that up to half a million tests would be available early next week and that a list of locations would probably be announced on Sunday night .
He said 5 million tests would be available by next month .
`` This will pass , '' Trump declared , `` this will pass through and we 're going to be even stronger for it . ''
Trump said drive-through test locations would be established in certain critical locations , with help from Google .
Trump also asked every state to set up emergency operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will `` most likely '' get tested himself .
Trump had posed for a picture with a member of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro 's government at Mar-a-Lago last weekend who has since tested positive for the coronavirus .
Asked whether he took responsibility for the lag in making tests available for the coronavirus .
Trump responded , `` I do n't take responsibility at all . ''
A White House official tells NPR that Trump is using authority under the 1988 Stafford Act to make a nationwide emergency determination .
And he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request a `` major disaster '' declaration as well , which would free up even more assistance .
Stafford Act emergencies are typically used for getting out ahead of disasters like hurricanes , with a `` major disaster declaration '' to follow if there is a lot of damage .
A Stafford Act emergency has only been used once before in the context of a crisis of disease .
That was in fall of 2000 , when the states of New York and New Jersey requested emergency declarations to help deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration activates the Federal Emergency Management Agency , which can help with technical , financial and logistical relief .
FEMA could , for instance , facilitate the distribution of coronavirus tests , medications and food or even bring in tents for hospitals treating an overload of patients if it gets to that point .
Trump has also declared a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act .
This , in conjunction with the public health emergency already declared by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in January , would activate regulatory relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , this allows agencies to waive licensing requirements so medical professionals could cross state lines to assist in areas of greatest need .
A proclamation citing the National Emergencies Act states : `` The spread of COVID-19 within our Nation 's communities threatens to strain our Nation 's healthcare systems ...
It is incumbent on hospitals and medical facilities throughout the country to assess their preparedness posture and be prepared to surge capacity and capability .
Additional measures , however , are needed to successfully contain and combat the virus in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Democrats , led by Minority Leader Charles Schumer , had asked Trump to work with governors to declare Stafford Act emergencies , saying it would free up $ 42 billion currently in the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund .
Trump said it would give HHS broad authority to enable doctors and hospitals `` maximum flexibility '' to respond to the virus and care for patients .
Hospital , nursing and physician organizations also asked the president to declare an emergency .
Doug McMillon , the CEO of Walmart , said at the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its parking lots for the drive-through clinics .
Executives of Target , Walgreens and CVS also said their companies would be helping in the response .
Trump also raised the possibility of adding the United Kingdom to the ban on travel to the U.S. by foreign nationals from the European Union .
The U.K. was exempted from the action Trump announced Wednesday night but has been experiencing an uptick in reported cases .
Trump cast doubt on legislation that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been negotiating with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We do n't think the Democrats are giving enough . ''
In a move aimed at student borrowers , Trump said he would waive interest on federal student loans until further notice using executive action .
And he said the government would take advantage of low crude oil prices and buy oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve .
`` We 're going to fill it right to the top , '' Trump said .
Trump also denied responsibility for removing the National Security Council 's pandemic office .
He scolded a reporter for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` a nasty question '' — and said of the removal , `` I did n't do it .
We have a group of people , '' adding , `` I do n't know anything about it . ''
The coronavirus is wreaking havoc across the nation as fears are causing school closures and sports cancellations .
Mass crowds are rushing to local stores to stockpile basic goods and finding some empty shelves .
The money freed up Friday by the president 's declaration will be in addition to the $ 8.3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed on March 6 .

President Trump Declares National Emergency As Coronavirus Pandemic Grows
Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Updated at 9:30 p.m. ET
President Trump on Friday declared that the coronavirus pandemic is a national emergency, a designation that frees up as much as $50 billion in federal assistance to state and local governments overwhelmed by the spread of the virus, and makes it easier to surge medical resources to areas that need them most.
After weeks of criticism over a shortage of diagnostic tests for the virus, Trump and his officials worked to assure anxious Americans that it would soon be easy for people showing symptoms to get tested, describing a surge in test production, and a website that would direct people to drive-through test sites set up in Walmart parking lots.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
Markets rose as Trump spoke in the White House Rose Garden for more than an hour at the end of a week marked by school closures, sports event cancellations, directives to work from home, and cleared-out store shelves as people rush to stockpile basic goods.
"This will pass," Trump declared, "this will pass through and we're going to be even stronger for it."
Trump thanked Google for helping to develop a website, saying it would be "very quickly done, unlike websites of the past" — a veiled shot at the healthcare.gov insurance website started by the former Obama administration, which was marred by extensive problems when it launched. "We'll be announcing locations probably on Sunday night," he said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Deborah Birx, a scientist who is part of the White House task force on the pandemic, brandished a flow chart to announce "this new approach to testing" that she said was "facilitated by Google" to help screen patients and direct them to testing sites.
But after the announcement, Google said its life sciences division, called Verily, was only in the "early stages" of rolling a website in California's Bay Area.
Asked about the discrepancy, a White House official told NPR: "The Trump administration is working with Google to develop a website Americans can go to determine whether a test is needed and, if so, facilitate testing at a nearby location. We expect to have more details in the days ahead."
Trump rebuffed critics of his administration's response, saying he inherited a system that wasn't able to respond quickly enough. Asked whether he took responsibility for the lag in making tests available for the coronavirus. Trump responded, "I don't take responsibility at all."
Trump also said he was not responsible for dismantling a pandemic office inside the White House National Security Council, scolding a reporter for asking what he called "a nasty question."
"I didn't do it," he said. "I don't know anything about it."
Two types of declarations
The money freed up Friday by the president's declaration will be in addition to the $8.3 billion provided by an emergency spending bill Trump signed on March 6 — and is aside from a new relief package negotiated with House Democrats to cover the costs of testing, paid leave and other economic assistance for people affected by the disruption caused by the pandemic.
Trump his authority under the Stafford Act to make the nationwide emergency determination, and encouraged governors and tribal leaders to request a "major disaster" declaration as well, which would free up even more assistance. Stafford Act powers are more typically used during natural disasters like hurricanes, but were also used in during the outbreak of West Nile virus in 2000 to help the states of New York and New Jersey.
The Stafford Act declaration activates the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which can help with technical, financial and logistical relief. FEMA could, for instance, facilitate the distribution of coronavirus tests, medications and food or even bring in tents for hospitals treating an overload of patients if it gets to that point.
Trump also declared a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act. This, in conjunction with the public health emergency already declared in January, provides regulatory relief that can help the response. For instance, this allows agencies to waive licensing requirements so medical professionals can cross state lines to assist in areas of greatest need.
Using the authority, his administration issued a blanket ban on visitors to all nursing homes across the country to protect people most vulnerable to the virus, a step officials said would be painful for families, but was necessary.
Student loans, oil reserves
Trump took other steps too. He said he would waive interest on federal student loans until further notice using executive action. And he said the government would take advantage of depressed crude oil prices and buy oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. "We're going to fill it right to the top," Trump said.
Trump also raised the possibility of expanding a ban on travelers from most parts of Europe by adding the United Kingdom. The UK had been exempt from the action Trump announced Wednesday night, but has since seen more cases of the virus.
Trump plans to host a videoconference for leaders of G7 nations next week to discuss the pandemic, the White House said on Friday night.
Trump also said he will "most likely" get tested for coronavirus himself. Trump had posed for a picture last weekend at his Florida residence with a member of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's delegation. That aide has since tested positive for the coronavirus.
NPR's Barbara Sprunt, Lexie Schapitl and Shannon Bond contributed to this story.


npr--2020-03-14--The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2-3 Days — Here's How To Clean Them

The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2-3 Days — Here 's How To Clean Them How long can the new coronavirus live on a surface , like say , a door handle , after someone infected touches it with dirty fingers ?
A study out this week finds that the virus can survive on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours , and on cardboard for up to 24 hours .
`` This virus has the capability for remaining viable for days , '' says study author , James Lloyd-Smith , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of California , Los Angeles , who studies how pathogens emerge .
Although the World Health Organization had previously estimated the survival time on surfaces to be a `` few hours to a few days '' based on research on other coronaviruses , this is the first study by scientists at a federal laboratory to test the actual virus causing the current pandemic , SARS-CoV-2 .
The study is out in preprint form and expected to be published .
Interestingly , some surfaces are less hospitable to SARS-CoV-2 .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ copper for only about four hours .
It 's useful to know how long it can stay alive of course , since the virus can contaminate surfaces when an infected person sneezes or coughs .
Virus-laden respiratory droplets can land on doorknobs , elevator buttons , handrails or countertops — and spread the virus to anyone who touches these surfaces subsequently .
To test the survival time of the virus , scientists at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana , part of the National Institutes of Health , conducted a series of experiments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus ( a similar coronavirus that led to an outbreak back in 2003 ) .
In the lab , `` they 'd pick up the virus from the surfaces that had been contaminated and then put [ the virus ] into cell cultures , '' he explains .
Then the researchers documented whether the virus could infect those cells in the dish .
They did this multiple times , for both the viruses , at various time points .
`` Big picture , the [ two viruses ] look very similar to each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these environments , '' Lloyd-Smith says .
Lloyd-Smith says these findings establish a good ballpark estimate for the survivability of the virus on these surfaces .
`` In a laboratory experiment the conditions are pretty carefully controlled and constant , '' he says .
By comparison , `` In the real world , conditions fluctuate . ''
Conditions like temperature , humidity and light vary .
So the survivability may vary , too .
For instance , say the virus contaminates a sunny window sill or counter-top — it may not last as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a really powerful disinfectant and we get a lot of UVA light from the sun '' says Daniel Kuritzkes an infectious disease expert at Brigham and Women 's Hospital .
`` Direct sunlight can help rapidly diminish infectivity of viruses on surfaces , '' he says .
He was not involved in the new research .
Much is still unknown about the virus 's survivability on other types of surfaces like clothing , or carpeting .
Kuritzkes says , based on prior research , it seems that `` flat surfaces and hard surfaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or rough surfaces . ''
And how about food ?
`` Food is probably not a major risk factor here , '' Kuritzkes says .
That 's because most infection from the new coronavirus starts with the respiratory system , not the digestive tract .
So infection comes from getting the virus on your hands and then touching your own eyes , nose and mouth .
`` Of more concern would be utensils , and plates and cups that might be handled by a large number of people in a cafeteria setting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , what can you do to protect yourself ?
Well , you 've likely already heard this .
Wash your hands .
And , wipe down shared surfaces .
Follow these tips for cleaning surfaces — your own and public ones .
Wipe right : Use ammonia or alcohol-based products .
Skip the baby wipes .
`` The good thing about COVID-19 is that it does not require any unique cleaning chemicals to disinfect hands and surfaces , '' says Andrew Janowski , an infectious disease expert at Washington University School of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Good old-fashioned soap and water does the trick .
You can also use a wipe , but make sure you use an alcohol-based wipe , not baby wipes which may not be effective , Janowski adds .
And given that wipes are hard to come by at many stores at the moment , you can instead buy an EPA-registered disinfecting spray , such as one on this list from the Center for Biocide Chemistries , recommended by the CDC and by Dr. David Warren , an infectious disease specialist at Washington University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or make a bleach-based spray yourself .
You can make a DIY cleaning spray by mixing 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Yes , you 've heard it a hundred times .
So do it , already !
Especially after you 've been out in public , touching a lot of surfaces .
Lather up with soap and scrub for 20 seconds .
( Two times the happy birthday song , or sing `` baby Shark '' — you 'll get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be thorough .
Spend some time rubbing the backs of your hands as well as the front , interlace your fingers and pull them through , soap up each thumb with the opposite hand , and finally , to keep your fingernails virus-free , lightly scratch them against your palm .
( For more detail , listen to NPR Short Wave 's Maddie Sofia give a lesson here . )
Hand-washing is so important that if everyone followed good hand-washing hygiene , it could prevent an estimated one in five respiratory infections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the equivalent of about 6 million cases of the flu this year .
Hand sanitizer is effective at killing viruses , too , although hand-washing is preferred , according to the CDC .
If you ca n't get to a sink , hand sanitizer is a good back-up plan — just make sure it 's at least 60 % alcohol .
Given the shortage of hand sanitizers in some stores and reports of price-gouging online , there 's lots of interest in DIY hand sanitizer .
We 've seen lots of recipes calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aloe vera gel , like this one from Wired .
`` On paper , if a recipe can maintain the alcohol concentration above 60 % , it should be effective against SARS-COV-2 , `` says Andrew Janowski , but he says getting it just right might be trickier than you think .
If in doubt when making these homemade sanitizers , soap and water are still effective against the virus .
Your smartphone is like a third hand .
Wipe it down .
So you 've just washed your hands and you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up your cell phone , and guess what ?
It 's covered with potential pathogens .
`` Studies have shown that smartphones surfaces are covered in bacteria , including bacteria that can cause serious infections like Staphylococcus species '' , says Judy Guzman-Cottrill , an infectious disease expert at Oregon Health & Science University .
And phones are often held close to the eyes , nose and mouth , where germs can enter the body .
So wipe it down often .
And you do n't have to rub down your phone for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitizer .
`` Just a few seconds should be sufficient to disinfect , '' says Janowski .
Try this stinky trick to stop touching your face .
Your face offers multiple entry points for the virus .
So every time you touch your eyes , nose and mouth with grubby hands , you risk infection .
`` If you have touched a table or a doorknob or some surface contaminated [ with the virus ] and then touch your eyes , nose or mouth , you have a chance of inoculating yourself with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But , as a matter of habit , most of us touch our faces multiple times an hour without even realizing it .
So , here 's an idea .
`` After you wash your hands really well , touch a piece of raw onion , '' says Catherine Belling of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine .
With this strong smell on your fingers , `` you 'll notice when you touch your face , '' she says .
Sure , it may make you a tad antisocial , but it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to touch less .

The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2-3 Days — Here's How To Clean Them
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
How long can the new coronavirus live on a surface, like say, a door handle, after someone infected touches it with dirty fingers? A study out this week finds that the virus can survive on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours and on cardboard for up to 24 hours.
"This virus has the capability for remaining viable for days," says study author, James Lloyd-Smith, an assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Los Angeles, who researches how pathogens emerge.
Although the World Health Organization had previously estimated the survival time on surfaces to be a "few hours to a few days" based on research on other coronaviruses, this is the first study by scientists at a federal laboratory to test the actual virus causing the current pandemic, SARS-CoV-2.
The study is out in preprint form and expected to be published.
Interestingly, some surfaces are less hospitable to SARS-CoV-2. For instance, the virus remained viable on copper for only about four hours.
It's useful to know how long it can stay alive of course, because the virus can contaminate surfaces when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Virus-laden respiratory droplets can land on doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails or countertops — and spread the virus to anyone who then touches these surfaces.
To test the survival time of the virus, scientists at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, part of the National Institutes of Health, conducted a series of experiments comparing the novel coronavirus with the SARS virus (a similar coronavirus that led to an outbreak back in 2003).
In the lab, "they'd pick up the virus from the surfaces that had been contaminated and then put [the virus] into cell cultures," he explains. Then the researchers documented whether the virus could infect those cells in the dish. They did this multiple times, for both the viruses, at various time points.
"Big picture, the [two viruses] look very similar to each other in terms of their stability in these environments," Lloyd-Smith says.
Lloyd-Smith says these findings establish a good ballpark estimate for the survivability of the virus on these surfaces. "In a laboratory experiment, the conditions are pretty carefully controlled and constant," he says. By comparison, "in the real world, conditions fluctuate" — conditions like temperature, humidity and light. So the survivability may vary, too.
For instance, if the virus contaminates a sunny windowsill or countertop, it may not last as long.
"Ultraviolet light can be a really powerful disinfectant and we get a lot of UVA light from the sun," says Daniel Kuritzkes an infectious disease expert at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Direct sunlight can help rapidly diminish infectivity of viruses on surfaces," he says. He was not involved in the new research.
Much is still unknown about the virus's survivability on other types of surfaces like clothing, or carpeting. Kuritzkes says that based on prior research, it seems that "flat surfaces and hard surfaces are more friendly to viruses than cloth or rough surfaces."
And how about food? "Food is probably not a major risk factor here," Kuritzkes says. That's because most infection from the new coronavirus starts with the respiratory system, not the digestive tract. So infection comes from getting the virus on your hands and then touching your own eyes, nose and mouth. "Of more concern would be utensils, and plates and cups that might be handled by a large number of people in a cafeteria setting, for example," he says.
So, what can you do to protect yourself? Well, you've likely already heard this. Wash your hands. And wipe down shared surfaces.
Follow these tips for cleaning surfaces — your own and public ones.
Wipe right: Use ammonia or alcohol-based products. Skip the baby wipes
toggle caption Max Posner/NPR
"The good thing about COVID-19 is that it does not require any unique cleaning chemicals to disinfect hands and surfaces," says Andrew Janowski, an infectious disease expert at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children's Hospital. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the current coronavirus.
Good old-fashioned soap and water does the trick.
You can also use a wipe, but make sure you use an alcohol-based wipe, not baby wipes, which may not be effective, Janowski says.
And given that wipes are hard to come by at many stores at the moment, you can instead buy an EPA-registered disinfecting spray, such as one on this list from the Center for Biocide Chemistries, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by Dr. David Warren, an infectious disease specialist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Or make a bleach-based spray yourself. You can make a DIY cleaning spray by mixing 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water, according to the CDC.
Wash. Your. Hands. (Seriously!)
Yes, you've heard it a hundred times. So do it, already! Especially after you've been out in public, touching a lot of surfaces. Lather up with soap and scrub for 20 seconds. (Two times the "Happy Birthday" song, or sing "Baby Shark" — you'll get midway through Daddy Shark).
And be thorough. Spend some time rubbing the backs of your hands as well as the front, interlace your fingers and pull them through, soap up each thumb with the opposite hand and, finally, to keep your fingernails virus-free, lightly scratch them against your palm. (For more detail, listen to NPR Short Wave's Maddie Sofia give a lesson here.)
Hand-washing is so important that if everyone followed good hand-washing hygiene, it could prevent an estimated 1 in 5 respiratory infections, according to the CDC — that's the equivalent of about 6 million cases of the flu this year.
Hand sanitizer: DIY in a pinch?
Hand sanitizer is effective at killing viruses, too, although hand-washing is preferred, according to the CDC. If you can't get to a sink, hand sanitizer is a good backup plan — just make sure it's at least 60% alcohol.
Given the shortage of hand sanitizers in some stores and reports of price-gouging online, there's lots of interest in DIY hand sanitizer. We've seen lots of recipes calling for a combination of rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel, like this one from Wired.
"On paper, if a recipe can maintain the alcohol concentration above 60%, it should be effective against SARS-COV-2," says Janowski, but he says getting it just right might be trickier than you think. If in doubt when making these homemade sanitizers, soap and water are still effective against the virus.
Your smartphone is like a third hand. Wipe it down
Enlarge this image toggle caption Photo Illustration by Max Posner/NPR Photo Illustration by Max Posner/NPR
So you've just washed your hands and you're feeling squeaky clean. Then you pick up your cellphone, and guess what? It's covered with potential pathogens.
"Studies have shown that smartphones surfaces are covered in bacteria, including bacteria that can cause serious infections like Staphylococcus species," says Judy Guzman-Cottrill, an infectious disease expert at Oregon Health & Science University.
And phones are often held close to the eyes, nose and mouth, where germs can enter the body. So wipe it down often.
And you don't have to rub down your phone for long if you're using an alcohol-based sanitizer. "Just a few seconds should be sufficient to disinfect," says Janowski.
Try this stinky trick to stop touching your face
toggle caption Photo Illustration by Max Posner/NPR
Your face offers multiple entry points for the virus. So every time you touch your eyes, nose and mouth with grubby hands, you risk infection.
"If you have touched a table or a doorknob or some surface contaminated [with the virus] and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you have a chance of inoculating yourself with the virus," Kuritzkes says.
But, as a matter of habit, most of us touch our faces multiple times an hour without even realizing it.
So, here's an idea. "After you wash your hands really well, touch a piece of raw onion," says Catherine Belling of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. With this strong smell on your fingers, "you'll notice when you touch your face," she says. Sure, it may make you a tad antisocial, but it could be a good way to train yourself to touch less.


npr--2020-03-14--Coronavirus Hit This Long-Term Care Facility Hard, But Moving Residents Isn't Easy

It 's been two weeks since the public learned about a deadly outbreak of coronavirus at Life Care Center of Kirkland — a long-term care and nursing facility in Washington state — and some families wait on edge over loved ones who remain there .
As of Friday afternoon , only about a third of the 120 residents who were living at the facility in mid-February remain .
There are 25 people associated with Life Care who have died after being infected with coronavirus .
Other residents are in the hospital .
As more nursing facilities in Washington report cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life Care serves as an example of the vulnerability of the elderly in the growing pandemic .
Two years ago after suffering a minor stroke , June Liu had no interest in moving into a long-term care facility .
The now 93-year-old lived alone , rode the bus and shunned the use of a walker .
But Liu 's daughter Su Wilson says it did n't take long for Life Care Center of Kirkland to become her mother 's home .
`` She kept telling me they are very nice to me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , '' Wilson says .
Wilson and her husband Arnie live 10 minutes away from the Kirkland facility .
Several times a week , she 'd bring her mother over to their bustling home where chickens roam around the yard , to see her great-grandchildren .
On Sundays , her mother would be ready at 9:30 a.m. for church .
`` It 's just like life had such joyful meaning to her , '' Wilson says .
`` I would always laugh and say , 'mother you are going to live longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her smartphone and scrolls through photos of her mother out with their family – some taken just a few months ago .
`` We went out to the Chinese restaurant , we were all eating together , the whole family , '' Wilson says with a smile .
Wilson ca n't make sense of how these happy routines could change so fast .
Last month , she and other families discovered coronavirus had begun to sweep through this suburban community on the banks of Lake Washington .
Wilson 's mother and many others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually tested positive for the virus .
`` As soon as she [ found ] out she 's positive , she no longer [ wanted ] to talk on the phone , '' Wilson says .
`` It [ was ] hard to understand her on the phone ... her voice [ was ] so weak . ''
Wilson worries her mother 's health is deteriorating .
While she believed the nurses were doing the best they could , her mother was isolated : stuck in a room , unable to visit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit of English .
Liu watched other residents being wheeled away on stretchers , unlikely to return .
`` I think [ she was ] in shock and also to find out she 's going to die , '' Wilson says .
`` I think she [ knows ] because she 's clear . ''
Wilson finds herself in a heartrending predicament as her mother lingers at the facility until she 's no longer contagious .
Outside Life Care Center , neighbors wrap blue ribbons around pine trees and flowers frame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 76-year-old mother , Susan Hailey , was living there during rehab after knee replacement .
Parkhill says her mother went to the hospital when her symptoms worsened and tested positive for the virus .
Once she was stabilized , Hailey was then brought back to Life Care .
`` The hospitals do n't have any beds for people who do n't have acute respiratory distress , '' Parkhill says .
Parkill and her sister , Carmen Gray , wait outside her mother 's window in the cold to check on her .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and going to come out of this on the other side OK , '' Gray says .
She worries the facility 's staff are overstretched , and her mother is n't able to move around or bathe properly .
'We felt like it was a death sentence '' Life Care does not prohibit anyone from leaving , but families ca n't necessarily bring their loved ones home and run the risk of exposing others to the virus .
`` There is nowhere else for these patients to go , it has been deemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on site and being treated here , '' says Timothy Killian , a public information liaison for Life Care Center of Kirkland .
Killian says local hospitals wo n't admit patients unless they have severe symptoms and other nursing home facilities are `` unwilling '' to take them because of their exposure to coronavirus .
And families are n't necessarily equipped to care for their relatives outside of the facility .
Laura Rightmyer says her family decided to pull her 93-year-old mother out of Life Care as the situation grew more dire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ death sentence for my mom ... that her chances of getting it were obviously great , '' Rightmyer says .
Now her mother is living with her .
Rightmyer , who 's a nurse practitioner , says she 's doing better and does n't appear to have the virus .
`` I think we made the right decision for ourselves and for our mom , '' Rightmyer says .
Rightmyer says it 's now proving difficult to find a doctor who will see her mother because she was associated with Life Care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and writes cards to cheer her up .
She has n't been in the same room with her mother for more than three weeks .
`` We worry about my mother , and I just feel like everybody [ has ] to die , '' Wilson says .
`` She [ lived ] a happy long life . ''
Wilson says she does n't blame anyone .
`` I just want to hold her hand , '' she says .
`` She 's not frightened back in the loneliness . ''

Coronavirus Hit This Long-Term Care Facility Hard, But Moving Residents Isn't Easy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ted S. Warren/AP Ted S. Warren/AP
It's been two weeks since the public learned about a deadly outbreak of coronavirus at Life Care Center of Kirkland — a long-term care and nursing facility in Washington state — and some families wait on edge over loved ones who remain there.
As of Friday afternoon, only about a third of the 120 residents who were living at the facility in mid-February remain. There are 25 people associated with Life Care who have died after being infected with coronavirus. Other residents are in the hospital.
As more nursing facilities in Washington report cases of coronavirus, the death toll at Life Care serves as an example of the vulnerability of the elderly in the growing pandemic.
"I can stay here"
Two years ago after suffering a minor stroke, June Liu had no interest in moving into a long-term care facility.
The now 93-year-old lived alone, rode the bus and shunned the use of a walker. But Liu's daughter Su Wilson says it didn't take long for Life Care Center of Kirkland to become her mother's home.
"She kept telling me they are very nice to me, they are good, I can stay here," Wilson says.
Wilson and her husband Arnie live 10 minutes away from the Kirkland facility.
Several times a week, she'd bring her mother over to their bustling home where chickens roam around the yard, to see her great-grandchildren. On Sundays, her mother would be ready at 9:30 a.m. for church.
"It's just like life had such joyful meaning to her," Wilson says. "I would always laugh and say, 'mother you are going to live longer than me.'"
Wilson holds her smartphone and scrolls through photos of her mother out with their family – some taken just a few months ago.
"We went out to the Chinese restaurant, we were all eating together, the whole family," Wilson says with a smile.
Wilson can't make sense of how these happy routines could change so fast.
Last month, she and other families discovered coronavirus had begun to sweep through this suburban community on the banks of Lake Washington.
Wilson's mother and many others who lived and worked at Life Care eventually tested positive for the virus.
"As soon as she [found] out she's positive, she no longer [wanted] to talk on the phone," Wilson says. "It [was] hard to understand her on the phone... her voice [was] so weak."
Wilson worries her mother's health is deteriorating. While she believed the nurses were doing the best they could, her mother was isolated: stuck in a room, unable to visit with her family and only able to understand a little bit of English. Liu watched other residents being wheeled away on stretchers, unlikely to return.
"I think [she was] in shock and also to find out she's going to die," Wilson says. "I think she [knows] because she's clear."
Wilson finds herself in a heartrending predicament as her mother lingers at the facility until she's no longer contagious.
No hospital beds
Outside Life Care Center, neighbors wrap blue ribbons around pine trees and flowers frame the welcome sign.
Bridget Parkhill's 76-year-old mother, Susan Hailey, was living there during rehab after knee replacement.
Parkhill says her mother went to the hospital when her symptoms worsened and tested positive for the virus. Once she was stabilized, Hailey was then brought back to Life Care.
Health Washington State's Long-Term Care Facility Unable To Test Sick Employees Washington State's Long-Term Care Facility Unable To Test Sick Employees Listen · 4:14 4:14
"The hospitals don't have any beds for people who don't have acute respiratory distress," Parkhill says.
Parkill and her sister, Carmen Gray, wait outside her mother's window in the cold to check on her.
"We're hoping that mom is strong and going to come out of this on the other side OK," Gray says.
She worries the facility's staff are overstretched, and her mother isn't able to move around or bathe properly.
'We felt like it was a death sentence"
Life Care does not prohibit anyone from leaving, but families can't necessarily bring their loved ones home and run the risk of exposing others to the virus.
"There is nowhere else for these patients to go, it has been deemed that it's best to keep them on site and being treated here," says Timothy Killian, a public information liaison for Life Care Center of Kirkland.
Killian says local hospitals won't admit patients unless they have severe symptoms and other nursing home facilities are "unwilling" to take them because of their exposure to coronavirus.
And families aren't necessarily equipped to care for their relatives outside of the facility.
Laura Rightmyer says her family decided to pull her 93-year-old mother out of Life Care as the situation grew more dire.
"We felt like it was a death sentence for my mom... that her chances of getting it were obviously great," Rightmyer says.
Now her mother is living with her.
Rightmyer, who's a nurse practitioner, says she's doing better and doesn't appear to have the virus.
"I think we made the right decision for ourselves and for our mom," Rightmyer says.
Rightmyer says it's now proving difficult to find a doctor who will see her mother because she was associated with Life Care.
Su Wilson sends her mother homecooked meals and writes cards to cheer her up.
She hasn't been in the same room with her mother for more than three weeks.
"We worry about my mother, and I just feel like everybody [has] to die," Wilson says. "She [lived] a happy long life."
Wilson says she doesn't blame anyone.
"I just want to hold her hand," she says. "She's not frightened back in the loneliness."