bbc--2020-10-02--Covid: What would happen if Trump became too ill to be president?

Just weeks away from the presidential election , Donald Trump has tested positive for coronavirus .
It throws up a host of questions about what might happen next .
Which campaign events will the president miss ?
Mr Trump is required to go into self-isolation for 10 days from receiving his positive Covid test on 1 October , so he may still be able to take part in the next presidential debate , scheduled for 15 October .
A rally due to take place in Florida on Friday has been scrapped .
The president will instead have a `` phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , according to the White House .
Mr Trump has other rallies scheduled during this period , which will now have to be cancelled or postponed .
Under what circumstances could the election be delayed ?
President Trump 's period of self-isolation clearly has an impact on his ability to campaign .
So the question has been raised as to whether the election could be delayed , and how this might happen .
The US presidential election is held by law on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November , every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's on 3 November .
Changing the date would be up to US lawmakers , and not the president .
It would require a majority of them in both Houses of Congress to vote in favour of any change of date .
That is unlikely , given that it would have to pass through the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives .
Even if it were changed , the US constitution rules that a presidential administration only lasts for four years .
So , President Trump 's term will automatically expire at noon on 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would require an amendment to the constitution .
This would have to be approved by two-thirds of US lawmakers or state-level legislatures , then three-quarters of US states - which is , again , unlikely .
What would happen if President Trump became incapacitated ?
For now , President Trump is reported to have `` mild symptoms '' , but if he did become too ill to carry out his duties , this is what the US constitution sets out : The 25th Amendment allows a president to hand over power to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become acting president .
Once fit again , Mr Trump could reclaim his position .
If the president was too unwell to hand over power , the cabinet and vice-president could declare him unable to continue , and Mr Pence would assume the role .
If Mr Pence became incapacitated as well , under the Presidential Succession Act Nancy Pelosi , the speaker of the House of Representatives - a Democrat - would be next in line , although constitutional experts say such a transfer of power would prompt legal battles .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the role , it would be handed to a senior Republican Senator , currently the 87-year-old Charles E Grassley .
This too would almost certainly face legal challenges .
Has a president been incapacitated before ?
In 1985 , when President Ronald Reagan was in hospital for cancer surgery , he placed his vice-president , George HW Bush , in charge .
In 2002 and 2007 , President George W Bush did the same with his vice-president when he was sedated during routine colonoscopies .
If Trump were unable stand for election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot ?
If , for whatever reason , a candidate chosen by a party as their presidential candidate is unable to fulfil that role , there are clear procedures that would come into play .
Although Vice-President Mike Pence would initially assume presidential duties , he would not necessarily become the Republican party 's election candidate - as they have already officially nominated Mr Trump .
Under the party 's rules , the 168 members of the Republic National Committee ( RNC ) would vote to elect a new presidential nominee , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates .
If Mr Pence were chosen , a new running mate would then have to be selected .
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have ever replaced their presidential nominee after officially selecting them .
This would throw up a lot of uncertainties , say experts , as millions of postal votes have already been sent out with the names of the candidates nominated by their parties .
Early in-person voting has also begun in some states .
Voting would probably go ahead with the name of the incapacitated candidate still on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professor of law at the University of California , Irvine .
But there would be questions about whether state laws allow the people nominated to cast votes in the US electoral college - called presidential electors - to vote for the replacement candidate .
What about changing the name of the candidate , if one withdraws ?
`` President Trump will almost certainly remain on the ballot , no matter what happens , '' writes Richard Pildes , a law professor with expertise in elections .
He points out in theory the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change the name of a candidate , but in practice there would n't be enough time .
• A simple guide to the US election • Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes

Covid: What would happen if Trump became too ill to be president? Published 6 October 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, President Trump has returned to the White House
Just weeks away from the presidential election, Donald Trump has spent time in hospital having contracted Covid-19.
He's now returned to the White House and is determined to continue campaigning, but questions remain over his health and what would happen if he becomes too unwell to carry out his duties as president.
Which campaign events will the president miss?
Guidelines in the United States require a 10-day period of self-isolation for anyone testing positive for coronavirus.
For Mr Trump this period began on 1 October so it's certainly possible, if he's well enough, that he'll be able to attend the next presidential debate scheduled for 15 October.
Campaign rally appearances for Mr Trump scheduled during this period have been cancelled or postponed. Vice-President Mike Pence has been filling in for the president as have Trump's family members.
However, the president has shown himself to be unpredictable in his response to contracting the virus, particularly in his interpretation of the self-isolation guidelines, so it's unclear how he intends to maintain his campaign activities.
Under what circumstances could the election be delayed?
President Trump's period of self-isolation clearly has an impact on his ability to campaign.
So the question has been raised as to whether the election could be delayed, and how this might happen.
The US presidential election is held by law on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, every four years - so this year it's on 3 November.
Changing the date would be up to US lawmakers, and not the president.
It would require a majority of them in both Houses of Congress to vote in favour of any change of date. That is unlikely, given that it would have to pass through the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, President Trump brought a face covering to the first debate but wasn't pictured wearing it
Even if it were changed, the US constitution rules that a presidential administration only lasts for four years. So, President Trump's term will automatically expire at noon on 20 January, 2021.
Changing this date would require an amendment to the constitution. This would have to be approved by two-thirds of US lawmakers or state-level legislatures, then three-quarters of US states - which is, again, unlikely.
What would happen if President Trump became incapacitated?
If the president were to become too ill to carry out his duties, this is what the US constitution sets out:
The 25th Amendment allows a president to hand over power to the vice-president, which means Mike Pence would become acting president. Once fit again, Mr Trump could reclaim his position.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, President Trump boarded the same helicopter as his advisor Hope Hicks. She later tested positive for coronavirus
If the president was too unwell to hand over power, the cabinet and vice-president could declare him unable to continue, and Mr Pence would assume the role.
If Mr Pence became incapacitated as well, under the Presidential Succession Act Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives - a Democrat - would be next in line, although constitutional experts say such a transfer of power would prompt legal battles.
If she were unwilling or unable to take on the role, it would be handed to a senior Republican Senator, currently the 87-year-old Chuck Grassley. This too would almost certainly face legal challenges.
Has a president been incapacitated before?
In 1985, when President Ronald Reagan was in hospital for cancer surgery, he placed his vice-president, George HW Bush, in charge.
In 2002 and 2007, President George W Bush did the same with his vice-president when he was sedated during routine colonoscopies.
If Trump were unable stand for election, whose name would go on the ballot?
If, for whatever reason, a candidate chosen by a party as their presidential candidate is unable to fulfil that role, there are clear procedures that would come into play.
Although Vice-President Mike Pence would initially assume presidential duties, he would not necessarily become the Republican party's election candidate - as they have already officially nominated Mr Trump.
Under the party's rules, the 168 members of the Republic National Committee (RNC) would vote to elect a new presidential nominee, with Mike Pence as one of the likely candidates.
If Mr Pence were chosen, a new running mate would then have to be selected.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Vice-President Pence would take over presidential duties but wouldn't automatically be the Republican nominee
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have ever replaced their presidential nominee after officially selecting them.
What about early votes?
This would throw up a lot of uncertainties, say experts, as millions of postal votes have already been sent out with the names of the candidates nominated by their parties.
Early in-person voting has also begun in some states.
Voting would probably go ahead with the name of the incapacitated candidate still on the ballots, writes Rick Hasen, a professor of law at the University of California, Irvine.
But there would be questions about whether state laws allow the people nominated to cast votes in the US electoral college - called presidential electors - to vote for the replacement candidate.
What about changing the name of the candidate, if one withdraws?
"President Trump will almost certainly remain on the ballot, no matter what happens," writes Richard Pildes, a law professor with expertise in elections.


bbc--2020-10-02--Trump on Covid-19 in his own words

Trump on Covid-19 in his own words

US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania have tested positive for Covid-19 , just over a month before the @ @ @ @ @ a reminder of what he has said in the past about Covid-19 and the pandemic @

US President Donald Trump has returned to the White House after a three-night stay at Walter Reed military hospital after he and his wife Melania tested positive for Covid-19, just over a month before the presidential election.
Here is a reminder of what he has said in the past about Covid-19 and the pandemic.


bbc--2020-10-02--Who Trump met - and who's tested positive

President Donald Trump 's coronavirus diagnosis comes after a busy week running his administration and campaigning ahead of the 3 November election , during which time he has interacted with many high-level officials .
The president announced positive test results for himself and his wife , Melania , in a tweet on Friday , at around 01:00 local time ( 5:00 GMT ) .
This followed a positive diagnosis for his close aide , Hope Hicks , who reportedly started feeling symptoms on Wednesday and tested positive the next day .
It takes five days on average from the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start showing , but it can be much longer , so the World Health Organization advises a 14-day isolation period .
• Covid : What is the risk to Donald Trump 's health ?
• How will this affect US election ?
The peak infectious period for the virus is the day before symptoms appear and the two days after , although a large proportion of people never show any symptoms at all .
The White House says it has begun contact-tracing .
Here is a look at some of the people we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last week .
President Trump announced his Supreme Court pick , Judge Amy Coney Barrett , in front of a crowd of about 200 people on the White House lawn .
On Saturday evening , President Trump held a rally at Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown , Pennsylvania .
Since the afternoon 's ceremony , Judge Barrett has held meetings with various senators - including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell - ahead of her much-anticipated confirmation hearing , which is due to take place on 12 October .
Mrs Barrett said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sources told the Washington Post that she had the virus earlier this year , the newspaper said .
Utah Senator Mike Lee , who is on the judiciary committee and attended the ceremony , tested positive , he said on Friday , as did the president of the University of Notre Dame , John Jenkins , who also attended the event .
It is unknown when they caught it .
The president played golf at his club in Potomac Falls , Virginia , on Sunday morning and led a White House reception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evening .
On Monday , President Trump held a news briefing - giving an update on his administration 's coronavirus testing strategy - in the White House Rose Garden .
It was attended by Vice-President Mike Pence , Health Secretary Alex Azar , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos , and the chief executive of Abbott Laboratories , Robert Ford , among others .
Also on Monday , Trump viewed a model of a new pickup truck - being built at a factory in Ohio - on the White House lawn .
Representatives from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as two members of Congress .
The White House regularly tests officials who come in contact with the president .
However , US media has noted that mask-wearing and social distancing around him is less common , suggesting that people may be too reliant on the testing system , which is not foolproof .
The president faced his election rival , Joe Biden , at their first face-to-face debate in Cleveland , Ohio on Tuesday evening .
President Trump flew there on his presidential plane , Air Force One , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple aides .
Many were seen not wearing masks when boarding or disembarking , according to US media reports .
Also on the plane were : White House Chief of staff Mark Meadows ; campaign strategist Jason Miller ; policy adviser Stephen Miller ; Robert C O'Brien , the national security adviser who tested positive for the virus in July ; and Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan .
After landing , the president 's campaign manager , Bill Stepien , was spotted getting into a staff van with Ms Hicks , the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Cleveland Clinic 's Health Education Campus , a shared facility with Case Western Reserve University .
The organisers , the Commission on Presidential Debates , brought in numerous Covid-era safety precautions .
There were no handshakes between the two candidates and everyone attending - including the 80 or so audience members - was tested before the event and asked to wear masks throughout .
In the run-up , Mr Trump 's eldest daughter , Ivanka , posted a picture of herself backstage in a mask , alongside her sister Tiffany , sister-in-law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the event itself , Ivanka Trump and other family members , including siblings Don Jr and Eric , were pictured mask-less .
Moderator Chris Wallace has since told Fox News that they were offered masks by event staff but they waved them away .
Observers said those on Mr Biden 's side of the room kept their masks on .
Mr Trump and Mr Biden kept a distance during the debate , at podiums on opposite sides of the stage .
When the candidates were greeted by the wives on stage afterwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melania Trump did n't .
At a separate campaign event in Pennsylvania on Tuesday , Vice-President Mike Pence said he had been in the Oval Office with President Trump earlier that day .
It is thought to be their last in-person meeting .
On Friday , Mr Pence said he and his wife Karen Pence had tested negative , as have Mr and Mrs Biden .
President Trump and much of his entourage flew back to Washington DC on Tuesday night .
The day after the debate , President Trump was straight back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms Hicks was among those accompanying him .
He attended a closed-door fundraiser at a private home in Minneapolis , and he later held a large rally in at an airport in Duluth , in front of a crowd of thousands .
Few wore masks but there was distance between them and the president .
Minnesota Congressman Kurt Daudt tweeted a picture of himself close to Mr Trump , with neither wearing masks .
On Wednesday evening , Mr Trump and various aides returned to Washington DC on Air Force One again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwell , was isolated in a separate cabin , according to US media .
She reportedly disembarked from the back of the plane , instead of the front alongside the other passengers .
President Trump flew to his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey for a private fundraiser .
Several aides who were in proximity to Ms Hicks scrapped their plans to accompany the president , according to the Associated Press .
Kayleigh McEnany , the White House press secretary , who is thought to have been in close contact with Ms Hicks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House on Thursday , without mentioning her colleague 's test and without wearing a mask .
She has since said she did not know about the diagnosis .
That night , in pre-taped remarks to the annual Al Smith dinner in New York City , held virtually this year , he said that `` the end of the pandemic is in sight '' .
Mr Trump later announced in a phone evening interview on Fox News that he and the first lady were being tested for the virus .
Though it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters he came into contact with in recent days , he told Fox presenter Sean Hannity that people were always wanting to get close to him .
`` They want to hug you , and they want to kiss you , '' he said .
President Trump announced that he and Mrs Trump had tested positive around 01:00 on Friday in a tweet , adding that they will begin the `` quarantine and recovery process immediately '' .
Just before 11:00 , his chief of staff , Mark Meadows , told reporters the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains in `` good spirits '' .
Mrs Trump tweeted to say she also had mild symptoms .
So far , the vast majority of released test results have been negative .
No-one can be sure who caught the virus first among these leading US political figures and their relatives , or who passed it to whom , or where they caught it .
A negative test usually means a person does not have Covid-19 .
However , test accuracy can vary depending on when a sample is taken during the course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon after exposure may not give an accurate result .

It is not known how many supporters he came into contact with in recent days, he but told Fox presenter Sean Hannity that people were always wanting to get close to him. "They want to hug you, and they want to kiss you," he said.


bbc--2020-10-02--'A matter of time' - how world's media reacted

As news emerged that US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania had tested positive for coronavirus , the story shot to the top of every news agenda worldwide .
It 's just 32 days until Americans cast their votes in the race for the White House - and this is a seismic development .
World leaders were quick to send the Trumps their well-wishes , with India 's Twitter-loving Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the first .
`` Wishing my friend @ POTUS @ realDonaldTrump and @ FLOTUS a quick recovery and good health , '' he wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Like millions of Israelis , Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends a full and speedy recovery . ''
Russia 's Vladimir Putin sent a message by telegraph , according to the Interfax News Agency , writing : `` I am certain that your inherent vitality , good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus . ''
• Covid : What is the risk to Donald Trump 's health ?
In much international media , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what was said to be the US president 's `` botched '' response to the coronavirus pandemic , and his `` open scepticism '' over the use of face masks and social distancing .
German media seemed somewhat unsurprised .
`` Trump usually does not wear a mask in public '' , wrote the centre-right Die Welt , while the centrist Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung pointed out that the pandemic did not deter him from making numerous major election campaign appearances .
Media in France echoed the sentiment that Mr Trump undermined his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` After months of catastrophic handling of the pandemic in the USA , after months of lies and contradictory messages to his supporters… Donald Trump has tested positive for Covid-19 , '' wrote Libération .
Iran 's international-facing English-language Press TV observed that Trump `` has been somewhat cavalier '' about the Covid-19 threat , adding that `` it was only a matter of time '' before the US president caught the virus .
An anchor on Iranian state television broke the news `` with an unflattering image of the US president surrounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , the Associated Press reports .
Elsewhere , questions have been asked about what the news could actually mean for the US presidential election .
The India Today website anticipated that Trump 's quarantine would bring his election campaign to a standstill , stating : `` The [ presidential ] debates and the entire Republican campaign now comes under a shadow . ''
The website quoted predictions by analysts that Trump may hope to get sympathy votes now that he has tested positive himself .
But others , like Hindi-language daily the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's diagnosis and his attitude towards the pandemic will harm him in the election . ''
Pakistan 's Geo News carried an online report reading : `` The future of Trump 's re-election campaign is in doldrums due to his illness and inability to address the rallies before the crucial November 3 vote . ''
`` The president , who is tested regularly for Covid-19 , has kept up a rigorous travel schedule across the country in recent weeks , holding rallies with thousands of people in the run-up to the November 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals against having events with large crowds . ''
In China , which Mr Trump has repeatedly blamed for the spread of the coronavirus , news of his illness was one of the most searched topics on Weibo , the popular ( if heavily censored ) social media app .
The editor of the state-owned Global Times newspaper , Hu Xijin , tweeted in English : `` President Trump and the First Lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the Covid-19 . ''
Domestically , some of Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Get through this together ! ''
reads a headline on Fox News 's website , where the story is leading the news .
`` Trump , first lady send messages of calm , resilience from White House after testing positive for Covid , '' it adds .
The site 's sympathetic coverage includes an article on people it calls `` a number of the president 's fiercest critics '' , sending their best wishes for his recovery .
The network 's medical expert Marc Siegel said his sources had described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elsewhere in the US press , the Wall Street Journal noted a fall in US stock futures and said `` the diagnosis throws up a host of uncertainties for markets to process '' , including the question `` will the US government be able to function normally ? ''
The Washington Post has dropped its paywall to allow people to read its live updates on the situation .
Politico described Mr Trump as `` the world 's highest-profile patient of a disease that has killed more than one million people '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president was not showing symptoms yet on Thursday , '' the site reported .
`` Still , Vice-President Mike Pence may need to step in for some tasks if Trump is confined to the White House grounds , '' it quoted the source as saying .
On that score , there is some good news for the Trump administration : Mr Pence and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have both tested negative .

Elsewhere, questions have been asked about what the news could actually mean for the US presidential election. The India Today website anticipated that Trump's quarantine would bring his election campaign to a standstill, stating: "The [presidential] debates and the entire Republican campaign now comes under a shadow."


bbc--2020-10-02--From Broadway to playing in a New York City park

Jazz artists in New York City have been badly affected by the pandemic , with many forced to find alternative @ @ @ @

Jazz artists in New York City have been badly affected by the pandemic, with many forced to find alternative places to perform.
Video by Tom Brook and Tristan Daley


bbc--2020-10-02--Maliwawa Figures: Ancient Aboriginal art 'unlike anything seen before'

A new style of ancient Aboriginal rock art in Australia has been documented for the first time .
Professor Paul @ @ @ @ @ paintings known as the Maliwawa Figures offer a glimpse into life more than 6,000 years @ @

A new style of ancient Aboriginal rock art in Australia has been documented for the first time.
Professor Paul Tacon explains how the 572 paintings known as the Maliwawa Figures offer a glimpse into life more than 6,000 years ago.
Video by Isabelle Rodd


bbc--2020-10-02--Trump Covid: How US news networks reacted to the president's positive test

Trump Covid : How US news networks reacted to the president 's positive test

Up Next. Trump: 'I think I'm doing very well' Video, 00:01:12Trump: 'I think I'm doing very well'


bbc--2020-10-02--Covid-19: Working from India's beaches and mountains during the pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has forced most professionals to work from home .
But some in India have become more creative @ @ @ @ @ scenic mountains and beaches .
Experts also say that between 10 and 20 % of @ @ @ @ @ have gone back to their home towns since Covid-19 struck .
India has seen large-scale @ @ @ @ @ cities in recent decades - but the pandemic may see a reversal of that trend @

The coronavirus pandemic has forced most professionals to work from home. But some in India have become more creative, taking their work to scenic mountains and beaches.
Experts also say that between 10 and 20% of white-collar workers in the country have gone back to their home towns since Covid-19 struck.
India has seen large-scale migration from small towns to cities in recent decades - but the pandemic may see a reversal of that trend.
Video by Nikhil Inamdar, Pritam Roy and Pooja Agarwal


bbc--2020-10-02--What happens to old cruise ships?

What happens to old cruise ships?

The cruise industry was hit hard by the pandemic , and no-sail orders put in place by some countries .
@ @ @ @ @ for scrap earlier than planned .

The cruise industry was hit hard by the pandemic, and no-sail orders put in place by some countries.
Some ships have been sent for scrap earlier than planned.


bbc--2020-10-02--Week in pictures: 26 September - 2 October 2020

A selection of powerful news photographs taken around the world this week .

Image caption,
US President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden participate in their first presidential campaign debate, in Cleveland, Ohio. The 90-minute primetime duel saw the two rivals trade insults and shout angrily as they clashed over a number of issues. In the days following the event, President Trump revealed that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus and were self-isolating.


bbc--2020-10-02--The 1960s report that told the USA it was racist

In the summer of 1967 more than 100 cities in America were caught up in riots .
US Senator Fred @ @ @ @ @ Lyndon B Johnson , to investigate the causes .
He set up the Kerner Commission @ @ @ @ @ one of 11 members to find out why America was burning .
The final report @ @ @ @ @ blamed white racism for creating and sustaining black ghettos .
Fred Harris spoke to Witness @ @ @ @ @ Witness History : The stories of our times told by the people who were there @

In the summer of 1967 more than 100 cities in America were caught up in riots.
US Senator Fred Harris urged the President, Lyndon B Johnson, to investigate the causes.
He set up the Kerner Commission and appointed Fred Harris as one of 11 members to find out why America was burning.
The final report shocked many Americans when it blamed white racism for creating and sustaining black ghettos.
Fred Harris spoke to Witness History about that summer.
Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there.


bbc--2020-10-02--Tony Vargas in Nebraska: One man's Covid crusade in rural America

In Nebraska , which has some of the worst racial disparities when it comes to Covid-19 cases in the country , the state 's sole Latino lawmaker tried to strengthen protections for meatpacking workers , all while confronting his own personal tragedy .
It was a battle against time that revealed much about race , politics and workers ' rights in the pandemic .
On the afternoon of 29 July , in the main chamber of Nebraska 's shining state capitol building , in the midst of one of the strangest legislative sessions in state history , a young senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dressed in a trim blue suit , dark hair neatly parted to one side , a pair of trendy thick frame glasses perched on his nose over a green cloth face mask .
The 35-year-old lawmaker stood out amongst his mostly greyer colleagues , but also because , along with two black and one Native American member of the legislature , he was one of only a few people of colour in the chamber .
He is the state 's only Latino senator .
`` I would like to thank you all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , '' he began .
Vargas - a first term Democrat in a Republican state , representing a diverse urban district that straddles downtown and South Omaha - was about to make a big ask of his colleagues , and hoped he could rely on the Nebraska legislature 's reputation ( perceived or real ) for being more collegial than others .
It is the nation 's only unicameral , nonpartisan legislature , with just a single body of 49 senators .
Like many state governments , the Nebraska legislature abruptly shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of Covid-19 .
Now , after four months , the senators agreed to reconvene to finish the session in 16 days over the course of four weeks .
Many lawmakers continued to shake hands , others refused to wear masks , despite the fact that one of their own , Senator Mike Moser , had only recently recovered from a serious case of the virus .
Nebraska is one of a handful of states that never had a shelter-in-place order nor a mask mandate .
Nevertheless , Vargas was attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce a new bill to enact protections from Covid-19 in the meatpacking industry , an issue he 'd been working on for months .
It was an action which required special permission to `` suspend '' the rules of the senate - a Hail Mary in a legislative session that had only 10 days left in it .
But after weeks of other attempts , he had run out of options .
`` Over the last several months I 've been working closely with workers at meatpacking plants across the state , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in these plants - not only how workers are being treated , safety and health measures that need significant follow-through , and misinformation spread that everything is fine - is what brought us here today .
Is what brought me here today . ''
He led with the data .
Of the state 's 25,000 Covid-19 cases , one in five of them was a meatpacking worker .
Of those , 221 workers were hospitalised and 21 of them died .
According to the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting , Nebraska ranks second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among meatpacking workers .
On top of that , 60 % of the state 's confirmed cases were in Hispanics , while they make up just 11 % of the overall population .
( Since August that percentage has dropped to 40 % , but it may still be the worst racial disparity for Hispanics for Covid cases in the country . )
The vast majority of Nebraska 's meatpacking workers fall in this demographic , and the state 's biggest hotspots flared in counties that contained factories .
Many of the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from countries like Ethiopia , Somalia , Myanmar and Bhutan .
For months , Vargas ' office had been receiving distraught emails , calls and Facebook messages from workers and their family members , pleading for more oversight .
Currently , safety measures in plants recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are classified as `` guidance '' , and though dozens of meatpacking plants have experienced outbreaks , inspectors have issued only three modest fines related to Covid .
`` I am asking you to help me to try to fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants , '' Vargas continued .
`` If you do n't see the urgency and why this situation demands all of us to act now , then I am at a loss . ''
The vote that day was merely to allow introduction of the bill .
The bill itself , if passed , would require the state to enforce Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in the plants such as social distancing , free and readily available PPE such as masks , and require that management inform workers in writing if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive , among other measures .
For a full hour , the senators argued .
A few spoke in support of the motion .
Others fretted that new regulations would throw sand in the gears of the nation 's food supply chain .
Still others denied that there was a problem at all , or blamed the workers ' living conditions for the spread .
`` Twenty-one deaths - but when was the last one ? ''
one senator asked .
`` This issue has already been addressed . ''
When Vargas took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to a vote , there was an extra edge in his voice .
`` I am pleading with you , '' he said .
`` We can save more lives . ''
A dull bell clanged to signal the start of the vote , and a board listing each senators ' surname lit up in green and red lights .
The final tally : 28 yays and 10 nays .
Eleven senators declined to vote .
`` The threshold was 30 to suspend the rules , '' the senate president said from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not suspended . ''
Later that evening , in his basement office in the capitol , Vargas was in a dismal mood .
It was n't easy , one of his legislative aides explained , to feel like the `` de facto advocate for all Latino residents in the state '' .
What really stung was that Vargas had done something in service of the motion that , up until that point , he 'd tried to avoid - he 'd spoken to his colleagues about his father .
In March , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sickening his 71-year-old mother , his oldest brother and his 22-year-old nephew .
And then , on 29 April , Vargas ' father Virgilio - an otherwise healthy 72-year-old who still worked full-time as a machinist - died of Covid-19 .
His senator son had hoped that hearing some of the harrowing details of the 29-day battle with the virus might persuade his colleagues to prioritise meatpacking workers ' health above business concerns .
But he was wrong .
`` When I share that with my colleagues , and it just rolls off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'Well , that does n't impact me , so we 're not going to allow you to do this ' - it pains me , '' he said .
`` It took everything out of me when I 'm thinking that I 'm the only one in this body that actually lost somebody to this virus . ''
Only nine days of the session remained .
Vargas remembers the first phone call like this .
It was early April .
The caller was a young woman , just out of college .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meatpacking plant in rural Nebraska , where rumours were spreading that there were positive Covid cases among the employees .
`` I do n't know what to do , '' he recalled her saying .
`` I 'm trying to convince them not to work .
I 'm trying to convince them to take it seriously . ''
Her father and uncle both needed the money .
They were essential workers - but it seemed too dangerous .
What should she do ?
`` I did n't have an answer for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few weeks earlier , he had the same conversation with his parents - his 71-year-old mother Lidia was continuing to go to work at a bank , his 72-year-old father Virgilio continued on as a machinist .
Both could have retired long ago - after immigrating as a teenage newlyweds to New York City from Peru in the 1970s , his father spent over 50 years working all sorts of jobs to keep his young family afloat , on factory assembly lines , as a courier , a handyman , as a sidewalk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at any time , but the couple decided `` just one more year '' .
On the same day that the Nebraska legislature announced it would be shutting down , Lidia Vargas told her son she was n't feeling well .
By Saturday , when Virgilio tried to go into his shop , he found he could n't breathe properly .
`` I just had this terrible feeling in my gut , '' Vargas recalled .
At the same time , Vargas was working to head off the virus ' spread in Nebraska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker and immigrant rights organisations around the state that meatpacking plant employees were uniquely vulnerable in the pandemic .
The plants are enormous , with thousands of workers entering and leaving the plants at the same time , sharing locker rooms and cafeterias , and standing less than a foot apart on the production line .
Because they needed their pay cheque , they were unlikely to walk away from these jobs even if conditions were dangerous , and because many did not speak English as a first language , they would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On 25 March , a coalition of organisations including Vargas penned a letter directly to meat packing plants , appealing for social distancing , additional sanitising measures and more generous leave policies for at-risk workers .
`` Together , we can limit the spread of this virus while we keep the food supply chain safe and consistent ! ''
it read .
Vargas said he heard nothing back .
On the same day that the letter went out , across the country in Long Island , Lidia and Virgilio Vargas sat in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three days later , they found out they were both positive for Covid-19 .
Vargas spent the weekend calling his parents every three hours , jotting their symptoms down in a notebook .
When he heard his father 's increasingly booming cough and shallow breathing , he made an appointment for a chest X-ray .
On the way home from the appointment , Virgilio swerved off the road .
He was having so much trouble breathing he could n't drive .
Vargas ' mother picked him up and brought him back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Vargas was on the phone with the attending physician , his father went into cardiac arrest .
Twenty agonising minutes later , the doctor called back to say that Virgilio had stabilised , but was on a ventilator - where he would remain for 29 days .
On 9 April , Vargas and his wife Lauren sat in front of a laptop and recorded a Facebook message for his constituents .
`` About two weeks ago after showing symptoms of coronavirus , both of my parents tested positive .
Less than two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got much worse and he was admitted into the hospital , '' Vargas said into the camera .
`` My dad is really struggling and he 's fighting this virus and we 're hoping he will get better soon .
`` I 'm hoping that hearing from somebody that you know may bring some urgency to the situation that we 're all dealing with now , '' he continued .
`` I do n't want any other families to go through this .
If there 's anything my family , I or my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time , please do n't hesitate to reach out . ''
Not long after he posted the video to Facebook , he was contacted by the first daughter of a plant worker .
She was far from the last .
`` Every time it was a son or daughter , or niece or nephew , of an older father or mother or uncle or aunt that 's working in the plant .
They 're like younger kids , either high school to my age , that feel helpless and do n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` All of them were Latino . ''
Not long after came the outbreaks .
A Tyson plant in Dakota City reported a total of 786 cases .
A Smithfield plant in Crete racked up 330 cases related to either workers or their close contacts .
In Grand Island , 260 positive cases were recorded among the workforce at JBS Beef Plant .
According to reporting from the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting , Nebraska leads the nation in Covid cases among meatpacking plant workers .
• He tried to fake his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While fielding calls from distraught factory employees , and strategising with a coalition of workers and immigrants ' rights organisations on what to do next , Vargas was constantly on the phone to doctors at his father 's hospital .
It was Vargas who had to approve the doctors to make small incisions in his father 's lungs to try to relieve some of the pressure .
It was Vargas who would get the good news in the morning that his father 's CO2 levels had improved and then by night find out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arranged Zoom calls between his mother and brothers , and the nurses who would hold the phone up to their father 's emaciated face , hoping that behind all the wires and tubes he could hear them .
On 13 April , Vargas ' oldest brother Gene - the son closest to their father - woke and found that he could barely move .
His temperature was 103.4 degrees and he was soon diagnosed with Covid as well .
On 18 April , the first meatpacking plant worker in Nebraska died .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call from his father 's doctors .
`` They said they 'd never seen anybody with carbon dioxide in their lungs and their blood this high , '' he recalled .
`` They said , 'We think that this might be the end for him . '
'' They offered Vargas and his family a rare opportunity .
At a time when most Covid patients were dying alone , the hospital was allowing some exceptions .
If the Vargas ' wanted to come say goodbye , they would allow it .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and against his mother 's wishes , Vargas boarded a plane .
`` I knew that there are so many people that did not get to say goodbye , '' he said .
That included Gene , the favourite son , who because of his symptoms was not allowed in .
For two nights , in a negative pressure room , wearing an N95 mask , a face shield , two gowns and a heavy plastic smock , Vargas sat , holding his mother 's rosary in his father 's hand .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home for them to come back' At 4:17am , 29 April , Virgilio Antonio Vargas - a 72-year-old machinist , shop steward , the man his family called `` Silverfox '' , the tough-love dad , the penny pincher , who loved soccer and the Jets and telenovelas but also terrible American sitcoms like Two Broke Girls , who was just learning how to enjoy the fruits of his labour , who just two months earlier was cliff diving in Peru - died alone after his exhausted son had gone home for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , just three short months after his death , his mind goes back to election night in 2016 .
Growing up , the Vargas family did not talk politics .
They talked about work , and work was something you did with your hands .
When his youngest son announced to his family that he was running for the Nebraska state senate at 31 years old , with no prior experience in public office aside from three years on the Omaha school board , his father gave him a blunt assessment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the people that win are usually white .
They 're usually rich or wealthy or have influence , ' '' Vargas recalled .
`` He said it with love , but he said it to me . ''
He tried to convince his father that this was different - his district was almost half Latino , many living below the poverty line , yet had never had a senator who looked like them .
He could talk to them about healthcare access , job access , school improvement and housing equality - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When the weekend before election night came , Virgilio and Lidia flew to Omaha and spent 12 hour days canvassing for their son .
One night , Virgilio went so long and so hard that his phone died , he got lost and had to be rescued .
His sons were shocked by his enthusiasm .
`` My dad was n't that kind of person , '' remembered Gene Vargas .
`` We were all taken aback by that . ''
Vargas remembers his father on election night- a contest that saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase by two-and-a-half times .
Virgilio stood in the front row of the victory party , holding hands with his mother and pumping his fist in the air .
`` For the first time really ever , my father believed that what I was doing , and that the position I was in , actually can help move the needle and help people , '' Vargas recalled .
The memory of his father 's late-life political awakening both inspired and haunted Vargas , particularly as he struggled to figure out a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks immediately following his death he arranged Zoom calls between senators and meatpacking workers to try to build support in the legislature for new regulations .
In June , he penned a letter to Republican Governor Pete Ricketts , imploring him to `` define and mandate a policy to protect Nebraskans working in meatpacking and poultry plants across the state '' , hoping a campaign of public pressure might inspire action .
It was signed by 23 fellow senators , five of whom were Republicans .
Instead , the governor announced that meatpacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their positive case numbers ( his office did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment ) .
So Vargas started work on a bill he knew was almost certain to fail .
He did n't feel he had a choice .
`` That 's what I told my dad I was going to do .
That 's why he believed in it .
He did n't believe it was a bunch of bullshit , '' he said .
`` If I do n't do it , who is going to do it ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln , a young man in a black baseball cap and face mask sat outside the Nebraska state capitol in a socially distanced line that stretched all the way inside , snaking through the hallways to Hearing Room 1525 .
He held in his arms a large , ornate framed photograph of a smiling , bearded man in a suit coat , to whom he bore a striking resemblance .
Christian Muñoz had taken the day off of work and driven two-and-a-half hours from his home in South Sioux City , Nebraska , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father , Rogelio Calderon Munoz , who died of Covid-19 at 53 years old .
Both father and son had worked side by side at the Tyson meat processing plant in Dakota County , Nebraska , which saw one of the worst Covid-19 spikes per capita in the state .
Both father and son contracted the virus .
While 23-year-old Muñoz stayed asymptomatic , his father rapidly declined just days after telling his son he was feeling weak .
Muñoz tried to go back to work at Tyson , where he deboned huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 seconds per carcass .
But then he passed his father 's former post and saw someone else standing there .
He never went back .
Some of his friends warned him not to go to Lincoln .
They said it might affect his current job , that he might even get sued by his powerful ex-employer .
But Munoz had already made up his mind .
`` He was n't just a worker at a plant , you know ? ''
he said .
`` He deserves justice .
It deserves to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm here . ''
Although Muñoz had never met Vargas , they shared remarkably similar , terrible experiences .
Like Vargas ' father , the elder Munoz spent weeks on a ventilator .
Like Vargas , Christian Muñoz made the difficult medical decisions on behalf of his father and his family .
Like Vargas , Muñoz had talked cheerfully to his grey-faced father through a Zoom call , hoping his voice would do some good .
Like Vargas , Muñoz was allowed the rare opportunity to sit at the bedside after doctors told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done .
`` I played his favourite songs , '' he said .
`` It just was very sad .
He looked like he was just suffering at that point . ''
While Muñoz waited in the beating sun outside with dozens of others , Senator Vargas was inside introducing the hearing .
The fact that it was happening at all was a small miracle .
When the motion to introduce his new bill failed the week prior , Vargas pulled a new manoeuvre - he added the same language in the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had nothing to do with meatpacking workers .
Then he went to the chair of the committee the bill was in and pleaded for a hearing .
According to the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting , 39,000 meatpacking plant workers across 40 US states have contracted the virus and 185 have died .
Of the top 50 hotspots in the US , most are prisons and jails , but the rest - save for the naval ship the USS Theodore Roosevelt - are meatpacking plants .
Worker safety in the plants became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker .
But to date , no public hearings of any kind had occurred on the subject .
Vargas ' would be the first .
`` I 'm really hoping you take this to heart and it also changes what you believe is possible , '' Vargas told the seven-member committee in his opening .
`` We 're the only body who can do something about this . ''
And then , one by one , for the next four hours , the speakers came .
The committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - about how , while conditions had improved in some of the plants since the spring , implementation of safety precautions was inconsistent from plant to plant .
They heard about how workers ' masks - once soaked with animal blood and sweat - were not replaced .
How the conveyor belts proceeded at their usual speeds even when three or four people were gone , leading employees to work at frantic and dangerous rates .
A plant worker and union steward told them that when federal inspectors from the Occupational Safety and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a JBS plant , management took them to a carefully cleaned section of the factory instead of showing them the real conditions on the line .
A representative of the East African Development Center of Nebraska said that his members , many of whom are Somali , were so scared to miss work while sick that they were taking Ibuprofen in the morning to bring down their temperatures .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• CONTACT TRACING : 'He asked me : Am I going to die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm just looking for whatever I can get' • ELDERLY TOLL : How bad is the Covid crisis in US care homes ?
• SUPERSPREADERS : What makes some events so risky ?
Eric Reeder , president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 293 , wearily ticked off a list of stories he 'd heard from his members - everything from workers being written up for asking about positive cases to bathroom breaks being denied on understaffed lines - before he sighed and tossed his notes aside .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the employers are telling you that they 're giving out plenty of masks and they are giving them masks , but they 're not replacing them as needed .
The distancing is nonexistent on the lines , '' he said .
`` The employers , as long as they 're not mandated to do something , are n't going to do it . ''
A former meatpacking worker named Gabriela Pedroza told the committee that while she was thankful and proud of her old job , her friends and family still working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gone from smiling and laughing when we see each other to tears of fear - fear of getting sick , missing work and fear of speaking up to request safety , '' she said , her voice quavering .
In all , 34 people spoke in favour of the amendment .
No one representing the meat industry came , instead mailing in their letters of opposition .
When the BBC asked about the safety concerns raised at the hearing , representatives from JBS and Tyson responded that workers are provided as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They are not punished for asking questions related to COVID-19 , they are allowed to take bathroom breaks and line speeds have been reduced due to our social distancing efforts , '' wrote a spokeswoman for JBS .
`` We 've implemented social distancing measures , such as installing workstation dividers , providing more breakroom space , erecting outdoor tents for additional space for breaks where possible , and staggered start times to avoid large gatherings as team members enter the facility , '' the Tyson representative wrote , adding that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dakota City .
`` The cost of… COVID-19 related measures has been enormous , totaling over $ 500 million to date , '' wrote a spokesman for Smithfield .
`` Our level of active cases among our domestic employees remains a fraction of one percent .
These figures clearly demonstrate the robustness of our COVID-19 response .
The numbers do n't lie . ''
None of the three companies provided an up-to-date coronavirus case count for their Nebraska facilities .
When Muñoz entered the hearing room carrying his father 's portrait , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allowed .
`` I 'll just set it right here , '' he said , placing the frame upright in a chair , facing the committee .
There was a lot Muñoz wanted to say .
He wanted the committee to know that his father had been a talented singer , that he 'd been in the middle of recording a new album .
He wanted them to know that he was so beloved by the music community in South Sioux City that they 'd posthumously given him first place in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know how excited his father had been when Muñoz told him his girlfriend was pregnant , how they 'd sat together after work talking about baby names .
He wanted them to know that his father had died without ever meeting his grandson , Christian Gael , who was born five days later .
But he only had five minutes .
Instead he told them that his father was a US citizen , that he lived alone and so it was doubtful he contracted the virus elsewhere .
He told them about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they asked their supervisors about the virus , they were laughed off or told the contagion started at a Somali housing complex .
He told them how his father continued going to work , even though he was scared .
`` I 'm here to honour my father because the company never did , '' he said into the microphone .
`` Our family never received any condolences , even though earlier in April we were repeatedly told to be proud because we were feeding America ...
There are times when I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proper precautions were taken early on . ''
`` My father 's name was Rogelio Muñoz .
He was only 53 years old .
He did n't drink , he did n't smoke , and he was a loyal Tyson worker since 1993 .
Thank you . ''
Four days in the session remained .
The final day of the Nebraska legislature 's 106th session started out with a bit of the feeling of a college graduation .
Senators who were leaving office due to term limits stood at the dais waxing nostalgic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their foibles and triumphs .
Senator Vargas listened from his seat with a vague feeling of trepidation .
Several outgoing senators he regarded as political allies and he wondered who would be replacing them .
But his thoughts also wandered to what had occurred in the chamber two days prior .
Three days of session passed before the Business and Labor Committee took a vote on his meatpacking amendment .
It passed - four yay votes to two nay .
But because of the calendar , it was essentially dead on arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote would have required three debates , and only two days of the session remained .
On the day it passed out of committee , Vargas spoke one last time about the bill .
He reminded the lawmakers that while his time had run out , the governor of Nebraska and the state 's Department of Labor had the power to act at any time .
`` I do n't know what else I can do , '' he said .
`` I 'm imploring those that can do something , to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act with humanity . ''
Then he withdrew the amendment and the effort officially died .
Sitting in his office on the final day of the session , an untouched lunch in front of him , Vargas wondered if he had been too naive , wasted too much time believing that a campaign of public pressure would be enough to move the governor or his senate colleagues .
He wondered what would have happened if he had gotten those two votes on the motion to suspend - could he have squeaked the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have held a hearing , the first of its kind in the country , where worker testimony was heard .
`` Their words are on the record and senators ca n't hide from it , '' he said .
`` We have workers testifying .
We also have plants not testifying .
And we have a committee of elected senators , that majority voted and said , 'This deserved debate . '
So when I bring this next year , it 's going to get its time again . ''
Next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health experts warned of a potential second wave .
Four months in which the 2020 election would dominate headlines , and the plight of the meatpacking workers would likely fall further and further from the minds of the public .
The session , he admitted , had been hard .
It had changed him .
Before he had faith that if it was a matter of life and death , if he had data and stories , including his own , that he could win the support of his ideological opponents .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am the only Latino… it 's inherently a lonely place , '' he said .
`` It is hard bearing that and being vulnerable in front of my colleagues about that .
Because it is something that we do n't share . ''
Back out on the floor , where the only real business was final reading and passage of bills , a senator named Steve Erdman , from a rural district on the opposite side of the state , rose to speak .
He began railing against masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydroxychloroquine treatment championed by Donald Trump .
He cast doubt on there ever being a vaccine , saying herd immunity was the only way to beat the virus .
`` Take your masks off .
Go out and live your life because what 's happened here is we 're so afraid of dying we have forgotten how to live , '' he said .
`` If you have the illusion that that mask is going to screen something out and save you , you are wrong . ''
Then a senator , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mic .
`` I ca n't let that go unchecked , '' he said .
`` When people on this floor 's family members have passed .
When individuals who are on this floor may have contracted it ...
I do n't want anybody watching to say that 's not important . ''
Another Democrat also used his time to chastise Erdman .
Yet a third Democrat opined that some did n't care about Covid deaths because `` it was n't the right people '' .
An audibly angry Vargas took the mic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think this is a joke , please come and talk to me , '' he said `` I am more than happy to talk to you about exactly every single minute that I was waiting to get a call from the doctor on whether or not my dad was going to get better .
And when his CO2 levels dropped or when his lung collapsed - I am more than happy to tell you if that 's going to help you get to a place where you actually understand and take this seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped to his microphone .
He paused .
`` I 'm having trouble getting my breath , sorry about that , '' he said .
Moser , a Republican , contracted coronavirus in May and spent five weeks in the hospital .
In interviews with the local news , he admitted that he had not been wearing a mask prior to falling ill , and that he 'd gone shopping and eaten indoors .
`` To take something that you saw on the internet that happens to agree with your contrary personality or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fact , when you do n't know whether it 's fact or not , is irresponsible , '' he said.
`` You need to… `` His voice broke off , and the sound of his laboured breath through his face mask was audible over the speakers .
`` You need to have lived through it to understand the helplessness that you feel .
There were times I could n't even roll over in bed .
They had to come in and flip you over , you know ?
How low are you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , choking up .
`` Having lived through this , I can tell you this is nothing to mess with . ''
Then he told the body that , when laying in his hospital bed one day , his breathing became so strained that he asked a nurse to see if something was obstructing his nasal canal .
The nurse took a forceps and removed a blood clot `` the size of a little smoky sausage '' .
`` So you go jam a little smoky sausage up your nose and see how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask , '' Moser concluded , his voices rising .
`` Come on , you guys . ''
Hours later , after the final gavel had fallen , after the Governor had come to the dais to praise the legislators for passing an abortion method ban and a property tax relief bill , Vargas arrived downstairs in his office .
The remarks made by Senator Erdman had obviously angered him .
But something else had happened too - as Erdman spoke , Vargas ' phone had lit up with messages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from all sides of the political spectrum , asking if he was alright and apologising that he had to listen to it .
( Senator Erdman did not respond to multiple messages from the BBC . )
He was particularly gratified to hear from Senator Moser , who 'd never spoken in such graphic detail about his fight with the virus before .
`` He was angry with what Erdman said , '' said Vargas .
`` He 's friends with him , from his own party and he 's just like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by this , it 's so easy for them to then just disassociate from it . '
'' It was a nice show of support but was n't what Vargas wanted - it was n't votes , it was n't action on behalf of his community .
`` One-hundred and fifty-thousand lives have been lost to this because there 's still people who believe that this is a level of collateral damage that is okay .
And unfortunately it takes , from some of these individuals , their own loved one to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to die .
And it should never be that way .
You know ? ''
he said .
`` Anyway , that 's just been like one of the hardest reflections from today . ''
Then he went into his office and sent his legislative aide home .
For the next several hours , he sat alone .
He ate his cold lunch .
He slowly packed up his things and sealed the office .
It was well after dark when he finally walked down the marble hallways and out the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shining state capitol building .
And with that , the 106th session of the Nebraska legislature - for Senator Vargas - came to a close .
Postscript : In the weeks after the end of session , representatives from both the Crete Smithfield and the Lincoln Premium Poultry plants invited Senator Vargas to tour their facilities .
He plans to lead a group of fellow senators there later this year .
Meanwhile , Nebraska 's governor has moved to reopen most of the state , easing nearly all Covid-19 restrictions .

"If you still think this is a joke, please come and talk to me," he said "I am more than happy to talk to you about exactly every single minute that I was waiting to get a call from the doctor on whether or not my dad was going to get better. And when his CO2 levels dropped or when his lung collapsed - I am more than happy to tell you if that's going to help you get to a place where you actually understand and take this seriously."


bbc--2020-10-02--German reunification: Young Germans in search of their eastern roots

But that comes with advantages , she says .
Parents may not be able to buy their children a car @ @ @ @ @ line up an internship with a buddy from the tennis club .
But there is @ @ @ @ @ to career expectations .
And lower rents and fewer inhabitants mean more space for fun @ @ @

But that comes with advantages, she says. Parents may not be able to buy their children a car or an apartment, or line up an internship with a buddy from the tennis club. But there is also less pressure to conform to career expectations. And lower rents and fewer inhabitants mean more space for fun and creativity.


bbc--2020-10-02--Trump did not call Covid-19 a 'hoax' - and other false claims

Trump did not call Covid-19 a 'hoax ' - and other false claims As soon as President Trump announced he and his wife Melania had tested positive for Covid-19 , disinformation began to spread online .
Among the rumours are claims that the president called the virus a `` hoax '' and that a military `` doomsday plane '' was launched because of the news .
Some even speculated - without evidence - that the diagnosis was faked .
Here are the details behind some of claims gaining the most traction online .
President Trump has spread some unproven and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his positive diagnosis , there are also false rumours circulating about things he did n't say .
For instance , he never called the virus a `` hoax '' - contrary to several viral social media posts .
The confusion may have stemmed from rambling remarks way back in February , when he accused Democrats of `` politicising the coronavirus '' - then talked about his impeachment , calling it a `` hoax '' and criticism of his handling of Covid-19 `` their new hoax . ''
The president has at times ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the year on Twitter he promoted hydroxychloroquine , an unproven coronavirus treatment .
And who can forget when he suggested in April that injecting disinfectant might cure the disease ?
While his words were confusing - and while he has at times downplayed the severity of the disease - he did n't directly call the virus a `` hoax '' .
A 'doomsday plane ' was not launched in response to the news One of the scariest rumours was that a US plane that can deliver commands to nuclear missiles was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One viral tweet claimed that the E-6B Mercury took off to warn `` adversaries '' - a show of force to deter a potential attack .
The tweet included an image of a flight path over the east coast of the US , taken from a flight tracking site .
But public flight data shows that E-6B Mercury flights - often called `` doomsday planes '' - are common , even when the president is well .
In fact , they happen about every other day .
The particular plane in question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
In a statement , a military spokesman confirmed the E-6B flights were part of planned missions .
He added that `` any timing to the president 's announcement was purely coincidental . ''
Online disinformation spreads fast following big , breaking news events - and this is no exception .
But these particular circumstances make it an especially fertile time for bad info and conspiracy theories .
Confusion and panic in part explain it .
A world leader contracting the virus raises lots of questions - and gets a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnered a reputation for spreading misleading claims about coronavirus and for playing down its severity .
And that has provided plenty of grist for his opponents .
On the other hand , fans of President Trump who subscribe to the QAnon movement have their own , very different take on the situation .
They say Trump is `` pretending '' to have Covid-19 - since many of them believe the pandemic is a hoax - in a bid to trick the so-called `` deep state '' .
There 's no evidence to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another reminder to all of us : always think about the source of a post on social media .
Ask how it makes you feel .
And think about people 's motives for sharing something .
There 's no evidence the test result is a 'fake' Some opponents of the president were quick to cast suspicion on the diagnosis .
In a long post on Facebook , documentary-maker Michael Moore suggested the president was using the virus to gain public sympathy .
He said : `` He needs badly to totally change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just has .
`` He knows being sick tends to gain one sympathy .
He 's not above weaponizing this . ''
Others went further , claiming outright - albeit without evidence - that the diagnosis was fake .
And some people suggested the announcement was a move designed to avoid further debates with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
However , there is nothing to suggest that President Trump or the first lady are lying about their results .
The diagnosis is an evaluation carried out by medical professionals and many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Officials at the White House are now involved in a complex and elaborate process of contact tracing , a procedure that a BBC correspondent has witnessed .
As part of this process `` core members '' of the Trump administration have been tested for the virus , with some tests coming back negative , according to Mark Meadows , the White House chief of staff .
The president 's positive test means the illness is likely to dominate most of the rest of the election campaign .
And as public polls indicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the president 's response to the pandemic , a focus on Covid-19 would not appear to boost the chances of his re-election .
With reporting by Upasana Bhat , Alistair Coleman , Christopher Giles , and Olga Robinson .
Subscribe to the BBC Trending podcast or follow us on Twitter @ BBCtrending or Facebook .
• A simple guide to the US election • Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes

Like the baseless claim that Joe Biden was wearing an ear piece to help him during last week's debate - which was used by Trump's campaign in a series of Facebook adverts - this particular rumour appears to have been started by people getting overly excited by folds and creases.


bbc--2020-10-02--Did El Salvador's government make a deal with gangs?

He tweeted that `` one can be fat or thin , but not fat and thin at the same time @ @ @ @ @ could not be criticised for abusing the gang members ' human rights in April yet @ @ @ @ @ with them in September .

He tweeted that "one can be fat or thin, but not fat and thin at the same time", implying that he could not be criticised for abusing the gang members' human rights in April yet accused of making a pact with them in September.


bbc--2020-10-02--August Browne: The Nigeria-born man who joined the Polish resistance

What Browne did write was that in the resistance he distributed underground newspapers , traded electronic equipment and `` sheltered @ @ @ @ @ .
This was a sealed-off area of the city in which Jews were forced by @ @ @ @ @ where 91,000 died from starvation , disease and murder .
Some 300,000 were transported to @ @ @ @ @ camps .

What Browne did write was that in the resistance he distributed underground newspapers, traded electronic equipment and "sheltered refugees from the ghetto". This was a sealed-off area of the city in which Jews were forced by the Nazis to live and where 91,000 died from starvation, disease and murder. Some 300,000 were transported to their deaths in Nazi concentration camps.


bbc--2020-10-02--Liverpool's Mane self-isolating after positive test

Last updated on .From the section Liverpool Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating .
@ @ @ @ @ has `` displayed minor symptoms of the virus but feels in good health overall '' @ @ @ @ @ played for the Reds in a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Monday but was not @ @ @ @ @ EFL Cup defeat on penalties to the Gunners on Thursday .
A statement on Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ Like with Thiago Alcantara , Liverpool are - and will continue to - following all @ @ @ @ @ Mane will self-isolate for the required period of time . ''
Mane , who has @ @ @ @ @ Anfield club this season , will now miss the Premier League game against Aston Villa @ @ @ @ @ international break .
The club 's first game after that will be the Merseyside derby @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday , the Premier League announced 10 people had tested positive for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ testing - the highest number of positive tests since the season began .

Last updated on .From the section Liverpool
Mane scored in Liverpool's 3-1 Premier League win over Arsenal on Monday
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating.
The news comes three days after the club said midfielder Thiago Alcantara had tested positive for Covid-19.
Liverpool say the Senegal winger has "displayed minor symptoms of the virus but feels in good health overall".
Mane, 28, played for the Reds in a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Monday but was not in the squad for the EFL Cup defeat on penalties by the Gunners on Thursday.
A statement on Liverpool's website added: "Like with Thiago Alcantara, Liverpool are - and will continue to - following all protocols relating to Covid-19 and Mane will self-isolate for the required period of time."
Mane, who has scored three goals for the Anfield club this season, will miss the Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday prior to the international break.
The club's first game after that will be the Merseyside derby at Everton on 17 October.
On Monday, the Premier League announced 10 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the latest round of testing - the highest number of positive tests since the season began.


bbc--2020-10-02--Nadal into last 16 with another routine win

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Rafael Nadal sent another ominous warning to his French Open rivals by dropping five games in a third-round win over Italy 's Stefano Travaglia .
Travaglia , 28 , won just six points in the first set but settled down to make it more of a contest for the Spaniard .
However , Nadal upped the tempo again to set up a meeting with Sebastian Korda .
`` To win against a player like Stefano with this score is because I did a lot of things well , I played more aggressive than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that , '' said second seed Nadal .
`` I went to the net more often , I hit a lot more winners , my serve is working . ''
• None Halep races into last 16 with 54-minute win over Anisimova American 20-year-old Korda became the first qualifier in nine years to reach the fourth round by beating Spain 's Pedro Martinez .
Son of the 1992 French Open finalist Petr , Korda won 6-4 6-3 6-1 to reach the last 16 .
Korda , who is ranked 213th in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tour-level match in three previous attempts before impressive victories over Italian veteran Andreas Seppi and American 21st seed John Isner at Roland Garros .
Facing 19-time major champion Nadal will be a different prospect .
Korda described Nadal as his `` biggest idol '' and during his post-match news conference , while Nadal was still playing Travaglia , said he was `` praying '' for the Spaniard to win .
He even has a cat named Rafa after him .
`` That says a lot about how much I love the guy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his win , Nadal said : `` That means that I have been on the TV for such a long time , that 's the main thing .
Another negative thing that means is that I am 34 .
`` But I 'm happy to hear that .
I know he 's playing great .
He 's a very young kid with a lot of power .
I think he has an amazing future - hopefully not yet . ''
Korda , who is a former world junior number one , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the occasion like Travaglia .
The Italian , ranked 74th , looked overwhelmed at facing one of the all-time greats and struggled to find his rhythm as Nadal took the opening set in just 23 minutes .
Credit is due , though , for the way he settled down in the second .
His service game improved considerably and he held three times before Nadal stamped his authority again with the decisive break in the seventh game of the set .
Questions have been raised about Nadal 's title credentials at a place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 98 matches , based on the cooler conditions in an autumnal Paris and the short preparation on the clay courts because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Sterner tests than Travaglia will come his way .
There is a projected meeting with US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals and a potential final against top seed Novak Djokovic .
But , by seizing control of the third set , dropping just eight points in it , Nadal sent out a message that he is building towards his best form .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of months without playing , especially for me because I did not play in America , '' said Nadal , who skipped the recent US Open .
`` I do n't know if that is positive or negative , I take it as a very positive thing because I am playing quite well . ''

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Rafael Nadal is aiming for his 20th Grand Slam title to level with Roger Federer's all-time leading men's tally
Rafael Nadal sent another ominous warning to his French Open rivals by dropping five games in a third-round win over Italy's Stefano Travaglia.
Nadal, 34, is looking for a record-extending 13th title and was ruthless on Court Philippe Chatrier in a 6-1 6-4 6-0 victory.
Travaglia, 28, won just six points in the first set but settled down to make it more of a contest for the Spaniard.
However, Nadal upped the tempo again to set up a meeting with Sebastian Korda.
"To win against a player like Stefano with this score is because I did a lot of things well, I played more aggressive than the previous days so I'm happy with that," said second seed Nadal.
"I went to the net more often, I hit a lot more winners, my serve is working."
American 20-year-old Korda became the first qualifier in nine years to reach the fourth round by beating Spain's Pedro Martinez.
Son of the 1992 French Open finalist Petr, Korda won 6-4 6-3 6-1 to reach the last 16.
Korda, who is ranked 213th in the world, had not even won a tour-level match in three previous attempts before impressive victories over Italian veteran Andreas Seppi and American 21st seed John Isner at Roland Garros.
Facing 19-time major champion Nadal will be a different prospect.
Korda described Nadal as his "biggest idol" and during his post-match news conference, while Nadal was still playing Travaglia, said he was "praying" for the Spaniard to win.
He even has a cat named Rafa after him. "That says a lot about how much I love the guy," laughed Korda.
When told this after his win, Nadal said: "That means that I have been on the TV for such a long time, that's the main thing. Another negative thing that means is that I am 34.
"But I'm happy to hear that. I know he's playing great. He's a very young kid with a lot of power. I think he has an amazing future - hopefully not yet."
Korda, who is a former world junior number one, will be hoping not to be affected by the occasion like Travaglia.
The Italian, ranked 74th, looked overwhelmed at facing one of the all-time greats and struggled to find his rhythm as Nadal took the opening set in just 23 minutes.
Credit is due, though, for the way he settled down in the second. His service game improved considerably and he held three times before Nadal stamped his authority again with the decisive break in the seventh game of the set.
Questions have been raised about Nadal's title credentials at a place where he has lost just two of 98 matches, based on the cooler conditions in an autumnal Paris and the short preparation on the clay courts because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sterner tests than Travaglia will come his way. There is a projected meeting with US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals and a potential final against top seed Novak Djokovic.
But, by seizing control of the third set, dropping just eight points in it, Nadal sent out a message that he is building towards his best form.
"We are in a very strange situation after a lot of months without playing, especially for me because I did not play in America," said Nadal, who skipped the recent US Open.
"I don't know if that is positive or negative, I take it as a very positive thing because I am playing quite well."


bbc--2020-10-02--Paris St-Germain 6-1 Angers: Neymar scores twice for champions

Last updated on .From the section European Football Neymar scored twice as Paris St-Germain thrashed Angers 6-1 to move within @ @ @ @ @ leaders Rennes .
Ismael Traore replied for the visitors before Julian Draxler made it 4-1 @ @ @ @ @ Idrissa Gueye and Kylian Mbappe secured PSG 's fourth straight win after losing their first @ @ @ @ @ season .
Neymar 's goals were his first of the season after returning from a @ @ @ @ @ off in the bad-temepered 1-0 defeat by Marseille .
Argentine winger Angel di Maria still @ @ @ @ @ serve of the four-match ban he received from that game .
League leaders Rennes , @ @ @ @ @ games , host second-bottom Reims on Sunday .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Neymar scored his first goals of the season for defending champions Paris St-Germain
Neymar scored twice as Paris St-Germain thrashed Angers 6-1 to move within a point of Ligue 1 leaders Rennes.
The Brazil forward struck either side of half-time for the three-time defending champions, after Alessandro Florenzi had given them an early lead.
Ismael Traore replied for the visitors before Julian Draxler made it 4-1.
And late goals by Idrissa Gueye and Kylian Mbappe secured PSG's fourth straight win after losing their first two league games of the season.
Neymar's goals were his first of the season after returning from a two-match ban for being sent off in the bad-temepered 1-0 defeat by Marseille.
Argentine winger Angel di Maria still has another two games to serve of the four-match ban he received from that game.
League leaders Rennes, who remain unbeaten after five games, host second-bottom Reims on Sunday.


bbc--2020-10-02--South Africa's Du Toit questions England's World Cup final tactics

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union Pieter-Steph Du Toit says England 's tactics made him think South Africa would win inside the first 10 minutes of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final .
`` I just thought , 'are you guys crazy ?
This a World Cup final , you do n't play like this ' '' said flanker Du Toit .
`` We were quite physical in that game and they were quite afraid of us .
That was what the plan was . ''
The Springboks went on to prevail 32-12 in November 's match in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third time .
Du Toit picked out Owen Farrell 's decision to spread the ball wide from his own in-goal area in the fifth minute and number eight Billy Vunipola 's stray pass after picking up from the base of a scrum shortly after as key moments .
`` The moment in the final I realised 'look I think we have got them ' was when they started running from behind their own tryline , '' Du Toit added .
`` The other was when Vunipola ran into Damian de Allende and Handre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In a forthcoming behind-the-scenes televison series following South Africa 's victorious campaign , South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus is seen urging his players to get into as many `` battles '' as they can in the final against England .
Du Toit , who was voted World Player of the Year in 2019 , says that next summer 's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa may be an even bigger occasion than the World Cup win .
The Lions play three Tests against the world champions in July and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be almost bigger than a World Cup , '' said Du Toit , who was linked with a move to Harlequins before he decided to stay with Cape Town 's Stormers in May .
`` It only comes every 12 years so for us in South Africa it is massive .
`` I think they will have to build a bigger stadium just for the Lions because if the whole of South Africa could go and watch they probably will . ''

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
South Africa slipped to seventh in the world after the 2015 Rugby World Cup before recovering to win the 2019 tournament
Pieter-Steph Du Toit says England's tactics made him think South Africa would win inside the first 10 minutes of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
England ran the ball from behind their own tryline and saw several high-risk passes go to ground early on.
"I just thought, 'are you guys crazy? This a World Cup final, you don't play like this'" said flanker Du Toit.
"We were quite physical in that game and they were quite afraid of us. That was what the plan was."
The Springboks went on to prevail 32-12 in November's match in Yokohama to lift the trophy for the third time.
Du Toit picked out Owen Farrell's decision to spread the ball wide from his own in-goal area in the fifth minute and number eight Billy Vunipola's stray pass after picking up from the base of a scrum shortly after as key moments.
"The moment in the final I realised 'look I think we have got them' was when they started running from behind their own tryline," Du Toit added.
"The other was when Vunipola ran into Damian de Allende and Handre Pollard and just threw the ball away."
In a forthcoming behind-the-scenes televison series following South Africa's victorious campaign, external-link South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus is seen urging his players to get into as many "battles" as they can in the final against England.
Lions tour 'almost bigger than a World Cup'
The British and Irish Lions lost a bruising series to then world champions South Africa in 2009
Du Toit, who was voted World Player of the Year in 2019, says that next summer's British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa may be an even bigger occasion than the World Cup win.
The Lions play three Tests against the world champions in July and August.
"I think it is going to be almost bigger than a World Cup," said Du Toit, who was linked with a move to Harlequins before he decided to stay with Cape Town's Stormers in May.
"It only comes every 12 years so for us in South Africa it is massive.
"I think they will have to build a bigger stadium just for the Lions because if the whole of South Africa could go and watch they probably will."