npr--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: Chaos Follows Trump's European Travel Ban; EU Says It Wasn't Warned

Coronavirus : Chaos Follows Trump 's European Travel Ban ; EU Says It Was n't Warned '' The EU disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation , '' the heads of the European Union said Thursday , expressing their displeasure with President Trump 's plan to block visitors from 26 European countries from entering the United States .
`` The Coronavirus is a global crisis and requires cooperation , '' the EU leaders said .
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump abruptly announced his 30-day ban — rattling an already-shaken travel industry and creating new uncertainty among travelers in both the U.S. and Europe .
The United Kingdom is exempt from the ban .
Complicating matters further , Trump left many people scrambling to learn the extent of the ban , which takes effect at midnight Friday .
The White House later said the ban applies only to foreign nationals who have been in Europe 's open-border Schengen Area .
Trump referred to `` exemptions for Americans who have undergone appropriate screenings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ House said U.S. citizens `` will be directed to a limited number of airports where screening can take place . ''
The president 's speech set off chaos at airports in Europe and created doubt for Americans who were bound to depart the U.S. , many of whom worried that they might not be able to return home under either the travel ban or a new policy that might be enacted while they 're abroad .
The U.S. move came hours after the World Health Organization classified the COVID-19 disease as a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reflected in tweets from two journalists who were on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean when he announced the ban .
`` Sitting at Atlanta airport after abandoning my flight to France late last night , '' tweeted reporter Jennifer Berry Hawes of Charleston , S.C. 's The Post and Courier .
After being blindsided by news of the travel ban , Hawes and a colleague had only an hour to decide whether to fly to Europe as planned .
The White House guidance on exemptions for Americans came out nearly two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawes and her co-worker opted to stay put rather than risk being stranded in Europe .
The scene was even more frantic at European airports .
`` Bedlam at U.S.-bound airlines at [ Charles De Gaulle Airport ] in Paris early this a.m. , as Americans pay as much as $ 20,000 for last-minute flights , '' reporter Mike McIntire of The New York Times said via Twitter .
McIntire added that he did not pay that large sum — but he said he got an urgent call from a relative in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought an expensive ticket online as a result .
Trump also said the ban will proscribe `` trade and cargo '' from Europe , causing more confusion .
The White House later clarified that the immigration law invoked by the president 's ban `` only applies to the movement of human beings , not goods or cargo . ''
In his address to the nation , the president said : Vice President Pence , who is leading the Trump administration 's COVID-19 effort , defended Trump 's handling of the prime-time address , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was confusion '' created by the president 's remarks .
In an appearance on CNN Thursday morning , Pence also mentioned that Americans flying home from Europe `` will be funneled through 13 different airports '' where they will be screened and then asked to self-quarantine .
Pence did not name those airports .
The confusion played out as a broader debate continues over the ability of travel bans to contain deadly diseases and protect vulnerable populations from an outbreak .
The morning after Trump spoke , Lawrence Gostin , a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the president 's travel ban `` incoherent '' and said it would have no impact on the coronavirus outbreak in the United States .
Gostin added that the policy goes against recommendations from the WHO and other international agencies .
`` Travel from highly functioning health systems like Switzerland [ are ] banned , but not weak systems like Russia or Africa , '' Gostin said .
`` People are no safer in US than many places banned . ''
Trump 's new policy follows weeks of criticisms about his administration 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inability to get plentiful supplies of reliable testing kits into the hands of health professionals around the country .
In the absence of enough testing , experts say , the U.S. has been unable to monitor or contain the virus .
In his speech , Trump also sought to blame the EU 's member countries for failing to contain the virus , saying , `` A large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe . ''
Before Trump 's announcement , his administration had barred visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in China or Iran in the past 14 days .
Those policies , which took effect in February , do n't apply to U.S. citizens or people who live in the United States .
Roughly 105 countries currently have some type of travel restriction in place because of the coronavirus , according to the IATA international travel site , which tracks such policies .
Most of those limits are aimed at reducing ties to hot spots in China and Italy .
And while some countries block passengers from France , Germany and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 2,000 coronavirus patients — the U.S. seems to be the first to prohibit visitors from virtually all of Europe .
`` The president of the United States of America has announced an entry ban for most European countries , '' KLM Royal Dutch Airlines says on its webpage dedicated to the COVID-19 outbreak .
Reflecting the uncertainty over Trump 's policy , the airlines adds , `` The impact of this measure is still unclear but is being investigated as we speak . ''
For now , the airline is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be sure their contact information is up to date , so they can receive news of any changes .
To prevent the coronavirus from spreading , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer if a sink is n't available .
The World Health Organization says people should wear face masks only if they 're sick or caring for someone who is .
`` For most people , COVID-19 infection will cause mild illness ; however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill and , in some people , it can be fatal , '' the WHO says .
`` Older people , and those with pre-existing medical conditions ( such as cardiovascular disease , chronic respiratory disease or diabetes ) are at risk for severe disease . ''
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 , according to a recent WHO report that draws on more than 70,000 cases in China , are the following : fever ( in 88 % of cases ) , dry cough ( 68 % ) , fatigue ( 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) .
Shortness of breath occurred in nearly 20 % of cases ; about 13 % had a sore throat , and about the same percentage had a headache , the WHO said .

Coronavirus: Chaos Follows Trump's European Travel Ban; EU Says It Wasn't Warned
Enlarge this image toggle caption Niels Wenstedt/Barcroft Media via Getty Images Niels Wenstedt/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
"The EU disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation," the heads of the European Union said Thursday, expressing their displeasure with President Trump's plan to block visitors from 26 European countries from entering the United States.
"The Coronavirus is a global crisis and requires cooperation," the EU leaders said.
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke out Thursday, the morning after Trump abruptly announced his 30-day ban — rattling an already-shaken travel industry and creating new uncertainty among travelers in both the U.S. and Europe. The United Kingdom is exempt from the ban.
Complicating matters further, Trump left many people scrambling to learn the extent of the ban, which takes effect at midnight Friday. The White House later said the ban applies only to foreign nationals who have been in Europe's open-border Schengen Area.
Trump referred to "exemptions for Americans who have undergone appropriate screenings." Explaining that idea, the White House said U.S. citizens "will be directed to a limited number of airports where screening can take place."
The president's speech set off chaos at airports in Europe and created doubt for Americans who were bound to depart the U.S., many of whom worried that they might not be able to return home under either the travel ban or a new policy that might be enacted while they're abroad.
The U.S. move came hours after the World Health Organization classified the COVID-19 disease as a global pandemic.
Confusion about Trump's plan was reflected in tweets from two journalists who were on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean when he announced the ban.
"Sitting at Atlanta airport after abandoning my flight to France late last night," tweeted reporter Jennifer Berry Hawes of Charleston, S.C.'s The Post and Courier.
After being blindsided by news of the travel ban, Hawes and a colleague had only an hour to decide whether to fly to Europe as planned. The White House guidance on exemptions for Americans came out nearly two hours after Trump began his speech. Hawes and her co-worker opted to stay put rather than risk being stranded in Europe.
The scene was even more frantic at European airports.
"Bedlam at U.S.-bound airlines at [Charles De Gaulle Airport] in Paris early this a.m., as Americans pay as much as $20,000 for last-minute flights," reporter Mike McIntire of The New York Times said via Twitter.
McIntire added that he did not pay that large sum — but he said he got an urgent call from a relative in the U.S. after Trump announced the ban and bought an expensive ticket online as a result.
Trump also said the ban will proscribe "trade and cargo" from Europe, causing more confusion. The White House later clarified that the immigration law invoked by the president's ban "only applies to the movement of human beings, not goods or cargo."
In his address to the nation, the president said:
"To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days. The new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight. These restrictions will be adjusted subject to conditions on the ground. "There will be exemptions for Americans who have undergone appropriate screenings, and these prohibitions will not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo but various other things as we get approval. Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing."
Vice President Pence, who is leading the Trump administration's COVID-19 effort, defended Trump's handling of the prime-time address, saying, "I don't think there was confusion" created by the president's remarks.
In an appearance on CNN Thursday morning, Pence also mentioned that Americans flying home from Europe "will be funneled through 13 different airports" where they will be screened and then asked to self-quarantine. Pence did not name those airports.
The confusion played out as a broader debate continues over the ability of travel bans to contain deadly diseases and protect vulnerable populations from an outbreak.
The morning after Trump spoke, Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, called the president's travel ban "incoherent" and said it would have no impact on the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Gostin added that the policy goes against recommendations from the WHO and other international agencies.
"Travel from highly functioning health systems like Switzerland [are] banned, but not weak systems like Russia or Africa," Gostin said. "People are no safer in US than many places banned."
Trump's new policy follows weeks of criticisms about his administration's approach to the coronavirus — particularly its inability to get plentiful supplies of reliable testing kits into the hands of health professionals around the country. In the absence of enough testing, experts say, the U.S. has been unable to monitor or contain the virus.
In his speech, Trump also sought to blame the EU's member countries for failing to contain the virus, saying, "A large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe."
Before Trump's announcement, his administration had barred visitors from entering the U.S. if they had been in China or Iran in the past 14 days. Those policies, which took effect in February, don't apply to U.S. citizens or people who live in the United States.
Roughly 105 countries currently have some type of travel restriction in place because of the coronavirus, according to the IATA international travel site, which tracks such policies. Most of those limits are aimed at reducing ties to hot spots in China and Italy. And while some countries block passengers from France, Germany and Spain — all of which now have more than 2,000 coronavirus patients — the U.S. seems to be the first to prohibit visitors from virtually all of Europe.
"The president of the United States of America has announced an entry ban for most European countries," KLM Royal Dutch Airlines says on its webpage dedicated to the COVID-19 outbreak. Reflecting the uncertainty over Trump's policy, the airlines adds, "The impact of this measure is still unclear but is being investigated as we speak."
For now, the airline is one of many that are telling would-be passengers to be sure their contact information is up to date, so they can receive news of any changes.
Coronavirus symptoms and prevention
To prevent the coronavirus from spreading, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer if a sink isn't available. The World Health Organization says people should wear face masks only if they're sick or caring for someone who is.
"For most people, COVID-19 infection will cause mild illness; however, it can make some people very ill and, in some people, it can be fatal," the WHO says. "Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease or diabetes) are at risk for severe disease."
The most common symptoms of COVID-19, according to a recent WHO report that draws on more than 70,000 cases in China, are the following: fever (in 88% of cases), dry cough (68%), fatigue (38%) and sputum/phlegm production (33%). Shortness of breath occurred in nearly 20% of cases; about 13% had a sore throat, and about the same percentage had a headache, the WHO said.


npr--2020-03-13--Wife Of Canada's Trudeau Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau , the wife of Canada 's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , has tested positive for novel coronavirus , becoming the latest in a string of high-profile individuals to become infected with the potentially deadly pathogen .
In a statement on Thursday , the office of the prime minister said that Grégoire Trudeau began experiencing a low-grade fever and other mild flu-like symptoms the previous day and was subsequently tested .
`` The test came back positive , '' it said .
`` She is feeling well , is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the prime minister himself `` is in good health with no symptoms . ''
Grégoire Trudeau will self-isolate for 14 days , along with the prime minister `` [ as ] a precautionary measure '' along with the couple 's three children , according to the statement .
It said that the isolation would not interfere with the prime minister 's duties as head of government and that `` on the advice of doctors , he will not be tested at this stage since he has no symptoms . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trudeau thanked well wishers , saying that although she is `` experiencing uncomfortable symptoms , '' that she would be `` back on my feet soon . ''
`` Being in quarantine at home is nothing compared to other Canadian families who might be going through this and for those facing more serious health concerns , '' she said .
In a gesture of support for Grégoire Trudeau , the leader of Canada 's opposition conservatives , Andrew Scheer , tweeted that he and his wife `` wish her a speedy recovery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her family at this difficult time , '' Scheer wrote .
On Thursday , the prime minister spoke by telephone with President Trump and the two leaders discussed efforts to respond to the pandemic , with nearly 135,000 known cases globally and nearly 5,000 deaths from the virus .
In a readout of the call , the prime minister 's office said : `` The two leaders discussed the steps they are taking to protect the health and safety of their citizens and to promote economic resilience in response to the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the President welcomed the close coordination between Canada and the United States in managing this challenge , including as it relates to the Canada-U.S. border , and looked forward to staying in touch , '' according to the readout .
Trudeau on Thursday also spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy , which has seen a surge in cases in recent days that have severely strained the country 's health care system .
In the World Health Organization 's latest situation report on the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 800 deaths across the country from the COVID-19 disease .
Grégoire Trudeau joins a growing list of prominent government officials and celebrities who have become infected by the virus , which attacks the lungs and has proven highly contagious even though it causes mild or no symptoms in most people .
However , older individuals and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable .
The Brazilian government said Thursday that Fábio Wajngarten , the communications director for President Jair Bolsonaro , had tested positive for the virus .
Wajngarten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S. last weekend and met Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at the president 's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida , to concerned that the president and vice president may have become infected .
A statement from White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said that the president and vice president `` had almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time . ''
In Australia , Home Minister Peter Dutton said in a statement that he `` woke up with a temperature and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested , and came back with a positive result .
He said he had been admitted to the hospital in accordance with directives from health officials .
`` I feel fine and will provide an update in due course , '' Dutton said .
The government in Canberra advised anyone who had come in contact with Dutton in the 24 hours previous to self-isolate .
A day earlier , actors Tom Hanks and his wife , Rita Wilson , announced that they had tested positive for the virus while in Australia , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a new Elvis Presley biopic .
NBA basketball players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have also tested positive for the virus , contributing to the league 's stunning decision this week to suspend the season , a move mirrored by college basketball 's NCAA .
Also , earlier this week , the United Kingdom 's health minister , Nadine Dorries , reported that she too had tested positive for the novel coronavirus .

Wife Of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chris Jackson/Getty Images Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, the wife of Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, becoming the latest in a string of high-profile individuals to become infected with the potentially deadly pathogen.
In a statement on Thursday, the office of the prime minister said Grégoire Trudeau had begun experiencing a low-grade fever and other mild flu-like symptoms the previous day and was subsequently tested.
"The test came back positive," it said.
"She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild," the statement said, adding that the prime minister himself "is in good health with no symptoms."
Grégoire Trudeau will self-isolate for 14 days, along with the prime minister and the couple's three children, "[as] a precautionary measure," according to the statement.
It said that the isolation would not interfere with the prime minister's duties as head of government and that "on the advice of doctors, he will not be tested at this stage since he has no symptoms."
In her own statement, Grégoire Trudeau, 44, thanked well-wishers, saying that although she is "experiencing uncomfortable symptoms," she would be "back on my feet soon."
"Being in quarantine at home is nothing compared to other Canadian families who might be going through this and for those facing more serious health concerns," she said.
In a gesture of support for Grégoire Trudeau, the leader of Canada's opposition conservatives, Andrew Scheer, tweeted that he and his wife "wish her a speedy recovery."
"We're thinking of her and her family at this difficult time," Scheer wrote.
Very sorry to hear that Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Jill and I wish her a speedy recovery. We’re thinking of her and her family at this difficult time. — Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) March 13, 2020
On Thursday, the prime minister spoke by telephone with President Trump and the two leaders discussed efforts to respond to the pandemic, with nearly 135,000 known cases globally and nearly 5,000 deaths from the virus.
In a readout of the call, the prime minister's office said: "The two leaders discussed the steps they are taking to protect the health and safety of their citizens and to promote economic resilience in response to the COVID-19 virus."
"The Prime Minister and the President welcomed the close coordination between Canada and the United States in managing this challenge, including as it relates to the Canada-U.S. border, and looked forward to staying in touch," according to the readout.
Trudeau on Thursday also spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of Italy, which has seen a surge in cases in recent days that have severely strained the country's health care system. In the World Health Organization's latest situation report on the pandemic, Italy was reporting nearly 12,500 cases with more than 800 deaths across the country from COVID-19.
Grégoire Trudeau joins a growing list of prominent government officials and celebrities who have become infected by the virus, which attacks the lungs and has proved highly contagious even though it causes mild or no symptoms in most people. However, older individuals and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable.
The Brazilian government said Thursday that Fábio Wajngarten, the communications director for President Jair Bolsonaro, had tested positive for the virus.
Wajngarten was part of a delegation that traveled to the U.S. last weekend and met Trump and Vice President Pence at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He was photographed to the right of Trump, along with Pence and Brazilian TV presenter Álvaro Garnero.
A statement from White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said that the president and vice president "had almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time."
In Australia, Home Minister Peter Dutton said in a statement that he "woke up with a temperature and sore throat" Friday morning, was tested, and came back with a positive result. He said he had been admitted to the hospital in accordance with directives from health officials.
"I feel fine and will provide an update in due course," Dutton said. The government in Canberra advised anyone who had come in contact with Dutton in the 24 hours previous to self-isolate.
A day earlier, actors Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, announced that they had tested positive for the virus while in Australia, where Hanks was preparing for shooting to begin on a new Elvis Presley biopic.
NBA basketball players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have also tested positive for the virus, contributing to the league's stunning decision this week to suspend the season, a move mirrored by college basketball's NCAA.
Thanks for so many good wishes. It’s been pretty rubbish but I hope I’m over the worst of it now. More worried about my 84yo mum who is staying with me and began with the cough today. She is being tested tomorrow. Keep safe and keep washing those hands, everyone. — Nadine Dorries 🇬🇧 (@NadineDorries) March 10, 2020
And earlier this week, a health minister in the United Kingdom, Nadine Dorries, reported that she, too, had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.


npr--2020-03-13--Head Of U.S. Soccer Resigns Amid Pay Dispute With Women's National Team

Head Of U.S. Soccer Resigns Amid Pay Dispute With Women 's National Team Carlos Cordeiro , the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation , announced late Thursday that he was stepping down as head of the governing body after a controversial court filing in a lawsuit over equal pay for the women 's national team that appeared to disparage the athletic abilities of female players .
The resignation of Cordeiro , who had served as USSF president since 2018 , is effective immediately .
He is replaced by U.S. Soccer 's vice president , Cindy Parlow Cone , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman to head the governing body .
`` It has been an incredible privilege to serve as the President of U.S. Soccer , '' Cordeiro said in a tweet .
`` My one and only mission has always been to do what is best for our Federation and it has become clear to me that what is best right now is a new direction . ''
The announcement comes after intense criticism of Cordeiro and the federation over a filing on Monday in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. women 's national team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that women `` do not perform equal work requiring equal skill [ and ] effort '' while the ability of players on the senior men 's national team , it said , was `` materially influenced by the level of certain physical attributes such as speed and strength . ''
The document , which Cordeiro said he had not read before it was filed , sparked an immediate backlash .
On Wednesday , he apologized for `` the offense and pain caused by language '' in the filing .
`` Our [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredibly talented and work tirelessly , as they have demonstrated time and again from their Olympic Gold medals to their World Cup titles . ''
Following a 3-1 win against Japan at the SheBelieves Cup , U.S. women protested by wearing their training gear inside out to hide the USSF crest , ESPN reported .
In a post-game interview , U.S. player Megan Rapinoe said the court filing reflected `` some of the undercurrent feelings that they 've had for a long time . ''
`` But to see that as the argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the argument against us , is really disappointing , '' she said .
Cone , the new president , also publicly expressed anger and frustration over the language the governing body had used , writing in a tweet that she was `` hurt and saddened by the brief USSF filed . ''
`` I disavow the troubling statements and will continue to work to forge a better path forward , '' she said .
The U.S. women 's national team is the most successful in international women 's soccer competition , having won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four Olympic gold medals and eight Confederation of North , Central American and Caribbean Association Football Gold Cups .

Head Of U.S. Soccer Resigns Amid Pay Dispute With Women's National Team
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Carlos Cordeiro, the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, announced late Thursday that he was stepping down as head of the governing body after a controversial court filing in a lawsuit over equal pay for the women's national team that appeared to disparage the athletic abilities of female players.
The resignation of Cordeiro, who had served as USSF president since 2018, is effective immediately. He is replaced by U.S. Soccer's vice president, Cindy Parlow Cone, a former pro player who will be the first woman to head the governing body.
"It has been an incredible privilege to serve as the President of U.S. Soccer," Cordeiro said in a tweet. "My one and only mission has always been to do what is best for our Federation and it has become clear to me that what is best right now is a new direction."
It has been an incredible privilege to serve as the President of U.S. Soccer.
My one and only mission has always been to do what is best for our Federation.
After discussions with the Board of Directors, I have decided to step down, effective immediately. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/4B7siuIqcL — Carlos Cordeiro (@CACSoccer) March 13, 2020
The announcement comes after intense criticism of Cordeiro and the federation over a filing on Monday in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. women's national team.
In the document, the USSF claimed that women "do not perform equal work requiring equal skill [and] effort" while the ability of players on the senior men's national team, it said, was "materially influenced by the level of certain physical attributes such as speed and strength."
The document, which Cordeiro said he had not read before it was filed, sparked an immediate backlash. On Wednesday, he apologized for "the offense and pain caused by language" in the filing. "Our [women's national team] players are incredibly talented and work tirelessly, as they have demonstrated time and again from their Olympic Gold medals to their World Cup titles."
It is the great honor of my life to play this sport and represent this country. Every woman deserves equal pay and every institution anywhere that doesn’t value women as much as men must change now. pic.twitter.com/XGR9rYFNKD — Christen Press (@ChristenPress) March 12, 2020
Following a 3-1 win against Japan at the SheBelieves Cup, U.S. women protested by wearing their training gear inside out to hide the USSF crest, ESPN reported.
In a postgame interview, U.S. player Megan Rapinoe said the court filing reflected "some of the undercurrent feelings that they've had for a long time."
"But to see that as the argument, as blatant misogyny and sexism as the argument against us, is really disappointing," she said.
Cone, the new president, also publicly expressed anger and frustration over the language the governing body had used, writing in a tweet that she was "hurt and saddened by the brief USSF filed."
"I disavow the troubling statements and will continue to work to forge a better path forward," she said.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
The U.S. women's national team is the most successful in international women's soccer, having won four Women's World Cup titles, four Olympic gold medals and eight Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Gold Cups.


npr--2020-03-13--Musicians Were Depending On Those Jazz Nights And Senior Living Gigs

Musicians Were Depending On Those Jazz Nights And Senior Living Gigs At first , the cancellations came in a trickle .
A performance of the Mozart Requiem in Washington , D.C. , Bach 's St. Matthew Passion in Seattle .
Local jazz nights in New York City .
Then , almost at once , it seemed like the entire March calendars of musicians across the country were wiped clean .
Within hours Wednesday , thousands of dollars in expected income vanished .
`` My schedule for the next few months has been completely decimated , '' said Seth Kibel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who plays at swing dances and retirement homes — which he says were the first gigs to go .
As panic over the coronavirus sweeps the globe , much of the focus is on the broader economic effects on businesses or venues that have to cancel events .
But the coronavirus ' toll on working musicians is immediate and sometimes debilitating .
When people speak of the gig economy , they 're often thinking of Uber drivers or Instacart shoppers .
But for freelance musicians , their patchwork of gigs pays the bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concert halls and a self-quarantining public , that patchwork is falling apart .
Tenor Zach Finkelstein , who lives in Washington state , says he 's already seen three cancellations and expects more .
By May , he says , he estimates he 'll have lost about $ 10,000 in fees .
`` A traveling soloist is going to be riding the poverty line , and this is peak time for classical singer travel , '' he said .
`` Even missing one contract for $ 1,500- $ 2,000 has the potential to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three is probably going to bankrupt most singers .
The only people that will survive that financially are those with a day job , or a spouse with a day job , or a rich family . ''
The median income for musicians in the U.S. was around $ 20,000 in 2016 , according to Alan Krueger 's Rockonomics , which examined the economics of the music industry .
Live performances , Krueger wrote , are the most common source of a musician 's income .
Many venues have been canceling performances out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been forced to do so , because their city or state has banned gatherings of more than a few hundred people .
The new ban on travel from Europe has also had an impact .
`` My concert next week was cancelled because the conductor wo n't make it in to Minneapolis due to the travel ban , '' said singer Clara Presser .
It 's not just performers themselves who are feeling the pain .
Los Angeles-based recording engineer Christian Amonson said he leads a team whose livelihoods depend on large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first cancellation came in , Amonson said , he thought , `` There goes $ 3,000 . ''
Then a second email , `` That 's $ 7,000 . ''
Then another $ 1,500 .
`` And these are only some for the next week and a half , '' Amonson said .
`` What about later in the month ?
What about April ?
We rely on these projects to pay salaries , keep the lights on , and make debt payments . ''
`` We 're all hurting , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in St. Paul , Minn. `` This is systemic , from backline techs to merch people to drivers to stagehands and everything in between . ''
Several artist organizations are offering emergency grants to artists who have lost work .
A new website , `` COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources , '' points artists in the right direction .
But it 's unclear how far these emergency grants will go .
And some organizations , like Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ in Bethesda , Md.
, will continue to pay its hired singers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis said he made the proposal , which Westmoreland approved quickly .
`` Westmoreland is very social justice minded , so they appreciated the problem immediately , '' Davis said .
But that 's an anomaly ; most canceled gigs mean canceled incomes .
In a statement Thursday , the American Guild of Musical Artists asked federal , state and city governments to `` pass immediate , substantial economic relief '' for the arts organizations .
`` Congress and state and local governments must not turn their backs on the artists , singers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members , stagehands , and all those involved in putting on a production , '' AGMA leadership wrote .
`` Local governments know how the arts benefit and uplift their economies , their communities , and the civic life of their cities and states .
They can not drag their feet at this precarious time . ''

Musicians Were Depending On Those Jazz Nights And Senior Living Gigs
Enlarge this image toggle caption Kathy Willens/AP Kathy Willens/AP
At first, the cancellations came in a trickle.
A performance of the Mozart Requiem in Washington, D.C., Bach's St. Matthew Passion in Seattle. Local jazz nights in New York City.
Then, almost at once, it seemed like the entire March calendars of musicians across the country were wiped clean. Within hours Wednesday, thousands of dollars in expected income vanished.
"My schedule for the next few months has been completely decimated," said Seth Kibel, a woodwind player in the D.C. area who plays at swing dances and retirement homes — which he says were the first gigs to go.
The Coronavirus Crisis Performing Arts And Cultural Organizations Close Their Doors Due To Coronavirus Performing Arts And Cultural Organizations Close Their Doors Due To Coronavirus Listen · 2:20 2:20
As panic over the coronavirus sweeps the globe, much of the focus is on the broader economic effects on businesses or venues that have to cancel events. But the coronavirus' toll on working musicians is immediate and sometimes debilitating.
When people speak of the gig economy, they're often thinking of Uber drivers or Instacart shoppers. But for freelance musicians, their patchwork of gigs pays the bills. And in the face of shuttered concert halls and a self-quarantining public, that patchwork is falling apart.
Tenor Zach Finkelstein, who lives in Washington state, says he's already seen three cancellations and expects more. By May, he says, he estimates he'll have lost about $10,000 in fees.
"A traveling soloist is going to be riding the poverty line, and this is peak time for classical singer travel," he said. "Even missing one contract for $1,500-$2,000 has the potential to torpedo a career. Missing two or three is probably going to bankrupt most singers. The only people that will survive that financially are those with a day job, or a spouse with a day job, or a rich family."
The median income for musicians in the U.S. was around $20,000 in 2016, according to Alan Krueger's Rockonomics, which examined the economics of the music industry. Live performances, Krueger wrote, are the most common source of a musician's income.
Many venues have been canceling performances out of an abundance of caution. Some have been forced to do so, because their city or state has banned gatherings of more than a few hundred people. The new ban on travel from Europe has also had an impact.
"My concert next week was cancelled because the conductor won't make it in to Minneapolis due to the travel ban," said singer Clara Presser.
It's not just performers themselves who are feeling the pain. Los Angeles-based recording engineer Christian Amonson said he leads a team whose livelihoods depend on large gatherings like concerts and recitals. When the first cancellation came in, Amonson said, he thought, "There goes $3,000." Then a second email, "That's $7,000." Then another $1,500.
"And these are only some for the next week and a half," Amonson said. "What about later in the month? What about April? We rely on these projects to pay salaries, keep the lights on, and make debt payments."
"We're all hurting," said Claudio Rivera, a drum technician in St. Paul, Minn. "This is systemic, from backline techs to merch people to drivers to stagehands and everything in between."
Several artist organizations are offering emergency grants to artists who have lost work. A new website, "COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources," points artists in the right direction. But it's unclear how far these emergency grants will go.
And some organizations, like Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ in Bethesda, Md., will continue to pay its hired singers despite canceled calls. Music Director Alec Davis said he made the proposal, which Westmoreland approved quickly. "Westmoreland is very social justice minded, so they appreciated the problem immediately," Davis said.
But that's an anomaly; most canceled gigs mean canceled incomes. In a statement Thursday, the American Guild of Musical Artists asked federal, state and city governments to "pass immediate, substantial economic relief" for the arts organizations.
"Congress and state and local governments must not turn their backs on the artists, singers, dancers, stage managers, orchestra members, stagehands, and all those involved in putting on a production," AGMA leadership wrote. "Local governments know how the arts benefit and uplift their economies, their communities, and the civic life of their cities and states. They cannot drag their feet at this precarious time."


npr--2020-03-13--Rural Towns Insulated From Coronavirus Now May Take A Harder Hit Later

Rural Towns Insulated From Coronavirus Now May Take A Harder Hit Later Remote rural towns are a good place to be early in a pandemic , as they tend to be more spread out , which potentially means fewer chances to catch a bug .
Remote rural areas are also , by definition , way removed from major seaports , airports and often even big highways .
So it generally takes longer for new viruses to show up in tiny towns , like Fredonia , Kan. '' I always say it 's a hundred miles from anywhere , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Department .
`` It 's a hundred miles from Wichita , a hundred miles to Joplin , a hundred miles to Tulsa . ''
Health Department Director Destany Wheeler says all the miles of farm fields between Fredonia and the next big town are a plus , for now .
`` It gives us a little bit more time to prepare and to , to educate people on , especially social distancing , '' she says .
Epidemiologists recommend social distancing or staying a few feet away from anyone who might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spacious little towns with no mass transit , long lines or dense crowds .
`` I think it 's accurate that where you have more individuals , you increase the likelihood of transmission of infections , '' says Allison Aiello , a professor of social epidemiology at the University of North Carolina .
That said , rural communities are not permanently shielded from the spread of the coronavirus .
`` I think it 's just a matter of time , '' says Andy Pekosz , a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health .
Most remote rural towns do n't get many outside visitors , but the people who live in them drive to larger cities all the time .
They go for everything from medical treatment , to work , to a night on the town .
And Pekosz says that unless containment efforts succeed beyond his expectations , those people are going to be increasingly likely to be exposed to the coronavirus on those trips .
`` As case numbers increase , then , there 's more of a likelihood of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorts of other parts of the country , '' Pekosz says .
`` And so therefore the rest is really going to increase exponentially . ''
It 's a scenario that has played out before .
Alex Navarro , a medical historian at the University of Michigan , says Spanish flu swept the entire U.S. in 1918 , except for a few notable exceptions , including Gunnison , Colo. '' You have the story of a town that literally barricaded the roads and forced everyone who did come into town into quarantine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of Gunnison County sealed itself off from the outside world for four months .
And it worked .
At the height of the Spanish flu pandemic , Gunnison recorded just two cases , both in isolation .
Navarro says people keep asking him if a remote little town could pull off the same trick today .
`` It 's a very highly qualified maybe .
I mean , I think there 's probably no doubt that it can work if it 's done properly , '' Navarro says .
`` You have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to do it as strictly as possible , and it has to be , it has to last long enough for community transmission outside of that area to , to end . ''
It turned out that even the four-month shutdown in Gunnison was n't long enough .
More than 100 people got sick and several died when the city finally lifted its barricades .
In Fredonia , Kan. , Wheeler has masks and other supplies stockpiled .
She has plans at the ready , and she fears that when the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak may be devastating .
Like most rural communities , the population of Wilson County skews older than the national average .
Wheeler says folks here are also more inclined to smoking and more likely to have chronic health issues , putting a higher percentage of the community at risk for life-threatening cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus .
Fredonia is fortunate enough to have a hospital in town , but it 's small , with only 25 beds , though it has one ventilator .
Edson says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local health system .
`` If enough people need more hospitalization , well they 'll have to go elsewhere and asked us a fact .
It 'll be challenging to everybody , '' Edson says .
Because that treatment could be hours away , in a busy , crowded city .

Rural Towns Insulated From Coronavirus Now May Take A Harder Hit Later
Enlarge this image toggle caption Dean Conger/Corbis via Getty Images Dean Conger/Corbis via Getty Images
Remote rural towns are a good place to be early in a pandemic, as they tend to be more spread out, which potentially means fewer chances to catch a bug. Remote rural areas are also, by definition, way removed from major seaports, airports and often even big highways. So it generally takes longer for new viruses to show up in tiny towns, like Fredonia, Kan.
"I always say it's a hundred miles from anywhere," says Cassie Edson, with the Wilson County Health Department. "It's a hundred miles from Wichita, a hundred miles to Joplin, a hundred miles to Tulsa."
Health Department Director Destany Wheeler says all the miles of farm fields between Fredonia and the next big town are a plus, for now.
"It gives us a little bit more time to prepare and to, to educate people on, especially social distancing," she says.
Epidemiologists recommend social distancing or staying a few feet away from anyone who might have the coronavirus. That's easier in spacious little towns with no mass transit, long lines or dense crowds.
"I think it's accurate that where you have more individuals, you increase the likelihood of transmission of infections," says Allison Aiello, a professor of social epidemiology at the University of North Carolina.
That said, rural communities are not permanently shielded from the spread of the coronavirus.
"I think it's just a matter of time," says Andy Pekosz, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Global Health WHO Officially Certifies COVID-19 A Pandemic WHO Officially Certifies COVID-19 A Pandemic Listen · 5:03 5:03
Most remote rural towns don't get many outside visitors, but the people who live in them drive to larger cities all the time. They go for everything from medical treatment, to work, to a night on the town. And Pekosz says that unless containment efforts succeed beyond his expectations, those people are going to be increasingly likely to be exposed to the coronavirus on those trips.
"As case numbers increase, then, there's more of a likelihood of people moving from those urban areas to all sorts of other parts of the country," Pekosz says. "And so therefore the rest is really going to increase exponentially."
It's a scenario that has played out before. Alex Navarro, a medical historian at the University of Michigan, says Spanish flu swept the entire U.S. in 1918, except for a few notable exceptions, including Gunnison, Colo.
"You have the story of a town that literally barricaded the roads and forced everyone who did come into town into quarantine," Navarro says.
In fact, all of Gunnison County sealed itself off from the outside world for four months. And it worked. At the height of the Spanish flu pandemic, Gunnison recorded just two cases, both in isolation.
Health To Slow The Spread Of Coronavirus, Experts Turn To Mitigation To Slow The Spread Of Coronavirus, Experts Turn To Mitigation Listen · 4:26 4:26
Navarro says people keep asking him if a remote little town could pull off the same trick today.
"It's a very highly qualified maybe. I mean, I think there's probably no doubt that it can work if it's done properly," Navarro says. "You have to do it really early. You have to do it as strictly as possible, and it has to be, it has to last long enough for community transmission outside of that area to, to end."
It turned out that even the four-month shutdown in Gunnison wasn't long enough. More than 100 people got sick and several died when the city finally lifted its barricades.
In Fredonia, Kan., Wheeler has masks and other supplies stockpiled. She has plans at the ready, and she fears that when the coronavirus does come to town, the local outbreak may be devastating.
Like most rural communities, the population of Wilson County skews older than the national average. Wheeler says folks here are also more inclined to smoking and more likely to have chronic health issues, putting a higher percentage of the community at risk for life-threatening cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Fredonia is fortunate enough to have a hospital in town, but it's small, with only 25 beds, though it has one ventilator.
Edson says a serious outbreak could quickly overwhelm the local health system.
"If enough people need more hospitalization, well they'll have to go elsewhere and [that's] a fact. It'll be challenging to everybody," Edson says.
Because that treatment could be hours away, in a busy, crowded city.


npr--2020-03-13--The Coronavirus Outbreak And The Challenges Of Online-Only Classes

The Coronavirus Outbreak And The Challenges Of Online-Only Classes Every day for the past week , colleges and universities around the country have made the announcement : in-person classes are cancelled due to fears over the spreading coronavirus .
Ohio State .
Harvard .
University of Virginia .
University of Michigan .
Duke .
These are just some of the more than 100 universities across the country that are moving classes online .
Lecture halls will be empty .
Labs closed .
Concerts cancelled .
Sports practices called off .
Some universities are asking students to go home early for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , not to return to campus at all .
A massive shift like this is unprecedented in higher education .
It 's led to an onslaught of questions for online learning specialists such as Karen Costa .
`` I think like many folks there has been a lot of shock and stress on a personal and professional level , '' Costa says .
`` My first instinct after that initial shock was how can we get our students and faculty the support that they need to navigate this crisis ? ''
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving webinars online , and uploading youtube tutorials , all in hopes of easing this transition — which she admits is less than ideal .
`` To ask someone to go from a land based course to an online course without any previous online teaching experience is a huge ask and it 's not something that can be done overnight , '' Costa says .
`` And we 're trying to do it overnight . ''
She has spoken with professors who do n't have staff or online systems in place to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the digital divide : if students are n't allowed back on campus some may not have access to reliable internet .
As a result , students might drop out .
And online learning is n't for everyone .
`` I 'm worried about classes being cancelled physically , because me and virtual online learning does not get along , '' says Ohio State senior Cartier Pitts .
`` I do n't like learning online so it 's going to be a rough two weeks . ''
And much longer than two weeks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could keep her from graduating on time .
The move has raised other critical questions about campus life : Just how safe is it to have students on campus at all ?
`` It 's worth first thinking about people of college age they are not at great risk of getting severely ill with the virus that causes COVID-19 , '' says Andrew Pavia , chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the university of Utah .
`` But they can act as tremendous amplifiers of the epidemic .
And the behaviors that young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of time close together , intimate contact , sharing food and drink , make the the spread of viruses in that setting a pretty high liklihood . ''
Pavia says spaces such as dormitories and cafeterias are indeed high-risk environments , but because of the population living there , they 're not as risky as , say , a cruise ship .
`` Big difference with cruise ships is they tend to have a lot of very vulnerable people , '' he says .
`` The population on cruise ships tends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have that problem in college dorms .
But it is a concrete living setting where it 's a lot harder to do good infection control . ''
But he says evicting students from their dorms altogether carries its own set of risks : some of the students may not have anywhere else to go .

The Coronavirus Outbreak And The Challenges Of Online-Only Classes
Enlarge this image toggle caption Angie Wang/AP Angie Wang/AP
Every day for the past week, colleges and universities around the country have made the announcement: in-person classes are cancelled due to fears over the spreading coronavirus.
Ohio State. Harvard. University of Virginia. University of Michigan. Duke. These are just some of the more than 100 universities across the country that are moving classes online.
Lecture halls will be empty. Labs closed. Concerts cancelled. Sports practices called off. Some universities are asking students to go home early for spring break, and if on break now, not to return to campus at all.
A massive shift like this is unprecedented in higher education. It's led to an onslaught of questions for online learning specialists such as Karen Costa.
"I think like many folks there has been a lot of shock and stress on a personal and professional level," Costa says. "My first instinct after that initial shock was how can we get our students and faculty the support that they need to navigate this crisis?"
She has been fielding questions on twitter, giving webinars online, and uploading youtube tutorials, all in hopes of easing this transition — which she admits is less than ideal.
"To ask someone to go from a land based course to an online course without any previous online teaching experience is a huge ask and it's not something that can be done overnight," Costa says. "And we're trying to do it overnight."
She has spoken with professors who don't have staff or online systems in place to support the shift.
And Costa worries about the digital divide: if students aren't allowed back on campus some may not have access to reliable internet. As a result, students might drop out.
And online learning isn't for everyone.
"I'm worried about classes being cancelled physically, because me and virtual online learning does not get along," says Ohio State senior Cartier Pitts. "I don't like learning online so it's going to be a rough two weeks."
And much longer than two weeks for some schools. Pitts worries these changes could keep her from graduating on time.
The move has raised other critical questions about campus life: Just how safe is it to have students on campus at all?
"It's worth first thinking about people of college age they are not at great risk of getting severely ill with the virus that causes COVID-19," says Andrew Pavia, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at the university of Utah. "But they can act as tremendous amplifiers of the epidemic. And the behaviors that young people have in college: spending a lot of time close together, intimate contact, sharing food and drink, make the the spread of viruses in that setting a pretty high liklihood."
Education Should Schools Close To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus? Should Schools Close To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus? Listen · 5:34 5:34
Pavia says spaces such as dormitories and cafeterias are indeed high-risk environments, but because of the population living there, they're not as risky as, say, a cruise ship.
"Big difference with cruise ships is they tend to have a lot of very vulnerable people," he says. "The population on cruise ships tends to be older and sicker. So you don't have that problem in college dorms. But it is a concrete living setting where it's a lot harder to do good infection control."
But he says evicting students from their dorms altogether carries its own set of risks: some of the students may not have anywhere else to go.


npr--2020-03-13--In Reversal, Trump Administration Now Urges Agencies To Allow Telework

In Reversal , Trump Administration Now Urges Agencies To Allow Telework One way employers are hoping to prevent the spread of coronavirus and its toll on their workforce is through telecommuting .
Companies from Apple to the Washington Post are giving their employees the option to work from home .
The nation 's largest employer is giving a more mixed message .
There are about 2 million federal employees , not counting postal workers and active duty military .
The government 's human resources office , the Office of Personnel Management , says agencies must now incorporate telework as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans .
That 's a major change of course for the Trump administration , says Rep. Jennifer Wexton , D-Va. `` We had been seeing an increase in federal telework up until about 2016 , '' Wexton tells NPR , `` but the current administration has implemented across the board cuts that have reduced the amount of employees who are eligible to telework . ''
At the start of the Trump administration , 22 percent of the federal workforce took advantage of telework at least part time , said Wexton .
Agencies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range from the Departments of Education and Agriculture to the Social Security Administration .
Wexton , whose suburban Washington district is home to many federal workers , said that change of policy is `` a real , real problem in the face of emergencies like coronavirus . ''
`` This is n't the first time that we 've seen hypocrisy from the administration when it comes to telework .
OPM encourages agencies to lean more heavily on telework during severe weather or major disruptions in public transit , '' said Tony Reardon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union , one of the largest federal workers unions .
`` But when it comes to employee contracts , really what they do is they just slash and burn .
And that 's a problem . ''
In recent contract negotiations , Reardon said the Department of Health and Human Services tried to eliminate telework altogether .
In a statement to NPR , HHS says the response to coronavirus `` is a rapidly evolving situation , and HHS is working with state and local health officials to ensure that all proper workplace flexibilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' While the Trump administration is now encouraging telework , some federal employees have no choice but to remain in the office , Reardon says , including those at the IRS who are now processing tax returns .
`` It is an issue when you have , right in the middle of a tax filing season , this virus making its ' way right across the country , '' Reardon said , calling it `` a significant concern . ''
Reardon said agencies need to be diligent in ensuring that the work spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office are disinfected and thoroughly cleaned .
Even for those who can work from home , a sudden ramp up of teleworking may be difficult .
Issues range from a lack of available government laptops to having too many people logging on remotely as well as obstacles for for workers who have to deal with classified information on a regular basis .
Rep. Wexton is co-sponsoring a bill to encourage agencies to allow telework and prevents them from making across-the-board cuts to telework .
An identical bill has also been introduced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` hopeful that that we will be able to get federal telework back up to where we 'd like it to be and be more competitive with the private sector . ''
But `` it should n't take an outbreak for for us to concentrate on this issue . ''

In Reversal, Trump Administration Now Urges Agencies To Allow Telework
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Wilson/Getty Images Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Updated at 1:00 p.m. EDT
One way employers are hoping to prevent the spread of coronavirus and its toll on their workforce is through telecommuting. Companies from Apple to The Washington Post are giving their employees the option to work from home.
The nation's largest employer is sending a more mixed message.
There are about 2 million federal employees, not counting postal workers and active-duty military. The government's human resources office, the Office of Personnel Management, says agencies must now incorporate telework as part of their "continuity of operations" plans.
And the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought on Friday issued a directive that departments and agencies should "maximize telework flexibilities" for older employees and people with chronic health conditions – people deemed most at risk from coronavirus. Employees do not need a doctor's note. Agencies can also offer telework to all workers in areas where there is "community spread" of the virus, he said, or to accommodate school closures.
That's a major change of course for the Trump administration, says Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va.
"We had been seeing an increase in federal telework up until about 2016," Wexton tells NPR, "but the current administration has implemented across-the-board cuts that have reduced the amount of employees who are eligible to telework."
At the start of the Trump administration, 22 percent of the federal workforce took advantage of telework at least part time, said Wexton. Agencies that have cut back on telecommuting since then include the departments of Education and Agriculture and the Social Security Administration.
Wexton, whose suburban Washington district is home to many federal workers, said that change of policy is "a real, real problem in the face of emergencies like coronavirus."
"This isn't the first time that we've seen hypocrisy from the administration when it comes to telework. OPM encourages agencies to lean more heavily on telework during severe weather or major disruptions in public transit," said Tony Reardon, national president of the National Treasury Employees Union, one of the largest federal workers unions. "But when it comes to employee contracts, really what they do is they just slash and burn. And that's a problem."
In recent contract negotiations, Reardon said the Department of Health and Human Services tried to eliminate telework.
In a statement to NPR, HHS says the response to coronavirus "is a rapidly evolving situation, and HHS is working with state and local health officials to ensure that all proper workplace flexibilities are utilized to protect our employees."
While the Trump administration is now encouraging telework, some federal employees have no choice but to remain in the office, Reardon says, including those at the IRS who are now processing tax returns.
"It is an issue when you have, right in the middle of a tax filing season, this virus making its way right across the country," Reardon said, calling it "a significant concern."
Reardon said agencies need to be diligent in ensuring that the workspaces of those who must remain at the office are disinfected and thoroughly cleaned.
Even for those who can work from home, a sudden ramp-up of teleworking may be difficult. Issues include a lack of available government laptops and having too many people logging on remotely as well as obstacles for workers who have to deal with classified information on a regular basis.
Wexton is co-sponsoring a bill to encourage agencies to allow telework and prevents them from making across-the-board cuts to telework. An identical bill has been introduced in the Senate.
Wexton said she is "hopeful that that we will be able to get federal telework back up to where we'd like it to be and be more competitive with the private sector."
But, she said, "It shouldn't take an outbreak for for us to concentrate on this issue."


npr--2020-03-13--To Forecast Spring Flooding, NOAA Planes Fly Slow And Low

This time of year , pilots in small blue and white airplanes are busy gathering information about how much snow is on the ground — and more importantly , how much water that snow contains .
National Weather Service forecasters say parts of Minnesota could see flood conditions later this spring , according to preliminary outlooks .
The National Weather Service flood outlook map says there 's a significantly elevated chance of flooding in the Upper Mississippi River and Red River watersheds .
On a clear , very cold morning at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie , Lt. Conor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warm up their twin engine turboprop and run down the pre-flight checklist .
They are pilots with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 's Commissioned Officer Corps .
On this flight , Carroll pilots while Maginn operates the scientific instruments and scans the navigation charts .
At 3,500 feet a half hour north of the Twin Cities , Maginn lets air traffic controllers know they 'll drop down to 500 feet , an altitude so low that snowmobile tracks , the stilts beneath deer stands , and the letters on the Mora water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bright sunshine .
From a large tablet computer , Maginn activates the suitcase-sized gamma ray detector that 's mounted in the belly of the plane .
The low altitude is critical ; any higher and the instrument ca n't get a good reading .
They scan the horizon for hazards like birds and cellphone towers .
Once a second , the detector measures the amount of low-level natural radiation emanating from the soil and compares it to readings taken in the same spot last autumn , before the snow built up .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like we 're doing now , we can compare those two numbers and get an idea of how much water is in the snowpack , '' Maginn explained .
The computer reveals that the snow in the sample contains about 3.5 inches of water .
Because snow can be fluffy or compact or anything in between , forecasters calculate a figure called snow water equivalent .
This is critical to forecasting how much will drain into rivers and streams when the snow melts in the spring .
But a reading from a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mora ca n't provide nearly enough data , so the NOAA crew flies another three and a half hours , dipping down and climbing back up near Moose Lake , Cloquet , Eveleth , Grand Rapids , then back south to Lake Mille Lacs , 10 readings in all .
The morning 's circuit is in addition to flights the crew has taken around the upper Midwest .
Many of the survey areas were established when NOAA began the program more than 40 years ago , before GPS navigation .
The routes take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and other easy-to-spot landmarks , and away from large population centers .
Even though meteorologists have sensitive instruments and complex computer models , they still like to look out the window once in awhile .
So the crew also shoots photos to provide a visual check on the snowpack data .
Back at the hangar , Maginn hands a thumb drive to Carrie Olheiser from the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen .
She says her team will combine the new data with other information , including measurements from volunteer observers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much water is locked up in the snow and ice .
`` This actually takes an average .
So it takes into account those extremes , [ where ] you have the areas of the higher snow and the lower snow .
And it gives you an average of what the conditions are out there , '' Olheiser said .

To Forecast Spring Flooding, NOAA Planes Fly Slow And Low
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Frost /MPR News Evan Frost /MPR News
This time of year, pilots in small blue and white airplanes are busy gathering information about how much snow is on the ground — and more importantly, how much water that snow contains.
National Weather Service forecasters say parts of Minnesota could see flood conditions later this spring, according to preliminary outlooks. The National Weather Service flood outlook map says there's a significantly elevated chance of flooding in the Upper Mississippi River and Red River watersheds.
On a clear, very cold morning at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie, Lt. Conor Maginn and Lt. j.g. Mason Carroll warm up their twin engine turboprop and run down the pre-flight checklist. They are pilots with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Commissioned Officer Corps. On this flight, Carroll pilots while Maginn operates the scientific instruments and scans the navigation charts.
At 3,500 feet a half hour north of the Twin Cities, Maginn lets air traffic controllers know they'll drop down to 500 feet, an altitude so low that snowmobile tracks, the stilts beneath deer stands, and the letters on the Mora water tower are easy to spot in the bright sunshine.
From a large tablet computer, Maginn activates the suitcase-sized gamma ray detector that's mounted in the belly of the plane. The low altitude is critical; any higher and the instrument can't get a good reading. They scan the horizon for hazards like birds and cellphone towers.
Once a second, the detector measures the amount of low-level natural radiation emanating from the soil and compares it to readings taken in the same spot last autumn, before the snow built up.
"If we fly over the same lines like we're doing now, we can compare those two numbers and get an idea of how much water is in the snowpack," Maginn explained.
The computer reveals that the snow in the sample contains about 3.5 inches of water. Because snow can be fluffy or compact or anything in between, forecasters calculate a figure called snow water equivalent. This is critical to forecasting how much will drain into rivers and streams when the snow melts in the spring.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Evan Frost/MPR News Evan Frost/MPR News
But a reading from a single 9-mile by 1,000-foot strip of land near Mora can't provide nearly enough data, so the NOAA crew flies another three and a half hours, dipping down and climbing back up near Moose Lake, Cloquet, Eveleth, Grand Rapids, then back south to Lake Mille Lacs, 10 readings in all. The morning's circuit is in addition to flights the crew has taken around the upper Midwest.
Many of the survey areas were established when NOAA began the program more than 40 years ago, before GPS navigation. The routes take planes near railroad tracks, power lines, and other easy-to-spot landmarks, and away from large population centers.
Even though meteorologists have sensitive instruments and complex computer models, they still like to look out the window once in awhile. So the crew also shoots photos to provide a visual check on the snowpack data.
Back at the hangar, Maginn hands a thumb drive to Carrie Olheiser from the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen. She says her team will combine the new data with other information, including measurements from volunteer observers, to get a broad picture of how much water is locked up in the snow and ice.
"This actually takes an average. So it takes into account those extremes, [where] you have the areas of the higher snow and the lower snow. And it gives you an average of what the conditions are out there," Olheiser said.


npr--2020-03-12--What Governors Are Doing To Tackle Spreading Coronavirus

What Governors Are Doing To Tackle Spreading Coronavirus Governors around the U.S. are taking a variety of steps to try to contain the spread of coronavirus and protect the public .
More than 30 state leaders , as well as officials from Washington , D.C. , have declared states of emergency , clearing the path to respond to the dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic as experts warn the number of cases will increase in future weeks .
The following is a list of measures taken by some governors to contain the highly contagious disease in recent days : Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency on Wednesday and issued rules for nursing facilities that require screening of all staff , visitors , vendors and contractors .
Insurers regulated by the state must waive all costs associated with COVID-19 diagnostic tests regardless of whether the laboratory is in-network , as well as telemedicine visits .
Ducey 's order also prohibits price gouging by licensed health professionals or health care institutions .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Thursday expanded an executive order recommending a ban on large gatherings of more than 250 people across the state until at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can proceed only if organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person .
The executive order also includes protections for state workers , including workers ' compensation benefits if they contract COVID-19 during the course of their work .
It also delays the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days for individuals and businesses unable to file on time .
Gov .
John Carney declared a state of emergency effective at 8 a.m. on Friday .
It orders all event hosts to cancel all `` non-essential mass gatherings '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older adults — including nursing and assisted living facilities , hospice providers and rehabilitation facilities — are required to screen and restrict access to anyone showing symptoms of the coronavirus or who has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis in the previous 14 days .
It also says staff members of those facilities should not travel outside the U.S. State employees are restricted from any business travel outside of Delaware .
The declaration also forbids any entity doing business in the state to engage in price gouging .
Gov .
Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Miami-Dade county officials have suspended all evictions during the outbreak .
Gov .
Andy Beshear on Thursday made a `` significant recommendation '' that all public and private K-12 schools should close their doors effective Monday and remain closed for two weeks .
Beshear also urged residents to avoid crowds and large gatherings , including church services and other community gatherings .
All public schools across the state are shutting down for two weeks , starting on Monday , Gov .
Larry Hogan announced .
In addition , he signed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 250 people and closing all senior centers .
The order also closed the cruise ship terminal at the Port of Baltimore .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced restrictions on gatherings of more than 500 people , including new limits on crowd density , effectively shutting down Broadway shows and other live performances .
Cuomo also asked hospitals to prepare for a surge in patients , which could include canceling elective surgeries to free up bed space .
The governor announced a statewide ban on visitation to nursing homes aimed at protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , wearing protective gear .
Gov .
Mike DeWine announced that children will have an extended spring break of three weeks beginning Monday .
He said that state officials would review whether schools can reopen after that .
Gatherings of 100 people or more have also been banned .
Gov .
Kate Brown banned gatherings of more than 250 people for the next four weeks .
Gov .
Tom Wolf announced that all schools , gyms , community centers and entertainment venues would be shut down in Montgomery County outside Philadelphia for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cancel or postpone large gatherings and discouraged people from going to recreational activities in public places .
Gov .
Bill Lee declared a state of emergency and expanded coronavirus testing sites .
He also lifted licensing requirements for health care professionals to allow them to provide `` localized treatment of patients in temporary residences . ''
Pharmacists will be allowed to dispense an extra 30-day supply of maintenance prescriptions without the usual authorization if necessary to respond to and prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
He also prohibited price gouging on medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northam has halted all official travel outside of Virginia by state employees for at least 30 days .
The state is also phasing in teleworking for state employees , while Northam is directing agencies to limit in-person meetings and nonessential gatherings .
The state has also canceled state conferences and large events for a minimum of 30 days .
All public and private schools in King , Snohomish and Pierce counties will close for the next six weeks , Gov .
Jay Inslee announced on Thursday .
The move impacts 43 school districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hard hit by the virus .
This is a developing story .
We will continue to update as new information becomes available .

How Is Each State Responding To COVID-19?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Robert F. Bukaty/AP Robert F. Bukaty/AP
When the coronavirus first struck the U.S. in March, every state implemented restrictions aimed at limiting its spread. Businesses closed, schools and offices went remote and much of the country was under strict orders to stay home — at least temporarily.
By mid-May, all 50 states had begun the process of easing restrictions, seeking a balance between reopening economies and protecting public health. Some took statewide approaches, some used regional frameworks and some reopened faster than others.
Health experts warned that many states and localities were moving too quickly to open safely. Coronavirus cases soon began to skyrocket in much of the country, particularly in the South and West. By early August the pandemic had entered what health officials called a "new phase," with cases widespread in rural as well as metro areas. In the fall, Midwest states have seen some of the most severe case counts and deaths.
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have continued to surge nationwide, crossing worrying new milestones at an increasingly fast pace. When the U.S. surpassed 12 million confirmed cases in mid-November, it had recorded one million new cases every six days for three weeks. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists estimate that the total number of infections may be eight times higher than reported.) By the start of December, the country had broken its previous records for the number of people hospitalized with the virus as well as its single-day death toll.
With transmission rates rising and hospital capacity dwindling, many states are slowing or altering their reopening plans, reintroducing restrictions and tightening mitigation measures. In the absence of a federal mask mandate, most states have issued their own. Many are reimposing limits on gatherings, businesses and other activities, sometimes statewide and sometimes on a county-by-county basis. State leaders are also announcing ever-evolving testing criteria, relief programs, school guidance and travel restrictions.
Each day brings changes. NPR is tracking developments in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia so you can read up on your state's COVID-19 response and how it compares to others. This rundown focuses on statewide measures — local jurisdictions may vary.
Here's what each state has done so far, by region:
Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
The first version of this page was originally published on March 12. This is a developing story. We will continue to update as new information becomes available.


npr--2020-03-12--U.S. Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes In Iraq After Missile Attack

U.S. Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes In Iraq After Missile Attack The United States on Thursday evening launched a series of airstrikes in Iraq , against an Iranian-backed militia group suspected of firing an earlier rocket attack that killed and wounded American and British troops .
`` The United States conducted defensive precision strikes against Kata'ib Hizbollah facilities across Iraq , '' the Pentagon said in a statement .
Officials all but blamed the Shia group for a Wednesday strike at Camp Taji near Baghdad where coalition troops are housed .
Two U.S. and one U.K. service member were killed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounded .
`` You do n't get to shoot at our bases and kill and wound Americans and get away with it , '' Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said .
The Pentagon did not release any information on the number of casualties .
Each of the identified targets in Thursday 's retaliatory bombing is believed to `` include facilities that housed weapons used to target U.S. and coalition troops . ''
The strikes were `` defensive , proportional and in direct response to the threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of shellings raise concerns of renewed tensions between the two nations , which became increasingly strained after the Trump administration withdrew from a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran and reinstituted debilitating sanctions .
Relations worsened during a volley of violence that began in late December , when Kataib Hezbolla bombarded a U.S. military base near Kirkuk with rockets .
A few days later , American forces struck back at the Shia militia group in Iraq and Syria .
But the two countries came to what could have been the brink of war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis near Baghdad 's airport in January .
The Department of Defense justified the attack by saying the general was `` actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region . ''
The killing subsequently triggered a ballistic missile attack by Iran on the Ain al-Assad air base in Iraq and a second base at Irbil , which houses U.S. personnel .
The strike on al-Assad injured at least 34 U.S. service members .

U.S. Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes In Iraq After Missile Attack
Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP Susan Walsh/AP
The United States on Thursday evening launched a series of airstrikes in Iraq against an Iranian-backed militia group suspected of firing an earlier rocket attack that killed and wounded American and British troops.
"The United States conducted defensive precision strikes against Kata'ib Hizbollah facilities across Iraq," the Pentagon said in a statement.
Officials all but blamed the Shia group for a Wednesday strike at Camp Taji near Baghdad where coalition troops are housed. Two U.S. service members and one U.K. service member were killed in the rocket barrage, and 14 others were wounded.
"You don't get to shoot at our bases and kill and wound Americans and get away with it," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said.
The Pentagon did not release any information on the number of casualties.
Each of the identified targets in Thursday's retaliatory bombing is believed to "include facilities that housed weapons used to target U.S. and coalition troops."
The strikes were "defensive, proportional and in direct response to the threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups," the statement added.
The latest round of shellings raise concerns of renewed tensions between the two nations, which became increasingly strained after the Trump administration withdrew from a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran and reinstituted debilitating sanctions.
Relations worsened during a volley of violence that began in late December, when Kataib Hezbolla bombarded a U.S. military base near Kirkuk with rockets. A few days later, American forces struck back at the Shia militia group in Iraq and Syria.
But the two countries came to what could have been the brink of war after a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis near Baghdad's airport in January. The Department of Defense justified the attack by saying the general was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."
The killing subsequently triggered a ballistic missile attack by Iran on the Ain al-Assad air base in Iraq and a second base at Irbil, which houses U.S. personnel.
The strike on al-Assad injured at least 34 U.S. service members.


npr--2020-03-12--Public Health Experts Question Trump's Ban On Most Travelers From Europe

Public Health Experts Question Trump 's Ban On Most Travelers From Europe President Trump Thursday defended his new policy that , for 30 days , will bar most travelers arriving to the U.S. from much of Europe .
Trump says coronavirus cases from the continent have been seeding outbreaks in the United States .
The travel ban , he says , will save American lives .
The new restrictions which apply to 26 countries in Europe ( but not the United Kingdom ) came as a surprise to many E.U .
leaders when Trump announced them .
They also came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts .
`` From a public health perspective , it 's remarkably pointless , '' says Francois Balloux , an epidemiologist at University College London who worked with the World Health Organization on the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic .
Balloux says closing borders only works in the very early days of an outbreak , or for countries that have n't yet detected any cases at all .
The U.S. , as of Thursday afternoon , had confirmed 1,323 cases .
`` If you bring in one or two additional people — once you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any contact tracing — it wo n't make any difference , '' Balloux says .
The U.S. is in that position now , he says , with far too many cases than it can possibly trace .
Balloux calls the new travel restrictions — which are to go into full effect at 11:59 EDT Friday — a distraction .
Travel bans , border closures and burdensome quarantines of arriving foreigners have been staples of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Nations around the world have wielded them with little consistency during this international health crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders with the world , declaring that anyone arriving from abroad would have to spend two weeks in quarantine .
Saudi Arabia slapped in place a ban on visitors from 14 countries so quickly that airlines , which already had planes en route to the kingdom , had to sort their passengers by nationality , and ultimately fly many of them someplace else .
South Korea and Japan instituted tit for tat restrictions on each other 's citizens as the outbreak heated up in that part of Asia late in February .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the coronavirus outbreak raged in Wuhan , the U.S. announced that it was barring anyone who had been in China in the previous 14 days from entering the U.S .
Dozens of other countries also blocked travelers from China .
Researchers in Australia say that country 's ban on travelers from China was highly successful at limiting the number of coronavirus cases there .
From the beginning , since the first outbreaks became widely known , the World Health Organization has advised against blanket travel bans .
The WHO has also warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Regulations .
But Anthony Fauci , the head of the U.S. National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , and a leading advisor to the Trump administration on COVID-19 , defended the new European travel restrictions Thursday during a hearing on Capitol Hill .
`` If you look at the numbers , '' he said , `` it 's very clear that 70 % of the new infections in the world are coming from that region — from Europe . ''
European infections are seeding other regions , Fauci said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 or more [ U.S. ] states that have infections , 30 of them now , most recently , have gotten them from a travel-related case from that region .
So it was pretty compelling that we needed to turn off the source from that region . ''
Later in the day , speaking to reporters at the White House , Fauci said the decision to block many European travelers was n't taken lightly .
`` We spent a lot of time thinking about it , discussing it , about whether we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending the controversial move as `` the right public health call . ''
Other public health experts in the U.S. , however , are questioning the Trump administration 's motivation .
Kenneth Bernard a former special assistant on bio-security to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush sees the headline-grabbing European travel restrictions as an attempt to rebrand the coronavirus issue as `` a foreign threat '' that Trump is defending the United States against .
As the number of domestic cases grows , there 's been rising criticism of the administration 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention has been accused — even by Fauci — of bungling efforts to set up a coordinated national system to test for the coronavirus .
Jennifer Nuzzo , an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University , says the Trump administration 's latest travel ban , even though temporary , could actually be dangerous right now .
`` With at least 40 states reporting cases , [ many ] of which are due to local transmission , I think the United States should be focusing on mitigating the impacts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Nuzzo says .
`` We have limited resources and need to stay focused on limiting domestic spread , '' she explains .
`` If these travel restrictions mean we have to do extra screening , monitoring and/or quarantining of returning Americans , then this will undoubtedly divert resources from protecting vulnerable populations — like the elderly and individuals with underlying health issues . ''

Public Health Experts Question Trump's Ban On Most Travelers From Europe
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images
President Trump Thursday defended his new policy that, for 30 days, will bar most travelers arriving to the U.S. from much of Europe. Trump says coronavirus cases from the continent have been seeding outbreaks in the United States. The travel ban, he says, will save American lives.
The new restrictions which apply to 26 countries in Europe (but not the United Kingdom) came as a surprise to many E.U. leaders when Trump announced them. They also came as a surprise to many public health experts.
"From a public health perspective, it's remarkably pointless," says Francois Balloux, an epidemiologist at University College London who worked with the World Health Organization on the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic. Balloux says closing borders only works in the very early days of an outbreak, or for countries that haven't yet detected any cases at all. The U.S., as of Thursday afternoon, had confirmed 1,323 cases.
"If you bring in one or two additional people — once you've lost completely the ability to do any contact tracing — it won't make any difference," Balloux says. The U.S. is in that position now, he says, with far too many cases than it can possibly trace. Balloux calls the new travel restrictions — which are to go into full effect at 11:59 EDT Friday — a distraction.
Travel bans, border closures and burdensome quarantines of arriving foreigners have been staples of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nations around the world have wielded them with little consistency during this international health crisis.
Last week Israel essentially sealed its borders with the world, declaring that anyone arriving from abroad would have to spend two weeks in quarantine.
Saudi Arabia slapped in place a ban on visitors from 14 countries so quickly that airlines, which already had planes en route to the kingdom, had to sort their passengers by nationality, and ultimately fly many of them someplace else.
South Korea and Japan instituted tit for tat restrictions on each other's citizens as the outbreak heated up in that part of Asia late in February.
A month earlier, on Jan. 31, as the coronavirus outbreak raged in Wuhan, the U.S. announced that it was barring anyone who had been in China in the previous 14 days from entering the U.S. Dozens of other countries also blocked travelers from China. Researchers in Australia say that country's ban on travelers from China was highly successful at limiting the number of coronavirus cases there.
From the beginning, since the first outbreaks became widely known, the World Health Organization has advised against blanket travel bans. The WHO has also warned that travel bans could violate the International Health Regulations.
But Anthony Fauci, the head of the U.S. National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and a leading advisor to the Trump administration on COVID-19, defended the new European travel restrictions Thursday during a hearing on Capitol Hill.
"If you look at the numbers," he said, "it's very clear that 70% of the new infections in the world are coming from that region — from Europe." European infections are seeding other regions, Fauci said, adding, "Second thing: Of the 35 or more [U.S.] states that have infections, 30 of them now, most recently, have gotten them from a travel-related case from that region. So it was pretty compelling that we needed to turn off the source from that region."
Later in the day, speaking to reporters at the White House, Fauci said the decision to block many European travelers wasn't taken lightly.
"We spent a lot of time thinking about it, discussing it, about whether we should do it," he said, defending the controversial move as "the right public health call."
Other public health experts in the U.S., however, are questioning the Trump administration's motivation. Kenneth Bernard a former special assistant on bio-security to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush sees the headline-grabbing European travel restrictions as an attempt to rebrand the coronavirus issue as "a foreign threat" that Trump is defending the United States against.
As the number of domestic cases grows, there's been rising criticism of the administration's response to the crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been accused — even by Fauci — of bungling efforts to set up a coordinated national system to test for the coronavirus.
Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, says the Trump administration's latest travel ban, even though temporary, could actually be dangerous right now.
"With at least 40 states reporting cases, [many] of which are due to local transmission, I think the United States should be focusing on mitigating the impacts of the virus that is circulating within our borders," Nuzzo says.
"We have limited resources and need to stay focused on limiting domestic spread," she explains. "If these travel restrictions mean we have to do extra screening, monitoring and/or quarantining of returning Americans, then this will undoubtedly divert resources from protecting vulnerable populations — like the elderly and individuals with underlying health issues."
NPR science correspondent Rob Stein contributed to this report.