npr--2020-07-02--In Arizona, Nearly 1 In 4 Coronavirus Tests Now Comes Back Positive

In Arizona , Nearly 1 In 4 Coronavirus Tests Now Comes Back Positive Arizona is contending with one of the worst outbreaks of any state as coronavirus cases surge again across the United States .
Hospitals are bracing for a wave of seriously ill patients , and health officials are pleading with the public to wear masks and heed guidance about social distancing — even in the absence of a second stay-at-home order .
Arizona was quick to relax restrictions on businesses and reopen its economy , beginning in early May .
Most new cases have come in just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Phoenix metro area , now ranks as one of the top five U.S. counties for total cases .
`` Our foot is still on the accelerator , conditions are deteriorating and they 're going to continue to deteriorate at least for the next two to three weeks , '' said Dr. Joe Gerald , a professor of public health at the University of Arizona who runs modeling on the coronavirus outbreak .
Gerald says the state is essentially doubling the number of cases every two weeks .
Over the past week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day .
On Wednesday , Arizona hit a new record , with more than 4,800 positive cases .
More than 1,700 people have died .
`` You do n't have to play that out very long to realize we 're soon going to be in considerable trouble as our safety margin for excess hospital beds is fairly quickly dwindling , '' he said .
Based on current trends , Gerald said , the state might run out of licensed beds toward the end of July , but that forecast does n't take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel to care for patients , even before then .
Of particular concern is that new cases continue to outpace testing capacity .
In Arizona , the portion of tests coming back positive hovers around 24 % , more than three times the national average .
Texas and Florida , where cases are also rising rapidly , have positivity rates of 14 % and 16 % , respectively .
`` There 's a huge reservoir of individuals who are infected and have the ability to transmit that infection , '' Gerald said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's outbreak , with many cases popping up among people in their 20s and 30s , an age group that is more likely to show mild symptoms or be asymptomatic .
That makes tracking cases even more difficult , but Gerald says it may also save Arizona 's hospitals from being as overwhelmed as those in a place like New York City .
`` If there 's any saving grace ... it 's that new cases are heavily concentrated in those best able to survive the infection , '' he said .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus under control .
This week , Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey closed down bars , gyms and theaters .
State health officials also told hospitals that they could activate their crisis standards of care plan — guidelines on how to triage patients and allocate scarce resources during an emergency .
Not every hospital needs to do that yet , though .
Arizona 's intensive care unit beds are currently at about 90 % of capacity , according to state data .
`` There is a significant concern regarding resource availability , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at some point , '' said Dr. Ross Goldberg , president of the Arizona Medical Association .
The state 's largest hospital system , Banner Health , is trying to free up space for COVID-19 patients by repurposing pediatric beds and doubling up rooms .
It 's also bringing in hundreds of out-of-state health workers .
Ann-Marie Alameddin , president and CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association , says the single biggest limiting factor for hospitals right now is staffing .
`` We have the space .
We have the plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But our health care workers are strained .
And we need to call in reinforcements , '' Alameddin said .
Arizona has asked the federal government for 500 front-line health care workers to support the hospital system .
On Wednesday , Vice President Pence visited Arizona and said the state would get any help it needs to handle the surge of patients .
Both Pence and Ducey wore masks during the visit , something they had been reluctant to do earlier in the pandemic .

In Arizona, Nearly 1 In 4 Coronavirus Tests Now Comes Back Positive
Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt York/AP Matt York/AP
Arizona is contending with one of the worst outbreaks of any state as coronavirus cases surge again across the United States. Hospitals are bracing for a wave of seriously ill patients, and health officials are pleading with the public to wear masks and heed guidance about social distancing — even in the absence of a second stay-at-home order.
Arizona was quick to relax restrictions on businesses and reopen its economy, beginning in early May. Most new cases have come in just the past month. Maricopa County, with its Phoenix metro area, now ranks as one of the top five U.S. counties for total cases.
"Our foot is still on the accelerator, conditions are deteriorating and they're going to continue to deteriorate at least for the next two to three weeks," said Dr. Joe Gerald, a professor of public health at the University of Arizona who runs modeling on the coronavirus outbreak.
Gerald says the state is essentially doubling the number of cases every two weeks. Over the past week, it has averaged about 3,500 new cases a day. On Wednesday, Arizona hit a new record, with more than 4,800 positive cases. More than 1,700 people have died.
"You don't have to play that out very long to realize we're soon going to be in considerable trouble as our safety margin for excess hospital beds is fairly quickly dwindling," he said.
Based on current trends, Gerald said, the state might run out of licensed beds toward the end of July, but that forecast doesn't take into account whether there will be enough personnel to care for patients, even before then.
Of particular concern is that new cases continue to outpace testing capacity.
In Arizona, the portion of tests coming back positive hovers around 24%, more than three times the national average. Texas and Florida, where cases are also rising rapidly, have positivity rates of 14% and 16%, respectively.
"There's a huge reservoir of individuals who are infected and have the ability to transmit that infection," Gerald said.
Younger adults are driving much of Arizona's outbreak, with many cases popping up among people in their 20s and 30s, an age group that is more likely to show mild symptoms or be asymptomatic.
That makes tracking cases even more difficult, but Gerald says it may also save Arizona's hospitals from being as overwhelmed as those in a place like New York City.
"If there's any saving grace ... it's that new cases are heavily concentrated in those best able to survive the infection," he said.
Still, the state is far from having the virus under control.
This week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey closed down bars, gyms and theaters. State health officials also told hospitals that they could activate their crisis standards of care plan — guidelines on how to triage patients and allocate scarce resources during an emergency.
Not every hospital needs to do that yet, though. Arizona's intensive care unit beds are currently at about 90% of capacity, according to state data.
"There is a significant concern regarding resource availability, staff availability and just everything being overrun at some point," said Dr. Ross Goldberg, president of the Arizona Medical Association.
The state's largest hospital system, Banner Health, is trying to free up space for COVID-19 patients by repurposing pediatric beds and doubling up rooms. It's also bringing in hundreds of out-of-state health workers.
Ann-Marie Alameddin, president and CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, says the single biggest limiting factor for hospitals right now is staffing.
"We have the space. We have the plans to surge. We have supplies. But our health care workers are strained. And we need to call in reinforcements," Alameddin said.
Arizona has asked the federal government for 500 front-line health care workers to support the hospital system. On Wednesday, Vice President Pence visited Arizona and said the state would get any help it needs to handle the surge of patients.
Both Pence and Ducey wore masks during the visit, something they had been reluctant to do earlier in the pandemic.


npr--2020-07-02--The NFL Will Play 'Lift Every Voice And Sing' Before Each Season-Opener Game

The NFL Will Play 'Lift Every Voice And Sing ' Before Each Season-Opener Game '' Lift Every Voice and Sing '' will be played or performed live before every Week 1 NFL game , as the league considers ways to recognize victims of systemic racism .
The song known as the Black national anthem will play at the start of every season opener game , coming before `` The Star Spangled Banner , '' a source familiar with the league 's discussions told NPR .
The song will be played beginning Sept. 10 , with the nationally televised Kansas City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also play during the full slate of Sunday afternoon games , Sunday Night Football and the two ESPN Monday night games .
The league has been in discussions on the subject with the National Football League Players Association .
Other items being discussed include on-uniform elements like names of victims on helmet decals or jersey patches , educational programs and storytelling , for example , in the form of public service announcements about victims and their families .
The move highlights how the landscape of the NFL is changing in the aftermath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide protests against racial injustice .
In June , several current players collaborated on a video called `` Stronger Together , '' which named Black victims of police brutality and called on the NFL to publicly condemn racism , admit wrongdoing for preventing players from peacefully protesting and affirm that Black lives matter .
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement the following day , condemning the systematic oppression of Black people and saying the league was wrong for not listening to players ' concerns about racism and police brutality .
`` Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Football League , '' he said .
`` And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence , inequality and oppression of Black players , coaches , fans and staff . ''
He added he would reach out to players and others on how the league can `` improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family . ''
The league is also making a financial commitment to social justice , announcing a $ 250 million effort over 10 years to support programs addressing `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic and educational advancement . ''
`` Lift Every Voice and Sing '' was written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson , and set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson in 1899 .
It was first performed in 1900 at a segregated school in Florida by a group of children commemorating the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln .
Subsequent landmark performances in the intervening decades include those by Kim Weston in 1972 , Melba Moore in 1990 , Gladys Knight and BeBe Winans in 2012 and Beyoncé in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe continue to be vulnerable in very unique and unsettling ways , '' Shana Redmond , a professor at UCLA who studies music , race , and politics , told NPR in 2018 .
`` To sing this song is to revive that past — but also to recognize , as the lyrics of the song reveal , that there is a hopeful future that might come of it . ''

The NFL Will Play 'Lift Every Voice And Sing' Before Each Season-Opener Game
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tom Puskar/AP Tom Puskar/AP
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" will be played or performed live before every Week 1 NFL game, as the league considers ways to recognize victims of systemic racism.
The song known as the Black national anthem will play at the start of every season opener game, coming before "The Star Spangled Banner," a source familiar with the league's discussions told NPR.
The song will be played beginning Sept. 10, with the nationally televised Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans game. It will also play during the full slate of Sunday afternoon games, Sunday Night Football and the two ESPN Monday night games.
The league has been in discussions on the subject with the National Football League Players Association.
Other items being discussed include on-uniform elements like names of victims on helmet decals or jersey patches, educational programs and storytelling, for example, in the form of public service announcements about victims and their families.
The move highlights how the landscape of the NFL is changing in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd and nationwide protests against racial injustice.
In June, several current players collaborated on a video called "Stronger Together," which named Black victims of police brutality and called on the NFL to publicly condemn racism, admit wrongdoing for preventing players from peacefully protesting and affirm that Black lives matter.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement the following day, condemning the systematic oppression of Black people and saying the league was wrong for not listening to players' concerns about racism and police brutality.
"Without Black players, there would be no National Football League," he said. "And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of Black players, coaches, fans and staff."
He added he would reach out to players and others on how the league can "improve and go forward for a better and more united NFL family."
The league is also making a financial commitment to social justice, announcing a $250 million effort over 10 years to support programs addressing "criminal justice reform, police reforms and economic and educational advancement."
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" was written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson, and set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson in 1899.
It was first performed in 1900 at a segregated school in Florida by a group of children commemorating the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. Subsequent landmark performances in the intervening decades include those by Kim Weston in 1972, Melba Moore in 1990, Gladys Knight and BeBe Winans in 2012 and Beyoncé in 2018.
"Black communities across the globe continue to be vulnerable in very unique and unsettling ways," Shana Redmond, a professor at UCLA who studies music, race, and politics, told NPR in 2018. "To sing this song is to revive that past — but also to recognize, as the lyrics of the song reveal, that there is a hopeful future that might come of it."
NPR's Tom Goldman contributed to this report.


npr--2020-07-02--Coronavirus FAQs: Is It Safe To Dine Indoors — Or Outdoors?

Coronavirus FAQs : Is It Safe To Dine Indoors — Or Outdoors ?
Some states are allowing restaurants to move back to indoor dining .
But is it a safe idea to dine in right now ?
People are definitely getting mixed signals about restaurant dining .
In states such as Arizona and Tennessee , public health officials are urging people to stay home amid rising caseloads .
Meanwhile , those states are offering outdoor and even indoor dining at restaurants .
The first question is , do you really need to eat in a restaurant ?
If someone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 , even if the family member has n't been diagnosed , that would argue for avoiding restaurants altogether , says Harvard Medical School physician Abraar Karan .
But if you do n't have such concerns and want a relaxing meal at a restaurant , here are some other points to consider .
First , outdoors is definitely less risky , says Karan .
When you 're outside , the risk of contracting the virus is lower .
That 's because coronavirus droplets disperse more quickly into the air .
A bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between tables than in a small indoor setting .
You also need to do a little homework before dropping in for a meal , whether indoors or outdoors .
Dr. Mark Kortepeter , professor of epidemiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center 's College of Public Health , explains that unlike during pre-pandemic days , dining at a restaurant is no longer a pop-in , pop-out kind of situation .
It 's a good idea to call the restaurant and check what provisions it has in place to prevent disease transmission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • Hand sanitizer .
It should be available for customers upon entering and exiting .
• Frequent cleaning .
In addition to being wiped down , tables should be disinfected before each new party is seated .
• Masks .
Servers and kitchen staff should wear masks at all times to avoid transmission .
• Screening .
It 's a good idea to eat at a place where staffers get temperature-checked before each shift and are asked if they 're experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms — and if so , sent home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits to temperature screenings as a method to scout for the virus .
So they 're not a substitute for wearing a mask .
If you 're set on an indoor meal , there are additional points to consider .
• Good ventilation .
Avoid small indoor spaces that feel cramped .
The bigger the space , the better , usually — more airspace for viral particles to dissipate .
• Space between tables .
Guests should be seated as far apart as possible in the dining room — at least 6 feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Whether you 're dining inside or outside , bring hand sanitizer and use it if you happen to come into contact with any frequently touched objects , such as door handles .
When ordering , Kortepeter invokes the old public health adage : `` Boil it , peel it , cook it or forget it ! ''
In other words , it 's best to order hot , fully cooked foods instead of raw fruits or vegetables .
Although scientists still are n't totally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through ingestion , pathogens in general tend to thrive on moist , raw foods , say the researchers .
When we asked our sources if they planned to dine inside a restaurant at any time , both answered : not in the near future .
They do feel more comfortable with outdoor dining — although they both said they 're putting it off for now because of fears of transmission .
Some airlines like American are now fully booking their flights instead of keeping middle seats vacant .
In that situation , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there any precautions you can take if you need to fly and can not find an airline that 's underbooking to help prevent disease transmission ?
According to Karan , of Harvard , the move not to underbook flights represents a `` mistake from a public health perspective . ''
More people in a limited space for prolonged periods raises the risk of infection .
`` Air circulation in planes is pretty good — so the biggest risk is the individual right next to you , right behind you , right in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the University of Nebraska .
They 're the most likely sources of infection .
In terms of keeping safe , all the usual tips apply , both sources say .
Wear a mask at all times , and sanitize your hands as much as you can .
On a short flight , you might consider not eating or drinking anything , says Kortepeter — even food you bring yourself : `` It reduces the chance of transferring virus '' between your hands and your mouth and means you wo n't have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect others in case you 're contagious but can also offer you a degree of protection , depending on the type of mask .
On a longer flight , if you need to eat or drink , try to do it at one point in time .
That way you 'll reduce the amount of time you have your mask off , and you wo n't be repeatedly removing your mask and bringing your hands to your face .
And before you book a ticket , Kortepeter suggests you ask yourself : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Pranav Baskar is a freelance journalist and U.S. national born in Mumbai , India .

Coronavirus FAQs: Is It Safe To Dine Indoors — Or Outdoors?
Enlarge this image Malaka Gharib/ NPR Malaka Gharib/ NPR
Some states are allowing restaurants to move back to indoor dining. But is it a safe idea to dine in right now?
People are definitely getting mixed signals about restaurant dining. In states such as Arizona and Tennessee, public health officials are urging people to stay home amid rising caseloads. Meanwhile, those states are offering outdoor and even indoor dining at restaurants.
The first question is, do you really need to eat in a restaurant? If someone in your family is immunocompromised or has symptoms of COVID-19, even if the family member hasn't been diagnosed, that would argue for avoiding restaurants altogether, says Harvard Medical School physician Abraar Karan.
But if you don't have such concerns and want a relaxing meal at a restaurant, here are some other points to consider.
First, outdoors is definitely less risky, says Karan. When you're outside, the risk of contracting the virus is lower. That's because coronavirus droplets disperse more quickly into the air. A bonus is that there may be more space between tables than in a small indoor setting.
You also need to do a little homework before dropping in for a meal, whether indoors or outdoors.
Dr. Mark Kortepeter, professor of epidemiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Public Health, explains that unlike during pre-pandemic days, dining at a restaurant is no longer a pop-in, pop-out kind of situation. It's a good idea to call the restaurant and check what provisions it has in place to prevent disease transmission.
Here are some things to ask about:
Hand sanitizer. It should be available for customers upon entering and exiting.
Frequent cleaning. In addition to being wiped down, tables should be disinfected before each new party is seated.
Masks. Servers and kitchen staff should wear masks at all times to avoid transmission.
Screening. It's a good idea to eat at a place where staffers get temperature-checked before each shift and are asked if they're experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms — and if so, sent home. But keep in mind that there are limits to temperature screenings as a method to scout for the virus. So they're not a substitute for wearing a mask.
If you're set on an indoor meal, there are additional points to consider.
Good ventilation. Avoid small indoor spaces that feel cramped. The bigger the space, the better, usually — more airspace for viral particles to dissipate.
Space between tables. Guests should be seated as far apart as possible in the dining room — at least 6 feet apart, though more is better, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Whether you're dining inside or outside, bring hand sanitizer and use it if you happen to come into contact with any frequently touched objects, such as door handles.
When ordering, Kortepeter invokes the old public health adage: "Boil it, peel it, cook it or forget it!" In other words, it's best to order hot, fully cooked foods instead of raw fruits or vegetables. Although scientists still aren't totally sure whether the coronavirus can be spread through ingestion, pathogens in general tend to thrive on moist, raw foods, say the researchers.
When we asked our sources if they planned to dine inside a restaurant at any time, both answered: not in the near future. They do feel more comfortable with outdoor dining — although they both said they're putting it off for now because of fears of transmission.
Some airlines like American are now fully booking their flights instead of keeping middle seats vacant. In that situation, how much riskier is flying? And are there any precautions you can take if you need to fly and cannot find an airline that's underbooking to help prevent disease transmission?
According to Karan, of Harvard, the move not to underbook flights represents a "mistake from a public health perspective." More people in a limited space for prolonged periods raises the risk of infection.
"Air circulation in planes is pretty good — so the biggest risk is the individual right next to you, right behind you, right in front of you," says Kortepeter, of the University of Nebraska. They're the most likely sources of infection.
In terms of keeping safe, all the usual tips apply, both sources say. Wear a mask at all times, and sanitize your hands as much as you can.
On a short flight, you might consider not eating or drinking anything, says Kortepeter — even food you bring yourself: "It reduces the chance of transferring virus" between your hands and your mouth and means you won't have to remove your mask, which serves to protect others in case you're contagious but can also offer you a degree of protection, depending on the type of mask.
On a longer flight, if you need to eat or drink, try to do it at one point in time. That way you'll reduce the amount of time you have your mask off, and you won't be repeatedly removing your mask and bringing your hands to your face.
And before you book a ticket, Kortepeter suggests you ask yourself: "Do I really have to fly?"
Pranav Baskar is a freelance journalist and U.S. national born in Mumbai, India.


npr--2020-07-02--Hong Kong Activist Nathan Law Says He Has Fled Abroad Amid Beijing-Backed Crackdown

Hong Kong Activist Nathan Law Says He Has Fled Abroad Amid Beijing-Backed Crackdown Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law says he has fled the city following the enactment of a new Beijing-sponsored crackdown on free expression , telling NPR that the new national security legislation amounts to a `` complete destruction '' of Hong Kong 's autonomy .
Hours after testifying online to a U.S. congressional hearing about the new law — which comes after a year of anti-Beijing protests and is aimed at punishing acts of secession , subversion , terrorism and collusion — Law announced in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fled .
`` Hi this is Nathan .
I have already left Hong Kong and continue the advocacy work on the international level .
Based on risk assessment , I shall not reveal too much about my personal whereabouts and situation now , '' he said , according to a translation published in the South China Morning Post .
The new law drafted by Beijing for Hong Kong was passed on Tuesday by China 's top legislative body , the National People 's Congress Standing Committee , and quickly adopted by Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final nail in Hong Kong 's special `` one nation , two systems '' status in which it was guaranteed a `` high degree of autonomy '' for a period of 50 years as part of the agreement between Beijing and London that transferred the former British colony to Chinese control in 1997 .
Law is a former Hong Kong legislator who served jail time for his participation in the 2014 anti-Beijing `` Umbrella protests . ''
He later co-founded the pro-democracy Demosisto movement with fellow activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new law came into effect .
`` I think we need to understand that the national security law is tailor-made to target any person '' advocating for Hong Kong , Law told NPR from an undisclosed location .
Speaking to All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro , Law said his feelings about leaving Hong Kong are `` definitely very complicated . ''
`` On the one hand , I feel like I have the responsibility and also the credibility to continue my international advocacy work outside of Hong Kong , '' the activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of course , this is the place that you grow up with and you spend most of your life in and you basically have to give up a lot of things [ by ] leaving there . ''
`` And I do n't know whether I have any possibilities of going back there in the near future , '' he added .
`` We need to have a voice on the international level with a public figure , so I think it 's time for me to carry that responsibility , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. State Department said it would end to the sale of military equipment and other technologies to Hong Kong and the Commerce Department suspended preferential trade export license exceptions for Hong Kong .
The U.S. Senate on Thursday followed the House in approving the Hong Kong Autonomy Act , which now goes to President Trump for his signature .
It imposes sanctions on banks that do business with Chinese officials who are involved in cracking down on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong .

Hong Kong Activist Nathan Law Says He Has Fled Abroad Amid Beijing-Backed Crackdown
Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen J. Boitano/LightRocket via Getty Images Stephen J. Boitano/LightRocket via Getty Images
Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law says he has fled the city following the enactment of a new Beijing-sponsored crackdown on free expression, telling NPR that the new national security legislation amounts to a "complete destruction" of Hong Kong's autonomy.
Hours after testifying online to a U.S. congressional hearing about the new law — which comes after a year of anti-Beijing protests and is aimed at punishing acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion — Law announced in a Facebook post late Wednesday that he had fled.
"Hi this is Nathan. I have already left Hong Kong and continue the advocacy work on the international level. Based on risk assessment, I shall not reveal too much about my personal whereabouts and situation now," he said, according to a translation published in the South China Morning Post.
The new law drafted by Beijing for Hong Kong was passed on Tuesday by China's top legislative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, and quickly adopted by Hong Kong.
It is seen by many as the final nail in Hong Kong's special "one nation, two systems" status in which it was guaranteed a "high degree of autonomy" for a period of 50 years as part of the agreement between Beijing and London that transferred the former British colony to Chinese control in 1997.
Law is a former Hong Kong legislator who served jail time for his participation in the 2014 anti-Beijing "Umbrella protests." He later co-founded the pro-democracy Demosisto movement with fellow activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow. The leaders dissolved Demosisto as the new law came into effect.
"I think we need to understand that the national security law is tailor-made to target any person" advocating for Hong Kong, Law told NPR from an undisclosed location.
Speaking to All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro, Law said his feelings about leaving Hong Kong are "definitely very complicated."
"On the one hand, I feel like I have the responsibility and also the credibility to continue my international advocacy work outside of Hong Kong," the activist said. "On the other hand, of course, this is the place that you grow up with and you spend most of your life in and you basically have to give up a lot of things [by] leaving there."
"And I don't know whether I have any possibilities of going back there in the near future," he added.
"We need to have a voice on the international level with a public figure, so I think it's time for me to carry that responsibility," Law told NPR.
On Monday, the U.S. State Department said it would end to the sale of military equipment and other technologies to Hong Kong and the Commerce Department suspended preferential trade export license exceptions for Hong Kong.
The U.S. Senate on Thursday followed the House in approving the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which now goes to President Trump for his signature. It imposes sanctions on banks that do business with Chinese officials who are involved in cracking down on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.


npr--2020-07-02--Senator Puts Rare Hold On Military Promotions Over Ousted Army Officer

An abnormal stall in an otherwise routine promotion of an Army officer who testified last year in the House hearings on the impeachment of President Trump could result in a highly unusual Senate hold blocking the pending promotions of more than 1,000 other Army officers .
Sen. Tammy Duckworth , D-Ill. , announced Thursday she intends to block Senate confirmation of 1,123 senior U.S. Armed Forces officers until she gets confirmation in writing from Defense Secretary Mark Esper that he has not blocked and will not block the promotion of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman to the rank of full colonel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House on Feb. 7 and dismissed from his job as the Ukraine expert on the National Security Council .
His ouster , which followed by days Trump 's acquittal in the Senate after being impeached by the House , was widely seen as retribution for having told a House panel in October that he had been alarmed by a July phone call he listened in on between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy .
Trump had pressured Zelenskiy in that call to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , who at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump for the presidency .
Vindman 's twin brother , Yevgeny , was fired the same day from his job as an ethics lawyer on the National Security Council .
He had not testified in the House impeachment inquiry .
Vindman had been expected to be on a list of Army lieutenant colonels due for promotion this year .
But the Pentagon has yet to release that list , which would then be subject to review by the White House as well as the Senate .
Hours before the Vindman brothers were fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he wanted Alexander Vindman out of the White House .
`` Well , I 'm not happy with him , '' Trump replied .
`` Do you think I 'm supposed to be happy with him ?
I 'm not . ''
The following day , Trump wrote in a tweet that he did not believe he had ever met Vindman , but nonetheless described the ousted officer as `` very insubordinate , reported contents of my 'perfect calls ' incorrectly , '' and added , `` In other words , 'OUT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consternation at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill about the fate of Vindman , who immigrated from Ukraine as a child and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the Iraq war .
Without referring to Vindman by name , Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed , the Senate Armed Services Committee 's ranking Democrat , issued a statement June 18 affirming that elected officials should not interfere with the military 's merit-based promotion system .
`` The promotion process is about individuals , but it also sends a signal to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoted , '' Reed wrote .
`` Professionalism , character , skill , and integrity must be paramount , not partisanship . ''
Now Duckworth , a former Illinois National Guard Blackhawk helicopter pilot who lost both legs fighting in Iraq , is taking action that her office calls `` unprecedented in modern times '' to force a resolution to the promotion holdup , which she ties to Trump .
`` It is simply unprecedented and wrong for any Commander in Chief to meddle in routine military matters at all , whether or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Soldier who did his patriotic duty and told the truth—a Soldier who has been recommended for promotion by his superiors because of his performance , '' Duckworth says in a statement .
`` I wo n't just sit by and let it happen , and neither should any of my colleagues . ''
Duckworth is making one exception in her sweeping hold to allow Senate confirmation of Army Gen. Gustave Perna to head the effort to develop a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 .
The Illinois senator , who is a Purple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifting her hold on any other military nominations : -- She wants the defense secretary to provide written confirmation that Vindman is among the lieutenant colonels who were considered for promotion by the Army 's promotion board .
-- If he was , she wants to know if he was on the list for promotions the Army submitted to the Pentagon 's personnel office .
-- And finally , Duckworth wants Esper to inform her whether a list for promotions that includes Vindman has been or will be sent to the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoted would normally spell the end of a military career .

Senator Puts Rare Hold On Military Promotions Over Ousted Army Officer
Enlarge this image toggle caption Greg Nash/Getty Images Greg Nash/Getty Images
An abnormal stall in an otherwise routine promotion of an Army officer who testified last year in the House hearings on the impeachment of President Trump could result in a highly unusual Senate hold blocking the pending promotions of more than 1,000 other Army officers.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., announced Thursday she intends to block Senate confirmation of 1,123 senior U.S. Armed Forces officers until she gets confirmation in writing from Defense Secretary Mark Esper that he has not blocked and will not block the promotion of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman to the rank of full colonel.
Vindman was escorted from the White House on Feb. 7 and dismissed from his job as the Ukraine expert on the National Security Council.
His ouster, which followed by days Trump's acquittal in the Senate after being impeached by the House, was widely seen as retribution for having told a House panel in October that he had been alarmed by a July phone call he listened in on between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Trump had pressured Zelenskiy in that call to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, who at the time was a leading Democratic contender to challenge Trump for the presidency.
Vindman's twin brother, Yevgeny, was fired the same day from his job as an ethics lawyer on the National Security Council. He had not testified in the House impeachment inquiry.
Vindman had been expected to be on a list of Army lieutenant colonels due for promotion this year. But the Pentagon has yet to release that list, which would then be subject to review by the White House as well as the Senate.
Hours before the Vindman brothers were fired, Trump was asked by a reporter if he wanted Alexander Vindman out of the White House.
"Well, I'm not happy with him," Trump replied. "Do you think I'm supposed to be happy with him? I'm not."
The following day, Trump wrote in a tweet that he did not believe he had ever met Vindman, but nonetheless described the ousted officer as "very insubordinate, reported contents of my 'perfect calls' incorrectly," and added, "In other words, 'OUT'."
There has been growing consternation at the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill about the fate of Vindman, who immigrated from Ukraine as a child and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the Iraq war.
Without referring to Vindman by name, Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the Senate Armed Services Committee's ranking Democrat, issued a statement June 18 affirming that elected officials should not interfere with the military's merit-based promotion system.
"The promotion process is about individuals, but it also sends a signal to our troops about what kind of soldiers get promoted," Reed wrote. "Professionalism, character, skill, and integrity must be paramount, not partisanship."
Now Duckworth, a former Illinois National Guard Blackhawk helicopter pilot who lost both legs fighting in Iraq, is taking action that her office calls "unprecedented in modern times" to force a resolution to the promotion holdup, which she ties to Trump.
"It is simply unprecedented and wrong for any Commander in Chief to meddle in routine military matters at all, whether or not he has a personal vendetta against a Soldier who did his patriotic duty and told the truth—a Soldier who has been recommended for promotion by his superiors because of his performance," Duckworth says in a statement. "I won't just sit by and let it happen, and neither should any of my colleagues."
Duckworth is making one exception in her sweeping hold to allow Senate confirmation of Army Gen. Gustave Perna to head the effort to develop a vaccine to protect against COVID-19.
The Illinois senator, who is a Purple Heart recipient, lists three conditions for lifting her hold on any other military nominations:
--She wants the defense secretary to provide written confirmation that Vindman is among the lieutenant colonels who were considered for promotion by the Army's promotion board.
--If he was, she wants to know if he was on the list for promotions the Army submitted to the Pentagon's personnel office.
--And finally, Duckworth wants Esper to inform her whether a list for promotions that includes Vindman has been or will be sent to the White House for approval.
A failure to be promoted would normally spell the end of a military career.


npr--2020-07-02--Face Masks Mandatory In Most Of Texas, Starting Friday

Face Masks Mandatory In Most Of Texas , Starting Friday Starting Friday , wearing face masks will be the law of the land in most of Texas .
Gov .
Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Thursday requiring Texans to wear face coverings in public in counties with 20 or more COVID-19 cases .
`` We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck , but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
There are some exceptions , such as for children under age 10 and people with certain medical conditions .
Masks are also not required during activities including swimming , eating in a restaurant and exercising outdoors while maintaining distance from non-household members .
A list of counties exempt from the face covering requirement will be maintained on the Texas Division of Emergency Management 's website .
The order says local officials `` can and should '' enforce the face covering requirement but prohibits jail time as a penalty for violating it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or written warning , with subsequent violations punishable by a fine of up to $ 250 .
The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to surge , with the state reporting 7,915 new cases on Thursday .
In a roughly seven-minute video released Thursday , Abbott said spikes are not just limited to big cities , noting that more than 91 counties have hit record-high numbers in the past three days .
`` These numbers reveal a very stark reality , '' he said .
`` COVID-19 is not going away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse .
Now more than ever , action by everyone is needed until treatments are available for COVID-19 . ''
An executive order , issued in April , had prohibited jurisdictions from imposing penalties on people for not wearing face coverings .
In mid-June , Abbott allowed counties to require businesses to implement face mask policies .
Also on Thursday , Abbott issued a proclamation authorizing mayors and county judges to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people .
The proclamation itself mandates , with some exceptions , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 10 people and must maintain 6 feet of distance between people .
This is the latest in a series of moves by Abbott to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in his state .
He announced on June 25 that Texas would pause any further phases of reopening , and the following day he closed bars and tightened restrictions on restaurants , outdoor gatherings and river rafting and tubing businesses .

Face Masks Mandatory In Most Of Texas, Starting Friday
Enlarge this image toggle caption LM Otero/AP LM Otero/AP
Starting Friday, wearing face masks will be the law of the land in most of Texas.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Thursday requiring Texans to wear face coverings in public in counties with 20 or more COVID-19 cases.
"We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces," Abbott said.
There are some exceptions, such as for children under age 10 and people with certain medical conditions. Masks are also not required during activities including swimming, eating in a restaurant and exercising outdoors while maintaining distance from non-household members.
A list of counties exempt from the face covering requirement will be maintained on the Texas Division of Emergency Management's website.
The order says local officials "can and should" enforce the face covering requirement but prohibits jail time as a penalty for violating it. First-time violators will receive a verbal or written warning, with subsequent violations punishable by a fine of up to $250.
The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to surge, with the state reporting 7,915 new cases on Thursday.
In a roughly seven-minute video released Thursday, Abbott said spikes are not just limited to big cities, noting that more than 91 counties have hit record-high numbers in the past three days.
"These numbers reveal a very stark reality," he said. "COVID-19 is not going away. In fact, it's getting worse. Now more than ever, action by everyone is needed until treatments are available for COVID-19."
An executive order, issued in April, had prohibited jurisdictions from imposing penalties on people for not wearing face coverings. In mid-June, Abbott allowed counties to require businesses to implement face mask policies.
Also on Thursday, Abbott issued a proclamation authorizing mayors and county judges to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people.
The proclamation itself mandates, with some exceptions, that people cannot gather in groups of more than 10 people and must maintain 6 feet of distance between people.
This is the latest in a series of moves by Abbott to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in his state. He announced on June 25 that Texas would pause any further phases of reopening, and the following day he closed bars and tightened restrictions on restaurants, outdoor gatherings and river rafting and tubing businesses.


npr--2020-07-02--As China Imposes New Hong Kong Law, U.S. And Allies Take Steps To Retaliate

As China Imposes New Hong Kong Law , U.S. And Allies Take Steps To Retaliate Attempts to dissuade China 's ruling Communist Party from asserting more authority over Hong Kong did n't work .
Now that China is imposing a new national security law on the territory , world powers are looking to punish Beijing .
The law hands the central government almost unchecked legal power in the former British colony , which was promised a `` high degree of autonomy '' for 50 years when it was returned to China in 1997 .
Drafted secretly and enacted swiftly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysts to be even harsher than expected .
Policymakers , activists and analysts outside China say it 's critical now for governments from Washington to Tokyo to back their words with action by cranking up pressure on China 's leadership while trying to help the people of Hong Kong .
In the short run , few expect China 's emboldened leadership to blink .
Over the long run , though , the hope is that pressure will lead to change .
`` Obviously , more now has to be done that they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith , R-N.J. , said at a hearing on Hong Kong 's future in the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday .
`` We need to meet this as never before .
We did n't do it after Tiananmen Square , '' he said , referring to the June 4 , 1989 , crackdown on pro-democracy protesters .
`` We acquiesced and they took note of that and said , 'You know , give it a little time and people will just let it go . '
`` In late May , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being sufficiently autonomous from China .
The U.S. has begun steps to remove elements of the special treatment that the territory has enjoyed for decades because it was different from other Chinese cities .
On Monday , the State Department announced an end to the sale of military equipment and other technologies to Hong Kong .
The Commerce Department suspended preferential treatment and export license exceptions for Hong Kong the same day .
The steps may complicate China 's plans to turn the sprawling Pearl River Delta in southern China into a coordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology hub , says Ho-Fung Hung , a professor of political economy at Johns Hopkins University who follows Hong Kong affairs .
Hung says China had been expecting access to certain technologies via Hong Kong that are unavailable on the mainland , but that has changed .
`` Now we have this backdoor sealed by the U.S. as a response to the national security law , it will be a big problem for China , '' he said .
Last week , the State Department imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials considered responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though it did not name any .
Also last week , the Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require sanctions on Chinese officials who erode Hong Kong 's freedoms and autonomy .
And on Wednesday , the House passed legislation that would sanction banks that do business with Chinese officials involved in implementing the national security law .
Calibrating financial sanctions could be tough , analysts say .
Targeted penalties against individual Chinese officials could prove difficult to enforce because of myriad workarounds , according to Victor Shih , an expert in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , San Diego .
`` Unless you 're ready to impose the same sanctions on the children and all the relatives and all the shell companies owned by the children and relatives and friends , it 's really not going to work , '' he says .
The `` nuclear option '' — stopping access to the SWIFT financial settlement system and imposing sanctions on banks lending money to the Chinese government or state-owned entities — would inflict pain on Beijing but it would also spark a financial crisis , he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain , is paving the way for some 3 million Hong Kong people to be able to settle in the United Kingdom and apply for citizenship .
Australia is considering offering safe haven to Hong Kong residents .
And Taiwan opened a new office to help fleeing Hong Kongers .
In Washington , Congress introduced legislation this week to make it easier for Hong Kongers to be classified as refugees and admitted to the United States .
`` The U.S. needs to start offering more visas — work , student , scholarly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong residents , with a special focus on young people who have in many cases been at the forefront of the 2019 protests , '' says Thomas Kellogg , executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Asian Law .
Nathan Law , a Hong Kong activist who announced Thursday that he had left Hong Kong , told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday there needs to be a `` new guiding principle '' to hold China accountable for rights violations , and international governments should take joint action .
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` foreign interference , '' saying `` Hong Kong affairs are China 's internal affairs . ''
Cuba said it led a list of 53 countries that welcome China 's security law .
In the short term , the Chinese government is unlikely to roll back the law and there are no guarantees that outside pressure will make any impact on how harshly it is implemented .
Even in the long run , some scholars and activists are not optimistic .
The United States imposed sanctions on China after the Chinese army suppressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tiananmen Square .
Within a few years , many had been lifted .
Wang Dan , a student leader at the time who 's now an activist in exile , says there are lessons to heed .
First , countries must mount a coordinated response .
In 1989 , it was piecemeal .
And second , he says , `` We must realize , in the long term , without regime change happening in China , nothing can be changed or even improve .
There will be more and more trouble . ''

As China Imposes New Hong Kong Law, U.S. And Allies Take Steps To Retaliate
Enlarge this image toggle caption Vincent Yu/AP Vincent Yu/AP
Attempts to dissuade China's ruling Communist Party from asserting more authority over Hong Kong didn't work. Now that China is imposing a new national security law on the territory, world powers are looking to punish Beijing.
The law hands the central government almost unchecked legal power in the former British colony, which was promised a "high degree of autonomy" for 50 years when it was returned to China in 1997. Drafted secretly and enacted swiftly on Tuesday, it is considered by many analysts to be even harsher than expected.
Policymakers, activists and analysts outside China say it's critical now for governments from Washington to Tokyo to back their words with action by cranking up pressure on China's leadership while trying to help the people of Hong Kong.
In the short run, few expect China's emboldened leadership to blink. Over the long run, though, the hope is that pressure will lead to change.
"Obviously, more now has to be done that they have pulled the trigger," Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said at a hearing on Hong Kong's future in the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
"We need to meet this as never before. We didn't do it after Tiananmen Square," he said, referring to the June 4, 1989, crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. "We acquiesced and they took note of that and said, 'You know, give it a little time and people will just let it go.' "
Economic pressure and sanctions
In late May, the Trump administration decertified Hong Kong for not being sufficiently autonomous from China. The U.S. has begun steps to remove elements of the special treatment that the territory has enjoyed for decades because it was different from other Chinese cities.
On Monday, the State Department announced an end to the sale of military equipment and other technologies to Hong Kong. The Commerce Department suspended preferential treatment and export license exceptions for Hong Kong the same day.
The steps may complicate China's plans to turn the sprawling Pearl River Delta in southern China into a coordinated economic powerhouse with Hong Kong as the technology hub, says Ho-Fung Hung, a professor of political economy at Johns Hopkins University who follows Hong Kong affairs.
Hung says China had been expecting access to certain technologies via Hong Kong that are unavailable on the mainland, but that has changed.
"Now we have this backdoor sealed by the U.S. as a response to the national security law, it will be a big problem for China," he said.
Last week, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials considered responsible for limiting freedoms in Hong Kong, though it did not name any.
Also last week, the Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require sanctions on Chinese officials who erode Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy. And on Wednesday, the House passed legislation that would sanction banks that do business with Chinese officials involved in implementing the national security law.
Calibrating financial sanctions could be tough, analysts say.
Targeted penalties against individual Chinese officials could prove difficult to enforce because of myriad workarounds, according to Victor Shih, an expert in Chinese finance at the University of California, San Diego.
"Unless you're ready to impose the same sanctions on the children and all the relatives and all the shell companies owned by the children and relatives and friends, it's really not going to work," he says.
The "nuclear option" — stopping access to the SWIFT financial settlement system and imposing sanctions on banks lending money to the Chinese government or state-owned entities — would inflict pain on Beijing but it would also spark a financial crisis, he says.
Helping Hong Kongers
Hong Kong's former colonial master, Britain, is paving the way for some 3 million Hong Kong people to be able to settle in the United Kingdom and apply for citizenship.
Australia is considering offering safe haven to Hong Kong residents. And Taiwan opened a new office to help fleeing Hong Kongers.
In Washington, Congress introduced legislation this week to make it easier for Hong Kongers to be classified as refugees and admitted to the United States.
"The U.S. needs to start offering more visas — work, student, scholarly, tourist, what have you — to Hong Kong residents, with a special focus on young people who have in many cases been at the forefront of the 2019 protests," says Thomas Kellogg, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Asian Law.
Asia Pro-Democracy Activist Flees Hong Kong After China Passes New National Security Law Pro-Democracy Activist Flees Hong Kong After China Passes New National Security Law Listen · 3:54 3:54
Nathan Law, a Hong Kong activist who announced Thursday that he had left Hong Kong, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday there needs to be a "new guiding principle" to hold China accountable for rights violations, and international governments should take joint action.
China's Foreign Ministry rejected what it called "foreign interference," saying "Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs." Cuba said it led a list of 53 countries that welcome China's security law.
In the short term, the Chinese government is unlikely to roll back the law and there are no guarantees that outside pressure will make any impact on how harshly it is implemented.
Even in the long run, some scholars and activists are not optimistic.
The United States imposed sanctions on China after the Chinese army suppressed peaceful protests in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Within a few years, many had been lifted.
Wang Dan, a student leader at the time who's now an activist in exile, says there are lessons to heed.
First, countries must mount a coordinated response. In 1989, it was piecemeal.
And second, he says, "We must realize, in the long term, without regime change happening in China, nothing can be changed or even improve. There will be more and more trouble."


npr--2020-07-02--NBA Says 9 More Players Test Positive For Coronavirus

NBA Says 9 More Players Test Positive For Coronavirus The NBA and the league 's players union announced Thursday nine more players have tested positive for the coronavirus .
The news comes as the league is scheduled to resume games later this month .
`` In tests conducted of 344 NBA players between June 24-29 , an additional nine players have tested positive for the coronavirus , '' the NBA and National Basketball Players Association said in a joint statement .
The total number of players who have tested positive for the coronavirus is now 25 .
Put another way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league .
NBA team staff members have fared better , with 10 positive tests out of 884 .
According to the league 's coronavirus rules , players or team personnel receiving positive tests will remain in self-isolation `` until they satisfy public health protocols for discontinuing isolation and have been cleared by a physician . ''
After being shut down since March , the NBA is slated to tip off again on July 30 .
The 22 teams participating in the season reboot are scheduled to begin arriving next week at a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for training .
Players will stay at three Disney hotels , and the games will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex .
ESPN reported that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said this week that he is `` pretty confident '' the league is on track to restart on time this month .
`` If there were something to change that was outside of the scope of what we are playing for , certainly we would revisit our plans , '' Silver said , according to ESPN .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put a precise number on it , but if we were to see a large number of cases and see spread in our community , that would of course be a cause to stop as well . ''
Silver 's comments come as Orange County , where the sports complex is located , and Florida overall have seen recent upticks in confirmed coronavirus cases .
As NPR reported , Florida 's Department of Health said the state set a new daily record on Thursday , with 10,109 confirmed cases .
Less than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record of 9,585 confirmed cases , set on Saturday .
ESPN also reported Thursday that the NBA is working on a second `` bubble '' in Chicago for the eight non-playoff teams not invited to compete in Florida .

NBA Says 9 More Players Test Positive For Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Raoux/AP John Raoux/AP
The NBA and the league's players union announced Thursday nine more players have tested positive for the coronavirus. The news comes as the league is scheduled to resume games later this month.
"In tests conducted of 344 NBA players between June 24-29, an additional nine players have tested positive for the coronavirus," the NBA and National Basketball Players Association said in a joint statement.
The total number of players who have tested positive for the coronavirus is now 25. Put another way, that's 7% of the league.
NBA team staff members have fared better, with 10 positive tests out of 884.
According to the league's coronavirus rules, players or team personnel receiving positive tests will remain in self-isolation "until they satisfy public health protocols for discontinuing isolation and have been cleared by a physician."
After being shut down since March, the NBA is slated to tip off again on July 30.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
The 22 teams participating in the season reboot are scheduled to begin arriving next week at a "bubble" location in Orlando, Fla., for training. Players will stay at three Disney hotels, and the games will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
ESPN reported that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said this week that he is "pretty confident" the league is on track to restart on time this month.
"If there were something to change that was outside of the scope of what we are playing for, certainly we would revisit our plans," Silver said, according to ESPN. "We are testing daily. We haven't put a precise number on it, but if we were to see a large number of cases and see spread in our community, that would of course be a cause to stop as well."
Silver's comments come as Orange County, where the sports complex is located, and Florida overall have seen recent upticks in confirmed coronavirus cases.
As NPR reported, Florida's Department of Health said the state set a new daily record on Thursday, with 10,109 confirmed cases. Less than a week ago, the state had surpassed a record of 9,585 confirmed cases, set on Saturday.
ESPN also reported Thursday that the NBA is working on a second "bubble" in Chicago for the eight non-playoff teams not invited to compete in Florida.


npr--2020-07-02--Supreme Court Acts To Postpone More Controversies, From Mueller Report To Abortion

Supreme Court Acts To Postpone More Controversies , From Mueller Report To Abortion The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear arguments this fall in a case that pits the Trump administration against the House Judiciary Committee and its efforts to see redacted portions of report on Russian interference prepared by special prosecutor Robert Mueller .
The decision is a significant blow to House Democrats ' efforts to see the material before the November election .
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia had ruled that the House Judiciary Committee was entitled to see usually secret grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump Justice Department from the Mueller report on the 2016 election when it was handed over to the committee .
At the request of the Justice Department , the high court temporarily blocked the lower court order from going into effect .
And now the court has agreed to hear the case this fall , with a decision almost certain to come after the election .
The House went to court a year ago to get the grand jury material , well before the formal beginning of impeachment proceedings related to allegations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for political reasons .
More recently , House lawyer Douglas Letter told the justices that the inquiry did not end with the president 's impeachment by the House and his acquittal by the Senate in February .
The Trump administration , however , maintains that the investigation ended with the acquittal and that the House thus has no need for the material .
In a statement , House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler , D-N.Y. , expressed disappointment in the Supreme Court 's decision to allow Trump and Attorney General William Barr to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountability . ''
`` In every administration before this one , '' Nadler observed , the Department of Justice `` has cooperated with the Judiciary Committee 's requests for grand jury materials relating to investigations of impeachable offenses . ''
Trump and Barr , he said , `` broke from that practice . ''
`` While I am confident their legal arguments will fail , '' he concluded , `` it is now all the more important for the American people to hold the president accountable at the ballot box in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of several on Thursday that essentially kick the can down the road in cases involving controversial subjects .
Just days after striking down a Louisiana abortion law , the court declined to take up an Indiana law , signed by then-Gov .
Mike Pence , that imposes a variety of restrictions on abortion , including requiring an ultrasound test and an 18-hour waiting period before an abortion .
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the restrictions from going into effect , but the justices ordered the lower court judges to reconsider their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's abortion decision earlier this week .
The court could have simply turned aside the Indiana case , so the order suggests that Chief Justice John Roberts , who this week cast the decisive fifth vote to invalidate a Louisiana abortion law , may well be prepared to accept other kinds of restrictions , as he seemed to suggest in his solo opinion on Monday .
Lastly , on Thursday , the Supreme Court refused to expedite a petition that would have allowed the justices to hear arguments and rule prior to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Democratic Party and Texas voters who want all registered voters in the state to be able to vote by mail .
A federal district court judge in Texas had ordered the state to allow the mail-in ballots for all eligible voters , but that judgment was overruled by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals .
The justices ' refusal to consider speeding up their review process means that even if they decide to review the 5th Circuit ruling in the fall , it almost certainly wo n't be in time for the @ @ @ @

Supreme Court Acts To Postpone More Controversies, From Mueller Report To Abortion
Enlarge this image Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear arguments this fall in a case that pits the Trump administration against the House Judiciary Committee and its efforts to see redacted portions of report on Russian interference prepared by special prosecutor Robert Mueller. The decision is a significant blow to House Democrats' efforts to see the material before the November election.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia had ruled that the House Judiciary Committee was entitled to see usually secret grand jury material that was redacted by the Trump Justice Department from the Mueller report on the 2016 election when it was handed over to the committee.
At the request of the Justice Department, the high court temporarily blocked the lower court order from going into effect. And now the court has agreed to hear the case this fall, with a decision almost certain to come after the election.
The House went to court a year ago to get the grand jury material, well before the formal beginning of impeachment proceedings related to allegations that President Trump held up aid to Ukraine for political reasons.
More recently, House lawyer Douglas Letter told the justices that the inquiry did not end with the president's impeachment by the House and his acquittal by the Senate in February. The Trump administration, however, maintains that the investigation ended with the acquittal and that the House thus has no need for the material.
In a statement, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., expressed disappointment in the Supreme Court's decision to allow Trump and Attorney General William Barr to "run out the clock on all accountability."
"In every administration before this one," Nadler observed, the Department of Justice "has cooperated with the Judiciary Committee's requests for grand jury materials relating to investigations of impeachable offenses." Trump and Barr, he said, "broke from that practice."
"While I am confident their legal arguments will fail," he concluded, "it is now all the more important for the American people to hold the president accountable at the ballot box in November."
Other controversial cases
The court's action was one of several on Thursday that essentially kick the can down the road in cases involving controversial subjects.
Just days after striking down a Louisiana abortion law, the court declined to take up an Indiana law, signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence, that imposes a variety of restrictions on abortion, including requiring an ultrasound test and an 18-hour waiting period before an abortion.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the restrictions from going into effect, but the justices ordered the lower court judges to reconsider their decision in light of the Supreme Court's abortion decision earlier this week. The court could have simply turned aside the Indiana case, so the order suggests that Chief Justice John Roberts, who this week cast the decisive fifth vote to invalidate a Louisiana abortion law, may well be prepared to accept other kinds of restrictions, as he seemed to suggest in his solo opinion on Monday.
Lastly, on Thursday, the Supreme Court refused to expedite a petition that would have allowed the justices to hear arguments and rule prior to the November election on a petition from the Texas Democratic Party and Texas voters who want all registered voters in the state to be able to vote by mail. A federal district court judge in Texas had ordered the state to allow the mail-in ballots for all eligible voters, but that judgment was overruled by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The justices' refusal to consider speeding up their review process means that even if they decide to review the 5th Circuit ruling in the fall, it almost certainly won't be in time for the 2020 election cycle.


npr--2020-07-02--Maine Fireworks Businesses Struggle As Public Displays Are Canceled

Steven Marson had more than 100 contracts for public fireworks displays , the majority of them scheduled for this weekend , before the pandemic hit Maine and prompted cancellations .
Now he has eight .
Marson , who runs Central Maine Pyrotechnics , says the steep decline in business has cost him about $ 1 million so far .
`` I could be out of business if this continues into 2021 because I do n't have the means to keep going when you have not revenue coming in , '' he says .
Pyrotechnics companies across New England are struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually their peak season .
Atlas Fireworks usually handles hundreds of municipal fireworks displays throughout New England during the Fourth of July weekend .
Atlas ' vice president , Matt Shea , says his business is down 90 % this year .
He estimates a $ 3 million loss at this point and acknowledges others have it worse .
`` The prospect of many fireworks display companies going out of business is a very real possibility , '' Shea says .
Shea says regional pyrotechnics companies that handle large events are primarily family-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rely on when times are lean .
At the moment , Shea says small sales to individuals at the company 's retail stores are keeping his business afloat .
That part of the businesses is up about 30 % as people try to put on their own displays .
Shea and Marson say the current rate of business is n't sustainable .
They say they 're part of a group of fireworks companies trying to secure additional industry-specific financial relief from Congress .
Shea says companies are hoping to get through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this fall or during New Year 's celebrations , even though the pandemic 's effects will linger long afterward .
He says there 's still cause for celebration .
The country 's long tradition of marking the Fourth of July with fireworks will continue .
Marson also says he 's trying to be optimistic .
`` Mentally it affects you , '' Marson says , `` but you have to every day put your best foot forward .
And that 's what we 're doing in our business . ''

Maine Fireworks Businesses Struggle As Public Displays Are Canceled
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joel Page/AP Joel Page/AP
Steven Marson had more than 100 contracts for public fireworks displays, the majority of them scheduled for this weekend, before the pandemic hit Maine and prompted cancellations. Now he has eight.
Marson, who runs Central Maine Pyrotechnics, says the steep decline in business has cost him about $1 million so far.
"I could be out of business if this continues into 2021 because I don't have the means to keep going when you have not revenue coming in," he says.
Marson's not alone.
Pyrotechnics companies across New England are struggling to make ends meet during what is usually their peak season.
Atlas Fireworks usually handles hundreds of municipal fireworks displays throughout New England during the Fourth of July weekend. Atlas' vice president, Matt Shea, says his business is down 90% this year. He estimates a $3 million loss at this point and acknowledges others have it worse.
"The prospect of many fireworks display companies going out of business is a very real possibility," Shea says.
Shea says regional pyrotechnics companies that handle large events are primarily family-run operations. They have little additional capital to rely on when times are lean.
At the moment, Shea says small sales to individuals at the company's retail stores are keeping his business afloat. That part of the businesses is up about 30% as people try to put on their own displays.
Shea and Marson say the current rate of business isn't sustainable.
They say they're part of a group of fireworks companies trying to secure additional industry-specific financial relief from Congress.
Shea says companies are hoping to get through the downturn by capitalizing on displays rescheduled for this fall or during New Year's celebrations, even though the pandemic's effects will linger long afterward.
He says there's still cause for celebration. The country's long tradition of marking the Fourth of July with fireworks will continue. Marson also says he's trying to be optimistic.
"Mentally it affects you," Marson says, "but you have to every day put your best foot forward. And that's what we're doing in our business."


npr--2020-07-02--Amid Protests And Virus Fears, Firearm Background Checks Hit All-Time High

In a year marked by coronavirus fears , a slowing economy and nationwide protests calling for an end to systemic racism , more and more Americans are looking to arm themselves , according to a key government indicator .
The FBI reported that Americans set a new record of 3.9 million background checks to purchase or possess firearms in June .
That eclipsed the previous record set in March of 3.7 million background checks .
In fact , seven of 1o highest weeks for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System , which is run by the FBI and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
This includes the first four weeks in June .
Illinois registered the highest number of background checks last month , with 706,404 .
That state was followed by Kentucky ( 395,188 ) , Texas ( 227,232 ) , and Florida ( 210,415 ) .
California rounded out the top five background checks with 158,349 .
By comparison , Washington , D.C. , had 897 for the month of June , while Hawaii tallied 1,660 background checks and Vermont had 4,920 , according to the FBI data .
`` Civil unrest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police are unquestionably motivating factors of why this trend is increasing , '' said Mark Oliva of the National Shooting Sports Foundation , a firearm industry trade association .
`` Americans are right to be concerned for their personal safety .
It 's entirely reasonable that law-abiding citizens are exercising their Constitutional right to purchase a firearm to protect themselves , '' he said in a written statement to NPR .
NSSF 's own figures , which it says are adjusted to reflect the background checks `` that are coded for the sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 represented a 135.7 % increase compared to June 2019 .
Oliva expects that this year will see the highest number of background checks ever recorded .
`` For years , the gun lobby has marketed guns using baseless , unwarranted , and exaggerated fear — fear of crime , fear of the government , even fear of a zombie apocalypse , '' said David Chipman , a senior policy advisor at Giffords , which promotes gun control .
`` There is no doubt that this is driving the record-breaking surge in gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months in this country , '' he told NPR .
Kris Brown , the president of Brady , which is focused on ending gun violence , said pro-gun groups `` have promulgated a fear of uncertainty laced with racist overtones and tropes for years . ''
`` That this occurred during a month where we saw nationwide , peaceful demonstrations against police violence and gun violence inflicted on Black Americans and other people of color in this country can not go overlooked , '' Brown said in a statement to NPR .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home does not necessarily make it more secure , and pointed out that unintended shootings claim hundreds of lives annually .
Gun sales do not precisely correspond to the number of background checks .
`` Multiple guns can be sold in a single check , and many checks are conducted for purposes other than sales , such as permit applications , '' as The Trace pointed out .
The federal government does not track firearms sales , it added , so the FBI 's figures provide `` the best available proxy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not account for private gun sales , which do not require a background check in some states .
Research from Small Arms Analytics , a firm that studies the economics of small arms and ammunition markets , estimated the FBI 's June figures translates into roughly 2.4 million unit sales .
As NPR reported last year , the federal background check system functions much the same way it has when it was first established .
When a person wants to purchase a firearm , a federally-licensed gun dealer contacts the system and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin looking for indicators to approve or deny the purchase .
If additional research needs to be conducted , the purchase can be delayed for up to three business days .
If those investigators can not complete the additional background check within three days , the firearm transfer can go through , in what is known as a `` default proceed . ''

Amid Protests And Virus Fears, Firearm Background Checks Hit All-Time High
Enlarge this image toggle caption Keith Srakocic/AP Keith Srakocic/AP
In a year marked by coronavirus fears, a slowing economy and nationwide protests calling for an end to systemic racism, more and more Americans are looking to arm themselves, according to a key government indicator.
The FBI reported that Americans set a new record of 3.9 million background checks to purchase or possess firearms in June. That eclipsed the previous record set in March of 3.7 million background checks.
In fact, seven of 1o highest weeks for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which is run by the FBI and was launched in 1998, have come this year. This includes the first four weeks in June.
Illinois registered the highest number of background checks last month, with 706,404. That state was followed by Kentucky (395,188), Texas (227,232), and Florida (210,415). California rounded out the top five background checks with 158,349.
By comparison, Washington, D.C., had 897 for the month of June, while Hawaii tallied 1,660 background checks and Vermont had 4,920, according to the FBI data.
"Civil unrest, rioting, looting and calls to defund police are unquestionably motivating factors of why this trend is increasing," said Mark Oliva of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a firearm industry trade association.
"Americans are right to be concerned for their personal safety. It's entirely reasonable that law-abiding citizens are exercising their Constitutional right to purchase a firearm to protect themselves," he said in a written statement to NPR.
NSSF's own figures, which it says are adjusted to reflect the background checks "that are coded for the sale of a firearm" show that June 2020 represented a 135.7% increase compared to June 2019.
Oliva expects that this year will see the highest number of background checks ever recorded.
"For years, the gun lobby has marketed guns using baseless, unwarranted, and exaggerated fear — fear of crime, fear of the government, even fear of a zombie apocalypse," said David Chipman, a senior policy advisor at Giffords, which promotes gun control.
"There is no doubt that this is driving the record-breaking surge in gun sales we've seen over the last few months in this country," he told NPR.
Kris Brown, the president of Brady, which is focused on ending gun violence, said pro-gun groups "have promulgated a fear of uncertainty laced with racist overtones and tropes for years."
"That this occurred during a month where we saw nationwide, peaceful demonstrations against police violence and gun violence inflicted on Black Americans and other people of color in this country cannot go overlooked," Brown said in a statement to NPR.
She added that bringing a firearm into the home does not necessarily make it more secure, and pointed out that unintended shootings claim hundreds of lives annually.
Gun sales do not precisely correspond to the number of background checks. "Multiple guns can be sold in a single check, and many checks are conducted for purposes other than sales, such as permit applications," as The Trace pointed out. The federal government does not track firearms sales, it added, so the FBI's figures provide "the best available proxy for firearms commerce."
The system also does not account for private gun sales, which do not require a background check in some states.
Research from Small Arms Analytics, a firm that studies the economics of small arms and ammunition markets, estimated the FBI's June figures translates into roughly 2.4 million unit sales.
As NPR reported last year, the federal background check system functions much the same way it has when it was first established. When a person wants to purchase a firearm, a federally-licensed gun dealer contacts the system and typically within a few minutes federal investigators begin looking for indicators to approve or deny the purchase.
If additional research needs to be conducted, the purchase can be delayed for up to three business days. If those investigators cannot complete the additional background check within three days, the firearm transfer can go through, in what is known as a "default proceed."


npr--2020-07-02--Some States To Out-Of-Towners: If You Come Visit, Plan To Quarantine For 2 Weeks

Some States To Out-Of-Towners : If You Come Visit , Plan To Quarantine For 2 Weeks If you 're traveling this holiday weekend or if you have guests coming your way , there 's a good chance you live in a state affected by a mandatory 14-day travel quarantine .
As new COVID-19 hot spots erupt around the country , some public health officials said the measures could help contain the spread .
But the rules are a patchwork , and enforcement differs state by state .
`` We have a $ 5,000 penalty '' for violating the traveler quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's a misdemeanor , which means it 's punishable by up to a year in prison . ''
Hawaii is geographically isolated , but officials said they 're convinced their tough enforcement of travel rules helped suppress the spread of the coronavirus .
The daily number of new COVID-19 cases in Hawaii has declined into the single digits .
Connors said most people complied with the travel rules voluntarily , but state and local police have jailed tourists and residents returning home .
`` Their neighbors report them , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrest individuals for violating quarantine .
The counties have also arrested individuals .
Hawaii County arrested more than 20 individuals about a week and a half ago . ''
Similar traveler quarantines are now being tried by states across the U.S. , but most have different rules about which travelers are affected .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that travelers from 16 states , including California , Georgia and Texas , are now required to self-quarantine .
During his daily briefing , Cuomo said state officials have begun using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compliance .
`` We then do random checks off that database .
They can ask you to Facebook , show the surroundings of the room you 're in to make sure it 's a residence , '' he said .
Many states impose fines for violating the quarantine order — in New York they run as high as $ 10,000 — but Cuomo acknowledged enforcement is a challenge .
`` We are not going to be 100 % effective , '' he said .
`` If you want to really come into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't go through an airport ; you do n't go through anything . ''
Complicating matters further is that enforcement often falls to local police working with county health officials , who have to decide how much of their limited resources they can spend on quarantine enforcement .
Don Lehman is spokesman for Warren County , a major tourist destination in New York 's Adirondack Mountains that is currently monitoring 21 travelers .
He said most appear to be complying with the rules but a major challenge is informing and educating people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list .
`` We 're actually delivering packets to all the hotels and motels we can get to , flyers with forms to hand out to people who arrive from these states to let them know what 's expected of them , '' he said .
Public health experts said it 's still unclear how effective travel quarantines will be .
Polly Price , a professor of global health at Emory Law School , said they might help , especially if they convey a sense of urgency to travelers .
`` State and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of resources to go monitor everyone who might be under a quarantine order , '' Price said .
`` We 've always relied on voluntary compliance , especially when we 're talking about such large numbers of people . ''
Lawsuits have been filed over some of these quarantines as critics question whether travel restrictions and other public health orders violate civil liberties .
Connors , the Hawaii attorney general , said it 's clear states do have the authority .
`` Under Supreme Court precedent , when we have a public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials to exercise their police powers to keep people safe are appropriate restrictions on any constitutional rights , like the right to travel , '' Connors said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a position paper endorsing state quarantine powers .
`` To control the spread of disease within their borders , states have laws to enforce the use of isolation and quarantine , '' the federal agency said .
So far , the Trump administration has declined to coordinate interstate quarantines or set national guidelines .
As a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sort out on a state-by-state basis whether they 're affected .

Some States To Out-Of-Towners: If You Come Visit, Plan To Quarantine For 2 Weeks
Enlarge this image toggle caption Seth Wenig/AP Seth Wenig/AP
If you're traveling this holiday weekend or if you have guests coming your way, there's a good chance you live in a state affected by a mandatory 14-day travel quarantine.
As new COVID-19 hot spots erupt around the country, some public health officials said the measures could help contain the spread. But the rules are a patchwork, and enforcement differs state by state.
"We have a $5,000 penalty" for violating the traveler quarantine, Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors said. "It's a misdemeanor, which means it's punishable by up to a year in prison."
Hawaii is geographically isolated, but officials said they're convinced their tough enforcement of travel rules helped suppress the spread of the coronavirus.
The daily number of new COVID-19 cases in Hawaii has declined into the single digits.
Connors said most people complied with the travel rules voluntarily, but state and local police have jailed tourists and residents returning home.
"Their neighbors report them," she said. "We've had to arrest individuals for violating quarantine. The counties have also arrested individuals. Hawaii County arrested more than 20 individuals about a week and a half ago."
Similar traveler quarantines are now being tried by states across the U.S., but most have different rules about which travelers are affected.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that travelers from 16 states, including California, Georgia and Texas, are now required to self-quarantine.
During his daily briefing, Cuomo said state officials have begun using information gathered from airline passengers to monitor compliance.
"We then do random checks off that database. They can ask you to Facebook, show the surroundings of the room you're in to make sure it's a residence," he said.
Many states impose fines for violating the quarantine order — in New York they run as high as $10,000 — but Cuomo acknowledged enforcement is a challenge.
"We are not going to be 100% effective," he said. "If you want to really come into the state, you can drive. You don't go through an airport; you don't go through anything."
Complicating matters further is that enforcement often falls to local police working with county health officials, who have to decide how much of their limited resources they can spend on quarantine enforcement.
Don Lehman is spokesman for Warren County, a major tourist destination in New York's Adirondack Mountains that is currently monitoring 21 travelers. He said most appear to be complying with the rules but a major challenge is informing and educating people about which states are on the quarantine list.
"We're actually delivering packets to all the hotels and motels we can get to, flyers with forms to hand out to people who arrive from these states to let them know what's expected of them," he said.
Public health experts said it's still unclear how effective travel quarantines will be. Polly Price, a professor of global health at Emory Law School, said they might help, especially if they convey a sense of urgency to travelers.
"State and local governments don't have the kind of resources to go monitor everyone who might be under a quarantine order," Price said. "We've always relied on voluntary compliance, especially when we're talking about such large numbers of people."
Lawsuits have been filed over some of these quarantines as critics question whether travel restrictions and other public health orders violate civil liberties.
Connors, the Hawaii attorney general, said it's clear states do have the authority.
"Under Supreme Court precedent, when we have a public health crisis, the decisions of state elected officials to exercise their police powers to keep people safe are appropriate restrictions on any constitutional rights, like the right to travel," Connors said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a position paper endorsing state quarantine powers. "To control the spread of disease within their borders, states have laws to enforce the use of isolation and quarantine," the federal agency said.
So far, the Trump administration has declined to coordinate interstate quarantines or set national guidelines. As a result, travelers this holiday weekend will have to sort out on a state-by-state basis whether they're affected.