npr--2020-03-22--Trump Activates National Guard To 3 States Hit Hardest By Coronavirus

In a wide-ranging , digressive news conference Sunday evening , President Trump said he has activated the National Guard to assist New York , California and Washington , states that so far have been hit hardest by the rapidly spreading coronavirus .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will fund the deployment of the Guard , which Trump said will give states `` maximum flexibility to use the Guard against the virus without having to worry about costs and liability .
And [ it frees ] up state resources to protect the health and safety of the people in their state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is committed to providing the three states with mobile medical centers that offer thousands of hospital beds .
Some hospitals are depleting their medical supply reserves as they deal with the virus .
Additional supplies , including N95 masks and gloves , will be delivered to California and New York in the next 48 hours , Trump said .
The president 's remarks came hours after New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo appealed to Trump to nationalize the effort to acquire protective medical supplies — including masks , gowns and gloves — that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many states are attempting to acquire a depleted supply that governors are outbidding one another for essential equipment and driving prices up .
`` I think the federal government should order factories to manufacture masks , gowns , ventilators , '' Cuomo said .
`` The essential medical equipment , that 's going to make a difference between life and death . ''
Meanwhile Trump says the federal government is marshaling all of its resources to help ease the burden states are shouldering .
The USNS Mercy hospital ship , now based in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles to help free up space in hospitals overwhelmed by coronavirus patients .
The USNS Comfort , the Mercy 's counterpart , was set to head to New York Harbor to help alleviate virus-related hospital strain .
`` They are wartime ships .
They 're meant for war , '' Trump said .
`` These rooms are as good as anywhere in the nation . ''
The Sunday evening update from the task force came as a procedural vote on a massive but not-yet-finalized coronavirus relief package failed in the Senate , putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his briefing , Trump said `` we 'll work with whoever we have to '' on a stimulus package to help an economy likely to be ravaged by the coronavirus .
He also said the U.S. was reaching out to North Korea , Iran and other countries to help them fight the coronavirus , and at one point digressed to complain about how often he is sued and to discuss the sacrifices he said he 's made to run for president .
Vice President Mike Pence said the White House 's coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the nation 's law enforcement and others working on critical infrastructure .
On coronavirus testing , Pence said more than 250,000 Americans had received tests and results , as of Sunday .
He added : `` We should be caught up on the backlog in testing by the middle of the week . ''
Pence urged commercial labs to prioritize inpatient testing , with new guidance for the labs expected on Monday .
The White House has asked those without symptoms not to seek coronavirus tests .
That 's because the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical resources that are in short supply .
But hours before the briefing , Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul became the first U.S. senator to announce he 's tested positive for COVID-19 .
Paul is asymptomatic and in quarantine and `` was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events , '' according to his deputy chief of staff .
When asked on Sunday about the last time he had been in contact with Paul , Trump said it 's `` been a long time . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Pence said he and his wife both tested negative for the virus , after a member of Pence 's staff had tested positive .
The global death toll from the virus has now surpassed 14,000 people , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Within the U.S. , there were more than 33,000 cases as of Sunday night .

Trump Activates National Guard To 3 States Hit Hardest By Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 8:30 p.m. ET
In a wide-ranging, digressive news conference Sunday evening, President Trump said he has activated the National Guard to assist New York, California and Washington, states that so far have been hit hardest by the coronavirus.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will fund the deployment of the Guard, which Trump said will give states "maximum flexibility to use the Guard against the virus without having to worry about costs and liability. And [it frees] up state resources to protect the health and safety of the people in their state."
Trump also said his administration is committed to providing the three states with mobile medical centers that offer thousands of hospital beds. Some hospitals are depleting their medical supply reserves as they deal with the virus.
Additional supplies, including N95 masks and gloves, will be delivered to California and New York in the next 48 hours, Trump said.
The president's remarks came hours after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appealed to Trump to nationalize the effort to acquire protective medical supplies — including masks, gowns and gloves — that are increasingly scarce.
Cuomo said so many states are attempting to acquire a depleted supply that governors are outbidding one another for essential equipment and driving prices up.
"I think the federal government should order factories to manufacture masks, gowns, ventilators," Cuomo said. "The essential medical equipment, that's going to make a difference between life and death."
Meanwhile Trump says the federal government is marshaling all of its resources to help ease the burden states are shouldering.
The USNS Mercy hospital ship, now based in San Diego, will move to Los Angeles to help free up space in hospitals overwhelmed by coronavirus patients.
The USNS Comfort, the Mercy's counterpart, was set to head to New York Harbor to help alleviate virus-related hospital strain.
"They are wartime ships. They're meant for war," Trump said. "These rooms are as good as anywhere in the nation."
The Sunday evening update from the task force came as a procedural vote on a massive but not-yet-finalized coronavirus relief package failed in the Senate, putting the measure's prospects in limbo.
In his briefing, Trump said "we'll work with whoever we have to" on a stimulus package to help an economy likely to be ravaged by the coronavirus.
He also said the U.S. was reaching out to North Korea, Iran and other countries to help them fight the coronavirus, and at one point digressed to complain about how often he is sued and to discuss the sacrifices he said he has made to run for president.
Vice President Pence said the White House's coronavirus task force will update guidance on Monday for the nation's law enforcement and others working on critical infrastructure.
On coronavirus testing, Pence said more than 250,000 Americans had received tests and results as of Sunday. He added: "We should be caught up on the backlog in testing by the middle of the week."
Pence urged commercial labs to prioritize inpatient testing, with new guidance for the labs expected on Monday.
The White House has asked those without symptoms not to seek coronavirus tests. That's because the very act of administering a test takes up medical resources that are in short supply.
But hours before the briefing, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., became the first U.S. senator to announce he has tested positive for COVID-19. Paul is asymptomatic and in quarantine and "was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events," according to his deputy chief of staff.
When asked on Sunday about the last time he had been in contact with Paul, Trump said it's "been a long time."
On Saturday night, the press secretary for Pence said he and his wife both tested negative for the virus, after a member of Pence's staff had tested positive.
The global death toll from the virus has now surpassed 14,000 people, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Within the U.S., there were more than 33,000 cases as of Sunday night.


npr--2020-03-22--Coronavirus Aid Bill In Limbo After Procedural Vote Fails

The future of a coronavirus aid package that 's likely to top $ 1 trillion is in limbo following the failure of a necessary procedural vote in the Senate .
The measure , which required 60 votes to pass , garnered just 47 votes on Sunday evening , with Democrats refusing to back the Republican-led plan .
Democrats are calling for changes to the legislation , including further expansion of unemployment insurance and more restrictions on federal assistance provided to large corporations .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said negotiations are continuing and the Senate `` can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Changes to the legislation are being made even as we speak , '' Schumer said on the Senate floor following the vote .
`` We are closer than we have been at any point of the last 48 hours . ''
Among the issues still to be resolved are restrictions on loans made to large corporations , like airlines , according to a source familiar with the talks .
Democrats say the legislation does not include sufficient protections to prevent stock buybacks and to make sure that workers keep jobs .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive raises and bonuses , and are criticizing a provision that would give Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin broad discretion to waive some compensation rules .
Democrats are calling the corporate funding a `` $ 500 billion corporate slush fund . ''
They are also calling for the legislation to include additional unemployment funding , expanded food stamps benefits and more student loan relief , among other demands .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , admonished Democrats for voting against the procedural measure , which would have provided 30 hours before a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American people are watching this spectacle , '' McConnell said on the Senate floor .
`` The notion that we have time to play games here with the American economy and the American people is utterly absurd . ''
The package in question is larger than two others that have passed in terms of size and scope — and several of Democrats ' demands would further expand that figure .
The entire day of negotiations was mired in partisan disagreement .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi emerged from a bipartisan leadership meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own separate legislation .
Meanwhile , McConnell had maintained that the Senate bill in question was fine-tuned in bipartisan talks over the past two days , and needs to be passed as is .
`` It is thoroughly bipartisan , as our process demands ; now what we need to do is to move forward , '' McConnell said earlier on the Senate floor .
`` This national crisis is not going to wait around if Congress slips back into conventional politics or haggles endlessly over the finer points . ''
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an $ 8 billion coronavirus response package , which boosted funding for testing of the virus and lowered costs for related medical treatments .
A second measure , signed into law last week , provides paid sick and family leave for some U.S. workers impacted by the illness , expands unemployment assistance , and increases resources for testing .

Coronavirus Aid Bill In Limbo After Procedural Vote Fails
Enlarge this image toggle caption Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 7:39 p.m. ET
The future of a coronavirus aid package that's likely to top $1 trillion is in limbo following the failure of a necessary procedural vote in the Senate.
The measure, which required 60 votes to pass, garnered just 47 votes on Sunday evening, with Democrats refusing to back the Republican-led plan. Democrats are calling for changes to the legislation, including further expansion of unemployment insurance and more restrictions on federal assistance provided to large corporations.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said negotiations are continuing and the Senate "can and will" overcome their differences.
"Changes to the legislation are being made even as we speak," Schumer said on the Senate floor following the vote. "We are closer than we have been at any point of the last 48 hours."
Among the issues still to be resolved are restrictions on loans made to large corporations, like airlines, according to a source familiar with the talks. Democrats say the legislation does not include sufficient protections to prevent stock buybacks and to make sure that workers keep jobs. Democrats have also called for further protections against executive raises and bonuses, and are criticizing a provision that would give Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin broad discretion to waive some compensation rules.
Democrats are calling the corporate funding a "$500 billion corporate slush fund." They are also calling for the legislation to include additional unemployment funding, expanded food stamps benefits and more student loan relief, among other demands.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., admonished Democrats for voting against the procedural measure, which would have provided 30 hours before a vote on any final bill.
"The American people are watching this spectacle," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "The notion that we have time to play games here with the American economy and the American people is utterly absurd."
The package in question is larger than two others that have passed in terms of size and scope — and several of Democrats' demands would further expand that figure.
The entire day of negotiations was mired in partisan disagreement. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi emerged from a bipartisan leadership meeting with Mnuchin around midday vowing to introduce her own separate legislation.
Meanwhile, McConnell had maintained that the Senate bill in question was fine-tuned in bipartisan talks over the past two days, and needs to be passed as is.
"It is thoroughly bipartisan, as our process demands; now what we need to do is to move forward," McConnell said earlier on the Senate floor. "This national crisis is not going to wait around if Congress slips back into conventional politics or haggles endlessly over the finer points."
Earlier this month, President Trump signed into law an $8 billion coronavirus response package, which boosted funding for testing of the virus and lowered costs for related medical treatments. A second measure, signed into law last week, provides paid sick and family leave for some U.S. workers impacted by the illness, expands unemployment assistance, and increases resources for testing.


npr--2020-03-22--Ohio, Louisiana, Delaware Order Residents To Stay Home As Cases Of COVID-19 Rise

Ohio , Louisiana , Delaware Order Residents To Stay Home As Cases Of COVID-19 Rise Ohio , Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states on Sunday to announce statewide stay-at-home orders as the toll from the coronavirus outbreak grew to more than 31,000 cases and 390 deaths .
With the announcements , more than 101 million Americans are either currently under — or will soon be under — state orders to remain at home in an effort to slow the outbreak .
That is equal to roughly 31 % of the nation 's population .
In addition to Delaware , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either in place or will soon take effect in California , Connecticut , Illinois , New Jersey and New York .
The United States now has the third-largest number of confirmed cases , behind China and Italy , respectively .
As testing capabilities expanded over the past week , the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. continued to climb .
Facing a surge in cases , the Ohio Department of Health and Gov .
Mike DeWine signed a statewide stay-home order for the state 's 11.7 million residents .
The order requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least April 6 , but allows exceptions for activities like buying groceries or to seek out medical care .
The state has reported 351 confirmed cases and three deaths .
`` We are now at a new stage , '' DeWine said on Twitter .
In Louisiana , home to a population of 4.6 million , Gov .
John Bel Edwards followed suit , with stay-at-home measures effective Monday at 5 p.m. '' Bottom line is we 're in a race against time when it comes to this coronavirus and its rapid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a press conference Sunday .
In Delaware , Gov .
John Carney ordered residents to stay at home and closed all non-essential businesses starting Tuesday .
`` This was not an easy decision , but it 's the right decision to protect the safety of Delawareans and Delaware families , '' Carney said .
Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont announced a `` Stay Home , Stay Safe '' order for that state on Saturday .
So too did New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy .
There are more than 1,000 cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died , according to the state 's website .
In a video , the governor said all gatherings should be canceled , including weddings , funerals and birthday parties .
`` I do n't take this action lightly , but my goal is to make sure you can gather safely with family and friends later , '' Murphy said .
Murphy ordered all nonessential retail businesses to indefinitely close their physical stores to the public at 9 p.m. Saturday .
Essential businesses , including grocery stores , pharmacies , restaurants offering takeout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other limited exceptions , are allowed to stay open .
`` You can still take a walk outside , go buy groceries or get takeout from the local restaurant you want to support .
But if you do , continue to practice social distancing , '' Murphy said .
`` But otherwise we need you to stay at home .
This is no time for business as usual . ''
In a tweet , Murphy urged residents not to go to their Jersey Shore beach homes and instead stay at their primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially the health care infrastructure , is not prepared for the influx of part-time residents , '' Murphy said .
In Hawaii , Gov .
David Ige ordered a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving in Hawaii , including tourists and returning residents .
The mandate goes into effect Thursday .
Worldwide , confirmed total cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , surpassed 300,000 worldwide over the weekend , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Italy has reached a grim milestone with its death toll — now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the death count reported in China , where the disease was first diagnosed .
In response to the record-setting numbers , Italy is shutting down all production facilities except those essential to maintaining the nation 's supply chain .
In the northern Lombardy region , one of the worst-affected areas in Italy , officials took more extreme steps on Sunday , ordering all guests out of hotels , which will now be used only for emergency purposes , and banning all outdoor sports and exercise activities .

Ohio, Louisiana, Delaware Order Residents To Stay Home As Cases Of COVID-19 Rise
Enlarge this image toggle caption Wayne Parry/AP Wayne Parry/AP
Updated at 8:52 p.m. ET
Ohio, Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states on Sunday to announce statewide stay-at-home orders as the toll from the coronavirus outbreak grew to more than 31,000 cases and 390 deaths.
With the announcements, more than 101 million Americans are either currently under — or will soon be under — state orders to remain at home in an effort to slow the outbreak. That is equal to roughly 31% of the nation's population.
In addition to Delaware, Louisiana and Ohio, similar policies are either in place or will soon take effect in California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey and New York.
The United States now has the third-largest number of confirmed cases, behind China and Italy, respectively. As testing capabilities expanded over the past week, the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. continued to climb.
Facing a surge in cases, the Ohio Department of Health and Gov. Mike DeWine signed a statewide stay-home order for the state's 11.7 million residents. The order requires residents to remain in their homes until at least April 6, but allows exceptions for activities like buying groceries or to seek out medical care. The state has reported 351 confirmed cases and three deaths.
"We are now at a new stage," DeWine said on Twitter.
In Louisiana, home to a population of 4.6 million, Gov. John Bel Edwards followed suit, with stay-at-home measures effective Monday at 5 p.m.
Louisiana has reported 837 cases and 20 deaths.
"Bottom line is we're in a race against time when it comes to this coronavirus and its rapid spread in Louisiana," Edwards said at a press conference Sunday.
In Delaware, Gov. John Carney ordered residents to stay at home and closed all non-essential businesses starting Tuesday.
"This was not an easy decision, but it's the right decision to protect the safety of Delawareans and Delaware families," Carney said.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced a "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order for that state on Saturday.
So too did New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. There are more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey and 16 people have died, according to the state's website.
In a video, the governor said all gatherings should be canceled, including weddings, funerals and birthday parties.
"I don't take this action lightly, but my goal is to make sure you can gather safely with family and friends later," Murphy said.
Murphy ordered all nonessential retail businesses to indefinitely close their physical stores to the public at 9 p.m. Saturday. Essential businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants offering takeout and delivery, banks, gas stations and other limited exceptions, are allowed to stay open.
"You can still take a walk outside, go buy groceries or get takeout from the local restaurant you want to support. But if you do, continue to practice social distancing," Murphy said. "But otherwise we need you to stay at home. This is no time for business as usual."
In a tweet, Murphy urged residents not to go to their Jersey Shore beach homes and instead stay at their primary residences.
"The local infrastructure, especially the health care infrastructure, is not prepared for the influx of part-time residents," Murphy said.
In Hawaii, Gov. David Ige ordered a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving in Hawaii, including tourists and returning residents. The mandate goes into effect Thursday.
Italy's grim milestone
Worldwide, confirmed total cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, surpassed 300,000 worldwide over the weekend, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Italy has reached a grim milestone with its death toll — now exceeding 4,800 deaths, which is larger than the death count reported in China, where the disease was first diagnosed.
In response to the record-setting numbers, Italy is shutting down all production facilities except those essential to maintaining the nation's supply chain.
In the northern Lombardy region, one of the worst-affected areas in Italy, officials took more extreme steps on Sunday, ordering all guests out of hotels, which will now be used only for emergency purposes, and banning all outdoor sports and exercise activities.


npr--2020-03-23--People With Disabilities Say Rationing Care Policies Violate Civil Rights

People with disabilities are asking the federal government to stop what they say are policies by states and hospitals that will ration care — and deny them treatment for the coronavirus .
On Monday , several disability groups filed a complaint against the state of Washington , one of the states hardest hit by the pandemic .
The Washington State Department of Health issued guidelines to help doctors and hospitals decide something they fear having to face — deciding who gets scarce , life-saving care .
One example : If there are , say , more people who need ventilators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The complaint says they tell doctors to give those ventilators — and other care — to younger and healthier people .
Among the groups making the complaint are Disability Rights Washington , Self-Advocates in Leadership , The Arc of the United States and two individual complainants .
Ivanova Smith , a woman with an intellectual disability , is one of the individuals on the complaint .
`` I 'm really scared if I got the virus , '' she says .
`` That 's really terrifying .
Because I was born with weak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five and a half years of her life in an orphanage in Latvia .
She did n't speak .
Then she was adopted by an American family .
Her American mother taught her to speak , read and write .
Today , Smith is married and the mother of a two-year old daughter .
She has a job speaking to doctors and other medical providers about the health care needs of people with disabilities .
`` There 's been a long history of people with intellectual , development mental disabilities having our medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Because we 're not seen as valuable .
We 're not seen as productive or needed .
When that 's not true .
We have people that love us and that care for us .
Many people with disabilities work and they do amazing things in their communities but they need that life saving care . ''
The Washington State Department of Health , according to a spokesperson , was reviewing the complaint and working on a response .
Officials at the Northwest Healthcare Response Network , according to a spokesperson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint .
A spokesperson for The University of Washington Medical Center , also named in the complaint , said it had n't been notified — until the call from NPR .
Ari Ne'eman , a visiting scholar at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University looked at state policies for crisis care and found several that have set policies that ration care at the expense of people with disabilities .
In addition to Washington State , he said he found similar standards in New York , Alabama , Tennessee , Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` People with disabilities are terrified , '' he says .
`` They are terrified that when it comes to scarce resources like ventilators they will being sent to the back of the line .
And they are right to be terrified because many states are saying this quite explicitly in their allocation criteria . ''
These policies , he says , violate civil rights laws , like the Americans with Disabilities Act .
`` Our civil rights laws do n't go away in the midst of a pandemic , '' he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ADA or other civil rights laws with generalized utilitarianism the moment things get difficult . ''
Laws that protect people with disabilities recognize that sometimes there 's extra cost to that protection—like paying for a ramp so that a person in a wheelchair can get into a building .
`` Civil rights law you have to stick to , '' Ne'eman says , `` even when that imposes a cost—in time , resources and yes , sometimes even lives . ''
Ne'eman , who also founded the Autistic Self Advocacy Network , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what 's happening in Italy -- where ventilators go to young people , over older ones .
He and Smith think there are fairer ways .
The ventilator could go to the first person who needs it .
Others have suggested a lottery system .
Meanwhile , disability groups in other states are considering similar complaints .
Another letter came from Neil Romano , who was named by President Donald Trump as chair of another federal agency , the National Council on Disability .
He , too , asked the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop rationing .
The letter , dated March 18 , asked the department to `` quickly issue a notice to physicians and hospitals specifying the applicability of non-discrimination requirements '' of federal disability civil rights law .
Romano says he got a response from Roger Severino , who heads the HHS Office for Civil Rights and that he 's now been talking to officials there about taking action .
`` We 're working very , very closely and very hard to make sure that we get some form of guidance out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Romano says .
It 's still unclear .
If the federal government will respond .
And if so : How forcefully .

People With Disabilities Say Rationing Care Policies Violate Civil Rights
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Moore/Getty Images John Moore/Getty Images
People with disabilities are asking the federal government to stop what they say are policies by states and hospitals that will ration care — and deny them treatment for the coronavirus.
On Monday, several disability groups filed a complaint against the state of Washington, one of the states hardest hit by the pandemic.
The Washington State Department of Health issued guidelines to help doctors and hospitals decide something they fear having to face — deciding who gets scarce, life-saving care. One example: If there are, say, more people who need ventilators than the number of ventilators available.
The complaint says they tell doctors to give those ventilators — and other care — to younger and healthier people.
Among the groups making the complaint are Disability Rights Washington, Self-Advocates in Leadership, The Arc of the United States and two individual complainants.
Ivanova Smith, a woman with an intellectual disability, is one of the individuals on the complaint.
"I'm really scared if I got the virus," she says. "That's really terrifying. Because I was born with weak lungs."
Smith spent the first five and a half years of her life in an orphanage in Latvia. She didn't speak.
Then she was adopted by an American family. Her American mother taught her to speak, read and write.
Today, Smith is married and the mother of a two-year old daughter. She has a job speaking to doctors and other medical providers about the health care needs of people with disabilities.
"There's been a long history of people with intellectual, development mental disabilities having our medical care denied," she says. "Because we're not seen as valuable. We're not seen as productive or needed. When that's not true. We have people that love us and that care for us. Many people with disabilities work and they do amazing things in their communities but they need that life saving care."
The Washington State Department of Health, according to a spokesperson, was reviewing the complaint and working on a response. Officials at the Northwest Healthcare Response Network, according to a spokesperson, have not had time to review the complaint. A spokesperson for The University of Washington Medical Center, also named in the complaint, said it hadn't been notified — until the call from NPR.
Ari Ne'eman, a visiting scholar at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University looked at state policies for crisis care and found several that have set policies that ration care at the expense of people with disabilities.
In addition to Washington State, he said he found similar standards in New York, Alabama, Tennessee, Utah, Minnesota, Colorado and Oregon.
"People with disabilities are terrified," he says. "They are terrified that when it comes to scarce resources like ventilators they will being sent to the back of the line. And they are right to be terrified because many states are saying this quite explicitly in their allocation criteria."
These policies, he says, violate civil rights laws, like the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"Our civil rights laws don't go away in the midst of a pandemic," he says. "We don't suddenly replace the ADA or other civil rights laws with generalized utilitarianism the moment things get difficult."
Laws that protect people with disabilities recognize that sometimes there's extra cost to that protection—like paying for a ramp so that a person in a wheelchair can get into a building.
"Civil rights law you have to stick to," Ne'eman says, "even when that imposes a cost—in time, resources and yes, sometimes even lives."
Ne'eman, who also founded the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, worries of a repeat in this country of what's happening in Italy--where ventilators go to young people, over older ones.
He and Smith think there are fairer ways. The ventilator could go to the first person who needs it. Others have suggested a lottery system.
Meanwhile, disability groups in other states are considering similar complaints.
Another letter came from Neil Romano, who was named by President Donald Trump as chair of another federal agency, the National Council on Disability.
He, too, asked the Department of Health and Human Services to take action to stop rationing.
The letter, dated March 18, asked the department to "quickly issue a notice to physicians and hospitals specifying the applicability of non-discrimination requirements" of federal disability civil rights law.
Romano says he got a response from Roger Severino, who heads the HHS Office for Civil Rights and that he's now been talking to officials there about taking action.
"We're working very, very closely and very hard to make sure that we get some form of guidance out to the medical community as soon as possible," Romano says.
It's still unclear. If the federal government will respond. And if so: How forcefully.


npr--2020-03-23--'Steaming To Assist,' Mercy Sails To Los Angeles In Coronavirus Hospital Crunch

'Steaming To Assist , ' Mercy Sails To Los Angeles In Coronavirus Hospital Crunch A former oil supertanker that became the U.S. Navy 's lead floating hospital set sail late Monday from its home port in San Diego .
The white-hulled USNS Mercy 's next stop : the Port of Los Angeles , where it is to help relieve the strain being put on that city 's hospitals by the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We are , as the USNS Mercy 's motto says , steaming to assist , '' said Rear Adm. Tim Weber , commander of Naval Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embarked .
`` In a matter of days we have assembled an incredible crew of more than 800 medical professionals who embark on the Mercy to lift the burden off local hospitals so they can focus on caring for patients with COVID-19 . ''
But the hospital ship wo n't be admitting patients infected with the coronavirus .
*We are NOT deploying to treat COVID-19 cases , '' said the ship 's commanding officer , Capt .
John Rotruck , at a briefing with reporters .
He added that all those coming on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus screening questionnaires and , if needed , have their temperatures taken .
`` If we did wind up with somebody that we either diagnosed as COVID-19 or thought was highly likely , '' Rotruck said , `` we would be looking to send them off the ship and do appropriate preventative measures for any contact they had . ''
Some 60 volunteer reservists who are medical professionals will join active duty Navy personnel on the 44-year-old ship , which has 1,000 beds and a dozen fully equipped operating rooms .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side and just transport patients by ground into the hospital ship , '' said Rotruck .
`` We expect to be there within the week , and we anticipate being able to begin taking patients the day after we arrive .
We definitely have a sense of urgency . ''
The ship normally deploys to war zones to treat traumatic injuries , and while Rotruck noted it has intensive care units and the capacity for emergency surgical operations , `` we are not going to be doing obstetric care or pediatric care on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially been expected to sail for Seattle , which has had a high number of COVID-19 cases .
But the Federal Emergency Management Agency , or FEMA , which is overseeing the operation , decided Los Angeles would be its first destination .
`` Even though there are more cases right now in Washington , the projected needs for beds in California is five times more than that of Washington , '' Pete Gaynor , the Federal Emergency Management Agency 's administrator , told the news website Military.com on Sunday .
The ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears open-ended .
`` We are prepared to stay as long as necessary in Los Angeles , '' said mission commander Capt .
Dan Cobian , `` and prepared to move on to whatever port or destination that FEMA directs . ''
The East Coast counterpart of the Mercy , the USNS Comfort , is currently under preparations to sail from Norfolk , Va. , to New York City for similar duties .
But Navy officials say it could be several weeks before the Comfort docks there .

'Steaming To Assist,' Mercy Sails To Los Angeles In Coronavirus Hospital Crunch
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mike Blake/Reuters Mike Blake/Reuters
A former oil supertanker that became the U.S. Navy's lead floating hospital set sail late Monday from its home port in San Diego. The white-hulled USNS Mercy's next stop: the Port of Los Angeles, where it is to help relieve the strain being put on that city's hospitals by the coronavirus pandemic.
"We are, as the USNS Mercy's motto says, steaming to assist," said Rear Adm. Tim Weber, commander of Naval Medical Forces Pacific, shortly before the ship embarked. "In a matter of days we have assembled an incredible crew of more than 800 medical professionals who embark on the Mercy to lift the burden off local hospitals so they can focus on caring for patients with COVID-19."
But the hospital ship won't be admitting patients infected with the coronavirus.
*We are NOT deploying to treat COVID-19 cases," said the ship's commanding officer, Capt. John Rotruck, at a briefing with reporters. He added that all those coming on board will first have to fill out coronavirus screening questionnaires and, if needed, have their temperatures taken.
"If we did wind up with somebody that we either diagnosed as COVID-19 or thought was highly likely," Rotruck said, "we would be looking to send them off the ship and do appropriate preventative measures for any contact they had."
Some 60 volunteer reservists who are medical professionals will join active duty Navy personnel on the 44-year-old ship, which has 1,000 beds and a dozen fully equipped operating rooms.
"Our intention is just to pull in pier side and just transport patients by ground into the hospital ship," said Rotruck. "We expect to be there within the week, and we anticipate being able to begin taking patients the day after we arrive. We definitely have a sense of urgency."
The ship normally deploys to war zones to treat traumatic injuries, and while Rotruck noted it has intensive care units and the capacity for emergency surgical operations, "we are not going to be doing obstetric care or pediatric care on the ship."
The ship had initially been expected to sail for Seattle, which has had a high number of COVID-19 cases. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, which is overseeing the operation, decided Los Angeles would be its first destination.
"Even though there are more cases right now in Washington, the projected needs for beds in California is five times more than that of Washington," Pete Gaynor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's administrator, told the news website Military.com on Sunday.
The ship's first mission in the coronavirus pandemic appears open-ended. "We are prepared to stay as long as necessary in Los Angeles," said mission commander Capt. Dan Cobian, "and prepared to move on to whatever port or destination that FEMA directs."
The East Coast counterpart of the Mercy, the USNS Comfort, is currently under preparations to sail from Norfolk, Va., to New York City for similar duties. But Navy officials say it could be several weeks before the Comfort docks there.


npr--2020-03-23--Let's Not Call It A Bailout; Businesses Didn't Cause The Coronavirus

Let 's Not Call It A Bailout ; Businesses Did n't Cause The Coronavirus The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines bailout as `` a rescue from financial distress . ''
So it is accurate to call the $ 1 trillion-plus package being debated in Congress a bailout .
But let 's not call it that this time .
During the 2008 financial crisis , after the world economy was brought to its knees , the federal government had to prop up U.S. banks despite their destructive behavior .
Hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer money flowed into the financial system to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people lost homes , jobs and their livelihood .
An entire generation is still trying to come to terms with the repercussions of that time .
Even in general use , the word bailout is n't associated with anything positive .
But since the financial crisis it has acquired a truly negative meaning .
It stirs up images of greedy businesses acting recklessly , enriching themselves , and then asking the government for money .
The coronavirus is not the fault of businesses But let 's be clear .
This time , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , the suddenness of its appearance and its spread .
Companies , large and small , are not to blame for the millions of people who are losing their jobs , the mortgages and rents they will not be able to pay , or dreams being cut short .
In fact , this time , the government bears responsibility .
Local and federal governments have asked businesses like bars and restaurants to shut down .
Travelers from Europe and China have been banned , hitting the airlines hard .
California , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states that have asked only essential businesses like grocery and pharmacy stores to remain open .
Dozens of towns , cities and counties have similar local directives .
People are being asked to stay home to keep the nation safe from the virus .
The economic rug has been suddenly pulled .
In such a situation , it is not unreasonable for businesses to expect support from the government .
Front of that line are airlines , taxi cabs , cruise operators , hotels , restaurants and tour bus operators .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and small , in malls that have shut down .
What about salon owners or the hot dog cart outside the museum ?
The list goes on and on .
Just like people , business owners have rent to make , equipment leases to pay and invoices to settle .
They have interest payments coming due on loans .
Most have short-term lines of credit they draw down to buy supplies and such .
If they ca n't make these payments , companies will be in default .
That could hurt their ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground their business forever .
More workers will lose their jobs .
The economic downturn could end up being a lot more severe and long lasting .
So everyone is waiting with bated breath for this economic package .
Congress is right in taking the time to ensure it does n't become a feast for the undeserved or greedy .
No one wants large businesses to take taxpayer money and enrich shareholders or line the pockets of CEOs , rather than use it to save jobs and keep businesses afloat .
But let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bailout .
Let 's call it a rescue .
It 's much-needed support that the American economy needs now .

Let's Not Call It A Bailout; Businesses Didn't Cause The Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeenah Moon/Reuters Jeenah Moon/Reuters
Bailout is a dirty word.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines bailout as "a rescue from financial distress."
So it is accurate to call the $1 trillion-plus package being debated in Congress a bailout.
But let's not call it that this time.
During the 2008 financial crisis, after the world economy was brought to its knees, the federal government had to prop up U.S. banks despite their destructive behavior. Hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer money flowed into the financial system to prevent a total collapse. Millions of people lost homes, jobs and their livelihood. An entire generation is still trying to come to terms with the repercussions of that time.
Even in general use, the word bailout isn't associated with anything positive. But since the financial crisis it has acquired a truly negative meaning. It stirs up images of greedy businesses acting recklessly, enriching themselves, and then asking the government for money.
The coronavirus is not the fault of businesses
But let's be clear. This time, the business community bears no responsibility for the coronavirus, the suddenness of its appearance and its spread. Companies, large and small, are not to blame for the millions of people who are losing their jobs, the mortgages and rents they will not be able to pay, or dreams being cut short.
In fact, this time, the government bears responsibility. Local and federal governments have asked businesses like bars and restaurants to shut down. Travelers from Europe and China have been banned, hitting the airlines hard. California, New York, Michigan and Indiana are among the states that have asked only essential businesses like grocery and pharmacy stores to remain open. Dozens of towns, cities and counties have similar local directives. People are being asked to stay home to keep the nation safe from the virus.
The economic rug has been suddenly pulled. In such a situation, it is not unreasonable for businesses to expect support from the government.
Front of that line are airlines, taxi cabs, cruise operators, hotels, restaurants and tour bus operators. Then there are countless retail stores, big and small, in malls that have shut down. What about salon owners or the hot dog cart outside the museum? The list goes on and on.
When payments are due
Just like people, business owners have rent to make, equipment leases to pay and invoices to settle. They have interest payments coming due on loans. Most have short-term lines of credit they draw down to buy supplies and such.
If they can't make these payments, companies will be in default. That could hurt their ability to borrow in the future and even ground their business forever. More workers will lose their jobs. The economic downturn could end up being a lot more severe and long lasting.
So everyone is waiting with bated breath for this economic package. Congress is right in taking the time to ensure it doesn't become a feast for the undeserved or greedy. No one wants large businesses to take taxpayer money and enrich shareholders or line the pockets of CEOs, rather than use it to save jobs and keep businesses afloat.
But let's not call this government package a bailout.
Let's call it a rescue. It's much-needed support that the American economy needs now.


npr--2020-03-23--U.K. Prime Minister Tells Brits To Stay Home, Threatens Fines

U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced sweeping new restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus .
Brits must now stay home – with very few exceptions – or risk facing fines .
`` No prime minister wants to enact measures like this .
I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people 's lives , to their businesses and to their jobs , '' Johnson said in a video posted on his Twitter account .
`` At present , there are just no easy options . ''
The U.K. government had threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people failed to heed its advice to practice social distancing this past weekend .
`` Many were out socializing in parks and strolling along main streets as though little had changed , '' NPR 's Frank Langfitt reported from London .
Johnson warned that the U.K. must impose these restrictions or risk overloading its health system .
He has ordered that people stay in their homes , aside from four exemptions .
People may leave to shop for basic necessities as infrequently as possible .
They are allowed one form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave for a medical need or to provide care to a vulnerable person .
And they can travel to and from work , but only when `` this is absolutely necessary and can not be done from home , '' Johnson said .
`` If your friends ask you to meet , you should say no , '' he added .
The police will have the power to enforce these measures , Johnson said , `` including through fines and dispersing gatherings . ''
Shops deemed nonessential will also close , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be allowed , except for people who live in the same residence .
Funerals will still be allowed to go on .
At least 335 people have died in the U.K. as a result of the virus , according to a dashboard created by the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering .
As Langfitt reported , `` some National Health Service staff say they are already running out of protective gear . ''

U.K. Prime Minister Tells Brits To Stay Home, Threatens Fines
Enlarge this image toggle caption UK Pool/AP UK Pool/AP
U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced sweeping new restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Brits must now stay home – with very few exceptions – or risk facing fines.
"No prime minister wants to enact measures like this. I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people's lives, to their businesses and to their jobs," Johnson said in a video posted on his Twitter account. "At present, there are just no easy options."
The U.K. government had threatened to take these more restrictive measures after thousands of people failed to heed its advice to practice social distancing this past weekend. "Many were out socializing in parks and strolling along main streets as though little had changed," NPR's Frank Langfitt reported from London.
Johnson warned that the U.K. must impose these restrictions or risk overloading its health system.
He has ordered that people stay in their homes, aside from four exemptions. People may leave to shop for basic necessities as infrequently as possible. They are allowed one form of exercise a day. They are able to leave for a medical need or to provide care to a vulnerable person. And they can travel to and from work, but only when "this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home," Johnson said.
"If your friends ask you to meet, you should say no," he added.
The police will have the power to enforce these measures, Johnson said, "including through fines and dispersing gatherings." Shops deemed nonessential will also close, and public gatherings of more than two people will not be allowed, except for people who live in the same residence.
Funerals will still be allowed to go on.
At least 335 people have died in the U.K. as a result of the virus, according to a dashboard created by the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering.
As Langfitt reported, "some National Health Service staff say they are already running out of protective gear."


npr--2020-03-23--Suspected Coronavirus Case Will Thin White House Press At Briefings

The daily press briefings of the White House coronavirus task force are about to become less crowded .
The White House Correspondents ' Association ( WHCA ) had already thinned out seats in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in order to comply with social distancing guidelines .
Now , a suspected COVID-19 case among the White House press corps means there will be even fewer reporters in the room .
WHCA president Jonathan Karl of ABC News announced Monday that an unnamed reporter who attended four briefings earlier this month has a suspected case of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can stay home or work remotely please do so , '' Karl wrote in an advisory on behalf of the WHCA board .
`` Please do not come to the White House if you do not have a workspace or an assigned seat on that day .
And please DO NOT come into the White House if you are feeling at all ill. '' In the announcement , the WHCA further reduced available seats in the briefing room , mostly limiting the press to journalists working as `` pool '' reporters representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wire outlets each day .
One White House staffer — an unnamed member of the vice president 's office — has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have been tested in recent weeks , and both tests were negative .

Suspected Coronavirus Case Will Thin White House Press At Briefings
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images
The daily press briefings of the White House coronavirus task force are about to become less crowded.
The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) had already thinned out seats in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in order to comply with social distancing guidelines. Now, a suspected COVID-19 case among the White House press corps means there will be even fewer reporters in the room.
WHCA president Jonathan Karl of ABC News announced Monday that an unnamed reporter who attended four briefings earlier this month has a suspected case of the virus.
"We ask again that all members who can stay home or work remotely please do so," Karl wrote in an advisory on behalf of the WHCA board. "Please do not come to the White House if you do not have a workspace or an assigned seat on that day. And please DO NOT come into the White House if you are feeling at all ill."
In the announcement, the WHCA further reduced available seats in the briefing room, mostly limiting the press to journalists working as "pool" reporters representing other TV, radio, print and wire outlets each day.
One White House staffer — an unnamed member of the vice president's office — has tested positive for COVID-19. Both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have been tested in recent weeks, and both tests were negative.


npr--2020-03-23--Coronavirus: 2 Key Questions For The Head Of The National Guard

Coronavirus : 2 Key Questions For The Head Of The National Guard More than 8,100 members of the U.S. National Guard have been mobilized across the U.S. to help communities deal with the coronavirus .
In some states , they 're moving supplies and people .
In California , they 're working at food banks ; in Arizona , some members are restocking shelves .
On Monday , NPR 's Ailsa Chang interviewed Gen. Joseph Lengyel , chief of the National Guard Bureau .
Here are two questions she posed to him , and his responses , which have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors have wide discretion on how to use the guard members in their individual states .
Can you explain how that is preferable to a more coordinated federal response with the National Guard ?
Each individual state has a different problem set to deal with .
Some are being overrun with new [ cases of coronavirus ] and lots of sick people , like currently New York and Washington , and a growing number in California .
Every state 's problem set is not the same .
So if you try to impose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single state , you probably would not be doing it nearly as efficiently as you can if you let each state manage their forces [ according to ] each problem set .
And people have studied disaster response — it does n't matter whether it 's a hurricane or flood or fire — people that have studied how this works .
The response is always better when the experts on the ground at the point of the emergency are making decisions on how to apply resources and allocate people and equipment and funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resource you need to fix the problem .
What would you say to Americans who might be startled or uncomfortable when they see troops in military gear in their communities , or see military vehicles on their streets ?
First of all , I would say to them that when they see the National Guard , they see the Humvee , normally it has a calming effect .
They feel like we have competent , prepared , well-equipped people who are here to save lives and to mitigate suffering .
And when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation , that 's what we do in the homeland .
We protect our communities .
I think that when the National Guard shows up , whether it 's helping some sick person that 's waiting to get checked in the hospital line to hand them a bottle of water or whatever they 're doing , we make people feel more at ease .
It lets them feel like we are here , we are not forgotten , and we have people that are here to help .
And those people are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this interview will air today on All Things Considered .

Coronavirus: 2 Key Questions For The Head Of The National Guard
Enlarge this image toggle caption Bullit Marquez/AP Bullit Marquez/AP
More than 8,100 members of the U.S. National Guard have been mobilized across the U.S. to help communities deal with the coronavirus. In some states, they're moving supplies and people. In California, they're working at food banks; in Arizona, some members are restocking shelves.
On Monday, NPR's Ailsa Chang interviewed Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau. Here are two questions she posed to him, and his responses, which have been edited for length and clarity.
Individual governors have wide discretion on how to use the guard members in their individual states. Can you explain how that is preferable to a more coordinated federal response with the National Guard?
Each individual state has a different problem set to deal with. Some are being overrun with new [cases of coronavirus] and lots of sick people, like currently New York and Washington, and a growing number in California. Every state's problem set is not the same. So if you try to impose a nationwide federal problem set over every single state, you probably would not be doing it nearly as efficiently as you can if you let each state manage their forces [according to] each problem set.
And people have studied disaster response — it doesn't matter whether it's a hurricane or flood or fire — people that have studied how this works. The response is always better when the experts on the ground at the point of the emergency are making decisions on how to apply resources and allocate people and equipment and funds, so that you can get quicker the resource you need to fix the problem.
What would you say to Americans who might be startled or uncomfortable when they see troops in military gear in their communities, or see military vehicles on their streets?
First of all, I would say to them that when they see the National Guard, they see the Humvee, normally it has a calming effect. They feel like we have competent, prepared, well-equipped people who are here to save lives and to mitigate suffering. And when we're not fighting wars for our nation, that's what we do in the homeland. We protect our communities.
...
I think that when the National Guard shows up, whether it's helping some sick person that's waiting to get checked in the hospital line to hand them a bottle of water or whatever they're doing, we make people feel more at ease. It lets them feel like we are here, we are not forgotten, and we have people that are here to help. And those people are the National Guard.
A longer version of this interview will air today on All Things Considered.


npr--2020-03-23--Coronavirus: WHO Head Says Nations Must Attack As 'Pandemic Is Accelerating'

Coronavirus : WHO Head Says Nations Must Attack As 'Pandemic Is Accelerating' With the coronavirus outbreak blowing past the 300,000-case mark , WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says world leaders and health officials wo n't be able to defeat COVID-19 if they rely only on defensive measures such as social distancing and requiring people to stay at home .
The coronavirus has now spread to nearly every country on the planet , the head of the World Health Organization said .
`` The pandemic is accelerating , '' Tedros said .
`` It took 67 days from the first reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 11 days for the second 100,000 cases and just 4 days for the third 100,000 cases . ''
After describing the dire rate at which new cases are being reported , Tedros added , `` But we 're not prisoners to statistics .
We 're not helpless bystanders .
We can change the trajectory of this pandemic . ''
The WHO leader 's comments come as governments around the world face the daunting tasks of containment and mitigation : stopping the highly contagious viral disease in its tracks where possible , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slowing its spread in communities where the virus has already gained a foothold .
`` You ca n't win a football game only by defending .
You have to attack as well , '' Tedros said at a briefing in Geneva .
There are more than 370,000 confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide , according to a dashboard created by the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering , which tracks COVID-19 data in near real time .
That figure includes more than 100,000 people who have recovered from the disease , along with more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Numbers matter , because they 're not just numbers .
They 're people , whose lives and families have been turned upside down , '' Tedros said .
`` But what matters most is what we do . ''
For weeks , some of the most alarming COVID-19 numbers in the world have been emanating from Italy – which surpassed China 's death toll from the respiratory disease last week .
On Thursday afternoon , Italy 's death toll of 3,405 eclipsed China 's 3,249 deaths .
On Monday afternoon , Italy said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died from COVID-19 , and the country confirmed nearly 64,000 cases in total .
But Italian health officials are also seeing a potential bright spot , as Italy is reporting smaller daily increases in both deaths and new coronavirus cases .
`` Deaths and new cases have grown every day for more than a month , '' NPR 's Sylvia Poggioli reports .
But over the weekend , the day-to-day numbers finally started to shrink .
`` Today , the country marks the 14th day under quarantine , in which people are subjected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out only for very few purposes , '' Poggioli adds .
If the pattern continues for several days , Italian officials say , it will be a sign that Italy may have finally turned a corner in its battle with COVID-19 .
Global health experts are also keeping a close eye on India , and its response to the coronavirus .
`` The future of this pandemic , to a greater extent , will be determined by what happens in very large , highly populated , densely populated countries , '' said Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of emergencies .
`` So it 's really , really important that India continues to take aggressive action at the public health level and at the level of society to contain , control , suppress this disease — and to save lives . ''
As he took stock of the state of the global fight against COVID-19 , Tedros echoed many leaders in calling for solutions to ease a dangerous shortage of personal protective equipment such as N-95 face masks and gloves .
`` Health workers can only do their jobs effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Tedros said .
`` We continue to hear alarming reports from around the world of large numbers of infections among health workers .
Urging governments to make it a priority to protect hospital staff and other vital workers , the WHO head said that without action , `` many people will die because the health worker who could have saved their life is sick . ''

Coronavirus: WHO Head Says Nations Must Attack As 'Pandemic Is Accelerating'
Enlarge this image toggle caption AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images
With the coronavirus outbreak blowing past the 300,000-case mark, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says world leaders and health officials won't be able to defeat COVID-19 if they rely only on defensive measures such as social distancing and requiring people to stay at home.
The coronavirus has now spread to nearly every country on the planet, the head of the World Health Organization said.
"The pandemic is accelerating," Tedros said. "It took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases, 11 days for the second 100,000 cases and just four days for the third 100,000 cases."
After describing the dire rate at which new cases are being reported, Tedros added, "But we're not prisoners to statistics. We're not helpless bystanders. We can change the trajectory of this pandemic."
The WHO leader's comments come as governments around the world face the daunting tasks of containment and mitigation: stopping the highly contagious viral disease in its tracks where possible, while also mitigating its effect on vulnerable populations and slowing its spread in communities where the virus has already gained a foothold.
"You can't win a football game only by defending. You have to attack as well," Tedros said at a briefing in Geneva.
YouTube
He added:
"Asking people to stay at home and other physical-distancing measures are an important way of slowing down the spread of the virus and buying time — but they are defensive measures. "To win, we need to attack the virus with aggressive and targeted tactics — testing every suspected case, isolating and caring for every confirmed case and tracing and quarantining every close contact."
There are more than 370,000 confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, according to a dashboard created by Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering, which tracks COVID-19 data in near real time. That figure includes more than 100,000 people who have recovered from the disease, along with more than 16,000 who have died.
"Numbers matter, because they're not just numbers. They're people, whose lives and families have been turned upside down," Tedros said. "But what matters most is what we do."
For weeks, some of the most alarming COVID-19 numbers in the world have been emanating from Italy, which surpassed China's death toll from the respiratory disease last week. On Thursday afternoon, Italy's death toll of 3,405 eclipsed China's 3,249 deaths. On Monday afternoon, Italy said 6,077 people in the country have now died from COVID-19, and the country confirmed nearly 64,000 cases in total.
But Italian health officials are also seeing a potential bright spot, as Italy is reporting smaller daily increases in both deaths and new coronavirus cases.
"Deaths and new cases have grown every day for more than a month," NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports. But over the weekend, the day-to-day numbers finally started to shrink.
"Today, the country marks the 14th day under quarantine, in which people are subjected to draconian restrictions and authorized to go out only for very few purposes," Poggioli adds.
If the pattern continues for several days, Italian officials say, it will be a sign that Italy may have finally turned a corner in its battle with COVID-19.
Global health experts are also keeping a close eye on India and its response to the coronavirus.
"The future of this pandemic, to a greater extent, will be determined by what happens in very large, highly populated, densely populated countries," said Mike Ryan, the World Health Organization's head of emergencies.
"So it's really, really important that India continues to take aggressive action at the public health level and at the level of society to contain, control, suppress this disease — and to save lives."
As Tedros took stock of the state of the global fight against COVID-19, he echoed many leaders in calling for solutions to ease a dangerous shortage of personal protective equipment such as N95 face masks and gloves.
"Health workers can only do their jobs effectively when they can do their jobs safely," Tedros said. "We continue to hear alarming reports from around the world of large numbers of infections among health workers."
Urging governments to make it a priority to protect hospital staff and other vital workers, the WHO head said that without action, "many people will die because the health worker who could have saved their life is sick."


npr--2020-03-23--Testing Florida's Largest Retirement Community For Coronavirus

A drive-through site to test for the coronavirus has been set up for golf carts at a massive retirement community in central Florida .
More than 125,000 people live in The Villages , north of Orlando .
Because the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the virus , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis said he was concerned about getting protections in place for the senior citizens who live there .
Doctors from the University of Florida say the tests are part of research looking at the transmission rates of the coronavirus .
The tests will be available not just for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who have no symptoms .
Dr. Michael Lauzardo , an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida says , `` The most important question we 're trying to determine is how any people have the virus but are showing no symptoms at all . ''
Some studies have shown young people can have high levels of virus , but display no symptoms .
Lauzardo says the research will look at whether that also occurs in older people .
Two thousand people will be tested this week in the Villages and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project .
The Villages , populated with many retirees from the Midwest , is strongly Republican .
President Trump and fellow Republican Gov .
DeSantis both made campaign stops here .
DeSantis says it 's a community where residents are very active , but with the coronavirus , that has changed .
`` They do n't do inside events .
They do n't do groups anymore , '' DeSantis says .
`` You still see people on the golf course because they do social distancing golf , where everyone is in their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or touch the flag stick . ''
At the Villages , DeSantis also defended his decision not to issue a shelter in place order , something many other states have done .
At this point , DeSantis says , more than half of Florida 's counties have few if any cases of coronavirus .
And shelter in place orders , he says , can have negative consequences .
Later , at a news conference in the state Capitol , DeSantis said a stay-at-home order announced last week in New York sparked a surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the New York City area .
He said a week ago , there were just 20 direct flights , and Monday there were 190 .
DeSantis said , `` I would reckon given the outbreak there , that every single fight has somebody on it who is positive for COVID-19 .
And so , as we 're working to stop it in the state of Florida , you 're consistently having people come in from one of the top hotspots in the entire world . ''
DeSantis said he 's spoken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to impose restrictions on flights from the New York City area .
DeSantis said in the meantime , he 's issuing an executive order requiring people who fly from New York or New Jersey to be in isolation for 14 days upon arrival in Florida .
He said law enforcement officers and health department officials will greet every incoming flight from the New York City area .
`` I think they 're going to do temperature checks , '' he said .
`` And they 're going to be told , 'You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that means they should n't stay with family members .
`` The number one way this is transmitted is close contact , very frequently ( with ) family members . ''

Testing Florida's Largest Retirement Community For Coronavirus
Updated at 6:47 p.m. ET
A drive-through site to test for the coronavirus has been set up for golf carts at a massive retirement community in central Florida. More than 125,000 people live in The Villages, north of Orlando. Because the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the virus, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was concerned about getting protections in place for the senior citizens who live there.
Doctors from the University of Florida say the tests are part of research looking at the transmission rates of the coronavirus. The tests will be available not just for people with COVID-19 symptoms, but also for people who have no symptoms. Dr. Michael Lauzardo, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida says, "The most important question we're trying to determine is how any people have the virus but are showing no symptoms at all."
Some studies have shown young people can have high levels of virus, but display no symptoms. Lauzardo says the research will look at whether that also occurs in older people. Two thousand people will be tested this week in the Villages and the majority will be part of the research project.
The Villages, populated with many retirees from the Midwest, is strongly Republican. President Trump and fellow Republican Gov. DeSantis both made campaign stops here. DeSantis says it's a community where residents are very active, but with the coronavirus, that has changed. "They don't do inside events. They don't do groups anymore," DeSantis says. "You still see people on the golf course because they do social distancing golf, where everyone is in their own cart and you don't shake hands or touch the flag stick."
At the Villages, DeSantis also defended his decision not to issue a shelter in place order, something many other states have done. At this point, DeSantis says, more than half of Florida's counties have few if any cases of coronavirus. And shelter in place orders, he says, can have negative consequences.
Later, at a news conference in the state Capitol, DeSantis said a stay-at-home order announced last week in New York sparked a surge in the number of flights to Florida from the New York City area. He said a week ago, there were just 20 direct flights, and Monday there were 190. DeSantis said, "I would reckon given the outbreak there, that every single fight has somebody on it who is positive for COVID-19. And so, as we're working to stop it in the state of Florida, you're consistently having people come in from one of the top hotspots in the entire world." DeSantis said he's spoken to President Trump about the issue and asked him to impose restrictions on flights from the New York City area.
DeSantis said in the meantime, he's issuing an executive order requiring people who fly from New York or New Jersey to be in isolation for 14 days upon arrival in Florida. He said law enforcement officers and health department officials will greet every incoming flight from the New York City area. "I think they're going to do temperature checks," he said. "And they're going to be told, 'You have to self-quarantine.' " DeSantis says that means they shouldn't stay with family members. "The number one way this is transmitted is close contact, very frequently (with) family members."


npr--2020-03-23--WATCH: White House Gives Its Daily Update On Coronavirus Efforts

WATCH : White House Gives Its Daily Update On Coronavirus Efforts President Trump stressed what he called the need to re-open America for business on Monday even as he said the government also would continue tackling the spiraling coronavirus pandemic .
The White House 's team will make an assessment after next week as to how effective social distancing and other mitigation measures have been in stifling the spread of the virus , said Vice President Mike Pence .
It 's possible at that time that Washington could lift some of the restrictions that have paralyzed the economy , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no guarantees and the details were n't clear .
Trump said he did n't know when life would get back to normal but it would be `` a lot sooner than three or four months , '' and he did n't want the pandemic to disrupt the nation so badly that the current economic problems curdled into a depression .
`` We 're not going to let the cure be worse than the problem , '' Trump said .
Trump has come under pressure to at least give a date by which life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The isolation , quarantines and closures imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus have crippled many sectors of the economy .
The nation is 8 days into this 15-day period , Pence said : `` We 're doing this . ''
It was n't clear precisely what assessment , or by whom , would take place at the end of the period and what metrics would be involved with deciding about preserving social distancing and other mitigation measures — or relaxing them .
Dr. Deborah Birx , a leader on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said only two countries have climbed to the peak of infection curves and then subsided : China and South Korea .
Those were 8 to 10-week curves , she said .
Infections in other nations , including the U.S. , are still climbing .
And compounding the problem in monitoring the virus within the United States is that it was introduced in different places at different times , Birx said .
Washington state , she said , is about two weeks ahead of New York State .
So notwithstanding Trump 's optimism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birx 's description suggested that different parts of the country would continue to climb through their infection curves at different rates , requiring different responses .
Trump , all the while , sought to talk up what he said would be the quick return to business as usual , which he said would not take `` months . ''
The president described his vision for a coming period of weeks in which America might both try to get back to work but also continue to fight the virus : `` We 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Continued Trump : `` We can do two things , three things , at once .
We can do that and we can have an open country , an open economy . ''
Meanwhile , members of Congress and President Trump are grappling over the practical politics associated with passage of a new relief and stimulus package .
Congress wants to try to ease the economic shock afflicting the United States as Americans stay home and avoid large groups — with grievous consequences for restaurants , brick-and-mortar businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two procedural votes since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , attempted to bring it in for a landing over the weekend .
Democrats are continuing to negotiate with majority Republicans , but they say they 'll only agree to something they say does more to help what they call individual cases , as opposed to offering the most support to airlines or other big players .
Trump did n't have an update on Monday but he said he hoped lawmakers could reach a breakthrough .
`` They have to get together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Birx said on Monday that the latest mortality data she has seen from Europe affirms the perception that the coronavirus is toughest on the oldest and sickest .
The older the patient and the more preexisting conditions she or he has , the likelier a fatal infection becomes , Birx said .
That does n't mean that younger people ca n't become seriously ill , she said — and authorities also warn that people can carry and transmit the virus without necessarily becoming very sick .
All the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has died , Birx said .
And officials are aware of only one case — in China — in which someone aged 14 died from the infection .
`` That should be reassuring to the moms and dads out there , '' she said .
In three heavily afflicted states — New York , California and Washington — governors and their aides are getting access to National Guard troops and resources via the Federal Emergency Management Agency following an order on Sunday by Trump .
Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel , head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR on Monday that around 8,000 National Guard personnel already are deployed around the country .
The Guard can support emergency operations for months , he said , in whatever range of ways the nation needs .
`` Because we bring trained units and leaders and people who can take on really any task you need people to do — some people , for instance , in California , they 're managing food banks , '' Lengyel said .
`` Arizona recently started using some National Guard members to stock shelves . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , medical workers and elected leaders are coming to terms with a continued increase in new coronavirus cases , which topped 40,000 on Monday — up from just over 6,000 a week before .
Around 500 people have died .
Millions of people could be out of work .
Children across the country are home from school as states and districts cancel classes for weeks or more .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam , a Democrat , said on Monday that he was ordering schools in the commonwealth not to reconvene for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as gyms and theaters to close .
`` This week it 's going to get bad , '' Surgeon General Jerome Adams said in an interview with NBC on Monday .
Officials have warned that as the government closes the gap between its testing capacity and what officials call the valid cases in which people want tests , the results could show a disturbing expansion of the virus around the country .
That 's why Adams and other public health officials urged Americans in places outside the three big focus areas to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , keep clear of large groups and to wash their hands .
`` This is going to be bad and we 're trying to make it so that it 's much , much less bad , '' Trump said at the White House news conference .
Attorney General Bill Barr said on Monday that the Justice Department would crack down on people hoarding medical equipment or supplies as authorities discovered them .
Each of the department 's 93 U.S. Attorney 's Offices is appointing an official who 'll be charged with prosecuting hoarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Justice Department also has said it 's targeting scammers taking advantage of the crisis , including those offering a `` vaccine '' for sale — as yet there is no vaccine available for coronavirus patients .
Trump did not call the disease `` the Chinese virus '' on Monday and said in his briefing and on Twitter that he worried about aggression toward Asian-Americans .
The president had continued to use the term `` Chinese virus '' in the face of criticism and questioning , defending the phrase as a legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese province of Hubei .
On Monday , however , Trump changed his tune .
`` It seems like there could be a little bit of nasty language toward Asian Americans '' and said he did n't like that .
Trump said he wanted to include Asian Americans in what he has called the national campaign to fight the pandemic .

Trump Stresses Need To Reopen America While Continuing To Fight The Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 8:03 p.m. ET
On Monday evening, President Trump stressed what he called the need to reopen America for business even as he said the government also would continue tackling the spiraling coronavirus pandemic.
The White House's team will make an assessment after next week as to how effective social distancing and other mitigation measures have been in stifling the spread of the virus, said Vice President Pence.
It's possible at that time that Washington could lift some of the restrictions that have paralyzed the economy, Trump and Pence suggested, but they offered no guarantees and the details weren't clear.
Trump said that he didn't know when life would get back to normal but said it would be "a lot sooner than three or four months" and that he didn't want the pandemic to disrupt the nation so badly that today's economic foundering curdles into a depression.
"We're not going to let the cure be worse than the problem," Trump said.
Trump has come under pressure to at least give a date by which life might start to get back to normal. The isolation, quarantines and closures imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus have crippled many sectors of the economy.
The nation is eight days into this 15-day period, Pence said: "We're doing this."
It wasn't clear precisely what assessment, or by whom, would take place at the end of the period and what metrics would be involved with deciding about preserving social distancing and other mitigation measures — or relaxing them.
Dr. Deborah Birx, a leader on the White House's coronavirus response task force, said only two countries have climbed to the peak of infection curves and then subsided: China and South Korea.
Those were eight-to-10-week curves, she said.
Infections in other nations, including the U.S., are still climbing. And compounding the problem in monitoring the virus within the United States is that it was introduced in different places at different times, Birx said.
Washington state, she said, is about two weeks ahead of New York state. So notwithstanding Trump's optimism about a quick return to normalcy, Birx's description suggested that different parts of the country would continue to climb through their infection curves at different rates, requiring different responses.
Trump, all the while, sought to talk up what he said would be the quick return to business as usual, which he said would "not take months."
The president described his vision for a coming period of weeks in which America might both try to get back to work but also continue to fight the virus: "We're going to come up with a date," he said.
Continued Trump: "We can do two things, three things, at once. We can do that and we can have an open country, an open economy."
Congressional logjam
Meanwhile, members of Congress and Trump are grappling over the practical politics associated with passage of a new relief and stimulus package.
Congress wants to try to ease the economic shock afflicting the United States as Americans stay home and avoid large groups — with grievous consequences for restaurants, brick-and-mortar businesses and travel.
The latest legislation has failed two procedural votes since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., attempted to bring it in for a landing over the weekend.
Democrats are continuing to negotiate with majority Republicans, but they say they'll agree only to something that they say does more to help what they call individual cases, as opposed to offering the most support to airlines or other big players.
Trump didn't have an update on Monday, but he said he hoped lawmakers could reach a breakthrough.
"They have to get together and stop with the partisan politics," he said.
Infection spares young, punishes older patients
Birx said on Monday that the latest mortality data she has seen from Europe affirms the perception that the coronavirus is toughest on the oldest and sickest.
The older the patient and the more preexisting conditions the person has, the likelier that a fatal infection occurs, Birx said.
That doesn't mean that younger people can't become seriously ill, she said — and authorities also warn that people can carry and transmit the virus without necessarily becoming very sick.
All the same, no child in Europe under 15 has died, Birx said. And officials are aware of only one case, in China, in which someone under 15 — a 14-year-old — died from the infection.
"That should be reassuring to the moms and dads out there," she said.
Guard deployments
In three heavily afflicted states — New York, California and Washington — governors and their aides are getting access to National Guard troops and resources via the Federal Emergency Management Agency following an order on Sunday by Trump.
Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, head of the National Guard Bureau, told NPR on Monday that around 8,000 National Guard personnel already are deployed around the country.
The National Guard can support emergency operations for months, he said, in whatever range of ways the nation needs.
"Because we bring trained units and leaders and people who can take on really any task you need people to do — some people, for instance, in California, they're managing food banks," Lengyel said. "Arizona recently started using some National Guard members to stock shelves."
And in countless other places, everyday Americans, medical workers and elected leaders are coming to terms with a continued increase in coronavirus cases, which topped 40,000 on Monday — up from just over 6,000 a week before. Around 500 people have died.
Millions of people could be out of work. Children across the country are home from school as states and districts cancel classes for weeks or more.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, said on Monday that he was ordering schools in the commonwealth not to reconvene for this academic year and also ordered business such as gyms and theaters to close.
Officials also have warned that as the government closes the gap between its testing capacity and what officials call the valid cases in which people want tests, the results could show a disturbing expansion of the virus around the country.
"This is going to be bad, and we're trying to make it so that it's much, much less bad," Trump said at the White House news conference.
Crackdown on scammers, hoarders
Attorney General Bill Barr said on Monday that the Justice Department would crack down on people hoarding medical equipment or supplies as authorities discovered them.
Each of the department's 93 U.S. Attorney's Offices is appointing an official who'll be charged with prosecuting hoarding or other such cases, Barr said.
The Justice Department also has said it's targeting scammers taking advantage of the crisis, including those offering a "vaccine" for sale — as yet there is no vaccine available for the coronavirus.
Praise for the Fed
Trump said he called Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday and praised his actions in response to the pandemic.
The Fed has cut the costs of borrowing to zero, and Powell has vowed that the central bank will buy as many Treasury securities as necessary to support the economy.
Trump has faulted Powell many times for what he has called poor or sluggish management at the Fed, but on Monday the president said he called the Fed chair and told him, "You've done a really good job. I was proud of him. That took courage."
First lady tests negative for COVID-19
First lady Melania Trump tested negative for the coronavirus, Trump revealed on Monday.
She did not appear at the news conference with the president and other officials on Monday, but Trump said, "She's great — she's fine."
Trump's news about the first lady confirmed that both the two of them as well as Pence and his wife, Karen, all have been tested and have learned that they have not been infected.
Trump drops "Chinese virus"
Trump did not call the disease "the Chinese virus" on Monday and said in his briefing and on Twitter that he worried about aggression toward Asian Americans.
The president had continued to use the term "Chinese virus" in the face of questions and criticism, defending the phrase as a legitimate descriptor based on the virus' origins in the Chinese province of Hubei.
On Monday, however, Trump changed his tune. At one point the president alluded to a virus that took the nation by surprise "from wherever," and he stressed that there was no link between Asians or Asian American people and the coronavirus.
"It seems like there could be a little bit of nasty language toward Asian Americans," the president said, adding that he doesn't like that. Trump said he wants to include Asian Americans in what he has called the national campaign to fight the pandemic.