csmonitor--2020-04-20--Hong Kong embraces its rights – for the rest of us

For more than two decades , Beijing ’ s treatment of Hong Kong has been a bellwether on how it would treat the rest of the world .
On Saturday , that predictor became clearer after the arrest of 15 prominent campaigners for democracy .
Not surprisingly , many of the activists welcomed their arrests .
The charges relate to their role in mass protests last year in defense of rule of law and against China ’ s attempts to curtail such rights in the former British colony .
“ When the rule of law is in a crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” said one activist , Margaret Ng , a longtime barrister and former legislator , after being released on bail .
Another of those arrested , Martin Lee , who is considered the “ father ” of the pro-democracy movement , was glad that he could now join the more than 7,000 young people already detained in connection with the demonstrations .
At one point last year the demonstrations included about a third of Hong Kong ’ s 7 million people .
As she entered the police station Saturday , Ms. Ng @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how China ’ s ruling Communist Party regards rule of law as mainly a tool to extend its power in other parts of the world , not as a universal right .
The multiauthored book , “ China ’ s National Security : Endangering Hong Kong ’ s Rule of Law ?
” also makes a case that the ability of the semiautonomous territory to retain its basic rights “ matters ... to all of us ” around the globe .
Most Hong Kongers prefer not to be called Chinese and embrace the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including an independent judiciary .
Hong Kong still ranks high in a global index of rule of law .
Since the protests have subsided with the threat of the coronavirus , pro-democracy leaders have been preparing to renew them in July .
In addition , they hope to win many seats in September ’ s legislative election .
Both of these developments may account for the timing of the arrests .
These leaders have also altered their tactics by asking people to support businesses that favor democracy and avoid those that don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pressure in Hong Kong is through the business community , which relies heavily on ties to the mainland .
Chinese leader Xi Jinping often reminds his country that rule of law really means “ the law of governing by the Communist Party.
” As he tries to export this model of governance to other countries along with his sweeping conception of China ’ s national security , he is starting to receive pushback in many places .
But none more so than in Hong Kong .
The arrests on April 18 have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is a sound heard around the world .

For more than two decades, Beijing’s treatment of Hong Kong has been a bellwether on how it would treat the rest of the world. On Saturday, that predictor became clearer after the arrest of 15 prominent campaigners for democracy.
Not surprisingly, many of the activists welcomed their arrests. The charges relate to their role in mass protests last year in defense of rule of law and against China’s attempts to curtail such rights in the former British colony.
“When the rule of law is in a crisis, shall we walk out or fight on?” said one activist, Margaret Ng, a longtime barrister and former legislator, after being released on bail.
Another of those arrested, Martin Lee, who is considered the “father” of the pro-democracy movement, was glad that he could now join the more than 7,000 young people already detained in connection with the demonstrations. At one point last year the demonstrations included about a third of Hong Kong’s 7 million people.
As she entered the police station Saturday, Ms. Ng was seen carrying a book that describes how China’s ruling Communist Party regards rule of law as mainly a tool to extend its power in other parts of the world, not as a universal right. The multiauthored book, “China’s National Security: Endangering Hong Kong’s Rule of Law?” also makes a case that the ability of the semiautonomous territory to retain its basic rights “matters ... to all of us” around the globe.
Most Hong Kongers prefer not to be called Chinese and embrace the self-governance and transparency of their current system, including an independent judiciary. Hong Kong still ranks high in a global index of rule of law. Since the protests have subsided with the threat of the coronavirus, pro-democracy leaders have been preparing to renew them in July. In addition, they hope to win many seats in September’s legislative election. Both of these developments may account for the timing of the arrests.
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These leaders have also altered their tactics by asking people to support businesses that favor democracy and avoid those that don’t. Much of China’s pressure in Hong Kong is through the business community, which relies heavily on ties to the mainland.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping often reminds his country that rule of law really means “the law of governing by the Communist Party.” As he tries to export this model of governance to other countries along with his sweeping conception of China’s national security, he is starting to receive pushback in many places. But none more so than in Hong Kong. The arrests on April 18 have rung a bell in this bellwether territory. It is a sound heard around the world.


csmonitor--2020-04-20--Trump says Congress ready to finalize $450 billion rescue plan

The Trump administration and Congress expect an agreement Monday on an aid package of up to $ 450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that has run out of money and will add funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing .
As talks continued , President Donald Trump said there ’ s a “ good chance ” of reaching a bipartisan agreement with Democrats .
“ We are very close to a deal , ” Mr. Trump said Sunday at the White House .
Along with the small business boost , Mr. Trump said the negotiators were looking at “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural health care providers .
The Senate is scheduled for a pro forma session Monday , but no vote has been set .
The House announced it could meet as soon as Wednesday for a vote on the pending package , according to a schedule update from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md .
With small-business owners reeling during a coronavirus outbreak that has shuttered much economic activity , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he was hopeful of a deal that could pass Congress quickly and get the Small Business Administration program back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m hopeful that we can get that done , ” Mr. Mnuchin said Sunday .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , also said he believed a deal could be reached .
“ We still have a few more details to deal with , ” he said .
The emerging accord links the administration ’ s effort to replenish a small-business with Democrats ’ demands for more money for hospitals and virus testing .
It would provide $ 300 billion for small-business payroll program , and $ 50 billion would be available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it would bring $ 75 billion for hospitals and $ 25 billion for testing , according to those involved in the talks .
On a conference call Sunday afternoon that included Mr. Trump , Mr. Mnuchin , and Republican senators , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , indicated the only remaining item for discussion involved the money for testing , according to a Senate GOP leadership aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private call .
But Democrats have been insisting on boosting funding to cash-strapped states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In weekend talks , they had proposed $ 150 billion for the effort .
But Mr. Mnuchin and Mr. McConnell reiterated on the call with senators that money for state and local governments as well as food stamps would not be included in the package , according to the GOP aide .
“ The president is willing to consider that in the next bill , but wants to get this over the finish line with a focus on small businesses , hospitals and testing , ” Mr. Mnuchin said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP leaders including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , and all are “ on board with the same plan.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , predicted an agreement would be reached “ soon.
” Under the emerging deal , the government ’ s Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses would get roughly $ 300 billion , according to Mr. Mnuchin .
The Small Business Administration program has been swamped by companies applying for loans and reached its appropriations limit last Thursday after approving nearly 1.7 million loans .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they sought help .
An additional $ 50 billion in the evolving deal would go for disaster loans .
Criticism has been leveled at some large businesses - auto dealers and restaurant chains - for drawing down funds from the PPE .
On Sunday , Shake Shack released a statement saying it will return all $ 10 million it received from the program .
“ Our people would benefit from a $ 10 million [ Paycheck Protection Program ] loan but we ’ re fortunate to now have access to capital that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s executives , Danny Meyer and Randy Garutti , wrote in a letter shared on LinkedIn .
“ Until every restaurant that needs it has had the same opportunity to receive assistance , we ’ re returning ours.
” In the new aid package , about $ 75 billion would go to U.S. hospitals , for those straining under a ballooning coronavirus caseload as well as those struggling to stay financially afloat after suspending elective surgeries during the pandemic .
About $ 25 billion would be added for COVID-19 testing , something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , who leads the National Governors ’ Association , said he and other governors believe that aid for state and local government is “ desperately needed , ″ but that it may not be an issue worth fighting over for now .
Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said states needed money from the federal government to ramp up testing , and he blasted legislation that wouldn ’ t provide it .
“ You have the president saying 15 times , ‘ It ’ s up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the governors , it ’ s up to the governors , ‘ ” he said .
“ And then they ’ re going to pass a piece of legislation that gives you know what to states : zero , zilch , nada , niente .
Whatever language you want to say it , nothing.
” The SBA loans , based on a company ’ s payroll costs , offer owners forgiveness if they retain workers or rehire those who have been laid off .
The law provides for forgiveness for companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hedge funds and law firms .
There ’ s a limit of $ 100,000 on the amount of employees ’ compensation that can be considered when loan forgiveness is calculated .
Mr. Mnuchin , Mr. Schumer , and Mr. Hogan appeared on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” and Clark spoke on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation.
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage @ @ @ @ @ @

The Trump administration and Congress expect an agreement Monday on an aid package of up to $450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that has run out of money and will add funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing.
As talks continued, President Donald Trump said there’s a “good chance” of reaching a bipartisan agreement with Democrats.
“We are very close to a deal,” Mr. Trump said Sunday at the White House.
Along with the small business boost, Mr. Trump said the negotiators were looking at “helping our hospitals,” particularly hard-hit rural health care providers.
The Senate is scheduled for a pro forma session Monday, but no vote has been set.
The House announced it could meet as soon as Wednesday for a vote on the pending package, according to a schedule update from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.
With small-business owners reeling during a coronavirus outbreak that has shuttered much economic activity, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he was hopeful of a deal that could pass Congress quickly and get the Small Business Administration program back up by midweek.
“I’m hopeful that we can get that done,” Mr. Mnuchin said Sunday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also said he believed a deal could be reached. “We still have a few more details to deal with,” he said.
The emerging accord links the administration’s effort to replenish a small-business with Democrats’ demands for more money for hospitals and virus testing. It would provide $300 billion for small-business payroll program, and $50 billion would be available for small business disaster fund. Additionally, it would bring $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing, according to those involved in the talks.
On a conference call Sunday afternoon that included Mr. Trump, Mr. Mnuchin, and Republican senators, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., indicated the only remaining item for discussion involved the money for testing, according to a Senate GOP leadership aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private call.
But Democrats have been insisting on boosting funding to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered. In weekend talks, they had proposed $150 billion for the effort.
“We are pushing hard,” Mr. Schumer said.
But Mr. Mnuchin and Mr. McConnell reiterated on the call with senators that money for state and local governments as well as food stamps would not be included in the package, according to the GOP aide.
“The president is willing to consider that in the next bill, but wants to get this over the finish line with a focus on small businesses, hospitals and testing,” Mr. Mnuchin said.
He said he’s been in touch with GOP leaders including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and all are “on board with the same plan.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., predicted an agreement would be reached “soon.”
Under the emerging deal, the government’s Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses would get roughly $300 billion, according to Mr. Mnuchin. The Small Business Administration program has been swamped by companies applying for loans and reached its appropriations limit last Thursday after approving nearly 1.7 million loans. That left thousands of small businesses in limbo as they sought help. An additional $50 billion in the evolving deal would go for disaster loans.
Criticism has been leveled at some large businesses - auto dealers and restaurant chains - for drawing down funds from the PPE. On Sunday, Shake Shack released a statement saying it will return all $10 million it received from the program.
“Our people would benefit from a $10 million [Paycheck Protection Program] loan but we’re fortunate to now have access to capital that others do not,” the company’s executives, Danny Meyer and Randy Garutti, wrote in a letter shared on LinkedIn. “Until every restaurant that needs it has had the same opportunity to receive assistance, we’re returning ours.”
In the new aid package, about $75 billion would go to U.S. hospitals, for those straining under a ballooning coronavirus caseload as well as those struggling to stay financially afloat after suspending elective surgeries during the pandemic. About $25 billion would be added for COVID-19 testing, something states have said was urgently needed.
Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who leads the National Governors’ Association, said he and other governors believe that aid for state and local government is “desperately needed,″ but that it may not be an issue worth fighting over for now.
Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said states needed money from the federal government to ramp up testing, and he blasted legislation that wouldn’t provide it.
“You have the president saying 15 times, ‘It’s up to the governors, it’s up to the governors, it’s up to the governors,‘” he said. “And then they’re going to pass a piece of legislation that gives you know what to states: zero, zilch, nada, niente. Whatever language you want to say it, nothing.”
The SBA loans, based on a company’s payroll costs, offer owners forgiveness if they retain workers or rehire those who have been laid off. The law provides for forgiveness for companies in any industry – even businesses like hedge funds and law firms. There’s a limit of $100,000 on the amount of employees’ compensation that can be considered when loan forgiveness is calculated.
Mr. Mnuchin, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Hogan appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union,” and Clark spoke on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
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This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-04-30--Why domestic abuse is now an international cause

Governments around the world are starting to realize that an order for individuals to “ shelter in place ” may require shelter other than one ’ s house .
In many countries , domestic abuse has spiked under the stress of COVID-19 lockdowns and rising layoffs .
The United Nations calls it a “ shadow pandemic , ” estimating that every three months of lockdown will add 15 million extra cases of gender-based violence worldwide .
Yet even as the U.N. and others raise an alarm over people trapped at home with abusive partners , they are rushing to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead of a call to “ stay home , stay safe , ” they are pushing an alternative to stay safe by defining home itself .
In France , Spain , Germany , and Colombia , campaigns have started to train managers of supermarkets and pharmacies to respond to women seeking help because of domestic abuse but who are afraid to do so at home during forced isolation .
The U.N. is funding new domestic-abuse shelters in countries seeing a surge in abuse , such as Tunisia , where cases have risen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthier countries , legislation for dealing with the economic fallout from the coronavirus includes money to stem a rise in domestic violence .
In the United States , the CARES Act passed by Congress provides close to $ 100 million in additional money for programs aimed at protecting women and children .
Some lawmakers are now seeking additional funds .
Private groups and individuals are also stepping up .
The Mary Kay Foundation and the De Beers Group are donating money for shelters as are music icon Rihanna and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ António Guterres warned of a “ horrifying global surge in domestic violence.
” Since then the U.N. reports a “ very positive response ” from a number of countries that have flagged the issue .
Putting a spotlight on this shadow pandemic has brought hope for many now in abusive situations , offering them a new meaning of home and safety .

Governments around the world are starting to realize that an order for individuals to “shelter in place” may require shelter other than one’s house. In many countries, domestic abuse has spiked under the stress of COVID-19 lockdowns and rising layoffs. The United Nations calls it a “shadow pandemic,” estimating that every three months of lockdown will add 15 million extra cases of gender-based violence worldwide.
Yet even as the U.N. and others raise an alarm over people trapped at home with abusive partners, they are rushing to provide support for abuse hotlines and temporary shelters. Instead of a call to “stay home, stay safe,” they are pushing an alternative to stay safe by defining home itself.
In France, Spain, Germany, and Colombia, campaigns have started to train managers of supermarkets and pharmacies to respond to women seeking help because of domestic abuse but who are afraid to do so at home during forced isolation.
The U.N. is funding new domestic-abuse shelters in countries seeing a surge in abuse, such as Tunisia, where cases have risen fivefold in recent weeks.
In some wealthier countries, legislation for dealing with the economic fallout from the coronavirus includes money to stem a rise in domestic violence. In the United States, the CARES Act passed by Congress provides close to $100 million in additional money for programs aimed at protecting women and children. Some lawmakers are now seeking additional funds.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Private groups and individuals are also stepping up. The Mary Kay Foundation and the De Beers Group are donating money for shelters as are music icon Rihanna and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.
In early April, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence.” Since then the U.N. reports a “very positive response” from a number of countries that have flagged the issue. Putting a spotlight on this shadow pandemic has brought hope for many now in abusive situations, offering them a new meaning of home and safety.


csmonitor--2020-06-19--Echoes of freedom: Commentary on Juneteenth and the power of legislation

But , as we celebrate Juneteenth and other flashes of freedom as Black people , we can not rest on our laurels .
We wage a timeless war , with a timeline that goes from slavery to Reconstruction to the Jim Crow era to the war on drugs to the prison industrial complex to right now .
It is a call to action that has been exclaimed and expressed from freedom fighters such as Muhammad Ali and Fannie Lou Hamer : “ Nobody ’ s free until everybody ’ s free.
” Texas fell under Lincoln ’ s 1863 declaration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration wouldn ’ t be heard until 2,000 federal troops occupied Galveston , Texas , on June 18 , 1865 .
The next day , Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger stood on the balcony of Galveston ’ s Ashton Villa and read “ General Order No .
3 , ” proclaiming “ all slaves are free.
” June 19 is celebrated to this day as Juneteenth , a commemoration of the day that the last enslaved Black people in the United States were freed .
Many Americans believe the Emancipation Proclamation “ freed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln issued the document on Sept. 22 , 1862 , there were notable exceptions .
It is ironic that , during this time of great social upheaval , people are paying more attention to Juneteenth , the commemoration of the June 19 , 1865 , freeing of enslaved Black people in Texas .
Juneteenth isn ’ t just a celebration of the pursuit of Black freedom and Black culture .
It is also an indictment of law enforcement .
The Emancipation Proclamation was enacted on Jan. 1 , 1863 .
Many Americans believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , when Abraham Lincoln issued the document on Sept. 22 , 1862 , there were a few exceptions : Arkansas , Texas , Louisiana , ( except the Parishes of St. Bernard , Plaquemines , Jefferson , St. John , St. Charles , St. James Ascension , Assumption , Terrebonne , Lafourche , St. Mary , St. Martin , and Orleans , including the City of New Orleans ) Mississippi , Alabama , Florida , Georgia , South Carolina , North Carolina , and Virginia , ( except the forty-eight counties designated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties of Berkley , Accomac , Northampton , Elizabeth City , York , Princess Ann , and Norfolk , including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth [ ) ] , and which excepted parts , are for the present , left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued .
The proclamation also didn ’ t apply to Kentucky , Maryland , Delaware , Missouri , or Tennessee .
Those states would not see a proclamation of “ freedom ” until Dec. 6 , 1865 , when the 13th Amendment was ratified .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln ’ s 1863 declaration of freedom .
The echoes of that declaration wouldn ’ t be heard for nearly 30 months , until 2,000 federal troops occupied Galveston , Texas , on June 18 , 1865 .
The next day , Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger stood on the balcony of Galveston ’ s Ashton Villa and read “ General Order No .
3 ” : The people of Texas are informed that , in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States , all slaves are free .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves , and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor .
The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages .
They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere .
This is not an unfamiliar dynamic in regards to racial and social justice in America .
The ideals surrounding laws , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t always happen at the same time .
Even when laws are implemented and executed , Black people have still remained in harm ’ s way .
As sure as there are efforts to enforce law , there are efforts to erase law altogether .
Observe the 13th Amendment , which ideally abolished slavery “ except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted , shall exist within the United States , or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
” That loophole exercises itself to this day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the notion of “ freedmen ” and wage labor clashes with presumably abolished slavery .
Just last month , striking sanitation workers in New Orleans were replaced with prison labor – in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Those workers , who only made $ 10.25 an hour at the time of their protest , demanded a wage hike to $ 15 due to labor conditions and their status as “ essential workers.
” It ’ s worth mentioning that New Orleans was not one of the cities freed by the Emancipation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutual partners – yet we can look at voting rights , segregation in schools , and countless other challenges to racism , sexism , and classism that turn mutual partners into distant companions .
And yet , there is a cause for celebration .
Juneteenth is a celebration of Black power and progress against the current of constant struggle .
On the following June 19 , in 1866 , Black people in Texas and throughout the country celebrated the occasion like many Americans treat the Fourth of July .
There were cookouts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invocations and inspirational messages .
Formerly enslaved people recalled the horrors they experienced only years ago .
There was a particularly notable commemoration in 1872 , when four formerly enslaved men bought four acres of parkland in Houston with $ 800 ( more than $ 15,000 today when adjusted for inflation ) .
The area was named Emancipation Park .
Its history is as powerful as it is painful .
From 1922 to 1940 , it was Houston ’ s sole park for Black people , due to racial segregation .
A testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former slave , can be found in the book “ Lone Star Pasts : Memory and History in Texas ” : The end of the war , it come jus ’ like that – like you snap your fingers .
... Hallelujah broke out .
...
Soldiers , all of a sudden , was everywhere – comin ’ in bunches , crossin ’ , walkin ’ and ridin ’ .
Everyone was a-singin.
’ We was all walkin ’ on golden clouds .
... Everybody went wild .
... We was free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The feeling Haywood describes is fantastic , fiery , and filling .
It is also fleeting .
Racial , social , environmental , and economic disparities block the path to true freedom for Black folks .
The “ American dream ” is a cruel tease .
It is a form of trolling .
President Donald Trump is planning his own Juneteenth celebration .
He is hosting a campaign rally on June 20 in Tulsa , Oklahoma , the site of the Tulsa Race Massacre .
The rally was initially planned for June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the date was changed .
Katrina Pierson , President Trump ’ s campaign adviser , expressed that “ as part of the party of Lincoln , Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth , which is the anniversary of the last reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.
” That statement feels disingenuous .
It conflates the Black Republican history of Reconstruction with the crass GOP politics of today .
It is also a reminder that as much as we celebrate Juneteenth and other flashes of freedom as Black people , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We wage a timeless war , with a timeline that goes from slavery to Reconstruction to the Jim Crow era to the war on drugs to the prison industrial complex to right now .
It is a call to action that has been exclaimed and expressed from freedom fighters such as Muhammad Ali and Fannie Lou Hamer : “ Nobody ’ s free until everybody ’ s free.
” Ken Makin is a freelance writer and the host of the “ Makin ’ A Difference ” podcast .
You can follow him on @ @ @ @

For many Black Americans, this Juneteenth is particularly bittersweet. Columnist Ken Makin explores the significance of this commemoration of freedom as both a celebration and a call to action.
But, as we celebrate Juneteenth and other flashes of freedom as Black people, we cannot rest on our laurels. We wage a timeless war, with a timeline that goes from slavery to Reconstruction to the Jim Crow era to the war on drugs to the prison industrial complex to right now. It is a call to action that has been exclaimed and expressed from freedom fighters such as Muhammad Ali and Fannie Lou Hamer: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
Texas fell under Lincoln’s 1863 declaration of freedom. The echoes of that declaration wouldn’t be heard until 2,000 federal troops occupied Galveston, Texas, on June 18, 1865. The next day, Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger stood on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa and read “General Order No. 3,” proclaiming “all slaves are free.” June 19 is celebrated to this day as Juneteenth, a commemoration of the day that the last enslaved Black people in the United States were freed.
Many Americans believe the Emancipation Proclamation “freed the slaves.” However, when Abraham Lincoln issued the document on Sept. 22, 1862, there were notable exceptions.
It is ironic that, during this time of great social upheaval, people are paying more attention to Juneteenth, the commemoration of the June 19, 1865, freeing of enslaved Black people in Texas.
Juneteenth isn’t just a celebration of the pursuit of Black freedom and Black culture. It is also an indictment of law enforcement.
The Emancipation Proclamation was enacted on Jan. 1, 1863. Many Americans believe this document “freed the slaves.” However, when Abraham Lincoln issued the document on Sept. 22, 1862, there were a few exceptions:
Why We Wrote This For many Black Americans, this Juneteenth is particularly bittersweet. Columnist Ken Makin explores the significance of this commemoration of freedom as both a celebration and a call to action.
Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, (except the Parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James Ascension, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the City of New Orleans) Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Ann, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth[)], and which excepted parts, are for the present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued.
The proclamation also didn’t apply to Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, Missouri, or Tennessee. Those states would not see a proclamation of “freedom” until Dec. 6, 1865, when the 13th Amendment was ratified.
As for Texas, it fell under Lincoln’s 1863 declaration of freedom. The echoes of that declaration wouldn’t be heard for nearly 30 months, until 2,000 federal troops occupied Galveston, Texas, on June 18, 1865. The next day, Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger stood on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa and read “General Order No. 3”:
The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.
This is not an unfamiliar dynamic in regards to racial and social justice in America. The ideals surrounding laws, and the implementation of those same laws, don’t always happen at the same time. Even when laws are implemented and executed, Black people have still remained in harm’s way. As sure as there are efforts to enforce law, there are efforts to erase law altogether.
Observe the 13th Amendment, which ideally abolished slavery “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” That loophole exercises itself to this day in the prison industrial complex. Even the notion of “freedmen” and wage labor clashes with presumably abolished slavery. Just last month, striking sanitation workers in New Orleans were replaced with prison labor – in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those workers, who only made $10.25 an hour at the time of their protest, demanded a wage hike to $15 due to labor conditions and their status as “essential workers.” It’s worth mentioning that New Orleans was not one of the cities freed by the Emancipation Proclamation.
Enactment and enforcement should be mutual partners – yet we can look at voting rights, segregation in schools, and countless other challenges to racism, sexism, and classism that turn mutual partners into distant companions.
And yet, there is a cause for celebration.
Juneteenth is a celebration of Black power and progress against the current of constant struggle. On the following June 19, in 1866, Black people in Texas and throughout the country celebrated the occasion like many Americans treat the Fourth of July.
There were cookouts, dances, and rodeos. There were invocations and inspirational messages. Formerly enslaved people recalled the horrors they experienced only years ago. There was a particularly notable commemoration in 1872, when four formerly enslaved men bought four acres of parkland in Houston with $800 (more than $15,000 today when adjusted for inflation). The area was named Emancipation Park. Its history is as powerful as it is painful. From 1922 to 1940, it was Houston’s sole park for Black people, due to racial segregation.
A testimony about the holiday from Felix Haywood, a former slave, can be found in the book “Lone Star Pasts: Memory and History in Texas”:
The end of the war, it come jus’ like that – like you snap your fingers. ... Hallelujah broke out. ... Soldiers, all of a sudden, was everywhere – comin’ in bunches, crossin’, walkin’ and ridin’. Everyone was a-singin.’ We was all walkin’ on golden clouds. ... Everybody went wild. ... We was free. Just like that we was free.
The feeling Haywood describes is fantastic, fiery, and filling. It is also fleeting.
Racial, social, environmental, and economic disparities block the path to true freedom for Black folks. The “American dream” is a cruel tease. It is a form of trolling.
President Donald Trump is planning his own Juneteenth celebration. He is hosting a campaign rally on June 20 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the site of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The rally was initially planned for June 19, but “out of respect,” the date was changed.
Katrina Pierson, President Trump’s campaign adviser, expressed that “as part of the party of Lincoln, Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth, which is the anniversary of the last reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.” That statement feels disingenuous. It conflates the Black Republican history of Reconstruction with the crass GOP politics of today.
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It is also a reminder that as much as we celebrate Juneteenth and other flashes of freedom as Black people, we cannot rest on our laurels. We wage a timeless war, with a timeline that goes from slavery to Reconstruction to the Jim Crow era to the war on drugs to the prison industrial complex to right now. It is a call to action that has been exclaimed and expressed from freedom fighters such as Muhammad Ali and Fannie Lou Hamer: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
Ken Makin is a freelance writer and the host of the “Makin’ A Difference” podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @differencemakin.


csmonitor--2020-03-06--Trump signs bipartisan law to spend $8.3B to fight coronavirus

President Donald Trump signed an $ 8.3 billion measure on Friday to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak .
The legislation provides federal public health agencies money for vaccines , tests , and potential treatments , and help state and local governments prepare for and respond to the threat .
Mr. Trump had planned to sign the bill during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta , Vice President Mike Pence said late Thursday on his trip to Washington state , where 11 of the 12 U.S. victims have died .
But the White House said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit the agency because he `` does not want to interfere with the CDC 's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency . ''
The Senate passed the $ 8.3 billion measure Thursday to help tackle the outbreak in hopes of reassuring a fearful public and accelerating the government 's response to the virus .
The money would pay for a multifaceted attack on a virus that is spreading more widely every day , sending financial markets spiraling again Thursday , disrupting travel , and potentially threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday 's sweeping 96-1 vote sent the bill to the White House for President Donald Trump 's signature .
Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , cast the sole `` no '' vote .
The House passed the bill Wednesday by a 415-2 vote .
The plan more than triples the $ 2.5 billion amount outlined by the White House 10 days ago .
The Trump proposal was immediately discarded by members of Congress from both parties .
Instead , the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations committees negotiated the increased figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a burst of bipartisan cooperation that 's common on the panel but increasingly rare elsewhere in Washington .
`` In situations like this , I believe no expense should be spared to protect the American people , and in crafting this package none was , '' said Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby , R-Ala. `` It 's an aggressive plan , a vigorous plan that has received an overwhelming positive reaction . ''
The $ 8.3 billion plan is also intended to project confidence and calm - to address anxiety over the impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 lives in the U.S. '' The American people are looking for leadership and want assurance that their government is up to the task of protecting their health and safety , '' said Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vt .
The impact of the outbreak continues to mount .
The British government is considering suspending Parliament for five months in hope of limiting the spread of the virus in the United Kingdom .
The U.S. legislation provides federal public health agencies money for vaccines , tests , and potential treatments , including $ 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who need it .
More than $ 2 billion would go to help federal , state , and local governments prepare for and respond to the coronavirus threat .
An additional $ 1.3 billion would be used to help fight the virus overseas .
There 's also funding to subsidize $ 7 billion in small business loans .
Other dollars would be directed to help local officials prepare for the potential worsening of the outbreak and subsidize treatment by community health centers .
Medicare rules would be loosened to enable remote `` telehealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get treatment without visiting a doctor .
Sen. Maria Cantwell , D-Wash. , whose state is at the center of the crisis , praised the bill because it `` will increase access for public lab testing , help pay for isolation and quarantine , help pay for sanitizing in public areas , better track the virus and those who might come into contact with it , help labs who are trying to identify hot spots , and limit exposure . ''
The legislation contains a hard-won compromise that aims to protect against potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other medicines developed with taxpayer funds .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would have the power to make sure commercial prices are reasonable .
Mr. Azar is a former drug industry lobbyist .
Democrats said other steps may be needed if the outbreak continues to worsen .
`` This may be a first step because we have issues that relate to unemployment insurance for people who are put out of work , '' said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , as she signed the bill to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have only about 27 % of people in this country who have paid sick days .
So if they have to go home what is going to happen to them and their families ?
” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro , D-Conn. Ms. DeLauro said Mr. Pence responded that he would raise the issue with the president .
The bill seeks to restore $ 136 million that the Department of Health and Human Services cut from other accounts such as heating subsidies for the poor to battle the virus .
The legislation comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak is quieting down .
Lawmakers in both parties had faulted a shortage of tests for the virus and contrasting messages from Mr. Trump and his subordinates .
In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News on Wednesday , Mr. Trump downplayed the lethality of the virus , saying the World Health Organization 's updated estimate of a 3.4 % death rate in coronavirus cases is `` a false number . ''
`` Now you 're starting to see rapid deployment of tests , which makes me feel better , quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Calif. , a doctor .
`` I think their communications are a little better .
As long as the president does n't contradict the experts and the scientists who know what they 're doing , things will get better . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .

President Donald Trump signed an $8.3 billion measure on Friday to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The legislation provides federal public health agencies money for vaccines, tests, and potential treatments, and help state and local governments prepare for and respond to the threat.
Mr. Trump had planned to sign the bill during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Vice President Mike Pence said late Thursday on his trip to Washington state, where 11 of the 12 U.S. victims have died. But the White House said Friday that Mr. Trump would no longer visit the agency because he "does not want to interfere with the CDC's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency."
The Senate passed the $8.3 billion measure Thursday to help tackle the outbreak in hopes of reassuring a fearful public and accelerating the government's response to the virus.
The money would pay for a multifaceted attack on a virus that is spreading more widely every day, sending financial markets spiraling again Thursday, disrupting travel, and potentially threatening the U.S. economy's decade-long expansion.
Thursday's sweeping 96-1 vote sent the bill to the White House for President Donald Trump's signature. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., cast the sole "no" vote. The House passed the bill Wednesday by a 415-2 vote.
The plan more than triples the $2.5 billion amount outlined by the White House 10 days ago. The Trump proposal was immediately discarded by members of Congress from both parties. Instead, the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations committees negotiated the increased figure and other provisions of the legislation in a burst of bipartisan cooperation that's common on the panel but increasingly rare elsewhere in Washington.
"In situations like this, I believe no expense should be spared to protect the American people, and in crafting this package none was," said Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala. "It's an aggressive plan, a vigorous plan that has received an overwhelming positive reaction."
The $8.3 billion plan is also intended to project confidence and calm - to address anxiety over the impact of the virus, which has claimed 12 lives in the U.S.
"The American people are looking for leadership and want assurance that their government is up to the task of protecting their health and safety," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
The impact of the outbreak continues to mount. The British government is considering suspending Parliament for five months in hope of limiting the spread of the virus in the United Kingdom.
The U.S. legislation provides federal public health agencies money for vaccines, tests, and potential treatments, including $300 million to deliver such drugs to those who need it. More than $2 billion would go to help federal, state, and local governments prepare for and respond to the coronavirus threat. An additional $1.3 billion would be used to help fight the virus overseas. There's also funding to subsidize $7 billion in small business loans.
Other dollars would be directed to help local officials prepare for the potential worsening of the outbreak and subsidize treatment by community health centers. Medicare rules would be loosened to enable remote "telehealth" consultations whereby sick people could to get treatment without visiting a doctor.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., whose state is at the center of the crisis, praised the bill because it "will increase access for public lab testing, help pay for isolation and quarantine, help pay for sanitizing in public areas, better track the virus and those who might come into contact with it, help labs who are trying to identify hot spots, and limit exposure."
The legislation contains a hard-won compromise that aims to protect against potential price gouging by drug manufacturers for vaccines and other medicines developed with taxpayer funds. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would have the power to make sure commercial prices are reasonable. Mr. Azar is a former drug industry lobbyist.
Democrats said other steps may be needed if the outbreak continues to worsen.
"This may be a first step because we have issues that relate to unemployment insurance for people who are put out of work," said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as she signed the bill to send it to Mr. Trump.
"We have only about 27% of people in this country who have paid sick days. So if they have to go home what is going to happen to them and their families?” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.
Ms. DeLauro said Mr. Pence responded that he would raise the issue with the president.
The bill seeks to restore $136 million that the Department of Health and Human Services cut from other accounts such as heating subsidies for the poor to battle the virus.
The legislation comes as carping over the administration's response to the outbreak is quieting down. Lawmakers in both parties had faulted a shortage of tests for the virus and contrasting messages from Mr. Trump and his subordinates. In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News on Wednesday, Mr. Trump downplayed the lethality of the virus, saying the World Health Organization's updated estimate of a 3.4% death rate in coronavirus cases is "a false number."
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"Now you're starting to see rapid deployment of tests, which makes me feel better, quite honestly," said Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., a doctor. "I think their communications are a little better. As long as the president doesn't contradict the experts and the scientists who know what they're doing, things will get better."
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-04-22--A priority in a pandemic: The vulnerable first

The global crisis has put a focus on aiding the most vulnerable , even outside one ’ s own society .
This uplift in thought should not end when the COVID-19 crisis does .
One result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a shift in perception of the weakest and most vulnerable in society .
The people seen most at risk – those who are older , homeless , or incarcerated – get special attention .
Health workers on the front lines , as well as employees in “ essential ” industries , receive priority in protection .
Food banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are laid off and hungry .
In the United States , after the money in a federal rescue package went mainly to big businesses , Congress quickly refocused on aid to small businesses .
Shake Shack , a large and well-capitalized restaurant chain , even returned its $ 10 million loan after a public outcry .
“ Until every restaurant that needs it has had the same opportunity to receive assistance , we ’ re returning ours , ” the company ’ s executives said .
On a global level , perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is between the U.S. and a tiny country on the Arabian peninsula .
Yemen is not only the poorest country in the Middle East but , as a result of an ongoing five-year war , it has the world ’ s worst food crisis .
Nearly half of its children under 5 are stunted from malnutrition , according to the World Food Program .
Around 80 % of its 24 million people require foreign aid , or what is now the world ’ s largest humanitarian operation .
On April 10 , Yemen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With few resources to combat it and a shattered health system , one United Nations official said COVID-19 in Yemen “ could spread faster , more widely and with deadlier consequences than in many other countries.
” One impact could be a shutdown of aid to Yemen .
Such a possibility has set off an alarm in Washington despite its urgent focus on Americans .
On April 22 , the State Department told Reuters the U.S. is preparing a “ substantial contribution ” for Yemen to deal with the coronavirus .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international companies announced it will donate tens of thousands of testing kits and medical equipment to the country .
Around the world during this crisis , examples abound of this crisis evoking new commitments to tender compassion and unexpected generosity .
The crisis will end .
Yet the uplift in thought – that even the most vulnerable anywhere in the world , like the citizens of Yemen , are entitled to peace and healing – should not .

The global crisis has put a focus on aiding the most vulnerable, even outside one’s own society. This uplift in thought should not end when the COVID-19 crisis does.
One result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a shift in perception of the weakest and most vulnerable in society. The people seen most at risk – those who are older, homeless, or incarcerated – get special attention. Health workers on the front lines, as well as employees in “essential” industries, receive priority in protection. Food banks are doing double-time in deliveries to people who are laid off and hungry.
In the United States, after the money in a federal rescue package went mainly to big businesses, Congress quickly refocused on aid to small businesses. Shake Shack, a large and well-capitalized restaurant chain, even returned its $10 million loan after a public outcry.
“Until every restaurant that needs it has had the same opportunity to receive assistance, we’re returning ours,” the company’s executives said.
On a global level, perhaps the greatest gap between strong and weak is between the U.S. and a tiny country on the Arabian peninsula. Yemen is not only the poorest country in the Middle East but, as a result of an ongoing five-year war, it has the world’s worst food crisis. Nearly half of its children under 5 are stunted from malnutrition, according to the World Food Program. Around 80% of its 24 million people require foreign aid, or what is now the world’s largest humanitarian operation.
On April 10, Yemen reported its first case of the coronavirus. With few resources to combat it and a shattered health system, one United Nations official said COVID-19 in Yemen “could spread faster, more widely and with deadlier consequences than in many other countries.” One impact could be a shutdown of aid to Yemen.
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Such a possibility has set off an alarm in Washington despite its urgent focus on Americans. On April 22, the State Department told Reuters the U.S. is preparing a “substantial contribution” for Yemen to deal with the coronavirus. At the same time, a group of international companies announced it will donate tens of thousands of testing kits and medical equipment to the country.
Around the world during this crisis, examples abound of this crisis evoking new commitments to tender compassion and unexpected generosity. The crisis will end. Yet the uplift in thought – that even the most vulnerable anywhere in the world, like the citizens of Yemen, are entitled to peace and healing – should not.


csmonitor--2020-03-23--Altruism or PR? China sends supplies to help fight coronavirus

As the fight against COVID-19 shifts to Europe and beyond , China is supplying millions of masks and other desperately needed items to struggling governments , hoping to build political ties and defuse criticism that it allowed the disease to spread early on .
Serbia 's president plans to be at the airport this weekend to welcome a shipment of medical supplies from his `` brother and friend , '' Chinese leader Xi Jinping .
Xi 's government has flown gloves and protective clothing to Liberia .
It is sending 100,000 test kits to the Philippines .
More than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies are bound for the Czech Republic this week .
China , said Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek , is `` the only country capable of supplying Europe with such amounts . ''
It ’ s part of an effort by the Communist Party to reshape the narrative , from one of early missteps to a nation that acted decisively to bring the outbreak under control .
China is touting its deliveries of ventilators and masks overseas and dispatching its medical experts to share the lessons of its success .
China hopes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how difficult it is to bring the virus under control , said Julian Ku , a law professor at Hofstra University in New York .
`` The Chinese government 's failures ... will be less harshly viewed in light of the failures of other governments to respond effectively as well , '' he said .
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic blasted the European Union and praised China for offering help when he announced a state of emergency to combat the outbreak .
His country wants to join the EU , but his government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a seesaw battle for influence .
`` I believe in my brother and friend Xi Jinping and I believe in China ’ s help , '' Mr. Vucic said .
`` European solidarity , '' he said , was just a fairy tale .
EU officials denied they were stopping aid to Serbia , but said their first priority was EU members .
China has given $ 20 million to the World Health Organization for COVID-19 efforts .
While the EU and the U.S. have made larger pledges to combat the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis at home .
The Chinese `` are winning points , '' said Theresa Fallon , the founder of the Center for Russia Europe Asia Studies in Brussels .
`` Serbia thinks that China is their savior . ''
Six weeks ago , Chinese authorities were trying to quell outrage at home and condemnation abroad .
The critics said due to politically motivated foot-dragging , China had mishandled the viral outbreak racing through a major province and its capital , Wuhan .
Now the criticism is raining down on governments from Tehran to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cross official chastised Italy on Thursday for letting so many people stroll the streets of Milan .
`` Right now we need to stop all economic activity , and we need to stop the mobility of people , '' said Executive Chairman Sun Shuopeng .
At one level , China is reciprocating assistance it received .
Nearly 80 countries sent supplies to China , some on charter flights they sent to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan .
`` It is China 's traditional virtue to repay goodwill with greater kindness , '' Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing an ancient Confucian saying : `` You throw a peach to me , and I give you a white jade for friendship . ''
But at the same time , China is deepening ties with countries that have been receptive to its outreach as it assumes a larger international role .
It is shipping supplies to Cambodia , whose Prime Minister Hun Sen has been an outspoken supporter of Mr. Xi and even visited him in Beijing last month as the outbreak raged .
China moved quickly to send experts and equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first western European country to join China 's Belt and Road Initiative .
The massive program seeks to expand trade by building ports , roads , and other transportation projects in a 21st century version of the fabled Silk Road .
China is ready to work with Italy to contribute to international cooperation on epidemic control and to the building of a `` Health Silk Road , '' Mr. Xi was quoted as telling Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in a phone call Monday .
`` It 's not an accident that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sending condolences and China is sending N95 masks overlaps pretty closely with those countries that have demonstrated a willingness to accommodate China , '' said Daniel Russel , a former senior U.S. diplomat now with the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York .
Opinions vary on the effectiveness of China 's efforts .
`` It 's an open question how far that 's going to get ... but they 're clearly giving it the old-school try , '' Mr. Russel said .
The Communist Party 's propaganda , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad .
Clive Hamilton , author of `` Silent Invasion : China ’ s Influence in Australia , '' said that China has poured enormous resources into shaping the global discourse in recent years .
“ It would be a mistake to underestimate how effective ” this “ major international campaign to rewrite the history of the coronavirus '' might be , he said .
But Chu Yin , a professor of public administration at the University of International Relations in Beijing , said China lags the U.S. and Europe in its understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to convert humanitarian aid into diplomatic returns .
`` If people really expect a big boost of China 's influence through the aid , it will be difficult , '' he said .
`` In my opinion , let 's just take the aid as doing a good deed , and it would help China 's economy if the epidemic situation in these countries is contained . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva , Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade , Serbia , Karel Janicek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Indonesia , and reseacher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

As the fight against COVID-19 shifts to Europe and beyond, China is supplying millions of masks and other desperately needed items to struggling governments, hoping to build political ties and defuse criticism that it allowed the disease to spread early on.
Serbia's president plans to be at the airport this weekend to welcome a shipment of medical supplies from his "brother and friend," Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Xi's government has flown gloves and protective clothing to Liberia. It is sending 100,000 test kits to the Philippines. More than 10 flights carrying millions of masks and other supplies are bound for the Czech Republic this week.
China, said Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek, is "the only country capable of supplying Europe with such amounts."
It’s part of an effort by the Communist Party to reshape the narrative, from one of early missteps to a nation that acted decisively to bring the outbreak under control. China is touting its deliveries of ventilators and masks overseas and dispatching its medical experts to share the lessons of its success.
China hopes to benefit from a realization in the West of how difficult it is to bring the virus under control, said Julian Ku, a law professor at Hofstra University in New York.
"The Chinese government's failures ... will be less harshly viewed in light of the failures of other governments to respond effectively as well," he said.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic blasted the European Union and praised China for offering help when he announced a state of emergency to combat the outbreak. His country wants to join the EU, but his government has moved closer to Russia and China in a seesaw battle for influence.
"I believe in my brother and friend Xi Jinping and I believe in China’s help," Mr. Vucic said. "European solidarity," he said, was just a fairy tale.
EU officials denied they were stopping aid to Serbia, but said their first priority was EU members.
China has given $20 million to the World Health Organization for COVID-19 efforts. While the EU and the U.S. have made larger pledges to combat the disease, they are now preoccupied by the crisis at home.
The Chinese "are winning points," said Theresa Fallon, the founder of the Center for Russia Europe Asia Studies in Brussels. "Serbia thinks that China is their savior."
Six weeks ago, Chinese authorities were trying to quell outrage at home and condemnation abroad. The critics said due to politically motivated foot-dragging, China had mishandled the viral outbreak racing through a major province and its capital, Wuhan.
Now the criticism is raining down on governments from Tehran to Washington, D.C. A visiting Chinese Red Cross official chastised Italy on Thursday for letting so many people stroll the streets of Milan.
"Right now we need to stop all economic activity, and we need to stop the mobility of people," said Executive Chairman Sun Shuopeng.
At one level, China is reciprocating assistance it received. Nearly 80 countries sent supplies to China, some on charter flights they sent to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan.
"It is China's traditional virtue to repay goodwill with greater kindness," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, citing an ancient Confucian saying: "You throw a peach to me, and I give you a white jade for friendship."
But at the same time, China is deepening ties with countries that have been receptive to its outreach as it assumes a larger international role. It is shipping supplies to Cambodia, whose Prime Minister Hun Sen has been an outspoken supporter of Mr. Xi and even visited him in Beijing last month as the outbreak raged.
China moved quickly to send experts and equipment to Italy, which last year became the first western European country to join China's Belt and Road Initiative. The massive program seeks to expand trade by building ports, roads, and other transportation projects in a 21st century version of the fabled Silk Road.
China is ready to work with Italy to contribute to international cooperation on epidemic control and to the building of a "Health Silk Road," Mr. Xi was quoted as telling Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in a phone call Monday.
"It's not an accident that the heat map of where Xi Jinping is sending condolences and China is sending N95 masks overlaps pretty closely with those countries that have demonstrated a willingness to accommodate China," said Daniel Russel, a former senior U.S. diplomat now with the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York.
Opinions vary on the effectiveness of China's efforts.
"It's an open question how far that's going to get ... but they're clearly giving it the old-school try," Mr. Russel said. The Communist Party's propaganda, he said, has been more successful at home than abroad.
Clive Hamilton, author of "Silent Invasion: China’s Influence in Australia," said that China has poured enormous resources into shaping the global discourse in recent years.
“It would be a mistake to underestimate how effective” this “major international campaign to rewrite the history of the coronavirus" might be, he said.
But Chu Yin, a professor of public administration at the University of International Relations in Beijing, said China lags the U.S. and Europe in its understanding of public diplomacy and has always struggled to convert humanitarian aid into diplomatic returns.
"If people really expect a big boost of China's influence through the aid, it will be difficult," he said. "In my opinion, let's just take the aid as doing a good deed, and it would help China's economy if the epidemic situation in these countries is contained."
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia, Karel Janicek in Prague, Victoria Milko in Jakarta, Indonesia, and reseacher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-03-24--In Israel, pandemic tests democracy’s immune system

Yohanan Plesner , president of the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem , says that the broader conclusion from the Israeli case is “ that under the disguise of the corona crisis , reckless politicians can use it to violate democratic norms and conventions cultivated over decades.
” In the latest standoff , the Supreme Court has intervened to force the current speaker of the parliament to step aside , and he has refused to comply .
The former head of the Shin Bet , Israel ’ s equivalent of the FBI , warned that the government had effectively disabled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historian of international renown has dubbed it “ the first coronavirus dictatorship.
” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken swift , aggressive action to contain COVID-19 , winning praise from supporters .
But critics say he and his Likud party have taken advantage of the crisis to attempt a “ coup ” against their rivals , who won a majority of parliamentary seats in recent elections .
Is the coronavirus a vulnerability for democracies , as leaders marshal all the power at their disposal to address the crisis ?
Some see Israel as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amid a nationwide near total lockdown , some half a million Israelis gathered at a virtual demonstration online this weekend to protest what they call an attempted coup by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s transitional government under the guise of protecting citizens from the coronavirus .
Last week , the justice minister sent out an order in the middle of the night to shut down the courts on the eve of Mr. Netanyahu ’ s trial on corruption charges .
The government took measures to track citizens ’ contact with those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their cellphones without the authorization of the parliament , in the name of halting the spread of the virus .
And Mr. Netanyahu ’ s allies blocked the Israeli parliament from even opening , following recent elections in which his rivals won the majority of Knesset seats .
What the government is really protecting , critics say , is the prime minister ’ s precarious place in power .
While the specifics of the alleged power grab may be rooted in Israel ’ s political crisis following three stalemate elections in a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tale for other democracies strained by the current crisis .
“ The first coronavirus dictatorship , ” quipped Israeli author and historian Yuval Noah Harari , known more for his international bestsellers like “ Sapiens ” than for commenting on Israeli politics .
“ Netanyahu is trying to exploit the situation of the pandemic to hold on to power and take more extreme measures than he would if this crisis was not going on , ” says Gershom Gorenberg , an Israeli historian and journalist .
“ I think it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] crisis has to be dealt with , the need for democratic controls are even greater in a crisis situation.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , we ’ ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .
In an interview with Channel 12 , Mr. Netanyahu was asked if he was overstating the threat of coronavirus in order to keep himself in power after already serving four terms as prime minister .
“ Anyone who looks at what I am doing sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
I am doing this as I stand on the deck and navigate through the icebergs , ” he said .
“ Behind me are other countries which have become like Titanics that are sinking.
” Indeed , supporters praise Mr. Netanyahu as a veteran leader who moved swiftly to adopt stringent measures to address the crisis , including police shutting down gatherings of more than 10 people and investigating people who violated their quarantine .
Gayil Talshir , a political science professor at Hebrew University , cautions that democracies in crisis need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations and judicial systems , in order to protect the system .
“ The power concentrated in the hands of government is immense and therefore especially in times of crisis you need more supervision , more caution , more attention to individual rights , not less , ” says Dr. Talshir .
She says leaders who suggest that a “ deep state ” apparatus might be trying to undermine them , such as U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of Hungary and Poland , are already inclined to try to take more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this could accelerate that tendency .
“ There ’ s a threat that they would use an emergency time to weaken democratic institutions and gain even more power , ” she says .
The power struggle between Mr. Netanyahu ’ s Likud party and their rivals has come to a head over the speakership of the parliament .
After the recent election , President Reuven Rivlin tapped Benny Gantz ’ s Blue and White Party to form a governing coalition .
However , Mr. Netanyahu has continued to act as prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to serve as speaker of the Knesset , Israel ’ s parliament .
On Monday , following a complaint from Mr. Gantz ’ s party , Israel ’ s Supreme Court said the speaker should hold a vote that would enable the Knesset to fully function after a new parliament was sworn in last week .
For days Mr. Edelstein had objected to doing so , citing public health concerns and claiming that such a vote would jeopardize talks for an emergency national unity government between Likud and Blue and White .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cede power .
One reason is that Blue and White and its allies could use their majority status to pass laws that make it difficult for Mr. Netanyahu to continue in office with his current legal problems , which include indictments in three criminal cases .
Last week a call went out via social media and text messages to protest outside the Knesset .
Activists drove into Jerusalem from around the country , black flags waving from their cars .
Several arrests were made , including of the former commander of Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These protests show that Israelis are not willing to accept such violations to our democratic norms , ” says Yohanan Plesner , president of the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem .
Among those who spoke at this weekend ’ s virtual demonstration were Elyakim Rubinstein , former attorney general and former vice president of the Supreme Court , and Yuval Diskin , former head of the Shin Bet , Israel ’ s equivalent of the FBI .
Mr. Diskin warned the government had effectively disabled the judiciary and legislature .
Yair Fink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Way ” in Hebrew ) , a nonpartisan civil rights group that helped organize the demonstration , said , “ It is precisely in this time , when we are forbidden to congregate , that some have chosen to cynically exploit this situation to chip away at the foundations upon which our state was founded.
” Yet despite the outcry over the weekend , Justice Minister Amir Ohana and other Netanyahu allies said on Monday that Mr. Edelstein , the speaker of parliament , should ignore the Supreme Court ’ s order .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimatums , ” Mr. Edelstein declared in a statement Tuesday , calling the intervention of the justice system in parliamentary business “ out of place.
” The case for and against unusual measures in a crisis Zion Bouskila , chair of the Likud branch in the southern town of Netivot , says democracy is sacrosanct , but that at this time of an unprecedented national health crisis that could crash Israel ’ s economy , the focus should be on forging a unity government .
“ I don ’ t think Netanyahu is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fighting to save the country , ” he says .
“ As for the courts and the political process , they will return to normal after the crisis is handled.
” For Dr. Talshir of Hebrew University , one of the most disturbing aspects of Mr. Netanyahu ’ s behavior is how it sows doubt that a democracy is what is needed to rule a country in times of crisis .
“ This is more threatening than just the manipulations we are seeing , ” she says .
Mr. Plesner , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shock of the pandemic makes it challenging for people to respond to the undermining of democratic institutions , particularly the temporary shutdown of the Knesset , which he terms “ a severe and unwarranted violation.
” “ The broader conclusion from the Israeli case , ” says Mr. Plesner , “ is that we can say that under the disguise of the corona crisis , reckless politicians can use it to violate democratic norms and conventions cultivated over decades.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage .
It ’ s free .

Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem, says that the broader conclusion from the Israeli case is “that under the disguise of the corona crisis, reckless politicians can use it to violate democratic norms and conventions cultivated over decades.”
In the latest standoff, the Supreme Court has intervened to force the current speaker of the parliament to step aside, and he has refused to comply. The former head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s equivalent of the FBI, warned that the government had effectively disabled the judiciary and legislature. And an Israeli historian of international renown has dubbed it “the first coronavirus dictatorship.”
Civilian compliance can be more difficult to bring about in free societies. Israel illustrates the concerns around governments taking unusual measures that undermine democratic institutions, even temporarily.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken swift, aggressive action to contain COVID-19, winning praise from supporters. But critics say he and his Likud party have taken advantage of the crisis to attempt a “coup” against their rivals, who won a majority of parliamentary seats in recent elections.
Is the coronavirus a vulnerability for democracies, as leaders marshal all the power at their disposal to address the crisis? Some see Israel as a canary in a coal mine.
Amid a nationwide near total lockdown, some half a million Israelis gathered at a virtual demonstration online this weekend to protest what they call an attempted coup by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s transitional government under the guise of protecting citizens from the coronavirus.
Last week, the justice minister sent out an order in the middle of the night to shut down the courts on the eve of Mr. Netanyahu’s trial on corruption charges. The government took measures to track citizens’ contact with those who tested positive by using geolocation data from their cellphones without the authorization of the parliament, in the name of halting the spread of the virus. And Mr. Netanyahu’s allies blocked the Israeli parliament from even opening, following recent elections in which his rivals won the majority of Knesset seats.
What the government is really protecting, critics say, is the prime minister’s precarious place in power. While the specifics of the alleged power grab may be rooted in Israel’s political crisis following three stalemate elections in a year, they paint it as a cautionary tale for other democracies strained by the current crisis. “The first coronavirus dictatorship,” quipped Israeli author and historian Yuval Noah Harari, known more for his international bestsellers like “Sapiens” than for commenting on Israeli politics.
Why We Wrote This Civilian compliance can be more difficult to bring about in free societies. Israel illustrates the concerns around governments taking unusual measures that undermine democratic institutions, even temporarily.
“Netanyahu is trying to exploit the situation of the pandemic to hold on to power and take more extreme measures than he would if this crisis was not going on,” says Gershom Gorenberg, an Israeli historian and journalist. “I think it’s a warning elsewhere that while the [coronavirus] crisis has to be dealt with, the need for democratic controls are even greater in a crisis situation.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, we’ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.
In an interview with Channel 12, Mr. Netanyahu was asked if he was overstating the threat of coronavirus in order to keep himself in power after already serving four terms as prime minister. “Anyone who looks at what I am doing sees I am working for the country. ... I am doing this as I stand on the deck and navigate through the icebergs,” he said. “Behind me are other countries which have become like Titanics that are sinking.”
Indeed, supporters praise Mr. Netanyahu as a veteran leader who moved swiftly to adopt stringent measures to address the crisis, including police shutting down gatherings of more than 10 people and investigating people who violated their quarantine.
Gayil Talshir, a political science professor at Hebrew University, cautions that democracies in crisis need more supervision, including by civil rights organizations and judicial systems, in order to protect the system.
“The power concentrated in the hands of government is immense and therefore especially in times of crisis you need more supervision, more caution, more attention to individual rights, not less,” says Dr. Talshir.
She says leaders who suggest that a “deep state” apparatus might be trying to undermine them, such as U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of Hungary and Poland, are already inclined to try to take more power for themselves – and a crisis like this could accelerate that tendency. “There’s a threat that they would use an emergency time to weaken democratic institutions and gain even more power,” she says.
Netanyahu ally defies Supreme Court order
The power struggle between Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud party and their rivals has come to a head over the speakership of the parliament.
After the recent election, President Reuven Rivlin tapped Benny Gantz’s Blue and White Party to form a governing coalition.
However, Mr. Netanyahu has continued to act as prime minister and Likud’s Yuli Edelstein has continued to serve as speaker of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
On Monday, following a complaint from Mr. Gantz’s party, Israel’s Supreme Court said the speaker should hold a vote that would enable the Knesset to fully function after a new parliament was sworn in last week.
For days Mr. Edelstein had objected to doing so, citing public health concerns and claiming that such a vote would jeopardize talks for an emergency national unity government between Likud and Blue and White. Critics say Likud simply does not want to cede power. One reason is that Blue and White and its allies could use their majority status to pass laws that make it difficult for Mr. Netanyahu to continue in office with his current legal problems, which include indictments in three criminal cases.
Last week a call went out via social media and text messages to protest outside the Knesset. Activists drove into Jerusalem from around the country, black flags waving from their cars. Several arrests were made, including of the former commander of Israel’s top special forces unit.
“These protests show that Israelis are not willing to accept such violations to our democratic norms,” says Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem.
Among those who spoke at this weekend’s virtual demonstration were Elyakim Rubinstein, former attorney general and former vice president of the Supreme Court, and Yuval Diskin, former head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s equivalent of the FBI. Mr. Diskin warned the government had effectively disabled the judiciary and legislature.
Yair Fink, who heads Darkenu (“Our Way” in Hebrew), a nonpartisan civil rights group that helped organize the demonstration, said, “It is precisely in this time, when we are forbidden to congregate, that some have chosen to cynically exploit this situation to chip away at the foundations upon which our state was founded.”
Yet despite the outcry over the weekend, Justice Minister Amir Ohana and other Netanyahu allies said on Monday that Mr. Edelstein, the speaker of parliament, should ignore the Supreme Court’s order.
“I won’t agree to ultimatums,” Mr. Edelstein declared in a statement Tuesday, calling the intervention of the justice system in parliamentary business “out of place.”
The case for and against unusual measures in a crisis
Zion Bouskila, chair of the Likud branch in the southern town of Netivot, says democracy is sacrosanct, but that at this time of an unprecedented national health crisis that could crash Israel’s economy, the focus should be on forging a unity government.
“I don’t think Netanyahu is taking advantage of coronavirus, he’s fighting to save the country,” he says. “As for the courts and the political process, they will return to normal after the crisis is handled.”
For Dr. Talshir of Hebrew University, one of the most disturbing aspects of Mr. Netanyahu’s behavior is how it sows doubt that a democracy is what is needed to rule a country in times of crisis.
“This is more threatening than just the manipulations we are seeing,” she says.
Mr. Plesner, a former member of Knesset, says the shock of the pandemic makes it challenging for people to respond to the undermining of democratic institutions, particularly the temporary shutdown of the Knesset, which he terms “a severe and unwarranted violation.”
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“The broader conclusion from the Israeli case,” says Mr. Plesner, “is that we can say that under the disguise of the corona crisis, reckless politicians can use it to violate democratic norms and conventions cultivated over decades.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, we’ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-03-23--India's bustling train stations empty as Modi calls for curfew

As India expanded its virus-containment measures and halted its train network , the federal government warned Monday of strict legal action for those who flout the rules .
`` Please save yourself , save your family , '' Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted in Hindi , calling for states to follow the preventive measures issued by the federal government to contain the spread of the virus .
The strict legal action vowed was n't immediately clear .
Other places have simply sent violators home , since alternatives like detention would create crowded conditions where the virus could spread .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started to lock down many in the country of 1.3 billion people , sending stock markets to record lows .
Parliament adjourned its session , and India 's civil aviation authority banned all commercial flights within India starting Wednesday .
International flights were kept from landing from Sunday until at least March 31 .
At least 80 districts where cases of infection have been detected are under stringent lockdown .
Police and health care were operating , but commercial establishments have closed except for essential services .
Banks have asked their customers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office staff .
The government has fervently appealed for people to practice social distancing and wash their hands often .
But Mr. Modi 's call for a 14-hour voluntary curfew on Sunday was the first nationwide effort at social isolation practices the World Health Organization says are critical to slowing the outbreak to a level that does n't overwhelm health care systems .
Lockdowns in other places have lasted at least two weeks , which is believed to be the maximum incubation period of the virus .
Streets across India ’ s cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoors heeding Mr. Modi ’ s call .
But key train stations were packed with thousands of migrant workers suddenly out of work and trying to head to their villages , risking carrying the infection to the nation ’ s vast hinterland .
Late Sunday , train services were suspended until March 31 while crowds were still waiting to board .
The suspension included major long-distance trains and public transit in India 's big cities , exempting only freight .
The New Delhi Railway Station , usually teeming with activity , was empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 415 active cases of infection with the new coronavirus and seven deaths from COVID-19 , the illness it causes .
Experts have said the number of confirmed cases seemed low for the world 's second-most populous country , amid concerns that India is not testing enough people .
The bulk of the testing had been aimed at international travelers and their contacts , but in recent days the government has expanded it to people in hospitals with respiratory problems .
`` Our biggest challenge is how do we break this chain of transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health ministry official , said at a briefing in New Delhi on Sunday .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

As India expanded its virus-containment measures and halted its train network, the federal government warned Monday of strict legal action for those who flout the rules.
"Please save yourself, save your family," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted in Hindi, calling for states to follow the preventive measures issued by the federal government to contain the spread of the virus.
The strict legal action vowed wasn't immediately clear. Other places have simply sent violators home, since alternatives like detention would create crowded conditions where the virus could spread.
To contain the outbreak, authorities have gradually started to lock down many in the country of 1.3 billion people, sending stock markets to record lows. Parliament adjourned its session, and India's civil aviation authority banned all commercial flights within India starting Wednesday. International flights were kept from landing from Sunday until at least March 31.
At least 80 districts where cases of infection have been detected are under stringent lockdown. Police and health care were operating, but commercial establishments have closed except for essential services. Banks have asked their customers to switch to online transactions and reduced their office staff.
The government has fervently appealed for people to practice social distancing and wash their hands often.
But Mr. Modi's call for a 14-hour voluntary curfew on Sunday was the first nationwide effort at social isolation practices the World Health Organization says are critical to slowing the outbreak to a level that doesn't overwhelm health care systems. Lockdowns in other places have lasted at least two weeks, which is believed to be the maximum incubation period of the virus.
Streets across India’s cities on Sunday were deserted as citizens stayed indoors heeding Mr. Modi’s call. But key train stations were packed with thousands of migrant workers suddenly out of work and trying to head to their villages, risking carrying the infection to the nation’s vast hinterland.
Late Sunday, train services were suspended until March 31 while crowds were still waiting to board. The suspension included major long-distance trains and public transit in India's big cities, exempting only freight. The New Delhi Railway Station, usually teeming with activity, was empty on Monday.
India has at least 415 active cases of infection with the new coronavirus and seven deaths from COVID-19, the illness it causes.
Experts have said the number of confirmed cases seemed low for the world's second-most populous country, amid concerns that India is not testing enough people. The bulk of the testing had been aimed at international travelers and their contacts, but in recent days the government has expanded it to people in hospitals with respiratory problems.
"Our biggest challenge is how do we break this chain of transmission," Lav Agarwal, a senior health ministry official, said at a briefing in New Delhi on Sunday.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-02-20--Charity in China during a health crisis

Charity in China during a health crisis

The magnitude of the coronavirus outbreak in China , measured by the millions of people still under quarantine , has triggered a remarkable magnanimity .
In January , after doctors in Hubei province made urgent pleas on social media for protective gear and medical supplies , Chinese citizens poured in massive donations .
Many Chinese volunteered to aid sick people .
In fact , the level of charity has been so overwhelming that the Communist Party has tried to put a stop to it , or at least redirect it .
On Jan. 26 , it required all donations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The private generosity had become an embarrassing sign of a rising distrust in the ruling party and its response to the health crisis .
The party fears a crisis over its long-held authoritarian leadership .
The distrust burst onto social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat with stories of official cover-ups of the outbreak and the inefficient distribution of medical supplies .
People were angry that donations to the party-controlled charities were simply handed over to the government and not given directly to hospitals .
Three officials from the Hubei Red Cross were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus.
” Ge Yunsong , a Peking University law professor , posted an article asking the government to end its monopoly on philanthropy .
Hospitals and individuals , he wrote , “ also enjoy the right to receive donations.
” As in nature , love abhors a vacuum of love .
The Chinese people have risen up with loving hearts to fill an absence of trust in their leaders .
One way or another , the high level of charity in China will reach those laid low by the coronavirus .

The magnitude of the coronavirus outbreak in China, measured by the millions of people still under quarantine, has triggered a remarkable magnanimity. In January, after doctors in Hubei province made urgent pleas on social media for protective gear and medical supplies, Chinese citizens poured in massive donations. Many Chinese volunteered to aid sick people.
In fact, the level of charity has been so overwhelming that the Communist Party has tried to put a stop to it, or at least redirect it. On Jan. 26, it required all donations to go through only five government-controlled charities. The private generosity had become an embarrassing sign of a rising distrust in the ruling party and its response to the health crisis. The party fears a crisis over its long-held authoritarian leadership.
The distrust burst onto social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat with stories of official cover-ups of the outbreak and the inefficient distribution of medical supplies. People were angry that donations to the party-controlled charities were simply handed over to the government and not given directly to hospitals. Three officials from the Hubei Red Cross were punished for “mishandling donations for the coronavirus.”
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Ge Yunsong, a Peking University law professor, posted an article asking the government to end its monopoly on philanthropy. Hospitals and individuals, he wrote, “also enjoy the right to receive donations.”
As in nature, love abhors a vacuum of love. The Chinese people have risen up with loving hearts to fill an absence of trust in their leaders. One way or another, the high level of charity in China will reach those laid low by the coronavirus.