csmonitor--2020-04-02--Can a town go fossil fuel-free? Takoma Park is about to see.

But when asked to choose between his stove and a cleaner world , Mr. Lastort doesn ’ t hesitate .
“ Yeah , ” he says .
“ If it would be a little bit more difficult for me to make an omelet or something , if it would help save the planet , I ’ d rather save the planet.
” Mike Lastort has lived in his house since 1994 and doesn ’ t always care for the domestic intrusions .
“ I guess I ’ ve got a bit of a ‘ Don ’ t tell me what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to government , ” he says .
Voluntary programs haven ’ t gotten the job done , says Gina Mathias , Takoma Park ’ s sustainability manager .
“ If they worked the way that we would hope they would , we wouldn ’ t be where we are today , ” says Ms. Mathias , who notes that other U.S. cities tend to follow Takoma Park ’ s lead .
Takoma Park , Maryland , wants to do what has not yet been achieved in the United States : become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the City Council passed a resolution to that effect , though not without debate from residents .
A particular point of contention : Should the city government be able to force residents to phase out their gas stoves and furnaces ?
Gina Mathias has what many would consider a dream job .
A lifelong environmentalist , Ms. Mathias is the sustainability manager of Takoma Park .
The leafy Maryland suburb is one of the most progressive cities in the United States – a place where residents boast about their town ’ s preponderance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re proud it was one of the first places in the country to declare itself “ nuclear-free.
” But many of those same residents were in an uproar in February when Ms. Mathias brought a resolution to the City Council that laid out an ambitious agenda to combat climate change in the coming decades .
The most contentious idea : making Takoma Park a fossil fuel-free community by 2045 , a feat that has not been done before in the U.S .
Becoming fossil fuel-free would entail everything from retrofitting gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaf blowers .
The debate at the council meeting centered around the potential cost and timeline – and whether the Takoma Park city government should be able to force residents to phase out their gas stoves and furnaces .
As Ms. Mathias sees it , the question of whether such a program should be mandatory has already been answered .
“ That ’ s why we ’ re in the climate crisis to begin with – voluntary programs .
If they worked the way that we would hope they would , we wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she says .
The council passed a revised resolution in early March , but the surrounding tumult made it clear that city leaders will have to carefully consider when to make mandates and how citizens will take the mandatory approach .
Takoma Park ’ s experience is likely to be a precursor for other fights that could soon bubble up as more and more towns reckon with the climate crisis .
“ What we do in Takoma Park makes its way around the country , ” says Ms. Mathias .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities looking to implement ... other environmental programs that we ’ ve implemented already .
All the cities – we talk to each other , we share what we do , we learn from each other.
” If governments want citizens to back their ideas and proposals , they will need to be savvy about how they frame the discussion , says Reuven Sussman , a social and environmental psychologist at the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy .
“ Some people think that implementing policy is all you need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he says , “ [ but ] if you ’ re able to create a situation where the default behavior is the one you ’ re trying to do as opposed to the default being something that people are already doing , you can get a lot done.
” Like many things today , Takoma Park ’ s fossil fuel-free moves are temporarily on the back burner as the coronavirus crisis commands attention .
Mayor Kate Stewart noted in an email that amid the crisis , “ we are still figuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , the environment has been a top issue in Takoma Park .
In 2014 , the city entered a nationwide contest to reduce home energy use and placed third .
The competition planted the seeds for this year ’ s resolution , as it helped the city determine the best emissions-cutting strategies .
It also exposed the limits of voluntary participation programs .
Ms. Mathias struggled to get 20 % of the city ’ s homes to participate .
“ We did direct mailing ; we did dozens and dozens of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homes .
We hit every single kind of public outreach over a two-year period , short of having a marching band go up and down every street at 6 a.m. to get people to wake up , ” she says .
Despite the high-ranking finish in the contest , the city ’ s mobilization of resources has proved somewhat ineffective .
Per capita emissions barely declined from 2012 to 2017 , and total emissions still increased for the 2-square-mile town .
The tepid results have motivated city leaders to push for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emissions by 2035 .
Transportation is responsible for the bulk of those emissions , but the city has more control over housing .
It is calling for building-based interventions like lighting upgrades , the establishment of minimum energy-efficiency standards , and the swapping out of gas appliances for electric ones .
More and more cities are considering such reforms , particularly after Berkeley , California , became the first American city to ban natural gas infrastructure in new buildings last year .
A recent report suggests that expanding the renewable energy industry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by nearly 80 % by 2050 .
The trend concerns Takoma Park residents like Ariel Woods , who worries that electrification costs will unfairly burden renters and low-income homeowners .
“ We like saying that we ’ re nuclear-free , [ and ] I see the appeal of saying , ‘ Takoma Park , a fossil fuel-free town !
’ But I would rather be a town that has lower income inequality than be a fossil fuel-free town , ” says Ms. Woods , who used to rent and now owns a home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to replace every appliance at once , it would cost roughly $ 25,000 , says Ms. Mathias .
However , the city is working on a sustainability fund , she adds , and still has funds left over from federal and state grants that not enough residents used – part of the reason they ’ re opting for requirements instead of more voluntary programs .
However , forcing residents to give up their incandescent lightbulbs and gas stoves – albeit at the end of their natural life cycle – sparked heated discussions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Lastort has lived in his house since 1994 and doesn ’ t always care for the domestic intrusions .
“ I guess I ’ ve got a bit of a ‘ Don ’ t tell me what to do ’ attitude sometimes when it comes to government , ” says Mr. Lastort , a self-declared social democrat .
“ I don ’ t want government to say , ‘ Do this just because I said so.
’ And that seems kind of like what Takoma Park did with this proposal ; it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ it ] all the way through.
” If people feel their freedom is being infringed upon , they will do the opposite of what is asked of them , says Mr. Sussman – what social behavioral researchers call “ reactance.
” “ [ Reactance ] can really derail progress in policy .
That ’ s why many policymakers will not go so far to make those expensive things mandatory , ” he says .
The City Council softened the resolution ’ s language in a revised version after the initial outrage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from fervent environmentalists , who started a petition to encourage the council to restrengthen the framework .
“ In the 1960s , we didn ’ t approach bigoted Southern sheriffs and say , ‘ Will you voluntarily commit to integration every other Saturday in public facilities ?
’ ” says Mike Tidwell , who directs the Chesapeake Climate Action Network .
“ The consequences of lighting coal , oil , and natural gas on fire are so existentially harmful to every living being on this planet , that the moment has arrived where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice of lighting this fuel on fire.
” The environmentalists ’ gambit worked .
The City Council revised the resolution again , writing the most ambitious document yet before passing it on March 4 .
The petition impressed Ms. Mathias .
“ Generally in local issues the negative voice is what we hear the most , so to have a petition with that many signatures and to have this many people come out and support something that [ City ] Council is doing was really unusual , ” she says .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six years at the city anything drawing this level of support.
” As for the gas stoves , Ms. Mathias says the uproar showed that they are a touch point , and she hints at potential exemptions .
But the city may not need them .
When asked to choose between his stove and a cleaner world , Mr. Lastort doesn ’ t hesitate .
“ Yeah , ” he says .
“ If it would be a little bit more difficult for me to make an omelet or something , if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d rather save the planet .
”

But when asked to choose between his stove and a cleaner world, Mr. Lastort doesn’t hesitate. “Yeah,” he says. “If it would be a little bit more difficult for me to make an omelet or something, if it would help save the planet, I’d rather save the planet.”
Mike Lastort has lived in his house since 1994 and doesn’t always care for the domestic intrusions. “I guess I’ve got a bit of a ‘Don’t tell me what to do’ attitude sometimes when it comes to government,” he says.
In the fight against global warming, how far should governments go in forcing residents to change? One Maryland suburb is testing the limits. This story is part of an occasional series on “ Climate Realities .”
Voluntary programs haven’t gotten the job done, says Gina Mathias, Takoma Park’s sustainability manager. “If they worked the way that we would hope they would, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” says Ms. Mathias, who notes that other U.S. cities tend to follow Takoma Park’s lead.
Takoma Park, Maryland, wants to do what has not yet been achieved in the United States: become a fossil fuel-free community. On March 4 the City Council passed a resolution to that effect, though not without debate from residents. A particular point of contention: Should the city government be able to force residents to phase out their gas stoves and furnaces?
Gina Mathias has what many would consider a dream job.
A lifelong environmentalist, Ms. Mathias is the sustainability manager of Takoma Park. The leafy Maryland suburb is one of the most progressive cities in the United States – a place where residents boast about their town’s preponderance of solar panels and electric vehicles. They’re proud it was one of the first places in the country to declare itself “nuclear-free.”
But many of those same residents were in an uproar in February when Ms. Mathias brought a resolution to the City Council that laid out an ambitious agenda to combat climate change in the coming decades. The most contentious idea: making Takoma Park a fossil fuel-free community by 2045, a feat that has not been done before in the U.S.
Why We Wrote This In the fight against global warming, how far should governments go in forcing residents to change? One Maryland suburb is testing the limits. This story is part of an occasional series on “Climate Realities.”
Becoming fossil fuel-free would entail everything from retrofitting gas stations to retiring gas-powered water heaters and leaf blowers. The debate at the council meeting centered around the potential cost and timeline – and whether the Takoma Park city government should be able to force residents to phase out their gas stoves and furnaces.
As Ms. Mathias sees it, the question of whether such a program should be mandatory has already been answered.
“That’s why we’re in the climate crisis to begin with – voluntary programs. If they worked the way that we would hope they would, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” she says.
Michael Bonfigli/Special to The Christian Science Monitor View caption Hide caption This station, located on Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland, and shown here on March 30, 2020, was the first in the nation to switch from gas pumps to electric vehicle chargers.
The council passed a revised resolution in early March, but the surrounding tumult made it clear that city leaders will have to carefully consider when to make mandates and how citizens will take the mandatory approach.
Takoma Park’s experience is likely to be a precursor for other fights that could soon bubble up as more and more towns reckon with the climate crisis.
“What we do in Takoma Park makes its way around the country,” says Ms. Mathias. “We get calls pretty regularly from other cities looking to implement ... other environmental programs that we’ve implemented already. All the cities – we talk to each other, we share what we do, we learn from each other.”
If governments want citizens to back their ideas and proposals, they will need to be savvy about how they frame the discussion, says Reuven Sussman, a social and environmental psychologist at the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
“Some people think that implementing policy is all you need to do in order to get the change made,” he says, “[but] if you’re able to create a situation where the default behavior is the one you’re trying to do as opposed to the default being something that people are already doing, you can get a lot done.”
Like many things today, Takoma Park’s fossil fuel-free moves are temporarily on the back burner as the coronavirus crisis commands attention. Mayor Kate Stewart noted in an email that amid the crisis, “we are still figuring out how committees can meet.”
Planting the seeds in 2014
For years, the environment has been a top issue in Takoma Park. In 2014, the city entered a nationwide contest to reduce home energy use and placed third. The competition planted the seeds for this year’s resolution, as it helped the city determine the best emissions-cutting strategies.
It also exposed the limits of voluntary participation programs. Ms. Mathias struggled to get 20% of the city’s homes to participate.
“We did direct mailing; we did dozens and dozens of public education events, neighborhood meetings in people’s homes. We hit every single kind of public outreach over a two-year period, short of having a marching band go up and down every street at 6 a.m. to get people to wake up,” she says.
Despite the high-ranking finish in the contest, the city’s mobilization of resources has proved somewhat ineffective. Per capita emissions barely declined from 2012 to 2017, and total emissions still increased for the 2-square-mile town. The tepid results have motivated city leaders to push for more aggressive measures, like hitting net-zero emissions by 2035.
Transportation is responsible for the bulk of those emissions, but the city has more control over housing. It is calling for building-based interventions like lighting upgrades, the establishment of minimum energy-efficiency standards, and the swapping out of gas appliances for electric ones.
More and more cities are considering such reforms, particularly after Berkeley, California, became the first American city to ban natural gas infrastructure in new buildings last year. A recent report suggests that expanding the renewable energy industry and aggressive electrification could reduce U.S. building emissions by nearly 80% by 2050.
The trend concerns Takoma Park residents like Ariel Woods, who worries that electrification costs will unfairly burden renters and low-income homeowners.
“We like saying that we’re nuclear-free, [and] I see the appeal of saying, ‘Takoma Park, a fossil fuel-free town!’ But I would rather be a town that has lower income inequality than be a fossil fuel-free town,” says Ms. Woods, who used to rent and now owns a home in the city.
The cost to replace appliances
If residents had to replace every appliance at once, it would cost roughly $25,000, says Ms. Mathias. However, the city is working on a sustainability fund, she adds, and still has funds left over from federal and state grants that not enough residents used – part of the reason they’re opting for requirements instead of more voluntary programs.
However, forcing residents to give up their incandescent lightbulbs and gas stoves – albeit at the end of their natural life cycle – sparked heated discussions in council meetings and neighborhood online forums.
Michael Bonfigli/Special to The Christian Science Monitor View caption Hide caption A sign along Carroll Avenue welcomes people to Takoma Park, Maryland, on March 30, 2020. For years, the environment has been a top issue in this suburb.
Mike Lastort has lived in his house since 1994 and doesn’t always care for the domestic intrusions.
“I guess I’ve got a bit of a ‘Don’t tell me what to do’ attitude sometimes when it comes to government,” says Mr. Lastort, a self-declared social democrat. “I don’t want government to say, ‘Do this just because I said so.’ And that seems kind of like what Takoma Park did with this proposal; it doesn’t seem like they thought [it] all the way through.”
If people feel their freedom is being infringed upon, they will do the opposite of what is asked of them, says Mr. Sussman – what social behavioral researchers call “reactance.”
“[Reactance] can really derail progress in policy. That’s why many policymakers will not go so far to make those expensive things mandatory,” he says.
The City Council softened the resolution’s language in a revised version after the initial outrage, but that only prompted a corresponding backlash from fervent environmentalists, who started a petition to encourage the council to restrengthen the framework.
“In the 1960s, we didn’t approach bigoted Southern sheriffs and say, ‘Will you voluntarily commit to integration every other Saturday in public facilities?’” says Mike Tidwell, who directs the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “The consequences of lighting coal, oil, and natural gas on fire are so existentially harmful to every living being on this planet, that the moment has arrived where we have to commit to banning the practice of lighting this fuel on fire.”
The environmentalists’ gambit worked. The City Council revised the resolution again, writing the most ambitious document yet before passing it on March 4. The petition impressed Ms. Mathias.
“Generally in local issues the negative voice is what we hear the most, so to have a petition with that many signatures and to have this many people come out and support something that [City] Council is doing was really unusual,” she says. “I don’t remember in my last six years at the city anything drawing this level of support.”
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As for the gas stoves, Ms. Mathias says the uproar showed that they are a touch point, and she hints at potential exemptions. But the city may not need them. When asked to choose between his stove and a cleaner world, Mr. Lastort doesn’t hesitate.
“Yeah,” he says. “If it would be a little bit more difficult for me to make an omelet or something, if it would help save the planet, I’d rather save the planet.”


csmonitor--2020-04-02--Reversing power grabs during a pandemic

Reversing power grabs during a pandemic

To deal with the coronavirus , governments across the world have either taken emergency powers by fiat or been granted them democratically .
Either way , the curbs on liberty have generally been accepted – if seen as both temporary and effective in ending the pandemic .
But what if they are not seen that way ?
A good example occurred this week in Hungary when a leader went too far in making an opportunistic power grab at a time of heightened fear .
On Monday , Prime Minister Viktor Orbán persuaded Hungary ’ s parliament to give him the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indefinite period .
Parliament suspended itself with no sunset clause to reverse it .
A new law virtually ended rule of law at the national level .
The move was a major step in a decade-long erosion of civil rights and freedoms under Mr. Orbán , who has openly said he does not believe in liberal democracy .
But on Tuesday he went further and introduced a measure to strip the country ’ s mayors of political autonomy .
Municipalities would have to answer to local “ defense committees ” largely controlled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hungarians knew that the tough steps needed to gain public compliance in combating the virus required the electoral legitimacy of local leaders .
“ This proposal is dangerous not only for our democracy , but it also makes the fight against coronavirus very difficult , ” said Budapest ’ s mayor , Gergely Karácsony .
Within 24 hours , the ruling party was forced to withdraw the measure .
In order to maintain cooperation from the people , mayors across Hungary have set a roadblock on Mr. Orbán ’ s march toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary power to rule by decree still stands , a step that the European Union has rebuked .
The EU may find a way to force Hungary to revise the power grab .
“ We will take action as necessary , ” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen .
Yet for now , democracy at the local level remains alive and well in a country at the heart of Europe .
The public ’ s embrace of the principles that hold society together was greater than its fear of the coronavirus @

To deal with the coronavirus, governments across the world have either taken emergency powers by fiat or been granted them democratically. Either way, the curbs on liberty have generally been accepted – if seen as both temporary and effective in ending the pandemic. But what if they are not seen that way?
A good example occurred this week in Hungary when a leader went too far in making an opportunistic power grab at a time of heightened fear.
On Monday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán persuaded Hungary’s parliament to give him the right to rule by decree for an indefinite period. Parliament suspended itself with no sunset clause to reverse it. A new law virtually ended rule of law at the national level. The move was a major step in a decade-long erosion of civil rights and freedoms under Mr. Orbán, who has openly said he does not believe in liberal democracy.
But on Tuesday he went further and introduced a measure to strip the country’s mayors of political autonomy. Municipalities would have to answer to local “defense committees” largely controlled by Mr. Orbán. The outcry was instant. Hungarians knew that the tough steps needed to gain public compliance in combating the virus required the electoral legitimacy of local leaders.
“This proposal is dangerous not only for our democracy, but it also makes the fight against coronavirus very difficult,” said Budapest’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony.
Within 24 hours, the ruling party was forced to withdraw the measure. In order to maintain cooperation from the people, mayors across Hungary have set a roadblock on Mr. Orbán’s march toward autocracy.
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The prime minister’s extraordinary power to rule by decree still stands, a step that the European Union has rebuked. The EU may find a way to force Hungary to revise the power grab. “We will take action as necessary,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Yet for now, democracy at the local level remains alive and well in a country at the heart of Europe. The public’s embrace of the principles that hold society together was greater than its fear of the coronavirus.


csmonitor--2020-04-09--The attraction of peace to end COVID-19

The attraction of peace to end COVID-19

The most powerful body in the United Nations , the 15-member Security Council , has largely been silent on the COVID-19 emergency .
The main reason is that two of the council ’ s veto-wielding members , China and the United States , disagree over the pandemic ’ s origins and the response to it .
On Thursday , that silence began to change .
The council finally met to address the crisis although in secret and via videoconferencing .
It has been under pressure from many nations to act because of the global nature of the outbreak .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignore a compelling success story driven by the U.N. ’ s chief administrator .
On March 23 , Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in all the world ’ s violent conflicts in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to be able to deal with the humanitarian consequences .
It turns out his call for peace was a powerful attraction .
Since then , cease-fires have been endorsed by warring parties in 12 countries , from the Philippines to Colombia .
One in particular stands out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would observe a two-week cease-fire in Yemen , the poorest country in the Arab world , in response to Mr. Guterres ’ request .
That five-year conflict , which is a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and its rival , Iran , has resulted in one of the world ’ s worst humanitarian crisis and over 100,000 deaths – more than from COVID-19 so far .
In the council meeting , Mr. Guterres was expected to give an update on his peacemaking efforts and to ask for a U.N. structure to closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such scrutiny , they might prolong the truces and negotiate deals to end their conflicts .
In addition , the U.N. and other global bodies could use the pause to seek solutions to the underlying social and economic causes of the local wars .
Mr. Guterres ’ original plea was that “ there should be only one fight in our world today : our shared battle against COVID-19.
” This “ common enemy , ” he added , doesn ’ t care about the human divisions that drive today ’ s violent conflicts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus would be a united Security Council .
It could show there is something worthwhile to support – the inklings of peace around the world – that may help lessen the current disputes over how to deal with the virus crisis .
Peace is not merely the absence of war but a positive force for repairing and restoring societies .
The current silence of guns in many countries begins the process That silence has pushed the Security Council out of its silence .

The most powerful body in the United Nations, the 15-member Security Council, has largely been silent on the COVID-19 emergency. The main reason is that two of the council’s veto-wielding members, China and the United States, disagree over the pandemic’s origins and the response to it. On Thursday, that silence began to change.
The council finally met to address the crisis although in secret and via videoconferencing. It has been under pressure from many nations to act because of the global nature of the outbreak. In addition, its members could no longer ignore a compelling success story driven by the U.N.’s chief administrator.
On March 23, Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in all the world’s violent conflicts in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to be able to deal with the humanitarian consequences.
It turns out his call for peace was a powerful attraction.
Since then, cease-fires have been endorsed by warring parties in 12 countries, from the Philippines to Colombia. One in particular stands out. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia announced it would observe a two-week cease-fire in Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world, in response to Mr. Guterres’ request. That five-year conflict, which is a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and its rival, Iran, has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis and over 100,000 deaths – more than from COVID-19 so far.
In the council meeting, Mr. Guterres was expected to give an update on his peacemaking efforts and to ask for a U.N. structure to closely track the cease-fires. With combatants under such scrutiny, they might prolong the truces and negotiate deals to end their conflicts. In addition, the U.N. and other global bodies could use the pause to seek solutions to the underlying social and economic causes of the local wars.
Mr. Guterres’ original plea was that “there should be only one fight in our world today: our shared battle against COVID-19.” This “common enemy,” he added, doesn’t care about the human divisions that drive today’s violent conflicts.
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The ultimate political cohesion against the virus would be a united Security Council. It could show there is something worthwhile to support – the inklings of peace around the world – that may help lessen the current disputes over how to deal with the virus crisis.
Peace is not merely the absence of war but a positive force for repairing and restoring societies. The current silence of guns in many countries begins the process That silence has pushed the Security Council out of its silence.


csmonitor--2020-04-16--A beacon for ending lockdowns

A beacon for ending lockdowns

Many nations looking for the best way to end a coronavirus shutdown watched with awe Wednesday as millions of South Koreans ventured outside and voted .
The casting of ballots was the world ’ s first national-level election since the virus outbreak was declared a global pandemic .
The election was a model of how to safely run the voting process – even those in mandatory quarantine were given special protection at the 14,000 voting stations .
Korean voters felt safe enough that more than two-thirds turned out , the highest rate in 28 years .
Yet on a grander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideal exit strategy from the crisis does exist – if countries are open and smart about discovering it .
Leaders everywhere are searching for the right path to end lockdowns , social distancing , school closures , and similar impositions on daily life .
“ These are unprecedented times , and so we need to think on a scale that would previously be considered unimaginable , ” Natalie Dean , an assistant professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida , told The New York Times .
South Korea was so rigorous in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moon Jae-in , said the country “ will be able to give hope to the world that we can resume a normal life.
” Several world leaders in fact did praise the country for the way it conducted the vote .
Once home to the world ’ s second-largest outbreak of COVID-19 , South Korea is also a model for a quick and effective reduction of the fatality rate .
Just as effective was the government ’ s radical transparency about the crisis and the measures needed to end it .
That led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr .
Moon and his ruling Democratic Party were rewarded at the polls for their success .
The DP and its sister party won three-fifths of the seats in the National Assembly .
The stunning majority gives Mr .
Moon more power to now deal with an economic slowdown .
A few other countries , such as Germany and Denmark , are skillfully if gingerly reopening their societies .
They are not hoping for the best .
They are relying on the best in society – from scientists to civil servants – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The trust , at least in South Korea , is that an exit plan is both possible and near .

Many nations looking for the best way to end a coronavirus shutdown watched with awe Wednesday as millions of South Koreans ventured outside and voted. The casting of ballots was the world’s first national-level election since the virus outbreak was declared a global pandemic.
The election was a model of how to safely run the voting process – even those in mandatory quarantine were given special protection at the 14,000 voting stations. Korean voters felt safe enough that more than two-thirds turned out, the highest rate in 28 years.
Yet on a grander scale, the election demonstrated that an ideal exit strategy from the crisis does exist – if countries are open and smart about discovering it.
Leaders everywhere are searching for the right path to end lockdowns, social distancing, school closures, and similar impositions on daily life. “These are unprecedented times, and so we need to think on a scale that would previously be considered unimaginable,” Natalie Dean, an assistant professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida, told The New York Times.
South Korea was so rigorous in safeguarding the election that its president, Moon Jae-in, said the country “will be able to give hope to the world that we can resume a normal life.” Several world leaders in fact did praise the country for the way it conducted the vote.
Once home to the world’s second-largest outbreak of COVID-19, South Korea is also a model for a quick and effective reduction of the fatality rate. Just as effective was the government’s radical transparency about the crisis and the measures needed to end it. That led to a high rate of voluntary compliance.
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Mr. Moon and his ruling Democratic Party were rewarded at the polls for their success. The DP and its sister party won three-fifths of the seats in the National Assembly. The stunning majority gives Mr. Moon more power to now deal with an economic slowdown.
A few other countries, such as Germany and Denmark, are skillfully if gingerly reopening their societies. They are not hoping for the best. They are relying on the best in society – from scientists to civil servants – to build up trust among the public. The trust, at least in South Korea, is that an exit plan is both possible and near.


csmonitor--2020-04-16--Keystone XL pipeline loses its Clean Water Act permits

A U.S. judge canceled a key permit on Wednesday for the Keystone XL oil pipeline that 's expected to stretch from Canada to Nebraska , another setback for the disputed project that got underway less than two weeks ago following years of delays .
Judge Brian Morris said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to adequately consider effects on endangered species such as pallid sturgeon , a massive , dinosaur-like fish that lives in rivers the pipeline would cross .
The ruling , however , does not shut down work that has begun at the U.S.-Canada border crossing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
Pipeline sponsor TC Energy will need the permit for future construction across hundreds of rivers and streams along Keystone 's 1,200-mile route .
`` It creates another significant hurdle for the project , '' said Anthony Swift with the Natural Resources Defense Council , one of the groups that challenged the permit .
`` Regardless of whether they have the cross border segment ... Keystone XL has basically lost all of its Clean Water Act permits for water crossings , '' he said .
TC Energy was reviewing the ruling but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy infrastructure project , '' spokesman Terry Cunha said .
Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers did not have an immediate response to the ruling .
The Keystone authorization came under a so-called nationwide permit issued by the Corps in 2017 , essentially giving blanket approval to pipeline or similar utility projects with minimal effects on waterways .
The cancellation could have broader implications because it appears to invalidate dredging work for any project authorized under the 2017 permit , said attorney Jared Margolis with the Center for Biological Diversity , another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear what projects would be included .
Mr. Morris is holding a court hearing on Thursday on two other lawsuits against the $ 8 billion pipeline .
American Indian tribes and environmental groups want him to halt the construction at the border while a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump 's approval of the pipeline last year works its way through the courts .
The pipeline was proposed in 2008 and would carry up to 830,000 barrels ( 35 million gallons ) of crude daily to Nebraska , where it would be transferred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refineries and export terminals on the Gulf of Mexico .
It was rejected twice under the Obama administration because of concerns that it could worsen climate change , then Mr. Trump revived it .
TC Energy 's surprise March 31 announcement that it intended to start construction amid a global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic came after the provincial government in Alberta invested $ 1.1 billion to jump-start the work .
Tribal leaders and some residents of rural communities along the pipeline 's route worry that thousands of workers needed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As many as 11 construction camps , some housing up to 1,000 people , were initially planned for the project .
TC Energy says those are under review amid the pandemic and wo n't be needed until later in the summer .
Work on two camps , in Montana and South Dakota , could start as soon as this month , according to court documents filed by the company this week .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

A U.S. judge canceled a key permit on Wednesday for the Keystone XL oil pipeline that's expected to stretch from Canada to Nebraska, another setback for the disputed project that got underway less than two weeks ago following years of delays.
Judge Brian Morris said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to adequately consider effects on endangered species such as pallid sturgeon, a massive, dinosaur-like fish that lives in rivers the pipeline would cross.
The ruling, however, does not shut down work that has begun at the U.S.-Canada border crossing in Montana, according to attorneys in the case. Pipeline sponsor TC Energy will need the permit for future construction across hundreds of rivers and streams along Keystone's 1,200-mile route.
"It creates another significant hurdle for the project," said Anthony Swift with the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the groups that challenged the permit.
"Regardless of whether they have the cross border segment ... Keystone XL has basically lost all of its Clean Water Act permits for water crossings," he said.
TC Energy was reviewing the ruling but remained "committed to building this important energy infrastructure project," spokesman Terry Cunha said.
Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers did not have an immediate response to the ruling.
The Keystone authorization came under a so-called nationwide permit issued by the Corps in 2017, essentially giving blanket approval to pipeline or similar utility projects with minimal effects on waterways.
The cancellation could have broader implications because it appears to invalidate dredging work for any project authorized under the 2017 permit, said attorney Jared Margolis with the Center for Biological Diversity, another plaintiff in the case. It's unclear what projects would be included.
Mr. Morris is holding a court hearing on Thursday on two other lawsuits against the $8 billion pipeline. American Indian tribes and environmental groups want him to halt the construction at the border while a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's approval of the pipeline last year works its way through the courts.
The pipeline was proposed in 2008 and would carry up to 830,000 barrels (35 million gallons) of crude daily to Nebraska, where it would be transferred to another TC Energy pipeline for shipment to refineries and export terminals on the Gulf of Mexico.
It was rejected twice under the Obama administration because of concerns that it could worsen climate change, then Mr. Trump revived it.
TC Energy's surprise March 31 announcement that it intended to start construction amid a global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic came after the provincial government in Alberta invested $1.1 billion to jump-start the work.
Tribal leaders and some residents of rural communities along the pipeline's route worry that thousands of workers needed for the project could spread the virus.
As many as 11 construction camps, some housing up to 1,000 people, were initially planned for the project. TC Energy says those are under review amid the pandemic and won't be needed until later in the summer.
Work on two camps, in Montana and South Dakota, could start as soon as this month, according to court documents filed by the company this week.
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csmonitor--2020-04-06--Coronavirus poll: most Americans taking steps to stay healthy

Americans in overwhelming numbers are actively avoiding others as much as possible and taking additional steps to protect themselves from the coronavirus , according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research that shows how concerns about infection have grown sharply in the past six weeks .
The survey finds Americans are increasingly isolating , washing their hands , and avoiding touching their face .
Large portions of the country are confronting layoffs and pay cuts and are adjusting to kids forced home from school and day care amid the coronavirus pandemic , which has upended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Half of Americans now say they are extremely or very worried that they or a family member will be infected by the virus .
That compares with 31 % who said the same in mid-March and 22 % who said so in February .
Another 34 % are somewhat worried , while just 16 % say they are not worried .
The spike in concern comes as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , has grown to about 1.3 million worldwide and about 340,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University .
Containment efforts have canceled in-person classes for most of the country 's students , thrown more than 10 million people out of work , and put 90 % of the population under stay-at-home orders .
Confronted by the seriousness of the pandemic , Americans are more likely than they were in mid-March to report taking protective steps .
Today , 94 % of Americans say they are staying away from large groups , up from 68 % .
Somewhat fewer , though still an overwhelming majority , 86 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as possible .
Most states are now under a statewide stay-at-home order , while in the remaining states some orders have been issued at the city or county level .
But there are not wide differences in behavior based on where a person lives , according to the poll .
Americans in states that were not under a statewide stay-at-home order on or before March 26 were about as likely as Americans in states that were under such a directive to say they were avoiding contact with others .
`` To me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Richard Walker of St. Augustine , Florida , who said he and his family began making changes weeks before Gov .
Ron DeSantis last Wednesday issued a statewide stay-at-home order .
Mr. Walker said that he and his wife are no longer watching their young granddaughter once a week and that their daughter is doing their grocery shopping .
To celebrate his son 's birthday on Tuesday , the family gathered in the son 's driveway – staying at least 10 feet apart – and sang `` Happy Birthday . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video phone app .
`` It 's all you can do right now , '' Mr. Walker said .
The change in behavior is n't limited to staying at home or avoiding groups .
Ninety-two percent of Americans say they are washing their hands more frequently and 70 % are avoiding touching their face .
About half , 52 % , now report stocking up on extra food , compared with 35 % who said they were doing so earlier in March .
Still , just 16 % say they are consulting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public 's concern has risen overall , there still remain partisan differences .
Republicans are far less worried than Democrats about themselves or a relative being infected with the coronavirus .
Just 35 % are extremely or very worried , compared with 61 % of Democrats who are highly concerned .
Another 4 in 10 Republicans are somewhat worried , and about another quarter are not worried .
Still , the share of Republicans who are very worried has grown from just 21 % in AP-NORC 's mid-March poll .
The widespread closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused concern .
Among parents with a child in school or day care , nearly all , 96 % , say it has closed .
About a third of them say they are extremely or very concerned about their child falling behind academically , with another third somewhat concerned .
Mia Morris , of Atlanta , said she and her kids , ages 18 and 16 , are doing the best they can to adjust to online learning .
Ms. Morris is in a technical school program that has moved to online classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's hard because we 're not used to it , but we all pull together and help each other , '' Ms. Morris said .
And when they still do n't know the answers , there 's another option : `` We go to Google a lot . ''
The closing of businesses and global economic uncertainty have widely impacted working Americans .
Among those who were employed prior to the outbreak , 23 % say they or a household member has already been laid off , 38 % scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpaid time off , and 26 % had wages or salary reduced .
In all , about half of workers have experienced at least one form of lost household income .
Those with lower incomes and without college degrees are especially likely to say households have been hit by layoffs .
Kyle Beason , of Bowling Green , Ohio , said he and his girlfriend both have had their hours slashed at the manufacturing plant where they work , from 40 hours per week to a low of 24 hours because the appliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are n't placing as many orders .
He said the couple is still able to pay the bills , but that could change if things do n't improve soon .
`` I 'm hoping that people do what they need to do – stay home as much as they can or stay away from people – so we can get over it , '' Mr. Beason said .
The AP-NORC poll of 1,057 adults was conducted March 26-29 using a sample drawn from NORC 's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points .
Respondents were first selected randomly using address-based sampling methods and later were interviewed online or by phone .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Americans in overwhelming numbers are actively avoiding others as much as possible and taking additional steps to protect themselves from the coronavirus, according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research that shows how concerns about infection have grown sharply in the past six weeks.
The survey finds Americans are increasingly isolating, washing their hands, and avoiding touching their face. Large portions of the country are confronting layoffs and pay cuts and are adjusting to kids forced home from school and day care amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has upended American life and the nation's economy.
Half of Americans now say they are extremely or very worried that they or a family member will be infected by the virus. That compares with 31% who said the same in mid-March and 22% who said so in February. Another 34% are somewhat worried, while just 16% say they are not worried.
The spike in concern comes as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, has grown to about 1.3 million worldwide and about 340,000 in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. Containment efforts have canceled in-person classes for most of the country's students, thrown more than 10 million people out of work, and put 90% of the population under stay-at-home orders.
Confronted by the seriousness of the pandemic, Americans are more likely than they were in mid-March to report taking protective steps. Today, 94% of Americans say they are staying away from large groups, up from 68%. Somewhat fewer, though still an overwhelming majority, 86% say they are avoiding other people as much as possible.
Most states are now under a statewide stay-at-home order, while in the remaining states some orders have been issued at the city or county level. But there are not wide differences in behavior based on where a person lives, according to the poll. Americans in states that were not under a statewide stay-at-home order on or before March 26 were about as likely as Americans in states that were under such a directive to say they were avoiding contact with others.
"To me it was just common sense," said Richard Walker of St. Augustine, Florida, who said he and his family began making changes weeks before Gov. Ron DeSantis last Wednesday issued a statewide stay-at-home order.
Mr. Walker said that he and his wife are no longer watching their young granddaughter once a week and that their daughter is doing their grocery shopping. To celebrate his son's birthday on Tuesday, the family gathered in the son's driveway – staying at least 10 feet apart – and sang "Happy Birthday." The party continued later via FaceTime, a video phone app.
"It's all you can do right now," Mr. Walker said.
The change in behavior isn't limited to staying at home or avoiding groups. Ninety-two percent of Americans say they are washing their hands more frequently and 70% are avoiding touching their face. About half, 52%, now report stocking up on extra food, compared with 35% who said they were doing so earlier in March. Still, just 16% say they are consulting with a health care provider.
While the public's concern has risen overall, there still remain partisan differences.
Republicans are far less worried than Democrats about themselves or a relative being infected with the coronavirus. Just 35% are extremely or very worried, compared with 61% of Democrats who are highly concerned. Another 4 in 10 Republicans are somewhat worried, and about another quarter are not worried.
Still, the share of Republicans who are very worried has grown from just 21% in AP-NORC's mid-March poll.
The widespread closing of schools and day cares also has caused concern. Among parents with a child in school or day care, nearly all, 96%, say it has closed. About a third of them say they are extremely or very concerned about their child falling behind academically, with another third somewhat concerned.
Mia Morris, of Atlanta, said she and her kids, ages 18 and 16, are doing the best they can to adjust to online learning. Ms. Morris is in a technical school program that has moved to online classes, and she watches a first grader.
"It's hard because we're not used to it, but we all pull together and help each other," Ms. Morris said. And when they still don't know the answers, there's another option: "We go to Google a lot."
The closing of businesses and global economic uncertainty have widely impacted working Americans. Among those who were employed prior to the outbreak, 23% say they or a household member has already been laid off, 38% scheduled for fewer hours, 27% taken unpaid time off, and 26% had wages or salary reduced.
In all, about half of workers have experienced at least one form of lost household income. Those with lower incomes and without college degrees are especially likely to say households have been hit by layoffs.
Kyle Beason, of Bowling Green, Ohio, said he and his girlfriend both have had their hours slashed at the manufacturing plant where they work, from 40 hours per week to a low of 24 hours because the appliance makers who buy the parts they produce aren't placing as many orders. He said the couple is still able to pay the bills, but that could change if things don't improve soon.
"I'm hoping that people do what they need to do – stay home as much as they can or stay away from people – so we can get over it," Mr. Beason said.
The AP-NORC poll of 1,057 adults was conducted March 26-29 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. Respondents were first selected randomly using address-based sampling methods and later were interviewed online or by phone.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-04-06--Engaging with the news productively, not fearfully

Often while driving or cooking , I enjoy the companionship of familiar voices on my favorite news program , keeping me informed while I sit in traffic or slice tomatoes .
Lately , though , I ’ ve found listening a bit less pleasant because it seems the main topic is how I might catch the coronavirus if I leave my house .
One might start to conclude that there is no safety anywhere , and it ’ s understandable that lately the anxiety in the air feels as thick as smog during rush hour .
I appreciate the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helps to combat the spread of misguided theories and false stories .
It ’ s responsible to have accurate information about the current situation .
Reporters doing their work in the face of frightening conditions are to be commended .
But how we choose to consume and respond to the wide range of information is also of utmost importance .
Mary Baker Eddy , who discovered Christian Science in the 19th century , had a deep respect for the role of the media , as well as direct experience with its complexities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the newspapers of the day , one naturally reflects that it is dangerous to live , so loaded with disease seems the very air .
These descriptions carry fears to many minds , to be depicted in some future time upon the body ” ( “ Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 , ” p. 7 ) .
I ’ ve found it ’ s not helpful to get swept up in the general drift of fear .
When we let an emotional response lead , it can lead to unwise actions .
Recently , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torrent of coverage of the coronavirus , I actually asked myself , “ What would Jesus say about all of this ?
” I recalled an instruction he gave to his disciples at one point while talking to them about the future : “ Don ’ t panic ” ( Matthew 24:6 , New Living Translation ) .
He wasn ’ t saying that problems would never emerge .
But his entire ministry showed that we can actively trust in God , infinite Love itself , to protect us .
When we turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and God ’ s pure goodness , this lifts the fear that can overwhelm us .
The Bible says that Love destroys fear ( see I John 4:18 ) .
This divine Love is deeper than a human , emotional love .
It ’ s solid , infinite , spiritual , expressed in all of God ’ s children , which includes each one of us .
This presence is so powerful , its tender care so universal , that we can trust and rely on it , moment by moment , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let this divine Love lead us , rather than yielding to panic or anxiety , we contribute to the general mental atmosphere of peace and calm that comes from discerning God ’ s supremacy .
God ’ s power is a force for good – in fact , the only legitimate force in the universe – and the divine Spirit , or Love , is omnipotent and supremely reliable in every circumstance .
We can feel it when we actively choose to listen for the calm , clear , productive thoughts God is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than drifting along with the tendency to overreact or allowing ourselves to be carried away with worry and expectation of evil .
Indulging these unproductive sentiments can contribute to an unhealthy movement of thought .
In her book “ Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures , ” Mrs. Eddy wrote of a way to counteract unhelpful atmospheres of thought : “ Truth and Love antidote this mental miasma , and thus invigorate and sustain existence ” ( p. 274 ) .
Though I still tune in to the news to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond more productively .
In the quiet moments between reports , I find peace and strength in reflecting on the goodness of divine Love that permeates the universe , despite whatever challenges we face individually and collectively .
These clear , simple thoughts contribute to a mental atmosphere that is safer and supportive of health and progress for all , inspiring wise and reasoned actions rather than fear-impelled reactions .
Each of us has the power to share in this effort .
We can engage with the media – and appreciate the brave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and respond in a constructive way that brings not panic and loneliness , but peace and unity .
Then , even the most discouraging moments give way to a more certain sense that divine Love is encircling us all .

Often while driving or cooking, I enjoy the companionship of familiar voices on my favorite news program, keeping me informed while I sit in traffic or slice tomatoes. Lately, though, I’ve found listening a bit less pleasant because it seems the main topic is how I might catch the coronavirus if I leave my house. One might start to conclude that there is no safety anywhere, and it’s understandable that lately the anxiety in the air feels as thick as smog during rush hour.
I appreciate the media’s sharing of facts, which helps to combat the spread of misguided theories and false stories. It’s responsible to have accurate information about the current situation. Reporters doing their work in the face of frightening conditions are to be commended. But how we choose to consume and respond to the wide range of information is also of utmost importance.
Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science in the 19th century, had a deep respect for the role of the media, as well as direct experience with its complexities. She once wrote: “Looking over the newspapers of the day, one naturally reflects that it is dangerous to live, so loaded with disease seems the very air. These descriptions carry fears to many minds, to be depicted in some future time upon the body” (“Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 7).
I’ve found it’s not helpful to get swept up in the general drift of fear. When we let an emotional response lead, it can lead to unwise actions.
Recently, in a moment of feeling overwhelmed by the torrent of coverage of the coronavirus, I actually asked myself, “What would Jesus say about all of this?” I recalled an instruction he gave to his disciples at one point while talking to them about the future: “Don’t panic” (Matthew 24:6, New Living Translation). He wasn’t saying that problems would never emerge. But his entire ministry showed that we can actively trust in God, infinite Love itself, to protect us.
When we turn our thoughts to the presence of God and God’s pure goodness, this lifts the fear that can overwhelm us. The Bible says that Love destroys fear (see I John 4:18). This divine Love is deeper than a human, emotional love. It’s solid, infinite, spiritual, expressed in all of God’s children, which includes each one of us. This presence is so powerful, its tender care so universal, that we can trust and rely on it, moment by moment, for anything we are facing.
As we let this divine Love lead us, rather than yielding to panic or anxiety, we contribute to the general mental atmosphere of peace and calm that comes from discerning God’s supremacy. God’s power is a force for good – in fact, the only legitimate force in the universe – and the divine Spirit, or Love, is omnipotent and supremely reliable in every circumstance. We can feel it when we actively choose to listen for the calm, clear, productive thoughts God is sending us at every moment, rather than drifting along with the tendency to overreact or allowing ourselves to be carried away with worry and expectation of evil. Indulging these unproductive sentiments can contribute to an unhealthy movement of thought.
In her book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mrs. Eddy wrote of a way to counteract unhelpful atmospheres of thought: “Truth and Love antidote this mental miasma, and thus invigorate and sustain existence” (p. 274).
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Though I still tune in to the news to stay informed, these ideas have helped me respond more productively. In the quiet moments between reports, I find peace and strength in reflecting on the goodness of divine Love that permeates the universe, despite whatever challenges we face individually and collectively. These clear, simple thoughts contribute to a mental atmosphere that is safer and supportive of health and progress for all, inspiring wise and reasoned actions rather than fear-impelled reactions.
Each of us has the power to share in this effort. We can engage with the media – and appreciate the brave, thorough work of many reporters – and respond in a constructive way that brings not panic and loneliness, but peace and unity. Then, even the most discouraging moments give way to a more certain sense that divine Love is encircling us all.


csmonitor--2020-04-06--Win-win: Top restaurants serve frontline health workers

On a break from the front lines , nurse practitioner Gabe Westhemier tucked into a plate of duck confit , the work of one of the city 's celebrity chefs .
( `` It was wonderful . ''
) Meanwhile , at another San Francisco emergency room , nurse Liz Sanderson still savors a sea salt caramel bread pudding from another posh eatery .
( `` It was possibly the best thing I have ever eaten . ''
) The best of foods is being sampled in the worst of times by the most besieged of heroes – all thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had the idea of helping both local restaurants that need customers , and health care workers who need nourishment during their long , stressful shifts .
They sought donations and started small , with one restaurant and one hospital .
Two weeks later , 42 restaurants – among them some of the city 's finest – are churning out hundreds of meals a day to feed clinicians in emergency rooms and intensive care units at San Francisco 's six biggest hospitals .
They have so far raised over $ 350,000 and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for thousands more .
And a newly formed network , aptly named Frontline Foods , has linked up with similar projects in more than a dozen cities .
It 's also in touch with groups like Help Feed the Frontline L.A. to the south , to ensure they do n't double deliver to the same hospital .
The original idea was born March 12 in a text message exchange between entrepreneur Frank Barbieri and his friend Sydney Gressel , an emergency room nurse at UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay .
Mr. Barbieri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the battle against COVID-19 , and texted : `` What can I do to help ? ''
`` I suggested he could buy us dinner , '' Ms. Gressel said .
`` He took it to the next level . ''
Ryan Sarver , a tech-savvy venture capitalist , tapped contacts in the restaurant world and helped solicit donations , initially for $ 1,000 that would fund 50 meals for health care workers priced at $ 20 each .
Now smaller donations can be made .
The money goes straight to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got $ 20 to spend and we need a well-balanced , healthy meal – a starch , protein , and vegetable – that is going to sustain these people , '' said Mr. Sarver .
That $ 20 has to cover the cost of food and delivery , but many chefs have been personally delivering their own food , after spending the day cooking and packing it into hundreds of individual boxes .
Chef Kim Alter , who usually charges about $ 150 for a meal at Nightbird , her acclaimed San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gloves – in the kitchen and when she pulls her car up to hospitals to deliver her meals .
`` People are afraid of going to a hospital .
I feel like it 's my responsibility to do it , '' said Ms. Alter .
Nightbird , known for its 10-course tasting menus , does n't do take-out so effectively lost all business when San Francisco went into a lockdown .
Ms. Alter says now she can keep her staff employed .
`` We try to make everything beautiful , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included flowers and microgreens still in her restaurant 's refrigerator , so `` their salads had $ 100 worth of flowers on it . ''
That the meals are appreciated is an understatement .
`` It puts a smile on my face for sure , '' said nurse Ms. Sanderson , `` and it feels like everyone is supporting us .
It makes me want to work even harder . ''
This story is reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage .
It ’ s free .

On a break from the front lines, nurse practitioner Gabe Westhemier tucked into a plate of duck confit, the work of one of the city's celebrity chefs. ("It was wonderful.")
Meanwhile, at another San Francisco emergency room, nurse Liz Sanderson still savors a sea salt caramel bread pudding from another posh eatery. ("It was possibly the best thing I have ever eaten.")
The best of foods is being sampled in the worst of times by the most besieged of heroes – all thanks to a group of San Francisco friends who had the idea of helping both local restaurants that need customers, and health care workers who need nourishment during their long, stressful shifts.
They sought donations and started small, with one restaurant and one hospital. Two weeks later, 42 restaurants – among them some of the city's finest – are churning out hundreds of meals a day to feed clinicians in emergency rooms and intensive care units at San Francisco's six biggest hospitals.
They have so far raised over $350,000 and have delivered about 5,000 meals, with funding for thousands more. And a newly formed network, aptly named Frontline Foods, has linked up with similar projects in more than a dozen cities. It's also in touch with groups like Help Feed the Frontline L.A. to the south, to ensure they don't double deliver to the same hospital.
The original idea was born March 12 in a text message exchange between entrepreneur Frank Barbieri and his friend Sydney Gressel, an emergency room nurse at UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay.
Mr. Barbieri knew Ms. Gressel was working double shifts in the battle against COVID-19, and texted: "What can I do to help?"
"I suggested he could buy us dinner," Ms. Gressel said. "He took it to the next level."
Ryan Sarver, a tech-savvy venture capitalist, tapped contacts in the restaurant world and helped solicit donations, initially for $1,000 that would fund 50 meals for health care workers priced at $20 each. Now smaller donations can be made. The money goes straight to the restaurants.
"We tell them you've got $20 to spend and we need a well-balanced, healthy meal – a starch, protein, and vegetable – that is going to sustain these people," said Mr. Sarver.
That $20 has to cover the cost of food and delivery, but many chefs have been personally delivering their own food, after spending the day cooking and packing it into hundreds of individual boxes.
Chef Kim Alter, who usually charges about $150 for a meal at Nightbird, her acclaimed San Francisco restaurant, has been donning mask and gloves – in the kitchen and when she pulls her car up to hospitals to deliver her meals.
"People are afraid of going to a hospital. I feel like it's my responsibility to do it," said Ms. Alter.
Nightbird, known for its 10-course tasting menus, doesn't do take-out so effectively lost all business when San Francisco went into a lockdown. Ms. Alter says now she can keep her staff employed.
"We try to make everything beautiful," she said. One of her early meals included flowers and microgreens still in her restaurant's refrigerator, so "their salads had $100 worth of flowers on it."
That the meals are appreciated is an understatement.
"It puts a smile on my face for sure," said nurse Ms. Sanderson, "and it feels like everyone is supporting us. It makes me want to work even harder."
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
This story is reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-04-07--A crisis forcing humility from the bottom up

When a public crisis strikes , people often rally around a catchphrase to lift their thought .
During the coronavirus outbreak , the favorite tag has been “ We ’ re in this together.
” That spirit of unity has been on display from health workers to grocery clerks to neighbors who rarely talked to each other .
Anyone need a mask ?
Contact a local sewing circle .
Run out of food ?
Community volunteers will arrange a delivery .
What of elected leaders ?
They normally operate under a system of adversarial politics , even to the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not even necessary .
Are they now mirroring the rest of society with a similar spirit of interdependence and equality ?
By and large , democracies across the world have seen political parties get behind the new rules on public safety , additional support for first responders , and rescue packages for slumped economies .
Last month , for example , the U.S. Congress quickly passed an unprecedented $ 2.2 trillion package with near-unanimous backing .
A follow-up package is in the works .
In addition , the Trump administration and state governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumed Democratic presidential nominee , felt under enough pressure to set aside partisanship and talk .
Their 15-minute phone call was described as warm and constructive in the sharing of ideas on dealing with COVID-19 .
Even if their cooperation turns out to be fleeting , it reflected a Lincolnesque moment of a “ team of rivals ” listening to each other for the greater good during a national crisis .
In Britain , Prime Minister Boris Johnson – before he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative party to form a “ national unity government ” with opposition parties and independents .
He had already consulted with unions and civil society groups on action steps .
The most famous case of the United Kingdom suspending politics was the unity government under Winston Churchill during World War II .
In Israel , the virus crisis has pushed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz , the main opposition leader , to start arranging a unity government .
In Ireland , the crisis is putting pressure on political parties to form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February .
Examples like these of pride-swallowing humility may help tone down the divisiveness of politics after the COVID-19 emergency .
During her speech to the British people on Sunday , Queen Elizabeth II repeatedly used words like “ together , ” “ united ” and “ fellow feeling.
” She also suggested that working now as one people to end the crisis will create a societywide triumph for all .
“ Using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal , we will succeed , and that success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
The hidden message : Politicians should work together on solving the crisis , not compete to get credit afterward .
But then again , most people are already acting that way .

When a public crisis strikes, people often rally around a catchphrase to lift their thought. During the coronavirus outbreak, the favorite tag has been “We’re in this together.” That spirit of unity has been on display from health workers to grocery clerks to neighbors who rarely talked to each other. Anyone need a mask? Contact a local sewing circle. Run out of food? Community volunteers will arrange a delivery.
What of elected leaders? They normally operate under a system of adversarial politics, even to the point of dismissing opponents or their ideas as not even necessary. Are they now mirroring the rest of society with a similar spirit of interdependence and equality?
By and large, democracies across the world have seen political parties get behind the new rules on public safety, additional support for first responders, and rescue packages for slumped economies. Last month, for example, the U.S. Congress quickly passed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion package with near-unanimous backing. A follow-up package is in the works. In addition, the Trump administration and state governors are coordinating closely.
On Monday, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, felt under enough pressure to set aside partisanship and talk. Their 15-minute phone call was described as warm and constructive in the sharing of ideas on dealing with COVID-19. Even if their cooperation turns out to be fleeting, it reflected a Lincolnesque moment of a “team of rivals” listening to each other for the greater good during a national crisis.
In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson – before he was hospitalized – was under pressure within his Conservative party to form a “national unity government” with opposition parties and independents. He had already consulted with unions and civil society groups on action steps. The most famous case of the United Kingdom suspending politics was the unity government under Winston Churchill during World War II.
In Israel, the virus crisis has pushed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, the main opposition leader, to start arranging a unity government. In Ireland, the crisis is putting pressure on political parties to form a coalition government following an inconclusive election in February.
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Examples like these of pride-swallowing humility may help tone down the divisiveness of politics after the COVID-19 emergency. During her speech to the British people on Sunday, Queen Elizabeth II repeatedly used words like “together,” “united” and “fellow feeling.” She also suggested that working now as one people to end the crisis will create a societywide triumph for all.
“Using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal, we will succeed, and that success will belong to every one of us,” she said. The hidden message: Politicians should work together on solving the crisis, not compete to get credit afterward. But then again, most people are already acting that way.


csmonitor--2020-04-07--Colleges fight to survive coronavirus financial hit

Colleges across the nation are scrambling to close deep budget holes and some have been pushed to the brink of collapse after the coronavirus outbreak triggered financial losses that could total more than $ 100 million at some institutions .
Scores of colleges say they 're taking heavy hits as they refund money to students for housing , dining , and parking after campuses closed last month .
Many schools are losing millions more in ticket sales after athletic seasons were cut short , and some say huge shares of their reserves have been wiped out amid wild swings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that 's only the start of their troubles : Even if campuses reopen this fall , many worry large numbers of students wo n't return .
There 's widespread fear that an economic downturn will leave many Americans unable to afford tuition , and universities are forecasting steep drop-offs among international students who may think twice about studying abroad so soon after a pandemic .
`` If you play out the scenarios that are out there , it really makes you nervous , '' said Mary Papazian , president of San Jose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose $ 16 million by the end of May .
`` We may be looking at cutting academic programs if it comes to it .
We may be looking at laying off people .
It 's a dire situation if the worst comes to pass . ''
Dozens of colleges have instituted hiring freezes , and many are halting construction projects so they have enough money to pay employees .
But university presidents say the savings will only stretch so far , and many are asking the federal government for a second stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 trillion rescue bill signed by President Donald Trump last month provides $ 14 billion for higher education .
The American Council on Education , an association of college presidents , had requested $ 50 billion and called the package `` woefully inadequate . ''
`` This crisis is causing massive disruption to students , institutional operations , and institutional finances .
On some campuses , it is creating an existential threat , potentially resulting in closures , '' Ted Mitchell , the group 's president , wrote in a letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with deep reserves are expecting a painful financial blow from the pandemic .
Brown University was among the first to announce a hiring freeze , citing `` dramatic reductions in revenue . ''
Yale University followed on March 31 , asking departments to update budgets in preparation of a `` significant loss '' in revenue .
The University of California , Berkeley , and the University of Wisconsin , Madison , each expect losses of about $ 100 million , and that 's assuming campuses reopen by this fall .
It leaves some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for financial aid , which is expected to surge as millions of Americans lose their jobs .
Many schools draw from their endowments to pay for scholarships , faculty jobs , and campus operations , but those reserves have taken deep losses as markets tumble .
Bucknell University in Pennsylvania says it has lost $ 150 million from its endowment after recent investment losses .
At the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts , the endowment has dropped by 15 % and officials fear a similar drop in fundraising .
`` Financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit this year , '' said Rev .
Philip Boroughs , president of Holy Cross .
`` We 're going to be looking at all current expenditures and going through them with a fine-tooth comb . ''
Perhaps the greatest question for colleges is fall enrollment .
Recent surveys have found that large shares of high school seniors plan to take a gap year before starting college .
At the same time , colleges have been forced to cancel campus visits and other events designed to court students .
It 's a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on international students , especially those from China .
At the University of Connecticut , which hosted nearly 3,000 students from China last fall , officials are bracing for international enrollment to drop by 25 % to 75 % , a loss of up to $ 70 million next year .
Still , the financial shock is likely to be strongest at smaller private colleges and regional public universities , which hold smaller reserves and run on leaner budgets .
Some are adding significant costs to move classes online even as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major double whammy with multiple hits on the revenue side and new hits on the cost side , '' said David Tandberg , vice president of policy research and strategic initiatives at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association .
`` I 'm afraid we 're going to lose some private institutions .
I have no idea how many , but many were operating on the margin already . ''
At Benedict College , a historically black school in Columbia , South Carolina , officials expect to lose $ 2 million in housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget .
The school , which was already under financial strain , is looking for ways to cut costs and says it will pursue layoffs if needed .
`` We have to think clearly about the future of the institution , '' said Roslyn Clark Artis , president of the school of 2,000 students .
`` The notion of refunding an amount this significant would cripple the institution , there 's no doubt . ''
Mississippi 's Millsaps College , which has fought to maintain enrollment in recent years , expects to refund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 33 million in yearly revenue .
Amid uncertainty around the fall , the school 's faculty and staff have been making daily calls to help attract prospective students .
Other colleges face more pressing threats to their survival .
At Central Washington University , a public university of 12,000 students , the school 's governing board has declared a `` state of financial exigency '' authorizing the school 's president to take any action to stay afloat , including faculty layoffs .
And for some schools , the latest losses have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private school in Jacksonville , Illinois , announced that it will close permanently after this spring .
Disruption caused by COVID-19 was n't the only factor in the decision , officials said , but it `` complicated '' the school 's financial health .
Other schools are postponing campus maintenance and asking faculty to cancel future travel , but some say layoffs are unavoidable .
At Miami University in Ohio , which is bracing for a 20 % drop in new students , officials are drafting plans that would cut half or all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms. Papazian , the president at San Jose State , has urged Congress to provide additional aid to help avoid damaging cuts .
Her college will try to prevent layoffs , she said , but needs to do `` whatever it takes '' to survive .
`` This is what we had in 2008 , but many times worse , '' Ms. Papazian said , referring to the Great Recession .
`` The hurt is deeper this time , and the recovery period will be longer .
And there will be many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it . ''
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Colleges across the nation are scrambling to close deep budget holes and some have been pushed to the brink of collapse after the coronavirus outbreak triggered financial losses that could total more than $100 million at some institutions.
Scores of colleges say they're taking heavy hits as they refund money to students for housing, dining, and parking after campuses closed last month. Many schools are losing millions more in ticket sales after athletic seasons were cut short, and some say huge shares of their reserves have been wiped out amid wild swings in the stock market.
Yet college leaders say that's only the start of their troubles: Even if campuses reopen this fall, many worry large numbers of students won't return. There's widespread fear that an economic downturn will leave many Americans unable to afford tuition, and universities are forecasting steep drop-offs among international students who may think twice about studying abroad so soon after a pandemic.
"If you play out the scenarios that are out there, it really makes you nervous," said Mary Papazian, president of San Jose State University, which estimates it will lose $16 million by the end of May. "We may be looking at cutting academic programs if it comes to it. We may be looking at laying off people. It's a dire situation if the worst comes to pass."
Dozens of colleges have instituted hiring freezes, and many are halting construction projects so they have enough money to pay employees. But university presidents say the savings will only stretch so far, and many are asking the federal government for a second stimulus package to avoid deeper cuts.
The $2 trillion rescue bill signed by President Donald Trump last month provides $14 billion for higher education. The American Council on Education, an association of college presidents, had requested $50 billion and called the package "woefully inadequate."
"This crisis is causing massive disruption to students, institutional operations, and institutional finances. On some campuses, it is creating an existential threat, potentially resulting in closures," Ted Mitchell, the group's president, wrote in a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
Even colleges with deep reserves are expecting a painful financial blow from the pandemic. Brown University was among the first to announce a hiring freeze, citing "dramatic reductions in revenue." Yale University followed on March 31, asking departments to update budgets in preparation of a "significant loss" in revenue.
The University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, each expect losses of about $100 million, and that's assuming campuses reopen by this fall.
It leaves some colleges wondering if they can meet demand for financial aid, which is expected to surge as millions of Americans lose their jobs. Many schools draw from their endowments to pay for scholarships, faculty jobs, and campus operations, but those reserves have taken deep losses as markets tumble.
Bucknell University in Pennsylvania says it has lost $150 million from its endowment after recent investment losses. At the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, the endowment has dropped by 15% and officials fear a similar drop in fundraising.
"Financial aid is going to be a bigger hit this year," said Rev. Philip Boroughs, president of Holy Cross. "We're going to be looking at all current expenditures and going through them with a fine-tooth comb."
Perhaps the greatest question for colleges is fall enrollment. Recent surveys have found that large shares of high school seniors plan to take a gap year before starting college. At the same time, colleges have been forced to cancel campus visits and other events designed to court students.
It's a major concern for colleges that have come to rely on international students, especially those from China. At the University of Connecticut, which hosted nearly 3,000 students from China last fall, officials are bracing for international enrollment to drop by 25% to 75%, a loss of up to $70 million next year.
Still, the financial shock is likely to be strongest at smaller private colleges and regional public universities, which hold smaller reserves and run on leaner budgets. Some are adding significant costs to move classes online even as they lose revenue.
"It's this major double whammy with multiple hits on the revenue side and new hits on the cost side," said David Tandberg, vice president of policy research and strategic initiatives at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. "I'm afraid we're going to lose some private institutions. I have no idea how many, but many were operating on the margin already."
At Benedict College, a historically black school in Columbia, South Carolina, officials expect to lose $2 million in housing refunds out of a $52 million budget. The school, which was already under financial strain, is looking for ways to cut costs and says it will pursue layoffs if needed.
"We have to think clearly about the future of the institution," said Roslyn Clark Artis, president of the school of 2,000 students. "The notion of refunding an amount this significant would cripple the institution, there's no doubt."
Mississippi's Millsaps College, which has fought to maintain enrollment in recent years, expects to refund $1 million in housing fees out of $33 million in yearly revenue. Amid uncertainty around the fall, the school's faculty and staff have been making daily calls to help attract prospective students.
Other colleges face more pressing threats to their survival. At Central Washington University, a public university of 12,000 students, the school's governing board has declared a "state of financial exigency" authorizing the school's president to take any action to stay afloat, including faculty layoffs.
And for some schools, the latest losses have proved insurmountable. MacMurray College, a private school in Jacksonville, Illinois, announced that it will close permanently after this spring. Disruption caused by COVID-19 wasn't the only factor in the decision, officials said, but it "complicated" the school's financial health.
Other schools are postponing campus maintenance and asking faculty to cancel future travel, but some say layoffs are unavoidable.
At Miami University in Ohio, which is bracing for a 20% drop in new students, officials are drafting plans that would cut half or all of the school's visiting assistant professors.
Ms. Papazian, the president at San Jose State, has urged Congress to provide additional aid to help avoid damaging cuts. Her college will try to prevent layoffs, she said, but needs to do "whatever it takes" to survive.
"This is what we had in 2008, but many times worse," Ms. Papazian said, referring to the Great Recession. "The hurt is deeper this time, and the recovery period will be longer. And there will be many students who are lost or injured because of it."
This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.