csmonitor--2020-05-18--Stay-at-home college? Campuses focus on finances, and survival.

“ We are ready to change , ” says Lynn Pasquerella , president of the Association of American Colleges & Universities .
“ I am confident the system will come out stronger.
” But the economic challenge that ’ s forcing difficult cuts on college campuses has also unleashed in places a furious bout of innovation as schools rethink higher education and its delivery to students in the 21st century .
So far in 2020 , eight colleges and universities are merging with others or closing , with several citing the pandemic as a complicating factor .
Dozens more are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Even before the pandemic arrived , colleges and universities in the United States were under stress from declining government support and rising skepticism about the value of a college degree .
Now they face a perfect storm of economic downturn : less state support , financially needier students , and quite possibly a shrinking freshman class .
Sitting on a deserted campus , David Dooley , the president of the University of Rhode Island , reflects on what college will look like come August .
“ Any institution that is saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall is going to be like , honestly , I think they ’ re whistling in the dark , ” he says .
In any other year , the University of Rhode Island in Kingston would be bustling .
Now , due to the pandemic lockdown , it ’ s deserted .
Students are at home ; classes are online ; buildings are closed .
A security guard on a bicycle makes sure even the new welcome center is shut tight by rattling its locked doors loudly .
Uncertainty hangs heavily in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is saying with any degree of confidence what the fall is going to be like , honestly , I think they ’ re whistling in the dark , ” says David Dooley , the university ’ s president , sitting inside the welcome center in early May wearing a face mask .
About the only sure thing is that URI – which in recent years has faced head-on the problems of running a viable university system – will be in the red .
“ We are anticipating that we will take a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
It ’ s a reality for America ’ s more than 4,000 colleges and universities .
Already under stress from declining government support and rising skepticism about the value of a college degree before the pandemic , these schools now face a perfect storm of economic downturn : less state support , financially needier students , and quite possibly a shrinking freshman class .
So far in 2020 , eight colleges and universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Holy Family College in Manitowoc , Wisconsin , and 174-year-old MacMurray College in Jacksonville , Illinois , both citing the pandemic as a complicating factor .
Dozens more are expected to close in the next few years .
But the economic challenge that ’ s forcing difficult cuts on college campuses has also unleashed in places a furious bout of innovation as colleges and universities rethink higher education and its delivery to students in the 21st century .
“ We are ready to change , ” says Lynn Pasquerella , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I am confident the system will come out stronger.
” The pandemic-led lockdowns have already cost schools billions of dollars .
To hold on to students for the fall , particularly those whose parents are suddenly unemployed , colleges and universities will have to hand out more financial aid .
Unemployment will shrink the tax base for states , which in turn will have to cut support for state schools .
Given all that , institutions are proving very reluctant to reduce tuition for the 2020-21 academic year .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ no ’ on that front , ” says Kevin Walker , founder and CEO of CollegeFinance.com , a website for students and parents .
One of the big uncertainties is whether states will allow campuses to open this fall and , if so , how many students will attend .
Travel restrictions are likely to limit the number of international students coming to the United States .
A survey of nearly 1,200 American high school seniors in late April found that 12 % who had already made deposits no longer planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to consulting firm Art & Science Group .
And two-thirds said they expected to spend “ much less ” tuition if colleges went all-digital in the fall .
Already , some students are suing schools to get tuition refunds for the spring because the all-digital classroom didn ’ t measure up .
But schools may get some help on that front .
The same travel restrictions and economic hardships that might keep students from attending school also limit their alternatives , such as getting a job or deferring enrollment .
Lily Nguyen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Massachusetts , had planned to take a gap year if her school of choice , the University of Massachusetts Boston , went all-digital for the fall .
But foreign travel restrictions put an end to her plans to volunteer in Spain or South Korea .
Even if UMass Boston is just online , “ I think I will still be attending classes , ” she says .
In spite of the cuts , and sometimes because of them , schools are innovating to make themselves more attractive to students .
Some colleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crash course in online teaching , are hard at work trying to improve the digital experience .
Last week , the nation ’ s largest four-year public university system – California State University – announced it would move almost all its classes online this fall .
Southern New Hampshire University ( SNHU ) , a leader in online education for adults already in the workforce , has a third of its faculty working this summer to reimagine its curriculum for its 3,000 on-campus undergraduates .
The goal is to bring tuition down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year to a breathtaking $ 10,000 in order to make higher ed more widely available to people who can ’ t afford it .
The plan , hatched last October , was supposed to be phased in over three years starting in 2023 .
But the pandemic-led downturn has pulled forward the timing to begin the transition in 2021 .
To attract freshmen for this year , the school in Manchester is offering free tuition to everyone willing to spend one year with the current curriculum before moving to the revamped courses the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , SNHU is considering , among other things , doubling the number of on-campus students ; melding online instruction , some of it prerecorded , with face-to-face interaction with full-time faculty ; and emphasizing experiential learning .
For example , instead of engineering classes , the faculty might assign teams of students to work on a real-world project for a company and monitor their mastery of skills .
And the key to attracting students to a more digital model might not lie in the delivery of academics but in the social supports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s president Paul LeBlanc .
“ For our adult learners , our secret sauce is … the way we deploy advising , ” he says .
For years , advisers have been working closely with the school ’ s 135,000 online students , checking in , encouraging , and sometimes becoming confidants about problems at work or with family , he says .
The school is now having to think through how to deliver more online supports for traditional undergraduates , who will probably have more of their curriculum delivered online .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer help at 2 a.m. , as well as the more difficult emotional areas of connectedness and motivation .
Attending college represents academic advancement , but it also involves coming-of-age experiences from friendships to clubs and sports to parties , Dr. LeBlanc says .
“ When [ students ] say , ‘ I don ’ t want to do online , ’ part of it is they ’ re grieving the loss of this ” social side .
If the school is to succeed with these students with far less face time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they ’ re doing their work.
” Miami Dade College in Florida – one of the nation ’ s largest colleges , with a student population that is 70 % Hispanic and 44 % below the poverty line – is gearing up for a surge in enrollment , which typically happens during economic downturns .
Since announcing it would hold all its summer courses online , students are rapidly signing up .
One of its new offerings is pandemic-inspired .
“ We are in the process of developing a contact-tracing curriculum that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of weeks , ” says Lenore Rodicio , the school ’ s executive vice president and provost .
Further north , at the University of Rhode Island , Dr. Dooley is toying with the idea of a major based on managing pandemics .
He says the crisis has accelerated the university ’ s move to a 24/7 learning environment supported by technology , where , for example , students might take in a professor ’ s lecture at their convenience – 7 p.m. or even 3 a.m. – rather than in class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have more faculty than ever who are interested in learning how to do that , ” he says .
“ That enables students to progress to their degree in a time frame that they have a lot of control over – and that isn ’ t just all tied up in what we recognize is a rather arbitrary 15th century academic calendar.
” URI has experience with surviving tough times .
When he arrived on campus as president in 2009 – in the depths of the Great Recession – Dr. Dooley set the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curriculum and doubled down on an initiative already in place : a laser focus on student achievement .
One innovation was that courses were revamped so that any general education class counted toward the requirements of any major , so a student in political science could transfer to engineering without wasting any credits .
The results : Undergraduate enrollment is up from under 11,000 to about 14,600 today .
Average time to graduate has declined from more than five years to 4.2 .
Support from the state legislature has moved from $ 58 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pandemic will likely change that , but Dr. Dooley says the goal is the same : focusing on student success .
“ We simply could no longer afford the notion , which public institutions had long operated under , that we ’ re here , you can come and you sink or swim , ” he says .
“ Instead , the notion needs to be : If you choose to come to us , our mission is to do everything we can to help you succeed.
” Editor ’ s note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

“We are ready to change,” says Lynn Pasquerella, president of the Association of American Colleges & Universities. “I am confident the system will come out stronger.”
But the economic challenge that’s forcing difficult cuts on college campuses has also unleashed in places a furious bout of innovation as schools rethink higher education and its delivery to students in the 21st century.
So far in 2020, eight colleges and universities are merging with others or closing, with several citing the pandemic as a complicating factor. Dozens more are expected to close in the next few years.
How might the college experience change post-lockdown? Many schools had already been addressing financial issues, but the coronavirus is hastening decisions around delivery of classes and whether to stay open.
Even before the pandemic arrived, colleges and universities in the United States were under stress from declining government support and rising skepticism about the value of a college degree. Now they face a perfect storm of economic downturn: less state support, financially needier students, and quite possibly a shrinking freshman class.
Sitting on a deserted campus, David Dooley, the president of the University of Rhode Island, reflects on what college will look like come August. “Any institution that is saying with any degree of confidence what the fall is going to be like, honestly, I think they’re whistling in the dark,” he says.
In any other year, the University of Rhode Island in Kingston would be bustling. Now, due to the pandemic lockdown, it’s deserted. Students are at home; classes are online; buildings are closed.
A security guard on a bicycle makes sure even the new welcome center is shut tight by rattling its locked doors loudly. Uncertainty hangs heavily in the spring air.
“Any institution that is saying with any degree of confidence what the fall is going to be like, honestly, I think they’re whistling in the dark,” says David Dooley, the university’s president, sitting inside the welcome center in early May wearing a face mask. About the only sure thing is that URI – which in recent years has faced head-on the problems of running a viable university system – will be in the red. “We are anticipating that we will take a significant financial hit,” he says.
Why We Wrote This How might the college experience change post-lockdown? Many schools had already been addressing financial issues, but the coronavirus is hastening decisions around delivery of classes and whether to stay open.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
It’s a reality for America’s more than 4,000 colleges and universities. Already under stress from declining government support and rising skepticism about the value of a college degree before the pandemic, these schools now face a perfect storm of economic downturn: less state support, financially needier students, and quite possibly a shrinking freshman class. So far in 2020, eight colleges and universities are merging with others or closing, including Holy Family College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and 174-year-old MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, both citing the pandemic as a complicating factor. Dozens more are expected to close in the next few years.
But the economic challenge that’s forcing difficult cuts on college campuses has also unleashed in places a furious bout of innovation as colleges and universities rethink higher education and its delivery to students in the 21st century.
“We are ready to change,” says Lynn Pasquerella, president of the Association of American Colleges & Universities. “I am confident the system will come out stronger.”
Financial balancing act
The pandemic-led lockdowns have already cost schools billions of dollars. To hold on to students for the fall, particularly those whose parents are suddenly unemployed, colleges and universities will have to hand out more financial aid. Unemployment will shrink the tax base for states, which in turn will have to cut support for state schools. Given all that, institutions are proving very reluctant to reduce tuition for the 2020-21 academic year.
“What I’m hearing is a hard ‘no’ on that front,” says Kevin Walker, founder and CEO of CollegeFinance.com, a website for students and parents.
One of the big uncertainties is whether states will allow campuses to open this fall and, if so, how many students will attend. Travel restrictions are likely to limit the number of international students coming to the United States. A survey of nearly 1,200 American high school seniors in late April found that 12% who had already made deposits no longer planned to attend a four-year college full time, according to consulting firm Art & Science Group. And two-thirds said they expected to spend “much less” tuition if colleges went all-digital in the fall. Already, some students are suing schools to get tuition refunds for the spring because the all-digital classroom didn’t measure up.
But schools may get some help on that front. The same travel restrictions and economic hardships that might keep students from attending school also limit their alternatives, such as getting a job or deferring enrollment.
Lily Nguyen, a high school senior in Waltham, Massachusetts, had planned to take a gap year if her school of choice, the University of Massachusetts Boston, went all-digital for the fall. But foreign travel restrictions put an end to her plans to volunteer in Spain or South Korea. Even if UMass Boston is just online, “I think I will still be attending classes,” she says.
A time to innovate
In spite of the cuts, and sometimes because of them, schools are innovating to make themselves more attractive to students.
Some colleges and universities, which this spring had a crash course in online teaching, are hard at work trying to improve the digital experience. Last week, the nation’s largest four-year public university system – California State University – announced it would move almost all its classes online this fall.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a leader in online education for adults already in the workforce, has a third of its faculty working this summer to reimagine its curriculum for its 3,000 on-campus undergraduates. The goal is to bring tuition down for these students from $31,000 a year to a breathtaking $10,000 in order to make higher ed more widely available to people who can’t afford it. The plan, hatched last October, was supposed to be phased in over three years starting in 2023. But the pandemic-led downturn has pulled forward the timing to begin the transition in 2021.
To attract freshmen for this year, the school in Manchester is offering free tuition to everyone willing to spend one year with the current curriculum before moving to the revamped courses the following years. To bring tuition down, SNHU is considering, among other things, doubling the number of on-campus students; melding online instruction, some of it prerecorded, with face-to-face interaction with full-time faculty; and emphasizing experiential learning. For example, instead of engineering classes, the faculty might assign teams of students to work on a real-world project for a company and monitor their mastery of skills.
And the key to attracting students to a more digital model might not lie in the delivery of academics but in the social supports that surround them, says the university’s president Paul LeBlanc. “For our adult learners, our secret sauce is … the way we deploy advising,” he says.
For years, advisers have been working closely with the school’s 135,000 online students, checking in, encouraging, and sometimes becoming confidants about problems at work or with family, he says. The school is now having to think through how to deliver more online supports for traditional undergraduates, who will probably have more of their curriculum delivered online. That means rethinking the mundane, like offering computer help at 2 a.m., as well as the more difficult emotional areas of connectedness and motivation.
Attending college represents academic advancement, but it also involves coming-of-age experiences from friendships to clubs and sports to parties, Dr. LeBlanc says. “When [students] say, ‘I don’t want to do online,’ part of it is they’re grieving the loss of this” social side. If the school is to succeed with these students with far less face time, “they need to know someone cares that they’re doing their work.”
Miami Dade College in Florida – one of the nation’s largest colleges, with a student population that is 70% Hispanic and 44% below the poverty line – is gearing up for a surge in enrollment, which typically happens during economic downturns. Since announcing it would hold all its summer courses online, students are rapidly signing up. One of its new offerings is pandemic-inspired. “We are in the process of developing a contact-tracing curriculum that we hope to launch in the next couple of weeks,” says Lenore Rodicio, the school’s executive vice president and provost.
Fast-tracking tech vision
Further north, at the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Dooley is toying with the idea of a major based on managing pandemics. He says the crisis has accelerated the university’s move to a 24/7 learning environment supported by technology, where, for example, students might take in a professor’s lecture at their convenience – 7 p.m. or even 3 a.m. – rather than in class at a specified hour.
“We have more faculty than ever who are interested in learning how to do that,” he says. “That enables students to progress to their degree in a time frame that they have a lot of control over – and that isn’t just all tied up in what we recognize is a rather arbitrary 15th century academic calendar.”
Alfredo Sosa/Staff View caption Hide caption University of Rhode Island President David Dooley stands in the school's currently closed Welcome Center on May 5, 2020, in Kingston. Many schools are still deciding if students will return to campuses in the fall.
URI has experience with surviving tough times. When he arrived on campus as president in 2009 – in the depths of the Great Recession – Dr. Dooley set the faculty to work on revising its general curriculum and doubled down on an initiative already in place: a laser focus on student achievement. One innovation was that courses were revamped so that any general education class counted toward the requirements of any major, so a student in political science could transfer to engineering without wasting any credits.
The results: Undergraduate enrollment is up from under 11,000 to about 14,600 today. Average time to graduate has declined from more than five years to 4.2. Support from the state legislature has moved from $58 million to about $84 million. The pandemic will likely change that, but Dr. Dooley says the goal is the same: focusing on student success.
“We simply could no longer afford the notion, which public institutions had long operated under, that we’re here, you can come and you sink or swim,” he says. “Instead, the notion needs to be: If you choose to come to us, our mission is to do everything we can to help you succeed.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.


csmonitor--2020-05-19--Border-hopping without bubble-popping: A new COVID-19 strategy?

There are practical problems in creating such arrangements and keeping them safe , and there are institutional problems , in Europe at least .
The European Union , proud of its union-wide freedom for all citizens to travel , says that selective travel bubbles undermine that principle .
But the EU may have to bend its rules , and its principles , if it is to keep hundreds of thousands of businesses alive .
The idea is that countries where COVID-19 is rare , especially neighboring countries , should create “ bubbles ” together , permitting people to travel freely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that last week , New Zealand and Australia are working out their details , and Greece – a tourist destination par excellence – is trying to open “ travel corridors ” to largely COVID-free countries like Germany , Israel , and Cyprus .
That could be key to limiting the devastating economic effects of the pandemic , allowing people to travel .
And with the summer holidays coming up , the bubbles could be critical for tourism-dependent countries in Europe such as Italy , Spain , and Greece .
For weeks , hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in bubbles the size of our living space , sheltering from the COVID-19 pandemic .
The gradual end of lockdowns has meant the bubbles have grown more spacious for many .
And now the bubbles are going international .
There ’ s an unlikely sounding new word in the COVID-19 lexicon that we ’ re likely to hear a lot more in the weeks ahead .
And it reflects the mix of eagerness and apprehension with which countries worldwide are starting to reopen their economies in the age of the coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope is that it will help restore some measure of international normalcy and limit the devastating economic effects the pandemic is having around the globe .
The word began its COVID life as part of a strategy for curbing the spread of the virus at the local level – from one household “ bubble ” to another .
Yet now the idea is to create carefully defined “ travel bubbles ” to restore COVID-ruptured links between those countries that have weathered , avoided , or beaten back the worst of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pacific island nation of New Zealand , which has dealt with COVID-19 as successfully as any country in the world .
With a population of nearly 5 million , it has had fewer than two dozen deaths .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern , with a mix of straight-talking urgency and empathy , convinced New Zealanders to think of each of their own households as bubbles .
She stressed the danger of “ popping the bubble ” – both to themselves and their neighbors .
Then , earlier this month , with new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a trickle , she floated the idea of a quarantine-free “ trans-Tasman travel bubble ” that might allow both countries to emerge from isolation – and , crucially , restart a deep-frozen tourism industry important to both economies .
Details still remain to be worked out : things like agreed testing arrangements and , presumably , provisions to deal with any new flare-ups or hot spots in either country .
There have been suggestions that a New Zealand-Australia bubble might also expand to include other low-case Asian countries like Singapore and Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its associated industries – airlines and airports , hotels and shops and restaurants – the travel bubble idea is fast catching on elsewhere .
In Europe – where tourism is not only economically important but , in some states , critical – things are moving even more quickly .
Last week , the Baltic states of Latvia , Lithuania , and Estonia , with a total of fewer than 150 lives lost to COVID-19 , became the first to implement a travel bubble .
Fellow European Union neighbors Finland and Poland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may also be brought in .
Austria has signaled its intention to embark on a similarly selective opening to visitors , initially from Germany and the Czech Republic .
Even Britain , still struggling with its COVID outbreak and having formally left the EU , seems taken by the travel bubble idea .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps this week floated the possibility , once the crisis at home was brought under control , of instituting “ air bridges ” to allow visitors from low-risk countries in the EU and beyond .
Nowhere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more urgent than on the EU ’ s Mediterranean flank .
The economies of countries like Italy , Spain , Portugal , and Greece are especially dependent on tourism .
Greece was among the first EU members to deal with the pandemic and proved one of the most effective .
It has lost only around 160 lives to the virus .
But the summer holidays are approaching and international travel is at a virtual standstill .
Greece will face catastrophic economic consequences if foreign tourists can not get to its beaches and classical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with several largely COVID-free countries – including Austria , Germany , Israel , and the neighboring island of Cyprus – with a view to reopening “ travel corridors ” of its own .
Two major obstacles have appeared on the path of the travel bubble .
The first is practical : how to ensure that only residents of countries – or perhaps regions of countries – where COVID cases are low take advantage of the bubbles , and how to guard against new outbreaks .
The other obstacle is institutional , illustrating how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international governance as individual states focus on safeguarding their own populations .
Earlier this month , two European academics proposed dividing up Europe into sub-national regions – “ green zones ” where COVID is rare and “ red zones ” where it is still dangerous .
Residents of green zones would be allowed to travel to other green zones .
They urged the EU to adopt and promote such innovative travel arrangements , especially since their effectiveness could well depend on EU-wide agreements on how to implement and monitor them .
The EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine its emblematic commitment to union-wide freedom of travel .
Last week , the union ’ s home affairs minister told the European Parliament : “ Member states can not open borders for citizens from one EU country , but not from others.
” But the economic realities – and the need to prevent travel from countries still struggling with COVID-19 – make it almost inevitable that the Baltic travel bubble will prove to be only the first among EU states .
The political challenge for the EU may now be to accommodate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even at the cost of bending its rules and adapting its principles .

There are practical problems in creating such arrangements and keeping them safe, and there are institutional problems, in Europe at least. The European Union, proud of its union-wide freedom for all citizens to travel, says that selective travel bubbles undermine that principle. But the EU may have to bend its rules, and its principles, if it is to keep hundreds of thousands of businesses alive.
The idea is that countries where COVID-19 is rare, especially neighboring countries, should create “bubbles” together, permitting people to travel freely within them. Three Baltic states did that last week, New Zealand and Australia are working out their details, and Greece – a tourist destination par excellence – is trying to open “travel corridors” to largely COVID-free countries like Germany, Israel, and Cyprus.
Travel bubbles incorporating low-threat countries – self-contained safety zones – could encourage businesses disrupted by COVID-19. But they pose monitoring challenges, and could test fundamental political relationships founded on unity.
That could be key to limiting the devastating economic effects of the pandemic, allowing people to travel. And with the summer holidays coming up, the bubbles could be critical for tourism-dependent countries in Europe such as Italy, Spain, and Greece.
For weeks, hundreds of millions of us have been living in bubbles the size of our living space, sheltering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The gradual end of lockdowns has meant the bubbles have grown more spacious for many. And now the bubbles are going international.
There’s an unlikely sounding new word in the COVID-19 lexicon that we’re likely to hear a lot more in the weeks ahead. And it reflects the mix of eagerness and apprehension with which countries worldwide are starting to reopen their economies in the age of the coronavirus.
The word is “bubble.” And the hope is that it will help restore some measure of international normalcy and limit the devastating economic effects the pandemic is having around the globe.
The word began its COVID life as part of a strategy for curbing the spread of the virus at the local level – from one household “bubble” to another. Yet now the idea is to create carefully defined “travel bubbles” to restore COVID-ruptured links between those countries that have weathered, avoided, or beaten back the worst of the pandemic.
Why We Wrote This Travel bubbles incorporating low-threat countries – self-contained safety zones – could encourage businesses disrupted by COVID-19. But they pose monitoring challenges, and could test fundamental political relationships founded on unity.
The bubble concept got its start in the Pacific island nation of New Zealand, which has dealt with COVID-19 as successfully as any country in the world. With a population of nearly 5 million, it has had fewer than two dozen deaths.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, with a mix of straight-talking urgency and empathy, convinced New Zealanders to think of each of their own households as bubbles. She stressed the danger of “popping the bubble” – both to themselves and their neighbors.
Then, earlier this month, with new cases there and in neighboring Australia down to a trickle, she floated the idea of a quarantine-free “trans-Tasman travel bubble” that might allow both countries to emerge from isolation – and, crucially, restart a deep-frozen tourism industry important to both economies.
Details still remain to be worked out: things like agreed testing arrangements and, presumably, provisions to deal with any new flare-ups or hot spots in either country. There have been suggestions that a New Zealand-Australia bubble might also expand to include other low-case Asian countries like Singapore and Taiwan.
Ruth McDowall/Reuters View caption Hide caption A travel advisory message is seen as New Zealand eases strict regulations implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus. New Zealand and Australia are discussing the creation of a "travel bubble" allowing each nation's citizens to enter the other one quarantine-free.
Given the economic importance of tourism and its associated industries – airlines and airports, hotels and shops and restaurants – the travel bubble idea is fast catching on elsewhere.
In Europe – where tourism is not only economically important but, in some states, critical – things are moving even more quickly.
Last week, the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, with a total of fewer than 150 lives lost to COVID-19, became the first to implement a travel bubble. Fellow European Union neighbors Finland and Poland, which have fared only slightly worse, may also be brought in.
Austria has signaled its intention to embark on a similarly selective opening to visitors, initially from Germany and the Czech Republic.
Even Britain, still struggling with its COVID outbreak and having formally left the EU, seems taken by the travel bubble idea. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps this week floated the possibility, once the crisis at home was brought under control, of instituting “air bridges” to allow visitors from low-risk countries in the EU and beyond.
Nowhere in Europe is the need for such arrangements more urgent than on the EU’s Mediterranean flank. The economies of countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece are especially dependent on tourism.
Greece was among the first EU members to deal with the pandemic and proved one of the most effective. It has lost only around 160 lives to the virus. But the summer holidays are approaching and international travel is at a virtual standstill. Greece will face catastrophic economic consequences if foreign tourists cannot get to its beaches and classical ruins.
Greek officials have been consulting with several largely COVID-free countries – including Austria, Germany, Israel, and the neighboring island of Cyprus – with a view to reopening “travel corridors” of its own.
Two major obstacles have appeared on the path of the travel bubble. The first is practical: how to ensure that only residents of countries – or perhaps regions of countries – where COVID cases are low take advantage of the bubbles, and how to guard against new outbreaks.
The other obstacle is institutional, illustrating how the pandemic has placed deep strains on international governance as individual states focus on safeguarding their own populations.
Earlier this month, two European academics proposed dividing up Europe into sub-national regions – “green zones” where COVID is rare and “red zones” where it is still dangerous. Residents of green zones would be allowed to travel to other green zones.
They urged the EU to adopt and promote such innovative travel arrangements, especially since their effectiveness could well depend on EU-wide agreements on how to implement and monitor them.
The EU has always recoiled at arrangements that would undermine its emblematic commitment to union-wide freedom of travel. Last week, the union’s home affairs minister told the European Parliament: “Member states cannot open borders for citizens from one EU country, but not from others.”
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But the economic realities – and the need to prevent travel from countries still struggling with COVID-19 – make it almost inevitable that the Baltic travel bubble will prove to be only the first among EU states.
The political challenge for the EU may now be to accommodate itself to such new pandemic realities, even at the cost of bending its rules and adapting its principles.


csmonitor--2020-05-13--#ShareMyCheck: Why Americans are donating their coronavirus relief checks

“ This virus has created fear of other people , ” she says .
“ This is a really simple way to kind of push back against that fear and [ move ] towards compassion.
” “ This is not my money , this is our collective money , ” says Ms. Torres McGovern , co-founder of the # PledgeMyStimulus campaign in Portland , Maine .
So far 151 individuals have pledged more than $ 122,000 .
Americans across the country are pledging to “ pay it forward.
” Some taxpayers plan to redistribute their checks to organizations or neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , communities countrywide prove generosity is immune .
The Rev .
Tamara Torres McGovern says her relief check could easily go toward household repairs , or the combined $ 130,000 student loan debt she shares with her spouse .
But the couple is putting their checks toward supporting immigrants , low-wage workers , and local businesses .
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the U.S. economy .
More than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March .
The Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act – a $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed into law in March – includes one-time payments of up to $ 1,200 for individual taxpayers .
As of May 8 , some 130 million Americans have received their checks .
Fresh out of cosmetology school , Jennifer Guy was glad to start work as a hairdresser in late February .
But she lost the job three weeks later as Pennsylvania closed to COVID-19 .
The single mom and cancer survivor from McKeesport says she hadn ’ t worked long enough to file for unemployment .
Her two teens at home needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know where to turn – until a news story on a local Facebook group caught her eye .
The Stimulus Check Exchange support group seemed nonjudgmental , she says , so she posted about her struggle .
Two days later , a check signed by a stranger appeared in the mail for $ 250 .
“ It actually was a blessing for me , ” says Ms .
Guy .
“ I really was starting to lose hope ” of getting help .
She says the check went toward rent , food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for each from Walmart .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , we ’ ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .
In an era of fear and layoffs , Americans across the country are pledging to pay it forward .
Some taxpayers say they plan to redistribute their checks to organizations or neighbors in need .
As they brace against the virus , communities countrywide prove generosity is immune .
“ This is not my money , this is our collective money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Torres McGovern , co-founder of the # PledgeMyStimulus campaign in Portland , Maine .
So far 151 individuals have pledged more than $ 122,000 .
“ This virus has created fear of other people , ” she says .
“ This is a really simple way to kind of push back against that fear and [ move ] towards compassion.
” The coronavirus pandemic has upended the U.S. economy .
More than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March .
The Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and individuals signed into law in March – includes one-time payments of up to $ 1,200 for individual taxpayers .
As of May 8 , some 130 million Americans have received their checks , according to the Treasury Department and the IRS .
Not all taxpayers benefit .
The current legislation excludes unauthorized immigrants , though many work “ essential ” jobs .
In response , a GoFundMe by a coalition of advocacy groups has raised more than half a million dollars for immigrant families around Washington , D.C. “ It has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that serve everyone , especially in times of crisis , and not just those with saved or inherited wealth or well-resourced jobs , ” writes Yahya Alazrak , campaign director for Resource Generation , in a statement to the Monitor .
Resource Generation organizes young adults with privilege around social justice causes .
The nonprofit ’ s # ShareMyCheck campaign is meant to inspire donations for individuals , communities , and organizations in need during the pandemic .
New York grant writer Jason Yoon took to Twitter last month with the # ShareMyCheck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bank account , he says sharing his check with others was a “ moral imperative.
” “ I ’ m personally frustrated that so many workers and laborers are being excluded from federal aid , ” says Mr. Yoon .
He divided his check among two immigrant empowerment groups , a community arts studio where he formerly served as executive director , and his current employer , Sakhi for South Asian Women , which aids survivors of gender-based violence .
“ My parents are immigrants from Korea .
My mother is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City , ” he says .
“ So seeing the experience of front-line workers , and the work of women in particular in this moment , is something that hits home for me.
” Local news has chronicled a range of giving inspired by relief checks .
Hundreds of educators in California are committing their incoming cash to support unauthorized workers .
A Boise , Idaho , man ’ s donation to a local food bank encouraged others to follow .
And an Alabama math teacher paid three students ’ utility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the silver lining really has been the outpouring of generosity and support , ” says Una Osili , associate dean for research and international programs at Indiana University ’ s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy .
Philanthropy has been “ part of America ’ s fabric from the very beginning , ” says Dr. Osili .
“ Compared to a lot of European countries , we don ’ t have a lot of government programs for those in need , ” she says .
“ Private philanthropy plays an important role.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many will act charitably with their checks .
Early evidence suggests most are putting the money toward basics like food and bills .
An April Gallup Poll found only 3 % of U.S. adults plan to donate to charity .
Nonetheless , research has found that U.S. philanthropy persists during dark hours .
In the wake of several natural disasters , nearly a third of Americans made a disaster-related donation in 2017 and 2018 , according to a study by Dr. Osili and colleagues .
Most donate to disasters “ over and above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she notes .
More than 650 funds in the United States have been set up to bolster nonprofits during the pandemic , according to Candid , an organization that tracks global philanthropy .
Yet despite an influx in institutional giving , the pandemic poses challenges to nonprofits .
Many face increased demand for services amid social-distancing mandates .
Others struggle to fundraise – especially since spring is a major fundraising season .
“ On the whole , nonprofits are suffering , ” says Jen Bokoff , director of stakeholder engagement at Candid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used # PledgeMyStimulus to pledge their checks to Maine Access Immigrant Network ( MAIN ) .
The Portland nonprofit led by former refugees has been applying to foundations ’ emergency funds during the pandemic as its staff faces growing demand .
“ Our workload has tripled , and not the funding , ” says Sarah Lewis , who helps run MAIN .
The organization ’ s community health workers help refugees and immigrants navigate U.S. health care , often as interpreters and cultural brokers .
One bright spot has been the prospect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It brought tears to my eyes , ” says Ms. Lewis , learning of others ’ desire to help .
“ We ’ re only as strong as our most vulnerable population .
And if we don ’ t lift everyone , who are we ?
” In Wexford , Pennsylvania , retiree Susan O ’ Connor keeps busy moderating her Stimulus Check Exchange Facebook group .
“ My goal was just to make connections , ” says Ms. O ’ Connor , who has helped 22 individuals like Ms .
Guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says she and her husband had originally planned to put their checks toward buying a house – before an epiphany struck .
“ There ’ s people so much worse off that are struggling right now , ” she says .
After receiving their checks last week , the pair has bought a washer and dryer for a single mom , and plans to help another family fix their roof .
Torres McGovern , of # PledgeMyStimulus , says her check could easily go toward household repairs , or the combined $ 130,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spouse .
But the couple is putting half their checks toward causes that include support for immigrants , low-wage workers , public radio , and domestic violence prevention , as well as a faith community where she works part-time .
The other half will benefit local businesses .
“ I believe that people at their core are basically good , and that given an opportunity to be generous , most people will choose to be generous in whatever way they can , ” she says .
“ Maybe that ’ s through money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a casserole to the folks across the street who they know are struggling.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , we ’ ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

“This virus has created fear of other people,” she says. “This is a really simple way to kind of push back against that fear and [move] towards compassion.”
“This is not my money, this is our collective money,” says Ms. Torres McGovern, co-founder of the #PledgeMyStimulus campaign in Portland, Maine. So far 151 individuals have pledged more than $122,000.
Americans across the country are pledging to “pay it forward.” Some taxpayers plan to redistribute their checks to organizations or neighbors in need. As they brace against the virus, communities countrywide prove generosity is immune.
In an era of hardship and layoffs, Americans are countering fear with compassion by pledging to share their checks. The movement underscores the power of generosity – immune even from a pandemic.
The Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern says her relief check could easily go toward household repairs, or the combined $130,000 student loan debt she shares with her spouse. But the couple is putting their checks toward supporting immigrants, low-wage workers, and local businesses.
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the U.S. economy. More than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act – a $2 trillion package to help businesses and individuals signed into law in March – includes one-time payments of up to $1,200 for individual taxpayers. As of May 8, some 130 million Americans have received their checks.
Fresh out of cosmetology school, Jennifer Guy was glad to start work as a hairdresser in late February. But she lost the job three weeks later as Pennsylvania closed to COVID-19. The single mom and cancer survivor from McKeesport says she hadn’t worked long enough to file for unemployment. Her two teens at home needed food.
Ms. Guy didn’t know where to turn – until a news story on a local Facebook group caught her eye. The Stimulus Check Exchange support group seemed nonjudgmental, she says, so she posted about her struggle.
Two days later, a check signed by a stranger appeared in the mail for $250.
Why We Wrote This In an era of hardship and layoffs, Americans are countering fear with compassion by pledging to share their checks. The movement underscores the power of generosity – immune even from a pandemic.
“It actually was a blessing for me,” says Ms. Guy. “I really was starting to lose hope” of getting help. She says the check went toward rent, food for her kids, and a book for each from Walmart.
Editor’s note: As a public service, we’ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.
In an era of fear and layoffs, Americans across the country are pledging to pay it forward. Some taxpayers say they plan to redistribute their checks to organizations or neighbors in need. As they brace against the virus, communities countrywide prove generosity is immune.
“This is not my money, this is our collective money,” says the Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern, co-founder of the #PledgeMyStimulus campaign in Portland, Maine. So far 151 individuals have pledged more than $122,000.
“This virus has created fear of other people,” she says. “This is a really simple way to kind of push back against that fear and [move] towards compassion.”
Safety net
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the U.S. economy. More than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act – a $2 trillion package to help businesses and individuals signed into law in March – includes one-time payments of up to $1,200 for individual taxpayers. As of May 8, some 130 million Americans have received their checks, according to the Treasury Department and the IRS.
Not all taxpayers benefit. The current legislation excludes unauthorized immigrants, though many work “essential” jobs. In response, a GoFundMe by a coalition of advocacy groups has raised more than half a million dollars for immigrant families around Washington, D.C.
“It has become ever more clear that we need systems that serve everyone, especially in times of crisis, and not just those with saved or inherited wealth or well-resourced jobs,” writes Yahya Alazrak, campaign director for Resource Generation, in a statement to the Monitor.
Resource Generation organizes young adults with privilege around social justice causes. The nonprofit’s #ShareMyCheck campaign is meant to inspire donations for individuals, communities, and organizations in need during the pandemic.
New York grant writer Jason Yoon took to Twitter last month with the #ShareMyCheck hashtag. Grateful for a steady income and bank account, he says sharing his check with others was a “moral imperative.”
“I’m personally frustrated that so many workers and laborers are being excluded from federal aid,” says Mr. Yoon. He divided his check among two immigrant empowerment groups, a community arts studio where he formerly served as executive director, and his current employer, Sakhi for South Asian Women, which aids survivors of gender-based violence.
“My parents are immigrants from Korea. My mother is a retired nurse [who worked] in New York City,” he says. “So seeing the experience of front-line workers, and the work of women in particular in this moment, is something that hits home for me.”
Local news has chronicled a range of giving inspired by relief checks. Hundreds of educators in California are committing their incoming cash to support unauthorized workers. A Boise, Idaho, man’s donation to a local food bank encouraged others to follow. And an Alabama math teacher paid three students’ utility bills.
“As this pandemic unfolds, the silver lining really has been the outpouring of generosity and support,” says Una Osili, associate dean for research and international programs at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Philanthropy has been “part of America’s fabric from the very beginning,” says Dr. Osili. “Compared to a lot of European countries, we don’t have a lot of government programs for those in need,” she says. “Private philanthropy plays an important role.”
It’s hard to gauge how many will act charitably with their checks. Early evidence suggests most are putting the money toward basics like food and bills. An April Gallup Poll found only 3% of U.S. adults plan to donate to charity.
Nonetheless, research has found that U.S. philanthropy persists during dark hours. In the wake of several natural disasters, nearly a third of Americans made a disaster-related donation in 2017 and 2018, according to a study by Dr. Osili and colleagues. Most donate to disasters “over and above their regular patterns of charitable giving,” she notes.
More than 650 funds in the United States have been set up to bolster nonprofits during the pandemic, according to Candid, an organization that tracks global philanthropy. Yet despite an influx in institutional giving, the pandemic poses challenges to nonprofits. Many face increased demand for services amid social-distancing mandates. Others struggle to fundraise – especially since spring is a major fundraising season.
“On the whole, nonprofits are suffering,” says Jen Bokoff, director of stakeholder engagement at Candid.
Torres McGovern says several people have used #PledgeMyStimulus to pledge their checks to Maine Access Immigrant Network (MAIN). The Portland nonprofit led by former refugees has been applying to foundations’ emergency funds during the pandemic as its staff faces growing demand.
“Our workload has tripled, and not the funding,” says Sarah Lewis, who helps run MAIN.
The organization’s community health workers help refugees and immigrants navigate U.S. health care, often as interpreters and cultural brokers.
One bright spot has been the prospect of donations from the #PledgeMyStimulus campaign. “It brought tears to my eyes,” says Ms. Lewis, learning of others’ desire to help. “We’re only as strong as our most vulnerable population. And if we don’t lift everyone, who are we?”
Kurt Wilson/Reuters View caption Hide caption Nancy Hausermann, who said she lives on $700 a month and spent her entire $1200 stimulus check on food to give away to those in need, tends to her makeshift free food stand after giving a bag full of groceries to a passerby on Rocky Point Road near Polson, Montana on April 24, 2020.
Good at the core
In Wexford, Pennsylvania, retiree Susan O’Connor keeps busy moderating her Stimulus Check Exchange Facebook group.
“My goal was just to make connections,” says Ms. O’Connor, who has helped 22 individuals like Ms. Guy receive assistance. Ms. O’Connor says she and her husband had originally planned to put their checks toward buying a house – before an epiphany struck.
“There’s people so much worse off that are struggling right now,” she says. After receiving their checks last week, the pair has bought a washer and dryer for a single mom, and plans to help another family fix their roof.
Torres McGovern, of #PledgeMyStimulus, says her check could easily go toward household repairs, or the combined $130,000 student loan debt she shares with her spouse. But the couple is putting half their checks toward causes that include support for immigrants, low-wage workers, public radio, and domestic violence prevention, as well as a faith community where she works part-time. The other half will benefit local businesses.
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 believe that people at their core are basically good, and that given an opportunity to be generous, most people will choose to be generous in whatever way they can,” she says. “Maybe that’s through money, maybe that’s through bringing a casserole to the folks across the street who they know are struggling.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, we’ve removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-05-12--Club Quarantine and beat battles: How black musicians raise spirits, money

The deep nostalgia and fellowship from all these online gatherings have fostered a sense of cultural pride and creative appreciation .
Music has always been about more than joy for people of color : It ’ s about our heritage , our resilience , and our strength .
The “ Verzuz ” beat battles , founded by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland , also on Instagram Live , have become another entertainment staple .
In the battles , two artists ( typically songwriters or producers ) go toe-to-toe performing their lengthy catalogs in an effort to be named victorious .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quarantine Radio ” to sessions with R & B singers like H.E.R .
and Instagram Live dance parties with DJ D-Nice , the avenues of intimacy created between artists and their fans have been both surprising and refreshing .
Less reported on amid the news about the effect of the coronavirus on African Americans is what has been done to create a much needed sense of community .
Black music has not only raised spirits during this time , but also reaffirmed its necessity in mainstream culture .
People of color are overrepresented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , and also among the homeless and prison populations that are especially vulnerable amid the coronavirus crisis .
Now more than ever , it is vital for these groups to experience community – and for African Americans to know that we are not alone in our plight .
Less reported on is what has been done to create that sense of community .
Black music has not only raised spirits during this time , but also reaffirmed its necessity in mainstream culture .
Utilizing social media , artists continue to raise the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From rapper Tory Lanez ’ s energetic “ Quarantine Radio ” to special music sessions with R & B singers like H.E.R .
and Carl Thomas , the avenues of intimacy created between artists and their fans have been both surprising and refreshing .
Beyoncé has spoken up about how black Americans are disproportionately affected by the outbreak , and has partnered with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey via her BeyGOOD charitable organization to donate $ 6 million to relief efforts .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paywall .
Moments of both visibility and togetherness are tremendously needed .
Derrick Jones , known as D-Nice , achieved a recent surge in popularity for that very reason .
The DJ , photographer , producer , and veteran rapper took to Instagram Live starting in March to spin some of his favorite records for hours on end and share the stories behind them .
Dubbed “ Club Quarantine ” by the DJ , the sessions – featuring hip-hop , R & B classics , and Top 40 hits – immediately gained traction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exponentially on Instagram ( from under 200,000 to more than 2 million ) ; “ Club Quarantine ” boasted viewership from Rihanna , Michelle Obama , Sean “ Diddy ” Combs , Oprah Winfrey , and Jennifer Lopez .
“ Personally , I think a lot of it had to do with the music .
I played sets that you wouldn ’ t normally hear in a club if you were actually out , ” D-Nice told GQ in April .
“ Me , being that I ’ m isolated , I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reactions ] .
That means I ’ m going to play a set that ’ s straight from my heart .
I think it resonated with people – and it felt good .
It felt different .
It felt like a celebration.
” The “ Verzuz ” beat battles , founded by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland , also on Instagram Live , have become another entertainment staple during this trying time .
In the battles , two artists ( typically songwriters or producers ) go toe-to-toe performing their lengthy catalogs in an effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work of those crafting soundtracks in the hip-hop and R & B realms , “ Verzuz ” has consisted of headliners : Babyface vs. Teddy Riley , Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott , RZA vs. DJ Premier , Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland , and T-Pain vs. Lil Jon .
Hundreds of thousands of people tuned in to see who would come out on top .
Also in March , TikTok user @ keke.janajah – whose real name is Keara Wilson – posted a video of her playful choreography to rapper Megan Thee Stallion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lyrics ) and dubbed it the # SavageChallenge .
After five days of doing the dance and sharing it on the app , it went viral with celebrities like Normani , Ryan Destiny , Justin Bieber , and even Megan herself getting in on the fun .
( Beyoncé made a fun cameo on the remix to it . )
The deep nostalgia and fellowship of these online gatherings not only broke records ( the Babyface vs. Teddy Riley battle is the biggest Instagram Live battle ever ) , but also fostered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not to be left out of the quarantine conversation , Drake ’ s hit “ Toosie Slide ” – accompanied by a music video showing the masked superstar executing the dance inside his Toronto mansion – also broke records .
The # ToosieSlide hashtag reportedly hit 1 billion views in two days on TikTok , a first for the app .
Music has always been about more than joy for people of color : It ’ s about our heritage , our resilience , and our strength .

The deep nostalgia and fellowship from all these online gatherings have fostered a sense of cultural pride and creative appreciation. Music has always been about more than joy for people of color: It’s about our heritage, our resilience, and our strength.
The “Verzuz” beat battles, founded by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, also on Instagram Live, have become another entertainment staple. In the battles, two artists (typically songwriters or producers) go toe-to-toe performing their lengthy catalogs in an effort to be named victorious.
How are communities hardest hit by the coronavirus finding hope? For some people of color, our columnist explains, the connection provided by black music and artists has helped.
From rapper Tory Lanez’s energetic “Quarantine Radio” to sessions with R&B singers like H.E.R. and Instagram Live dance parties with DJ D-Nice, the avenues of intimacy created between artists and their fans have been both surprising and refreshing.
Less reported on amid the news about the effect of the coronavirus on African Americans is what has been done to create a much needed sense of community. Black music has not only raised spirits during this time, but also reaffirmed its necessity in mainstream culture.
People of color are overrepresented among the front-line workers deemed essential right now, and also among the homeless and prison populations that are especially vulnerable amid the coronavirus crisis. Now more than ever, it is vital for these groups to experience community – and for African Americans to know that we are not alone in our plight.
Less reported on is what has been done to create that sense of community. Black music has not only raised spirits during this time, but also reaffirmed its necessity in mainstream culture. Utilizing social media, artists continue to raise the bar when it comes to creative output.
From rapper Tory Lanez’s energetic “Quarantine Radio” to special music sessions with R&B singers like H.E.R. and Carl Thomas, the avenues of intimacy created between artists and their fans have been both surprising and refreshing. Beyoncé has spoken up about how black Americans are disproportionately affected by the outbreak, and has partnered with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey via her BeyGOOD charitable organization to donate $6 million to relief efforts.
Why We Wrote This How are communities hardest hit by the coronavirus finding hope? For some people of color, our columnist explains, the connection provided by black music and artists has helped.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
Moments of both visibility and togetherness are tremendously needed. Derrick Jones, known as D-Nice, achieved a recent surge in popularity for that very reason.
The DJ, photographer, producer, and veteran rapper took to Instagram Live starting in March to spin some of his favorite records for hours on end and share the stories behind them. Dubbed “Club Quarantine” by the DJ, the sessions – featuring hip-hop, R&B classics, and Top 40 hits – immediately gained traction. Not only did his followers grow exponentially on Instagram (from under 200,000 to more than 2 million); “Club Quarantine” boasted viewership from Rihanna, Michelle Obama, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Oprah Winfrey, and Jennifer Lopez.
“Personally, I think a lot of it had to do with the music. I played sets that you wouldn’t normally hear in a club if you were actually out,” D-Nice told GQ in April. “Me, being that I’m isolated, I don’t see [anyone’s reactions]. That means I’m going to play a set that’s straight from my heart. I think it resonated with people – and it felt good. It felt different. It felt like a celebration.”
The “Verzuz” beat battles, founded by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, also on Instagram Live, have become another entertainment staple during this trying time. In the battles, two artists (typically songwriters or producers) go toe-to-toe performing their lengthy catalogs in an effort to be named victorious. Highlighting the work of those crafting soundtracks in the hip-hop and R&B realms, “Verzuz” has consisted of headliners: Babyface vs. Teddy Riley, Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott, RZA vs. DJ Premier, Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland, and T-Pain vs. Lil Jon. Hundreds of thousands of people tuned in to see who would come out on top.
Also in March, TikTok user @keke.janajah – whose real name is Keara Wilson – posted a video of her playful choreography to rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” (explicit lyrics) and dubbed it the #SavageChallenge. After five days of doing the dance and sharing it on the app, it went viral with celebrities like Normani, Ryan Destiny, Justin Bieber, and even Megan herself getting in on the fun. (Beyoncé made a fun cameo on the remix to it.)
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
The deep nostalgia and fellowship of these online gatherings not only broke records (the Babyface vs. Teddy Riley battle is the biggest Instagram Live battle ever), but also fostered a sense of cultural pride and creative appreciation. Not to be left out of the quarantine conversation, Drake’s hit “Toosie Slide” – accompanied by a music video showing the masked superstar executing the dance inside his Toronto mansion – also broke records. The #ToosieSlide hashtag reportedly hit 1 billion views in two days on TikTok, a first for the app.
Music has always been about more than joy for people of color: It’s about our heritage, our resilience, and our strength.


csmonitor--2020-05-06--No flour? No problem. How to bake with workarounds.

You ’ ve probably noticed the soft , white staple that has been missing from grocery store shelves for weeks on end : flour .
Sometimes you see it , sometimes you don ’ t .
The order to restrict errands to essentials somehow triggered what is being called “ quarantine baking.
” With hours at home , people are finding they have time to watch dough rise .
Google searches for “ sourdough bread ” spiked the first week in April , and have remained high ever since .
So much for gluten-free , low-carb culinary trends .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tantalizing images as friends share their own beautiful round loaves .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
But the eagerness to bake has also meant grocery shelves have been swept clean .
Figuring out what to do when ingredients aren ’ t readily available is a long American tradition .
Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder ’ s “ Little House ” books will recall in “ The Long Winter ” when Ma baked a green pumpkin pie after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could ripen .
Who can forget Ma ’ s delight when Pa swore he was eating apple pie ?
It was a triumph of pioneer ingenuity !
Families with knowledge of Great Depression recipes will remember the chocolate cake , also known as Wacky Cake during World War II , that uses no milk , eggs , or butter .
Instead , vegetable oil , baking soda , and vinegar work together to make a light , moist cake .
Rations may have made staples like eggs hard to come by , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their dessert .
The lack of flour seems a harder obstacle to overcome , especially when one is craving warm comfort during rainy spring days .
I got curious about an alternative , oat flour , after reading that one cup of old-fashioned oats can make about one cup of oat flour in a food processor .
Because oat flour lacks the gluten to make dough rise in the oven , it isn ’ t an even trade .
One option is to add xanthan gum , a powdery substance found in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gluten-free cooking .
Xanthan gum is produced when sugar is fermented by bacteria .
After being dried , it is ground into a powder .
When added in cooking or baking it acts as a thickener to bind the ingredients in place of gluten .
Fair warning : It is expensive .
An eight-ounce bag can cost around $ 15 .
If you are not up for buying a bag of xanthan gum , and you have a bit of flour left in your canister , swap out half of the all-purpose flour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The cakier the recipe , the less oat flour you should use . )
I decided to try using only homemade oat flour in my favorite scone recipe I ’ ve shared with Monitor readers before .
They are a bit more dense but have a wonderful nutty flavor from the oats and keep for several days .
I smoothed apricot jam on a still-warm scone – delicious .
It was just the right fortifying treat before my midday walk in the brisk spring air .
2 cups oat flour ( Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-rising flour . )
Measure out 2 cups of old-fashioned oats into a food processor and blend until you have a fine flour ( you might need to add a few more oats to get 2 full cups ) .
Sift oat flour over a medium-sized bowl to add air and remove any of the heavier grains .
Add baking powder , xanthan gum , sugar , salt , and currants and mix until combined .
Cut the butter into the bowl with a knife or pastry cutter .
Using your fingertips , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs .
( You can also use a hand mixer to do this . )
Make a well in the center of the mixture and drop in the egg .
Adding a portion of the milk at a time , stir the egg and milk into the dough using a rounded-edge knife .
How much milk you use depends on the size of the egg .
The dough will be sticky .
Turn the dough onto a floured surface , or use a silicone baking mat .
Gently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7-inch round .
Using a pizza cutter , cut into 8 equal wedges .
Place wedges on the greased baking sheet and brush the remaining milk on top with a pastry brush .
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown .
After removing the scones from the oven , put them onto a cooling rack covered with a tea towel .
Place another tea towel on top of the scones to trap the steam and to keep the scones from drying out as they cool .
Serve warm with jam .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

You’ve probably noticed the soft, white staple that has been missing from grocery store shelves for weeks on end: flour. Sometimes you see it, sometimes you don’t. The order to restrict errands to essentials somehow triggered what is being called “quarantine baking.” With hours at home, people are finding they have time to watch dough rise.
Google searches for “sourdough bread” spiked the first week in April, and have remained high ever since. So much for gluten-free, low-carb culinary trends. My social media feeds have been filled with tantalizing images as friends share their own beautiful round loaves.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
Why We Wrote This Those who like to bake are often confounded by a lack of flour and even yeast in the stores these days. But Americans have a long tradition of figuring out what to do when ingredients aren’t readily available, explains a longtime Monitor editor and foodie. She offers suggestions that even the pioneers would approve of.
But the eagerness to bake has also meant grocery shelves have been swept clean. Figuring out what to do when ingredients aren’t readily available is a long American tradition. Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books will recall in “The Long Winter” when Ma baked a green pumpkin pie after an early frost killed the pumpkins before they could ripen. Who can forget Ma’s delight when Pa swore he was eating apple pie? It was a triumph of pioneer ingenuity!
Families with knowledge of Great Depression recipes will remember the chocolate cake, also known as Wacky Cake during World War II, that uses no milk, eggs, or butter. Instead, vegetable oil, baking soda, and vinegar work together to make a light, moist cake. Rations may have made staples like eggs hard to come by, but Americans still figured out how to have their dessert.
The lack of flour seems a harder obstacle to overcome, especially when one is craving warm comfort during rainy spring days. I got curious about an alternative, oat flour, after reading that one cup of old-fashioned oats can make about one cup of oat flour in a food processor.
Because oat flour lacks the gluten to make dough rise in the oven, it isn’t an even trade. One option is to add xanthan gum, a powdery substance found in the baking aisle and a popular ingredient in gluten-free cooking. Xanthan gum is produced when sugar is fermented by bacteria. After being dried, it is ground into a powder. When added in cooking or baking it acts as a thickener to bind the ingredients in place of gluten. Fair warning: It is expensive. An eight-ounce bag can cost around $15. If you are not up for buying a bag of xanthan gum, and you have a bit of flour left in your canister, swap out half of the all-purpose flour for oat flour in your recipe. (The cakier the recipe, the less oat flour you should use.)
I decided to try using only homemade oat flour in my favorite scone recipe I’ve shared with Monitor readers before. They are a bit more dense but have a wonderful nutty flavor from the oats and keep for several days. I smoothed apricot jam on a still-warm scone – delicious. It was just the right fortifying treat before my midday walk in the brisk spring air.
Oat flour scones with currants
2 cups oat flour (Here is a version of the recipe with self-rising flour.)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons xanthan gum
2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 egg
1/2 cup milk, approximately
1/4 cup dried currants
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. and grease a baking sheet.
Measure out 2 cups of old-fashioned oats into a food processor and blend until you have a fine flour (you might need to add a few more oats to get 2 full cups). Sift oat flour over a medium-sized bowl to add air and remove any of the heavier grains. Add baking powder, xanthan gum, sugar, salt, and currants and mix until combined. Cut the butter into the bowl with a knife or pastry cutter. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. (You can also use a hand mixer to do this.)
Make a well in the center of the mixture and drop in the egg. Adding a portion of the milk at a time, stir the egg and milk into the dough using a rounded-edge knife. How much milk you use depends on the size of the egg. The dough will be sticky.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface, or use a silicone baking mat. Gently pat out the dough to about a 7-inch round. Using a pizza cutter, cut into 8 equal wedges. Place wedges on the greased baking sheet and brush the remaining milk on top with a pastry brush. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
After removing the scones from the oven, put them onto a cooling rack covered with a tea towel. Place another tea towel on top of the scones to trap the steam and to keep the scones from drying out as they cool. Serve warm with jam. Makes 8 scones.
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csmonitor--2020-03-10--As global markets rebound, Trump floats stimulus measures

Global stock markets rebounded on Tuesday from record-setting declines after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would ask Congress for a payroll tax cut and other measures to ease economic concerns about the coronavirus outbreak .
Oil prices also recovered some of their losses in Monday 's stunning plunge .
In Japan , a task force set up by the prime minister approved a 430 billion yen ( $ 4.1 billion ) package with support for small to medium-sized businesses .
“ Markets don ’ t trade on good or bad , they trade on better or worse , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global markets research at FTSE Russell .
“ I would expect the authorities to pull out all the stops to reduce uncertainty , '' Young said .
“ This may be their one opportunity to do that.
” Perhaps the most notable market move Tuesday was that Treasury yields also pushed higher in a sign that fear has receded a bit , though they remain far below where they were even a week ago .
European indexes , many of which suffered their biggest one-day drop since the 2008 global crisis on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were up by more than 3 % .
China 's main stock index closed 1.8 % higher and Tokyo rose 0.9 % .
Wall Street is likewise expected to recover somewhat from its largest daily drop in 12 years , with futures for the benchmark S & P 500 and for the Dow Jones Industrial Average both up by 4.2 % early Tuesday .
Monday 's global sell-off reflected alarm over economic damage from the coronavirus that emerged in China in December .
Anti-disease controls that shut down Chinese factories are spreading as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , cancel public events , and impose travel controls .
Anxiety mounted after Italy , the hardest-hit place in Europe , said travel controls imposed earlier on its north would be extended nationwide .
Ireland canceled St. Patrick 's Day parades and Israel ordered visitors quarantined ahead of Passover and Easter , one of the busiest travel periods of the year .
The mounting losses and a flight by investors into the haven of bonds have fueled warnings the global economy , which already was showing signs of cooling , might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in U.S. stock prices was so sharp that it triggered Wall Street 's first trading halt in more than two decades .
But Mr. Trump 's comment that he will seek relief for workers as ripple effects of the outbreak spread gave some investors an excuse to resume buying .
`` This is not like the financial crisis where we do n't know the end is in sight , '' said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
`` This is about providing proper tools and liquidity to get through the next few months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ London 's FTSE 100 was up 3.8 % to 6,193 and Frankfurt 's DAX advanced 3.2 % to 10,965 .
The CAC 40 in France gained 3.8 % to 4,885 .
• The Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.8 % to 2,996.76 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo advanced 0.9 % to 19,867.12 .
Hong Kong 's Hang Seng climbed 1.4 % to 25,392.51 .
• The Kospi in Seoul added 0.4 % to 1,962.93 and Sydney 's S & P-ASX 200 rose to 5,939.60 .
• Benchmark U.S. crude jumped 8.5 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It lost 25 % on Monday after Saudi Arabia and Russia engaged in a price war in the oil market .
The Saudis confirmed on Tuesday that they will increase production to record levels .
• Brent crude , the standard for international oil prices , gained 8.3 % , or $ 2.85 to $ 37.21 per barrel in London .
Stock markets usually welcome lower energy costs for consumers and businesses .
But the decline cuts into revenue for producers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abrupt drop , coming amid virus fears , rattled investors .
Intending to calm the fears of financial markets over the impact of the epidemic , Mr. Trump told reporters on Monday he is seeking “ very substantial relief '' to the payroll tax .
While the virus outbreak is easing in China , where the virus was first detected , fast-growing clusters have turned up in South Korea , Japan , Iran , and Italy , and the caseload is growing in the United States .
For most people , the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the virus , as has already happened with about three-quarters of those infected in China .
Central banks in the United States , China , and other countries have cut interest rates to try to shore up economic activity .
But economists warn that while rate cuts might help to buoy consumer demand , they can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantines or lack of workers and raw materials .
`` Even coordinated policy responses are not a tried and tested panacea and by no means guarantee the ability to durably pull markets back from the brink of bear territory , '' Vishnu Varathan of Mizuho Bank said in a report .
• On Wall Street , the S & P 500 index fell 7.6 % in biggest one-day drop since Dec. 1 , 2008 .
The Dow lost 7.8 % and the Nasdaq composite gave up 7.3 % .
• The S & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few minutes of trading , triggering an automatic 15-minute market-wide trading halt .
That has happened only once before , in 1997 .
• The S & P 500 has fallen 18.9 % from its Feb. 19 record and has lost $ 5.3 trillion in value .
U.S. stocks are close to entering a bear market , defined as a drop of 20 % from their peak .
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds edged up to 0.69 % after falling as low as 0.5 % as investors shifted money into haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 % until last week .
The yield , or the difference between the market price and what investors will receive if they hold the bond to maturity , is seen as a measure of economic confidence .
Investors shift money into bonds if they expect economic growth and stock prices to weaken .
That pushes up the bond 's market price and narrows the yield .
In currency trading , the dollar rose to 104.69 Japanese yen from 102.37 late Monday .
The euro slipped to $ 1.1361 from $ 1.1439 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press .
AP writer Zeke Miller in Washington , Stan Choe and Damian J. Troise contributed to this story .
Material from The New York Times was used in this report .

Global stock markets rebounded on Tuesday from record-setting declines after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would ask Congress for a payroll tax cut and other measures to ease economic concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.
Oil prices also recovered some of their losses in Monday's stunning plunge.
In Japan, a task force set up by the prime minister approved a 430 billion yen ($4.1 billion) package with support for small to medium-sized businesses.
“Markets don’t trade on good or bad, they trade on better or worse,” said Alec Young, managing director of global markets research at FTSE Russell. “I would expect the authorities to pull out all the stops to reduce uncertainty," Young said. “This may be their one opportunity to do that.”
Perhaps the most notable market move Tuesday was that Treasury yields also pushed higher in a sign that fear has receded a bit, though they remain far below where they were even a week ago.
European indexes, many of which suffered their biggest one-day drop since the 2008 global crisis on Monday and fell into a bear market, were up by more than 3%. China's main stock index closed 1.8% higher and Tokyo rose 0.9%.
Wall Street is likewise expected to recover somewhat from its largest daily drop in 12 years, with futures for the benchmark S&P 500 and for the Dow Jones Industrial Average both up by 4.2% early Tuesday.
Monday's global sell-off reflected alarm over economic damage from the coronavirus that emerged in China in December. Anti-disease controls that shut down Chinese factories are spreading as the United States and European countries close schools, cancel public events, and impose travel controls.
Anxiety mounted after Italy, the hardest-hit place in Europe, said travel controls imposed earlier on its north would be extended nationwide. Ireland canceled St. Patrick's Day parades and Israel ordered visitors quarantined ahead of Passover and Easter, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The mounting losses and a flight by investors into the haven of bonds have fueled warnings the global economy, which already was showing signs of cooling, might be headed into a recession.
The drop in U.S. stock prices was so sharp that it triggered Wall Street's first trading halt in more than two decades. But Mr. Trump's comment that he will seek relief for workers as ripple effects of the outbreak spread gave some investors an excuse to resume buying.
"This is not like the financial crisis where we don't know the end is in sight," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "This is about providing proper tools and liquidity to get through the next few months."
In European trading hours, London's FTSE 100 was up 3.8% to 6,193 and Frankfurt's DAX advanced 3.2% to 10,965. The CAC 40 in France gained 3.8% to 4,885.
The Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.8% to 2,996.76 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo advanced 0.9% to 19,867.12. Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 1.4% to 25,392.51.
The Kospi in Seoul added 0.4% to 1,962.93 and Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 rose to 5,939.60.
Benchmark U.S. crude jumped 8.5%, or $2.65 to $33.78 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It lost 25% on Monday after Saudi Arabia and Russia engaged in a price war in the oil market. The Saudis confirmed on Tuesday that they will increase production to record levels.
Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, gained 8.3%, or $2.85 to $37.21 per barrel in London.
Stock markets usually welcome lower energy costs for consumers and businesses. But the decline cuts into revenue for producers, including the United States. And the abrupt drop, coming amid virus fears, rattled investors.
Intending to calm the fears of financial markets over the impact of the epidemic, Mr. Trump told reporters on Monday he is seeking “very substantial relief" to the payroll tax.
The New York Times reported:
But clearly unsettled by the plunging markets and the potential effect on his re-election prospects, Mr. Trump offered an economic response without any new health measures. Speaking with reporters, he said he would meet on Tuesday with Republican congressional leaders to discuss a “very substantial” payroll tax cut and legislation to protect hourly wage earners who miss work because of the virus. He said he would also explore expanding loans by the Small Business Administration. He did not provide any details. “It’s not their fault,” he said of affected workers. “It’s not our country’s fault. This was something that we were thrown into and we’re going to handle it and we have been handling it very well.”
While the virus outbreak is easing in China, where the virus was first detected, fast-growing clusters have turned up in South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy, and the caseload is growing in the United States.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the virus, as has already happened with about three-quarters of those infected in China.
Central banks in the United States, China, and other countries have cut interest rates to try to shore up economic activity. But economists warn that while rate cuts might help to buoy consumer demand, they cannot reopen factories that are closed due to quarantines or lack of workers and raw materials.
"Even coordinated policy responses are not a tried and tested panacea and by no means guarantee the ability to durably pull markets back from the brink of bear territory," Vishnu Varathan of Mizuho Bank said in a report.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 index fell 7.6% in biggest one-day drop since Dec. 1, 2008. The Dow lost 7.8% and the Nasdaq composite gave up 7.3%.
The S&P dropped 7.4% in the first few minutes of trading, triggering an automatic 15-minute market-wide trading halt. That has happened only once before, in 1997.
The S&P 500 has fallen 18.9% from its Feb. 19 record and has lost $5.3 trillion in value. U.S. stocks are close to entering a bear market, defined as a drop of 20% from their peak.
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds edged up to 0.69% after falling as low as 0.5% as investors shifted money into haven assets. It had never been below 1% until last week.
The yield, or the difference between the market price and what investors will receive if they hold the bond to maturity, is seen as a measure of economic confidence. Investors shift money into bonds if they expect economic growth and stock prices to weaken.
That pushes up the bond's market price and narrows the yield.
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In currency trading, the dollar rose to 104.69 Japanese yen from 102.37 late Monday. The euro slipped to $1.1361 from $1.1439.
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Zeke Miller in Washington, Stan Choe and Damian J. Troise contributed to this story. Material from The New York Times was used in this report.