npr--2020-04-20--Company With Ties To Trump Receives Millions From Small Business Loan Program

Company With Ties To Trump Receives Millions From Small Business Loan Program While many small businesses have found it difficult or impossible to get one of the Small Business Administration 's Paycheck Protection Program loans , a company owned by a prominent Chicago family with close ties to the Trump Administration was able to get a $ 5.5 million loan under the program , according to documents the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday .
U.S .
Ambassador to Belgium Ronald Gidwitz , whom President Trump appointed in 2018 , was then-candidate Donald Trump 's campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential campaign .
According to filings with the SEC , Gidwitz 's family owns the majority of Continental Materials Corp. , which secured the 1-percent interest loan .
Continental Materials makes heating and cooling equipment and construction products .
While it had more than $ 100 million in sales last year , it qualified for the loan because it meets the Small Business Administration 's industry-specific `` small business '' size standards , according to company chief financial officer Paul Ainsworth .
Still , the company 's loan is much larger than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summary released by the Small Business Administration last week .
The average loan was just over $ 200,000 , and fewer than 1 percent of the loans under the program were greater than $ 5 million .
Ainsworth told NPR the money would be used to pay the company 's 445 employees in the face of slowing demand for its products .
`` We had planned to furlough people and we delayed those plans , '' he said .
`` To the extent that we had to let people go , we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company may qualify as a small business under the PPP program , there are many much smaller businesses that have been unsuccessful in obtaining or even applying for the loans from their banks .
The business advocacy group NFIB surveyed a random sample of the 300,000 businesses in its membership database , and found that only about 72 percent of businesses that tried to apply for a PPP loan were able to successfully submit an application .
Continental Materials will be able to pay back the loan over two years and may qualify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked , Ainsworth said the loan is not related to any political activities of company leaders , and he noted Ronald Gidwitz ' resignation upon his appointment as ambassador .
Gidwitz was confirmed to the ambassadorship by the Senate by voice vote in June 2018 .
He announced his resignation from the company 's board a few days later in July , according to company SEC filings .

Company With Ties To Trump Receives Millions From Small Business Loan Program
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
While many small businesses have found it difficult or impossible to get one of the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program loans, a company owned by a prominent Chicago family with close ties to the Trump administration was able to get a $5.5 million loan under the program, according to documents the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday.
U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Ronald Gidwitz, who was appointed in 2018, was then-candidate Donald Trump's campaign finance chair for Illinois in the 2016 presidential campaign. According to filings with the SEC, Gidwitz's family owns the majority of Continental Materials Corp., which secured the 1% interest loan.
Continental Materials makes heating and cooling equipment and construction products. While it had more than $100 million in sales last year, it qualified for the loan because it meets the Small Business Administration's industry-specific "small business" size standards, according to company chief financial officer Paul Ainsworth.
Still, the company's loan is much larger than the typical PPP loan, according to a summary released by the Small Business Administration last week. The average loan was just over $200,000, and fewer than 1% of the loans under the program were greater than $5 million.
Ainsworth told NPR the money would be used to pay the company's 445 employees in the face of slowing demand for its products.
"We had planned to furlough people and we delayed those plans," he said. "To the extent that we had to let people go, we're hiring them back."
While the company may qualify as a small business under the PPP program, there are many much smaller businesses that have been unsuccessful in obtaining or even applying for the loans from their banks.
The business advocacy group NFIB surveyed a random sample of the 300,000 businesses in its membership database and found that only about 72 percent of businesses that tried to apply for a PPP loan were able to successfully submit an application.
Continental Materials will be able to pay back the loan over two years and may qualify for it to be forgiven.
When asked, Ainsworth said the loan is not related to any political activities of company leaders, and he noted Ronald Gidwitz resigned when he was appointed ambassador.
Gidwitz was confirmed to the ambassadorship by the Senate by voice vote in June 2018. He announced his resignation from the company's board a few days later in July, according to company SEC filings.


npr--2020-04-20--Answering Your Coronavirus Questions: How The Virus Spreads, Disinfecting Your Home

Answering Your Coronavirus Questions : How The Virus Spreads , Disinfecting Your Home On this broadcast of The National Conversation @ @ @ @ @ front line addresses some of your common questions .
We 'll also take a look @ @ @ @ @ your home and food .

Answering Your Coronavirus Questions: How The Virus Spreads, Disinfecting Your Home On this broadcast of The National Conversation, a doctor on the front line addresses some of your common questions. We'll also take a look at how to best disinfect your home and food.


npr--2020-04-20--Small California Town Hopes Testing Will Show How Coronavirus Is Spread

Small California Town Hopes Testing Will Show How Coronavirus Is Spread A small town in northern California will become the first in the nation to try to test everyone for the Coronavirus , regardless of symptoms , in an effort to better understand how the virus spreads and how antibodies against the disease are built .
Researchers at the University of California , San Francisco are running the project in unincorporated Bolinas , home to some 1,600 people , start today .
`` We do n't have enough data to tell people how to lift those ( stay at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sawyer with UCSF tells NPR .
`` What we need to understand is how does the virus spread through communities so that we know how to open up people 's lives again .
How do we contain this virus and how do we safely move forward and try to move past it ? ''
The pop up , drive-through testing center is up and running at a local park .
It will do what 's called PCR tests to show if a resident currently has the virus as well as antibody tests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has developed antibodies against the virus .
More antibody testing is vital , Dr. Sawyer says , to better understand how and in what ways infection builds immunity .
`` We will see people who have antibodies , people who do n't .
But what is n't clear right now is does that mean they have immunity ?
We do n't know that , '' Dr. Sawyer says .
`` And if it does eventually seem like they have immunity , we do n't know how long the window for that immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an ideal eco-system socially and demographically to study : it 's rural but before the shelter-in-place order , it always had a steady stream of recreational visitors and tourists from outside .
The community also has a large number of older adults .
`` The median age here is 62 .
So we have a lot of high-risk people , '' says Dr. Sawyer , `` longtime resident of Bolinas .
`` And we have a significant ( number ) that are under the poverty level .
We have social economic disadvantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starting this weekend , UCSF researchers will launch a companion testing program in San Francisco 's Mission District , an economically and ethnically diverse neighborhood in San Francisco .
That will allow them to carefully compare urban and rural test data .
Residents of the unincorporated community raised the money , some $ 300,000 , via a GoFundMe campaign to buy the testing materials and tents to set up the site .
The researchers hope the data is useful to public health officials making tough decisions about when and how to re-open society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might serve as a template for other communities .
As Dr. Sawyer puts it : The epidemiological data will be helpful in policy decision making for their communities .
But what 's really important is could they get their own community tested ?
Because we need to be able to do more community-wide testing to safely advance through this pandemic . ''

Small California Town Hopes Testing Will Show How Coronavirus Is Spread
Enlarge this image toggle caption Haven Daley/AP Haven Daley/AP
A small town in northern California will become the first in the nation to try to test everyone for the Coronavirus, regardless of symptoms, in an effort to better understand how the virus spreads and how antibodies against the disease are built.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco who are running the project in unincorporated Bolinas, home to some 1,600 people, started Monday.
"We don't have enough data to tell people how to lift those (stay at home) measures safely," Dr. Aenor Sawyer with UCSF tells NPR. "What we need to understand is how does the virus spread through communities so that we know how to open up people's lives again. How do we contain this virus and how do we safely move forward and try to move past it?"
The pop-up, drive-through testing center is up and running at a local park. It will do what's called PCR tests to determine if a resident currently has the virus as well as antibody tests to see if a person has been infected and has developed antibodies against the virus.
More antibody testing is vital, Dr. Sawyer says, to better understand how and in what ways infection builds immunity.
"We will see people who have antibodies, people who don't. But what isn't clear right now is does that mean they have immunity? We don't know that," Dr. Sawyer says. "And if it does eventually seem like they have immunity, we don't know how long the window for that immunity is."
Researchers hope Bolinas serves as an ideal ecosystem socially and demographically to study. It's rural but before the shelter-in-place order, it always had a steady stream of recreational visitors and tourists from outside. The community also has a large number of older adults.
"The median age here is 62. So we have a lot of high-risk people," says Dr. Sawyer, a longtime resident of Bolinas. "And we have a significant (number) that are under the poverty level. We have social economic disadvantage and we have some minorities."
Starting this weekend, UCSF researchers will launch a companion testing program in San Francisco's Mission District, an economically and ethnically diverse neighborhood. That will allow them to carefully compare urban and rural test data.
Residents of the unincorporated community raised the money, some $300,000, via a GoFundMe campaign to buy the testing materials and tents needed to set up the site.
The researchers hope the data is useful to public health officials making tough decisions about when and how to reopen society. But they also hope the testing might serve as a template for other communities.
As Dr. Sawyer puts it, "The epidemiological data will be helpful in policy decision-making for their communities. But what's really important is, could they get their own community tested? Because we need to be able to do more community-wide testing to safely advance through this pandemic."


npr--2020-04-20--New York Starts 'Aggressive' Coronavirus Antibody Testing In Quest To Reopen Economy

New York Starts 'Aggressive ' Coronavirus Antibody Testing In Quest To Reopen Economy New York has begun `` the most aggressive '' statewide antibody testing to help determine how much of the population has been infected by and recovered from the coronavirus — a step health officials say is essential for reopening the economy .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Monday that state Department of Health officials plan to randomly select 3,000 people for tests that will look for indications that their bodies have fought off the virus , even if they were never tested or showed any symptoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy has to be based on data and testing , and we have to make sure our antibody and diagnostic testing is up to the scale we need so we can safely get people back to work , '' Cuomo said in a statement , adding that the testing would be done `` in the most aggressive way in the nation . ''
Cuomo noted that Germany — with a population of 83 million to New York 's 19.5 million — used the same sample size for its antibody testing survey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first true snapshot of exactly how many people were infected by COVID-19 and where we are as a population and will help us to reopen and rebuild without jeopardizing what we 've already accomplished . ''
Despite some slowing in the rate of diagnosed COVID-19 cases in New York , the state still makes up about a third of reported cases across the country .
As of Monday , officials reported 252,595 cases in the state 's 62 counties .
The disease has killed more than 18,000 people in the state so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. deaths related to the virus .
Cuomo said the `` large-scale antibody testing will help determine the percentage of the population that is now immune to the virus . ''
But , as NPR 's Richard Harris reported , `` Scientists do not know whether people with antibodies are definitively protected from the disease and , if so , for how long . ''
Last week , South Korean health officials announced they identified 163 people — more than 2 % of the country 's 7,829 patients — who tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those people are now back in isolation .
Dr. Jordan Laser , a pathologist at Northwell Health on Long Island , N.Y. , told NPR it would make sense to start testing health care workers .
But , even in instances where people may show that they have developed antibodies , Laser said they should still take precautions .
`` Definitely do n't use these tests to change your practices in terms of personal protective equipment , '' he said .
`` Definitely do not become more comfortable in doing your job in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really would be more of a psychological benefit . ''
As more municipalities , businesses and health institutions begin to conduct large-scale blood tests to detect past exposure , questions about their efficacy have surfaced .
Currently , the tests on the market do not need approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , and there are dozens of manufacturers making versions that claim to be more than 90 % accurate .
But the margin of error on false positives in many of the tests is too high for an accurate representation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been infected by the disease .
The White House Coronavirus Task Force , which has set an informal standard for the new tests , placed a limit of no more than 10 false positives per hundred .
`` If you were to use a test that meets that standard , though , in a population where only 1 % of the population has been infected , a positive result would actually be wrong a shocking amount of the time — like nine times out of 10 , '' Harris reported .

New York Starts 'Aggressive' Coronavirus Antibody Testing In Quest To Reopen Economy
Enlarge this image toggle caption Hannah A. Bullock, Azaibi Tamin/AP Hannah A. Bullock, Azaibi Tamin/AP
New York has begun "the most aggressive" statewide antibody testing to help determine how much of the population has been infected by and recovered from the coronavirus — a step health officials say is essential for reopening the economy.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that state Department of Health officials plan to randomly select 3,000 people for tests that will look for indications that their bodies have fought off the virus, even if they were never tested or showed any symptoms.
"Any plan to start to reopen the economy has to be based on data and testing, and we have to make sure our antibody and diagnostic testing is up to the scale we need so we can safely get people back to work," Cuomo said in a statement, adding that the testing would be done "in the most aggressive way in the nation."
Cuomo noted that Germany — with a population of 83 million to New York's 19.5 million — used the same sample size for its antibody testing survey.
He said the results will provide "the first true snapshot of exactly how many people were infected by COVID-19 and where we are as a population and will help us to reopen and rebuild without jeopardizing what we've already accomplished."
Despite some slowing in the rate of diagnosed COVID-19 cases in New York, the state still makes up about a third of reported cases across the country. As of Monday, officials reported 252,595 cases in the state's 62 counties. The disease has killed more than 18,000 people in the state so far, accounting for 45% of U.S. deaths related to the virus.
Cuomo said the "large-scale antibody testing will help determine the percentage of the population that is now immune to the virus."
But, as NPR's Richard Harris reported, "Scientists do not know whether people with antibodies are definitively protected from the disease and, if so, for how long."
Last week, South Korean health officials announced they identified 163 people — more than 2% of the country's 7,829 patients — who tested positive for COVID-19 after making a full recovery. Those people are now back in isolation.
Dr. Jordan Laser, a pathologist at Northwell Health on Long Island, N.Y., told NPR it would make sense to start testing health care workers. But, even in instances where people may show that they have developed antibodies, Laser said they should still take precautions.
"Definitely don't use these tests to change your practices in terms of personal protective equipment," he said.
"Definitely do not become more comfortable in doing your job in taking care of COVID patients. It really would be more of a psychological benefit."
As more municipalities, businesses and health institutions begin to conduct large-scale blood tests to detect past exposure, questions about their efficacy have surfaced.
Currently, the tests on the market do not need approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and there are dozens of manufacturers making versions that claim to be more than 90% accurate. But the margin of error on false positives in many of the tests is too high for an accurate representation of the number of people who have been infected by the disease.
The White House Coronavirus Task Force, which has set an informal standard for the new tests, placed a limit of no more than 10 false positives per hundred.
"If you were to use a test that meets that standard, though, in a population where only 1% of the population has been infected, a positive result would actually be wrong a shocking amount of the time — like nine times out of 10," Harris reported.


npr--2020-04-20--Georgia Beginning To Reopen Its Economy, Lifting Some Coronavirus-Crisis Limits

Georgia Beginning To Reopen Its Economy , Lifting Some Coronavirus-Crisis Limits Citing President Trump 's guidelines for Opening Up America Again , released last week , Gov .
Brian Kemp announced at a news conference Monday steps to reopen Georgia 's economy , starting this Friday .
Kemp said `` favorable data , enhanced testing and approval of our health care professionals '' motivated him to reopen some businesses in the next week .
Georgia is on track to meet Phase 1 criteria as recommended by the White House 's coronavirus task force , according to the governor .
Kemp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency room visits of people with flu-like symptoms are declining and that documented COVID-19 cases have flattened .
Employees at `` gyms , fitness centers , bowling alleys , body art studios , '' as well as `` barbers , cosmetologists , hair designers , nail care artists , estheticians , their respective schools & massage therapists , '' will be allowed to return to work on Friday but will have to operate under restrictions .
The mandatory conditions at the workplaces include social distancing , enhanced cleanings , screening workers for fevers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask if appropriate , moving workplaces 6 feet apart , staggering work shifts and , if possible , teleworking .
These particular businesses , Kemp said , have not been able to `` undertake baseline operations '' like inventory and payroll , unlike others .
On Monday , April 27 , sit-down restaurants , theaters and private social clubs will be allowed to reopen , `` subject to specific social distancing & sanitation mandates , '' according to the governor .
More details on those mandates will be released in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that bars , nightclubs , amusement parks and performance venues will continue to stay closed under shelter-in-place orders .
According to Georgia Department of Public Health data , 60 more people died from the virus over the last weekend .
For most Georgia residents , the state 's shelter-in-place orders are set to expire on April 30 .
In addition to Georgia 's orders , the governors of Tennessee and Pennsylvania Monday announced a loosening of state restrictions as well .
Tennessee 's stay at home will expire on April 30 , Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will begin a `` phased reopening '' next week , after citing the state 's 17 consecutive days of `` only single-digit increases in the number of cases . ''
`` The vast majority of businesses in 89 of Tennessee 's 95 counties will be allowed to re-open May 1 , with some slated to reopen April 27 , '' the state announced .
Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf , a Democrat , signed an executive order , extending the stay at home order in his state by more than a week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 30 .
But beginning at 12:01 a.m. on May 8 some portions of the economy will be allowed to resume , most notably construction projects across the state .
His order will also allow for the online sale of vehicles and allow residents to pick up wine and spirit purchases curbside at certain state liquor control board locations .

Georgia Beginning To Reopen Its Economy, Lifting Some Coronavirus-Crisis Limits
Updated at 10:31 p.m. ET
Citing President Trump's guidelines for Opening Up America Again, released last week, Gov. Brian Kemp announced at a news conference Monday steps to reopen Georgia's economy, starting this Friday.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Ron Harris/AP Ron Harris/AP
Kemp said "favorable data, enhanced testing and approval of our health care professionals" motivated him to reopen some businesses in the next week. Georgia is on track to meet Phase 1 criteria as recommended by the White House's coronavirus task force, according to the governor. Kemp cited Department of Public Health reports that emergency room visits of people with flu-like symptoms are declining and that documented COVID-19 cases have flattened.
But according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia and number of deaths attributed to the virus there, have been steadily increasing in the last month.
Employees at "gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios," as well as "barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools & massage therapists," will be allowed to return to work on Friday but will have to operate under restrictions.
The mandatory conditions at the workplaces include social distancing, enhanced cleanings, screening workers for fevers and respiratory illness, wearing gloves and a mask if appropriate, moving workplaces 6 feet apart, staggering work shifts and, if possible, teleworking.
These particular businesses, Kemp said, have not been able to "undertake baseline operations" like inventory and payroll, unlike others.
On Monday, April 27, sit-down restaurants, theaters and private social clubs will be allowed to reopen, "subject to specific social distancing & sanitation mandates," according to the governor. More details on those mandates will be released in the coming days.
Kemp said in a tweet that bars, nightclubs, amusement parks and performance venues will continue to stay closed under shelter-in-place orders.
According to Georgia Department of Public Health data, 60 more people died from the virus over the last weekend. For most Georgia residents, the state's shelter-in-place orders are set to expire on April 30.
In addition to Georgia's orders, the governors of Tennessee and Pennsylvania Monday announced a loosening of state restrictions as well.
Tennessee's stay at home will expire on April 30, Gov. Bill Lee announced. His state will begin a "phased reopening" next week, after citing the state's 17 consecutive days of "only single-digit increases in the number of cases."
"The vast majority of businesses in 89 of Tennessee's 95 counties will be allowed to re-open May 1, with some slated to reopen April 27," the state announced.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, signed an executive order, extending the stay at home order in his state by more than a week. The previous order was set to expire on April 30.
But beginning at 12:01 a.m. on May 8 some portions of the economy will be allowed to resume, most notably construction projects across the state. His order will also allow for the online sale of vehicles and allow residents to pick up wine and spirit purchases curbside at certain state liquor control board locations.


npr--2020-04-20--VA Head Acknowledges Challenges For Health Care Workers Battling Coronavirus

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the country 's largest health care network with 300 hospitals , clinics and nursing homes nationwide .
More than 9 million American veterans get care from the VA , and today VA doctors and nurses serve on the frontlines of the pandemic crisis .
In March , VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told NPR 's All Things Considered that his department was well-prepared for the outbreak of COVID-19 , and had good supplies of masks and testing kits .
The reality is different today , he said .
`` Since then , as the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview , the normal supply chains have dried up , '' said Wilkie .
Wilkie insists the VA did sufficient planning , with `` war games '' of the outbreak earlier this year .
And he said the VA had replenished its national emergency cache of health supplies before the virus hit .
That planning has not measured up to the crisis .
No VA hospital has run out , but that 's because the VA has been forced to carefully ration equipment .
`` For those who are on the front lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID wards , who are in the nursing homes , they have the normal supply of equipment .
It 's those who do not have that direct contact with patients that we 've asked to follow CDC guidelines , '' he said .
Wilkie admits the Centers for Disease Control guidelines are based more on adapting to the crisis than on ideal medical practices .
`` We are ensuring that those on the front lines have what they need , '' he said .
`` Does everyone in a hospital have all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have in a normal situation ?
No . ''
VA health care workers across the country have been protesting the lack of protective gear .
Last week they claimed victory when the VA changed its rules to allow a greater number of staff to use one mask per day instead of one per week .
That was also the first time the VA publicly acknowledged it was rationing gear .
Wilkie said the VA is adjusting to the crisis as fast possible with some 400,000 employees .
`` We try to move as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We know people are making sacrifices and they are worthy of praise from the entire country . ''
According to the VA 's most recent tally , 5,505 veteran patients have tested positive — and 339 of them have died .
More than 1,500 VA staff members are infected and at least 14 have died .
It 's hard to judge whether the veterans ' mortality rate is high because their average age and health conditions make them one of the most vulnerable populations in the country .

VA Head Acknowledges Challenges For Health Care Workers Battling Coronavirus
The Department of Veterans Affairs is the country's largest health care network with 300 hospitals, clinics and nursing homes nationwide. More than 9 million American veterans get care from the VA, and today VA doctors and nurses serve on the frontlines of the pandemic crisis.
In March, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told NPR's All Things Considered that his department was well-prepared for the outbreak of COVID-19, and had good supplies of masks and testing kits. The reality is different today, he said.
"Since then, as the national emergency kicked in since I did that interview, the normal supply chains have dried up," said Wilkie.
Wilkie insists the VA did sufficient planning, with "war games" of the outbreak earlier this year. And he said the VA had replenished its national emergency cache of health supplies before the virus hit. That planning has not measured up to the crisis. No VA hospital has run out, but that's because the VA has been forced to carefully ration equipment.
"For those who are on the front lines in the emergency rooms, in the COVID wards, who are in the nursing homes, they have the normal supply of equipment. It's those who do not have that direct contact with patients that we've asked to follow CDC guidelines," he said.
Wilkie admits the Centers for Disease Control guidelines are based more on adapting to the crisis than on ideal medical practices.
"We are ensuring that those on the front lines have what they need," he said. "Does everyone in a hospital have all of the changes in gear that we would have in a normal situation? No."
VA health care workers across the country have been protesting the lack of protective gear. Last week they claimed victory when the VA changed its rules to allow a greater number of staff to use one mask per day instead of one per week. That was also the first time the VA publicly acknowledged it was rationing gear.
Wilkie said the VA is adjusting to the crisis as fast possible with some 400,000 employees.
"We try to move as quickly as possible," he said. "We know people are making sacrifices and they are worthy of praise from the entire country."
According to the VA's most recent tally, 5,505 veteran patients have tested positive — and 339 of them have died. More than 1,500 VA staff members are infected and at least 14 have died. It's hard to judge whether the veterans' mortality rate is high because their average age and health conditions make them one of the most vulnerable populations in the country.


npr--2020-04-20--Army Resuming Basic Training With Measures Against Coronavirus Exposure

The Army has announced it is again shipping recruits to basic training , following a two-week pause that was put in place to make sure COVID-19 mitigation measures were operating at all four Army training centers .
But in order to make that happen , and protect the health of the new recruits , the Army says it will adhere to social distancing guidelines .
Officials said that basic training will operate at `` a reduced capacity , '' but did not offer specifics .
And the Army will be focused on where those recruits come from to lower any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruits from areas considered `` low risk '' will be allowed to move to the training bases , but those from `` high risk areas will be rescheduled for future dates . ''
At the same time , the Army is putting in more safeguards for the recruits .
In the two weeks leading up to their scheduled ship dates , they will be screened for symptoms and possible exposure to COVID-19 at various intervals by recruiters and military entrance processing station personnel .
The recruits will also be evaluated upon their arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first two weeks at the training centers , recruits will undergo what the Army calls `` modified training curriculums '' and will be closely monitored with daily health assessments .
Much of the classroom training will be shifted to the first 14 days so the recruits can be monitored .
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy recently said there was a cluster of positive cases at one of the training centers before the recruit training pause was put into effect .
`` One training battalion at Fort Jackson , S.C. , had about 50 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' McCarthy said .
`` We 've done pretty well overall , all things considered , one location . ''
Just last week , the Pentagon 's top officer , Army General Mark Milley , said he plans to dramatically increase virus testing from the current nearly 9,000 tests per day to 60,000 tests by the end of May or early June .
He said that effort was especially needed for those serving in what he called `` tighter quarters , '' including recruits .

Army Resuming Basic Training With Measures Against Coronavirus Exposure
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
The Army has announced it is again shipping recruits to basic training, following a two-week pause that was put in place to make sure COVID-19 mitigation measures were operating at all four Army training centers.
But in order to make that happen, and protect the health of the new recruits, the Army says it will adhere to social distancing guidelines. Officials said that basic training will operate at "a reduced capacity," but did not offer specifics.
And the Army will be focused on where those recruits come from to lower any risk of an outbreak. Officials say recruits from areas considered "low risk" will be allowed to move to the training bases, but those from "high risk areas will be rescheduled for future dates."
Health How The COVID-19 Oubreak Is Impacting U.S Military Life How The COVID-19 Oubreak Is Impacting U.S Military Life Listen · 3:40 3:40
At the same time, the Army is putting in more safeguards for the recruits. In the two weeks leading up to their scheduled ship dates, they will be screened for symptoms and possible exposure to COVID-19 at various intervals by recruiters and military entrance processing station personnel. The recruits will also be evaluated upon their arrival at the training centers.
During the first two weeks at the training centers, recruits will undergo what the Army calls "modified training curriculums" and will be closely monitored with daily health assessments. Much of the classroom training will be shifted to the first 14 days so the recruits can be monitored.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy recently said there was a cluster of positive cases at one of the training centers before the recruit training pause was put into effect.
"One training battalion at Fort Jackson, S.C., had about 50, and had no more since then," McCarthy said. "We've done pretty well overall, all things considered, one location."
Just last week, the Pentagon's top officer, Army General Mark Milley, said he plans to dramatically increase virus testing from the current nearly 9,000 tests per day to 60,000 tests by the end of May or early June.
He said that effort was especially needed for those serving in what he called "tighter quarters," including recruits.


npr--2020-04-20--Virginia Juvenile Correctional Facility Overwhelmed By Coronavirus

Advocates are demanding state officials in Virginia release as many youth as safely possible from a juvenile detention facility after an outbreak of the coronavirus .
Officials announced 25 young people held in state custody have tested positive for COVID-19 .
That amounts to about one-eighth of the population at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center , outside Richmond .
Nationwide , just over 100 incarcerated children have tested positive for the virus , according to an analysis by The Sentencing Project , a non-profit in Washington D.C .
In addition to the outbreak in Virginia , Louisiana 's Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread throughout several facilities .
But the numbers are likely much higher , Josh Rovner with The Sentencing Project told WVTF , because most states are not reporting the information .
In Virginia , officials began more widespread testing at the Bon Air facility in early April after one resident tested positive .
Residents there are between 14 and 20 years old .
A third of them were tested and 25 were found to be positive .
Of those , 21 had no symptoms .
The other four had symptoms that were `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu . ''
As of Saturday , all but eight residents have been released from medical isolation .
The numbers shocked Valerie Slater with the advocacy organization RISE for Youth .
`` My heart actually just kind of dropped into my stomach , '' said Slater .
`` I just ca n't even tell you how sad I am right for all of those families of all of the children there . ''
One of those residents is Arjanae Avula 's younger brother .
Avula is worried for his physical and mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She last spoke to him one week ago for a few minutes .
`` He seems ... kind of out of it , frustrated , a little bit depressed , '' she said , adding that he 's normally chatty .
He used to have lessons , a group anger management class , and time to hang out in a common area .
Now he said he 's held alone for 23 hours a day .
That matches accounts from others with family at Bon Air .
Valerie Boykin , the facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first resident tested positive officials followed recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health and quarantined all residents .
`` They do have their educational materials , their therapists are still meeting with them , '' Boykin said .
`` It 's not an ideal situation for any of us , including them . ''
She added that the quarantine is expected to be relaxed this week after cleaning crews sanitize open spaces .
Family members and advocates want Virginia 's Department of Juvenile Justice to review each child 's case , and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Boykin said since mid-March they 've released 14 youth , with ten more scheduled soon .
For those who remain at the facility , advocates continue to push for ongoing professional counseling and more frequent communication with families .

Virginia Juvenile Correctional Facility Overwhelmed By Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Google Earth / Screenshot by NPR Google Earth / Screenshot by NPR
Advocates are demanding state officials in Virginia release as many youth as safely possible from a juvenile detention facility after an outbreak of the coronavirus.
Officials announced 25 young people held in state custody have tested positive for COVID-19. That amounts to about one-eighth of the population at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, outside Richmond.
Nationwide, just over 100 incarcerated children have tested positive for the virus, according to an analysis by The Sentencing Project, a non-profit in Washington D.C. In addition to the outbreak in Virginia, Louisiana's Office of Juvenile Justice reports 27 positive cases spread throughout several facilities. But the numbers are likely much higher, Josh Rovner with The Sentencing Project told WVTF, because most states are not reporting the information.
In Virginia, officials began more widespread testing at the Bon Air facility in early April after one resident tested positive. Residents there are between 14 and 20 years old.
A third of them were tested and 25 were found to be positive. Of those, 21 had no symptoms. The other four had symptoms that were "no more severe than a cold or flu." As of Saturday, all but eight residents have been released from medical isolation.
The numbers shocked Valerie Slater with the advocacy organization RISE for Youth. "My heart actually just kind of dropped into my stomach," said Slater. "I just can't even tell you how sad I am right for all of those families of all of the children there."
One of those residents is Arjanae Avula's younger brother. Avula is worried for his physical and mental health. He's 18 and has asthma. She last spoke to him one week ago for a few minutes. "He seems... kind of out of it, frustrated, a little bit depressed," she said, adding that he's normally chatty.
He used to have lessons, a group anger management class, and time to hang out in a common area. Now he said he's held alone for 23 hours a day. That matches accounts from others with family at Bon Air.
Valerie Boykin, the facility's director, said that after the first resident tested positive officials followed recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health and quarantined all residents.
"They do have their educational materials, their therapists are still meeting with them," Boykin said. "It's not an ideal situation for any of us, including them." She added that the quarantine is expected to be relaxed this week after cleaning crews sanitize open spaces.
Family members and advocates want Virginia's Department of Juvenile Justice to review each child's case, and to transfer everyone home that they safely can. Boykin said since mid-March they've released 14 youth, with ten more scheduled soon.
For those who remain at the facility, advocates continue to push for ongoing professional counseling and more frequent communication with families.


npr--2020-04-20--Brazil's Bolsonaro Joins Supporters In Protest Against Coronavirus Measures

Brazil 's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro is the focus of a fresh outcry after taking part in a public protest against democratic institutions that included calls for a military takeover .
The president 's participation in the event has caused outrage among judges , human rights groups , lawyers and others , and comes amid growing controversy over his response to the coronavirus crisis .
Brandishing placards and flags , hundreds of people drove by motorcade to Sunday 's rally , which was held outside army headquarters in the capital Brasilia .
`` I am here because I believe in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle for the country ! ''
the 65-year-old president told the assembled crowd in a speech transmitted live on his social media platforms .
The protest was particularly aimed at Brazil 's Supreme Court and Congress — institutions regarded with deep hostility by Bolsonaro supporters , who consider them as obstacles to enacting the president 's agenda .
Some of the crowd called for the reintroduction of a notorious 1968 law that enabled Brazil 's dictatorship to dissolve Congress and introduce other highly repressive measures .
However Bolsonaro , a retired army captain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military regime , stopped short of endorsing those , and promised to defend democracy .
The protest also called for an end to social isolation measures introduced by governors and mayors in many cities to stop the spread of COVID-19 , which has so far claimed more than 2,500 Brazilian lives .
Bolsonaro has been widely accused of endangering the public by greatly underestimating the threat posed by the coronavirus .
He has called it `` a little flu '' and is campaigning to end shutdowns .
He wants isolation to be restricted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medically vulnerable groups in order to avoid further massive losses of jobs and businesses .
Last week , he fired his health minister , Luiz Henrique Mandetta , who supported the broad isolation measures recommended by the World Health Organization and other international medical and scientific experts .
According to a recent poll of Brazilians by Datafolha , 68 % also approve of broad social isolation .
Yet cellphone monitoring data shows the number of Brazilians ignoring official pleas to stay at home has grown significantly in recent days , a trend that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Political analysts believe the increasingly unpopular Bolsonaro is engaged in a struggle to survive politically , and is positioning himself to divert blame for the vast virus-related damage toward his foes — notably governors , Congress , the judiciary and the media .
Gustavo Ribeiro , a political analyst and editor of The Brazilian Report , an English-language news site , says Bolsonaro 's behavior is typical of his tactics since taking office last year : `` When he does n't have a scapegoat , '' Ribeiro says , `` he always creates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his shortcomings on someone else . ''
Although Bolsonaro has extremely close military ties , his appearance at Sunday 's protest appears to have gone down badly with the army 's high command .
They reportedly fear it undermines their efforts to convince the public that the military is an apolitical institution serving all governments .
Brazil 's Estadão newspaper reported Monday that Bolsonaro 's participation in the rally caused `` enormous discomfort '' among the top brass , not least because the protest took place in front of a military base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they felt they were being forced to be involved in something they did n't want to be involved in , '' said political analyst Thiago de Aragão .

Brazil's Bolsonaro Joins Supporters In Protest Against Coronavirus Measures
Enlarge this image toggle caption EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images
Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro is the focus of a fresh outcry after taking part in a public protest against democratic institutions that included calls for a military takeover.
The president's participation in the event has caused outrage among judges, human rights groups, lawyers and others, and comes amid growing controversy over his response to the coronavirus crisis.
Brandishing placards and flags, hundreds of people drove by motorcade to Sunday's rally, which was held outside army headquarters in the capital Brasilia.
"I am here because I believe in you. You have an obligation to struggle for the country!" the 65-year-old president told the assembled crowd in a speech transmitted live on his social media platforms.
The protest was particularly aimed at Brazil's Supreme Court and Congress — institutions regarded with deep hostility by Bolsonaro supporters, who consider them as obstacles to enacting the president's agenda.
Some of the crowd called for the reintroduction of a notorious 1968 law that enabled Brazil's dictatorship to dissolve Congress and introduce other highly repressive measures. However Bolsonaro, a retired army captain and outspoken admirer of Brazil's 1964-1985 military regime, stopped short of endorsing those, and promised to defend democracy.
The protest also called for an end to social isolation measures introduced by governors and mayors in many cities to stop the spread of COVID-19, which has so far claimed more than 2,500 Brazilian lives.
Bolsonaro has been widely accused of endangering the public by greatly underestimating the threat posed by the coronavirus. He has called it "a little flu" and is campaigning to end shutdowns. He wants isolation to be restricted to people over age 60 and other medically vulnerable groups in order to avoid further massive losses of jobs and businesses.
Last week, he fired his health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, who supported the broad isolation measures recommended by the World Health Organization and other international medical and scientific experts.
According to a recent poll of Brazilians by Datafolha, 68% also approve of broad social isolation. Yet cellphone monitoring data shows the number of Brazilians ignoring official pleas to stay at home has grown significantly in recent days, a trend that Bolsonaro's critics blame on him.
Political analysts believe the increasingly unpopular Bolsonaro is engaged in a struggle to survive politically, and is positioning himself to divert blame for the vast virus-related damage toward his foes — notably governors, Congress, the judiciary and the media.
Gustavo Ribeiro, a political analyst and editor of The Brazilian Report, an English-language news site, says Bolsonaro's behavior is typical of his tactics since taking office last year: "When he doesn't have a scapegoat," Ribeiro says, "he always creates one in order to put the blame of his shortcomings on someone else."
Although Bolsonaro has extremely close military ties, his appearance at Sunday's protest appears to have gone down badly with the army's high command. They reportedly fear it undermines their efforts to convince the public that the military is an apolitical institution serving all governments.
Brazil's Estadão newspaper reported Monday that Bolsonaro's participation in the rally caused "enormous discomfort" among the top brass, not least because the protest took place in front of a military base.
"They didn't like it because they felt they were being forced to be involved in something they didn't want to be involved in," said political analyst Thiago de Aragão.


npr--2020-04-20--This Charmin Factory Keeps Humming Even As Much Of America Is Hunkered Down

This Charmin Factory Keeps Humming Even As Much Of America Is Hunkered Down While the president and his advisers talk about `` reopening '' the economy , there are parts of it that never closed .
Many factories are still operating around the clock , churning out the products we depend on during this pandemic , including food , face masks and toilet paper .
`` I get a lot of ribbing locally in my neighborhood , '' says Jose de los Rios , who works at a giant Procter & Gamble plant in Mehoopany , Pa. , where Charmin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least a third or half of my neighbors stop me and jokingly ask , 'Can I get them some ? '
`` In recent week there 's been a squeeze on Charmin and other brands of toilet paper .
De los Rios and his colleagues are making as much as they can , running the plant 24 hours a day , while also taking steps to protect the health of the 2,200 people who work there .
Must-run factories offer some lessons for other businesses about what it will take to re-open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This particular virus is one that we 're all trying to figure out , '' says Jay Timmons , president of the National Association of Manufacturers .
`` What will the new world actually look like after we make the decision to open up society again ? ''
At the Charmin factory , shift changes have been stretched out over three hours , to keep workers separated at the plant door .
Employees have their temperature taken on the way in .
And instead of roaming freely throughout the mile-long plant , workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Every individual got assigned a zone that were allowed to operate in , '' de los Rios says .
`` It reduces the likelihood of spread of any illness across the plant . ''
In the beginning , he says , it was disruptive and awkward trying to talk to coworkers while staying six feet apart .
But workers have adjusted .
A General Mills plant in Wellston , Ohio , has adopted similar precautions , issuing face masks to workers and erecting a tent in the parking lot , so employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their breaks .
That 's allowed the plant to keep running at full capacity , making frozen pizza and pizza rolls .
`` We have seen a lot of feedback from our consumers that the Totino 's product line is getting them through quarantine , '' says plant manager Carolyn Mendel .
Like grocery clerks and delivery drivers , these factory workers are considered essential employees .
And while many have their own concerns about the coronavirus , the pandemic has shined a spotlight on work that might have been invisible or taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's created a degree of pride .
It 's created a degree of passion , '' says Geoff Freeman , president of the Consumer Brands Association , a trade group for grocery manufacturers .
`` We could n't be more proud of the people who are going to work every day to produce these products , to ensure that shelves across the country remain as full as absolutely possible . ''
Many manufacturers have streamlined their plants , reducing variety in some cases to maximize production of their most popular items .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ executives are talking weekly with grocery store owners about how to keep products flowing most efficiently .
`` There 's comfort when mom goes to the grocery store and can find food on the shelves , '' Mendel says .
`` And we talk about how stressful it is when those shelves are empty . ''
She 's also compared notes on workplace safety with a rival frozen food maker nearby .
`` We talk openly back and forth about things that are working in our site , '' Mendel says .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be working .
There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus at Mendel 's plant or de los Rios 's , although some workers from both facilities have been quarantined as a precaution .
Not every factory owner has been so careful .
At least a dozen meatpacking plants around the country have been forced to close or restrict operations because of COVID-19 outbreaks among their workers .
Critics say the government has n't done enough to police those plants , where workers typically stand shoulder to shoulder on the cutting line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they have historically not made a priority of worker safety , '' said Deborah Berkowitz , a former Occupational Safety and Health Administration official who is now with the National Employment Law Project .
`` These workers are often very hidden .
The plants are often in more rural , remote areas .
Therefore people do n't see the sort of sacrifices they 're making . ''
Berkowitz says it 's possible for factory managers to keep products flowing while also safeguarding workers , with some simple precautions .
`` Not rocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way they do business , '' she says .
Mendel says the pandemic has underscored the importance of worker safety , and employees have responded .
`` They feel like they 're serving the country by coming into the plant and grinding out those pizzas and pizza rolls , '' she says .

This Charmin Factory Keeps Humming Even As Much Of America Is Hunkered Down
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Procter & Gamble Courtesy of Procter & Gamble
While the president and his advisers talk about "reopening" the economy, there are parts of it that never closed.
Many factories are still operating around the clock, churning out the products we depend on during this pandemic, including food, face masks and toilet paper.
"I get a lot of ribbing locally in my neighborhood," says Jose de los Rios, who works at a giant Procter & Gamble plant in Mehoopany, Pa., where Charmin toilet paper is produced. "At least a third or half of my neighbors stop me and jokingly ask, 'Can I get them some?' "
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Procter & Gamble Courtesy of Procter & Gamble
In recent week there's been a squeeze on Charmin and other brands of toilet paper. De los Rios and his colleagues are making as much as they can, running the plant 24 hours a day, while also taking steps to protect the health of the 2,200 people who work there.
Must-run factories offer some lessons for other businesses about what it will take to re-open, while also keeping workers safe.
"This particular virus is one that we're all trying to figure out," says Jay Timmons, president of the National Association of Manufacturers. "What will the new world actually look like after we make the decision to open up society again?"
At the Charmin factory, shift changes have been stretched out over three hours, to keep workers separated at the plant door. Employees have their temperature taken on the way in. And instead of roaming freely throughout the mile-long plant, workers are compartmentalized, with color-coded badges.
"Every individual got assigned a zone that were allowed to operate in," de los Rios says. "It reduces the likelihood of spread of any illness across the plant."
In the beginning, he says, it was disruptive and awkward trying to talk to coworkers while staying six feet apart. But workers have adjusted.
A General Mills plant in Wellston, Ohio, has adopted similar precautions, issuing face masks to workers and erecting a tent in the parking lot, so employees can maintain "social distance" during their breaks. That's allowed the plant to keep running at full capacity, making frozen pizza and pizza rolls.
"We have seen a lot of feedback from our consumers that the Totino's product line is getting them through quarantine," says plant manager Carolyn Mendel.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of General Mills Courtesy of General Mills
Like grocery clerks and delivery drivers, these factory workers are considered essential employees. And while many have their own concerns about the coronavirus, the pandemic has shined a spotlight on work that might have been invisible or taken for granted in the past.
"It's created a degree of pride. It's created a degree of passion," says Geoff Freeman, president of the Consumer Brands Association, a trade group for grocery manufacturers. "We couldn't be more proud of the people who are going to work every day to produce these products, to ensure that shelves across the country remain as full as absolutely possible."
Many manufacturers have streamlined their plants, reducing variety in some cases to maximize production of their most popular items. In addition, Freeman says food company executives are talking weekly with grocery store owners about how to keep products flowing most efficiently.
"There's comfort when mom goes to the grocery store and can find food on the shelves," Mendel says. "And we talk about how stressful it is when those shelves are empty."
She's also compared notes on workplace safety with a rival frozen food maker nearby.
"We talk openly back and forth about things that are working in our site," Mendel says.
So far, the safety measures appear to be working. There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus at Mendel's plant or de los Rios's, although some workers from both facilities have been quarantined as a precaution.
Not every factory owner has been so careful. At least a dozen meatpacking plants around the country have been forced to close or restrict operations because of COVID-19 outbreaks among their workers. Critics say the government hasn't done enough to police those plants, where workers typically stand shoulder to shoulder on the cutting line.
"In the meat and poultry industry, they have historically not made a priority of worker safety," said Deborah Berkowitz, a former Occupational Safety and Health Administration official who is now with the National Employment Law Project. "These workers are often very hidden. The plants are often in more rural, remote areas. Therefore people don't see the sort of sacrifices they're making."
Berkowitz says it's possible for factory managers to keep products flowing while also safeguarding workers, with some simple precautions.
"Not rocket science, but it would change the way they do business," she says.
Mendel says the pandemic has underscored the importance of worker safety, and employees have responded.
"They feel like they're serving the country by coming into the plant and grinding out those pizzas and pizza rolls," she says.


npr--2020-04-20--President Trump Doubles Down On Coronavirus Testing Capabilities

President Trump said Monday that adequate coronavirus testing existed but was being underutilized by governors , following a chorus of complaints by state leaders and health care experts regarding the country 's insufficient testing capacity .
The White House last week issued guidelines on a three-tiered approach for states to begin easing coronavirus restrictions .
But many state officials have said that they do not yet have the capacity to aggressively test for new COVID-19 cases .
Trump has been resistant to states ' demands for additional testing help .
During the Monday daily coronavirus task force briefing , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation 's testing capabilities , `` but some states need to take action to fully utilize it . ''
The Monday coronavirus task force briefing comes after a series of tense disagreements between Trump and a number of Democratic governors last week .
Almost immediately after the administration 's three-phase plan to ease coronavirus restrictions was released , several governors openly disputed the president 's projected timeline on their ability to safely begin lifting stay-at-home orders .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , who has been catapulted to the national spotlight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ravaged by the coronavirus , was among the most prominent voices at odds with Trump .
On Friday , the pair engaged in a heated back-and-forth that included the president tweeting at Cuomo to `` Stop talking ! ''
during the governor 's daily coronavirus briefing .
Cuomo responded with the suggestion that the president watch less television and instead `` get up and get to work . ''
Trump announced on Monday that the two `` get along '' and would be meeting at the White House on Tuesday at Cuomo 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York governor was one of several stoked last week .
On Friday , Trump spoke highly of far-right protesters who demonstrated in public , in open defiance of their states ' stay-at-home orders .
`` LIBERATE , '' Trump tweeted in all caps , mentioning Minnesota , Michigan and Virginia — all states with Democratic governors and state-issued stay-at-home orders .
Trump later described the protesters , many of whom wore Make America Great Again gear but not protective masks , as `` very responsible people . ''
`` They 've been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
The administration hopes that this week will bring some bipartisan agreement on additional coronavirus relief funding , possibly including : $ 300 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program , $ 75 billion in emergency funding for hospitals , $ 50 billion for small-business disaster loans and $ 25 billion for testing .

President Trump Doubles Down On Coronavirus Testing Capabilities
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 7:42 p.m. ET
President Trump said Monday that adequate coronavirus testing existed but was being underutilized by governors, following a chorus of complaints by state leaders and health care experts regarding the country's insufficient testing capacity.
The White House last week issued guidelines on a three-tiered approach for states to begin easing coronavirus restrictions. But many state officials have said that they do not yet have the capacity to aggressively test for new COVID-19 cases.
Trump has been resistant to states' demands for additional testing help. During the Monday daily coronavirus task force briefing, Trump said that public-private partnerships had significantly expanded the nation's testing capabilities, "but some states need to take action to fully utilize it."
The Monday coronavirus task force briefing comes after a series of tense disagreements between Trump and a number of Democratic governors last week.
Almost immediately after the administration's three-phase plan to ease coronavirus restrictions was released, several governors openly disputed the president's projected timeline on their ability to safely begin lifting stay-at-home orders.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has been catapulted to the national spotlight as leader of the state most badly ravaged by the coronavirus, was among the most prominent voices at odds with Trump.
On Friday, the pair engaged in a heated back-and-forth that included the president tweeting at Cuomo to "Stop talking!" during the governor's daily coronavirus briefing. Cuomo responded with the suggestion that the president watch less television and instead "get up and get to work."
Trump announced on Monday that the two "get along" and would be meeting at the White House on Tuesday at Cuomo's request.
Trump's disagreement with the New York governor was one of several stoked last week. On Friday, Trump spoke highly of far-right protesters who demonstrated in public, in open defiance of their states' stay-at-home orders.
"LIBERATE," Trump tweeted in all caps, mentioning Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia — all states with Democratic governors and state-issued stay-at-home orders.
Trump later described the protesters, many of whom wore Make America Great Again gear but not protective masks, as "very responsible people."
"They've been treated a little bit rough," he said.
The administration hopes that this week will bring some bipartisan agreement on additional coronavirus relief funding, possibly including: $300 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, $75 billion in emergency funding for hospitals, $50 billion for small-business disaster loans and $25 billion for testing.


npr--2020-04-20--Amid Pandemic, Italian Prosecutors Warn That Mafia Groups Are Cementing Their Power

Amid Pandemic , Italian Prosecutors Warn That Mafia Groups Are Cementing Their Power Soon after the coronavirus hit Italy , a parody video of the Naples mafia , the Camorra , went viral , showing a bunch of guys with shaved heads meeting in an empty lot to make a deal .
`` I got a new business in my hands , '' one says .
`` 100 % pure , '' another thug marvels , unwrapping a packet and taking a sniff .
`` But what about cocaine ? ''
`` Who gives a s*** about cocaine ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ commodity — hand sanitizer — is `` transparent gold . ''
Six weeks later , Italians are not laughing .
As they mourn a spiraling number of dead , nearly the entire economy is shut down .
Hardest hit are the estimated 3.5 million people who work off the books , mostly in the south , in agriculture and construction .
A report by Europol , the European Union police agency , warns that `` the pandemic has opened up a business opportunity for predatory criminals '' in counterfeit masks , pharmaceuticals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors warn that mafia groups are aiming higher — using the pandemic to cement their power .
As Italian families run out of cash , there have been incidents of social unrest .
A phone video shared on social media shows a man and his mother beating on a bank 's doors in the southern city of Bari , screaming , `` We have no more money ! ''
Organized crime will exploit this growing desperation , warns Francesco Lo Voi , an anti-mafia prosecutor in Palermo , Sicily .
`` The mafias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says , `` and they 're constantly trying to improve their image in the eyes of ordinary citizens . ''
For example , says Calabria-based anti-mafia investigator Nicola Gratteri , bosses have been delivering free food to needy families since the outbreak began .
`` The mafia boss presents himself as a benefactor , '' he says .
`` By providing a guy with 300 euros ' worth of groceries , he makes sure that at the next election , the guy and his whole family will vote the way the mafioso wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quantities of capital , organized crime can pump cash into businesses on the brink of bankruptcy , swallow them up and use them to launder profits from drugs and trafficking .
The government has earmarked up to $ 380 billion in emergency aid for businesses — but with Italy 's notorious red tape , funds could come too late .
Italy is not the only country at risk .
Mafia groups — particularly the powerful and brutal 'Ndrangheta , based in Calabria — have spread throughout Europe .
Magistrates stress that organized crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sudden historical changes .
They tell the tale of a wiretapped call the day after the Berlin Wall fell , in which a mafioso in Sicily told his Berlin contact to rush to the East and buy everything possible — restaurants , apartments , hotels , whatever .
Enzo Ciconte , a professor at Pavia University and expert on the 'Ndrangheta , says other European economies are more vulnerable to criminal infiltration than Italy 's .
`` Because they have no perception of the danger , '' he explains , `` and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our law that makes mafia association a crime in itself . ''
Italian author Roberto Saviano — put under police escort after receiving threats for his books on organized crime — says mafia business transactions are not handled by thugs packing heat .
`` It 'll be the mob 's white-collar financial consultant who sees a good deal to get access to the legitimate business owner 's bank account , '' he says .
`` This way , they control the economy . ''
Magistrates also talk about a more recent wiretapped call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer need to know how to shoot , '' one boss tells another , `` just how to move our index finger on a computer keyboard . ''

Amid Pandemic, Italian Prosecutors Warn That Mafia Groups Are Cementing Their Power
Enlarge this image toggle caption KONTROLAB/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty KONTROLAB/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty
Soon after the coronavirus hit Italy, a parody video of the Naples mafia, the Camorra, went viral, showing a bunch of guys with shaved heads meeting in an empty lot to make a deal.
"I got a new business in my hands," one says.
"100% pure," another thug marvels, unwrapping a packet and taking a sniff. "But what about cocaine?"
"Who gives a s*** about cocaine?" the first thug says. The new commodity — hand sanitizer — is "transparent gold."
Six weeks later, Italians are not laughing. As they mourn a spiraling number of dead, nearly the entire economy is shut down. Hardest hit are the estimated 3.5 million people who work off the books, mostly in the south, in agriculture and construction.
A report by Europol, the European Union police agency, warns that "the pandemic has opened up a business opportunity for predatory criminals" in counterfeit masks, pharmaceuticals and fake coronavirus tests.
In Italy, prosecutors warn that mafia groups are aiming higher — using the pandemic to cement their power.
As Italian families run out of cash, there have been incidents of social unrest. A phone video shared on social media shows a man and his mother beating on a bank's doors in the southern city of Bari, screaming, "We have no more money!"
Organized crime will exploit this growing desperation, warns Francesco Lo Voi, an anti-mafia prosecutor in Palermo, Sicily.
"The mafias always gravitate toward money," he says, "and they're constantly trying to improve their image in the eyes of ordinary citizens."
For example, says Calabria-based anti-mafia investigator Nicola Gratteri, bosses have been delivering free food to needy families since the outbreak began.
"The mafia boss presents himself as a benefactor," he says. "By providing a guy with 300 euros' worth of groceries, he makes sure that at the next election, the guy and his whole family will vote the way the mafioso wants them to."
And with immense quantities of capital, organized crime can pump cash into businesses on the brink of bankruptcy, swallow them up and use them to launder profits from drugs and trafficking.
The government has earmarked up to $380 billion in emergency aid for businesses — but with Italy's notorious red tape, funds could come too late.
Italy is not the only country at risk. Mafia groups — particularly the powerful and brutal 'Ndrangheta, based in Calabria — have spread throughout Europe.
Magistrates stress that organized crime is adept in taking advantage of crises and sudden historical changes. They tell the tale of a wiretapped call the day after the Berlin Wall fell, in which a mafioso in Sicily told his Berlin contact to rush to the East and buy everything possible — restaurants, apartments, hotels, whatever.
Enzo Ciconte, a professor at Pavia University and expert on the 'Ndrangheta, says other European economies are more vulnerable to criminal infiltration than Italy's.
"Because they have no perception of the danger," he explains, "and therefore don't have suitable legislation like our law that makes mafia association a crime in itself."
Italian author Roberto Saviano — put under police escort after receiving threats for his books on organized crime — says mafia business transactions are not handled by thugs packing heat.
"It'll be the mob's white-collar financial consultant who sees a good deal to get access to the legitimate business owner's bank account," he says. "This way, they control the economy."
Magistrates also talk about a more recent wiretapped call: "In our business, we no longer need to know how to shoot," one boss tells another, "just how to move our index finger on a computer keyboard."


npr--2020-04-20--Nearly 3 Million Homeowners Get Mortgage Help, But Others Hit Roadblocks

Nearly 3 Million Homeowners Get Mortgage Help , But Others Hit Roadblocks About 2.9 million homeowners have been allowed to put their mortgage payments on hold as the coronavirus shutdowns around the country put more people out of work .
That 's nearly 6 % of all outstanding mortgages .
`` We saw the share of mortgages in forbearance increase this week from 3.74 % to 5.95 % , '' says Michael Fratantoni , chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association which released the latest numbers Monday .
`` A lot of people are in distress . ''
Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , others say they are n't .
Under the CARES Act , Congress mandated that lenders offer what 's called a forbearance to homeowners who 've been hurt financially .
That could allow them to stop making payments , or to make partial payments , for up to a year .
This covers the vast majority of outstanding home loans — those backed by various government agencies or by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac .
The biggest increase in forbearances is happening with loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration and the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as FHA and VA loans and 8.26 % are now in forbearance .
They often go to first time homebuyers .
`` So an even higher percentage of first time homebuyers are really struggling in this environment , '' Fratantoni says .
But many homeowners tell NPR that they have been scared away from getting that help .
That 's because their lenders tell them that if they skip mortgage payments , the borrowers will have to make up the missed payments in one big balloon payment at the end of the forbearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many other options available to the homeowners if they ca n't afford a big payment like that , including extending the loan term to add the payments to the back end of the loan .
Some housing advocates say the mortgage companies could be reluctant to offer the help because the companies themselves are in a desperate situation .
That 's because Congress mandated this help for homeowners but it did n't give companies a way to pay for it .
The companies that homeowners send their mortgage payments too each month are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home loans , they act as middlemen .
When they get a mortgage payment , they hand it over to investors in mortgage-backed securities .
But when homeowners do n't make payments during a forbearance , the mortgage servicing companies have to front that money and keep the cash flow going to the investors in those securities .
The servicers eventually get paid back , and in normal times they can afford to front the money .
But now , with 3 million homeowners already getting this emergency help amid the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgage servicing companies suddenly have to forward billions of dollars to the investors .
`` This is putting incredible stress on the system , '' Fratantoni says .
His industry group , along with housing advocates , have been lobbying for the government to create an emergency source of funds so the mortgage companies do n't run out of money .
`` Mortgage servicers are performing an essential function of the housing finance system , '' Fratantoni says .
The companies need access to interim financing so that `` they can continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he adds .

Nearly 3 Million Homeowners Get Mortgage Help, But Others Hit Roadblocks
Enlarge this image toggle caption Seth Wenig/AP Seth Wenig/AP
About 2.9 million homeowners have been allowed to put their mortgage payments on hold as the coronavirus shutdowns around the country put more people out of work. That's nearly 6% of all outstanding mortgages.
"We saw the share of mortgages in forbearance increase this week from 3.74% to 5.95%," says Michael Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association which released the latest numbers Monday. "A lot of people are in distress."
Still, while those homeowners are getting the help, others say they aren't. Under the CARES Act, Congress mandated that lenders offer what's called a forbearance to homeowners who've been hurt financially.
That could allow them to stop making payments, or to make partial payments, for up to a year. This covers the vast majority of outstanding home loans — those backed by various government agencies or by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The biggest increase in forbearances is happening with loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. These are known as FHA and VA loans and 8.26% are now in forbearance. They often go to first time homebuyers. "So an even higher percentage of first time homebuyers are really struggling in this environment," Fratantoni says.
But many homeowners tell NPR that they have been scared away from getting that help. That's because their lenders tell them that if they skip mortgage payments, the borrowers will have to make up the missed payments in one big balloon payment at the end of the forbearance period.
In fact, there are many other options available to the homeowners if they can't afford a big payment like that, including extending the loan term to add the payments to the back end of the loan.
Some housing advocates say the mortgage companies could be reluctant to offer the help because the companies themselves are in a desperate situation. That's because Congress mandated this help for homeowners but it didn't give companies a way to pay for it.
The companies that homeowners send their mortgage payments too each month are called mortgage servicers. And for many home loans, they act as middlemen. When they get a mortgage payment, they hand it over to investors in mortgage-backed securities.
But when homeowners don't make payments during a forbearance, the mortgage servicing companies have to front that money and keep the cash flow going to the investors in those securities. The servicers eventually get paid back, and in normal times they can afford to front the money.
But now, with 3 million homeowners already getting this emergency help amid the pandemic, and more likely to follow soon, mortgage servicing companies suddenly have to forward billions of dollars to the investors.
"This is putting incredible stress on the system," Fratantoni says. His industry group, along with housing advocates, have been lobbying for the government to create an emergency source of funds so the mortgage companies don't run out of money.
"Mortgage servicers are performing an essential function of the housing finance system," Fratantoni says. The companies need access to interim financing so that "they can continue to support homeowners through this crisis," he adds.


npr--2020-04-20--73% Of Inmates At An Ohio Prison Test Positive For Coronavirus

73 % Of Inmates At An Ohio Prison Test Positive For Coronavirus A state prison has become a hot spot of the COVID-19 outbreak in Ohio , with at least 1,828 confirmed cases among inmates — accounting for the majority of cases in Marion County , which leads Ohio in the reported infections .
Ohio officials say an aggressive testing program is responsible for the large number .
The large cluster of cases was found through mass testing of everyone at the Marion Correctional Institution ; 109 staff members were also positive .
No COVID-19 deaths have been reported at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing everyone — including those who are not showing symptoms — we are getting positive test results on individuals who otherwise would have never been tested because they were asymptomatic , '' the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction says .
There are currently 2,400 coronavirus cases among inmates in Ohio 's state prisons , along with 244 staff members .
The numbers could rise this week : A prison in Pickaway County began mass testing on Sunday .
With Ohio reporting some 12,919 coronavirus cases as of Monday , the prison system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state 's cases .
No other state has reported as many cases of COVID-19 behind bars as Ohio , in large part because no other state has tested as many inmates as Ohio .
`` They are pulling off mass testing of their entire population inclusive of staff which is something that no other state is doing , '' says Jennifer Clayton , head of health services for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections .
Texas , California , Florida and Georgia all have larger prison populations than Ohio — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases .
Michigan , which has one of the largest outbreaks in the country with more than 30,000 confirmed cases , reports 572 of 889 inmates tested were found to have the coronavirus .
More than 200 staff members are also infected .
New York state , whose nearly 250,000 cases account for roughly a third of all U.S. cases , reports just over 1,000 coronavirus cases in its prison system — and most of those infections ( 794 ) are among staff .
New York says it tests inmates only after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluation .
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic , Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine recently recommended early release for about 300 of the 49,000 inmates who are in Ohio 's prison system – far short of the thousands of people the state 's American Civil Liberties Union chapter said should be released .
`` This is devastating and terrifying , but it was not inevitable , '' ACLU Ohio Advocacy Counsel Claire Chevrier said via Twitter .
She added , `` This was a policy choice . ''
As he gave an update on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` We 're looking at more prisoners who can be released . ''
He added that Ohio is n't planning for `` a wholesale release where every one in a certain category gets out of prison . ''
With dozens of staff testing positive for the virus at the Marion and Pickaway prisons , members of the Ohio National Guard are being deployed to bolster operations .

73% Of Inmates At An Ohio Prison Test Positive For Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Google Maps/ Screenshot by NPR Google Maps/ Screenshot by NPR
A state prison has become a hot spot of the COVID-19 outbreak in Ohio, with at least 1,828 confirmed cases among inmates — accounting for the majority of cases in Marion County, which leads Ohio in the reported infections. Ohio officials say an aggressive testing program is responsible for the large number.
The large cluster of cases was found through mass testing of everyone at the Marion Correctional Institution; 109 staff members were also positive. No COVID-19 deaths have been reported at the prison.
"Because we are testing everyone — including those who are not showing symptoms — we are getting positive test results on individuals who otherwise would have never been tested because they were asymptomatic," the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction says.
There are currently 2,400 coronavirus cases among inmates in Ohio's state prisons, along with 244 staff members. The numbers could rise this week: A prison in Pickaway County began mass testing on Sunday.
With Ohio reporting some 12,919 coronavirus cases as of Monday, the prison system now accounts for more than 20% of the state's cases.
No other state has reported as many cases of COVID-19 behind bars as Ohio, in large part because no other state has tested as many inmates as Ohio.
"They are pulling off mass testing of their entire population inclusive of staff which is something that no other state is doing," says Jennifer Clayton, head of health services for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
Texas, California, Florida and Georgia all have larger prison populations than Ohio — but those states all report significantly fewer coronavirus cases.
Michigan, which has one of the largest outbreaks in the country with more than 30,000 confirmed cases, reports 572 of 889 inmates tested were found to have the coronavirus. More than 200 staff members are also infected.
New York state, whose nearly 250,000 cases account for roughly a third of all U.S. cases, reports just over 1,000 coronavirus cases in its prison system — and most of those infections (794) are among staff. New York says it tests inmates only after they show symptoms and have a medical evaluation.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently recommended early release for about 300 of the 49,000 inmates who are in Ohio's prison system – far short of the thousands of people the state's American Civil Liberties Union chapter said should be released.
"This is devastating and terrifying, but it was not inevitable," ACLU Ohio Advocacy Counsel Claire Chevrier said via Twitter. She added, "This was a policy choice."
As he gave an update on COVID-19 in his state Monday, DeWine said, "We're looking at more prisoners who can be released." He added that Ohio isn't planning for "a wholesale release where every one in a certain category gets out of prison."
With dozens of staff testing positive for the virus at the Marion and Pickaway prisons, members of the Ohio National Guard are being deployed to bolster operations.


npr--2020-04-20--COVID-19 Numbers Are Bad In Ecuador. The President Says The Real Story Is Even Worse

COVID-19 Numbers Are Bad In Ecuador .
The President Says The Real Story Is Even Worse Ecuador has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 in all of Latin America – with 10,128 cases and 507 deaths in a country of just 17 million people .
But the situation may be far worse than what the official numbers show .
In fact , one Ecuadorian official says it appears that thousands more people may have died of the disease than his government is reporting .
Jorge Wated , who heads a government task force charged with collecting and burying bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , said that in the first 15 days of April , 6,703 people had died from either COVID-19 or natural causes .
Previous to the coronavirus outbreak , he said , the monthly figure was around 1,000 .
`` This is the hard reality we are dealing with , '' Wated said in a nationally televised address .
And Interior Minster María Paula Romo has admitted that the true death count is higher but blamed a lack of widespread testing for the discrepancy .
Even President Lenín Moreno has dismissed the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth , '' he said in a speech last month .
`` We know that in terms of both infections and deaths , the numbers are too low .
There is not enough testing . ''
The legions of sick are running doctors ragged , especially in the Pacific port of Guayaquil which is Ecuador 's largest city and home to about 70 percent of COVID-19 cases .
Dr. Eduardo Herdocia , who is just 18 months out of medical school , says he is currently taking care of about 200 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , based on their respiratory symptoms .
But due to lack of testing , only about two dozen have been diagnosed as positive .
Because Guayaquil 's hospitals are overflowing with confirmed CV patients , Herdocia makes house calls .
`` Many of these patients need hospital care but the hospitals – the whole health-care system – is full , '' says Herdocia , who is 26 .
He says that with the help of relatives or taxis , `` they drive around the city all night looking for a hospital but there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't keep up with all the phone pleas for medical attention from his patients .
By the time he arrives at their homes , some of them have already died .
`` You feel powerless , '' he says .
Guayaquil 's emergence as a coronavirus hothouse stems from several factors .
Many Ecuadorian exchange students and migrant workers living in Italy and Spain – countries devastated by COVID-19 – returned to the city in March for spring break and public health officials believe that.some may have been infected .
Guayaquil is home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand-to-mouth and routinely violate a government lockdown announced on March 17 in order to work .
`` It 's very hard to tell them to stay home , '' said Dayanna Monroy , a TV journalist in Guayaquil , who says many parts of the city bustle with people and traffic .
The result is overwhelmed hospitals , morgues , funeral homes and cemeteries .
Due to bottlenecks in collecting the dead , people were wrapping the bodies of deceased relatives in plastic and bed sheets and , in some cases , moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stink in Guayaquil 's very hot climate .
So the bodies lay on the streets for days .
`` There were more than 300 cadavers inside houses , '' Wated tells NPR .
`` Some of the dead had been there three , four ... even five days . ''
The government has now ordered soldiers to take the bodies to cemeteries , such as Parques de la Paz , one of Guayaquil 's largest .
At the start of the crisis cemetery manager Alfredo Bravo says he was taking in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his normal monthly capacity of 273 bodies .
By government edict , COVID-19 victims are supposed to be cremated to avoid spreading the infection .
But Bravo 's crematorium can only handle eight bodies per day , so most are buried .
The cemetery has one backhoe to excavate dirt and bury bodies but had to rent three more , says Bravo .
The worst part of his job is that , to avoid infection , Bravo has to block relatives of the dead at the cemetery gates .
`` I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` because people ca n't bury or say goodbye to their loved ones in the proper fashion . ''
Wated , the task force leader , said there are relatively few cases of COVID-19 in the rest of Ecuador and compared Guayaquil to Wuhan , the Chinese city where the outbreak started .
He defended the government 's response to the coronavirus emergency and said it is ramping up testing .
But he declared : `` No South American country was prepared for this . ''

COVID-19 Numbers Are Bad In Ecuador. The President Says The Real Story Is Even Worse
Enlarge this image toggle caption Enrique Ortiz/AFP via Getty Images Enrique Ortiz/AFP via Getty Images
Ecuador has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 in all of Latin America – with 10,128 cases and 507 deaths in a country of just 17 million people.
But the situation may be far worse than what the official numbers show. In fact, one Ecuadorian official says it appears that thousands more people may have died of the disease than his government is reporting.
Jorge Wated, who heads a government task force charged with collecting and burying bodies in Guayaquil, the epicenter of the outbreak, said that in the first 15 days of April, 6,703 people had died from either COVID-19 or natural causes. Previous to the coronavirus outbreak, he said, the monthly figure was around 1,000.
"This is the hard reality we are dealing with," Wated said in a nationally televised address.
And Interior Minster María Paula Romo has admitted that the true death count is higher but blamed a lack of widespread testing for the discrepancy. Even President Lenín Moreno has dismissed the official figures.
"We have to tell the truth," he said in a speech last month. "We know that in terms of both infections and deaths, the numbers are too low. There is not enough testing."
The legions of sick are running doctors ragged, especially in the Pacific port of Guayaquil which is Ecuador's largest city and home to about 70 percent of COVID-19 cases.
Dr. Eduardo Herdocia, who is just 18 months out of medical school, says he is currently taking care of about 200 patients whom he believes are infected with coronavirus, based on their respiratory symptoms. But due to lack of testing, only about two dozen have been diagnosed as positive. Because Guayaquil's hospitals are overflowing with confirmed CV patients, Herdocia makes house calls.
"Many of these patients need hospital care but the hospitals – the whole health-care system – is full," says Herdocia, who is 26. He says that with the help of relatives or taxis, "they drive around the city all night looking for a hospital but there's no room."
Herdocia can't keep up with all the phone pleas for medical attention from his patients. By the time he arrives at their homes, some of them have already died.
"You feel powerless," he says.
Guayaquil's emergence as a coronavirus hothouse stems from several factors.
Many Ecuadorian exchange students and migrant workers living in Italy and Spain – countries devastated by COVID-19 – returned to the city in March for spring break and public health officials believe that.some may have been infected. Guayaquil is home to sprawling slums where many residents live hand-to-mouth and routinely violate a government lockdown announced on March 17 in order to work.
"It's very hard to tell them to stay home," said Dayanna Monroy, a TV journalist in Guayaquil, who says many parts of the city bustle with people and traffic.
The result is overwhelmed hospitals, morgues, funeral homes and cemeteries. Due to bottlenecks in collecting the dead, people were wrapping the bodies of deceased relatives in plastic and bed sheets and, in some cases, moving them outside when the bodies began to stink in Guayaquil's very hot climate. So the bodies lay on the streets for days.
toggle caption Francisco Macías/Getty Images
"There were more than 300 cadavers inside houses," Wated tells NPR. "Some of the dead had been there three, four ... even five days."
The government has now ordered soldiers to take the bodies to cemeteries, such as Parques de la Paz, one of Guayaquil's largest. At the start of the crisis cemetery manager Alfredo Bravo says he was taking in the same number of bodies in a single day as his normal monthly capacity of 273 bodies.
By government edict, COVID-19 victims are supposed to be cremated to avoid spreading the infection. But Bravo's crematorium can only handle eight bodies per day, so most are buried. The cemetery has one backhoe to excavate dirt and bury bodies but had to rent three more, says Bravo. The worst part of his job is that, to avoid infection, Bravo has to block relatives of the dead at the cemetery gates.
"I feel really bad," he says, "because people can't bury or say goodbye to their loved ones in the proper fashion."
Wated, the task force leader, said there are relatively few cases of COVID-19 in the rest of Ecuador and compared Guayaquil to Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak started. He defended the government's response to the coronavirus emergency and said it is ramping up testing.
But he declared: "No South American country was prepared for this."