csmonitor--2020-04-15--Coronavirus lockdown stirs can-do spirit in France’s poor suburbs

Such banlieue -based nonprofits demonstrate a unique solidarity that is guiding local communities out of their darkest days .
“ The volunteer sector is very strong in many working-class neighborhoods , ” says Sylvie Tissot , a sociologist and professor of political science at the University of Paris 8 .
“ Often times , people are united by shared hardship , poverty , and shortages.
” But the banlieues are also where those like Piroo , a resident of the Paris suburb of Sartrouville , are making a difference .
“ I realized that [ the nightly tradition of ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t enough , ” he says .
“ We needed to do something concrete for them.
” So he organized numerous local businesses – as well as neighbors stuck at home – to collect and donate food and prepared meals to local hospitals .
Many continue to take public transportation to get to work , raising health risks , or find themselves confined to tiny apartments with numerous people .
In homes where internet connections are shoddy or parents are uneducated , home schooling is next to impossible .
Local media reports continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and infection .
Life was not easy in France 's poorest suburbs , or banlieues , before the coronavirus pandemic .
But the ensuing lockdown has magnified the inequalities for their inhabitants .
France ’ s poorest suburbs , or banlieues , have long struggled with notoriety as places where drug dealing , delinquency , and unemployment abound .
Now , amid the country ’ s lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic , that reputation has only gotten worse .
Local media reports continue to portray banlieues as hotspots for incivility and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a discrimination felt twice over by those living with limited means , where many must continue working menial jobs during confinement or already lack adequate housing and resources .
It 's also shortsighted , for the banlieues are where those like Piroo , a 20-something resident of the Paris suburb of Sartrouville , are making a difference .
“ Faced with this epidemic , I realized that [ the nightly tradition of ] clapping for health care staff wasn ’ t enough , ” says Piroo , who uses an assumed name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy .
“ We needed to do something concrete for them.
” So via his local organization , Les Grands Frères & Soeurs De Sartrouville , he organized Sartrouville residents to donate time , food , and acts of goodwill to help those in need , particularly the country ’ s overtaxed health professionals .
Through his efforts , numerous local businesses – as well as neighbors stuck at home – have donated food and prepared meals for local hospitals .
And jumping off from a neighborhood cleanup program he was involved with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CleanTonHall initiative , calling on young people living in public housing to clean their buildings , in order to take the pressure off cleaning staff .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
As France ’ s lockdown continues into its fourth week , banlieue-based nonprofits are working to highlight the inequalities experienced by those living in the country ’ s poorest neighborhoods and reverse the negative image surrounding them .
They also intend to show that a unique solidarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of their darkest days and setting an example for the rest of the country .
“ The volunteer sector is very strong in many working-class neighborhoods , ” says Sylvie Tissot , a sociologist and professor of political science at the University of Paris 8 , whose research focuses on public housing and gentrification .
“ Often times , people are united by shared hardship , poverty , and shortages .
This creates solidarity between people and the desire to help one another.
” Even if France has made strides in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their negative reputation has been hard to shake .
Since France 's lockdown began , people from impoverished communities have been photographed congregating outside in groups , having run-ins with police , or robbing shuttered stores .
Métropop , a nonprofit that aims to stop “ banlieue-bashing , ” says France ’ s working class are neither irresponsible nor blind to the risks of the coronavirus , and that France ’ s suburbs have suffered stigma for 40 years .
“ There has been a media portrayal pointing the finger at people from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not respecting the lockdown , even if we can see the same behaviors in other well-to-do areas , ” says Virginie Lions , director of a community involvement branch of Métropop .
In addition , these same communities face double discrimination .
Not only must they battle their negative representation , but they are the populations making the most personal sacrifices during the lockdown .
While hordes of wealthy French set off for the countryside ahead of the lockdown or are comfortably working from home , the confinement has magnified the inequalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take public transportation to get to work , raising health risks , or find themselves confined to tiny apartments with numerous people .
In homes where internet connections are shoddy or parents are uneducated , home schooling is next to impossible .
Medical deserts – communities suffering from a lack of health care professionals – are also deteriorating as the pandemic continues .
Seine-Saint-Denis , the poorest department in the Paris region , has one of the highest death rates due to the virus , counting more than 500 as of early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortalities during the last half of March .
“ Being confined in the banlieue is different from anywhere else : no backyard , no balcony , ” says Madeleine , a young woman from Saint Denis who told her story to Métropop .
“ When I open my window , all I see is other buildings .
Everyday I turn in circles , looking for something to occupy my time.
” Others recount a constant police presence and undue violence toward its youth population .
In early April , several videos circulated online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground by groups of police after they were asked for the official form that French people must carry when venturing outside during the lockdown .
“ The populations that are struggling the most are the ones who are the least protected , ” says Marie-Hélène Bacqué , a professor of urban studies at the University of Paris-Nanterre .
“ They ’ re the ones who must continue working – as cleaners , delivery people , or supermarket cashiers .
They ’ re fundamental in ensuring that our daily lives continue and yet they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public health.
” The shared discrimination and lack of resources that many in Paris ’ s banlieues face has acted as the glue that unites communities together .
Living in close proximity to one another , often fighting the same fights , translates to a natural desire to reach out to one another .
“ There is a form of solidarity that already exists here , people very easily organize volunteer missions , ” says Ms. Bacqué .
“ In studies I ’ ve conducted , when people are asked what characterizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and solidarity.
’ ” Many groups in Paris ’ banlieues have worked to change the negative image of their hometowns through community action – and they haven ’ t stopped their activities simply because of the coronavirus lockdown .
If anything , it has made the push for volunteerism even stronger , such that the country has seen a big enough spike in volunteerism that many nonprofits are having to turn people away .
In addition to Piroo ’ s Sartrouville initiatives , a host of nonprofits are reorienting their activities to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are even more isolated during the confinement period .
Emergence 93 , which normally works to reintegrate former juvenile prisoners back into the community , has helped its youth organize a campaign to get donations for Seine-Saint-Denis ’ homeless population .
And nonprofit Frères d ’ Espoir , a brother-sister team that operates out of Limeil Brévannes southeast of Paris , has continued its volunteer actions of handing out food , clothing , and hygiene kits to homeless people across Paris .
“ People who live in the banlieues are normal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not all druggies or throwing rocks at the cops , ” says Piroo , from his home in Sartrouville .
“ There are some fantastic people that live here and there are really great things taking place.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

Such banlieue -based nonprofits demonstrate a unique solidarity that is guiding local communities out of their darkest days. “The volunteer sector is very strong in many working-class neighborhoods,” says Sylvie Tissot, a sociologist and professor of political science at the University of Paris 8. “Often times, people are united by shared hardship, poverty, and shortages.”
But the banlieues are also where those like Piroo, a resident of the Paris suburb of Sartrouville, are making a difference. “I realized that [the nightly tradition of] clapping for health care staff wasn’t enough,” he says. “We needed to do something concrete for them.” So he organized numerous local businesses – as well as neighbors stuck at home – to collect and donate food and prepared meals to local hospitals.
France’s pandemic lockdown is hitting its suburbs hard, compounding their economic and crime woes. But they are also showing a communal, volunteer spirit that is helping them through the crisis.
Many continue to take public transportation to get to work, raising health risks, or find themselves confined to tiny apartments with numerous people. In homes where internet connections are shoddy or parents are uneducated, home schooling is next to impossible. Local media reports continue to portray banlieues as hotspots for incivility and infection.
Life was not easy in France's poorest suburbs, or banlieues , before the coronavirus pandemic. But the ensuing lockdown has magnified the inequalities for their inhabitants.
France’s poorest suburbs, or banlieues, have long struggled with notoriety as places where drug dealing, delinquency, and unemployment abound. Now, amid the country’s lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic, that reputation has only gotten worse. Local media reports continue to portray banlieues as hotspots for incivility and the propagation of the coronavirus.
It speaks to a discrimination felt twice over by those living with limited means, where many must continue working menial jobs during confinement or already lack adequate housing and resources.
It's also shortsighted, for the banlieues are where those like Piroo, a 20-something resident of the Paris suburb of Sartrouville, are making a difference. “Faced with this epidemic, I realized that [the nightly tradition of] clapping for health care staff wasn’t enough,” says Piroo, who uses an assumed name in his charity work to protect his privacy. “We needed to do something concrete for them.”
Why We Wrote This France’s pandemic lockdown is hitting its suburbs hard, compounding their economic and crime woes. But they are also showing a communal, volunteer spirit that is helping them through the crisis.
So via his local organization, Les Grands Frères & Soeurs De Sartrouville, he organized Sartrouville residents to donate time, food, and acts of goodwill to help those in need, particularly the country’s overtaxed health professionals. Through his efforts, numerous local businesses – as well as neighbors stuck at home – have donated food and prepared meals for local hospitals. And jumping off from a neighborhood cleanup program he was involved with last summer, he launched the #CleanTonHall initiative, calling on young people living in public housing to clean their buildings, in order to take the pressure off cleaning staff.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
As France’s lockdown continues into its fourth week, banlieue-based nonprofits are working to highlight the inequalities experienced by those living in the country’s poorest neighborhoods and reverse the negative image surrounding them. They also intend to show that a unique solidarity exists there that is guiding local communities out of their darkest days and setting an example for the rest of the country.
“The volunteer sector is very strong in many working-class neighborhoods,” says Sylvie Tissot, a sociologist and professor of political science at the University of Paris 8, whose research focuses on public housing and gentrification. “Often times, people are united by shared hardship, poverty, and shortages. This creates solidarity between people and the desire to help one another.”
Banlieue-bashing
Even if France has made strides in recent years to improve misconceptions around banlieues, their negative reputation has been hard to shake. Since France's lockdown began, people from impoverished communities have been photographed congregating outside in groups, having run-ins with police, or robbing shuttered stores.
Métropop, a nonprofit that aims to stop “banlieue-bashing,” says France’s working class are neither irresponsible nor blind to the risks of the coronavirus, and that France’s suburbs have suffered stigma for 40 years.
“There has been a media portrayal pointing the finger at people from certain working-class neighborhoods, that they’re not respecting the lockdown, even if we can see the same behaviors in other well-to-do areas,” says Virginie Lions, director of a community involvement branch of Métropop.
In addition, these same communities face double discrimination. Not only must they battle their negative representation, but they are the populations making the most personal sacrifices during the lockdown. While hordes of wealthy French set off for the countryside ahead of the lockdown or are comfortably working from home, the confinement has magnified the inequalities for those less fortunate.
Many continue to take public transportation to get to work, raising health risks, or find themselves confined to tiny apartments with numerous people. In homes where internet connections are shoddy or parents are uneducated, home schooling is next to impossible.
Medical deserts – communities suffering from a lack of health care professionals – are also deteriorating as the pandemic continues. Seine-Saint-Denis, the poorest department in the Paris region, has one of the highest death rates due to the virus, counting more than 500 as of early April and a 63% jump in mortalities during the last half of March.
“Being confined in the banlieue is different from anywhere else: no backyard, no balcony,” says Madeleine, a young woman from Saint Denis who told her story to Métropop. “When I open my window, all I see is other buildings. Everyday I turn in circles, looking for something to occupy my time.”
Others recount a constant police presence and undue violence toward its youth population. In early April, several videos circulated online of young people being thrown to the ground by groups of police after they were asked for the official form that French people must carry when venturing outside during the lockdown.
“The populations that are struggling the most are the ones who are the least protected,” says Marie-Hélène Bacqué, a professor of urban studies at the University of Paris-Nanterre. “They’re the ones who must continue working – as cleaners, delivery people, or supermarket cashiers. They’re fundamental in ensuring that our daily lives continue and yet they’re the least protected in terms of public health.”
“Diversity and solidarity”
The shared discrimination and lack of resources that many in Paris’s banlieues face has acted as the glue that unites communities together. Living in close proximity to one another, often fighting the same fights, translates to a natural desire to reach out to one another.
“There is a form of solidarity that already exists here, people very easily organize volunteer missions,” says Ms. Bacqué. “In studies I’ve conducted, when people are asked what characterizes their neighborhood, they say ‘diversity and solidarity.’”
Many groups in Paris’ banlieues have worked to change the negative image of their hometowns through community action – and they haven’t stopped their activities simply because of the coronavirus lockdown. If anything, it has made the push for volunteerism even stronger, such that the country has seen a big enough spike in volunteerism that many nonprofits are having to turn people away.
In addition to Piroo’s Sartrouville initiatives, a host of nonprofits are reorienting their activities to help some of the most vulnerable populations, who are even more isolated during the confinement period.
Emergence 93, which normally works to reintegrate former juvenile prisoners back into the community, has helped its youth organize a campaign to get donations for Seine-Saint-Denis’ homeless population. And nonprofit Frères d’Espoir, a brother-sister team that operates out of Limeil Brévannes southeast of Paris, has continued its volunteer actions of handing out food, clothing, and hygiene kits to homeless people across Paris.
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“People who live in the banlieues are normal. We have jobs. We’re not all druggies or throwing rocks at the cops,” says Piroo, from his home in Sartrouville. “There are some fantastic people that live here and there are really great things taking place.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.


csmonitor--2020-04-17--From Wuhan to quarantine: a writer looks back

But I keep thinking back to what I saw there , and the stories that emerged after I left .
I ’ ve wondered if my decision to leave that morning was right .
As China and the U.S. start a blame game , it ’ s important to remember the sacrifices each individual made .
I made it out that day : first to quarantine , in a hotel hundreds of miles away ; then to my parents ’ house ; and finally to yet another quarantine at home .
Life has gradually gone back to normal , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out last week .
It was the early days of the coronavirus crisis .
A few hours before , I woke up to the news that Wuhan had announced a lockdown from 10 a.m .
Visitors , like me , were racing to leave .
I kept thinking of the overcrowded fever wards where I ’ d been reporting and what it might mean to be stuck here : no hospital beds , scarce supplies , no friends .
Friends and colleagues kept sending me messages : Can you get out ?
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal winter morning in Wuhan : a little humid , sky still dark ; the streets were wet , after a shower .
Street lights were on , but there was no one on the street – just a few cars passing by .
There are traffic jams in Wuhan .
Normally , that wouldn ’ t be news .
But after a nearly 11-week lockdown that stilled the city , Wuhan is gradually going back to normal .
Intersections are busy again .
People are cautiously heading out , equipped with hats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others are still at home , afraid .
Residents must scan a personal code on their phone and take their temperature before entering or leaving their neighborhoods .
Some are mourning their dead – and a newly revised death toll puts the city ’ s estimate 50 % higher than previously thought , with 3,869 people having lost their lives .
Still , it seems so different from the Wuhan I visited in January – the Wuhan I barely left in time .
I woke up at 5 a.m. on January 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone , and felt my mind go blank .
The government in Wuhan , the Chinese city of 11 million at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak , had announced a lockdown from 10 a.m. “ What ?
” Unable to believe it , I opened up WeChat , a popular messaging app .
Reporters were already fleeing after the announcement a few hours before .
The night before , it had been hard to fall asleep .
I kept thinking of the overcrowded fever wards where I ’ d been reporting : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hall , waiting five hours or even longer for consultation , and people with fevers commuting from home to the hospital every day , because of the shortage of beds .
It felt out of control , and I ’ d already planned to leave that morning .
But could I ?
I packed at top speed and rushed to the lobby , trying to call a taxi online .
No answer .
It was a normal winter morning : a little humid , not chilly , sky still dark .
The streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The road was wide , with street lights on , but there was no one on the street – just a few cars passing by .
Friends and colleagues kept sending me messages : Can you get out ?
One week before , my editor had called , asking if I wanted to go to Wuhan , where the first few deaths had been reported .
Instinct guided me : Yes , I ’ ll go .
It might be the biggest news of the year .
As a reporter , I should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know there was a possibility I couldn ’ t leave .
By 7 a.m.
I ’ d made it to the train station , packed with passengers in masks .
Some 5 million people managed to leave Wuhan before the lockdown , the mayor later estimated .
I ’ d seen so many scenes in the hospital , and knew what being caught here might mean – no hospital beds , scarce supplies , no friends .
The decision seemed so arbitrary .
They said the lockdown started at 10 – but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like that .
I wouldn ’ t know if I could really leave until the moment I climbed on the train .
But I made it on board and the train slipped away , speeding toward my small hometown .
Outside raced by scenery like writer Peter Hessler describes in “ Oracle Bones ” – “ patterned as wallpaper : a peasant , a field , a road , a village.
” But that day , there were no peasants .
The further we got from Wuhan , the less cautious boarding passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his 60s why he didn ’ t wear a mask , he said he didn ’ t know why people should .
He ’ d never heard about the outbreak .
Surgery masks were useless , my taxi driver said , when I finally got off the train to transfer to a bus .
He wasn ’ t wearing one , either .
“ The one you wear is just for psychological comfort , ” he said .
“ You should wear a gas mask.
” Not a single passenger was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The smell of disinfectants dominated the air .
I boarded a bus to the small town where my parents live , and started quarantine : 14 days in a hotel .
Time flies fast during quarantine .
I followed news from Wuhan and my anger reached new heights as I read about the chaos .
Patients were asking for help online since they couldn ’ t find space in hospitals .
Doctors and nurses were crying as they worked without full protective gear , and saw people die every day .
Even going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doctors alike , as the city stopped public transportation .
A photo went viral , and infuriated many , in which several doctors stood in front of a desk , celebrating the Chinese New Year with only instant noodles as their dinner .
It just seemed as though there had been no preparations before the lockdown , I told a friend .
When SARS broke out in 2003 , she remembered , we asked how much we ’ d have to sacrifice .
Here we were , 17 years later , still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ eyes , it seemed , the fatalities were just numbers .
Traditionally , many people watch the government ’ s gala on New Year ’ s Eve , but I was in no mood to .
I felt such disappointment that I could not fall asleep for hours .
The next morning , on the first day of the New Year , my temperature was 37.3 C ( 99.1 F ) .
Once again , I was too worried to sleep .
Scenes flooded back in my mind of doing interviews in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the risk of cross-infection , and how hopeless and frustrated they were .
Can I be cured in this small town , I wondered ?
Will I be infected in the hospital ?
Most importantly , what about my parents ?
I had to protect them .
As the morning sunshine gradually brightened up , I decided to go to the hospital , alone , if my temperature rose to 38 C ( 100.4 F ) .
One day later , my temperature fell – and then again the next .
Locking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t speak to anyone .
Out my window was the bus station , now closed , though a dozen taxis waited day and night .
I ’ ve never seen my hometown so deserted .
Eleven days later , I could leave for my parents ’ house .
By then the whole town was under lockdown , and all hotels and public spaces closed .
Then I finally headed back to my flat in Beijing , to start another 14-day quarantine : the local government required all returnees to isolate themselves at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go .
Shops and restaurants were all closed in early February .
To restrict strangers , we were all given a pass .
At the entrance of the neighborhood , guards checked our passes , IDs , and temperatures .
Gradually , the city has gone back to normal .
People started returning to their offices and hanging out on the weekend just as the rest of the world entered the kind of chaos Wuhan first experienced .
Yet life has been pretty bland , and ever since I ’ ve wondered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early morning was right .
The question in my mind has only grown as I see now how many reporters decided to stay , and were able to share powerful stories .
Now that China and the U.S. have started a blame game , it ’ s important to remember the sacrifices each individual made .
For many Chinese people , when they think about COVID-19 , they will think about the lost lives , but also the freedom of speech .
I felt lucky when I got a chance to leave .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would feel lucky if I ’ d chosen to stay .
[ Editor ’ s note : The Monitor is publishing this essay without a byline to protect the writer ’ s identity . ]

But I keep thinking back to what I saw there, and the stories that emerged after I left. I’ve wondered if my decision to leave that morning was right. As China and the U.S. start a blame game, it’s important to remember the sacrifices each individual made.
I made it out that day: first to quarantine, in a hotel hundreds of miles away; then to my parents’ house; and finally to yet another quarantine at home. Life has gradually gone back to normal, and even in Wuhan people began cautiously heading out last week.
It was the early days of the coronavirus crisis. A few hours before, I woke up to the news that Wuhan had announced a lockdown from 10 a.m. Visitors, like me, were racing to leave. I kept thinking of the overcrowded fever wards where I’d been reporting and what it might mean to be stuck here: no hospital beds, scarce supplies, no friends.
Amid the pandemic, people around the world are experiencing the kinds of confusion and courage that Wuhan lived with for months. A writer looks back at the early days – and why it’s important to remember those sacrifices.
Friends and colleagues kept sending me messages: Can you get out?
In some ways, January 23 was a normal winter morning in Wuhan: a little humid, sky still dark; the streets were wet, after a shower. Street lights were on, but there was no one on the street – just a few cars passing by.
There are traffic jams in Wuhan.
Normally, that wouldn’t be news. But after a nearly 11-week lockdown that stilled the city, Wuhan is gradually going back to normal. Intersections are busy again. People are cautiously heading out, equipped with hats, gloves, and masks, though others are still at home, afraid. Residents must scan a personal code on their phone and take their temperature before entering or leaving their neighborhoods. Some are mourning their dead – and a newly revised death toll puts the city’s estimate 50% higher than previously thought, with 3,869 people having lost their lives.
Still, it seems so different from the Wuhan I visited in January – the Wuhan I barely left in time.
Why We Wrote This Amid the pandemic, people around the world are experiencing the kinds of confusion and courage that Wuhan lived with for months. A writer looks back at the early days – and why it’s important to remember those sacrifices.
***
I woke up at 5 a.m. on January 23, looked at the pop-up message on my phone, and felt my mind go blank.
The government in Wuhan, the Chinese city of 11 million at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, had announced a lockdown from 10 a.m.
“What?” Unable to believe it, I opened up WeChat, a popular messaging app. Reporters were already fleeing after the announcement a few hours before.
The night before, it had been hard to fall asleep. I kept thinking of the overcrowded fever wards where I’d been reporting: hundreds of patients packed in the waiting hall, waiting five hours or even longer for consultation, and people with fevers commuting from home to the hospital every day, because of the shortage of beds.
It felt out of control, and I’d already planned to leave that morning. But could I?
I packed at top speed and rushed to the lobby, trying to call a taxi online. No answer.
It was a normal winter morning: a little humid, not chilly, sky still dark. The streets were wet, after a shower. The road was wide, with street lights on, but there was no one on the street – just a few cars passing by.
Friends and colleagues kept sending me messages: Can you get out?
One week before, my editor had called, asking if I wanted to go to Wuhan, where the first few deaths had been reported. Instinct guided me: Yes, I’ll go. It might be the biggest news of the year. As a reporter, I should be there.
I didn’t know there was a possibility I couldn’t leave.
By 7 a.m. I’d made it to the train station, packed with passengers in masks. Some 5 million people managed to leave Wuhan before the lockdown, the mayor later estimated. I’d seen so many scenes in the hospital, and knew what being caught here might mean – no hospital beds, scarce supplies, no friends.
The decision seemed so arbitrary. They said the lockdown started at 10 – but they could change it to 7, just like that. I wouldn’t know if I could really leave until the moment I climbed on the train.
But I made it on board and the train slipped away, speeding toward my small hometown. Outside raced by scenery like writer Peter Hessler describes in “Oracle Bones” – “patterned as wallpaper: a peasant, a field, a road, a village.” But that day, there were no peasants.
Arek Rataj/AP View caption Hide caption People wearing face masks walk down a deserted street in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province Jan. 28, 2020, shortly after the lockdown began.
The further we got from Wuhan, the less cautious boarding passengers were. When I asked one man in his 60s why he didn’t wear a mask, he said he didn’t know why people should. He’d never heard about the outbreak.
Surgery masks were useless, my taxi driver said, when I finally got off the train to transfer to a bus. He wasn’t wearing one, either. “The one you wear is just for psychological comfort,” he said. “You should wear a gas mask.”
Not a single passenger was in the waiting hall of the station. The smell of disinfectants dominated the air. I boarded a bus to the small town where my parents live, and started quarantine: 14 days in a hotel.
Time flies fast during quarantine. I followed news from Wuhan and my anger reached new heights as I read about the chaos. Patients were asking for help online since they couldn’t find space in hospitals. Doctors and nurses were crying as they worked without full protective gear, and saw people die every day. Even going to hospitals became a problem for patients and doctors alike, as the city stopped public transportation. A photo went viral, and infuriated many, in which several doctors stood in front of a desk, celebrating the Chinese New Year with only instant noodles as their dinner.
It just seemed as though there had been no preparations before the lockdown, I told a friend. When SARS broke out in 2003, she remembered, we asked how much we’d have to sacrifice. Here we were, 17 years later, still asking the same question. In decision-makers’ eyes, it seemed, the fatalities were just numbers.
Traditionally, many people watch the government’s gala on New Year’s Eve, but I was in no mood to. I felt such disappointment that I could not fall asleep for hours.
The next morning, on the first day of the New Year, my temperature was 37.3 C (99.1 F).
Once again, I was too worried to sleep. Scenes flooded back in my mind of doing interviews in Wuhan: those early patients’ symptoms, the risk of cross-infection, and how hopeless and frustrated they were.
Can I be cured in this small town, I wondered? Will I be infected in the hospital? Most importantly, what about my parents? I had to protect them.
As the morning sunshine gradually brightened up, I decided to go to the hospital, alone, if my temperature rose to 38 C (100.4 F). One day later, my temperature fell – and then again the next.
Locking myself in the room, I didn’t speak to anyone. Out my window was the bus station, now closed, though a dozen taxis waited day and night. I’ve never seen my hometown so deserted.
Eleven days later, I could leave for my parents’ house. By then the whole town was under lockdown, and all hotels and public spaces closed. Then I finally headed back to my flat in Beijing, to start another 14-day quarantine: the local government required all returnees to isolate themselves at home.
Besides, I had nowhere to go. Shops and restaurants were all closed in early February. To restrict strangers, we were all given a pass. At the entrance of the neighborhood, guards checked our passes, IDs, and temperatures.
Gradually, the city has gone back to normal. People started returning to their offices and hanging out on the weekend just as the rest of the world entered the kind of chaos Wuhan first experienced.
Yet life has been pretty bland, and ever since I’ve wondered if my decision to leave Wuhan that early morning was right. The question in my mind has only grown as I see now how many reporters decided to stay, and were able to share powerful stories.
Now that China and the U.S. have started a blame game, it’s important to remember the sacrifices each individual made. For many Chinese people, when they think about COVID-19, they will think about the lost lives, but also the freedom of speech.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
I felt lucky when I got a chance to leave. But thinking on it now, I would feel lucky if I’d chosen to stay.
[Editor’s note: The Monitor is publishing this essay without a byline to protect the writer’s identity.]


csmonitor--2020-04-17--How European countries are trying to safely end lockdowns

“ The countries looking at easing restrictions are ones that can see that the death toll is now falling , ” says Martin McKee , professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine .
“ Of course , the unanswered question is whether this will continue as they do ease up , but only time will tell .
Other countries will be watching closely.
” But plenty of concern remains , not just among business owners and customers , teachers and parents .
Experts warn that reopening too quickly could set off a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to tread a careful path .
Even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to paralyze much of Europe , some countries – primarily the smaller ones that responded quickly to the outbreak – are beginning to try to relaunch society in the hopes that they have turned a corner .
Austria and Denmark in particular are leading the way in restarting businesses and reopening schools .
Claudia Pulfer was excited to be back at work in the Fellner Gardening and Florist shop in the Florisdorf district of Vienna Tuesday , as Austria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It clearly wasn ’ t business as usual .
Staff are on reduced work hours , and supply chains have been disrupted .
The Dutch tulips are missing , but at least the orchids and roses are in .
And while spring is in the air , the streets largely remain quiet .
“ People are timid and still worried , ” she said .
“ But we ’ re selling a lot of flowers for people ’ s balconies , a lot of spring plants that need to be planted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can tell some were looking forward to finally buy them.
” Even as the pandemic continues to paralyze much of Europe , some countries – primarily the smaller ones that responded quickly to the outbreak – are beginning to try to relaunch society in the hopes that they have turned a corner .
Austria and Denmark in particular are leading the way in restarting businesses and reopening schools .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
But plenty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners and customers , teachers and parents .
Experts warn that reopening too quickly could set off a second wave of infections – meaning those nations will have to tread a careful path .
“ The countries looking at easing restrictions are ones that can see that the death toll is now falling , ” says Martin McKee , professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine .
“ Of course , the unanswered question is whether this will continue as they do ease up , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be watching closely.
” Countering the spread of the coronavirus has meant strict lockdowns within European nations and the reimposition of long-abandoned borders between them .
The pandemic has claimed more than 136,000 lives across the aging continent and , in many cases , has taken a devastating toll on health systems and the economy .
But many countries are starting to consider how to bring an end to their respective lockdowns .
While France and Belgium are holding back , Italy and Spain , the two worst hit , are inching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest fatalities in the pandemic , is allowing some shops to reopen , but some regions have boycotted that decision .
Construction workers have gotten the green light to resume their activities in Spain , but the state of emergency there has been extended .
Germany , which has managed to keep its per capita death toll relatively low , has also announced plans to begin allowing small businesses to reopen next week under tight restrictions .
But reopening holds risks , even for those countries who have so far contained the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its handling of the pandemic , is now fighting to flatten the curve again .
The European Union on Wednesday warned its 27 members to tread carefully as they craft their national exit strategies .
“ A lack of coordination in lifting restrictive measures risks having negative effects for all member states and creating political friction , ” noted a roadmap document cited by The Associated Press .
Austria was one of the first European countries after Italy to impose strict lockdown measures , including the closure of restaurants , bars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now the Alpine nation , which has so far reported about 14,300 cases and nearly 400 deaths , has allowed garden centers , DIY stores , and small shops to reopen as part of its first step toward normalcy .
Vienna ’ s largest shopping street , Mariahilfer Strasse , was quiet Tuesday morning , with just a few pedestrians roaming the streets and venturing in to shops .
Most shoppers and customers sported surgical masks , which are widely available at pharmacies and grocery stores .
Others donned homemade fabric ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only a handful of small businesses opened their doors on day one .
“ People are still very scared .
But I think very slowly they ’ ll get accustomed to this new reality and they ’ ll start going out and shopping again – at least that ’ s my hope , ” says Adrian Alfaro , owner of the INTI ethnic clothes and jewelry store by the Westbahnhof train station .
He had five employees before the lockdown started March 16 .
He kept three on shortened work hours and let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rehire them once business goes back to normal .
“ Honestly , I had very mixed feelings about opening again , ” says Mr. Alfaro , who wears a light blue surgical mask and makes a point of regularly washing his hands and maintaining social distance .
“ I was looking forward to get back to work , after a month at home .
But I knew it ’ s not going to be easy .
… The economic loss is very , very big.
” At Fellner ’ s flower shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman who walks in without a mask , for her own safety .
“ I ’ m not afraid of getting sick .
I swap the gloves I ’ m wearing and I have several face masks , ” says Ms. Pulfer .
“ I ’ m just happy to be here , back at work , and that the company I work for still exists .
That ’ s important for me , that this company won ’ t go , that it will survive this crisis.
” “ Usually we trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontrunner in reopening , is taking a different approach .
The government decided to reopen kindergartens and schools for the youngest children .
It proved a controversial decision that has left many parents and educators worried .
Their concerns have been aired on a Facebook group , and an online petition urging authorities to allow parents to keep their children home has garnered nearly 18,000 signatures .
Steen Hansen , a cereal grower and cattle farmer living near the third-largest Danish city of Odense , considers it an outright terrible idea .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farm with his family and shifting all the shopping online , he wants to be sure that sending his little ones back to school is safe .
“ We are shocked that the government wants to restart society this way , with the most innocent citizens , the ones who have a hard time to understand all the precautions that are necessary , ” says Mr. Hansen .
“ It is hard to explain to the youngest children to stay apart from other kids and other grown-ups , to wash and disinfect your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play in bigger groups .
… It is not their own choice but they will bring the disease to their parents and not all parents are young.
” He and his wife decided not to send three of their kids back to school for fear of contracting or spreading the disease .
Taking care of a large family and juggling the farm requires optimal health , especially since grandparents can not be leaned on at this time .
It is unclear what that decision might cost them .
School absences are typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk .
“ The consequences will all be financial , and that is bad enough , but it is nothing compared to the well-being of our children and the well-being of our family , ” says Mr. Hansen .
“ Many parents in Denmark don ’ t like this situation , but most of them will do it because they have to start their jobs and the government wants it .
Usually we believe and trust in the authorities here in Denmark , but in this case it makes no sense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ways.
” Some Danish schools have delayed their reopening to Monday to have more time to prepare and be able to adhere to government guidelines on hygiene and conduct .
These include marking pathways to and from classrooms , seating children two yards apart , washing hands every hour , and playing in smaller groups .
“ It is of course quite difficult to follow this guideline considering the group of age , ” says Dorte Lange , vice president of The Danish Union of Teachers .
“ But the authorities say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given the different epidemiological dynamics across and within the nations of Europe , Professor McKee sees a unified exit strategy as unlikely .
While methods will differ , the shared goal is to reduce transmission .
The pandemic will “ fizzle out ” when “ every person who is infected is transmitting it to fewer than one other person.
” “ It will be absolutely essential for any country thinking of lifting restrictions to have in place a robust system of testing and contact tracing , ” he says .
“ There will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial that they are nipped in the bud.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

While everyone wants their national coronavirus lockdown to be over, figuring out how to phase it out safely is a task fraught with problems. In Europe, Austria and Denmark are two of the first to tackle it.
“The countries looking at easing restrictions are ones that can see that the death toll is now falling,” says Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. “Of course, the unanswered question is whether this will continue as they do ease up, but only time will tell. Other countries will be watching closely.”
But plenty of concern remains, not just among business owners and customers, teachers and parents. Experts warn that reopening too quickly could set off a second wave of infections – meaning those nations will have to tread a careful path.
Even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to paralyze much of Europe, some countries – primarily the smaller ones that responded quickly to the outbreak – are beginning to try to relaunch society in the hopes that they have turned a corner. Austria and Denmark in particular are leading the way in restarting businesses and reopening schools.
Claudia Pulfer was excited to be back at work in the Fellner Gardening and Florist shop in the Florisdorf district of Vienna Tuesday, as Austria began to roll back its anti-coronavirus lockdown.
It clearly wasn’t business as usual. Staff are on reduced work hours, and supply chains have been disrupted. The Dutch tulips are missing, but at least the orchids and roses are in. And while spring is in the air, the streets largely remain quiet.
“People are timid and still worried,” she said. “But we’re selling a lot of flowers for people’s balconies, a lot of spring plants that need to be planted in people’s gardens now, and I can tell some were looking forward to finally buy them.”
Why We Wrote This While everyone wants their national coronavirus lockdown to be over, figuring out how to phase it out safely is a task fraught with problems. In Europe, Austria and Denmark are two of the first to tackle it.
Even as the pandemic continues to paralyze much of Europe, some countries – primarily the smaller ones that responded quickly to the outbreak – are beginning to try to relaunch society in the hopes that they have turned a corner. Austria and Denmark in particular are leading the way in restarting businesses and reopening schools.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
But plenty of concern remains, not just among business owners and customers, teachers and parents. Experts warn that reopening too quickly could set off a second wave of infections – meaning those nations will have to tread a careful path.
“The countries looking at easing restrictions are ones that can see that the death toll is now falling,” says Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. “Of course, the unanswered question is whether this will continue as they do ease up, but only time will tell. Other countries will be watching closely.”
Finding a path back
Countering the spread of the coronavirus has meant strict lockdowns within European nations and the reimposition of long-abandoned borders between them. The pandemic has claimed more than 136,000 lives across the aging continent and, in many cases, has taken a devastating toll on health systems and the economy.
But many countries are starting to consider how to bring an end to their respective lockdowns. While France and Belgium are holding back, Italy and Spain, the two worst hit, are inching forward. Italy, which suffered the highest fatalities in the pandemic, is allowing some shops to reopen, but some regions have boycotted that decision. Construction workers have gotten the green light to resume their activities in Spain, but the state of emergency there has been extended. Germany, which has managed to keep its per capita death toll relatively low, has also announced plans to begin allowing small businesses to reopen next week under tight restrictions.
But reopening holds risks, even for those countries who have so far contained the coronavirus. Singapore, which was widely praised for its handling of the pandemic, is now fighting to flatten the curve again. The European Union on Wednesday warned its 27 members to tread carefully as they craft their national exit strategies.
“A lack of coordination in lifting restrictive measures risks having negative effects for all member states and creating political friction,” noted a roadmap document cited by The Associated Press.
Austria was one of the first European countries after Italy to impose strict lockdown measures, including the closure of restaurants, bars, theaters, schools, and nonessential businesses. Now the Alpine nation, which has so far reported about 14,300 cases and nearly 400 deaths, has allowed garden centers, DIY stores, and small shops to reopen as part of its first step toward normalcy.
Vienna’s largest shopping street, Mariahilfer Strasse, was quiet Tuesday morning, with just a few pedestrians roaming the streets and venturing in to shops. Most shoppers and customers sported surgical masks, which are widely available at pharmacies and grocery stores. Others donned homemade fabric ones with checkered or polka dot designs.
Only a handful of small businesses opened their doors on day one.
“People are still very scared. But I think very slowly they’ll get accustomed to this new reality and they’ll start going out and shopping again – at least that’s my hope,” says Adrian Alfaro, owner of the INTI ethnic clothes and jewelry store by the Westbahnhof train station. He had five employees before the lockdown started March 16. He kept three on shortened work hours and let go of the other two but hopes to rehire them once business goes back to normal.
“Honestly, I had very mixed feelings about opening again,” says Mr. Alfaro, who wears a light blue surgical mask and makes a point of regularly washing his hands and maintaining social distance. “I was looking forward to get back to work, after a month at home. But I knew it’s not going to be easy. … The economic loss is very, very big.”
At Fellner’s flower shop, Ms. Pulfer turns away an elderly woman who walks in without a mask, for her own safety.
“I’m not afraid of getting sick. I swap the gloves I’m wearing and I have several face masks,” says Ms. Pulfer. “I’m just happy to be here, back at work, and that the company I work for still exists. That’s important for me, that this company won’t go, that it will survive this crisis.”
“Usually we trust in the authorities”
Denmark, another frontrunner in reopening, is taking a different approach. The government decided to reopen kindergartens and schools for the youngest children. It proved a controversial decision that has left many parents and educators worried. Their concerns have been aired on a Facebook group, and an online petition urging authorities to allow parents to keep their children home has garnered nearly 18,000 signatures.
Steen Hansen, a cereal grower and cattle farmer living near the third-largest Danish city of Odense, considers it an outright terrible idea. After five weeks of staying put on the farm with his family and shifting all the shopping online, he wants to be sure that sending his little ones back to school is safe.
“We are shocked that the government wants to restart society this way, with the most innocent citizens, the ones who have a hard time to understand all the precautions that are necessary,” says Mr. Hansen. “It is hard to explain to the youngest children to stay apart from other kids and other grown-ups, to wash and disinfect your hands all the time, and not to play in bigger groups. … It is not their own choice but they will bring the disease to their parents and not all parents are young.”
Courtesy of the Hansen family View caption Hide caption Danish farmer Steen Hansen stands in a field holding one of his children. On account of the coronavirus pandemic, he is reluctant to send his children back to school as classes resume in Denmark.
He and his wife decided not to send three of their kids back to school for fear of contracting or spreading the disease. Taking care of a large family and juggling the farm requires optimal health, especially since grandparents cannot be leaned on at this time. It is unclear what that decision might cost them. School absences are typically penalized and could eventually put child subsidies at risk.
“The consequences will all be financial, and that is bad enough, but it is nothing compared to the well-being of our children and the well-being of our family,” says Mr. Hansen. “Many parents in Denmark don’t like this situation, but most of them will do it because they have to start their jobs and the government wants it. Usually we believe and trust in the authorities here in Denmark, but in this case it makes no sense. They can restart the society in many other ways.”
Some Danish schools have delayed their reopening to Monday to have more time to prepare and be able to adhere to government guidelines on hygiene and conduct. These include marking pathways to and from classrooms, seating children two yards apart, washing hands every hour, and playing in smaller groups.
“It is of course quite difficult to follow this guideline considering the group of age,” says Dorte Lange, vice president of The Danish Union of Teachers. “But the authorities say that they have calculated the risk.”
Given the different epidemiological dynamics across and within the nations of Europe, Professor McKee sees a unified exit strategy as unlikely. While methods will differ, the shared goal is to reduce transmission. The pandemic will “fizzle out” when “every person who is infected is transmitting it to fewer than one other person.”
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“It will be absolutely essential for any country thinking of lifting restrictions to have in place a robust system of testing and contact tracing,” he says. “There will inevitably be further outbreaks but it is crucial that they are nipped in the bud.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.


csmonitor--2020-05-01--Daily for May 1, 2020

Daily for May 1, 2020

“ Believe women ” has been the mantra of the # MeToo movement – the most aggressive , sustained effort to fight sexual harassment and assault in history – since it launched in 2017 .
Now , no less a figure than Joe Biden , the Democrats ’ presumed nominee for president , has been ensnared .
Weeks after a former Senate aide , Tara Reade , alleged that he sexually assaulted her 27 years ago – and after repeated denials from his campaign – the former vice president has finally addressed the charge himself .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened , ” Mr. Biden said Friday on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe.
” In a lengthy post on Medium , Mr. Biden also called on the National Archives to release any complaint Ms. Reade may have filed .
He portrayed himself as having a strong record advocating for women ’ s rights , without mentioning past stumbles , such as his handling of the Anita Hill allegations in 1991 against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas .
But he also called the allegations “ complicated , ” without explanation .
“ While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassment and sexual assault are complicated , two things are not complicated , ” Mr. Biden wrote .
“ One is that women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect , and when they step forward they should be heard , not silenced .
The second is that their stories should be subject to appropriate inquiry and scrutiny.
” Mr. Biden ’ s denial seemed unlikely to dampen the uproar .
Earlier this week , two sources spoke on the record to corroborate some of Ms. Reade ’ s details .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman Ms. Reade says was her mother , now deceased , calling in to CNN ’ s “ Larry King Live ” and talking about her daughter ’ s “ problems ” with a “ prominent senator ” ( though the woman makes no mention of sexual assault ) .
The controversy has roiled a presidential campaign fully dominated until now by the global pandemic .
It has also muddied Mr. Biden ’ s carefully honed image as a champion of women , as he tries to unseat a president facing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it revives painful questions surrounding the sexual assault charges that Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced during his 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing , a searing experience for both accuser and accused .
For those strongly defending Mr. Biden or downplaying Ms. Reade ’ s allegations , as some media outlets have been accused of doing , the imbroglio invites charges of hypocrisy – especially in contrast to the vigorous , immediate attention that was paid to the allegation by Justice Kavanaugh ’ s accuser , Christine Blasey Ford .
Ms. Ford said Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high school party in the 1980s .
The Biden-Reade uproar has driven a wedge between mainstream Democrats and the party ’ s left wing , just as party leaders are urging unity heading into November .
Supporters and former top staff of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , Mr. Biden ’ s last primary rival , have been among those leading the charge , amplifying Ms. Reade ’ s allegation .
Earlier this week , Senator Sanders ’ former national organizing director , Claire Sandberg , called on Mr. Biden to quit the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for the good of the country.
” Today , the essence of “ Believe women ” – sometimes rendered as an absolute , “ Believe all women ” – raises questions for women ’ s rights advocates .
The idea , they say , is not to automatically accept as fact everything an accuser says .
It ’ s to make sure she is given the space to tell her story , and to approach it with an assumption she ’ s telling the truth .
The latest imbroglio also recalls the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look the other way when candidate and then President Bill Clinton faced numerous accusations of sexual impropriety ( including rape ) , and was ultimately impeached for lying under oath about an affair with an intern .
Mr. Clinton , many argued at the time , stood for progressive policies on women ’ s rights , and so they stood by him .
“ There does seem to be this idea of political pragmatism and feminist values , and how they slide on a spectrum , ” says Margaret Johnson , co-director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Applied Feminism .
“ That has never made sense to me .
I think it ’ s all holistic.
” The anguish today among feminists old and young is palpable .
“ I subscribe to the ‘ women must be believed ’ perspective , unless proven otherwise , ” says Letty Cottin Pogrebin , a founding editor of Ms. Magazine .
“ At the same time , Joe Biden is our candidate ; I ’ m desperate for him to win , ” Ms. Pogrebin adds , noting that she never excused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The alternative is too terrible – four more years of this man.
” Tarana Burke , who launched the # MeToo movement , showed her own conflicted views on the matter Tuesday in a Twitter thread .
“ The inconvenient truth is that this story is impacting us differently because it hits at the heart of one of the most important elections of our lifetime , ” she wrote .
“ And I hate to disappoint you but I don ’ t really have easy answers.
” The alleged incident took place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcaster Katie Halper on March 25 , Ms. Reade said then-Senator Biden pinned her against a wall and violated her sexually with his fingers .
Back in April 2019 , Ms. Reade was one of several women who accused the former vice president of inappropriate touching , but she said nothing about sexual abuse .
Mr. Biden has since apologized for engaging in behavior that he now acknowledges made women uncomfortable .
“ I get it , ” he said in a video that same month , promising to change his behavior .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden has never been accused of sexual impropriety or assault until now .
He ’ s known as a family man , married 43 years to Jill Biden , after losing his first wife and a baby daughter in a car accident .
But over the decades , the education of Mr. Biden on female empowerment hasn ’ t been easy .
In 1991 , as chairman of the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee , he crossed swords with feminists when Ms. Hill alleged sexual harassment against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses from testifying on Ms. Hill ’ s behalf , and eventually apologized for his handling of the hearings .
Mr. Biden later crafted the Violence Against Women Act , aimed at fighting domestic abuse .
He calls it his most significant legislative achievement .
Now , as the Democrats ’ presumptive presidential nominee , Mr. Biden has pledged to name a woman as his running mate .
Feminists have long supported politicians who promote their causes , including reproductive rights , equal pay , paid family leave , and legal protections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short .
The question in recent years , for voters of both parties , has been how ( or whether ) to address a politician ’ s private behavior .
Most religious conservatives back President Donald Trump , despite his well-documented personal history of marital infidelity , accusations of sexual harassment and assault , and crude talk about women .
Some religious supporters say they believe he has reformed .
But it ’ s clear many Trump supporters are willing to overlook his past in favor of today ’ s policies and judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on higher moral ground than Republicans ” on the issue of personal conduct , says Dianne Bystrom , director emeritus of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University .
“ There ’ s a danger in that.
” When asked to comment on the allegations against Mr. Biden , feminist leader Gloria Steinem offered a written statement .
“ I only know what I ’ ve read about this , but I support women who come forward because their honest testimony is right now the only brake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steinem wrote .
“ Women know the polar differences between Biden and Trump , who brags about assaulting women in his private life , and whose public policies endanger our health and safety .
I agree with Tarana Burke that Biden can be ‘ both accountable and electable .
’ ”

‘Left with my thoughts’: How our reporter fought the coronavirus Collapse
As far as I was concerned, once I had finished my lung scan at the clinic I was going back home, and I told the ambulance driver as much.
He scoffed. A little lacking in bedside manner, he told me bluntly that “the only place I’ve ever taken someone with a blood oxygen level as low as yours is the emergency room.”
He was right. The clinic sent me straight to hospital. And so began my personal fight with the coronavirus that has struck at least 3 million other people around the world.
Obviously, I lived to tell the tale. And so have almost all the other 3 million victims. In France, where I live, the overwhelming majority of even the worst-affected patients survive. Some 83,000 people were hospitalized with coronavirus here during the first seven weeks of the pandemic; it is worth remembering that 84% of us were healed.
The hasty transfer to a hospital near my Paris home was not in fact the start of my coronavirus experience. I had already been confined to bed at home for 10 days, cared for by my wife and two adult sons.
But now I was getting short of breath. As my wife, Edith, blew me a goodbye kiss from the entrance to the blue canvas tent that served as the hospital’s makeshift admissions area for coronavirus cases, I felt extremely vulnerable.
A hospital emergency room in high gear, however, does not leave you much time to feel lonely. I was prodded and probed, quizzed and queried, measured and metered. And then wheelchaired to a little electric van that whizzed me to the building set aside for coronavirus patients.
A new set of rhythms
I was at the Pitié Salpêtrière hospital. More than 400 years old and spreading over several city blocks, the “Salpet” – as the place is known to Parisians – is one of the top teaching hospitals in Europe. Its staff had all the personal protective equipment they needed, unlike a suburban hospital where a doctor friend was working, using a plastic trash bag as a gown.
I found myself in a tall-windowed single room flooded with light, which made me more fortunate than most of my 100 fellow coronavirus patients. I was in total quarantine in the soundproofed room, but my mobile phone brought the world to me: I talked several times a day to my family, I got calls and messages from around the world, I listened to the BBC and French news, I streamed Schubert and Vivaldi and Aretha Franklin.
A nurse showed me how to fasten the two little tubes that fed oxygen into my nostrils and soon I was sucked into the implacable rhythm of high-maintenance hospital life, with visits from doctors and nurses and catering staff and cleaners – all covered head to toe in disposable protective gear – from six in the morning until 11 at night.
Every one of those doctors and nurses and kitchen staff and cleaners, a nurse told me, had volunteered to serve on the coronavirus ward. No one who did not want to work there was obliged to do so. That, perhaps, explains why all the staff treating me were so young; all the doctors who cared for me were interns in their 20s. Their courage, and that of their nursing colleagues, was intensely moving.
Karen Norris/Staff View caption Hide caption Members of the Monitor staff welcome Peter Ford home from the hospital during a Zoom meeting.
Less impressive, unfortunately, was the catering. Like many severe coronavirus patients, I had lost my senses of taste and smell, and with them my appetite. I faced difficulty forcing down a few spoonfuls of yogurt; even a banana defeated me. When I was confronted one Saturday lunchtime with choucroute, a pile of fermented cabbage topped with several varieties of sausage and a chunk of pig knuckle, I could manage only a hollow laugh. I lost 26 pounds during my illness.
And then, suddenly, even hollow laughs were out of place. The concern that doctors and nurses had been showing shaded almost imperceptibly into alarm. I had been stable. Now I was in a nosedive.
That night, in the middle of the night, a doctor came to see me. I was dazed and confused, struggling to fill my lungs, but I understood what she had to tell me. I had a severe case of coronavirus, she said, and was suffering from double pneumonia. I was already having six liters of oxygen an hour pumped into me; on the standard coronavirus ward they could not administer more because that would require closer monitoring than they had staff for, the doctor explained.
So they were preparing a bed for me in the intensive care unit, she said, where I would be given as much oxygen as I needed. I would be moved in the morning.
“No,” I said.
“Why not?” she asked. “They can take care of you better there.”
“Because there are fewer ways out of there.”
She was a young trainee doctor. She had no answer. She turned the lights out and left.
Constructing a protective wall
I was left with my thoughts, and I marshaled them into the protective wall that I had been constructing in my head each hospital night, a wall to keep the virus out.
I built it image by image, each one giving me strength, forming an imaginary semicircular shield. Friends I value especially for their courage and wisdom; my two sons, full of vitality and strength; memories that give me particular pleasure; a vision of our cat hiding in the rosebushes at our country home; a friend’s radiant painting of flowers, offering promise of a future; my brother in England.
At the heart of this defensive mental kaleidoscope stood Edith, her love for me and mine for her. And packed around the edges, in the chinks, cementing the structure, were all the thoughts, messages and prayers I was being sent from friends and colleagues across the world. (I have lived a globetrotting life.)
My mobile pinged with text messages and emails. Edith received even more. Believers of every ecumenical stripe prayed for me – worshipers at a synagogue in California, evangelical Christians in Colombia, the North African Muslim who mans my local newspaper kiosk, and, of course, Christian Scientists the length and breadth of this newspaper. Nonbelievers sent their love and concern, too.
And I felt all that in my body and my soul. I do not know how, but I did. Hunkered down in my hospital bed, my room dimly illuminated by a ghostly night-light, I wove all those prayers and thoughts into a cord I could cling to while I hung on to my own willpower at the same time. I was no longer alone.
A decisive moment
The doctor who kept my wife informed of my condition in daily phone calls had told her that these 48 hours would be decisive. I didn’t need to be told.
When dawn broke, I was still on six liters of oxygen, and comfortable. Nobody came to take me to intensive care. I was wakeful and alert all morning, and mid-afternoon a nurse turned the oxygen down to 5-1/2. I couldn’t see her face behind her surgical mask, of course, but I could hear the smile in her voice as she told me what she was doing.
And that’s how I stayed for the next 24 hours, hovering just inside the ward’s oxygen limits, and just out of reach of the ICU. I didn’t listen to the news or to much music. Instead I concentrated on myself, drawing on my resources. Thankfully they proved sufficient. Within four days I was off oxygen altogether, and three days later I was discharged.
Today, nearly three weeks later, I still tire very easily. Often I will lie down with a book after lunch and wake up at five o’clock. I still find myself out of breath more quickly than normal when I do exercises to rebuild my withered muscles.
I have a little machine to boost my lung capacity. It consists of three columns and three balls. I have to breathe in for as long and as steadily as I can so as to hold one or more of the balls at the top of their columns. The exercise is just as boring as it sounds.
Much less boring, though, are meals now that I have recovered my sense of taste. I have regained my appetite (and some of those missing 26 pounds), but strangely my sense of taste is now heightened; strong flavors such as vinegar, chili pepper, and ripe French cheese, once favorites, are now anathema. Nobody can tell me how long this might last.
Nobody can tell me much, in fact. Am I now immune to the virus? Medical experts differ. Why did I get better? I have my own opinions on that, as I have explained. But as a 66-year-old man in only average physical shape, I am particularly fond of the reason a young doctor gave me a couple of days before I left the hospital.
“Because you are young and strong,” she said.
If I had not been infected with coronavirus, and if her face had not been covered by a mask and visor, I would have kissed her.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.


csmonitor--2020-05-18--As pandemic ebbs, Europe slowly reopens for summer

Europe reopened more widely on Monday , allowing people into the Acropolis in Athens , high-fashion boutiques in Italy , museums in Belgium , golf courses in Ireland , and beer gardens in Bavaria .
China announced it will give $ 2 billion to the fight against the coronavirus .
As nations carved out a new normal amid the pandemic , Chinese President Xi Jinping told the World Health Organization 's annual meeting that the money will be paid out over two years to help respond to COVID-19 , which has killed hundreds of thousands and devastated national economies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts in developing countries .
Mr. Xi 's address came amid sharp tensions between Beijing and President Donald Trump , who has suspended U.S. funding to WHO and accused it of failing to stop the virus from spreading when it first surfaced in China .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar represented the United States at the meeting , held online this year .
New infections and deaths have slowed considerably in Europe , where some countries started easing lockdowns a month ago .
Many nations are preparing to open their borders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules for a highly unusual summer tourist season .
Germany 's foreign minister was discussing the options with colleagues from 10 largely southern European countries .
`` This vacation this year wo n't be like the ones we know from the past , '' Heiko Maas told ZDF television .
`` The pandemic is still there , and we must at least have safety precautions for the worst case that the figures get worse again . ''
More than 4.7 million people worldwide have tested positive for the coronavirus and over 315,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Those figures are believed to understate the true dimensions of the outbreak because of limited testing , differences in counting the dead , and concealment by some governments .
The U.S. has reported almost 90,000 deaths , and Europe has seen over 160,000 dead .
Greece reopened the Acropolis and other ancient sites , along with high schools , shopping malls , and mainland travel .
Paving stickers were used to keep visitors apart .
Tourists were local , for the country still has a 14-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greek islands remains broadly restricted .
Authorities are keen to reopen Greece 's vital tourism sector , following a warning that the country is likely to suffer the worst recession in the 27-nation European Union this year .
In Belgium , more students returned to school , hairdressers began clipping locks again , and museums and zoos reopened , all with strict reservation systems to avoid overcrowding .
Hoping to make the most of the sunny weather , open-air markets started selling spring fruit and vegetables .
Golf courses and garden stores reopened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris said he is nervous because the virus has n't gone away .
If Ireland can get the next three weeks right , `` we as a country will find a way to live safely alongside the virus , '' Mr. Harris told RTE radio .
Churches in Italy and at the Vatican resumed public Masses .
Guards in hazmat suits took the temperatures of the faithful entering St. Peter 's Basilica , where Pope Francis celebrated an early morning Mass in a side chapel to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town , the Rev .
Jose Maria Galvan snapped on latex gloves and a face mask before distributing Communion to a dozen parishioners at his Sant'Eugenio parish .
`` Before I became a priest I was a surgeon , so for me gloves are normal , '' he joked .
In Milan , the Montenapoleone district of luxury boutiques reopened , but few if any shoppers were in sight .
The area is home to such fashion houses as Armani , Versace , Ferragamo , Fendi , and Bottega Veneta , but its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Italy remains severely restricted .
At Milan 's City Hall , hundreds of open-air vendors protested the failure of the city to come up with rules for non-food stands to reopen .
''They have n't worked for three months .
What are they going to do if they ca n't reopen – steal , go ask charity ? ''
said Nicola Zarrella , vice president of Euroimprese , which represents 22,000 market vendors in the Lombardy region .
`` They want to work , not get handouts . ''
Portuguese Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Lisbon cafe and was having lunch at a restaurant with the speaker of parliament as officials encouraged people to support local businesses .
Mr. Costa told reporters `` we ca n't return to our old life as long as the virus is around '' but said the economy must come back to life .
In France , authorities were concerned after about 70 infections popped up in the country 's schools since they started reopening last week .
France reopened about 40,000 preschools and primary schools last week , with classes capped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been drawn into a blame game between the U.S. and China over the spread of the virus .
Mr. Trump claims China mishandled the outbreak early on , but China has defended its record .
The EU and other countries have called for an independent evaluation of the WHO 's response to the pandemic `` to review experience gained and lessons learned . ''
Mr. Xi said that China had provided all relevant outbreak data to WHO and other countries , including the virus ' genetic sequence , `` in a most timely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control and treatment experience with the world without reservation , '' Mr. Xi said .
`` We have done everything in our power to support and assist countries in need . ''
Mr. Xi said he also supports the idea of a comprehensive review of the global response to COVID-19 , which `` should be based on science and professionalism , led by WHO , and conducted in objective and impartial manner . ''
China reported just seven new cases on Monday but kept tighter social-distancing rules in parts of the northeastern province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unknown origin turned up .
Moscow health officials said 77 people died of the virus in the Russian capital in the past 24 hours , the highest daily total so far .
With over 290,000 infections , Russia is second only to the U.S. in the number of cases , but international health officials question Russia 's low official death toll of about 2,700 .
In India , people trickled outdoors after the government extended a nationwide lockdown to May 31 but eased many restrictions .
Small shops and other businesses reopened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Delhi .
At the same time , India recorded its biggest single-day coronavirus surge with more than 5,200 new cases , along with 157 deaths .
In Brazil , President Jair Bolsonaro greeted hundreds of supporters – and joined some in performing push-ups – who gathered to back his open-the-economy drive .
Mr. Bolsonaro has played down the virus even as it has swept through Latin America 's most populous country , leaving over 16,000 dead .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Geir Moulson reported from Berlin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Europe reopened more widely on Monday, allowing people into the Acropolis in Athens, high-fashion boutiques in Italy, museums in Belgium, golf courses in Ireland, and beer gardens in Bavaria. China announced it will give $2 billion to the fight against the coronavirus.
As nations carved out a new normal amid the pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the World Health Organization's annual meeting that the money will be paid out over two years to help respond to COVID-19, which has killed hundreds of thousands and devastated national economies. He said the funds will especially support efforts in developing countries.
Mr. Xi's address came amid sharp tensions between Beijing and President Donald Trump, who has suspended U.S. funding to WHO and accused it of failing to stop the virus from spreading when it first surfaced in China. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar represented the United States at the meeting, held online this year.
New infections and deaths have slowed considerably in Europe, where some countries started easing lockdowns a month ago. Many nations are preparing to open their borders next month, trying to sketch out the rules for a highly unusual summer tourist season.
Germany's foreign minister was discussing the options with colleagues from 10 largely southern European countries.
"This vacation this year won't be like the ones we know from the past," Heiko Maas told ZDF television. "The pandemic is still there, and we must at least have safety precautions for the worst case that the figures get worse again."
More than 4.7 million people worldwide have tested positive for the coronavirus and over 315,000 deaths have been reported, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Those figures are believed to understate the true dimensions of the outbreak because of limited testing, differences in counting the dead, and concealment by some governments.
The U.S. has reported almost 90,000 deaths, and Europe has seen over 160,000 dead.
Greece reopened the Acropolis and other ancient sites, along with high schools, shopping malls, and mainland travel. Paving stickers were used to keep visitors apart. Tourists were local, for the country still has a 14-day quarantine for arrivals, and travel to Greek islands remains broadly restricted.
Authorities are keen to reopen Greece's vital tourism sector, following a warning that the country is likely to suffer the worst recession in the 27-nation European Union this year.
In Belgium, more students returned to school, hairdressers began clipping locks again, and museums and zoos reopened, all with strict reservation systems to avoid overcrowding. Hoping to make the most of the sunny weather, open-air markets started selling spring fruit and vegetables.
Golf courses and garden stores reopened in Ireland, but Health Minister Simon Harris said he is nervous because the virus hasn't gone away.
If Ireland can get the next three weeks right, "we as a country will find a way to live safely alongside the virus," Mr. Harris told RTE radio.
Churches in Italy and at the Vatican resumed public Masses. Guards in hazmat suits took the temperatures of the faithful entering St. Peter's Basilica, where Pope Francis celebrated an early morning Mass in a side chapel to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of St. John Paul II.
Across town, the Rev. Jose Maria Galvan snapped on latex gloves and a face mask before distributing Communion to a dozen parishioners at his Sant'Eugenio parish.
"Before I became a priest I was a surgeon, so for me gloves are normal," he joked.
In Milan, the Montenapoleone district of luxury boutiques reopened, but few if any shoppers were in sight. The area is home to such fashion houses as Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, Fendi, and Bottega Veneta, but its customers are mostly foreigners, and travel to Italy remains severely restricted.
At Milan's City Hall, hundreds of open-air vendors protested the failure of the city to come up with rules for non-food stands to reopen.
''They haven't worked for three months. What are they going to do if they can't reopen – steal, go ask charity?'' said Nicola Zarrella, vice president of Euroimprese, which represents 22,000 market vendors in the Lombardy region. "They want to work, not get handouts."
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa took his morning coffee at a Lisbon cafe and was having lunch at a restaurant with the speaker of parliament as officials encouraged people to support local businesses. Mr. Costa told reporters "we can't return to our old life as long as the virus is around" but said the economy must come back to life.
In France, authorities were concerned after about 70 infections popped up in the country's schools since they started reopening last week. France reopened about 40,000 preschools and primary schools last week, with classes capped at 15 students.
The WHO has been drawn into a blame game between the U.S. and China over the spread of the virus. Mr. Trump claims China mishandled the outbreak early on, but China has defended its record. The EU and other countries have called for an independent evaluation of the WHO's response to the pandemic "to review experience gained and lessons learned."
Mr. Xi said that China had provided all relevant outbreak data to WHO and other countries, including the virus' genetic sequence, "in a most timely fashion."
"We have shared control and treatment experience with the world without reservation," Mr. Xi said. "We have done everything in our power to support and assist countries in need."
Mr. Xi said he also supports the idea of a comprehensive review of the global response to COVID-19, which "should be based on science and professionalism, led by WHO, and conducted in objective and impartial manner."
China reported just seven new cases on Monday but kept tighter social-distancing rules in parts of the northeastern province of Jilin after a cluster of cases of unknown origin turned up.
Moscow health officials said 77 people died of the virus in the Russian capital in the past 24 hours, the highest daily total so far. With over 290,000 infections, Russia is second only to the U.S. in the number of cases, but international health officials question Russia's low official death toll of about 2,700.
In India, people trickled outdoors after the government extended a nationwide lockdown to May 31 but eased many restrictions. Small shops and other businesses reopened in places, including the capital, New Delhi. At the same time, India recorded its biggest single-day coronavirus surge with more than 5,200 new cases, along with 157 deaths.
In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro greeted hundreds of supporters – and joined some in performing push-ups – who gathered to back his open-the-economy drive. Mr. Bolsonaro has played down the virus even as it has swept through Latin America's most populous country, leaving over 16,000 dead.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Geir Moulson reported from Berlin. Associated Press writers around the world contributed.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-05-19--Should police officers know who tests positive for COVID-19?

Public health officials in at least two-thirds of U.S. states are sharing the addresses of people who have the coronavirus with first responders .
Supporters say the measure is designed to protect those on the front line , but it 's sparked concerns of profiling in minority communities already mistrustful of law enforcement .
An Associated Press review of those states found that at least 10 states also share the names of everyone who tests positive .
Sharing the information does not violate medical privacy laws , under guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them take extra precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus .
But civil liberty and community activists have expressed concerns of potential profiling in African-American and Hispanic communities that already have an uneasy relationship with law enforcement .
Some envision the data being forwarded to immigration officials .
In Tennessee , the issue has sparked criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers who only became aware of the data sharing earlier this month .
“ The information could actually have a ‘ chilling effect ’ that keeps those already distrustful of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly accelerate the spread of the disease , ” the Tennessee Black Caucus said in a statement earlier this month .
Many members of minority communities are employed in industries that require them to show up to work every day , making them more susceptible to the virus – and most in need of the test .
The AP review shows that public health officials in at least 35 states share the addresses of those who have tested positive for the coronavirus – provided by the state or local health departments to first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 10 of those states , health agencies also share their names : Colorado , Iowa , Louisiana , Nevada , New Hampshire , New Jersey , North Dakota , Ohio , South Dakota , and Tennessee .
Wisconsin did so briefly but stopped earlier this month .
Thomas Saenz , president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund , said law enforcement agencies should explain why they are collecting names or addresses and assure minority communities that the information won ’ t be turned over to the federal government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands that local governments cooperate with immigration authorities as a concern .
“ We should question why the information needs to be provided to law enforcement , whether there is that danger of misuse , ” Mr. Saenz said .
Law enforcement officials note they have long been entrusted with confidential information – such as social security numbers and criminal history .
The COVID-19 information is just a continuation of that trend .
According to the national Fraternal Order of Police , more than 100 police officers in the United States have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive , resulting in staffing crunches .
“ Many agencies before having this information had officers down , and now they ’ ve been able to keep that to a minimum , ” said Maggi Duncan , executive director of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police .
Critics wonder why first responders don ’ t just take precautions with everyone , given that so many people with the virus are asymptomatic or present mild symptoms .
Wearing personal protective equipment only in those cases of confirmed illness is unlikely to guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio , Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued an order April 24 requiring local health departments to provide emergency dispatchers the names and addresses of people within their jurisdictions who tested positive for COVID-19 .
Yet the order also stated that first responders should assume anyone they come into contact with may have COVID-19 .
That portion of the order puzzles the American Civil Liberties Union .
“ If that is a best or recommended practice , then why the need or desire to share this specific information with first responders ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ACLU ’ s Ohio chapter .
Ms. Duncan said having the information beforehand is valuable because it allows officers “ to do their jobs better and safer.
” The data is purged in Tennessee from the emergency communications system database within a month , or when the patient is no longer being monitored by the health department , according to health officials and agreements the AP reviewed .
First responders also must agree they won ’ t use the data to refuse a call for service , a requirement also implemented in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Ohio ’ s Franklin County , which includes the state capital , health officials reported 914 confirmed and probable cases to dispatch agencies in May and April , but removed those names from the list after patients spent 14 days in isolation , said spokeswoman Mitzi Kline .
Some are not convinced .
The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition described sharing the medical information as “ deeply concerning , ” warning that doing so may undermine the trust governments have been trying to build with immigrants and communities of color .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for you , then tell us how well it ’ s been working .
Don ’ t just tell us you need it for your job , ” said state Rep. G.A .
Hardway , a Memphis Democrat who chairs the legislative black caucus .
The data remains highly sought after by law enforcement .
In Pennsylvania , two police unions sued to force local health officials to disclose both patient names and addresses .
The lawsuit is still pending .
New Hampshire health officials agreed to start sharing names and addresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a misunderstanding .
Some first responders also informed local leaders of current cases , said state health department spokesman Jake Leon .
That has stopped and “ we have not experienced additional issues , ” Mr. Leon said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus , Ohio ; Nomaan Merchant in Houston ; Holly Ramer in Concord , New Hampshire ; Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania ; Todd Richmond in Madison , Wisconsin ; and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City contributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Public health officials in at least two-thirds of U.S. states are sharing the addresses of people who have the coronavirus with first responders. Supporters say the measure is designed to protect those on the front line, but it's sparked concerns of profiling in minority communities already mistrustful of law enforcement.
An Associated Press review of those states found that at least 10 states also share the names of everyone who tests positive.
Sharing the information does not violate medical privacy laws, under guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Law enforcement officials say the information helps them take extra precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus.
But civil liberty and community activists have expressed concerns of potential profiling in African-American and Hispanic communities that already have an uneasy relationship with law enforcement. Some envision the data being forwarded to immigration officials.
In Tennessee, the issue has sparked criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers who only became aware of the data sharing earlier this month.
“The information could actually have a ‘chilling effect’ that keeps those already distrustful of the government from taking the COVID-19 test and possibly accelerate the spread of the disease,” the Tennessee Black Caucus said in a statement earlier this month.
Many members of minority communities are employed in industries that require them to show up to work every day, making them more susceptible to the virus – and most in need of the test.
The AP review shows that public health officials in at least 35 states share the addresses of those who have tested positive for the coronavirus – provided by the state or local health departments to first responders who request it. In at least 10 of those states, health agencies also share their names: Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Tennessee. Wisconsin did so briefly but stopped earlier this month.
Thomas Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said law enforcement agencies should explain why they are collecting names or addresses and assure minority communities that the information won’t be turned over to the federal government. He noted the Trump administration’s demands that local governments cooperate with immigration authorities as a concern.
“We should question why the information needs to be provided to law enforcement, whether there is that danger of misuse,” Mr. Saenz said.
Law enforcement officials note they have long been entrusted with confidential information – such as social security numbers and criminal history. The COVID-19 information is just a continuation of that trend.
According to the national Fraternal Order of Police, more than 100 police officers in the United States have died from the coronavirus. Hundreds more have tested positive, resulting in staffing crunches.
“Many agencies before having this information had officers down, and now they’ve been able to keep that to a minimum,” said Maggi Duncan, executive director of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
Critics wonder why first responders don’t just take precautions with everyone, given that so many people with the virus are asymptomatic or present mild symptoms. Wearing personal protective equipment only in those cases of confirmed illness is unlikely to guarantee their protection, they argue.
In Ohio, Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued an order April 24 requiring local health departments to provide emergency dispatchers the names and addresses of people within their jurisdictions who tested positive for COVID-19. Yet the order also stated that first responders should assume anyone they come into contact with may have COVID-19. That portion of the order puzzles the American Civil Liberties Union.
“If that is a best or recommended practice, then why the need or desire to share this specific information with first responders?” said Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist for the ACLU’s Ohio chapter.
Ms. Duncan said having the information beforehand is valuable because it allows officers “to do their jobs better and safer.”
The data is purged in Tennessee from the emergency communications system database within a month, or when the patient is no longer being monitored by the health department, according to health officials and agreements the AP reviewed.
First responders also must agree they won’t use the data to refuse a call for service, a requirement also implemented in most other states using the information.
In Ohio’s Franklin County, which includes the state capital, health officials reported 914 confirmed and probable cases to dispatch agencies in May and April, but removed those names from the list after patients spent 14 days in isolation, said spokeswoman Mitzi Kline.
Some are not convinced. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition described sharing the medical information as “deeply concerning,” warning that doing so may undermine the trust governments have been trying to build with immigrants and communities of color.
“Tell us how it’s working for you, then tell us how well it’s been working. Don’t just tell us you need it for your job,” said state Rep. G.A. Hardway, a Memphis Democrat who chairs the legislative black caucus.
The data remains highly sought after by law enforcement. In Pennsylvania, two police unions sued to force local health officials to disclose both patient names and addresses. The lawsuit is still pending.
New Hampshire health officials agreed to start sharing names and addresses in mid-March, but initially there was a misunderstanding. Some first responders also informed local leaders of current cases, said state health department spokesman Jake Leon.
That has stopped and “we have not experienced additional issues,” Mr. Leon said.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus, Ohio; Nomaan Merchant in Houston; Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire; Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin; and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City 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.