usatoday--2020-08-31--Will my child be sent home for cough, runny nose? What to know about day care guidelines during COVI

As schools make the difficult decision to go virtual or attempt in-person learning , child care providers are left to create their own blueprint for a safe reopening with little guidance from federal agencies and local health departments .
Most child care facilities adhere to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that say children shouldn ’ t be admitted to a facility if they have a fever of 100.4 or “ other signs of illness.
” But with flu , cold and allergy season almost here , pediatricians and child care experts say “ other signs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities .
“ We have families where parents are working outside the home or have a real need to focus on kids in school virtually , '' said Dr. Colleen Kraft , a pediatrician at Children ’ s Hospital Los Angeles .
So , what are parents supposed to do ?
Can my child go to day care with a runny nose ?
A cough ?
A runny nose and cough are common symptoms of many childhood illnesses and seasonal allergies .
But Kraft says context is key .
If a child comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been infected by the virus , that runny nose could be a symptom of COVID-19 .
This is why most child care providers will survey the child or parent when they arrive at the facility .
“ We like to do health assessments when children are getting to the door , ” said Amber Horton , the regional manager for Learning Care Group ’ s Great Lakes region .
“ Do all the health questionnaires with the parents right there on the spot.
” Horton says the teacher and staff will monitor a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the day .
If they ’ re concerned , they ’ ll separate the child .
Trying to buy a desk or a chair ?
: As more kids go to school virtually , there 's a COVID-19 fueled desk shortage New clothes , senior portraits and virtual hangouts : How to salvage special back-to-school moments amid a pandemic While child care providers say they won ’ t request a parent pick up their child in the middle of the day , they will notify the parent of the child ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or primary care doctor .
As parents , teachers and doctors navigate child care during a pandemic , Dr. Laura Jana , a pediatrician and previous Primrose Schools Franchise owner , says good communication is essential .
`` That ’ s what puts us in the position to allow child care to continue safely and realistically , and be prepared for whatever this virus throws at us , '' she said .
Sarah Redgrave , vice president of Center Operations for KinderCare Education , said the organization has always had a policy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness in their child ’ s classroom , however , Learning Care Group says a runny nose , cough or fever alone is not something they would typically communicate to all families .
“ Children with a runny nose should be able to stay particularly if they ’ re over two years of age and if their masks are worn , ” Kraft said .
Some providers don ’ t require children under age 5 to wear masks .
If the child is old enough to wipe their nose , then they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after , a spokesperson with Learning Care Group said .
If they 're not old enough to wipe their own nose , staff will step in wearing gloves and wash their hands afterward .
When can my child return to day care after a fever ?
Most child care providers are doing temperature checks and will not allow a child to enter the facility with a temperature above 100.4 degrees , as recommended by the CDC and most local health departments .
Other facilities have a lower threshold and send children home with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers don ’ t require a child to take a COVID-19 test as testing is still not widely available in some parts of the country .
However , they do require that children be fever-free without medication for 24 to 48 hours , or more depending on local health department guidelines .
These fever policies were in place in most day care centers prior to COVID-19 , however , they 've heightened procedures to include anyone entering the building including staff , children , families and vendors .
Staff conducting these temperature checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gloves and have a cloth face covering .
According to Learning Care Group , health checks are also conducted throughout the day to ensure the child 's wellbeing .
Horton and Redgrave also refer to local health department guidelines if a child tests positive for COVID-19 .
Most health departments follow CDC guidelines that say a person should be quarantined for at least 14 days and symptom-free .
Some providers temporarily close the center for up to 72 hours to clean and disinfect the building .
Almost all programs say they notify parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the school but they exclude identifying information to maintain the child ’ s privacy .
“ The emphasis continues to be transparency and sharing and partnering with parents , ” Jana said .
Masks , hand-washing and social distancing : What else is there to know ?
Almost all child care providers say all adults in the facilities will wear masks throughout the day .
Depending on age , some children will be asked to wear masks , especially in common areas .
In some cases , parents can write a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask if they have prior issues with respiratory health , or if they 're not able to put on masks by themselves .
Frequent hand-washing has always been enforced in child care programs even before the coronavirus pandemic .
However , social distancing has forced facilities to become more creative , especially with younger children . '
I do n't know if I can do this ' : Parents brace for school year juggling jobs , remote learning amid COVID-19 pandemic Some classrooms are grouped into pods , teachers are assigned to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mix with other classrooms .
Many child care programs have also established staggered pick-up and drop-off times , socially distanced nap times and scheduling playtimes with enough time to disinfect outdoor play structures .
While these policies are in place for the moment , pediatricians and child care programs say it ’ s important parents stay flexible and understand that these guidelines might change as scientists learn more about the virus .
“ It ’ s a difficult decision for a lot of parents , ” said Dr. Dane Snyder , a primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital .
“ My best advice is to learn what ’ s going on locally , be ready to be flexible and just ask a lot of questions.
” Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics , Innovation and Competition in Healthcare .
The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input .

Will my child be sent home for cough, runny nose? What to know about day care guidelines during COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption What to know about sending kids to school in flu season amid COVID-19 Is it a cold or COVID-19? The top doctor at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta explains what parents need to know this flu season. USA TODAY
As schools make the difficult decision to go virtual or attempt in-person learning, child care providers are left to create their own blueprint for a safe reopening with little guidance from federal agencies and local health departments.
Most child care facilities adhere to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that say children shouldn’t be admitted to a facility if they have a fever of 100.4 degrees or “other signs of illness.”
But now that flu, cold and allergy season are almost here, pediatricians and child care experts said “other signs of illness” are almost inevitable at these facilities.
“We have families where parents are working outside the home or have a real need to focus on kids in school virtually," said Colleen Kraft, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
So what are parents supposed to do?
Can my child go to day care with a runny nose? A cough?
A runny nose and cough are common symptoms of many childhood illnesses and seasonal allergies.
Kraft said context is key. If a child comes from a household where family members have been infected by the virus, that runny nose could be a symptom of COVID-19. This is why most child care providers will survey the child or parent when they arrive at the facility.
“We like to do health assessments when children are getting to the door,” said Amber Horton, the regional manager for Learning Care Group’s Great Lakes region. “Do all the health questionnaires with the parents right there on the spot.”
Horton says the teacher and staff will monitor a child throughout the day if symptoms develop throughout the day. If they’re concerned, they’ll separate the child.
Trying to buy a desk or a chair?: As more kids go to school virtually, there's a COVID-19 fueled desk shortage
New clothes, senior portraits and virtual hangouts: How to salvage special back-to-school moments amid a pandemic
While child care providers say they won’t request a parent pick up their child in the middle of the day, they will notify the parent of the child’s symptoms and advise they see a pediatrician or primary care doctor.
As parents, teachers and doctors navigate child care during a pandemic, Laura Jana, a pediatrician and previous Primrose Schools Franchise owner, says good communication is essential.
"That’s what puts us in the position to allow child care to continue safely and realistically, and be prepared for whatever this virus throws at us," she said.
Sarah Redgrave, vice president of Center Operations for KinderCare Education, said the organization has always had a policy of notifying families if there’s an illness in their child’s classroom, however, Learning Care Group says a runny nose, cough or fever alone is not something they would typically communicate to all families.
“Children with a runny nose should be able to stay particularly if they’re over two years of age and if their masks are worn,” Kraft said. Some providers don’t require children under age 5 to wear masks.
If children aren't old enough to wipe their nose, they will be instructed to wash their hands right after, a spokesperson with Learning Care Group said. If they're not old enough to wipe their own nose, staff will step in wearing gloves and wash their hands afterward.
When can my child return to day care after a fever ?
Most child care providers are doing temperature checks and will not allow a child to enter the facility with a temperature above 100.4 degrees, as recommended by the CDC and most local health departments.
Other facilities have a lower threshold and send children home with a temperature above 99.7 degrees.
Most providers don’t require a child to take a COVID-19 test as testing is still not widely available in some parts of the country. However, they do require that children be fever-free without medication for 24 to 48 hours, or more depending on local health department guidelines.
These fever policies were in place in most day care centers before COVID-19; however, they've heightened procedures to include anyone entering the building including staff, children, families and vendors. Staff conducting these temperature checks must wash their hands, put on gloves and have a cloth face covering.
According to Learning Care Group, health checks are also conducted throughout the day to ensure the child's well-being.
Horton and Redgrave also refer to local health department guidelines if a child tests positive for COVID-19. Most health departments follow CDC guidelines that say a person should be quarantined for at least 14 days and symptom-free.
Some providers temporarily close the center for up to 72 hours to clean and disinfect the building. Almost all programs say they notify parents when there’s a positive test in the school but they exclude identifying information to maintain the child’s privacy.
“The emphasis continues to be transparency and sharing and partnering with parents,” Jana said.
Masks, hand-washing and social distancing: What else is there to know?
Almost all child care providers say all adults in the facilities will wear masks throughout the day.
Depending on age, some children will be asked to wear masks, especially in common areas. In some cases, parents can write a letter saying their child will not wear a mask if they have prior issues with respiratory health, or if they're not able to put on masks by themselves.
Frequent hand-washing has always been enforced in child care programs even before the coronavirus pandemic. However, social distancing has forced facilities to become more creative, especially with younger children.
'I don't know if I can do this': Parents brace for school year juggling jobs, remote learning amid COVID-19 pandemic
Some classrooms are grouped into pods, teachers are assigned to a specific room and are not allowed to mix with other classrooms. Many child care programs have also established staggered pick-up and drop-off times, socially distanced nap times and scheduling playtimes with enough time to disinfect outdoor play structures.
While these policies are in place for the moment, pediatricians and child care programs say it’s important parents stay flexible and understand that these guidelines might change as scientists learn more about the virus.
“It’s a difficult decision for a lot of parents,” said Dane Snyder, a primary care physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “My best advice is to learn what’s going on locally, be ready to be flexible and just ask a lot of questions.”
Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.
Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.


usatoday--2020-08-31--Airlines slash fall flights. Here's what it means if you have tickets or need to book a trip

Liz White has plane tickets to Phoenix in early October for a cousin 's wedding in Sedona , Arizona .
The California geologist booked the last Southwest Airlines flight from Sacramento on the Friday of wedding weekend because she has a licensing exam she ca n't reschedule .
Last week , Southwest sent her an email notifying her that her flight had been canceled and she was moved to a flight three hours earlier .
She asked about flying to Las Vegas instead and driving from there , but there was n't a late enough flight .
White ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight to Phoenix early Saturday .
`` It 's not ideal , and I 'll likely be late for the ceremony , but it was the best we could do , '' she said , adding that no other airline offered a late enough flight .
Good to know : Here 's why Southwest wo n't put you on another airline if your flight is canceled White 's situation should be a cautionary tale for anyone with airline reservations this fall or plans to buy a ticket .
Airlines have spent the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in travel demand this summer slowed during a spike in COVID-19 cases in several areas around the country .
The numbers are staggering .
United Airlines has about 2,000 daily flights on the books for September , half the number it planned a month ago , according to travel data and analytics firm OAG .
American Airlines planned an average of nearly 5,400 daily September flights as of late July and is down to fewer than 2,900 , OAG data shows.. Southwest Airlines has cut 25 % of its September flights , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OAG , and the company said more dramatic cuts occurred for October , when daily flights will be down to 2,000 from a planned 3,500 .
The upshot for travelers : possible flight changes if they have tickets and fewer choices ( and possibly higher fares ) if they do n't .
5 things to do if you 're flying this fall , including Labor Day weekend 1 .
Check your reservation .
All you need is your confirmation number .
Make sure the times and even flight dates or airport have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or by calling the airline or online travel agency .
If your flight has changed , review the flights you 're booked on and call or go online to try to find better options if those do n't work .
2 .
Pay attention to emails from your airline ( s ) .
Sure , it might be another pitch for a fare sale or a frequent flyer credit card , but it could also be notification of an important flight change or cancellation .
3 .
Do n't wait until the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconfirm .
Your rebooking options will be even more limited if your flight has been changed or canceled .
Worse , you could miss the new flight the airline put you on or be stuck at the airport for hours if it 's later .
4 .
In the worst-case scenario , be prepared to shell out more money to buy a ticket on another airline if your travel dates or times are n't flexible .
Airlines are required to refund your money if they cancel a flight or change it significantly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a ticket on another airline , especially last minute .
My sister , a teacher , had to shell out an extra $ 600 for her family to get home on Labor Day because Southwest canceled their ( very cheap ) flight and could n't get them home until Tuesday .
In dire cases , you can ask the airline to put you on another airline , but Southwest does n't do that , and other major airlines prefer not to if other options on the airline are available .
5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you 're buying tickets .
If you have to be at your destination or home by a certain date for work or school , do n't cut it close with your flights in case there are changes or cancellations .

Airlines slash fall flights. Here's what it means if you have tickets or need to book a trip
Show Caption Hide Caption 6 travel tips to stay safe while flying Here are 6 tips to know before you book your flight during the COVID-19 pandemic. ProblemSolved, USA TODAY
Liz White has plane tickets to Phoenix in early October for a cousin's wedding in Sedona, Arizona.
The California geologist booked the last Southwest Airlines flight from Sacramento on the Friday of wedding weekend because she has a licensing exam she can't reschedule.
Last week, Southwest sent her an email notifying her that her flight had been canceled and she was moved to a flight three hours earlier. She asked about flying to Las Vegas instead and driving from there, but there wasn't a late enough flight.
White ended up rebooking the next best option: a flight to Phoenix early Saturday.
"It's not ideal, and I'll likely be late for the ceremony, but it was the best we could do," she said, adding that no other airline offered a late enough flight.
Good to know: Here's why Southwest won't put you on another airline if your flight is canceled
White's situation should be a cautionary tale for anyone with airline reservations this fall or plans to buy a ticket.
Airlines have spent the past few weeks scrubbing fall flights after a pickup in travel demand this summer slowed during a spike in COVID-19 cases in several areas around the country.
The numbers are staggering. United Airlines has about 2,000 daily flights on the books for September, half the number it planned a month ago, according to travel data and analytics firm OAG.
American Airlines planned an average of nearly 5,400 daily September flights as of late July and is down to fewer than 2,900, OAG data shows..
Southwest Airlines has cut 25% of its September flights, or nearly 700 daily trips, according to OAG, and the company said more dramatic cuts occurred for October, when daily flights will be down to 2,000 from a planned 3,500.
The upshot for travelers: possible flight changes if they have tickets and fewer choices (and possibly higher fares) if they don't.
5 things to do if you're flying this fall, including Labor Day weekend
1. Check your reservation. All you need is your confirmation number. Make sure the times and even flight dates or airport haven't changed. You can do it online or by calling the airline or online travel agency. If your flight has changed, review the flights you're booked on and call or go online to try to find better options if those don't work.
2. Pay attention to emails from your airline(s). Sure, it might be another pitch for a fare sale or a frequent flyer credit card, but it could also be notification of an important flight change or cancellation.
3. Don't wait until the day before or week of your trip to reconfirm. Your rebooking options will be even more limited if your flight has been changed or canceled. Worse, you could miss the new flight the airline put you on or be stuck at the airport for hours if it's later.
4. In the worst-case scenario, be prepared to shell out more money to buy a ticket on another airline if your travel dates or times aren't flexible. Airlines are required to refund your money if they cancel a flight or change it significantly, but that might not cover the price of a ticket on another airline, especially last minute. My sister, a teacher, had to shell out an extra $600 for her family to get home on Labor Day because Southwest canceled their (very cheap) flight and couldn't get them home until Tuesday. In dire cases, you can ask the airline to put you on another airline, but Southwest doesn't do that, and other major airlines prefer not to if other options on the airline are available.
5. Build some flexibility into your travel plans if you're buying tickets. If you have to be at your destination or home by a certain date for work or school, don't cut it close with your flights in case there are changes or cancellations.


usatoday--2020-08-31--Black couple from New Jersey say they were racially profiled at a Boston hotel

Marilyn Mathieu and Calvin deGrasse of Maplewood have received an apology from a hotel in Boston that claimed that the couple had smoked in their non-smoking room and left `` leaves '' behind after they stayed there one recent summer weekend .
The couple also received a refund of the $ 250 smoking charge and a voucher for a future stay at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Boston .
But Mathieu , 42 , and deGrasse , 38 , who have two young boys who also stayed at the hotel , said that although she appreciates the apology she wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was born in Haiti and moved to the United States at age 5 , said she believes she and deGrasse , who was born in St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean , were racially profiled , reports NorthJersey.com , which is a part of the USA TODAY Network .
`` It 's fear of this happening again , fear that they lied and made up a story , '' she said during a phone interview .
`` I just do n't know why I would , it makes common sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that accused you of wrongdoing and charged your account . ''
In a statement , Eric Churchill , vice president of operations for the Cambria Hotel Downtown-South Boston , said the hotel does not tolerate any form of discrimination .
He said they sincerely apologized to the Mathieu family for the misunderstanding , but said that the employees who determined the smoking charge did not know the family is Black .
`` We have confirmed internally that the staff involved in assessing the charge were not aware of the guests ’ race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests in person , '' Churchill said in the statement .
`` However , we will be revisiting the reporting process as we believe there is always room for improvement . ''
Mathieu said that the manager who checked the family out of the hotel was the same one she spoke to on the phone who told her why she was being charged a smoking fee .
`` He said ' I remember you , but this is what it is , you can fight this with the bank but we will fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' '' she recalled him saying .
`` I asked for the proof , and he said he would email it to me later in the day which they never did.
” Racism : Subjected to anti-Semitism and racism , Jews of color feel 'stuck in the middle' Complaints of racial profiling have been lodged against hotels in different parts of the country in recent years .
Several Black people have filed lawsuits alleging they were confronted about their presence at hotels where they were visitors or registered guests .
Lawsuits have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least one was lodged against a Marriott hotel , and Choice Hotels had one in 2010 .
The Cambria Hotel is part of the Choice Hotels franchise .
In July , a Black family filed a lawsuit against Hilton and the Hampton Inn franchisee in Wilson , North Carolina , after a white female hotel clerk called police over a dispute regarding a billing mistake .
And in June , a Hampton Inn employee was fired after calling the police on a Black family using the hotel 's swimming pool in Williamston , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had forced Mathieu and deGrasse , and their children , Jeremy , 7 , and Hugh , 4 , to stay at home during the week , so the couple planned fun activities for the children on the weekends .
Mathieu , a social worker , said she had often talked about going to Boston and walking through the campus of Harvard , so they planned the trip .
Mathieu said she found the Cambria Hotel through an internet search and booked it while in her car .
`` It was in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was close to stores and a walkable area , '' she recalled .
She said when they arrived their room was not ready .
But the family was offered another room that was missing a sliding door that they could have at a lower rate .
They decided to take the room .
She said her sons had a great time at the hotel , and that they ordered food and had dinner before they went to sleep .
The next morning , the family checked out and continued to explore Boston for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Two days later , Mathieu said she saw the $ 250 charge on her credit card and called the hotel .
`` I thought what is this ? ''
she said .
`` I called the hotel and they told me that it was a smoking fee and I was in a non-smoking room and I was taken back , because one I don ’ t smoke , and it was kind of bizarre . ''
She said during one of several phone conversations , she was told that the hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told that they had found `` leaves '' on the bathroom floor of the room .
She said she repeatedly asked for the pictures of the proof but never received any .
`` This could have happened to any family , Black or white , but I think the fact that we were Black made us an easier target , '' she said .
`` In my mind , when these things happen you have to consider that race has to be a factor . ''
She said although they said they found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent that they were assuming the leaves were marijuana .
`` To assume that we were smoking marijuana in front of our children , I don ’ t know if they would accuse a white family of it , and not give them the benefit of the doubt and say : lets look into this a little bit further and see what we come up with , '' she said .
Mathieu decided to alert the consumer advocate reporter for the Boston Globe , who made calls to the hotel for a column @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received a call from Churchill , who apologized .
`` They said the manager had no right to charge my account , '' she said .
Mathieu said she thought about what is going on around the country since the killing of George Floyd , a Black man , by a police officer in Minnesota which has led to protests around the country centered on racial injustice .
`` My situation doesn ’ t compare to those , but I think that was in the background with what has been happening socially the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African American men and women , '' she said .
Mathieu said she 's grateful for the experience and being able to speak up , which she hopes will help others who may go through similar experiences .
`` I knew exactly what to do and exactly how to fight it , '' she said .
`` In a way I was fortunate that it happened to me because I could shed light on it , maybe someone else would have taken what they had done and not fight it.
`` Monsy Alvarado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To get unlimited access to the latest news about one of the hottest issues in our state and country , please subscribe or activate your digital account today .
'Do you belong here ? '
: Lawsuits allege Hilton , other hotels discriminated against Black guests In case you missed : Hampton Inn worker fired for calling cops on Black guests ; Police open 'internal investigation '

Black couple from New Jersey say they were racially profiled at a Boston hotel
Show Caption Hide Caption Black man says he experienced discrimination at a Hilton hotel Albert Law says he was floored by a question from a security guard after checking into a Hilton hotel in Richmond, Virginia. USA TODAY
Marilyn Mathieu and Calvin deGrasse of Maplewood have received an apology from a hotel in Boston that claimed that the couple had smoked in their non-smoking room and left "leaves" behind after they stayed there one recent summer weekend.
The couple also received a refund of the $250 smoking charge and a voucher for a future stay at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Boston.
But Mathieu, 42, and deGrasse, 38, who have two young boys who also stayed at the hotel, said that although she appreciates the apology she won't be using the voucher.
Mathieu, who was born in Haiti and moved to the United States at age 5, said she believes she and deGrasse, who was born in St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean, were racially profiled, reports NorthJersey.com, which is a part of the USA TODAY Network.
"It's fear of this happening again, fear that they lied and made up a story,'' she said during a phone interview. "I just don't know why I would, it makes common sense to not go back to a business that accused you of wrongdoing and charged your account."
In a statement, Eric Churchill, vice president of operations for the Cambria Hotel Downtown-South Boston, said the hotel does not tolerate any form of discrimination. He said they sincerely apologized to the Mathieu family for the misunderstanding, but said that the employees who determined the smoking charge did not know the family is Black.
"We have confirmed internally that the staff involved in assessing the charge were not aware of the guests’ race, as they did not communicate with the guests in person,'' Churchill said in the statement. "However, we will be revisiting the reporting process as we believe there is always room for improvement."
Mathieu said that the manager who checked the family out of the hotel was the same one she spoke to on the phone who told her why she was being charged a smoking fee.
"He said 'I remember you, but this is what it is, you can fight this with the bank but we will fight it back because we have picture proof,''' she recalled him saying. "I asked for the proof, and he said he would email it to me later in the day which they never did.”
Racism: Subjected to anti-Semitism and racism, Jews of color feel 'stuck in the middle'
Complaints of racial profiling have been lodged against hotels in different parts of the country in recent years. Several Black people have filed lawsuits alleging they were confronted about their presence at hotels where they were visitors or registered guests.
Lawsuits have been filed against Hilton properties, at least one was lodged against a Marriott hotel, and Choice Hotels had one in 2010. The Cambria Hotel is part of the Choice Hotels franchise.
In July, a Black family filed a lawsuit against Hilton and the Hampton Inn franchisee in Wilson, North Carolina, after a white female hotel clerk called police over a dispute regarding a billing mistake.
And in June, a Hampton Inn employee was fired after calling the police on a Black family using the hotel's swimming pool in Williamston, North Carolina.
Drone video of Black Lives Matter mural in Jersey City Drone video of Black Lives Matter mural in Jersey City on August 11, 2020. Tariq Zehawi and Danielle Parhizkaran, NorthJersey.com
A weekend trip to Boston
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic had forced Mathieu and deGrasse, and their children, Jeremy, 7, and Hugh, 4, to stay at home during the week, so the couple planned fun activities for the children on the weekends.
Mathieu, a social worker, said she had often talked about going to Boston and walking through the campus of Harvard, so they planned the trip.
Mathieu said she found the Cambria Hotel through an internet search and booked it while in her car.
"It was in the heart of Boston and it seemed it was close to stores and a walkable area,'' she recalled.
She said when they arrived their room was not ready. But the family was offered another room that was missing a sliding door that they could have at a lower rate. They decided to take the room.
She said her sons had a great time at the hotel, and that they ordered food and had dinner before they went to sleep. The next morning, the family checked out and continued to explore Boston for a little while longer before heading back home.
Two days later, Mathieu said she saw the $250 charge on her credit card and called the hotel.
"I thought what is this?'' she said. "I called the hotel and they told me that it was a smoking fee and I was in a non-smoking room and I was taken back, because one I don’t smoke, and it was kind of bizarre."
Reader, covering our local communities takes time and resources. Help us better support your community by becoming a subscriber today.
She said during one of several phone conversations, she was told that the hotel had picture proof, and then was told that they had found "leaves" on the bathroom floor of the room. She said she repeatedly asked for the pictures of the proof but never received any.
"This could have happened to any family, Black or white, but I think the fact that we were Black made us an easier target,'' she said. "In my mind, when these things happen you have to consider that race has to be a factor."
She said although they said they found leaves, she said, it was apparent that they were assuming the leaves were marijuana.
"To assume that we were smoking marijuana in front of our children, I don’t know if they would accuse a white family of it, and not give them the benefit of the doubt and say: lets look into this a little bit further and see what we come up with,'' she said.
Getting results
Mathieu decided to alert the consumer advocate reporter for the Boston Globe, who made calls to the hotel for a column. On Wednesday, she said she received a call from Churchill, who apologized.
"They said the manager had no right to charge my account,'' she said.
Mathieu said she thought about what is going on around the country since the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a police officer in Minnesota which has led to protests around the country centered on racial injustice.
"My situation doesn’t compare to those, but I think that was in the background with what has been happening socially the last few months with the injustices of African American men and women,'' she said.
Mathieu said she's grateful for the experience and being able to speak up, which she hopes will help others who may go through similar experiences.
"I knew exactly what to do and exactly how to fight it,'' she said. "In a way I was fortunate that it happened to me because I could shed light on it, maybe someone else would have taken what they had done and not fight it. "
Monsy Alvarado is the immigration reporter for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news about one of the hottest issues in our state and country, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: alvarado@northjersey.com Twitter: @monsyalvarado
'Do you belong here?': Lawsuits allege Hilton, other hotels discriminated against Black guests
In case you missed: Hampton Inn worker fired for calling cops on Black guests; Police open 'internal investigation'


usatoday--2020-08-31--Trump plans to visit Kenosha but Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers asked him to 'reconsider'

Trump plans to visit Kenosha but Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers asked him to 'reconsider' President Trump talked about Kenosha @ @ @ @ @ doing before his planned visit , but Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers is urging him @ @ @ @ @ week of unrest .

'We'll see what happens:' Trump discusses Kenosha and plan to visit
President Trump talked about Kenosha and how well it's doing before his planned visit, but Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is urging him to 'reconsider' after a week of unrest.
USA TODAY, Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-31--Biden condemns violence 'on the left or the right' and challenges Trump 'to do the same'

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden repeated his disavowal of violence after a man was fatally shot in Portland on Saturday and he asked President Donald Trump to join him in condemning violence of all political stripes .
`` The deadly violence we saw overnight in Portland is unacceptable , '' Biden said in a statement Sunday .
`` Shooting in the streets of a great American city is unacceptable .
I condemn this violence unequivocally .
I condemn violence of every kind by any one , whether on the left or the right . ''
`` And I challenge Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's statement comes as he prepares to deliver a speech in Pittsburgh where , according to a campaign statement , he will ask voters `` are you safe in Donald Trump 's America ? ''
and `` offer a different vision for a better future . ''
Biden has rarely left his home to campaign since the coronavirus pandemic began .
The fatal shooting in Portland occurred during clashes between a group of Trump supporters and protesters .
The victim was a member of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer .
His death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was charged in the shooting of three protesters in Kenosha , Wisconsin , two of them fatal .
The three protesters were shot during demonstrations against police brutality after video showed officers shoot Jacob Blake , a Black man , in the back during an incident in Kenosha .
Many Democrats , including Biden , accused Trump of agitating the situation .
On Sunday morning , after the fatal confrontation , Trump commented a tweet showing a caravan of his supporters rolling into Portland , calling them `` GREAT PATRIOTS ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clashes with protesters .
'They stoke the flames ' : As thousands march on Washington , Trump blames media for sowing 'racial hatred' Over the weekend , the president posted a flurry of tweets denouncing the protesters , calling for a crackdown to stop them and showing videos of demonstrators engaging in violence , as well as a video of a Black man shoving a white woman that appears unrelated to the protests .
At a New Hampshire rally Friday he rejected the idea of peaceful protesters altogether .
`` They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd .
`` Those are anarchists .
They ’ re agitators .
They ’ re rioters .
They ’ re looters . ''
But Trump has not condemned the violence committed by Rittenhouse and liked a tweet that said the teen 's acts were justified .
On Sunday , he tweeted `` Rest In Peace '' to the victim in the Portland shooting , but has not offered similar condolences for the protesters killed in Kenosha .
Trump plans to visit Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement officials and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin 's Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers urged Trump to `` reconsider '' his visit , saying he was concerned Trump 's `` presence will only hinder our healing '' and would require the state to redirect resources away from public safety .
Rep. Karen Bass , D-Calif. – whom Biden considered as a potential running mate – used strong language in a CNN interview Sunday .
`` I think his visit has one purpose , and one purpose only .
And that is to agitate things and to make things worse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , Biden denounced Trump for failing `` to call on his supporters to stop seeking conflict '' and claimed Trump thinks `` war in our streets is good for his reelection chances . ''
`` It does not matter if you find the political views of your opponents abhorrent , any loss of life is a tragedy , '' Biden said .
`` We must not become a country at war with ourselves .
A country that accepts the killing of fellow Americans who do not agree with you .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But that is the America that President Trump wants us to be , the America he believes we are . ''
Biden continued , saying `` we must condemn the incitement of hate and resentment that led to this deadly clash '' before again going after Trump .
`` What does President Trump think will happen when he continues to insist on fanning the flames of hate and division in our society and using the politics of fear to whip up his supporters ?
He is recklessly encouraging violence . ''
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower the temperature '' and `` bring people who disagree with one another together . ''
Trump and his surrogates have repeatedly denounced Biden for not speaking out against violent protesters , despite Biden 's repeated calls for the demonstrators to remain peaceful .
'We are not safe ' : Biden , Trump campaigns spar over blame for violent protests After George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis police custody , sparking a massive wave of protests against police brutality and racism , Biden issued a statement on May 30 denouncing destruction and violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and necessary .
It ’ s an utterly American response .
But burning down communities and needless destruction is not .
Violence that endangers lives is not .
Violence that guts and shutters businesses that serve the community is not , '' Biden said .
`` The act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest .
It should not drive people away from the just cause that protest is meant to advance . ''
On July 28 , Biden said protesters who break the law should be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We should never let what ’ s done in a march for equal rights overcome what the reason for the march is , '' Biden said .
`` And that ’ s what these folks are doing . ''
`` Burning down communities is not protest , it 's needless violence , violence that endangers lives , violence that guts businesses and shutters businesses that serve the community .
That 's wrong , '' Biden said in an Aug. 26 video statement .
Despite those denunciations , Trump and his supporters have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violent demonstrators .
Hours after Biden 's statement on Sunday , Trump criticized the former vice president in a tweet .
`` When is Slow Joe Biden going to criticize the Anarchists , Thugs & Agitators in ANTIFA ? ''
Trump asked .
When is he going to suggest bringing up the National Guard in BADLY RUN & Crime Infested Democrat Cities & States ?
Remember , he can ’ t lose the Crazy Bernie Super Liberal vote ! ''
'Have it both ways ' : Trump makes appeal to suburban voters @ @ @ @ @ @

Biden condemns violence 'on the left or the right' and challenges Trump 'to do the same'
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump condemns protesters, predicts election win US President Donald Trump on Friday condemned protesters against his administration as "thugs" and predicted victory in November's presidential election. (Aug. 28) AP
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden repeated his disavowal of violence after a man was fatally shot in Portland on Saturday and he asked President Donald Trump to join him in condemning violence of all political stripes.
"The deadly violence we saw overnight in Portland is unacceptable," Biden said in a statement Sunday. "Shooting in the streets of a great American city is unacceptable. I condemn this violence unequivocally. I condemn violence of every kind by any one, whether on the left or the right."
"And I challenge Donald Trump to do the same."
Biden's statement comes as he prepares to deliver a speech in Pittsburgh where, according to a campaign statement, he will ask voters "are you safe in Donald Trump's America?" and "offer a different vision for a better future." Biden has rarely left his home to campaign since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The fatal shooting in Portland occurred during clashes between a group of Trump supporters and protesters. The victim was a member of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer. His death came days after Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, was charged in the shooting of three protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, two of them fatal. The three protesters were shot during demonstrations against police brutality after video showed officers shoot Jacob Blake, a Black man, in the back during an incident in Kenosha.
Many Democrats, including Biden, accused Trump of agitating the situation. On Sunday morning, after the fatal confrontation, Trump commented a tweet showing a caravan of his supporters rolling into Portland, calling them "GREAT PATRIOTS!" Members of that caravan were involved in the clashes with protesters.
'They stoke the flames': As thousands march on Washington, Trump blames media for sowing 'racial hatred'
Over the weekend, the president posted a flurry of tweets denouncing the protesters, calling for a crackdown to stop them and showing videos of demonstrators engaging in violence, as well as a video of a Black man shoving a white woman that appears unrelated to the protests. At a New Hampshire rally Friday he rejected the idea of peaceful protesters altogether.
"They’re not protesters," Trump told the crowd. "Those are anarchists. They’re agitators. They’re rioters. They’re looters."
But Trump has not condemned the violence committed by Rittenhouse and liked a tweet that said the teen's acts were justified. On Sunday, he tweeted "Rest In Peace" to the victim in the Portland shooting, but has not offered similar condolences for the protesters killed in Kenosha.
Trump plans to visit Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement officials and "survey damage from recent riots." Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers urged Trump to "reconsider" his visit, saying he was concerned Trump's "presence will only hinder our healing" and would require the state to redirect resources away from public safety.
Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif. – whom Biden considered as a potential running mate – used strong language in a CNN interview Sunday.
"I think his visit has one purpose, and one purpose only. And that is to agitate things and to make things worse," Bass said.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told "Fox & Friends" on Monday Trump was looking forward to going to Kenosha to speak directly to its residents and "unifying the state."
"This president is out and about reopening the country, demonstrating his respect for the American people by actually going to places where Americans are hurting," McEnany said.
In his statement on Sunday, Biden denounced Trump for failing "to call on his supporters to stop seeking conflict" and claimed Trump thinks "war in our streets is good for his reelection chances."
"It does not matter if you find the political views of your opponents abhorrent, any loss of life is a tragedy," Biden said. "We must not become a country at war with ourselves. A country that accepts the killing of fellow Americans who do not agree with you. A country that vows vengeance toward one another. But that is the America that President Trump wants us to be, the America he believes we are."
Biden continued, saying "we must condemn the incitement of hate and resentment that led to this deadly clash" before again going after Trump.
"What does President Trump think will happen when he continues to insist on fanning the flames of hate and division in our society and using the politics of fear to whip up his supporters? He is recklessly encouraging violence."
Biden said a president should try to "lower the temperature" and "bring people who disagree with one another together."
Trump and his surrogates have repeatedly denounced Biden for not speaking out against violent protesters, despite Biden's repeated calls for the demonstrators to remain peaceful.
'We are not safe': Biden, Trump campaigns spar over blame for violent protests
After George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis police custody, sparking a massive wave of protests against police brutality and racism, Biden issued a statement on May 30 denouncing destruction and violence.
"Protesting such brutality is right and necessary. It’s an utterly American response. But burning down communities and needless destruction is not. Violence that endangers lives is not. Violence that guts and shutters businesses that serve the community is not," Biden said. "The act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest. It should not drive people away from the just cause that protest is meant to advance."
On July 28, Biden said protesters who break the law should be "found, arrested and tried."
"We should never let what’s done in a march for equal rights overcome what the reason for the march is," Biden said. "And that’s what these folks are doing."
"Burning down communities is not protest, it's needless violence, violence that endangers lives, violence that guts businesses and shutters businesses that serve the community. That's wrong," Biden said in an Aug. 26 video statement.
Despite those denunciations, Trump and his supporters have claimed Biden has not spoken out against the violent demonstrators. Hours after Biden's statement on Sunday, Trump criticized the former vice president in a tweet.
"When is Slow Joe Biden going to criticize the Anarchists, Thugs & Agitators in ANTIFA?" Trump asked. When is he going to suggest bringing up the National Guard in BADLY RUN & Crime Infested Democrat Cities & States? Remember, he can’t lose the Crazy Bernie Super Liberal vote!"
Contributing: Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
'Have it both ways': Trump makes appeal to suburban voters and base in RNC balancing act


usatoday--2020-08-31--First coronavirus, then a devastating storm: How campaigning in Iowa's competitive 1st District is u

CEDAR RAPIDS , Ia .
— The tall , picturesque trees that had shaded Abby Finkenauer during her backyard wedding just two days earlier lay tangled in a mess of branches and power lines after hurricane-force winds pelted Cedar Rapids earlier this month .
In nearby Marion , Ashley Hinson was still in quarantine after being exposed to someone with COVID-19 and wondering what to feed her family after their refrigerator full of food spoiled in the storm ’ s resulting power outages .
The storm , known as a derecho , devastated the eastern side of Iowa when its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 10 , delivering the bulk of its damage to Iowa ’ s 1st District , where Finkenauer and Hinson are locked in a competitive congressional race .
Finkenauer , a Democrat , was elected in 2018 to represent the district and is seeking a second term in November .
Hinson , the Republican fighting to unseat her , is an Iowa state representative .
The district covers 20 counties in northeast Iowa , including Cedar Rapids , Dubuque and Waterloo , and is considered a tossup by election forecasters this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the district in 2016 , but Finkenauer defeated a Republican incumbent in 2018 to win her seat by about five percentage points .
Combined , Finkenauer and Hinson have raised more than $ 6 million ; outside groups have already dumped about $ 1 million on the race .
Both candidates ’ election efforts have been dramatically reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic , which limited in-person campaigning and altered the policy landscape .
Now , a natural disaster that swept the district without warning is forcing them to again find their footing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarkably with less than three months to Election Day .
“ I definitely did not plan on my campaign year looking like this , ” Hinson said .
“ ...
It ’ s been challenging as a mom , as a wife , as a candidate — you name the list .
It ’ s a challenging year for all of us.
” On that , the candidates agree .
`` Let ’ s just say it ’ s been an interesting first couple weeks of marriage , ” Finkenauer said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever I married the right person .
If you can survive the first couple of weeks without electricity , it ’ s a good test . ''
The damage 'takes your breath away' Finkenauer was on her honeymoon a few hours away when the storm struck .
As she drove back to Cedar Rapids , the breadth of the damage quickly became clear from the downed trees , destroyed grain bins and power lines ripped from their moorings .
“ We started getting phone calls and text messages about what had happened and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could to get home , ” she said .
“ And it was incredibly scary because we started realizing cell services were dropping .
Even getting to our house was difficult.
” In the weeks since , she ’ s been juggling the needs of her constituents with cleanup at her own house — “ Luckily my parents came down with a chainsaw and they were able to handle our yard , ” she said — all without power for 10 days .
Hinson said that after the storm had passed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes looking dazed to survey the damage .
“ Everybody knew something bad had happened , but it wasn ’ t until the next morning that I saw the scope of the damage , ” she said .
“ I drove through the legislative district that I represent , and I was speechless .
It just takes your breath away.
” In Cedar Rapids , where Finkenauer lives , the storm brought down an estimated 23,000 trees .
In Marion , where Hinson lives , over 90 % of the city 's homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trees and branches blocked residential streets for days in both cities .
Other parts of the district , like Marshalltown , Grinnell and Tama were also severely damaged .
More : Meskwaki community works to save 'tremendous ' amount of indigenous corn flattened by derecho More than two weeks later , piles of debris remain as crews work to clear the streets .
Residents are still displaced from their homes .
And in fields just outside of town , acres of corn lay bent at angles as though still caught in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet 'the needs of the day' At the Derecho Resource Center — a popup , volunteer effort to collect and distribute supplies to storm victims — Hinson spent a recent Wednesday afternoon unboxing feminine hygiene products and redistributing pads and tampons into smaller Ziplock bags .
Another volunteer had bought up all the Mason jars he could find to put donated dish soap and detergent into smaller containers — all part of an effort to make resources stretch to as many families as they could .
“ I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power ’ s back on doesn ’ t mean that needs are going to lessen , ” Hinson said .
“ It could be several weeks before people are really even remotely back on their feet , if not months.
” The resource center has been serving an average of 400 families each day , even two weeks after the storm hit , organizers said .
Both Hinson and Finkenauer have spent their days in places like this — helping to gather and distribute donations while drawing attention to those most in need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank on Monday , handing diapers to mothers who pulled up to use the organization ’ s drive-up and helping bag diapers to distribute to five resource centers set up around the city .
“ Oh my gosh , look at his cheeks !
” Finkenauer exclaimed as one mother showed her pictures of her baby .
The organization started in 2016 as a partnership between two organizations — YPN and the Eastern Iowa Health Center — and has grown every year since .
Erin Langdon , a spokesperson for the diaper bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17,000 diapers a month before the coronavirus pandemic to 70,000 in July and more than 125,000 this month .
A few days before Finkenauer ’ s visit , Langdon found out that Huggies would be donating 100,000 diapers to help meet the community ’ s need .
Rather than planning her schedule weeks in advance as she would during a normal year , Finkenauer said she ’ s been assessing needs in the community day by day to see where she can be most helpful .
“ It ’ s just showing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing and getting the resources that are needed for Iowa and for the district , ” Finkenauer said , “ ... every day we ’ ll just be listening to the needs of the day before and going to get it done and working with anyone to do it.
” But those volunteer efforts can be fraught for two politicians in the thick of an election year .
Hinson ’ s campaign has accused Finkenauer of politicizing the crisis by shooting a `` campaign commercial '' during a storm recovery event .
Finkenauer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a week after the storm , includes footage of her speaking from her back yard and participating in volunteer efforts .
It also displays phone numbers for those seeking assistance .
“ Through all this , I still found hope in Iowans , seeing neighbors helping each other , getting each other food and ice , ” she says in the ad .
“ But there ’ s still plenty more left to do , and I will not stop until Iowans get the resources we need.
” Finkenauer said she felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the damage on the ground and quickly make people aware of how to access resources .
`` We took our campaign resources , pulled down much , you know , shinier ads I guess you could say than being shot in my back yard and just got people the resources and the numbers that they needed , '' she said .
`` And , to me , that ’ s just what you do in this job .
You take any and all resources you have , whether it ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or what you can do on the campaign side , and you get it done for folks . ''
But Hinson said it “ crossed the line ” into “ pandering.
” “ I think you can do a benefit without shooting a campaign commercial and still put information on the air , ” she said .
Though Hinson hasn ’ t aired a TV ad , her campaign has aired a radio ad that touted her response to the storm .
“ I ’ m still communicating with people if they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to do interviews when I can to get my message out , ” she said .
“ But my immediate need is helping the people that I represent right now .
They hired me to do a job , so I ’ m making sure that I do that first .
And I also think that doing your job is the best way you can campaign — showing people that you ’ re doing what you said you would.
” President Donald Trump also created a political flashpoint when he decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm .
Though past presidents have invited local leaders of both political parties to such disaster briefings , Trump invited Hinson but not Finkenauer .
Hinson said she used the opportunity to make sure the president understood the effect the storm would have on local schools and the mental health of Iowa ’ s children .
Finkenauer told the Gazette in Cedar Rapids that she spent that time delivering generators around the city .
Keeping up the pressure for more federal aid Both candidates know the recovery effort will take months .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to push for additional federal aid .
Trump approved a presidential disaster declaration for Iowa the day after Republican Gov .
Kim Reynolds submitted a request .
Although he tweeted he had signed it in `` FULL , '' the declaration he approved only covered a portion of the aid Reynolds asked for .
The federal declaration covered public assistance in 16 counties for debris cleanup and infrastructure repair .
Out of 27 counties requesting individual assistance , so far only Linn County has been approved .
More : How does the timing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration compare to past requests for federal aid ?
Individual assistance can provide grants for temporary rental assistance for people unable to live in their homes , home repairs and other needs .
It is meant to assist with costs not already covered by insurance , state programs or local nonprofits .
State officials said Thursday that nine of the 27 counties probably will not qualify .
The other 17 are still under review .
Finkenauer said she was happy the Linn County aid was approved , saying it was “ desperately needed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid for homeowners in other counties that were also hit hard .
“ I ’ m disappointed in the fact that the president had originally said that he was going to do everything that the governor had asked , and the governor had also said that the president was ready to step up and do what was needed , ” she said .
“ And to see , one , the backtracking on that and , two , now the lag in the response of that has been very frustrating.
” Hinson has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approving the partial disaster declaration , but she said she ’ s “ not going to back down ” on getting help for other counties .
“ I ’ m going to keep putting pressure on the governor , and I know the governor continues to put pressure on the president as well to continue to follow through with that , ” she said .
“ He looked right at me and said he ’ s going to get it done .
So I ’ m going to hold him to that.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics for the Register .
He can be reached by email at sgrubermil @ registermedia.com .
Follow him on Twitter at @ sgrubermiller .
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register .
Reach her at bpfann @ dmreg.com .
Follow her on Twitter at @ brianneDMR .
Your subscription makes our journalism possible .
Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal .

Stephen Gruber-Miller and Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register

First coronavirus, then a devastating storm: How campaigning in Iowa's competitive 1st District is upended
Show Caption Hide Caption Here are the candidates in Iowa's upcoming Congressional races Iowans voted in record numbers in the primaries, setting up several competitive races for Congress in November. Here's who is running. Des Moines Register
CEDAR RAPIDS, Ia. — The tall, picturesque trees that had shaded Abby Finkenauer during her backyard wedding just two days earlier lay tangled in a mess of branches and power lines after hurricane-force winds pelted Cedar Rapids earlier this month.
In nearby Marion, Ashley Hinson was still in quarantine after being exposed to someone with COVID-19 and wondering what to feed her family after their refrigerator full of food spoiled in the storm’s resulting power outages.
The storm, known as a derecho, devastated the eastern side of Iowa when its straight-line winds ripped through the state on Aug. 10, delivering the bulk of its damage to Iowa’s 1st District, where Finkenauer and Hinson are locked in a competitive congressional race.
Finkenauer, a Democrat, was elected in 2018 to represent the district and is seeking a second term in November. Hinson, the Republican fighting to unseat her, is an Iowa state representative.
The district covers 20 counties in northeast Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Waterloo, and is considered a tossup by election forecasters this year. President Donald Trump, a Republican, won the district in 2016, but Finkenauer defeated a Republican incumbent in 2018 to win her seat by about five percentage points.
Combined, Finkenauer and Hinson have raised more than $6 million; outside groups have already dumped about $1 million on the race.
Both candidates’ election efforts have been dramatically reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic, which limited in-person campaigning and altered the policy landscape. Now, a natural disaster that swept the district without warning is forcing them to again find their footing in a political environment that has shifted remarkably with less than three months to Election Day.
“I definitely did not plan on my campaign year looking like this,” Hinson said. “... It’s been challenging as a mom, as a wife, as a candidate — you name the list. It’s a challenging year for all of us.”
On that, the candidates agree.
"Let’s just say it’s been an interesting first couple weeks of marriage,” Finkenauer said. “But I’m more sure than ever I married the right person. If you can survive the first couple of weeks without electricity, it’s a good test."
Ashley Hinson volunteers at the Derecho Resource Center after derecho Since the derecho hit Cedar Rapids, Ashley Hinson's campaign to represent Iowa's first district in Congress has a new focus on helping her community recover. Kelsey Kremer, kkremer@dmreg.com
The damage 'takes your breath away'
Finkenauer was on her honeymoon a few hours away when the storm struck. As she drove back to Cedar Rapids, the breadth of the damage quickly became clear from the downed trees, destroyed grain bins and power lines ripped from their moorings.
“We started getting phone calls and text messages about what had happened and immediately knew we had to do everything we could to get home,” she said. “And it was incredibly scary because we started realizing cell services were dropping. Even getting to our house was difficult.”
In the weeks since, she’s been juggling the needs of her constituents with cleanup at her own house — “Luckily my parents came down with a chainsaw and they were able to handle our yard,” she said — all without power for 10 days.
Hinson said that after the storm had passed, she and her neighbors emerged from their homes looking dazed to survey the damage.
“Everybody knew something bad had happened, but it wasn’t until the next morning that I saw the scope of the damage,” she said. “I drove through the legislative district that I represent, and I was speechless. It just takes your breath away.”
In Cedar Rapids, where Finkenauer lives, the storm brought down an estimated 23,000 trees. In Marion, where Hinson lives, over 90% of the city's homes and buildings saw at least some damage. Trees and branches blocked residential streets for days in both cities. Other parts of the district, like Marshalltown, Grinnell and Tama were also severely damaged.
Abby Finkenauer volunteers at the Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank after derecho Since the derecho hit Cedar Rapids, Abby Finkenauer's re-election campaign to continue to represent Iowa's first district in Congress has a new focus on helping her community recover. Kelsey Kremer, kkremer@dmreg.com
More: Meskwaki community works to save 'tremendous' amount of indigenous corn flattened by derecho
More than two weeks later, piles of debris remain as crews work to clear the streets. Residents are still displaced from their homes. And in fields just outside of town, acres of corn lay bent at angles as though still caught in the storm’s 140-mile-an-hour winds.
Working to meet 'the needs of the day'
At the Derecho Resource Center — a popup, volunteer effort to collect and distribute supplies to storm victims — Hinson spent a recent Wednesday afternoon unboxing feminine hygiene products and redistributing pads and tampons into smaller Ziplock bags.
Another volunteer had bought up all the Mason jars he could find to put donated dish soap and detergent into smaller containers — all part of an effort to make resources stretch to as many families as they could.
“I think it’s important to realize that just because the power’s back on doesn’t mean that needs are going to lessen,” Hinson said. “It could be several weeks before people are really even remotely back on their feet, if not months.”
The resource center has been serving an average of 400 families each day, even two weeks after the storm hit, organizers said.
Both Hinson and Finkenauer have spent their days in places like this — helping to gather and distribute donations while drawing attention to those most in need.
Finkenauer visited the Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank on Monday, handing diapers to mothers who pulled up to use the organization’s drive-up and helping bag diapers to distribute to five resource centers set up around the city.
“Oh my gosh, look at his cheeks!” Finkenauer exclaimed as one mother showed her pictures of her baby.
The organization started in 2016 as a partnership between two organizations — YPN and the Eastern Iowa Health Center — and has grown every year since. Erin Langdon, a spokesperson for the diaper bank, said they went from giving out 17,000 diapers a month before the coronavirus pandemic to 70,000 in July and more than 125,000 this month.
A few days before Finkenauer’s visit, Langdon found out that Huggies would be donating 100,000 diapers to help meet the community’s need.
Rather than planning her schedule weeks in advance as she would during a normal year, Finkenauer said she’s been assessing needs in the community day by day to see where she can be most helpful.
“It’s just showing up every day and doing the next right thing and getting the resources that are needed for Iowa and for the district,” Finkenauer said, “... every day we’ll just be listening to the needs of the day before and going to get it done and working with anyone to do it.”
Politics continues along with cleanup
But those volunteer efforts can be fraught for two politicians in the thick of an election year.
Hinson’s campaign has accused Finkenauer of politicizing the crisis by shooting a "campaign commercial" during a storm recovery event.
Finkenauer’s ad, which was released about a week after the storm, includes footage of her speaking from her back yard and participating in volunteer efforts. It also displays phone numbers for those seeking assistance.
“Through all this, I still found hope in Iowans, seeing neighbors helping each other, getting each other food and ice,” she says in the ad. “But there’s still plenty more left to do, and I will not stop until Iowans get the resources we need.”
Finkenauer said she felt it was important to show the scope of the damage on the ground and quickly make people aware of how to access resources.
"We took our campaign resources, pulled down much, you know, shinier ads I guess you could say than being shot in my back yard and just got people the resources and the numbers that they needed," she said. "And, to me, that’s just what you do in this job. You take any and all resources you have, whether it’s what you can do on the official side or what you can do on the campaign side, and you get it done for folks."
But Hinson said it “crossed the line” into “pandering.”
“I think you can do a benefit without shooting a campaign commercial and still put information on the air,” she said.
Though Hinson hasn’t aired a TV ad, her campaign has aired a radio ad that touted her response to the storm.
“I’m still communicating with people if they have questions for me. I’m trying to do interviews when I can to get my message out,” she said. “But my immediate need is helping the people that I represent right now. They hired me to do a job, so I’m making sure that I do that first. And I also think that doing your job is the best way you can campaign — showing people that you’re doing what you said you would.”
President Donald Trump also created a political flashpoint when he decided to visit Cedar Rapids eight days after the storm. Though past presidents have invited local leaders of both political parties to such disaster briefings, Trump invited Hinson but not Finkenauer.
Hinson said she used the opportunity to make sure the president understood the effect the storm would have on local schools and the mental health of Iowa’s children.
Finkenauer told the Gazette in Cedar Rapids that she spent that time delivering generators around the city.
Keeping up the pressure for more federal aid
Both candidates know the recovery effort will take months. And each of them are using their platforms to push for additional federal aid.
Trump approved a presidential disaster declaration for Iowa the day after Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds submitted a request. Although he tweeted he had signed it in "FULL," the declaration he approved only covered a portion of the aid Reynolds asked for.
The federal declaration covered public assistance in 16 counties for debris cleanup and infrastructure repair. Out of 27 counties requesting individual assistance, so far only Linn County has been approved.
More: How does the timing of Gov. Kim Reynolds' disaster declaration compare to past requests for federal aid?
Individual assistance can provide grants for temporary rental assistance for people unable to live in their homes, home repairs and other needs. It is meant to assist with costs not already covered by insurance, state programs or local nonprofits. State officials said Thursday that nine of the 27 counties probably will not qualify. The other 17 are still under review.
Finkenauer said she was happy the Linn County aid was approved, saying it was “desperately needed.” But she hopes Trump will approve aid for homeowners in other counties that were also hit hard.
“I’m disappointed in the fact that the president had originally said that he was going to do everything that the governor had asked, and the governor had also said that the president was ready to step up and do what was needed,” she said. “And to see, one, the backtracking on that and, two, now the lag in the response of that has been very frustrating.”
Hinson has thanked the president for his speed in approving the partial disaster declaration, but she said she’s “not going to back down” on getting help for other counties.
“I’m going to keep putting pressure on the governor, and I know the governor continues to put pressure on the president as well to continue to follow through with that,” she said. “He looked right at me and said he’s going to get it done. So I’m going to hold him to that.”
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.
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usatoday--2020-08-31--How Smithsonian curators had to adapt to the RNC, DNC virtual conventions

Just like the planners of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions , curators from the Smithsonian museum have had to adapt due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Political history curators Lisa Kathleen Graddy and Claire Jerry watched the conventions this month from the comfort of their homes instead of on the ground in Milwaukee and Charlotte , where the conventions were supposed to be held .
Instead , both the Republican and Democratic National Committees had to move almost all convention-related business to a virtual format .
Before shutdowns due to the pandemic , the Smithsonian said curators from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling to `` a variety of campaign events , '' including the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary `` to collect materials and memorabilia reflecting the electoral process . ''
`` I ’ d say we ’ re rethinking , '' Graddy said .
`` We ’ re adapting like the convention itself is adapting . ''
Instead of spending hours running around an arena , trying to collect as many possible artifacts and attempting to text other curators both at home and on location while fighting spotty cell service , Graddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes of what they saw on TV before discussing what items they want to try to acquire .
`` If we were physically on the ground at the convention – or anything you ’ re collecting in a crowd – what you ’ re partly running all the time is a list in your head to see what ’ s new and different , what speaks to and relates to the collection going back through time ... , '' Graddy said .
`` The upside ... is we can take notes and talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve seen and what we might go after , so it ’ s weirdly a curated curation.
” Curators from the Smithsonian 's National Museum of American History have attended both parties national conventions as well as presidential primaries since the 1980s , contributing to the museum 's political campaign a collection with more than 100,000 artifacts , according to Smithsonian Magazine .
While curators have only attended political events for nearly 40 years , the collection contains artifacts dating as far back as George Washington 's presidential inauguration .
Items collected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the convention , as well as items , like buttons and signs , that are commercially produced .
But the curators are also on the lookout for personal and homemade items delegates may bring .
Since Graddy and Jerry are n't running around an arena this year , they said it feels as if they have more time to determine what items would be most meaningful for the collection .
`` It ’ s not ( the ) frenzied feeling of being there and we ’ ve all got to clear out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Graddy said .
Both traditional and this year 's virtual conventions pose their own unique challenges .
`` The physicalness of being in a convention hall or at a primary site , I think , is physically challenging because you ’ ve got a lot of places to go and a lot of people to see , '' Jerry said .
`` This is more technologically challenging .
Trying to figure out how do you find those people , how do you connect with them and where ... We ’ re in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how we ’ re going to make some of those contacts . ''
The two curators said they are in part depending on their personal connections with former and current delegates , as well as contacts they 've made at other events and museums .
While they are focusing on outreach in order to collect memorabilia , they also are depending on people to reach out to the museum .
`` People can contact the museum , and sometimes they do it while the event is happening , but it 's very common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say ' I was involved in a political campaign in 1960 and I have material that 's left from that are you interested , ' `` Jerry said .
'Always the same and always different' Graddy said each convention is slightly different then previous events , but every four years they aim to accomplish similar goals .
`` It has to get up a certain level of enthusiasm amongst the party faithful and party activists , it has to reach out to people who may be undecided and try and convert them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s point of view , '' Graddy said .
`` It still has to hit the same things but they each do it different ways and you know these have been the things that had to do minus the TV since the 19th century .
It ’ s always a variation of the theme.
” Throughout this year 's conventions , Graddy and Jerry had to determine how the virtual platform changed the importance of memorabilia , which they found to not be very different from the past .
Signs and buttons are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention as previous conventions .
An aspect of the conventions that are very different this time around , however , is the campaign rhetoric , which is Jerry 's particular specialty .
`` The speeches at a convention have very specific things that they try to accomplish .
You accomplish those a little bit differently if you have people interrupt you every 30 seconds or 10 seconds to applaud or cheer or boo , '' Jerry said .
`` Now the speeches are shorter because the media coverage is limited and you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not responding to the crowd and so although the speeches are still trying to ... accomplish the same goals , they ’ re having to do that in different ways .
”

How Smithsonian curators had to adapt to the RNC, DNC virtual conventions
Show Caption Hide Caption How a contentious election affects a peaceful transition of power What history has shown us about contested elections and peaceful transitions of power. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Just like the planners of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, curators from the Smithsonian museum have had to adapt due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Political history curators Lisa Kathleen Graddy and Claire Jerry watched the conventions this month from the comfort of their homes instead of on the ground in Milwaukee and Charlotte, where the conventions were supposed to be held. Instead, both the Republican and Democratic National Committees had to move almost all convention-related business to a virtual format.
Before shutdowns due to the pandemic, the Smithsonian said curators from the National Museum of American History would be traveling to "a variety of campaign events," including the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary "to collect materials and memorabilia reflecting the electoral process."
"I’d say we’re rethinking," Graddy said. "We’re adapting like the convention itself is adapting."
Instead of spending hours running around an arena, trying to collect as many possible artifacts and attempting to text other curators both at home and on location while fighting spotty cell service, Graddy and Jerry have the ability to take notes of what they saw on TV before discussing what items they want to try to acquire.
"If we were physically on the ground at the convention – or anything you’re collecting in a crowd – what you’re partly running all the time is a list in your head to see what’s new and different, what speaks to and relates to the collection going back through time...," Graddy said. "The upside ... is we can take notes and talk to each other later about what we’ve seen and what we might go after, so it’s weirdly a curated curation.”
A tradition going back decades
Curators from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History have attended both parties national conventions as well as presidential primaries since the 1980s, contributing to the museum's political campaign a collection with more than 100,000 artifacts, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
While curators have only attended political events for nearly 40 years, the collection contains artifacts dating as far back as George Washington's presidential inauguration.
Items collected are a mix of things officially produced by the convention, as well as items, like buttons and signs, that are commercially produced. But the curators are also on the lookout for personal and homemade items delegates may bring.
Since Graddy and Jerry aren't running around an arena this year, they said it feels as if they have more time to determine what items would be most meaningful for the collection.
"It’s not (the) frenzied feeling of being there and we’ve all got to clear out in a certain number of days," Graddy said.
The 'unique challenges'
Both traditional and this year's virtual conventions pose their own unique challenges.
"The physicalness of being in a convention hall or at a primary site, I think, is physically challenging because you’ve got a lot of places to go and a lot of people to see," Jerry said. "This is more technologically challenging. Trying to figure out how do you find those people, how do you connect with them and where ... We’re in the midst of trying to figure out how we’re going to make some of those contacts."
The two curators said they are in part depending on their personal connections with former and current delegates, as well as contacts they've made at other events and museums.
While they are focusing on outreach in order to collect memorabilia, they also are depending on people to reach out to the museum.
"People can contact the museum, and sometimes they do it while the event is happening, but it's very common for us to get somebody to call and say 'I was involved in a political campaign in 1960 and I have material that's left from that are you interested,' " Jerry said.
'Always the same and always different'
Graddy said each convention is slightly different then previous events, but every four years they aim to accomplish similar goals.
"It has to get up a certain level of enthusiasm amongst the party faithful and party activists, it has to reach out to people who may be undecided and try and convert them, it has to sell it’s point of view," Graddy said. "It still has to hit the same things but they each do it different ways and you know these have been the things that had to do minus the TV since the 19th century. It’s always a variation of the theme.”
Throughout this year's conventions, Graddy and Jerry had to determine how the virtual platform changed the importance of memorabilia, which they found to not be very different from the past. Signs and buttons are as important during this year's virtual convention as previous conventions.
An aspect of the conventions that are very different this time around, however, is the campaign rhetoric, which is Jerry's particular specialty.
"The speeches at a convention have very specific things that they try to accomplish. You accomplish those a little bit differently if you have people interrupt you every 30 seconds or 10 seconds to applaud or cheer or boo," Jerry said. "Now the speeches are shorter because the media coverage is limited and you’re not getting that feedback, you’re not responding to the crowd and so although the speeches are still trying to ... accomplish the same goals, they’re having to do that in different ways.”


usatoday--2020-08-31--Despite state being coronavirus hot spot, Iowa State planning to have around 25,000 fans at home ope

Iowa State plans to allow some fans to attend its season opener at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 12 .
The Cyclones are expecting approximately 25,000 fans with social distancing and mitigation strategies implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ If our mitigation actions are successful , we will allow all season ticket purchasers to attend the Oklahoma game Oct. 3 , ” Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in a letter to fans Monday .
“ However , if we determine that mitigation measures were not followed adequately at the first game , we will have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma ) .
” The announcement comes the day Ames was identified as the country ’ s worst coronavirus “ hot spot ” city by the New York Times .
Iowa City , home to the University of Iowa , was second while the state of Iowa was tabbed as the worst “ hot spot ” state .
Story County ’ s 14-day positivity rate is currently at 21.3 % , according to data provided by the state .
Eighty percent of those cases are from individuals aged 18-to-40 .
The county reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 26 .
The previous pre-August high was 59 on June 15 .
Iowa State began in-person classes on Aug. 17 after going online only last spring in response to the pandemic .
More : How college football schools are handling attendance and tailgating during COVID-19 Big Ten : Conference dysfunction shows no sign of waning as options for 2020-21 season considered The Story County Board of Health officially requested in June that Iowa State not host fans at home games .
“ We strongly recommend that Iowa State University prohibit spectators at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board wrote then .
“ Please only broadcast them .
We can not think of any way these events can be made even remotely safe with the masses of people from throughout Iowa , and other states , who routinely attend these events .
Please do it for the health of our community.
” In response , Pollard stated in June that “ I just take my lead from ( university ) president ( Dr. Wendy ) Wintersteen ” in regards to fan attendance .
President Wintersteen , through a spokesperson , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 180,000 Americans have died due to COVID-19 since the pandemic ’ s start .
“ Every person has a unique perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” Pollard wrote .
“ Some are fearless , others are cautious .
Our measures will be too restrictive for some and too lenient for others .
All we ask is that you respect others , follow our guidelines and support the Cyclones.
” Football is an economic imperative for the Iowa State athletic department .
Pollard previously estimated the Cyclones would see $ 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football was not played in the fall .
Iowa State sold more than $ 11 million in tickets for the 2019 football season .
Allowing some fans at Jack Trice Stadium , which normally has a capacity of over 60,000 , will allow Iowa State to lessen some of the economic impact , but with a shortened season , limited attendance and the nationwide economic uncertainty , it will still potentially see a major financial hit .
Restrictions for fans at football games this fall includes : “ We will continue to monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pollard said , “ and will take appropriate actions , including no fans for the first game , if circumstances warrant changes .
”

Despite state being coronavirus hot spot, Iowa State planning to have around 25,000 fans at home opener
Iowa State plans to allow some fans to attend its season opener at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 12.
The Cyclones are expecting approximately 25,000 fans with social distancing and mitigation strategies implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If our mitigation actions are successful, we will allow all season ticket purchasers to attend the Oklahoma game Oct. 3,” Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in a letter to fans Monday. “However, if we determine that mitigation measures were not followed adequately at the first game, we will have no fans at future games (beginning with Oklahoma).”
The announcement comes the day Ames was identified as the country’s worst coronavirus “hot spot” city by the New York Times. Iowa City, home to the University of Iowa, was second while the state of Iowa was tabbed as the worst “hot spot” state.
Story County’s 14-day positivity rate is currently at 21.3%, according to data provided by the state. Eighty percent of those cases are from individuals aged 18-to-40. The county reported a record 167 positive tests Wednesday, Aug. 26. The previous pre-August high was 59 on June 15.
Iowa State began in-person classes on Aug. 17 after going online only last spring in response to the pandemic.
More: How college football schools are handling attendance and tailgating during COVID-19
Big Ten: Conference dysfunction shows no sign of waning as options for 2020-21 season considered
The Story County Board of Health officially requested in June that Iowa State not host fans at home games.
“We strongly recommend that Iowa State University prohibit spectators at sporting events this fall,” the board wrote then. “Please only broadcast them. We cannot think of any way these events can be made even remotely safe with the masses of people from throughout Iowa, and other states, who routinely attend these events. Please do it for the health of our community.”
In response, Pollard stated in June that “I just take my lead from (university) president (Dr. Wendy) Wintersteen” in regards to fan attendance.
President Wintersteen, through a spokesperson, has declined multiple interview requests this month.
More than 180,000 Americans have died due to COVID-19 since the pandemic’s start.
“Every person has a unique perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pollard wrote. “Some are fearless, others are cautious. Our measures will be too restrictive for some and too lenient for others. All we ask is that you respect others, follow our guidelines and support the Cyclones.”
Football is an economic imperative for the Iowa State athletic department. Pollard previously estimated the Cyclones would see $40 million in “unfunded expenses” if football was not played in the fall. Iowa State sold more than $11 million in tickets for the 2019 football season.
Allowing some fans at Jack Trice Stadium, which normally has a capacity of over 60,000, will allow Iowa State to lessen some of the economic impact, but with a shortened season, limited attendance and the nationwide economic uncertainty, it will still potentially see a major financial hit.
Restrictions for fans at football games this fall includes:
No tailgating
Mandatory face coverings
Socially distant seating
Limited concessions
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely the next two weeks,” Pollard said, “and will take appropriate actions, including no fans for the first game, if circumstances warrant changes.”