usatoday--2020-07-16--Pelicans' Zion Williamson leaves NBA campus for 'urgent family medical matter'

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. – New Orleans Pelicans rookie forward Zion Williamson left the NBA ’ s campus site on Wednesday because of what the team called “ an urgent family medical matter.
” The Pelicans added that Williamson “ intends to rejoin the team in Orlando for the NBA restart at a later date.
” The Pelicans have three scrimmages against Brooklyn ( July 22 ) , Denver ( July 25 ) and Milwaukee ( July 27 ) before their opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 30 , when the league restarts its season .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave the NBA campus to be with his family , ” Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said in a statement released by the team .
“ Out of respect for the Williamson family , we will have no further comment at this time.
” According to the NBA 's health and safety protocols , all players are expected to remain on campus .
Yet , the protocols say that players can leave for extenuating circumstances and “ only with prior league approval for such extenuating circumstance . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is subject to enhanced COVID-19 testing that includes a mouth swab and a nasal swab on each side of the nose .
He could also be subject to a 10-day quarantine when he returns .
Williamson could spend only four days in quarantine when he returns , however , so long as he undergoes COVID-19 testing each day he is off campus and returns a negative test .
This procedure requires approval by an infectious disease doctor .
If Williamson 's absence is not excused or he is unable to test daily for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to a 10-day quarantine when he returns , The Pelicans ( 28-36 ) enter the resumed season trailing the Memphis Grizzlies ( 32-33 ) by 3½ games for the eighth spot in the Western Conference .
With the NBA hosting eight regular-season games before the postseason , the Pelicans will also likely compete with the Portland Trail Blazers ( 29-37 ) and Sacramento Kings ( 28-36 ) for the last playoff seed .
The Pelicans ' playoffs chances hinge significantly on Williamson , who impressed the Pelicans with his paint presence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first 44 games of the season because of an injured right knee .
Williamson , who is listed at 6-foot-6 , 284 pounds , reported on a conference call two weeks ago about `` feeling in good shape '' after having extensive quarantine workouts and basketball sessions with his stepfather .

Mark Medina and Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

Pelicans' Zion Williamson leaves NBA campus for 'urgent family medical matter'
Show Caption Hide Caption Inside the NBA bubble: How technology keeps everyone safe SportsPulse: Only two days into his time in the NBA bubble, Mark Media is realizing just how far the league is willing to go in order to ensure safety for not only the players and coaches, but the media as well. USA TODAY
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – New Orleans Pelicans rookie forward Zion Williamson left the NBA’s campus site on Wednesday because of what the team called “an urgent family medical matter.”
The Pelicans added that Williamson “intends to rejoin the team in Orlando for the NBA restart at a later date.” The Pelicans have three scrimmages against Brooklyn (July 22), Denver (July 25) and Milwaukee (July 27) before their opener against the Utah Jazz on July 30, when the league restarts its season.
“We fully support Zion’s decision to leave the NBA campus to be with his family,” Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said in a statement released by the team. “Out of respect for the Williamson family, we will have no further comment at this time.”
According to the NBA's health and safety protocols, all players are expected to remain on campus. Yet, the protocols say that players can leave for extenuating circumstances and “only with prior league approval for such extenuating circumstance."
If Williamson returns to campus, he is subject to enhanced COVID-19 testing that includes a mouth swab and a nasal swab on each side of the nose. He could also be subject to a 10-day quarantine when he returns. Williamson could spend only four days in quarantine when he returns, however, so long as he undergoes COVID-19 testing each day he is off campus and returns a negative test. This procedure requires approval by an infectious disease doctor.
If Williamson's absence is not excused or he is unable to test daily for COVID-19 while off campus, he is subject to a 10-day quarantine when he returns,
The Pelicans (28-36) enter the resumed season trailing the Memphis Grizzlies (32-33) by 3½ games for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. With the NBA hosting eight regular-season games before the postseason, the Pelicans will also likely compete with the Portland Trail Blazers (29-37) and Sacramento Kings (28-36) for the last playoff seed.
The Pelicans' playoffs chances hinge significantly on Williamson, who impressed the Pelicans with his paint presence, rebounding and movement patterns after missing the first 44 games of the season because of an injured right knee.
Williamson, who is listed at 6-foot-6, 284 pounds, reported on a conference call two weeks ago about "feeling in good shape" after having extensive quarantine workouts and basketball sessions with his stepfather.
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


usatoday--2020-07-16--NFL Players Association reveals 72 players have tested positive for COVID-19

The NFL Players Association revealed on its website that 72 players in the league have already tested positive for COVID-19 as of July 10 .
None were named specifically , nor was it apparent how many players in a league with nearly 3,000 of them have been screened at this point .
Rams center Brian Allen , Broncos linebacker Von Miller and Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott are among those who have publicly discussed their bouts with the novel coronavirus .
It could be the latest obstacle for the NFL given training camps are scheduled to open later this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs — those teams are scheduled to meet in the regular-season opener Sept. 10 — are theoretically eligible to report this weekend under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement .
However the NFL 's entire offseason , including the draft and all team activities , was conducted in virtual environments .
The league and players union still have widespread issues to resolve , including opt-out scenarios for players and numerous workplace protocols as well as COVID-19 testing procedures and even the actual number of preseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form or fashion .
If you love talking football , we have the perfect spot for you .
Join our Facebook Group , The Ruling Off the Field , to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders .
Do the right thing , sign up now !

NFL Players Association reveals 72 players have tested positive for COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption NFLPA: 'We haven't agreed on what happens' if NFL player tests positive during season SportsPulse: The NFLPA has little doubts players will test positive for COVID-19 during the season. Quarantining assumed, what happen's next for the actual teams is still up in the air says Executive Director DeMaurice Smith to USA TODAY's Mackenzie Salmon. USA TODAY
The NFL Players Association revealed on its website that 72 players in the league have already tested positive for COVID-19 as of July 10. None were named specifically, nor was it apparent how many players in a league with nearly 3,000 of them have been screened at this point.
Rams center Brian Allen, Broncos linebacker Von Miller and Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott are among those who have publicly discussed their bouts with the novel coronavirus.
It could be the latest obstacle for the NFL given training camps are scheduled to open later this month.
Rookies for the Houston Texans and reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs — those teams are scheduled to meet in the regular-season opener Sept. 10 — are theoretically eligible to report this weekend under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement.
In the interest of having everyone on the same page in terms of what we know and don’t know at this time, here are a few things I’ve learned being on four NFLPA calls in the last two weeks with hundreds of other players.
Keep in mind our rookies are scheduled to report in 48 hrs pic.twitter.com/wAH1XyQenf — JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 16, 2020
However the NFL's entire offseason, including the draft and all team activities, was conducted in virtual environments. The league and players union still have widespread issues to resolve, including opt-out scenarios for players and numerous workplace protocols as well as COVID-19 testing procedures and even the actual number of preseason games, before football resumes in any form or fashion.
***
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis
If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Do the right thing, sign up now!


usatoday--2020-07-16--Parties? Canceled. Protests and Joe Biden? Still on. What we know (and don't) about the DNC in Milwa

MILWAUKEE – This was supposed to be the week that reintroduced Milwaukee to the world , with 50,000 visitors , round-the-clock parties and the nomination of the Democratic presidential contender to take on President Donald Trump in the fall .
Instead , it 's become the week that was n't .
The Democratic National Convention was due to gavel in July 13 in Milwaukee .
Instead , the coronavirus pandemic upended everything .
Now , Democrats , at least a few of them , are due in town Aug. 17-20 .
The scale , shape and content of the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know .
It 's not going to be at Fiserv Forum , the original main venue .
That was scratched when Democrats moved to a more virtual event .
Still , the owners of the facility received millions of dollars in payments from the convention 's host committee .
The Wisconsin Center is now the main venue , with the convention itself , such as it is , expected to take place in the facility 's third-floor exhibition area .
If you 've been to a car show , you know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that the area can accommodate a big political event .
Back in 2012 , in the final days of the fall campaign , thousands of people attended a rally for then-President Barack Obama , with pop singer Katy Perry also performing .
Not happening : Parties for thousands of delegates , media and volunteers Summerfest , Discovery World and Miller Park were scheduled to host the big three party events .
But they 're scratched .
There likely will be no delegates .
They have been asked to stay away because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's going to be a small contingent , not the thousands that were once expected .
No one has officially offered an estimated crowd count , but Milwaukee Common Council members have thrown out numbers like 1,000 or 1,500 .
There 's no telling how many protesters might show up , but the Milwaukee Police Department has ordered plenty of equipment in preparation .
Conventions make for great people watching .
Back in 2016 , Lady Gaga gave an invitation-only concert for Democratic delegates .
Democrats also heard from , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Banks , director Lee Daniels , and TV stars America Ferrera and Lena Dunham .
Of course , celebrities can make their pitches to the delegates from the comfort of their homes .
But it wo n't be the same .
At least a couple of major politicians are looking to make the trek to the convention .
Presumptive nominee Joe Biden intends to accept the nomination in Milwaukee .
His vice-presidential pick is also due here .
What else will be happening : Tough to say A typical convention has plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official and unofficial events , from fundraising to caucusing to networking .
This convention will be anything but typical .
In late June , convention planners said that the `` host city Milwaukee would anchor the events for the week , and that programming would include both live broadcasts and curated content from Milwaukee and other satellite cities , locations and landmarks . ''
Details are still being ironed out .
The main business of the convention will be conducted virtually , with each delegate receiving an individual ballot .
The state parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention business will begin Aug. 3 and end Aug. 15 .
Convention week will consist of four nights of programming .
Of course , everything is still subject to change , based on the coronavirus pandemic , with cases surging across the country , including Wisconsin .
Not happening : Wisconsin 's moment on the national stage Happening : There 's still 'something about Milwaukee' One thing is clear : The event has become a huge missed opportunity for Milwaukee .
The city 's hopes and dreams will go unrealized .
The convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be , the Ryder Cup is pushed back a year , the Milwaukee Bucks wo n't be playing for an NBA title at home , the Brewers will be playing baseball in front of no fans , and Summerfest and the State Fair are off .
`` It is difficult to describe the impact financially and emotionally for the lack of these events , '' said Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce President Tim Sheehy .
`` The financial impact is critical , but it 's also part of the community 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheehy added that people should n't forget about all the assets in the region .
It 's what helped land the big events in the first place .
`` We 've got something going for us to attract all these national , international events , '' Sheehy said .
`` It says something about Milwaukee .
But it 's just difficult we have n't been able to execute . ''

Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Parties? Canceled. Protests and Joe Biden? Still on. What we know (and don't) about the DNC in Milwaukee
Show Caption Hide Caption How the DNC changed its rules since Sanders, Clinton in 2016 The primaries are here! How does one get elected in the first place and what is in store for the Democratic National Convention in 2020? We explain. Just the FAQs
MILWAUKEE – This was supposed to be the week that reintroduced Milwaukee to the world, with 50,000 visitors, round-the-clock parties and the nomination of the Democratic presidential contender to take on President Donald Trump in the fall.
Instead, it's become the week that wasn't.
The Democratic National Convention was due to gavel in July 13 in Milwaukee. Instead, the coronavirus pandemic upended everything.
Now, Democrats, at least a few of them, are due in town Aug. 17-20.
The scale, shape and content of the event remain in flux.
Here's what we know.
DNC affirms virtual convention amid pandemic Democrats will hold an almost entirely virtual presidential nominating convention by using live broadcasts, online streaming, and other means for the 4,500 plus delegates to cast their votes remotely. (June 25) AP
Out: Fiserv Forum
In: Wisconsin Center
It's not going to be at Fiserv Forum, the original main venue. That was scratched when Democrats moved to a more virtual event. Still, the owners of the facility received millions of dollars in payments from the convention's host committee.
The Wisconsin Center is now the main venue, with the convention itself, such as it is, expected to take place in the facility's third-floor exhibition area.
If you've been to a car show, you know what that space looks like.
We do know that the area can accommodate a big political event.
Back in 2012, in the final days of the fall campaign, thousands of people attended a rally for then-President Barack Obama, with pop singer Katy Perry also performing.
More: Republicans fear coronavirus will force scaling back Trump's Florida convention
Not happening: Parties for thousands of delegates, media and volunteers
Probably happening: Protests
Summerfest, Discovery World and Miller Park were scheduled to host the big three party events. But they're scratched.
There likely will be no delegates. They have been asked to stay away because of the pandemic.
And as for media, it's going to be a small contingent, not the thousands that were once expected.
No one has officially offered an estimated crowd count, but Milwaukee Common Council members have thrown out numbers like 1,000 or 1,500.
There's no telling how many protesters might show up, but the Milwaukee Police Department has ordered plenty of equipment in preparation.
Not happening: Celebrity sightings
Supposedly happening: Joe Biden
Conventions make for great people watching. Back in 2016, Lady Gaga gave an invitation-only concert for Democratic delegates.
Democrats also heard from, among others, comedian Sarah Silverman, actress Elizabeth Banks, director Lee Daniels, and TV stars America Ferrera and Lena Dunham.
Of course, celebrities can make their pitches to the delegates from the comfort of their homes. But it won't be the same.
At least a couple of major politicians are looking to make the trek to the convention.
Presumptive nominee Joe Biden intends to accept the nomination in Milwaukee. His vice-presidential pick is also due here.
What else will be happening: Tough to say
A typical convention has plenty of prime-time speeches plus hundreds of other official and unofficial events, from fundraising to caucusing to networking.
This convention will be anything but typical.
In late June, convention planners said that the "host city Milwaukee would anchor the events for the week, and that programming would include both live broadcasts and curated content from Milwaukee and other satellite cities, locations and landmarks."
Details are still being ironed out.
The main business of the convention will be conducted virtually, with each delegate receiving an individual ballot. The state parties will collect the ballots.
Voting on convention business will begin Aug. 3 and end Aug. 15. Convention week will consist of four nights of programming.
Of course, everything is still subject to change, based on the coronavirus pandemic, with cases surging across the country, including Wisconsin.
Not happening: Wisconsin's moment on the national stage
Happening: There's still 'something about Milwaukee'
One thing is clear: The event has become a huge missed opportunity for Milwaukee.
The city's hopes and dreams will go unrealized.
The convention is a shell of what it was supposed to be, the Ryder Cup is pushed back a year, the Milwaukee Bucks won't be playing for an NBA title at home, the Brewers will be playing baseball in front of no fans, and Summerfest and the State Fair are off.
"It is difficult to describe the impact financially and emotionally for the lack of these events," said Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce President Tim Sheehy. "The financial impact is critical, but it's also part of the community's DNA that we've lost."
Sheehy added that people shouldn't forget about all the assets in the region.
It's what helped land the big events in the first place.
"We've got something going for us to attract all these national, international events," Sheehy said. "It says something about Milwaukee. But it's just difficult we haven't been able to execute."


usatoday--2020-07-16--'Sink or swim': GOP Gov. Larry Hogan says Trump left states to fight alone as COVID-19 pandemic rage

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
– Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan on Thursday sharply criticized President Donald Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic , which he described as a series of missed opportunities , unheeded warnings and failed leadership .
In an essay for The Washington Post titled `` Fighting Alone , '' Hogan said , `` with nowhere else to turn , '' he was forced to rely on his wife , Yumi , who was born and raised in South Korea , to arrange for the purchase of 500,000 test kits .
`` This should not have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ d watched as the president downplayed the outbreak ’ s severity and as the White House failed to issue public warnings , draw up a 50-state strategy , or dispatch medical gear or lifesaving ventilators from the national stockpile to American hospitals , '' said Hogan , the Republican chairman of the National Governors Association .
'That 's just not true ' : GOP Gov .
Hogan contradicts Trump claim that testing problems are fixed '' Eventually , it was clear that waiting around for the president to run the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we delayed any longer , we ’ d be condemning more of our citizens to suffering and death .
So every governor went their own way , which is how the United States ended up with such a patchwork response .
`` Governors were being told that we were on our own .
It was sink or swim .
And if I didn ’ t do something dramatic , we simply would not come close to having enough tests in Maryland , '' he said .
But combating a pandemic was something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` An undertaking as large as a national testing program required Washington ’ s help .
We expected something more than constant heckling from the man who was supposed to be our leader , '' he said .
Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters during a White House news briefing on Thursday that Hogan was engaging in `` revisionist history '' and that his comments stood in `` stark contrast '' to some of his previous statements thanking Trump .
But it was not the first time Hogan , a Trump critic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary , has publicly criticized the president on the pandemic .
When Trump in April tweeted a call to `` LIBERATE ! ''
states from coronavirus lockdown measures , Hogan said the president 's comment was not `` not helpful . ''
And after Trump speculated publicly that putting bleach inside the human body might prevent infection , Hogan chastised him for spreading `` misinformation . ''
However , Hogan 's magazine-length piece is notable for the details it gives of Trump 's behind-the-scenes dealings with governors .
Hogan said that as Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tweets , minimizing the outbreak ’ s severity and the need for Americans to do much of anything , '' governors gathered February in Washington for an annual meeting .
There , public health experts , including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield , were able to `` convince almost all the governors that this epidemic was going to be worse than most people realized . ''
`` It was jarring , the huge contrast between the experts ’ warnings and the president ’ s public dismissals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House was consulting about the virus ? ''
wrote Hogan .
He lamented the lost opportunities to contain the coronavirus in the early weeks of the outbreak .
`` So many nationwide actions could have been taken in those early days but weren ’ t .
While other countries were racing ahead with well-coordinated testing regimes , the Trump administration bungled the effort , '' Hogan said , citing the CDC 's trouble developing an accurate test .
`` Meanwhile , instead of listening to his own public health experts , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man more concerned about boosting the stock market or his reelection plans . ''
During their retreat , the governors held a dinner with the president .
Hogan said Trump delivered `` one of his unscripted rally speeches that seemed to go on at least an hour too long . ''
He did not remember Trump mentioning the outbreak , but he did recall that the president `` talked about how much he respected President Xi Jinping of China ; how much he liked playing golf with his buddy “ Shinzo , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well he got along with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un . ''
Hogan to Trump : Stop coronavirus 'misinformation , ' saying whatever 'pops in your head' ' I could only shake my head' Hogan said Trump followed with a `` jarring '' denouncement of South Koreans , whom he said were `` terrible people . ''
He complained `` they do n't pay us '' for protecting them , Hogan said .
`` Yumi was sitting there as the president hurled insults at her birthplace .
I could tell she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to walk out .
But she sat there politely and silently , '' Hogan said .
The White House did not immediately comment on Hogan 's claims .
The essay is an adapted excerpt from Hogan 's upcoming book , `` Still Standing : Surviving Cancer , Riots , a Global Pandemic , and the Toxic Politics That Divide America . ''
Hogan described how Trump was `` all over the place '' as he dealt with the crisis , making false claims that anyone could get a test `` even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help on testing . ''
He said Trump `` shifted from boasting to blame , '' faulting the Obama administration one moment and claiming the problem of testing had been solved the next .
`` As Trump was making these comments , I was requesting his approval to conduct joint testing at the National Institutes of Health , '' Hogan said .
He said that when he called NIH , Director Francis Collins told him he was glad he called because he was about to see if Hogan could ask Johns Hopkins University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not have enough .
'There was n't much else to say' '' I could only shake my head at that .
The federal government – a much bigger and better-funded institution , with tens of thousands of scientists and physicians in the civil service – wanted my help ! ''
wrote Hogan .
Hogan recounted the process of negotiating the purchase of the tests from South Korea and the `` bureaucratic red tape . ''
After acquiring the tests , Hogan said he expected `` a congratulatory word from the president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for bold gestures – but , apparently , only for bold gestures he could claim , '' Hogan said .
When asked about Hogan 's acquisition of the testing kits from overseas , Trump told reporters the Maryland governor `` needed to get a little knowledge '' and said Hogan simply should have called Vice President Mike Pence , who heads the White House coronavirus task force .
Hogan said that when he spoke to Pence on the phone shortly after that , he joked that he wished he had known he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have `` saved a heck of a lot of effort . ''
Hogan said Pence chuckled , `` but there was n't much else to say . ''
Hogan : Republican governor of Maryland says he has 'no idea why ' Trump blasted him at briefing

'Sink or swim': GOP Gov. Larry Hogan says Trump left states to fight alone as COVID-19 pandemic raged
Show Caption Hide Caption Dr. Fauci: society's responsibility in conquering COVID-19 Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks to how personal responsibility and social distancing is the key to ending the spread of the coronavirus. USA TODAY
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday sharply criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which he described as a series of missed opportunities, unheeded warnings and failed leadership.
In an essay for The Washington Post titled "Fighting Alone," Hogan said, "with nowhere else to turn," he was forced to rely on his wife, Yumi, who was born and raised in South Korea, to arrange for the purchase of 500,000 test kits.
"This should not have been necessary," Hogan wrote.
"I’d watched as the president downplayed the outbreak’s severity and as the White House failed to issue public warnings, draw up a 50-state strategy, or dispatch medical gear or lifesaving ventilators from the national stockpile to American hospitals," said Hogan, the Republican chairman of the National Governors Association.
'That's just not true': GOP Gov. Hogan contradicts Trump claim that testing problems are fixed
"Eventually, it was clear that waiting around for the president to run the nation’s response was hopeless; if we delayed any longer, we’d be condemning more of our citizens to suffering and death. So every governor went their own way, which is how the United States ended up with such a patchwork response.
"Governors were being told that we were on our own. It was sink or swim. And if I didn’t do something dramatic, we simply would not come close to having enough tests in Maryland," he said.
But combating a pandemic was something that required a federal response, Hogan said.
States rights on reopening businesses over President Trump, explained The 10th Amendment protects state powers and puts a hamper on presidential powers. Here's how the fight for control is playing out today. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
"An undertaking as large as a national testing program required Washington’s help. We expected something more than constant heckling from the man who was supposed to be our leader," he said.
'He didn't understand': Trump slams Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, outspoken critic on testing
Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters during a White House news briefing on Thursday that Hogan was engaging in "revisionist history" and that his comments stood in "stark contrast" to some of his previous statements thanking Trump.
But it was not the first time Hogan, a Trump critic who considered challenging him in the Republican primary, has publicly criticized the president on the pandemic.
When Trump in April tweeted a call to "LIBERATE!" states from coronavirus lockdown measures, Hogan said the president's comment was not "not helpful." And after Trump speculated publicly that putting bleach inside the human body might prevent infection, Hogan chastised him for spreading "misinformation."
However, Hogan's magazine-length piece is notable for the details it gives of Trump's behind-the-scenes dealings with governors.
Hogan said that as Trump was posting "cheerful or sarcastic comments and tweets, minimizing the outbreak’s severity and the need for Americans to do much of anything," governors gathered February in Washington for an annual meeting.
COVID-19 response gets a C, says former CDC chief and Surgeon General Coronavirus pandemic has been defeated in other nations but not in America. CDC needs White House to provide the leadership, says Dr. David Satcher. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
There, public health experts, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield, were able to "convince almost all the governors that this epidemic was going to be worse than most people realized."
"It was jarring, the huge contrast between the experts’ warnings and the president’s public dismissals. Weren’t these the people the White House was consulting about the virus?" wrote Hogan.
A 'bungled' response
He lamented the lost opportunities to contain the coronavirus in the early weeks of the outbreak.
"So many nationwide actions could have been taken in those early days but weren’t. While other countries were racing ahead with well-coordinated testing regimes, the Trump administration bungled the effort," Hogan said, citing the CDC's trouble developing an accurate test.
"Meanwhile, instead of listening to his own public health experts, the president was talking and tweeting like a man more concerned about boosting the stock market or his reelection plans."
During their retreat, the governors held a dinner with the president. Hogan said Trump delivered "one of his unscripted rally speeches that seemed to go on at least an hour too long." He did not remember Trump mentioning the outbreak, but he did recall that the president "talked about how much he respected President Xi Jinping of China; how much he liked playing golf with his buddy “Shinzo,” Prime Minister Abe of Japan; how well he got along with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un."
Hogan to Trump: Stop coronavirus 'misinformation,' saying whatever 'pops in your head'
'I could only shake my head'
Hogan said Trump followed with a "jarring" denouncement of South Koreans, whom he said were "terrible people." He complained "they don't pay us" for protecting them, Hogan said.
"Yumi was sitting there as the president hurled insults at her birthplace. I could tell she was hurt and upset. I know she wanted to walk out. But she sat there politely and silently," Hogan said.
The White House did not immediately comment on Hogan's claims.
The essay is an adapted excerpt from Hogan's upcoming book, "Still Standing: Surviving Cancer, Riots, a Global Pandemic, and the Toxic Politics That Divide America."
Hogan described how Trump was "all over the place" as he dealt with the crisis, making false claims that anyone could get a test "even as my fellow governors were desperately pleading for help on testing." He said Trump "shifted from boasting to blame," faulting the Obama administration one moment and claiming the problem of testing had been solved the next.
"As Trump was making these comments, I was requesting his approval to conduct joint testing at the National Institutes of Health," Hogan said. He said that when he called NIH, Director Francis Collins told him he was glad he called because he was about to see if Hogan could ask Johns Hopkins University to help him conduct testing since NIH did not have enough.
'There wasn't much else to say'
"I could only shake my head at that. The federal government – a much bigger and better-funded institution, with tens of thousands of scientists and physicians in the civil service – wanted my help!" wrote Hogan.
Hogan recounted the process of negotiating the purchase of the tests from South Korea and the "bureaucratic red tape."
After acquiring the tests, Hogan said he expected "a congratulatory word from the president."
"Trump always had a taste for bold gestures – but, apparently, only for bold gestures he could claim," Hogan said. When asked about Hogan's acquisition of the testing kits from overseas, Trump told reporters the Maryland governor "needed to get a little knowledge" and said Hogan simply should have called Vice President Mike Pence, who heads the White House coronavirus task force.
Hogan said that when he spoke to Pence on the phone shortly after that, he joked that he wished he had known he could have just called him because it would have "saved a heck of a lot of effort."
Hogan said Pence chuckled, "but there wasn't much else to say."
Hogan: Republican governor of Maryland says he has 'no idea why' Trump blasted him at briefing


usatoday--2020-07-16--How an Arizona couple helped fuel a Wayfair sex trafficking conspiracy theory

PHOENIX — Last weekend , an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that online furnishings retailer Wayfair is trafficking children through listings of products with inflated prices and human names erupted on social media .
An Arizona couple helped fuel the rumor by posting on Instagram that they had purchased a $ 17,000 desk from Wayfair and would share their experience with their followers .
The theory that pillows and cabinets being sold at wayfair.com for thousands of dollars is somehow evidence of a child trafficking scheme has been debunked by independent fact-checking publication Snopes .
It gained traction through a July 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussing conspiracy theories , Snopes notes .
Maddie and Justin Thompson , of Gilbert , are not convinced .
`` There is not one person in this world who can tell me this is not true right now , '' Maddie Thompson said in a 40-minute livestreamed Instagram video on July 10 .
`` This can not be stated as false until it is proven false . ''
The video appears to have been taken down on July 14 .
Instagram has not answered a request for comment .
Who are Maddie and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-described `` microblading artist , creator , entrepreneur and social media maven '' on her website , is the founder of a beauty products company called Madluvv .
She is among at least a dozen Phoenix-area social media influencers who shared — whether with disbelief or conviction — the conspiracy theory to hundreds of thousands of followers .
Social media celebrities such as reality TV star Savannah Faith Chrisley , model Amber Lancaster and singer Maisy Stella have also posted Instagram stories about the topic on their verified accounts .
On her Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her children and friends as well as what she calls her `` red-piller '' views — a phrase she used in her Instagram Live video .
Thompson 's Instagram following has more than doubled , from 17,000 to 44,000 followers according to social media analytics site Social Blade , after she posted her video and dozens of disappearing Instagram stories about the theory .
Justin Thompson , her husband , also has gained Instagram followers and he now has more than 13,000 .
Conspiracy theorists point to Wayfair products that are listed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names and connect those to reports of missing children with the same names as evidence that these children are being sold online .
They believe that after the transaction is completed , a child — not the furnishing — will be delivered to the buyer .
Justin Thompson explained in the video that he ordered a $ 17,000 Wayfair desk to prove the human trafficking theory by revealing that the company is not actually delivering these high-priced products to buyers .
The Thompsons said in the video that they will dispute the transaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not intend to pay $ 17,337.98 to Wayfair .
After making the purchase , Thompson said in the video that he found the original listing for the desk and called MDD , the manufacturer , to ask why the name , product number and price were changed to be sold on Wayfair 's website .
The company agreed to conduct an internal investigation into its relationship with Wayfair , Thompson said .
The Arizona Republic , part of the USA TODAY network , reached out to MDD and will update this story if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a call he said he received from Wayfair after he placed the order , in which a customer service representative asked whether he wanted to open a free Wayfair Professional account .
Wayfair Professional — like corporate and business membership programs offered by stores such as Office Depot — offers members-only pricing , a personal account manager and deals , according to its application website .
The Arizona Republic was unable to reach a Wayfair representative who could explain this program in greater detail .
Justin Thompson also posted a video in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asks a representative why a $ 13,000 cabinet was removed from the site to be renamed and repriced .
The representative hangs up after a nearly five-minute interaction .
The video has garnered more than 400,000 views in three days .
In the ensuing days , Wayfair has removed many of the products from its website .
Facebook — which owns Instagram — has added links to articles by Reuters and Lead Stories as `` related articles '' with a fact-checking sticker at the bottom of the comments for posts about the theory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. government investigation into `` human trafficking and the correlation in prices of items sold on Wayfair.com and Amazon.com along with the concern of the possible selling of underage children coordinated with the prices set . ''
As of July 16 , the petition has 1,400 signatures .
If it reaches 100,000 signatures by Aug. 11 , it will receive an `` official update '' from the White House within 60 days .
Wayfair denied the trafficking claim and defended its prices — and also claimed a `` pricing glitch '' on some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several media outlets .
And despite claims on social media that the company 's CEO , Niraj Shah , stepped down , Wayfair confirmed this too was false .
`` Recognizing that the photos and descriptions provided by the supplier did not adequately explain the high price point , we have temporarily removed the products from the site to rename them and to provide a more in-depth description and photos that accurately depict the product to clarify the price point , '' Wayfair said in a statement to Business Insider .
The Thompsons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've read and shared on social media are not satisfied with Wayfair 's response or fact-checking articles .
Neither the Thompsons nor Wayfair have responded to requests for comment for this article .
'Something I never woke up to until quarantine' The Thompsons seek to educate people on child trafficking , they said , and are `` passionate about letting children 's voices be heard . ''
They were both abused as children , they say at the beginning of their July 10 video .
Maddie Thompson said she learned about child trafficking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the new coronavirus pandemic began , she said in the video .
`` This is a super important situation , something I never woke up to until quarantine , '' she said .
`` I started learning a lot about child trafficking , and it 's becoming more apparent to me that it 's a huge issue that is more of a pandemic than anything else . ''
People , especially those with jobs that allow them to work from home at this time , are `` looking at the internet a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consume information , including conspiracy theories , said Diana Daly , an assistant professor at the School of Information at the University of Arizona .
It 's easy for a fringe conspiracy theory such as this one to make its way to the mainstream , Daly said .
`` Bad information has no burden of proof to stop its rapid trajectory .
That ’ s why it ’ s like a virus , '' Daly said .
`` This definitely sounds like people with too much time on their hands on the internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory gained traction so rapidly is that the topic of children `` gets people worked up , '' Daly said .
For a `` microcelebrity '' like an Instagram influencer , Daly said , it 's valuable to gain the trust of their followers .
`` If you post something a little more ( fringe ) and you get a lot of followers ... you have a self-interested inclination to go with it if you ’ re willing to go with it , '' Daly said .
`` As long as ( a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information , she ’ ll gain followers with a willingness to entertain conspiracy thinking with an interest in micro-celebrity . ''
What people can do about trafficking If people want to learn about sex trafficking , Roe-Sepowitz recommends watching a PBS `` Frontline '' episode she appears in titled `` Sex Trafficking in America . ''
`` We have a real issue in our community , '' Roe-Sepowitz said .
People who have posted about child trafficking on social media can `` translate their attention '' to volunteering for and donating money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourages : `` If you see something , say something . ''
Common indicators of human trafficking , according to Roe-Sepowitz , include a person you might see in public who : • Seems uncomfortable or is experiencing stress , especially if accompanied by someone who seems to have power over them .
• Has all of their belongings with them .
• If asked , does n't know where they are .
To reach the National Human Trafficking hotline 24 hours a day toll-free , call 888-373-7888 or send a text message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missing and Exploited Children can be reached 24 hours a day at 800-843-5678 Follow the reporter on Twitter @ kimirobin and Instagram @ ReporterKiMi .

How an Arizona couple helped fuel a Wayfair sex trafficking conspiracy theory
PHOENIX — Last weekend, an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that online furnishings retailer Wayfair is trafficking children through listings of products with inflated prices and human names erupted on social media.
An Arizona couple helped fuel the rumor by posting on Instagram that they had purchased a $17,000 desk from Wayfair and would share their experience with their followers.
The theory that pillows and cabinets being sold at wayfair.com for thousands of dollars is somehow evidence of a child trafficking scheme has been debunked by independent fact-checking publication Snopes. It gained traction through a July 9 Reddit post on a forum dedicated to discussing conspiracy theories, Snopes notes.
Maddie and Justin Thompson, of Gilbert, are not convinced.
"There is not one person in this world who can tell me this is not true right now," Maddie Thompson said in a 40-minute livestreamed Instagram video on July 10. "This cannot be stated as false until it is proven false."
The video appears to have been taken down on July 14. Instagram has not answered a request for comment.
Who are Maddie and Justin Thompson?
Maddie Thompson, a self-described "microblading artist, creator, entrepreneur and social media maven" on her website, is the founder of a beauty products company called Madluvv.
She is among at least a dozen Phoenix-area social media influencers who shared — whether with disbelief or conviction — the conspiracy theory to hundreds of thousands of followers. Social media celebrities such as reality TV star Savannah Faith Chrisley, model Amber Lancaster and singer Maisy Stella have also posted Instagram stories about the topic on their verified accounts.
On her Instagram account, Thompson often shares posts of her children and friends as well as what she calls her "red-piller" views — a phrase she used in her Instagram Live video.
Thompson's Instagram following has more than doubled, from 17,000 to 44,000 followers according to social media analytics site Social Blade, after she posted her video and dozens of disappearing Instagram stories about the theory.
Justin Thompson, her husband, also has gained Instagram followers and he now has more than 13,000.
Why the Thompsons bought a $17,000 Wayfair desk
Conspiracy theorists point to Wayfair products that are listed for thousands of dollars and identified by human names and connect those to reports of missing children with the same names as evidence that these children are being sold online. They believe that after the transaction is completed, a child — not the furnishing — will be delivered to the buyer.
Justin Thompson explained in the video that he ordered a $17,000 Wayfair desk to prove the human trafficking theory by revealing that the company is not actually delivering these high-priced products to buyers. The Thompsons said in the video that they will dispute the transaction with their credit card company and do not intend to pay $17,337.98 to Wayfair.
After making the purchase, Thompson said in the video that he found the original listing for the desk and called MDD, the manufacturer, to ask why the name, product number and price were changed to be sold on Wayfair's website. The company agreed to conduct an internal investigation into its relationship with Wayfair, Thompson said. The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY network, reached out to MDD and will update this story if they respond.
He also expressed suspicion about a call he said he received from Wayfair after he placed the order, in which a customer service representative asked whether he wanted to open a free Wayfair Professional account.
Wayfair Professional — like corporate and business membership programs offered by stores such as Office Depot — offers members-only pricing, a personal account manager and deals, according to its application website. The Arizona Republic was unable to reach a Wayfair representative who could explain this program in greater detail.
Justin Thompson also posted a video in which he calls Wayfair customer service and asks a representative why a $13,000 cabinet was removed from the site to be renamed and repriced. The representative hangs up after a nearly five-minute interaction. The video has garnered more than 400,000 views in three days.
Aftermath of the Wayfair trafficking theory
In the ensuing days, Wayfair has removed many of the products from its website. Facebook — which owns Instagram — has added links to articles by Reuters and Lead Stories as "related articles" with a fact-checking sticker at the bottom of the comments for posts about the theory.
A petition at petitions.whitehouse.gov requests a U.S. government investigation into "human trafficking and the correlation in prices of items sold on Wayfair.com and Amazon.com along with the concern of the possible selling of underage children coordinated with the prices set."
As of July 16, the petition has 1,400 signatures. If it reaches 100,000 signatures by Aug. 11, it will receive an "official update" from the White House within 60 days.
Wayfair denied the trafficking claim and defended its prices — and also claimed a "pricing glitch" on some product pages — in a statement to several media outlets. And despite claims on social media that the company's CEO, Niraj Shah, stepped down, Wayfair confirmed this too was false.
"Recognizing that the photos and descriptions provided by the supplier did not adequately explain the high price point, we have temporarily removed the products from the site to rename them and to provide a more in-depth description and photos that accurately depict the product to clarify the price point," Wayfair said in a statement to Business Insider.
The Thompsons and others who believe the claims they've read and shared on social media are not satisfied with Wayfair's response or fact-checking articles. Neither the Thompsons nor Wayfair have responded to requests for comment for this article.
'Something I never woke up to until quarantine'
The Thompsons seek to educate people on child trafficking, they said, and are "passionate about letting children's voices be heard." They were both abused as children, they say at the beginning of their July 10 video.
Maddie Thompson said she learned about child trafficking just in the past few months, since the new coronavirus pandemic began, she said in the video.
"This is a super important situation, something I never woke up to until quarantine," she said. "I started learning a lot about child trafficking, and it's becoming more apparent to me that it's a huge issue that is more of a pandemic than anything else."
People, especially those with jobs that allow them to work from home at this time, are "looking at the internet a lot" and have more time to consume information, including conspiracy theories, said Diana Daly, an assistant professor at the School of Information at the University of Arizona.
It's easy for a fringe conspiracy theory such as this one to make its way to the mainstream, Daly said.
"Bad information has no burden of proof to stop its rapid trajectory. That’s why it’s like a virus," Daly said. "This definitely sounds like people with too much time on their hands on the internet."
One possible reason the Wayfair theory gained traction so rapidly is that the topic of children "gets people worked up," Daly said.
For a "microcelebrity" like an Instagram influencer, Daly said, it's valuable to gain the trust of their followers.
"If you post something a little more (fringe) and you get a lot of followers ... you have a self-interested inclination to go with it if you’re willing to go with it," Daly said.
"As long as (a social media influencer) keeps peddling that information, she’ll gain followers with a willingness to entertain conspiracy thinking with an interest in micro-celebrity."
What people can do about trafficking
If people want to learn about sex trafficking, Roe-Sepowitz recommends watching a PBS "Frontline" episode she appears in titled "Sex Trafficking in America."
"We have a real issue in our community," Roe-Sepowitz said.
People who have posted about child trafficking on social media can "translate their attention" to volunteering for and donating money to credible organizations, she said.
She encourages: "If you see something, say something." Common indicators of human trafficking, according to Roe-Sepowitz, include a person you might see in public who:
Seems uncomfortable or is experiencing stress, especially if accompanied by someone who seems to have power over them.
Has all of their belongings with them.
If asked, doesn't know where they are.
To reach the National Human Trafficking hotline 24 hours a day toll-free, call 888-373-7888 or send a text message to 233733. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be reached 24 hours a day at 800-843-5678
Follow the reporter on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.


usatoday--2020-07-16--COVID-19 war requires nationwide strategies and sacrifices: Q&A with former CDC chief

With 32 states adding COVID-19 cases faster than in the worst spring week , USA TODAY ’ s Editorial Board spoke Wednesday with Dr. David Satcher , former Surgeon General and director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Satcher , 79 , is now director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and a professor at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta .
His new book , `` My Quest for Health Equity : Notes on Learning While Leading , '' is due out later this summer .
Questions and answers have been edited for length and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the midst of the worst public health crisis in a century .
As a professor , what grade would you give to the nation 's response so far to COVID-19 ?
A.
It ’ s not good , let me put it like that .
I think we can do much better .
If I had to give a grade , it would probably be about a C at this point .
Q .
What can we do to improve on that ?
A .
First , I think we need a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we close down , when we open up .
It is very difficult to have one state open and another state completely shut down .
We have to have some rules , some pattern that people can look to and predict what we 're going to do and when we 're going to do it .
A .
Obviously , we value our freedom .
We value the fact that we give people the opportunity to make decisions on a local level .
But when you deal with something like a pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some special rules for that situation .
And I do n't think we 've done that .
We 're going to have to make some sacrifices and have some rules in place that people would abide by .
A pandemic is like war .
In some ways , it 's worse than war , so you have to put in place rules and strategies that are appropriate for the situation .
Q .
Should schools reopen in the fall ?
A .
Schools need to reopen when they can reopen safely .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen .
I have grandkids in school , and I 've had kids in school , so the idea of being in school appeals to me .
But the key word is `` safely . ''
That includes not just children themselves , but their parents and grandparents and all the people who will be exposed when they go home .
We should do everything we can to prevent that .
Q .
You 've spent so much time in your career talking about racial disparities in health care , which is certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And you 've said that we need leaders who care enough , know enough and do enough to combat the racial disparities in health care .
Do we have the right leadership focusing on this issue right now ?
A. I think we have a problem with leadership .
I do n't think we have the kind of consistency of leadership that 's really important in a situation like this .
So , I would say that we still seem to have problems deciding who 's going to lead and how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all frankness , we have leaders who I do n't think are taking their role and their responsibilities as seriously as we need them to take them .
More than 130,000 people have already died in this country from this pandemic .
This is serious .
The leadership has to be serious and predictable .
It 's really tough when you ca n't predict what leadership is going to do today or tomorrow .
A .
We 've got to allow the science to function as science .
We 've got to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the scientific issues .
We 've got to allow research to continue to dictate our actions .
We 've got to separate the science from the politics , which is not always easy .
Q .
Where do you put the greatest responsibility ?
Is that the governors , is it the mayors , is it the president ?
Who should be taking the leadership role ?
A. I think the president , in this case , has to provide a special kind of leadership that incentivizes other leaders at different levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states or the mayors of cities .
If the top leader is not clear about where we 're going as a nation , why we 're doing what we 're doing , then it 's going to be a problem up and down the line .
I do n't want to just join the cause and criticize President Trump , but if you do n't have that clarity of leadership at the top , it 's going to be very difficult to expect that you 're going to get it at other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think about the conflicting or mixed messages around science coming from political leadership ?
Does that undermine public willingness to rally around the best recommendations ?
A .
You have to hold leadership responsible for making clear who does what and who has what responsibility .
It does n't mean that the scientist is always going to be right .
Nobody is .
But it means the scientists are responsible for making sure we find the right answers .
We do n't always have them .
Look at Dr. Fauci 's articulations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he said earlier that we now know better .
We 've never seen this virus before .
We are learning new things about this virus every day , and that includes Tony Fauci , whom I deeply respect .
I 've known Tony for a long time .
He 's a class act , but he 's not gon na always be right .
He 's not going to , because we do n't have all of the answers yet .
Q .
How do we get the answers ?
A .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's why the CDC does research .
Let 's face it , anybody who thinks that the CDC is supposed to always be right is going to be sadly disappointed .
We rely upon the CDC to articulate the latest science .
The CDC has some outstanding public health scientists .
The scientists there are doing research every day .
I mean , they 've been looking for the latest answers .
I think you have to respect scientists , not because they 're always right , but because they 're always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer , using the scientific approach .
Q .
What do you think about the White House decision to bypass the CDC on the collection of certain data on hospitalized COVID patients ?
A .
It 's very scary .
You ca n't expect the CDC to do valid guidelines and develop valid programs of immunization if we do n't respect their role that 's been very clearly defined .
There is conflict right now between the CDC and the White House , and maybe HHS ( Health and Human Services ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got to get past the conflict in the interest of saving lives .
If we 're going to make decisions that are best for saving lives and preventing illness , then we 've got to get past some of the conflicts that seem to be really overwhelming the system right now .
Q .
Does it make sense to sideline the CDC and withdraw from the World Health Organization if they make mistakes ?
A .
You can punish the CDC today or you can punish the WHO tomorrow , but somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What has this relationship been like in the past ?
What have we gotten out of the World Health Organization ?
What are we getting from the CDC that we could not have gotten all over the world ? ''
I 've had this experience .
All over the world , people seem to respect the CDC and the World Health Organization .
The World Health Organization respects the CDC .
When WHO gets a major challenge like Ebola , when we were dealing with it back in the '90s , they almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know that was true when I was director of the CDC , and the two organizations worked very well together .
CDC has technology that even the World Health Organization does not have .
I think when the WHO calls upon us for help , we should be proud to respond .
Q .
What was it like when you became director of the CDC in 1993 ?
A. I had been president of Meharry Medical College for almost 12 years when I was selected to be director of the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Why did you select somebody from outside the CDC , outside of public health ? ''
The bottom line is that their goal was to reduce health disparities .
The CDC had been unsuccessful in many ways in immunizing people in the Black community , especially .
They had set a goal of getting immunization rates up to 80 % .
But the problem was , that was not working in the Black community , because so many people did n't have access to health care and so many people did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I did n't fully realize until I got there the magnitude of the concern and the expectation .
Q .
How was your introduction ?
A .
It was interesting in a lot of ways .
There was a press conference to sort of announce my appointment as director .
And the first question , of course , was , “ Well , Dr. Satcher , how does it feel to be the first Black director of the CDC ?
” I had n't actually thought about it .
I explained to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first Black director .
I had already achieved that .
I was hoping to be the best director that the CDC has ever had .
That was the last time they asked me that question .
Q .
How do your life experiences inform your public health role ?
A. I almost died of whooping cough when I was a child .
At that time , which was in the early 1940s , the hospital in Anniston ( Alabama ) did not admit Blacks .
I 'm not saying that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm sure that did n't help .
There was only one Black physician in Anniston .
For some reason , he responded to my dad 's pleas and he came out to the farm and spent the whole day .
He did n't think I was going to survive .
He made that very clear when he left .
I wanted to meet Dr. Jackson ( again ) , but he died when I was 5 years old .
By then , I was telling everybody I was going to be a doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of disparities in health is very personal for me .
I lived that ; I 've lived through them .
Q .
Why do these disparities persist ?
A .
We do n't have a system in place that says that if the nation selects these goals , then the nation is going to support them until the goals are achieved .
We do n't have that kind of system in place .
Q .
Last week , the mayor of Atlanta disclosed that it took her eight days to get her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true in some other hot-spot cities right now .
What can be done , you think , to improve this ?
A .
Testing is very important .
In terms of getting a handle on a pandemic , we need to know as much as we can , including its distribution in the population .
We do n't have that information because we have n't had that kind of testing .
We 've picked up the testing a lot in the last month or two .
CDC has run into some challenges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust testing programs .
A. I remember getting a call from a mayor whom I happen to know .
She was concerned that it was so hard to get people to agree to take tests .
I said , `` Why is that ? ''
She said , `` Well , because they keep bringing up Tuskegee . ''
( The Tuskegee study ) occurred from 1932 to 1972 , and the Black community was deceived .
Black men who were diagnosed as having syphilis were given the impression that they were being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I became director of the CDC , the CDC had responsibility for looking after the families of men who had died in this study thinking they were being treated .
On May 16 , 1997 , in the East Room of the White House , President Clinton made an official apology on behalf of the nation for this study that was carried out using these Black men .
I never will forget that experience .
Q .
How do we instill trust ?
A .
At the CDC , we realized that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates to 80 % unless we got the Black community more involved and we got more vaccines .
We decided to see if we could develop a partnership with the National Council of Black Churches .
We spent time with them explaining why we were trying to get the immunizations rates up .
And our goal was to get kids immunized by the age of 2 for things like measles , mumps , rubella .
We needed their help , and they had a lot of questions .
But as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtually eliminate disparities in immunization rates .
It was the relationship that we developed with the church , someone people in the community trusted .
They did n't necessarily trust us , but they certainly trusted the church .
Q .
How do you sustain progress ?
A .
The principle , in my view , is you 've got to find the leadership in the community that people trust in order to get people to feel comfortable with any major intervention like an immunization program .
Now , you ca n't do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thing I want to make clear .
These interventions are not a one-shot thing .
I ’ m a long-distance runner , and eliminating disparities is a long-distance run .
You 've got to be committed to distance , and the same thing is true with immunization .
The immunization levels almost got up to 85 % overall .
Well , you do n't do it just once .
You ’ ve got to keep it going .
Q .
What else needs to be done ?
A .
A lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a physician .
Physicians are important in this equation .
If a patient has a good relationship with the doctor , they are much more likely to follow all of these rules and recommendations that we make .
The relationship between doctor and patient is really important , and I 'm not sure there 's any substitute for it .
Q.
You ’ re the same age as Dr. Fauci .
How are you leading your own life during COVID-19 ?
What advice do you give to friends and associates ?
A. I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
… Wearing a mask has probably been the most successful intervention .
Every time we get new information about the impact of wearing a mask , the better it gets .
There 's no question anymore about the fact that if I wear a mask , it reduces my risk of passing on to you the virus if I have it .
If you wear a mask , it reduces the likelihood that you would pass the virus onto me .
The data looks good that wearing a mask makes a difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts on what to do and U.S. response to the pandemic HOTLINE : Share your coronavirus story .
We may publish your comments .

COVID-19 war requires nationwide strategies and sacrifices: Q&A with former CDC chief
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 response gets a C, says former CDC chief and Surgeon General Coronavirus pandemic has been defeated in other nations but not in America. CDC needs White House to provide the leadership, says Dr. David Satcher. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
With 32 states adding COVID-19 cases faster than in the worst spring week, USA TODAY’s Editorial Board spoke Wednesday with Dr. David Satcher, former Surgeon General and director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Satcher, 79, is now director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and a professor at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. His new book, "My Quest for Health Equity: Notes on Learning While Leading," is due out later this summer. Questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity:
Q. We are in the midst of the worst public health crisis in a century. As a professor, what grade would you give to the nation's response so far to COVID-19?
A. It’s not good, let me put it like that. I think we can do much better. If I had to give a grade, it would probably be about a C at this point.
Q. What can we do to improve on that?
A. First, I think we need a plan that's nationwide in terms of when we close down, when we open up. It is very difficult to have one state open and another state completely shut down. We have to have some rules, some pattern that people can look to and predict what we're going to do and when we're going to do it.
Q. What about local decision-making?
A. Obviously, we value our freedom. We value the fact that we give people the opportunity to make decisions on a local level. But when you deal with something like a pandemic, I think you have to set up some special rules for that situation. And I don't think we've done that. We're going to have to make some sacrifices and have some rules in place that people would abide by. A pandemic is like war. In some ways, it's worse than war, so you have to put in place rules and strategies that are appropriate for the situation.
Q. Should schools reopen in the fall?
A. Schools need to reopen when they can reopen safely. I think most of us want them to reopen. I have grandkids in school, and I've had kids in school, so the idea of being in school appeals to me. But the key word is "safely." That includes not just children themselves, but their parents and grandparents and all the people who will be exposed when they go home. We should do everything we can to prevent that.
Q. You've spent so much time in your career talking about racial disparities in health care, which is certainly showing up in this epidemic, too. And you've said that we need leaders who care enough, know enough and do enough to combat the racial disparities in health care. Do we have the right leadership focusing on this issue right now?
A. I think we have a problem with leadership. I don't think we have the kind of consistency of leadership that's really important in a situation like this. So, I would say that we still seem to have problems deciding who's going to lead and how they're going to lead. And in all frankness, we have leaders who I don't think are taking their role and their responsibilities as seriously as we need them to take them. More than 130,000 people have already died in this country from this pandemic. This is serious. The leadership has to be serious and predictable. It's really tough when you can't predict what leadership is going to do today or tomorrow.
Q. What else?
A. We've got to allow the science to function as science. We've got to allow the scientists to take leadership in dealing with the scientific issues. We've got to allow research to continue to dictate our actions. We've got to separate the science from the politics, which is not always easy.
Q. Where do you put the greatest responsibility? Is that the governors, is it the mayors, is it the president? Who should be taking the leadership role?
A. I think the president, in this case, has to provide a special kind of leadership that incentivizes other leaders at different levels, whether it's the governors of the states or the mayors of cities. If the top leader is not clear about where we're going as a nation, why we're doing what we're doing, then it's going to be a problem up and down the line. I don't want to just join the cause and criticize President Trump, but if you don't have that clarity of leadership at the top, it's going to be very difficult to expect that you're going to get it at other levels.
Q. What do you think about the conflicting or mixed messages around science coming from political leadership? Does that undermine public willingness to rally around the best recommendations?
A. You have to hold leadership responsible for making clear who does what and who has what responsibility. It doesn't mean that the scientist is always going to be right. Nobody is. But it means the scientists are responsible for making sure we find the right answers. We don't always have them. Look at Dr. Fauci's articulations, and you may well find some things that he said earlier that we now know better. We've never seen this virus before. We are learning new things about this virus every day, and that includes Tony Fauci, whom I deeply respect. I've known Tony for a long time. He's a class act, but he's not gonna always be right. He's not going to, because we don't have all of the answers yet.
Q. How do we get the answers?
A. That's why we do research. That's why the CDC does research. Let's face it, anybody who thinks that the CDC is supposed to always be right is going to be sadly disappointed. We rely upon the CDC to articulate the latest science. The CDC has some outstanding public health scientists. The scientists there are doing research every day. I mean, they've been looking for the latest answers. I think you have to respect scientists, not because they're always right, but because they're always on the path of finding the right answer, using the scientific approach.
Q. What do you think about the White House decision to bypass the CDC on the collection of certain data on hospitalized COVID patients?
A. It's very scary. You can't expect the CDC to do valid guidelines and develop valid programs of immunization if we don't respect their role that's been very clearly defined. There is conflict right now between the CDC and the White House, and maybe HHS (Health and Human Services) and the White House, but somehow we've got to get past the conflict in the interest of saving lives. If we're going to make decisions that are best for saving lives and preventing illness, then we've got to get past some of the conflicts that seem to be really overwhelming the system right now.
Q. Does it make sense to sideline the CDC and withdraw from the World Health Organization if they make mistakes?
A. You can punish the CDC today or you can punish the WHO tomorrow, but somebody needs to stop and say, "What has this relationship been like in the past? What have we gotten out of the World Health Organization? What are we getting from the CDC that we could not have gotten all over the world?" I've had this experience. All over the world, people seem to respect the CDC and the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization respects the CDC. When WHO gets a major challenge like Ebola, when we were dealing with it back in the '90s, they almost invariably turned to the CDC for help. I know that was true when I was director of the CDC, and the two organizations worked very well together. CDC has technology that even the World Health Organization does not have. I think when the WHO calls upon us for help, we should be proud to respond.
Q. What was it like when you became director of the CDC in 1993?
A. I had been president of Meharry Medical College for almost 12 years when I was selected to be director of the CDC. Everybody was trying to figure out, "Why did you select somebody from outside the CDC, outside of public health?" The bottom line is that their goal was to reduce health disparities. The CDC had been unsuccessful in many ways in immunizing people in the Black community, especially. They had set a goal of getting immunization rates up to 80%. But the problem was, that was not working in the Black community, because so many people didn't have access to health care and so many people didn't have a relationship with the CDC. I didn't fully realize until I got there the magnitude of the concern and the expectation.
Q. How was your introduction?
A. It was interesting in a lot of ways. There was a press conference to sort of announce my appointment as director. And the first question, of course, was, “Well, Dr. Satcher, how does it feel to be the first Black director of the CDC?” I hadn't actually thought about it. I explained to them that my goal was not to be the first Black director. I had already achieved that. I was hoping to be the best director that the CDC has ever had. That was the last time they asked me that question.
Q. How do your life experiences inform your public health role?
A. I almost died of whooping cough when I was a child. At that time, which was in the early 1940s, the hospital in Anniston (Alabama) did not admit Blacks. I'm not saying that's why I almost died, but I'm sure that didn't help. There was only one Black physician in Anniston. For some reason, he responded to my dad's pleas and he came out to the farm and spent the whole day. He didn't think I was going to survive. He made that very clear when he left. I wanted to meet Dr. Jackson (again), but he died when I was 5 years old. By then, I was telling everybody I was going to be a doctor, just like Dr. Jackson. The issue of disparities in health is very personal for me. I lived that; I've lived through them.
Q. Why do these disparities persist?
A. We don't have a system in place that says that if the nation selects these goals, then the nation is going to support them until the goals are achieved. We don't have that kind of system in place.
Q. Last week, the mayor of Atlanta disclosed that it took her eight days to get her COVID test results. The same is true in some other hot-spot cities right now. What can be done, you think, to improve this?
A. Testing is very important. In terms of getting a handle on a pandemic, we need to know as much as we can, including its distribution in the population. We don't have that information because we haven't had that kind of testing. We've picked up the testing a lot in the last month or two. CDC has run into some challenges. There are some people who don't trust testing programs.
Q. How come?
A. I remember getting a call from a mayor whom I happen to know. She was concerned that it was so hard to get people to agree to take tests. I said, "Why is that?" She said, "Well, because they keep bringing up Tuskegee." (The Tuskegee study) occurred from 1932 to 1972, and the Black community was deceived. Black men who were diagnosed as having syphilis were given the impression that they were being treated, but they were not. When I became director of the CDC, the CDC had responsibility for looking after the families of men who had died in this study thinking they were being treated. On May 16, 1997, in the East Room of the White House, President Clinton made an official apology on behalf of the nation for this study that was carried out using these Black men. I never will forget that experience.
Q. How do we instill trust?
A. At the CDC, we realized that we were never going to increase immunization rates to 80% unless we got the Black community more involved and we got more vaccines. We decided to see if we could develop a partnership with the National Council of Black Churches. We spent time with them explaining why we were trying to get the immunizations rates up. And our goal was to get kids immunized by the age of 2 for things like measles, mumps, rubella. We needed their help, and they had a lot of questions. But as a result of that interaction, we were able to virtually eliminate disparities in immunization rates. It was the relationship that we developed with the church, someone people in the community trusted. They didn't necessarily trust us, but they certainly trusted the church.
Q. How do you sustain progress?
A. The principle, in my view, is you've got to find the leadership in the community that people trust in order to get people to feel comfortable with any major intervention like an immunization program. Now, you can't do that just one time. That's the thing I want to make clear. These interventions are not a one-shot thing. I’m a long-distance runner, and eliminating disparities is a long-distance run. You've got to be committed to distance, and the same thing is true with immunization. The immunization levels almost got up to 85% overall. Well, you don't do it just once. You’ve got to keep it going.
Q. What else needs to be done?
A. A lot of people don't have a relationship with a physician. Physicians are important in this equation. If a patient has a good relationship with the doctor, they are much more likely to follow all of these rules and recommendations that we make. The relationship between doctor and patient is really important, and I'm not sure there's any substitute for it.
Q. You’re the same age as Dr. Fauci. How are you leading your own life during COVID-19? What advice do you give to friends and associates?
A. I'm trying to follow the CDC guidelines. … Wearing a mask has probably been the most successful intervention. Every time we get new information about the impact of wearing a mask, the better it gets. There's no question anymore about the fact that if I wear a mask, it reduces my risk of passing on to you the virus if I have it. If you wear a mask, it reduces the likelihood that you would pass the virus onto me. The data looks good that wearing a mask makes a difference.
MORE Q&As: Coronavirus experts on what to do and U.S. response to the pandemic
HOTLINE: Share your coronavirus story. We may publish your comments.


usatoday--2020-07-16--Supreme Court temporarily blocks felons from voting in Florida

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court refused Thursday to let Florida felons who have completed their sentences vote in an upcoming primary without first paying fees , fines and restitution , as the state requires .
Voting rights groups had challenged the requirement as unconstitutional , given that state voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 giving hundreds of thousands of felons the right to vote .
Now it will remain in effect while the case is heard next month by a federal appeals court .
The unsigned order was opposed by liberal Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor , Ruth Bader Ginsburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` prevents thousands of otherwise eligible voters from participating in Florida ’ s primary election simply because they are poor . ''
`` Under this scheme , nearly a million otherwise-eligible citizens can not vote unless they pay money , '' Sotomayor said , calling it a `` voter paywall . ''
The dispute over the voting rights of Florida 's felons could be crucial in this fall 's elections because of its perennial status as a swing state .
There are about 775,000 felons in the state who have completed their prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered to vote so far .
Most states restore felons ' right to vote after their sentences , along with time on parole or probation , are complete .
Many states impose additional requirements .
Florida is among 11 states with the most restrictive rules , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 allowing felons to vote after their sentences are complete .
The initiative won 64 % approval .
Thereafter , the state legislature passed and Gov .
Ron DeSantis signed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fees , fines and restitution owed as part of the process .
That restriction was challenged by voting rights groups , and in May , U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle struck it down as a `` pay-to-vote system . ''
But earlier this month , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit blocked Hinkle 's ruling and scheduled a hearing for Aug. 18 – the date of the state primary .
The registration deadline to vote is next Monday .
Voting rights groups told the Supreme Court that Florida 's system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that violates the 24th Amendment to the Constitution .
`` This is a deeply disappointing decision , ” said Paul Smith , vice president of the Campaign Legal Center , which led the opposition to Florida 's rule .
`` Florida ’ s voters spoke loud and clear when nearly two-thirds of them supported rights restoration at the ballot box in 2018 . ''
In legal papers , the voting rights groups said most felons `` can not afford to pay what they owe . ''
Even those who can , they said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they owe years after their convictions .
The state responded that a felon 's inability to pay means the sentence has not been completed , and therefore voting rights should not be restored .
`` The state may insist on that requirement even if the felon can not afford to pay the financial terms of his sentence , '' Charles Cooper , a lawyer for the state , argued .

Supreme Court temporarily blocks felons from voting in Florida
Show Caption Hide Caption Felons emotional as they register to vote in Florida The right to vote was restored for most Florida felons as of Tuesday, increasing the pool of eligible voters by as many as 1.4 million people in a battleground state infamous for its narrow margins in key elections (Jan. 8) AP
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court refused Thursday to let Florida felons who completed their sentences vote in a primary without first paying fees, fines and restitution, as the state requires.
Voting rights groups challenged the requirement as unconstitutional, given that state voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 giving hundreds of thousands of felons the right to vote. The requirement will remain in effect while the case is heard next month by a federal appeals court.
The unsigned order was opposed by liberal Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan. Sotomayor said it "prevents thousands of otherwise eligible voters from participating in Florida’s primary election simply because they are poor."
"Under this scheme, nearly a million otherwise-eligible citizens cannot vote unless they pay money," Sotomayor said, calling it a "voter paywall."
More: Year of surprise Supreme Court rulings shows influence of Chief Justice John Roberts
The dispute over the voting rights of Florida's felons could be crucial in this fall's elections because of its perennial status as a swing state. There are about 775,000 felons in the state who have completed their prison sentences, including about 85,000 who registered to vote.
Most states restore felons' right to vote after their sentences, along with time on parole or probation, are complete. Many states impose additional requirements. Florida is among 11 states with the most restrictive rules, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 allowing felons to vote after their sentences are complete. The initiative won 64% approval.
The state Legislature passed, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed, a law requiring that felons first pay all fees, fines and restitution owed as part of the process.
That restriction was challenged by voting rights groups, and in May, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle struck it down as a "pay-to-vote system." This month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit blocked Hinkle's ruling and scheduled a hearing for Aug. 18 – the date of the state primary. The registration deadline to vote is next Monday.
Voting rights groups told the Supreme Court that Florida's system amounts to a "poll tax" that violates the 24th Amendment to the Constitution.
"This is a deeply disappointing decision,” said Paul Smith, vice president of the Campaign Legal Center, which led the opposition to Florida's rule. "Florida’s voters spoke loud and clear when nearly two-thirds of them supported rights restoration at the ballot box in 2018."
In legal papers, the voting rights groups said most felons "cannot afford to pay what they owe." Even those who can, they said, usually can't figure out what they owe years after their convictions.
The state responded that a felon's inability to pay means the sentence has not been completed; therefore, voting rights should not be restored.
"The state may insist on that requirement even if the felon cannot afford to pay the financial terms of his sentence," Charles Cooper, a lawyer for the state, argued.