npr--2020-05-28--News Brief: Pandemic Deaths, China's Move On Hong Kong, Minneapolis Protests

More than 100,000 Americans die from COVID-19 .
China moves closer to criminalizing dissent from Hong Kong .
And , @ @ @ @ @ after a black man died in police custody .

News Brief: Pandemic Deaths, China's Move On Hong Kong, Minneapolis Protests
More than 100,000 Americans die from COVID-19. China moves closer to criminalizing dissent from Hong Kong. And, violent protests continue in Minneapolis after a black man died in police custody.
DAVID GREENE, HOST:
More than 100,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19.
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
It took barely four months for the U.S. to reach this horrible marker. And there are still so many unanswered questions about how this country became the global epicenter of the pandemic. With less than 5% percent of the world's population, the U.S. has the largest number of cases and accounts for nearly a third of all known coronavirus fatalities.
GREENE: And I want to bring in NPR's health correspondent, Rob Stein, who is with us. Rob, can you just put this number into perspective?
ROB STEIN, BYLINE: Well, you know, it's a staggering number. One hundred thousand is almost triple the number of people who died from the flu all year this past year and about as many have died from opioid overdoses and suicides combined in an entire year. And the coronavirus has now killed more Americans than those who died in combat in every war since the Korean War. And many experts think 100,000 is probably an underestimate. I spoke with Thomas Inglesby about this. He runs the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. He says that tragedies like this, it's sometimes easy to forget that human beings are behind these numbers.
THOMAS INGLESBY: It's a really sad milestone for the country. I think we need to step back and just remember that that's 100,000 that are lost. That's 100,000 families that are grieving. And this is a important and sad day for the country.
STEIN: You know, and it means that the U.S. has recorded nearly 1.7 million cases now, which means the U.S. has by far the most COVID cases and about a third of all the deaths.
GREENE: Well - and we should talk about how quickly this has happened, right, Rob? I mean, this is just a period of, like, four months. I mean, talk about how we've gotten here.
STEIN: Yeah. It's amazing how quickly so many people have died and many public health experts say the country, you know, might have been able to save a lot of lives if officials just recognized the magnitude of the threat sooner and acted more quickly and aggressively. The country kind of wasted a window of opportunity to keep the virus in check, you know, by failing to ramp up testing quickly enough and deploy other crucial public health weapons that have worked for other countries, like rapidly isolating sick people and quarantining anyone who had contact with them, to block the virus from spreading.
GREENE: Well, is there a sense that the country has some control over the spread of this virus now? Or are we going to watch this death toll just climb?
STEIN: So, you know, that's an important question. And, sadly, this actually may just be the beginning still. Things, you know, are looking better. Cases and deaths have been dropping overall nationwide, which is a good sign. But there are still thousands of new cases and hundreds of new deaths being reported every day. And in some places, things may still be getting worse.
GREENE: Well - but despite that, I mean, we're seeing a lot of the country open up. So, I mean, broadly, where do you see this going?
STEIN: Yeah. So the country is opening up, but the virus is still out there, and most people are still vulnerable, so the fear is people, you know, are kind of fed up and, you know, might think the worst is over. Here's Richard Besser. He runs the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
RICHARD BESSER: It's very easy for people to get cavalier and say, you know what? I'm going to get this infection. It's not going to be much of a problem. I want to get on with my life.
STEIN: And the danger in that is that, you know, terrible new outbreaks could easily erupt like wildfire, you know, flaring around the country throughout the spring and into the summer causing many thousands more deaths, especially in places where there still isn't enough testing and not enough health care workers. The worst could move in from the coast to more rural parts of the country where there aren't as many hospitals and intensive care beds. And even if things do slow down over the summer, what about the fall when schools reopen and the flu and hurricane seasons hit? Things could get very bad very quickly.
GREENE: All right. That is NPR health correspondent Rob Stein. Thanks, Rob.
STEIN: You bet.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
GREENE: So China appears one step closer to having near total control over Hong Kong.
MARTIN: Right. Today, China's legislature approved a plan that is going to suppress secession, public protests and basically any act that it sees as a national security threat. Ahead of the vote, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China. But he also said that the U.S. stands with the people of Hong Kong.
GREENE: And we have NPR's Emily Feng in Beijing. Hi, Emily.
EMILY FENG, BYLINE: Good morning, David.
GREENE: Can you talk to us about exactly what happened today? What did China approve here?
FENG: Beijing lawmakers voted so that a smaller group of lawmakers can draft and pass the actual law. Now, if passed, this law would effectively end Hong Kong's limited autonomy. Hong Kong, as you can imagine, is once again in turmoil. There were protests over the weekend, and yesterday, there were more protests over a different law, actually, a law that, if passed, would criminalize making fun of China's national anthem. More than 300 people were arrested, including some very young teenage schoolchildren.
GREENE: Well, in terms of the meaning of this, I mean, obviously, it could change life in Hong Kong. But when we talk about autonomy, that's an important word, and what could ending that mean for Hong Kong and its relationship with the United States?
FENG: It's a very important distinction. If Hong Kong is no longer truly autonomous, its special trade status with the U.S. could end. That status exempts Hong Kong from basically all financial restrictions, export controls, sanctions the U.S. currently puts on mainland China. And it's what's allowed Hong Kong to be in part a global financial hub. Here's Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell talking about this decision process now ongoing about whether to take away that status.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
DAVID STILWELL: We're going to do this in a smart way, in a way that takes care of the things and the people we care about while at the same time letting Beijing know that what they're doing is - contravenes what they agreed to do back in '97.
FENG: Stilwell is talking here about the international treaty struck in 1997 between the U.K. and China, which was supposed to allow Hong Kong to maintain some autonomy until 2047, which has not happened.
GREENE: But, I mean, trade between the United States and Hong Kong is a big deal, right? Revoking that special status could be really significant.
FENG: Yes. It could hurt Hong Kong's status as a global financial hub because it will be more difficult to do business there. The real question now is whether this is going to deter Beijing to call off its moves to control Hong Kong. And likely, it will not. Beijing has called the American bluff. China is betting that mainland cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen will overtake Hong Kong as business capitals. And certain multinationals may choose to stay in Hong Kong anyways because they prefer Beijing's order rather than the chaos of further protests.
GREENE: I mean, wasn't this already quite a moment in U.S.-China relations because of the coronavirus and lots of other things?
FENG: Yes. I do not exaggerate when I say that this has been an absolutely crazy week for international relations. They might be the worst since 1989 which, is when China killed its own citizens during the Tiananmen Square massacre. Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a bill that could sanction Chinese officials over China's persecution of Muslims. Trump is expected to sign that bill into law. Two U.S. senators are proposing to ban all visas for Chinese grad students in STEM fields. And the two countries continue to go at each other about who handled the pandemic of this novel coronavirus more badly. So things are not looking up.
GREENE: NPR's Emily Feng for us in Beijing. Thanks, Emily.
FENG: Thanks, David.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
GREENE: All right. Here's some sound from video shot last night by CNN's Sara Sidner on the streets of Minneapolis.
(SOUNDBITE OF PROTEST)
MARTIN: Police using tear gas to disperse crowds. There were fires. There was looting. All this follows the death of George Floyd, a black man who was arrested in Minneapolis. A white police officer had his knee on Floyd's neck. He was heard on video saying he couldn't breathe. The officer persisted, and Floyd died. Four officers involved were fired. And Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is calling now for criminal charges.
GREENE: Holly Bailey reports for The Washington Post, and she is in Minneapolis. Hi, Holly.
HOLLY BAILEY: Hi.
GREENE: What have the streets of Minneapolis felt like?
BAILEY: It's been chaotic. For most of the day yesterday, it was a peaceful protest outside Minneapolis' third police precinct, which is just a little bit south of downtown. That's where the four officers who have been fired for their involvement in the altercation with George Floyd were based. But then yesterday afternoon, it took a darker turn. Police were visible. They were on the roof of the precinct building, and they were firing rubber bullets and tear gas to sort of control a crowd around that building. But in the meantime, several businesses around that area, including a Target store, an Aldi grocery store, Cub Foods grocery store, an AutoZone, they were looted. People were seen, you know, rolling carts down the street full of merchandise. There were people - just - it was just complete chaos. And there seemed to be a little attempt on the police's part to stop it.
GREENE: Oh, interesting. Well, what is the city's plan to deal with what's happening at this point?
BAILEY: Essentially, the police chief, Medaria Arradondo, had said yesterday that they - the police has been sort of walking this tightrope between not wanting to infringe on the rights of people who feel traumatized after what has happened in the city after George Floyd's death and want to protest. But there's - I imagine there's going to be a lot of scrutiny today in what the police response has been last night whereas walking this line of trying to let people protest but at the same time not protecting businesses as chaos really unfolded last night.
GREENE: It sounds like, though, that we might see the National Guard come in. Where does that stand?
BAILEY: Well, Mayor Frey, last night as this unfolded, has said that he's asked the governor, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to bring in the National Guard. They've asked for reinforcements from other police departments in the region to sort of help tamp down some of the chaos as they figure it's going to get worse before it gets better.
GREENE: All right, talking about another night of protest on the streets of Minneapolis after the death of a black man in police custody. Holly Bailey reports for The Washington Post, and she is there. Holly, thanks so much.
BAILEY: Thank you.
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npr--2020-05-28--Coronavirus Testing Machines Are Latest Bottleneck In Troubled Supply Chain

Coronavirus testing in the U.S. has run into a number of snags , from a lack of nasal swabs to not enough chemicals needed to run the tests .
Now there 's a new bottleneck emerging : A shortage of the machines that process the tests and give results .
Civilian labs and the Pentagon say they 've had trouble getting the sophisticated , automated machines that can run hundreds of diagnostic tests at once .
Three machine manufacturers — Hologic Inc. , Roche and Abbott Laboratories — have confirmed to NPR that demand is outstripping supply .
Public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complicated supply chain just as the shortages of swabs , chemicals and other testing materials have begun to ease .
Experts warn the lack of machines will hold the U.S. back from ramping up diagnostic testing to better understand where the coronavirus is spreading and how to stop outbreaks .
`` We 're gon na get stuck again , '' said Ashish Jha , director of the Harvard Global Health Institute .
`` We keep sort of fixing one bottleneck , and testing gets a bit better , and then we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump administration has released a plan to ramp up testing , saying it would provide strategic direction and technical assistance , but mostly leaving responsibility for executing the plan to the states .
Coronavirus testing in the U.S. is carried out by a patchwork of commercial labs , hospitals , local health departments and other institutions .
The administration 's coronavirus testing coordinator , Admiral Brett Giroir , says that plan is working .
`` Right now in America anybody who needs a test can get a test in America with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over three million tests per week , '' Giroir said at a White House briefing earlier this month .
Jha and other public health experts say that may be enough tests in some places — but only because not enough people are getting tested .
`` It is not nearly enough , certainly not enough to open up safely and remain open , '' Jha said .
At a minimum , Jha says the U.S. needs to be testing twice as many people — 7 million per week .
That means the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more testing kits , and more testing machines to run them .
Four months into the pandemic , Jha says , the nation still is n't ready .
Heather Pierce , senior director for science policy for the Association of American Medical Colleges , says labs at teaching hospitals have reported difficulties in getting testing machines .
She says that has exacerbated supply chain problems .
`` Those machines have been part of the bottleneck , '' she said .
`` In fact , even institutions that had ordered those machines prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or delayed , and some still have n't been shipped . ''
Even the U.S. Army is finding it ca n't get some coveted testing instruments .
The Chief of Staff of the Army , Gen. James McConville , told NPR the Army has been unable to secure more of the machines that can handle a greater volume of tests .
More testing is needed to get back to training large numbers of troops .
McConville toured the Fort Irwin National Training Center in California earlier this month , where he questioned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus .
The soldiers told him they want a machine known as the Panther , a top-of-the-line , automated testing instrument made by the pharmaceutical company Hologic .
It can run more than 1,100 tests a day .
General McConville called it the `` granddaddy '' of testing machines .
But McConville said there are n't enough of them on the market .
He told the soldiers : `` Realistically , you wo n't get Panther . ''
Three manufacturers confirmed they have not been able to meet the demand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Hologic , the company that makes the Panther .
`` Given the unprecedented demand , we can not provide new instruments to every lab that wants one , at least not right away , '' Mike Watts , Hologic 's vice president of investor relations and corporate communications said in an email .
Watts stressed that there are already more than 1,000 Panther machines , which are used for other medical tests as well , installed in labs in all 50 states .
`` So overall , we believe availability of Panthers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , '' Watts said .
Roche and Abbott Laboratories say they 've also had trouble filling orders for some big instruments .
All three companies say they 're doing everything they can to scale up production .
Roche spokesman Mike Weist said the company is even shipping out demonstration and training models .
`` Every available instrument , including instruments repurposed from internal use ( such as training , demonstration , clinical trials ) , has been shipped or allocated for shipment in order to increase testing capacity worldwide , '' Weist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard 's Jha says more needs to be done .
`` This is a classic market failure , '' Jha said .
`` This is not something that the market is going to sort out onto itself . ''
It 's not just about ramping up production of these machines , Jha says .
To get testing to more than double where it is today , he says labs need to invest even more in a lot more equipment .
But the testing machines are expensive .
And the pandemic has caused an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying they 're not sure they can justify the expense of adding more instruments .
What if infection rates decline ?
What if people do n't come forward to get tested , or think they do n't need to unless they 're really sick ?
That is , after all , what many public health officials were saying for months when tests were scarce .
`` This is a place where I think the government just needs to step in and pay companies — buy the machines for companies , or pay large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` This is what many of us have been asking for from the federal government .
... And it 's very frustrating . ''
He 's not the only one who is looking to the federal government to play a bigger role .
`` There 's broad agreement about the need for testing , '' said Julie Khani , president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association , which represents commercial labs .
`` There has been something of a disconnect , however , between the need for testing and providing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow and expand that testing , '' Khani said .
Khani 's organization wrote to the Trump administration in April , asking for $ 10 billion in emergency relief funds to buy more testing machines for their labs .
The group is still waiting for a response .
NPR Correspondent Tom Bowman and Senior Producer Walter Ray Watson contributed to this report .

Coronavirus Testing Machines Are Latest Bottleneck In Troubled Supply Chain
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jacquelyn Martin/AP Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Coronavirus testing in the U.S. has run into a number of snags, from a lack of nasal swabs to not enough chemicals needed to run the tests.
Now there's a new bottleneck emerging: A shortage of the machines that process the tests and give results.
Civilian labs and the Pentagon say they've had trouble getting the sophisticated, automated machines that can run hundreds of diagnostic tests at once. Three machine manufacturers — Hologic Inc., Roche and Abbott Laboratories — have confirmed to NPR that demand is outstripping supply.
Public health experts say the machine shortages are upending a complicated supply chain just as the shortages of swabs, chemicals and other testing materials have begun to ease.
Experts warn the lack of machines will hold the U.S. back from ramping up diagnostic testing to better understand where the coronavirus is spreading and how to stop outbreaks.
"We're gonna get stuck again," said Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute. "We keep sort of fixing one bottleneck, and testing gets a bit better, and then we get stuck with the next bottleneck."
The Trump administration has released a plan to ramp up testing, saying it would provide strategic direction and technical assistance, but mostly leaving responsibility for executing the plan to the states. Coronavirus testing in the U.S. is carried out by a patchwork of commercial labs, hospitals, local health departments and other institutions.
The administration's coronavirus testing coordinator, Admiral Brett Giroir, says that plan is working.
"Right now in America anybody who needs a test can get a test in America with the numbers we have. ... That's over three million tests per week," Giroir said at a White House briefing earlier this month.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Jha and other public health experts say that may be enough tests in some places — but only because not enough people are getting tested.
"It is not nearly enough, certainly not enough to open up safely and remain open," Jha said.
At a minimum, Jha says the U.S. needs to be testing twice as many people — 7 million per week. That means the country is going to need more swabs, more testing kits, and more testing machines to run them. Four months into the pandemic, Jha says, the nation still isn't ready.
Heather Pierce, senior director for science policy for the Association of American Medical Colleges, says labs at teaching hospitals have reported difficulties in getting testing machines. She says that has exacerbated supply chain problems.
"Those machines have been part of the bottleneck," she said. "In fact, even institutions that had ordered those machines prior to the pandemic found their orders were cancelled or delayed, and some still haven't been shipped."
Even the U.S. Army is finding it can't get some coveted testing instruments.
The Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. James McConville, told NPR the Army has been unable to secure more of the machines that can handle a greater volume of tests.
More testing is needed to get back to training large numbers of troops. McConville toured the Fort Irwin National Training Center in California earlier this month, where he questioned the base staff about their capacity to test for the coronavirus.
The soldiers told him they want a machine known as the Panther, a top-of-the-line, automated testing instrument made by the pharmaceutical company Hologic. It can run more than 1,100 tests a day.
General McConville called it the "granddaddy" of testing machines.
But McConville said there aren't enough of them on the market. He told the soldiers: "Realistically, you won't get Panther."
Three manufacturers confirmed they have not been able to meet the demand for new testing machines. One of them was Hologic, the company that makes the Panther.
"Given the unprecedented demand, we cannot provide new instruments to every lab that wants one, at least not right away," Mike Watts, Hologic's vice president of investor relations and corporate communications said in an email.
Watts stressed that there are already more than 1,000 Panther machines, which are used for other medical tests as well, installed in labs in all 50 states.
"So overall, we believe availability of Panthers is accelerating, not constraining, national testing," Watts said.
Roche and Abbott Laboratories say they've also had trouble filling orders for some big instruments. All three companies say they're doing everything they can to scale up production.
Roche spokesman Mike Weist said the company is even shipping out demonstration and training models. "Every available instrument, including instruments repurposed from internal use (such as training, demonstration, clinical trials), has been shipped or allocated for shipment in order to increase testing capacity worldwide," Weist said in an email.
Still, Harvard's Jha says more needs to be done.
"This is a classic market failure," Jha said. "This is not something that the market is going to sort out onto itself."
It's not just about ramping up production of these machines, Jha says. To get testing to more than double where it is today, he says labs need to invest even more in a lot more equipment.
But the testing machines are expensive. And the pandemic has caused an economic meltdown. Now some labs are saying they're not sure they can justify the expense of adding more instruments.
What if infection rates decline? What if people don't come forward to get tested, or think they don't need to unless they're really sick? That is, after all, what many public health officials were saying for months when tests were scarce.
"This is a place where I think the government just needs to step in and pay companies — buy the machines for companies, or pay large amounts for these tests," Jha said. "This is what many of us have been asking for from the federal government. ... And it's very frustrating."
He's not the only one who is looking to the federal government to play a bigger role.
"There's broad agreement about the need for testing," said Julie Khani, president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, which represents commercial labs.
"There has been something of a disconnect, however, between the need for testing and providing the necessary support and resources for laboratories to grow and expand that testing," Khani said.
Khani's organization wrote to the Trump administration in April, asking for $10 billion in emergency relief funds to buy more testing machines for their labs. The group is still waiting for a response.
NPR Correspondent Tom Bowman and Senior Producer Walter Ray Watson contributed to this report.


npr--2020-05-28--Pence Chief Of Staff Owns Stocks That Could Conflict With Coronavirus Response

Pence Chief Of Staff Owns Stocks That Could Conflict With Coronavirus Response Marc Short , the chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence , owns between $ 506,043 and $ 1.64 million worth of individual stocks in companies doing work related to the Trump administration 's pandemic response — holdings that could run afoul of conflict-of-interest laws .
Many of the medical , pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies in which Short and his wife hold stock – including 3M , Abbott Labs , Gilead , Procter & Gamble , Medtronic , Bristol Myers Squibb , and Johnson & Johnson – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the work of the Coronavirus Task Force , chaired by Pence .
Other companies among his holdings , such as CVS , Thermo Fisher Scientific , Walmart , and Roche , have been publicly touted by the White House for their work with the federal government on Coronavirus response .
Short declared at least some of his stock holdings — more than 100 listings of individual stocks across a range of economic sectors — to be potential conflicts of interest after he joined the Vice President 's office last year .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being denied a tax break often granted to government officials who must sell stock to comply with ethics laws .
Short still holds the stocks — some in trusts for family members — which he disclosed in public records reviewed by NPR .
The White House contends he has followed administration guidelines to avoid conflicts of interest .
`` Marc Short has followed all applicable ethics laws , and even sought to divest from potential financial conflicts , '' said Pence spokesman Devin O'Malley .
`` Additionally , on several occasions , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force , Mr. Short has worked with legal counsel to implement appropriate recusals . ''
Ethics watchdogs — including the former top lawyer for the Office of Government Ethics , which handles conflicts of interest issues — say that in order to comply with the law Short needs to divest or recuse himself from issues that may impact his personal financial holdings .
There is a law that requires executive branch employees to resolve conflicts of interest before participating in any decision — or even deliberations — affecting particular companies or specific industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry potential civil and criminal penalties .
The law extends to the holdings of spouses and minor children .
It is unclear at this point whether Short has participated in any governmental policy decisions that could affect the companies or sectors in which he holds personal financial interests .
But recusal may be difficult due to Short 's expansive list of responsibilities as the vice president 's chief of staff — and in any case , there is public evidence that he is actively engaged in the Trump administration 's Coronavirus response efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has served as Pence 's chief of staff since March 2019 .
He has also taken on a public role in Coronavirus Task Force operations .
And on at least two recent occasions , his work has led him to mention companies in which he holds stock .
On March 18 , he mentioned the Vice President 's trip to a 3M manufacturing plant to illustrate a point about liability protections .
Records show that he holds between $ 65,002 and $ 150,000 worth of 3M stock .
On March 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in producing respirator masks .
According to public disclosure records he holds between $ 50,001 and $ 100,000 worth of Honeywell stock .
The former director of the Office of Government Ethics , Walter Shaub , said he thinks an independent investigation should be launched .
Since leaving the OGE in July 2017 , Shaub has become a frequent critic of the Trump administration on ethics issues .
`` This is now a red alarm .
We have enough information to know that there is a serious possibility of a conflict of interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have participated in matters affecting his financial interests , '' said Shaub , now with the government watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , or CREW .
`` We wo n't know unless the FBI or the Public Integrity Section for the Justice Department do a proper investigation . ''
According to public disclosure forms first obtained by CREW and subsequently verified and reviewed by NPR , Short owns between $ 506,043 and $ 1.64 million worth of stock in companies that have been specifically identified or otherwise involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public disclosure forms do not show precise values of stock holdings , only ranges .
O'Malley , the spokesperson for the Vice President 's office , said that Short sought what is called a Certificate of Divestiture from the Office of Government Ethics .
The certificate is not necessary to divest from stocks , but instead approves a tax break that allows the deferment of capital gains tax , and is designed to reduce the burden of complying with federal ethics laws .
In fact , the application for a Certificate of Divestiture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of potential conflicts of interest exist .
In order to apply for the certificate , federal employees need to attest that they have possible conflicts of interest that make it necessary to divest , according to Don Fox , a former general counsel and acting director for the Office of Government Ethics .
`` There has to be an underlying conflict of interest , and OGE has to determine that there is , in order to even be eligible for a certificate , '' Fox said .
This is done so that executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tax deferment unless necessary for ethics purposes .
O'Malley said that ultimately Short 's certificate was not approved .
Not receiving a Certificate of Divestiture is not a permissible reason under the law to avoid divesting from stock .
In fact , regulations require an employee requesting a certificate to commit in advance to divesting , whether or not OGE grants the request .
`` Seeking a Certificate of Divestiture is not seeking approval .
It 's seeking a tax break , '' Shaub said .
`` The non-issuance of a certificate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divesting .
It prevents you from getting a tax break . ''
Although Short 's application for a Certificate of Divestiture was rejected , it was not because he was deemed to not have a conflict .
The ethics office rejected his application because some of his stocks are held in trusts that would be difficult to divest from .
Some of Short 's holdings were in trusts created to benefit family members , and OGE would not grant tax breaks for Short unless all potentially conflicting holdings were divested .
`` OGE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering individual equities because , after such a divestment , the stocks held in irrevocable generation-skipping trusts — established for the benefit of his children over which Mr. Short has no independent control — would remain , '' O'Malley said .
The Office of the Vice President did not provide a statement on why Short has not divested potentially conflicting stocks outside the trusts .
Without a Certificate of Divestiture , Short would not qualify to defer capital gains taxes on sales of his stocks , and would be forced to pay these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulty divesting does not excuse an employee from complying with the conflict of interest law .
`` Ultimately , the responsibility is on the public official to take all necessary steps to make sure they 're either free from potential conflicts of interest or to stay away from any issues that could conflict with those personal financial interests , '' said Fox .
The Office of Government Ethics declined to comment on Short 's situation .
`` OGE is committed to transparency and citizen oversight of government .
However , OGE does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said spokesperson Patrick Shepherd .
Both of Short 's predecessors as chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence — Nick Ayers and Joshua Pitcock — have requested and obtained Certificates of Divestiture .
Unlike Short , neither Ayers nor Pitcock appear to have held significant numbers of individual stocks during their time in that office , according to their public disclosure records .
Short holds dozens of different individual stocks across a wide variety of sectors .
Other high-ranking officials have divested their stock holdings despite very complex financial situations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before entering office to divest from 156 companies he held a financial interest in .
In an ethics agreement hammered out before the start of the Trump administration , Tillerson gave up more than $ 4.1 million in cash bonuses as well as retiree medical and dental benefits .
Fox said that selling individual stocks is often the only way for government officials like Short to resolve potential conflicts .
Recusal from possible conflicts of interest is often difficult in a position like Short 's because his responsibilities as a member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse and touch on a wide range of topics and sectors .
`` It 's not uncommon for somebody in those positions to essentially divest themselves of all common stock ... because you really ca n't anticipate what kinds of information or what kinds of decisions their principals — their bosses — are going to have to make , '' Fox said .
`` If you 're going to be in this kind of job , you have to be able to act on anything without having to worry about conflicts of interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President 's office would not point to any specific cases of recusal .
Short is the most senior staffer to the vice president , who has headed the Coronavirus task force since late February .
Short has repeatedly been involved in the White House response to the Coronavirus crisis .
In the past , Short has set the agenda and sent out the Situation Room seating chart for the Coronavirus Task Force meetings , according to an April 11 story by The Washington Post .
`` We meet every morning at nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , regarding the Coronavirus Task Force .
He answered questions from reporters about the Coronavirus on February 4 and March 20 .
In the latter instance , he cited the work of Honeywell , in which he holds between $ 50,001 and $ 100,000 of stock .
`` We are actually encouraged that the partnership with private sector can meet many of these needs , '' he said , referring to the logistics of obtaining health care supplies .
`` As some of you know , Honeywell is wholly retrofitting one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
On Fox Business on March 18 , he cited 3M , a company in which he owns between $ 65,002 and $ 150,000 worth of stock .
`` A few weeks ago , the vice president took a trip to 3M manufacturing in Minnesota , '' Short said , referring to The 3M Company as one of the `` primary producers '' of respirator masks .
He also addressed the federal government 's Coronavirus response on CNBC March 20 and March 24 ; on Fox News March 19 and March 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In these television interviews , Short discussed PPE manufacturing , therapeutic pharmaceuticals , public-private partnerships , and negotiations over the Coronavirus relief package .
Scott Amey , general counsel of the government watchdog group Project on Government Oversight , said Short 's work is clearly covered by conflict of interest laws .
`` There 's a potential here that the vice president 's chief of staff has a conflict of interest in the fact that he is working on the issues , and participating in meetings , and making presentations to the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic [ response ] and what 's coming into the White House , '' Amey said .
A source familiar with Short 's stock holdings said that earlier this month the Office of Government Ethics reviewed Short 's ethics program as it relates to the Coronavirus Task Force with the Vice President 's legal counsel .
`` Earlier this month , Mr. Short asked OGE to revisit the issue , '' the source said .
On May 1 , the Office of Government Ethics took the unusual step of sending a memo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocks can pose a conflict of interest .
OGE had no comment on whether the memo was sent out as a result of any case in particular .

Pence Chief Of Staff Owns Stocks That Could Conflict With Coronavirus Response
Enlarge this image toggle caption Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Marc Short, the chief of staff to Vice President Pence, owns between $506,043 and $1.64 million worth of individual stocks in companies doing work related to the Trump administration's pandemic response — holdings that could run afoul of conflict of interest laws.
Many of the medical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies – including 3M, Abbott Laboratories, Gilead Sciences, Procter & Gamble, Medtronic, Bristol Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson – in which Short and his wife hold stock have been directly affected by or involved in the work of the coronavirus task force chaired by Pence.
Other companies among his holdings, such as CVS, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Walmart and Roche, have been publicly touted by the White House for their work with the federal government on the coronavirus response.
Short declared at least some of his stock holdings — more than 100 listings of individual stocks across a range of economic sectors — to be potential conflicts of interest after he joined the vice president's office last year. But he did not divest those holdings after being denied a tax break often granted to government officials who must sell stock to comply with ethics laws.
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Short still holds the stocks — some in trusts for family members — which he disclosed in public records reviewed by NPR. The White House contends he has followed administration guidelines to avoid conflicts of interest.
"Marc Short has followed all applicable ethics laws, and even sought to divest from potential financial conflicts," said Pence spokesman Devin O'Malley. "Additionally, on several occasions, including since the formation of the coronavirus task force, Mr. Short has worked with legal counsel to implement appropriate recusals."
Watchdogs — including the former top lawyer for the Office of Government Ethics, which handles conflicts of interest issues — say that in order to comply with the law, Short needs to divest or recuse himself from issues that may impact his personal financial holdings.
There is a law that requires executive branch employees to resolve conflicts of interest before participating in any decision — or even deliberations — affecting particular companies or specific industries in which they are invested. Violations carry potential civil and criminal penalties. The law extends to the holdings of spouses and minor children.
It is unclear at this point whether Short has participated in any governmental policy decisions that could affect the companies or sectors in which he holds personal financial interests.
But recusal may be difficult because of Short's expansive list of responsibilities as the vice president's chief of staff — and in any case, there is public evidence that he is actively engaged in the Trump administration's coronavirus response efforts.
Short is a longtime political operative who has served as Pence's chief of staff since March 2019. He has also taken on a public role in the coronavirus task force operations. And on at least two recent occasions, his work has led him to mention companies in which he holds stock.
On March 18, he mentioned the vice president's trip to a 3M manufacturing plant to illustrate a point about liability protections. Records show that he holds between $65,002 and $150,000 worth of 3M stock. On March 20, he publicly hailed the work of Honeywell in producing respirator masks. According to public disclosure records, he holds between $50,001 and $100,000 worth of Honeywell stock.
The former director of the Office of Government Ethics, Walter Shaub, said he thinks an independent investigation should be launched. Since leaving the OGE in July 2017, Shaub has become a frequent critic of the Trump administration on ethics issues.
"This is now a red alarm. We have enough information to know that there is a serious possibility of a conflict of interest and a very realistic chance that he may have participated in matters affecting his financial interests," said Shaub, now with the government watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW. "We won't know unless the FBI or the Public Integrity Section for the Justice Department do a proper investigation."
According to public disclosure forms first obtained by CREW and subsequently verified and reviewed by NPR, Short owns between $506,043 and $1.64 million worth of stock in companies that have been specifically identified or otherwise involved in the federal government's coronavirus response. Public disclosure forms do not show precise values of stock holdings, only ranges.
O'Malley, the spokesperson for the vice president's office, said that Short sought what is called a certificate of divestiture from the Office of Government Ethics. The certificate is not necessary to divest from stocks, but it does approve a tax break that allows the deferment of capital gains tax and is designed to reduce the burden of complying with federal ethics laws.
The application for a certificate of divestiture is in itself an acknowledgement that the likelihood of potential conflicts of interest exist. In order to apply for the certificate, federal employees need to attest that they have possible conflicts of interest that make it necessary to divest, according to Don Fox, a former general counsel and acting director for the Office of Government Ethics.
"There has to be an underlying conflict of interest, and OGE has to determine that there is, in order to even be eligible for a certificate," Fox said. This is done so that executive branch officials cannot take advantage of the tax deferment unless necessary for ethics purposes.
O'Malley said Short's certificate was not approved.
Not receiving a certificate of divestiture is not a permissible reason under the law to avoid divesting from stock. In fact, regulations require an employee requesting a certificate to commit in advance to divesting, whether or not OGE grants the request.
"Seeking a certificate of divestiture is not seeking approval. It's seeking a tax break," Shaub said. "The nonissuance of a certificate of divestiture does not prevent you from divesting. It prevents you from getting a tax break."
Short's application for a certificate of divestiture was not rejected because he was deemed to not have a conflict.
The ethics office rejected his application because some of his stocks are held in trusts that would be difficult to divest from. Some of Short's holdings were in trusts created to benefit family members, and OGE would not grant tax breaks for Short unless all potentially conflicting holdings were divested.
"OGE would not grant a certificate of divestiture covering individual equities because, after such a divestment, the stocks held in irrevocable generation-skipping trusts — established for the benefit of his children over which Mr. Short has no independent control — would remain," O'Malley said.
The Office of the Vice President did not provide a statement on why Short has not divested potentially conflicting stocks outside the trusts. Without a certificate of divestiture, Short would not qualify to defer capital gains taxes on sales of his stocks, and would be forced to pay these taxes.
Former ethics officials say that difficulty divesting does not excuse an employee from complying with the conflict of interest law.
"Ultimately, the responsibility is on the public official to take all necessary steps to make sure they're either free from potential conflicts of interest or to stay away from any issues that could conflict with those personal financial interests," said Fox.
The Office of Government Ethics declined to comment on Short's situation.
"OGE is committed to transparency and citizen oversight of government. However, OGE does not respond to questions about specific individuals," said spokesperson Patrick Shepherd.
Both of Short's predecessors as chief of staff to Pence — Nick Ayers and Joshua Pitcock — requested and obtained certificates of divestiture. Unlike Short, neither Ayers nor Pitcock appear to have held significant numbers of individual stocks during their time in that office, according to their public disclosure records. Short holds dozens of different stocks across a wide variety of sectors.
Other high-ranking officials have divested their stock holdings despite very complex financial situations. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pledged before entering office to divest from 156 companies he held a financial interest in. In an ethics agreement hammered out before the start of the Trump administration, Tillerson, a former CEO of Exxon Mobil, gave up more than $4.1 million in cash bonuses as well as retiree medical and dental benefits.
Fox said that selling individual stocks is often the only way for government officials like Short to resolve potential conflicts. Recusal from possible conflicts of interest is often difficult in a position like Short's because his responsibilities as a member of the White House's senior staff would be diverse and touch on a wide range of topics and sectors.
"It's not uncommon for somebody in those positions to essentially divest themselves of all common stock... because you really can't anticipate what kinds of information or what kinds of decisions their principals — their bosses — are going to have to make," Fox said. "If you're going to be in this kind of job, you have to be able to act on anything without having to worry about conflicts of interests or recusals or workarounds."
The vice president's office would not point to any specific cases of recusal.
Short is the most senior staffer to the vice president, who has headed the coronavirus task force since late February. Short has repeatedly been involved in the White House response to the coronavirus crisis.
In the past, Short has set the agenda and sent out the White House Situation Room seating chart for the coronavirus task force meetings, according to an April 11 story by The Washington Post. "We meet every morning at nine o'clock," he told CNBC in March, regarding the coronavirus task force.
He answered questions from reporters about the coronavirus on Feb. 4 and March 20. In the latter instance, he cited the work of Honeywell, in which he holds between $50,001 and $100,000 of stock.
"We are actually encouraged that the partnership with private sector can meet many of these needs," he said, referring to the logistics of obtaining health care supplies. "As some of you know, Honeywell is wholly retrofitting one of their factories to produce more respirator masks."
On Fox Business on March 18, he cited 3M, a company in which he owns between $65,002 and $150,000 worth of stock. "A few weeks ago, the vice president took a trip to 3M manufacturing in Minnesota," Short said, referring to The 3M Company as one of the "primary producers" of respirator masks.
Fox Business YouTube
He also addressed the federal government's coronavirus response on CNBC March 20 and March 24, on Fox News March 19 and March 21, and on CNN March 25.
In these television interviews, Short discussed personal protective equipment manufacturing, therapeutic pharmaceuticals, public-private partnerships and negotiations over the coronavirus relief package.
Scott Amey, general counsel of the government watchdog group Project on Government Oversight, said Short's work is clearly covered by conflict of interest laws.
"There's a potential here that the vice president's chief of staff has a conflict of interest in the fact that he is working on the issues, and participating in meetings, and making presentations to the public based on things he's learned through the pandemic [response] and what's coming into the White House," Amey said.
A source familiar with Short's stock holdings said that earlier this month, the Office of Government Ethics reviewed Short's ethics program as it relates to the coronavirus task force with the vice president's legal counsel.
"Earlier this month, Mr. Short asked OGE to revisit the issue," the source said.
On May 1, the Office of Government Ethics took the unusual step of sending a memo out reminding executive branch ethics officials that stocks can pose a conflict of interest.
OGE had no comment on whether the memo was sent out in connection with any case in particular.
NPR's Barbara Van Woerkom contributed to this report.


npr--2020-05-28--Trump Environmental Rollbacks Roll On Despite Pandemic. Opponents Cry Foul

Do public hearings over Zoom unfairly suppress opponents ' comments , or allow even more people to engage ?
That 's just one point of dispute as the Trump administration pushes ahead with some of its most controversial environmental policy changes this spring despite the coronavirus pandemic .
November 's vote is driving momentum , since policies finalized too late could be overturned more easily should President Trump lose re-election or Democrats gain control of the Senate .
But environmentalists , state regulators and lawmakers say the public is distracted by the coronavirus pandemic .
They 've asked the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals , with little success so far .
Recently finalized rules include scaling back regulations for fuel efficiency in cars and trucks , air pollution coming from power plants and water pollution in streams and wetlands .
The administration is also pushing ahead with a string of more localized policies , such as expanded logging and oil drilling in Alaska .
`` It really switched the power dynamic '' In April , the Bureau of Land Management canceled in-person meetings and instead held eight Zoom sessions on a plan to develop as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petroleum Reserve-Alaska .
`` It really switched the power dynamic , incredibly , during these hearings , in terms of who had the control , '' says Nicole Whittington-Evans , Alaska director for Defenders of Wildlife .
She complains that one man 's microphone was muted as he was providing his opinion .
Whittington-Evans acknowledges the man was swearing and probably would have been asked to leave an in-person meeting .
But `` you ca n't just , like , hold your hand over somebody 's face in a public hearing , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many opponents of the drilling plan complained that the hearing format was unfair .
But BLM spokeswoman Lesli Ellis-Wouters says Zoom hearings actually have some big advantages .
One meeting drew people from both southeast Alaska and the state 's northern edge .
`` There 's 1,000 miles in between those two communities , and they were able to come to the same meeting , '' she says .
`` So we were getting perspectives from people that we traditionally have not heard from before . ''
BLM says the eight sessions had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 on Facebook Live , far more people than had attended community meetings before the pandemic .
In March , federal agencies also canceled hearings on a proposal to remove dams to help threatened salmon in the Columbia River Basin .
Thirteen members of Congress from the Pacific Northwest asked to extend the comment period .
`` The current crisis can not plausibly provide for an environment conducive to robust public comment , '' they wrote .
The request was not granted , and the comment period is now closed .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that affect state water pollution permits and liquefied natural gas development , in addition to relaxing the Obama-era rules on fuel efficiency and pollution in streams and wetlands .
Sharlett Mena , special assistant to the director of the Washington Department of Ecology , says all this undermines state environmental protections for air and water .
`` All of these rules have gone forth with our very vocal objection , '' she says .
`` And they were finalized now , when we 're flat-footed and we 're worried about our communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So much going on in the world '' Lindsey Bloom thought she finally had the goods to oppose development of Alaska 's Pebble Mine .
The Obama administration had blocked the gold and copper mine , saying it would threaten the nation 's most valuable salmon fishery , but the Trump administration reversed that .
Bloom discovered a video from a conference in late February , when an executive from Pebble 's parent company pitched investors .
She considered it proof of what fishermen and environmental groups have been warning – that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans .
`` One of the ways you ensure you can get a permit is you de-risk it by taking something modest and conservative into the permitting process in the first place .
And we did that , '' Northern Dynasty Vice President Doug Allen says on the video .
He went on to say the company expects to get a permit to extract more gold at a later date .
Bloom , who works for Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay , sent a transcript of the comments to multiple news outlets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have n't been hearing anything back from reporters , '' she says .
`` The airwaves are so crowded right now .
So much going on in the world . ''
Pebble spokesman Mike Heatwole declined to be interviewed , but pointed out in an email that the public input period on the mine ended last year .
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now in the final phase , working with government agencies and tribes before it decides on issuing permits .
One of those select agencies is supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders say they ca n't keep up with the Pebble documents or attend the biweekly agency meetings .
`` All of our tribal focus right now has become COVID and maintaining the health and safety of our people here in Bristol Bay , '' says administrator Courtenay Carty .
Thousands of workers are heading to the area for the annual salmon fishery despite concerns about a possible outbreak of COVID-19 .
`` We 're really disenfranchised at this point in time , '' Carty says .
`` To ( not ) be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pebble permitting process , that we 've dedicated over a decade to , to have it come to decision essentially over summer in the midst of a global pandemic , is unfathomable . ''
Last month , Pebble changed its preferred transportation route for getting the gold out , prompting more criticism that interested parties are not able to adequately respond .
At a recent Senate hearing , Environmental Protection Agency administrator Andrew Wheeler defended the flurry of action during the pandemic .
`` EPA employees have risen to the test of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , and I applaud all of them , '' Wheeler said .
But Democratic Senators criticized Wheeler for making changes that could worsen air pollution , even as the nation grapples with a pandemic from a respiratory disease .
They also questioned his agency 's move to relax compliance and monitoring of clean air and water laws during the crisis .
Nine states and a dozen environmental groups have sued EPA over the measure , alleging it gives polluters too much leeway .
Wheeler countered that EPA is still carrying out enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement that there is `` no leniency for those who exhibit an intentional disregard for the law or for accidental releases of oil , hazardous substances , hazardous chemicals , hazardous waste or other pollutants . ''
Still , the move rankles Brett VandenHeuvel , Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper in Oregon .
`` We 're seeing simultaneously that they ca n't do their jobs to enforce environmental laws , but they can push forward dirty pollution-causing projects , '' he says .
Environmental regulators in Oregon and Washington State say easing federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to make sure industrial facilities are operating properly , even as their own agency budgets are collapsing because of the pandemic 's economic fallout .
But states are still challenging the administration 's rollbacks , most recently with a lawsuit against weaker standards for fuel efficiency in cars and trucks .
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Richard Whitman calls the rule `` ill-advised '' and says it would set back his state 's climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation .
`` In my mind , this is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Whitman says .
Doing that `` in the middle of the pandemic , I will say , grates on us . ''
This story is a collaboration with Oregon Public Broadcasting and Alaska Public Media .

Trump Environmental Rollbacks Roll On Despite Pandemic. Opponents Cry Foul
Do public hearings over Zoom unfairly suppress opponents' comments, or allow even more people to engage?
That's just one point of dispute as the Trump administration pushes ahead with some of its most controversial environmental policy changes this spring despite the coronavirus pandemic. November's vote is driving momentum, since policies finalized too late could be overturned more easily should President Trump lose re-election or Democrats gain control of the Senate.
But environmentalists, state regulators and lawmakers say the public is distracted by the coronavirus pandemic. They've asked the government to hit pause on a host of proposals, with little success so far.
Recently finalized rules include scaling back regulations for fuel efficiency in cars and trucks, air pollution coming from power plants and water pollution in streams and wetlands. The administration is also pushing ahead with a string of more localized policies, such as expanded logging and oil drilling in Alaska.
"It really switched the power dynamic"
In April, the Bureau of Land Management canceled in-person meetings and instead held eight Zoom sessions on a plan to develop as many as 250 oil wells in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
"It really switched the power dynamic, incredibly, during these hearings, in terms of who had the control," says Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska director for Defenders of Wildlife.
She complains that one man's microphone was muted as he was providing his opinion. Whittington-Evans acknowledges the man was swearing and probably would have been asked to leave an in-person meeting. But "you can't just, like, hold your hand over somebody's face in a public hearing," she says.
During the Zoom sessions many opponents of the drilling plan complained that the hearing format was unfair.
You can't just, like, hold your hand over somebody's face in a public hearing.
But BLM spokeswoman Lesli Ellis-Wouters says Zoom hearings actually have some big advantages. One meeting drew people from both southeast Alaska and the state's northern edge.
"There's 1,000 miles in between those two communities, and they were able to come to the same meeting," she says. "So we were getting perspectives from people that we traditionally have not heard from before."
BLM says the eight sessions had about 300 unique attendees, plus another 2,000 on Facebook Live, far more people than had attended community meetings before the pandemic.
In March, federal agencies also canceled hearings on a proposal to remove dams to help threatened salmon in the Columbia River Basin. Thirteen members of Congress from the Pacific Northwest asked to extend the comment period.
"The current crisis cannot plausibly provide for an environment conducive to robust public comment," they wrote.
The request was not granted, and the comment period is now closed.
The Trump administration has also moved ahead with changes that affect state water pollution permits and liquefied natural gas development, in addition to relaxing the Obama-era rules on fuel efficiency and pollution in streams and wetlands.
Sharlett Mena, special assistant to the director of the Washington Department of Ecology, says all this undermines state environmental protections for air and water.
"All of these rules have gone forth with our very vocal objection," she says. "And they were finalized now, when we're flat-footed and we're worried about our communities. We're worried about recovery."
Enlarge this image toggle caption Image via YouTube Image via YouTube
"So much going on in the world"
Lindsey Bloom thought she finally had the goods to oppose development of Alaska's Pebble Mine. The Obama administration had blocked the gold and copper mine, saying it would threaten the nation's most valuable salmon fishery, but the Trump administration reversed that.
Bloom discovered a video from a conference in late February, when an executive from Pebble's parent company pitched investors. She considered it proof of what fishermen and environmental groups have been warning – that Pebble is minimizing the scope of its plans.
"One of the ways you ensure you can get a permit is you de-risk it by taking something modest and conservative into the permitting process in the first place. And we did that," Northern Dynasty Vice President Doug Allen says on the video. He went on to say the company expects to get a permit to extract more gold at a later date.
Bloom, who works for Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay, sent a transcript of the comments to multiple news outlets, expecting to generate headlines. But "I haven't been hearing anything back from reporters," she says. "The airwaves are so crowded right now. So much going on in the world."
Pebble spokesman Mike Heatwole declined to be interviewed, but pointed out in an email that the public input period on the mine ended last year.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now in the final phase, working with government agencies and tribes before it decides on issuing permits. One of those select agencies is supposed to be the Curyung Tribe, but its leaders say they can't keep up with the Pebble documents or attend the biweekly agency meetings.
"All of our tribal focus right now has become COVID and maintaining the health and safety of our people here in Bristol Bay," says administrator Courtenay Carty.
Thousands of workers are heading to the area for the annual salmon fishery despite concerns about a possible outbreak of COVID-19.
"We're really disenfranchised at this point in time," Carty says. "To (not) be able to focus on something as important as the Pebble permitting process, that we've dedicated over a decade to, to have it come to decision essentially over summer in the midst of a global pandemic, is unfathomable."
Last month, Pebble changed its preferred transportation route for getting the gold out, prompting more criticism that interested parties are not able to adequately respond.
EPA employees have risen to the test of carrying out their duties during this challenging time, and I applaud all of them.
Pushing through rollbacks while easing enforcement
At a recent Senate hearing, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Andrew Wheeler defended the flurry of action during the pandemic. "EPA employees have risen to the test of carrying out their duties during this challenging time, and I applaud all of them," Wheeler said.
But Democratic Senators criticized Wheeler for making changes that could worsen air pollution, even as the nation grapples with a pandemic from a respiratory disease.
They also questioned his agency's move to relax compliance and monitoring of clean air and water laws during the crisis. Nine states and a dozen environmental groups have sued EPA over the measure, alleging it gives polluters too much leeway.
Wheeler countered that EPA is still carrying out enforcement. And the agency said in a statement that there is "no leniency for those who exhibit an intentional disregard for the law or for accidental releases of oil, hazardous substances, hazardous chemicals, hazardous waste or other pollutants."
Still, the move rankles Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper in Oregon.
"We're seeing simultaneously that they can't do their jobs to enforce environmental laws, but they can push forward dirty pollution-causing projects," he says.
Environmental regulators in Oregon and Washington State say easing federal compliance puts more of the onus on them to make sure industrial facilities are operating properly, even as their own agency budgets are collapsing because of the pandemic's economic fallout.
But states are still challenging the administration's rollbacks, most recently with a lawsuit against weaker standards for fuel efficiency in cars and trucks.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Richard Whitman calls the rule "ill-advised" and says it would set back his state's climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
"In my mind, this is really about propping up our petroleum industry," Whitman says. Doing that "in the middle of the pandemic, I will say, grates on us."
This story is a collaboration with Oregon Public Broadcasting and Alaska Public Media.


npr--2020-05-28--With Naturalizations On Hold, Potential New Voters Sit On Sidelines

With Naturalizations On Hold , Potential New Voters Sit On Sidelines Elizabeth Hernandez moved to the U.S. from Mexico almost 30 years ago and was days away from becoming an American citizen when her March 15 naturalization ceremony was canceled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It made me sad , '' said Hernandez , who lives in New Mexico .
She had n't thought much about becoming a citizen until this year because of the upcoming election .
`` I want to vote for a president who will improve the country . ''
Hernandez is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were scheduled to become naturalized this year .
But naturalization ceremonies have been on hold during the coronavirus pandemic in this election year .
An estimated 860,000 people were set to become citizens — with many also expected to become first-time voters .
The crimp in the pipeline of new citizens is one of a series of unexpected challenges that could reshape the electorate ahead of the November general election .
About a quarter of naturalized citizens live in Texas , Florida , Pennsylvania and Georgia , all potentially key states in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Department of Homeland Security .
While the U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services does virtual naturalization ceremonies for people with disabilities , it 's not widely trying to do the same for others .
`` It 's not unprecedented and it is an option , '' said Diego Iñiguez-López of the National Partnership for New Americans .
In a statement , USCIS officials said there are requirements mandated by Congress that make it `` logistically difficult for USCIS to administer naturalization oaths virtually or telephonically . ''
USCIS , which depends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the midst of a funding crisis and reportedly said it may have to furlough part of its workforce .
The newly naturalized `` represent rising numbers of new American voters that have the power to sway the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections , midterm elections and governorships and state legislatures , '' Iñiguez-López said .
One out of every 10 eligible voters in the U.S. will be a naturalized citizen in 2020 , said Mark Hugo Lopez of the Pew Research Center .
He said new citizens who are Asian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote , key demographics in this year 's election .
`` Most people who make the decision to become a citizen are oftentimes also somewhat more engaged than others in terms of wanting to get involved , '' Lopez said .
The temporary freeze in naturalization ceremonies has stymied the organizations that work to naturalize immigrants such as Hernandez and register them to vote after they take the oath of citizenship .
`` It makes you very proud to be an American – and proud that you can be there on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that moment after they are duly sworn in , '' said Annie Johnson Benifield of the Houston chapter of the League of Women Voters .
Benifield said she 's able to register about 90 % of the people in these ceremonies that day , far higher than any other voter registration event .
The Houston area was scheduled to have 16 naturalization ceremonies in 2020 .
`` We have no idea how they are going to start structuring and scheduling them for the rest of the year , '' said Benifield , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan soon that allows immigrants to become citizens safely and register to vote .

With Naturalizations On Hold, Potential New Voters Sit On Sidelines
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Elizabeth Hernandez moved to the United States from Mexico almost 30 years ago and was days away from becoming an American citizen when her March 15 naturalization ceremony was canceled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
"It made me sad," said Hernandez, who lives in New Mexico. She hadn't thought much about becoming a citizen until this year because of the upcoming election. "I want to vote for a president who will improve the country."
Hernandez is one of hundreds of thousands of people who were scheduled to become naturalized this year. But naturalization ceremonies have been on hold during the coronavirus pandemic in this election year.
An estimated 860,000 people were set to become citizens — with many also expected to become first-time voters. The crimp in the pipeline of new citizens is one of a series of unexpected challenges that could reshape the electorate ahead of the November general election.
About a quarter of naturalized citizens live in Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Georgia, all potentially key states in the fall election, according to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Immigration advocates for want the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to offer virtual naturalization ceremonies.
"It's not unprecedented and it is an option," said Diego Iñiguez-López of the National Partnership for New Americans.
In a statement, USCIS officials said there are requirements mandated by Congress that make it "logistically difficult for USCIS to administer naturalization oaths virtually or telephonically." In a subsequent statement, the agency said it has never conducted a virtual naturalization ceremony.
USCIS, which depends on fees levied on immigrants, is in the midst of a funding crisis and reportedly said it may have to furlough part of its workforce.
The newly naturalized "represent rising numbers of new American voters that have the power to sway the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections, midterm elections and governorships and state legislatures," Iñiguez-López said.
One out of every 10 eligible voters in the U.S. will be a naturalized citizen in 2020, said Mark Hugo Lopez of the Pew Research Center. He said new citizens who are Asian and Latino are more likely to turn out to vote, key demographics in this year's election.
"Most people who make the decision to become a citizen are oftentimes also somewhat more engaged than others in terms of wanting to get involved," Lopez said.
The temporary freeze in naturalization ceremonies has stymied the organizations that work to naturalize immigrants such as Hernandez and register them to vote after they take the oath of citizenship.
"It makes you very proud to be an American – and proud that you can be there on the spot to register them to vote at that moment after they are duly sworn in," said Annie Johnson Benifield of the Houston chapter of the League of Women Voters.
Benifield said she's able to register about 90% of the people in these ceremonies that day, far higher than any other voter registration event. The Houston area was scheduled to have 16 naturalization ceremonies in 2020.
"We have no idea how they are going to start structuring and scheduling them for the rest of the year," said Benifield, who hopes government officials come up with a plan soon that allows immigrants to become citizens safely and register to vote.


npr--2020-05-28--Travel Restrictions On Canadian Border Cut Back-And-Forth For Families, Businesses

Gary Theriault hops off his motorcycle and walks into the Tastee-Freez , a roadside ice cream and takeout stand just a short hop from the Canadian border , in Madawaska , Maine .
As he waits for his milkshake , Theriault peers across the St. John River towards Edmundston , New Brunswick .
He says the two communities have long been linked by their heritage and connected economies .
`` Well , a good example is , my mother was born in Edmundston , which is right across the border , '' Theriault says .
`` My father was born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatives are over there , and the other half are over here .
So there 's a lot of back-and-forth .
Visiting aunts , uncles , grandparents .
It was always a back-and-forth with the border . ''
Since the 1970s , the population in Madawaska has fallen to less than 4,000 as the local paper mill has laid off workers .
But residents say the town 's relationship with its Canadian neighbors has helped keep business alive .
Locals say Americans go to Edmundston to see family , gamble at the casino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to Madawaska for the cheaper gas and milk .
But most of those visits came to a halt in March , when the U.S. and Canada blocked nonessential travel across the border , temporarily separating many of the cultural , historic and economic ties linking many border communities .
Theriault says he can still cross to get parts for his garage door businesses .
But other travel , like to see family , has stopped .
`` So I was crossing every day .
I was residing there , and working here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the decision came , that they were closing the borders , because my business is probably 95 % in the states , we made the decision at that time to stay here until things can iron themselves out . ''
Many businesses in Madawaska , including gas stations and convenience stores , were hit hard when visits from Canadian customers evaporated .
`` Probably 60 % of my business is Canadians .
So when they closed the bridge down ... we let our workers go , '' says Tim Lausier , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gas station about a mile from the border crossing .
`` So it 's just my sister and I working the store now .
And it 's been like that for two months .
And it looks like it 's going to be like that for another month .
And I 've lost , probably , 2,500 people coming through the door a week . ''
Lausier says he understands the need to maintain restrictions and protect public health .
But he worries that even if the border does reopen soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come over here , '' he says .
`` I do n't think it 'll be back to normal .
It might take five or six years , I think . ''
The concerns have led some local business owners — and even a state legislator in Maine — to push for the federal government to reopen parts of the border .
But federal officials have said the border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least June 22nd , and wo n't be permitted until the administration is `` convinced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Travel Restrictions On Canadian Border Cut Back-And-Forth For Families, Businesses
Enlarge this image toggle caption Robbie Feinberg/Maine Public Radio Robbie Feinberg/Maine Public Radio
Gary Theriault hops off his motorcycle and walks into the Tastee-Freez, a roadside ice cream and takeout stand just a short hop from the Canadian border, in Madawaska, Maine.
As he waits for his milkshake, Theriault peers across the St. John River towards Edmundston, New Brunswick. He says the two communities have long been linked by their heritage and connected economies.
"Well, a good example is, my mother was born in Edmundston, which is right across the border," Theriault says. "My father was born in Van Buren. So half my relatives are over there, and the other half are over here. So there's a lot of back-and-forth. Visiting aunts, uncles, grandparents. It was always a back-and-forth with the border."
Since the 1970s, the population in Madawaska has fallen to less than 4,000 as the local paper mill has laid off workers. But residents say the town's relationship with its Canadian neighbors has helped keep business alive. Locals say Americans go to Edmundston to see family, gamble at the casino, or get a haircut. Canadians come to Madawaska for the cheaper gas and milk.
But most of those visits came to a halt in March, when the U.S. and Canada blocked nonessential travel across the border, temporarily separating many of the cultural, historic and economic ties linking many border communities.
Theriault says he can still cross to get parts for his garage door businesses. But other travel, like to see family, has stopped.
"So I was crossing every day. I was residing there, and working here," he says. "Then when the decision came, that they were closing the borders, because my business is probably 95% in the states, we made the decision at that time to stay here until things can iron themselves out."
Many businesses in Madawaska, including gas stations and convenience stores, were hit hard when visits from Canadian customers evaporated.
"Probably 60% of my business is Canadians. So when they closed the bridge down...we let our workers go," says Tim Lausier, a part-owner of Bob's Service Center, a gas station about a mile from the border crossing.
"So it's just my sister and I working the store now. And it's been like that for two months. And it looks like it's going to be like that for another month. And I've lost, probably, 2,500 people coming through the door a week."
Lausier says he understands the need to maintain restrictions and protect public health. But he worries that even if the border does reopen soon, "people are going to be scared to come over here," he says. "I don't think it'll be back to normal. It might take five or six years, I think."
The concerns have led some local business owners — and even a state legislator in Maine — to push for the federal government to reopen parts of the border. But federal officials have said the border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least June 22nd, and won't be permitted until the administration is "convinced that doing so is safe and secure."


npr--2020-05-28--Why The Small Business Rescue Program Has Slowed Way Down

Why The Small Business Rescue Program Has Slowed Way Down When the federal small business rescue program was announced , Krista Kern-Desjarlais scrambled to research it , talking to her banker and digging online .
Kern-Desjarlais runs two restaurants in Maine — the Purple House in North Yarmouth and Bresca & the Honeybee , a summer-only food stand on Sabbathday Lake .
She decided to hold off on that coronavirus rescue effort , the Paycheck Protection Program , or PPP .
`` Right at the last moment , I was like , ' I do n't understand enough about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it .
I 'm going to wait for the next round , ' because I felt at that time there has to be a next round , '' she said .
`` It 's going too fast.
`` Over time , the Small Business Administration further clarified how the loans will work .
As she learned more , Kern-Desjarlais became convinced that the PPP was n't for her — in part because she was n't sure when she 'd be able to even bring her workers back .
`` I would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid them through the PPP as unemployment , and then put them back on unemployment .
So it just seemed like an exercise in futility for my situation , '' she said .
In addition , she decided that taking on more debt , along with the two-year payback period , simply did n't work for her businesses .
`` I think the program is great for a ton of businesses out there that are not restaurants , '' she said .
`` We do n't have a lot of income , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The idea of holding money after [ the loan ] , rather than having it amortized over four or five years , and then having that quick payback period , even though it was n't a lot of money , it just felt like I 'm just leaving my hole deeper . ''
There was a mad dash for the first , $ 349 billion round of PPP money , which was gone in 13 days .
This second round , of $ 310 billion , is going much more slowly , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left one month later .
Business owners who wanted the money have , in large part , received it .
Others , like Kern-Desjarlais , have decided it 's just not for them .
Most businesses who wanted the money have gotten it Data from the Census Bureau show that PPP funding is finally catching up to demand .
The bureau 's Small Business Pulse survey has three weeks of data , starting on April 26 — the week the second round of PPP money opened .
Over all three weeks , demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each week , around 75 % of businesses said they had requested PPP money since the program opened .
But the share of businesses who had received the money rose steadily , from 38 % in the first week to nearly 67 % in the third week .
So while there are still some businesses waiting on funds , it appears that the overwhelming majority that wanted PPP money have gotten it .
Beyond that , demand does not appear to be growing .
`` I think the story that this kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really on the ball and applying for this program early on , recognizing that it was first come , first served , '' said Curtis Long , chief economist at the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions .
There was a crush of applications when the program opened on April 3 .
But many factors — including continually shifting guidance , changing forms , technical difficulties , and many banks only opening up the process to their existing customers — slowed down the lending process and prevented some businesses from receiving the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that those issues have improved .
`` I think the delays that we 've seen in funding have just been sort of those bottlenecks , you know , working through those , '' he said .
`` It seems like most of those issues have been resolved now . ''
Another factor related to the slower PPP usage is smaller loans .
At the end of the first round of PPP funding , average loan size was at $ 206,000 .
As of May 26 , it had dropped to around $ 115,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very smallest businesses were not allowed to get into the program until later .
While the PPP 's first round opened on April 3 , independent contractors and freelancers were n't allowed to apply until April 10 .
`` By then , there was a huge queue for the portal [ where lenders submit PPP applications ] , '' Long said .
`` So , you know , for that class of borrower , they may have just gotten pushed to round two . ''
Funding for the first round ran out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after those one-person businesses were first allowed to apply .
But beyond that , banks may have prioritized their biggest customers .
Lawsuits in New York and California have alleged that big banks pushed larger businesses to the front of the PPP line .
In addition , The New York Times has reported that JPMorgan Chase gave some of its bigger business clients special treatment in applying for the PPP .
Some business owners like Kern-Desjarlais have decided that the PPP just does n't work with their finances .
The restrictions surrounding how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example , that it must be spent in eight weeks , with 75 % spent on payroll in order to be forgiven — have frustrated some business owners .
Some others have been scared off by uncertainty in the program 's rules .
The PPP application form asks applicants to certify that `` current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary '' for the business to keep operating .
Accountant Scott Levine , of Atlanta 's Intown Financial Services , says that while many of his applicants are hurting financially , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , he says , some clients ' banks warned them strenuously about the dangers of misrepresenting their financial situations .
`` That scared a lot of my clients , even the ones that were ideally suited to get the loan .
They 're now scared , '' he said .
`` And then there are a couple of articles about people going to jail for fraud , which should n't scare them .
But it does . ''
This fear is despite the fact that the SBA has clarified that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million will automatically be deemed to have received the money `` in good faith . ''
In addition , uncertainty around exactly how forgiveness will work has led some of Levine 's clients to be less enthusiastic about the program .
`` I tell them , 'You 're a poster child for this program .
Spend the money , ' `` he said .
`` But then I have to tell them , ' I ca n't guarantee it 's gon na be forgiven either . '
``

Why The Small Business Rescue Program Has Slowed Way Down
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Chiu/AP Jeff Chiu/AP
When the federal small business rescue program was announced, Krista Kern-Desjarlais scrambled to research it, talking to her banker and digging online.
Kern-Desjarlais runs two restaurants in Maine — the Purple House in North Yarmouth and Bresca & the Honeybee, a summer-only food stand on Sabbathday Lake. She decided to hold off on that coronavirus rescue effort, called the Paycheck Protection Program or PPP.
"Right at the last moment, I was like, 'I don't understand enough about this, so I'm not going to do it. I'm going to wait for the next round,' because I felt at that time there has to be a next round," she said. "It's going too fast. "
Over time, the Small Business Administration further clarified how the loans will work. As she learned more, Kern-Desjarlais became convinced that the PPP wasn't for her — in part because she wasn't sure when she'd be able to even bring her workers back.
"I would have pulled my people off of unemployment, paid them through the PPP as unemployment, and then put them back on unemployment. So it just seemed like an exercise in futility for my situation," she said.
In addition, she decided that taking on more debt, along with the two-year payback period, simply didn't work for her businesses.
"I think the program is great for a ton of businesses out there that are not restaurants," she said. "We don't have a lot of income, and we have almost nonexistent profit margins. The idea of holding money after [the loan], rather than having it amortized over four or five years, and then having that quick payback period, even though it wasn't a lot of money, it just felt like I'm just leaving my hole deeper."
There was a mad dash for the first round of PPP money, which was $349 billion and was gone in 13 days. This second round, $310 billion, is going much more slowly and still has more than $140 billion left one month later.
Business owners who wanted the money have, in large part, received it. Others, like Kern-Desjarlais, have decided it's just not for them.
Most businesses who wanted the money have gotten it
Data from the Census Bureau show that PPP funding is finally catching up to demand.
The bureau's Small Business Pulse survey has three weeks of data, starting on April 26 — the week the second round of PPP money opened. Over all three weeks, demand for PPP money didn't rise. Each week, about 75% of businesses said they had requested PPP money since the program opened.
But the share of businesses who had received the money rose steadily, from 38% in the first week to nearly 67% in the third week. So while there are still some businesses waiting on funds, it appears that the overwhelming majority that wanted PPP money have gotten it.
toggle caption U.S. Census Bureau
Beyond that, demand does not appear to be growing.
"I think the story that this kind of leads to is that small businesses were really on the ball and applying for this program early on, recognizing that it was first come, first served," said Curtis Long, chief economist at the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions.
There was a crush of applications when the program opened on April 3. But many factors — including continually shifting guidance, changing forms, technical difficulties, and many banks only opening up the process to their existing customers — slowed down the lending process and prevented some businesses from receiving the money.
To Long, the data show that those issues have improved.
"I think the delays that we've seen in funding have just been sort of those bottlenecks, you know, working through those," he said. "It seems like most of those issues have been resolved now."
Loan size is smaller
Another factor related to the slower PPP usage is smaller loans. At the end of the first round of PPP funding, average loan size was at $206,000. As of May 26, it had dropped to around $115,000.
For one thing, some of the very smallest businesses were not allowed to get into the program until later. While the PPP's first round opened on April 3, independent contractors and freelancers weren't allowed to apply until April 10.
"By then, there was a huge queue for the portal [where lenders submit PPP applications]," Long said. "So, you know, for that class of borrower, they may have just gotten pushed to Round 2."
Funding for the first round ran out on April 16, just six days after those one-person businesses were first allowed to apply.
But beyond that, banks may have prioritized their biggest customers. Lawsuits in New York and California have alleged that big banks pushed larger businesses to the front of the PPP line. In addition, The New York Times has reported that JPMorgan Chase gave some of its bigger business clients special treatment in applying for the PPP.
Some businesses fear PPP consequences
Some business owners like Kern-Desjarlais have decided that the PPP just doesn't work with their finances. The restrictions surrounding how the money must be spent — for example, that it must be spent in eight weeks, with 75% spent on payroll in order to be forgiven — have frustrated some business owners.
Some others have been scared off by uncertainty in the program's rules.
The PPP application form asks applicants to certify that "current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary" for the business to keep operating. Accountant Scott Levine, of Atlanta's Intown Financial Services, says that while many of his applicants are hurting financially, they are nervous about whether they meet that requirement. In addition, he says, some clients' banks warned them strenuously about the dangers of misrepresenting their financial situations.
"That scared a lot of my clients, even the ones that were ideally suited to get the loan. They're now scared," he said. "And then there are a couple of articles about people going to jail for fraud, which shouldn't scare them. But it does."
This fear is despite the fact that the SBA has clarified that borrowers receiving loans of under $2 million will automatically be deemed to have received the money "in good faith."
In addition, uncertainty around exactly how forgiveness will work has led some of Levine's clients to be less enthusiastic about the program.
"I tell them, 'You're a poster child for this program. Spend the money,' " he said. "But then I have to tell them, 'I can't guarantee it's gonna be forgiven either.' "


npr--2020-05-28--How To Make A Mini-Zine About Life During The Pandemic

How To Make A Mini-Zine About Life During The Pandemic Check the hashtag # quaranzine on social media and you @ @ @ @ @ books — called zines — that people are making to document their lives in the @ @ @ @ @ to find out how you can make one yourself — including how to fold your @ @ @ @ @ about .
All you 'll need is a sheet of paper , a pen , @ @ @ @ @ creativity .
We 'd love to see your final zines .
Post them on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ # quaranzine and # NPRLifeKIt .
We 'll be keeping our eye out for them @ @ @ @ @ NPR editor and the author and illustrator of I Was Their American Dream : A @ @ @ @ @ first-generation Filipino Egyptian American .
For more Life Kit , subscribe to our weekly newsletter @

How To Make A Mini-Zine About Life During The Pandemic
Check the hashtag #quaranzine on social media and you'll see thousands of mini books — called zines — that people are making to document their lives in the pandemic.
Read the comic to find out how you can make one yourself — including how to fold your zine and what to write about. All you'll need is a sheet of paper, a pen, 30 minutes and a little creativity.
Malaka Gharib/ NPR
Enlarge this image Malaka Gharib/ NPR Malaka Gharib/ NPR
Enlarge this image Malaka Gharib/ NPR Malaka Gharib/ NPR
Malaka Gharib/ NPR
Malaka Gharib/ NPR
We'd love to see your final zines. Post them on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtags #quaranzine and #NPRLifeKIt. We'll be keeping our eye out for them!
Malaka Gharib is an NPR editor and the author and illustrator of I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir, about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American.
For more Life Kit, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.


npr--2020-05-28--Rebuffing Criticism, China Moves Forward With Hong Kong Security Law

China 's National People 's Congress , the nation 's rubber-stamp legislature , Thursday authorized a committee to draft and enact a national security law that asserts the mainland 's authority over the former British colony .
The law , likely to take effect as soon as June , would authorize the mainland to prevent `` secession , subversion , terrorism and foreign interference '' in the semi-autonomous city .
Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong say it effectively brings to an end the `` one country-two systems '' agreement China reached with the United Kingdom when the colony reverted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2,878 to 1 with six abstentions , was greeted with prolonged applause in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing .
Yesterday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed Congress that the U.S. administration no longer views Hong Kong as autonomous from the mainland , a first step toward ending the city 's unique trade status .
Hong Kong is now exempt from U.S. trade restrictions applied to Beijing .
The U.S. decision could endanger Hong Kong 's long reign as a global financial center , a position it enjoys in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and freedom from Beijing 's centrally planned economy .
More than 300 protesters were arrested in Hong Kong Wednesday in advance of the vote in Beijing .
Under the 1997 treaty between China and Great Britain , Hong Kong 's Legislative Council has sole authority to govern the city until 2047 , the 50th anniversary of the hand-over .
Multiple international and professional legal associations have said China 's decision to enact the national security law without Hong Kong 's participation violates the terms of the treaty .
Beijing says the law keeps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting only a `` narrow '' set of activities .

China's Legislature Moves To Assert Authority Over Hong Kong
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vincent Yu/AP Vincent Yu/AP
China's National People's Congress, the nation's rubber-stamp legislature, authorized a committee on Thursday to draft and enact a national security law that asserts the mainland's authority over the former British colony.
The law, likely to take effect as early as June, would authorize the mainland to prevent "secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference" in the semi-autonomous city.
Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong say it effectively brings to an end the "one country-two systems" agreement China reached with the United Kingdom when the colony reverted to Chinese control in 1997.
The vote — 2,878-1 with six abstentions — was greeted with prolonged applause in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo informed Congress that the U.S. administration no longer views Hong Kong as autonomous from the mainland, a first step toward ending the city's unique trade status. Hong Kong is now exempt from U.S. trade restrictions applied to Beijing.
The U.S. decision could endanger Hong Kong's long reign as a global financial center, a position it enjoys in large part because of its independent judiciary and freedom from Beijing's centrally planned economy.
More than 300 protesters were arrested in Hong Kong on Wednesday in advance of the vote in Beijing. Under the 1997 treaty between China and Great Britain, Hong Kong's Legislative Council has sole authority to govern the city until 2047, the 50th anniversary of the handover.
Multiple international and professional legal associations have said China's decision to enact the national security law without Hong Kong's participation violates the terms of the treaty. Beijing says the law keeps intact Hong Kong's limited autonomy by targeting only a "narrow" set of activities.